The Horton House Daily: Week 25

Week 25 is in the books!

Day 169:  I'm loving the new stuff we're doing at work.  I'm trying to get an etsy store open but I've been busy with other orders I haven't gotten to yet. Hopefully by the end of the summer it'll be up and running.  This is a glass cutting board we did as a gift.  I just love the watercolor background.
Day 170:  Lorie, Kristen and I went to see Pitch Perfect 2.  It was so funny.  We had a great time.  
Day 171:  We went to the Moore's to hang out by the pool.  The boys had a nice little cooler picnic. Day 172:  We celebrated all the Dads for Father's Day.  Barrett was so excited to give Patrick the card he made at school.  It was so sweet watching him tell him about it. Day 173:  We met the Kreiders and John and Hope for dinner at the Bright Star to celebrate Matt's birthday.  Barrett did pretty good.  He loves Uncle John.
Day 174:  During nap time I have to recharge with some caffeine.  I try to only have one coke a day and it's usually this time everyday.
Day 175:  This one has been refusing to nap and sleep at night.  It's miserable.  He will sometimes fall asleep on the couch.  Its more about timing than him outgrowing naps.  He still needs one but he needs to be up by 4:00 to ensure a descent bedtime.  Our schedule just doesn't really allow for it so during the week hes just getting a little car nap on the way home.

Horton House Daily: Week 24

Week 24:  Almost halfway through 2015.

Day 162:  We had a day of pool hopping.  We started the morning celebrating Drake's 2nd birthday with a pool playdate, went to work for a couple of hours and then ended the day swimming with Brittany and the Bailey boys at Grammy's pool.  It was a fun day. 
Day 163:  We headed up to the lake for the evening to celebrate Harper's birthday.  I didn't think Barrett would get in the lake so I didn't put his swimsuit on him.  I was wrong and I'm glad I put his puddle jumper on.  He was a little fish.
Day 164:  We went to see Garth again!
Day 165:  Back to the grind.  Monday morning was coming way too fast.  A big adjustment for me with Patrick's new job is there's no cafeteria on site so I have to pack him a lunch everyday. Day 166:  Barrett loves this car.  He's finally getting the hang of pushing it with his feet.  I sat and watched him play all over the backyard.  It was one of those just really perfect parenthood moments.
Day 167:  After the crappy 6 months we've had my best friend Lorie dropped off some treats to help cheer us up.  It was so sweet and thoughtful and we've already eaten all the cookies.  I feel like friendship has been a theme for 2015 and it couldn't have come at a better.  We've been so thankful for it. Day 168:  I feel like every day he looks more and more like a big boy.  He's getting to heavy to carry and so independent.  It makes me happy and sad at the same time.  He's constantly learning new words.  Thankfully he still loves to cuddle!

Garth Brooks: Groupie Status pending

I have been looking forward to this weekend since we bought our tickets a month ago.  We had the best time at the show in Atlanta that we knew we wanted to see Garth and Trisha again.  This time was going to be so much fun because we had a big group going.  I was so excited to get a night out!  We dropped Barrett off around noon on Saturday so we could relax and take our time getting ready.  I told Patrick I was going to start getting ready around 1:00 to which he replied, "It's not the Prom!".  So I pushed it back to 2:00 so I'd have ample time to be looking my best in case Garth and Trisha noticed me. 

Funny story, I saw this dress in a local boutique last month and fell in love with it.  Pink is my signature color.  I didn't buy it because I just  couldn't justify it that day.  I didn't say anything about it, Well about two weeks later, Brittany told me she went in the new boutique and bought a dress.  She was like it's hot pink, you're going to love it.  I was so stinking excited that she'd bought it and agreed to let me borrow it.  It was perfect for this occasion.  It was bright so no one in our group lost me and I'm pretty sure both Garth and Trisha saw it and waved at us! 

Anyway, I love it. It was one of those outfits that I just felt good in.  You ladies know what I mean.  I'd gotten several compliments on the way in and I'm feeling good, then I tripped and almost busted my face.  It was very humbling and I probably needed to be knocked down a notch.

We met at On Tap in Fultondale to eat before we headed down.  We decided to all pile in my car and ride together.  It was fun!

Selfie stick in action.

We got parked and headed in!  But not before some pictures of course.

More pictures to pass the time.  We were told that it was going to be a "hard open" at 7:05 sharp since there was another show at 10:30.  At 7:30 Garth came out.  There was no opening act.  

Jessica took this from her seats.  That bright pink dress by the guy in the white shirt and hat on the second row of the upper deck.  That's us.  Jessica said I was glowing! ha!

After the show we went to Tin Roof with all the young people.  I was looking around wondering why they let so many kids in.  Then I realized I was old.  We had a blast though.  I'd forgotten how much fun live music is.

I was so happy Matt and Jennifer took our last minute extra tickets.  We always have so much fun with them!

A night out with the Hortons isn't complete without a late night stop at Waffle House.  Jessica and I got bumped to another table because we had to go to the bathroom.

So we took selfies.  We ended the night listening to Garth on the jukebox.  (and maybe a little Britney Spears).  It was seriously one of the most fun nights.  After the crappy year we've had it was fun to dance it off.  I want to go again!  I'd go see him every weekend if I could.

The Horton House: Week 23

Week 23 was a good one!

Day 155:  I am blessed with some awesome friends that will watch Barrett for me every now and then just so I can work in peace.  He gets so tired of being at the office with me so I know enjoys getting to play with his friends too.  Jessica let Barrett come play and they had bike races.  Since then every time I tell Barrett "I had fun with you today,"  He replies with "I have fun with Jackson" whether he's seen Jackson that day or not.  It's pretty cute.
Day 156:  This was a Friday and Barrett usually stays with Patrick on Fridays but he went with me for have a day while Patrick ran some errands.  Then we all got to go to lunch together.  It was really a lot of fun. Day 157:  We had another family swimming day at the Moore house.  I'm pretty sure they regret telling me we were welcome anytime. Ha!  Anna, Drake and Johnny  came to swim too and it was a lot of fun.  I love that we have friends that are just easy to hang out with.  The boys get along, the moms get along and the dads get along.  We just mesh!  My friend Carla also came to hang out and then in the evening Matt and Jennifer came. (See I told you they probably have tons or regret.) Day 158:  I got my Nurture Vox Box and I'm so excited to try out all the products!  Be on the lookout for an entire post about these goodies.
Day 159:  This was actually a video of Barrett "scaring" us!  He thought it was hilarious and it was!
Day 160:  Patrick would die if he knew how often I let my tank get this low.  I hate buying gas.
Day 161:  I sneaked out of the house so Brittany could trim my hair and I love it.  I also love that she lives so close now! 

June Goals

It's been a couple of months since I posted monthly goals.  Things got crazy around here for a little while (and I don't even remember what we were doing).  I loved having goals but I was bad at keeping up with them.  I'm back on the wagon so to speak and looking forward to this month. (even though it's already the 8th)

Lazy Saturdays! Since Patrick is home on the weekends for the time being I'm trying not to overbook us.  So far we've done some really fun things and I've loved having the freedom to just hang out.   Garth Brooks! We're going to see Garth again this weekend with a group of friends and I'm so looking forward to it  I'm excited to wear a cute dress and hang out without the kids!   Clean out the garage! Since the big dogs are gone we're trying to get everything cleaned out so I can park in there.  I'm so excited to park in a garage for the first time.  I know it'll great with the heat of the summer pretty much here. Organize Guest Room! When we got new furniture the guest room once again became a disaster area.  I need to go through  all the stuff and donate and consign some things and find a place for everything else. Swim & Sun! My goal is to go swimming once a week somewhere.  Luckily we have friends that have a pool so we've been able to achieve this!  I just want to have fun this summer.  Barrett is at a fun age and I won't say easy but the easiest he's been in a while so we're trying to soak it in!

Memorial Day Weekend

I can't believe I'm just now getting around to writing about Memorial Day Weekend.  (I haven't been very punctual with my blogging these days).   We were so excited because for the first time in 8 years Patrick was off all weekend and Monday.  Friday afternoon we loaded up the car and headed to the lake.  We spent most of Friday night sitting on the deck wrapped up in blankets because it was cool.  Barrett played with my brother's kids and we just had the best evening hanging out and relaxing.

I didn't get my big camera out not one time. Saturday, Jeremy and Jessica came up and hung out before it was time to head over to a friends place for a birthday party.   Barrett pushed that little lawn mower all over the yard.  He and Emory had the best time playing.  We enjoyed hanging out with all our friends and watching the kids play together. 
Another view from the deck at the lake.  The water was too cold for me and the air and breeze were so nice we just sat on the deck all afternoon. We took the pack and play for Barrett to sleep in but I'm afraid we've out grown it.  So he slept in the king size bed with us.  It wasn't too bad.  I just don't sleep as well with him in the bed with us. Sweet Ally enjoyed the breeze so much. It started raining Sunday afternoon and didn't stop, which was a huge bummer.  All in all it was a great weekend.  We stayed long enough Monday to sign Happy Birthday to my mom and eat cake and ice cream and then we headed back home.  I'm so happy that Patrick gets to do some fun things with us this summer instead of being stuck at work.  We're looking forward to many more lake weekends!

The Horton House Daily: Week 22

I can't seem to get these posts up in a timely manner.  Maybe one day I'll actually be organized instead of just making enough lists to think I am and then not following through with said lists.

Day 148:  Barrett was a victim of static electricity that our machine at work puts off.
Day 149:  Family Night Out.  We went to dinner and had the best time.  It's the little things. Day 150:  We had book club at Jessica's out by the pool and it was a blast.  We spent a few hours just hanging out with the girls (and Jeremy but he made margaritas so we didn't care;) ).  Around 5 some of the husbands came and brought the kiddos and we had a blast just hanging out.  It was a simple day but so much fun!  I see a lot more Saturdays hanging out here.  (I'm sure Jessica and Jeremy will be sick of us by the end of the summer). Day 151:  My butterfly bush is blooming!  It's pretty much the only thing that I haven't killed.
Day 152:  My boss got Barrett this awesome tent to have at the office.  Barrett will sit in there and watch Mickey Mouse.  I'm hoping that he will eventually take a nap it in but I'm not sure I'll be that lucky.  I really need him to start napping at the office in the afternoons so I can work longer. Day 153:  We got Barrett this pool for his birthday back in December.  We've decided he's probably going to get a summer toy for his birthday because A.) They're on sale and very cheap. B.)  He gets so much at that one time of the year (first world problems)  it's nice to have something new to pull out at the start of summer that we didn't have to spend a fortune on.  (Is it me or are May and August the most expensive months of the year?)  Day 154:  I was having a bit of a pity party because I felt like everyone I knew was on vacation.  So Jessica and I took the boys to the splash pad to play after work.  It was a complete zoo.  There were so many people there.   (I don't mind all the people, what I mind is the parents that bring the older kids and then just nap in a beach chair in the shade and don't watch them or make them behave.  I don't have a problem with bigger kids being there I just wish they would watch where they are running.)  After the splash pad we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner since our husbands were working and neither of us wanted to cook. Week 22 was a good one.  We're loving Summer so far and looking forward to a lot more days in the sun!

All Dogs Go To Heaven: Part 2

As you know we about a month ago we lost our lab Gracie.  We knew Sam would be heart broken without her.  We were afraid he would go downhill fast and we were right.  31 days after he lost his best friend, Sam passed away.  It was heart breaking to lose him but it was also heart breaking watching him mope around without her.  When he realized she wasn't coming home he quit eating.  He would eat bread or scraps but he wouldn't eat much else.  He didn't want to go outside.  He just laid by the garage door.  He didn't get excited when we came home.  He was just there.  You could just tell he was heart broken.  It was pitiful.

Patrick had Sam before we got married and he was the best dog.  You could just open the garage door and he went straight to the fence.  He didn't get out of the fence and if he did he just went to the front and sat on the front porch.  He was the best guard dog.  He never barked and if he did you'd better get up and see what was going on.  He was huge! When Gracie had her puppies he was a nervous wreck.  We had to make him sleep outside because he made her so nervous.  He was so sweet with her and the babies. He didn't like hot weather at all.  In the heat of the summer, when you opened the door for him to go out if it was too hot he would just look at you like you had lost your mind if you thought he was going out. He loved the lake too.  He didn't get to go as many times as Gracie.  He would swim and swim until he could barely walk he was so worn out.  Then he drag himself up to the deck (or where ever the most people were gathered) and shake of all the water.  As you can imagine, no one enjoyed that.  I will miss his sweet face that was always happy to see me. In his younger days he would chase a tennis ball for hours.  In his later years he would chase it once and then look at you like you're an idiot if you though he was going after it again.  He loved us fiercely.  He was the definition of loyal.  He was the best dog.  I'm sad that Barrett wont remember what a great dog he was.  We miss him and Gracie so much.  But life goes on.  We hold on to all the memories we made together and we're comforted that they didn't have to live long without each other.