Easter is one of my favorite holidays, and even though it falls late this year, I couldn't wait to decorate at home! Caleb says I have an obsession with bunnies. Seeing my mantel, I guess I do :D For some reason bunnies and holiday things make me remember my Grandma, who was always decorating.
My mom had surgery early in the month, in Winston Salem. She had a complete knee replacement. Awhile back, she had a hip replacement. Arnold likes to joke and say that she is bionic woman now! Anyway, Arnold and I took off work that day to spend the day in Winston with her and dad. The kids just happened to be off school that day for a teacher workday, so we took them down with us.
I got to go back with mom when they were prepping her, and meet a few of her drs/nurses. I really don't like seeing my parents so vulnerable and about to have major surgery, so its been tough because I've seen that a lot lately. But the surgery went great! She only had to stay in the hospital for one night, and then dad took her home. She has been spending a lot of time at home in her recliner watching tv shows, reading some books I let her borrow, and napping. She has to do physical therapy a few times a week and they say she has already made great progress, and now she is walking around with a walker. The only time she doesn't feel very good is right after physical therapy and she gets tired and sore and its hard to bounce back.
Dad is having to do a LOT more lately.. even though mom made sure to freeze a lot of meals for him before she went off to surgery ;) Dad has been cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, picking up our kids from school, and lots of other things while Mom can't. I am very thankful he was able to step up because I couldn't be working without their help with the kids!!
Since we knew we'd be spending hours at the hospital just waiting while mom was in the operating room, we took the kids over to Hanes Mall for awhile. We all got some Dippin Dots, and walked around and looked at some stores. We even found a store with some discounted Simply Southern shirts (the girls' latest obsession!) And before we headed back to the hospital to see mom, we picked up a Get Well and smiley face balloon to lift her spirits :)
One of my bffs Joanne and I hardly see each other these days since we're always so busy.. so we made plans to go out to dinner one Friday after I got off work. We went to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings, and then to walk around the mall some. There really isn't that much to do in our town.... but it was fun just being with her!
Brooke is always posting Instagram pictures of herself and making silly expressions or faces, etc. I am always picking on her about it, and so one day I decided to recreate the pictures and show her how silly they look. Although I know I exaggarated a little bit, it's not far off :P All she could do was laugh at me and say she hoped no one saw these pictures. Which they did..... oooops!
Arnold and I try to go on a date every month, and for March we decided to go to the movies to see a Madea Family Funeral! We love all the Madea movies. Sadly, this is the last one Tyler Perry made, so we knew we had to go! We actually went to the earlier movie since it was cheaper, but the line was SO long, and the people before us actually got the last tickets. So we bought tickets for later on that night. Then we went out for awhile to some stores, and out to dinner.
I am a fan of the Instagram page called "Woah Wait Walmart." They post really cute things that Walmart has lately, and always makes me want to buy! When I saw this shirt and sandals posted awhile back, I knew I wanted to get them. Actually I was only going to get the brown ones, but I said what the heck and got both. Im usually spending on the kids and not myself! ;) The Time and Tru line they have out right now is really cute and there are some good finds if you look. I'm not really picky about clothes, if it's cute I'll wear it. I have higher end stuff and cheap stuff!
The girls have wanted to match a lot lately, so that is cute. I did their hair in side braids one day they were going to a friend's birthday party. Brooke said they made her look so much younger, but I said it's ok, I don't want her growing up so fast!!
My parents graduated highschool in 1969, so this fall is their 50th class reunion! My dad was the class president, so he has to plan the thing! Whoever knows my dad knows that he is NOT a party person and he is sort of introverted and quiet like me. Although I find it crazy that in highschool he was so crazy popular. I was looking back at old pics of him and he was the captain of the football team, super smart, and won all kinds of awards. Mom was absolutely gorgeous (still is!) and was a majorette. I loved seeing all their old pictures! Mom says dad used to flirt with her all through highschool but she'd never agree to go on a date with him! They didn't even date til college! I love it when they tell me stories of when they were young. It's crazy and interesting to hear about what they were like before they got older and had kids.
We celebrated St Pattys Day! My favorite color is green, so I love any day you're supposed to wear green clothes! It fell on a Sunday so Arnold and I both wore green shirts to church. Everyone said we were cute matching.. I know we're dorks but I'm big on tradition ;) And no im not Irish or anything, I just like the color!! (at least I think Im not... Im adopted and don't know much about my background! ;)
I think Rachel went a little overboard! ;) I got her the shirt and the headband, necklace and bracelet were actually a gift from someone at school. She was loving her look though ;)
I found the BEST shop downtown that sells Simply Southern shirts, and Alex and Ani bracelets! My newest obsession is those bracelets! I was browsing around for the girls (like usual) and spotted the bracelets. They were having a sale that day, so I said maybe I should get one! I ended up picking the owl, because everyone knows I love them ;) The other bracelet is one my BFF Joanne gave me for my bday last year. Apparently the "thing" is to stack several of them! I already have my eye on the next one I want! ;) (HINT HINT Arnold for Mothers Day! ;)
SO! I finally got around to getting a mouth guard, to wear at night. I grind my teeth in my sleep.. I have no idea I do it but the dentist says my back teeth look AWFUL from it, and it would be beneficial to get one. I just got one you can mold to your mouth at CVS. Arnold helped me make it... you had to boil the thing before you put it in your mouth.. although arnold forgot the step where you had to rinse it in cold water first, and he stuck it in my mouth! It was burning my gums and I kept saying OUCH! That hurts! Arnold was thinking I was being such a baby and said just hold it in there for 2 minutes! After 45 seconds I couldn't stand it and jerked it out. When he figured out he had burned me, he felt so bad. It's ok Arnie, I still love you ;)
And to end up the month, ALEX flew into NC for the weekend! It was kinda a last minute decision so I was so excited!! He helped mom and dad do some work around the house and yardwork. We went over to have dinner with them Saturday night and Dad made homemade lasanga! Mom usually makes it for us, but since shes still recovering he did it! I was so proud of him ;) Then we took Alex to Pelicans to try a Snoball! He tried to strawberry shortcake flavor and really liked it! Arnold joked around and said he should open his own Pelicans stand in Florida! ;)
Sunday morning Alex came to visit our church! Arnold, the kids and I all sat together on one row with him. Then we went back to mom and dads house and all had pizza for lunch! He flew back home Monday morning. I always hate having to say bye to him.. but the good news is that hes planning to come back and visit towards the end of the month!
While we were waiting at Pelican's, the kids played games with their Uncle Alex! I love days where we are all together! I'm glad they have gotten to know their Uncle!
Dad made all the yummy food and salads for us Saturday night!
Just hanging out at Mom and Dad's (notice Mindy in the picture too.. their 14 year old black lab! We LOVE Mindy!!!! :)
