On this day nine years ago I went to the hospital as a woman and left as a mom. My beautiful little baby girl is now 9 years old and I am trying to figure out where the time went. My Brooklyn is growing up and has really matured this last year. She is such a big help and I love her more than words can say. I can't believe how much my life changed that day but I wouldn't trade it for the world!!! Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet Brooklyn. I love you very much!
Just wanted to wish everyone a happy and SAFE 4th of July!!! We have the Arnold Family reunion tonight.......parade and fireworks tomorrow......and my moms birthday party on Sunday.
Speaking of which......
I want to wish my mom a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Her actual birthday is on the 4th and I didn't want to miss wishing her a wonderful day! Although I won't get to spend much time with her tomorrow we are spending the whole day together on Sunday! Love you so much mom!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOXG8wtxx_w
I was a HUGE Michael Jackson fan back in the day.........before he was a little weird. I can't believe the news that he has died. I know he didn't live a life that was always right but he was still a human being. His life was full of controversy and scandal but I hope we can all remember today the man behind the music. Some of the greatest songs of all time came from him. Thriller, Bad, Billie Jean to name a few. I pray for peace for his family in these days of sorrow and I pray that this man is in a better place now. RIP Michael Jackson.
Have you ever had a day that you are upset or mad about something but you can't pinpoint what it is? I had a day like that yesterday. I just felt like something was out of the norm but I didn't know what I was so mad about. That upset me even more! Its one thing to be mad at a certain circumstance but when you don't know why you are mad, that's a horrible feeling!
The day at work was nothing out of the norm. Same ol' stuff just a different day! I could just tell that something was bothering me. Then when I got home, I was supposed to be on a conference call and couldn't get on it. So I ordered pizza so it could be delivered right after Craig and the kids got home from swimming lessons. As we were sitting there eating our pizza......I looked over at Craig and totally bit his head off for chewing too loud! He looked at me like I was losing my mind!
Then when we went to church last night, something was still bugging me. After church I helped serve bars and cookies and was talking to my dear friend, Kristi, about it. She started laughing and said she had the same kind of day 3 days ago! So then we both start laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes! We decided after that to go to McDonald's to get some ice cream and cheer each other up. She had her oldest daughter with and I had Brooklyn with me. We sat at McDonald's until 10:45 having ice cream, sharing stories, and lots of laughter. I wonder what the poor workers at McD's thought of us but we didn't care. We were having too much fun!
I never did figure out what was bothering me but I thank God for the awesome people he has put in my life that with just a simple gesture of going for ice cream, can pick me up out of my funk and put me back on solid ground. :o)
Every year when Father's Day rolls around I always take a look back at the past year and smile. Its been a year full of tents in the living room, wrestling matches, finger painting, making bird houses, camping, swimming, snowmobiling, sledding, snuggle time, cook outs, football in the backyard, kite flying, going on the slide with the kids, helping mom around the house, gardening, and most of all loving on the family. I am talking about my wonderful husband, Craig. To me he is the most amazing dad. He always takes time out for the kids and me. His family always comes first and I adore him for that.
Craig is wonderful for doing the fun stuff in life that kids love to do. The favorite is when he makes a tent in the living room in the middle of January because the kids want to go camping. He is also great because he takes the time out to truly listen to the kids.
Another reason my husband is so wonderful is that he has a true heart for the kids of our church. I have watched him grow the past year in our children's ministries and he loves those kids! I am lucky to have such a wonderful Godly man in my life.
I also want to pay tribute to my Dad. My dad has always been there for me to listen, offer a helping hand, and most of all a shoulder to cry on. He is a gentle but firm man. I always knew when I had done wrong but always knew he still loved me. I can't say enough about my dad. He loves my children and Craig just the same. He makes a wonderful grandpa always taking time to hang out with my kids.
I also have to pay tribute to my father in law, Dave. I don't know if he still reads this blog but I don't tell him enough how much I love him! I couldn't ask for better inlaws! They have always welcomed me into their home from day 1 and made me feel like part of the family. Dave loves it when we come to Sioux Falls. He loves hanging out with the kids and usually has a project in mind for them to work on. Last time they mad a birdhouse out of branches from a tree.
I thank God daily for the great men in my life that I have been blessed with. I love them all! Happy Father's Day Craig, Dad, and Dave!!!
I can't believe another school year is over already! It seems like we were just strapping on the new backpacks and here we are in summer again!! I love the summer with playing at the beach, swinging in the yard, bonfires and roasting marshmallows but most of all, time to spend outside with my family! I am just having a hard time grasping that next year both kids will be in school. Brooklyn will be a 4th grader already and Cooper starts kindergarten. It just goes by so quickly!!!
