Our 5 year anniversary

So Chris and I got away for a few days for our anniversary this year...it was a big one-5 years! We were so excited. We had an opportunity to go to a lake house up near Lake Geneva for free, so we jumped right on that. We haven't been away like this since our honeymoon, so this was very needed. It was a blast... we went up on Saturday, and came home on Monday. I think it could've been one day longer, but oh well. My mom took care of our boys, and I don't think we missed them too badly. They did great without us, so I think it was a good experience for them to be apart from us also. We didn't do much, layed in the sun, watched the boats zoom by (wishing we were on one), ate out, watched movies, and slept in. Who knew I could sleep until 10am?! Apparently it's still in me, even after 3 years of getting up waaaayyy too early. The best part was having no responsibilities. It's something I really didn't think of, but laying there in the sun, not having to do anything was amazing.

Chris and I had some quality time together, which was needed too. We don't get a lot of time just the two of us, especially for 3 days in a row! I felt that old chemistry again, you know, the flirty, silly games and fun...it's so sweet. We still have that-don't get me wrong, but it's different when you have 2 little kids around all the time. You just can't focus your attention on each other completely, or let yourself go. You have to be responsible and the parent. Just being together, in love, was wonderful. I say we do it every year. Chris will always be my favorite person to be with...he is incredible. I just can't believe I'm lucky enough to have him.

My week of adventures

Oh yes, this week has been something else...and mind you-it's only Wednesday! I have had some interesting/unusual experiences that I thought might be fun to write about.

Experience #1: Cleaning our garage.
Well, this may not seem very interesting to you, but if you saw our garage before, you'd understand. We have a 2 car garage, with a little storage area inside also. Well, before our "clean sweep", you maybe could squeeze one car in, but be careful opening the door to get out. We had tubs of storage items, furniture, toys, left over construction items, and loads of crap (not literally). So I decided it was time to do something about it. Chris and I tackled the job on Sunday...but couldn't finish it in one day. I completed it Tues, and it's beautiful! All our storage is in one place, toys are organized, garbage (all 12 bags+ of it) is out! I had taken some miscellaneous items out to the curb hoping the garbage men would take them, but not sure if they would. Well, a few minutes later a pick-up truck swings by and throws my stuff in the back...awesome. So yes, I am very excited about this project. It was tough and yucky...but it's done (until next year when we'll probably have to do it all over again)

Experience #2: Crashing our brand-new-used car into our garage.
Yep, I did it. All my fault. I was going to back out the Buick so I could work on our 1/2 completed garage-cleaning project, and turned it too soon, and too sharp. The front left side of the car was in those garbage bags I told you about earlier... It was bad. We took the car in today, and it's an estimated $1200+ worth of repairs. That sucks. The garage got it's share of damage too, although we don't know how much yet. The frame is bent, so we can't close our garage at all. This sucks too. I'm just praying no animals decide to move in... Yes, this was Chris' new car, and he wasn't too happy. But at least he didn't yell at me like Jonah did. Jonah kept yelling at me saying "Mom, you hit daddy's new car!!" I was like... I know, Jonah, you don't need to keep rubbing it in.

Experience #3: Attempting to be a dog groomer.
Well, I'm not a dog groomer...nor will I ever be. I thought I'd give it a try with our miniature poodle, Job. I figured, "how hard could it be?" Well, it's hard. I decided I better start tipping our groomer more. I started with the scissors, cutting around his eyes and face. Chris held him still for me. That part was pretty good, and I just figured I would blend in the top of his head with the clippers. Job's hair on his head is typically left longer, it's like a little afro. So I cut the face really short, and the head was really long. Then I cut the ears... this is where it started going badly... How the heck do they do it? I do not know... So I got the clippers out and took a swipe. Uhhhh.... why aren't they going through the hair???! No, they are not cutting anything, just getting stuck and probably hurting my poor dog. So Chris told me I should probably give up...just blend the head in. Well I tried...not so good. I think he looks like a hyena, with a tiny little head and big body. Poor guy, he is usually so cute. Chris said to call the groomer asap... I don't think he likes my work.

I'm hoping the rest of the week is a little more normal, I'm tired.

Our Independance Day

I don't know about you, but I LOVE the 4th of July. I love being outside with friends and family, I love fireworks and glow sticks, I love wearing red/white/blue (and now especially matching my whole family!), I love eating fun holiday food, I love not feeling guilty about playing the day away, and I love to watch my kids experience those things too. This year was great. We always go over to my sister's house, and this year was no different. There were a lot of kids, and Jonah had a blast. We did some fun "classic" games, like a balloon toss and watermelon seed spitting contest (I came in 2nd in the adult category, I might add). Jonah loved the slip and slide, he was so cute! We ate yummy food, and tried not to get sunburned. Let me tell you about my new fav product called Supergoop...it's organic sunscreen and bugspray. I love it. Anyways... it was a great day. We ended it with a bonfire complete with marshmallows and fireworks. Jonah loves fireworks, he always has. Every time one would end, he would say " I want to do that again!" Solomon slept right through them in Daddy's arms... Jonah did his first sparkler this year. He was a little nervous, but it was fun. One was definitely enough for him. Next year will probably be a different story.

We are very blessed to have such wonderful memories. We have great families, although not without problems, we love them and are thankful for them. I am so thankful to live in this country. To be free is an immeasurable gift. I cannot imagine living somewhere where worshipping Jesus is against the law, or where I have to fear for my life daily. Let us not forget how blessed we are in America.