Checking In

Hello, friends! How are you? We're doing okay here. Mike is still working everyday and my normal life as a stay at home mom is basically social distancing everyday. So, some things are still business as usual. Of course, I do miss regular trips to the store and going to church. On the other hand, the kids lives are anything but normal! They are out of school until, at least April 9. They are missing their friends, Mady is missing the field hockey season that she has been looking forward too so much, and Felicia will be celebrating her 16th birthday in quarantine without getting her learner's permit that she has been counting down the days for. It's a huge bummer!

As disappointing as all that is, I am trying really hard to focus on the positive. We are healthy, we are spending time together, and things WILL get back to normal! 

What are we doing to pass the time? The kids have had five days of  work from their school, today being the last day. What are the school's plan for future work, as of now we just don't know. We will wait patiently until we do know. I am not stressing out about it. As a family, we have been watching movies, playing cards, baking (and eating too many treats), taking walks, and just hanging out. Thankfully, the girls are able to Facetime friends so they are staying connected during this very strange time. 

I know that we all deal with stressful situations differently and it's okay to be scared. I am trying my best to not beat myself up if I let the kids have unlimited screen time or I don't follow a strict schedule for lessons. I really do believe that the more relaxed I am, the easier it will be for all of us to get through this. Kids are resilient, they will be fine.

We are all in this together. We will get through this! 

Stay well, stay safe, stay home.

Beachin'

There really is nothing that recharges my batteries like a trip to the beach. From the moment we leave, I am counting down the days until we return again. (Someday, I will live there!)

This year on our trip to Myrtle Beach, not only were we able to spend the week with my parents and my sister, but some friends joined us for a few days as well. It was a great time!

 Being there over Independence Day is always a good time! The kids decorated our golf cart and we enjoyed watching the parade at the resort. We were a little bummed that we had thunderstorms that evening, so we did not go down to the beach for fireworks, but it was still a good day.

 We also spent some time at Broadway at the Beach, visiting Build a Bear and Ripley's Aquarium. There is so much to do and see at Broadway at the Beach!

 
Leaving the beach is always the hardest part. I really just wish we could stay all summer! One week is definitely not long enough so before we left, we booked two weeks for next summer!

Counting down the days...

Life Lately

Oh my, it's been a while since I've been here! Life has been so busy (as usual)! It seems like every spring we have so many things happening. I won't lie, I love to be busy! Here are a few things that have been keeping us busy.

Susie

This sweet and super energetic puppy has certainly kept us in our toes! She loves taking walks and is very playful. She is the perfect addition to our family.

Madelyn's Confirmation

On Palm Sunday, Mady become an official member of our church. We are so proud of her decision to deepen her relationship with God. She also confidently served communion for the first time during the service.

Easter

The weeks leading up to Easter were jam packed with things to keep us busy. We hosted the Easter egg hunt at our church so I was extra busy prepping for the big event. Thankfully, my family was there to help with all the details, like making candy for all the kids that attended. The hunt was over in the blink of an eye, but the good times preparing for it were so much fun!

On Easter Sunday, after church, we spent the afternoon at my parent's house. There was lots of good food and an Easter egg hunt for the kids. 

Field Hockey

Following in Felicia's footsteps, Madelyn has started playing field hockey. She either has practice or games five nights a week, which is both challenging and fun! We really enjoy watching the girls play. Felicia will be playing again in the fall so it's hockey all year around here! 

Getting Fit

For the past 11 months, I have been on a journey to get healthy! I've been making better food choices and getting my butt moving more. Taking daily walks with Mike have made me feel so much stronger and also give us some time alone to connect without interruptions. It's been great and I have lost 65 pounds so far! 

Spring has been fun so far. We are looking forward to more warm days and less rainy days so we can have a few weekend adventures. I'll be sure to share all the good times here. 😊

When Fall Meets Winter

Oh my, winter has come early! There is nothing more magical than the first snow of the season. Although, it came a bit sooner than expected, I love it just the same.

 Of course, not everybody feels the same as I do. The hubby is NOT a fan of snow at all! Ha!

Happy Birthday, Madelyn Grace

Thirteen years ago we were blessed with this beauty! She's always been the entertainer of the family and keeps us laughing every day. She's also very strong willed, sassy, and sometimes stubborn! This girl is wise beyond her years and I can't imagine our lives without her.

Happy Birthday, Mady!

The First Day Back

I know, I know...I haven't been here in a long time. What can I say? We wrapped up last school year, took our annual Myrtle Beach vacation, and enjoyed the lazy days of summer. Nothing too exciting, just good old family time. It was refreshing to not have a schedule to follow and just go with the flow for a few months. But, today I am back!

Also, today is the first day back to school for my girls!

Felicia is in ninth grade (her first day of high School), Madelyn is in seventh grade, and Stella is in second grade. I cannot believe how quickly they are growing up! As always on the first day, they were up and ready to go super early. I'm sure that won't be the norm! But, I am looking forward to a great school year, filled with lots new things.

I can't wait to hear all about their first day back!

Too Cool For School

I'm calling this week, a false start. The kids went back to school on Wednesday after a two hour delay due to the frigid temps. It was actually nice to ease back in with a delay because the first day back is usually a struggle. Thursday started the same way and on Friday school was cancelled due to the extreme cold. I'm so thankful that I didn't have to go out for more than a few minutes to take the dog out. Brrr! 

I was so determined to get all my Christmas decorations put away and start organizing closets this week, but the delays, cancellations, and a nasty cold have thrown me off a bit. So, Christmas will be hanging around until next week.

Until then, we plan to stay inside where it's toasty warm! Stella got a few new games for Christmas to keep us busy. She also got a latch hook kit which has totally taken me back to my childhood.

I love getting crafty with my girls! Speaking of craftiness, check out this adorable snowman family that Stella made at school.

They are so stinkin cute! 

Well, on to the weekend! I hope you all have a great one!

 Stay warm!

First Day

Ahhh! It's so quiet here!

The girls headed off to their first day of school this morning. Everyone was awake early and ready to go. We are hoping they are just as eager to get up and go back tomorrow!

Madelyn(6th),Stella(1st),Felicia(8th)

A Few Things...

Hi there! Long time no blog!

Here are few things on my mind today.

~The last day of school was a few weeks ago and we've been enjoying the lazy days of summer. It's nice to not have to wake up with the alarm every morning. We do what we want, when we want to! Ha! 

~We haven't been completely lazy this summer. Last week, Stella and Madelyn had VBS at a church in our area. They had a great time! The church volunteers were so welcoming and energetic. Sadly, our own church isn't having VBS this year due to lack of volunteers. I'm now faced with the decision to stay at the church I've called my own my entire life or venture out and find one that focuses a little more on children (the future). It's not easy and I am praying I make the right choice.

~Recently, our neighborhood has had some new families move in adding lots more kids to our block. Several have girls around Stella's age and she loves it! For years, she felt left out because the big girls had friends close by and they didn't exactly want their kid sister hanging around with them. Seeing these little girls playing "mommy" to their "babies" in my backyard makes me smile. #juststaylittle

~This weekend we are packing up the mini van and heading to Myrtle Beach for a week. I am so excited to get away and actually spend some time with the family. Especially my workaholic hubby whom lately I've only been able to see while he sleeps. The girls have been counting down the days since we came back from vacation last year! Now if only I could get motivated to pack. 

That's all I have to say for now. I guess I can't put off packing forever!

Happy Thursday!

Loving

Well, hello there February! January was not the most fun month for the Adams family. We spent most of it fighting off one sickness after another and generally feeling pretty crappy. Needless to say, I was so happy to flip the calendar to a new month and start fresh. Plus, I love February! It's a nice short month and one step closer to spring. Also, Valentine's Day is pretty cool! Since today is the first day of the "love" month, I thought I would share a few things I'm loving about today.

Pizza for dinner! While I really do love to cook, sometimes having someone else do it is just what I need. The coolest thing about this, back in December, Stella(6) won a free pizza a week for an entire year. Thank you very much, Stella!

Mini Valentine's cupcakes for dessert! Yum!

The Notebook! Getting cozy on the couch and watching a movie while snacking on mini cupcakes is the perfect way to spend the evening.

These are just a few things that I am loving about today. I'm also loving that we are all feeling so much better!

I hope you all are loving this first day of February too! Good night!

Winter Blahs

I can finally say that I think we are all recovering from all the crud that we've been passing back and forth this winter. The coughing is dwindling and so far, aside from Stella, the stomach bug has stayed away. But the rain and gloom have really been relentless. Gray skies are making for some very grouchy kiddos (and mom, too)! Yesterday, we had more rain in the forecast, as well as sleet and a little snow. Ugh, more time stuck inside! We decided to make cupcakes to brighten the mood a bit.

Who wouldn't be happy with a cupcake covered in M&M's? Another good mood boost came this morning when we actually had a little bit of snow and a two hour delay!

It wasn't the blizzard we've been hoping for, but it sure made everything look pretty. Finding ways to chase away the winter blahs has been quite a challenge. I think we need a mini vacation!

Down for the Count

Yesterday started with my waking to a pretty horrible headache and a bit of a queasy stomach as well. Not a good way to start the day. Of course, Mike was working late so I was on my own to get the girls up and off to school. We made it to the bus stop on time (a miracle) and soon they were on their way to school. I made my way back home and immediately hit the couch. It wasn't long before I was sound asleep. When I finally woke up, I was actually feeling much better. But, it was then that I received the dreaded call from the school nurse...Stella was vomiting. Boooo! I picked her up from school where the nurse declared, "She's the third one so far today!" We spent the rest of the day lounging around and napping. She was feeling much better by evening, but still home from school today. Hopefully, the rest of the family is spared, but that is unlikely. *fingers crossed*

It's Fri-Yay!

Well, it isn't the blizzard/snow day I was dreaming of, but the little dusting of snow we got overnight was enough to give us a two hour delay! Some much needed time for the girls to sleep in and wake up refreshed and for me, a little time to read before I had to start the day. If only every day could start two hours later. 😊

Happy Friday!

Life Lately

With the holidays over, the kids have gone back to school and the hubby is back to working 12 hour shifts. That combined with a cold I've been fighting since Christmas Eve, I've been feeling quite BLAH! I know I'm not alone here, the girls have been exhausted this week too. Afterschool naps have been a regular occurrence.

This week has also brought us some chilly weather. If only it would bring us some snow! I know not everyone feels the same as I do, but a good snow day would be awesome right about now.

Speaking of getting back to school, Stella has finally discovered she LOVES to read! The first part of this school year has been a struggle getting her to do her nightly reading. For Christmas, she received a bunch of new books and has been reading to me every night without complaints! I can see improvement already and I am thrilled that she has started to love books like her momma!

Honestly, this first week of the new year has been sort of uneventful. Hopefully we find our groove and get back to normal after the weekend. Getting back on track after a lazy Christmas break has been exhausting. Ha!

{Catching Up} Back to School

Madelyn(5th), Stella(1st), Felicia(7th)

Summer break came to an end a few weeks ago and apparently, I'm still in denial over it because until now, I haven't posted first day of school pics!

So, here they are, The Adams girls starting out another year of school! It's hard to believe how much these girls have grown. I mean really...my BABY is in first grade already! Crazy!

Being home alone when the girls are all in school and their big brothers are all at work is very quiet. Most days, I am very busy with the everyday chores of being a mom, but there are some moments that I actually have "free time". These are the moments that I have no idea what to do with myself! I suppose I should just enjoy the quiet, but it's not always that easy. I think I need to find a hobby! HA!

Of course, when the day is done and I pick them up at the bus stop, the silence is broken and the witching hour begins. I must say, I dislike homework just as much as an adult as I did when I was a kid. Booo! But, so far our school year has gotten off to a great start. Hopefully it continues!

Life Lately

It's been a while since I blogged, but some things never change! It's snowing again. Although I usually like snow, it's April. We've had enough! Bring on the sunshine!

All three girls in school has given more free time...to do laundry! Ha!

Stella missed the entire past week of school with a fever and nasty cough. Sadly, I think she shared it with a few of the other kids because I am hearing quite a bit of coughing this morning. :(

We are all so ready for summer and planning our vacation has been fun! A week at the beach is just what we all need. Too bad we have to wait until July! 

It looks like I'll be spending the rest of this weekend at home while everyone recovers from the latest virus. Hopefully by next week everyone will be feeling good and the weather will get warmer!

Happy Saturday! 

Fabulous Fall

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, I LOVE FALL! In fact, if we could have double fall and no winter, I would be one happy girl! 

If I ever had to pick my favorite place to go in the fall, it would have to be World's End State Park and this past Sunday, the weather was perfect for a day of "unplugged" fun.

A walk in the woods with leaves crunching underfoot was just what I needed to recharge my batteries. The kids love it there too!

The colors were beautiful and the weather was amazing! Sun shining and warm enough for Stella to dip her toes in the water (Thankfully, because she fell in and was wet up to her knees!).

Of course, we love to recreate photos from the past, so Felicia decided to wear a leaf on her face again this year!

It turns out, we picked the perfect day to enjoy our favorite fall tradition. Next weekend is turning cold. Boo! I am NOT ready for winter just yet! 

My Empty Nest

Madelyn(4th grade), Stella(Kindergarten), Felicia(6th grade)

The day I have been dreading is finally here. My baby girl has left the nest and joined the big girls at school. She had a bit of a trial run over the summer when she went to the summer reading program, but that didn't go so well. There were several days that we had to drop her off as she sobbed. Today, NO TEARS! She was super excited when she woke up and was thrilled that Felicia and Madelyn would be riding the bus with her! 

All the girls were a little tired when they got off the bus this afternoon, but other than that, they had a GREAT day! Hopefully the rest of the school year goes as well as today. Now I just have to figure out how to spend all my free time...

School is out for the Summer!

The kids have had a great school year, but they were so ready to get their summer started! Today was the last day, so of course, we had to get the party started with a huge water balloon fight! Aaron's last day was last Friday, so I enlisted his help in filling balloons all morning. It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it! 

With game faces on, they were ready for war!

It didn't take long to blow through what took us almost two hours to fill!

Happy Summer!