A Little Frustration

The past few months have been challenging.  Don't get me wrong, life isn't terrible by any means...there have been a lot of good experiences and we have LOTS to be grateful for and I feel like we've been able to handle it with fairly good attitudes, but it's still been hard.  

Yet the past few weeks have been so much harder.  Nothing has really happened, it's mostly discouragement.  Oh there's frustration (2013 taxes, dealing with insurance, kids not sleeping, major life changes, etc...) but that's life.  

And I know it. 

But sometimes it's hard not to get discouraged when things don't seem to be working out like you think they should.  Or really really want them to.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say that life has been kinda crummy the last few weeks.  And it doesn't really look like anything's going to change any time soon....BUT the sun is shining.  It's a new week. That means it's a fresh start.Spring is in the air.  Life feels a little brighter. And so can my attitude.

While trying to enjoy that sunshine we took a little walk this morning.  Here's TJ at the end.  Apparently 10:30 is nap time when you're waking up at 4 am!

Snow Days

We had a few more snow days...I'm pretty sure they are the last.  Hopefully!!

There was enough to go play outside for a little while.  TJ is lacking in the snow clothes department so we don't last too long.  We come in for a few hours (enough time for everything to dry) then head out for a few more minutes.  We repeat that pattern at least 3 times a day!!

TJ did have fun playing in it and eating it...until his hands got cold.

Hannah and Sofia are pros at snow angels

They have become experts at building snowmen out of very small amounts of snow.

2 days straight without leaving the house.....makes me a little crazy.  I have no idea how we survived 6 months of very cold winter in Turkey!!  Thankfully the snow melted about 2 days later and we are now onto warm weather forecasts!!!!!!!

Birthday Girl

I can't believe Sofia is 4.  For some reason it comes as a surprise to me that she is getting so big.  I feel like she's always been so little, but now when I look at her I realize she's growing up!!

Her birthday was the crazy day where Hannah was sick and the battery in our car died.  Luckily it was sunny enough to spend a little time outside.

She had lots of fun making and decorating her rainbow cake.  Can I just say that I love how easy it is to please the kiddos right now.  I know that will change as they get older...but for now a simple cake with lots of bright blobs thrilled her!!

She was pretty thrilled to have 4 candles on the cake.

There are always willing helpers for opening presents.

Our girls have officially learned that the boxes are deceiving.....no she did not get cheerios, but her very own package of gum and a doll house I bought from a friend!!

Sunday Evenings

What would we do without cardboard boxes?!

Seriously...I love their creativity.  This 1 box was their play 'house' for a few months...turned into a car to ride down the stairs....then a car for their stuffed animals to ride down the stairs...and finally ended its life as a stage prop for their play.

This is what we do for entertainment on the long Sunday afternoon/evenings.......I'm thinking we need to order something big for amazon just for a box!!