Friday, February 25, 2011

Crazy Hair Day 2011




Due to all the snow and ice, we had a two hour delay this am which gave us lots of time to get crazy!!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Tax Time

It's that time of year again . . . time to do your taxes. If you're like me, all those forms can be a bit overwhelming to fill out so you have two options . . . pay a company a large percentage of your return to fill them out for you or use an online tax program to do it yourself in a step by step process.

A few years ago, we found Tax Act and have been amazed each year at how easy it is, how efficient it is and how amazing it is to finish your taxes for $15 . . . check it out! I don't make any money by sending you here - just want to save you the tons of money you might spend going to a place (we used to pay the money - don't feel bad)

Tax Act triples checks your return, e-files for you and even saves your return for 4 years . . . it's worth your time to give it a try . . . and happy returns (hopefully!!)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Valentine's Day

Although I am not one of those people who has to have the box of chocolates and mandatory bouquet of flowers because it's the day of love, we had a wonderful time celebrating Valentine's Day this year. (Don't get me wrong - I love a box of chocolates and bouquet of flowers - just would love them on a random Wednesday just because . . . )

On Sunday, my incredibly romantic husband (all throughout the year), planned a wonderful day away. After church, we took the girls out to lunch at Panera (a super yummy soup, salad, and sandwich place) then took them to Barnes and Noble to each pick out their own new books. We then dropped the kiddos off at Grandma's and headed to walk around Pike Street Market. We had a wonderful time taking in all the sights and sounds. We then had dinner at Benni Hanna . . .the Japanese steak house that chops, cooks, and entertains right at your table. We had a blast and the food was incredible. I can't tell you how nice it was to spend the afternoon and evening with the love of my life - we've now had 11 Valentine's Days together . . . and what a sweet celebration it was after such a long hard couple years of health drama. 

Yesterday it was the girls turn to surprise Daddy. After school, I took the girls to the Dollar Tree to pick out a few decorations. They chose a balloon . . .


A "True Love" banner and blow up heart . . .


 And we ordered a heart pizza from Papa Murphys . . .


Daddy came home with personalized cards for all of us (Tinker Bell for Hannah, Snow White for Haley and a hilarious Twilight card for Momma) and we enjoyed a night of family fun . . . I guess I take it back . . . I am one of those sappy people who likes the effort on this day . . . Happy Valentines Day (and may it last throughout the year!)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

A Real Person . . .

Today I was shopping Costco with a good friend (way more fun than going alone) and after a long journey around the huge warehouse, our little ones (Haley 5 and her little guy 2) it was time for hot dogs (who doesn't love lunch for $1.50 a person?!)

We got our food, put ketchup on the dogs and attempted to finish a sentence, enjoy our lunch and wrangle children. The two year old was having none of it and Haley was attempting to wrangle him herself . . . as they climbed benches, laughed to loud, ran a bit and acted like . . . well, children, an older woman on a bench nearby giggled and said, "I'm so glad my children are not that small anymore."

Although I absolutely love the fact that my girls are still small enough to crawl up on my lap and want me to read to them all day on a rainy Thursday, I appreciated the honesty and realness of the woman in the store. So often, older people will comment on how "these are the best days of your life" and sometimes, in the middle of the frazzle, you want to sit down and cry thinking "Really? These are the best days?!"

So thank you random lady at Costco for acknowledging that this mothering business is downright hard sometimes and although I will miss the sweetness of the little ones in my house (makes me choke up just typing those words), there will be a time when the dog days of this journey will be a sweet memory and you'll marvel at the young men or women in your family and celebrate your survival!!