Saying Goodbye!

On this day 5 years ago, we said goodbye to one of the most wonderful women I've ever know.  Andy's mom, JOY, was a really special person and there is not a day that goes by that we don't miss her or think about her.  However, we know that where she is, she is looking down on us and proud of the parents we have become.  She is proud of the great daddy her son is and I think she would be happy with the memories and traditions we have already created with our little family.

She is the person who taught me to cherish the small-everyday-things.  I remember her always telling me to enjoy every moment with the kids.  And that wasn't always easy when they were very small and so close together in age.  There were days when I wanted to pull my hair out.  On those days, she would say, "This too shall pass"!  I can still hear her saying that to me on the tough days!

I think the blog has really helped me to capture those everyday memories that Joy encouraged me to create. 


It's been almost four years since I started blogging, and it's been great!  It's great writing and sharing our everyday lives with so many family and friends.  It's even better looking back over the blog "books" that my sweet hubby has made each year for me as a Christmas gift.  Just flipping through those pages brings back so many sweet memories.  Silly, goofy, real, every-day life type memories.

That being said, the dreaded "good-bye" that I've been trying to avoid for a while is here..  Today is the day that I say goodbye to the blog world that I've grown to love.  Today is the day I'm saying goodbye to the Sullivan Sitcom. 

You guys have been though a lot with me.  Losing loved ones, a diagnosis of MS, and many other happy times.   YOU were there.  You were there to pray, to lend a helping hand, to laugh and to cry.  Your comments showed your love and support, and we can't thank you enough. 

I don't know if the Sullivan Sitcom is gone forever.  I have a big PROJECT 40 coming up....but with the ease of Facebook and most of my family on there.  It's just an easier place for me to share the goings on of our family.

Thanks for all your love and support throughout the years and if your not on Facebook...find me.  That way we can still stay in touch!

Blessings to you all....always!
Love,

So Thankful!

I love reading all the"thankfuls" everyone has been posting on Facebook this month.  I love that we can take the time and remember those things in our lives, big and small, that are important to us.  It's so easy to get wrapped up in our daily lives that we forget those things.  Take them for grated.  But we all have so much to be thankful for.  So many blessings!

 I'm doing a similar type of thing this year for the month of November.  I have set a goal to send a hand-written note every day to someone special in my life. I like to think of it as being thankful for the "people" and not just the "things". 

So, I've sent a note every day so far to someone in my life that has supported, motivated, encouraged or inspired me or my family.   I think it's going pretty well, I haven't missed a day yet!

But there is one problem, the number of days is quickly running out and the number of people seem to be growing. Although, honestly, I think it's a great problem to have. 

God has blessed me with some pretty awesome people in my life, and if you are reading this, YOU are one of them.  

And I am thankful for YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Fun on the Farm!

Last weekend we took a little road trip to the family farm in WI.  We always have such a great time.  It's so relaxing and we can just hang out, catch up and of course, eat tons of food. 

Here are a few highlights from our trip!

 

Halloween 2012

just a tad bit late.

Our friends, who just moved, decided to come back to T***** Street for an evening of trick-or-treating.  It was great to hang out and gather goodies like the good ol' days.

Here are a few of the highlights from our Halloween with friends!
 

I ♥ these kids

 and these goofy kids too!

 My most favorite "witch" of all!

 Sweet Angie, always dresses up so cute and is SO excited to see the kiddos!

 The cutest "Tigger" I know!

 Our friend, Lynn...ALWAYS makes the kids do a "trick" in order to get their "treat"!

How fun is she!!

Our sweet Valerie with her favorite little peeps!

Halloween 2012 was a great time spent with great friends!

Project 4-0!

In one of my last posts, I mentioned a little something called Project 4-0!

Are you ready?  I hope so!

In a few short months, I will be turning the big 4-0! 

I wanted to do something BIG for my birthday.  We went to Napa Valley, CA for my girlfriend's 40th birthday earlier this fall and had a blast.  I also have some friends turning 40 early next year and I think they have decided to rent a little party bus to take around town! 

But I've decided to go a different path. 

I want to do 40 Acts of Kindness in one day!  To random people!

I told Andy, that I wanted to do "40 random acts of kindness....but I need a budget, and a plan.  Map out the day in order to get all 40 done."  He said, "and how is that random"?  Point taken. 

So now, I am saying "40 acts of kindness, to random people, that I will organize and plan out"!

Here's where you come in!

I would LOVE to get 40 people to donate $40 toward this project!  I promise that ALL the funds will go to the efforts of this project!  NONE of the money will go to me!

These random acts can be anything from delivering 40 balloons to the cancer center (in memory of my lovely mother-in-law, Joy!) just to let them know that someone is thinking of them. 

Maybe delivering water bottles to those who work outside.

Maybe buying lunch for someone in a restaurant and just showing them God's love!

Maybe helping people get their groceries loaded into their cars and returning their carts for them.

Maybe buying 40 postage stamps for the ladies at my local post office to pass out. 

I'd love to be able to go to some shelters/women's homes and donate items they might need....toiletries, towels,  cleaning supplies, etc. 

I'd love to go to a coffee shop and buy a dozen coffees to pass out the others. 

Some things will be free, but others will cost....the point is doing kindness, sharing God's love, and just letting people know that there are good people out in the world. 

You get the idea....right?  What to help me, help others?  You know you do! 

I'd LOVE to hear your suggestions for ideas to add to my list!  I'd LOVE to get you as excited about this as I am! 

I've already got one donation and what a great early birthday gift that is!  Won't you join me!

Eight is GREAT!

At least for this boy!

Last Sunday, we had a little family birthday party for my little man.  

Here is a short recap of the highlights!

LEGOS!

will there ever be enough??

I don't think so!

These two sets were a huge hit!

 This train actually runs....with a remote. It's really pretty cool!

 New zipper neck-ties, a tie hanger (can you guess who that's from?) and a new wallet!  

 and a new robe and he has worn every.single.day!

A quick family pic! 

No school today...so we're off to Target to spend some of that birthday loot.  

Right after we deposit half into the bank.  

Happy Monday!

Thoughts currently in my head...

• Lack of blogging yet again.  My apologies.  Probably because I'm back to working part-time again and my time is spent running around like a crazy women when I'm not working.  For those of you who didn't know, I took a part-time job at a local photography studio (V Gallery) here in town.  It is really working out well and I really enjoy my time there.  I think it's a good fit for me.  The thing is, I work while the kids are gone (Tues-Fri....10am to 2pm) It's perfect.  However, I'm still trying to figure out how to get all the other "stuff" done.  But it's worth it and I'm really happy there!

• I know I've said it before, but "Parenthood" on NBC....LOVE IT!  Please don't try to contact me on Tuesday evenings from 9-10pm unless it's a real emergency.  Thanks!

• Six months from today is Project 4-0!  Stay turned for more info on that.  Don't you hate it when people leave you hanging like that.  It's okay...it will be worth it!

• The most exciting thing happened on Monday.  I got a new cell phone.  Now, let me just tell you....most people are excited for a new phone, and I am.  I had an original iPhone before and so I moved up to an iPhone 4s.  Honestly, they are really similar (and I don't need the "new" phone like some people....I won't mention any names of adult males living in my home)....but what I'm MOST excited about is that I have service.  With our old provider, I couldn't get any service in downtown Morton....ugh...that's where I work.  So I didn't have service at my job.  How is the school supposed to get a hold of me if there is a sick kiddo?  No service at the Kroger, or the mani/pedi place.  Isn't that just crazy!  But now I have service at ALL those places and I couldn't be more thrilled!  Oh happy day!

• Back in April, I started watching the amount of carbs in my diet.  I really cut back on all my favorite things.  I cut out chips (you do remember how much I LOVE chips, right?), bread, pasta and all those processed foods that you think shouldn't be too bad.  It has worked for me.  I have lost a little over 20 pounds and have kept it off.  Now, I do have those things occasionally...but I have really learned to read the labels and keep track of those carbs.  Now, 20 pounds doesn't seem like a lot.  I get a little frustrated when I watch those weigh loss shows and people are losing crazy numbers, but I have to remember that I don't have as much to loose as they do.    I guess what I'm saying is that, I feel much better about myself, fitting into size 6/8 clothes again, and feel really good.  I'd still like to lose 8 to 10 more pounds, but if I can just maintain this I'm okay with that too.  Anyway, I guess I just want to encourage whoever may need that extra boost today...whatever approach you take, you CAN do it and you will feel so much better when you do!  Good Luck!

Happy Birthday Max!

How can it be? 
I can't even begin to believe that this "chunky monkey" is eight today!  Our lives have been so blessed because of this sweet face. 

He's turned into a fantastic young fella.  He's compassionate, has a heart of gold, a fashion diva with a passion for neck-ties, cares about others, a Lego lover for sure, has been gifted with the talent of music and loves to draw and then build his designs. 
We are so thankful to be his parents! 
Happy Birthday Maxwell!

Last night with the Heinolds!

 It was a sad, sad day on our street this past Saturday.  Our friends/neighbors, who moved into the neighborhood at the same time we did, packed up and moved to their new house.  This family has such a special place in our hearts.  Their kids were my kids' first "friends", and their mom, well.. being stay-at-home moms was great, we could borrow stuff, help each other with all kinds of things, and just be there for each other.  We have had some really great times together and hopefully made lots of memories with our kids.  We will definitely miss them. 

So, last Friday night Andy and I took all the kids for one last trip to DQ!  Yet another memory that, hopefully, they will remember for quite a while. 

Pumpkin Festival!

 My two most favorite pumpkins are getting so big.  

 Night #1....on their favorite ride, with dad!

 Night #2 had much different weather....they're on their favorite ride again with friends!

  These four had so much fun together!  I LOVE how close they are becoming even though we don't get to see them as much as we'd like.  Cousins are the BEST!  Thanks for coming down and enjoying the P-Fest with us!