ALL OR NOTHING!!!

LAUNDRY is the ONE area in my house that I am "ALL or nothing" with it.  This week, I'm obviously NOTHING with it.  This stems from serving others.  When you are serving someone else or multiple people, your own responsibilities get left undone!!!  Honestly, it felt much better serving others than myself, so I am good with the way this room looks..... but TODAY, after lunch with my dear friend Dawn, IT WILL BE TACKLED.

I love how the, "Do all things unto the Lord......including the laundry", photo is still visible though :)  

Sadly, I do love to clean, but LAUNDRY... uh - NO!

Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons!

Check out those HIGH DIVES. YIKES. It scared me just looking at it.


Our family was anxiously anticipating today for several reasons. 1. We had planned to spend the day with my dear friend Dawn and her children. 2. We were going to spend the day at the Frog Pond. We packed our lunches, loaded up the car, and were prepared to drive to Christiansburg. Unfortunately, we found out that Montgomery County Schools were in session, starting TODAY, and the Frog Pond is ONLY open on the weekends now. Booooooooo! Thanks to their daddy, John, who works up in Christiansburg, an alternate suggestion saved the day. We spent 4-5 hours at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. The kids had an absolute BLAST. Tyson was so excited to be able to use a real diving board. So excited, that he left the aquatic center saying, "Mom, I want to take swimming lessons and compete. I'd also like to start learning how to dive so I can use the high dive one day." Do you think the Olympics had an effect on him? LOL! When we arrived, we were the FIRST family in the entire building.

The cost?

$2 per child.

$5 per adult.

Time with friends PRICELESS!!!!

Dawn, it's so great to spend time with you and catch up. You are so easy to talk to and of course you always add humor to every moment. I'm glad we turned our lemons into lemonade. I love you!!!! Let's do it again SOON!

Bahama Ice Shack!

The summer hasn't quite begun yet and we have already visited the Bahama Ice Shack multiple times with different families. Beware of owner... she's a little angry!

Last week, the Smith family joined us!!! Love those kids!!!!

Grayson has so much persona!!!! He's an old man trapped in a 5 year old's body!

Tonight, Josh and Ty enjoyed a Bahama Ice. The Williams family also joined us. See them in the background?

Mid 30's

On February 9th, I turned 35. I cannot believe I will be the dreaded 40 years old in less than 5 years. I just don't feel 40. Anyway, thank GOD for friends. I was blessed by all of the favorite girls in my life! Check it out! I cannot forget my hubby (all kinds of goodies), my mom (chocolate covered strawberries), and my in-laws (cash)! They all blessed me immensely and/or in a delicious way. Here are the gifts I received from my girlfriends. They are posted in the order in which I received them.

From Dawn Smith

Dawn is just one of those friends who will ALWAYS make you laugh and smile inside. She is so loving and absolutely hilarious. We have been trying to get together for lunch for quite some time now, but she claims she won't have lunch with me until I am willing to share a dessert with her. This card was more than appropriate.

And the feetie pajamas is where her comedy comes into place. They even have a "poop shoot" in the back. These are amazingly comfy and WARM. Thank you DAWN!

From Jody Williams:

My Jodster is accessorizing me up!!!! If you are not good at accessorizing, this is the girl for you! She bought me two pair of earrings and a gorgeous matching necklace. I cannot wait to wear them!!! Maybe for our girls night out on February 21st. The only sad part is I've already LOST one of the earrings :( Thank you Jody!

From Ashely Harris:

Ashely is amazing at picking out clever, unique, and thoughtful gifts. I always get something personalized and I love it. The day she gives me something non-personalized is the day I will question if she loves me anymore :)

This gift was a personalized binder for all of your favorite recipes.

She made me a recipe card filled in with the "recipe for friendship". Thank You Ashely!

From Shannon Maggi:

It was a lovely surprise to open my mailbox and find a personal delivery from Shannon. As adults, we always dread a trip to the mailbox because it normally involves BILLS.

Shannon is really becoming quite crafty lately.

Inside the card were two coupons: 1. For a one night on the town with Darren, Kids Free, Free Childcare, and 2. One morning of free babysitting. This gift will be a HUGE blessing to Darren and I as we NEVER get free childcare. I told Shannon I am just not sure I will take her up on this though. Thank You Shannon!

From Lisa Fernandez:

It wasn't planned this way, but I treated myself to a manicure for my birthday. To my surprise, Lisa pulled up, ran into the nail salon, and paid for my nails. She made me feel like a princess for a day!!!!!! Lisa, look out for my van there next week. If you're interested, join me!!! Thank You Lisa!

From Erin Carroll:

Erin is so good at picking out gifts with thought too! She snatched up a few of my favorite items and attached a sweet little "riddle" to each of them. The first one... mint gum.

The second one, my favorite cleaning product called "Fabuloso." Erin, you really are one clever chick. I think you are a fabuloso friend!!!! Thank You Erin!

Things I did NOT take pictures of:

Kaitlyn Belcher: Half Price Child Care. THANK YOU!!!! THIS IS THE BEST GIFT EVER. I wish I only had to pay $5 per hour all the time, but you are well worth $10 per hour.

Dana Reed: A special lunch date with you.... FREE!!!!!! It was nice to eat lunch without the guilt of having to pay for it.

Thanks to EVERYONE who called and texted me. All of these things made me feel so special. I will never forget this birthday ever!

PS. I really hope I didn't forget anyone. If so, call me out on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!