To Luke (4 years)

So far, every year on my kids' birthdays, I've written them a letter about the year. I love doing this so I can remember all the fun stuff we did and the things they learned how to do. Maybe someday they will want to read their letters.

To Luke, on your fourth birthday,
I cannot believe you are 4 years old! (I think I probably say this in  every letter.) You will be starting preschool in a few weeks, which is unbelievable to me.

Here are some of the things that have happened this last year. You learned to ride your bike. Without training wheels. And you rock at it. We get so many comments and stares as you ride around town because you are so far ahead for your age! Your first real crush happened this year. Her name is Meredith and she's married to one of the pastor interns at church. We all love her, but she is definitely your favorite person right now! Your favorite things to watch and play with are superheroes and transformers. You love to chew bubble gum and it's your favorite "snack." You are mommy and daddy's big helper. You love when we ask you to help us do something, like carry the diaper bag or help daddy wash the cars. You still loooooove music, in particular rock music. You would have a picnic everyday if I let you. We all love to have a picnic outside on the picnic table, but you like having them in the living room just as much.

You learned how to swim this year, with a life jacket on. By the end of summer, you were even running and jumping off the edge of the pool and going under! One time you were at the pool with a bunch of girls around your age and you yelled, "Hey girls, watch me!" before you jumped. It reminded me of the country song Chicks Dig It. Look it up.

You're starting to get into a good rhythm of being a big brother. You absolutely love to antagonize Sam and do things to make him mad on purpose, but you also love to give him a kiss when he gets in bed to go to sleep, you always forgive him when he does something mean to you, you are getting better at sharing and helping him learn the right way to play together. I love watching you two interact!

Something not so fun is your asthma. You're a champ and do breathing treatment like a pro now, but we've had problems with your asthma flaring up in the fall and spring, due to allergies. Last fall, you even went to the hospital overnight. Just about scared mommy to death. The other not fun thing is figuring out why you were having problems going to the bathroom. We switched you from regular milk to almond milk and that has helped tremendously.

Your imagination is full force, from the minute you wake up to the minute you fall asleep. You bring so much joy and laughter to our lives. Such a goofball! You are the smartest kid I know and I am so proud of you! I can't wait to see what this next year brings.

Love,
Mommy

Monthly Menu Plan: August 2015

Here I am again, having not posted in 6 months. I'm still doing my menu plan almost every month, but haven't had time to post due to having two wildly energetic boys, a husband, a home to take care of and a business to run. (In case you were unaware of my starting a business, you can check it out here.) But, I have a rare moment today, so thought I'd take time to check in and let you know what we're going to be eating this month!

1 - BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
2 - Steak and Potato Hobo Dinner
3 - Crockpot Roast
4 - No dinner :: Small Group Cookout
5 - Chicken, broccoli Alfredo
6 - French Dip Sandwiches (with leftover roast)
7 - Calzones
8 - No dinner :: State Fair
9 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes
10 - Chicken Stew
11 - Lasagna
12 - Beef Enchiladas
13 - Chicken Pot Pie (with leftover chicken stew)
14 - BBQ Chicken Kabobs
15 - No dinner :: State Fair
16 - Homemade Pizza
17 - Breakfast
18 - Steak, red potatoes, and corn on the cob kabobs
19 - Pollo con Queso
20 - Chicken Fried Rice
21 - Chicken and Potato Hobo Dinner
22 - Hot dogs and Hamburgers :: Luke's Birthday Party
23 - Beef Stew, corn bread
24 - Pork Chops
25 - Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs
26 - Garlic Pepper Steak
27 - Quesadillas
28 - Spaghetti and Meatballs
29 - Chili
30 - Deer Steak
31 - We inevitably skip a meal sometime during the month, so this is our make up day!

So, I started a business.

So, I started a business. Not just me, but my best friend and me. It's the best thing I've ever done (besides marrying my husband and having my two sweet boys). I'm looooving it! What's the business, you ask? It's called Rescued Design.

Some of you might know I have a degree in interior design. I loved working as an interior designer, but as a designer, you always suggest the best, name brand, priciest options to your client. Having grown up in a modest household, where we didn't have a money to throw at decorating our house, I was taught to stay in a budget and to find things on sale. So suggesting these pricey things was completely foreign to me. Rescued Design mixes interior design and an affordable budget.

Lindsay, my best friend and business partner, and I find old, junky, vintage, unloved, good-bones pieces of furniture and accessories and buy them. Then we fix them up (or upcycle), repurpose, paint, repair, etc. them and resell them for affordable prices.

We were a part of a vendor boutique right before Christmas and it was so much fun! You will find us doing these more throughout this year. We also have our own online store, facebook page, and instagram accounts! (You can find all of these on our website.) I'm not sure how big our business is going to get, but we've got many possibilities before us: a booth at an antique mall, pop up markets, our own brick and mortar shop and so much more.

We would love for you to visit us on our facebook page or our website!