Summer Sweetness

The girls and I had a spa day a few weeks back. By spa day, I do mean we hit up the nail salon. 

This sweet girl VERY kindly told her little nail lady at a minimum of 5 times "No I do not want design!" "No thank you."  "Not today. Thanks!"  "I usually do, yes, but I just want pink today!" "No ma'am. I said no thank you!"  

I. Was. Rolling. 

Mamma had to intervene. Praise Jesus she  let it go!  But, not without a fight!

This little rascal probably didn't Help the desire for the "up sale" when after soaking her toes for an hour declined the pedi. Sis was over it and made no bones about it. She had sat there long enough and her toes had soaked so she was good!  Free foot bath is not on the price menu by the way!:)

Soaking in my days with these girls. Goodness it's been a great summer and I am going to miss these babes so much when they go back to school!

Oh this man of mine. I tell ya what, he's a keeper. Seriously Cherish ever second we are together!!

He can man handle a tractor like nobody's business. 

We got a pool a couple of weeks ago and it has been so much fun, yet somuch  work. Matt and I have seriously put days into this pool and the dirt work and lad scaling around it. It's been a labor of love for sure and I have so enjoyed working along side my man. Such a family affair!

If this isn't random I don't know what is. But I'm leaving you with the most delish rolls I have ever made!!  Seriously so yum and so perfect. The right amount of fluff and density, and look how gorgeous they are!  So...these are my new go to roll!!  

Sweet summertime please stick around. I haven't had quite enough of you yet!!

Memory Making.

Last week we headed up to Camp Siloam where our Children were at Kid's Camp. It was so fun to show Alyssa where she will be attending camp next year. 

Since my brother and Kaylie live in Siloam, we made a stop to see their new house and sweet Cora Janes nursery. Oh my heart may explode with love for this child. We adore the parents too!😜

We had lunch at the Wooden Spoon in Gentry. Oh my that place did not disappoint!  So very yum. 

How cute is my sister-n-law??:)😍

After we left camp we surprised the girls and headed to Branson. They had no idea. I had packed for them and loaded the truck and they never had a clue. 

We were about 30 mins outside of Branson when they finally wondered where we were!:). So fun!!

We headed straight for SDC and closed down the park. It was not crowded and the temp was amazing. Has this summer not been the best!!?!?  Such a blessing. 

This little one was up a little earlier then the rest of the crew so she and I made our way to breakfast. 

We then came

Back an woke up sleepy head and served her breakfast in bed!  Now that's the life. 

We had lunch at our favorite spot. Shorty Smalls!  Always yum. Always leave way too full!:)

Oh how I love this man!

Of course, a little bass pro action. Free entertainment!:)

So thankful we were able to get away for a few days. Summer is flying by and we are taking in each moment with these girls. 

Spring break fun.

Not sure why this is JUST now positing!:)

We started our SB week in Branson. It was so relaxing and just a blessing to get away with our girls and sweet friends. There was no one there and it was fabulous. 

These two dominated at go carts. They started in first and never let a car pass them. The competition was tight but they achieved the winner spot!:). So fun!!

These two and their daddy. Such a sweet bond. 

These four have a blast together. God has truly blessed their friendship more than we could have ever imagined. Their gender differences do not hinder their feed ship at all!:)

Had to post this yummy cheese bread I made with our pizza it was so good and so easy. 

Oh these girls. Alyssa looks way too old and Bella loves flashing the peace sign. ✌️ Not sure where that came from but there's hasn't been a pic lately she hasn't held up the deuces. 

The girls got to go to the houseboat for a few days with tier nana and papa and Alyssa got to go striped fishing with her papa. She was a happy girl. It was so chilly and she just was a trooper. 

What's a trip to the houseboat without a little Hot Springs Mexican??:)

I'm always so thankful for a little down time in our lives. It's so important. I hated to see my girls go back to school, but it just made me even more exited for summer break. 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Weekend roundup.

These girls and athletic gear. Melt me. 

Bella prefers a dress most days. Who am I kidding...everyday, so it's a treat to see her in casual Friday!!;)

Bella and I needed to hit up the VB library and you CAN'T go to the library without pulling in Paul's Bakery. I mean, the car literally takes over and gravity pulls you right to the door. It's pretty amazing actually. 

Who could turn down this deliciousness?!:!

And this adorable date?!;)

Royalty was calling and Princess Bella needed to get in full attire as soon as we got home. But this getup was worn for a short time. I had to capture the hideousness. 

My babes and I before church yesterday!  Love those sweeties. 

Alyssa is getting so grown up. She's a long legged, sweet spirited, tender hearted, loyal loving little beauty and I am constantly blessed by her heart. 

Time slow down. 

My focus has been more on intentional living. Life is but a vapor and time is not slowing down. I just don't want to have any regrets of Wasting time on meaningless things. I want to be present in the life God has given me and for as love as He gives me breath.  

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalms 139:23, 24 

A day with A!!

When we were getting hit with snow every other day, little sis got to miss a little more school than the big girl. She was a little bummed but I promised her we would make up for it one day. 

So this week, I told Alyssa she was skipping school and having a day with momma. 

I am not one to let my girls miss school. This was a special occurrence. Testing is over, she hasn't missed, and she has had straight A's. 

It's so important to make her feel special. A little sibling sometimes appears to get more attention due to the fact they are more dependent. 

So, today was all about Alysa Lauren. I loved every second with her!!

We started the day with Manis and Pedis, went to lunch, and did some shopping!

I love this girl so much. She's getting way too grown up, but I see God molding her precious life and I can't wait to see the amazing ways He uses her!

Love you my first born!!

Just wishing for Spring.

The Ward clan is ready for spring!  We spent an evening last week getting the flower beds mulched and ready to plant flowers when the temps warm up a bit!  

What can I say?  I am a hard working girl!:)  

Bella and Lola.  Such a love/hate relationship.  Let me just go on the record and say that Cavalier dogs are the most laid back breed and amazing with children.  I know this from experience.  The end.

God some new jeans the other day and felt something in my backside.  Found this little beauty that was left behind.  Literally.  Ouch.

We love some Hog baseball.  There is nothing quite like relaxing at a baseball game.  Especially with this man by my side.

Oh sweet girl and Ribby!  She is just presh!

That's about as random of a post as they come.  Cheers to Thursday!

Virginia getaway

We traveled to Virginia Beach area this past weekend to see our good friends Taylor and Meg and to meet their sweet baby boy, Colton.  

These two hit it off and were quite the little buds.  This is the sweetest most content baby.  We hauled him all over creation and he never made a peep.

We were so blessed to have a girls morning out to our favorite.  Panera and pedi's.  It was so fun and so relaxing and so great to get to do those two things in person, together.  This girl is amazing and I am so thankful that distance only strengthens our friendship.  We both always feel so refreshed after time spent together, and I am so blessed by you, Meg!

I love this man, and I am so thankful to travel and see the world with him!

Oh how we love the Smithson family!  Bro. Stu was the children's pastor at Lavaca and Matt grew up with him.  God recently called them to leave Lavaca and continue their ministry in Virginia.  We sure miss them, but God is using them in mighty ways to reach a boat load of families (no pun intended).  We are so thankful for their friendship and the call on their lives.  This is one precious family!

We did a lot of this.  It was so much fun!  Eating is my fav.

Thanks so much Meg and Tay and baby  C for your generosity this weekend.  Your friendship is a blessing to us and we thank God for the closeness that even distance can not break!  Love you guys!!

Low Key Kind of Week.

This week has been a pretty low key week for us. We returned Monday from Virginia and celebrated the Mr. And his b-day with the girls. Then Alyssa and I went on a run!  

She's a mess. She loves to run with momma, and I love having her as my partner. 

Just one of my all time fav meals. Chicken Alfredo. I love carbs. It's real, folks. 

Bless it. She sure has it rough. 

Yep, I let my child hang out of the sunroof at parent pick up. So any of you who saw a kid hanging out the top of a car...it was mine. She's only little once and next year I will be picking HER up in that line so I'm living it up with her. If you see her on the hood of the car... don't think anything it of it. #livinginthemoment

Now this is a car wash. They had my car washed before I went through the tunnel. Please and thank you.

Pretty sure I freaked them out and almost ran over a worker. Drive and neutral are  NOT the same thing. In case you wondered. The end.  Moving on. 

My kids. They do NOt have the same idea of clean as I do. My little Alyssa she sure is a hoarder.  Everything is special to her and has a purpose in her room.  I love that she savors the smallest things and that she values what she has.  It sure blessed my heart to find this little gift in the middle of her chaotic closet. 

She's precious and I find these little notes all the time. I pray she learns to clean up a little better, but that she will never stop writing us these sweet notes. 

Oh my hubs. He's so good to me. He knows the way to my heart. I know some girls hate getting flowers, but I love nothing more than having fresh flowers in my house. He loves to bless me and he did just that today. 

It's been a good week. Low key and relaxing. Just what the Ward's needed.