my weekend smiles

i haven't kept up with my 'weekend smiles' posts lately so i thought this would be a good time to share some of the things that made me smile this past weekend {and last week too}, instagram-syle...

1. a brand new big boy room awaiting us when we returned from florida {such a fun surprise from daddy! he even sewed pillows with fabric he found at hobby lobby...oh my! i'm impressed}...

a perfect room for my lil' builders who are obsessed with construction trucks at the moment...
{the beds were made so perfectly when we got home, for the last time ever, this picture was taken after they had jumped on them and climbed on that table in the middle onto one another's bed}

it's hard to find ben underneath all the blankets and stuffed animals he has to have in there...

yes, nate has to sleep with S's doll...at the moment, he is keeping it safe from the "monster" in their room. this monster appeared recently. dave and i have no idea where the boys came up with this but they assure us that the monster is nice and likes to eat cookies. thank goodness. there's a strong possibility that this is a ploy to bring cookies to bed. i'm on to them.

dave even converted the boy's old crib into a single crib for S! such a sweet surprise. now, i'm excited to get to work on her new room. 

2. my lil' chefs {they're at the sweetest age where they love to help out in the kitchen}...

3. soaking in the fresh air and peaceful stillness on our little piece of land outside of town...

digging holes with daddy for the pipes that will bring water to the house...

 

sunset view from the front porch...

4. a thoughtful gift from aunt katie to help the boys visualize where there sister is living right now...

this adorable map is now hanging on the wall in their bedroom and they love to move all of the animals around and fly the airplane to visit S...

5. a sweet morning with grandma marrs...{before my parents flew back to florida}

6. a valentine's party with little friends...

when all else fails, you can always find my two eating snacks. 

7. JOY... relishing the opportunity to bring my friend's a warm dinner after coming home with precious baby evan!

sweet miracle in the arms of his grandma...

8. receiving a book in the mail for weekend reading...

a transparent, real, hard look at the lives of women in the Congo...haunting and powerful.

9. the treasured gift of a date night with the hubs {delicious dinner and beautiful, holy night of worship with All Sons & Daughters at the cathedral at JBU}...

singing these words and feeling confident that our hearts will be crying out in praise very soon...

10. one last birthday celebration with the marrs' side of the family {yes, i'm ridiculously spoiled.}...

so many blessings and so many reasons to smile. my heart is full.