The Simple Things

It's the simple things in life that make my day...silly I know, but lately I have been noticing little things that make me happy. And I mean SIMPLE people. For example, today when I got home from work this is what I noticed...

That's right...a new roll of paper towel! BUT not just any roll...a roll I had forgotten I picked out the last time we went grocery shopping...the roll that had the cute coffee cup pictures which match my kitchen "theme." I mean come on...how cute are these?



I know...what am I going to do with all my time now...apparently blog about just about anything! Even paper towel! Happy Thursday!

Getting Closer...

Ben and I bought Landen and Kyla t-shirt from Western...we have to buy these cute clothes the Western Book Store sells for SOMEONE! Today Katie and Darren came by and Kyla was wearing her big girl shirt! I had to take a picture! 

Also...Kyla is getting closer to walking! This little lady is certainly taking her time...and COULD be a touch stubborn. Needless to say the more we encourage her to use her little walking feet, the less she wants to. I tried to get a video of her crawling but she is WAY too fast! She is pulling herself up more often...but only if she REALLY wants whatever is unreachable from her "high knees." Here is a video of her pulling herself up on Grandma's hands! Hooray, Big Girl!!

A Sweet New Blessing...

Ben and I got to visit our sweet new baby cousin this month! I had this picture on my phone and JUST figured out how to post pictures on the blog from my phone! Olivia Fae...too sweet for words. We are so excited to watch you grow. Congratulations to Darrin, Emily, Aleks and Eli!

Happy Mother's Day

This year for Mother's Day we decided to have a porch tea party...girls only! Grandma came over, Katie came with the kids (Landen played Nerf guns in the backyard with Royce...because "Tea parties are for girls!") and Mom made an amazing spread of traditional tea party snacks! We had cucumber sandwiches, biscuits with jam and lemon curd, old maids (pastry dough rolled up with raisins and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon), and TEA! Everything was served on pretty china with real tea cups from England that were my Great Grandma's. The only picture that kinda turned out was this one of Grandma and Kyla...I promise to get better at taking pictures!

We had a great time and will definitely have to have more tea parties before the summer is over!

Fun In The Sun!

On Saturday Katie came by with the kids...Landen decided despite the beautiful weather he needed to go in the hot tub! I didn't dare get within squirting distance to take a picture, so instead Kyla was captured eating one of her favorite snacks...yes...a plain ice-cream cone...hold the ice-cream! She is easy to please!

It is FINISHED!

Well I made it, my Master's Defense was last night and I feel like it went well...not to say I wasn't nervous through the first half! It's hard to believe that two and a half years ago I registered for my first TESOL course...thinking "I'll start working toward my endorsement" and now I look back on a completed endorsement, a maters degree and a completed National Board submission! Time has flown by. I am so thankful for my supportive family...they have put up with a lot of "Stressed Abbie" in those two years...and let's be honest so have my co-workers! I am thankful the Lord provided me with a consistent job throughout the process, amazing health (both mentally and physically), and not to mention financially...there are no loan payments at this house for any college education! Woo-Hoo!

The feeling in our house in the last 24 hours has been amazing...not that we weren't happy before but now Ben and I both feel so relaxed...kind of like newlyweds again! I can't wait for a great summer! Only 20 more days of school ladies and gentlement...but whose counting? :)

Porch Date...

The weather today was nothing short of amazing...that being said, it was the PERFECT day to visit on the porch, and I just happen to have two of the cutest visitors! See for yourself...

Look at those BLUE eyes!

Landen, showing off his muscles!

Playing a little patty-cake!

And a perfectly cheesey smile to top it off!

This little taste of summer is just what this auntie needed...I can't wait for summer vacation! More porch dates!

Birthday Girl...

I know it's a little late, but we finally uploaded all our camera pictures to the computer, and this one is too cute! Kyla turned ONE on March 29th and is the sweetest baby girl I know. She is learning new things each day...time seems to slip away even faster lately! Happy Birthday Kyla Joelle...you are a gift!