Beauty in Bloom

Be my valentine

Over the weekend we spent some time making Faith's class valentines. She had saw them in the latest edition of the American Girl magazine, and begged me for weeks to make them. Once again, we have had the supplies forever, but we wait until the last minute around here to do everything.

It was her request to make a tutorial for my blog. NO JOKE. I just might have a blooming blogger on my hands.

Step 1: Cut out 4 inch circles from felt. {the premade fortunes were printed from American Girl Magazine online}

Step 2: Fold in half. Use a small piece of double stick tape to close.

Step 3: Insert fortune.

Step 4: Fold in half again. Secure with double stick tape.

Your done!

Action shot. Look at the concentration.

Look at all of them together. So pretty!

We decided that we needed a cute container to transport them in so on Saturday night we headed to Michael's to get one.

I die!

So cute!

Annie also had some sweet little valentines to make. Well, really she only had to write her name on them. Which didn't really interest her, but she got through it.

{I bought these from Pottery Barn Kids online}

Faith is so excited to take them to school she can't even stand it. Love that kid.

I plan on sharing some other V-day cuteness tomorrow. Mainly because I just finished decorating this weekend. Ha! Just in time!

Happy Monday! 

little rascal.

Happy December.

It came so fast. Right? I feel like we just celebrated Halloween.

We are in the thick of Christmas activities, christmas movies, advent calendars, decorating the house and of course we adopted an Elf on the Shelf this year. We named him Ethan remember? Anyway, that little guy is sneaky. Last night, while we were sleeping he was up to no good.

That little rascal drew moustaches on all the photos!

Looks like he grew one himself.

The girls thought this was hilarious. They have been wondering all day if he is going to shave off his moustache.

I wonder what he will do next?

We will have to see.

 

 

Easter weekend part 2

Our day started out very early Sunday morning.  We had to be at church by 8:30 for breakfast, (which we didn't make) and hunt for 50 eggs that the Easter Bunny left hidden inside. Two weeks of severe weather and a foot of rain kinda cramps his style. Liv was still feeling very sick so these next few shots my husband took while I tended to the little one.

 
(yikes, what a messy countertop)

 
 

This little one was such a trooper. She tried to have fun and play with her Daddy, but it was super short lived.  We decided to go ahead and take her to church with us. It was probably not the best thing for her, but we did anyway. Hey, she was part of a trio and I didn't want to break that up :)

 
 

 

Look at them! Sporting pink toenails and hair flowers handmade by their Momma. I will miss the days when they refuse to wear things I make for them. *sigh*  After church we headed home to drop off Liv and Daddy. Then the rest of us were off to my Dad's house. We had some good food and the kiddos got to play with their cousins and hunt eggs...inside again.  I was sad that Bob and Liv weren't there. She was just too miserable. :(

These crazy kids had a blast jumping off the stairs!

 

 
 

Thank goodness the rain finally stopped because they needed to run off some energy. Yes, I brought rainboots because I am sort of overbearing and I did not want them to get their shoes dirty!  Uncle Jake kept them busy for a while in the back yard. Faith did not like this keep away business. 

 I really wanted to take a family picture this year but sadly, it did not happen.  I actually wore a dress to church! My goal was to have someone snap it at church after it was over but Liv had fallen asleep in the nursery. Oh well. I can not document every second, even though I want to.

***

Today is the day! I still have so much to do! I hope my husband took the 50 'impossible to blow up by using only your mouth mini balloons' because I almost passed out last night. He is supposed to blow them up at work. Sheesh! Great, now I am distracted by the Royal wedding. Is it bad that I cried when I saw Kate Middleton for the first time? Don't answer that. :)

Easter weekend part 1

Our weekend began by singing to the newest member of the 8 year old club...

Then it was onto dying eggs...

 
 

 
 

Then it was time for Grandma's house to celebrate with family...

 
(Faith's dress)

 
 (Annabel's dress)

 

We had cake and opened presents!!

 

 
(This chick scored $80 in Justice gift cards. Thanks Grandma, Uncle Jake & Aunt Vicky)

 
 

This little nugget required constant Mommy attention all afternoon. She was so winey and seemed to be in pain. Later that night she came down with a fever. After going to the doctor's office monday morning we found out she has a double ear infection. It also did not help that two molars are coming in too. We had to leave Grandma's early.

 
(poor baby)

But before leaving we had to take a spin on Mickey in Grandma Kim's famous Mickey Mouse room. All the kiddos just love it in there. It is sort of our inheritance. LOL! (kind of a running joke in our family) 

 

On the whole the day was good. I just wish Olivia had been feeling better. This post has taken me so long to write because I have been planning and preparing all week for Faith's birthday party that is tomorrow night. I hope to post part 2 of our weekend later today or tomorrow. I had it all wrote out 2 hours ago, but when I hit "publish" it ALL disappeared! AHHH!  Besides party prep and cleaning I have to go to Faith's school today to watch a play that her whole class has been practicing for weeks. I also must go shopping for all of the mini food that I will be serving at her party! If Olivia would just stop climbing on things and falling down and getting hurt then maybe I could get something done! I guess spending 2 hours posting this was probably a bad idea. Oh well!

Happy Easter!

This is why our family celebrates Easter.  The truth in this video gives me great comfort. No matter what sin or struggles I face in my life, I know that I am forgiven and that I am not alone.  My Redeemer lives!!

I also just want to say how grateful I am that our family and friends escaped the devastating damage of the tornadoes that hit our bi-state area. This morning my hubby and I were watching the news and they were interviewing people who had lost everything.  Houses were leveled. Entire neighborhoods too.  I can not imagine walking out of my basement and seeing the sky.  It seems so strange that they hit such a populated area.  Praise God that there were no fatalities. I hope these people find strength in God and in their families and communities. I hope.

Lord, thank you for blessing me with small problems. 

I promise to stop complaining about the little things.

Happy St. Patty's Day

 

This kid just had to dress up a little for St. Patricks Day. She did not want to be pinched!

Valentine crafts

 

I love to celebrate Valentine's day. My husband and I do not exchange expensive gifts but we do try and spoil each other and our kids with extra love and a little extra candy! I also enjoy to decorate a little. Here is a my simple wreath that hangs on our back door.

 
Next is a heart shaped wreath made out of tulle and a wire coat hanger and it hangs on the front door.

 

This next pic is of a banner that I purchased and assembled from Micheal's and I paired it with a scrappy fabric garland also purchased from there.

 

My LOVE banner

 

Annabel wearing a ruffled ribbon heart shirt that I made for her.

 

And finally my sorry attempt at a ruffled ribbon pillow. I could not get that ribbon to ruffle for the life of me!

 

So glad I have all these girls to appreciate all this!

Happy 2011!

 
(Us at an ugly christmas sweater party)

This year is going to be better. I just know it. Never before have I ever made any new years resolutions. I asked myself why? It's obviously not working out for me, so why don't I try something different?? I have been thinking alot lately about what I would put on a list if I were ever to make one. What do I really want out of this life anyway?  This is something I really need to figure out already! What truly makes me happy? How can I be a better mother/wife/friend/daughter? How can I contribute more in the community? Why don't I spend more time taking care of myself? Why don't I spend more time in the word? I am worth it. I have things to offer. God sees that. Why can't I?

These are some things I really need to figure out. I might not accomplish everything I want to this year, but that's ok. I WILL NOT settle anymore. I WILL NOT continue to do things that do not bring me joy, or have a real purpose. I WILL NOT worry about everyone around me and what they are doing. I WILL NOT compare. Life is too short. Way too short.

My friends.....I urge you to really take a good look at what really is important in life. Maybe you already have. I hope so. If I could buy that gift for you, I would. It is something that you can only find through God and His grace.

 What have I been waiting for?

To help keep me on track I think I need to choose a word. A word that describes the journey that I want to take this year.

 REJOICE!

Rejoice in what God has given me.

Rejoice in motherhood.

Rejoice in life.

This post really turned into a list of things I am not going to do. All I know is that I refuse to stay the same. Absolutely refuse. No more wasting time for this chick! Thanks for listening....as if anyone ever does!

Be thankful...everyday.

I thank God for this day, for the chance to play outside
For the birds in the trees for his love that's deep and wide.
For the air that I breathe, for my friends and family.
That's why I say thanks everyday.

Cause a thankful heart is a happy heart.
I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy place to start.
For the love that He shares as He listen's to my prayers, that's why I say thanks everyday.

I thank God for this night, for the stars in the sky.
For the hug from my mom, for my special lullaby.
For the chance to have rest, for the reasons I am blessed.
That's why we say thanks everyday.

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart.
I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy place to start.
For the love that we share as He listens to our prayers, that's why we say thanks everyday.

That's why we say thanks everyday. 

"Thankfullness Song" by The Veggies Tales

Happy Thanksgiving to my gorgeous husband, sweet daughters, & awesome friends and family! I am thankful for each and everyone of you!

Albuquerque...He's my Turkey!

I saw these beaded turkeys out in blogland at Craftily Ever After and I knew I had to make them. I rushed out to Michael's and bought everything I needed.  Brown beads for the body, yellow diamond shaped beads for the beak and the feet, almond shaped red beads for the feathers and a red bead for the turkey's beard :)

 
Next step would be to get out your glue gun and get to it!

 
I put the body together first and then I glue the feathers to each other. After those are all done, I glue them together.

 
Super easy! Each one only took a few minutes to assemble. You can use these for place card holders or they could be turned into a napkin ring and a pin for your favorite jacket. I plan on setting them on my Moms table to add a cute detail. Love it!

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