Odds and Ends and Letting Go

We cleaned out our garage and did some rearranging in our bedroom over the weekend.  We took 3 loads to Goodwill.  We have a few more large items to clear out but I am proud of what we were able to accomplish.  These types of projects aren't Phillip's cup of tea but he was a big help and I couldn't have done it without him.  The new TV in our bedroom which led to him finally getting a PlayStation 4 was good motivation :)

Laurie was our ticket into Costco to look at TV's.  Phillip and Lilly did the shopping/buying (and for Lilly, the talking) while Ellen and I were at gymnastics.  We met at Toys R Us afterwards and then ate lunch at Chipotle.  We didn't see or smell anything out of the ordinary but the fire department came to the restaurant as we were finishing up.

In addition to the new TV and PlayStation, I got new tires on my car this weekend.  We also got new iPhones!  By default, as in we don't have the means to, we aren't big spenders (and definitely not all on the same day!) but these purchases are thanks in part to our tax refund and have been many months in the making.  Phillip combined his birthday money from this year and no less than 10 Game Stop gift cards to procure his PS4.  Besides now being able to save a little while actively paying off debt it still feels strange to be spending money on luxury items (my OXO chip clips used to be my luxury item).  These kinds of things don't make Phillip feel guilty but they definitely weigh on my mind.

The girls rode bikes Saturday afternoon.  Lilly woke up cranky so we quickly took it outside.  I am liking this weather!

Birthday bike

Ellen and Lilly have been playing so well together lately.  They have their moments (Lilly is a little firecracker and Ellen can be overly sensitive) but it is a joy (and relief) to see their relationship really start to blossom.

Lilly referred to the offering as "money time" on Sunday.  (She still calls out "Barbara's house!" when we pull up to church.)  She does not understand why, or like it, that she does not go to class on Sunday evenings.  She cried last week but the new toys in the nursery helped soften the blow last night :)

Ellen starts Art Club this week.  She is very excited.  She is equally as excited to have a new zip-up binder for school.  The purple Trapper Keeper I bought her at the beginning of the school year did not live up to the hype.

Phillip has been playing racquetball at the Longview Recreation Center on Sunday afternoons with a couple of guys from work, Mike and Lavar.  Mondays are rough, he is sore, but a good time is had by all.  And not to brag but he's only lost one game.

Ellen recently discovered the computer game Animal Jam.  And if she's not playing she's thinking about playing (or begging to play).

Someone is ready for fall!

I am joining Rachel (and Bryce) in Carol's class on Sunday mornings this quarter (Growing Kids God's Way).  Brings back memories of Ellen and Lilly with Itty Bitty Brown Bear.

Rewind to last Saturday... Ellen and I went to Mallory's 8th birthday party at Brentwood Skate Center.  Ellen sure does love to skate!

"Can we stay long enough for me to get good?"

Mission accomplished :)

That just about covers what we've been up to the past week or so.  

We have been focusing on making a better life for our family.  Everything was getting too hard.  It's not really about being happy but we weren't happy.  For me it is mostly about letting go, finding balance and being consistent.  I don't want to just get by - I want to find joy in the process.  And I want there to be love.  Lots of love.

It's football time in Tennessee (and everywhere else)

Friday night was Heritage Night at Independence High School.  Best one yet!  They moved our crew to a new location and although parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. could not go onto the field this year (my favorite part) it made the event a lot less chaotic (and we didn't lose Ellen this time).   

 Ellen and Evie... tailgating

Lining up by grade

 Strolling down to the field

Ellen's class poster

 The kids running onto the field

And now the players

Celebratory sno cone

Mason turns 1

We went to a birthday party for the son of one of Phillip's co-workers last Saturday afternoon (Mike and his family live just a few neighborhoods down from us).  It was a cooler, overcast day but we had a lot of fun celebrating Mason's first birthday (and meeting new people).  We missed some of the festivities due to Lilly's nap but the party was still going strong when we arrived.  Jack of Hearts BBQ, cake, presents, dogs, games, alcohol (ha!)... this party had it all.  

And Jennifer, Mason's mom, happens to be an elephant trainer at the Nashville Zoo.  How cool is that?!

Ready to go!

We all took turns loving on Kylie

Our little animal lover joining the conversation

(our other little animal lover was at Hannah's house)

Playing by her own rules

Phillip playing corn hole with Lavar who is also a McCullough 

(I don't think they're related)

Phillip's newish job has been a blessing in more ways than one.  He works for a good company, has a great group of friends and as Ellen would say, we aren't poor anymore :)

Chattanooga Part 3: Discovery Museum

Another fun day in Chattanooga, which also happened to be our last.

No free parking anywhere!

We parked behind the museum which happened to be in front of AT&T Field, home of the Chattanooga Lookouts

We walked up the hill to get a closer look

Ellen's hair makes me laugh every time I look at this picture

Just as Phillip told Lilly we couldn't go in because it was locked, she opened the gate :)  They had a game later that day which is probably why.

Like the big red balls at Target (only smaller)

Taking in the scenery

Phillip bought a hat in their souvenir shop

Creative Discovery Museum

Lilly kept coming back to this...

Out and about for a lunch break (and outfit change for Lilly)

Back at the museum 

Rooftop fun

Ellen loved sending messages - one of her favorite features

Until next time...