April: That was quick...

Well, April was a bit of a blur.  It's been fun, I'm just not sure how it went by so quickly.  Last you heard from me was Easter and then a promise to keep up my Wednesday Weigh-In posts.  Well I had good intentions but I lost my phone and that pretty much consumed 2 weeks of my life.  Let's back up... The first full weekend of April was kicked off by witnessing two of our best friends get married!  Several months ago they'd asked my dad and I if we would be their "day of coordinators".  We were so excited to get to be a part of their big day!  We had the rehearsal dinner Thursday night.  Of course Barrett had a baseball game and Patrick was on call.  I was so afraid he was going to get called out during the game.  So, Jeremy, Jessica and Jackson came to watch the game and take care of our kids if Patrick got called in.

We were coordinating in black and white.

Sweet friends!

I love these three so much!

Since Patrick was on call he couldn't take the day off on Friday.  (The wedding was on Friday.)  I had to be at the venue all day with my dad.  So my mom had to take a day off work to watch my kids.  I'm forever grateful that she is always willing to help me, even when she has to burn a vacation day.  Dad and I had a few tasks we were in charge of but we were mostly there to make sure everyone else got there on time and did what they were supposed to do.  We'd been there about an hour when our first little crisis occurred.  The florist called in a panic because her flowers had started to wilt.  We told her to bring what she could and we'd figure it out.  It all worked out.  Then I broke a frame.  So I had to run to Hobby Lobby to get a replacement.  We got the halos hung from the ceiling.  The next thing we knew guests were arriving and it was time for the ceremony. 

The wedding was at The Barn at Shady Lane.  It is a beautiful venue and the owners are so easy to work with.  They are so sweet and you can tell they really enjoy what they do.

We had a blast at the reception.  I ended up losing my phone.  I'm not sure what happened but it's gone.  I just knew it would turn up in something but it never did.  I'm afraid it got thrown away.   Other than that it was a beautiful night!

The next week I had to register Barrett for KINDERGARTEN!!!  How in the world is my baby going to kindergarten next year?  It's just not even fair.  We met the Moore's at the school and I'm pretty sure someone was taking notes and there's no chance they will let Barrett and Jackson end up in the same class.  

AveryAnn and Millie are still best friends.  Much to Millie's dismay.

Patrick got a new grill.  He is so proud and we've already gotten a lot of use out of it.  One afternoon the weather was just perfect and we were grilling and the kids were playing in the yard. When I was younger and dreamed of having a family, that moment was exactly what I imagined.  It almost took my breath away because it was perfect.  

He is so proud!

Late on April the 12th my new nephew Brooks was born.  We were so excited to meet him!  We tried to beat the rush and went to the hospital Friday morning around 10:30.  Barrett was so excited, AveryAnn didn't care much until I held him and then she wanted to hold him.

Then we went to Aldi and they were so excited because they can sit side by side in the buggy.

Barrett has been whining saying he didn't want to sleep by himself at night.  So one night out of desperation I told him he could sleep in AveryAnn's room the next night.  I'd hoped he'd forget, I don't know why I thought this would work.  He did not forget.  SO the next night I found myself making him a pallet in the floor.  And he slept in there all night.  And he's slept in there every night since.  I don't know what to do.  She's still in the crib and I'm not ready to give that up.  Two beds won't fit in either room but I feel so bad with him sleeping on the floor.

I got to drive the Red Ranger to school one day.

Our ballpark is completely volunteer.  So each week a team has the responsibility of cleaning the restrooms.  So our moms tackled those while the boys practiced.  

It wasn't nearly as bad as we were anticipating.  I can't tell you how thankful we've been for the team we're on this year at the park.  We've had nothing but good experiences and its been so much fun!

AveryAnn pulled this chair right up beside her and put Millie in it so they could watch Mickey Mouse together.  

We've also been playing a lot of baseball!  Barrett mostly plays in the outfield but he get's to play catcher some too.  The other night he squatted down just like a catcher and it was so cute!  

He also finally got his first hit last week!  We were so excited!  All of us!  It was so sweet to see everyone cheering for him!

Last weekend was the Magnolia Festival in Gardendale.  We had the best time.  Barrett was so excited to ride everything.  He ended up going back on Saturday with my mom and rode even more!

We also got to love on Baby Brooks Saturday morning!  

Barrett and Jackson had the best time Saturday!  Jackson even told one of the workers he needed to move so he could sit by his brother.  

This girl has become quite the shoe thief lately.  But she's so dang cute!

So there's April in a nut shell.  We're looking forward to these last few days and gearing up for May!

Wednesday Weigh-In: Week 13 & 14

Ooops, I did it again.  I ate sweets and couldn't stop.  I've avoided the scale and I'm pretty sure I've gained those same 5 damn pounds again. I didn't weigh in today because I just don't need that negativity in my life right now.  I have a crazy busy week this week and I haven't been able to go to the gym at all.  I'm itching to go but I just haven't been able to work it in.  So is life.  I feel like I'm at a bit of a crossroads.  I've been obsessed with a number on a scale.  I've got about 15 pounds of excess weight I need to lose according to my last body fat analysis.  I've felt a little hopeless with that number and haven't been doing what it takes to make it move. I'm trying not to get down and frustrated but its hard. 

When I start to feel discouraged, I usually pull up a comparison shot and realize how far I've already come.  I'm so proud of how far I've come.  I really do want to feel good.  I can tell I've been eating like crap lately, but I can't make myself not eat the pie at night, or the Reese eggs.  I took almost all of our Easter candy to Barrett's classroom today to get it out of our house. (The teacher asked us to bring candy because they were almost out)  I've been better this week.  I'm really just trying to make better choices every meal, every day.  I know it's worth it.  I just have to keep reminding myself. 

Thanks for hanging around for this rambling post. 

Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend spending time with family celebrating Easter!  Last week was spring break here but I had to work so Barrett went to school 3 days.  We went to the park on Wednesday and then Friday we went to the zoo.  We were supposed to meet some friends but they had to cancel at the last minute and I'd already told the kids we would go so off we went.  It was a little cooler than I was planning for and a little crowded, but we had a fun afternoon.

Barrett still likes to ride in the stroller.  So he just held AveryAnn and it worked out perfectly.  She wouldn't ride unless he was holding her.  They were so sweet together!

This area by the predator house was so pretty with the wisteria blooming.

We had to ride the carousel.  AveryAnn won't ride on an animal but Barrett loves it!

She wouldn't take her eyes off Barrett.

I took this picture to send to my friends saying "Just hanging out with all our friends at the zoo!"  Just a little passive aggressive. Ha!  We came home after the zoo, cleaned house and got ready for the weekend!

Saturday morning we got up and headed to the Easter Egg hunt at church.  The Knights of Columbus has been putting on this egg hunt for as long as I can remember!  We went every year as kids and it's one of my favorite memories.  I love getting to take my kids each year!

John, Hope and Madelyn joined us!  Madelyn was a pro!  AveryAnn was just there for the jelly beans.

 

The best picture I could get of my two bunnies!

I love these people so much!  The days are long but the years are so short! 

After the egg hunt at church we headed to my grandmothers for lunch.  The little kids hunted eggs and we just sat out and enjoyed the beautiful weather!

We came home and picked up the house to get ready for the Easter bunny to come!!  I was in the kitchen and I heard the kids giggling, when I walked in I saw them snuggled up together.  They really are so sweet together!

Barrett got up while I was having my quiet time Easter morning and he was just beside himself that the bunny came and brought him a basket.  It was so sweet!

The bunny really worried because there wasn't anything they could really play with right away.  It was mostly necessities.  They each got a swimsuit, sandals, sunglasses, an activity book, a mashem and candy.  Barrett also got some camo binoculars.  But you would have thought it was filled with gold.  He was so excited!  

He happily posed for a picture before he dug right in!  

AveryAnn slept a lot later than Barrett and she still wasn't very excited when she did get up!

We all got dressed and I tried to snap a few pictures before we left for Mass. 

He was so proud of that bowtie!

They had to wear their new sunglasses and AveryAnn would not let us take her new flip flops off. So she wore them to church. 

I know I'm biased but I thought they looked so sweet.

After church we headed to my mom and dad's house for lunch.

We got a few family pictures.  My dress is actually my moms.  I've always loved it so much, it finally fits this year so I decided to wear it today.  I need to find a good picture of her wearing it too.

Mom was insistent she get a picture with all the grandkids.  AveryAnn was having none of it.  Today is also my parents 41st wedding anniversary.  Yes, they got married on April Fools.

We left there and headed home to recharge before dinner at the Horton's house.  Patrick volunteered to rock AveryAnn back to sleep after she woke up from her car nap.  Please notice there is no baby in this picture.  She never went back to sleep.  She cried when I walked by so I got her out of his lap but he never budged.  I think he's the only one that got any nap today.  

It was a beautiful weekend celebrating our risen Lord.  We've got a busy month leading up to our anniversary trip so we're gearing up for that!