This year's anniversary was almost a dud because of COVID-19 if it wasn't for Brian who insisted we still do something special. It is our anniversary after all. Plus he knows me too well to do nothing or postpone it only to have to hear about later all the things I
wish we should've/would've done.
So out of the blue our neighbor called us to see if Ethan and Gavin would like to come over and make pizza from scratch for dinner with his daughter, Emma. Talk about God's perfect timing and provision! Brian thanked him and asked if the boys could stay there a little longer afterwards so that we could have an anniversary date. To which he happily agreed.
Hiking at Scotts Run Nature Preserve
Curbside dinner from Buffalo Wing Factory
We had so much fun on this much needed date night. Happy Anniversary Babe! So grateful to have you by my side on this crazy journey called life! Would have rather revisited our 10th Anniversary in the Bahamas, but I'll take what I can get.
Yesterday we celebrated Brian's 4 year work anniversary at Cornerstone with a yummy carrot cake from Wegman's. Congratulations and thank you for providing for our family!!
This is how we celebrated our Happy Friday today:
Given to Brian on his birthday back in September
Brian finally found a bike and made a purchase
Ethan and Gavin enjoying a FANTAstic drink after a 6-mile family bike ride
The outdoors and take out have been our saving grace lately!
Brian recently bought a hitch and a bike rack for the Pilot so we could haul Ethan's and Gavin's bikes with us as we hit the trails. Now we just need to get bikes for ourselves so we could keep up with the boys. Today we revisit an old trail at Thaiss Park where we used to go walking when we lived in Fairfax City. A fun trail that I totally forgot about. We'll definitely be back!
I got through the week just fine only for Friday to come and then I hit a slump of depression. Two weeks down, now how many more to go? Ugh, I don't want to do this anymore. I enjoy family time, but being at home all together 24/7 makes me feel a little claustrophobic. Thankfully by Sunday, I realized the need to be alone so I decided to go for a walk BY MYSELF and journal my thoughts. That helped a lot and I returned home more sane. That afternoon we took advantage of the beautiful weather and headed to the Great Falls for a hike. Another needed breathe of fresh air!
Here is our Monday morning STEM activity:
Then this afternoon I took the boys to pick up miscellaneous trash at our HOA tennis court and the school playground. They biked there and then walked around - got out, got their exercise, enjoyed the day and now we have a cleaner school. That's a win-win in my book! And all that was inspired by Ethan and Gavin's lead effort (with Brian's help) in clearing a gigantic log and unclogging our neighborhood streams a few days prior. Way to make it happen, Billman Boys!
Unfortunately, we got home to learn that Virginia is now under the "stay-at-home" order as of April 1st. I tried not to panic, but it sure was another blow to my already downcast spirit. The Holy Spirit brought this song to mind and I just let the Truth of it washed over me.
I can't perfectly keep my eyes on the Lord everything single moment, but I don't know if He's asking me to. What I'm doing though (or at least trying) is to continually coming back to His Truth and clinging onto those promises!
Brian was invited (plus spouse) to attend his company's dinner up in New Hampshire which we were excited to go. However, there were some things that needed to be ironed out before we could leave town. In order to make it there by Friday night, I had to move my working hours around so we could travel. Then we needed to find someone to watch the boys and Kaika. Thankfully, our friend Lauren and our babysitter were able to tag team so we were good to go.
Honestly, I was a little anxious since we've never left town and left our boys in someone else's care (other than our parents). But you know what, they had fun and did just fine!
Appetizer:Thai Coconut Shrimp & Prince Edward Island Mussels Josephine @ Bone Fish Grill
Main Course: Mongolian Beef @ PF Chang's
Drinks & Dessert: Decaf coffee, Lemon Drop Martini and Warm Apple Crisp @ Cheesecake Factory
After sharing the appetizers, I was ready to call it a night because I was stuffed. But Brian insisted on making it to the end because he couldn't pass up on dessert. Haha. What a fun night as we've never done anything like it...although I'm not sure I want to again. Two word: Food coma.
He was recently featured in the employee spotlight, read below:
We are so thankful for God's hand and favor upon Brian this past year with Cornerstone. It has been a steep learning curve, but he has emerged with confidence and success. We are so proud of you!!
Super fun date night with Brian at Iron Age (an all you can eat Korean Steak House) and then we strolled around Georgetown in DC. What a gorgeous night!
Brian came home from his work trip last week with the flu and so unfortunately, he was sick on his birthday. According to Ethan, that's the worse! So I was instructed by the boys (during school drop off) that we need to make it extra special for Brian.
Late yummy morning snacks!
And yummy cupcakes with singing!
Happy Birthday Brian! We love you and celebrate a better year of work, life and health!!
With my parents' visit always come a bonus overnight date! This year we headed to Fells Point, MD. We ended up having a progressive dinner that wasn't planned but turned out super fun. For appetizer: cheese, crackers, fruit and wine at the hotel. For dinner: crabs, shrimps and asparagus at Riptide by the Bay. For dessert: some hot chocolate as we went on a ghost tour. For night cap: 'smores, chocolate and Grand Marnier back at the hotel before turning in for the night.
The next day, we did a quick tour of Baltimore (the touristy part and the ghetto part) and ended up at Under Armour Headquarter where Brian has had a project there.
At Under Armour with Felts Point's view across the river
