Sunday Worship - I Have This Hope

I heard this song not long after learning that a friend of mine from college had cancer.  This is a song I had heard many times before but in light of the unexpected news, it took on new life to me.  Even in the darkest moments, we have hope.

Our Week in Photo #19

Here's our week!

 On Saturday, we met friends at the park.  It was only about 50 degrees so it was chilly - a perfect day to play!  

 We went to our favorite wooden park.  We need to go more before these two get too big to go to parks. 

 On the way home, we had to stop at Meijer and they just happened to doing a "decorate a cupcake" activity so the boys did just that.  And yes, they were good. 

 For dinner we did something we rarely do - we got Papa Murphy's pizza.  I considered it an early Mother's Day present - easy dinner HA! 

We love our cat. 

Sunday - Mother's day!  We started with breakfast at home and then went to my sister-in-laws

My boys and me! 

These were the gifts the boys got me.  Now, lets keep it real.  I picked out the necklaces from my friends jewlery.  She wrapped them all up and even threw in a free necklace.  The boys were not thrilled that I did that (lesson learned HA).  They did get me Biggby gift cards though which I love! 

I shared these photos in a previous post but on Tuesday we got some outside time in finally. 

 On Wednesday the boys and I had some furniture to move.  We are gaining some new furniture from my mom when she moves.  Well, the animals all love when something new happens! 

 The cat claimed this sideways chair as his own. 

 The dog was like, 'What's up with the couch?" (Gottta love Lazy Boy - the backs all come off!) 

Finally we met my mom at her NEW home!  Yes!  Now on to moving! 

We will be busy with moving details the next few days.  Technically there should be photos but I'm guessing I won't get a chance to post them on Friday night (and this goes live on Saturday!)  So I'll share those later in the week! 

Weekly Menu!

This week begins with a big move!  A move that has been in the works for quite awhile and finally happens on Friday.  My mom is moving in order to be much closer to us which is just wonderful!  A moving weekend means lots of busyness so, in a way, that makes my life easier because I have less cooking HA!  But moving is never easy so that cancels that out :-)

Here's the plan!

Friday - Moving Day so we will eat out.

Saturday - Moving Day = eating out

Sunday - Recovery Day (haha) = eating out

Monday - Tacos

Tuesday - Chicken on the grill, baked beans, mac and cheese, and zucchini

Wednesday - Homemade chicken nuggets and Fries

Thursday - French Bread Pizza (Homemade!)

My Tree

Many years ago, Darryl and I planted a simple crab apple tree.  

There's a funny story - we went to our local market and they had trees on sale - these were good size trees . . .10 feet tall maybe?  

We owned an Alero.  Which is not 10 feet tall HA!

Darryl said, "No way". I said, "It will fit!" 

Well, I wanted the tree so I won.  It did fit . . kinda.  

The root ball was in my lap, the end of the tree was out the hatch and might have dragged on the road a little.  

BUT . . .. 

we made it home. 

Ever spring, I wait.  

It turns this very slight pink color as spring starts to heat up. 

Some years this happens really early and then we get snow and it totally messes with my tree

Some years this happens and we get a huge wind storm and it totally messes with my tree. 

BUT . . . . ..

This year spring has been near perfect.  

The warm days, rain, and cool nights has helped it to bloom slowly. 

I've watched it daily and then I noticed this . . .. 

Isn't it a beauty?  It only lasts a day or two so I will enjoy it today as much as I can.  Pretty soon those flowers turn to crab apples and the birds get to enjoy the tree as much as I do. 

I'm so thankful that we "made it fit" all those years ago so that we can enjoy the beauty of the tree now. 

It fits perfectly into my backyard!  

Spring Fun

Spring has taken a long time to arrive - and I have loved it.  We've had amazingly wonderful cool nights and no humidity.  Granted, we've also had quite a bit of rain and lots of clouds but I have not missed 80 degree days yet!  Today was a beautiful day with sunshine, warm air, and a nice breeze.  Before dinner we spent a little time outside and had some fun.

 Blowing dandelions is always fun!  

 Josh - my crazy kid. 

 Dash loves being outside with us and "owns" his yard.  

It's fun to watch him race through the yard!  Sometimes he gets lost in the grass HA! 

I would say that things are quiet around here - but they aren't!  We are desperately trying to finish up school; my mom moves this weekend; and I'm trying to get some things done here at home before that move as I'm in gaining some new furniture.  

Bling!

I enjoy jewelry.  I always have but after having kids (who liked to pull on everything) and staying home, my collection has slowly dwindled.  Last year my boys both got me jewelry at different occasions, which I love!  Well, my next door neighbor started selling Paparazzi jewelry recently and she's just plain fun so when she does live shows on Facebook I'm just sucked into watching her for an hour or so!  She always does some sort of drawing and someone wins something new!  The first time I watched, I won TWO drawings!  (And I never win!)

Aren't these pieces just amazing?  The best part?  Each of those pieces are only $5.00!  Yes, you read that right!! 

If you are interested in the jewelry, you can check out her Facebook page  HERE.  She has albums up on her page so you can see her current inventory and buy pieces straight from her page or she does live shows on Thursdays normally (and sometimes other days too!) 

Our Week in Photos #18

This week seemed busy.  It was one of those weeks were I feel like I let other things get in the way of our daily routine of school leaving us a little behind where I wanted to be.  It wasn't even all my "fault" - on Wednesday the kids I watch had a half day, Nate had his bi-weekly call, Josh had school testing, and Darryl was home.  There was nothing extra going on that day!  In the end though, it wasn't a very exciting week and therefore very few photos!

 Josh and Nate each got a set of these blowup boxing gloves in their Easter Baskets.  Nate and Cooper played for a bit 

Our sweet pooch Dash.  It's funny, it's a totally different dog than when we met him at the shelter.  He's so content and happy . .. and a little bit crazy HA!  But he loves his people; he doesn't like being alone! 

 Of course, we finished up the dining room this week with the hanging of photos and artwork. And I AM Lucky to have such a great guy!  (See his shirt!) 

I caught this little visitor this week.  We don't usually have cats in the yard during the day so I know this guy was hungry.  I watched him climb up the fence like a ladder, walk across the top of the fence, and this is where he was when I grabbed my camera.  Yes, I scared him away nicely after the photo.  As much as I love cats, I don't love cats in my yard or garbage!!