The best thing to ever come out of girls weekend

Three years ago, before Daniel and I headed to East Asia, Sarah and I had a girls weekend in Fredricksburg, Texas. It was amazing!! And we loved the B&B we stayed at. 

Since Daniel and I are headed back to EA this fall, we figured another girls trip was in order. We realllly wanted to go back to Fredericksburg, but with me in Illinois that made it a bit more complicated. So we decided to go to Branson, Missouri. We both had never been there and we found another cute B&B to stay at. We're a sucker for a good breakfast. 

We stayed at Hummingbird Inn. It had an amazing view and yummy food. Also, probably the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in!!

We drove down Wednesday and stayed 2 nights. The first night we went to The Landing and walked around.

We ate dinner at yummy mexican restaurant and found a few good deals we couldn't pass up. As we were driving home that night, the sun was setting and we saw fireflies as we drove. We both haven't seen fireflies since we were about 8!! 

Thursday we spent the entire day shopping at the outlet malls. We were both giddy about shopping! We found some great deals, and had so much fun!! I can't remember the last time I shopped that much! Which brings us to the best thing EVER to come out of girls weekend....

Sarah kept talking the whole day about how much she loved her new leggings. Newsflash: I have never worn leggings (unless you count my early childhood). I was convinced they only look good on really skinny people, and I just don't understand how to wear them. But Sarah went on and on and on about how comfortable they were. So while were shopping I tried a pair on and let me tell you-I have seen the light! Where have these been my whole life?!?!?!!?

 (more on this pic in the next post)

Random picture, yes. But let us appreciate the leggings!!!!! Oh my goodness a whole new level of comfort! I want to wear them every day. The only problem is I only have 2 shirts that are long enough, something I will remedy quickly. So I need your help-where do you buy shirts for your leggings? Any fave legging brands, especially for shorties like me?

So after shopping all day, we went and got a pedicure then went to a late dinner at Shoguns. The chef guy instantly knew we were sisters and thought we were too young to have kids. Bless him. We have been getting a lot of people saying how much we look alike. But neither of us really see it.

We ate dinner at 8 pm at night and were some of the last people to leave. I asked Sarah when the last time she closed down a restaurant compared to opening it? Having little ones, we usually don't go out too much, and if we do it's at 5pm. It was such a treat having a late dinner out!

I love my sister and loved getting quality time with her. I can't wait to do it again! :)

Sudden Quick Trip

Last Sunday I was talking to my sister on the phone and we were lamenting the fact that we haven't had tons of time together while we've been in the States. We started talking about me flying to Houston to just hang out and spend a few days. It was one of those things that we were half serious half kidding. It felt a little crazy and short notice to fly to Houston, especially since Sarah will be coming up to Illinois with the kids next week. But Daniel and I were talking it out, and big picture, I don't get to see Sarah that often, and when we go back to Asia this coming September, I know opportunities to see her will be very few and far between. 

(i love this picture because paige looks like a little rag doll)

So the day was seized and I bought a ticket to fly to Houston the next day to stay for 8 days. And then Daniel decided to drive to Oklahoma for the week to see his family. He surprised his parents and had a great time with everyone! (sorry i don't have pics from his week)

Paige has flown many times in her short little life. However, flying with her now that she is mobile and takes less naps, is a whole other world. By the end of the trip back I was lecturing Paige that she would be taking a boat back to Asia because I would never fly with her again. (i'm kidding) (kind of)

Anyways, we landed after 10 on Monday night and headed to Sarah's house. Sarah's youngest is 11 weeks older than Paige. But we took them to the doctor in the same week, and they weighed the exact same 20.8 lbs and were both 30 inches tall. Adelyn is in the 7% for height and weight, bless her heart.

The girls played okay together. Adelyn was a little territorial with her toys and might have been a little rough physically with Paige. But we overcame and we will start teaching Paige how to fight back this week. :)

When we went shopping, we tried putting both girls in the little car. Paige however, refused to sit on the seat, but insisted she sit on the bottom. This picture was taken before Adelyn tried to kick Paige out of the car, ha!

We did some really fun things with the cousins while we were there! Sarah's neighborhood has a splash pad, and Paige had the time of her life! I love giving Paige experiences that I know she may not have when we move back. It makes the little things extra special.

We went to the park and played outside a lot. Paige has a mop of hair, and her head is naturally hot. Poor thing sweats on her head a lot. So to help her out, this happened and I died over the cuteness.

We got a great surprise while we were there. Our cousin, Skee, called and said he was in town! Skee lives in Europe for his job and is quite the world traveler. I haven't seen him in a few years, and he has never met Paige, so it was great getting together.

Paige loved Uncle Skee!

Sarah and I had great sister time. It's great being with someone who has a child at the same stage as yours to do life with-we can change their diapers, feed them, and take care of them like they're our own. So even though the days can seem long, having support all day long was just lovely.

The week was a huge blessing to me. Sarah and I had to much fun and our time together was exactly what I needed. We flew back yesterday and spent today recovering. 

Miss ya'll and hope everyone is doing well!

Coming to town

Sarah & Mike (sis and bro in law) flew in late last Saturday night. I was so excited, I couldn't believe my sister finally made it here!! I couldn't wait to show her where I live and the culture.

Other than their first day, they both did great with jet lag! I think making them stay busy all day long every day helped!

I was very surprised at how adventurous Mike was-he wanted to try everything, no matter how different!

Paige loved all the time with her Auntie Sarah and Uncle Mikey! There was a lot of fun playtime!

Daddy got in some good reading time too!

Enjoying our local noodle shop! (they make the noodles right in front of you) I was impressed with their desire and ability to learn how to eat with chopsticks! 

Sarah LOVES tea! She is a Teavana addict and drinks about 5 cups a day. She really needs to be a sales rep for them. We did a tea demonstration while they were here, it was so much fun! And of course Sarah bought about 7 tins of tea!

We went to the local opera/play while they were here. We had a friend watch Paige, and Daniel and I especially loved having a night out!

We even went to Starbucks and got a gingerbread man cookie, which the barista kept referring to as a snowman. I LOVE Starbucks at Christmas-the red cups, the special mugs, it just makes me feel all warm and happy inside. 

One day we went downtown. Here we are trying to blend in.

There is just something about having a sister. There's just a different realness when being with her.

think we look alike???

I loved seeing Sarah with Paige. Being moms together is so much fun!

I normally would've been really sad to say good-bye, but we will actually be coming to the States in 10 days for several months. So instead of a sad teary good-bye, we were both like, okay see you!

love

laura

Cousin Time!

Sarah and little Adelyn flew up Wednesday to spend a few days with us. Adelyn is exactly 11 weeks older than Paige. I was so excited to introduce Paige to her Auntie Sarah! Sarah kept saying over and over how Paige looks exactly like me. Which is so strange, because the entire time I was pregnant Daniel kept teasing me that because of his dominant genes, our daughter would look like him, ha! Maybe with the next one.

I didn't get a single good picture of Sarah holding Paige, but here's one with my little niece!

The girls had matching outfits, so we got a few pics of them. One day, they'll play together.

We took 4 generation pictures with my grandma. Paige was getting fussy so we had to take them really fast!

Family pic!

It was SO fun to have Sarah here! The girls were almost on the same feeding schedule, so it was nice to have someone to nurse with-definitely made the time go by faster. The funniest thing happened while we were nursing.......I was trying to burp Paige and I was lowering Paige with my arm, then bringing her back up. I looked at Sarah and said "I read this helps." At the exact time I said that and brought Paige up, she puked all over me! We were laughing so hard we were sobbing! I cannot remember the last time I laughed that hard. Maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty funny. Sarah thought it was hilarious how I was acting all know-it-all mom then got spit up on because of it.

I'm so thankful to have time with my sister and our little girls!! I've always wanted to be pregnant the same time as Sarah and never thought it would happen. It's been one of my favorite times-sharing pregnancy and newborn stories and experiences. I hope our little girls grow up to be as close as we are.

love

laura

All Adelyn

Last weekend, Sarah flew up with my 6 week old niece, Adelyn. I was SO excited to finally get my hands on her and give her fat cheeks some kisses! I pretty much snatched her up as soon as she got here.

She's a small baby, but she has got some cheeks!

If this picture of Daniel doesn't melt your heart and convince you how great a dad he will be....love it!  How precious!!

I can't wait for Adelyn and Paige to meet! I can tell Adelyn is already counting down...

Love this face!!

This picture was taken about 2 seconds before she fell asleep.  Just call me the Baby Whisperer, ha!

Adelyn even joined me in a little exercise- I think she enjoyed the bouncing. 

So the last time Sarah and I saw each other, I was about 7 weeks pregnant and she was 15. This was last June.

I guess we've changed a little bit......

I only hope I can look as good as Sarah 6 weeks after having a baby!

love

Laura

I'm in the Future

Most of our new years eve day was pretty laid back. I spent a little time in the kitchen baking, but other than that I was pretty lazy. I'm feeling better, but have a gross cough that is making my throat hurt.

But I wouldn't let a measly cough keep me from celebrating with friends, so we headed over to a friends house last night for games and snacks. I hadn't left the house in 3 days so it was nice to be around other people and have an excuse to eat.  I made molasses cookies for the first time and was very pleased with them.

This is the only picture I took.

Daniel got this hat for Christmas from my parents and he has yet to take it off. If you ask me, I think he looks simply adorable in it.

I officially start my winter break tutoring tomorrow. I'm pretty excited about it. Remember the intensive summer class we did? I'm continuing the same method with my tutor and I have high hopes. I really want to look back in 6 months and see an improvement in my language. Learning language is kind of like trying to lose weight. There are some days you feel improvement, other days you feel like a failure, and then there's the hope that you'll look back and see how everything paid off, ha!

This week is also birthday week! I'm turning the big 3-0, Sarah is turning 32, and it's also the blogs 2 year birthday. It's a big week.

Also, random. I was talking with Sarah on the phone this morning at about 9 am our time, which is 7pm their time.  And I was like oh my gosh!!!! We are in different years right now!!! How crazy is that?!?!? I was sitting here in 2012 and she was still living in 2011. It felt really cool to be in the future, ha!

Happy New Year!!

love

laura

Always Random

I'm in the middle of finishing the camping trip post, but pics are at home (i'm at work) so i thought i'd do a little snack of a post.

So the bathrooms at the campsite had water but no soap. If you know Sarah, this is not ok. Well she went in to use the bathroom  (not her first trip in) and when she came out there was some handsoap in a bottle with a papertowel next to it. (the bathroom didn't have papertowels, which should've been her first clue....)

Sarah walks up to the hand soap, and in a voice i totally wish you could hear, she said

"Well, don't mind if i do....." And dramatically picked up the soap and used it. RIGHT then a lady comes out of one of the other stalls and was like "oh, you can use my soap i guess. But could you please leave my papertowel?"

cue Sarah's mortification.

She is already easily embarassed, so this was classic!!!

Also random.....

When we went to the OU game not too long ago i brought a little shoulder bag thing. like very small. Daniel told me several times that they are weird about bags and i might have trouble getting in.

Whatever, I tell him. Girls have to be allowed to bring bags in.

The guy who took my ticket freaked out and was like "you can't bring in a backpack!!!" I was like clearly, this is not a back pack. And tried pulling everything out so he can clearly see that i'm not a risk to anyone. Then he gets this other guy involved to try and determine if my bag was a purse or a backpack.

One guy reasoned that bc it had 2 straps it was a backpack. reallly???? how many 1 strap purses have you seen??

They get ANOTHER guy involved and he makes the final decision that this is indeed a purse.

Because Daniel loves me he didn't give me a hard time about it, but let's be honest, tables-turned i would have, ha!

Running tonight, hopefully 4!

Also, black bean quesadillas for din din. PURE delight i tell ya.....

We layer our torillas with black beans (smashed), grilled chicken, green peppers, cheese, tomato, and (me) black olvies. Then grill that bad boy. It is seriously one of our all time faves. promise me you'll try it.

love

Laura

help a sister out

Speaking of awkward....

Ya'll know Sarah AKA my sister?

We go way back.

We're both new to the whole long distance running thing. Sarah has always been in good shape, but we're exploring this new world of running and racing together. It's not uncommon to compare what we eat, when we eat, what we wear, how we felt, and all the other details that go along with this new uncharted territory.

Which brings me to Sarah's email yesterday.

 (I did get her permission to post this)

and i quote:

"So dilemma is I only have 1 pair of running shorts which I can wear my regular cotton underwear with. When I wear my yoga pants or running capris I can't wear regular underwear becuase of underwear lines. What do you do? Do you run in shorts all the time? I am thinking of getting another pair of running shorts. Mike thinks when its cold I will want to wear pants. But most marathoners wear shorts only even in Jan.   What do you think?"

I emailed her back and told her "real athletes don't worry about panty lines."

She disagrees and has googled to see what people do, and is getting a mixed response from the Internet. shocking.

so i told her i'd ask her question to all my blog friends who run, work out, or have ever worn any type of athletic clothing and get your thoughts.

do you worry about panty lines when you're running/working out?

if so, what is your solution?

do you think Sarah is as weird as i do?

and GO!

life unexpected

Ya'll might remember a while back i talked about finances and how we were on the Dave Ramsey plan. While we may not be perfect at it like Sarah & Mike, we do pretty good.


Our marriage is much stronger and more enjoyable now that we are on the same page with our money. We got married without a lot of money, which made it easy to know how to spend it....bills! There are things that must be paid every month whether we like it or not.


But after reading the Total Money Makeover, we now have a budget, use cash for groceries, personal spending money, and any eating out. It's amazing how freeing it feels to pay for stuff in cash. I know using a debit card might feel the same, but i can't really describe the joy that comes with our little envelope system.


Which brings me to the point of my post.....unexpected finances! April was a killer month. I know it's barely halfway, but financially we're through. All of our bills have been paid, and we get paid this next week.


April almost killed us. We ended up paying MUCH more in taxes than either of us ever would've dreamed. Little things added to it, like going out of town, registration on a car, and having people in our home a few times. honestly when i found out about the taxes, i wasn't upset about paying. i mean it's pretty cut and dry if you owe or not. I was WORRIED because i had no idea how we would do it.


I instantly started praying daily that Father would provide. I mean, He KNOWS what our bank account looks like and the taxes weren't a surprise to Him.


I did our budget and realized we would be dipping into our emergency fund...aka savings. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal to use savings but we went to the bare minimum and our following Dave's instructions about it.


I have been tracking every dollar this month. On paper we should need to use a few hundred dollars from savings. But everything has been paid for this month and we didn't have to touch it!!!!!!

woo hoo!!!!!!!!!

We've seen Father's provision so many different ways this month. Little things like a friend unexpectedly treating to lunch, the lowest electric bill we've ever had, finding an extra $20 tucked away in one of the envelopes, getting a gift card from a family member. It's so cool to see how Father provided for us this month over and over, in little ways we weren't expecting.

To be honest, when i was praying for Him to provide for us financially this month, i was honestly just expecting a random cash envelope in our mailbox or something. no lie.

but He didn't work that way, and i'm very thankful. i'm thankful that He used other people to be a blessing to us. I'm thankful that it doesn't make sense at all that we were able to pay for everything this month without touching the emergency fund.


It really doesn't make sense. but that fills me with much more awe and wonder at how our perfect God takes care of us.

Another unexpected, is that Sarah went into the ER yesterday bc she was in severe pain and had a high temp. They did some bloodwork and said her white blood count was fine, so they gave her motrin and sent her home. She's still having a lot of body pain and is going back to the dr tomorrow.

i can't tell you the last time Sarah went to the doctor, if ever, the ER. She gets colds now and then, but i've never known her to realllly be sick. it's kind of weird.

She's planning on coming up this weekend to run the 5k with me. I'm praying that she'll be healthy enough. I'm really asking that all her pain will go away immediately and the fever will disappear.

i'll prob blog later this week about our weekend. we had a wonderful date last night and family is coming over for dinner tonight!

hope everyone had a good weekend and didn't swim too much in all this rain we've been having!!

love
laura