Someone Used My Credit Card

Because the guys got to do something together, we girls wanted to get out and do something fun together. We went shopping. So before we left I gave Jim specific instructions about when the kids should nap and how they would love to go to the park. I even summoned my brothers to help him. They all agreed and Sarah, Bek, and Rachel and I were sent on our way to have a good time. It was fun to be with just the girls, eat lunch and shop without our little ones tagging along.

On our way out of Target, I got an alert from my Chase app that $156 dollars was spent at Hanover Bowling Lanes. I immediately called Jim to see how the kids were, they weren’t napping, and if they went bowling. Earlier I had told him it would be a fun family activity so I hoped he would’ve told me. He said they weren’t and said he would call about it right away. I called all flustered and hot, asked my sisters what they thought and because the bowling alley was right by Target Bek thought we should go find out what was going on. I was searching my phone for other weird bank stuff but couldn’t find anything. I didn’t know what we were going to say but I went along with it as we walked into the alley. Sarah headed back to find a bathroom and motioned for us to come her way. As we are walking I see everyone. There they were, my whole family, surprising me with a 30th birthday party! Early of course because it’s not until next month. I was shocked to see them all standing there and to find out they were all in on it since Thanksgiving. And I was thrilled my credit card wasn’t stolen.

Not only was I surprised with a fun afternoon of bowling with the family but I had to wear this ugly old lady dress because you know, I’m gonna be old! So I willingly put the dress on and walked through the bowling alley to get my shoes and bowled with that dress on. Jim then told me I could take it off. I guess it wasn’t very flattering.

One of the funniest things that happened, besides me bowling in that hideous dress, was a teenage girl in the lane next to us came over to me, tapped me on the shoulder to let me know I still had my tag on the dress. I wasn’t witty enough to come up with something funny so I just told her yes I was well aware.

The kids had a fun time bowling and since then have wanted to go. And they’ve been singing Happy Birthday to Mommy ever since too. Jim said he wouldn’t embarrass me with another surprise party, but I’m pretty sure I’d be okay with that. I like surprises.

Fire Station Visit

My sister and brother in law are fire fighters and the station they volunteer at is right next to my parents’ house. Christmas Eve after our family night we walked the kids over to see Philip and the fire trucks. JD was a little unsure about the whole thing but Holly enjoyed trying on Philip’s helmet and riding on the truck. JD was not happy, especially when the siren went off. He was in heaven, though, when he got to sit in a fire jeep and play with the steering wheel. Thanks uncle Philip for showing us around!

Christmas in Virginia

4 suitcases, 4 carry-ons and we are off to Virginia for Christmas. We packed our warmest clothes and big puffy jackets ready for the East coast winter. Lucky for us though we didn’t need our big puffy jackets. The weather was beautiful.  Part of my family was awake to greet us the night we arrived. And as the days passed more family arrived and by the 23rd all 20 of us were ready to celebrate Christmas together. We met our newest nephew Ray for the first time and my grandparents drove in from Texas too.

We went to Bass Pro Shop to visit Santa, the guys went to a movie and out shooting, we played our Christmas chimes and visited Uncle Philip at the fire station. All in two days. Christmas day was crammed with lots of stuff too. It was nice to take an hour of the day to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and the Savior.

We didn’t get much any wrapping done before Christmas Eve. That night after we put the kids to bed we stayed up well past midnight wrapping and playing Santa. The kids never really asked for anything big. Every time we asked what they wanted Holly would always say a snowman. They were thrilled Christmas morning to find their stockings. Unwrapping was fun but pretty chaotic with everyone over unwrapping their presents too. Fun but chaotic.

Fun With Leaves

One Sunday the kids were still in their Sunday best so I decided to take some pictures of them outside playing with the leaves.

So Aware

Last weekend we found out we had to move. It was kind of a lame weekend. We got news from our landlord that he needed to move back in due to “changing family circumstances.” We knew it was too good to be true. Living among five families who are members of the church and not to mention living practically next door to Grandma and Poppy. We love our home. It’s pretty perfect for our little family. But we have to move. Thankfully we know people who know people who are renting their house. After visiting the home and meeting the family we are in! We found out today. Which brings me to Miss Holly. She is so aware of what people say, how people are feeling, etc. In bed time prayers tonight, Jim said that we were thankful for finding a new house. Holly immediately stops and asks, “Daddy, is our house broken?” Such a sweet girl.

The other reason this weekend was crappy was because we found out after doing IVF again, that it didn’t work. It sucks. Thankfully we didn’t have to pay much. Thankfully I have two beautiful children. Two beautiful children who know when their mommy needs a big hug. It was a rough day, the day we found out, and I was needless to say quite emotional. Whenever I would start crying, the kids would stop and just stare at me. I tried not to do it in front of them too much so while they napped I got it all out. When Jim came home from work he kissed me and we talked. Jim looked over at JD in the corner of the couch and JD says, “Mommy’s been crying a little today.” I lost it. Such a sweet boy. And before I knew it those two beautiful children were hugging their blubbering mom. And that’s when I knew everything would be okay.

The only thing uncrappy about last weekend was the arrival of Doug and Cate’s baby, Wesley. He’s adorable, perfect and precious. Holly and JD think so too.

Growing Up Fast

When did my kids get so grown up?

Holly is a bossy little thing but gives the tightest hugs and biggest kisses. She might be watching too many Disney movies! Tantrums are a part of our everyday routine now. In fact we had two breakdowns before 10 am this morning! JD seems to be the one to cheer her up with a toy or game.

She’s our little parrot and cracks us up with the things she comes up with. For instance, on or way out the door to go trick or treating Poppy told her to come back with lots of treats for him to which she said, “it’s not for you Poppy it’s just for kids.” Jim calls JD buddy and now Holly does the same thing, cutest thing.

She still loves to hold my hair and suck her thumb and gets annoyed when my hair is in a ponytail, even if I’m not sitting with her. She has found a piece of her own hair to hold which is nice!

JD is still our little sensitive guy but he knows what he wants and how to get it, especially milk in his Mickey Mouse cup. Any other cup is just not acceptable! He loves to swing, shoot basketball hoops, throwing rocks and playing in dirt. JD is also our little sneaky guy, escaping out of our backyard. He also enjoys watching his movies on the iPad, the most current favorite is Rio.

When JD gets really excited he jumps up and down and flaps his arms. Like when we were at the park he got so giddy with excitement to catch Holly as she came down the slide or when he hears the garage door open and he knows it’s Daddy.

My favorite thing is when Daddy asks JD what he did today, JD’s response is always, “hang out with Mom.” Boy do we love this kid!

Halloween Fun

It is tradition in the Hopkins family to carve pumpkins the Monday before Halloween. We weren’t sure if carving them a week early was such a good idea but we did it anyway. Grandma, Poppy and John came over to help and to join in the fun. Holly and JD were happy enough to watch as they were not into the touching of the pumpkins guts at all.

The week leading up to Halloween our pumpkins acquired lots of dirt thanks to JD and then starting getting really mushy, moldy and buggy. We still lit them the night of Halloween to attract those trick or treaters. The kids loved reading all the Halloween books we got at the library and could pretty much recite them to us. Such good memories they have.

Our ward trunk or treat was the Friday before. We finally got Holly to wear her Jessie boots. They loved all the games, especially the cupcake walk. Though it seemed like they won no matter what number was called. I lost count of how many mini cupcakes JD ate. Holly loved hanging out with Grandma and we made sure to visit the game that Poppy was running, Tic-tac-toe. Two year olds don’t quite understand that game but they had fun throwing the bean bags. They held hands during the whole costume parade and at one point decided to go in the opposite direction as everyone else. Crazy kids. It didn’t take them long to get the hang of the trunk or treat part. We had so much fun and left with two full buckets of candy.

Halloween day we had a little party with some friends, had dinner and donuts at Grandma and Poppy’s house and then we went trick or treating for the first time! They had so much fun. At each door they would get so excited about the little bag of M&Ms, skittles or whatever they got. They especially loved it when the candy giver would let them pick whatever they wanted. Hmmm, decisions, decisions. When they were done Holly said, “okay, let’s go to Grandma’s and eat our candy.” We didn’t even have to say all done.

I have a feeling we won’t be matchy, matchy with the costumes next year. But maybe we’ll actually do another family theme.