Fruit Pickers!

This morning the kids and I met up with my good friend Dory and her two girls to pick blueberries at a local U-Pick farm. It was such a beautiful morning to be outside (even though my allergies didn't think so). The breeze was blowing and there were NO sudden rainstorms (I've gotten caught in two this week!). 

{My Fruit Pickers}

 Jman was actually a really good blueberry picker. I was impressed that he only had a handful of berries that weren't fully ripened. He was not however thrilled to dump "HIS berries in MOMMY'S bucket" "Now I haven't any berries AT ALL." (Lord, please help me through this new stage of parenting!)

 The girls did fairly well for being stuck in the stroller majority of the time. They got to enjoy snacks when they started fussing. All in all the kids were good and it was a good harvest of blueberries for us.

 I've already got a pie chillin' in the frig for dessert tonight. I would just like to say that the pan the berries were cooked in, was in fact, FINGER LICKIN' GOOD! True Story.

 Tomorrow's plans are for those berries to meet those jars. MMmmm! My mom will finally have some fresh preserves to eat that she isn't allergic to. Mom? You do like blueberries, right? :)

I might have about two cups of berries leftover that I'll use as snacks and maybe pancakes. I'm already wishing I was able to pick more! I *might* have to go back next week if they're still open.

Have A Fabulous Friday, Peeps!

Sweet Treats

I have been able to have fun decorating cakes again. Here is a graduation cake I finished this week.

 I was pretty pleased with how it turned out. I messed up a bit here and there but by God's grace I did not stress over it. (Which is a big deal for me!) I really need to practice my writing though, it's a bit on the rough side. :)

Two weeks ago I did these cupcakes and strawberries to take to my Sunday School class to celebrate two of my friends birthdays. I found the idea on Pinterest and since it was almost Memorial Day and it was gender neutral I went with it.

 I didn't have any strawberries left to take home. Those bad boys went real fast. I'm glad my hubby got one the night before. After all, he IS my official taste tester and I am pretty sure that is one of his more enjoyable duties as a husband.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday! :)

Anniversary Weekend

So while the kids are quietly playing together and I have a cake in the oven baking I thought I'd give you a little snippet of mine and Michael's anniversary weekend. I can hardly believe it has been seven years since we got married. Time is just flying by at super sonic speeds!

Friday night we went to a dinner theater in O Town. We sat at a table with a whole family and it was hilarious listening to them tell stories on each other from when they were kids. One of the ladies has been homeschooling for YEARS so we got to talking about that and I really enjoyed hearing all she had to share with me. 

Saturday we had lunch at Andrea's in Winter Haven. We love their gyros! Afterwards, some friends from church allowed us to come out to their house and use their gun range.

 I enjoyed shooting my gun for several rounds. I finally quit when my arms started hurting.

 I actually got my first bulls eye! I hope to improve and get many more in my future! :)

 Our friends also had a jet ski and offered to let us ride it. Michael's face looked like a little boy, it was full of excitement. I had never been on one before but I wanted to give it a go. Michael went out first to get a hang for the way it drives. It was driving a bit funny but He came back and I climbed on.

Two feet from the shore we flipped over. -__-

I was like "I'm already wet, might as well try it again." Did I mention that we were not prepared with extra clothes? Anyway, I get back on and we almost flipped again. I freaked out calmly stated my desire to put both feet back on the ground. (Michael discovered that there was a bunch of gunk sucked up in something on the bottom.)

It will be a while before I venture out on a jet ski again! It was definitely memorable, though.

Everyone dressed up for Sunday :)

Memorial Day we went over to our friend's house which also happen to be our neighbors for a cookout. We enjoyed a relaxing time with them.

Baby Madison worked herself into an odd position that made me laugh when I walked in the door and saw her.

 Joanna wanted to play with her. :)

 Hannah and Joanna playing with letters. I wish I kept my camera out and got some pictures of the boys running around and playing but I got busy talking and forgot.

We all had a great time with friends and I love having friends who live so close. It only took us a minute to get home. :)

I am smelling cake coming from my kitchen so "Happy Tuesday"! :)

Daddy Tradition

I was looking through pictures and came across one that reminded me of another one that was similar. I went hunting for it and had a good laugh just remembering.

May 2009- Michael feeding Jman a bottle as he played a game on his Xbox.

December 2012- Michael holding Lady J as she sleeps while playing the Wii with Jman.

 He he! Some things never change. :)

I love the sweet memories. I am so glad I have so many pictures and videos to remind me of all the things that God has blessed me with and allowed me to experience in my life. Some may snicker at me because I am always taking pictures but I don't mind a bit! :) Being able to put pictures with memories is totally worth the little bit of teasing I receive. 

Happy Monday!

Bloggy/Picture Catch Up

The kids ready for Church!

Back in April I celebrated my 29th birthday.

My hubby got me something that has been on my "I need these desperately" list. A new set of knives!!!! YAY! I think I have finally gotten used to having sharp knives again because I have gone almost two weeks without cutting myself with them. :) It's the little things, people.

I told Michael that I really did not want cake after we just had cake for Jo's birthday. I'm trying to behave and stay on my diet. He had me fooled good! He kept saying but I have to make you a cake. He came up with this cake made out of fruit! I told him it was the best Fruit Cake EVER! It was incredibly special to me that he put such thought and effort into it. I will forever remember this cake. The main body is watermelon, on top he placed raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. Its smothered in melting whip cream. :)

My boy loves his books.

 Josiah dressed Joanna up as "Super Baby". She wore that cape for at least thirty minutes and loved it.

 Josiah had a hand holding fascination with Hannah for about a day. :) She eventually got tired of his attention and wouldn't let him hold her hand anymore. Good Job, H!

 Joanna's power nap

 Jo can crawl up on the couch now. It scares me.

 Hi, mom. I finished sorting your newspapers for you. Mess A and Mess B.

Well, that is it for now. Nothing huge to report just thought I'd share some pics. :) Have a marvelous weekend, people.

Mother's Day Weekend

We had a nice Mothers Day weekend. Saturday was a Mother/Daughter Banquet at LBC so I got to have lunch with my Mom, Sister, my three nieces, and my daughter. I felt like a bundle of nerves (I was singing a solo right after lunch) so I really didn't have much conversation skills at the time. He he- good thing my family loves me despite me. :) 

A big thanks to my mom and sister for taking care of Jo while I practiced and sang! :) One of my friends sent me of picture of me singing. Nice facial expression, huh? hehe

Mother's Day morning I got to open my present from my wonderful children!

 Josiah and Daddy worked hard decorating a special shirt for me.

 The Lord has blessed me with two wonderful kids that I love so incredibly much!

 Our silly picture :)

 We invited my parents over after church for a special lunch and the kids gave Nana her Mothers Day gift.

 My Dad- Josiah saw this picture and said "LOOK! Grandaddy is SOOO happy." lol

 My mom fed Joanna some cheesecake. It was pretty cute watching Jo continuously sign 'more' so she could have another bite of cheesecake. :)

Today is Monday so its back to work for us. Josiah is finishing up some handwriting papers for school and Joanna is jabbering away while playing in her room. I've got several things on my to do list today and I am hoping to get most of them marked off. Here's hoping my darling hubby gets to come home to a clean and peaceful house tonight. :)

Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Back Among the Living

Wow. The last few weeks have been unusual for me. I felt like I was a rat on one of those exercise wheels. I was going like crazy but not really going anywhere or accomplishing anything. I don't even think I was making sense with my words half the time.

I told Michael last night that I just seemed foggy-headed. I asked him if he thought I seemed foggy headed to him. He gets this big ole smile on his face and says "no more than normal". I love him! He helps me laugh at myself. 

Today, however, I feel like I actually accomplished some things. 

YAY!!!!!

I was able to get my menu plan for the rest of May and start of June finished today.

Getting this done has seriously lifted a load off my shoulders. Over the years, I've found that not having to think "What should I make for dinner?" every night is a huge blessing. I love walking up to my board and seeing what I am supposed to make and just making it. 

 I have several crock pot meals planned this month. I LOVE my crock pot. I would not survive the transition of having two veRY active kids, preschool with the little man, keeping the house habitable and activities going on if it wasn't for my crock pot. I have two of them and they are well loved. I won't even start the discussion about the wonderful invention of crock pot liners. 

This whole post has made me think about food and how hungry I am at this moment. Oh. Did I eat lunch? Huh. Ya know, eating lunch totally slipped my mind today. At least I got several things crossed off my To Do list. :)

The Last of the Baby Boom

Saturday morning we had a sweet little visitor at our house.

 Hannah got to join us for breakfast, some play time and even learned a new trick from Josiah. I'm sure her parents are so pleased with the new face she learned to make. :)

 There were lots of giggles!

 Then H's parents showed up with a new little sister for her! Hannah was so excited!

 Hannah getting her first glimpse of her baby sister that was born just a few hours earlier!

 Madison Elizabeth joined the world on May 4th at 6:45am. She weighed a whopping 10 lbs and 6 oz!

 She only looks like a ten pound baby in her cheeks. I got to go visit with her last night and I could just squeeze her cheeks because they are so cute!

 Congratulations to our dear friends on the arrival of their second daughter!

 I surely do appreciate my friends having all these babies! I've gotten some good baby snuggles in and I love every minute of it!

Matthew 19:13-14 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.