Thankfully Safe

Well, we thought the drama of the tornadoes last night in downtown were behind us. Boy were we wrong. We woke up in the middle of the night to our weather alert radio going off. We tried to go back to sleep as thunder boomed and lightning flashed outside our window. Around 8:30 am, Justin left to go cover a tournament south of Atlanta. While he's been gone, the girls and I have had to hunker down in the basement on two different occasions while several severe weather systems with tornadoes passed right by us. Then just when we thought it was over, the sirens went off again and the sky opened up and hit us with a hailstorm. Justin called after it had cleared here and said that it was hailing where he was about an hour away. Ahhh, lovely weather we're having, don't you think? We truly do count ourselves blessed though to be safe and sound, since two people in a neighboring county lost their lives today.

Thanking Our Lucky Stars

Justin was supposed to be out last night covering games in Atlanta for work. The person running the tournament he was planning on covering was late getting back to him with the game schedules. So Justin decided at the last minute to stay at home instead. No complaints out of this wifey! Justin went and rented 'Dan In Real Life' (one of my new FAVORITE movies!) and we settled in on the couch for some low-key together time. After the movie was over, Justin checked to see how the SEC Tournament, which was being played downtown, was doing. Instead of game updates there was mass confusion on the t.v. screen. Ripped off roofs, broken water mains, debris everywhere. What the heck was going on? It turned out that a freak storm had ripped through the busiest part of downtown Atlanta tearing it apart. We had no idea any of this had been going on. We're about 40 minutes north of where was hit hardest and all was quiet. News reporters scrambled to get eyewitness accounts from stunned spectators. They showed images of crumbled buildings, broken windows, sheet metal wrapped around trees, and all sorts of destruction. I couldn't help but sit there and say a silent prayer of thanks that Justin hadn't been down there, as he had planned to be, in the middle of it all.

A Good Day

Do you ever have those days where things just seem to go right? Where patience comes easy, you feel the love, and all the faces around you seem to be smiling? That was my day today! I was thinking it was going to be another doozy when I woke up this morning though. My body was aching and my eyes just did not want to open. I dragged myself out of bed and set about getting Maryn ready for school. I had just ironed her clothes and was urging her to get herself dressed. However, she did not approve of my styling choices. Which was a cute pair of jeans and a blue, striped, button-down shirt with ruffles on the front. She informed me it looked like a boy shirt. I told her it was not a boy shirt, because it had cute ruffles on the front of it, and hastily slid it on her and buttoned it up. To which she replied "Ruffles? Mom, I look ridiculous! I'm not wearing that!" (When she added 'ridiculous' to her vocabulary is beyond me. But now Brynnie also informs me when things look 'ree-dic-ooh-luss' too.) I distracted Maryn by letting her pick out her shoes and promised she would never have to wear it again after today if she really thought it was that ridiculous. Apparently the shoe distraction worked, because she thankfully dropped the boy-shirt issue. Any other morning it very well could have sent the whole house into a tailspin. I quickly french braided some pigtails on her, brushed her teeth, and off she went to school with Justin.

When Brynnie and I picked her up, she'd had a great day and her teacher said her behavior had been great! Big sigh of relief from Mom! (Maryn is a leader by nature, and let's just say lately she'd been leading some of her classmates down the path of unrighteousness! As in, she had a day last week where she kept spitting on other kids. Her buddy decided that was fun and he decided to spit on another kid too. Ahh Maryn, what am I gonna do with that girl?) Anyways, so she had a great day today and kept her salivary glands in check.

So we headed home and had some lunch together. After we had finished eating though, we decided it was too beautiful to be inside. We called up Laura and her boys and met up at the walking trail to ride bikes. Maryn's friend Audrey and her momma, Melysa met us there too. The kids had fun fighting over bikes, sliding down the hills, and throwing rocks in the creek. It was awesome because we all got tuckered out and came home to take a nap.

Brynna was feeling very possessive of her bike, even though she wasn't riding it. Poor Thatch puts up with a lot of drama from his female friends. He just takes it all in stride though!

Maryn and Audrey sliding down the hill on their bellies. Audrey is a much better dare devil, Maryn really had to think about going face first!

In fact, the whole thing made her a little moody!

"I don't want my picture taken!!!"
Umm, nap anyone? Yes, please!

When I woke up from my little snooze on the couch, Justin had brought the mail in. There was a box sitting on the coffee table next to me. I picked it up and saw that it was a package for the girls from Aunt Kristine and cousins Cole and Kade who live in Germany! (I mentioned in my last post how much we LOVE getting unexpected packages! It was like the ol' mailbox was our own international jackpot this week! Sweet!) So I opened it up and my heart just melted! Cole had drawn a big picture for us of his family and made an Easter Bunny face. And, Kristine had gotten the girls some yummy German Easter Candy! Seriously, how spoiled and loved are my kids!? When the girls woke up from their naps, I showed them their surprises! You better believe we were getting some serious grinnage from those two little monkeys! They were elated! Maryn kept saying while I was making dinner "That was SO sweet of them!" I totally agree, we were really feeling the love! Thanks Sis!

Even that bedhead could not dampen the excitement over this fun package! WAHOO!

A little taste of Germany! Mmm, mmm, good!

I had a date with Jody and Tracy Ensign to work on assembling invitations for Megan and Aaron's wedding at 6:30. So I was rushing trying to get dinner made and on the table. While I was mashing the potatoes for the Shepard's Pie my friend, Laura calls me up and tells me she's on the way over. I had been lamenting the day before about how ugly all my maternity clothes were. Since this is my last pregnancy though, I am stubborn and refuse to buy more, since I know I won't use them again. Laura, who always looks so good, had dug out some of her cuter maternity clothes and was bringing them to me to borrow. Seriously, could I ask for a better friend?! Laura, you rule!

What's gonna work? TEAMWORK! Good job on the table girls!

So as I was feeling better about my wardrobe options, I finished up dinner and threw it in the oven. The girls then worked together (without fighting!) and set the table for me and actually did a really good job. We scarfed down dinner together and I raced out the door to Tracy's house. We sat around and yakked with each other, which is always so much fun, while we tied ribbons on the invitations. I was cracking up because of course with newlyweds, the conversation turned to the Birds and the Bees (sorry Megan and Aaron!). I just loved that I was sitting there with two of the coolest women, talking about such a frank subject and it was so not awkward at all. We all just laughed like girlfriends and shared stories about how we were all so unprepared! It was a hoot!

I had to get home by 9:00 so Justin could then race off to go have some much needed guy-time with his friends. I called him on the way home and Justin said he had put the girls to bed, but told me they wanted hugs from me, so they were still awake. When I walked through the door the girls raced out of their rooms and showered me with hugs and loves! They said "We just love it when you come home Mommy!" Ahh, how does that not melt your heart? I must say, this woman has had a very good day!

Fancy Footwear!

I've decided that I am one blessed cookie! I have so many people in my life who are just so good to me and my family. The other day when I went out to the mailbox, there was an unexpected package in there from my dear friend Tina, who lives all the way across the ocean in Morocco! What could this be? I opened it and caught a glimpse of sparkle and saturated color! How fun was this?! I called to the girls to hurry downstairs to see what Tina had sent them! New, fancy slippers!!! They immediately let out excited little shrieks and squeals of excitement and slid them onto their feet. They fit perfectly!

I described to the girls what the marketplace would have been like where Tina found them. I said it was probably like the marketplace in Aladdin, so they were like Princess Jasmine slippers! Maryn quickly informed me that they were not Princess Jasmine slippers. Jasmine's slippers were blue and curly, hers were purple with sparkly snowflakes! Duh, what was I thinking! All I know is they were a huge hit! We can hardly get Brynna to take hers off even to go outside. If you say "Brynnie, do you like your slippers?" She'll squeal "I love my Maracca slippers!!" Thank you so much Tina! You are the best, girlfriend!

The Bounce House

Justin has been really sick again and we were all cooped up in the house due to soggy weather. So last night, the girls and I decided to give Daddy a little quiet time in the house alone. We took off to the best place to get out those rainy day wiggles, The Bounce House! I've decided that we're going to have to do this more often. The girls had a blast, as did I since I get to turn into a giant kid and jump with them. Also, it is so stinkin' affordable! It was $5.00 for all of us to get in, since parents are free and so are kids under three. So all I had to pay for was Maryn. After jumping for awhile, Maryn wasn't hungry but Brynnie was. So I bought Brynna a dinner of 2 slices of pizza and a juice box for $2.00. The kids got their exercise for two hours and were fed for $7.00 total! What a cheap date! I'll never be able to spend $9.00 on a single movie ticket ever again! The best part is, is that when we got home the girls were all worn out and ready for bed! I love that place!

Maryn informed me on the way there, that this time she was a big kid and no longer afraid of going down the big slides by herself. Her and Brynna both had a blast going down again and again!

After awhile, the girl's decided the little play house for the toddlers was just as exciting as the giant inflatable stuff! Oh well, as long as they were having a good time!

Being Spontaneous!

Those who know me well, know that I love a good plan and like to think things through. Sometimes though to a fault. I know that sometimes you just have to do stuff without thinking too much or you can talk yourself out of a lot of fun life experiences. So it's a good thing that my friend Laura is all about seizing the moment and being spontaneous! She has been so good for me and taught me to loosen up a little bit and just go with the flow when a moment presents itself.

Yesterday afternoon she called me while I was out running errands. It was about thirty minutes before I was supposed to pick up Maryn from Preschool. She asked if I wanted to drive up to Tennessee to go to the Aquarium in Chattanooga with her, Nick, and the boys. We decided the sooner we hit the road the better, so the plan was for her to come pick me up from my house and then we all get Maryn together and hit the road. This is where I had that internal 'Sarah Struggle'. I wasn't even home yet, I was out running errands, the kids had not had lunch or a nap, I was not planning on leaving the state that day and we were going to pick up and make this happen in thirty minutes? My first inclination was "No, I needed a plan before taking a day trip." But then I thought "Sarah, roll with it and don't be such a stick in the mud!" So I raced home, threw some stuff together and we all went to go pick up Maryn from school and surprise her with a fun, impromptu day trip. I'm glad I didn't overthink it, because we ended up really having a great day.

Laura had Twizzlers on hand for drum-solo jam-sessions in the car on the way down!

How did Nick, Thatcher and Maryn get in the tank?

Brynnie was wide-eyed and taking it all in.

Laura was getting a kick out of Max, he really liked all the fishies!

Neither Brynna or Thatcher go too far without their monkeys!
Those two are cute, little buddies!

Laura getting giggles out of Max again. That kid really is too stinkin' cute!

They even had butterfly gardens at the Aquarium! It was so cool seeing so many beautiful butterflies fluttering around!

Brynna checking all of them out!

Have you hugged a penguin today?

Thanks for such a fun, spontaneous day Nick and Laura!
You guys rule!

In Search of the Perfect Dress!

Friday night Maryn, Brynna, and I had a fun 'Girl's Night Out' date with Tracy and Ansley Ensign (my new sis-in-law, Megan's, mom and sister)! We hit the mall in search of the perfect Flower Girl dresses for Aaron and Megan's upcoming wedding. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love the Ensign's. They are just so cool and we had a great time! The girls are obsessed with Ansley, who is so good to my two little monkeys. I've decided she can just come live at my house, because when Ansley is in the room, Maryn and Brynna are totally all about her, which makes life really easy for me!

Ready to conquer the mall!

Maryn being a diva, hmmm what's new?!

Tracy had found these little dresses for the girls! Aren't they beautiful?! She ordered pretty, pale yellow sashes for the dresses also, with big, beautiful bows and the girl's initials monogrammed on the front. She also took them and bought them white ballet slippers to wear with their dresses. Which we thought was appropriate since dance is such a big part of Megan's life. The girls, needless to say were thrilled and very excited to have new ballerina shoes! They were in their fairy tale imagination heaven. When it was time to change out of their dresses, Brynna had a meltdown and said "I don't want to take it off! I'M PRETTY!"
Again, as you can see, the girl's are just glued to Ansley! She wanted her dress to be a little different from the little girls and fell in love with this one. Isn't she beautiful?! Her and Tracy tried it on with a cute little black jacket and also with a white shawl. I know Ansley is going to look beautiful no matter which look they decide to go with!
We finished off the night with a bite to eat at Burger King. Tracy and I were able to just sit and talk while Ansley kept the girls happy on the playground. It really was such a fun night! Tracy, I can't thank you enough for spoiling those little girls of mine so much! I can not wait to see my beautiful daughters all dolled up on Megan's big day! You made this so special for them!