Laurie's Life

 This past weekend, the girls in our Sunday School class had a weekend getaway called the "Night of Nothing."  It should have been called the night of fun!  We had no plans for the weekend, just to hang out and relax and do nothing.  We had lots of good laughter.  I LOVE TO LAUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We went on a hike Saturday morning that nearly killed me.  I bought some tennis shoes last August. I have worn them only two times: the day I bought them and Saturday on the hike.  That should say something about my athletic abilities and love for exercise.  We hiked down a mountain.  I was feeling good and sporty!  I just thought the trail would wrap around back to the cabin.  I did not realize that we would be hiking back up the mountain.  Two sweet, kind and compassionate friends stayed with me as we went back up the mountain.  I was gasping for air!  I tried to act tough and sporty, but I was n...

On Valentine's day I had the bright idea that Steve and I could enjoy Olive Garden in the comfort of our home.  I knew I needed to call the order in early.  I know from experience that tons of people go out to eat on Valentine's Day.  I called in the order at like 4:40 and we struggled getting out the door around 5:10. I knew as I drove to the restaurant that we were doomed.  I had awaited too long before we left the house.  When we pulled up at Olive Garden,  there were NO parking spaces.  NONE!  Not even in the take-out.  NOT even at Red Lobster next door.  I circled and circled and circled.  I was getting madder by the second.  I drove around BOTH parking lots for THIRTY minutes.  At the thirty minute marker, I got an idea.  There was a loading/unloading/ trash pick-up area at the back of Olive Garden.  There were slanted yellow lines painted all around there.  I KNEW I should not park there.....As I circ...

If there is one thing in our house that we get our money out of, it is costumes! The girls LOVE to dress up. The Dorothy dress is a 2 T, but Sarah Kate could care less. Keep in mind she is almost 4 years old. She loves to watch The Wizard of Oz. My Mom bought the video for the girls a couple of years ago. It is something they enjoy watching over and over when they are at my parents house. Sarah Kate calls it The Lizard of Oz.

Sarah Kate and I went to my friend, Erin's house for playgroup today. I love the friendships that I have with these ladies and I love the friendships Sarah Kate has with the children. Some of you asked what paint color we have in our kitchen and living room. It is called Danish Pine. I think it is a Spectrum or Pittsburgh paint. Also, I found some little robin eggs to go in my bird nest!!! My favorite antique shop is called True Treasures. You can follow them on facebook.

I have been doing a little re-decorating lately. It all started when I got the kitchen table and chairs. I am not putting these picture on here to say, "look what I have " or anything like that. If you are like me, I LOVE to look on the internet for decorating ideas. I just realized that decorating magazines are VERY expensive. I almost bought one last week and it rang up as $12. I am so tight that I told the lady that I did not want it. Hopefully you can get some ideas of what to do, or not to do, from this post. I love to shop at flea markets and antique stores. I found this Cloche at a local antique shop. I am looking for some little eggs to go in the nest. Right now I have a seashell that came from the Bahamas a couple of years ago. Do you have a cloche and what do you put under it? I found this old ash bucket at an antique/flea market. This cat tray was my great grandmothers. I have had it in my kitchen cabinet for many years. I found this shower curtain at...

My friend, Maegan has a BEAUTIFUL house!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has an eye for beauty. Her house reminds me of Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, the beach and a farm house all in one! LOVE! This week she found this basket for me and told me of a great place that had a lot of antique mason jars. This is the look for our new farm table right now. I love all things old/vintage.

While we were home, we took the girls bowling! It was a first and they liked it! I LOVE to bowl!!!!! I bowled a 99 and I was real proud of that....until I realized the bumper guards were up. We tried to do a family picture, but SK acted SOOOOO Silly! I know Kelly and her family really appreciate all the prayer and support! THANK YOU! She is in a bad way, so continue to lift her up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve went hunting this weekend with Scott and so I took the girls to South Arkansas to see my parents and some dogs. My hometown has a really nice dog show. It is quite impressive. Emily would love to have a dog. She LOVED looking at all the dogs. I feel like we are a bother at the dog show, because Emily is just wanting one of the dog owners/handlers to let her pet or hold a dog. Those people are serious about the competition!!!!!!! But, many of them were very gracious to let the girls pet their dogs. My parents bought Emily a dog necklace with a yellow lab on it. I am thinking that she may never take it off. (It IS really cute!) Have you seen that show on Animal Planet called American Stuffers? It is about a man in Arkansas that will freeze dry your beloved pet for you. I have watched it a couple of times and it is really sad and VERY interesting. NO-I would NEVER have Kristen freeze dried or stuffed!! There were many vendors at the show and I was thinking about how awkwar...

Sweet little thing is in the bed waiting on the Tooth Fairy to come. She pulled the tooth herself.

Happy Valentine's Day from Emily and Sarah Kate! I told them to look serious. You will understand why when you see Emily's GREEN teeth and mouth. They got a box of Fun Dip for Valentine's day. Emily's teeth look like they are rotting or either covered in algae. We had a little visit from Hollis and Harper today! It is nearly impossible to get all of them to look and smile for the camera. I just take what I can get.