summer in october.

Our entire week has been filled with lots of sunshine with a high of about 85 degrees. Very abnormal weather for this time of year in Jersey. Am I complaining? Not in the least. We've been enjoying this indian summer by going on walks to the park, wearing shorts, and flip flops. Temps should be in the 70's next week so it's a good thing we didn't take this past week for granted by being cooped up in the house whining saying, "it's too hot to go outside." You've obviously never lived in Texas, or the Carolina's if Jersey residents are saying that! 

This week has also been filled with smiles because Jon brought home some good news. 

After months of trying to find a job he finally landed one which will keep him in shape, and grow to love. He found a job working with this company. It's only seasonal, but at least he found something. It hasn't been easy finding a job for the past three months, and every company that seems to be calling him are insurance companies which work on 100 percent commission. Not very suitable or promising for a family of six. I am just grateful that he found something for the time being and who knows...maybe he'll get hired permanently after the holidays. He'll still be trying to find something permanent in the meantime. But when an opportunity like this comes along, and the pay isn't too bad he's not going to pass it up. I finally told him to get a job...any job, and he did. And from what I've heard UPS is a great company to work for. 

After hearing about this wonderful news we decided to do a little celebrating at one of our favorite little restaurants. I was able to use the same coupon for another free meal, and these days I'm taking advantage of every single coupon I can find! Especially when it's a nine dollar grilled cheese sandwich!  

Noah particularly loves the Pop Shop, and he never leaves the restaurant without a balloon. We're practically regulars now, and after meeting the owner we feel like part of the family. Our waiter friend Brian never ceases to amaze me. He gives the best customer service, and this guy deserves a medal on how he treats his customers. 

I couldn't have asked for a better week. In spite of "life" hitting us with down moments that are sometimes too personal to document on this little blog of mine, I'm grateful that Jon found a job, and that my spirits are uplifted by my own strength.

Sierra will be joining us for General Conference this weekend and having her living across the bridge is such a blessing. 

Listening to conference will have my hope restored, my spirit rejuvenated & my testimony broadened. It'll also help me to be fearless & to be prepared to teach my first lesson in gospel doctrine next Sunday. 

I'm telling you. It truly is the little things that make a world of difference in your life. Especially when you put your trust in the Lord. 

I am actually getting super excited with my new calling, and really getting into the scriptures...it's kind of scary, but I am looking forward to it!

the best week ever in September.

This past week my life consisted of late nights, road tripping, and celebrating birthday after birthday with various friends. I haven't had any real sleep for days, and so far I'm not complaining or being ornery...yet. 

September is indeed my perfect, busy month. It's perfected with numerous friends who have the same birthday as me, and/or within days of me. It is also the beginning of beautiful fall weather, and everything that has to do with autumn. 

Due to having company, and constant get togethers with others I've neglected decorating my house with fall decor. After driving past farmers markets I finally bought some mums, and placed them outside my small porch. Buying pumpkins are going to have to wait because each year I take the kids to a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin. It's tradition, and we never mess with tradition. 

Too bad we didn't get to pick apples or go to a pumpkin patch while Ceyda was here. She truly is a gem in my life and to be honest having her here for eight days really strengthened me in many ways. Just her overall example of how committed she is to God, and raising her daughter the best she can reminds me a little bit of me when I was her age. I love her, and miss her terribly but know that she will be back again to visit. 

Our kids loved waking up each morning to greet each other, have breakfast, and play with the train track. Celeste loves trains, and would rather play with that than dolls. These two were so sweet together throughout the whole week, and at times would both play hard to get. They had their moments but for the most part got along, and hugs, and "I'm sorry's" were always being exchanged. 

So glad that I was able to take her to her "dream cities",  and the beach. Saying goodbye is always hard, but know that we will see her again. Chelsea grew especially close to Celeste, and I think deep down she longs for a baby sister. 

 This truly was the best visit ever! 

*****

Maggie and I celebrated our birthdays by treating ourselves to the Pop Shop. Luckily for me I had a coupon for a free birthday meal, and believe me those come in handy when you purchase a nine dollar grilled cheese sandwich that has a name (Frazer)!

Maggie had never been, and she loved it! She was especially excited to have met the owner Stink Fisher. Aside from running this fabulous shop he's also an actor. 

When I was told by our waiter that he played alongside actor Mark Wahlberg in the Lovely Bones that caught our attention and we wanted to take a picture with him. Since Maggie is a theatre major they both discussed the factors of acting, and became acquainted with one another. 

I love Maggie and spending time with her always energizes me. I'm so lucky to have friends in my life who blow up my phone with texts from afar. I truly am blessed beyond measure with the greatest friends who come down from the corners of the universe to spend time with me. This birthday week has been extremely special. 

Now...I await to watch the General Relief Society Broadcast tomorrow night with more of my sisters! So excited to watch, and listen!   

Have a wonderful weekend, and let's see if I can catch up on my sleep too! I highly doubt it! 

it was a beautiful day.

So we were supposed to get rain this whole week, but so far it's not happening so don't wish for it! We have been enjoying this glorious weather, and I cannot help but to go outdoors with our little guy. I sure am going to miss these days when Noah gets older. Hopefully he'll always want to venture outdoors until he's old enough to go on his own with good friends, but for now he has his old man, and mua!

April is the month for grilled cheese sandwiches at this wonderful family friendly restaurant, and I am so glad we waited until the last day of the month to go.

The Pop shop is my friend on Facebook, and I saw a post on their wall that it was superhero week, and that Jack the balloon man was going to be there making light sabers, & super heroes. How cool is that! They also had The Fantastic Four playing on the big TV, and super hero coloring sheets. It was a fun filled day with my favorite boy, and one big kid (a.k.a. my husband Jon)!

Can you believe he requested for Jack the balloon man to make him a red light saber? Such a man-child!

I'll tell you everything on this menu is delicious! If we could eat here everyday we would! The grilled cheese sandwiches, onion rings, lemon coke, everything here is just awesome! I remember the first time we came, and once I had awesome service I knew I was going to return.

This is one place where one go for any occasion whether it's a birthday, Valentine's day, or just for fun! Oh...did I mention they also have breakfast? We came here during Dr. Seuss week this past March, and the pancakes were huge! This place sure makes it fun for kids (and big kids) of all ages! We love it here so much!

******
We couldn't waste this beautiful day going straight home so we had an hour to kill before Lexie, & Chelsea came home from school. We went to a nearby park and once again I made two new friends, and Noah had a ball playing with their kids. The sun shined so bright, and Jon really needed to relax. He loves this time with Noah. I know he wishes he could have more days like this.

Look at these two with their life sabers and all.

This day was too perfect, and I'm so glad that Jon was with us to live in the moment. He really needed this, and even though Noah had a blast today being surrounded by "superheroes", he only has one in real life...his daddy. 

Until next time! 

Dr. Seuss & the Pop Shop

Last weekend while Sierra was at school racking her brain we took our three younger children to celebrate a late birthday breakfast with Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat at the Pop Shop.

We usually go there for lunch or dinner, but have never gone for breakfast. Everything on this menu is delicious, but being that it was about 10:45am when we arrived I was craving lunch! Hey...that gives me an excuse to go back again to try breakfast! I'll just make sure I go early enough to crave it! 

The kids had their usual pancakes with fried bananas which was actually pretty good. I'd recommend getting one order for two kids because these pancakes were huge!! I would have taken a picture, but Lexie devoured half of it, and Chelsea the other half. 

Jon ordered an omelet that was as thick as his forearm, and he polished that up pretty quick. 

Me...I ordered the honeymoon chicken sandwich! I love this. This is the second time having this particular sandwich. I don't know if my taste buds are changing, but I have never liked onions on anything. Caramelized onions on this sandwich is superb, and crusty ciabatta has become my favorite bread.

We certainly enjoyed our time on this day, and I had fun vining Noah's reaction towards the Cat in the Hat. This vine was my favorite though! The cat didn't mind me recording him either! Isn't he cute!

Although the girls have grown out of the Dr. Seuss genre in regards to reading the books they always find it fun whenever Dr. Seuss birthday comes around. Having a three year old brother keeps it fun, and it's a good thing we still have these Dr. Seuss books laying around for Noah to read in a couple of years.

This is a local place where we can take our entire family again, and again for any occasion.

And never grow weary of it.  

a day & an evening with my valentines.

My valentines day started out perfect. Waking up to the bright shining sun after spending sick days vegging out on the couch was heaven! While the girls were at school, and hubby at work I took Noah out to a nearby park, and we had a blast. 

He loves this little park with the merry go round. You don't find too many of these nowadays, and even though it was surrounded by snow and mud that didn't stop him from having a good time. 

He's the boss of the playground! 

It's kind of hard to choose which was the best part of my valentines day when you have two adorable men loving you all the time. I had such a blast with my little man, and as soon as Jon got off work we went straight to The Pop Shop for some grub. 

It kind of helps recovering from the flu because I really wasn't hungry until about 7pm. I saved my appetite waiting to eat this delicious food. My favorite was the dessert! You can never go wrong with a classic banana split. 

It was simple. 

It was quiet. 

It. Was. Perfect! 

I have to say that this was one of my best days ever!