First Fish

This past weekend we spent some time at the lake. It rained hard most of the time we were there, but we did manage to squeeze in a fishing outing, where Sister caught her first fish!

Sisters's pose for pictures most often these days, remember I am not fighting it, just documenting it for down the road :)

Buster getting ready for his first boat ride

Daddy taught Sister how to eat sunflower seeds, she just loved being able to spit them out with him

Catching her first fish, her little Dora fishing pole came through and caught 3 fish this weekend!

She was excited for the initial catch and once the fish was in the livewell, she wasn't too sure when it was out of the water close to her.

Buster slept through the whole adventure

We got a quick visit from the in-laws too, it was a great time with family.

Playing Hookie

Payton didn't go to school today. She was up vomiting last night, I hate it when little ones throw up! She gets so scared. She found a bottle of teething tablets yesterday evening that she helped herself to. When Steve called the number on the bottle, they said since the tablets are homeopathic, they wouldn't harm her, but her body might rid itself of them later.  Rid itself, it did. She slept in late and I figured school might not want her there, even though she technically wasn't sick. It is absolutely perfect weather here today, so once we got around this morning (after a major blowout of Colton's diaper - enough poop and vomit for my day) we headed to Deanna Rose petting farm.

I think every stay-at-home mom and their child were there today along with many different schools for field trips. The place is awesome for little kids. We are so thankful to live in a place that has so many wonderful FREE things for kids to do. I didn't have my camera, but here are some phone camera shots.

Buster just loved being outside, he really didn't get to see much from his carseat, but it was fresh air!

These are the days I am so thankful I get to be home with my kids and do fun things like this. Payton was so funny feeding the goats and looking at all the animals and the kids. They are both sleeping hard from our morning, and I am working outside, taking full advantage of this day. I remember sitting in my cubicle (before having Payton) looking outside on days like today, dreaming about being outside. Being able to enjoy this weather is a perk with my current job :)

Free Bathroom Makeover

#15 on my "30 before Thirty" list was to Paint and decorate my 1/2 bathroom.  My budget for this project was $0. That means I could probably find $20 from my slush fund (Steve and I each have slush fund money each month for non essentials) to find a few things. I went back and forth on a few things, and when it was all said and done, I spent zero, zilch, nada, nothing.

Before

Almost all old decorations are free from my husbands dumpster diving days

I had decided to use the leftover paint from Colton's nursery

I had in mind to accent with a fuchsia or yellow. If money wasn't an issue, I would have gone with a bold yellow geometric pattern rug and new accessories. I would have also painted the vanity and cabinet white, but since we do not own the home yet, I didn't want to paint the wood.  I had found some fuchsia rugs and towels at Target months ago, but when I put them in the newly painted room, I didn't like the look at all. So I pretty much put all the same items back in, while switching up a few accessories from other parts of the home. 

After

 

 

 

It is amazing what paint by itself can do. I also removed the towel bar, since for a 1/2 bath, there is no need for a large towel to be hanging, and I felt like it opened up the room a little.

To be honest, I guess I did spend $2 on this makeover. My in-laws and I went to an estate sale last weekend and I picked up two pieces of coral reef for $2 each. Forget pottery barn's $40 coral reef! My apologies, this bathroom was a $2 makeover

I am super excited. I come from a very technologically savvy family. My father and brothers often have the latest and greatest Apple products. Steve himself became an Apple guy when we got married.  Over the years I have been the recipient of many hand-me-down Apple products.  I have been thankful for them, but my time has come to have my own brand NEW Mac laptop!!! I had been using a hand-me-down from Steve that was about 7 years old.  I originally wasn't looking into a laptop, I was thinking about an iPad2.  I started saving my money before Christmas. I saved all Christmas, End of the year bonus from my mini job, all birthday, valentines and any other just because money for my iPad2. Then, once I had the money, I wasn't sure I wanted to spend it. I hadn't ever saved so much money before, and I wasn't sure if the iPad was a good use of my savings. So during our Daniel Fast, I prayed about it. Yes I prayed whether or not to buy an iPad, God can appreciate that kind of heart :). Talking to the different men in my life (husband, dad and brothers) I decided that a new laptop would be a better use of my money.  My old school Powerbook G4 had become quite the dinosaur. 

So today, Buster and I went to the Apple Store (while sister was at school) and walked out the proud owner of this bad boy!

Maybe it was because I waited and saved for 6 months and it wasn't just given to me, but this might just be the most exciting purchase I have made to date. Off to mess around, set up all my preferences and have fun on my new friend Matty the MacBook (my name selection).

What is the coolest purchase you have made or something you saved and saved up for?

Starting School

Sister Bear has entered the school world. She better get ready for the next 20+ years of this. She started going to preschool yesterday. Yes it is an odd time of the year to be starting, most preschools are getting out for the summer.  She is attending Little Treasures, which is at our church. She is actually in the full time daycare, but only going part time.  With Steve working at the church, we receive a discount, so there was no question that was where she was going. It is also a great school with a waiting list.  For her to be old enough to attend the actual part time preschool, she would almost be 4 years old because if when her birthday falls. Steve kept telling me to ask about going to the daycare part time and I resisted, saying I didn't want to put anyone out. Well during those first really trying months of Busters's life, I was completely exhausted and called Steve asking him to find out if part time was an option. The staff there is so wonderful and a spot was opening, so we got her in.  She is going M/T/W mornings. I love that it gives me some 1-on-1 time with Buster and some more time to get things done. She is loving it. She woke up early yesterday and today, ready for school.  She is such a stinker though, here is the play-by-play of yesterday...

"Seriously you want a picture, no way"

So I decided to pose for the first day of school picture

"No that is MY packpack!"

I have decided to not fight sister for pictures. If she refuses to look at the camera, we take the picture anyways.  I won't make a big deal trying to get her to cooperate. One day when she is grown and frustrated that her 2-year-old won't cooperate, I will gladly get these pictures out and ask her where she think they get that from :)

Yes I will laugh and not fight the warrior child.

Sad that we won't have pictures of her face to remember her by.

"Seriously can we just go and get that camera out of my face"

My child thrilled for her first day of school

I have learned to pick my battles with my strong willed child. This isn't one.

When I picked her up yesterday, I asked her what she did, the first things out of her mouth "I had snack and dinner (lunch)." Yes my child loves her food, the highlight of her first day of school.

Payton's Disney trip

While we were in Florida (which I really didn't post about because I didn't take pictures, half the trip was at a conference with Steve and the other half was trying to lay low with family) my parents took Payton to Disney. They have season tickets and she is free, so they went for a few hours one afternoon which was perfect for a 2.5 year-old. I feel sorry for the parents I see at the Orlando airport heading home, exhausted from their Disney trip. That doesn't sound fun for me, but the things we do for our children.  So I am so thankful that my parents took Payton to see her "friends."

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! We had a wonderful morning, my in-laws were in town this weekend, we dedicated Colton and had a nice brunch at our home after wards. Now for some rest!

My family

These 2 kids fill a hole in my heart that I never knew I had (thanks Chelsea for that line)

The Southards Clan

Payton was excited her buddy e-man came over for brunch

Payton going in for the kill

E-man, eyes shut, trying to make the move

First kiss caught on camera!

The Zimmers (e-man's mommy and daddy)

Corey, Matt and Mindy - (FYI Corey is a wonderful bachelor that I am so willing to set up with the right girl, so if you know any Christian single girls, let me know)