Weekend Wrap-Up: Spring is in the Air

Our weather this weekend was once again fabulous, and every day that we have a day full of sunshine and warmth, I'm thankful all over again that DJ was able to take the job at Tulsa and move us out of the cold in Indiana! This southern girl just could not take that snow! 

DJ takes the little girls to daycare every day, and Meggie wanted to take this little bottle of ketchup with her to school. This girl loves her ketchup! 

We had a typical Friday evening. I got home late, made the girls fish sticks for dinner, had a glass of wine with our neighbor, and DJ brought home Pei Wei for the two of us.

This book came in the mail, and I spent most of the evening reading! I spent most of the time in bursts of laughter and DJ just kept looking at me like I was the weirdest girl on the planet.

The book was written by, Melanie Shankle, the author of Big Mama blog, and to be quiet honest, I don't even read her blog (although i'm going to start reading it!) the book was so highly recommended by several blog's that I do read, that I had to get the book for myself! 

I suggest that you get it too.

Megan fell asleep in the hallway again, by her sister's stinky shoes. If you're a regular around this blog, you'll know that this is a very common occurrence as of late.

Saturday morning, DJ and I cleaned house, and thank God that recruiting Saturday's at the football office are over, because our house was clean before noon and that my friends is a record.

After lunch, Gretchen and I headed to Hobby Lobby and Reasor's.

She road in the buggy at Reasor's, and I just laughed at how ridiculous she looked! 

Addy Pearl slept most of the day on Saturday. She slept from 9-12 in the morning, and I finally had to wake her up to feed her, then she slept from 1-4 that afternoon!

We cuddled a lot when I got back from the grocery store.

DJ grilled pork chops and asparagus for dinner and the girls played outside for a little while.

Then, this happened.

Y'all, this NEVER happens! She fell asleep in her own bed! 

We went to church on Sunday morning and I didn't get a picture before church, so I took this one as soon as we got home, and Addy Pearl was NOT happy! 

After naps & rest time, DJ took the girls outside to play.

Meggie sported her Hi hoodie from Vine & Ever. 

And, I cuddled this baby girl most of the afternoon.

And, here's why:

Sunday morning, I noticed that Adalyn had a rash on her belly. I sent a picture to my mom and sister in law (both nurses) and we figured it was an allergic reaction. After church, DJ and I gave her the tiniest amount of Benedry. Her rash got progressively worse, and I decided to take her to urgent care. However, there were like 15 people in the waiting room, and many of them were wearing masks and the clinic is notoriously slow and I didn't want to risk getting Addy really sick.

So, I called DJ and my doctor, and he answered the phone and I explained what was going on. He told me that it was probably Fifth's Disease, and what it was. He told me not to worry about coming in, because there was honestly nothing that could be done for her. That we could give tylenol to alleviate any secondary symptoms. And while I know this sounds like a doctor who just didn't want to work on a Sunday afternoon, I assure it was not. We spoke for around 15 minutes and he told me that she probably needed to stay home from daycare on Monday, and that I could bring her in to the office on Monday. He reassured me and made feel lots better, and I'm so glad that I did not wait the entire afternoon at that walk in clinic! 

Addy's rash still looks horrible, so I'm home today, and we're heading to the pediatrician's office. 

Because my hubby was home and is so awesome, I was also able to complete these projects:

My dear friend, Kelly, asked me to make a bib for her son's 1st birthday party! 

And, I had an order for a Sofia the First inspired pajama set.

I'm also have a sale on appliqué shirts this week! Buy one get one free! You can contact me via Facebook to place your order! This would be a great time to buy a brother/sister set, for a birthday, or even for football season, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas! 

By: Unknown On 05.00

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Gretchen's Super Royal Bounce Party

Saturday was Gretchen's birthday party at Bounce U… a local bounce house party place. Gretchen and I had originally decided she would have a princess tea party birthday with just the girls, but then Gretchen met this boy, and that led to changing the entire party theme. You see, she couldn't not invite her best little boy-friend. He would be sad if he couldn't come to her girls only party. I tried to explain that he wouldn't want to come to her princess party, and she insisted on inviting him and all of the boys in her class as well. She just could not hurt his feelings. So, we decided to change the theme of her party to a Super-Royal Bounce Party.

We knew that she would be wearing her Princess Sofia dress that she wore on Halloween. In fact, I have kept it in my closet since Halloween, so she wouldn't play in it and mess it up before her birthday. But, I had to come up with a way to get the boys involved. So, we settled on a super-hero princess party.

I don't have a picture of her invitation. I know that I should, but we've all been so sick over the last several days that I just don't have it in me. Bounce U provided us with invitations, and then I printed off paper invites that explained her party.

The wording went something like this:

"You're Invited to Gretchen's Super-Royal Bounce Party. Please wear your favorite princes for super hero costume. Please leave swords, jewels, and tiara's at home. Don't forget to wear your royal slippers (socks). A royal feast of pizza and cupcakes will be served." 

The invites also had a Sofia and Clover picture and a Spiderman picture. Gretchen chose spider man because he is her friends favorite.

Those invites were stapled to the Bounce U invites and I sent them to school with her to pass out to everyone in her class. 

Gretchen before her party. I'm not sure why she poses like this every time I try to get a picture. I'm sure she thinks she's super cute and precious, and it is, but it's a bit silly too. 

We finally convinced her to just stand still. 

Gretchen and a few of her friends playing foos-ball before the party. 

The kids had to watch a safety video. 

Then it was on to the bounce rooms. 

These girls are our neighbors and I love their sweet friendship.

We have a gazillion dress up clothes, but none of them are in pristine condition because the girls play in them so often, so I decided that Megan would wear a spiderman shirt. I found this one on clearance at Old Navy for $3.00 in the little boys section.

My mom came up for the party and cuddled with Adalyn. 

The ginormous slide was everyone's favorite!

The boy that inspired the super hero theme. Seriously y'all, she talks about him every single day. They sit at the same table, the play together at recess. They're best friends who have already planned to get married. 

Megan climbed to the top of the slide and then she just cried and cried and refused to slide down. DJ finally had to climb up and get her to slide down with him!

Miss Addy

Meggie wanted to play on this inflatable, but she was too tiny to run and jump up on the incline. She stood there and cried until DJ climbed in and threw her up several times. 

All of the kids in the party room for their royal feast!

Gretchen also likes to "pose" with food in her mouth. I went over to take her picture, and she seriously posed by taking a bite and pausing.

We had chocolate or vanilla cupcakes with purple and red icing and then purple or red sprinkles. We went with purple and red for Sofia and Spiderman. 

We found the candle set at the Dollar Tree- it was perfect!

Time to sing Happy Birthday!

She loved the frosting!

Meggie eating her cupcake. 

Time to open her presents!

Poor thing had been sick the day before her party, and even though she wasn't running a temperature, exhaustion was setting in. 

After her party was over, Gretchen handed out her party favors. Bounce U offers a party package where favors are included, but they're little bags of candy and small trinkets, and they honestly drive me insane, so we decided to bring our own party favors. 

The girls received a Princess Sofia coloring book and sticker book that I found at Target's Dollar Section.

The boys took home a small spiderman toy and sheets of Spiderman stickers that I found at the Dollar Tree. 

Her party was so much fun! I usually go all out by making the invitations, making or ordering her outfit, making her hair bow, theme & color-coordinating everything, but this year, I had the least stressful time planning her party! And she said it was the "best birthday ever!" so that makes it totally worthwhile. 

By: Unknown On 08.18

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This Girl is SIX!

I'm pretty sure, i'm going to start bawling at some point while writing this post and curl up in the fetal position. My oldest honey pie is SIX.  I had a hard time last year with her turning five, and honestly, this year, our past week has been so crazy and I've scaled down our party planning and I haven't had much time to think about her turning another year older. Until now. So, i'm pretty sure the reality of it all is going to hit right now. 

Gretchen Rose, I am so thankful that God gave us you. I still remember every detail of my pregnancy and your arrival, except the 15 or so minutes that I was hallucinating from the pain. I'm not kidding, go ask your father. I'm pretty sure I instantly fell back asleep as soon as the nurse gave me pain medicine. I remember freaking out when you coughed and appeared to be choking for the first time. Those first few days with you were the best memories I've made. 

I loved that first year. I kept telling my mom that every moment, every month was my favorite. I thought i'd love the little baby stage best, and then you'd grow into the next stage, and it instantly became my favorite, and then the next. 

You were the friendliest little girl at one year old. You would wave to everyone and get really sad when people wouldn't wave back. I knew you were going to be a people person. You never met a stranger. I pray that God will allow that gift to grow and that you'll be able to touch people every where life takes you.

I think you were the smartest two year old I had ever met. You started learning letters at age 2, all on your own. You were counting and your vocabulary was growing leaps and bounds. 

You were also proving to us how stubborn you would be. We started potty training you a few weeks before your 2nd birthday, and it took us the entire year to convince you to stop having accidents! I know that you come by your stubbornness honestly. I pray that you will continue your stubbornness as you grow older. Which, I may later kick myself for saying that, but I know that something great will come out of it! You stick to your guns once you've made up your mind, and I think that stubbornness will be an amazing gift when you're a teenager and you'll likely be pressured into trying things. I pray that you'll stay strong and say no.

I think you're 3rd year, may be my favorite so far. That year was full of change for our family and you handled it beautifully. Your daddy moved 12 hours away just a few weeks after you turned three. In fact, he almost missed your birthday. You and I became best buddies those first few months. I loved having that one on one time with just you. 

Your little sister joined us that year and then we moved to Tulsa. You had to leave behind the only life you knew, your friends, your church, your school. You learned to be a great big sister. Even though you did suggest that we vacuum your little sister up with the vacuum cleaner. I pray that you'll continue to love your little sisters and that you'll learn how to be a friend. I've been telling you lately, that your sisters will be your bridesmaids, and I know you probably don't understand right now, but I can't wait to see the three of you standing up in your weddings one day. 

Your love for football really grew during your fourth year. You started to understand the game and ask questions and you started to cheer. I know that makes your daddy proud.

You and daddy had a few date nights. I remember when he took you to the movie and you were so excited to go. I pray that daddy will always be the man in your life that you look up to. In fact, you told us the other night that you wanted to marry him. I know that you also want to marry Conner, a little boy in your class, and I know that it's a long time away, but I pray that you'll marry a man just like your daddy. A man that is a Christian, and that is kind and supportive, and the he'll love you even when you're all sorts of crazy. I pray that your husband will support your adventures no matter how crazy they may seem. 

Beyond that, I pray that you'll know God and that your daddy will be the best example of how our heavenly father loves us so much. Our God is so patient, and so full of grace, and I pray that you'll come to know God's grace. 

Your creativeness grew during  your 5th year. You showed us how much you loved to draw and color. Your knowledge grew and grew. I loved seeing what you learned at preschool. You had a best friend for the very first time, and I pray that you'll continue to have beautiful friendships throughout your life. 

You started kindergarten, and even though you were scared, you were so excited! I hope you'll carry that with you through life. 

I cannot wait to see what year 6 brings us! I know that at times I am so hard on you. Already, we argue like you are a teenager. Part of me dreads those years. I dread the arguments and the hurtful words that may spew out of your mouth. I know you won't mean them. I pray that we can teach you now how important it'll be to be a kind person, so that we can prevent any drama during those teenage years. 

You have a little boy that you have a major crush on right now. It breaks your daddy's heart. He may be the first boy, but he won't be your last. I pray that we'll find the positive as relationships end. 

Most of all, I pray that you'll love God. I know that He's given you all this personality so you can do something big for him. I pray you'll listen to him.

You are such a strong beautiful girl. 

I love every piece of you.

Happy Birthday!

By: Unknown On 05.20

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A Few Features

I wanted to do something a little out of the norm today! I'm so thrilled to share with you custom products from two boutique pages on facebook! Normally, I don't share pages or feature items that are similar to my own, but these ladies are spectacular and over the weekend, they were my saving grace!

 

I know you'll want to 'like' these pages and keep them in mind should you ever need (or want) these gorgeous products!

 

Kailah is the owner at All Tied Up Bowtique and I've watched her business grow over the last year and I'm in love with her work! Sometimes I feel like I have such little talent that it's all in my pinky finger, and these ladies blow me out of the water!

I am gushing over this Sofia the First dress that Kailah created! If Gretchen saw this dress, she would want it. She would beg for it, and she'd probably cry until I bought it for her!

For the last year, I had planned on Megan having a Mermaid birthday party for her 3rd birthday. It looks like Gretchen may end up with that theme instead, but seriously, isn't this tutu skirt to die for?!

Kailah also started designing these split design character dresses! She made this Alice in Wonderland theme dress and I just love how it turned out! Check out the matching hat as well!

 

Can you say talent?!

 

Ashley is the owner at Amanda Rose Chic Boutique, and again, she's such a talented lady!

I love these hooded towels for the pool! And, wouldn't they make the cutest Christmas gift? Megan has a lobster towel from Target, but it's not as special as these custom made towels. And, I just love hooded towels at the pool.

How cute is Ashley's daughter! I love her little tutu, shirt, and super over the top hair bow!

Ashley even creates birthday hats and matching shirts!

 

Imagine the possibilities!!!

 

Please check out these ladies on facebook and let them know that I sent you their way!

 

Before you go, you'll want to check out Vine & Ever as well!

 

Madison is the photographer that we use here in Tulsa for all of our family pictures, and she and her husband are adopting a baby! I've been so excited for them since she told me the news several months ago! She and her husband have finally made it official on her blog and on this new facebook page, and they are selling adorable "Hi" hooded sweatshirts!

100% of the proceeds will fund their adoption and after they have raised money for their own adoption, they will then begin to help raise money for other families! How awesome is that!

 

They also have adorable head cozies, and "Keep Calm" prints for sale!

 

Be sure to check out these amazing ladies and suppor them in their work!

By: Unknown On 05.00

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