This year some friends of mine and I got together and conspired to do something fun for our husbands who were all graduating this May.
It was a surprise for the boys and fun for us girls.
It was kind of my anniversary gift to Garran as well because we didn't really have a chance to do much on our actual anniversary.
Here we are on the way to the surprise!!
Can you guess where it is??
That's right...Downtown Chicago. A dinner cruise out on Lake Michigan.
I mean, look at this view while we got to sit and enjoy a wonderful meal and good company!
It was the perfect night. It was nice weather and clear skies.
As you can tell, I just kept snapping pictures fo the awesome skyline view.
Our group as the boat was heading back into the dock.
Garran and I!
I just love this picture.
This one too.
When we got off the boat, Navy Pier was all lite up. I thought it looked so pretty.
We had the most delicious virgin strawberry daiquiris on the boat. The were so good we were talking about them the next morning.
One of my favorites of the night.
Happy Anniversary and Graduation Love!!
You are an amazing man and I love you dearly!!
Oh and I could not forget Phil.
I promised him I would not put this on facebook, but my blog...Well that is a different story.
There was a dance competition on the boat and there was a teenage girl that had signed up. The DJ was randomly selecting songs and this girl got "Single Ladies". She was obviously shy and the DJ asked if anyone wanted to go up and be her back up dancer. Of course Phillip jumped at the chance.
Sweet because my in-laws came to visit for the weekend and help us prep the house for the move.
Bitter because we will be moving farther away from them and other family.
That part of moving is never easy.
We got a lot of painting and work done.
We took a quick break to snap a picture. I am always forgetting to get in the picture, so this time I had Garran take one.
Of course I wanted a picture with Grandma and Grandpa and all the kiddos.
We really appreciated all the help Garran's parents gave. We painted and cleaned, hung blinds.. We got a lot done.
And of course on Mother's day, I wanted a picture with me and my babies. They are all getting so big. Not really babies any more. But oh how I love them all.
Happy Mother's Day
to
my mom, garran's mom, and all the other wonderful moms I know.
The other day, I was doing laundry and she said that she needed to go potty. I felt her diaper and felt what I thought were hard little poops. I said "Let's just go change your diaper" but she refused. She insisted on using the potty. So in frustration, I agreed. I took her in the bathroom to take off her diaper and this is what I found.
GROSS- I know.
Ayla discovered a new pocket.
She did end up going potty on the toilet.
And in case you are wondering...Those starburst ended up in the trash.
On Saturday I had the opportunity to go and volunteer at Special Olympics with the youth from our church.
Here they all are before we got started for the day. We were working at the soft ball throw, doing different things. I was in charge of getting them organized to receive their awards.
Three of our sweet girls!
These two women are the other leaders I work with over the youth. They are great ladies and I will miss them a lot when we move.
The whole day was just awesome. I really enjoy working with Special Olympics and getting to know the athletes. I really hope that I have the opportunity to do it again sometime. It really was an amazing day!
Ed and Stacy stopped by for a quick visit as they were passing through on their way to the airport. So we got to have dinner and visit for a little while. It was so fun getting to see them and visit with them. We always enjoy their company. It was the last chance we had to get to see them before we moved so I was so grateful they took the time to stop by and say hi.
I am sure we will see each other again...It will just be a little bit longer drive. But well worth it!
Last week Cullan's class went to the zoo and I went along as a chaperone.
It was a cold and a rainy day. But we tried to make it as fun as possible.
Here is Cullan hanging out by the giraffes.
They were all inside because it was so yucky outside that day. They had a new baby that we were all excited to see.
This guy was just reaching up to have a little lunch.
Cullan and his new friend smiling for a picture.
We hung out with another mom and her group as we went around the zoo. The kids were so good.
Here they all are hanging out by the polar bears.
Cullan and I hanging out after lunch. Trying to stay warm and dry.
Cullan as a peacock.
I love all the color on these birds.
The kids got to check out this cool shell and touch it. It was pretty interesting.
Then they all hoped on this boat to check out a video.
Some turtles...just hanging out.
Cullan with some extra long arms... with some help from his friends.
Cullan by a waterfall. You just cant see the waterfall. :O)
The camels were the last stop...
then on the bus and off they went to head back to school.
It was a really fun day despite the yucky weather. I feel so lucky when i get to go on field trips or do things at school with the kids. I always really enjoye it.
I love the saying "the best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother". My husband does an amazing job of that. I am truly married to my best friend. We laugh often and try to see the best in every situation, or at least find the humor in it. We have four beautiful children. Cullan (7) Kael (6) Briea (3) and Ayla (2). We are currently living in Illinois while Garran attends Grad School. He is a talented print maker and is enjoying his time here. He has a website if you are interested. www.garrangillespie.com
Right now we are living every day to the fullest and trying to have as much fun as possible along the way!!
“Your journal is your autobiography, so it should be kept carefully. You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in any other life. … “What could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?” Elder Spencer W Kimball!
I need to read this every morning!
"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."
