Hosting our first Holiday!

Jim and I had the absolute pleasure of hosting our family for Easter this year. We had 13 adults and 6 kids. Luckily since we just moved in, the house was clean but I still had a lot to get ready.

Everything went so well! We had to have the Easter egg hunt inside due to the rain but it worked out great. We had so much fun hanging out, eating, playing the wii, chatting, etc.

I have such an amazing family and they are so easy to host!

Jim and I still have alot to get done but yesterday was an amazing start to many more holidays we would love to have at our house

Who does that?

I am pretty sure I won't be blogging a whole lot coming up here pretty quick. As of yesterday we finally own our house! Tomorrow we receive the keys and then let the fun begin! Floors are coming out first, then paint, then floor moulding, then new light fixtures, then wallpaper, then weinscoating and hopefully some unpacking!!!!

My sister in law Becky is coming on Thursday to help me paint! woohoo! I couldn't be more excited. We are having alot of much needed help coming and I so appreciate it!

Speaking of my sister in law Becky, she created this most adorable apron for Riley. And get this, it was a party favor for my nieces 5th birthday party! Who in their right mind makes aprons as a party favor? My sister in law does! She is beyond talented and can whip up about anything! Most of Rileys hair bows are made by Becky. I have been telling her for about 2 years now that she needs to start selling these things, but with 3 kids, I am sure thats not a huge priority!!

I hope I get a chance to upload some new pics of the work being done on the house, but don't count on it for a while!

I may cry all day...but that's ok!

These are the things I want to cry about today and all are happy tears;

1.I keep getting a vision of Riley running around in a summer dress in our new backyard. She has waited so long to have a yard of her own!
2. My husband felt Avery kick for the first time lastnight. Then he continued to kick his daddys hand for about AN HOUR! Jim welled up with tears, as did I!
3. I have a scratch on my hand, Riley walked up with her Handy Manny plastic screw driver and said, "Mommy, you have an ouchie, I fix it." She then placed her plastic screw driver on my hand as if she was healing me! She has the sweetest soul and I am so blessed to be her mom.
4. A miracle happened in my life yesterday that I have prayed about for almost 20 years. I was reminded of how BIG GOD IS!
5. My husband adores me.
6. I feel closer to God now than I ever have in my life, it feels so good and makes me urn for more!
7. I love looking at my brother playing with Riley. I always knew he would be an amazing uncle but he has blown my mind away!
8. I cannot wait to meet my little boy. I can't wait to play in the mud with him and do "boy things" and then cuddle on the couch with him.
9. I may cry more when I see my husband mow HIS lawn for the first time. He is older than me and has waited a long time for his own house.
10. I have waited my whole life to feel how I do now!!
11. I literally have the most amazing family a girl could ask for. We laugh, cry and fight but at the end of the day we really love eachother.

Thats all for now, I could go on forever but I have lots of packing and daydreaming to do!

A touching moment...

A few weeks ago I received an email from my husbands best childhood friend. It was titled, "An essay about my bestfriend Jim." We had dinner with him a couple of nights before and I was drilling him with questions about what my husband was like when he was younger. You see Jim and his bestfriend have always been somewhat of opposites. When they get together it's like no time has ever passed and they are quick to start reciting movie lines from the 80's. Being that Jim and I are 12 years apart, I never understand what they are talking about, but I have always appreciated how this friend can bring the little boy out of my husband.

As I read the email, I cried. He really was expressing his appreciation over the years for my husband. I already know all these things about Jim but I really loved hearing it from someone else. I knew this was not an easy email to write, sometimes we don't like to seem vulnerable and express how we really feel about someone but what Jim's bestfriend taught me that day was life is too short to not tell the people you love, that you love them!

To my family and friends, I love you guys so much. I appreciate you all everyday and I am blessed to have you in my life!

Sunday...what a great day!

For some reason today has seemed like the longest day ever, in a good way of course! We started out by purchasing a new mattress, ours was over 15 years old! Jim and I have both been waking up with horrible neck and back pains. It was no surprise we needed a new one, I end up in the middle of the bed every night because there was a huge dip in the middle. Luckily, with how the economy is going, we were able to get a really good deal. It will be delivered tomorrow and they even dispose of your old mattress...cha-ching!

Then we decided to do family church and a picnic in the park. We packed a lunch and our bibles and headed to Caper Acres. Today has been the most beautiful day that we have seen in WEEKS! Every body and their mom had the same idea but it was still alot of fun. The kids had a great time and that is all that matters!

We have started a new "activity" at dinner time. I tell Jim and DJ what the topic is going to be and to come up with their answer by dinner time. Here are a couple of questions so far, "If you could ask God one question, what would it be?" and "Who is your favorite person in the bible?"

It has been a lot of fun having something besides the norm to discuss at dinner. DJ has really enjoyed looking forward to what the question is going to be. I think tonight I will have him come up with the question and see what we get! It should be interesting!

Baby Fever

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending my SIL's baby shower. Now, this wasn't your ordinary shower. It was done the Merrill way, with skits, surprises and a lot of fun! My other SIL Becky was the master party planner and let me tell you, SHE'S GOOD!

I was happy to be her side kick!

It definately gave me baby fever but also reminded me of how blessed I am to have DJ and Riley. I think sometimes I take for granted what I already have at home. So, my plan is to live in the moment, appreciate what I have and really live my life to the fullest! When I am gonna start? "I'm gonna start right now!" (inside joke for family members!)

Living The Life

So......I have definately thought about starting a blog for a LONG time but didn't think I would have anyone to read it. I got to thinking, do I really care who reads it? Not really. I am thinking of this as a journal for my children, in hopes that one day they can look back and see how much we loved and cared for them!

These are my stories as a SAHM (stay at home mom) just trying to make it through the day with a smile on my face! Lets see how that works out!