Date Night Revival

When we moved to Lilburn, GA so many things changed for our family.  Real life, real jobs, real bills, etc...  In our previous city of Athens, GA we had plenty of free or cheap activities available through the University, coupled with amazing babysitters (Aunts and Uncles) equaled fun date nights.

All that dried up when we moved to the metro area.  Date night was always at home, usually watching the latest Netflix.  Then, when we bought a new house our Friday nights consisted of painting and remodeling projects.  You get the picture.  We were two lame ducks wanting to have fun and not wanting to spend a fortune.  

Thankfully, a blessing came to our lives in the form of a new job opportunity and with that we made a goal to take advantage of a weekly date night.  This is a big commitment on Dylan's part and I gratefully recognize his effort to sacrifice his instincts to hoard money.  (Saving is still important, YES, but so is spending some cash on dates!)  Here's a run down on how we've been keeping up our commitments to one another the past two and a half months.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra - balm for my soul!

Sitting with my Valentine at The Shakespeare Tavern.  A must do on the ATL bucket list!

If you must have your date at home, then yummy treats make it sweeter!

Pupusas? - YES, please!

Coming home to a warm fire and roasting marshmallows. 

Test driving cars can really be entertaining for a date.  I'm still not convinced to be a minivan Momma.
Photo courtesy of Honda.

  A few more, that didn't get pictures includes a thrifting competition at the Value Village (we found a Marble Works expansion pack, a Pottery Barn shelf, and a great wool coat), Dinner at Ipp's, Temple attending, and disc golf.  I'd even count our "Family Dates" to the Gym Dawgs and UGA Men's basketball games!  They were so much fun thanks to Robyn and Steve and our kids loved it!

Any suggestions on future date nights?  We'd love suggestions!

A new Routine, Curtsey before you Go!

Eliza has added a new routine to her Friday afternoons.  She has started a ballet class with the other girls in her preschool and enjoys learning to dance and pronounce french words better than we can.  Passé, Pirouette and Plié. 

Eliza trying on her ballet outfit for the first time!

Eliza and her friend practice pointing their toes

The girls and their teacher

After ballet class

Preschool Days

Eliza is "that" kid, with "that" Mom.  She is the oldest child in the family, so her Mom is constantly worried about the "first" time she does something new.  Well, we have officially conquered step one in the leaving the nest...GOING TO PRESCHOOL!  Eliza is participating in a homeschool preschool co-op twice a week with four other children.

A lunch box, a book bag and a smile, yep I'm ready for school.

Leaving Momma behind.

As life would have it, I was actually sick on Eliza's first day, so Dylan stayed home so he could drive her to preschool.  All I had to do was take pictures of her leaving the house.  I'm happy that she will get the opportunity to learn with other children and have fun!

Children of Freedom

This fourth of July wasn't anything "fancy" at our house.  Most of the traditional things you thing about...cookouts, fireworks, etc...we skipped out on.  However, we didn't skip out on enjoying our freedom.  I woke up having a great husband and two really cute kids.  (No one told me I couldn't have more than one child!)  I am free to worship my God, own property and I even have a borrowed pellet gun that we use to keep the squirrels off our garden plants.  (So far it's not working.)  We are pursing happiness one day at a time.

There is a lot that people complain about the government and policies, and yes we are free to express those opinions.  However, it would be nice if people expressed a little more gratitude for the blessing we have by living in a free land (myself included). My children are children of freedom and for that I give thanks to God!  When I look at them I see hope!

Freedom Babies!
P.S. We are trying to teach Ezra that we don't eat the flag. 

Three is a Party

Turning three is a BIG deal.  It's first year that Eliza has been really aware that it it was her birthday.  She actually knew that she was born on June 27th, and thankfully, we had lots of opportunities to discuss the subject of birthdays since the Davis/Sorensen clan collectively has NINE birthdays in June.  Happy Birthday - Trina, Melanie, Ambree, Dee, Ryan, Renee, Ron, Emilee and Eliza!

The cutest three year old I know!

Since we have good timing, we picked the hottest record setting day of the year and one of the worst traffic days in Atlanta to have a birthday party.  (Dylan said it was 106 degrees at his office before heading home and it was the weekend before the 4th of July.)  Thanks to Richard and Dee we had the cool air blowing and meat on the grill and Melanie and Ron let us barrow a churn for some peach ice cream. Uncle Ryan & Aunt Jenny and Aunt Robyn & Uncle Steve loaded up their cars in the heat with cute cousins to come celebrate with Eliza!  Most everything we did was indoors, until the fireworks (Thanks Uncle Val!) so the heat was bearable.

Singing Happy Birthday to Eliza

Opening presents from Aunt Robyn.  Thanks for the cute outfits!

Cousin love!

A necklace to match her cousins

Thank you Jakob Boot for the Thomas the Train ride.  The kids loved it!!  Look at that face!

Eliza with her Momma Dee, Papa, Grandpa and Grandma

The crazy Davis and Sorensen kids

All the cousins (except Naomi...we missed you, but she had to travel back to Athens so she could get to bed.)

We ended the night with sparklers and mini fireworks

The Five Year Plan

Does anyone remember this blog post from 2008, Letters to Myself?  I'm guessing that you probably don't, so just to recap - I write 5 year letters to myself and make a plan for what I want to accomplish.  I was supposed to write a new one in 2008, I actually ended up writing it on the door mirrors in my room at Family and Graduate Housing (with a dry erase maker of course) so that I could see it frequently.  We've moved three times since then, but I can remember the list. 

I still have a year left to accomplish all my goals, but since I have a birthday coming up soon I have been thinking about those goals and where I stand.

Here is the 25-30 years goal list (Not in any particular order):

1. Run a Half Marathon
2. Have another child (Biological or Adopted)
3. Learn to sew
4. Buy a house
5. Live near a temple and attend often
6. Travel to either Tonga (and California while in route) or Paris

Those of you who know me well realize that I've accomplished most of those objectives.  Half Marathon - Check.  Have another child - Check.  We put biological or adopted, because I wasn't sure if we could be selfish enough to expect another biological miracle, but Heavenly Father saw fit to bless us with another little Sorensen the old fashioned way.  How grateful we are!  Learn to sew - Still in progress, but I made pillows by myself so that's a huge victory.  I have plans to make a Christmas quilt for the children, so I better get busy if I plan on having it done by December.  Buy a House - Check.  Live near a temple and attend often - Check and still in progress.  Yes, we live 22.7 miles away and we attend as often as we have babysitters :) Travel to either Tonga or Paris - NOT YET.  You are probably wondering how I will accomplish this lofty goal, especially since buying a house and having another baby would leave anyone broke!  However, I'm not going to give up on it.  When I was a missionary I read this:

“God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities.

God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe.”   

― Jeffrey R. Holland

How could you not dream after reading this?  So if it doesn't happen in the next year, not looking likely, then I'll move it on to the 30-35 year list.  I've got one more goal on the list but its more of a personal goal that I'm not ready to post on the blog.  If it happens then you'll get a surprise blog post in the next year.  (Oh, the cliff hangers...)

Swings Make Summer

Summer swinging just makes this Mom smile..and the kids too!

-Lilburn City Park-