April was a busy month in the best possible way. We saw the eclipse while visiting some of my dearest friends, celebrated two birthdays, and more!
“I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell myself to hold on to these moments as they pass.”
Welcome to “Moments” here on JoyFoodSunshine. At the end of every month I share a recap of our family’s favorite moments! So here it is for April 2024!
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Things I’m loving
Here are some things I’ve been loving lately:
- Cookie scoop. I use this 2 Tablespoon Cookie Scoop every single time I bake cookies. It is the best quality – I’ve had it for 10+ years and it still is in perfect condition! Here’s a similar one on Amazon: Amazon Cookie Scoop.
- These jean shorts. I am not a huge fan of jean shorts (I prefer workout clothes) – however I found and love these shorts. They are the perfect length and are very comfy!
- Vitamix is having an incredible Mother’s Day sale until 5/18. You can get the Venturist (reconditioned – which is basically like new and comes with a warranty) for $199!!! It’s a smart blender and this is an unheard of price! Vitamix Venturist 1200. (you receive an extra $50 off using my links)!
Life Lately
This month we traveled to San Antonio to see the eclipse & our dear friends, we celebrated 2 birthdays, had our last ski day, and more.
San Antonio
We were so blessed to be able to travel to San Antonio to see our friends and the eclipse.
Ariel and I have been friends since high school. God used her to draw me to Him when I was 17. Her light and witness and friendship literally changed the course of my entire life in the best possible way and I will forever be grateful for her.
Our time together was the greatest gift. Our kids became instant best friends and it filled my heart with so much joy watching them play together.
There’s something so special about spending time with someone who has known you for so long – and my heart was filled to overflowing after our time together. We even got to attend their church – which her husband is the pastor of – and it was amazing watching her lead worship with her daughters. I was overwhelmed as I saw so many prayers from our youth answered in both of our lives.
We also did the touristy things and went to the Alamo and watched the eclipse and of course swam in the pool! It was a fun little family getaway – but the best part was our fellowship with our dear friends.
Birthdays!
We had two birthdays in our family this month.
Mara Turned 7!
Can you even believe it? If you’ve been with me since the beginning of JFS – then you’ll remember when I was pregnant with her and she was born – and now she’s seven!
She asked for a giraffe cake, donuts for breakfast and shake shack for dinner. We celebrated her well all day long and she felt so loved.
Gabe Turned 11
Gabe also had a birthday this month. He milked all he could out of his special day 
We went on his favorite hike, made his favorite lunch and he got In ‘N Out for dinner.
He chose chocolate bundt cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and chocolate crepes for breakfast.
He built lego sets he received as gifts and enjoyed watching a movie of his choice in the evening.
We had a great day celebrating the sweetest boy!
Wrapping up School
Our homeschool co op ended this month. Gabe achieved memory master for the 3rd year in a row. He also dressed up at Teddy Roosevelt and gave a presentation on his life.
We are now wrapping up the rest of our curriculum for the year and hopefully will be done and welcome summer the first week of May!
Life & Faith
My heart wasn’t fully ready for this sermon that my husband preached this month – however it was exactly what I needed to hear.
In the sermon he said, “Betrayal is an evil, against which, there is no God-approved defense. But there is a cure – look to Christ. He knows that pain.”
The fact that Jesus intimately knows the sting of betrayal has brought me so much comfort & peace. By the grace of God I have not been completely broken by it – and have learned so much from this past year.
Snapshots
I got to celebrate my beautiful friend’s birthday. We went out to a delicious dinner and had the best time.
We took the kids to the tulip festival and it was gorgeous. So many beautiful flowers and we lucked out with perfect weather!
This little ham is so stinking cute.
We had our last ski day of the season. We truly enjoyed getting into the mountains so much this year!
I took my sweet K on a mommy daughter date. She wanted to get donuts and then I took her to build a bear to make her own stuffed animal. She is a mommy’s girl 1000% and we had the best date together.
Also this month Bethany and I snuck away for a few days to go see Mariah Carey in concert. We had a blast shopping, eating and the concert was amazing!
I hope you had a great month as well!