Anniversary and RAIN!!!

After becoming a Mom, I truly understand the following statement: "I am SO looking forward to summer--the kids can be outside and run!"

This weather has really dampered the true "spring" feeling we like to have, hasn't it? The kids can be outside in 60-degree weather one day and then its cold the next...

Yesterday was pretty nice--today its pouring down rain! The girls are pretty content to be inside and we are going to visit my Mom up in Springfield anyway. She had minor surgery, but will be in the hospital overnight...nothing major, but they just want to observe her for 24 hours.

So, today we spend time with family--today Joe and I celebrate 8 years of marriage...and we will spend it with our girls--enjoying our time together!!!!

Oh, these Midwest Weather Weekends...

So, today was the perfect example of "Midwest Weather" because starting yesterday we had rainstorms, thunderstorms, sleet, and then by morning we had a pretty decent dusting of snow! The girls thought they should be able to build a snowman, but by the time church was out there wasn't much of the white stuff left! Oh well, they'll be happier with the warmer weather tomorrow...hence the second part of the "Midwest Weather" because tomorrow it is supposed to be in the 60's...

Tonight the girls and I ordered a pizza, had some popcorn with the pizza and are relaxing at home tonight...well, they are--but I am still trying to finish up a paper for tomorrow night's class.

We did get to make a purchase for the parsonage this weekend...a new fridge!!! So exciting and it gets delivered on Wednesday!!!!!

Hope everything is going well for everyone! I hope to get a bit of cleaning done tomorrow and actually PUTTING the laundry away that I'm always doing....ugh!!

Graduation is right around the corner...

Okay, so this entry will sound selfish, but...I just gotta say it!

In exactly 51 days, I will be graduating from college...FINALLY. I can't believe its almost here, I can't believe it took me SO long to do it, and overall--I'M JUST PLAIN EXCITED!!!! I am working on my last paper for my second to last class and I am so not focused it is killing me! I want to do it, be done with it--but still do it right. I just can't focus. I have A LOT of paperwork to do before the actual week of graduation, but I just SOOOOO badly want to be done--NOW. I know its close, but I just can't believe its this close...

On to other things--I've been putting a lot of time into figuring out new and great things for our preschool program, working on Vacation plans (here and there), and basically just running a constant "countdown" in my mind...What will I have to countdown to after I'm done with college classes????

Well, the day is nice enough to be outside this afternoon, so that is what we will be doing when the girls wake up from their naps--until then...I WILL WRITE!

BTW...DISNEY countdown is 57 days!!!!!!!!!!!

When did I get old enough to be excited about...

Okay, I'm leading this post off with this disclaimer...

**I'M OLD, AND GET EXCITED ABOUT SUCH "UNCOOL" STUFF**

Today, we purchased a new vacuum cleaner--A Dyson! We did not pay full price, we did not get he newest model, and we mulled over the decision for quite some time. We really needed a new one and I'm excited that it has a 5 year warranty and an excellent reputation. So, despite my explanation, I still can't believe I got one!

We had a great time visiting with friends in Champaign last night and today...got to swim, play cards, and visit after a good amount of time of not seeing each other for awhile. I feel like with friends that don't live within an hour's drive should have a "time together" at least once a year. Friendships grow stronger when time together is so great!

Well, I'm signing off...can't remember the last time I got enough sleep to feel rested...but between tonight's sleep and a possible Sunday afternoon nap, I should be good to go for the week ahead!

DISNEY COUNTDOWN--61 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesdays and the Craziness...

Today is another beautiful day...hope everyone gets to enjoy it! Hopefully the rain will hold off for a little while

The girls are resting now, outside to play before dance/ballet/tumbling, supper and the 2nd to last night of Wednesday night church...

I'm trying to work ahead on my homework, so I can have the weekend off to enjoy! So, this will be a short entry.

DISNEY COUNTDOWN: 64 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

St. Patrick's Day...

Well, we all wore green, had something green at lunch (white grapes--but they're really green, right?), and we played outside and enjoyed the beautiful day we were blessed with...

I didn't have classroom class last night, but had to do some online stuff during the day. So, today I felt refreshed enough to start next week's homework already!!! That has to be crazy for me, right? Oh, well--now I only have two papers to do before next Monday (as well as the two articles for the writing!)

Oh...and I'm pest control "expert" this evening...I killed the biggest, ugliest spider I have ever seen (outside of those creepy ones in the zoo) I tried to figure out what kind it was...this is the only picture I could find that closely resembled the dead body I have in a baggie!!! Wanted to keep it just in case it was a "bad" spider!

Merry-Go-Round, Merry-Go-Jocelyn!!!!

Ahhhhhhhh....the warmer weather is here for at least a few days.

We took our picnic lunch to the park today....picked Carissa and Joe up from church and all four of us headed down to Kitchell Park. It was sunny enough to keep us warm, enough time to eat, and then off to play!

Carissa and Jocelyn did the "see-salt" (see saw--from Joce) and then we headed over to the merry-go-round. The girls always love this, but I always caution Joe on the speed that he gets it going to...and today, it was TOO fast. Jocelyn was securely holding on and suddenly slipped to the edge and off she went...BUT WAIT, she didn't let go! She held on, almost parrallel to the ground just long enough that Joe caught her on the first "free spin" of her life. She seemed fine enough to get down off the merry-go-round and head for the easier task of swinging. She stayed on the swing until we walked over by the water before heading home. She amazes me that she is so strong, yet so daring!!!! She's gonna give me a heart attack someday, I can just feel it!

Saturday...not really a day of rest around here...

I am bound and determined to make Spring start! I stripped the beds this morning, changed the girls' comforter from the flannel one to the Spring/Summer one, washed our comforter and hung it out to dry (actually sunny enough to do it!) and did alot of laundry. Everyone ALWAYS comments about my status on Facebook, because I always say I'm doing laundry and homework--BUT to be honest, that's what I do outside of taking care of the family!!!!! So close to being done with college and relaxing a little this summer...

The countdown to Disney World is...68 days! I am SUPER excited and I know the girls are too, because they keep looking through the Birnbaum book and finding new things they want to do this time around!

Joe was in a meeting this morning and the girls watched "A Bug's Life" this morning in their pj's until I finally had them get dressed about 10:30! It was a relaxing morning for them, that's for sure. Did a little reading and writing this morning and this afternoon. Still have some work to finish up for Monday, but ahead of schedule compared to most other weekends!

Off to bed for now! Carissa did't take a nap today, so she's wiped out and Jocelyn is still "chatting" away with Daddy in the living room...

Really looking forward to spending some time outside this week with the warmer weather we're supposed to get! The girls go a little stir crazy when they only get a short time outside on the colder days...only 5 days til the FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

Cupcake Party Friday!

The girls (Carissa, Jocelyn and Kylie--the little girl I babysit for) have talked all week about having a "party" together. So, today while the older two were at school, I baked cupcakes and this afternoon I iced them the colors that they all like...

After their naps, they will get to decorate them with sprinkles and partake in the "party cupcakes" they have been promised...

I hope everyone has a great Friday!

Spring has Sprung...

So, I am going to try harder to update my blog instead of always going directly to Facebook for awhile...I think.

Life is pretty crazy right now, but I am loving just about every minute of it. I've been wrapping up classes in time for my college graduation (actually 10 years after when it "should" have been), babysitting more than I had in the beginning, watching my girls become more and more like "little ladies", running them around everywhere, and really looking foward to having the summer free of homework. I am excited to focus my energy on organizing, purging, and an overall "OVERHAUL" of the house. I need to get rid of so much, have a great BIG garage sale, and my new goal for this summer (or maybe a start at least) is to learn more about gardening. I never thought that I would want to do it--but I am REALLY looking forward to it. I want one of those yards that everyone drives past and says, "Wow! That's beautiful!" I don't know if it will be like that this summer, but I'm willing to start the learning process this spring/summer. I want something that I can walk out and look at and say, "I did that" and feel proud of it all. I know I have plenty to be proud of, but I just want something that I can really "dig" into and work on over the next few years. Do you know what I mean? Granted, I don't have a huge yard (heck, its not even mine--its the parsonage) but I want to try and make it something nice to sit out in and enjoy the view and smells of the beautiful flowers.

If anyone has ANY advice, let me know! I am truly looking forward to the next few months and hope everyone is as excited for Spring as I am!!!!!

Enjoy the nice weather we shoudl be getting in the next few days here in the midwest!

Mickey, Minnie, and all the Princesses in Disney World...we're coming back!!

Yep, we are going back to Disney World in May! I'm so excited, the girls are excited, and we will love it all over again...

Don't know when we'll take a vacation like this again, but my parents are going with us too! I think it will be alot of fun, less driving (because we're flying), and more time to take in the stuff we didn't do last time.

I won't start the countdown until a little later...but just know, its a week after I graduate and that is something I'm also looking forward to!!!!