Time Away

We just recently spent some time away as a family ~ much needed with our crazy schedules and Vince's travel. A secluded cabin in the Smoky Mountains and some fun activities including white water rafting, ziplining, hiking and stop at Rock City on the way home.

We had lots of good laughs together and very little bickering. Peace. Oh how it makes this mama's heart swell with joy!

Here are some pictures from our time away:

Looking forward to a warm and lovely spring!

St. Patty's Day Beer Festival!

ok...so not exactly St. Patty's Day but my grandmother would be proud because we did wear Kiss Me I'm Irish necklaces and helped ourselves to some ale. Vince seriously was like a kid in a candy shop ~ the man can talk about beer forever and to whomever! Had fun with our friends Ryan & Teri! Cheers!!!

Around Here...

around here I am deeply entrenched in my new found love of mixed media art. Love the online tutorials provided by Christy Tomlinson of Scarlet Lime and am discovering my inner artist!

around here we have been trying to eat more organic, less chemicals and are considering buying a local grass fed cow.

around here we are watching Amazing Race: Unfinished Business and rooting for the cowboys again or the father/daughter from Kentucky.

around here Sarah is beginning trigonometry and not feeling confident.

around here I am struggling with the roller coaster ride of raising a teenage girl whom I love dearly, but dislikes me on most days because I have to parent her and most things I have to say she doesn't want to hear.

around here we have had a slew of rainy, gray weekends and we are all getting a little bit of cabin fever -ready for spring.

around here my niece lost her top tooth and she looks so different! It just serves as a reminder of how fast they do grow up!

around here Vince is home working here in his office without plans to go out of town for business for the first time in six weeks.

around here Ben is getting his permission slip signed to be allowed to watch the puberty video at school.

around here I have been on my knees and finding scriptural promises to hold on to when I feel I am defeated in life.

around here we are looking forward to a break from the routine and some time in the mountains for spring break.

President Ben!

Today my son went to school as the late John F. Kennedy for his biography book report. He even let me part his hair for the total look. Doesn't he looks so presidential?

My commander in chief....Love this kid!!

February Family Photo

Okay ... so, again not a glamour shot of the family. But it was the last day (or night) in February and I wanted to get a shot of all of us. We had just returned from the soccer arena where Sarah played her last two indoor season games - won one and lost one. She was amazing!!

Nobody was thrilled with the way we looked and I quickly set up the tripod in the kitchen under the leftover decorations from Ben's 11th birthday party. Sarah continued to text saying, "Well, you want us to look the way we always look so I am just gonna keep doing what I do!"

Ahhhhhh! So true.

SHE art!

Took an online workshop to teach me how to do mixed media art. Especially this kind of art with beautiful girls and inspirational sayings. I found Christy Thomlinson's online workshop and signed up! LOVE it!

When I see "my dreamer girl" I get a little picky and see all my mistakes but mostly am inspired to create more girls ~ beautiful angels, friends, daughters, mothers, sisters. I am so going to make my dreams come true!