Our Weekend in Pictures

I am probably insane for trying to write. I have an extra dog in my house who has climbed ON my PRINTER and tore open a box already this morning, and its still early. She’s currently asleep at my feet, so I think I’m ok. 😉

We are still trying to get settled. Some things have happened that have prevented us from taking care of many projects that we needed to do, so I’m freaking out a little bit about our homeschool start date.

Anyway, this is a weekend post. So, here we go!

Friday evening, my mom, sister, and I all went to a craft fair in town. We wanted to go out for some frozen yogurt after. Hello, gorgeous! I couldn’t pick one flavor, so I have cake batter with white chocolate chips, and dulce de leche with salted caramel cups. I definitely want to go back ASAP.

Scott and I were talking about how badly we wanted to do something as a family since it had been quite some time. We woke up Saturday and packed up to go for a hike at Rock Springs. I use the term hike loosely because, kids. We hiked for about an hour before heading to run errands and get some lunch.

While we were on our way to Rock Springs, my family was making plans to get together and do something since it is such a rare occasion. We ended up at Wildlife Prairie Park. After we visited, my mom said that it has really gone downhill. Most of the animals weren’t out to see  and the butterfly house was completely empty. It was more of a flower house. BUT, it was very pretty. We got to see lots of bison and baby deer. Plus, (almost) the whole family was together.

Seeing the buffalo made me think of Oklahoma. Then, as we were walking out I saw these bricks. 🙂 Michigan made an appearance also.

 

We got to watch the most beautiful sunset on our way home. That’s the one perk of living in Illinois.. there’s nothing to obstruct your view other than corn.

 

 

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I hope that your week is going wonderfully. Please don’t forget to pray for Texas. Not only pray, but DO. There are many organizations that you can donate time, money, and items to.

Convoy of Hope

Texas Diaper Bank –   Here is the Amazon Wishlist

 

Here’s another great article with ways to help!

Welcome Home

We are home. Sort of home. I don’t know how long this will be home, but for now it’s our home. {Can you tell I’m trying to not get attached to anything about being here because the rug gets pulled out from under us pretty often?}

I feel really overwhelmed with gratitude for all that our families have done for us through this time in our lives. It has not been an easy year(s), but having a support system of family and friends makes it so much more bearable.

I can’t wait to share some pictures of our home once we get things more settled. This is such a beautiful house. I’m at the phase in unpacking where I just want to set everything in boxes on fire and never deal with it again. I am sick of packing and unpacking. I would really be doing us all a favor. HA! Here is a little peek at our bedroom.

I think we could use a bigger fan. 😉

I’m finding that all of our furniture is getting banged up pretty badly with all of the moves. We purchased a brand new washing machine earlier this year and it is now dented and scratched. It is silly how disappointed it makes me. Get over it, Ashley.

A few days ago, I saw Rocci pouncing at something in the yard. I went out to see what he was doing. There was a pile of grass, and I thought maybe a frog or something was down there. Nope. It was a nest with baby bunnies inside.

My kids were thrilled to see the babies; especially my bunny obsessed Chloe.

The girls have been playing outside almost all day right now. The weather has cooled off some for now, and the breeze blowing is really nice. We have a big covered deck in our back yard, and I love to stand up there and watch them play. I can’t wait to sit out there in the fall with a cup of coffee in hand.

We also have a big playhouse that we can’t wait to have a picnic in. I’m already contemplating decorating the inside to make it more exciting for the girls; as if a giant playhouse isn’t exciting enough. haha! Can’t you just picture a playhouse decorated for the holidays?!

Ok, I need to get back to unpacking.. or go buy some lighter fluid.

Thanks for bearing with me through this transition!

 

The Final Countdown

Hello, friends!! I did mention that I wouldn’t be blogging often until life settles down some, right? Yikes. We move in TEN days, so I’m not sure if it will ever settle down! ha!

My sister, Amy, runs this huge relay race to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This is the first year that I got to go cheer her on as she embarked on her journey. (She ran something like 12 miles of a RELAY.) She raised $1,000 so far. You can still donate here. The whole team raised over FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS for St. Jude! Anyway, I had tears filling my eyes watching this group start their LONG journey.. just as I did when I saw a video of my little sister crossing the finish line after running a marathon for a really amazing cause. #proudsister

Like I said, we move in just ten days. I have been trying to gather our things together that have been scattered all over my parents house. I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for unpacking. I love organizing.. that fills my heart with joy. But, I hate boxes. I loathe them. I’m also trying to mentally prepare for our homeschool year. I initially planned on starting next week (before everything came crashing down). Since we will be moving, I’m going to start the day after Labor Day. I am a fast un-packer.. lots of practice. I found this super cute sign to hang on the door during our homeschool day that says we aren’t available. I’m hoping it works so that I don’t have to get confrontational. I hate confrontation..

Chloe turns SEVEN next Tuesday. I cannot believe it. She wants a Barbie themed birthday, which works out great because she had one a few years ago. I just have to find the box of decorations.. wish me luck.

I just finished Talking as Fast as I Can yesterday. Lauren Graham is so intelligent and witty. If you are a Gilmore Girls fan, you need to read it!! I was so excited when I saw that the local library had a copy in stock.

I’ve been spending my free time filling out house party and mom’s meet applications- My blog ambassador application was just accepted for Mom’s Meet. I get to try out every flavor of Beanfield’s chips and share how much I love them. Spoiler: I already love them and my package hasn’t even arrived. The day after I got that e-mail, I got one from House Party that I am being sent TWO Scotch laminators!! One for me to review, and one for me to give to a teacher. I love that they are sending one to bless someone else with! I don’t do anything special when I apply for these promotions. If you never try, you will certainly never get picked.

The weather here has gotten cooler. I know it won’t last, but man it’s so nice to have the windows open in the morning. I cannot wait to decorate for Fall!!!!

Harper woke up in the middle of the night with an aweful croup sounding cough. Usually the cough is mostly gone by morning, but she still has it. She is hardly sleeping as it is; though she did snuggle up to me and take a 2 hour nap yesterday. Mama didn’t budge and soaked it all in. Please pray that it goes away quickly.

 

If you have stuck around through the entirety of this random blog post, thank you. I hope to get back into a rhythm next month. I’ll have fun products to share and review. 😉