Life Lately!

Yes it's been another 2 weeks since I've written in the blog! My poor neglected blog! But here is some stuff that has gone on lately with us! 

The other weekend I was off work so we took our kids and our niece to the mountains for the day! It was a lot of fun-- the weather was beautiful and perfect for the trip. They watched "Max" on the dvd player in the van, on the way up. We got up there and went to Mystery Hill. None of us had ever been there before. It was a special this month, only $2 tickets for residents or students of NC. It was pretty neat but not worth much more, I thought. The gravity room really made me feel dizzy and I didn't like it but the kids LOVED it. They also loved putting themselves in bubbles. Next we went to the fossil museum to look around a little bit. After we were all done there we went to lunch at Applebee's. Then we went to the parkway and drove around and took pictures. We stopped at a park nearby and the kids played around the creek. Lastly we went up to the outlet stores and got icecream cones. I also stopped into Gymboree outlet (couldn't resist!) and got Rachel some things. Expensive day!!!! But I think they all had an awesome day, and we did too. 

Our church does something twice a year called INSPIRE, which is a service just for women. Hundreds of women come out and there is praise music, a speaker, comedy, goodies, prayer, and all sorts of things. Two of my best friends and I went to it together. We went to Olive Garden for dinner beforehand. My friend Joanne has lived in the area her whole life and never went?! INSPIRE was amazing this year-- I really got into the songs and was crying through some of it-- it really moved me. The speaker was someone we knew and she did a great job. A few ladies won some pretty awesome door prizes. It was such a good night. I can't wait until the next one! 

That same weekend my parents took the kids with them to the mountains for the weekend! The kids had an awesome time getting spoiled by their grandparents. They took them to the lake, and swimming at the indoor pool, and made them homemade parfaits for breakfast, and all sorts of fun stuff. I don't think they wanted to come home ;) PLUS, Arnold and I got some free time that weekend!! 

So on our free night we decided to go on a date!  We went to dinner at Outback steakhouse. Then we had some time to kill so we went to a few stores. I took this picture in Target... poor Arnold looks so thrilled doesn't he?! ;) I am on a kick of PINEAPPLE stuff recently (don't ask me why!) and I wanted this doormat when I saw it! I haven't forgotten my owls, but maybe I'm moving on haha. ANYWAY, after that we went to the movies to see ALLEGIANT! It wasn't as good as the first two, I think it was a little cheesy, and it was LONG! But it was still pretty good, I had to see it-- after getting this far. AND lastly, we ended up at Walmart at 10pm that night-- fun fun right? But I did end up buying a cute new nightgown for me and some sandals for Rachel-- haha. 

At the kids' school, in the first grade, they have an animal project. They are assigned an animal, and they make it, and research it, and write a paper about it. Arnold always helps with the artsy part, and I help with the writing part. Together we make a great team! ;) This year was Rachel's turn. She got a jaguar. They had a cute one made up, then Charlie ATE IT! So they made another one. Arnold wasn't quite too happy about that, haha. It was neat putting all 3 of the kids and their pictures together to look back :)

In some BIG news... my brother and sister-in-law are expecting another baby-- due in September! I am so very excited! We don't know the gender yet, but should find out in the next week or so, after they have their gender reveal party. I wish we could be in Florida to see it! I feel like it's a girl-- don't know why. My brother wants a son.. but would be happy with either! I can't wait to find out! Another niece, or my VERY FIRST nephew???!!!! 

Had a scare this week-- I was taking some tylenyol and dropped one on the floor, and Charlie ate it! He grabbed that sucker quickly and gobbled it up. I called the vet, and they said to come in since he's so little. Arnold took him in and they gave him medicine that made him throw up three times, and some charcoal liquid stuff to keep the medicine from moving to his organs. But other than all that, he was doing great and came home acting like his normal self. AFTER peeing on Arnold while driving home, and having BLACK liquid poop that night! Soooo gross. Oh and $150 bill-- not fun. But I'm so glad he's ok! 

Yesterday was my BFF"s birthday! She and I have been friends for 15 years- as of this year! I am so thankful for her friendship and can't wait to hang out this weekend!

These cuties are the best-- I love them so much :) :) :)

Life Lately!

Man have we been busy lately! I haven't blogged in a few weeks. I am pretty backed up on laundry and trying to study for exams and I recently got a new job, so I just don't have the time to do as much reading and blogging as I like to. But I wanted to do a quick update on what we've been up to lately! :)

We had a wodnerful Easter as a family. My mom got the girls matching dresses to wear. We still love them matching as long as they will let us ;) Caleb's outfit came from Crazy 8. He looks so grown up to me in this picture. Arnold and I worked at church with the kids that morning. Then we went to Mom and Dad's for a big easter lunch. My parents did an easter egg hunt in the backyard for the kids. The eggs were filled with candy and money, which the kids loved. 

My mom gets the kids books at every holiday, and writes a message in the cover, so they will each have a nice collection of books to take when they grow up. She got Rachel "Finding Winnie" which is a popular kids' book right now, the true story of how Winnie the Pooh came about. I had no idea it was based on a real bear. It's a really great story. Rachel loves looking at the book over and over :)

We went to a friend's birthday party. Scott was turning 3 and had his party at a local animal shelter. It was so neat because we got to go in and see the animals and learn lots of facts and the kids did crafts and then had cake, and THEN got to play with a real puppy. They were so excited, as you can see. The kids kept begging us to take home a pet but we said NO WAY since we have too many already ;) As gifts we gave donations to the shelter. I thought it was such an awesome party idea and the kids just loved it. 

The kids also got balloon animals that day, and Rachel picked to have a weenie dog like Sheldon ;)

We celebrated our BFF Erika's birthday. I can't believe we are in our 30's now.. but we are still dang fun and good looking ;) HA! We had a cookout over at her house and delicious cake. Shana came in town for the week and I was so excited to get to see her! I miss her! 

Some big news is that I got a job at Chick Fila! I was looking for something part-time to do to help out the family while I'm finishing up my degree. My BFF Joanne works at the one in the mall and put in a good word for me-- I went in and interviewed and got the job! I have been working about 2 weeks now. I really love it-- the people are all very nice and have been patient helping me learn everything. I've had some embarrassing times already like exploding frozen coffee everywhere--- such a mess. And getting a few things wrong here and there. But overall it's been great. They work with my hours and I get to work while the kids are in school, and on Sautrdays. AND they give you free food for every shift you work. I might be  getting a little tired of eating chicken already.... but I love the food still and appreciate the perk ;)

And of course the biggest perk of all is working with my very best friend! We had to take a work selfie of us matching in our uniforms. Which by the way-- I don't like tucking my shirt in and wearing a belt.. so uncomfortable, haha ;)

We planted this tree when Rachel was born and look how big it has gotten! And it is starting to sprout pretty pink flowers this Spring. 

We've  been spending lots of time outdoors and at the park of course. Brooke is quite the monkey ;)

This past weekend they had a Friday night Jam at church, so the kids went and Arnold and I got to slip away for a quick date night! We needed one badly.. we have both been so busy! We went to dinner at O'Charleys, then to browse around Ross for awhile, then to pick up a dessert at the bakery. 

The kids got their report cards the other day. They all did pretty well. Caleb was so close AGAIN to getting the A honor roll but missed it by a little bit. Darn math! He made all the rest of A's though. Brooke brought up a lot of her grades! I was so happy with that. And Rachel got a pretty good report too. Krispy Kreme gives out donuts for A's, so between the kids we got 10 free donuts the other night to celebrate! 

Brooke has been at the orthodontist way too much lately-- she keeps breaking her headgear. I am sure they are shaking their heads at us. Last time she got pink bands on so she was thrilled with that. 

We went bathing suit shopping for Rachel the other night. She picked out this colorful suit. The kids are going to the mtns next weekend with my parents and get to go swimming indoors, so we thought we'd better take care of it now! 

Sheldon has been extra close and clingy to me lately when I get home from work! I think he is missing me! Others tell me it's because I smell like chicken! ;) Ha! Brooke says she smells chicken on my clothes everytime I come home from work, so that's probably true ;)