We are adding 1 to our family.

Ha! Got your attention didn't I?

I love to do that.

So....Last fall my sister-in-law & husbands brother invited into their home an exchange student.  I remember thinking WOW! They are brave & hospitable.  How did they know if they would get a good kid?  How would that dynamic change their family?  And then later how would it change our extended family get together.   

 But you know what?  This worrier by nature learned to know and love the exchange student.  My sil and bil taught me without knowing...How to give the gift of your family, how to open your home, and your heart.  Although at the time~ I wasn't thinking we would ever do anything like that, I just thought it was nice that they were.  :)

We've spent time with her over the months...and learned something outside of our little bubble.  And it's been fun.  And you know what? It did do something to our family get togethers....It enhanced them.  She brought fun & a sweet smile.

So when we got a call last week asking if we would be willing to host her for the remainder of the school year we were a little more open minded than we would've been even a year ago. 

 {Donovan's brother, wife, & family moved to another school district/town last week.} 

 We thought about it, prayed a lot, talked a lot.  And said YES.

I'm always pretty amazed how God stretches us.  Something we thought we'd never do....He opens the door and helps you to think beyond yourself. 

So tonight we welcomed another Isabela (she uses 1 "l" & our Isabella uses 2) to our home tonight.  She comes to us from Brazil and celebrated her 18th birthday last month.   

So that brings our count up to 3 girls & 2 boys....2 of them being "Isabella".  

{we're working on nicknames}  

Already loving how she captivates our kids. 



pin it & do it....part 4 & 37 years

Yesterday I celebrated 37.  WOW! That USED to seem old to me....Getting very close to 40ish feeling.  But now....50 will be the new number when I feel "old".  I'm not feeling that old yet...should I?  

  So anyways...enough of the "old" talk.   I had an invite for breakfast yesterday with one friend and an offer for a chauffeured trip of shopping in my town of choice from another friend.  So before I left for the day..I did a little pinning & printing off of the computer. 

Take a little guess where I was copy/pasting before I left for the day??  Yeppers!  Pinterst.  Because I love all the outfit ideas...but who can remember all the great combinations when you are AT the store???  Not me!  SO I printed them off....Just some ideas for the day.  When Donovan saw the printed page....He said, "What's that??? You're TO Do list for the day??"  Well yes, yes it is.  Perfect!  I love a TO Do list like that.  And with my objectives in hand I headed out the door.  But not before hubby snapped a picture, handed over some cash, and gave me a little kissie. 

 So Rose invited me for breakfast...I thought we were going out somewhere, So I asked (the night before) to move the time up a little...to give more time for shopping before the kiddos got home.  Well little did I know the honey was doing a homemade breakfast complete with all pretty things.

She spent so much time making this special....so many little touches. 

 She sure knows how to make a girl feel special.

We share a love of Pinterest...and from there she got some delicious dishes she served us yesterday.   Ham, Cheese and Hash Brown Frittata.  Oh my ~Yumminess.

 Along with Homemade Cinnamon Roll Cake.  Coffee with my favorite creamer. And Jack Johnson on Pandora.  And candles.  And a prayer of blessing.  EVERY SINGLE of my 5 senses were fulfilled. 

Another fun surprise was that our friend Carol joined us!!!!  These 2 ladies I have grown closer to over the last 3 years through small group and they have poured so much wisdom onto my life.  I am so blessed by them both.  Yesterday was no different.  Carol was able to speak truth into my life about a situation in my life and give a prospective of another woman in another season.  I think we can do so well to listen to advise like that.  (And Rose ~hope you don't mind I posted the pre-make up face~I know I kinda rushed you that morning by moving up the time!! SO sorry! But sweet friend your the kinda friend who it makes no difference what you are wearing or doing....or how you look.  I could be sitting in our robes in the fast food drive thru with you~and I'd be happy) 

 

 Some of the treats I opened that day.  Are they for Donovan or me?? I'm not sure.  Well except for the purse!  I'm very sure that's for ME. 

 And next came shopping.  I had an offer by my friend Julie to take off for the day, chauffeured by her, to where ever I wanted for birthday shopping.  :)  COLOR ME HAPPY!  I love me some shopping. 

I couldn't help myself but snap a picture of the cute little silver tray you use when purchasing jewelry at Forever 21.  It's just more fun with silver platters.  I was laughing at myself while trying to discreetly take a picture of Julie.  Trying to ensure the 21 year old's and under  didn't see me taking picture in the store of my friend caring a silver platter of jewelry.  Yep.  It's my birthday and I'll take the picture if I want. 

After tons of stops at all my favorite shopping spots....we enjoyed some Chick-fil-a.  And then a Starbucks Strawberries and Cream.  With whip.  With soy.  For free from my friend.  Awwwww..thanks Julie.  I love your laugh, and smile, and stories, and heart.  You are a good listener and friend <3

And wow.....thanks Rosetta for the gift card you mailed.  And Bobbie for the $$$$ you mailed to make my day even more enjoyable.  You sneaky little lady!!  What the world???? How'd I get so lucky???   

I came home later that afternoon....and we packed up the kids for a family dinner at Carrabba's.  Oh yumminess.  So very fun.  It seems they were on their very best behavior and it went so well to have them all there.  Despite a busy night at the restaurant.  Despite the fact that it was past 7 until we ate.  I was livin' the dream!

But it didn't end there.....this morning.....Came my sister in law, Arlene and family.  With more treats!  A cute little zipper pouch~that she made off of Pinterest.  In my favorite colors.  Awwww....so sweet.

This little cutie pie came in the mail for me.  Along with more fun things from my cousin Sherri.  OH MY GOODNESS!  So much fun to get another year older.  My mother in law also dropped some treats off for me while I was gone for the day.  And lots of cards and treats in the mail.  What a fun day!  You friends of mine sure know how to make a girl feel special!!!

Isn't that sweet??? LOVE!

And here's my "What I pinned and did".....some things to complete outfits ideas I got ideas from off of pinterest.  :) Yippee!  I can hardly wait to go somewhere and trick it up!!!!

Love you friends.  Love all you that encourage me to keep going on this blog especially!  Your comments make me smile.   

When the cat is away the mouse will play

This is your congenial fill-in blogger (Mr. Livin' the Dream) with a notice for all you blogospherians out there.  My dear wife has no idea that her blog has been hacked by the birthday police.  She is presently hard at work helping some poor soul squeeze a new, little person into this world and she would be dismayed to find out that her platform has been commandeered for such a frivolous purpose.

Tomorrow the 17th my little love muffin turns 37 and I thought that this would be a nice way to document the occasion.  So in the spirit of good, birthday cheer, I have copied and pasted some cheesy photos of celebratory nature. 

Feel free to drop her a note and let her know how awesome her husband is and tell her that she doesn't look a day over 36 - she would LOVE that. And believe me, she looks closer to 26 but we wouldn't want her to get a swollen ego now would we?  Thank you guys, this is gonna be AWESOME! 

Posted by:  the hacking hacker

pin it & do it....part 3

When I started this gift (the day before I was going to give it) I had no idea how time consuming it would be.  Oops.  Needless to say (2 hours later) I was glad I was done.

Note to self:start homemade gifts the week BEFORE you want to give them.

Would be a great gift for an Anniversary too! :)

He Loved it...I think your hubby would too!  (or wife) :)

pin it & do it....part 2

Pinterest pin it & do it segment 2.....free printable coupons for your kids!  Printed these bad boys last night......and.....

Put them in some cutsie little mailboxes off the $1 rack at Target....AND You've GOT mail!

Love mail that is.  Tee hee.

By far more sweet then any other cards I've received ever in my life were these two I was given this morning.  

Can you read what Jack wrote?  Let me quote it up for you...."Dear Mom and/or Dad  (I love the and/or part there) Thank you for giving me a good life and I don't have to worry about bad things. :) heart.  Love, Jack."  Complete with a pink and red keyboard.  Heart melting for that tender side of that strong headed boy <3 <3


 And just for a bonus since it is Valentines Day and all...I've included another Pinterest idea for ya all.  A quick and easy one if I do say myself.

Go get yourself some balloons from the $1 store, one for each year of marriage (in my case I did one balloon for each 2 years) and tie a card to the balloon remembering what stuck out to you in that year.  And have them floating above the bed when your hubby wakes up.  In my case when I got up for my nightly bathroom break and put them over our bed then.

Sweet, Easy, and Creative....Are you inspired?? I hope so all you love muffins!  Enjoy the one you love today.  XOXOXOXOXO    See you tomorrow.

pin it & do it....part 1

I've no idea where the last month has gone since I've blogged.  Seems there's so much to write about except for all my time is completely taken up with my new passion~obsession~ love......Pinterest.  I love what one pin says: 

 or this one:

Ha ha!!!  But I really love is when I actually take action on something I "pinned". 

Enter Exhibit A:

Using children's stencils to create a pillow cover.  Color in with sharpie.  Cut 2 squares and sew together. 

Wah lah:

 Now.......where to set the darling little thing?  I like it on my entryway bench...but it looks a little lonely. 

And I like it here on the dark chair but I have a feeling the children would not remember this is for "pretty" and not for their precious little heads. 


Stay tuned....each day this week I wanna show you what else I pinned and did.  :)  How about you??? Have you been to Pinterest?  Have you pinned?  Have you created?  I'd love to hear from you!