Day 7

6. A picture of me when I was little. (I'm postponing this because all the pictures from when I was little are at my parents' house.)

7. A picture of someone who inspires me.

oh, so cheesy, I know...but true. I really feel blessed to be married to such a great person. He inspires me to be a better person because I truly feel like he deserves the best, and might have gotten a little shafted...haha. I love you, and Happy Birthday, tomorrow, old man!

Day 5

5. A photo of myself two years ago.

Two years ago we took Axl to the zoo for the first time. It ended up raining most of the day and was extremely humid and I remember being so shocked at how his hair ended up so curly. :) oh, the curls.

Day 4 and the new couch!!

4. 20 of my favorite things.

1. my family, they're all great
2. peach rings
3. warm cinnamon roasted almonds
4. Diet Coke
5. Freshly bathed babies
6. new things...anything I know I am the first one to use. I think this comes from my phobia of Goodwill.
7. falling asleep watching tv with my husband at night
8. fuzzy navel sno-cones
9. Reese's Eggs
10. pearls
11. labeled things
12. handwritten notes
13. framed photos
14. the way my kids love their bunny bears
15. school supplies
16. monochromatic outfits
17. listening to music while cleaning
18. Orange Leaf
19. sweet potato fries with ketchup from Smashburger
20. IKEA and OUR NEW COUCH!!**I want to remember that tonight Axl and I laid down together on the couch and read from the New Testament stories book and he actively paid attention and enjoyed 7 chapters--this is seriously big!! He loved to tell me about Jesus and John "fwimmin" a.k.a. "Jesus is Baptized". :) Then we sang songs and he actually sang with me, which also is BIG! Today was a good day.

Day 3 and Super Arm!

3. A photo of myself and a description of how my day was.

Not the best picture in the world, but we very rarely have the whole fam in a pic and I like that we're all in it :)

My day was pretty great except that it marks the end of our Anniversary weekend celebration. We picked up the couch this morning, came home to pick up the kids, took Axl's cast off (YAY), gave the kiddos baths, had FHE (a rare opportunity with Tyler working nights--HE STARTS DAY SHIFT TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), and tucked them into bed.

You could tell Axl was pretty relieved to have his bare arm back as we unwrapped the bandages and removed the splint, but pretty quickly he started to feel weird about it. I guess because he hasn't used those muscles in so long, it is foreign to him. He just walks around like he still has the cast on with his little thumb tucked into his fist. As we got him out the bath he told me, "soupa ahm back" (We called it his Super Arm) :)

Day 2

2. 15 facts about me.

1. I am extremely obsessive. but only about 1 thing at a time. if I am excited/focused on something, nothing else really gets any attention. :/
2. The best thing that has happened to me in my entire life is Tyler C. Hamilton.
3. I have 2 of the most beautiful children in the world.
4. My mom is my best friend.
5. I did, not sure if I still do, hold the Bourbon County Middle School Record for the mile. 5:59
6. I love to run now, but at a much slower pace.
7. I am addicted to group fitness classes.
8. The idea of couponing overwhelms me so much that I am perfectly ok with choosing to throw away money. much to Tyler's dismay.
9. My life is a cycle. I try to CLEAN ALL THE THINGS, don't ever get quite through it before things start getting messy again, feel overwhelmed, then try to CLEAN ALL THE THINGS.
10. I cry when I think about Axl's curlies being gone.
11. I am a first grade teacher. :) I love saying that.
12. I like to theme things until their cheesy. parties, events, etc.
13. I HATE walking on snow.
14. I love to cook and wish I could get better at it.
15. I canNOT dance.

Since we are away with no kids, we have time to do fun stuff like this.
Tyler's list of 15 facts about me.

1. Born in 1985.
2. Favorite food is cinnamon roasted almonds.
3. A good mother.
4. Loves ugly boat shoes.
5. Favorite drink is Diet Coke.
6. Does not like to do laundry.
7. Always puts her feet on the dashboard when she's in the passenger seat.
8. Gets restless when she sits for long periods of time.
9. Most of the time loves her husband.
10. Good writer.
11. Is a teacher.
12. Makes awesome kung pao chicken.
13. Is beautiful.
14. Would lose her head if it weren't attached.
15. Does great voice impersonations.

Tyler's list of 15 facts about himself.

1. First and foremost- Tyler refuses to actually type this list because he says "he's done typing the rest of his life". He just finished his MBA.
2. I'm bald.
3. I don't like onions or salad.
4. I enjoy playing basketball and watching UK basketball.
5. I enjoy time with my wife.
(after having trouble with more..."I'm not really qualified to do this." Seriously Tyler??? You're not qualified to give 15 facts about YOURSELF!
6. I'm an over-eater.
7. I like to be challenged.
8. I strive to be frugal even though my wife may call it cheap.
9. I'm a very picky person. food, clothing, etc.
10. I really like dance time with the kids at the house.
11. I look forward to reading for pleasure instead of reading by force.
12. I have a great circle of friends and family. unsurpassed.
13. I love my wife.
14. I'm grateful for the Gospel.
15. I love to be around people.

aaaaand...my list of 15 facts about Tyler.

1. He is a great provider.
2. He is cheap. ha.
3. He always wears shoes in the house.
4. His intentions are blaringly obvious but he likes to think he's smooth.
5. He loves his babies.
6. He is an awesome public speaker.
7. He is funny, but sometimes not as funny as he thinks he is, ha.
8. He is a list maker and this makes him extremely productive.
9. He takes GREAT pride in his lawn.
10. It drives him nuts when I junk up the garage.
11. When he's going to fall asleep, he's going to fall asleep; whenever, wherever.
12. He gets attached to certain things like shoes and clothing. He is convinced they are the best and none will be as good...so he keeps wearing them, even if they look a little trashy.
13. He loves to watch PTI.
14. He honors his priesthood.
15. When he laughs really hard, he sounds like a wheezy old man. and I like it.

We had so much fun yesterday that I didn't stop to blog. We found some good deals at the outlets, Brio was amazing as always, and we saw Harry Potter in IMAX 3D. We loved it. I really love this time that we're getting to spend together and am SO grateful Granny and Papaw are taking really good care of the Axman and Coop.

Day 1 and 4 YEARS!

Day 1. A photograph of myself today and three good things that have happened in the past 30 days.1. From July 1st to the 9th we took our first real family vacation. We went to Myrtle Beach and despite a few unfortunate happenings, we had a GREAT time.
2. After arriving home, we were met with cousin Sonia who came to stay and help us out for a week. Axl LOVES Sonia. I'm sure we'll remember this, but Axl is not what you'd call a "people person" and he just melts when Sonia is around. When he saw her for the first time this trip at church (we haven't seen her since Coop's birthday party), he walked gingerly up to her and grabbed her hand, and then plopped himself (not gracefully, with a broken arm) right next to her on the pew. It was precious.
3. Also--within the last 30 days, my classroom was cleared out, furnished by the best custodian in the world, Mike, and opened to me to move in!! I have had a lot of fun working in there and really can't wait to get started. Though I also feel very overwhelmed and nervous.

and the best thing of all...As of yesterday Tyler and I have been married for 4 years! Last week, Tyler was in Columbus all week and when he returned today we dropped the kids at Granny and Papaw's and headed for Cincinnati! I am unbelievably excited about a weekend with my husband and no kids (I LOVE my kids, but there is just something about the feeling of being alone after having children!). Tonight we're rewatching Part I of Deathly Hallows to prepare for a day of shopping, Brio, and Part II of Dealthly Hallows. The next day we plan to go to King's Island for a combined celebration of our anniversary and Tyler's birthday (technically last year's birthday because that's what he wanted and we never made it) and on Monday--the piece de resistance--IKEA for THE COUCH...my Christmas present from Tyler :) :)

All smiles here on Day 1. :)

30 Day Challenge

I've seen many people do a 30 day challenge on their blog, and most recently started following my Cousin, Tara's, challenge. I started thinking about it, and did some research, and a lot of the people who take on this challenge are attempting to make a habit out of blogging. Where blogging used to be a treat for me it has now become something that strikes a chord of guilt. I put together an awesome book from my first year of blogging and gave it to Tyler for his birthday. He loved it. I think more than I thought he would. Probably weekly or bi-weekly when I get busy, or go through a rough patch, he, pretty politely says, "Remember how much I loved that book. You should try and get caught up.", or "Make sure you put this on the blog". And lately the latter has been a joke we get a pretty good laugh out of because I'm so behind. HOWEVER, though perhaps not as frequently, I have taken pictures, and jotted down things to remember over my absences from the blog and do intend to have a book from each year (none probably as awesome as what I like to call my "honeymoon phase" year). Anyway, long story short, here are the reasons I'm going to do the 30 day challenge. When I do not want to blog I will come read this list--hopefully.

1. I truly do want to make a habit out of blogging.
2. I love the book we have that reminds us of all sorts of memorable happenings our first 2 years of marriage.
3. I love my husband, and he likes to keep record of things. Well, I guess likes ME to keep record of things...but anyway...
4. I have found that if I write one post, I am more apt to go back and catch up on a few other ones since I'm in the bloggy, writey, makin' memories kind o' mood.
5. If I complete this challenge, but a habit is not created, I will at least have documented the next 30 days, (I plan on adding different things to the post other than the original topic) which are going to be a BIG 30 days!!

So, here we go. Unless I fail miserably and don't post another one after today (in which case I probably don't want to hear a WORD about the blog), please motivate me! :)

1. A photograph of myself today and three good things that have happened in the past 30 days.

2. 15 facts about me.

3. A photo of myself and a description of how my day was.

4. 20 of my favorite things.

5. A photo of myself two years ago.

6. A picture of me when I was little.

7. A picture of someone who inspires me.

8. A recipe.

9. A photo of the last item I purchased.

10. A photo and description of what's in my makeup bag.

11. A photograph of the town I live in.

12. A TV show I'm currently addicted to.

13. Something I don't leave the house without.

14. A photo of something that makes me happy.

15. Something I crave a lot.

16. What's in my purse?

17. A photo of something that means a lot to me.

18. A photo of somewhere I've been.

19. A picture of me last year and now with a description of how I've changed since then.

20. My worst habit.

21. Five of my biggest pet peeves.

22. My celebrity crush.

23. Something I could never get tired of doing.

24. My favorite book.

25. Someone who inspires me.

26. A picture of somewhere I'd love to travel.

27. My dream house.

28. An art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc.) that means something to me.

29. A picture of something I wish I was better at.

30. A picture of something I'm afraid of.

Shopping trip in order to avoid embarassment from Axl attending his "Last Day of Summer Pre-School Pajama Party" in pajamas that were too small ...FAIL. We get there and he chooses these? Yes, they fit, but seriously, buddy? 500% itchy polyester, Woody and Buzz, neon green cheapos? We'll have to work on his taste. He also picked out this gown for Cooper and since none of her summer pajamas fit anymore either, I bought it. He got mad when we got home and realized it wasn't for him, ha.

Cooper Jay...

...took two steps today!!