The most romanic date EVER!

Kelly at KellysKorner is hosting, Show us your Life--Valentine Dates or Ideas.

Since my sweet husband is a true romantic at heart, I thought it would be fun to share and re-live one of my best Valentine dates EVER!!!

My husband is AWESOME when it comes to gifts, birthdays, holidays, and/or surprises. Now, my birthday falls of Valentines Day, so bless his heart, my husband has double the pressure on that one day! He always rises to the occasion though, and normally blows me away with his thoughtfulness. One of the my best birthday/ Valentines Day surprises took place two years ago. What I thought was supposed to be a pretty ordinary Friday turned out completely different than I expected. My morning began with Shane announcing that he had made me an appointment at the Ballantyne Spa. Oh. my. heart! What a surprise!

He dropped me off at the spa and told me to enjoy my entire day of pampering. After I received the total treatment---facial, manicure, pedicure, and a Swedish massage, one of the girls working there came in and told me a car was waiting for me outside. It would take me to the Ballantyne Lodge( a few blocks away from the resort) where Shane and I would be spending the night!!!!!

She handed me a room key. I was then taken to my room which was decorated with rose petals, chocolates waiting, and sparkling grape juice on ice. On the bathroom door was hanging a brand new outfit from my favorite store, Ann Taylor Loft. Accessories were also placed on the dresser. On the desk was a note letting me know that I needed to get ready because we had dinner reservations at 6:00pm. Earlier in the day, while I was at the spa, Shane and the boys brought all my things over to the lodge, so I had everything I needed to get ready. Shane arrived around 5:30 and off to dinner we headed to my favorite restaurant, Nakatos!
After a delicious meal we headed back to the lodge where we hung out and talked by the beautiful fireplace!!!! I truly felt like a princess for a day!
It was the BEST. DATE. EVER!!!!

Quite the week!

Well... this sure has been quite the week for our family!

The sick bug struck again and this time it was in the form of RSV!

Yes--- three of my kids had it this week--ugh.

So our week has not consisted of much except doctor visits,coughing, ear infections, coughing, nebulizer treatments, coughing, gobs of tissue, coughing, antibiotics, coughing, and lots of snuggles! Did I mention coughing? Oh...it's the worst part of this virus!!

I'm hoping everyone will feel better for the weekend.

This mom is so.........ready for winter to be over,

SPRING to be here,

and the sick germs to GO AWAY!!!

On a happy note...a much happier note...

My husband surprised me with an early birthday gift. My birthday isn't until Sunday, but he said he just couldn't wait until then to give me my present. He's so.....sweet!

He got me a net book!

And of course it's... PINK!!! LOVE it!!!
I have wanted my own computer for quite some time now, and was so happy to finally get one!

So I'm updating my blog from my new PINK net book!!!!
So fun!

Well, that's all for now. I sure hope your week was better (and healthier) than mine!

Here's hoping for a GREAT Valentine weekend!!!!

Just Some Simple Valentine Fun

Mondays around my house are catch up days. I do okay keeping up with everything during the week, but after a full weekend---well-- my house usually looks like a hurricane just blew through. Every room seems to be disheveled and in need of some serious TLC. Because we are in and out all weekend long, I tend to let things go a little more than I do during my normal week. Monday mornings are usually spent working on getting things back in order, so I can take on a new week feeling somewhat organized and prepared.

After spending the majority of my morning tidying things up, the kids and I had a little valentine fun in the afternoon.

We made Heart Cookie Pops.

Putting cookies on sticks make them taste so much yummier,
at least that's what Riley told me;)!

I just used a sugar cookie mix that I had on hand.
(Just be sure you follow the "cut-out" cookie directions!)
Cut out heart shapes.
Place on greased cookie sheet.
Lightly push popsicle stick into the cookie, and then place another heart shape cookie on top. Pinch sides together.
Bake @ 350
Cool

DECORATE!!!
--our favorite part!

...and then EAT---okay, so maybe that's really our favorite part!

EASY Valentine Fun!

Super-Super Bowl Weekend!

Saturday morning, Sophie and I had a little girl time. I needed to run a few errands, so together we hit Target and (my all time favorite store) Hobby Lobby. It was just the two of us hanging out, which was such a wonderful treat!

I truly treasure the time I get to spend just one on one with my kids.

After we got home, Shane took Corban and Riley to the YMCA to go swimming. The babies took their nap and I finally got a chance to put together a Valentine dress for my Sophie girl, and matching V-day t-shirts for my boys. I got Sophie's dress finished in time for her to wear to church on Sunday morning.

(I LOVE having a little girl to dress up---so.......fun!!!!)

Sunday evening, we headed back to church for childrens choir. In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, my Wee Praisers (pre-school choir) sported their favorite team jersey, or wore their favorite teams colors to choir that night.

I just adore my little Wee Praisers! They bless my heart!

After choir, we raced home to watch the Colts take on the Saints! We dvr'd the game so we wouldn't miss a minute of the action. The boys have been counting down the days to Superbowl Sunday for weeks now! They both took really good naps Sunday afternoon, just so they could stay up and watch the game!

My house was routin' for Peyton Manning and the Colts,
but we were all truly happy to see the Saints play so well,
and bring home a Super Bowl win to New Orleans!

Way to go SAINTS!!!!!!!!

Love is in the Air!

I can't believe January is already over and February is now in full swing.
Valentines Day will be here before I know it, so I thought is was about time to bring out my V-day decorations.
The photo on the bulletin board above was taken at our county courthouse when Sophie's adoption was final. A precious time for our family. It just seemed appropriate to display it for valentines day!

Last year, the boys made these cute paper hearts.

I hung them like garland on my mantle, and even had enough to hang in the kitchen as well.

The boys were super excited to see their paper hearts again this year.

They remembered making them for Valentines Day last year, and were so proud to see their art work being displayed once again!
With a few other odds and ends displayed...
I think we are officially ready to celebrate this season of LOVE!

...and I just had to throw this pic in here!
One of my sweet little Valentines!
LOVE this girl with all my HEART!

MOMs Group...and another new recipe:)

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4

I am so blessed to be part of a MOMs group that meets at our church every Tuesday morning. Together we are studying the book, Shepherding a Child's Heart. The book is great and has really given me a lot to think about. I come away each week refreshed and encouraged in my role as a mom. Not only is the study great, but I also enjoy the sweet time of fellowship. We share our hearts and then have the pleasure of praying and lifting each other up. We all have the deep desire and passion to grow in our love for the Lord and then to instill that love in our children.

Once a quarter our group gets to stay an enjoy a wonderful luncheon together.
It's just a special time to chat, relax, and eat some delicious food.
Everyone brings a yummy dish to share.

I made this Cinnamon Apple Cheese Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Filling
  
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup thawed apple juice concentrate
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• Topping
  
• 2 medium tart apples, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup thawed apple juice concentrate

• In a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour, oats, walnuts and cinnamon until well blended. Press onto the bottom and 1-1/2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan.

Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in milk and juice concentrate until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined (batter will be thin). Pour into crust.
Return pan to baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 40-45 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.

In a large skillet, cook and stir apples in butter over medium heat until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Arrange over cheesecake.
In a small saucepan, combine the cornstarch, cinnamon and juice concentrate until smooth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Immediately brush over apples. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.

ENJOY!

While the weather outside was frightful...

Well it wasn't really frightful any more, but because of the uncertainty of the road conditions, school was canceled for Monday! Most of the snow was nearly gone, but we were super excited to have Corban home with us!

YAY for snow days!!!!!!!

So in honor of yet another snow day, and as a way to keep the kids entertained, we made Snowmen Rice Krispy Treats.

Our little snowman family!
Daddy, Mommy, Cor, Ri, Sophie, and Hudson
We used...
Chocolate chip-eyes
Orange star burst-carrot nose
Pretzels-arms
Fruit by the foot-scarf
The kids had a blast creating these little guys (and girls),
and I thought they turned out pretty cute!

Mommy with one of her sweet helpers!

Sophie enjoyed eating her snowman after dinner for dessert!

And even Hudson got a little taste.
Not sure how much he actually ate...

most of it ended up on his head.
LOL!