YES. YES. YES.

Happy Monday, Friends!

It has been awhile since I have done one of my "YES" posts and well... I miss them. 

How was your weekend? We have been crazy busy here at our castle.

Soccer has begun which means I will spend most of my weekends at a 

soccer field watching my little men play. 

I just have to tell you all that myself and two other girlfriends decorated a reception for a Bride yesterday. Oh my:: It was fabulous. Their is just something special about getting married and being involved in someone's wedding day. There is so much joy and anticipation. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. My two girlfriends, Melissa and Beth had no idea who the bride and groom were and yet worked so hard to make everything perfect. I am so grateful. Not gonna lie, it also made me want to start a Bridal Reception business. It's a good thing my husband isn't reading this right now.
 He would laugh at me! 

Guess what? We are doing another wedding in August {eek} and if you want to stalk us a little you can. We set up a board on Pinterest. Feel free to add comments and give your input! It's going to be fabulous.

 Burlap, Twine, Mason Jars... Be still my heart.

What if I just said yes? What if I just gave up stressing about or resisting what is {and what may be coming}? What if I choose to embrace it. To simply say YES. 

This week I am saying yes....

... yes to giving my testimony at Zumba on Wednesday

... yes to being vulnerable and open

... yes yes yes to a Friday night date night! 

... yes to watching my older boys play soccer

... yes to teaching a zumba class on Thursday

... I am saying yes to Jesus. yes to prayer

... yes to March Madness {I actually LOVE watching basketball this time of year}

... I am saying yes to laughing and simply enjoying my life
 ... I am saying yes to getting up before my boys

... I am saying yes to getting rid of this 5 extra lbs I am carrying

... yes to dancing & watching dancing with the stars. It's going to be a great season!
... yes to confidence
... yes to believing that "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength"

So tell me, What are YOU saying yes to this week?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

What if I just said yes? What if I just gave up stressing about or resisting what is {and what may be coming}? What if I choose to embrace it. To simply say YES. What if this simple change in perspective changed your entire week? By saying 'yes' it allows you to view and overcome some of the fear, anxiety, and stress. It allows you to embrace each day of THIS week in a whole new light {at least it does for me}.

This week my boys have declared it 'Love Week'. So, on this Love Monday what are you saying YES to? 

This week I am saying YES to...

... yes to heart shaped sandwiches 

... yes to writing to my Valentine

... yes to conversation hearts { I loved them as a kid}

... yes to helping a friend out

... yes to watching the bachelor with girlfriends

... yes to potty training {sigh, yes I am still potty training}

... yes to dancing, burning calories and lots of booty shaking

... yes to basketball games and indoor soccer practice

... yes to being ok with being a taxi driver to my boys

... yes to sneaking away for some alone time

... yes, yes, yes to prayer 

... yes to PAC meetings and teacher conferences

... yes to being a mentor to one of the sweetest High School girls ever. 

... yes to sneaking in a few dance parties.

... yes loving on my boys and being thankful that on this Valentines Day I am their only Valentine!

On this Love Monday what are you saying YES to?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Happy Monday, Friends!

Photo

Yes to TEACHING another zumba class this week.

Yes to being confident. 

I say yes to laughter and enjoying my family.

YES YES YES to turning 32! eeeeek... I can't believe it.

I say yes to God.  Yes to prayer.

Yes to taking my sweet Cole for his 1st official haircut at a salon.

I say yes to hanging out with girlfriends and eating my favorite salad.   

I say yes to jumping in the car and heading off to a much needed trip to IKEA with a dear friend! 

I say yes to celebrating and showering a sweet friend with gifts for her sweet girl who she will get to pick up soon from CHINA!!! 

I say YES to lovin on the three sweet loves of my life!

I say yes to basketball games. Yes to loud cheering from the stands and praying my two year old can last through it all!  

I say yes yes yes to a heart of gratitude. YES to saying THANKS.

I say yes to believing in myself. Yes to believing what is true. 

Yes to being in the thick of potty training. YES to loving on Cole. Encouraging him. Teaching him. Yes to letting him run around naked {why does he not want to have clothes on now}

Yes to gut laughing with girlfriends, eating cake, encouraging other woman, hiding in the bathroom to take a few deep breaths and enjoying this new week!

I LOVED reading all of your responses to what YOU are saying YES to last week. Please share with me:

What do YOU say yes to this week?!

YES. YES. YES.

I am excited to get this week started. Honestly, I am not sure why but I am ready for the week and all it brings. I shared this picture with my Facebook friends and thought I had to share it with all of you. On Friday my Mason came home and one of the best things about Friday is that the boys get to show Chris and I everything they have done throughout the week. The last thing Mason pulled out of his folder was this picture. When Chris asked who everyone was he looked up and said, "The little one is Cole, then Brady, then me and then Fat Mom." I thought I heard him wrong so I said, "Who is this? He proceeded confidently, "Fat Mom." I look over to see my husband holding his breath trying not to laugh. This kid. Sweet Mercy. I couldn't help but laugh. Later on he said, "Mom did you see we are all smiling and holding hands." So, for now I can be fat mom. If my family is holding hands and smiling I can be drawn any way you like. Fat Mom and all.

 This week I am saying yes....

... folding all the clean laundry that is piling up

... being present wherever I am at 

... to not being overwhelmed with my schedule

... yes to teaching two Zumba classes to a bunch of HS girls

... getting coffee with a friend

... watching two of my favorite boys play basketball together

... having a thankful heart

... yes to viewing my conversations as construction sites. Am I demolishing or constructing others with my words?

... yes to enjoying my boys

... yes to turning on the radio really loud and dancing with my boys

... yes yes yes to turning off all electronics 

... yes to getting our new front loader washer and dryer delivered {eek}

... yes to Monday night girls night watching the Bachelor {side note: this season the girls are  seriously crazy}

... yes to choosing JOY all week, in every circumstance, no matter what.

What do YOU say yes to this week?!

Hello Monday

Hello to the first day back to school for my boys. 

As much as I have loved having them home I am so ready {so are they} to be back on a schedule. The one thing that rings true all the time with this castle is that we are a routine family. We all thrive on routine. We eat better, sleep better, and enjoy each other more when we are in one. 

As I walked into the boys room this morning I couldn't help but jump in bed and snuggle with them. What's a few more minutes, right? Mason has pretty much taken over Bradys room. In fact, I can't remember the last time he slept in his own bed. He said he sleeps better when he knows Brady is beside him. I am embracing the joy and love of their brotherhood. 

This week I am saying YES to

yes first week of 2012

yes to new beginnings

yes to a fresh, clean home {goodbye christmas decorations}

yes to taking sometime to look out my window and enjoy the beauty of the snow

yes, yes, yes to new ideas

yes to getting back to blogging about everyday life

yes to dancing and exercise

yes to getting my eating back on track {i have been out.of.control}

yes to not waiting for things to happen but to making them happen

yes yes yes to the BACHELOR {it starts tonight}

yes to potty training {ugh}

yes to playing my hubby in a one-on-one basketball game

yes to slowing down a bit and simply enjoying today

yes, yes, yes, to new inspiration

yes to this New Year {its going to be fabulous}!!

What are you saying YES to?

YES. YES. YES.

Happy Monday, Friends!

This past weekend was filled with Christmas tradition here at our castle. 

We loaded up the boys and went to look at lights. It's one of our favorite things to do this time of year. My boys loved every second of it. 

Rides. Lights. Reindeer. 

What more could you ask for?

We looked at Christmas lights and just enjoyed each other. Christmas music playing, snow falling and feeling the warmth of being together as a family.

The nicest man asked the boys if they wanted to feed the reindeer. 

It was such a special time for them. The excited and joy of Christmas was in the air.

What if YOU just said yes? What if you gave up stressing about or resisting what is {and what may be coming}? What if you choose to embrace it. To simply say YES. 

This week I am saying yes....

... yes to celebrating a 'birthday party for Jesus' at my boys school

... yes to laughing and enjoying a work Christmas Party

...in counting it all JOY

... yes to prayer

... yes to dancing

... yes to listening to Justin Biebers 'Mistletoe' 

... I am saying yes to energy

... I am saying yes to drinking coffee in front of my Christmas tree and simply slowing down.
 ... I am saying yes to getting up before my boys

... yes to a heart that is fully aware of how very blessed I am... yes to wrapping presents
... yes to confidence
... yes to hot chocolate with my boys

...yes to baking Christmas cookies

So tell me, What are YOU saying yes to this week?

Be still my heart. Is he not the sweetest thing you have ever seen? 

It's going to be a fabulous week!

Happy Monday, Friends!  

YES YES YES

Happy Monday!

                      I hope you weekends were filled with some rest and relaxation. I know it's not even Thanksgiving but I am getting so excited for Christmas. In fact, I *might* just put up a few decorations before Thanksgiving. This is the first time in eight years that my husband isn't coaching. Which means I will actually have help putting up all of the decorations.
Have I mentioned how many emails I have received because of our Christmas photo from last year? It has been repinned so many times I am amazed. In fact, I have had random people stop me at Target {my favorite place} because they have recognized me and my boys from this photo. {How crazy is that?}I have met some awesome women and shop owners wanting to know about the letters. It has been really neat for me. I am going to be doing an upcoming post about some these great woman.  

Photo Credit

What if I just said yes? What if I just gave up stressing about or resisting what is {and what may be coming}? What if I choose to embrace it. To simply say YES. 

This week I am saying yes....

... yes to getting all our Operation Christmas Child boxes ready

... yes to writing a review for my boys school

...in counting it all JOY

... yes to starting a new Beth Moore study with some great girls

... yes to going to see Breaking Dawn {the things I do for my girlfriends}

... I am saying yes to Jesus. yes to prayer

... I am saying yes to laughing and simply enjoying my life
 ... I am saying yes to getting up before my boys
... yes to dancing
... yes to confidence
... yes to to believing that "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength"

So tell me, What are YOU saying yes to this week?

YES. YES. YES.

Happy Monday, Friends!

How was your weekend? If it was anything like ours it was a little crazy mixed in with a lot of fun, family time and laughter. Our castle was filled with crazy little boys this weekend-- all celebrating Mason. It was such a special time. I learned a lot of new things about little boys and birthday parties. Juice boxes, pizza and a football game was truly all this castle needed. Who knew the hours of decorating and party planning really would go by the way side? It was all worth it to see a bunch of little boys laughing, running, jumping, tackling and simply doing what they were created to do at this moment--be little boys.

This week I am saying yes....

... to spiderman, a soccer player and a super hero

... I am saying yes to sneaking candy out of my boys bags when they fall asleep

...  yes to getting ready for our Family Christmas Photo Shoot

... yes to making props

... yes to family get togethers

... yes to more birthday parties and soccer games

... yes to enjoying another Halloween with my three little men

... I am saying yes to confidence in my ability and calling to be a mom  

... yes to less stress

So tell me, What are YOU saying yes to this week? 

YES. YES. YES.

We have been eating, sleeping and breathing soccer this weekend. It has been intense and given me as a mom some unexpected teachable moments. You know those moments as a mom where you hurt for your kids but you hug them, praise them and use these moments as a teachable, character building time? My Brady has been playing on a U8 select soccer team {who knew it was so intense} it has been perfect for him. We as a family have loved every second of it. This past weekend we were at a tournament. The boys made it to the Championship Game. I found out many things about myself. First of all, I am that mom. The one who yells. I can't stand 'that mom' and I am her. I try to not say a word when he is in. Maybe it was all those years of cheering or yelling for my husbands basketball team. Whatever the case if you see me at a game I take no offense if you act like you don't know me! Second, I saw a group of 6, 7 and 8 year olds come together for one purpose. No parents, No coaches. It was a group of little boys encouraging each other. When I slowly walked up to take a picture my heart was filled with joy. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, 

in love, in faith and in purity.

~ 1 Tim 4:12" 

Did I mention that this week I have a blonde hair,

 blue eyed little man who is turning 5?! 

This week I am saying yes....

... to party streamers

... to bouncy balls, candles, cake and lots of icing

... to celebrating my sweet Mason

... yes to waking him up with a room full of balloons

... yes to 400 gumballs {i know, i know}

... yes to filling our bellies with lots of sugary goodness 

... yes to bowling with a bunch of little boys

... yes to pizza and laughter

... to presents, party decorations and smiles

... yes to hugs

... yes to laughing loudly 

... yes to remembering that God is in everything.

... yes to praying for all of the men in my castle while I fold their laundry

... yes to learning to be content in all situations

... yes to be thankful for the sweet gift of being a mom to my boys 

As our Birthday week begins... What are you saying YES to this week?

YES. YES. YES.

 I can't believe it's already the middle of October.  These past few weeks have been flying by. This past week we have been enjoying the unbelievable gorgeous weather, photo shoots, soccer games, markets and each other.  It was nice to take a little break from blogging but I do miss this place when I am gone! 

This week I am saying yes....

... to HIS will and not my own

... being present wherever I am at 

... to picking out Halloween costumes

...yes yes yes to mini pumpkins 

...yes to meeting a friend for coffee

...yes to candy corn and peanuts

...yes yes yes to planning my sweet Mason's Birthday Bowling Bash

...yes to wearing my favorite boots and scarfs

...yes yes yes to looking fear in the eye and defeating it

...yes to my heart bubbling over when I see my boys in their feety pajamas

...yes to simply enjoying life

...to soaking in HIS grace

...to being a part of Fostering Christmas Care

 {I can't wait to share what that means for YOU}

...yes to another busy week

...yes yes yes to making memories with my boys

...yes to joy, belly laughs, goodnight prayers and morning l

Each week we are given many different opportunities and challenges we will face. Will you say 'YES' to embracing your role? You will speak with, smile at, drive by, and laugh with many people. I challenge you to say 'Yes' to being real, to owning who you are, being proud of who you are and showing grace this week.

 What are YOU saying yes to this week? 

YES. YES. YES.

Happy October, Friends!

photo by

Yes to TEACHING some serious zumba dance moves {eek}.

Yes to not giving into my fear of failing. 

I say yes to laughter and enjoying my family.

I say yes to enjoying the beautiful colors of Fall!

I say yes to God.  Yes to prayer.

I say yes to playing Super Mario Brothers with my boys.   

I say yes to getting down and dirty at the pumpkin patch with 30 preschoolers! 

I say yes to blogging my little heart away! 

I say YES to lovin on the three sweet loves of my life!

I say yes to soccer games. Yes to loud cheering from the stands.  

I say yes yes yes to a heart of gratitude. YES to saying THANKS.

I say yes to encouraging others and being a supportive wife, mom and friend.

I say yes to believing in myself. Yes to believing what is true. 

Yes to acting like a teenager who is addicted to her favorite reality shows.

I say yes showing some self control in my eating this week. 

What do YOU say yes to this week?!