Surprise Sleepover

A few nights ago my friend Krystina and I planned a surprise sleepover for her daughter Kaylen and Charli. These girls have been "best friends" since they were infants. Their birthdays are two weeks apart and they have a special bond between the two of them even though they no longer live close.

This is the first sleepover that Charli has had in this house. So I was nervous at how the Girly screams and late night giggles would go. But they were so much fun and were such a blessing to watch play together. They had so much fun playing on the slip-n-slid and dressing up as nothing other than cowgirls.

It is always precious to me as a Mom being able to watch Charli Beth play with someone that she thinks the world of. I hope that we are able to sneak in a few more days of play before school starts back!

Our 4th of July Adventures

This year we were able to attend a fireworks event at with friends setting up camp at a local fire department. Curtis had to work, so the kids and I enjoyed some all American Mexican food, picked up snacks then made our way over. At first Bryar was a little iffy over the fireworks. He would run and jump in my arms, but by the end of the night he would throw his hands in the air and say, "boom!"

Charli loved being able to play with other kids. She really has been missing playtime with other older kids. She enjoyed about the first three minutes of fireworks, then decides to start trying to hula hoop. I'm glad that she did because it made the greatest pictures. She is at such a fun age and still has zero care in the world of who is watching her.

The next day on the 4th, it rained cats and dogs all day. It was truly a wash out. So we took our cook out and made it a cook in. We enjoyed ribs, beans, grilled squash, potato salad, deviled eggs, banana ice cream, and blueberry cobbler. It was delicious to say the least! Even though we were not able to have our little fireworks ourselves, I was so thankful that Curtis was able to join us for dinner.

Everyone on every social media sight seems to love to complain about fireworks. But I personally think they are amazing. The kid inside of me comes out and I typically run outside with the kids to watch the bright colors fly. It is such a great reminder of how much we all love our beautiful country. Not to mention, people shoot fireworks for maybe a week out of a year, get over it because I am sure they could care less about your Facebook rants.

Weekend Fun.

Curtis has recently had another shift change into his schedule. It is never fun to try to mess up our mix and get a new groove into our nightly routine with the kids. Since he has started working second shift, again due to fabulous budge cuts we seem to see him less and less through the week. But having Saturday and Sundays off is pretty fantastic.

This Saturday we went out for several errands. We ran to the Famer's Market, lunch, library, and to pick up some items for Ranger. That night while Curtis grilled the kids played in the sprinklers. Charli and Bryar both thought it was totally cool to drink from the sprinkler. They would run and chase one another and it was the cutest thing ever. After dinner, we had cookies and watched The Horse Whisper.

It truly was one of those many days where you at at dinner just remembering how blessed your life is. How out of all of things in the world that has happened it has brought me to this very moment; pure happiness. Not that we ever forget how lucky we are, but it honestly is the sweetest reminder.

Big Eater

My two little ones have always been so wonderful about eating. Charli has always been a veggies and salad girl. Green beans and carrots were her choice of meal when she was smaller. Bryar will practically eat whatever we give him but if it is meat, he loves it so much more.

At times people that sit next to us crack up at how excited Bryar gets as his food comes. I suppose our kids get it honest since we love food just as much. Thankfully, lately Bryar has taken upon a new found love for blueberries. Even though they can break the bank, they have been a life saver in more way then one.

Charli on the other hand has became obsessed with ramen noodles for snack or quick lunches. It's so odd yet so funny. She still eats fantastic and is totally ready to try alligator bites and crab legs in Florida.

Hopefully, these silly kiddos will continue to always eat well for us. I can only imagine the stress it causes when one isn't eating well.

Strep Throat, again.

Charli Beth has fell victim to strep throat yet gain. I believe this makes #4 of the year. I really wish this mess would leave her be. My heart hurts to see her feel so bad and to be honest my wallet is selfishly getting tired of the visits to the doctor and pharmacy.

Her fevers typically stay around 99.5-100.5. But we caught this to late in the day to make it to her pediatrician. When we arrived this morning her fever had spiked through the night and her blisters were even more icky. Today was the hardest strep test this far. But after looking at her throat I do not blame her. I feel terrible that she is having to miss Vacation Bible School tonight. She received a speaking and singing part in the end of the week play. We will practice at home, but hopefully they will still let her attend.

Her doctor requested us to see an ENT. Finally... We have an appointment on July 8 but may be changing to another one. There seems to be a lot of opinions on every doctor out there. I seem to not typically be so picky. But when it comes to Charli or Bryar, I assume that I am allowed to be. It will also depend on timing as well. I hope to have her scheduled for surgery (if they pick to do it) before school starts. Last year Char missed a lot of days due to illness and I prefer to not have a repeat year.

Hopefully, by the morning Charli will be feeling much better. We are crossing our fingers that the sickness will skip the test of us as well!

10 Things I Live For; 52 weeks of Blogging

Today I am linking up with From Mrs, To Mama. I may be using some of the same things as everyone else. But we are all Moms. So why would we not? We have the same goals and love our families unconditionally so I have no shame in being a repeat :)

Being a wife is one of me top goals. Some days I may fail miserably but I strive to be that great wife. I want to be the old couple rocking on our front porch, laughing while we reminisce about our younger years. I want to make him happy and give him a reason to smile.

Making memories with my family is one of my favorite things about life. Watching the kids make memories, and thinking "They will always remember this."

Being able to watch my babies grow. Seeing Bryar learn new things, listening to Charli read or solve a math problem, watching her get the reins right with Ranger and making the turn she struggles for.

Good ole' southern sweet tea. Oh my heavens. It's my drink of choice and the sweeter the better!

My favorite time of the year is fall. The cool crisp air, crunchy colorful leaves, Bon fires for s'mores..yes, that is what life is all about. I love Summer months too, but experiencing the Fall days and all the fun memories to make in the fall is by far my favorite.

Arbonne. Not just for our extra income that will help me stay at home with my children, but is all about the self improving that this company is allowing me. The top ladies that come to me, say they are praying for me and are just friendly is what these network companies are all about. It's the friendships, the growth and the positive influence that I love the most.

Being able to stay at home with my children. I have always known that I wanted to raise my children my self. I wanted to be the one to fix breakfast, lunch and dinner for them. I want to read books to them at night, bathe and tuck them in tight. It may not always be this way, but I am so thankful for the past year that has allowed me the moments.

Date nights, are my breath of fresh air. Even though we may rarely get them die to schedules, they are my favorite!

Holidays with families may be included into making memories. But days spent with the entire family, cherishing moments and celebrating the day are always some of my favorite days. It can be with our close family or even cousins, grandparents, uncles and aunts.

Time spent at church is apart of my life that I am falling in love more with as I grow in my Christianity. Being able to listen to a wonderful sermon, and even being able to take the smallest quote from is the greatest feeling. Having a church family to call upon for prayer or hardships. Looking over and seeing your little one so intact to a sermon or seeing what they learned in Sunday School is an amazing feeling for me.

My days may be filled with things that I sometimes honestly roll my eyes about. But most of all my days are always filled with joy as we grow and simply just be a family together.

Ranger

Before we left for our trip a friend of Curtis' that trains horses asked to take Ranger for a week to work with him. We were surprised and could not appreciate the help more. At first Charli was very concerned because she did not understand that he would indeed be coming home. After lots of explaining and tears shed, she understood that this would help him and would help her as well.

John Thomas and his Mom are so incredibly sweet. You can just tell that Charli Beth thinks the world of them both. As she sat next to them on a hay bale last night having horse talks I could not help but to think of Charli as an adult having as much love for horses as she does now.

Ranger with 4 days of riding is practically a new horse. His trot is smoother, his stop is on complete verbal command and he is just not as stubborn. Even though Charli has things to work on with her riding and reins, this will be a tremendous help.

We also learned that he has Western Pleasure in his line. Evidentially this means he could be a great show horse with some extra work. For now, he will coming home this weekend and we are excited to see where he goes from here.

Sin.

We all know that it is human nature to go against God's will at some point or another. We have all lied at some time, or maybe even cheated. But I never knew how deeply it would hurt my so called, "Mommy heart" to see my child hurt by her own self doing.

No, this isn't a big deal. She actually didn't even lie, and she is over the top kind of sleepy.

On the walk home tonight Charli started crying as she looked at the barn. Explaining to me that she did not mean to lie and say that she was finished scoopin' the barn. Oh dear mercy, I just wanted to grab her up right then and there telling her that she never even told me she was finished. I was the one who told her that she could finish up tomorrow if need be, but to still work hard on it. She was incredibly upset an continued to tell me that she was only hungry and that was her reason in stopping.

As we prayed together I listened to her thank The Lord for her blessings and asking for safety of her Daddy, Gunner an Ranger while they are away. How much sweeter can a precious prayer get I though to myself? Then I realized the most precious one of all is when we ask for forgiveness. This hit me hard as I realized that I was in a God moment with my daughter.

I took the time to explain sins as I have in the past then explained how we ask forgiveness as Christians. For her to see that her possible lying could be forgiven and her slate could be wiped clean was such a relief to her tender heart. And yes, Charli Beth does have a tender heart. Even when explaining to her that she cannot just lie and get away with it, that we are human and will make mistakes she seemed to be taking it all in.

As I came to bed still feeling like I am on cloud 9 because I know The Lord is working in her heart I just feel the need to request prayer from every possible aspect. I request that you remember us as we guide, teach and love her. Her family, Sunday school and her vacation bible school that is coming up next week. This is such a precious time and I pray that these moments keep filling her heart.