Summer Life

It is 7:10 a.m.  I am up and showered, but the house is still quiet.  Both kids sleeping soundly in their beds, and Alex just left for work.  What a wonderful pace of life it is this thing called summer. 

Today is also our anniversary!  Eight years ago, we got married.  Happy Anniversary, honey!

Spring Pictures 2012

Monica Wells took the kids' pictures last week, and they are great!  Here are my favorites~

She hated the hat.  Needless to say it didn't last long!

My two favorite boys!

I love this little cheese face~

So precious!

Look at this big boy! 

Memorial Weekend 2012

School is out which means summer is upon us!  Can I get a "Woot! Woot!"  My heart is happy, and it means the next two months I get to spend at home with my kids~being a mom.

 Our Memorial Day weekend was low key, relaxed, and just plain fun.  We dug out the pool for the kiddos on Saturday as temperatures soared to the 90s.  The kids enjoyed some playing in the pool together!

We had a big BBQ out at our neighbor's house last night which meant kids were late to bed.  Miss Isla graced me with her yelling at 6:30.  We got dressed and went for a walk together since she sounded like a herd of elephants this a.m.  I didn't want her to wake the boys, and it worked as Rowan slept until after 8.

Sassy at 6:30 a.m. on Monday!

Rowan started swimming lessons this morning as well.  Last year, he took lessons, but I was quite disappointed in the quality of the lessons.  I found one of my student's parents who does private lessons.  It is close to our house, and it is a small class.  I can already tell after one day, that I will be happier with the lessons. He had fun, and we enjoyed watching him!

Rowan requested to go fishing with Grandpa Monday afternoon.  Alex called Grandpa, and Grandpa obliged.  So the boys set out on a fishing expedition.  Look at that fish!

Don't mind the outfit!  It is his fishing attire~

May Financial Update

We flew through the month of May.  With both of our birthdays and the end of the school year, it is always a chaotic month in our house.  We did make some progress, though!  Woot!  Woot!

1. Get PMI taken off of our Home Loan -Done in February!

2. Pay off Alex's small student loan ($641.00 to be exact)
Down to $107.00.  I made several extra payments on this.  I fully anticipate paying it off with Alex's next paycheck!  Yeah!

3. Save enough money to replace Jolie's car by November 1, 2012 in cash!
We were able to put some money into this account this month.  We are up to 33% of our target now.  It doesn't look like we will be able to buy new by November, but we will keep plugging away at it!

30th Birthday Accomplishments!

So I posted earlier about a surprise party on my birthday, but little did I know that I would have a second surprise party from the girls at work!  Gosh~  I hate surprises, and I was very unsuspecting of this party.  It was a combination party since 3 of us turned 30 within a month at work!  It involved dinner and dancing.  Lots and lots and lots of dancing:-)  My friend Jenny dubbed the night I became "Finally Fun Jolie," so we all know it was a great time!  Thanks friends~

The real surprise came in preparation for the night when I decided to use some scrub that Stephanie Vopat had given me the week before at my first party.  I had gone through my presents, but clearly I had bopped through them pretty quickly.  In going back through her sack, I found a typed up letter that she had written for me titled:

"Jolie Darby's Accomplishments on Her Thirtieth Birthday"

You see, earlier in the week I was having a hard time with the new decade.  But leave it to Stephanie to put everything into perspective for just how great life is.  She is an optimist, and she definitely keeps me grounded.  They are so amazing, that I'm going to share them here!

1. She takes care of herself and is still hot. (This made me smile~)

2. She was not a teenage mother.

3. She has earned a high school diploma, an undergraduate degree, and a master's degree.

4. She saved her husband from a miserable, lonely existence by agreeing to be his beautiful bride.

5. Her children are well-adjusted.

6. Her family is healthy. (Amen)

7. Her family is happy.

8. Her children are loved every single day.

9. If her husband's smile is anything to go by, he really loves her!

10. She has not lost everything and/or destroyed her family's lives because of an addiction.

11. She is a successful teacher.

12. Her students like her.

13. Her children do not listen to gunshots everyday.

14. Her children sleep knowing they are safe, secure, and very much loved.

15. She still loves her mama. (She is right!  Moms always make it okay!)

16. She listens to others.

17. Even though early motherhood kicked her booty, (True Story) she figured things out, got it right, and continues to get it right. Every. Single. Day.

18. She is kind. 

19. She is not a felon. (Woot! Woot!)

20. She believes in a higher power. Still.

21. She isn't done.

What an amazing list!  It is all in perspective and contentment.  I'm really working on contentment right now, and I've decided that I have some amazing people in my life!  Life is good!  Thank you Vopat for making me see it!

Summer 2012 Bucket List

One more week until summer!  Sigh~  A breath of fresh air is about to make an appearance at our house.  It has been a long month as Rowan has asked every morning if Alex and I have to go to work.  He loves preschool, but I think he longs for his home-much like his mommy:-)

So with 1 week until the start of summer, I'm making a bucket list.  Things I want to accomplish before I return to work in August!  Here goes~

1. Swimming Lessons for Rowan
2. Science Camp for Rowan at Discovery Center
3. Vacation Bible Camp at SWUMC for Rowan and I'll volunteer as well.
4. Camping as a family-this is out of my comfort zone;-)
5. Read 6 books for pleasure.
6. Run 3 times a week.
7. Go on 2 dates with Big Al.

We'll start there for now and hopefully be able to add more to it as summer gets underway.  Right now, this seems like a big list, but I know I'll have more time once summer gets rolling!
 

Surprise 30th Birthday Party!!

On May 8th, 2012 I turned 30 years old. The day started out with a surprise as 2 of my coworkers, Jenny and Lindsey, decorated my room with streamers and balloons for the occasion. The kids were a buzz at school, and at this point, I had stopped crying:-) There were treats at work complimentary of my good friend, Jenny, and I came home to my cute kids and husband.

 Birthdays have never really been a big deal in our house, so I wasn't surprised that Alex hadn't made any plans. He brought home cupcakes from a local bakery, we ate frozen burritos, and put the kids to bed. It was a great day in my eyes surrounded by the people I love. Calm, quiet, and an early evening to bed-just the way I like it. 

On Wednesday the same two girls who decorated my room suggested we should go get a pedicure on Saturday and then out to get a drink. Never having had a pedicure before, this was not in my comfort zone, and I was nervous. With some hesitation, I eventually asked Alex if that would be okay, and he said, "Yes, I think it will be fun." I had no idea this girls outing was part of a bigger plan on everyone's part. They said they'd meet at our house since it is centrally located, and we'd ride together. Nothing about this was weird.

 We went to the pedicure-which was lovely if you have never had one. Then we headed to On the Border for some margaritas and girl time. The conversation was great, the drinks were great, and it was fun to just sit and talk. Around 5:45, we headed back home, as I had told Alex I'd try to be home by 6 for supper. I didn't want him to be angry at me for a longer outing. 

We turned onto our cul-de-sac, and there were a butt ton of cars. I stated, "Someone's having a party!" And then I saw it. The sign hanging from our front rails. A great big, "Happy Birthday! sign in pink" I was completely shocked, taken back, and overwhelmed. Lindsey and Jenny were quiet as I soaked it in, but then stated I should walk through the house. 

Upon opening the back screen door, there were many familiar faces of neighbors, church friends, coworkers, and family! Alex had done it. He had pulled together a surprise birthday party for me with absolutely no signs to me. I had no idea! He had food, beverages, and people at our house to help me celebrate my day!

 I spent the evening mingling with our guests-those people who share much of our daily lives. It was fantastic and incredibly humbling to see that many people take time out of their schedule to celebrate me:-) I can't even express my appreciation to them. 

The guests eventually left, and Alex and I were left to put our house back together at least a little bit before going to bed. It is not as if it is a surprise, but I was just reaffirmed that I married one of the kindest people. Alex is not a natural planner, but he managed to keep a secret to give me a special day. It was thoughtful, genuine, and just fun! 

So, thanks to everyone who had a hand in it! There were many, and I know a great deal of planning I don't even know about. It was a fantastic birthday, and the 30s are going to be fabulous!

Almost 30!

Eeek!  In two days I will no longer be a 20 something, but instead I will be a member of the 30's club.  Sigh.  It seems old, and I'm fairly certain I am not old enough to join this club:-)  

Alex and I were sitting on the front porch this evening discussing my birthday, when I responded, "Did I accomplish everything I was supposed to do by 30?"  He responded with, "Two kids, nice husband, great job, pretty house, and a large dog.  What more would you want?"  There was a pinch of sarcasm in his voice, but it certainly put it into perspective.  I can't think of a thing I would do differently if given the option, and I feel incredibly blessed with what I have.  So in two days, I'm joining the club.  I've heard it is a fun club to join, and I suppose I will be ready:-) 

With the start of a new decade, I'm adding to my to-do list for my 30s! I want to go to Hawaii as a family!  I want to experience the beauty of Hawaii with our family and give Rowan and Isla some incredible memories!  In 10 years when I get ready to join the next club, I certainly hope I can cross this off my list~