The Greatest Show on Earth

The month of February is not my favorite month.  Why, might you ask?  Well, let me tell you,  it is typically rainy, cold and yucky here in Atlanta and I do not like that kind of weather.  I do not.  I usually end up in a funk which is code for grumpy.  The month does have a couple nice days...like my birthday and Valentines Day.  Oh and winter break for the girls.

This year, the weather has actually been quite mild and winter break translates into a break for me since there is no school work to teach.  Woo, hoo!  So, this year February hasn't been all that bad.    However, we usually spend winter break in sunny Orlando, and well, for many reasons (budget, old van, etc.) we are staying put this year.  That makes me sad, but we're making the most of it.

That said, we started off the break this year with tickets to "The Greatest Show on Earth."  Or as most know it, the Ringling Bro's and Barnum Bailey Circus!  Unfortunately the Hubs couldn't join us, but Uncle Kris offered to drive us all and so we went (I do not drive downtown and those of you that witness my driving know why).

  Since I was so deprived as a child (hee hee I kid!) and have never been to the circus, I had no idea what to expect.  Let me just say that I was like a little girl again, mesmerized by the show!

We attended the pre-show which was well worth the early departure.  The girls were able to meet a few performers and walk down on the main floor where all the animals would later poop.  And yes, that was my thought as we were standing on the floor. 

The elephants amazed me as they stood on their back lets and even circled around.  It was like Dumbo come to life!  

This is my favorite picture...Rylie took it and I'm thinking she just loved the lady's hair do....I joke!

For our cheap $11 tickets we had fabulous seats close to the floor thanks to Aunt Tamara!

The girls sat entertained the entire time.  I was so proud of them, not because they sat still ( uhh, they should it's not like they are toddlers), but because they never asked for a thing.  I mean seriously, they know I'm not going to shell out $10 for an icee in an animal cup, nor am I going to pay $7 for popcorn.  They were more than content with the granola bars I smuggled in!

cutest dog ever!

I just had to share a picture of our beloved Bella...seriously the cutest dog ever!  All 2 pounds and 4 ounces of her!

loving Daddy

Hope ya'll had a fabulous Valentine's Day...the Hallmark Holiday as the Hubs calls it!  We had a quiet normal day...girls had school at school (I know makes no sense what I just said), I worked at the school and we just had a normal dinner.  Nothing fancy.

However, on Monday, the girls and I decided to surprise the Hubs with a special dinner and decorations.  Since there was no way I could do anything on Valentine's Day (we get home late), I figured we'd do it early and he wouldn't suspect a thing.

So, our plan was to cook shrimp alfredo, decorate the kitchen table, get all fancied up and celebrate how much we love the only man in our house!

We were successful...he was excited and surprised!  It was a fabulous night complete with a dance show from the girls!

the girls picked out all the decorations and worked hard setting the table

Rylie worked hard cutting all those strawberries and kiwi

love that man..yes, I do!

A Little Behind!

Ok, so I realized during one of those recent nights in which I could not sleep, that I never officially wrote down my new year's goals, nor did I take time to jot down my Thankfuls for 2011. Yeah, I know.  It's February 2012.  Well, I'm a little bit behind and, better late than never.

Even though 2011 won't go down as my favorite year, it does deserve some reflection.  So here is my list of Thankfuls:

My salvation that comes through Christ - without it, I don't know how we would have survived this last year of uncertainty!

Thankful for a God-fearing husband and all he has accomplished this last year of craziness!

A beautiful 10 year old daughter that has grown up so much this past year and warms my heart with each sweet question about life.

A sweet, spunky  8 year old that keeps me laughing and helps me remember to treasure the small moments.

And, that God has given me enough...all that we need and some wants along the way.  Thankful that God has carried us and our faith has been strengthened more than ever before.

For 2012 I decided to set some simple goals.  I NEVER, and I say NEVER write resolutions nor do I make lengthy goals.  No reason, really.  I just don't.  That said, I did jot some things down about a month ago that I'd like to try and stick to:

Spiritual:  stay committed to my sweet bible study group throughout the spring and fall
               read one Christian book per month (hey, I hate to read..baby steps here)
              strive for daily quiet time
           
Wife:      pray for my  husband every day
             continually work on communication (I forget that he's really not in my brain)
             atleast try and have a dinner plan for each week (this goes along with reading, I hate cooking and
             shopping for food)
             date night 1x month

Mothering:  daily devotions with girls
             character training, one trait per week from Dugger chart
             figure out a better home school schedule
             praying head to toe each week

Personal:  run 3x week
             blog 3x a week (yea, all ready blew that one)
           

I know that some weeks I'll accomplish my goals and some weeks I'll fall way short.  The point is that I've put them down on paper and am doing my best to accomplish each one.  It's a place to start and I'm perfectly happy with it!

Ice Skating

A few days after Christmas we decided it was time to shower and leave the house...we had been in Christmas PJs for 2 days, really it was time to enter the real world!  Those of you that really know me, know that's a huge deal since I've been known to wake my kids from dead sleep to make them shower!  Anyhoo, we figured it would be fun to ice skate in Centennial Park. 

We had a blast despite the frigid temps and wind.  The girls did fabulous and my dear Hubs blew me away with his skill.  He skated like he had skated his whole life! I mean seriously, did he have to show off and do cool little zippy turns while I did well to just stay upright?  So unfair I tell you!  I, of course, have very little coordination, but I did maintain composure and skate without falling until my dear child knocked me over.

We truly had so much fun!  In fact, I'm hoping to add it to the list of Christmas traditions for next year.  Any maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to skate better than the Hubs!