Yardwork Weekend

Well, our weekend was rather busy, but I can proudly say our front yard is well on it's way to looking about 10x better!!

Friday night after our workouts, B stopped by Lowe's to pick up our chore for the weekend.

And this was just the first load!  Hah, but Friday night was for relaxing!  I tried out a new recipe that night that 2 blog friends (Classic Annie & Dee's Adventures) had raved about: Skinny Taste's Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Baked Stuffed Chicken.  If 2 blog posts about this dish didn't convince you to try it, maybe a 3rd one will!  It was definitely a big hit in our house!!

I won't lie to ya....it was not an easy-quick-throw-together meal - it took some work!  But it was delish & I'll definitely make it again!  I made it with another Skinny Taste Recipe - Skinny Cilantro Lime Rice.  One of my fav recipes form this site!  This time I mixed in some corn & black beans with the rice - yum!

The rest of the night we hung out with our boys and watched some Dexter!  Yes I said boys...

We're keeping my bro & SIL's dog, Huckleberry, for the weekend while they're away camping at the beach!  Benson's not so sure about him - he's gotten closer and closer over the weekend.  But for the most part he watches him like a hawk & just meows these funny meows at him!!  Ha, but we like Huckleberry :)  He's so sweet & well behaved!

Saturday was D day.  We woke up and got our workout on, and then finally after lunch it was time to get to work!!  Here are some before pics...

Holy weeds right!?!?  I love the beds and the way they look, but good gracious, they had been left untended just a little too long.

We had high hopes to complete the front and back yard, but we were naive!  Ha, yard work is killer and not for the faint of heart!  By about quarter to 5 Saturday, we called it quits. Our backs were breaking, all the pine needles we had had been spread, our fingers were tender from weed pickin' - we were donezo!  And it was date night :)

OOTN

We went to dinner & a movie and in between, this happened...

Frozen vanilla yogurt with Reece's Peanut Butter Cup in a White Chocolate Dipped
Sprinkle Rolled Cone

Heaven.

We earned it after all that yard work! :)  We saw the Avenger's and it was really good and actually pretty funny!  Robert Downy Jr's Iron Man is my favorite character.

Today, we were determined to finish weeding and Brandon bought 12 more bails of pine straw.  We finished weeding all the beds in the front, but haven't even touched the back. And our 12 more bails weren't quite enough either.  But here are some after pics of what is fully pine strawed up...

So much better right!?!  I'll post the after pics of the front yard beds next weekend after they're fully covered.  I have to say though, we feel pretty darn accomplished!  A neighbor stopped by to say the yard looks the best it's ever looked!!  He saw us working both days and said we were doing a fantastic job :)  Feels good!

We somehow managed a run today after all of that, & also got caught in the rain.  That always makes for a good time!  Other than that, we've been lazy today!  Just a little laundry & the grocery store and a lotta couch and TV.

Hope y'all had a good weekend & mother's day!  Sadly, we couldn't be with either of our Mothers today :( but we're sure thankful for them!!  Without them, we would surely be nothing!!!  So thank you Mom & Joan (MIL) - love you both tons!!

I'm down to 18 days of school left...just in case you were wondering :)  I think I can...

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to the best mother around!!!

Mom, I am so blessed to have you as my mother!!  You're such an awesome mom and I'm so appreciative and grateful for all you've done for me throughout my 24 years.  You've set a wonderful example as to what a Godly mother should be and kept the bar high.  One day, I aspire to be even half the mom you are!

You're a fantastic Mimi and your grandchildren absolutely adore you!!  I can't wait to pawn my kids off on you for long weekends :) haha

I'm so thankful for our relationship and that you've become one of my best friends that I call each day on my way home from work :)  I'm so blessed to be your daughter and I look forward to our years ahead and when I become a mom!  I'm sure I'll be looking to you for lots of advice!

I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful mothers!

I am so thankful for Joan, my wonderful mother-in-law!  She raised an awesome son and I know he's so thankful to have such a great mother!  One quick story about Joan, she used to make Brandon and Ashley a big breakfast EVERY morning before school with pancakes, eggs, etc to get them ready for their day!  If that doesn't deserve Mom of the Year right there - I don't know what does!  Haha, thanks for sharing your son with me Joan :) we love and miss you lots!

I am truly blessed to now have 4 grandmothers in my life!!

My maternal grandmother, Betty, aka Memaw :)

My paternal grandmother, Betty aka Grandma

Brandon's maternal Grandma, Mary and Betty

Brandon's paternal Grandma, Grandma Shuck

Both of my grandmothers are named Betty :)  I've had the privilege to really get to know my 2 Bettys and have them, 1 or both, live in my same city for many, many years growing up!  They are strong, wise, Godly women!   I love hearing stories from their lives, their marriages, their lessons learned.  I've loved getting to know Brandon's grandmother's as well.  We're SO fortunate to still have our grandmothers around!  I'm looking forward to having them around as great-grandmothers, too :)

Don't kill me for this one Aunt Stacy!! :)

My Aunt Stacy is like a second Mom to me!  She's an awesome mom (even though she used to be the "mean Mommy"! :) and aunt!!  I love spending time with her and I'm so blessed to have grown up knowing her and building such a great relationship with her!  I really look up to and admire her!  She's raised 2 awesome girls who I'm privileged to call my cousins and the sisters-I-never-had! Thanks for being my "bonus" mom!

My sister-in-law Callie is a wonderful Mama to my 3 beautiful niece and nephews!!  I think she was born to be a mom :)  When their youngest was born, they had 3 under the age of 4 and Callie handled it like it was no big thing!  Haha, she makes it look easy and is another wonderful example in my life of a great Mom!!  I already enjoy her perspective on "mothering" and look forward to having her as an aunt to my kids one day!

To all the wonderful mothers in my life and all the other mothers out there, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY and I love you!!  I'm sorry I can't see all of you today to share it with you.  It may not be mentioned everyday, but what you do does not go unnoticed!  Thank you for all you do and your example.  I hope to be as great a mother as you all are one day!