Ashleigh's new jewelry

Ashleigh has wanted a cute little piercing on her nose for about a year now. She was finally able to get it last week. She loves it and it looks adorable on her. After researching online, to find the parlor with the best reviews, we found one on the east side of town called, KOI, and they were fantastic. Ashleigh was a little apprehensive because her piercer was all tattooed & pierced but he was so kind once we started talking to him. He answered all the questions we had and reassured her because she was nervous. He put a couple dots oner nose with a marker and really took his time to make sure her piercing was going to be in the perfect spot; looking at it from all different angles before asking her to make sure she liked it. The piecing itself only took about a minute and Ashleigh said it hurt just a little more than an ear piercing. Her nose wasn't even the slightest bit red or swollen; and looked adorable as soon as it was done. All the people in the waiting room wanted to see it when we walked out of the room from getting it done since they were talking to her while she was waiting. They told her it looked fabulous.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Ashleigh did such a great job in her school play. When Jackson and I went opening night, I was worried about it holding his attention, but his eyes were glued to the stage the entire time. During intermission, he told me the play was much better than he was expecting and I have to admit that I was thinking the same. I was so impressed with the talent of these young kids!

Ashleigh was so cute after the play, asking how she did. She wanted to make sure her facial expressions were just right. We took her a bouquet of flowers to congratulate her on her acting debut. 

I also went closing night along with my Mom, Mark, Jerrick & Sierra. Of course I got teary eyed at the end of each performance. I know how much time, effort and energy Ash put into this performance. She put in two to three hours of practice almost everyday for months and we spent two hours just for hair & make up all three nights of the performance. I was a proud mama and being that it was closing night, I was sure to start a standing ovation at the end.

 After the play I took a bunch of kids over to their cast party at Inn & Out Burger. The place was packed! They ate and celebrated a job well done. After three long days and exhausted teenagers, we headed back home just after 11 PM for a sleepover.

Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have; I am thankful for:

• The book Jackson made at school (He's quite the artist!)
• Listening to my kids talk to their friends, and hearing them make good choices
• Sunshine after days of rain
• Getting such great deals while shopping that the clerk behind the register even gave me kudos
• Seeing results of exercise and healthy eating
• Getting a second wind when all you want to do is sleep and theres still a lot to do before the day it out
• Hot showers after a long day with great smelling body wash to melt away the day
• The super long line at the post office moving faster than anticipated

Bountiful Basket

Yes! First time in over a month I was able to get a basket. I guess the bad part about telling so many people about this food co-op is it being in high demand now. It sells out within the first 20-30 minutes and I'm always at work. I was able to order it on my phone this week and I am glad I did.

• 2 Heads of cabbage
• Celery
• Romaine lettuce
• 6 Green bell peppers
• 4 Chayote squash (a new one for us)
• Vine ripened tomatoes
• Cantaloupe
• 6 Oranges
• 6 Apples
• 8 Bananas
• Strawberries
• Blueberries

I also ordered granola. Yum. I already made cabbage soup and looking forward to stuffed peppers this week. Also, banana bread and shakes with the berries!

Opening Night

I'm so excited for tonight! Ashleigh has been rehearsing for her acting debut. She is in, Tom Sawyer with her Jr. High School play.  Working on singing, dancing, costume, props for months now.

I signed up to help with refreshments to sell at the play in order to help raise money for play costs and start building up savings for next year's play. I've been gathering together the recipes I wanted to make for the sale; fudge, homemade chex mix, chocolate popcorn, and cupcakes.

I have the day off today with plans to bake the day away for opening night tonight. However, we found out yesterday that it can be store bought, individually wrapped treats only. I'm so bummed out. Store bought treats are much more expensive than home made.  I've spent the morning searching for deals and hunting though coupons instead of baking. I hope we can still get a good amount of money raised for the play.

Break a leg tonight kids!

Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• A dependable job (as much as I hate working, there are so many people out of work and struggling to support their families)
• Bountiful Baskets. After 5 weeks of not being able to get one, due to it selling out, I finally got one ordered this week.
• Bright colors
• Green grass
• Song birds
• Even with my kids growing up and spending time with friends, we take time to laugh, love & have quality time together everyday.
• Jackson's silliness & sense of humor. He's so quick witted and absolutely hilarious. He surprises me all the time from how hard he makes us laugh.
• Birthday balloons
• HD video recoding on my camera
• The fruit trees in my back yard starting to blossom

Jackson's Birthday - 8 years old!

Jackson's birthday was Sunday. I love when birthday's fall on the weekend and we get to spend the whole day together. My day started at 7 am when Jackson climbed into my bed to snuggle.

He got to pick meals for the whole day. Breakfast was pancakes, bacon & scrambled eggs (from grandma's chickens). For lunch he wanted Subway sandwiches (which he's been wanting for months). I went out to pick up lunch and stopped for balloons to bring back as a surprise. Jackson is going to have a party with his friends in a couple weeks. But we had a simple family get together to celebrate. My Mom, Jerrick & Sierra joined us. We ate lunch, opened a couple gifts then had cake (vanilla cake with chocolate frosting) and cookie dough ice cream.

Through out the whole day, Ashleigh kept saying, "Jackson, this is your first time doing _______ as an eight year old." I think he was sick of hearing it by mid afternoon. First time getting dressed, first time eating pancakes, first time brushing your teeth, etc.

colored flames on his birthday cake candles

Jackson randomly walked up to me at one point in the day; gave me a huge hug and said, "thank you for having me". I thought it was so sweet.

For dinner, he chose creamy pesto over angel hair, with mushrooms and garlic bread (one of his favorites). 

He had birthday wishes coming in from friends and family all over the country yesterday; he felt very loved.

Did you notice half the stuff in his room still turned upside down from April fools? hahaha