There is something so American....

...about an open field and young boys playing baseball on it.
I was ready to hold up an American flag and start singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

Watching them play catch this afternoon has me very anxious for summer.
Ice cream cones, early morning plant watering, fresh picked tomatoes...etc.

This year Frankie is big enough to play at the park.
He thought it was the greatest. He cried when it was time to walk home.

Now we have thunderstorms rolling in and temperatures are going to get chilly again.
I'm actually looking forward to Jeff home and fire in our wood stove this weekend....
...even though I just said I'm very anxious for summer 2 seconds ago! Ha.
I will miss the cold when it's gone and look forward to it come September.
I will also love the summer when it arrives. I like all four seasons.

After yesterday's peck on the finger....he was a little weary of getting too close.
He sat himself a couple feet away and chatted with them for a bit..I think it was about the weather.

Happy middle of the week.
XxOo

Easter Weekend 2016

We had a wonderful weekend.
Easter is such a great day...Jeff and I love it so much.

The depth of why we celebrate, the reason...it's so important and so special.
I'm so thankful for Jesus. So thankful for the gift of eternal life He gives.

Saturday we went to Jeff's sister's house...it was a warm{ish} day.
Sunday morning we had a breakfast before our service at church
and then went to my parent's house.

Easter Sunday was chilly and rainy and our egg hunt has been postponed until further notice!

...and now I will drop a bunch of pictures on here from the past two days and then
I'm going to spend the rest of Monday cleaning and organizing and purging
my house that is a disaster from the result of running around over the weekend.

 Jeff's sister's new puppy Daisy...Frankie was in love.

Where is this kid's mother? Seriously.

The girl cousins {plus a friend} on Jeff's side.

These two little guys...so cute together!

Because a lamb cake on Easter is just well...it's not Easter without one. Right?

Tickle fest with Papa....

I love this family of mine SO much.
So in love with my husband...so glad to do everything in life by his side.

Hope you had a great weekend and have a great week ahead!
XxOo

The spring ads are a pack of lies.

All the flyers that find their way to our mailbox.....the Target ads, the Kohl's catalogs...
....they are meant for those who live in California or Florida. Not northern Illinois.
The pretty sundresses, the sandals, the bubbles, the kites....June.
That's when we'll use those things. June.

This year I was smart and bought my kids winter clothes from clearance racks to wear
for Easter Sunday. So glad I did...the forecast boasts a balmy 47 degrees.

And today! while the SoCal people walked on beaches and BBQ'd in their backyards...
...we fired up our wood stove and watched a snowstorm out our window.

...as much as I sound like I'm complaining...the snow is very beautiful.
My heart beats a little faster whenever I see those big, fat flakes start to fall.

Unless I'm out driving...then I just cry and white knuckle the steering wheel
and pray the whole way home!!!

Jeff brought home pretty flowers for me...he said he went with a festive look.

This was right before he stuck his hand in it and right after each of my girls asked for a sip.
I title this photo... "Nothing is sacred in the life of a mother. Nothing. Not even your water."

 His tiny little rain boots...Love.

Tonight she made the mashed potatoes to go along with the roast AND did the dishes after dinner.
I'm so glad she has the "love of the kitchen" DNA running through her blood.
It's great for days that I'm feeling lazy I have a lot to do...
....OR have a taste for chocolate chip banana muffins like yesterday.

Hope you are having a lovely week.
{especially if you live in a warm climate...
like my sister in El Paso wearing her little summer shirts....Brat.}

XxOo

Tuesday's woes, confessions and joys....

Woes:

A gallon of bright red juice being pushed down the basement stairs by a little feller.
Splashing and spilling on each step before finally landing on the lovely grey carpet
leaving a gigantic red puddle.

I have two new murals on the wall...one in my dining room and another in my bedroom.
{hence the marker streak going down baby's nose in above photo}

Baby nap lasted 20 minutes....Need I say more? {^^^...see above photo}

While hanging clothes out on the line,
I noticed a small pond had formed where our septic tank is located...
.....this is not good news. Not good news at all. Ugh. I don't even want to talk about it.
The situation stinks...Literally!

Confessions:
I have been wearing the exact same shirt for the past three days...and nights. Seriously..I've slept in it.
I get aggravated at my kids when they do this. Ha.
{...in my defense....I've taken a shower everyday}

I went all day without one cup of sugar-y coffee...
.....instead I had two. {wink}

My son killed a bird with a slingshot..."on accident".
I was a little skeptical, but he had trustworthy witnesses.

Joys:
I have Jesus. God loves me no matter what. God forgives.

"Stress Away" Essential Oil {in my top photo}
This stuff is the best! The BEST!
{I can order a bottle for you....but not right now because it's out of stock..wink}

My sister in love brought two dozen eggs from her chickens.

Those little hand prints on the window that was just cleaned...Love.

Boys who shop vac red juice spills on grey carpet while I teach piano

I have the best job in the world.

Clothes are drying on the line...outside!
I am {almost} caught up on laundry.

Early bedtimes tonight.

Love texts from my husband while he works.

My piano.


......and that's it for today's woes, confessions and joys.
Hope you're having a good day.
XxOo

Double Digits from here on out.

I can't believe my littlest girly is 10 years old.
We celebrated with cupcakes. She wanted to make them herself with the help of her sister.
Chocolate with lots and lots of sprinkles.

The kids decorated her chair and made puffy tissue paper balls to hang up.
Her big brother brought home sugary cereal for a breakfast surprise.
Birthdays are much more fun around here now that the kids are getting older...
....everyone gets involved to make the day special.

{My sister Stephanie makes these adorable hanging pom-poms....I LOVE them...
...she's gotten so many orders online...she's been busy, but had a little stash to spare for us...;)
I have them up for Sophia's birthday....but they fit in perfect right above our Easter banner!}

....now we're getting ready for her birthday dinner.
Not sure what the choice will be....it keeps changing...this is a huge, once a year decision!
Cheeseburgers or fish was the last I heard....

Happy Birthday Sophia!
XxOo

For those who enjoy backbiting and gossiping after forgiving.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.... Matthew 5:7

  God makes it quite clear: if we want to be forgiven for our own weaknesses,
we need to be willing to forgive the weaknesses in others.
That doesn't mean just with words, but with actions and attitudes as well.
Saying, "I forgive you," is fine. But if it's followed by resentment, gossip,
backbiting, bitterness, or any of the other negative responses we so enjoy,
then those words were a lie.
  Why all this talk of mercy? Because showing mercy is one of the
hardest things for humans to do, and probably the thing we like to do least.
It's much more fun to condemn people than forgive them.
   Blessed are you, if you show mercy toward others.

If that seems too tough, just ask God to help-He's had a lot of practice.
He's been doing it for you all your life.

                                                                               -Arnold Ytreeide

Ouch! Convicting, Yes?
This was a passage we read today in the book Amon's Adventure we are going through during lent.

Just thought I'd share with you.
XxOo

The family that swims together....

Who wants to go swimming in March? or should I ask...Who wouldn't want to swim in March?
...especially in our part of the world, where our warm sweaters hang around far into spring.

My kids had a blast at The Cove in Lake Geneva.
Do you have spring break plans? If not, this place is a great idea.

Thanks so much Geneva National for letting us come and play.

XxOo

Fashion Tip Friday. The Most Fun Mascara Ever.

I love mascara. It's my favorite of all beauty products.
For many, many years I was a loyal fan of Lancome's Definicils.

Nothing could drag me away from the classy makeup ladies at Macy's...

....Until the day I was in Target running low on
time and mascara...I ended up making the switch to Maybelline Colossal.

With millions of mascaras out there...how is a woman to choose?
They all promise to lengthen, strengthen, thicken and elongate....

Honestly....Has any mascara ever made your lashes longer?
Truth be told...Never.
Until Now!!!!!

For a while I've seen people posting about Younique make-up on Facebook.

I didn't give it a second thought...just another mascara, right?

Wrong!

My friend Christine asked if I would try it out and let her know what I thought....
Loved it! {and it comes in a cute little bag with a snap}

The best part....You can make your eye lashes as long as you want!
REALLY!

You see...it's not the same as regular mascara...
First you put on a gel that looks and feels just like mascara.
Then you brush on these tiny little fibers.
Then you go over your lashes again with the gel...
...it brushes out the fibers and adds them to the length of your lashes.

And...It stays on! ...and washes off very nicely.

Younique has more than just mascara...they have a full line of makeup.
I'm super excited to try their lipstain!

For the next ten days I have a little party link open if you guys want to try out any of their products!
Just go HERE!!!You won't be disappointed.

And finally...this lady is hilarious! One night I was up way too late watching her videos.
Maybe it's because I'm Italian, maybe it was the late hour...
or maybe it's because secretly I've always wanted a NY accent.

Have a Fabulous Weekend.
XxOo