Valentine's Day

We are in the midst of celebrating Valentine's at our house! This has been a fun year so far! Like I've said before the kids are at perfect ages! This year there has been a lot of celebrating due to having 2 kids in school.
Colby had his party yesterday b/c he is out of school today. I baked cookies for his class to send home along with his Superhero Valentine's from Target...no pinterest goodies this year! He came home with a HUGE bag of goodies he seemed to have a good day and enjoyed his party!
Friday Colby was out of school so he was looking forward to a dady with mommy. Lindsay actually had school. Normally she doesn't go on Fridays but this week it worked out great b/c she had missed Monday. I really only see the need for her to go 2 days a week. Plus Friday was her Valentine's party and I was signed up so she kind of had to go! I was also looking forward to a little one on one time with Colby. I had asked him several days ago what he wanted to do and he chose going to Barnes and Noble to pick out a book. I am always obliged to pick out books for my kids that is one thing I have a hard time saying no to! Anyway we dropped Lindsay off and went to the bookstore. It was nice and peaceful. We sat down and looked at his book and I drank my coffee then we meandered through the store for a bit. We stumbled on a Duck Dynasty book for Austin. Afterwards it was time to head back to Lindsay's school. I think Colby enjoyed being back on his old turf but he started out being really shy. He hung out with me at first to help get everything set up for their little party. After we finished we went outside which is where Lindsay and her class were. It was fun watching them all play. The kids came in for the party. It was again fun watching them all eat and play. The other mom brought balloons for each kid so they LOVED that! Colby finally decided to go outside with the big kids. I think he had fun but things are quite the same to him I don't think...first most of all the kids that he knew went off to kindergarten at other schools. It was a nice morning for all of us. The rest of the day was pretty low key. We stayed in that evening and I cooked jambalaya for us. With Austin working and 2 little kids on a Friday night we weren't going to attempt going anywhere! We really don't make a huge deal out of Valentine's anymore. We exchange cards and that's it. We usually get the kids a couple of little toys and we call it a day. Its def a fun holiday with kids though!

Sick

So our time has come...honestly I have been waiting on when sickness would plague us again...we were healthy all of December and all of January so for that I am so thankful! Anyway Lindsay woke up from her nap Sunday running a 100-102 degree fever. We still aren't exactly sure what's going on with her. It could be teeth or she could have a little cold. She really doesn't "act sick" during the day. She isn't that congested and her nose really isn't running. She may have a sore throat? We aren't really sure. Since she acts fine and isn't running fever anymore I haven't taken her into the doc. Last night though she had a very rough night. She only slept a couple of hours. Yesterday my throat started hurting as well. My mom is also sick.
Well yesterday we ran a couple errands while Austin was off but mostly stayed in to rest and hope that everyone would be well for our busy week ahead.
Today we should have had Bible Study but due to the rough night and rough morning in our house (allie got sick in her kennel) we decided to skip. Not to mention that its a rainy, cold day. I hated to miss b/c I surely treasure that time. I didn't want Lindsay to get anyone else sick or for her to pick up any other germs. Tonight we have lifegroup but I don't think we will make that either. With my mom being sick I really don't want her to get sicker or for Colby to get anything since he has school. So we will stay in tonight and hope to re-coup for church tomorrow evening. I really miss going to my two adult Bible study times I know it will make a difference in my week too! But sometimes God tells us to stay home and rest so that's what we tried to do today!
Tonight I am feeling better but my throat is still a little sore. Lindsay seems fine I think it might be her teeth. We will see but hopefully tomorrow she will be back at school b/c I have to make cookies and get things ready for both their Valentine's parties and church tomorrow night!

Our Weekend

So far we are having a nice weekend around here. Colby spent Friday night with my parents so it was nice having a quiet evening. I missed my big boy and honestly he's not that much trouble its just now the 2 kids together they are loud and fight a lot! Lindsay, Austin, and I watched the Olympics together. Lindsay really got into it! I can tell she is going to love movies, shows, and plays!
Saturday us girls slept in! We enjoyed a quiet morning before heading out for coffee and picking big bro up! We got him and went to the park! I love no plan Saturdays that we can visit local parks and enjoy beautiful weather! Its been so cold and wet here lately I was anxious to get the kids out! We went to Confetti Park which is one of my kids favorites. I like it too b/c its fenced it and there are always several kiddos for my kids to play with! We stayed over an hour! It was nice just having that uninterrupted time with my kids. We got home and ate lunch then it was naptime. Colby stayed up and played and watched tv while Lindsay napped. That afternoon we got to take a walk...just trying to soak up this weather and get us moving! My goal is to get us moving more this year! Its hard for me to "workout" right now. I want to join a gym but right now with young kids and Austin's schedule I just don't know how much I would go. I want to get into running so we are slowly building up to that.
Sunday was church ofcourse. I was off this sunday so it was nice to actually go into church service. I only get to attend worship 1-2 times a month usually so its so refreshing. I feel like this week I have been feeling a little burnt out and tired. I am not sure if its hormones or just catching up from the trip. Not to mention my toddler has been extremely trying this week. We took her pacifier away a week ago and she's not really crying for it anymore but she's making it known she is old enough to express her feelings/opinions about every. little. thing! So I definitely needed the time to myself to get into the Word. The kids seemed to enjoy their classes as always. We are looking forward to a low key afternoon. I hate we are missing the Stewart's going away party but Lindsay is still asleep and she needs this nap before starting the week. We will just enjoy some downtime. We will probably play outside, maybe walk, watch the Olympics and work on some Valentine's before our busy week begins again tomorrow!

Getting back to Real Life

So we have been home from our Disney Vacation almost a week now! We hit the ground running when we got home! Spring semester means a lot of activities re-starting for our family! I will do a catch up post on what all has been going on since returning home.
Friday we got home mid-day...the kids were so excited to be home to their toys! I know they loved vacation but by Friday they were ready to be home especially after a long day of travel! It was nice to just settle in and unpack and catch up on things around the house!
Saturday was another laid back day. Lindsay and I got out that morning to grocery shop but the rest of the day we spent at home again just trying to get settled back in at home. Another day that the kids just enjoyed being home and playing!
Sunday it was time to re-start Life! We had church. Austin was still off so it was nice to go all together although I was teaching in the preschool. We had a great class though and it was good getting back to my little church friends! That night we had a SuperBowl Party with our Lifegroup. It was nice seeing all of our friends again and the kids had a blast playing. There are tons of kids in our new lifegroup so there are plenty of friends for our kids. There are two 1 year olds, two 2 year olds, one 3 year old, a 5 year old, a 7 year old, and two 9 year olds!
Monday the kids both had school. It was nice to get them back into that routine after missing a week. I think they were both glad to be back with their friends also. Austin and I enjoyed a quiet morning. We were able to take a walk with Allie which is always nice! I really want to get into a regular walking/jogging pattern but life is just so busy! I know excuse but seriously with 2 kids and a hubby who works crazy hours I feel like I rarely have the time but I am trying to make it happen! That afternoon I had a meeting with our children's ministry intern at church. I am going to be the preschool teacher on Wednesday nights this spring so she just wanted to meet with me to over the curriculum.
Tuesday was a really busy day for us! I took Colby to school then Lindsay and I picked up my mom and headed to Bible study. I am so excited that Bible study is beginning again. I can tell such a difference in my daily actions when I am constantly in His word. I am also trying to wake up 15-30 min earlier each day so I can work on my Bible study and have some quiet time before starting the day. This semester we are going to do Beth Moore's Breaking Free study. This is my 4th Beth Moore study I think and I have loved all of them! During the months of no Bible study I have been reading 1000 gifts though...such a great book! It has totally changed my outlook on life! I love counting my gifts as well! After Bible study Lindsay and I came home and got Austin and the 3 of us had lunch at Chili's. That evening we had lifegroup. It was good to get back! Although the week we were gone they didn't meet b/c of the snow/ice storm. Its a nice get-away on Tuesday nights. They had mexican night so we had a lot of yummy food. Its also night to get into the Word as a couple.
Wednesday both kids were at school so I had a little mommy time which was nice! My first time alone in quite awhile! I went to Target and got all the stuff for the kids for Valentine's. I got each 2 small toys and Lindsay a book and Colby a movie. Probably too much but I couldn't resist =) That evening we had church. Wednesdays will be long for us but it was good to get back! The kids love going! Colby always enjoys eating dinner with his friends! This semester I am teaching the preschoolers. I am actually excited about being in the classroom. It is a little hard with getting home late and a long day with kids but I love serving in that area and getting to know my little preschoolers even better then just on Sunday mornings. We only had 4 kids this past week but it was a nice number. They were all very well behaved. We had two 2 year olds and two 4 year olds. Lindsay was in there with me. She technically should go to the toddler room but since we only had 3 other kids and I am teaching she did great! I enjoyed having her in there! I am kind of ready for her to promote on sundays b/c she has really matured a lot lately. I think she is ready for a little more structure.
Thursday after bringing Colby to school Lindsay and I met the Stewart's at McDonald's for breakfast. It was nice to just visit with another mom while Lindsay played. We stayed for almost 2 hours! The weather has been so cold lately we haven't had much outdoor time. That night we had no where to be so we just enjoyed a low key quiet night at home!

Disney Day 5

This was our last day in Disney. We spent the day at Hollywood Studios. This is def one of my fav parks. We started the day with a ride on Aerosmith rollercoaster. Colby was so upset he wasn't tall enough to ride! Poor guy...I love that he was so brave on this trip! After the rollercoaster we stopped with the kids for a little snack/rest break before heading to do Tower of Terror. Colby was so pumped to do this! I think he was a little scared during it but he never cried or complained. He just held on to us for dear life =) After getting the thrill rides out of the way we went to do the Great Movie Ride. It was nice to do something that we could all enjoy. I thought the ride might scare Lindsay a little but she loved it! I think by now she understood it was all just for fun! After that ride we went over to the Little Mermaid Show which again Lindsay LOVED! I think Colby liked it too but Lindsay was just in awe I think! It was so sweet! We then stopped for lunch. Meal times are always a nice break from being on your feet and a time to kind of collect yourself before heading out again. We did the Toy Story ride right after lunch. I rode with Lindsay which she wasn't really sure at first but then loved it it was just hard for me to shoot at the objects with a squirming 2 year old on my lap but it was fun! After the toy story ride we wanted to go meet TowMater and Lightening McQueen for Colby! He was so excited. Well during our walk Miss Lindsay fell asleep. After meeting the CARS I let everyone go to the Muppet Show with Colby while Miss L and I found a bench. I just enjoyed the quiet time and people watching...guess I'm getting old?!? Well when they got out the show she woke up and Colby decided he wanted to go ride Tower of Terror again. This time we let all the adults take him and Austin and I hung back with Lindsay. We took her back into the Art of Animation to look at characters. We finally found ourselves in the Walt Museum. We stayed there for quite awhile...its really fascinating. Everyone else ended up meeting us in there and we watched the movie. I think both kids actually enjoyed the movie as well. By the time we finished in there it was time to head to the 50s Cafe for our dinner reservations. As always it was a fun and yummy dinner. After that it was the end of our night and we headed back to the hotel. I hated we missed all the shows/fireworks but we may be able to catch those next time when Lindsay will be 5 and Colby 8! Things will get easier then!
Gosh it was a great trip and I am sad to see it end! I love seeing Disney through my kids eyes especially at 2 and 5! They had a great time! I am not sure if Lindsay will remember but I think Colby will! I remember my first trip to Disney at 6. He's already asking to go back =)

Disney Day 4

On the 4th day at Disney we went to EPCOT. I have to say this was probabably one of my favorite visits there. I am not sure why I just enjoyed really soaking it all in and looking at the details that Disney puts in to make sure each park is special and realistic. The first thing we did when getting to the park was rode Soarin'. Again my parents took care of Lindsay and again I was so grateful for that. Colby really enjoyed Soarin'. I really wished we had had time to ride it again. Afterwards we did the The Land ride. This was something we could all do which was nice. Again I really enjoyed looking at the different plants. These rides are so much more fun as an adult then they were when I was a child =) After that we went on and did the big ball ride as Colby calls it. Again it was a ride we could all do and I think even Lindsay enjoyed it. By this time she wasn't scared of the "dark" rides anymore. We ate lunch after that ride. We then went to the Imagination Ride. We wanted to do Test Track with Colby but the ride shut down about the time we were going to ride it. We then went to the Character Area to meet all the main characters! We saw Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip, and Dale. It was so cute to see Lindsay's reaction! She loved Pluto's whiskers and Minnie's nose! At the end Chip and Dale spent quite a long time playing with them as well which was really neat! During all this walking time Lindsay fell asleep so I stayed with her while everyone else took Colby to ride Imagination. After the ride we got some coffee and headed to the countries. I enjoyed this part more then I normally do. Lindsay was asleep at first. Colby got to meet the Mexican Donald Duck then we hit up the ride in Norway. Afterwards Lindsay woke up so we just strolled through the countries and took in the sights. We did stop in Germany to meet Snow White and see the train garden. By this time it was getting really cold and raining more so we quickly made our way around then headed to the Living Seas where we had dinner reservations at Coral Reef. During that walk Colby fell asleep. Austin and Randall and Elizabeth went to ride Test Track and my parents and the kids and I went and sat outside the restaurant. It was raining too hard to really do anything. That evening we really enjoyed Coral Reef though. It was our first experience there. We had a wonderful view right in front the aquarium which was awesome! The kids loved it! The food was really good too! Afterwards we bundled up and headed back to the hotel!

Disney Day 3

So our third day in Disney we went to Animal Kingdom. That morning though we started with our character breakfast at O'Hana. I think this is always a favorite of everyone. Its yummy food and its nice to have the characters come to your table and get their autographs while you sit and eat! Its the lazy way of seeing them HA! Lindsay started warming up to the characters here and really took a liking to Pluto. After breakfast we hopped on a bus and headed to Animal Kingdom. Our first order of business was the Safari Ride. This is always a favorite for everyone. It seemed this time too that the ride was longer and we saw more animals which was cool! After that we went to Mt. Everest. Once again Colby surprised us and decided to ride this! And he loved it! He went again right after getting off. During the second time I stayed with my parents and Lindsay. Afterwards we decided to go on into the Dino Land and find a place for lunch. The kids were getting tired and cranky and needed a break. It never seems like we get much done at Animal Kingdom but its so big and spread out it takes awhile to get from one activity to another. We enjoyed a liesurely lunch. Afterwards we wanted to do some of the Dino Land rides but Colby wasn't tall enough for one of the little coasters. We decided to let him go back on Mt. Everest. After this we were all ready to go. I hated to not see everything at this park but this was the one day we knew we could go back to the hotel and rest. It was getting warm and the park was crowded and the kids just needed that downtime I think. I really like Animal Kingdom but I think it will be more fun when the kids get a little older. There isn't much for little kids to do. We got back to the hotel around 2. We let the kids unwind with a snack and shows for about an hour and a half. It was nice to just get off our feet and relax for a bit. Afterwards Austin and I decided to bring the kids back to Magic Kingdom. It was nice to get out just as a family. We decided to ride the train since we missed that the day before. I think the kids enjoyed it and again it was a nice break. Afterwards we went to Fantasyland to grab a bite for dinner. We enjoyed just the family time of being us 4. We walked around a little there and then on Main Street before going back to the hotel. It was nice to get back early that night and get everyone to bed early. It was another great day!