{Freedom}: Honoring our Nation's Birthday!

Head on over to Grace Note Gifts to see how I decorated our front door for the 4th of July!

*Grace*

A {Hot Date} & an {80's Party}

Last night my sweet hubby and I went on our first "hot date" in f-o-r-e-v-e-r....I really think it's the first date we've been on, alone, since Johnathan was about 11months old...so yeah, it's been a while!  We went out and had a great dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse.  And, while we weren't with our own kiddos, we were surrounded at dinner by about 15 7-8 year olds...a local dance troupe and their moms...so there was tons of noise and energy...we just didn't have to get on to anyone!  :-)  It was kind of funny, Aaron and I talked about the irony of being out by ourselves for the first time, hoping to enjoy a "quiet" evening, but instead we were enjoying the chatter and laughter that only little kids can bring, so really, we felt right at home!

After our dinner, we attended an 80's themed party at one of Aaron's friends home.  We shopped for our clothes before our dinner...because really, who has an 80's fashion disaster just hanging out in their closet???  Not me!  Haha!  ;-)

All in all it was a great evening.  Thanks so much to Nana & Papi for watching our sweet boys...we were really able to just have fun and not worry about them because we knew they were in great hands!

 Getting ready to head out to dinner...

...with my super handsome hubby!

Another little handsome man in my life...

...isn't he cute?!!

Yes, an 80's fashion rainbow threw up all over me!  :-)

Back at home and trying to time the picture, lol, didn't quite happen!

Aaron went as John McClane from the Die Hard movies, barefoot, dirty wife beater and all! 

Cheese!  :-)

Have a blessed Sunday, y'all!

*Grace*

The Rat

When you're a mom of boys (or at least a cool mom, lol!) you think differently about wildlife.  The interesting world of worms, bugs and small creatures is something that is intriguing and a part of daily life.  So, today, after chasing grasshoppers (Johnathan caught one!) and feeding ducks it was only fitting, when I saw a smallish, baby rat sort of crawling aimlessly of our our garage, that I should catch it!  Yes, I know that's sort of gross, yes, rodents are pests but my boys were so excited, and I wanted to feed their curious little minds.  And, while I may have screeched like a little school girl during the retrieval process, I came out victorious and the baby rat was caught!

If you think of rats like the cute little one off of Pixar's Ratatouille then really, they're sort of adorable.  Too bad this one can't cook a gourmet meal though, that sure would come in handy!

So here's our new little friend.  We'll keep him around a day or so and then let him go to face whatever his fate is...

Here's to all moms of boys who go out of their comfort zone to please and appease curious little minds!

*Grace*

My Motherhood Mantra

I like words.  That's just a fact.  Words of affirmation is one of my "love languages."  I love getting letters and personal e-mails...although snail mail is still the best!  Anyhoo...lucky me, having word art, subway signs, words on canvas, or any type of words on anything is really hot in home decor right now.
  
SO, the other day I was thinking about the type of mother I want to be.  And I wanted to write down a few key phrases to remind myself of the type of mother I want to be...yes, I am apt to forget that I want to stay cool, calm and collected when my boys are throwing a veritable hurricane of a storm at me!

This is what I came up with:

  For those of you who are into crafts and such, all I did was mod podge some vintage sheet music over an 8x10 blank white pre-wrapped canvas.  Then I hot-glued some vintage anagram letter tiles on top!  Simple, right?!!

GIVE HUGS...I want to be able to give my children the affection and attention they need...Johnathan especially thrives on this, and little Eli loves hugs and kisses too...oh, and they both love their nighttime back rubs and back scratches...it's part of our bedtime routine!

WIPE TEARS...I want to comfort my kids.  I want them to come to me with their troubles, now and in the future and I want them to know it's okay to come to me with anything that is bothering them. 

STAY CALM...I don't want to blow my top, let's just put it that way.  Really though, I want to be able to think rationally and stay calm and peaceful when my kids are driving me insane giving me a lesson in patience!  :-)

SHOW GRACE...I want to show the grace that's been shown to me by our Heavenly Father.  I want my kiddos to see Him through me and I want to make evident to them the abundance of love I have for them, no matter what. 

So, whatcha think?  Any of you moms out there have some words you live by?

Hope y'all are having a blessed week!
*Grace*