Picasso and Parks

Despite the sad news around our house this weekend, we have managed to 

squeeze in some happy moments. 

Last week we had another cold week and decided to pull out our paints. This guy had a blast. I have to admit, I made a little piece of artwork myself. 

We finally got a much needed hair cut. I really need to learn to do this myself, but I don't want him to end up needing to have his head shaved after I mess it up. 

Saturday afternoon we went to the park with the Ness family. This is sweet little Ellie and Will. Will and Fulton are only a couple of months apart. 

We grilled hotdogs and even made smores. We closed the place down and packed the car in the dark. It was a refreshing time with friends and much needed. 

This guy (or both of these guys) have been itching for shorts weather and they may be pushing it a little, but it was pretty warm Sunday afternoon. We created some great artwork on the driveway. 

Kiki and Pete came over and brought dinner. We ate a delicious meal and played until dark. 

Our Harley Man

Yesterday was tough day for our family. We lost our little Harley. Two days ago he was perfectly fine. Thursday morning we went to take him out and he had a seizure in the floor. It was simply awful seeing him like that. Thursday and Friday morning he just wasn't the same. We had decided to take him to the vet Saturday morning if he hadn't improved. Friday afternoon Fulton and I got home from school and found him. He didn't make it through the day. I knew when we walked in and he didn't greet us at the door, that something was wrong. My heart just fell apart right there. 

This was taken just a few days ago. When we would change the sheets on the bed, he loved to pile in the middle of the pillows. He was always looking for the softest, warmest spot. He was from Mexico after all. 

We had Harley 10 years. I got him right before we got married and it's all Matt and I have known as a married couple. He was a rescue dog and they estimated he was about 4 when we got him, so he lived a good life. And these two bonded instantly. Fulton loved "my Harley" as he called him and Harley tolerated Fulton. Which says a lot, because he usually hid from most children because he was abused by little kids before we got him. 

 He loved to go on vacation. There wasn't a family vacation that he missed. He has been everywhere. He had the best temperament. He was so gentle, loving, and just wanted to be cuddled with. He was never aggressive, angry, or ill in any way. He was such a unique little guy.

This sums up their relationship. Fulton always after him, Harley enduring it. I remember when we got him. This lady I worked with said she had a little dog come up to her house. He had lived across the street from her for a few years and that is the family that abused him. He finally ran away from them (good boy) and lived on the streets for about a month. I guess he wandered back home and they had moved, so he went to her house because she had always loved on him. I offered to take him and I remember Matt meeting me that afternoon and I said, look what I got? We fell in love instantly. 

He probably had two favorite places... the lake and the beach. He loved the sand. We would let him run and run out there and he had a ball. He had many summers at the lake and loved to swim in the water with his life jacket on. Mom and Dad came over last night and kept Fulton busy while we buried him in the backyard. There is a piece of our hearts that is missing today, but we have many good memories to reflect on. We love you Harley man!!

Weekend Recap

We just had a full weekend, but it was filled with fun stuff. 

Friday night Fulton spent the night with KK and Pops and we had Date Night at church. It was filled with laughs with good friends, encouragement for our marriage, and lots of fortune cookies. Enjoyed the night with man. 

Even though our little alarm clock was spending the night away, we were still up early because I was hosting a bridal shower at my house Saturday morning. 

Here's the bride-to-be Caroline, with her sweet mom, Karen. Karen and her husband Vance are our small group teachers and we love them!! Aren't they just the cutest?

We had a good turnout of ladies from our class come to shower her with love. We enjoyed the food, fellowship, and good company. But, the fun wasn't over yet. 

Matt helped me quickly put the house back together because we had a birthday party to attend. I didn't get a picture of the birthday boy, but it was Colt's first birthday. I tell you, Fulton is going to have quite the selection of girlfriends to choose from one day. He seems pretty content sitting at a table full of cute little girls. Don't judge... we are in desperate need of a haircut. Long overdue. 

Fulton loves Brynna. She is so sweet to him. They are about a year apart. We left the celebration to get home and cleaned up for the next event. 

Fulton spent the evening playing with Ms. Katie, the sweetest babysitter ever, and Matt and I got all fancied up to attend FCA's 50th Anniversary dinner for the University of Alabama. 

The whole fam was in attendance. Our table was on the front row, no sneaking out early unnoticed. We enjoyed good speakers and a delicious meal. It's not often we get cleaned up and act like fancy people, even though we really aren't. It was another fun night with my man. Two in one weekend, that is unheard of. So, needless to say, after church today we were worn out. We relaxed a little, but couldn't stay in long, it was just too pretty. 

Five on Friday

It's been a busy week and I never blogged from last weekend. Here's a quick five on Friday to recap what's been going on. 

I am hosting a shower at my house this weekend and wanted to try out a new recipe that I was going to make. Let's just say that I am glad I tried it out before the event. I made homemade doughnut holes. The first batch burned to a crisp in about 10 seconds. This was the second batch before the icing went on. I am not a grease cooking kind of gal and I don't think I will become one. I hated the way our house smelled....for days. 

Saturday we had a birthday party and these two are superheroes in training. It was a dress as your favorite superhero kind of party and Batman won out in our house. Laylee and Fulton are best buds!!

Saturday night we made our own pizza. Complete with wheat crust, turkey sausage, and turkey pepperoni. It was pretty good for these first timers. 

Sunday was our day to keep Fulton's class at church. I really do love when we get to do this. First because we are getting to serve and second because I love seeing him interact with his buddies. He usually isn't one for sitting at the table long, but he was enjoying his craft that day. 

And last.... this guy is such a joy. Despite the challenging days that we sometimes have, he is such a blessing. We just love watching him grow, learn, and soak in the love that he is surrounded by. This was before school one morning this week when we were laughing so hard we nearly cried. I love moments like these. Here's to a great Friday and fun weekend!!

Happy Heart Day

I love Valentine's Day. I am sucker for all things red, hearts, flowers, 

and sending cute goodies to your friends and family. 

Fulton and I worked hard on his Valentine's for his friends at school. 

This was one of the goodies inside. Their party is postponed until this week, but I know he will enjoy giving them to his little buddies. 

Thursday night KK came over to visit and brought Fulton a little Valentine's prize. He was excited. 

Kiki came bearing gifts as well and got Fulton this cute Valentine's shirt. They don't make these heart day shirts very manly, but he had to be dressed for the holiday. 

We finally went back to school on Friday and I came home to this sweetness. My man is good to me. 

We had dinner with sweet friends and made the night about being with family. 

Sister made us a life size Hershey kiss but it's really a rice krispie treat. Isn't she creative? Saturday night KK and Pops kept Fulton and Matt and I celebrated with dinner at Sumo, hibachi style. 

It was fabulous. 

Did it really snow last week? It was mid 60's today and we took full advantage of it. We skipped naps and opted for playing outdoors. We went walking on the trail and enjoyed God's creation. 

We came back home and played with sweet friends. 

Our driveway often becomes the meeting spot for good times with friends. Fulton enjoyed several buddies playing with him this afternoon. He had a ball. 

More Weather

We just came off another three day weather event where we only went to school two days last week. This is wild that it has happened twice in about 3 weeks time. 

Tuesday night it finally started snowing. We got out of the bath and watched from the window. We were planning to wait until the next day to play in it some. 

When we finally got ready to go out in it on Wednesday, it had already melted too much. We bundled up and headed to KK and Pops to see what they had left. 

Daddy rounded up enough snow to make a little mini snowman. It was the best 

we could do, it was melting fast. 

We headed to Kiki and Pete's house and left them a little surprise too. Matt took one for the team and rolled that snow man in his bare hands. What a man!!

We enjoyed a quick lunch at Steak n Shake. 

We enjoyed the next two days and actually were able to play outside some. You would never have known it actually snowed that morning. 

We even made it to the mall one day and enjoyed the restrooms of Von Maur. We are frequent visitors in there these days. So, it was another unexpected break, but we had a blast being home together as a family. Much better than the last snow days we had. Now, here's to spring coming quickly. 

Puppy Love

Our family is home for a snow day today and this is my kind of snow day. One with no snow and we can get out and about. So, let's catch up over the last week or so. 

Last weekend we did a quick trip to the lake and I realized I never mentioned it. My mema got a new dog, Teddy, and he is a maltypoo. He is so cute, but a handful. Fulton and Teddy became friends quickly. 

But Fulton's number one four legged love hasn't changed. Harley is so tolerable of 

Fulton's lack of gentleness. 

We had a blast playing at the lake. We rode the four wheeler, fed the cows, visited with mema and papa, and saw all of papa's tractors. We stopped by Grandma's on the way home and the guys took on a quick afternoon job of cleaning out her gutters. 

We are trying to be so intentional with him and bathing him in the word of God. We pray together every night before putting him to bed and he actually prayed himself this week. It was pretty cool to hear what he has on his little heart. 

Friday night I worked our middle school Valentine's Dance. It was a night filled with awkward middle schoolers, watching them run around and chase each other. Please don't tell me I did this in my middle school days, but I am afraid it may be true. 

Saturday we went to an art show with the fam, which was totally not toddler appropriate and we didn't stay long. Fulton was anxious to eat. He is just like his mommy. 

We had a great day at church on Sunday learning about envy. It's not something you like to admit... hey, my name is Kristen and I am envious. But it's true... I began to examine my own heart and realized it's there more than I want to admit. Whether it's something small or something big, it's still sin and it is separating me from the Lord. Our pastor reminded us--don't focus on what you don't have, focus on what the Lord has blessed you with. 

We were itching to get outside after nap. We knew it would be a cold week and we were trying to enjoy the somewhat mild temperatures. Our sweet friends gave us a motorized John Deer gator and Fulton spent the afternoon riding that and his yellow car. We are all so ready for warmer temps so we can play outside. We just aren't indoor people... bring on Spring!

Who's Playing?

There was a big game Sunday... the good ole Super Bowl. I am really not into NFL football. Something about these grown men running around getting paid millions to play football just doesn't entertain me. But you know what does entertain me... good friends and good food. And that's just what we enjoyed. 

We went to our sweet friends Alan and Ashley's house for the game. I did have to ask Matt on the way there what teams were playing and he told me who to cheer for. Not sure why Matt looks like he has been at the beach in this picture, but he hasn't. 

Fulton loves to eat with the ladies. He sure loves his sweet friends and these two girls are so kind to him. 

Looks like someone got into the girl dress up attire. This sure makes Matt proud. 

So the kids played, the guys watched football, and the girls chatted. The fellowship and food were great. Now, it's back to a regular work week after our little unplanned break last week.. it sure was nice though.