2nd grade and at ease

Loved this picture Mrs Breen sent me today of Emma doing math at the smart board. This girl just ENJOYS life. 💗💗

Valentine's festivities

Pretty much Valentine's Day exists so we can be excited about winter for a week, and look forward to spring coming. Haha.

The kids love this Hallmark holiday and it provides opportunity for yummy treats and a date night for Ryan and me. Not too bad!! ❤️❤️

Winter Saturdays

It's actually cold out now. This past week has felt like WINTER, and we can't complain because the winter has been so wonderfully mild.

But, winter means spending more time inside, eating more, exercising less, more TV and a messier house. I guess that comes with the territory. 

Terrible twos and Funky fives

I just came downstairs from putting Emma to bed. We talked about the boys in our family. Grady is quite a different two-year-old than Griffin was at that age. He gives us a run for our money, that's for sure. Every other mom I talk to reminds me that two-year-olds are defiant and nutso... Grady definitely is showing signs of that this week! Ha! His favorite thing right now is to take his hand and smack the air whenever he gets mad. It's kind of cute because he puffs out his lip, but yet it is so disrespectful and downright aggravating!

Griff was the dream toddler and I think might just be going through his terrible twos in the form of a funky five year old. Emma concurs. 

What a day! 

Eleven years is not possible

I can't believe this girl turned 11 today. I don't know who was more excited for her birthday: her or me. I love celebrating my kiddos and I love making the day special.

Ellie Snow, I am so proud of you. Your dad is so proud of you. There is not a day that goes by that we don't think that. Even amidst crazy mood swings and fights with your siblings...haha. Ellie, you are an incredibly hard worker. You are good at almost everything you touch, BECAUSE you try hard.
The past 6 months have matured you in tremendous ways as I've seen you rise up to help with, and love on Grady. You do this without being asked. You are fun and silly and sensitive. You are empathetic and kind. The other night when I was putting you to bed you said to me, "Mom, be quick when you go to the bathroom because when you come in I want to hear about how YOU are. all we ever do is talk about me."
You are a gem and a prize and you are our love. We pray that you would only understand that more deeply as we walk through another year of your life with you. And we pray you would trust that more fully as you grow with Jesus and understand his love for you: because it's even better than ours.
WE love you Ellie Snow.
Happy Birthday!

Ellie and Tiffany Thomson during her birthday guitar lesson. They opened the door when we were on a walk and sang/played for us. So fun. ❤️