MK Nature Center Field Trip....

The past couple of months, my friend Melissa and I have been trying to get our kids together once a month to do some sort of homeschooling outing.  This month we chose to go to the MK Nature Center in Boise.  Thankfully the weather was perfect and kids really enjoyed it!  Melissa had printed off scavenger hunts from the centers website for the kids to do ( each at their own level) and brought clipboards for them to use.  At first I didn't know how they would take having to do "schoolwork" while being on a field trip, but to my surprise they were thrilled to pieces to have those papers.  All the kids were so excited, especially Trey and Caleb ( our 4 year olds).  They went from one station to the next hunting down answers....it was SUPER cute seeing 7 little kids walking around with their pens and clipboards.  It was a great time and afterwards we topped it off with lunch at Sonic :).  I am truly grateful to have met Melissa while being stationed here...not only do we get along really well, but our kids do too!! I just hate our time with them was short....but like I told her the Air Force family is smaller than you think and hopefully one day we will be stationed with each other or close to each other again!!  One plus is that she does have family in NC, so we will always have that connection!

Off to answer our questions...

 Michael was telling me about something he had found...so cute :)

Melissa helping the kids with some of their questions....

Michael also wanted to "read" every sign...lol

Trey and Caleb LOVED their scavenger hunts...

Aren't they a "HOOT".. :)

Smiles,
Michelle

Happy 3rd Birthday Michael!!!

This past Saturday was Michael's 3rd birthday!  It was a bittersweet day for me.  I'm very excited that our baby is growing up, that he can now carry on a conversation with me, and that his little personality is just blossoming.  However, he is our last one, so all of the stages he finishes I know we will not go through them again and it's kind of sad....does that make any sense??

This year, we let the kids pick out what they wanted to do for their birthday and Michael wanted to go bowling.  So on Friday night, we all went to the bowling alley here on base and had a great time!!  The smile and excitement on his face were priceless....he really had a blast!!

Michael, you are the best surprise we have ever gotten and we are so thankful to be your parents.  Your smile just lights up the room and you have the funniest little personality!  We love you SO much...Happy Birthday!!

Mothers Day 2011

Each day I wake up and thank God for all the blessings He has given me, especially my amazing husband & 4 children.  I love them more than I could ever put into words & on Mothers Day they made me feel so special.  Here are some highlights!

My gifts...a Digital Photo Frame and an IPod Decking Station/Radio/Charger!

After church, we went to eat at a local steakhouse.  The kids were so excited that they could get a root beer in a bottle...lol

Josh and his mini me

Ethan is a growing boy and the kids menu just does not cut it anymore for him.  He was SO excited that he could order off of the adult menu...his choice steak, mashed potatoes, corn and a side salad! Here he is learning how to cut his steak from his Daddy.

Rachel & Michael loved their pizza's

On the way to church, Ethan videoed Rachel singing to me <3

And then himself.....lol

These smiles just melt my heart...I am truly one blessed Mama!!

Mothers Day Tribute

Before I was a Mom 
Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.
Before I was a Mom -
I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom -
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life
so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

-author unknown

To my children, you have no idea how much joy you have brought into my life!  I thank God everyday that He chose me to be your mother.  I am so proud of you all & look forward to watching up grow up.

To my mother, words cannot even come close to express how much I love you and how I pray everyday to be the mother you are to me.  I love you so much and my children are truly blessed to have you as their Mimi...Happy Mothers Day!

To my mother in love, thank you for treating me as if I were your own daughter.  I couldn't have asked for a better mother - in-law.  Our children are also blessed to have you in their lives too!!  Happy Mothers Day!

To all the mothers out there, here's a tribute to you!!  Happy Mothers Day :) 

Michelle

Friday Favorites..

1. CrockPot

When we first got married I rarely used my CrockPot, but now that we have 4 kids and they are involved in different after school activites it has become my lifesaver!!!  As a matter of fact, I have used it so much that there is a short in it and I've got to replace it!  The main thing I like about the Crockpot is I can put it on in the morning or after lunch and when we get home dinner is already cooked!!  Thankfully, I have found some really GREAT recipes too that my family just loves!

2. Emily A. Clark

I love to blog and read other peoples blogs.  One of my favorites is Emily A. Clark.  She is a home interior designer from NC and I love all the ideas that she blogs about.  If you love decorating and want some great ideas you should check her out!

3. TestTube

I stumbled upon this next favorite while watching QVC a couple of weeks ago.  Now, if you know me well you know that I LOVE receiving things in the mail.  I don't care what it is ( besides bills..lol)...as long as there is something in there for me to look at or read I am one happy gal!  I also love beauty products, but I don't always want to buy something without trying it out.  Well, the Test Tube is the best of both worlds!  Every 3 months a different Test Tube arrives at your door with deluxe sized and some full sized samples of name brand products for you to try out!!  Plus with the QVC special I got a subscription to NewBeauty magazine. My first tube arrived last week and I LOVED it!!!  I've already tried several of the products and will actually be buying some of the full sized versions...they were that good. ! This is what I received:

• Nine Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads
• Two 0.21-oz Doris Dalton full-sized Color Creme Lip Gloss 
• One 0.10-fl oz tarte mascara with 0.23-fl oz maracuja oil
• One 0.1-oz Borghese Fango Mud
• One 0.33-oz Pacifica full-sized solid perfume
• One 0.25-fl oz ProStrong Nail Strengthener
• One 6-fl oz WEN cleansing conditioner
• One 2-fl oz philosophy inner grace shampoo, bath, and shower gel
• One NewBeauty magazine

4. TJMaxx Homegoods

Target is my number one shopping place...love it, but TJMaxx Homegoods is right up there too!  I LOVE that store!!  You can find the best home decor, name brand clothes, purses, etc...all at a discounted price.  The only thing is you have to visit it frequently because you never know what they are going to have.

5.  Out of the mouthes of babes:

Josh is sitting on the floor playing a ukulele...as I'm videoing I ask Michael "What is Daddy playing?" Michael responds: "An old lady guitar."....love it :)


Happy Mother's Day!!!

Michelle