I know I'm leaving out many moments from our month because I can't remember them all. Thank goodness I took some pictures or I'd probably forget everything considering I can barely remember yesterday!
We had a great time at my niece Jayna's Tinkerbell themed birthday party! Gavin sure is cute with his Peter Pan hat and freckles.
I made her a crayon and notebook holder and a little purse. She loves Tinkerbell so I used everything Tinkerbell for her gifts.
Aryn turned 14, and just like all Broadhurst girls, she is 14 going on 20.
She reminds me of a toddler trying to assert independence. Like when she wanted to start drinking out of a big kid cup with no lid, without my help. I'd try to help get it to her mouth but she would fight to have control of the cup and pour the drink all down the front of her! Let's just say Aryn's been making some messes as she proclaims her teenage independence. Nothing too horrible, just learning experiences for her and for us, her parents.
We are so excited about all the new things this year brings for her. She started seminary this school year and enjoys going every weekeday morning. She will attend her first youth dance at church in September. She also moved up to Mia Maids in Young Women so she is no longer a newbie.
On her birthday we gave her Little Big Planet 2 and Jordan gave her lots of her toys as gifts. She spent the day shopping with grandma. She had lunch out with grandma and grandpa. Then she and Natalee went back to the grandparents house to spend the night.
Jordan has been taking balls of yarn and my crochet needles and "knitting" (shoving in two needles and moving them around.) I tried teaching her to crochet, but her little hands just couldn't do it. When we were out shopping I found the potholder weaving loom. Aryn and Natalee loved making potholders when they were little, so I picked one up for Jordan to craft with. Natalee helped her learn how. It entertained Jordan for a little while, then Natale made potholders until she ran out of the fabric thingys.
Natalee enjoys paper crafting almost as much as I do. One night she was bugging me to craft, but it was later in the evening and I was not in the mood. She just had to make something so I told her to come up with a project on her own. She decided to make an animal bag similar to the bunny and reindeer ones I made. (Click on the links to see my versions.) She decided to make a hippo. Didn't she do a great job? It's so cute! I love having a crafting buddy in the family.
We were finally able to get new flooring for the house. We do not like carpet, so we are super excited for the laminate wood flooring!
After John pulled up the carpet he let the kids draw on the cement floor. They had the best time. They wrote things like 'Hi' and 'The Ricks Family 2011.' Then Natalee decided to write on the 2 stains what caused them.
I spilled about half a gallon of yellow paint right after we moved in. I cried and cried as I scrubbed the carpet until my knuckles bled. I joke I cleaned it with my blood and tears, but it is kind of true. I was able to get it out of the carpet enough that no one ever noticed a huge yellow stain! The other stain is a water stain from when Gavin took a long shower with the curtain open. Water started pouring through the vent in the ceiling like a water fall. I called the plumber right away just to find out it was Gavin. He is no longer allowed to shower anywhere but our shower with the glass door. No water can get out to flood the bathroom.
Jordan followed John around "helping" him.
She's so cute!
Before and after pictures of the floor coming soon.
I had a random uplifting moment amongst all the chaos around here. I sat down alone at the table for a bowl of cereal. I sat there staring out the back window looking at yellow flowers growing against the fence butterflies and blue skies. I was listening to my channel through Pandora on the cellphone and I Know That My Redeemer Lives started playing. It was such a great start to my day.
After we got the flooring all put in, John helped build my new desk for the craft room/ school room. I say help, but I just drew up the plans and he did all the building stuff. It turned out exactly as I imagined. I love it! It is taking a while to get it all organized like I want but it is coming together. Here's a peek.
I still enjoy searching all the great ideas and inspiration on pinterest.com. I've used a few of the ideas and recipes I've found. John jokes with me all the time saying, "is that another idea off of that pinning thing." The answer is usually yes. Hahaha.
One of the new family favorites is the premade smoothie kits I found on pinterest. The kids really like being able to make a smoothie anytime they want.
John and I celebrated our anniversary August 22nd. He gave me beautiful red roses and the perfect card. The card read,
"When we got married, we took each other "for better or for worse"... But I assure you it's been so much for the better! Of course we've had our days, like any couple. But being married to you has made my life so overwhelingly good. With you, I always know I have someone who understands and knows me by heart...someone who makes the good times better and the tough times so much easier to bear.You're simply my best friend, and I can't imagine what life would be without you. Marrying you was the best thing I ever did. And I'd do it all over again."
Perfect, right? John and I were talking about our relationship and how we can truly appreciate the wonderful thing we have together because we both endured bad marriages before we found each other. The happiness we have together is so amazing. We are so blessed!
I had another birthday! John planned a wonderful surprise get away for the two of us. I had a wonderful weekend celebrating my birthday and anniversary with my sweet husband. We stayed in a nice hotel just outside of Nashville, went to the movies, ate out at many of my favorite places, and shopped until we dropped. We didn't worry about time or schedules. It was the perfect escape! The best part was that it was just us, all alone, holding hands, talking, laughing, and just being together. I love him and the amazing relationship we share!
I enjoyed our weekend away but I was sure excited to see our kids! I missed them. I love our sweet family and all the fun we have living our life together everyday. We are always laughing at our weirdness and craziness. We've decided if we weren't crazy, life would be boring. Aryn says, "only in our family," all the time. It's great!
I guess that catches us up. Thanks for stopping by to see what we've been up to at the Ricks home.
1 comment:
So productive! I enjoy reading about what you all are up to. I LOVE Pinterest too! I think a bit too much. :) Glad you were able to get your new flooring and loving the looks of your new desk! I guess I need to look on your pinterest boards for the smoothie kits.
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