Days of May!

It took me quite awhile to take down my easter decor and all my bunnies (Caleb says I have a problem, haha!) but I finally got some spring and summer stuff up! The cute lemonade flag was from Kirklands this year and the flamingos doormat is from Target! My poor hubby was shopping with me the day I was looking for new stuff-- poor thing! ;)

The new church we became members of puts on a mother/daughter lunch at a local country club every year, to celebrate mothers day. When they started talking about buying tickets for it in church one day, I knew I wanted to go. Turns out it was for girls 12 and up since there was a speaker coming I guess, so Brooke just made the cut and thought she was hot stuff! ;) Rachel was a little bummed she couldn't go, but we assured her that her time would come! We took Mom with us and had a great time. They had a brunch spread of fruit, casseroles and yogurts. And they had a few singers from church that sang some songs that were mother/daughter themed. Tears were just flowing down my cheeks during one of those songs and Brooke looked at me like I was crazy! But she will understand one day! After we ate, there was a lady who came out and spoke to us and I really liked her message. It was related to birds, and we all left with a cute little bird keychain, that I added to my set of keys. 

On Mothers Day morning, Arnold had to be at church really early to play with the praise team. I joked that he got lucky with that one because I had to stay at home and get the kids ready for church and there on time! He did pick me up breakfast before though ;) We went to church and the pastor gave a wonderful speech on the importance of mothers. Then we met up with my parents at their country club for lunch. They had an incredible spread, and an entire room of just desserts! I wish I had taken a picture of it! Rachel found the shrimp cocktail station and loaded her plate up with that! That's my girl ;) After lunch I headed into town to do a little shopping ALL BY MYSELF! Then later that evening Arnold and the kids took me out to one of my fave restaurants-- Dos Amigos! None of my family really care for that place too much, but it was my day! ;) And Rachel WAS happy with the cheese dip ;)

Mom got me this gorgeous North Carolina plaque.. I think you can either hang it up or use it for a cutting board maybe. But it was so cute that I hung it up in the living room. It has so many NC towns on it.. Hickory even made it on there! ;) 

Arnold got me an ancestry kit that I am SO excited to use. You have to mail off a spit sample (yuck) and in 6-8 weeks they mail you back information about your background, traits, etc. That is so cool to me because I was adopted and don't know a TON about my background. The kids got some some pioneer woman dishtowels that I had been wanting. they know me ;)

Brooke had her Spring band concert! I am really proud of her. She has really enjoyed playing the trumpet for the past 2 years. And she is pretty good at it, too! I guess she got Arnold's musical talent, because it sure wasn't from me!!! ;) We sat through the 8th grade band performance too. They even played Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, which was cool. I dig some White Stripes. I know, I have the strangest mix of music loves-- just ask Arnold!!! 

We hadn't gone bowling in a LONG time.. so we decided to go one Saturday. Arnold has his own bowling ball that was his grandpas, and he just had to take it with us. It kept getting stuck behind the pins though, haha. None of us are really good bowlers. I am embarassed to admit our scores. Although surprinsinly enouugh, I won!! I just like to beat Arnold at things ;) I think Rachel got bored but was most impressed with the jumbo soft pretzel we got her from the snack bar :)

We had to hit up Cracker Barrell one Saturday morning for brunch.. we LOVE that place. We are all big breakfast food people-- well not so much Caleb but he is weird ;) haha! Everytime we go the kids have to get a candy from the country store. I don't mind the candy either.. I like the old fashioned cinnamon candy sticks. 

We love going to the mountains! So we went one weekend to Blowing Rock. We stopped by Julian Price Park. It was PACKED! But the kids got in the creek and played for a little while.

We stopped at all the overlooks and took pictures of course.... It was very windy that day! Our hair was out of control!!

And of COURSE we had to stop by Kiliwans and get icecream!!! I may or may not have stopped by OshKosh and gotten Rachel a few new summer outfits too.. even though she didn't need them! ;)

Arnold's company gives their employees free memberships every year to our local science center. I LOVE that! We hadn't been in awhile, and they had just started up the Butterfly exhibit for the summer, so we decided to take the kids last weekend. Brooke kept chasing the butterflies around and tried to get them to land on her finger, but they never would. They were probably scared of her! ;) Rachel said that was "yucky" and she didn't want butterfly "tenticles" on her, haha! Caleb mostly just watched everything going on. 

We also had to make a stop by the aquarium to see the fish, turtles, and all that. The stingrays were very active that day and kept coming up to the top of the tank and Brooke would reach in and touch them. The man working there also picked up a starfish out of a tank and let her hold it. That kid is not afraid of anything... she is nothing like me! ;)

We enjoyed a fun Memorial day weekend! We took the kids to the movies to see Aladdin! Aladdin was my 2nd favorite Disney movie as a kid (Little Mermaid is first!!) and I have been dying to see the remake! It was amazing! No one will ever top Robin Williams as the genie, but I liked Will Smith's spin on things. Arnold though Jasmine was quite the looker ;) haha! 

Arnold and I were both off Memorial Day Monday, so we were pretty lazy all day! Then we went to Mom and Dad's for dinner. They cooked ribs. I do NOT eat meat on a bone so I just ate corn on the cob. But Arnold and the kids LOVE ribs, so they were happy. I just had to show this picture comparing Rachel to the first time trying Pop Pops ribs whens she was a baby, and now. We have kept the tradition up for many years now it looks like! 

Arnold likes any chance he gets to go to a music/guitar center. We had a guitar center open up locally awhile back. Although he has PLENTY of guitars already and they are SO expensive.. he likes to go and look for fun, and play some of them. Rachel went with us this past time, and checked out the keyboards. She may start piano lessons soon. She also loved playing the drums! Looks like we may have another musician in the family soon! ;)

For mine and Arnold's May date night, we went out of town to see the Collective Soul/Gin Blossoms concert! We both love 90s music.. and grew up in the 90s, so we thought it would be fun. It was on a wed. night which kinda sucked, but thankfully mom and dad said they would watch the kids that night for us so we could go! We actually took the day off from work and got a lot done at home that day. That evening we headed out of town, stopped to get some dinner at Applebee's, then went to the show. Gin Blossoms had come on and played ONE SONG when it started storming and lightning! they actually stopped the show and said it hopefully would come back on later. So Arnold and I waited outside with a bunch of other people (it wasnt raining!) and after 45 minutes the show came back! And we lucked out because some people actually LEFT for good, and so our row of seats wasn't as packed! Anyway, the concert was awesome.. we didn't get home until nearly 1 am, so we were exhausted later that morning when we got up for work. Guess we should have taken THAT day off instead! HA! 

Month in Review:APRIL!!

Our sweet Rachel made AB honor roll AGAIN! If she makes it one more time, she will have made it the whole year! She did that last year, too. So proud of her. So I got to go see her at awards day at her school. They also had benchmark tests, which gives them an idea of how much they learned this year, and how well the might do on the upcoming EOGs, and she did fantastic! 

Arnold and I went on our April date night.. almost thought we'd get thru the month without a date since we were so busy, but at the last minute we made plans! We went out to eat at Carrabbas and went to do a little shopping. 

Earlier in the month I caught the stomach bug! Thankfully I had it over the weekend so I didnt' have to miss any work (but I DID lose my weekend fun :( Arnold went to church like usual while I stayed at home in bed, and he brought me home my favorite drink with my favorite ice.. it's the little things ;) The stomach bug was going around the preschool bad for awhile. I also got strep TWO times this year! I read it's not even all that common to get strep as an adult! The dr told me I was being reexposed to the virus...and of course those who work with kids get sick more easily sometimes. Lucky me! I hope to be feeling well for awhile now that that's all over with! 

My BFF Jess and I got together and went to the movies!! We saw Breakthrough, which was amazing! I wasn't even sure if I'd go see it, but I'm so glad I did! I did cry like I imagined I would, but it's ok because everyone else there was too! I'm so glad I got to hang out with Jess-- we are so busy these days and don't get to see each other much. We've been friends since highschool and used to spend EVERY minute together it seemed like! Jess is now a director at a local childcare center, and I'm so very proud of her! :)

I somehow got roped into buying my son... the crazy Fortnite addict.. a Fred the Llama comforter from Target! To be fair.. he is a pretty good kid and could use some new bedding.. and the bedding just happened to be on sale that week ;) I never thought one day I'd be on the search for silly things just to make my kids so happy. I mean really.. a purple llama pinata?! I still don't understand Fortnite.. but whatvever!

Arnold is still really enjoying playing with the praise group at church! He is on a regular schedule now.. he plays every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. On those weeks he goes to practice on Wednesday nights.. so he's gone when I get home from work. But I usually use those nights now to catch up on reading ;)

The kids like to run up on stage and see him after church services. They like to help him carry his guitars and equipment out to the van, too. I call them his roadies ;)

One Saturday night during the month we rented A Dog's Way Home dvd and watched it at home. I had been begging the kids to go to the theater to see it with me, but they all said no because it would make them sad! Man.. where did I get such emotional kids??! ;) The movie was so good! I love any movies with dogs in them.. I am a big dog person :) I DID cry.. but it was a good cry.. there was a happy ending.

I got a new stack of books to read. The Karen Kingsbury book was just released and I read all of her's. The latest book is about adoption, and so of course I LOVED it! It did make me think back to my story and 2005 though. I also got A Love Letter Life because I follow Jeremy and Audrey Roloff on instagram and so I wanted to see what that was all about, and it was pretty good. Right now I'm reading WINNING THE WORRY BATTLE. I struggle with anxiety big time, and so it is really helping me put things in perspective. 

Arnold and I bought tickets to the COLLECTIVE SOUL concert at the end of the month! They are coming to Greensboro with Gin Blossoms! When I saw it advertised on facebook, I knew I had to go. I love all 90s music. I am a 90s kid after all! So on the 29th, Arnold and I both asked off for work, and we will go to Greensboro, get dinner, and go to the concert! It will be our May date night! 

We celebrated Easter! Our first Easter at our new church! The music was ON POINT that Sunday! I was getting chillbumps all over and it was just beautiful. Arnold was off music duty that day so he got to sit with me in the pew and enjoy the music. Arnold jokes and says the A Team was playing that Sunday ;) We just had to get a picture in front of the beautiful flower cross. I wanted all the kids to match in yellow this year, and I fell in love with a dress for Rachel and got it. Then I got a matching polo for Caleb. Brooke is now in womens small, so I had to look elsewhere for her dress. I couldn't find anything yellow that we could really agree on, so we finally settled on this yellow dress from Old Navy. It was more of a mustard color, but oh well.. you pick your battles! ;)

Just like every year, we went to Mom and Dad's for a big easter lunch. My mom is still recovering from her knee replacement surgery (although shes making great progress!) so Dad stepped up and did a lot of the preparation and cooking! I was proud of him! ;) 

Brooke absolutely loves her Grandma's deviled eggs. Actually we all do! 

Since the girls were looking all pretty on Easter and my mom had given them flower headbands they wanted to model, we decided to take some sister pictures in their backyard! They live on a golf course and its always a beautiful area to take pictures of the kids. This was one of my favorites! I think I will frame it and put it up in the house somewhere. By the way-- Brooke is all about herself these days, and taking selfies of herself. I guess I can't blame her too much though, I've been taking so many pictures of her since she was born! :D

Month in Review: March!!

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!!!! :) 

MY TOP THREE!!

FAVORITE NEWER SHOWS
This Is Us
The Good Dr
Splitting Up Together

FAVORITE MOVIES
Grease
Father of the Bride
Dirty Dancing

FAVORITE BOOKS
The Help
The Shack
Where the Crawdads Sing

FAVORITE ALL TIME FAVORITE SHOWS
Golden Girls
Friends
The Office

FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT
Applebee's

Mellow Mushroom

Red Lobster

FAVORITE HOLIDAYS

Christmas
Easter
July 4th

FAVORITE SUBJECTS IN HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE
English/Writing
Science
Psychology 

FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT MY JOB
I've made some great friends

I get to work with babies every day,      I don't have to work weekends

FAVORITE DRINKS
Sweet Tea
Fresh Lemonade
Cherry Coke

FAVORITE DESSERTS

Cookies N Cream Icecream

Brownies

Pelicans Snoballs

FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Proverbs
Genesis

Corinthians

FAVORITE FAMILY TRADITIONS

Southern Christmas Show
Oktoberfest, Fireworks

FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES

Micah 6:8
1 Corinthians 13:4
Isaiah 41:10

FAVORITE WAYS TO MAKE TIME FOR MYSELF
Reading a book
Blogging, Shopping

FAVORITE TRIPS IVE BEEN ON

Cancun

Disney World

New York

 PLACES I STILL WANT TO VISIT

Italy

The deep south

Paris

 WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF

Sensitive

Caring

Anxious

 FAVORITE BANDS

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Dave Matthews Band

Coldplay

 DISNEY MOVIES

The Little Mermaid

Aladdin

Beauty and the Beast

THINGS IM MOST PROUD OF

Giving birth to Brooke all naturally, drug free

Giving Joseph a better life through adoption

Going back to college as an adult

Month in Review: February 2019!

Rachel had awards day at school, and she got AB Honor roll!! She has been doing so great in 4th grade so far, and has stayed on the honor roll consistently. She also made Citizen of the Month!! We were surprised on that one. She asked me what is a good citizen?? LOL. I really am proud of her though, she is a sweet kid and helpful and kind to others. 

After 3 long years, Brooke got her braces off!!! The reason she got them on at such a young age was that they said we needed to correct her jaw shape. It was a V shape instead of the normal U shape, and pretty misaligned. You can tell from the pictures it really did make a big difference in her jaw and her smile. She was so happy to finally be able to eat taffy and popcorn again. She has to wear a retainer for awhile now, but it is the clear slip in kind, rather than the metal kind I had as a teen, so not too bad! 

Arnold and I have found our home church! It was one of my goals this year and it is now accomplished! I grew up Methodist and so switching over to Baptist made me a teeeeny bit nervous, but they really aren't that different! Although Baptists don't celebrate Lent, Ash Wednesday and giving something up leading up to Easter! Who knew?! Anyway, we officially became MEMBERS the other week, and we are thrilled. We have met a lot of amazing people already.

Arnold has become part of the praise team! Every few weeks he gets to get up on stage with the other musicians and play guitar! The kids and I have gotten a big kick out of watching him. We're like his own little fan club ;) The first day he played he was blushing on stage and so nervous, but I think he's getting the hang of it now! 

We have been really great about going to church every Sunday, and getting back into the swing of things. I have had to get out of my comfort zone a little and wear dresses, leggings, etc. to church on Sundays. We came from a very laid-back, casual church before, so I was used to wearing jeans! And I know it doesn't technically matter what you wear to church, but I was always taught you dress up nice for Church out of respect ;) Poor Rach isn't loving the dresses either, shes more of a tomboy these days! ;)

What do you do when you get your braces off?? Go out to celebrate and eat cheesecake of course! You think she would have picked something with caramel or nuts, something she wasn't supposed to have while she had braces. But she was happy with plain ol strawberry cheesecake! It was ok because I got to finish what she didn't eat ;)

I have gotten back into reading on a regular basis this year, and I still prefer a good old-fashioned book to a kindle, so one weekend I went out searching for a new book to read. I had heard great reviews on "Where the Crawdads Sing" and so I picked it up. Well it lived up to the hype-- I loved it!! It actually will probably be added to my list of all-time favorite books! It's somewhat of a mystery, but the actual story is just really good and sucked me in. I stayed up one evening really late and had to finish it! Then I loaned it to my friend Kim. And she loved it too! Now my mom has it and I think she'll enjoy it as well! 

We had a tree cut down in our yard last month. It was the pecan tree in our front yard. Arnold had been saying for a while that it was unsafe and the way it was positioned in front of our house, it would have been dangerous if we had a bad storm or something, and it fell on our house. Luckily our neighbor across the street cuts down trees and he gave us a great deal! We made it a family affair afterward and had everyone pitching in to clean up all the limbs and sticks in the yard, because it was a mess! I know it's silly to get so emotional over a tree, but I hated to see it go. We often took pictures of the kids in front of that tree. 

Brooke has been growing her hair out for a long time, and everytime I suggest cutting it, she fights me on it and says that she looks soo much better with long hair and she would never cut it. But there have been so many frustrations and tears over knots that would constantly get in her hair, and she eventually agreed to go get some cut off. So although it wasn't drastic, she did get a few inches cut off and the split ends are gone, and it looks so much better. 

That same day we were at the mall getting Brooke's haircut, we stayed at the mall for awhile, doing some shopping, and the kids had to stop for soft pretzels and lemonade! My mom used to always get me a pretzel when I went to the mall with her as a kid :)

Our poor Rachel got the FLU last month!! We got a call from school one day saying she had a fever. Arnold took her to the dr and sure enough, she had flu! A few days later, Brooke got the flu also! Our house was full of germs for days! I am SO happy and confused as to how Arnold, Caleb and I didn't catch it, but thankfully we stayed healthy! And this all happened over Valentine's, so we didn't have much fun this year! And Rachel missed her class party! :( But her teacher was sweet enough to save all the valentines and candy she got and bagged it up for her when she got back :)

One day while Brooke was at a friend's house, we took Caleb and Rachel to Udderly Delicious for Icecream! We love going there, the icecream is the best! I usually get cookies n cream in a waffle cone. They also have the best icecream cakes for birthdays and special events (hint hint Arnold ;)