Day 3. Stoppppp :(



... and counting. :(

 I am typically a fairly enduring person when it comes to being sick. However, today was the closest I've been in quite a while to taking something to appease the headcold. *Sigh.. I didn't, but hot dog did I nearly collapse into just doing it. haha.

No church for me tonight. Joe & Sydni are on their way out now to go; I'm on my way out too.... to bed.  

*Toughin it out!

xo | cmd

Sick Day Numero Dos.

[ ^ NEED.]

Yep.

Still sick.

That's all.

xo | cmd

Cough Sniffle Cough.

Oh man. I am sick. I mean that in the most literal way you could imagine. I am flat out sick. I totally understand that we're all daily inching towards the end of our time here, but today had to be the max-capacity accelerated version of that for me. Don't ask me how I made it through today. I don't remember.

remember this? i wish i could've done this today...

Meagan is gone on vacation all this week, and Courtney called off sick today. That left Nancy and I to our own devices, and me the exhausted heap of sniffling, sneezing, and wheezing that I am right now.

Good night, for the second time this evening...

xo | cmd

Oh, What a Beautiful D A Y

1. LIFE IS GOOD.
B. LIFE IS GOOD.
3. LIFE. IS. GOOOOOOOOD!

What a truly beautiful little day this turned out to be!



hello, tiny toms!

  We started off the day with breakfast together before Joe had to go in to work. I was fairly bummed that he had to work this morning, especially since my parents were here and we were gearing up for a loaded church service. Sydni insisted on donning her purple sparkly shoes, so the TOMS made their first public appearance this morning, as well. Loved it...

she dressed herself this morning - not too bad!



becky & tom's baptisms | children's choir!

We didn't quite make it in time for Sunday school, but we were definitely there with plenty of time to get settled in before choir and the baptisms started. Nick & Rebecca, the new couple we met at the Sandvens, made it for their first Sunday. It was a whirlwind of a morning; the children's choir debuted for the year, and not one, but two of our small group members were baptized!

Congratulationsssssssss!!!! Tom & Becky, it was a blessing watching you be baptized. [Our small group rocks!] Major kudos, too, to the children's choir. It was definitely a great morning.

Once church was over, our entire small group rallied together at Bdubs to celebrate the two baptisms.

Back at home, Sydni and I resigned ourselves to a long afternoon nap. This is perfect example of the conversation Joe and I had regarding the fact that whenever we are around my parents, be it here or back in Ohio, we always want to sleep. It's absolutely not that we're that bored or disenchanted by the company; I think rather it's such a super sense of relaxation and peace that makes us want to just kick back and snooze for a bit. Today was no different, except that when I finally woke up, I felt like crap. [Boo. On. THAT.]

My parents leave tomorrow morning, and we go back to the week. Here's hoping I feel .. much.. better... tomorrow.

xo | cmd

Sydni Saturdays



i am so in love.

Today was allll about Sydni. Well, for Mom & me at least. Dad & Joe took off mid morning to explore downtown Belleville, and to stop off at the little hot dog dive that Jimmy & Alex introduced to Joe a few months back.

Rewind back to first thing this morning, when I woke up to find this little sneak fast asleep. I couldn't resist capturing the moment :)

Once she was up and rearing her silly hair, as she calls it, Sydni wasted no time in coercing some hot cereal and a movie out of her Nana & Pappy. She knows full well that she can wriggle anything she wants out of her grandparents; I certainly don't blame her for taking advantage of that. Haha.

Mom & I spent the day around the house, and after a house-wide early afternoon nap, the three of us headed out to do some grocery shopping & last minute errands. Dad & Joe rendezvoused with us back at the house just in time for dinner and a half game of Phase 10. We called it quits right around phase 6 or 7, but only because it took us forever to get there, and eyelids around the table started drooping.



phase 10



It's been an excellent day, and we're all spent.

Tomorrow's gonna be a great church service: two of our small group members are getting baptized, and the Sleemans are likely going to visit for the first time! Time to rest up :)

xo | cmd

Nana & Pappy Are Here!



pappy & nana!

 Yay!! More visitors!! Haha.

No, but seriously, I am so so glad they planned to come and spend the weekend with us. :)

As life stands regarding work: We found out earlier in the week that Rob has spent some time planning a surprise and much-needed vacation for him and Meagan; they leave today and won't be here all of next week. I am so so so excited for her, but I did make it clear that I would be kidnapping her at home and returning her to work if she doesn't take care of that of her own free will next Monday. Haha. Praying for a safe and W O N D E R F U L trip for those two! [xo - we will miss you!!]

My parents made it in town earlier than we'd expected, and so they were there when I got home from work. I've spent the majority of the last decade living far enough away from my parents that it requires planning ahead for visits. There's benefit in this type of arrangement, but at the same time, especially now that I'm a big kid with a family, I wish that stopping by could be arranged and confirmed as easily as a phone call en route to them. I'm so glad they're here! [Sydni's already been spoiled senseless; it's only been a few hours!]


long stems.. by the dozen

 Anyway, I walked into the house after work to find my family, and these brilliant beauties in a vase on the kitchen table. Reason? It's Friday and he loves me. I truly am a lucky girl. It wasn't long that I was home before Joe and I scuttled right back out the door to the Page house for a small group leadership meeting with them and the Werners. I felt awful leaving my parents just as soon as they'd arrived, but I'm without doubt that they had a blast all evening with Sydni. The meeting for small group was intensely productive, and I'm so glad we were able to schedule that. I see great things in our near future!

sticker bug | loooooove her.

Anywho, we are home now; everyone's sleeping, and it's gonna be a long day tomorrow.

See... You... Then!

xo | cmd

Happy Birthday, Tessa Bean



baby liam! love, love, love.

Today happened to be one of those days where I found myself alone on my lunch break in my car, sitting at the park, wondering almost aloud where time has gone. In a couple short months, we will have already lived in IL for a full year. Joe's Air Force anniversary is approaching in June, and that's not to mention that we now have a 2-year-old. I'm not entire sure what it was exactly that sparked the mini outburst of reminiscing, but I thought all the way back to this same time last year. Joe was just getting ready to make the official trip out to the strange little destination of Belleville, IL, and I was probably gearing up to leave work behind for the day and finish off the evening with Kalyn, Tim, & Paul over on the sand courts of Cinci Sand Volleyball. I'm amazed how one simple year can move so many mountains. We have been so challenged, but ultimately so blessed by what the last year has brought. Just little sidenotes, I suppose. :)

In other news, I got a text from Joe today reminding me that we were due on base at the Sandven house this evening to celebrate miss Tessa's 3rd birthday. Sydni was beside herself as we headed over there, knowing she would get to play with Tessa. I was excited to see baby Liam, since we had yet to see him since the day he joined the family. He. Is. Adorable.


chicken! :)

 A&K totally outdid themselves on the cooking; grilled chicken, pasta salad, fruit salad, and brownies made for the perfect dinner menu, and we even met a great new couple, Nick & Rebecca. It looks like they may be joining us at church this upcoming Sunday, along with their little one, Max. Exciting!

Happy, HAPPY birthday to you, Tessa Bean!

It's bath & bed time here!

xo | cmd