Birthday Date Night with Maggie

3 years ago today, we found out that we would be welcoming our second child into our family any day.  This sweet girl was a huge surprise then and continues to surprise us daily.  Caroline was away at a friends birthday party so we decided to celebrate Maggie's special day.  We went to dinner and Target to buy a few things for her party tomorrow.  She's a lot of fun especially one on one.  She may have thrown a total temper tantrum leaving Target because we wouldn't buy a Shopkin.  Pretty sure people either thought we were abusing her or kidnapping her...it wasn't our finest moment but thankfully we all recovered quickly!  Thankful for this special time with her and look forward to celebrating her tomorrow!  

Fun Day!!

The days of summer in my head are always different than the way the days of summer actually turn out. I always imagine that my girls are going to play together peacefully, we are going to sit and hug and love each other, bake, go to the pool, keep the house clean, etc.  Yes, these don't ever play out the way I imagine.  

However, today was as close to perfect as these days come.  From the time we woke up, to the time I tucked the girls into bed, my heart was SO full!!  We enjoyed the day with friends, played at the pool for several hours with more friends and came home to a spotless house.  I know that today was a gift...every day will NOT be this way.  But my heart was thankful!  Thankful that we got to enjoy this day together and it will forever hold a special place in my heart.  I want to remember more days like today vs focusing on the  crazy stuff that always captures my attention...

Backyard Bible Club

This week our church has held its first Backyard Bible Club.  It's a lot like VBS but on a smaller schedule and held at someones house.  We had a fabulous week.  We celebrated the end of the week at a baseball game.  We had hamburgers, hot dogs and sides before the game.  So much fun to be together as a church family outside of church. :-)  Thankful for the many volunteers who helped make this such a HUGE success!!

This sunset was the perfect ending to such a fabulous day!!!!!

Tomato Pie

I made my first tomato pie of the season this week and it was the best one I believe that I have ever made!!!!  I thought I would share the recipe in case you want to try it but also wanted to post so that I would have it in case I misplace the recipe.

Tomato Pie

• 5 tomatoes peeled and sliced
• 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions 
• 1 9 inch prebaked deep dish pie shell
• 1 cup grated mozzarella
• 1 cup grated cheddar
• 3/4 cup mayo
• 2 TBSP fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Place tomatoes in a colander in sink in 1 layer.  Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes.  Use a paper towel to pat dry the tomatoes and make sure most of the excess juice is out.
3. Layer the tomato slices, basil and onion in pie shell.  Season with salt and pepper.  Combine cheese and mayo together.  Spread mixture on top of the tomatoes and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.  Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly brown.
4. To serve, cut into slices and serve warm.

Swim Meet

Caroline had her second swim meet tonight.  She and her team mates had a fun evening.  Everyone did really well!!  One thing that I absolutely LOVE about our small team is the sportsmanship and encouragement for each other.  These girls and their families may very well have the STRONGEST cheer leading fans ever!!!!  So fun to watch!!

Love our coaches

Caroline's first time swimming the breaststroke in a meet.  It's a tough one but she did really well.  She came in last but only because out of the 4 swimmers, she was the only one who actually swam it correctly.  They don't like to DQ the young swimmers in these events, except in the CHAMPS meet.  We were super proud of her!!!

Chatting with her coaches about her race.

I love our little swimmer!!!  SO thankful for these days and these meets!!!!

Vist with Heather and Family

I am SO THANKFUL to have my best friend from my childhood back in the same time zone.  They were passing through town on their way to their vacation and stopped by.  She and I may have used the excuse she needed to buy her vacation groceries at WalMart to get some quiet, non mom time away together.  We picked up pizza on the way home and had dinner together.  Our kids had a blast playing together and our hubby's enjoyed catching up almost as much as we did!!  I'm looking forward to many more trips like this!!!

Flower Girl Debut

A few months ago, Caroline was asked to be a flower girl in a wedding.  She immediately came home and begin googling flower girl dresses and hair styles.  She couldn't wait!!  We were able to borrow a dress from a friend who was a flower girl in a wedding and it worked perfectly!  She told us tonight that she felt like a princess!!  Andy and I enjoyed our time with our sweet girl!  However the highlight of the night came during the speeches.  I smelled something burning and before I could get it out of my mouth, Uncle Greg grabbed Aunt Tomi Jean's candy bag that she had accidentally set on the tea candle on our table.  Shesh...there went my water cup!! :-)

Maggisms

This girl loves life to the fullest and with the greatest, intense passion of any almost 3 year old I know.  It can get overwhelming at times.  Like I don't have a clue how to respond...As tough and strong willed as she is she is also just as funny!!  She will definitely keep us laughing for days to come,,,that is when we aren't crying from not knowing what to do with her!

Here are some of her funny "Maggisms":

• When she finishes pottying, she said "I will slush it." (slush not flush)
• She calls Andy's Captain Crunch "Crapping Crunch"
• She and Caroline built a fort.  The fort wouldn't stay up.  She said "My sissy and me are flush rated (frustrated) because our tent won't stay up."
• She filled a cup of water and put it in her grocery cart.  She said "Wait a minute I need to grab my Eddie."  She was referring to her cup as a Yeti and called it Eddie.

YMCA Fun Days

The weather, swim schedule and nap schedule haven't exactly cooperated for us to spend as much time at the pool as we would like.  However, we are thankful for each moment we get.  Maggie is becoming more and more comfortable with the water.  She can play in the kiddy area without a floaty.  So fun watching the girls have fun together!

Anniversary Dinner

Today we celebrate 14 years of marriage!  We've learned a lot over the last 14 years!!  This year may have very well been our hardest year yet.  We have lost so many we love...Lucy, Mr. Andy and Mema.  As we looked at our wedding album, we were so sad to see just how many folks we have lost since that special day...just a reminder that we never know what tomorrow holds.  I think it's safe to say we have learned that marriage is about good days, hard days and lots of ordinary days.  Marriage is about choosing to love even when it's hard...choosing to forgive even when it's hard to forget and most of all, remembering to celebrate each day because we aren't promised tomorrow!

Our anniversary gift this year was a new washer and it just so happened the day of delivery was our anniversary.  So we decided to go out Saturday night.  We headed downtown and enjoyed a delicious meal at Town Hall.  It was such a fun evening on the town.  Tonight we celebrated at home with a yummy meal, two precious girls and a huge mountain of clean laundry!