2 years and one day ago my childhood friend was killed by a drunk driver. I think about her everyday and it has changed my life for sure.

We were neighbors and our parents were business partners. For about 3 years from age 12-15 I think I spent almost everyday with this family. Maybe I’m exaggerating but thats how I remember it.

Since then we only kept in touch through Facebook. When we found out it was Easter. I was with my whole family. We were sure it must be a terrible joke. Then Erica pulled up the news article and there was her name. We sat there in silence just staring at each other.

Every time I turn the key to my car she pops into my head and I’m reminded how quickly life can change.

Sometimes we never get to tell people how much we really love them so if anyone ever reads this blog….

I want my sisters and brother to know that they have always been my world and my absolute closest, bestest friends.

My children have my whole heart. If I spend every second of everyday with them it will never be enough.

Tim, without you I don’t know where I would be. I love you so much. My life has been blessed a million times over the second you walked into it. I really believe God sent you to save me. Everyday I live the life I always dreamed of, because of you.

My mom and dad gave me the best childhood I could ask for, filled with innocence and a million happy memories. I’m so much of both of them mixed together. I hear and see them in what I say and do as a wife and as a mother. I love you guys.

So I think I’m just going to bathe the kids in Clorox and burn down the house {not really} but I think that’s the only way to get rid of these lingering germs! Timmy has a sinus infection. Nothing makes me sadder than sick babies. And trying to make them both feel better at the same time is tricky. Poor Grace got her first tooth yesterday so her and Timmy were running fevers. I basically laid on the couch trying to rock them both all day. Those are the moments when I’m taken back alittle thinking that I’m the mom now and I’m the one who can fix it. Doesn’t seem like too long ago that I would want my own mom when I was sick…and sometimes I still do 😊. Nothing works better than a mommy.

This weekend was full with church activities. On Saturday Tim worked “security” at the church carnival. Kinda silly to think they need security at a church carnival but would you believe that he caught a woman asking another mom to slip their ride bracelets off so she didn’t have to buy one? So tacky to steal at a church function but my husband is such a softy he couldn’t turn her in. Maybe she didn’t have the money for ride tickets but my church gives tickets to people who can’t afford them so it’s just no excuse.

On Sunday I had to be at church down south to be Erica’s sponsor at 8:30 & it was daylight savings. It was verrry hard to get out of bed. Then there was the Rite of Election mass at 2:00. Grace was such an angel the whole day. Which is very surprising because her first tooth popped through this morning!!

Tim and Timmy spent the day together going to church and to the carnival. I was super impressed that Tim took Timmy to church alone. I love him just a little bit more if that’s possible for being such a good example to Timmy. Timmy loved the carnival and Tim let him ride the rides alone. I can’t believe his big enough for that!

Good thing this guy was there to keep the streets clean 👮

Yesterday we celebrated my little sisters 14th birthday. She’s at that age where money is all she wants. I hate giving money as a gift, it feels so thoughtless.

So we searched Pinterest for money giving ideas and it turned out great. Sam was so surprised. I’m pretty sure she thinks we are retarded but deep down she thinks we are awesome, I hope.

Jess and Matt gave her “cold hard cash” so money frozen in ice. Erica and John put money in the candy wrapper sections of a box of chocolates. We gave her “play doh” and just stuck cash in a play doh container. Toria taped together a bunch of ones and put it in a tissue box and wrote on it “don’t blow it all at once.” Thomas made her a balloon hat and she wore it for hours not realizing money was all inside the balloon.

It was so fun!

I love this time of year. Really a good time to reflect on your walk with God. This Lenten season I’m focusing on being kinder with my words. Sometimes I can remember forever something someone has said to me. It’s strange how much impact words have on people. Like the other week another mom that I only met once before came up to me and said, “Wow you really look awesome today in that dress and your hair done!” She made my whole day. She probably doesn’t even know it. Anyway I want to be that for my husband and my family, even strangers.

We woke up early to get to the 8am Ash Wednesday mass. We thought we would try the early mass since Timmy really had a hard time at the 12:45 mass on Sunday. It wasn’t perfect but it was better. Weird because everyone kept coming up to us saying that they were so behaved meanwhile me and Tim were sweating trying keep them quiet. Timmy tries so hard but sitting still for an hour when you are two is hard work.

I am the absolute happiest looking at my family sitting in church. Hearing Tim whisper prayers in Timmy’s ear or Timmy singing along to a hymn or Grace letting out a little giggle when the church gets very quiet, truly makes me feel so blessed.

I couldn’t love Tim any more than when that man is kneeling down talking to God. It makes me so proud to be his wife. He is taking his relationship with God so seriously. Last month he joined the Knights of Columbus and this weekend he’s volunteering to work the church carnival. I don’t know if he knows it, but he is scoring major points over here. 😍

This is a picture of the kids before church & also Gracie’s 7 month picture.

When this little boy does the sign of the cross and says “Amen” my day is complete. There’s nothing sweeter.

Me and Tim and not big fans of the beach but our kids sure are!

This was Gracie’s first trip and she loved everything about it from lounging in her baby tub to catching some waves on her little feet. Then she took a little snooze.

Timmy was all about the water. He kept taking Tim and my mom by the hand begging to go back in.

It was probably the first time in years that I actually enjoyed myself at the beach. Kids make everything sweeter.

We have the most beautiful birds around here. I just love seeing the bright red cardinals on the tree right outside our front window. And Timmy gets very excited. He says bird kinda like Bambi ☺️ Buuurrd!

Yesterday me, Timmy & Memaw made the birds a special treat. Timmy was so proud.

We were so sad though when we were woken up to the dogs growling at 4:30am. Outside was a big fat raccoon chowing down on our bird treats 😤