In a few short weeks...

I don't think I've blogged since we found out we are having another precious girl! I will be the first to admit that I was nervous going in to our ultrasound. For the last 16 months H was my "favorite girl" and I was nervous on how I would do with two girls. I know it sounds crazy because we have two boys at home and God filled my heart with love to go around when Ky arrived but I was nervous none the less. And when they told us "it's a girl" it took me a few hours to let it sink in. As it did joy filled my cup. I love having sisters and I mean LOVE LOVE my sisters. As we've grown older they have become some of my closest friends and I am so excited for Harper that she will be able to have that experience and now as it gets closer I can't wait to see who she looks like. Counting her toes and fingers and holding her close are high on my priority list.:)

Now we just pray for H and her heart as I know this precious gift who we are naming Willow is going to rock her world. We plan on getting her a baby doll shortly before Lo comes and hope that helps with the transition a little bit. For now she just walks around tapping on her tummy and saying Baby Willow...she's a tad confused:)

Our Summer and Bucket List

Our summer has flown by! It's hard to believe that August has arrived! This season has been full of joy,  endless baskets of laundry, gallons of ice water in water bottles, laughter around the table, cookouts with friends, adventures to the park, coffee shop, and farmers market, and memories that I hope will remain close!

We started our summer sitting around the table with a piece of construction paper and markers in hand and created a bucket list of things we hoped to experience over the course of the summer. As we sat and discussed we laughed and talked about memories of times we'd experienced some of things we were adding. The excitement was overflowing as we talked about what was to come. As summer is turning the corner and fall is slowly creeping up I look back and smile and am thankful for these moments we've had. It won't be long until our newest bundle of joy arrives.

Sponge war (Thank you Pinterest)!!!

An afternoon at the splash pad was a success!

We love smores and the time spent around the campfire!

Sweet Girl loved the slip n slide and couldn't get enough of the water!

A weekend full of fun!

This weekend was amazing! We spent Friday evening supporting Noah as he played in a March Madness game...he scored two points and was thrilled! We went out for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings and had a blast watching basketball and laughing with the kids!

Saturday morning H got up early and Chad picked her out of her crib and have her a bottle. I woke up and listened to them for a bit and then there was silence. I peeked into the living room and found them cuddling. Melted my heart.

Once she woke up her and Noah had a blast playing together and she is fascinated by Siri and all things related to phones and iPads:) She also wakes up with bed head like I do.

After breakfast we had friends over to watch the movie Frozen and enjoyed pizza for lunch. They have four kids and we've enjoyed getting to know them more. The kids get along great and the parents were able to talk while they played.

Sunday we were told it might get to the 60s. That's all we needed to hear to shut the heat off and open the windows for a bit! The fresh air felt glorious!! This mama can't wait to bust out my sandals and flip flops:)❤️We have amazing bike trails where we live! I've been running on the same trail for years and just love it. We loaded up the truck and headed to the trail for our first family walk/ride of the season.

I could have stayed outside for hours but H lasted an hour before she was ready for a nap. I'll take it though!

This week is going to be a busy one and I'm leaving for a business trip next week so there is a lot I need to get together. Thankfully we don't have a lot going on this weekend!

Blessings!

Mimi 

My Sweet Girl

I find it so easy most days to get overwhelmed when I think about all I still need to get done before crashing at night...laundry, dishes, go through the kids folders, open mail, and on and on. However over the last year I've relaxed ALOT and have enjoyed more times then not letting the dishes sit, not picking up every mess and sitting with the kids and enjoying these moments. I know all to well how fast the time goes and when I look at Harper and the boys I don't want to miss it. I want to relish playing with the books, stacking the blocks, tickling their feet, and listening to them laugh. In ten years when I look back I'm not going to remember or care if my laundry was put away every night but I know they and I will both remember the times we spent together. 

I went to my first Stella & Dot party last week and now I know why I've waited so long to go....I'm hooked:) I had so much fun with girlfriends and looking at their jewelry! I've noticed some really pretty kelly green drop earrings on a few other blogs and decided to step out of my comfort zone and order a pair. I love jewelry and am fascinated by my sisters who always wear such fun items! Me on the other hand I wear my wedding ring, the same silver band on my right hand, the same silver hoops in my ears, and flip between two necklaces every day. While I have a lot of fun pieces I just keep it simple most days. Of course the pair I ordered is on back order but I can't for them to arrive! They also have a precious children's line and I spotted a few things for H.:) I think she's a fan too!

This sweet girl melts my heart daily. Tonight we are headed to a basketball game and tomrrow I have a friend and her kids coming over for a movie date to watch Frozen! There is also a rumor we might see the 60s on Sunday! I can't wait!

Blessings!

Mimi

Making memories ❤️

My youngest sister is a junior in high school....and she decided she wants to go to prom this year! She has such a servant's heart and brings a smile to everyone around here. I was beyond thrilled when she asked me to go shopping for a dress with her! We went to three different shops on Saturday and found one that is in the final round, however I think we are going to go look at a few more places before she commits. I felt extremely old looking at them with her. It's amazing how the styles and prices have changed in the last 14 years!! Wow did I just write 14 years! Eeek!

After we left the last shop we stopped at one of my favorite coffee shops that has amazing ice cream and chocolate truffles that are made right there at the shop! Hess and two of my other sisters had never been there and they were enthralled with the menu! It's a huge hit!

I'm so thankful for my sisters and the friendships that have developed as we've gotten older. I can't imagine life without them.

Blessings!

Mimi

It's still cold outside!

Here in the Midwest we still have fresh snow on the ground and it doesn't feel like spring! The sun has been out and while it appears to be warmer as soon as we step outside we are reminded otherwise. That did not stop is from a suprise Cherry Berry run after school yesterday! We don't go there often and we had to pick up Noah's glasses close by so I thought I would suprise the boys with a sweet treat. They were thrilled!

We enjoyed our evening at home and Uncle Michael stopped over for dinner and catch up! Chad used his grill (grilling season is here!!) and made amazing New York strip steaks!! Yum! I normally don't love love steak but will probably be getting more at whole foods the next time I go.

Harper loves being where the boys are! Their play room and our media room are both downstairs so oftentimes she will hold onto the gate at the top of the stars and call for them...she can't say their names yet but we all know she's trying to get their attention. I took her downstairs last night to check things out and she thought she was pretty big stuff playing with their controllers.

While I didn't get to putting away the laundry or half of the other things on my list I was content letting it go and just enjoying the moments we had as a family. It never hurt anyone to look through a basket for clothes:)

Blessings!

Mimi

We have an announcement!

Our family has been busy to say the least since Harper came into our lives, and we've enjoyed every second of it! This weekend we were excited to share with our family and friends that she is going to be a big sister!!

Three months in and I'm still wrapping my mind around the fact that she is going to be a big sister! I am so excited for her to have a sibling that will be close in age. The boys are 19 months apart and her and the baby will be 21 months apart. I know God has great things planned for this little person growing inside me. The morning sickness stage is over and I'm hoping to get back into my workout routine soon! I've been eating carbs like it's going out of style and fruit non stop! 

Hoping you have a great Monday!

Blessings!

Mimi