{40 Before 40}

I debated back and forth about whether or not to make a "40 Before 40" list. I made a list before I turned 30, and I actually had a lot of fun with it. That was definitely a shorter time frame, so I figured that giving myself a few years to check off some bucket list items could make this one a little easier, with less pressure. So we'll see!

Celebrate our 10th anniversary with a trip away {sans kiddos! 2021?}

Finish a full year of hand lettering challenges

Achieve and maintain remission for Crohn's

Renew and use my passport

Make a wise investment

Take a family road trip to a new place

Take a photography class

Go on a train ride

Enjoy a fun girls' weekend away

Take a self-defense class

Go on a hot air balloon ride

See the Grand Canyon

Read The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Become flexible enough to do the splits

Finish our baby clothes quilt

Explore a cave

Hug a redwood

Take a cooking class

Complete a 9000 piece puzzle

Enjoy a white Christmas

Join a book club

Recreate a childhood photo

Cook a full Thanksgiving dinner

Release a floating lantern

Serve in a new ministry

Pay for a stranger's meal

Watch the sunrise in a beautiful place

Dip my toes in the Atlantic Ocean

Visit the 5 states bordering Virginia

Take a hike to view waterfalls

Have a professional makeup lesson

See a play

Be a tourist in Washington D.C.

Buy a house

Celebrate my 20 year friendiversary with Laura {2024}

Disciple a younger mom

Write a children's book with my mom

Undertake a home renovation project

Finish and order our 13th year photo book

Read the letter I wrote to myself to open on my 39th birthday...and write one to open on my 49th birthday

So here we go! Here's to making the most of the remainder of my 30s :)

1000 Hours Outside :: February

The weather was a bit rougher in February...the temperatures were not that much colder, but we had a lot of snow and ice {and very little sun}! It went back and forth, with snow for several days, and then it would melt for a day or two before another round showed up. So we got to play some more in the snow, and on non-snow days, we did our best to get outside, with warmer temps {and sun!} later in the month.

Total Hours: 16

Eli thought the snow was fun at first, but then decided it was too cold haha. But Maddie and Aiden were more than ready to try their hand at building a snowman again. And we took some advice and rolled the snow to build the snowman...which made for a MUCH quicker/easier process. The Texans are learning :)

We got to explore our neighborhood a bit more, walking the trails and playing at the parks!

Hutchison Knoll

We all rejoiced when the sun came out toward the end of the month! It took some time for the ice to melt, so we are thankful for our little back deck, where we can play and get some much-needed Vitamin D, even if we can't really venture out too far from home.

And then we had a glorious few days where the temperatures made it to the 50s and 60s!! It was such a relief to catch a glimpse of spring. I am so ready. 

I have started a list of all the parks and playgrounds we want to visit in the area, and I am really looking forward to tackling that list in the spring and summer. But we are thankful for the ability to get outside, even if it's just in our backyard. We don't have a fence, and there is a shared area between our townhomes and the homes behind us, so we actually have a lot of space to run and play. And it's perfect for our little ones. There are enough sticks and dirt and squirrels and slugs to keep them pretty happy :)

{iPhone Rewind} :: February

February brought a visit from Grandma!

These silly boys. I don't even mind :)

"I go fishin' Mama!"

Matching family pajamas! :)

"I make a taco, Mommy!"

We got to eat a lot of yummy cookie cake!

When you thoroughly enjoy Mommy's cookie cake :)

This is 36 :)

A little reading while it snows

Because Daddy looks like a comfy chair to read on

LOVE that cutie smile

Excited to eat some Screamin' Sicilian for National Pizza Day!

Such concentration. {We love the Water Wow books!}

Waiting for trucks to pass by...I love that we have this large window for them to see the trucks drive down our street.

Boy, do they love this sandbox. Boy, do they make such a grand mess with it...

This cutie doctor has some unusual surgical instruments...

"Would you like me to read you a book, Aiden?"

Snuggles with my firstborn

And snuggles with my girlie

Aiden hit his 200-book milestone!

They sure make life fun :)

We started Toddler School again! I had good intentions of keeping up with it when we were in the extended stay hotel, but, well...it didn't happen. But we are back on track, and we will go through the summer.

He loves wearing Daddy's comfy! Also, we're back to patching :(

"Mommy, can I sit in your lap?"

Just sitting by himself, reading books

I got my first dose of the COVID vaccine, and I was SO impressed with how organized Virginia's health department was! Everything was super efficient, and I was in and out really quickly. I am so thankful for the many volunteers and healthcare providers that are giving their time to help the process.

I'm officially a Virginian!