Friday, February 14, 2014

A Week of Snow & Love!


What a week!  It started off normal - all to work & the sitter, but by Tuesday morning we were stuck in our home with ice & snow.  Jonathan & Peyton hurried off to get wood from a church member (Peyton had planned to "cut" it with his sword :) ), while Nolan & I found flashlights & all the candles in our home.  As the snow continued to fall, we waited for our power to go off.  Instead, we've had heat the entire week.
As a working mama of two small boys, I have such a hard time leaving them during the week, therefore, this week has been such a blessing!  We've played in the snow, watched movies, made Valentine's, had many races with Peyton's cars, & Jonathan & I began P90X3 (whew - I'm sore!).  It has been such a gift of time.  Here are my munchkins playing -
Nolan checking out the snow 
Peyton won't stand still for a picture! 
It is a rare opportunity to get to slow down & just BE.  I always have appointments, trips scheduled, & my long to-do list to accomplish during our planned break.  Our family of 5 (yes - including Derby) have gotten to BE this week.
Our Bunch (even Derby) & Olaf (from Frozen)
God has blessed us with "family" in the Royston area.  The Burrells have become our family - loving on our boys, helping us with home projects, baby-sitting so Jonathan & I can still have date nights...the list could go on!  We even got to make memories with them in the snow -
With some of our favorite people - Lisa & Mary Catherine 
Mary Catherine & "Little Man" 

I couldn't be more in love with my boys!  I get asked a lot - don't you want a girl?  I look at them & always say, "God has spoiled me with these boys & I couldn't be happier!"  My boys love on me, tell me I'm "pretty" when I wear skirts (true story!!), admire my jewelry, & just spoil me!  They are truly the love of my life.  Happy Valentine's to you & your loves!
Date Night with my love!
Happy Valentine's Day! (Yes- Nolan has a HUGE bruise!) 

O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise ... Psalm 51:15.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Sweet SNOW, Sweet baby, & Sweet run!

What a wonderful month - SNOW, new birth, & personal celebrations!  We got SNOW this past week in Georgia!!!  The boys (including Jonathan) loved it!  It truly was a gift of time for me - 2 1/2 days off to spend playing, cleaning, organizing, & resting.  We taught Peyton how to make snow angels & snow balls.  We drank hot chocolate & ate popcorn while watching movies.  It was wonderful!  (See the highlights below!) 
Two weeks ago, I got to meet my niece, Laney Kathryn Boatman.  I was thrilled to spend some time holding this sweet girl & seeing my family.  It was my first trip to Kentucky without any of my boys! I was able to stay up late, sleep in, & spoil Laney!  I also got to celebrate Anna's upcoming birth of her baby boy, which I loved being a part of (& often miss big events).  
Last weekend,  some Royston running friends & I ran the Atlanta Hot Chocolate 15K (9.3 miles!).  We enjoyed some girl time - shopping, eating out, & enjoying downtown Atlanta while running.  It was a tough run - many hills, & due to sprained ankle & sickness in December, I was not fully prepared.  BUT - I am so thankful to have friends to PUSH me to do early morning runs, run an extra mile, &I hoping my children are seeing the benefits of exercise.  
It's been a whirlwind of a month - travels, babies, & cold weather.  Nolan is FINALLY walking at 18 months (he had his mama worried), Peyton continues to learn new things & become more imaginative in his pretend play, & Jonathan just had his BEST golf game today!  We are blessed & look forward to what the next 11 months hold for the Barlow bunch!  
Snow in Georgia - 
Nolan in the snow! 
Peyton learning to make a snow angel! 
Visiting my family in Kentucky for MLK weekend -
Laney Kathryn & Aunt Susan 
Laney wide awake! 
Celebrating Anna & baby BOY with my college friends & daughters from Kentucky -
Ella & Sarah Gregory, Anna & baby, Me, Codye & Campbell
Mom, Anna & baby, Me 
Don't you love the sign?  Misty Moore & I run to eat!!! :)
Misty & Me - Excited to run the Hot Chocolate 15K! 
FINISHED