Father's Day and A Birthday!

Today (well, actually it was yesterday, but I wrote this blog post yesterday and didn't get to posting it until today :)) is my sister-in-law, Maddy's, birthday!  Tommy and I are so glad that she joined the Edwards family just a little over a year ago and that she is the perfect match for his little bro Mark.  Thanks for being a great sister Maddy, even though we don't see you often, we love the time we do spend with you.  You are a godly young woman who has a heart after the Lord.  Continue to seek Him and He will make all your paths straight.  Only 5 more days until our North Carolina lake house vacation and we are so excited to catch up with everyone!!!



This past weekend we celebrated Father's Day.  I have to admit, I outdid myself.  HaHa.  No really, I did.  Last year was a total FAIL, so I'm glad I was able to redeem myself this year.  A week before Father's day, I scheduled a 1-hour massage for Tommy (for $35 mind you) with a family friend of ours and surprised him with that.  This past weekend, I had coordinated with other bible study wives from Crosspoint, and booked a t-time for an 18-hole "Father's Day" golf outing for all of our men, followed by a cookout at our place.  I know one of Tommy's favorite things is his men's Annual Bulldog tournament with all his family and friends in Radford, VA.  I have thought of that lately and how much Tommy was going to miss that, most likely, and how sad he was going to be.  I figure I would try and replicate, as best I could, with some good friends here, a similar experience in Indiana.  As long as we are in Indiana, and we don't know how long that will be, I'm hoping it can be an annual thing.  Last weekend, there were 8 guys in all, and they played "scramble" style.  Although Tommy's team lost, he still had a great time with the three guys on his team.  I don't think it hurt that he also played the best round of golf in his life :).  I am so glad I was able to make him feel special on Father's Day, but more importantly I loved giving him some much deserved and much needed "time off" to recharge with the guys.  Tommy, you are a wonderful and amazing father - thanks for being so involved in the girls lives and for being such a hands-on daddy.  Thanks also for all the time up until this point that you have sacrificed for them.  You have been a "second mom" at times and I appreciate all those nights you got up (and still do at times) in the middle of the night to help me with feedings or when they were sick.  You have such a sacrificial and selfless heart and I love you beyond words!   Your girls love you to pieces!

What a group of studs! 

Birthday Happenings

It was a great birthday - definitely in my top three EVER! (It's hard to beat my 27th, when Tommy surprised me and arranged for me to have off work so he could bring me to King's Dominion, a theme park.)  Not only did I have phone calls from my whole family, but I also got calls from every one of Tommy's family.  They call every year, and it means so much that they don't forget and that they make a point to make me feel special.  Another reason this year was special was because I got to spend it with Robin! She and Mason spent three days with us and we had a blast! 

Nana and her 3 grandkids!

Robin and her twinkies -  And, yes those are bows on the top of their heads.

Me and my little buddy

Me and my sweetheart Natalie - she didn't want her top on, that stinker!

Mason and Kinley enjoying pool time.

So... I also have to mention that I have the best husband. ever.  He always makes me feel so loved and appreciated, and he knows how to encourage and uplift my spirits at just the right time - and he knows I love surprises and romance :)  The morning of my birthday, I woke up but Tommy was already gone because he went to a golf tournament.  My first gift from the girls was them sleeping in and waking up playing with one another while I got to lay in bed extra long and then take a shower - those occur very infrequently these days.  As I was getting ready, I saw a post-it note on the mirror in the bathroom that said, "Happy Birthday", and another one on the bedroom mirror saying, "Have a Great Day!".  I thought, "Aww that's sweet he did that" but didn't think much else of it.  I went down stairs totally oblivious and Robin had to say something to me, along the lines of, "look around!".  I cluelessly looked around and saw post-it notes all around the entire house on almost everything!  Here are some of sweet ones I remember (and where they were posted):

• You still make me melt (micro)
• You are so HOT (thermastat)
• I could stare at you all day (TV)
• You reflect God's glory (1/2 bath mirror)
• You are my breath of fresh air (door to go outside)
• You are my sunshine (window to go outside)
• Hang in there sweetie (ceiling)
• Best Day of my Life (photo of our wedding day)
• I wish- I could -wash your blues away (blue dining room wall) - {it's been a rough two weeks with sick , teething babes}

To top it off, Tommy also suprised me (in post-it notes) with a day "off" to 1. Get a cut/color 2. Lunch with Megan, my BFF and 3. A manicure & pedicure.  He made all the arrangements, from calling my mom for a babysitter, to setting up the appointment with my friend/hairstylist Kristen, to asking Megan to join me for lunch.  And the last thing he "PROMISED" was to take me on a getaway vacation just the two of us - I know he will follow through on that promise and can't wait to spend even a few days alone with my wonderful husband.  He truly outdid himself - As I was walking around the house sobbing out of joy and love, I just couldn't believe he had done all of that.  It was so encouraging and the words he spoke on those post-its were just what I needed to hear.   I also loved the roses he brought home for me after work. <3 To top off my birthday (could it get any better than that!?),  the girls were A-mazing.  They finally seemed like they were turning a corner into the wellness camp and didn't whine or cry during mealtimes, slept wonderfully, and I even got a break at night b/c two dear friends Adam and Becca (from our church) came over and played with and put them down while I went to Tommy's softball game.    Best. Day. Ever. <3

<3 I love you Tommy boy.  Thanks for being an amazing husband <3





Brookfield Zoo

Natalie and Kinley at Brookfield

This past weekend we went to Brookfield Zoo - Natalie and Kinley's first of many trips, I am sure.  Although we had a nice time, I think both of Tommy's and I's expections were too high going into the day.  The girls LOVE animals right now so we thought they would be super into it- they "ooh" and "ahhh" when they spot squirrels, rabbits, birds, dogs, cats - you get the picture.  They enjoy labeling animals in books but especially love to say the sounds many animals make when we look at books together- which occurs frequently since they are obsessed with books (Auntie Kristy would be proud).  So, based on all of this we thought the zoo would be a stellar experience and be the perfect time in their development to go.  First, I will say that going with little food packed AND on a 90 degree day may not have been the brightest move Tommy and I have have ever made, but seriously, we have been dying for good weather here in Chicago, so we jumped at the opportunity on the first nice day we had.  I think it also made it tempting because we got in FREE thanks to some friends!

Brookfield Zoo is huge, and very spread out... and they had no elephants at the moment, which was kinda a bummer.  The girls got to see some of the "big ticket" animals, and seemed to really enjoy the giraffes and monkeys.  Overall, I think they enjoyed running around most of all - exploring  about whenever we were brave enough to let them out of  The Bob.  The only problem was that they did not like being put back in their stroller because they always had so much fun when they were out.    It was kind of difficult to keep up with two 16-month-old little rascals!  They would run in front of, behind, and into plenty of  random strangers while we tagged along behind trying not to let them get into too much trouble.  Anyway, here are some of my favorite pics from the day that Michelle Hamstra took for us!   

We were looking forward to getting the girls home for nap time, thinking they would take an extra long nap that day. Oh were we wrong.  Even after keeping them awake the entire 45 minute drive home they got in their cribs and went nuts.  For about an hour they were going wild- giggling, running about, "chatting" with one another, etc.   Kinley didn't sleep at all when she needed it most!  Even though we  were exhausted from being in the sun all day and really wanted a nap ourselves, we made it through and enjoyed the time we got to spending time with our lovely girls, chatting with friends (old and new alike), and getting outside for the first time in awhile!  We are off to go strawberry picking this weekend as well as welcome Robin and Mason to our new home!  We are super excited and think it's going to be a great weekend to spend with them!! 

New Blog for New Happenings

My purpose in starting this blog is to share with friends and family the little and big happenings in our lives.  Tommy and I want to share pictures of our family, chronicle important events, you get the picture!  

  

A lot of wonderful things have transpired in the month of May, including the birth of our niece Collette Rose Edwards.  Jake and Carly are awesome parents to two little ones already and we know they will transition wonderfully to having another little girl to love.  Here's a sweet picture below of Jake and Ellie holding Collette, isn't she beautiful!  It makes us so sad we haven't seen and held her in person yet, BUT we are SO excited to say "hello" and hold this little precious baby in our arms in just about a month at the Edwards family vacation.  We love you already Collette! 

Papa Jake and his girls <3

Another big event occurred prior to Collette's birth ~ my sister Kristy met her match and married Rich Kilfoyle in Fort Myer's Florida on March 26th!  They said their vows right on the waterfront of Rich's mother's GORGEOUS home - it was a beautiful event.  Not to mention we got down on the dance floor with the entire night with family.  I will say, Tommy was quite the hit on the dance floor - my parents friends were begging him to get out there and show off his moves.  It was too funny, although I will say my husband's got some hot moves.   We had a great time visiting with family as well as meeting Rich's friends and family! Here's a pic of my sweet family from Kristy's wedding day!

The Edwards Family

After returning from their New Zealand honeymoon, they threw a fabulous reception here in Indiana as well.  Tommy and I had a blast as we enjoyed a much needed night out without the girls!  Here are a few pics from the Indiana Reception on Cedar Lake: