Things that make me happy.

I'm not normally this kind of blogger, but I've just been real happy lately and I thought I'd give a shout out to a few of the catalysts.

Obviously, these people.

The shellac manicure. I don't ever EVER get manicures, but I'd heard of this stuff and been a little obsessed, so my fabulous s-i-l gave me a gift card for Mother's Day and I'm just so happy about it. The other day I said to Mark, "if we were on the Newlywed Game and they asked what the happiest part of my week was, what would you say?" He appropriately answered, "getting your nails done." Sad? Perhaps. True? Yes. (I have short nails and ugly fingers. Need all the help I can get.)
Our blendtec and green smoothies. This machine is really so fabulous. My mother-in-law gifted us with this in exchange for 2 years worth of Christmas/Bday gifts. Totally worth no gifts til 2013 for this piece of greatness.
My parents always had a prayer bench like this in our house growing up. At some point my Dad got all 4 of us an antique one as well. This is the first time we've had it in our house, and I love having it. I pray a lot, but it's extra special to sometimes go lift up special requests in this location. What have I been praying about a lot lately? This, this, and this.
The Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick. As I said above, I don't indulge much. And actually didn't even buy this one. But it's a once a year splurge for sure. It's magical. I like to think one impact I've had on the world is introducing many people to this little nugget.
This dog. He's really just about perfect. Not yippy. Always close by. Endures excessive trauma from sisters. Barks when someone scary comes around. I love him.
Butter Toffee coffee. And I'm down to only 2 splendas in it. I'm getting to be such a big girl.
My new Brita water pitcher. We had an RO filter in Michigan that tasted so good and so I've barely been drinking water since we moved here. This thing has changed all that. And it's orange.
BBM multi person chat. 2 friends for the price of 1. Awesome. Plus, just texting in general. I love it. Makes me feel closer to people I love far away. And it's easy. And I don't do it while driving. (that's for you Mom.)

And finally, this blog: www.ememby.wordpress.com This girl is one of my favorites. And she is cool. And has a cool blog. Some people, in my opinion, try to force stuff on their blog and try and be certain people they maybe are not. But this girl just oozes greatness and her blog oozes her. It's perfect. Except for the chocolate chip pie recipe somewhere in there. That's just evil.

Stay tuned for regularly scheduled programming.

I love Taylor. And Mothers.

I am constantly thankful for my alma mater. I appreciate the education, but more than that-we seriously have some of the best friends in the world. I am so thankful we went to college with people who share the same values and have stayed amazing friends. And even outside people I knew AT Taylor, I've made friends with many Taylorites post Taylor-through the blog world, and Facebook, and I just am smitten.

Disclaimer-I love a lot of people who didn't go to Taylor. (Shout out to Wheaton and Calvin among other places.) In no way am I belittling anyone else's education or friends. I'm just sayin.

Anyway-some of our (well, mark's that I got to inherit) dearest buddies came in town a few weeks ago. Virgil! (with a name like Virgil, you have to be cool. And Kate, we missed you terribly!)

Fun dinner out-Greg, Justin, Virgil, and the dK ladies. Lucky us!
A joyous reunion with Uncle Greg.

And reconvening for breakfast! It was quite chaotic. But so much fun.
The kid whisperer.
Our special buddy, Keller who we love living by. This picture makes me want to take a bite out of him! So cute!
I think the tongue really adds a little something special.
Reese really trying to forge a bond with Fiona.
Love these boys.
And the offspring. And that nobody is holding their own kid. Which I guess is because most of them are mine.
(We don't normally dress up for breakfast, but had family pictures taken that morning. That yellow tutu kind of pushes me to my limit. Thanks Isla for sharing. :))
We're not trying to force anything, but you can't fight love...
The first time Kaiya smiled for a camera all day.

After breakfast we headed for the park. I enjoyed watching this long line of people and paraphernalia. Especially that Kaiya brought the grocery cart. Cause you just never know when you might need to grab a gallon of milk.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love that Beth-largely for getting married so that I could meet my husband at her wedding. But, I just love her largely anyway.
Where are the kids?!
Oh, there's one.
Moving on to OTHER Taylor besties....my precious, dear, amazing, wonderful friend Abby came to visit us for the weekend. On vacation. Even though I have three kids that are loud. She is that good of a friend.

This was her first time at Chick fil a. Obviously an occasion that needed to be documented.
Dinner out. Me trying to pretend like I have curly hair, too.
Mark let us go shopping. I think you could say we found some real winners.
Abby also had to leave her family for Mother's Day. Well, she didn't HAVE to. She just forgot about Mother's Day when she booked her ticket. Oops. But-my girls got her a LOVELY cat card that will undoubtedly go down in the record books as special. Or notable. Or ugly. But anyway she got a card.

This is my girls bringing me my gift complete with fancy packaging.
Mark sent Abs and I out for the day and had the girls make this cute flower pot with all their handprints. I love that guy. And that pot. I haven't ever NOT killed a plant. But I'm gonna give it a shot to display this cuteness.

This was what we had for dessert on Mother's Day. Huh.
All the Moms present.
My precious mama and equally fabulous sister-in-law. So thankful to have two seasoned women to learn from!
A final dinner out before Abby took my heart and went back to Minnesota.
Whew. That was a long one. Let's just all hope blogger never goes out for two days again. We miss you friends! Thanks for coming to the Sunshine State!

Easter is about Jesus!

Which I'm very thankful for. Because, well, first of all I love Jesus. But also, because if it were about getting a good picture, or preparing lovely Easter baskets, I would be a BIG failure.

We started off the morning with this beautiful shot.

But since Reese wasn't in it I grabbed this really stellar one of just her.
Ladies and gentlemen: the only picture of all three of my girls together on Easter Sunday.
I think you can see what I mean.
But I did get some REALLY sweet pictures...like this one-
and this one-
well this might not qualify as "sweet"
but this does!
and so does this.
All 8 of our precious girls! (See, I'm not far away from having everybody smile. Just like, 5-10 years)
Later we gathered for Easter baskets (provided by their more on the ball aunt and grandmother)
and swimming...and sunglasses
lots of sunglasses...
more sunglasses and great pictures. this would have been so cute if everyone had just cooperated.
But this might be cute enough to make up for it.
Pretty Maia's birthday was on Easter Sunday this year, and every year is one day after Ava's. We love our beautiful birthday girls!
So thankful He has risen! Feeling very blessed to have been able to share this Easter with our family and listening to a sermon by my brother who, in my humble opinion, is pretty much the best thing since hashbrown casserole. Hope everyone had a wonderful day!