Happy Thoughts Wednesday

We are going on a long weekend vacation to Galveston! The guy in this video pretty much sums up how I feel about that. :o) 

I'm not sure insanely excited covers it. The ocean, sand, the breeze that smells of salt...how can you not want to dance?! 

Munch started his very first preschool classes yesterday. 

I don't think I have EVER seen him so excited about anything. He got dressed with lightning speed and had his "pack-pack" on long before it was time to leave.

So proud and happy for him and he had such an amazing first day. Nox even did okay when we left, which I was really worried about. 

I've an kinda an off summer as far as blogging and keeping up with my bloggy buddies go, but I've been brewing some vague plans to get me out of my slump...I hope. :o)

I'm linking up with Ricki!

Happy Thoughts: 7.16.13 edition

Kayla (from Green Mountain Couple) and I kicked off our first Shutter-Bug Sunday linky party. If you haven't joined in yet, it's not too late! We did self portraits to introduce ourselves. Originally, we were just going to do it the 2nd Sunday of the month, but after talking about it we decided every week would be more fun! We might not do a theme every week, but we would LOVE your input and would be SUPER happy to have you come share your photos with us.

Angie at My So Called Chaos did an AWESOME job on my blog. I LOVE it. Everything is so organized and pretty. Thanks, Angie!!

I won a Studio Calico Project Life kit from Design Editor last month and it came in the mail yesterday!! I LOVE it!

Cannot wait to use some of it!

The weather is wonderful at the moment. The rain means cooler temperatures...with highs in the 70s and 80s..instead of 100s. I love the sun, but this break in the heat is MAH-VELOUS!

I'm linking up!

My Happy Thoughts

We had such an awesome weekend. I LOVE long weekends with my family. 

4th of July we went to my mother's for some fun in the water and bbq. 

This pretty much sums it up. 

We didn't see any fireworks. The boys skipped naps to splash and play...which was fine with me. Friday we went to a laser show...and that ALMOST counts.

Saturday we went to Target First Saturdays at the Nasher. Security was a little wacko, but we managed to have fun anyway. 

THEN lunch at the food trucks at Klyde Warren Park, followed by some fun at the playground there. The boys are definitely Texan...the heat was NOTHING to them.  

The boys fell asleep before we had even gone a block, but woke up in time for ice cream.

We had a wonderful, quiet Sunday, the perfect end to the perfect weekend. 

I'm linking up!

My Happy Thoughts

For some reason I'm having a hard time this week...not sure why, there is plenty to be happy about. Just a little scatterbrained. 

Last Thursday we met my sister and a bunch of her friends at Deep Ellum Brewing Co. I've never been a huge fan of beer, but it was lots of fun and some guy at the bar INSISTED that I try their Double Brown Stout...turns out I actually do like beer...NEVER would have thought it would be a stout though. It was such a fun night, it's sad how little we hang out with other adults.

We got a better one, but this one cracks me up.

This weekend I rode the train into Dallas for a girls night with my sister and her friends. We had an amazing time, but it was kinda bittersweet because she's moving soon and I hate that. 

I promise, I am NOT as angry as I look. 

I went for a run. It felt fantastic. I actually decided to just go ahead and give myself a fresh start. Started C25K over and decided that I would start my Mile A Day challenge again. Don't care if it's walking or running, I want to travel at least one mile a day. Feels good. 

I'm linking up!

Happy Thoughts

I'm actually pretty stressed at the moment, but I do have a lot to be happy about...which makes it a little easier.

Munch is almost completely potty trained...as of this weekend. I won't get into details, cause I really don't think anyone wants to read those...but YAY...4 and a half and we are FINALLY FINALLY there. I really thought we would be graduating high school in diapers...

Nox is kind of following suit. We had our first potty success on Monday and another today, but I know we have a long journey ahead of us...baby steps. It would be insanely awesome if I could get them both trained by the end of the summer.

John and I celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary last week. I read somewhere...that while 8 isn't considered a landmark anniversary...it is cool in that if you lay an  8 on it's side it becomes an infinity symbol.
We went out for dinner...and ended up coming home before 10...my mother actually laughed at us. To be fair, Nox has been getting up at 6am...and John did have to work....OR maybe we are just lame in our old age. We still had fun.

I'm linking up with Art at Home!

My Happy Thoughts: Coming of Age

I'm feeling really awful today, so I'm glad I have this list to cheer me up and make me feel at least mentally better. 

Friday was my birthday. My father pointed out that 33 is a hobbit's coming of age, which made me feel happy and excited to turn 33. My sister and I got introduced to J.R.R. Tolkien at a young age, I have super fond memories of my father reading me The Hobbit when I was little. When I was pregnant with Munch, John would read it to me at night while I crocheted. There is something comforting and wonderful to me about all things Middle Earth. Even the bad and scary stuff. 

On Friday I ran 7.65 miles. My personal distance record. Pretty sure I injured my foot, but I am so proud of myself for doing it and it was exhausting, but so much fun.

Again on Friday we went out for my birthday dinner with my Mum, sister and brother in law. The food was awesome, the company wonderful, the kids behaved and it all ended with a lion dance. The whole night made me happy.

Munch pretty much stayed under the lions beard the entire time it was at our table. 

Saturday, John and I headed out to Fort Worth for the Funky Finds Spring Fling. The day was fantastic and I might do a post on it later...but in the meantime, I am so happy that this guy organized it:

not sure why he looks like he's scowling, but I love this picture.

Sunday ended my birthday festivities with a cake and mini birthday party with my 3 awesome guys. I'm so lucky to have them in my life.

I am linking up with Art @ Home

My Happy Thoughts

Sunday, my mother called and offered to take the kiddos for the day so I could have some time to myself, since John was studying all weekend. I got some much needed work done in our front yard. John took a break and we were able to take Kaiser for a long walk/run before picking the boys up. I love it when we get the chance to run together. I didn't get any pictures of the run...so here is some dancing in the kitchen. Which always makes me happy.

and yes...they are wearing Christmas pajamas in March...

Yesterday, I gave our pup the empty peanut butter jar. Never treated him to the jar before, he was thrilled. Extra bonus? The kids thought it was fantastic!! There was an awful lot of giggling.

Linking up with Art@Home!

My Happy Thoughts

My birthday is next week. So my hubby is taking me to the Funky Finds Spring Fling. 

 It's a fun indie arts and crafts fair. Plus the event is free to the public and is family AND pet-friendly. There is also a flea market next door which is fun for treasure hunting. We go every year, but this is the first year we won't be taking the kiddos. Super excited to go.

Last night my husband brought home a surprise lobster dinner. 

I LOVE lobster...seriously would move to Maine JUST for the lobsters...well and fried clams...but mostly lobsters. So, yeah...surprise lobster dinner, made my night. 

Last weekend my mother and little sister, spent the night at The Magnolia in Dallas and had a little girls weekend.  

our view
I'm kicking myself for getting ZERO pictures of my girls, but hoping my sister did. I did have an amazing time with them though and I'm so happy we got together.

I'm linking up with Art@Home. Come share your happy!!

My Happy Thoughts

Two posts in one day is beyond unusual for me, but my new bloggy buddy over at Art @ Home hosts a link party every Tuesday and I decided it would be fun to join in. Maybe I'll get in gear and start posting my PL posts on Monday! I've actually been meaning to join this party for a while. I love the idea of listing the things that are currently making you happy and then keeping it in mind for the whole week. 

Last week I decided we needed to cut down on TV time. It's become insanely ridiculous; I know that it's having a negative effect on the boys, so I decided to change it. So our first step was to cut out TV watching before lunch. It's working well so far. The house becomes a bigger mess and it's certainly louder, but it's better. There are less fights and more imagination. I love it. I want to start doing a in home preschool type thing on days we don't have our Mommy and Me group, so that we are doing something constructive during our no-TV time. Need to do a little organizing and research, but I'm hopeful that this will be a wonderful thing to start. 

Yesterday, Nox and I both had dentist appointments. It was Nox's first visit and he did really wonderfully. He giggled and laughed during the whole visit and charmed everyone in the office. He left with no cavities and all smiles. I'm so proud of him.

 

My appointment, terrified me. I HATE going to the dentist...I drove my husband nuts talking about how much I was NOT looking forward to it. I confess, it's been a while and this was a new dentist I was trying...so even more nerve racking. BUT, it was a really great experience. Everyone was really wonderful, my dentist even complimented my teeth, which was AWESOME. He also told me there was NO reason that I needed to take my wisdom teeth out. I seriously almost hugged him. Several dentists have told me that I need them out...because that's what you do right? But it's insanely expensive, even with insurance and I always thought it was silly to painfully remove something that was never bothering me in the first place.   I know, very few people want to read about my teeth, but seriously, I am bouncing off the walls happy.  

Finally, the garbage men, make my happy list. Not because they remove our trash and recycling each week. (Although, I am certainly grateful for that!) It's because of the happiness it brings the boys, mostly, Nox. He squeals with joy every time he hears the trucks and begs to picked up and raced to the front door to watch. It's the highlight of each week. Munch is completely fascinated by the process. I just love that something so simple makes them so happy. It's such a great reminder to enjoy the simple things.