The Calm After the Storm

Last night we had a very violent thunderstorm. I was in the grocery store with the kids and the rain on the roof was deafening. One of the managers was kind enough to sit with them while I ran out in the storm to pull the van up to the entrance. The parking lot was a river and, although I ran as fast as I could to avoid the storm, I was soaked. My shoes and socks were drenched and you could have rung my jeans and shirt out like a wash cloth. The manager and a bag boy held umbrellas over us while I loaded the kids into the van as fast as I could. I ran quickly around the van, jumped in and drove home. I don't even think I thanked the manager and I do feel bad about that. Cadence and Gabriel thought the storm was fun and enjoyed seeing Mommy get drenched. I did not think it was so fun. The storm continued throughout the night and this morning the world had a "new" feeling about it. The trees were still dripping and there were puddles everywhere but the air felt fresh. It was a new beginning.

Yesterday's storm made me think of something that happened to me recently. Over the weekend I got caught up in my own "storm" with a mommy group that I have been a member of for the past year. It was stupid really, but it happened. Some of the members were kind enough to hold an umbrella over me while the rain pounded down around me. Others seemed to think the storm was fun and enjoyed seeing me get drenched. I did not think it was fun. The storm continued for a day or so but then I left the mommy group quickly so the storm would stop. I didn't think even think to thank them for their support over the last year or say goodbye and I do feel bad about that. It seems to have quieted for the most part and I hope it stays that way. I'm enjoying the fresh new air.

I'm hoping that I will now have more time to work on things that I've been neglecting. My poor house could use a makeover (or a grenade) and I really need to sort through the kids' clothes to get them ready for spring. Spring! With Spring comes more fun activities. I'm looking forward to my involvement with some charity events through my local paralegal organization. I also hope to go on a few family camping trips and start running again once I find a jogging stroller for Liam. Regardless of what I do, I plan on spending my time focusing on what really matters: my family and I.

Saturday Outside

I had been having a rather stressful day or two, so we decided to disconnect and take the kids out for a picnic yesterday afternoon. We packed peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for the kids and roast beef subs for Chris and I. We brought along the cupcakes that Cadence and I had made the night before along with some goldfish, strawberries, white cheddar popcorn and vitamin waters.

Liam chilled in his car seat while everyone ate. He seemed a tad disappointed that he wouldn't be sampling any of the tasty cupcakes.

After lunch, we let the kids play on the playground. We are very fortunate to have such an amazing park only a few miles from the house.

We were very happy to be joined by our friends Emily, Ryan and Mya. Miss Mya did a wonderful job of keeping up with the big kids on the playground.

William spent the majority of the afternoon curled up in his sling. This was my view for most of the day. I love this view.

After a day at the park we went home and set the fire pit up in the back yard. We cooked hot dogs and roasted marshmallows before sending the kids off to bed.

Family Pictures

Last Sunday we had our first family pictures taken since William was born. My very good friend Anna Goad owns Reflections Photography and is an amazing photographer. We spent a rather windy hour or so with Anna at Greer City Park and then went back to our house for a few additional pictures. I love how they turned out!

Here is a peak at the pictures that Anna took:

Awesome Deals

I didn't make it to this weekend's consignment sale. Partially because I spent a good deal of my consignment sale budget on new clothes for the kids. I know... That wasn't a very "crunchy" thing to do, but darn did I ever get a good deal!

The Children's Place put a lot of their clothes on sale for as low as $2.99 each. Add to that, their standard 20% off coupon code (which can be found on almost any coupon site) and the clothes were $2.39 each! I bought 2 pairs of pants, 2 sweaters and 4 shirts for $28.96 including $1.64 tax and $5.00 shipping. Of course I had to add up the retail price of the items I bought *drum roll*..... $92.00 and that didn't include tax or shipping. I feel like a shopping ninja!!

My second awesome find was much smaller and perhaps something you can get in on as well. This evening I had to run to CVS for some pacifiers for Liam. While I was leaving I passed the Coca Cola display. They were on sale 3 for $10. Not too shabby. However on top of the display was cardboard stand that had a pad of coupons attached to it for $1.50 off of a 12 pack of Diet Coke or Caffeine-Free Diet Coke. Don't mind if I do. I bought a pack of Caffeine-Free Diet Coke for $1.84. Woot!!!! That's $0.15 per can!!!! I went to the CVS on Batesville Road; however, I assume that other CVS stores have this going on as well.

Our Second Anniversary

"Every long lost dream led me to where you are. Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars pointing me on my way into your loving arms. This much I know is true: that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you." ~Rascal Flatts

We had those lyrics printed on the back of the bulletin on our wedding day on February 14, 2009. Chris isn't a country fan, but even he couldn't deny that Rascal Flatts nailed it when it came to describing the journey we each traveled before finding each other.

Today is the 2nd anniversary of the day we became the Hall-Smith family. Chris is the most amazing person I have ever known and he is the best thing that has ever happened to Cadence, Gabriel and I. What started as an innocent message about soccer on Myspace, eventually grew into a friendship and then transformed into the greatest love I have ever known.

He is our rock. He is my voice of reason and my constant supporter. He is an amazing father and person. I don't know what I ever did without him.

I've thought about our wedding a lot today. My favorite part was the vow he made to Cadence and Gabriel:

"Cadence and Gabriel, I give you these rings as a symbol of our unity as a family. I promise to be a patient and loving father to you, caring for you and providing for you as my own. I promise to be your strength and emotional support loving you with all my heart forever."

What kind of guy does that!?! Honestly, I didn't think such a man existed. I was wrong and I thank God every day for that.

For our anniversary, I decided I wanted to do something special. I took the day off of work and cooked him dinner. The kids spent the evening with Jon and Christy.

I set the table and placed a calla lily arrangement and two candles in the center. Calla lilies were the flowers that we had at our wedding (although our wedding day flowers were white) and the candles represented each year that we have been married.

I gave Chris a home brew starter kit so he can begin brewing his own beer. He's talked about doing it for years and he seems really excited about it.

I made coconut shrimp with orange marmalade dipping sauce and stuffed mushrooms as appetizers.

Dinner consisted of a mixed greens salad with walnuts, raisins, blueberries, apples and raspberry vinaigrette, fillet mignon topped with lobster tail meat, goat cheese mashed potatoes and sauteed asparagus.

For dessert we had miniature dark chocolate covered cheesecakes with dark chocolate covered strawberries and whipped cream. Also, Christy made us some delicious white chocolate covered strawberries as well.

We had a wonderful evening! :)

Daddy/Daughter Dinner, Cakes and a Surprise!

Last night Chris took Cadence to Chick-fil-a for a Valentine's daddy/daughter dinner. Cadence dressed up in a beautiful dress from Limited Too that I found at a consignment shop for $6.00 and Chris gave her a corsage of pink miniature roses to wear. They dined on chicken nuggets and waffle fries and were waited on by servers wearing tuxes. They had a wonderful time!

While Chris and Cadence were out, Gabriel and I worked on some cakes that I was making for two of my co-workers. We finished them up this afternoon.

We went out to lunch and when we returned we saw our neighbor Ms. Barbara outside. We walked over to say "hello" and to let her see Liam when she said that she had something for us. She went inside and brought out Burberry Teddy Bears for Cadence and Gabriel and cologne and perfume for Chris and I. She also gave us several pretty Burberry trays.

Tomorrow afternoon we are having our family pictures done in Greer Park. I can't wait!!!

The Baby Powder Bomb and Our Upcoming Weekend

Yesterday Gabriel was running a fever so today he is spending the day at Chris's parents house. He is very excited to be having some one-on-one Grandma and Big Jake time.

Last night Cadence and I put together almost sixty valentine's for Cadence, Gabriel and even Liam's classes. After that I sent her upstairs to get ready for bed while I cleaned the kitchen. She came down a few minutes later smelling very strongly of baby powder. I hesitantly followed her upstairs. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something on her bathroom floor. Baby powder. Upon closer investigation, it was also on the bathroom door, sink, toilet and shower curtain. Shower curtain!?! I asked what happened. She said she dropped the bottle of baby powder. My follow-up questions: 1. Why were you holding the baby powder? and 2. Where is the land mine on which you dropped the baby powder? I left her upstairs with a broom and a wet rag and told her she could go to bed after she cleaned the bathroom. I thought kids grew out of this stuff!!

In other news, we have a very busy weekend planned. Tonight Chris is taking Cadence to a father/daughter dinner at Chick-fil-a for Valentine's Day. They are going to have waiters in tuxes, flowers for the girls and a sundae bar. They might even catch a movie after. I will be home with the boys working on some cakes. I'm very excited about the cakes that I'm making and will post pictures later. Chris is working on Saturday so I'll be home with the kiddos finishing up the cakes. On Sunday we *might* be keeping nursery at church and then we are doing family pictures with Anna. We do not have any pictures with all five of us so we are very excited!

We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!