A few exciting things...

Just wanted to share a few exciting things happening around here lately:

1. Matt got a new job!  Yay!  I cannot begin to explain how happy it makes me to announce that he found an amazing job in which he will be home every night and weekend!  We are so excited to begin this new adventure and we are praising God for his perfect timing.

2. I won a blog contest!  One of my favorite blogs, Dancing with Ashley, was giving away a set of stationary by Heather and I won it!  Yay for handwritten notes on beautiful stationary, right?!

^My new stationary and my helper, Elijah:)

 



3. I was recently introduced to Hobby Lobby and....why have I never been there before??  It was awesome and I am so thankful to fun friends that shared a day of shopping and girl time together with me:) 

I can hardly believe it's the last day of April today.  This year seems to be flying by!  I am hoping for a warm month of May with blooming flowers and NO snow...please, no snow!  I hope your April has been great!

Favorites from the Week

Here are a few of my favorite things from this week:

Favorite article/blog post:
I recently read an article shared by a few of my friends on Facebook.  Read it here.  The title of the article was "We can't be friends" and basically told of how a mother of young children felt about her messy house and the reality that it will remain that way until her kids are older. She states in it that she definitely wants her friends to come over and spend time with their family, but to not expect the house to be perfect...in return, she doesn't want or expect that from her friends either. 

 Can I get a hallelujah? 

Favorite Quote from Bella:
Bella had a piece of her hair fall onto her arm.  She let it sit there, balancing on her arm and said, "It's like a seahorse...or a bicycle with a seahorse on it!" Now that's what I call a great imagination!

Favorite New Recipe:
Korean Beef Soft Tacos made in the slow cooker.  YUM!  Find the recipe here.

Favorite Picture of the Week:

Elijah and Bella are both smiling AND looking at the camera-this almost never happens:)

Favorite Pin of the Week:
I want to make this sign for Bella's room!


What are some of your favorite things from this week? 

I am looking forward to next week which will be full of fun Valentine crafts and celebrations as well as a very important birthday...my husband Matt's!  Yay for celebrations (and cake, of course!)!

Happy New Year! Some of my top reads of 2013

Happy New Year to you!  I hope your celebrations were joyful!  We rang in the new year with some great friends, then spent New Year's Day celebrating my mother in law's birthday-what a fun start to 2014! 

Have you started making goals for the new year yet?  I am still working on some of mine, but I found a great blog post (from one of my favorite blogs) on how to categorize goals, found here.  If more reading is on your list this year, maybe you'll find my top 5 reads of 2013 helpful! 

Here are my top five reads of 2013:

Best Memoir: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Best Comedy: The Tao of Martha by Jen Lancaster
Best Mystery: Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
Best Romantic Storyline: Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin
Best Devotional: Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

If you have any book suggestions for me for the new year, I'd love to hear them! 

May your 2014 be full of blessings!

Saying Goodbye Is Hard To Do

In December 2012 we found out that our son Elijah has some severe food allergies as well as environmental allergies.  His allergies to food include dairy, soy, eggs, and peanuts.  His envornmental allergies are to dogs and cats (among others).  It's been a process figuring out just what this means, but after meeting with an allergist, we learned that our best course of action was to give our two beloved pugs, Cayman and Ana, to new families.  It was a difficult decision, but in the end we knew it was best for Elijah to live in a pet-free home.  Although we were heartbroken to see our pugs go, we have made sure they have gone to good homes where they will be well taken care of and loved.  So in honor of our pugs and the six years we got to spend with them (since they were puppies), I thought I'd share a few pictures of our two favorite dogs:)

We love you so much Cayman and Ana!  We will think of you often and you will always be in our hearts. 

If you have a pet, give them an extra squeeze for us today.

Our 6th Year Anniversary (Video)

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life, Matthew!  The last six years have been amazing and I wouldn't change a thing.  Thank you for the love you show me, the laughs you stir in me, and the life you share with me.  I adore you. 

Here's a little video I put together for Matt for our anniversary. Cheers!

Our First Date

In honor of our anniversary coming up, here is story number two, as promised.

Our First Date:)

Matt and my first date was on December 20th, 2003 (I know the date because I saved the movie stub).  Matt had asked me if I wanted to 'hang out' sometime, so we finally decided to meet up for some pie at Perkins and a movie at the theater in town.  I can remember being so nervous, not knowing if it was really a date or just friends hanging out.  I knew I really liked him, but I wasn't sure he felt the same way (don't worry, folks, he did!).  Anyway, we had a great time just talking and laughing over pie (lemon meringue for me and french silk for Matt).  Matt even paid for mine!  Then we went to our very first movie together, Something's Gotta Give.  If you've ever seen it, you know it would be a little uncomfortable to watch together on a first date, but we had a fun time anyway!  I can remember sitting in the theater with him, just chatting before the movie started.  As nervous as I was, I felt so comfortable with him.  I think our personalities just clicked.  After that 'date', Matt sent me a text (back when texting was still a novelty!), and said that he'd had fun and he hoped he could take me on a real date next time *Sigh*  And so began our lives together. 

Matt and Cassie Summer '05

Enjoy your day, maybe even with a slice of pie! 

How We Met

This coming weekend, Matt and I will be celebrating our six year wedding anniversary.  During this week, I thought I'd share a few stories about our story.  So for today, here's the story of how we met.

In July of 2003, I was applying to local businesses trying to find my first real job.  I had received call-backs from two different places, and I struggled to choose which job to take.  I finally decided to take the position at Applebee's as a hostess.  I began my senior year that fall, and in September one evening while I was working, Matt showed up as a new host.  He introduced himself and we chatted for a few minutes.  I didn't know it then, but I was meeting my husband for the first time. 

Matt always had a smile on his face, and he was funny from the moment I met him.  We worked together often and we quickly became friends.  I really liked working with Matt because he was such a hard worker and we always had a good time together.  I began to secretly check the schedule to see when Matt and I worked together-they were my favorites shifts each week.  I know it didn't seem like a vital decision then, but taking that job at Applebee's was one of the best decisions of my life, because it led me to Matt.  I will always have a soft spot for the place.  Matt and I still go and have dinner at that Applebee's once in a while, and it brings back so many great memories for us. 

Here's to the little decisions in life that make all the difference.

(This song reminds me of the two of us!  Love you Matt!)

While You're Away

As I've mentioned before, Matt recently got a new job that takes him away from home for weeks at a time.  To help us stay close while he is away, we skype, send texts, and I send him pictures and videos of the kids and all their silliness.  But I decided to do a few other things for Matt to help him feel like he's not missing out on day-to-day life around here.  Maybe if you have a loved one far away you'll be inspired to try one of these too!

1. Matt's Mailbox: In our front entry, we have cubies in the closet.  One of these is now dedicated to Matt.  The kids make art projects and drawings for Matt that we put in his 'mailbox' to open when he gets home.  I haven't actually found a little mailbox to put in the cubie yet, but I'm looking for one.  I think the kids would like a little mailbox that they could stick their projects in and put the little flag up for Daddy!

2. Dear Matthew Letters: This is just what it sounds like.  Dear Matthew letters are the letters I write to Matt while he's away.  I write to him about little things that happen during our day.  They may not be monumental or exciting, but they are the little things that make up our life, and I don't want Matt to miss out.  I give him all the letters each time he comes home.

3. Notes on the Road: These are notes that I send with Matt to open at different times while he's away.  They are just words of encouragement, and may contain a candy bar that I know he loves:)

4. Care Package: I haven't sent one of these with him yet, but I will soon.  This would be items I could send with him to enjoy while he's gone.  Perhaps a book, photos of the kids, snacks, CD, etc.  Just another way to let him know how much we miss him while he's away.  This last trip I did send homemade treats for him to share with his crew though-that should count for something, right??;)

5. Map It Out: The kids and I are currently looking for a good U.S. Road map for this project.  I'd like to put the map on a cork board.  Each night when we Skype with Matt, he can tell us what city he's in, and the kids can put a pin in that city on our map.  That way we can keep track of his route, and the kids can practice learning cities and states as they get older (Wow, can you tell I'm a teacher at heart?!). 

6. Nightly Bible Study: Although this doesn't always work out, Matt and I try to do a nightly Bible study together over skype.  This is another way to stay connected to each other and deepen our relationship. 

Here's a pic of all four of us ready for church this past Sunday.  We love our time together as a family!!

Do you have any other ideas that help you stay connected with loved ones far away?  If so, I'd love to hear them! 

Have a Happy Thursday!!

Friday Letters

Dear Matthew, you are so missed around here.  I am so excited to show you all the work I've gotten done around the house, and so excited to enjoy the backyard as a family when you get home!  I am so thankful for all that you do for this family.  You are awesome and I love you more than frozen hot chocolate on a warm summer day:)  Dear Debbie and Al, we miss you!  So excited to see you this coming week and hear all about your fun vacation.  Have I told you both lately how much I love you and appreciate all that you do for me? Thank you for being such a blessing in my life.  Love you more than HGTV:)  Dear Traci and Julie, thank you for agreeing to start our bookclub together.  These last six months have been so much fun and I love having an excuse to hang out with you both!  (And the reading is pretty fun too!)  Love you both more than coffee AND lemon bars:)  Dear Mom, you are a rockstar.  You are so busy and yet still have time to spend with me and the kids.  Your help and support has meant more to me than words can say.  You are so selfless and giving.  Thank you.  I love you more than chinese food and caramel frappes.  Dear Emily, thank you for being such a great friend.  I love our 'playdates' with the kids.  Your schedule is always packed, and you still make time for me.  Thank you for that.  You are a huge blessing in my life and I am so thankful for you.  Love you more than Spring pedicures and girl time!   Dear Babe, yes, you get two.  Because you are just that special to me.  I miss watching movies with you.  I miss noticing something funny and getting that look from you because you were thinking the EXACT same thing.  I miss your hugs.  I miss your laugh.  I MISS YOU.  Come home soon love.  I call dibs on the first hug. 

 I love you more than peanut butter loves chocolate. 

House Project: Sun Room Addition

My (amazing) husband recently helped my parents complete a sun room addition/remodel on their home.  I wanted to show you all of his hard work and what a great job he did!  (And by the way, I can't wait until he builds one onto our house!!)

My parents home was built 20 years ago in 1993. When it was built they had a solarium off the back of the kitchen (next to the deck).  I don't have any great pictures of it, but here's one.  It was basically walls up about two feet, then windows all the way up and windows for a ceiling. 

Fast forward 20 years.  Last summer they had their siding redone, and at that time found out that the solarium had severe problems coinciding with water damage.  They decided to redo the entire room, opting to make it a sun room with a roof instead of all windows.  This way it would be more usable all year long (not so hot in the summer and cold in the winter).  Matt volunteered to help them plan and complete the project. 

Here are some pictures of the process.

Here's the end result (so far).  Matt's part is done.  My mom and brother are planning on completing the rest themselves.  The siding will go up next, then the inside will be insulated, sheet rocked, floored, painted, and trimmed. Matt already ran the electrical, so they will just need to pick out a light fixture to install.  They are hoping to use the space as a game room/conversation area with a great view no matter where you sit! 

Doesn't my husband do amazing work??  If you'd like to hire him for a project you can let me know:) (Don't worry Debbie and Al, you are first on the list!).  He's a very busy man, but he loves to do this type of work.  We already have lots of plans for our house as well!

I hope you are having a wonderful week! 

(It is April 19th today.  It has snowed for the past two days straight, with snow totals around 14 inches so far.  I just thought I should have this on record so when my family protests when I want to move South, I have evidence of why!)

Well Hello There:)

Look at what my sweet and thoughtful husband surprised me with the other night....

The Spring Trench I was raving about here! 

Isn't he just the best?! 

And by the way, he recently started a new job that takes him away from home a lot more.  We are missing him so much around here, but we are so thankful for a great husband and father that provides for us. 

Thank you for all that you do, Matt.  We love you:)

Dear Spring

Boy oh boy do we have Spring Fever around here!  Bella and Elijah are so so so ready to be outside running around and playing in the warm sunshine.  I am ready to plant a garden, take the kids on walks, and grill out.  I want to sip iced tea, lay out in the sun, and wear sandals again!  I want to hear thunder again! 

Anyone else have kiddos that are going stir crazy?  Shouting and singing at the top of their lungs because they don't remember what 'outside voice' even means??  Yikes, do we need some fresh Spring air! 

Where are you Spring???

Dear Spring, please come soon!  We miss your warm temperatures, your bright flowers, your green grass, and the start of everything fresh and new! 

Hoping that you are able to make it through these last few weeks of snow and slush...and remember, Spring is coming soon! 

10 things I love!

And here you have it...10 random things that are making my day brighter!

1. International Delight Iced Coffee in Mocha flavor.  Oh my goodness, talk about deliciousness in a glass!  (and it's way cheaper than buying an iced mocha from the coffee shop every day!). 

2. Wonton Tacos.  Amazing, healthy, and easy to make.  Can it get any better than that?  Here's the link to the recipe.  You're welcome:)

3. Getting mail.  And I don't mean email.  I don't mean texts.  I mean walking out to the mailbox to find a card or letter.  There's just something special about a handwritten note.  Have you taken the time to send one lately?  Have you received one lately?  It's just the best!  (And a special thank you to my Grandma who has sent me TWO letters recently!  What an awesome lady!). 

4. This new Spring trench from Target.  So cute!  I want it!

5. Sweet deals on Photobooks.  That's right, just ordered my photobook with pictures from our cruise from my favorite photo print site, shutterfly.com.  I got the book for FREE and only had to pay shipping!  Score!  I am currently waiting (impatiently) for that bright orange package to arrive.  And you can imagine my excitement as you've already read #3 above:)

6. Afternoon Tea and Pepperidge Farm Milano Double Chocolate Cookies. Perfect snack for a quiet break and a good read.

7. Bible study time with the kids. We have been memorizing a verse from the Bible each week, along with reading some Bible stories and coloring pictures of scenes from the Bible.  It's such a great way to connect with God daily.  Our current verse is "You are kind and forgiving, O Lord." Psalm 86:5. 

8. Finding and reading new blogs.  Here are a few of my new favorites!  Hello Gorgeous, Eat Yourself Skinny, and Dancing With Ashley. 

9. Decorating for the next holiday!  Right now I am planning out my Easter decorations and finding some fun activities for the kids to complete.  Do you have any traditions or activities you do with your family every year? 

10. These Polka Dot Wedge Sandals from Forever 21.  Aren't they just perfect for Spring and Summer?  Love them!



Hope you enjoyed my list (You may have noticed that a lot of these are food/drinks but I can't help it-I love to eat!).  What are your current obsessions??

L-O-V-E

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!  I hope you are having a day filled with LOVE.  Here are some of the things we did to prepare for the day:

Valentines for Bella and Elijah's friends at playgroup

Heart Streamers for the window

Faith, Hope, Love sign for our entry way (see how to make it here)

Bella's Painting for our fridge

And here are my three loves!

 Bella 

Elijah

Matt

What a blessed lady I am!  I love you all my valentines!

Tonight we are staying in as a family, having wonton tacos for dinner and chocolate cake with whipped cream and raspberries for dessert:)  What are you doing to celebrate?

Hope you are surrounded by LOVE today!

P.S.  A shout out to my niece Lo, who turns 13 today!  Happy Birthday girlie:)  We love you!

Reading Materials

One of my goals for 2013 is to learn and grow spiritually.  It's easy to say but harder to do.  So I've decided to use a Bible reading plan that I found online.  I actually saw it as a link on a blog I follow and really like (check it out here), but I will give you a direct link to the reading plans as well (here).  There are several options, but the one I chose is called the Discipleship Journal Reading Plan.  I like it because it gives you four different passages to read each day, but only 25 days of reading per month, and in a year you've read through the entire Bible.  It is a challenge, but I think it's still a reasonable goal.  I would love for you to join me if you'd like to! 

I also wanted to share some additional reading material Matt and I are planning to read soon.  We picked out a few books at a discount book store and they look quite promising to me!  I'm not endorsing them quite yet (since I haven't read them!), but I will try to follow up as we finish them. 

Now You're Speaking My Language by Gary Chapman

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
When Life is Hard by James MacDonald
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham by Myra Shelley

Do you have any book recommendations or books you are excited about reading soon?  Let me know, I'm always looking for suggestions!!  Happy Reading!

Happy New Year!

A new year. 2013.  What will this year bring?  It's exciting to start fresh and new.  I'm sure we all have new year's resolutions about many things, but there are a few I want to share with you.

Goals for 2013:

1.  Enjoy being with my children and play with them lots.

2. Be more organized so I can manage my time better:)

3. Read some great books (thanks book club ladies!).

4. Spend more time with friends.

5. Learn and improve on my photography skills.

6.  Be thankful and enjoy each day.

7. Pray more!

8. Go on more date nights with Matt:)

9. Learn and grow spiritually.

10. Blog more!

What are some of your goals for the new year? 

Little Drummer Boy

Around here, we listen to and play a lot of music.  Matt loves to find new artists and songs he enjoys, and he's also a piano, guitar, and drum player.  I am (slowly!) learning how to play the piano, and I love to sing.  Both Bella and Elijah love music too.  They will sing and dance to anything they hear, and they love to play instruments with Daddy.  It's no wonder they both love music so much, we've been playing for them since they were in the womb.  We are so happy that they love it as much as we do!  It's such a fun thing to do together as a family. 

Elijah's favorite thing to play, by far, are the drums.  He's become quite the little drummer boy!  He loves when Daddy holds him on his lap to play, or he will walk over to the drums himself and try to bang away with whatever object is in his hands.  Matt lets him sit and practice with him as long as Elijah is wearing ear protection.  He absolutely loves it!  Maybe he will be a drummer in a band someday, who knows?! 

Here's to putting a little beat in your step today:)