Snow Days

The snow has come! More like a snow storm has come!

We now have about 7 inches of snow here in West Virginia. 

It is still coming down, and has not stopped since 1am last night. They suspect now that we will have around 11 or 12 inches. I'm not sure that I have saw this much snow in my adult hood here in our area of WV.

After a big breakfast, we ventured out. The boys LOVED it, and so did I. 

Brothers are so fun. 

I walked out to our barn this morning to see if the chickens would want to come out. 

No. 

They wouldn't even step out and see what that white stuff was.

Hope your staying warm!

A Snow Storm is Coming

A big winter storm is coming our way. We have had a few little dustings here in West Virginia this winter, but nothing like this.

A total expecting 8-12 inches is expected today into tonight. It has been a long time since it has snowed this much. 

We are ready! We are stocked on water, food, and gas for the generator. 

Later in the week it is going to be -5. 

The good part is that teachers and students do not have to go to school if it snows much or the temperature is below 10 degrees. I suspect we will be off all week. My husband however, must go no matter what. I pray he makes it back safely this evening. He works out on the cold Ohio River driving a boat. That river is freezing!

It is all beautiful, but a little scary when you have loved ones out in it. 

I pray for fun family time during these days, but for safety for my family. Please protect and watch over my husband, and parents dear Lord as they go to work. 

Are you getting snow where you live? 

A Sick Weekend

We have been so lucky to have missed out on all of the sick germs this winter. I felt so good on Valentine's day. (Friday) Kevin and I went shopping and out to lunch while the boys spent time with their grandparents. 

Friday evening when we picked them up, it was like a switch. I went down, fast. So sick! I layed in bed all evening Friday, all day Saturday, and then Sunday morning while the boys went to church.

It was the worst sinus infection/head cold of my life. Thankfully, while we were at SAMS club on Friday I bought Ree's first cookbook. I got the holiday one for Christmas, and picked up her 2nd one last week. If you've never heard of The Pioneer Woman, you are missing out. Buy her cookbooks, watch her show on Food Network, learn her ways. You won't be sorry. My boys LOVE watching it too! 

So it was hot tea, lots of movies in bed, a helpful and giving husband, and two boys who prayed countless times that I would get out of bed. I think they were in complete and total shock that this was happening. I don't think in their lifetime I've ever been in bed a whole day. 

Today is looking up! I'm up, dressed, and even fixed my hair. 

Kevin took this picture of the boys on Friday night. We go to the library every Thursday and we've been reading Valentine's books for some time. They were so excited to read these for the final day, and put them in their library bag to take back. Now, onto some birthday and St. Patricks day books. (Karson turns 5 in 3 weeks) EEEEK!

I have to brag on my husband, he is so giving and helpful. He even organized my pantry while I was sick. I was so thankful because it was a mess. I am so bad about throwing things in. I've always been a stasher. Even in my days at home with my parents. I would just stash my clothes every which way. He was proud of his work, and texted me a picture so I didn't have to get up. HA! What is this world coming to?

Hope your weekend was good. I am praying for a good week! I am so thankful for this week's forecast. I could really use some sunshine and warm days. I'm sure my boys would agree.

Some things....

Are you surviving winter? We are trying to get by with the grace of God. Lots of snow and just cold weather. 

Kipton absolutely drives the dogs nuts :) He pets and loves and pulls on them most days. They are generous to his efforts, but occasionally get annoyed. 

This day it was 13 and they begged to go out. I let them play out back while I finished cooking dinner and could watch them out the door. They stayed out for nearly 1 hour just walking around.

The boys had a fun time at their friend Jonas birthday party. I didn't get pictures there, because it was at the jump place and those places are busy!

Kipton and I go with our friends Ashley and Jayden to story time every Tuesday morning at Chick fil a. This is a good thing for the little brothers to do something while the big brothers are at preschool. 

Karson and Jayden

We've been busy and waiting for spring.

It won't be long before we are planting the garden, mowing the grass, raising up baby chicks, and building a barn. 

Have a good week!

This hasn't happened since 1978

This past week something so crazy happened in our area. The Ohio River froze over. This hasn't happened since 1978. (Kevin's facts, not mine) Kevin said it was so hard to work in, and made working on night shift even colder and harder. I felt so sorry for his deckhands, and made special treats each night to make things a little easier on them. We drove the boys downtown to the boat launch to let them see daddy's office. Karson wanted to know every single detail about why and how this happened. More than anything, Kevin was so worried the ice would bust a hole in his boat and it could sink easy and fast while working. We prayed so hard for him each night he was out.

Last week, Karson didn't have preschool at all. We baked. A LOT! This particular day, we were baking the men chocolate chip cookies to send. You can tell my boys get to lick. Look at that face on Kipton. 

R-O-T-T-E-N & ORNERY!

To cure some of the winter boredom we went to a game center and ate pizza and played games. All of my boys had fun. Even daddy!

We scored some great deals on pajamas! Kipton and I went to the mall one day that Karson and daddy were working on something at home, and got pajamas for $2.99 a pair. SCORE!!!!!

Saturday we had the best, most glorious day in all of days. It was 65 degrees! YES, it was amazing. The boys and I did our weekly grocery store run to Kroger early in the morning so we could get back, unpack, and get outside. We were outside from 11:45am - 5:15pm. They both cried because I made them come in for dinner. Such outside boys they are..I LOVE it!

We took hikes, cut trees, built a fire, cleaned the chicken house, jumped on the trampoline, ok ok you don't really care, but anyway we had fun!!

Kevin is a chicken lover after all. He loves them, and all the work they acquire. He likes to eat the eggs so hey ya gotta work for that. (A good story coming about our chicken house catching fire soon.Well, not good but a happy ending for all.)

After that glorious 65 degree day, we are getting 3-5 inches tonight. Not sure how I feel about that. That means, no preschool for next week and lots of days stuck at home. But, we'll manage. God is with us moms!! 

Just a few things from January

A few things from January, that I don't want to forget. Earlier in the month Kevin and the boys went along with me to Charleston to see Erin's final dress fitting for her wedding dress. 

Jessica and I (on both sides) were her matron of honors, and of course the bride Erin in the middle. Erin got engaged on Christmas morning after dating Josh for 6 or so years together. Such an exciting time for her.

After her dress appointment the boys were ready to eat so we headed to dinner. We always pick places that have some kind of entertainment for the boys. Normally Cracker Barrell so they can look around the store while we wait for our food. This time we chose a steakhouse and the peanuts kept them busy. :)

After dinner we went to the boys favorite store of all time. Cabelas. It's about an hour away from our house but we spend about 2 hours just looking around. 

Other than Erin and Josh's wedding this month, we have mainly been dealing with the snow and cold. It's been a true winter here in West Virginia. 

We try to get out everyday. 

It's always a good thing to get that boy energy out. There's a lot of it with these two. We are supposed to get another big storm next week with 6-12 inches. But, our all mighty Lord is giving us a 54 degree day this Saturday. We will be heading to the park and I can't wait!!!!!

Have a great weekend.

Weekend Recap!

Kevin and I were in a wedding for our friends Erin and Josh. Our boys were also in the wedding as the sign holders. (Here comes the Bride) It was a long day for a 3 year old, but we got through. During the wedding Kipton wouldn't stay seated and at one point he was laying on the stage beside me picking his nose. Eeek! All of my good pictures are on my big camera and it won't load onto my computer. Hopefully I'll get them up soon.

After the actual ceremony, my parents came and picked up the boys and took them home. It was nice to have some alone time with Kevin. We got to enjoy the reception and then dinner after. 

It's soo nice to get that alone time with your husband. I really need to make it more of a priority to have date nights. I think it's crucial for a marriage to bloom when you have kids. 

Other than the wedding, the boys and I enjoyed the days leading up to it. We went to Chick fil a for lunch and playtime. It has either been very cold or the roads have been super icy so we've been at home much more than I prefer. 

One day I was so desperate to get us out of the house, I braved a movie trip. This was actually their first trip to the movies. I've always been too worried they wouldn't sit still so we've just never tried. My boys aren't big TV watchers at home and normally watch about the first 30 minutes and then walk off. But, I braved it alone with the boys and much to my surprise they didn't move. We saw Frozen and they loved it! Or they loved the popcorn but either way they didn't move. (Kip didn't want to take off his coat) 

Other than that, we've been home trying to keep busy. You know, just acting like deer. 

School is canced again today for the very cold temperatures. 

Home days in the Winter

So today is Day #3 at home since we've had lots of snow. We have had fun even though we've been home. 

Yesterday I took the boys sledding. The best way to sled is behind the 4-wheeler. (I say it's the lazy moms way) or the smart way either one. We always did this as kids. It was my FAVORITE thing to do when it snowed. My boys love to go fast. "FASTER MOM, FASTER!" (they are screaming)

As I posted about yesterday we also did our favorite sensory activity to go along with our snow day. Using shaving cream as our snow, and playing in it!

We have also cooked good food! I probably have gained 5 pounds as well, but what else is there to do when you're stuck at home? We just recently bought 1/4 of a cow for our beef. We are experimenting with our cuts, and even though I really don't like raw meat, it's very good. 

I cooked apples for my boys with cinnamon. It's their favorite dessert, and this was all gone in about 5 minutes. We invested in some cast iron skillets, and I do believe that they are the best. Kevin has been trying to convince me for years but I wouldn't buy them. He bought me these for Christmas. 

We also made The Pioneer Woman's pizza. Homemade pizza dough and homemade marinara sauce. Karson and I were really the only ones that ate it. Kevin said there were too many onions that he could taste, and Kipton asked why didn't I go get the pizza from "Rocky Tops". (local pizza place). HA! 

Our schools have been closed all week, and are closed again tomorrow. I am READY for us to get out and do something!!! Do any of you get cabin fever? You run out of things to do, and you are tired of cleaning up messes for the 100th time? 

It's a blessing I know, but some days it's hard!