clinging and flinging

 The first week in January we always spend some time writing Thank you notes for gifts we received. I love seeing what the kids come up with in their Thank you Cards. Here's one they wrote to Nate's partner and his wife.

 Hazel is getting so big. I'm definitely alpha, but she doesn't always love me best. She goes to extremes to make sure she gets rubbed.

 I love it when she sticks her bum in my face.

 I've been trying to spend more time with Jeff so when he asked me to play paddleball in my skirt, I totally conceded. #he's spoiled rotten

In January I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the choir songs and making recordings for them.

 This view is a common occurrence this time of year.

 The kids were super into battleship. We love having this little game table in this room. It's ended up being a great place for us to hang out as a family. Just like I wanted it to be.

 I tested out the idea of writing Eve's name out myself for her gravestone. The idea was shortlived and it looked way less awesome on the computer than I thought it looked on paper. It brought to light all the imperfections when put in the computer.

 My baby girl decided it would be fun to change her look.

 I love her with bangs. She isn't sure about either way, but I'm glad she tries new things!

 Our friends got the new pie in the face game. I discovered that my kids are way too competitive.

 Neither of them ended up with pie in their face.

 My new sunbeams!!! I am obsessed with this new class. We learned about how we are children of God. That makes us all queens and kings. I love teaching them every week.

 One week, I found Jeff practicing piano like this. Should a mother correct this or just let it be? #iletitbe #myjeffyboy #basketballsleeve😂 #pianoplayer #practicing #hesakeeper❤️

 I turned 32! Nate totally gets me. He took me out for a fancy dinner, and then we went and saw lalaland which I was dying to see.

 But we also spent time with my kids. Someone wrote me a song for my birthday. Best gift ever. #soundslikeahoedown #lilmissaria #texasinfluence #jeffjudged #hewantedcreditforhelpingherperfectit #32 #bestbirthdayweekendever #tonys #lalaland #cottoncandy #sparklers #gamenight #oneofmysunbeamscalledmetheirhero #makemyheartmelt

Somebody in our house loves people food. #shesreallygoodatlookingcute #officialdishrinser #hazelmae #oranges

It was my birthday a week or two ago. #32 My babe planned a night out for just the two of us. A fancy meal, funded by gift cards (making it guilt free, financially) #doesheknowmeorwhat #weevenskippedthecostofvalet #parkedablockawayandwalkedup #nerdy #ouraccordwouldnthavemeshedwiththelexusmercedesbmwpatterntheyhadgoing #foodwasyummyandpretty followed by an amazing movie. #lalaland #musical He got the babysitter. He made the reservation and even told them it was my birthday. #imspoiledrotten I only wish the kids could've helped us finish the gigantic martini glass full of pink cotton candy. #theyneedmannersfirst I wish everyone could be in love with someone as much as I adore mine. He is charming and passionate, silly and funny, kind and affectionate, musical and handsome, brave and true, patient and the best listener. I cherish every day I have with him. #tonys #cityofstars #rattattatonmyheart #iwantittostay #happy

We went and returned my birthday present and somehow came home with Nate's. #howdidthathappen We bought the cheapest TV in all of best buy and to say that it's a huge upgrade would be an understatement. #ithinkitwasthefirstflatscreenevermade #handmedown #movingotherpeople #benefits #itwastime #notsurehowifeelaboutit #gianttv #whatismostimportanttous #luckilyourhabitshaventchanged #itsimplifiedourcordsituation #whichmademesoooohappy #n8man

 Aria made it a lot farther this year in the spelling bee. I think she made it 8 rounds? She got out on Inconceivable. Arguably, a super difficult word to spell out loud. I was so happy for her. #proudmama