I had a great time this past weekend in Dallas. I learned TONS as I was challenged, inspired, and encouraged. I also had just good ol' fun…shopping, dining out, staying up late chatting with my girlfriends, singing karaoke… (yes, you read that correctly, funny how oddly comfortable, perhaps too comfortable you can feel in a room full of mommies late at night). Thanks for stopping by and reading my first ever guest post.

What a delightful two days it’s been. Tiring, for sure. But also delightful. Crystal often talks of juggling her roles and I now firmly believe she couldn’t be doing it any better. This was my first time playing the role of Aunt Karen and part-time mom. And I now know first hand that Circus couldn’t be a better analogy. Things I’ve observed…. This is a very ORGANIZED circus.

I was scrolling through pictures, trying to figure out what to post for THAT Family’s weekly carnival, when I came across these photos from my Newlywed Days. Aren’t these just a blast from the past? Here we are enjoying our first dinner in our apartment… yup that would be frozen pizza and champagne. We had just flown in from our honeymoon in St Lucia (you can see the unopened wedding presents behind us).

That’s right folks, tomorrow Mommy is out of here till Sunday morning. I’m packing my bags and flying to Dallas for the MOPS Convention. And while I am really excited at the opportunity to grow as I listen to great speakers and attend workshops, I am also sad to be away from my hubby and kiddos for almost 3 full days. I know from past experience that when I get there I will have a great time as I am listening to live music, eating dinner out with my friends (experiencing uninterrupted adult conversations for 9 meals), and learning from dynamic speakers.

Look who’s facing forward now! (Yes, I know she’s been legal for 2 mths now, but I read somewhere it was technically safer to face backwards as long as possible, so we delayed turning her around). Her response, “Hey! Where’d my brother and sister go? Now I have to stare at the back of Mommy and Daddy’s head!” Check out 5 Minutes for Mom for more Wordless Wednesdays.

The Steelers play the Ravens on Monday Night Football tonight on ESPN. We are so psyched! It is probably my favorite game of the year. If there’s anything I enjoy watching more than the Steelers win, it’s watching them win against the Ravens. Here’s hoping for a good game!! Go STEELERS!!!

Ya know I love holidays…we go all out with food, clothing, decor and not just for Christmas. I’m sporting the leprechaun hat for St Patty’s day, serving up enchiladas and corona on Cinco De Mayo, and partying it up on International Talk Like a Pirate Day. I was quite proud of myself this week when I finished buying my kids their Halloween costumes. I mean it isn’t even October yet, and we’ve got the Spiderman, Princess, and Lady Bug bought and hanging in the closet.

Last week in our Catechism Class, I taught the kids the song “This Little Light of Mine.” We talked about how we can let our lights shine and how we can hide our light. We played a game where I would name some actions (like obeying your parents, or hitting your sister) and then the kids had to say if that action let their light shine or covered it up. (They got to turn the flashlight off or on when it was their turn to answer the question).

Our two year old as gotten quite attached to her baby doll. She mothers her in all sorts of ways. She reads her stories at nap time. And arranges a spot for her (and almost every one of her stuffed animals) to sleep beside her at nap time. She gives her a nebulizer treatment because she had a bad cough. She even started potty training her this week!