We interrupt this blog...

I know I said that for the month of February I was going to do a "love" a day; and yes, I've had to double up a couple of times, but we now have a full blown interruption. Beeeeeeeeeep.


My last post was about my parents and my in-laws and why I love them so much. (I must preface this post with the fact that I love them all no matter what. Not because of "certain AWESOME things" that they do for us, but because they raised us surrounded by love!)

So, I must interrupt my blog because John and I are headed to Costa Rica! Come 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, we'll be flying the friendly skies to Central America! This place holds a special spot with us. We've been here twice before with John's company; but this time it's all us and we can't wait! Eventually, we will make it a family trip. We can't wait to let the kids see this unbelievable land...but for now, it's us!

So, to make up for the seven days that I will be unavailable to update my blog, I will post seven things about Costa Rica that I love!!!

Waterfalls:
Beaches:
Rainforest:
Volcanoes:
The Resort:
The unique wildlife -- Sloths and Monkeys:

Couple time!!!!
So, thank you to our parents and to all of our friends who are acting as personal chauffeurs for our kids while we are away! We owe you all BIG TIME!

Pura Vida~
Laurie

I love these "peeps"!

Have I mentioned that I'm pretty darn lucky in the "parental" department?!?! Well, I am! Not only do I have doting, supportive parents, but I have some awesome in-laws, as well!

I was lucky to grow up in a close knit family with parents who supported me in my many stages of "dreams"! Then I got married; and when a lot of people are kinda given their wings to fend for themselves, I still had their support and -bonus- I got an addition of another set of supportive parents!

Example:
When I came home from the hospital with both Sam and Lily Clare, my mom and mother-in-law became a tag-team of incredible care givers/teachers/extra set of hands...they were like a team of professional wrestlers who specialized in pampering me and the precious newborns!

**This kinda resembles them, but different hair, for sure!

Anywho...

These four people are special and I know that I'm a lucky girl having them in my life!


Oh, and another reason I love them sooooo much is because they are about to do an incredible favor for John and me. Which will lead to my next post.............

To be continued~
Laurie

I love the thrill of the hunt...

Maybe you remember last summer when I mentioned that the kids and I were going to take on "geocaching" as a new hobby. Well we did and we got stumped on one of them and kinda let that new found hobby go to the wayside.

So on this three day weekend, we decided to start it up again; and with the help of our fearless leader (father/ husband/ John), we conquered the puzzle! Third time's a charm, right?!?!?

See anything at the bottom of the crack in the tree?!?


Ta daaaaa!

And guess what...we uncovered three others as well!





What a fun, adventurous day!

On the hunt~
Laurie

Fresh Air

Oh my goodness, I sure hope where ever you are right now that you've had the day that we've have! This weather is just beautiful! (And I know that we are very fortunate to get his little reprieve in the middle of February!)

I love fresh air and I've been waiting for a day like this to breathe it in, let it in, soak it in for a looonnnng time!

Today was an incredible 70 degrees with scrumptious sunshine! Have I used the word "beautiful" yet?!?! (I know I did, just wanted to reiterate it!)


First thing this morning, I opened the doors and windows and let the stale air of my house flow out and allowed the fresh air in....my house smells like nature right now and I love that! (Also, smells like the ribs that John is cooking - an added bonus for my nose!)

Looking forward to another day like this tomorrow...

Fingers crossed~
Laurie

Nuts for peanuts!

I have a very endearing relationship with peanuts! God knew what he was doing when he gave me allergy-free kids, because I don't know if I could give them up ...seriously! Sam and Lily would have to sport a hazmat suit because I would definitely still be eating my spoonful of peanut butter!


I like them in any shape or form:


And don't forget the Southern delicacy....


Throw in some chocolate and you've won me over forever!


Goober~
Laurie

"I Love"

I love how little Miss Lily Clare, at the ripe age of 5, can spell "I Love You" without any help!

She asks no one how to spell it! She may ask how to spell a name, she may not place the "To" or "From" exactly right, but the "I Love You" is always perfect!

**"SSam" was this lucky recipient!

"I love" my girl~
Laurie

Oops

O.K., so my blogging mind got a little blurry yesterday and I totally forgot to update ye old blog. So, once again, I'll cover two topics...

Friends:

I consider myself very lucky in the friend department! First of all, I'm one of those people who likes to be around others; I like to talk to others (even strangers) and I like to make new friends! I need some quiet time once in a while, but the majority of the time I'm around other people...talking.

My friends are girls that I can truly depend on. We're not all alike, we're not always in agreement with what everyone else is doing, but we're close and we'll do anything for one another. And that's a good feeling!

I love my friends!







Compliments:

I love compliments! Giving them and receiving them! No, I'm not shallow -- be honest, how do you feel when you are complimented about something? Your hair, a job well done, the way your children behave (whew)...it makes you feel good! Now, think about when you compliment others. It always puts a smile on the other person's face. And doing that for someone, makes me feel good!

So, here's the latest compliment I received....

I was in charge of Sam's Valentine Party on Monday. It was a blast and everything went according to plan. (Which is a lot to say of a 3rd grade party.) Well, during the party about 4 children came up and hugged me and told me that it had been the best party ever!!! (blushing) And then this little note came home with Sam:


I Rock...so I'm told~
Laurie

P.S. Thanks Grace!