Sunday School Christmas Party

We had a great time tonight at our Sunday School Christmas party. I don't have any party pictures, but I do have a picture of my little helper when we were baking cookies to get ready this afternoon. We played Cranium & had a blast (even though my team was in last place). It's wonderful that our kids are great friends with our friends' kids. We get a babysitter on party nights & they get to go play together at the church, kinda like their own mini party. Gotta get my sleepy self to bed but here's the picture of my little chef.

The Power of Words

Have you ever made a comment to someone in passing that was a little sarcastic or almost mean? You know, just a little jab at a friend that once you said it, you felt the need to say "just joking" to make sure your friend wasn't offended? How about the flip side? Has someone close to you "joked" about a weakness you have in a manner that makes you think they truly meant what they said, but felt bad about admitting it out loud? That's kinda where I am today. A short little comment inserted in a conversation yesterday stung me a little. Of course it was followed by a quick "oh she knows I'm just joking," but that didn't make it sting any less. I have no problem forgiving. In fact, I've already forgiven this dear friend & have no grudge. What I struggle with is how I let little comments shape who I am. These few words that were spoken to fill conversation attach themselves to my weakness, making the weakness a little bigger than it was yesterday. What a shock to realize that what I find as a small weakness in myself can grow to such a paralyzing size when left unaddressed. God made me just how I am. He knew what weaknesses I had & loved me anyway. I pray that He helps me overcome this issue I struggle with. I pray that instead of letting others' words make me feel weak, I will allow God to show me what He can do with a flawed girl who lets Him be in charge. That's the purpose of us having weaknesses anyway, isn't it? To let His strength shine through when it's obvious we can't do it ourselves? I think so.

New aprons

Cherie asked me several weeks ago if we could make aprons together. Of course I said YES! We started last week & finished today. Here are our gorgeous crumb catchers :)

Why Mondays are my favorite

I love Mondays.  I'm not being sarcastic at all.  Monday is my favorite day of the week as a stay at home mom.  Monday morning is like a brand new notebook, fresh & clean.  It's the chance to start over, to set new goals.  I'm still not a morning person so I hate getting up early, but once I'm up & going I absolutely love Monday.  Joey & Anthony go to school & Anna Catherine gets back in her normal routine.  I'm so optimistic on Monday mornings that THIS WEEK is the week it will happen.  This is the week when I will get it all together.  I will get the whole house clean at the same time, not just one room clean today & a different room clean tomorrow.  I will stay caught up on laundry this week.  I will make a schedule & stick with it.  I will be a better mom, a better wife, & a better friend by being organized & prepared.  I love the fresh determination I have each Monday morning.  Deep down I know that it will never happen.  The chances of my real world matching the picture in my head are pretty slim, but there's something about Monday that makes me think that it could really happen...

My kids stole my sanity

Hey y'all :) how's your Monday going? I kinda would like a do-over, but chances are it would still end up being a not my favorite type of day. The ice maker went from producing way too much ice to pouring water in the freezer & out of the fridge. My boys were total heathens in Hobby Lobby when I ran in to get a tshirt, which they did not even have. Anna Catherine kept trying to get away while I waited at the teller window at the bank. I could go on & on...all I really want to do is spend a few hours cleaning house so I can spend a little while crafting without guilt. I finally decided the boys & I would finally make the jet packs we found on Pinterest. I may never get all the silver spray paint & glue off my fingers, but I think they turned out cute. Of course when we finished the boys didn't want to play with them anymore. I didn't finish Anna Catherine's yet. Maybe later? Maybe not. We'll see. Enough negative Nancy from me. Here are pics of our project!

Branson vacation

Just wanted to drop by & load a few pictures! We're on family vacation in Branson, Missouri this week. Here's some pics from Saturday.

Baby shower for baby Ben

Here are some things I made this week for a sweet friend having a little boy (after having 3 adorable little girls!).

Summer vaca day 4

Today was an awesome day. We learned more about our egg without its shell, blew bubbles in a pan with a straw, & made rainbow funfetti cupcakes. I've got Anthony snuggled up in my lap right now watching tv. Anybody who knows us realizes this is quite an accomplishment! I told Jason he was becoming a momma's boy. He said "momma, you make the best activities off Pinterest!" They are loving our summer schedule & activities. I didn't take a picture of tomorrow's schedule because our Fridays are pretty laid back since Jason gets off work at lunch. We have some friends coming swimming in the morning & then having lunch with us. Here are some pictures from today.

Summer vaca day 3

We have had fun again today! Some of the highlights - baking soda & vinegar painting, naked egg experiment, the boys cooking grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, & Joey's eating (today he ate half an apple!). I've got pictures below. I've also included Thursday's schedule.

New items for Etsy

Here are some pictures I need to load on to Etsy.  Hopefully I can sell a bib or two soon!

Summer vaca day 2 & Wed preview

Today was another good summer vacation day, but I sure am worn out! We stuck to our schedule except for a movie change. The boys had a great time stuffing donuts in their mouth. I also took a picture of them chilling at Dr Bimle's office. Anna Catherine does not have an ear infection, but her throat is very red from all the sinus drainage. The boys & I squeezed in a few minutes to start our egg experiment for later in the week. I'll have to find the link & attach it in case anyone wants to try it. The first step is to dissolve the shell with vinegar. I've included a picture of tomorrow's schedule. Hopefully I can remember to blog from the computer so I can include the link to our baking soda & vinegar painting. I hope you are enjoying your week as much as we are!

Tuesday schedule

I'm putting up our Tuesday tentative schedule. We had planned on running errands since I had a hair appointment, but now I've cancelled the hair so I can get Anna Catherine a dr appointment. I think she's got another ear infection from her runny nose. I'm hoping I can let the boys go to toys r us too, but didn't want to write it down in case we don't have time or Anna isn't feeling up to it.

Summer vacation day 1 05.21.12

Good afternoon & welcome to our first day of summer vacation 2012!  I've got lots of fun things planned for the kiddos this summer.  Here's our schedule for today.

My boys have a terrible habit of waking up at 7am (or earlier) on all days EXCEPT school mornings.  I told them they needed to stay quiet & in their beds until 8am.  Somehow it worked today!  We all got dressed, worked on cleaning up, then started our first project.

We're a little late to be working on Mother's Day projects, but better late than never.  They enjoyed playing with paint.  We have 2 extra friends over today--Katie & Kelsi.  They came in time for our chalk project.

They traced each other under the carport, then decorated the chalk people.  Katie & Kelsi ended up with the cutest little people!  Anna Catherine basically just ran over everyone in her walker & erased chalk lines with her feet.  Next we had lunch & free play time.  I just have to add here that Joey is doing "therapy" this summer to get him to eat better.  He ate grapes today, so I would say we are starting out with a huge success!

Above you can see them all during rest time while watching "What's in the Bible 1 - Genesis."  Anna Catherine has been sleeping in the play pen in my room for an hour & a half.  I figured she needed to be on the complete opposite end of the house so she could get a full nap.  We've had a great day so far!  In a little bit we'll decide what we're going to do tomorrow.  I am so glad I have Pinterest to help me with lots of ideas.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for more fun summer activities!

Ribbit Ribbit Ribbit

This evening Joey & Anthony helped me make a frog bib. Joey picked out the colors & patterns himself. They love watching my new machine work. Here's our finished product!

Making bibs with Momma

Yesterday my momma came to visit & I just had to show her my new machine. Anna Catherine wore her new hot pink & lime green rooster bib at lunch. We went with daddy to Chili Verde. We got sweet baby girl an ice cream cone (after she ate all her carrots) & she loved it! She grabbed it one time & shoved it further in her mouth, but it gave her a brain freeze so she didn't try that again :)

Our new ballpark dress

Here are pictures of Anna Catherine looking ADORABLE in her new ballpark pillowcase dress her mommy made her :)