Friday, March 16, 2012

Spring Break Day 4

Sometimes things just don't go as planned...


All week we were planning on going to Six Flags today.  It was a beautiful day, so apparently the rest of the metroplex thought it would be a good day as well!  It was SO crowded.  Upon arrival we got in line for Runaway Mountain.  The line was longer than usual, but we didn't think much of it.  An hour and a half later, we finally got on the ride.  It was crazy!  We learned in the process that our kids do not do well waiting that long in line.





One minute they are hugging, the next they are fighting
We decided that spending most of our day in lines was not what we considered fun, so we left.  We had not spent any money except for the gas it took to get there.  So, what else could we do in Arlington?  The kids were starving by this time, so we decided on lunch.  Trail Dust!  Where else can you go for a good meal with a SLIDE? 







We had a good time at lunch and made our trek back home.  On the way we stopped for Conner to get a haircut.

We spent the evening at home.  Caitlyn and I went for a bike ride around the neighborhood.  It was such a pretty night! 
Tomorrow is our last day of Spring Break.  My how time flies!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Spring Break Day 3

We spent today enjoying some time with my mom.  I picked lunch today, so we headed to Cafe Max.  So yummy!!!

They give you so much food that I had my leftovers for dinner! 
After lunch we headed to the mall and did a little shopping.  The kids have outgrown many of their clothes from last year.  While there, Conner and Caitlyn did this bungy/trampoline thing.  Every time we go to that mall, they ask to do it.  We never let them, but I figured Spring Break was a good reason to let them try.  They had fun jumping and flipping.





After that we headed home.  I am thankful for family close by that we can spend time with.  I can't believe our week is half over!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Spring Break Day 2

We had another great day!  Today we did something we have never done before-a geocache!  Actually four of them.  Have you heard of this?  It is so much fun!  It is like a treasure hunt, and it is totally free!  You do have to have a GPS, but I was able to use my phone.  You enter the coordinates for the geocache, and then the adventure begins.
Conner found the first one quickly!  He got a little muddy in the process.
The second one took the longest to find, but Conner found this one as well.  Maybe he has a future in treasure hunting!
I found the third one.  It was actually a really ingenious place.  Caitlyn signed our codename to the log before putting it back.
 Caitlyn made the find at the last spot.  What a great activity!  We are planning where to hide one at.  We will definitely be doing this again.
After our adventure, it was time for lunch which was McDonald's-Caitlyn's choice!
This afternoon Conner enjoyed some time at a friend's house, and Caitlyn just hung out.
I wish I had her energy!

As we were searching today at the different sites, I was reminded what the Lord tells us in Jeremiah, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:13.  I pray that I am daily seeking Jesus with ALL of my heart!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Spring Break Day 1

What a great start to the week!  We got some things done around the house and shared some fun times together.
I got our desk drawers cleaned out, and the kids organized their DVD's.






We dropped a bag of clothes off to be donated to a children's home.  Then we enjoyed having lunch with Chad.  Conner got to choose, so of course we had Subway.  After lunch, we went to the public library to check out some books.  It is such a neat place to go.
Next we headed to Home Depot to get supplies for my surprise project.
The poor guy at Home Depot had to cut 20 pieces of PVC.  I really appreciated him doing that for us.  The kids enjoyed trying to figure out what we were making.  Not until we went to the grocery store to buy marshmallows did they guess correctly.
Fun times! 
After Chad got home we went to feed the ducks.
We couldn't ask for a prettier night.  The weather was perfect! 
Day one of Spring Break was a success, and I look forward to seeing what tomorrow holds.  Caitlyn will be picking lunch, so unfortunately, I see McDonald's in our future!

Back to Valentine's Day!

Oh my!  Where has the last month gone?  I had such good intentions of blogging, and I just never got around to it.  It isn't for lack of material.  I could tell you about Caitlyn's quest to find Big Foot or her yanking out her two front teeth, Conner making All-District Choir and starting baseball, Chad's dominance in Minute-to-Win-it with pantyhose on his head, or my experiences at our church's Girl's Lock-In which reminded me I'm getting old!  However, the one thing that I feel most compelled to share about is my awesome Valentine's gift!
Chad and I decided many years ago that we weren't going to go overboard and spend a bunch of money on gifts, but we still wanted to do something.  To hold ourselves accountable, we decided on a $5 gift limit.  It has been so much fun to try to be thrifty and thoughtful at the same time.  I have to admit that he does a much better job with this then I do, and this year topped them all! 
It is a jar with 52 different experiences.  I get to draw one a week to enjoy!  The first week was a date to a movie theater that we hadn't been to before, and it was fun!  The next week was dinner prepared by Chad EVERY night!  That was such a treat!  Then it was making a pinata.  We got a late start on this one and started it last night.  It is quite the process.

This week is feeding the ducks together as a family.  I am really enjoying all of his wonderful ideas.  The kids love seeing my draw and are excited to discover what the paper says!

On a side note, I went to lunch Friday with my team which I always look forward to.  The place we went had this sign, and I thought it was so funny!

Have a marvelous Monday!  Spring Break starts today!  Woo hoo!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

One of Those Days...

I guess that somewhere between the craziness of the Valentine's Day party at school yesterday and class pictures today, I had some difficulties.  When I arrived at school this morning, I logged onto my computer.  I bent down to get something out of my bag and discovered this...






Yes, you see that right.  I had on two different shoes!  One was brown and one was black.  I was beside myself wondering how in the world I could make it out of the house with two different shoes on!!!  I debated what to do-run home during my conference to change shoes or call and ask Chad to bring me the right shoe.  I decided to just suck it up and go through the day with two different shoes.  I am shocked that nobody noticed, not even my students.  I decided it would be my duty today to make my coworkers smile, so I shared my mistake with many.  It turns out that by the end of the day, I had some friends that needed a good laugh after a long day!  Proverbs 17:22 tells us that "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of laughter!  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Spoiled

Today is my birthday, and because it is a Saturday, I was spoiled ALL day!  Sweet family and friends sent me messages throughout the day. 
The morning started off with breakfast in bed!
  
Pumpkin bread and a handmade card from Caitlyn



I enjoyed a little TV including Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.  I also received my birthday gift which was very unexpected.




Conner bought me earrings and a heart necklace which I wore all day, and my mom gave me some boots.

Later, lunch was my choice.  I picked a place I had only been to one time and have been looking forward to going back to.  
It is a fun place to eat and has delicious queso.  They have a sign outside that they change frequently.  Here is a message they had that I thought was funny.







We ran some errands after lunch and have enjoyed an evening at home tonight.  Instead of a birthday cake we indulged in birthday brownies!





Lord Jesus,  I thank you for another year of life that you have given to me.  Thank you for my sweet family who makes me feel so special and my thoughtful friends that brighten my day.  Lord I pray that every moment of this life will be lived for you.  You are worthy of all glory, and honor, and praise.