Super Excited

A huge thank you to one of my sweet friends for giving my blog a much needed facelift!  Its a work in progress right now...but I can't wait to see the finished project. 

I'm tackling our guest bathroom this week.  I promise.  I'll do a before and after post.  It is a small space, so I think I can handle.  The playroom taunts at me...I see so many awesome rooms on Pinterest...but I don't know if I have it in me to pull out all of the creative stops and make it the room I want it to be.  It is also our family room, so it can't be all toy.  So, I'll take baby steps and hit the bathroom.  Stay tuned :)

Updates

We've been MIA from my weekly all things Smith updates....mostly because my calendar looks like this these days.

I'm ready for things to slow down, but feel extremely blessed to be so busy at the same time.

Here is some of what we've been up to courtesy of my phone:

 Rustin had an Easter Feast with all his little Buddies

 Ryder had an Easter Egg Hunt on the Playground at School with all of his Friends

 Charlie Pretended to be the Easter Bunny

 We went to see Anna Easter Morning at her Church in Dallas

 They sported these cool new shirts from Grandma

 We hit the Zoo one Morning

 Played with Shaving Cream in the Shower

 I ran my first Half Marathon in 2 hours and 3 minutes on Sunday morning.  I can't even begin to explain how rewarding it felt to complete something that I had no idea I could ever do. 

More updates soon!

Thankful

We had severe weather in North Texas yesterday.  I was working and drove a huge circle around  the perimeter of the entire metroplex.  The boys were with their Grandma.  She lives in Arlington, just miles from where one of yesterday's tornadoes hit.  One of my sweet friend's homes was in the Arlington Tornado's direct path.  I kept driving. trying to dodge each storm, before it could get to the city I was in.When looking at the devastation, it is nothing short of a miracle that there was not a single death in yesterday's storms.  I planned for a Wordless Wednesday post today, but instead I thought I'd say how entirely grateful I am that my family and friends stayed safe.  God is Good and he is definitely Big Enough.

Here

We're here.  Most days I feel like I'm struggling to keep my head above the water, but we're here.  Someone told me to enjoy the days of toddler-hood because it only gets busier.  I am sure it will be and somehow we will adapt.

For now I'll relish the fact that at least my boys are with me most of the time....even when things seem unimaginably crazy.  I'll cherish knowing that Rustin's favorite thing is Toy Story 3 and not a girl.  I'm thankful that Ryder's idea of a good time is to hang out on a parked riding lawnmower with his I-touch.  I won't take for granted the honesty of my 4-year old...even when he tells me I stink.  One day I'll pray that he continues to tell me the truth.  I will hold close to my heart the words of my 2-year old as he says "Mommy, I miss you every day"...after I pick him up from a 5-hour stay at preschool.  You can't imagine how happy it makes me, that our 4-year old asks us to move with him, when he leaves for college.

I love these boys, even on the days I feel like a frazzled mess.  Even on the days when the doors slam, toy chases ensue while yelling "it's mine!", little bodies fall on the floor in a flurry of stomping feet and crocodile tears, defiantly they refuse to eat dinner, and end the day making tidal waves in the bathtub....it is no coincidence that God picked these two for us.  They make us WHOLE.  Love you both to the Moon and Back!

Tasty Tuesday- Bunny Bait

Bunny Bait.  Its all the rave on Pinterest.  It should be.  It is super easy, super fast, super delicious, and makes you look like a super mom.  I made it the week before spring break for Ryder's teacher.  We were celebrating her birthday and I wanted to send her a treat, but not cake. 

 
After seeing the recipe for Bunny Bait, I decided to mix it up and press it into my Bundt Pan, hoping it would hold together.  It did!  I should have taken a picture before I wrapped it all up, but forgot.  I'm not making it again, because I'll eat it all...especially on this rainy, nothing else to do day.  Here is the  recipe that I originally found at Sing for Your Supper:

Grab These Ingredients:
1 bag popcorn, popped
6 oz. white chocolate candy coating (The Wilton Melting Pieces work best)
1 bag Easter M&Ms
pretzel sticks, broken into small pieces
colorful sprinkles, if desired

Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl with the broken up pretzels and M&Ms. Heat the candy coating in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each time, until melted and smooth.
Drizzle the candy coating over the popcorn mixture and stir to coat. The pretzels and M&Ms will sink to the bottom, so make sure to get those stirred in and coated with the rest of the popcorn.
Press the mixture into a Bundt Pan sprayed thoroughly with cooking spray, top with a few sprinkles  and let cool.  Turn upside down onto a plate and pat the pan to break loose.  Enjoy!

Spring Break

Spring Break left me hungry for Summer.  Long days with no plans.  Not having to be anywhere at a particular time.  Not having to schedule naps around pick-up time.  Picnics in the backyard.  Trips to my parent's house.  Late evenings when getting to bed on time isn't as important.  Cousins, swimming, the Rangers, watering the flowers, juicy watermelon and mouthwatering snow cones.  Oh summer...I anxiously await you just the same as I did 20 years ago!

For now I'll cherish Spring and all of the signs of new life it brings.  The boys and their cousin Anna spent a day with my Mom and Dad (Gran and Granddaddy) working in their garden last week.  We saw the Lorax in 3-D...cute movie and a great message.  We spent a day with the boy's cousins, Colby and Keelie, and ended the week with family on a patio sipping Margaritas at a Mexican restaurant.  Life is very good here at Ft. Smith!

Friends

We love the Valles family.  They were in Dallas over the weekend and we were able to sneak in a quick "L-inner" (that time in between lunch and dinner) at the Twisted Root Burger Company.  Yummy food and great company!

Ryder loves Rylee and is always excited to see her!

Instead of getting an Order Number, they give you a Celebrity's Name.  Ryder's listening for our "Names"!

Peek-A-Boo!

Good Conversation with...

...pretty girls and....

...silly boys!

I think he's giving Ryder the "Stink-eye"...you know that look you give right before...well you know.

BFF's.

The girls. Nima, Rylee and Me!