90/365... Flying kites joy

Rough day.

Lots of crying. Lost a coat at the mall. More crying.

It's amazing how flying kites can improve everyone's mood.

Flying kites joy.

89/365... Her land joy

My dear friend and her hubby recently purchased some land. One day they will build a home on that land. For now, cows reside there.

My babies loved seeing the cows and walking around the pond. I loved visualizing what this land will look like in just a few short years.

It will someday be my friend's home.

Her land joy.

88/365... Reading with meaning joy

I can vividly remember the first time my husband read to our oldest when he was an infant.

It was the most boring reading of Goodnight Moon that I had ever heard. Too fast. Monotone. Horrible.

It was my teacher instinct to share with my husband what "reading with meaning" should sound like. Luckily, he was a good student and has made significant progress in the past 5 years.

And now, our babies love listening to their daddy read.

And so do I.

Reading with meaning joy.

87/365... Frost on the football joy

I knew I should have further pursued going somewhere warmer for Spring Break.

Frost on the football is not Spring Break weather.

Frost on the football joy.

86/365...Made to Crave joy

I first heard about Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst when I signed up to attend the Hearts at Home Conference. After reading the reviews on Amazon, I ordered it and eagerly waited for the UPS man to deliver it.

I am now in a book study that focuses on this particular book. It truly has changed my way of thinking about not only food but other choices that I make daily.

I now crave God, not food. And it feel so AMAZING!

Made to Crave joy.

85/365... TRX joy

For the last few months, I have been spinning and doing yoga. I love the way that I feel after exercising.

I'm even starting to love how I feel WHILE I'm exercising.

My sister-in-law, Diane, of Underground Fitness www.undergroundfit.com/ has been telling me about what an excellent piece of exercise equipment the TRX Suspension Training system is for a while now.

So, I decided to try it out for the first time. It is definitely one of those things that it looks easier than what it actually is. You are relying on your balance, stability, and your own body weight when working with the TRX.

And I felt like the most uncoordinated person ever. BUT it was my first time using the TRX. I'm going to give it another shot.

And next time my expectations are going to be different.

TRX joy.



Disclaimer... the buff chickie in this picture is not my sister-in-law. She is the gym cheerleader :).

84/365... Wimpy mommy joy

It's the first day of Spring Break for my older two kiddos. They just want to ride their bikes outside.

But this mommy is a wimp when it comes to taking my babies outside when it is less that 40 degrees outside. I don't like to be cold.

BUT I did end up taking them outside. The kids don't notice the cold. Mommy had to suck it up.

Wimpy mommy joy.

83/365... Rainforest joy

I was lucky enough to travel to the rainforest with little man today.

His kindergarten class and the preschool classes have been studying the rainforest this month. Today they ended their thematic unit with a "Rainforest Cafe". They were able to sample foods from the rainforest, sang a rainforest song, and did a few rainforest activities. I was truly impressed with how much they learned. It was a wonderful time.

Of course, any time I spend with my babies is wonderful.

Rainforest joy.

In other news... I'm down 12.5 pounds and feel AWESOME!!!

82/365... Daddy's pride joy

I think Daddy has magical powers when it comes to teaching our children new skills. They hang on to his every word and work hard to make him proud.

Their daddy will always be proud of them. No matter what.

Daddy's pride joy.

81/365... Yummy and healthy joy

This has become my kiddos' favorite afternoon snack. A little yogurt. Some blueberries. Crushed ice. Blend.

Yummy and healthy.

Yummy and healthy joy.

80/365... Football giggles joy

A few days ago, he was screaming in pain. I rushed him to the ER in a panic.

Today, we ran around the yard playing football and giggling.

I appreciate his laughter so much more now.

Football giggles joy.



In other news... Happy Spring!

79/365... Making pizza dough joy

She was making pizza dough with her daddy when daddy had to leave on a fire call.

Her: Mommy, daddy left and we were making pizza.
Me: I know, honey. Do you want mommy to help you finish.
Her: No, I can do it myself. I know how what to do.

Making pizza dough joy.



In other new... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear, dear friend Angie!!! I love you bunches!!!

78/365...Lucky joy

Wedding photographer in the early afternoon. Mommy in the late afternoon.

How lucky am I?

Lucky joy.

77/365... ER visit joy

Just when you think the day is going exactly to plan, you receive a phone call.

Come home quick. Carter is screaming in pain. He says his stomach hurts really bad.

He isn't the kind of kid to scream in pain.

As a mom, the mind starts spinning. And it thinks the worst.

I rushed him to the ER. By the time we got there he was feeling better.

In fact, he wanted ice cream.

The dr. gave us the results of the x-ray and blood work. Gas. I rushed my child to the ER for gas.

ER visit joy.

Disclaimer: I'm not settling on the "gas" diagnosis. He has had several tummy issues lately and I plan to have him looked at by his pediatrician.

76/365... St. Patrick's Day menu joy

Green pancakes. Shamrock shakes. Corned beef and cabbage. Rainbow sherbet.

For the kids.

Green tea. Kale chips. Spinach salad. And a wee bit o' corned beef and cabbage.

For mommy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day menu joy.

75/365... Happy sunshiney day joy

The sun was shining. The birds were chirping. The kids were riding their bikes and coloring with sidewalk chalk. I was taking pictures.

We were all happy. All day long.

It's hard to feel anything but happy when God blesses our day sunshine and warm weather.

Happy sunshiney day joy.

74/365... Jump for spring joy

I actually jumped in the air and shouted "YIPPEE" when I saw these young daffodils. I really did.

Even the smallest signs of spring deserve a jump for joy.

Jump for spring joy.

73/365... Indecisive dresser joy

I think it's time to help my daughter learn how to be more selective when choosing her wardrobe when she dresses herself in the morning.

Indecisive dresser joy.

72/365... I went for them joy

When I made the decision to go to Hearts at Home, I didn't only go for myself.

I went for him. So I can be a better wife.


I went for each of them. So I can be a better mom.








And I went for God. So I can be a better Christian woman.

I went for them joy.

71/365... Refreshed and renewed joy

The National Hearts at Home Conference will be an annual event in my planner.

When I arrived at Hearts at Home, I was running on empty. I was starting to succumb to the fact that as a mom of 4 young children, that was just how I was going to feel. Tired. Impatient. Stressed.

I walked into the conference with 4,500 other moms ready to be refueled. My heart, soul, and mind were ready.

I cried hard. I laughed hard. I listened hard. I prayed hard.

It was emotionally and physically exhausting but spiritually uplifting.

When the conference ended, I felt like a new woman. A new mom. A new wife.

And I was ready to go home to my hubby and babies. Refreshed and renewed.

Refreshed and renewed joy.

70/365... Mommy's Time Out joy.

Being a mom is the most difficult job that I have ever had. It is stressful, demanding, draining, exhausting, and so on. It's a 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year job with minimal breaks. Minimal "time-outs". No time to re-fuel the mind and soul.

When I first heard about the National Hearts at Home Conference, I thought "this sounds amazing but there is just no way I can be gone for over 24-hours". When I mentioned the conference to hubby, he gave me the go ahead. God does work in mysterious ways.

As perfect timing would have it, the best mom that I have ever known and will ever know was able to come with me. My very own mom.

The first night of Hearts at Home was AWESOME! Laughter and singing praises to God while being surrounded by 4,500 moms was exactly how I needed to spend my "mommy's time out".

Then, mom and I went back to the hotel, put on our pj's, ate pistachios, and indulged in some "Mommy's Time Out".

Mommy's Time Out joy.

69/365... Preschool pickup joy

She will run through mud, rain, and snow. Always a huge smile on her face and laughter in her voice.

All for me.

A huge hug. Lots of kisses. Talking about her day.

I love picking her up from preschool.

I can only hope that she will react similarly when she is in sixth grade. There's always hope, right?

But, for now, I love picking her up from preschool.

Preschool pickup joy.

68/365... Piggy bank casualty joy

My oldest is now a firm believer that all piggy banks should be made out of plastic.

I would have to agree with him.

This is our third piggy bank casualty.

Piggy bank casualty joy.