{Thanks Traci for the title...you're the best! And thankfully, we didn't have to bundle our little spooks under snowsuits!}
10/31/09
Super Spooky Saturday!
{Thanks Traci for the title...you're the best! And thankfully, we didn't have to bundle our little spooks under snowsuits!}
10/30/09
Fantastic Fall Friday
{I just love it when I can make titles where all the words start with the same letter...have you noticed?}
I first saw the idea for these here. Since Halloween will be upon us tomorrow, I thought a more fallish, thanksgiving theme would be most appropriate. These took about 20 minutes and the hardest part by far was getting the label off! A little goo-gone though and we were good to go. The patterned paper and embellishments were from a digital kit I got here and printed out on cardstock.
I already have plans to give one away, but the second one is up for grabs. If you are interested, leave me a comment and I will send it your way...JUST FOR FUN AND BECAUSE I LIKE YOU!!
I first saw the idea for these here. Since Halloween will be upon us tomorrow, I thought a more fallish, thanksgiving theme would be most appropriate. These took about 20 minutes and the hardest part by far was getting the label off! A little goo-gone though and we were good to go. The patterned paper and embellishments were from a digital kit I got here and printed out on cardstock.
I already have plans to give one away, but the second one is up for grabs. If you are interested, leave me a comment and I will send it your way...JUST FOR FUN AND BECAUSE I LIKE YOU!!
10/28/09
Wednesday With Westynn
Well another week has passed and I am here once again, hi-jacking mom's blog to fill you in on what's been going on with me.
For starters, you might notice that I am smiling in this photo! I finally caved and decided that Mom has suffered enough. And, frankly, I am tired of her calling me a twirp! She really loves it when I smile at her and just to make her feel extra special, I have been talking back to her and laughing out loud when she makes funny sounds. She didn't even get mad this morning at 3:00 am when I wanted to talk and smile at her. I am really proud of her because she tried really hard to keep her eyes open, but I know she was tired, so I didn't keep it up for long.
In other weekly news, I had the unfortunate experience of getting my first round of vaccines.
Notice my sesame street band-aids? Yeah it was kind of hard getting this vaccine thing done. The nurse was really nice, even though she had to stick me three times. Twice in this thigh and once in the other. I guess it is to my advantage that I have plenty of "chub" to cushion the stick! Mom said I did really good and she was really impressed with how quickly I was back to my happy self. I was even smiling at her while she put my clothes back on. I hear I have to do this again in two months...NOT looking forward to that.
I think that about sums up my week....oh yeah, I forgot. I got to experience Preston's 6th birthday party and boy was it FUN!! I can't wait for Mom to throw me a party. She says I have to wait until I turn one and I say, why not when I turn, say 7 months? Isn't that reason enough to celebrate? I tried my best to talk her into it, but she told me to hold my horses. Ideas are already spinning for my first birthday party and she promises it will be a good one too!
Have a great week and I will see you next Wednesday!
P.S. I am going to be the cutest Pumpkin for Halloween! Be safe and have fun trick or treating...hope you get more treats than tricks!
10/27/09
Army Party - Part 2
After enlisting, getting their face paint put on and camo arm bands, the kids went about playing "army" until everyone arrived.
We invited 6 friends from school as well as our cousins and some of Mom & Dad's friends from OK. We had a total of 9 kids and boy did they have fun!
They had to line up for roll-call and learn to properly salute the General {that's me!!}. They got a huge kick out of me "yelling" at them.
The first basic training drill was the obstacle course.
1. Go through the tires.
2. Climb up the swingset and go down the slide.
3. Crawl under the net.
4. Run through the hula hoops.
{Somehow both photographers forgot to capture this part.}
5. Run into the tent and shoot down an army guy with the water gun.
6. Climb up and over the tires.
7. Run around the sandbox
8. Slap the general's hand.
After that we played water balloon target practice. Mom had taken such care to paint a perfect target and she and Jeremy spent about an hour filling up 100 water balloons on Friday afternoon. All of that and then the balloons wouldn't break. They had to be the toughest water balloons I have ever seen.
It ended up just being a free for all and before I knew what was happening, anarchy was upon me and the recruits were after me with water balloons. It was fun for everyone!
That concludes part 2. Part 3 will be pictures of presents and the ensuing aftermath of nerf gun madness! Feel free to keep following, or not!
Army party - Part 1
There are so many things that I want to share from Preston's birthday party on Saturday, that I am going to do it is small bits....so here's the first part, details.
The birthday boy!
Birthday Boy and his Aircraft Carrier cake!
The cake that I free-handed...and thankfully, Preston loved!
The cupcakes! No party is complete without cupcakes. The toppers were made on the computer, punched with my circle punch and then attached to toothpicks. Quick and easy, and super cute!
Army Water! {My father-in-law was most impressed with these!}
Army Guy Cut-out pointing the way to the party!
American Flags lead the way to Basic Training!
Flag and Birthday Banner Photo Op! {Each kid had their picture taken with Preston in front of the flag. We will send copies with their thank you notes!}
Canteens! The recruits LOVED these!
The Goody Bags!
We had a really cute Awards Ceremony at the end of the party where I presented them each with a medal, certificate of "Army Achievement", flag sticker and army tatoos!
Part II to come with pictures from the rest of the party!
The birthday boy!
Birthday Boy and his Aircraft Carrier cake!
The cake that I free-handed...and thankfully, Preston loved!
The cupcakes! No party is complete without cupcakes. The toppers were made on the computer, punched with my circle punch and then attached to toothpicks. Quick and easy, and super cute!
Army Water! {My father-in-law was most impressed with these!}
Army Guy Cut-out pointing the way to the party!
American Flags lead the way to Basic Training!
Flag and Birthday Banner Photo Op! {Each kid had their picture taken with Preston in front of the flag. We will send copies with their thank you notes!}
Canteens! The recruits LOVED these!
The Goody Bags!
We had a really cute Awards Ceremony at the end of the party where I presented them each with a medal, certificate of "Army Achievement", flag sticker and army tatoos!
Part II to come with pictures from the rest of the party!
10/22/09
Strength & Confidence
This post will not include pictures of my children...I know, hard to believe! But it does pertain to them.
Last night was a particularly rough one. Westynn has the same head cold that the big kids have, only problem is, he doesn't know how to blow his nose! I can't believe no one has figured out a way to teach a 2 month old to do this. I tried to suction it out, but most of it was too far up there to get...I know, gross, but true!
Needless to say, he was very restless all night and kept me up with him through most of it. Thankfully, I did get some good sleep from 10:15 to about 1:00 am. After that it all went downhill. And to top off the morning, I sat up in bed to change Westynn's diaper and as soon as I ran the wipe over his cute little hiney, the poop starting coming! All over me, my pajamas, the sheets, his little toes...It was everywhere!!!!
I am referring to it as the "diarhea shot" because that is a perfect description of what transpired. It was diarhea and it just shot out of him like a bullet! Okay, I am starting to feel better already, just getting this out there.
So, back to the real reason for my post. I didn't find this event to be quite so entertaining this morning at 6:00 when all I really wanted to do was to lay back down and try to snooze for another 20 minutes. Instead I am stripping the bed down to the mattress as well as myself down to my unmentionables. Westynn is just hanging out on the floor, half dressed, just as content as can be. Like he wasn't awake most of the night or that he just made a huge mess in my bed!
I was feeling quite sorry for myself...you know how it goes,
"Poor me. I'm tired. That poop is never going to come out of my sheets. I am soooo tired. I don't want to go to work with a fussy baby. Poor me."
As I sat down for breakfast at my desk {yes I eat at the desk so I can look over my to-do list for the day and refresh my brain of all that is to be done before bedtime} this little pink book was staring at me from under my computer monitor. It's called "God's Promises For Moms" and my mom gave it to me several years ago for Mother's day. It's tiny, not quite 3x5, so you can keep it with you.
I pulled it out from under the monitor and opened it up.
Chapter 1: Decision Making and Wisdom - not what I need this morning.
Chapter 2: Patience and Compassion - might fit the bill, but let's keep going.
Chapter 3: Forgiveness and Peace - that's not it.
Chapter 4: Strength and Confidence - Ah yes, this is what I am to read this morning.
Here's the prayer that I read followed by a verse, all of which turned my perspective on this day around 180 degrees and I felt ready to face the challenge of a day of sick, fussy kids with strength and confidence!
"I'm tired, Lord, and weak. Pull me into your strong arms and let me rest; if only for a moment. Renew my strength with the endless supply of your own. Bless me with the sure confidence that can come only from you. Lord, let that confidence be a witness to my children. Help them learn that when they feel tired and weak, you will strengthen and uphold them. Give them power to face life's challenges, but most of all, give them strength to live for you always - no matter what happens. Give my children the confidence that comes from knowing you are ever with them - guiding them, protecting them, and always, always loving them. Enable my children to share your love with the world each day as they live to honor you. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Powerful words that went right to the heart and soul of this momma!
"Pull me into your arms and let me rest; if only for a moment"...I found that moment there at my desk.
"Renew my strength with an endless supply of your own."....I felt strength return and I no longer felt exhausted and exasperated. I felt new and strong, but I know it is not my own strength, but His that filled me. Then the prayer turns to my children and the strength that He can give them.
My throat gets tight and my eyes get watery as I think about how on this Thursday morning, while there are so many other things going on around the world, things that seem so much more monumental and important than me, that God spoke to me through this little tiny book! Isn't it just amazing that He reaches out to us, even when we don't think we need Him, and lifts us up, right out of our circumstances and blesses us beyond measure? We most certainly do serve a Wonderful and Magnificent God!!
Last night was a particularly rough one. Westynn has the same head cold that the big kids have, only problem is, he doesn't know how to blow his nose! I can't believe no one has figured out a way to teach a 2 month old to do this. I tried to suction it out, but most of it was too far up there to get...I know, gross, but true!
Needless to say, he was very restless all night and kept me up with him through most of it. Thankfully, I did get some good sleep from 10:15 to about 1:00 am. After that it all went downhill. And to top off the morning, I sat up in bed to change Westynn's diaper and as soon as I ran the wipe over his cute little hiney, the poop starting coming! All over me, my pajamas, the sheets, his little toes...It was everywhere!!!!
I am referring to it as the "diarhea shot" because that is a perfect description of what transpired. It was diarhea and it just shot out of him like a bullet! Okay, I am starting to feel better already, just getting this out there.
So, back to the real reason for my post. I didn't find this event to be quite so entertaining this morning at 6:00 when all I really wanted to do was to lay back down and try to snooze for another 20 minutes. Instead I am stripping the bed down to the mattress as well as myself down to my unmentionables. Westynn is just hanging out on the floor, half dressed, just as content as can be. Like he wasn't awake most of the night or that he just made a huge mess in my bed!
I was feeling quite sorry for myself...you know how it goes,
"Poor me. I'm tired. That poop is never going to come out of my sheets. I am soooo tired. I don't want to go to work with a fussy baby. Poor me."
As I sat down for breakfast at my desk {yes I eat at the desk so I can look over my to-do list for the day and refresh my brain of all that is to be done before bedtime} this little pink book was staring at me from under my computer monitor. It's called "God's Promises For Moms" and my mom gave it to me several years ago for Mother's day. It's tiny, not quite 3x5, so you can keep it with you.
I pulled it out from under the monitor and opened it up.
Chapter 1: Decision Making and Wisdom - not what I need this morning.
Chapter 2: Patience and Compassion - might fit the bill, but let's keep going.
Chapter 3: Forgiveness and Peace - that's not it.
Chapter 4: Strength and Confidence - Ah yes, this is what I am to read this morning.
Here's the prayer that I read followed by a verse, all of which turned my perspective on this day around 180 degrees and I felt ready to face the challenge of a day of sick, fussy kids with strength and confidence!
"I'm tired, Lord, and weak. Pull me into your strong arms and let me rest; if only for a moment. Renew my strength with the endless supply of your own. Bless me with the sure confidence that can come only from you. Lord, let that confidence be a witness to my children. Help them learn that when they feel tired and weak, you will strengthen and uphold them. Give them power to face life's challenges, but most of all, give them strength to live for you always - no matter what happens. Give my children the confidence that comes from knowing you are ever with them - guiding them, protecting them, and always, always loving them. Enable my children to share your love with the world each day as they live to honor you. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Powerful words that went right to the heart and soul of this momma!
"Pull me into your arms and let me rest; if only for a moment"...I found that moment there at my desk.
"Renew my strength with an endless supply of your own."....I felt strength return and I no longer felt exhausted and exasperated. I felt new and strong, but I know it is not my own strength, but His that filled me. Then the prayer turns to my children and the strength that He can give them.
My throat gets tight and my eyes get watery as I think about how on this Thursday morning, while there are so many other things going on around the world, things that seem so much more monumental and important than me, that God spoke to me through this little tiny book! Isn't it just amazing that He reaches out to us, even when we don't think we need Him, and lifts us up, right out of our circumstances and blesses us beyond measure? We most certainly do serve a Wonderful and Magnificent God!!
"Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31
10/21/09
Party Plans
There are only two full days left to prep for the party of one PFC Preston Stapleton!!!
Yikes! I am starting to wonder if I set myself up for failure on this one. I have really high expectations for this party...hope I don't let myself down :). Really, I just want Preston to have a spectacular 6th birthday party and when he told me that I am the best mom for planning an army party for him, well that just makes me want to go the extra mile!
Last night was favor night. During the afternoon I worked on printing the bags {yes, that's right, I ran the lunch bags through my printer}. I like the way they turned out, once I let go of my perfectionism and decided that the kids wouldn't care about the "extra" ink that was getting on them.
Inside our bags are pencils
customized from oriental trading company, some green army men and some commander crunch! {I just came up with that, pretty cute!} It's actually just a snack mix of Crunch 'n Munch, M&M's, teddy grahams, mini oreos and a fall mix of mellow pumpkins and candy corn. Supper easy and supper yummy! I found the camo baggies in the dollar bin at Target back in the spring/summer.
These canteens won't actually go into the goody bags, because Preston wants to drink from them at the party and I think that happens to be a great idea. After they get a good soaking {pretty strong plastic odor} I will put their names on them, so their is no confusion on party day since there is so much sickness going around.
Today I worked on water bottles for the grown-up guests and sealing the goody bags. I think I am about to the point of waiting. Most of what is left is to set up the backyard for boot camp and to work on the cake and cupcakes. If time {and children} permit tonight I will be working on cupcakes picks that look like american flags.
Before I end this post, I have to share just a couple of pics of our birthday party at school. Preston shocked me by requesting brownies...it was a nice suprise though, because brownies are quick and easy.
This is Preston standing in front of the class while they sang Happy Birthday to him and gave him 6 birthday claps.
I know that Preston loves his sister because he was so excited to let her help pass out the treats and to sit by him at his table. He even let her walk beside him in line from the pep rally to his classroom. It was so cute to watch as a mother, but that's a post for another day.
So far, our 6th birthday celebration has been a fantastic one!
Please don't miss Westynn's Wednesday post...scroll down for it!
Wednesdays With Westynn
Two months old now! WOW!
Monday was my check-up day and I am one Healthy Boy! I weighed in at 13 lbs! That's almost double my birth weight....pretty good, don't ya think?
I am 22 1/4 inches long, which means I have grown 2 3/4 inches in two months. Not bad.
Dr. Canatta said that whatever I am eating must be agreeing with me! I sure do love to eat and I am rarely miss the opportunity for a meal.
My mom is really happy today because last night I slept for 5 HOURS before I woke up to eat! Then I ate, went right back to sleep and slept for 4 more hours. That means my mom was only up ONE time during the night! She was very happy today and I think this might have something to do with it.
I also think she is happy because I really like to hear her voice and give her lots of smiles. She thinks these are so cute, but she did call me a twirp today for not cooperating with her camera. I know she really wants a smile for her Wednesday pictures, but I think it is funny to just stare at her like she is crazy. I am secretly laughing on the inside!
Well, mom says not to hog the computer, she wants to post about the upcoming army party...she's such a party pooper! Have a great week and I will be back next Wednesday to be the cutest guest blogger on the internet!
Westynn Cole
10/18/09
6 years old!
Happy 6th Birthday to my precious firstborn! And just like you told me on Friday, I Love You more than 10 universes too!
We always have birthday cinnamon rolls on the morning of, whoevers, birthday since we rarely have a party that day. The kids look forward to it & I think their favorite thing is getting one with sprinkles & a candle, while the rest of the family sing happy birthday!
I don't know about you, but I love birthdays & the traditions we celebrate.
10/15/09
Cambree's Room
After a year of living in this house, Cambree's room still isn't complete. I don't think it bothers her much, but I sure will be glad to get it how I envisioned it when we moved here.
I had these mirrors in our bathroom at our other house, but didn't have enough wall space in the bathroom here, so they are above Cambree's dresser instead. Someday, she will love having so many places to look at herself! And the canvas paintings on the wall, well I just painted those one afternoon...I thought they would be cute. They sat on top of her dresser for entirely too long. But now they are pleasantly hanging in this little nook and I love them here.
New knobs for her dresser....no more red knobs in her pink room! She loves them & so do I!
It has been a huge dilemma for me trying to decide what to put above her bed. I wrestled with a vinyl rub-on or a large portrait. I couldn't find the perfect picture or decide what type of rub-on to use. One day at Hobby Lobby these rub-ons where half off and I decided to just go for it. Plus I have always loved this saying, "Thank heaven for little girls." The butterflies came from Company Kids many months ago and were on clearance for $11. It turned out to be about a $25 treatment above her bed. And I think it turned out pretty darn cute. Plus, my mom just can't get over these rub-ons and she just LOVES this above CJ's bed. Thanks to her for helping me get it all up.
Probably my favorite part of her room now is this...
This clock used to hang in my office at the other house, but again, no office here and no place to put it. CJ rescued it and fell in love with it, but it was one of the other things that just couldn't seem to find the "right" spot in her room. The other day when we were fixing up her room, she told Grandma that she wanted it under her window! I figured why not? It's her room and it's something that she loves. I am confident that it will be knocked off the wall multiple times.
All that's left is to get another wire flower from Hobby Lobby and to hang it and two shelves. Oh, and get some new curtains. The pink ones that were casting such a horrendous pink glow in her room have been taken down and will not be going back up. Her room is so much more pleasant now!
Boys room is next on the list!
I had these mirrors in our bathroom at our other house, but didn't have enough wall space in the bathroom here, so they are above Cambree's dresser instead. Someday, she will love having so many places to look at herself! And the canvas paintings on the wall, well I just painted those one afternoon...I thought they would be cute. They sat on top of her dresser for entirely too long. But now they are pleasantly hanging in this little nook and I love them here.
New knobs for her dresser....no more red knobs in her pink room! She loves them & so do I!
It has been a huge dilemma for me trying to decide what to put above her bed. I wrestled with a vinyl rub-on or a large portrait. I couldn't find the perfect picture or decide what type of rub-on to use. One day at Hobby Lobby these rub-ons where half off and I decided to just go for it. Plus I have always loved this saying, "Thank heaven for little girls." The butterflies came from Company Kids many months ago and were on clearance for $11. It turned out to be about a $25 treatment above her bed. And I think it turned out pretty darn cute. Plus, my mom just can't get over these rub-ons and she just LOVES this above CJ's bed. Thanks to her for helping me get it all up.
Probably my favorite part of her room now is this...
This clock used to hang in my office at the other house, but again, no office here and no place to put it. CJ rescued it and fell in love with it, but it was one of the other things that just couldn't seem to find the "right" spot in her room. The other day when we were fixing up her room, she told Grandma that she wanted it under her window! I figured why not? It's her room and it's something that she loves. I am confident that it will be knocked off the wall multiple times.
All that's left is to get another wire flower from Hobby Lobby and to hang it and two shelves. Oh, and get some new curtains. The pink ones that were casting such a horrendous pink glow in her room have been taken down and will not be going back up. Her room is so much more pleasant now!
Boys room is next on the list!
10/14/09
Wednesdays With Westynn
This little fella weighed in at 12 lbs on Friday! {My unofficial method here on the scales at home}.
As you can see, most of it is still in his cheeks...and starting to be in his thighs as well. It's adorable, I LOVE it!
One More Week
I have one more week left in my 21 day challenge to kick the soda habit.
I am not going to lie, it is has been brutal. With the lack of sleep around here, my entire being is screaming for some fuel to keep it going. I have to continually tell my brain that I am doing a GOOD thing here and that in time the cravings will subside and I will be better for this.
Here's the challenge...while I am doing well not giving into to the craving of soda, I am still craving the sugar!
ARGH! So that is one reason there was a random cake baking session the other day...I needed a sugar fix and what better way to have one than to have cake!
I really wanted some of these as well, but alas they have chocolate. But guess what? They are still pretty tasty when made "naked" aka without the chocolate. On my list of things to have when I am no longer restricted to the Westynn diet is the real thing here, the full version!
So, I have been thinking....
Would I be better off to just drink the soda and not have all the other stuff I have been substituting with OR do I forge ahead on the road I'm on and work on the sugar thing next month {or perhaps after the holidays :)}? Leave me a comment and let me know what you would do!
I am not going to lie, it is has been brutal. With the lack of sleep around here, my entire being is screaming for some fuel to keep it going. I have to continually tell my brain that I am doing a GOOD thing here and that in time the cravings will subside and I will be better for this.
Here's the challenge...while I am doing well not giving into to the craving of soda, I am still craving the sugar!
ARGH! So that is one reason there was a random cake baking session the other day...I needed a sugar fix and what better way to have one than to have cake!
I really wanted some of these as well, but alas they have chocolate. But guess what? They are still pretty tasty when made "naked" aka without the chocolate. On my list of things to have when I am no longer restricted to the Westynn diet is the real thing here, the full version!
So, I have been thinking....
Would I be better off to just drink the soda and not have all the other stuff I have been substituting with OR do I forge ahead on the road I'm on and work on the sugar thing next month {or perhaps after the holidays :)}? Leave me a comment and let me know what you would do!
Countdown
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE BEEN TOLD
PRESTON'S TURNING 6 YEARS OLD!
The countdown is on to the 6th birthday of one, Army Private Preston Stapleton!
Stay tuned for more as I get into full birthday operation mode!
10/13/09
Receiving & Creating
On Sunday, after church, our church family gave Westynn a small, but fantastic shower. It followed a wonderful meal of lasagna, salad and bread.
Westynn got some cute new clothes, a few books, some $$ and most importantly a highchair! I am so excited because I am already counting down the days until he is on solid foods!
I was also busy over the weekend finishing up some children's aprons. A friend requested these for Christmas presents for a few lucky girls in her family and I had such a wonderful time making them and I think they turned out pretty darn cute. They are in the mail Traci, you should be getting them soon!
Here's Cambree modeling them for me...
And one last thing before I head out for the night.
Yesterday Preston and Cambree were "wonely" so they called Grandma and Papa to come over and see them. I happened to be in the middle of making a cake at the time and when I finished icing it, Cambree wanted Papa to come see it and if he wanted a piece. Low and behold, when I looked around the corner this is what I saw.
They were licking the icing from the bowl and spatula! All before supper...but Cambree was having so much fun and I love that Papa is sporting her Bass Pro cap!
BUSTED!
Tomorrow is Wednesdays With Westynn...and I will gladly be taking suggestions for photo ops, because I am already running short of ideas. {Saturdays were so much easier!}
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