Night of Nonsense

I'm not usually big on school events. I always go because the kids love them but I usually don't love them.  However our school has one event that I actually enjoy.  It's the mother/son event and it's called Night of Nonsense.  

They always have a cute photo opp which of course I love.  The rest of the night is full of fun activities.  They have Nerf wars, cosmic bowling, skeeball, inflatable Dance party, archery, gaga ball, etc.  They also provide pizza, drinks, and dessert.  It is mellow and fun - perfect for boys and their mamas.

It was a great night and the boys are already looking forward to attending next year!

Leslie & Joe Visit

Leslie and Joe came to visit for a few days!!

Their first day here we went to lunch at Torchy's (the best taco place!) and my favorite dessert place - Steel City Pops.

They are weird and like to go to different city's Costco's.  I still have to monitor how much I walk so they made me drive the motorized cart. I felt a little stupid but it was worth it!

We went to Top Golf one afternoon.  I think that is such a fun family activity. My younger two boys had never been and they had a blast!

Sutton's method of golf was a little...interesting. However he had a blast and that's all that matters!

I think Sutton really loved me and Keller's kisses. Haha!

All the guys went to Gas Monkey Garage. There were a couple cool cars and merchandise. They thought it was pretty cool.  While they did that, Leslie and I drove around looking at houses (something we both love to do) and visited. It was perfect!

Of course Keller wasn't going to let Aunt Leslie's visit end without her making some of his favorite chocolate chip cookies.  They were delicious as usual!

We were sad to see them go but can't wait for them to come back to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday in a few months!

Mommy Makeover

I have been wanting a mommy makeover (a combination of a few different plastic surgery procedures) pretty much since I had Vance.  My skin just has zero elasticity so everything stretched out and then was forever changed.  Plus because I had twice the amount of amniotic fluid most people have and big babies, my stomach muscles had severe separation that is only repaired by having a tummy tuck.  Without the surgery it would never how much weight I lost, my stomach would always have a significant upper pouch that looked like I was pregnant.  Chad and I finally decided the timing was right with Sutton about to turn 3 and we did it. I still can't believe it!!!

It was an almost 9 hour evasive surgery.  The recovery was rough but luckily not as rough as I had been prepared for.  I stayed one night at the surgery center and couldn't believe I was walking around and standing up straight within 24 hours of surgery.  Hallelujah!

 Once I came home I did lots and lots and lots of sitting.  Thank goodness for recliners!

I watched so much TV I was sick of it. I couldn't really focus enough to read so TV was pretty much my only option.  I alternated between taking naps and watching a show. LOL

Sometimes the boys would just come lay in bed and hold my hand so they could be near me. It was pretty sweet and pathetic at the same time.

 Luckily my friends, Mom, and Chad kept the kids busy. I would've died without all the help!

 We were also so grateful for all the meals my friends brought.  I didn't have to cook for over two weeks. It was seriously a lifesaver! 

Jennie and Rob took the kids for a weekend and it was SOOOO nice. It was a much needed break for Chad and the kids were happy to have a change of scenery. Aunt Jennie was pretty proud of herself for getting everyone ready for church on time. That's no small task!

 They were ashamed my kids hadn't seen Star Wars before so they had a Star Wars marathon. 

The first 7 days were pretty rough and I kept hoping to wake up and feel even a little bit better.  Finally on day 8 I felt significantly better.  Praise the Lord!  It is an 8 week recovery so I am still definitely moving slow and have to be careful not to overdo it. But...so much progress so I'm super grateful!  It takes about a year to really see the final results but I am so happy with them already only three weeks post-surgery.  

I finally feel confident in my own skin and feel like my age again.  It was a long decade of having my body the way it was. In clothes I really don't even look tons different but I feel so much better.  I know it may sound vain but I honestly feel like this procedure changed my life.  Even Chad said if he would've known how having everything repaired was going to affect me he would've paid double and done it even sooner.  I'm so grateful for his support and for thinking I was just as beautiful pre-surgery as post-surgery.  My husband is one in a million!

Hot tubbin'

We always heat the spa up once during the holidays.  It was so cold this year that there was so much steam. The boys thought it was pretty cool.

 I figured maybe we could relax out there for 15 or 20 minutes but we were out there forever. We turned on the lights and brought out our wireless speaker. Then we had quite the dance party. Keller and Sutton would get out, dance until they were cold, hop in to warm up, and repeat it all over again. It was so hilarious!

 As a mom sometimes I think something is going to be awesome and then for one reason or another it just doesn't live up to the hype. Then other times when I'm not expecting it, something special happens.  That's what happened during our evening in the spa. Everyone was getting along so well. We were dancing and laughing and cuddling together.  It may sound corny but it felt like family perfection.  I kept telling myself to be 100% in the moment.  I've been a mom long enough to know the moments where the stars align and everything is so perfect your heart could burst only come along every so often so you better not take them for granted.  I love my little family so much and hope we can always be silly and laugh and have fun together!

Happy New Years

It was SOOOOOO cold New Year's weekend.  It was fun to bundle up and wear clothes we don't usually get to wear but it definitely reaffirmed that I don't ever want to live where it snows. 

 We had the fire going nonstop and did our best to keep everyone entertained inside. We had fun playing Catan with my parents.

  We headed over to the Gooch's house for New Years Eve.  It was just a chill celebration with the kiddos but it was perfect.  We ate and played games and laughed.  

 Dani had wrapped this cellophane into a huge ball with money and candy inside it. They kids had so much fun unwrapping it.

 If you haven't played Wink it's a pretty fun group game.

 A little before 10:00 we got out all of our New Year's gear and did our own little countdown on Netflix.

Welcome 2018!