At Play

Is this better Oma? More blogging for you! I've been reprimanded by my MIL that I need to blog more. I was in complete denial because she pointed out I had only blogged once in June and I was like, "No, I blogged more than that!" But, alas, she was right. I'm glad our family can get on here and read about our life---it's easier than having to send out mass emails! :) Plus, Oma prints out the blogs and shares them with Aaron's grandmother, who seems to really enjoy reading about us, so that's sweet!

On the way to Loudon for my cousin's wedding, we stopped at a McDonald's and ate outside so Caroline could run around and play in the play yard. She had never been on a restaurant playground before. I've always felt a little wary of them, but she had been in the car for a long time and needed to stretch her legs.


It's hard to tell, but she's been splashing in a small puddle. I think you can see the puddle in the first picture. Yes, this small puddle resulted in a change of clothes for her...she SOAKED herself!


Is she going to go in?



Yep! She had a blast playing out there!

Wedding Weekend

Last weekend we had to weddings to attend, in two different cities, neither of which we live in. Caroline and I were in my cousin Lisa's wedding on Friday night. I was the matron of honor and Caroline was the flower girl. I was concerned about her actually making it down the isle, but she did a great job for the most part. I think she would have gone the whole way down holding the ring bearers hand (she loved that sweet little boy!), but she decided to dump out all the flowers from her basket really early on in the walk. She let go of his hand to clean up her mess, and while she was picking up all the flowers, he went on down without her! Anyway, I was able to hold her hand and we walked down together. We made it about halfway and then she realized everyone was looking at her and wanted me to hold her, so I did. It was sweet though. Once we got to the front, she just sat with her daddy.

Caroline wore a pillowcase dress that I made for her. I felt soooo crafty doing this! It look me 2 hours, but I was really happy with the finished project! I'm planning to make more! :)

She loved playing on this vent. She liked the air---there were several comments made about her being a little Marilyn Monroe. I wasn't loving the comparison, but she did seem to enjoy the air blowing her skirt.

On Saturday we went to another wedding, although this time, none of us were in the wedding, which we were happy about. Aaron's cousin, Stephen got married Saturday evening. Caroline did pretty good, considering all the traveling and all the having to sit still a lot.

Here are Caroline and her cousin, Annalise...aren't they adorable? (Just a fun reminder, they were born on the same day!)

All in all, a fun, but tiring weekend. I'm glad we're home now and don't have any more trips planned for a while. I really enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends, but it is so much harder with a little one! I always feel like I'm bringing the entire house with me!

Hope your families are keeping cool this summer and having a great one!

Ode to a Friend

We moved to our area four years ago. (Can y'all believe it's been that long??) I was lonely and sad a lot of the time. Luckily the women of the church took me under their wing and gave me more love and friendship than I ever could have imagined. I left a hometown of wonderful, loving friends, most of whom had been with me my entire life. I love those friends dearly, and they each hold a place in my heart no one else will ever fill. Today though, I would like to give a shout out to a friend who didn't have to be my friend, who didn't have to love me, but she did.

My good friend Vicki is celebrating her 40th birthday today. Vicki is a woman of amazing strength and faith. I look to her more than she knows as my example of a wife, mother, teacher, and friend.

When her husband looks at her, you can see his love radiating from his face. He knows he is blessed beyond measure to have her and it shows in every smile or wink he passes her way. Aaron and I have talked many times about how we hope others can see our love for one another in the way Tim and Vicki show their love for one another. We know we have a long way to go, but their example speaks to us each time we're with them and we hope it's rubbing off.

Vicki is raising two beautiful daughters. Bethany and Anna Rebecca are beautiful inside and out and I am so thankful Caroline has them to look up to. Vicki has been such an inspiration to me as we're raising our own daughter. Vicki has had struggles in her time as a mother...both her daughters were born with hearing loss. You would never know trials had come into the lives of this family, because all you see is joy. She is doing all she can to help her daughters, and in her eyes you see the love and strength she has for them reflected there. When I faced the trials of a birth defect with Caroline, Vicki was someone I called on a lot for just a ear to listen, and listen she did. I don't think I would have made it through without her love, support, and prayers.

Vicki has been a friend to me despite our age difference. She loves me and is there for me, and although the occasional joke is made, she never makes me feel insignificant or too young. She loves me for me. She has helped me see so many things in new lights, and has been there for me during personal struggles. She has read letters I was scared to send and encouraged me to send them. She has opened my world to new authors who have strengthened my faith.

I could go on and on. On this day, one of the "biggest" birthdays of her life, I implore you to take a moment and visit her blog so you can see for yourself what a wonderful woman she is. Oh, and while you're there, wish her a happy birthday!

I love you Vicki!

Up on a Mountaintop!

It's been a while! I feel like a broken record, but we've been really busy! We've just had so much going on lately. Hopefully things are slowing down a little.

We got back on Saturday from our vacation in North Carolina. It was absolutely gorgeous and we had a fantastic time! It was so nice to spend a week together without anything going on and no distractions. We just got to enjoy each other and get extra rest. It was very relaxing! Wouldn't you know that I forgot to charge our camera battery before we left! We were able to get some pics, but not as many as I would have liked. We did take some some video too, so it wasn't a total loss!

The cabin was gorgeous and very homey with a spectacular view! We saw lots of chipmunks and Aaron saw a porcupine! We had fun looking for wildlife as we drove up and down the mountain. We didn't see any bears though.

On Monday we drove around and looked at the scenery. We drove all the way up a mountain, I can't remember right now, but we were up REALLY high. We stopped at a place called Wayah Bald and hiked up to the top and saw for miles and miles. There was a lookout tower there, and from the top of the tower, you could see several states. It was really neat! There were some college kids there at the same time we were and they all called Aaron "Sir." I loved it! I think it made him feel a little old. This is from Wayah Bald, but not up on the lookout, just on the ground. They're both making funny faces, but with a dying battery, you take what you can get!


This was on the side of the road. We saw a beautiful little waterfall coming down the mountain so we stopped and took a picture.


On Wednesday we drove about an hour from the cabin and went to the Cherokee Indian Reservation. We went to a museum there and learned a lot about their culture and how the discovery of America effected them. It was very interesting and they had some really neat exhibits. This is a New Testament that was translated into Cherokee.


Here are Aaron and Caroline in front of some wax figures in one of the exhibits.


There was a lake close by that we took Caroline to. We decided not to rent a boat or anything this time, but she loved playing in the water. She kept picking up rocks and throwing them. I think she thought she was skipping them like her daddy. It was cute! I was afraid the water would be cold, but it really wasn't and she had a blast playing until it started to rain and we had to go in.


We took some food with us and hit a grocery store once we got there so we didn't eat out much. We ate out Sunday after church and then again when we went to Cherokee and that was it. We grilled out every night but one. Here is Aaron grilling our oh-so-healthy lunch of hot dogs. Isn't the view behind him AMAZING?


We were surrounded by the Lord's creation in a way we had never been before. It is truly awe-inspiring to be surrounded on all sides by the mountains, trees, rivers, streams, and wildlife He created. It was a wonderful trip! We are so thankful to our friends, John and Becky Haley, for letting us use their beautiful "Cabin in the Sky."

Joy

Caroline is such a silly little monkey! She has recently discovered her new favorite reading "nook."




Yes, she loves to climb under our bar stools and "read" her books. Notice she's reading the cover. :)

She also discovered a fun new way to eat yogurt while at Oma and Opa's a few weeks ago.



Seriously, she ate almost the entire cup like that! Silly girl!

She also loves to help me with the laundry.



I'm not exactly sure how her climbing on the hamper is helping, but I'm sure she has a reason in her active little mind!

I spend most of my days smiling and laughing and it's all because of a little joy named Caroline. She is such a blessing to us. We beg your prayers as we raise her...pray for her heart and ours, that we may instill in her a love for the Lord.

Our Life in Bullets

*We've been so busy lately I haven't had time to think straight, and I won't be getting a break from the business anytime soon. We've got full plates for the next three weeks, but hopefully after that things will slow down around here a bit. I don't really know where to begin, so I think I'll just start from the beginning! (Always a good place to start!)

*We went to Birmingham for Mother's Day and had a nice visit with Aaron's family. We had some family pictures taken of the whole clan while we were there and had a really good time. They took me to eat at Jim and Nicks for my birthday and completely spoiled me with cake and presents.



Karen and Justin got me the Sara Snow book. I've really been wanting to read it because I find "green" living interesting and she is considered a Green Living Expert. My in-laws got me the Rachael Ray cookbook to go along with....



this gorgeous set of Rachael Ray cookware! I have needed new cookware for a long time---the stuff I got when I married turned out to be no good---and I was absolutely SHOCKED and THRILLED when I recieved the cookware! Thanks again Oma and Opa!

*For my birthday my wonderful husband and daughter got me a new wallet to match my Vera bag and a food processor. I was the most excited about the food processor. When did practical gifts become exciting? My parents got me this really cool organizer for the refridgerator...again with the practical gifts that I love! I also got a really funny card from my brother---he always picks the best cards! I was so spoiled by my family...I love all of you!

*I think the MOST exciting thing about my birthday was the cake my mom sent...well, not the cake itself, but the people who brought it! Lauren and Becca came with their kiddos and arrived on my birthday! It was so wonderful to spend time with them! We had a blast!

*We went to the mall and Caroline got to ride in a double stroller for the first time.



*I discovered what a great helper in the kitchen Blair is and she helped me with the Baked Spaghetti.



*Bec and La surprised me and brought Caroline some pjs to match Blair and Abbey.





*Caroline and Logan had a blast playing with Blair through the window.




*We went to the book store and happend updon a 60% off sale of children's books. The kids had a good time reading while we shopped. Caroline and Logan also found some empty shelves to climb in....the little monkeys!




*We went to the park and Caroline loved climbing in and out of the tube. I think she only crawled across once, but she loved it.



*On their last day here we went to the beach. Caroline loves the beach and the ocean. I know she would just run right into the ocean if we'd let her. Instead of that though, I sat with her and Blair where the waves would crash over us and we had fun. I am looking forward to more beach days this summer!




*Well that's it. This week we've been busy playing catch up and I've had some Doctor's appointments. Hope all is well with all of you!

Tid Bits

On Friday we went and had lunch with some friends. It was so much fun and both Caroline and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Caroline made friends with their little man and he kept kissing her in the window! J and I couldn't help but laugh!

Sunday morning we had a little visitor.



We were in the kitchen having breakfast and Aaron looked out the window and exclaimed, "Is that a turtle?" He headed outside and took a closer look, then came back in for the camera. Caroline was watching intently, so he took her out, only after he promised me he wouldn't let her touch it. It was actually a really friendly little guy and walked right up to them and didn't seem scared at all. Caroline really liked looking at him, but she would wiggle and try to climb up Aaron if he got too close!





As I mentioned in one of my other blogs, I've really gotten into couponing lately. It's so much fun! I'm just starting out so I'm not really good at it yet, but I feel like I've made a great start. Aaron made me a spreadsheet to keep track of how much I've saved. It's really fun to actually SEE the results. I won't go into a deep analysis of all the deals, but I am really enjoying getting a lot of fee items using the CVS extra care bucks system. When I set out to start couponing, I decided that I wasn't going to buy something we don't need or won't use just b/c I had a coupon, which is a mistake I've made in the past. I've also had to learn to let go of some of my brand loyalties. I think that's been the hardest thing for me. I've had a lot of luck getting things for my home and our personal care for cheap or free. I've got things like laundry detergent, toothpaste, paper towels, toilet paper, and other things like that really stocked up. I haven't had as much luck with finding deals on food items, and I'm pretty sure it's because I have "what we like" in my head instead of what we can get for better prices. I'm trying to do better about that! I have some monetary goals that I want to get my grocery bill down to, and hopefully once I've been working on the couponing for a while I can reach or even exceed my goals.

Another big part of my couponing has been signing up to receive free samples. Yesterday was a really fun day at the mailbox! I had 3 free samples and a free magazine waiting for me!



If you'd like to start couponing and receiving free samples, I high recommend Money Saving Mom's blog. She explains things in an easy to understand way and she posts about free samples and printable coupons daily.

Couponing is FUN! :)