Birthday Week

Yangcai left right before our birthday marathon. Our busy birthday month, did cross my mind when we said "yes" to hosting. I knew it would mean less thought and planning put into some birthdays. Really, is it every convenient to invite a perfect stranger into your home for a month? I am finding that for me being busier with a full house helps keep my priorities straight. Not having time to overthink and over plan can be a blessing :) The days of my fancy party throwing are limited and that's okay.

Owen's birthday was the same day as the Run 4 the Fund, so his birthday breakfast did not include EJ and was pretty basic.

You know you are getting old, when you have only item on your birthday wish list and it is expensive enough to be split by your parents and grandparents. Ha! He has wanted a go-pro for a long time. His hobby right now is "mini hoop" trick shot videos with friends. The first time he wore his chest strap gear a little kid asked him if he was a "you-tuber." We have been laughing about it ever since.

He celebrated with his two (local) best friends with trampoline arena and wings and basketball game watching at a sports bar, with EJ.

We had a mini celebration for Aunt Lissa's birthday which included Owen's name in the candle blowing.

A dear friend brought me flowers a few days after Yangcai left. She is a faithfully praying friend who knows first hand the pains of saying goodbye to a host child. Grateful to be known and loved and prayed for!

 

EJ surprised me with tickets to see Third Day in concert. He knows me SO well :)

When my day came and I was celebrated with a thoughtfully planned meal cooked/grilled by EJ with cheesecake (my favorite) for dessert. Each of my kids celebrate me in subtle ways each a perfect reflection of who they are. Being a mom for 12 years has lowered my bar for my own birthday and I am genuinely ok with that. That hasn't always been the case, I am glad God continues to work on me. Choosing to be thankful in the little things really does make a difference in my heart.

End Of Vacation

We returned home from the beach on Saturday, but not without first dropping of the kids at my parents! (They are the best) I was apprehensive when initially made plans to attend a friends birthday party the same evening we returned home from a week of vacation. It turned out to be the perfect plan because EJ and I barely spoke to each other at the beach with so many friends and kids around.

We enjoyed unloading the van without kids, a quiet afternoon and nap, Chinese take-out, a fun party and the house to ourselves for an overnight. The perfect ending to our trip and our summer (sad).

Date with Ryan

On Sunday, Ryan and I spent some precious moments together at a children's theatre. 

His very first indoor show.

 

He loved the show and afterwards got all the dogs to sign his program.

He attempted to recite the whole thing to EJ. Lucky dad!

Shopping Date

With the basement nearly complete and some recent furniture/room swapping, a trip to Ikea seemed like a good idea. My parents graciously agreed to keep the kids all day on Saturday so that EJ and I could make the trek by ourselves!

The kids spent the night with my parents on Friday night. After seeing the kids off we headed to the movies. Can't remember the last time we did that. We saw "God's Not Dead". It was good, we enjoyed it.

Our first stop on Saturday was a local donut shop that EJ has been eager to try. Wanting him to be in good spirits for our shopping day ;) I didn't dispute. The "Samoa"- by far the best donut I have ever eaten! Amazing! And I don't usually get that excited about donuts.

 

 He was not disappointed.

 

We talked the whole 1.5hr. It was lovely. The traffic was perfect. We hit the store with my thoroughly researched list in hand. After 1.5 hrs of decision making, we took a break for lunch. Then we headed to the self-serve loading section. Hmm, kind of ridiculous.

  

At this point, I texted my sister and told her to pray that ALL this would fit. The very longest box was hers and I was nervous it would be too long for our car.

2 hrs later and one very full suv we pulled away, still smiling I might add. My husband is amazing. It says a lot about our personalities/relationship that we can enjoy 4 hrs in a store together :) I do not take that for granted. We also both recognize the blessing of having a whole day together (alone, minus a 1000 shoppers ;)

The conversation on the way home was more centered around pep talks about assembling SO much stuff. Our reunion with the kids was a sweet one. They think the empty boxes and assembling is very exciting. Both Mason and Ryan told me at least 10 times each that they loved me "to the moon and to heaven and to outer space and back again and around again, etc." It's good to get away ;)

Fun, Full Weekend Part 3

These pics are from Courtney. While EJ and I were at the wedding, the boys were having tons of fun. 

 

EVERYONE at the wedding asked who had our boys. We told them with a family who has 6 children of their own! It was pretty funny to see their reactions. I may have felt a little guilty but I didn't worry for a second. Blessed to have friends like them. They didn't just babysit! They played hard, feed them, gave baths, and put them to bed!!

We love you! Thanks a million!

Fun, Full Weekend Part 2

Heading out to my cousin, Daniel's wedding

Alone! Just the 2 of us. So fun!

 Daniel watching the ring bearers. See pic below.

The ceremony took place on a small island at a vineyard. The ring bearers got a little distracted by some fish as they walked across the dock :) It took awhile but they made it. So cute!

 

Lissa took this one

 Daniel and Jessica

 Special tradition at this vineyard. Couples lock a lock on this pier and throw the key away.

 The weather was gorgeous. The bride was gorgeous. Everything was so lovely.

EJ and I had a wonderful time together. The calm before the storm. So to speak ;)