Budapest

Next we met my parents in Budapest and spent a few days there. This is where our cruise began. It was beautiful!

The first day there we slept until 2 in the afternoon. I would have slept longer if Jason hadn't woken me up. Our bodies were so confused about the time. It didn't take long though to adjust.

This water park was so neat! There were sensors that allowed you to walk inside without getting wet. 

Chain Bridge

Cute parents


Parliament (I couldn't pick just one picture of it!)

This is one of my favorite pictures of the entire trip. The second day in Budapest there was a car race and air show. Can you BELIEVE how close that plane wing is to the water?

We even found coke icees. Good times. ; )

Eating some authentic Hungarian food at Khely Vendeglo

On the cruise we were part of a running group Marathon Adventures. I was a little nervous about this since I hadn't run in awhile, but it was great. Everyone was very laid back, and it was all about having fun. We ran a little, biked a little, and even did an amazing race in Austria!

Our first run was five miles one morning in Budapest. This is my dad with Mila the group's travel agent. She is the sweetest thing!

We ran around Margitsziget Island and ended at the Nike Center where the Hungarian athletes train for the Olympics.

I really enjoyed Budapest. We did some sight-seeing, some shopping, and Jason and I even tried out the Turkish public baths. Very interesting! Yes, we wore our bathing suits. ; )

Next stop is Bratislava and Vienna!

But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart...

Matthew 15:18

London

I have to admit I was a little giddy as we got ready for our trip. I knew we would miss the boys SO much, but I was beside myself to travel and spend this time with Jason. I also knew the boys would be happy and safe with his parents. 

You may not be interested in all the details I want to remember, so you can just scroll through the pics. ; )

Our first stop was London. As soon as we boarded our plane in Dallas we were greeted with "My good Sir" and "Dawling." I love how British people talk!

This is what ten years of saving air miles got us. ; ) Amazing!

We just had one day there so we hit the highlights.

Big Ben

London Eye

Tower Bridge

I had no idea Jason took so many pictures of cars on our trip until I put all the pics on my computer. ; )

Next stop is Budapest!

Lead me in your truth and teach me...

Psalm 25:5

Home Sweet Home

Oh my goodness Jason and I just spent the past 2 1/2 weeks in Europe. Crazy! 

I really wanted to share pics throughout our trip but I also didn't want to advertise we were not home. Especially for this length of time. Just makes me nervous!

It was very nice (and probably needed) to have a break from my computer and phone. I forget how much I love getting lost in a good book. ; )

How in the world did we leave our boys so long? Honestly I have no idea. The trip was planned a year ago and started out just one week. My dad wanted to take all of his adult kids/spouses on a Danube River cruise (!!!) to celebrate his retirement (although the date keeps getting pushed back).

Jason and I were only ones who were able to go, and we started adding to the beginning and end of the original trip. We decided it could be our ten AND eleven year anniversary trip. Since we would already be there, why not? ; )

SO, we may have gone a little crazy. In the beginning I was super excited, then last fall I started to worry that the trip really was too long, then I worried about Jason's parents keeping the boys then I got excited again.

I prayed and prayed and the LORD gave me such peace about it. 

I'm not even sure our boys missed us, but we missed them like crazy. Every time we would facetime with them Zach would only ask what we bought him. ; ) Can't wait to share details and pics from our trip! 

It's good to be "back!"

For no word from GOD will ever fail.

Luke 1:37

Colson's Summer Bday

I answered questions about the chalkboard in my comments in the previous post. ; )

I know it's a little early, but I'm already thinking about Colson's birthday. Not to rush anything it's just fun to celebrate, right? I've always wanted to do a "fish theme" for one of his parties. Ha! It sounds silly but I think it could be cute. Maybe. ; ) It may turn into being a more beachy kind of birthday party. We'll see!

I found these cute pics online. There was a lot more out there than I thought!

I love that he has a summer birthday. 

Hope you're having a great Saturday!

Seek the LORD while He may be found. Call on Him while He is near.

Isaiah 55:6

Chalkboard Project

So for another little project in Zach's room I painted over a picture we already had. We bought it ten years ago when we moved into our first house.

I was completely over the apples. ; )

With some advice from Shannon and Jason's help it only took a few weeks! I had lots of interruptions and life to live in between. Ha. First I spray painted the frame white (using one can) then Jason sanded it down a little.

He was thrilled.

This was how he really felt. ; ) He did a great job.

Next I painted a brown chalkboard paint (several coats) over the glass. I had never seen a brown chalkboard color so I was excited to use something different.

Riley had to be involved, too. ; )

I love how it turned out! I can use it for messages or the boys can write on it, too.

I bought a chalkboard pen (Hobby Lobby) and it was so fun and easy to use!

Today is International Bereaved Mother's Day so I wish a very Happy Mother's Day to all the moms who have a little one in Heaven with my Reese. We have a bond no mother should share. So thankful for the hope we have in Christ. You are all very close to my heart!

Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hand; your walls are continually before Me.

Isaiah 49:16

"Z"

When my sister Mandy put a big "H" on my nephew's wall above his crib, I knew I wanted to  get a big "Z" for Zach's room redo. So cute! We don't have big cardboard letters at our Hobby Lobby, so I bought one awhile ago when I was in Dallas.

I love the size of it, and of course I painted it red. I had a lot of colors to choose from with his bedding.

I love how it turned out! So simple yet makes a statement. 

I'm still working on little details for his room, and I promise I'll share pictures when I'm finished! I need to find a desk chair and choose material for his window seat. I do love how his wall color turned out. ; )

It's May!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.

Isaiah 40:28

Lists

I'm a list maker. Sometimes I love my lists and sometimes I don't. 
Some people say they don't make lists, and I have no idea how they do it. I have an ongoing list on my phone, one in my calendar, and the app Shopshop on my phone. Even with all my groceries on the app, I will go to a store and leave one hour and $75 later and forget what I came for in the first place! Ah! 

When Jason and I got married we started talking about our 6 month, one year, 5 year, and 10 year goals. Big and small. We sit down every six months and go over them and make new ones. It's been fun to see what we've done and what's important to us at different times in our lives. 

So when I saw this little idea in Parenting magazine I thought it would be fun to try. It was an article about resolutions and solutions. The resolution was to spend more time with your family. The solution was to make a list of the five things that matter most to you, then make another one of how your time's spent. 

Chances are the lists won't match up, but the idea is to identify areas of your life you want to work on with time. The closer you can make the lists, the closer you are to your goal.

So here's my list of things that matter most to me:

1. Living out my faith
2. Jason, our boys, and our immediate families
3. My friends
4. Exercise/Tennis
5. Having an peaceful organized home

How I spend my time:
1. Zach & Colson
2. Zach & Colson
3. Zach & Colson
4. Jason
5. Exercise/Tennis

I hope I live out my faith in all I do, but this is our life right now. Everything else is still on my list just pushed down a bit.

This is my clean organized home. Ha! At least we are having fun, and that's so important, too.

Give this a try when you have a minute! It's not as easy as you may think. ;)

Give thanks to the LORD, to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1,4