Pics of our Valentine's Weekwnd

I have a new appreciation for Valentine's Day this year. I have watched, read, and experienced an overflow of love. Love is key to living a fulfilled life. God wants us to show love because He first loved us.


Thursday we went to Caroline's school party to celebrate, trade cards, enjoy the sweets, and watch the children share their love. Caroline's classmates each made one heart this week for their parents.


Beau, Caroline, and Christian


Miss Amber and Caroline


Time to open valentine cards...


Me and my sweet Caroline


We had fun decorating Daddy's mirror before he arrived on Friday.


Saturday morning we headed to Sifted Flour Bakery. I will let this picture speak for itself;)


...then next door to check out the pet store....


...the Mexican bowling with the Sunday school class.

Snow

Each year I am ready for a small amount of snow. This year was perfect. Caroline woke up one morning and peeked outside to see the wonder. She threw on her boots and scampered outside in her pajamas.


It wasn't long before we were all outside ready to play in the white powder.








Later that same afternoon Will helped us to make a homemade sled and we had a blast! We laughed and laughed; times like this make me appreciate living out in the country.


Here is one fun gymnastics photo from this week...

Ice skating and Gymnastics

Ice day today! I am off work! Caroline was thrilled when she woke this morning and I came in the room and announced girls day! We have played today, completed a few activities, and had lunch with Jared and Jensen.

Matt came home with flowers for me and Caroline this week. It is so nice to have a surprise on occasion from my wonderful husband. Aren't they beautiful?


We had a family outing this weekend. Matt and I decided to surprise Caroline and take her ice skating. We went to Big Orange first to fill our bellies with delicious burgers. If you would like to try a new restaurant, Big Orange is a great place. They have two locations (Midtown and Promenade). I am not a burger fan, but I have enjoyed their burgers both visits.

Now, do you see this sweet girl in the photo below? We tried and tried to get her to try the cookies and cream shake. She refused. She finally tried...and then she enjoyed it so much she would not share!


We arrived at the ice skating rink and soon discovered that Caroline lacked in the skating category. I poke along really slow...Matt is a figure skater...and Caroline is just plum b.a.d. Bless her heart! She did not give up though. After making it one round of ice skating we traded our skates in for roller skates. She was much better at roller skating. The roller rink was very crowded and I think we all took a deep sigh of relief when we decided to head home. It was a fun family outing but we will wait a couple years before embarking on that adventure again.





On a different note, Caroline is enjoying gymnastics, learning new techniques, and excelling. Each week she amazes me at what she has accomplished. She is enjoying her time as a little gymnast.

Caroline and Jensen

How have I not blogged about Jensen and Caroline recently? They are best friends, cousins, and act like sisters. The love they show for each other warms me with happiness. Yesterday I had another date with the two amigos and we went to Sifted Flour Bakery, Kroger, and Leah's. I kept waiting for the two giggle girls to fall asleep after their long day, but they just laughed the whole way home.

I cannot describe in words the love these two have for one another, but as I gaze upon their love I am reminded of memories I had with Jared as a child. My love for my brother is strong, protective, and never-ending. I know these two girls have many more giggles, laughter, and love in their future.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Matt started a new adventure this week so we had a girls week. We started the week off with a trip to the park with Peggy, Karen, Zoey, and Charlie....


Then a Jensen/Caroline date night (nothing like makeup).





Then daddy came home Friday and requested Larry's Pizza.


Yesterday was a nice day to go for a ride. I forgot during the winter months just how much I enjoyed the outdoors.


We are off for another week of this blessed life. If you are reading this blog my wish for you is to speak to your child about how blessed they are to have the life they live each day. I had two opportunities this week to speak to Caroline about the blessings God has given to her. Some may be big and some may be big in our eyes, but they are all enormous blessings from God. Have a great week!

Gymnastics/Jonesboro and More

We made a visit to Jonesboro last weekend to meet Elliot and see Salie. Children are special gifts from God. I always enjoy my time with Holly and Tara.







Caroline was excited about our road trip. She is a joy to laugh with in the car. We stopped at mcalisters and had a late lunch together. We have the best one-on-one conversations when we go out for lunch.


And...we officially started gymnastics this week. We stopped in town on the way home to choose a few leotards. She is enjoying gymnastics and only after a few weeks she has improved her formation and hand placement.











I wanted to share this snap with you below. This is how I currently feel about my time with Caroline. I wish I could bottle up all our memories.


And while we are on snaps I enjoy, check out this from Lysa T. I plan on making this my words of wisdom for all our married friends. This can apply to anything. You should pray over your marriage, child, job, or life more than you speak about it. Lysa is coming to Russellville in February if you are interested check out her website.


We went to our first swim meet in Little Rock this week. We cheered on Lakyn. That girl can swim!


Baby doll injury this week...Caroline took baby to the doctor. After the examination bandages were needed and baby is healing well. Baby will have fingers back just a soon as mommy finds a new baby;)


Caroline decided to have "daddy/daughter date night. Since we were already in town she decided that I could go also.


I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Happy New Years