In reverse order

1. Our trip to NC

In full honesty and transparency we tackled the trip to NC as a job.  Taking the kids on a 48 trip via plane (one that was delayed for 4 hours) is not fun.  It seemed a bit silly and slightly frustrating to board our dog, pack our kids and do the journey for less than a 48 hour stay.

That being said ---  it was still wonderful to spend time with family.  The twins were gone the whole week before so I was able to spend hours with them lounging around and doing nothing.  Pat always goes above and beyond and makes the BEST food for us.  It was great to see her and Michael though it was a whirlwind of a trip.  Enjoy the bazillions of pictures.

lots of hours waiting for our flight to go home......this is what we did for hours.

AND we saw SHEP from Southern Charm.  It was my first random celebrity sighting. 

grilling in the rain

They are constantly in sometime of pretend game.  Constantly.  That's what they were doing here.

2.  The twins are back from Chicago
We have missed these crazies and it's only been a week.  Jack is obsessed with having them back.

3. Sleeping pictures
I have said it many times before......the most peaceful, soul filled time of day is early in the morning or at night after the littles are asleep.  They are just so. stinking. sweet. at night.

4. My new iPhone, Pandora
When I pulled up pandora on my new iPhone it has a channel titled,  "My Thumbs Up."  All morning at work I have been listening to all of my favorite hits.  Yes...I have been singing in my office.

5.  The MRO night shift team

This group of people have really been the absolute best.  I am a tad bit nervous to leave.  I hope that my next team embraces, encourages and supports me like these do.  

2 in ONE week.

1. Lots of time with SBJ

The boys have been in Glen Ellyn over the past week so I have had a ton of amazing quality time with SBJ.  He loves LOVES to cuddle.  Yesterday morning he just pushed his little body into mine as much as possible while we sat on the couch.  His tiny, 2 year old arms give the biggest, tightest hugs and the best is when he lays his sweet head down on my shoulder.  He is constantly saying, "up me" so I am constantly picking him up.  I am grateful for all of this time with him.  This morning we were talking about when Cameron and Owen were coming back from Greg's house......and it's TONIGHT.  Jack and I both started smiling, laughing and getting insanely excited to see the boys.

He requested the hat.

2.  Yoga

On the 4th Jack and I hit up the gym and I went to yoga.  It was heavenly.  It still kicks my butt and I leave drenched in sweat and happiness.  Only sad part is that I found out my favorite instructor doesn't teach on Thursday evenings anymore.  Sad.  

3. Groceries and oatmeal balls

On Tuesday Jack and I also went to two separate grocery stores AND I made 4 batches of oatmeal balls. These things are a labor of love.  It is nice to finally have food in the house.  Last night Rouz grilled a few pounds of chicken and we are actually meal prepping....WHAT??!!!  

4. UPDATE: The kitchen.

....holy these sticker prices are not for the faint of heart.  Like literally...if you have a heart issue, don't redo your kitchen or don't find out how much it costs.  I would say that I am grateful that we have the savings and money to just jump in..... not the case.  I am currently in negotiations for my kitchen cabinets.  Wish me luck.

5. 4 more days

You know when you have already quit but you still need to suck it up and be present....that is what is happening.  I offered to stay too long at work.  I am glad I did so that I can go on vacation BUT I have handed over all my projects, my ADD is in full affect and I have very minimal work to do.  Also, everything that happens at work is making me a tad crazy.  Note to self : Never give a 6 week notice again.

The big and the little

1. The BIG stuff

These people rate on the TOP of my list of favorites.  I wish that they lived closer but a short trip to Columbus will have to do for now.  The boys were in Chicago over the 4th of July so we made the quick trip with Jack.  He was absolutely fabulous.  I don't think we could of asked for a weekend that was more smooth.  (We even made it to Ikea without him for 2 hours to work on our kitchen planning!!)  Grateful. Grateful. Grateful.

Please move close

2. Planning our kitchen

As I just mentioned we are finally doing a kitchen remodel.  No walls are coming down but everything will be new.  This is LONG overdue.  Ten years ago when I purchased the house it needed a new kitchen.  The time line is super quick and we have minimal funds BUT I am pumped for the finished project.

3. My new iPhone

Yup. That happened today.  It was a bit uncomfortable but clearly we are spending a shit ton of money lately so we decided to throw that one on the pile.  My phone was a mess.  ....not anymore...

4.  The walls I ruined are behind closed doors...

Yeah....for all of your weirdos out there...I actually mean the WALLS.  REAL walls.  I am notorious for ruining walls with those damn pull strips that are supposed to work perfectly.  I have never pulled one without ruining the wall.  This includes my living room (with the boys car toy a few years ago), recently in my office AND now the walls in my closet.  I am trying to find space in our little gem of a home and I decided to hang my new necklace collection up in the closet.  The three on the right are my "GO-TOs." The two are the left are my new, professional, "I am trendy and cool" necklaces.

5. Rouz
How could I not post about this man.  He is working right now....and all week.  Looking forward to our vacation to KEY WEST in a few weeks.  I get to spend a few full days just being his wife.  It will be the best.