Little Pumpkin

Two years ago, my dad spent the day with Princess Pigtails. That was their play day and my mom and I went shopping. My dad and Princess Pigtails went to the pumpkin patch, to the park to play, out to lunch...they had so much fun. So, a couple of weeks ago my dad suggested that he would like to take both kids (bless his heart) and do the pumpkin patch, etc. There may or may not have been the promise of shopping for my mom and I.
We picked last Friday as the day for the outing. Friday, my dad took both kids and headed out. Apparently my baby boy is terrified of large amounts of pumpkins. Dad said The Little Man was fine until he was out of the truck. Once out of the truck, my dad set him down on the ground and fit began. The Little Man screamed and cried. And screamed some more. Needless to say, I do not think that he enjoyed himself. What do you think?

Just a Little Patience

I would have never guessed that it has been over a month since my last blog post. It has been a crazy full month and why the blog has been so neglected.

We are currently battling the same gunk that it seems everyone has. It started a week and a half ago with The Little Man randomly waking up with a fever and has essentially been non-stop since then. Princess Pigtails is the last victim and has missed two days of school because of it. I sincerely think I am going to go stir-crazy if we don't kick this stuff soon.

The mudroom is finished. Every detail (I think) is complete. I am so pleased with the results and frustrated that we didn't do this project years ago. So much better use of the space. I'll post some pictures soon.

The biggest news around here is that we have decided to put our house on the market. It's not a decision that we took lightly or made easily. We've been talking about the possibility of this for quite some time. And now the timing feels right. Our hope is that we will be able to move closer to DH's work, which will in turn put us closer to family. Please say a prayer for us that it goes smoothly, quickly and favorably. I am nervous, scared and excited all at the same time. I know that God has a plan in all of this and I am trying to relax in Him. Patience is not necessarily a virtue that comes easy for me.

Four

Happy Birthday, Princess Pigtails! In four very short years, you have made life more full. I love you so much my heart aches. You are simply amazing and have taught me so much! Thank you for allowing me to slow down and see life through your eyes. I am blessed to be your mama!
Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Weekend Recap

What a weekend! We filled every moment of the weekend to the brim. We accomplished much and are finally so very, very close to the finish of the mudroom. It looks really good and I am so excited! DH has done an awesome job! I'm so happy that he has the skills and abilities that allow us to do much of the work ourselves.

Other high lights: Saturday night found us out for dinner with the kiddos and let me just say, the whole experience was so great! The kids were absolutely amazing. I am encouraged that there is hope to enjoy dinner out with the family. Sunday we had the pleasure of enjoying a BBQ with some great friends from church. It was so much fun! Great conversation, good food and beautiful weather. What a night. We've got to do it again soon.

I have been on a mission to find a bike for Princess Pigtails' birthday--which is next week! How on earth is it already the middle of September? Anywhoo the bike search has been incredibly frustrating, but I was finally able to locate one on Sunday afternoon. There was much rejoicing! Who would've guessed it was be so difficult?!

So that's the scoop around here. What about you? What did you do over the holiday weekend?

Death by Chocolate

Have I got a recipe for you! Oh. My. Seriously. Unless you are not a fan of chocolate. Then, my deepest sympathies because you are totally missing out. I sincerely believe this may become my new ace-in-the-hole recipe. You know the super easy recipe you save for just the right occasion. Although, perhaps I will adopt it as my new signature recipe. Hmm...perhaps I will have to make another time or two before making that commitment. Be warned of it's super addictive-overly chocolately goodness. If you are a coffee drinker, you might want to have a cup or five close by. Heaven help us.

Double Chocolate Cookie Bars
24-30 chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos)
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• Set aside 6-8 cookies. Grind/crush the rest in a food processor. In a small bowl, stir together cookie crumbs and melted butter until well blended. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
• Over a double boiler (or in a MICROWAVE), melt 1 c. chocolate chips together with the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Stir frequently until smooth. Spread over crumb crust evenly.
• Sprinkle the remaining cup of chocolate chips over the top. Break remaining cookies into pieces by hand and sprinkle over the top.
• Bake 20-25 minutes in preheated oven.
• Chill completely before cutting to serve other wise it will make a big mess.

Well, I promised two weeks ago that I would be back to my regular bloggy schedule soon. So I guess I am back, as I am predictably unpredictable about my posting.
We had a great summer, filled with lots of fun memories. Hopefully I'll get a few pictures posted soon. A trip to the zoo, a fun 4th of July with great friends and family, vacation Bible school at church...the month of August has been full of trips back and forth the state of Iowa to visit family. And then this last weekend, I went to Des Moines for a girls weekend with some of my best gals from ye ol' college days. It was glorious. Those ladies are forever friends--you know the ones that you can just pick up right where you left off. (I am fighting the urge to launch into the chorus of Michael W. Smith's "Friends"...) I just wish the times for us to get together weren't so far apart. Lots of thanks and love for DH surviving the entire weekend with the kiddos. There was some drama and lots of laundry, but they all survived. And I am grateful!

Excuses, excuses

I really didn't intend to take most of the summer off from blogging. Just like I didn't plan to take part of spring off. But it just is how it goes. Trying to find a balance and establish a routine. I am heading to Iowa today but when I get back I'll try to get on a regular schedule of posting.
See you soon!