Busy May

May has brought many busy days! Work is busier than ever and afternoons and weekends with the family are packed, as well! Here are some pictures of SOME of the events...



 One afternoon, we took the kids to see a mini horse. We THOUGHT that they would like it. Our luck, the thing bit Faith right away. That made Faith a bit weary...and who can blame her!?

The kiddos were a bit braver when they were on the OTHER side of the fence...ha!

A couple of weeks ago, the kids came to Relay for Life at my school. I stayed after work, and Cody brought them. We had dinner in my classroom first and I took them down the halls of "Mama's school." They loved it. I can see them owning the halls in a couple of years! 

 The highlight of Relay for them was the playground....LOVED IT!

 Mallory was a bit sour...poor thing. She is at the age where she thinks that she can do EVERYTHING that Faith and Cameron do, but, unfortunately, she can't! She was so mad she couldn't climb up to the big slide!

 We also had a celebration for Ganny turning 90 this month. There was a wonderful turnout of family, friends, and people within the church and community. This is an attempt to get a picture of the GREAT grandkids....OH WELL!

 Mallory liked the balloons.

 Two of my three were the ones fighting with the balloons. They may not look like Cody, but they sure act like him...ha!

So, those were just a FEW pictures. The final weekend in May brings Memorial Day weekend. I have to work Memorial Day so we do not have much of anything planned. However, we do have pictures with Miss Heather on Saturday! I am SUPER excited to see how they turn out...because her work is always GREAT. I am sure that I will have some AWESOME pictures to share from that shoot soon!

Celebrating Five Crazy, Happy Years

Once upon a time, we were high-school sweethearts. I simply can not believe that it has been five years since we were married, ten years since we graduated high-school, and thirteen years since we began dating!!! Yeah, yeah, yeah. I never dated anyone but Cody. Call it boring. Call it whatever you wish. I call it a blessing....a gift.

Some might say that Cody and I are polar opposites. He's the funny one...I'm not so much. He's a procrastinator...I'm not so much. He is silly...yep not so much here. He likes to clutter....nope...not here (except I am this secret hoarder that likes to throw things in unseen places like the closets, drawers, etc).  He is even-tempered...I pretty much call it like I see it.  He is everything that I am not, and I think that is what makes it work.There's so much in him that I would like to be.

These five years of marriage have not been entirely easy. We have had first jobs, new jobs, and changes in positions....all in which have been a challenge. We have lost pets and loved ones,. We have been heartbroken with the losses of our own little ones.  Through it all, we took turns leaning on each other when we were ready to fall.  So, no. It hasn't been all wonderful.  However, we learned and grew from all of these experiences. It is SO true...what doesn't kill us, makes us STRONGER!!!  These five years have also brought so many wonderful things our way. We have welcomed three beautiful children into the world, built a wonderful home, and were baptized together, becoming members of New Hope Baptist.

I feel so blessed to have gone through the good and bad with someone very special. I am so happy to say that I am married to my best friend. I am very honest when I say that Cody has one of the kindest hearts that I have ever known. I am realistic when I admit that he can drive me crazy and will probably continue to do so. I am looking forward to many more crazy, happy years to come!!!!

We celebrated out fifth wedding anniversary by taking a trip to Helen. It was a much needed break. We did a whole lot of nothing...which I am surprised that I loved!!! The cabin was super nice and cozy. I must admit that I didnt' quite know what to do with myself and much of our time was spent talking about the kiddos, texting our parents (the wonderful souls made this all possible) about the kiddos, or flipping through our phones looking at pictures about them! When we sat at the table tonight reunited, it was back to reality. Forks hitting the floor, cries for more, and pleas to sit by momma and daddy rang loud and clear. Ahhhh.....dinner by the river was far more relaxing...but far less interesting!!!!

Where to Eat

So, just last weekend we decided to pick up a quick lunch at Chick-fil-a. The kids were much more out of sorts than usual, and my time there made me want to skip a meal rather than eat one. Now, Cody is not up for eating ANYWHERE when we have all three kiddos, but, my love of eating out drives me so!...ha! Recently, we had the conversation as to WHERE we should eat with the kids. Cody's philosophy was to get in and get out quick. I beg to differ. Our meal at Chick-fil-a simply proved my point further. While we were attempting to eat, I was busy saying, "This is why it is better to go to a sit down restaurant." Not quite following? These are the reasons I prefer restaurants over fast food when dining with the kids (not to mention the food is better!):

1. There are crayons and activity sheets. So, yes. You have to wait to get your food. BUT...the children are usually well entertained by the crayons...even if it means that they color on the table or walls ;)

2. You sit down and other people take care of the rest! This is probably the best reason for going to a sit-down restaurant over a fast food place. When we take all three kiddos out to fast food, we have to first pick out a table. That way, the kids are not running around the place when we are trying to order AND it is possible for one person to carry the food back. One person orders. One person watches the kiddos at the table. Sounds simple, but it can be a disaster. Why you ask???...because it usually leaves at least one child very unhappy and wanting to go with whoever is doing the ordering....the kids think, "Oh! We are in public and there is now only ONE of you watching me...LET'S GO CRAZY!"...and we have to hunt down high chairs and boosters (and have you been in Chick-fil-a lately???...MADHOUSE). On the contrary, sit-down restaurants do it all for you. They take you to your seat, bring out your food, find high chairs and boosters (a total of three, here), and you don't do a thing! That, my friends, is  like music to my ears!

3. You are not compelled to clean up. I feel really terrible about leaving my space a wreck at a fast food restaurant. Let's face it. Many times the tables do not get cleaned after each occupant and that leaves the poor, next person in line for your spot to do the dirty work. Therefore, I feel compelled...obligated to clean up the mess that my family has made. Now, don't get me wrong. I feel terrible about leaving a sit-down restaurant with my table disastrous, as well. HOWEVER, I can always leave an extra tip! ;)

4. There is not a playground. Okay. I feel a little guilty about saying that. Sometimes, you can use the playground to your advantage...."You better eat or there will be no playground," etc. However, the playground can be torturous...having the kids beg during the whole meal OR having to drag them off. I must say that I have not had to endure either of these often...BUT...it happens.

5. There is more of a variety. So, my kids are fickle eaters. They may like one thing one day and hate it the next. At a restaurant, there is more variety. You can all order different things. That way, if the kiddos won't eat what you got for them, MAYBE they will eat something off of mine or Cody's plate. With fast food, however, pretty much everyone gets the same thing....then you have to hear about your child NOT wanting what you have gotten them to eat. :)

So...I ask you, "Why would you prefer fast-food over a restaurant?" You may answer price, time, etc.  HOWEVER, I think all of my reasons far outweigh any of those! I am not so frugal with my money when it comes to convenience. Sometimes you have to pay the price to have some peace of mind (something that is actually priceless in my book). :)

Just For Fun

Oh, boy. This week is DRAGGING by! With our busy weekends, I am beyond exhausted....and May doesn't look like it is going to slow down!!! BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

Here are just some pictures that I find super cute. They were taken over the last couple of weeks....

 Here are my little rascals playing with their computers....who knew that just a few minutes before the picture was taken they were ready to throw down in the floor arguing over one? Thank goodness we have THREE chairs and THREE laptops!

 I LOVE this hat on Cameron!

 Can you tell that he is up to NO good?

 See what I mean?

 ...and again. He was so proud that he had destroyed his room.

 This was Cody's creation.

 ...and they loved it!

I love watching Mallory. She is becoming a big girl. She did this on her own the other night! She sure is watching everyone around her closely!