5 Faves (after a little hiatus)

Linking up with Moxiewife for some faves this week - 

1.

June's sprout.

June is proudly sporting her duck tail!

And although it's not as pronounced as Addie's was, it's been in full effect lately:

2.

A newly stained deck.

What's not to love about that?!  

Before shot -

And after - 

We take advantage of our Sherwin Williams 40% off days!

Thanks, Bill!

3.

A $3 garage sale summer purse on a newly stained deck - 

Bright and cheery! 

This is probably considered a "vintage" Fossil purse because I couldn't find it online.

4.

Over the stove popcorn in a brown paper grocery bag -

Eaten during a long sister night last week.

Check and check.

I could go on and on about the greatness of the Whirley Pop!

5.

And my favorite favorite this week - 

A BCHS garage sale elliptical for next to nothing!

Here's how Dad got it to the house - 

Alley talk.  Probably about how I had to go get my camera to take a picture - but I couldn't resist!
Thanks, Dad! 

Happy Wednesday of Holy Week! 

7 QUICK Takes

Feliz Primavera! 

Happy Spring.

Linking up with Jen and the gang for a QUICK 7 (promise this time). 

1.

We have our one Easter decoration up and it's hung with pride:

This was a Marshall's purchase but I will be scanning decor at garage sales as soon as possible… just don't tell Bill. 

2. 

We still haven't taken off the one side of Addie's crib to make it a toddler bed (you aren't supposed to until they ask, right?)

The fact that she can barely fit in the crib lengthwise and should probably be in a regular twin bed is besides the point...

But it's most likely around the corner that a bed change is coming.  

AJ - Let me out, let me out!
June Bug - Let me in, let me in! 

3.

So by the time I see Bill after he gets home from work, I unfortunately seem to have a shortness of kindness, pep, and patience for the poor guy.

Yet I expect him to be nice and chipper towards me and not complain about anything after his long day of work.  

Not a double standard at all. Nope.

Poor Bill... but I'm working on it.

4.

Tomorrow is the first Saturday of the month.  Why is that a big deal?

Because everything at Goodwill is 50% off. 

I'm hoping to find some tiles and plates for crafting, which I need to get working on for a booth at our church's September festival.  

Making mosaics is SUPER time consuming and definitely NOT a money maker (since one piece - even a small pot - will take me a few days); so I have to get the supplies as cheap as I can!  

Yea for first Saturdays at Goodwill, RIGHT?!

I'm so cheap that I think any day other than the first Saturday is too pricey here.

5. 

I'm so proud of my sister, Janet Sahm!

She's been on a "giving talks tour" about body image and style and fashion everywhere from Indy (Catholic women's conference) to Steubenville to Boston and on and on recently.

Just google her.  You know you want to. ;)

6.

What to do if you're afraid of the WIND like our AJ?

(Okay, okay, so she had a tragic experience with Bill in the wind a few weeks ago, but still, you heard it right - the WIND.  Afraid of it.  As in the WIND.)

Anyways, just wear sunglasses and a hat and never take them off - even when inside; or at night.   

I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can… (80s song anyone?)

Hopefully this wind phobia is over and done with in 5.

7.

And last but not least, baby Declan Martin has FINALLY arrived this week.  Finally is pronounced because that stinker was supposed to come on my birthday, March 23rd (or earlier), but then decided to cook a little longer and be an April 2nd baby much to his mom's chagrin.  

And I kid you not that the whole blog world and beyond was waiting his arrival!!!

Check out his irresistible cuteness: 

Pic by Colleen

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

7 Quick Takes - Birthday, Girls' Updates and GO MICHIGAN!

I'm not sure when March came and went, but it's on its way out this weekend - so Adios, Marzo.

Linking up with conversiondiary.com today (even though I began this post on Thursday night, oops.  Priorities, people, prioities):

And off we go!!!

1.

The end of March always seems to have lots of birthdays and feast days to celebrate, and this year was no different.

It started with Katie bringing cupcakes and wine to bible study last week - so fun!

Kara turned 29 and Veronica and I keep turning 30… hmm that always seems to happen!

Then more cupcakes with sisters while Janet was in town on Saturday night:

After grabbing a drink, we came back to the house to watch Frozen for the first time.

Frozen = Awesome! 

I guess people are all over the spectrum of liking/not liking this movie, but my sister kept telling us about Theology of the Body being a theme.  

So I checked it out and there are some good posts about it:

I loved this one - it has great points - check it out! 

*And who do you think Kristof looks like? 

Kristoff = Bill Bill

2. 

Then on Sunday, we had a birthday brunch and bonfire at mom and dad's with bagels and "green eggs" (with guacamole) and ham- 

I think we would be the few people to do this in 30 degree weather, I'm sure; but it's spring, after all! 

3.

We've had some fun out of the house time because it's warmer Spring:

Library and soft pretzels with Zeke

Finger painting on a play date with Kyle, Molly, and Evan.

Ending with a stroll around the block.

4.

The Babes - 

Oh, our June Bug.  

She's got more spunk and energy than we can keep up with these days.  

She's just wild (and too cute to boot)! 

She's been into moving and shaking it lately with her walking toys:

Learning to slow dance to Sleeping Beauty with the best of 'em:

Wrestling her cousins:

Ari was a good sport! 

And barking at the walkers and runners who go by:

Cheek shot.

5.  

Addie Jo has been into potty training teaching aunt Katie's stuffed cat to use the potty:

Good job, Fluffa

Wearing her cowgirl hat and riding her horses per usual:

Taking selflies: 

I had 60 shots of this in my phone when I went to dump pics so that's why it's making the post!

Sometimes being sweet to her Jumie:

6.

Some of us in this household are hoping for a big win for the Wolverines today!

Go BLUE AJ says.  We love March Madness.

7.

And here's hoping we get to get out and enjoy some nice weather this week!!!

Because as you can see, the girls and I are ready and chomping at the bit!!!
Well, June definitely is! 

Ciao for now.

7 Quick Takes Coming To You from an IRISHWOMAN!!!

1.

I'm 7 Quick Takin it today for the first time as an Irish woman (since knowing I have Irish in me, anyways)!!! 

Ok, ok, so why is this a big deal?

Because I've lived this long not knowing that I am Irish (which is a long time).

I've always celebrated St. Pat's with the best of them, but have had to say to people who ask if I'm Irish, "No, I'm not… just for the day, or just by association," kind of thing...

Then, on Monday, St. Patrick's Day, my German/Hungarian siblings and I got this email from my dad:

In talking to Grandma, she told us that Grandpa Walt Sahm's mother was an Eagan – that's right Irish!  That means that you are all 1/16th Irish.  So you finally get to celebrate St. Patrick's Day as true Irishmen and women! 

Have a blessed day,

Dad

*Then a 2nd email came in later that day letting us know we are even more Irish than a few hours before (something that I'll always remember because I was cracking up for awhile):

Dear O'Sahm's.  Okay.  Irish heritage newsflash.  Grandma Reva checked with My Aunt Nancy and confirmed the spelling and first name of your Irish great-great-grandmother,  Amelia Egan.  In the process, she discovered that your great Grandma Anne's mother was also Irish, Kate Adair, presumably from County Adair in Ireland!  So, I think this means that Grandpa Bill was 1/2 Irish, I am 1/4 Irish and you are 1/8 Irish.  So, I am equal parts Irish and German.  This explains a lot.

Now don the green! 

Love,

Dad

AHHHHH!  So fun! 

I always knew there was a reason I liked Guinness so much!

This one gets to find out she's 1/16 Irish at 2 years old! 

2. 

So I forwarded those emails to one of my besties - the always Irish (and I think still pregnant) Colleen - and she surprised me with this in the mail yesterday for my birthday - 

It matches the birthstone bracelets I have for the girls (one gifted from her) and came with a note attached that read: Happy Birthday to a newly Irish girl!

3. 

We had such much fun last weekend celebrating Libby's 3rd birthday with a Sheriff Callie themed party:

AJ loved the Sheriff Callie attire but didn't like the camera.

Yes, Dad.

Over here, guys!!!

Somebody?!

Nope, mom.

Got the birthday girl finally! 

4.

Then we stopped by the Sahms to celebrate cousins Teagan and Ari's 7th and 5th birthday in the evening since we couldn't make it the actual birthday during the day.  

This one was a football themed birthday with jerseys to boot! 

Aunt Jessie made Addie Jo a "PINK #11" jersey

5. 

To cut bangs, or not to cut bangs? That was the question.

Answer:

Will post pic of them styled soon!

My bald spots from babies were growing out so I decided I needed a change.

6. 

This week in the young adult bible study that my sister Katie runs, we started this 8 week series called Oremus on prayer:

It seems great and I'm glad we are doing it during Lent!

7. 

And I'd hate to leave you without sharing a Once Upon a Child purchase; so I won't. :-)

Here's the latest (and I hope greatest) one yet:

A Valco Tri-Mode Twin Stroller - $700 new, $80 used from Once Upon a Child, although so beat up and rough that I don't even know if it could be considered the same… maybe I scored?  Hoping so! 

Now, it doesn't look like this AT ALL, because it is SUPER ratty, but hoping it works all the same!!!

Happy First Weekend of Spring, all!