A Sweet Beginning: April 2015

Monday, April 27, 2015

Weekend Update!

We had a busy, busy last couple days! Our anniversary was last week and Caiti watched Ava while Matt and I went to dinner and a movie! I got Matt a "Man Crate" and it was awesome watching him open it!!

While we were out we picked up a fishing kit for Ava and she has been loving it!!!

Friday was my last day at Spring Creek Elementary! I celebrated with all of my kids during the day and with my teacher friends that night!

While Matt and I were celebrating, Ava was at her first sleepover!!! Her and Addy had so much fun and played together so well! Matt dropped her off and he said that when they walked in the door and she saw Addy she said, "My best friend!!!!"

We bought a boat and went to pick it up near Tampa on Saturday. It was a very long day with lots of driving to look at a trailer, get the boat, and then a slow and long drive home with the boat :)

Burrito bowls for dinner in the truck on the way home!

I started the new job today and am exhausted! Hopefully this week will be much slower than last :)

Monday, April 20, 2015

Lately...

My friend got me this personalized mug with an IU sign and my name!

Matt and Ava have been leaving corn out front for the squirrels to eat!

Ava's new favorite activity is "going on the sidewalk", a.k.a. going for a walk :)

We have been enjoying our pool a lot lately! Ava even did some swimming last weekend without floaties!

We have been cuddling with the Brady on the couch and reading a lot lately :)

We have been having lots of fun with friends!

Monday, April 13, 2015

Book Review - Health & Lifestyle Edition

I love reading about health-related topics. I follow a few blogs, subscribe to many magazines, and recently read a few books about weight loss and healthy eating.

It Was Me All Along talked about eating food mindlessly, which I could relate to. The author made changes when some might have thought she was too far gone and found balance and acceptance. It was a great book!

The Shift was about a TV personality who was told by her boss she needed to lose weight, and her journey to do so. I enjoyed the book, but some of the tips she gave did not seem practical for me. I enjoy my drinks too much :)

I love reading Lifestyle books, magazines, and blogs also! Here are a few books I read recently:

Each chapter of this book is a different lesson that the author learned while participating in a foreign exchange student program in Paris. Not all of the lessons are practical for me, but I enjoyed reading this book!

This book was a fun read that gives the same types of ideas to make your life at home more enjoyable.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Book Review - Christianity Edition

I like to spend a few moments each morning focusing my day. Sometimes this happens at home, sometimes this happens at work, and sometimes it doesn't happen at all. These 3 books all calm my anxieties, put things into perspective, and encourage me.

Jesus Calling is a daily devotional book with reflection, scripture and words of encouragement.

Rhinestone Jesus is about one woman's spiritual journey and her decision to live more than a "safe faith". I am always wanting to "do more" or "be more" and this book is encouraging me to get started!

Unglued is about the moments as parents where our emotions take over and we become, well, unglued. It gives tips to resolve conflicts with patience and includes scripture.

In the past I have read both of Melanie Shankle's books. I love her blog and her books are just as awesome!

Sparkly Green Earrings is about motherhood and I read it when Ava was a baby and cried a lot :)

The Antelope in the Living Room is about marriage and I laughed a lot :)

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Book Review - TV Land Edition

I have enjoyed reading many books over the past few months! I love reading in the evenings to unwind or weekend mornings while the rest of the house is still quiet. I'm always looking back through my iPad to see what all I have purchased and read, so I thought that I should just document them here on blog.

These are my absolute favorite books to read! I love reality TV and equally love reading books about my favorite TV stars and reality shows!

Yes Please was hilarious and I loved that Amy Poehler talked about each cast member on Parks and Recreation - love that show!!!

I love Andy Cohen - but at times this book was a bit uninteresting. I think because it was set up like a daily diary and I didn't always know the people he was referencing. I did love the stories about the Housewives, Mark & Kelly, and SJP!

Chelsea Handler is hilarious and this was a fun book to read!

The next 3 books all come from former Bachelor contestants. Love that show and loved each of these books for different reasons.

I did not like Courtney on the show, but I loved getting the scoop on what happened in her season behind the scenes.

I enjoyed Trista's book about love, motherhood, and having a grateful heart.

Sean's book was great and it was interesting to hear about how the Bachelor process works and his thoughts throughout his journey.

This book was fun to read and addressed the question "How do you do it all?". I enjoyed reading about how she balances the different parts of her life with purpose.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Spring Break 2015!

We kicked off Spring Break this year by celebrating Brady's 5th birthday on Sunday!!

Sara and Lucy flew in on Tuesday afternoon and Rylee and Holland flew in Wednesday! It was so much fun to all be together for a few days!

We played with bubbles a lot!

We went on a few walks!

We spent a lot of our time playing outside on the lanai!

We went to the beach on Thursday and the girls were so good!!

Back at the house we hung out inside and had a living room party / movie time!

Friday we played at the park and went to the splash pad!

That afternoon we went out for ice cream!

Friday night Lucy and Ava colored eggs and Holland and Ava went to the Estero park for an egg hunt Saturday morning!

After the egg hunt we hung out at home a few hours before dropping Rylee and Holland off at the airport.

What a fun trip!!

I am so thankful that Sara and Rylee took the time and spent the money to come visit us. It was amazing to all be together with our girls and we made so many great memories!!

Also - shout out to Matt for putting up with all those Knapp girls :)

A Sweet Beginning

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