happily ever after

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A Cozy Day

It rained yesterday. But it was all cozy inside. Dave went to work with Dad for the day and I got Calvin all to myself. Love that boy.


While I was taking this photo, the cat snuck inside the house and we didn't find her till later that night, apparently Calvin had been hiding her and snuggling with her while he did his school work. Stinker. Calvin, not the cat, the cat is adorable.

I had to do a major grocery shopping run, so I drove to my old Target, got myself a Pumpkin Spice latte and loaded up the buggy. Then I went on a drive, enjoying the rain, my coffee & some old familiar territory. Miss this place.


Last night Sweetie & I were craving vegetables. So along with our chicken cassoulet I cooked up some brussel sprouts. Oh my goodness, such yumminess.


Monday, October 15, 2012

River Walk

After a long week of Sweetie working really hard and me missing him terribly. Just the two us got away on Saturday morning for a little walk along the River Trail.


I absolutely love fall, but I appreciate it so much more now, after enduring long hot and humid summers where the evenings and mornings are just as sultry. Now I get to enjoy the cool crisp morning air of fall and the cool breezes at night.

It was so beautiful this particular morning...


The sad part was that I had to go potty at the 1-1/2 mile marker and had to turn around and 'very fastily' hasten back the 1-1/2 to where the bathroom was. Our new rule, Dena must go potty BEFORE we start on our walk. Nice.

We had football in Greensboro on Saturday night, Dave got a spankin' but he did get to be running back and made a touch down. We were all frozen by the time we left, but we got to enjoy a yummy pizza dinner with some precious friends in front of a cozy fire at a hole in the wall restaurant. Too fun.

Sunday was church, a cookout on the green with our small group & a precious Lord's Supper meeting in the evening.


This is my guys, on the way out the door for church. Dave is wearing Sweetie's shoes and Sweetie is wearing Calvin's pants. I just thought it was too funny. (and Dave's hands are blurry cuz he was in a rubber band shooting craze. Goober.)

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Where I Work


I get the joy of working from home. For my husband, the cutest boss ever. Our office is tucked away in the furthest upstairs corner of our home. It's a small room, but it works. And I work.


I forget sometimes how cozy it is in here. How much I love the sunlight that comes through the window. How great it is that I can play my music and just get focused and get things done.


Working in here is my husbands love language. It blesses him to no end when I get things done for him. Right now he's working REALLY long days, so anything I can do to lessen that burden is good.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Pretty Day

After three days of it being overcast and rainy and cold we woke up yesterday to SUCH a beautiful day. It was GORGEOUS!


Please excuse the Staples truck in the picture, I never claimed to be a 'good' photographer.

Had to take Dave to Spanish this morning, Calvi was helping someone move, he's becoming quite the professional furniture mover. But while driving to class, I look over and saw what my Dave was doing....


I've never heard of someone using their laptop in the car. This boy was determined to not lose any time getting his school work done. Genius.


And while driving I saw my dream dog. Tried to ram the car, just so I could steal the dog. Dave advised me not too. Isn't he just so cute. (The dog, not Dave.)


I got a new hat at Target. Isn't it just uber cute. Love the wearing of the hat.


After picking the boys up from class, we took advantage of the pretty day and went to lunch with a dear friend and then ran to Target. This is what Calvin thought he needed. Wow. (But dang he's handsome with his new haircut.)


And I made the first apple pie of the season to take to small group. And that would be my Grandma's rolling pin. Haven't used that thing since I was a kid. Pretty cool. And the pie was epic. And the time with our small group was precious.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Randomness


This would be Dave during warm-ups before the game on Saturday. You can't tell very well with this picture what he's wearing. Starting at the bottom. Green cleats. Bright purple tall socks. White pants. Yellow & blue jersey. Hot pink arm bands. Such a fashion statement. Clearly we don't have enough uniform regulations in this league.


Monday morning found the boys back to school work, much to their delight.


We got a LOT of rain on Monday and some frigid temperatures. I found this bug in our driveway. These things drive me nuts, especially when I see them in the house. ESPECIALLY when they decide to hide in my clothes and crawl across my belly at 6am when I'm trying to get dressed quietly!


Decided to surprise the boys with a Sonic Run yesterday. Very happy boys.


A few weeks ago I finally did something to the big plain wall in the sunroom. With the idea from my Mama, this didn't cost me a thing. I found the mats and frames in storage. I love projects like that. They are different Currier & Ives prints. I love Currier & Ives prints.


While the boys were at football, this is what I got to cuddle with while watching my TV shows last night. Ok, not exactly cuddle, but every now and then he'd let me pet him with my toe. Such a nice doggie.


My poor sweetie works such long days. He finally came down from the office around 9pm. This is us, Sweetie cuddles better than the dog.

I'm trying to get better at taking pictures of our life throughout the day, mostly for my sweet parents that miss us, but also because I'm a lousy scrap-book-maker.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

insecurities & fears

please tell me i'm not the only one.

it lasts about a week.

every month.

around the same time.

little thoughts start creeping in.

bad thoughts.

fears.

i have a precious family. lots of precious friends. a precious church.

and yet, at these 'times' all that is forgotten and i'm left in a heap of my sinful thoughts and fears. insecurity takes over.

i can see it coming. i'm aware that it's going on. but not until i'm in the middle of a bad decision does it finally make me pause and fall to my knees.

i was reminded this past Sunday of just how important it is to take every thought captive and instead of comparing it to the world, compare it to the scriptures and what God would say about it.

you'd think after so many years of months of these 'times' i would learn. so thankful for a God that gives mercies, new every month. and friends that love me through them.

Friday, October 5, 2012

what we've been up to lately

we've been on school break, so nice. the boys have played with friends a lot...sorry, 'hung out' with friends, A LOT. sweetie was gone for a whole 7 days, boo. i watched the two seasons of downton abbey, AGAIN...ah the wonderful bliss that is Downton Abbey! while on break the boys have gotten to work with sweetie a little bit again. and i got a text mid-day yesterday from dave saying that dad was being mean to him, i told him it was dad's joy to get to harass his sons, don't steal it from him.

(sorry it's all grainy, i was trying to not disturb this precious moment. the baby was glad to have his dad home.)

calvi is learning the guitar, started in the spring, he's pretty good now, love to hear him practice. apparently he plays at night when dave is trying to go to sleep, such a nice big brother.

(me being glad that sweetie is home. us playing footsies over our morning coffee.)

dave lost ONE of his cleats for football, seriously, that kid, how does he lose ONE shoe, ugh. football hasn't been as exciting this year, i don't know why, sweetie could probably explain it better than me. calvi has had several weekends of double-headers, which is un-heard of in football...but he's a trooper. dave hasn't gotten to play as much since he's moved up to jv as apposed to being in the youth league, bummer, of course with only one shoe, you can't expect the coach to use him much. goober.

(while taking dave clothes shopping, i was VERY bored waiting for him...apparently the only thing i know how to take a picture of is my feet.)

we are trying to win the 'yard of the month' sign in our neighborhood. we are trying really hard. though right now there could be monkies living in the yard, someone needs to mow. and i threaten each month to go steal that sign and put it in my yard. i think we might just make our own sign 'almost as good as the yard of the month'. i wonder if i staked winston in the front yard if it would help our chances. i think so.

(just started reading this book, love it.)

work has picked up for both companies, and we are thankful once again. we are also thankful that God has blessed us so much during this economy downturn, though we have lost much, we have also been able to stay afloat and have paid off so much business debt so far and we know it is all because of His many blessings. so thankful.

we've joined a co-op this year. this homeschoolin' mama hasn't ever done a co-op because that means i would have to help teach something, and let's face it, i would only be qualified to teach recess or snack or NAP! well, since the boys are now in high school (calvin is a junior and dave is a sophomore) i needed extra help with their classes and a friend totally talked me into joining her co-op and promised they wouldn't throw me into anything too heavy my first year...yeah, i'm doing Chemistry. seriously people. well, i grade a bunch for the other classes, i help in elementary art (which means i'm taking an elementary art class) and i'm in Chemistry. but we finally found one of the dad's that's all mr. smarty pants to come in and 'teach'. all i have to do is all the administrative stuff, whew, that was a close one. and we are LOVING this co-op. such precious peoples. and the boys have such a heavy work load, i finally feel like i'm doing right by them and they will be fully prepared for college. hopefully.

(another try at instagram, a self portrait. awkward.)

i have spent good quality time organizing areas around this home and have been having so much fun doing it. i will show you all that later on. i'm sure you're just beside yourself in anticipation.

now it's time to get going on my day of getting dave to do his chores and me just over seeing from my easy chair with my cup of coffee in hand. wish me luck.