Date Night!

One day when it was raining last week, when I went to pick Ryder up from school they were inside (they are usually outside playing), and they were all taking turns getting to bowl.  Poor Ryder did NOT know what he was doing, but he was enjoying it so much and sweet boy was trying so hard!  I thought to myself, "Why haven't I taken that boy bowling?!"  I felt like a horrible mom!!  So, it was my mission that next weekend to take him bowling!

Sure enough on Friday afternoon when I picked him up I told him I was taking him some where and he said, "Where?  The bowling alley?!"  I knew he had been looking forward to it all week when I told him I would take him.  We went about 5 o'clock, and there were literally two other groups in there and no one else!  It was so nice! 

 Getting his shoes on, and oh so excited!!

Of course they gave him a super little ball from behind the counter, got him a stand to use, and we got the bumpers up for him!  ;)

He really wasn't a bad bowler...he loved that he had two chances to get them all...but he loved it even more when I missed!  Little booger!!  But he always cheered for me when I got a strike!  ;)  

I asked him where he wanted to go eat afterwards...and he said exactly what I thought he would say--Panera!  Crazy kid!  He likes to sit in the window sill at one particular seat, and of course it was taken, but we made do!  

PB&J for little bit, and tomato soup and macaroni and cheese (only the best!) for Mama!

It was a perfect little date night with my little man and I look forward to many more with him just like this!  I'm already trying to figure out when I can take him back to the bowling alley!

31 day blog challenge...day 4

Day 4:  Best childhood memory

I have a few random ones I want to share...nothing too special, just great memories.

• Going to my great aunt and uncles' house out in the middle of know where with my cousin Tonya and getting to sleep under the pullout couch in the living room...making our own "tents"
• My family's vacation to St. Louis in the 3rd-ish grade?  We went to a 17 inning Cardinals game, went up in the arch, St. Louis Children's Museum, and ate on a McDonald's boat.  For some reason...very memorable!
• Getting ice cream at my Nana's when we were little, each grandkid would get the number of cherries in their bowl plus one!  So fun because I was always the oldest!  :P
• Going down to the farm with my dad and brother and our friends during the summer to ride four wheelers and fish, and "rough it" for a couple of days.
• My dad taking us to monster truck rallies, rodeos etc. just to expose us to different things!  So thankful!

That's about it...told ya it wasn't too excited, but it's my most vivid and thankful memories growing up! =)

31 day blog challenge...day 3

Day 3:  What makes you happy?

This is going to be so cliche for any mom...but...it's the truth!  & if you're not a mom, then one day you will understand...I promise!

• Seeing Ryder SO excited about something--even if it's just a new pack of gum, or telling him that we are going to the bowling ally, or the park, or that we're about to go see his KeeKee!  Seeing happiness in children is such an exciting thing!
• When people do something unexpected for me...
• Watching and hearing Ryder soak things up like a sponge!  I seriously only have to tell him things once and he will remember it for good!  I really have to be careful about what I say!
• Being in the classroom with students and finally seeing them "get it"--when that light bulb goes off in their head and everything you have been trying to teach them finally makes sense to them.  Happiness for a teacher!
• When Ryder yells "Mooooooom!!!!" & I'm like OMG, "WHATTTTT?" & he says, "I love you mom."  #meltmyheart
• When people tell me I'm a good mom.  This might sound like bragging, but it's not.  All moms doubt themselves at times, and even though I know I'm not perfect, it is nice to hear someone say I'm doing a good job every once and while.  
• Getting out of bed and knowing my morning coffee is waiting on me!
• Finding something I've been wanting/looking for--ON SALE!!
• Being able to say "less than a year" when people ask me when I'm going to be done with school!  ECCCKK!!

31 day blog challenge...day 2

Day 2:  Favorite quote(s)

I have way to many!  I have a whole word document full that I've been adding to for close to 10 years.  I also have a journal I write a lot of my favorite in.  I'll just share a few that currently relate to my life...these aren't things I ran to Pinterest to find, these are quotes that have impacted and encouraged me throughout my life, whether that be now or years ago...They were good then, and they're good now!  ENJOY!  ;)

• Missing someone is part of loving them.  If you're never apart, you'll never really know how strong your love for them truly is.

• Hate is easy; love takes courage.

• A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a long & realize how blessed you are.

• Many of the adventures you go on will not make sense to other people because the outcome is unknown.  But journeys where the outcome is already known are not adventures, they're errands.  And you were not created to run errands, you were crated to do more than run errands.

• Lack of planning on YOUR part, does not constitute an emergency on MY part.  

• Worrying implies that we don't quite trust that God is BIG enough, POWERFUL enough, or LOVING enough to take care of us & our lives....{woah-->let that hit you like a ton of bricks!  One of my faves right now!}

What are some of your favorite quotes?

Linking up with Fabulous Finds by Tiffany!

31 day blog challenge...day 1

I'm trying something new!  I am doing a 31 day blogging challenge!  I honestly saw it on IG and thought it looked like something fun and interesting to do, so I decided to take part!  I may not do it everyday but I am most definitely going to try, because I want to!  =)  It is hosted by Fabulous Finds By Tiffany & feel free to join in!  

This may be boring to some, but I know I'll be glad I did it one day...and you might learn a thing or two about me in the process!  =)  I miss writing like I used to, so this will be good for me!

Day 1:  self-portrait & 5 random facts about me!

1. I am the oldest grandchild on both sides of the family!  A bit spoiled before all the other cousins came along!  :P

2. I was originally a graphic design major before switching to middle level education.

3.  I like my creamer with a little bit of coffee.  I'm working on reversing this though.

4.  I only let myself eat Taco Bell if it's after midnight...because it just "feels right"--& the later it is, the worse it is for you I know...dumb!

5.  Me & my friends changed our HS marque sign once.  We stole gathered all the letters we needed from other marques around town to say what we wanted to say, and changed it in the middle of the night....It sounds dumb now, but we had a blast doing it!  =)

I'm linking up over at Fabulous Find by Tiffany!