Our card group took the summer off so I have not been interested in making any cards lately. But we are all anxious and excited to do our first swap in October. The theme is Halloween or Thank-you. I figured more people would use Thank-you cards so that is what I did.
We went bowling a few weeks ago for a friends birthday. WE LOVE BOWLING!! None of us are super good, except Russ, but we love to go. The kids are especially fun to watch. You can see in the pictures how excited Reese and Raegan were when their ball would hit even one pin. Reese would clap for everyone when it was their turn. We sure do love spending time together as a family. It seems with Russ working so many hours that our time with him is limited. The days we get to all be together are very welcomed. Russ killed everyone with his score. I would think that I would eventually get a little better, but NO I still stink. Mel got the highest score for the girls and she said, "I'm not going to do good because I haven't been bowling since Molly was a baby." I guess she had beginners luck:o) All in all everyone had a great time.
Russ turned 32 on Aug. 12th. We had a little get together with some friends. Russ LOVES dessert. I try and make his favorites for his birthday. He always asks for pumpkin pie and German chocolate cake. I also made him strawberry pie. YUMMY!! He doesn't really get too excited about his birthday. He got a new Sony DASH from Mel. It's a pretty cool little gadget.
We are so blessed to have Russ as our husband/daddy. He is wonderful. He is always doing what's best for us and works so hard to take care of us. He is USUALLY so fun to be around and we all love the time we get to spend with him. We feel so grateful for him and all he does. Happy Birthday Baby!! We love you!!
As a mom I have a lot of days when I don't think anything I do is right or is worth much. BUT once in awhile I will have a day or even a moment when I feel like this is what I was made for. My kids are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love them so much.
One of these days came on Sept. 1st. It was picture day at school. My Raegan loves looking pretty and having her picture taken (she did NOT get this from her mother). We were picking out her clothes and of course she wanted to wear a dress. So she picked her best one. Then she told me she wanted to have her hair curled. When she was already to go she said to me "mom, don't you want to take my picture?" OF COURSE I DO SILLY!! I am in awe at how beautiful my daughter is. It made me smile to think that she is mine and how lucky I am. She is so loving and kind. She is so sensitive and for the most part wants to help everyone. She tells us all several times a day that she loves us. She is such a joy. We love you Rae.
SO if you like peanut butter like I do, you will LOVE these cupcakes. I made regular chocolate cupcakes (devils food or a dark chocolate would be best). Then the AMAZING part. Mix 1 cup peanut butter with 1/2 container of vanilla frosting. If you need it to go farther you can mix the whole container with 1 1/2 cups peanut butter. Frost after the cupcakes are completly cooled. I just used chocolate syrup over the top. FABULOUS!!
OK I know, I know, I have totally been a blog slacker. But there is no way I was not going to post today.
Back to school is always a bitter sweet day for me. I'm soooo ready for school to start again. I'm ready for my kids to be active and learning. I'm ready for everyone to be on a schedule again. Ready for going to bed early and getting up early.
BUT I'm not quite ready for my babies to be getting bigger. I really can't imagine that one day they will be going to high school. UGH!!! Riley is like a little mini man. He is so independent and confident. He pretty much thinks he is the boss--of everyone. He is also so very smart. It amazes me at how he can pick up any book and read it like it's memorized. AMAZING!! He must get that from Russ. This year he is going into 2nd grade. Last night Russ and I went and met his teacher, Mrs. Sims. She is wonderful. I really hope he warms up to her quickly. This is a big year I think. Not a little kid but not a big kid. Kindof in the middle. I hope he discovers who he wants to be and holds on to who he is now. Man he is so handsome.
Raegan is THRILLED to be going to kindergarten this year. It's all she has talked about since LAST year. She is so excited to meet her teacher Mrs. Slade today. She has asked at least 500 times if it's time to go yet. Raegan is also very independent and condifdent. But it is very differnent than Riley. She is more mature about her confidence. She KNOWS that she is a big girl and she KNOWS that she is a cutie pie. It is interesting to hear her interact with Reese. She is like a little mommy. Bossy when she needs to be but very loving and caring. She is such a good helper and plays sooo good with Reese. She has recently discovered how sassy she really can be and we are constently reminding her that she is beautiful but needs to ACT beautiful too. I hope that this year in school she will discover all kinds of fun new things. She is very social so I hope she learns more math and writing:-D
And Reese is just happy to be here. I'm sure she will love her one-on-one time with mom. We shall see.....
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! We have been having a great week-end. Yesterday we got together with a bunch of friends and did some fun games, played in the pool and other water fun. Then we had BBQed beef sandwiches. YUMMY. Last night was the rodeo and fireworks. We LOVE the rodeo. My kids got all festive in their 4th of July shirts. And of course their cowboy/cowgirl hats and BOOTS!! It was so fun. The fireworks are always beautiful.
TOday, after church we are getting together with more friends for another BBQ. I can't wait for Mel's potatoe salad.
THANK-YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE OR ARE NOW SERVING OUR COUNTRY. TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES--THANK-YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. I am so grateful to live in a FREE country where I can raise my kids the way I feel is right and I can come and go as I please. So grateful for my life, my family and my friends. LOVE YOU ALL!! Have a safe and fun holiday.
