11 years

On Saturday, we celebrated 11 years of marriage.  We were able to go out after the kids went to bed and when we got in the truck to leave, I asked "what do you want to do?" and Joey's response is "take a nap!"  AMEN! Me too! 

As I write this, Joey was called into work tonight for an issue so I am home alone.  I wish I had some awesomeness to share, but this year is what I call just surviving.  Surviving the chaos.  I feel like I don't have a free second.  Everyone says your marriage should be first and trust me, I agree, but this year it doesn't feel like this is the case and is almost impossible.  The wake up call at 6am to get ready for work, getting dinner going before I leave for work, getting 3 kids out the door, working, exercising, picking kids up, doing the dinner routine and clean up and getting the kids ready for bed, showering and finally getting to zone out around 8:30, doesn't really leave a whole lot of time to put into Joey.  And vice versa.  Throw in a night time accident or sickness in there to really mess with us.  It's crazy!  It's not rainbows and unicorns, but my love for him still grows every year.  He's the reason, to my crazy.  He gets it; were busy and stressed.  I pray that at some point my husband can and WILL be first.  This year has been chaos, but when I look at what we have made together in the last 11 years, it is really hard to deny how lucky and blessed we are. 

Joey, I love you and I know we will look back on these times and smile, until then lets try to catch a nap!

Easter 2017

Easter started off with an Easter program from the girls at school.  I took a half personal day and was able to see it.  They had really been practicing their songs.  It was very cute! They were all dressed up and ready to go.

Ella got a little shy like she did at her Christmas program.

They even decorated these crosses in preparation for Easter

They did great singing, especially Josie because I could actually hear her while singing.  So glad I was able to make it to their program and have refreshments with them after.

We celebrated at home and the Easter bunny came.  Our kids must have been very good because they all got baskets full of goodies.  Here is Eli with his.

All the contents of their Easter baskets being thrown on the floor by Eli who was very interested in the fake grass!!

After all the basket fun and easter egg hunt we headed to church for the celebration of Jesus rising.

And after mass we celebrated with brunch at the county club.  Eli DID NOT like the easter bunny at all and was trying to grab on to Ella for help.  She wasn't much help.  We were not able to get a good picture with the Easter bunny, eh well.

And this Easter, Grandma S was able to share in all the fun as well.  She came out from Ohio and helped us with all the celebrating.  She also got to spend a lot of time with Eli while we were at work.  Good one on one time with her! 

We had a wonderful Easter and we hope you all did too!

Test Run

It's getting nice out! We had no plans this past weekend and it was going to be in the 70's and thought we should do a "test run" with the camper.  We camped at a place just about 10 miles out of town so if we forgot we something we were close to home and we could also finalize a list of must haves before a big trip.  I must say though, I had the camper stocked up pretty good so everything went pretty well and the mini van did good pulling it. 

Sunrise in the morning is very pretty.  Later a few gingers got a little pink from the first time in the sun this year.

Our little campsite.  I even had a perfect little high chair for Eli. 

Checking out Josie sleeping.  And notice Eli's pack n play on the right.  When he is out of that, I figure there is enough room on the bed at the end all 3 can sleep there.  It'll be nice to have a table. 

Our wake up call included all the kids coming into our bed.  I truly think this is why the girls will love camping.  We all slept pretty good and the heater kept us nice and toasty warm. 

The place we went doesn't have a whole lot of stuff to do for kids and it's early spring so I put together a scavenger hunt for the girls.  Dad and Ella/Eli against Josie and me.  We won, I think!  And after dinner we were able to get a little hike in.

And the kids just played and played together.  Eli did his best to keep up with his sisters, but he was one tired little boy.  I think he pretty much loved it!  He's going to be a boy that likes the outdoors!