While We Were Waiting...

It's been a looonnnggg time since we've seen a warm, sunny 75 degree day, but today (and for the next few) we're lucky enough to bask in the awesomeness of fabulous weather.  It's funny how great weather changes people...
So, in the meantime, while we have been hibernating for the past few months, we thought we'd give you a glimpse of what we've been up to while we've been patiently awaiting the arrival of this gorgeous weather...

Back in January, we spent a few days in Tampa with some dear friends...needless to say, we could have stayed there forever.






In February, we celebrated some big birthdays and Kater-tot decided she was done with diapers..completely...zero. none. nada.  Praise the lord. I had no idea that when I bought that box back in December that I would never have to buy another. Not even pull-ups for at night. But then it happened.  Just like that.  (!!!)  

And as Kater-tot hurdled a major milestone, so did her sister...we got the official letter that Bug will be Kindergartener come August.  I can't talk much more about this at this point without getting sappy about my baby...only that I am thrilled for her and so excited for what is ahead...

So instead, we will move on...Bug's new favorite hobby is singing. Everywhere she goes, she sings. In the car, at church, falling asleep, etc.  Unfortunately, I can't say we've got a future 'The Voice' contestant on our hands...God help my ears.  (love her!)  But I will say she provides some good laughs..one of her favorites is 'Moves Like Jagger'...which you all know you dance to when it comes on too...

The girls have turned into teenagers overnight.  I remember writing about how well they got along just a short time ago and how someone warned me it would be short-lived...well...the time has arrived.  From the best of friends to the exact opposite in a matter of seconds.  Granted, it only lasts a few minutes, but wow, I need to prepare myself now for what is to come.  I will tell you the honest truth though, I would not change having two girls for one second.  I love that they have each other...it's something I always wanted and could not be more excited for them to have. 

Officially entered my 'mid-30s' last week.  No complaints. Lots of love. Lots to be thankful for.

The girls baked me a delicious dessert...

While I took a well-deserved (and well-taken!) 'time-out'....

Followed by an amazing dinner with some of my closests....


(minus one, of course!)

A few days later, I worked on my crafty side and came up with this little creation for a friend's little girl's birthday gift...(of course, you can guess where I got my inspiration...)

And to top off the last of those gloomy winter days, we hit up the infamous B&B Circus...I mean, what is more of a kick-off to spring that some elephants and clowns?!


So, there it is...the end of winter-yay!  Spring is going to be the calm before the storm, as this summer has already been almost completely planned out...from Memorial Day to after Labor Day, we only have 3 open weekends....???  Lots to celebrate and lots to look forward to!

What's Yours?

Heights? Snakes? Small spaces? Everyone has one. Mine just so happens to be something that is out of my control.  And today, I came as close to it as I ever hope to be. Call me Dorothy. Yes, sparkle shoes.  I have (and have had since I was tiny) a huge fear of severe storms/tornadoes.  I know-I even feel weird typing it.  Some people fear that they will die in a car wreck. Some fear they will drown. Me? I see myself going up like the evil old lady on the bike with Toto in her basket.  Maybe I just watched the movie way too many times, but every time the sky goes gray, my nerves go crazy. 
They were forecasting 'severe' weather for our area for a few days. I strategically planned our playdate at a friend's house today who has an amazing basement full of cable, bathroom facilities, and lots of entertainment for the kids=thinking ahead.  I didn't put the girls down for naps today in fear that I would have to tear them out of bed and drag them to the basement. I had them watch a movie on the computer while I was glued to the TV/Weather channel all afternoon/evening.  I was clearly out of my mind. 
The tornado sirens went off at 4:30pm...to the basement we went.  Phone, bottles of water, food, candles, flashlights, blankets, baby dolls, and this time, even mementos tucked into my pocket...I was prepared for the worst as I listened to the newscasters declare this was the worst they had seen in over 20 years...

This is not my idea of big fun on a Friday night, but this is where we were for a majority of the evening.  Luckily though, all of your prayers worked, because we were spared...only by a few miles, but most importantly, we are safe.  I will tell you that I was terrified.  More so than I think ever have been before. And I think TOH was actually a little spooked by this one too as he warned me numerous times to stay downstairs and to stop coming up to check the TV.  There was something in his voice that made me know this time was different. Maybe it was the fact that the reporters on TV were saying there was flying debris falling from the sky in our county and people were finding stuff from the state of Indiana in their front yards...

All I know is that I am a girl who was raised in Pennsylvania where there were only 2 tornadoes on record in my 22 years of living there...we've only been here for 4 years and I have been in my basement at least 22 times...and for someone who is beyond scared of this crazy force of nature, that is way more than enough...I would say this is definitely a sign that we need to relocate, right?