Life in Pictures...

Life has been busy.

It's nothing out of the ordinary.

Just life. And it's busy.

So, here we are. Our life through pictures.

So incredible when you see your children loving each other.

And, hey. It's almost Friday! Yay! :)

Roommates.

I sent this picture to my hubby today. It's silly. But I get sentimental about things. And for this particular occasion... I snapped this picture of my sleeping boys... Who were napping in their bedroom together for the very first time. My hubby, responded with, "oh so cute! Their first nap as roommates." Ohhhhhhh. He's right. They're roommates now. How precious and sweet. They slept like this for almost 3 hours. Yup. They are definitely their Daddy's kids. They LOVE to sleep.

My boys.

Roommates.

Precious.

First full week...

Well, we ahem I mean, I survived the first full week of school! Yipee!!!  The girlies had a great first week of school... and truth be told, so did the boys and I. I wanted to document their first week with pictures... so each day before we headed out of the house, I snapped a quick pic. And then again when we arrived to school. My kiddos are such troopers. They put up with this picture crazy Mama and all of my antics. So thankful for their tenderness and patience.

Here's MONDAY...

Even in Kindergarten they have homework. Love that! So their first homework project was this...

It's been so much fun to watch their brotherly bond. It's amazing. Feel so lucky and so very blessed.

 Yes. He really does enjoy looking at books. This was big sisters idea. How cute, huh?

We also kicked off our week, by celebrating our seventh wedding anniversary. I surprised my hubs with this fun bouquet of balloons.

Seven balloons for seven years of marriage... and seven sentimental memories attached. (Thanks Pinterest, for the inspiration!)

TUESDAY...

Just want to freeze time and eat up all the cuteness forever and ever. They grow up way too fast!!!!

WEDNESDAY...

THURSDAY...

Here at home we had just as much fun lounging around. I really miss my girls. But, I also really love this time with my boys.

And finally, FRIDAY...

I tricked my kids. I know. That's not nice, is it? But I promise, it was for good reason. By Friday, I was scrounging around in search for a different breakfast. We had already had, eggs, pancakes, cream of wheat and cereal. I needed a new idea for Fridays breakfast. Something to celebrate the end of the week with a big bang! I popped open my fridge... kale was staring me right in the face. And it was yelling at me to be used. I love kale. But, my kids... and even my hubs... not so much. But the goodness of it... oh man... I just had to figure out away to use it! So, I did. I first made up a yummy batch of my "berry berry quite contrary" smoothie.

Here's what's in it...

Frozen mixed berries
Kale {secret ingredient}
Apple Juice
Honey

The kiddos LOVED it! And me... well I loved the fact that they were drinking Kale which is packed with good vitamins! Next up... mini frittatas. Yum! Another great place to sneak in some more kale. I grabbed my muffin pans, sprayed it with non stick cooking spray. Lined the muffin cups with two slices of thinly sliced ham. Then whisked up some eggs, sprinkled some cheese and finely chopped kale in the egg mixture and poured it into the muffin cups that were lined with the ham. I popped it into the oven for 15 mins at 375. And they came out DELICIOUS!

So, yes. I tricked my kids. But it was for a good cause. And they ate and drank every bite! Needless to say, we ended our week with a big, healthful bang, indeed!

We had a great week. Hope you did too. But now it's Friday! TGIF!!!!!!! Yipee!

Seven Year Itch...

Today, seven years ago, I married the man of my dreams. He's my best friend. My Hero. And the most amazing father to our four little loves of our lives.

We are going on nine years of being together and now seven of those as husband and wife. It's amazing how fast the time as flown. We have experienced so much together. And there is nothing that I would want to change. We are who we are and where we should be, because of what we have gone through as a couple. 

I am so grateful that I have experienced the most amazing adventures with such an amazing man by my side.

We are closer and more in love then the day we met. We are still very much inseparable. It's not always easy with four little ones... but we make time for each other and we truly do love spending time together. We still love each other for the same qualities that impressed one another when we were dating AND, we've even added a few qualities as the years have past. I still get those magical butterflies in my tummy when my hubs sneaks a kiss or gives me a smirk or when I hear his truck pull into the driveway. I absolutely adore watching my man hold and cuddle our children. He is 6'6'' of pure teddy bear material. 

Thank God he has excepted me for all that I am... flaws and all. :) We've both learned to forgive quickly and forget even quicker. Life is full of surprises. And full of curveballs. It's not always easy. But, we have each other. We have our family. And, it is amazing. They are amazing. Even in difficult times, there is always something to be thankful for. And that is so true!

Happy Anniversary to my Man.

You're still the man of my dreams. And always will be.

I love you.

(Our sweet photographer, Kenzie, took this picture of us.)

First Day...

And so it begins...

 My girlies started their very first day of Kindergarten today! It’s really hard to believe I’m at this point... the Mama of two girls in “Big Kid School!”

And, to kick off their first "official" day of school, we celebrated by having a little First Day of Kindergarten Party before school began! I just love celebrating everything! 

They were so surprised when they woke up. "You did this for us, Mommy?" "Thanks, Mommy." They loved all of the fun and exciting little things I had set out for them. I made their favorite muffins, had fresh fruit waiting for them and even made homemade hot cocoa! Such a treat, for such a special day.

The girlies are attending afternoon kindergarten, so we do not have to quickly get out the door and onto school. We are able to take our time, un-rushed. This is perk, when you have four little ones in tow. :) So I took the opportunity to have a little photo session.

{And, yes Kenzie's sign is upside down, but I love that!}

 {These adorable back packs are from Pottery Barn Kids. We are in love with them.}

{The matching lunch boxes are just as cute too.}

The rest of our morning was very relaxed and we spent most of it talking about their first day. I've been very anxious up to this point, but today I felt calm and collected. Instead of feeling too sad, I felt more excited for them. Although I must admit, when I looked at the clock and saw that it was time to load up in the car and make our way to school... there was a huge lump in my throat! And my heart sank! It's really that time... I thought. Oh. My. Gosh. This. Truly. Is. The. Day. Wow.

Watching my sweet girlies excitement, was so much fun! They didn't even have a stitch of nerves. Just pure excitement!:)

So, on the way, they giggled in the background, told me if I missed them to write them a message, and then informed me they were most excited to meet new friends! When we arrived to their school, they entered their new classroom with big smiles and sweet giggles. I walked them in, with the boys in tow, helped them hang their back packs, gave them big hugs and a smooch and wished them a great day of school.

After leaving the girlies to get settled into their new classroom, the boys and I walked to my car and after getting the boys buckled up, I sat in my seat and thats when the tears began to flow. I did good, until I drove away. Driving away was the hardest part {seeing the school in the rear-view mirror... AHHHH!!!}

But, when the boys and I got home, we had a great afternoon... playing, having snacks and watching Disney Jr and more! I feel so lucky to get to spend this special time with my boys at home.

And, before I knew it... It was time to pick my girlies up! I couldn’t wait to HUG my sweet luvbugs! Upon immediately seeing me... they exclaimed "MOOOOOOOMMMMMMYYYYY!"

I asked them about their day, and they said it was great! They shared little details about their first day and really enjoyed everything about school... their favorite {hands down} was the ginger bread man scavenger hunt. Sounded like oh so fun. And such a clever way to take a tour of the school at the same time! Wink. Wink. :)  On the car ride home... they said to me... “Mommy, I missed you REALLY much!” They loved Mrs. Thompson, recess and their new friends! I was so happy that they liked it... but, most of all, I was so happy that they were back with ME!