my 3 year old!!

Wow, my little Charlie Owen III is 3 years old now!!!

What a celebration it was too!

We started out the morning with pancakes made by daddy.

We went to church, I got a new calling... in Relief Society again (which I love, but will miss my sunbeams and activity day girls),

came home, ate dinner with my father in law, sister Leanna and her family. 

Lastly, we had a little birthday party for a few of Charlie's friends from our ward!

We had carrots with dip, apple cider doughnuts we got from BJ Reece apple orchard, water and the amazing chocolate pudding cake... which is a tradition now!!

The kiddos played while us adults played the Dellenbach name game and just chatted.

It was very low-key and fun!

That morning was a bit sad for me, due to the fact that my little guy didn't have a sibling by his 3rd birthday.  Well, I can't say we didn't try! :(

Luckily, we had an amazing General Conference and Elder Eyring's talk touched my heart in such a strong way.  These last three years I was only supposed to have one child to love, care for and teach.  Only one.  How blessed I am to have him.  I know this is supposed to be a trial for me, a trial that I need to depend on the Savior to help me through.  The weeks and months that pass I learn more of the Lord's will for me, and how wonderful it is... especially with my little Charlie in my life!

 



Date Night(s)

 

We had two date nights in a row!!!  Wha...What?!!

On Friday night, we dropped off little Charlie at Grandma and Grandpa's condo downtown.  We then walked to dinner and walked another 5 minutes to the Fox Theater!  We saw "Anna and the King" and it was fabulous!  I love musicals and I have been listening/singing along to the music of this play for many years so it was great to see the actual show.  To have live music and live performers is something I will always love!  

Saturday our good friends in the ward, John and Emily Phillips invited us out to sushi.  They used to be Charlie's YSA advisors back when he was single and they just love him!  Charlie also home teaches their family so we have gotten to know them pretty well.  In fact, during the last season of The Bachelorette, Emily invited me over each week to watch the episodes with her girls!  Anyways, back to sushi, we haven't gone out to sushi in a long time and it was nice to try a new place.  The Phillip kids watched little Charlie and they did a great job!  We all ordered our own rolls but shared and I think everyone liked mine the best... Salmon tempura roll!  It was priced very reasonably and we ended up spending less than going to a chain restaurant like Chiles or Mac Grill!   Let's see when the next time we have 2 date nights in a row... perhaps a few years!!

I admit...

I bought my first ever Scentsy wax and warmer! I never really liked the whole idea of it because I love my candles from anthropology and the ambiance that comes from a lit candle. After a great scentsy party at my friend Jenny Wood's house, I fell in love. And I fell in love with this wax warmer! It's called heirloom. I chose a nice, might I add strong scent to melt. It's called mocha doodle and it smells like the candle my mom lit in our home when I was in high school called German streusel cake from Salt Lake candles. Mmm it smells so good and reminds me of my momma!

Labor Day weekend

Holy smokes, we had a BUSY Labor Day weekend!!  Before I forget, did you see my little munchkin in those photos of him sleeping and waking up?!!  I just want to eat those cheeks!  It's all he has left of being a baby, and I love it!

It all started on Thursday when me and little Char drove with Leanna and Ernesto to Birmingham, Alabama for a quick visit.  We got to see my two older brothers Luke and Karl!!  We had so much fun that night, so many laughs and really just a good time!  I ordered my first steak EVER!  I only got a 6oz. and I still didn't eat it all but it was good.  No regrets!  We played games that night as we watched the Republican National Convention... so great!

When we drove back to Georgia we found out my niece and nephew from New Orleans evacuated and needed a place to stay for the weekend due to Hurricane Isaiac.  They stayed at our place and luckily my SIL Reba was there to help too!  

For Labor Day, we had big plans to go to Acworth Beach but it was overcast and raining/sprinkling so we headed to Atlanta for a fun day.  We explored Grandma and Grandpas amenities at their building and just hung out at the condo downtown.  The adults minus Grandpa Charles headed to Atlantic Station to watch Dark Knight Rises for our 2nd time!!  We loved it!  Although the weekend didn't go as planned, we still had a good time and loved having family in town!

mini vacation

We are headed out of town for a very mini vacation, like less than 24 hours type of vacation. Time to see some of my siblings tonight! Charlie is so so excited, he can't wait to leave!

Mornings around this neck

Our mornings are simple. After my hubby leaves early in the morning for work, Little Charlie wakes up and walks to my bedroom, opens the door, climbs in bed with me and we cuddle for a few minutes while I wake up. He then goes potty, puts on underwear, we go downstairs and eat breakfast. He is always in such a good, happy mood in the morning. He starts the day off right.

Early Bday Party

We had an early birthday party for Charlie III while Reba was still in town!  I know, this is a whole month early but it was worth it.  We had teriyaki chicken over rice with a few sides for dinner.  I made his favorite cake... chocolate pudding cake!  He knew how to blow out the candles without any help this time around and it amazes me how much they learn and grow in a year.  He got so many presents from Charlies family as well as our good friends Mitch and Angie Randolph.  Tons of cars and figurines, a new Toy Story sheet set for his bed and a Cars blanket.  I think his new FAVORITE toy is his big Woody!  He slept with it last night and has carried him around all morning!  It's the cutest thing!  He has never been so attached to a toy before!
Of course we had to play the famous Dellenbach name game to end our evening and it was hilarious!!  Moira, my mother in law is the funniest person to play the game with!  Lastly, we took family pictures of the people still standing at the end of the night!  Nate and his girlfriend had already left, Mitch and Angie had left too so this was the last of us!  I'm still deciding on if we need to have a 'friends' birthday party next month.  We will see!

Cafe Rio Playgroup

Yesterday I invited my friends and their kids over for a Cafe Rio lunch and playgroup!  Everyone brought a side for the salad and treats for the kids.  As you can see, there were SO many kids piled into our home!  It made me realize how much I want a playroom/bonus room/big basement for the kids to play in when we buy a home in the future.  Everywhere you walked you would be stepping over a child because there were so many of them!  I also must say, we didn't have any accidents... ( no coloring on walls, furniture, food on couches or carpet, etc.)  That is something I am always nervous about!
I love all of Charlie's little friends and especially love all of my friends in the ward!  It's great to have a strong group of friends that share your values, live in close proximity to you, have kids the same age, and that you connect with.  They are so important to me and I love them so much!

Stone Mountain family day

Favorite parts of the weekend:
Spending time with family
Checking off bucket list... driving in a covered bridge!!  It was beautiful!
Watching Charlie III go on the zipline
Getting some local bbq on the side of the road, literally!  We're in the SOUTH now!
Going up and down the skylift with Charles Sr.  He practically made everyone believe we were going to die!  Hilarious!!
Watching the company talent show!!  Again, hilarious