My Life's Miracles

If anyone is still reading my blog

2008-05-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been so long since I last blogged. It just has been the craziest month. My mom came to visit at the beginning of April and then I had a four day break that was completely crazy and then Drew's brother and their five children came to visit. It was tons of fun. We had seven boys under the age of nine running around. We had a blast. (I will post about this in a few days) Then we got sick, birthdays, callings, etc. etc. It just has been a little crazy but I am going to try to post a few things in the next couple of days. I have missed all my blogging friends. I hope you are still out there!! Thank you Katrina for the photo!

Crockpot reciepes

2008-04-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

I know summer is coming and crock pot cooking seems more for winter but I also love to use it in the summer because it doesn't heat up my house. Off the blog Today's Daily Dose I found a bunch of incredible crock pot reciepes. Check them out here and here. I just love the crock pot because it is simple and tastes great.

Do you have any great crock pot recipes to share?

Another Blog

2008-04-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well lately I have been on this craze to save grocery money. I have started the The Grocery Game. It is truly amazing. I have never gotten so excited to grocery shop each week. When I go to pay I feel like I'm in Vegas only the numbers are spinning backwards and the savings is going into my pocket!! It has been so much fun. Not only have I stayed within our buget but I have also added tons to my food storage. I have decided to start another blog about my savings adventures.

CVS Fabulous Finds *** Kroger Bargins

Can you guess how much I paid for all this??

If you have time check out my other blog here.

Have you found any bargins this week?

Launching Our newest project!!

2008-03-31T15:02:00.000-07:00

When we started the adoption process for the first time I really wanted to keep everything hush hush and then as time kept ticking away we started to spread the word more and more. I realized that we had a very positive outcome. Many family and friends were able to pass the word along. (and I always think you never know how or where that little word is going to go) So in an attempt to begin the process a little more open I wanted to share our latest creation with you. Drew and I have been spending day and night creating our new website to share with birthmothers. Our website is www.drewandmegan.com. Please take a few minutes and check it out. Please remember this was not done by a professional (after you look at it you might think we should have had a professional do it) but we just wanted to be able to write it and create it from our heart.

In honor of adoption I wanted to share this sweet poem:

Not flesh of my flesh

Nor bone of my bone,

But still miraculously

My own.

Never forget

For a single minute:

You didn't grow under my heart

But in it.
© Fleur Conkling Heyliger

Easter Week

2008-03-23T15:02:00.001-07:00

This Easter Drew and I decided to do something a little different (see my post below on a book called Christ Centered Easter.) We started on Palm Sunday (last Sunday) and did a little activity each night of the week to focus on the Savior. It has made such a difference. I truly felt the spirit. It was especially strong in our home the whole week.

Sunday night we discussed the last week of Jesus's life and made a timeline with these pictures. I also found clip art on the computer and made a coloring book that corresponds to the pictures on the wall (my kids were able to color the pictures all week long.)

Monday night we discussed the Easter Story ( I found one similiar on sugardoodle) with little visuals in the Easter Eggs. My kids absolutely loved this activity.

Tuesday and Wednesday night we discussed what a parable is and discussed different parables. The first parable was called the parable of the bicycle (a modern day parable) and the other was the Ten Virgins.

On Thursday we read a story called the Belayer (scroll down) and made these cute edible tombs. As we were reading the story I got really emotional and it was so sweet to see Derek do the same. I know that he felt the spirit. It was a touching experience for the whole family.

Friday we made Easter Story Cookies.
It is a fun activity and my boys really got the idea behind the resurrection.

On Saturday night we had a Jeruselum Dinner (lentil soup, flat bread, olives, grapes, nuts, cantaloupe, grape juice, etc. )and ate things that would have been available during Christ's time(in the future we will eat on the floor and won't use utensils but for now we did a modified version) and then we watched an Easter Dream.

This morning, Sunday before Easter Baskets we read this story called Jeremy's Egg.
This week was a wonderful experience that really brought us closer to the Savior.

After this week I think Easter has become my new favorite holiday. It was so great to incorporate some new traditions and make extra special memories for the whole family. I know next year we will do some of the same activities and create some new ones. I am excited for this new tradtion because I know the older my children get our discussion about the Savior will grow and our Easter Celebration Week will hopefully help us to continue to get to know him even better.

Best of Swap!

2008-03-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

I love swaps and I most recently participated in the Best of Swap! It was so fun. I traded with another girl Shannon from Utah. I had her and she had me. We had to send each other the Best of our City and State. I sent her some fun stuff from Tennessee like toffee from the Nashville Toffee Company, Tennessee T-cakes (that Oprah loves!), CD of country music, Colts chocolates and few other fun items. Shannon was from Provo, Utah and sent me some really fun things like BYU paraphernalia, Jazz pencils, Lion House rolls, honey, fry sauce (which I love!) and green jello (which was very funny). It was a great swap. Thanks to Kristen for setting it up!

This is what I sent

and this is what I received. It was so much fun! I love getting packages and getting to know new people.

Have you been in any fun swaps lately?

My Little Man

2008-03-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

I finally took Owen to get his two year old picture taken. He is very shy and didn't want to pose but finally after a little while he warmed up and we managed to get one good shot. I usually spend a bundle but since Owen wasn't cooperating I spend the fewest amount of dollars ever on pictures! New pictures just make me so happy. He sures looks like a little man and not a little baby!

Snowy Saturday!

2008-03-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

This is what we woke up to on Saturday morning. We usually don't get very much snow here in Tennessee. It was really beautiful and the best part is, it only lasted one day!! The whole neighborhood came over into our backyard because there is a huge hill that is perfect for sledding. The boys had a blast! It was so fun to watch. However, I am now offically ready for Spring to come!

Happy Belated Birthday Dr. Seuss!

2008-03-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

Well March 2nd was Dr. Seuss's birthday and Derek's class has been celebrating all week with today being the pinnacle. Derek's class had a read-a-thon and they could come dressed in costume or PJs. Derek chose the costume and gave me one day notice to get it together. I think it looks pretty good, thanks to safety pins and liquid stitch (my kind of sewing!)

What last minute projects have you been working on?

Exciting News!

2008-03-06T14:39:00.001-08:00

Finally after six years and just a few days shy of seven months Derek lost his first tooth. We have been waiting and waiting for this day to come. It was exciting, unexpected and I am so happy it happened at home so we could share it!

What exciting moments have you experienced lately?

Great, Super, Awesome Resource!

2008-02-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

I bought this book last year and just recently had time to read it over. It is such an amazing book full of wonderful ideas for Easter Week. I just have to pass it along to all my friends. The author ispired me with her words, "For years I felt that our family's Easter celebration was as hollow as the chocolate bunnies we devoured on Easter morning. All my life I had been told that the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the most sacred and significant events in all creation. If that is true, I reasoned, then shouldn't Easter, the commemoration of those events, be the highlight of our year?" I am definately going to incorporate some of their ideas to make Easter more meaningful at my home instead of the focus be on having Easter Egg hunts and eating Chocolate bunnies. It is full of wonderful activities and stories and scriptures to fill your spirit. There are wonderful ideas in this book that can be fun but help your children have a better understanding of Christ and the reason why we celebrate Easter. The book begins with ideas starting on Palm Sunday and going each day until Easter arrives. You can order this book here.

My little man turns two!

2008-02-25T06:10:00.000-08:00

Born not from our flesh but born in our hearts, you were longed for and wanted and loved from the start, conceived from a blessing sent straight from above, our very own son at last home to love.

All babies are special from the start and my little Owen has an extra special place in my heart. After the birth of my first son Derek I came down with a very rare condition called PPCM. The doctors informed me it could be very dangerous to have another biological child. At the time being young & twenty-six, having a husband in law school, no real income, living away from family it was extremely scary, painful, and heart breaking at times. Thankfully, my heart has healed completely but it is still dangerous to have more children. However, it is true what they say that time is a great healer. I have also found that when we face what we feel to be the greatest trial or adversity, the Lord is always there to comfort us and provide a way that we never saw before. When Derek was about two we decided it was time to begin the adoption process. We knew long before then that this was going to be a wonderful opportunity & the right direction for us to go but the timing wasn't right until Derek was two (or so I thought). Two years after sumitting our paperwork we were still waiting and had many disappointing moments along the way. I decided to go back to work. I really couldn't take it anymore. I needed to preoccupy my mind & time with other things. Well, when you create one plan the lord always has something else in store for you. In November of that year I received an email that a baby boy was going to be born in California. Within days we were in contact with the birthmother and I was very nervous. As an adoptive parent you never know when they might change their mind. As the next couple of months progressed we had a feeling that this was it. Owen's birthmother was amazing and wonderful to us. She made the whole experience extremely precious. She called me almost every step of the way. She walked into the hospital and told everyone that this was Drew and Megan's baby and that we were on are way from Texas. We had some very tender moments in the hospital. I will forever be grateful to her.

Derek & Owen truly have been the greatest blessings and joys of my life. They alone have healed my broken heart.

This is when we were sealed as a family in the Salt Lake Temple.

Owen when he turned one!

The two year old Thomas the Train celebration!

We opened gifts and had breakfast in the morning and celebrated in the afternoon at Chucky Cheese. Owen loves all the rides and had a great time.

We came home and celebrated with a Thomas cake. Owen was a very happy two year old!

We sure do love our little O!

Valentine's Parties

2008-02-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

This month has flown by. We have been so busy. I am glad to finally get in some blogging time. It has been a fun month mixed with parties, visitors and unfortunately a little sickness. But we are on the mend and I am back to blogging. At the beginning of the month Drew and I had a little couples Valentines Party with some friends in the ward. We invited people we knew well and some that we want to get to know better. It was a ton of fun.

I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to decorate my house and make it feel fun and festive. We served Pork Tacos and had a whole Mexican themed dinner and dessert. We played some fun games. I made up a game where people saw a picture of a famous couple and then had to say their names. It was so fun. The winner got a prize because I think parties are always more fun with prizes. Then we played my version of the Newlywed Game. It was great. We literally laughed for three hours straight. As party favors I made these cones and filled them with trinkets and candy.

These are some of our fun friends at the party!

It was such a fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day. We will definately do it again!

*****************************************************

The next week we had a party at school and then a little family party. Derek and his grandma, who was visiting from Utah!

They played a fun game where the kids had to take a spoonful of conversation hearts and walk to the otherside of the room and fill a heart dish. They had two teams and it was a race. If some hearts fell on the floor they had to pick them up and go back and start all over! They had a blast. It was so fun to be there with Derek and see him enjoying himself. I forgot to dress him in red I don't know what I was thinking!!

We had a little party with our family that night. I like to buy a little gift and candy for each person and put it by their plate. It was a lot of fun. Drew sent me these wonderful roses.

These are the fun gifts we made for my parents and sent them for Valentines. The boys had so much fun putting their handprints on the apron. I made a bag for my MIL and put the boys handprints on the back. It turned out really cute.

Fun Chick Flick!

2008-02-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

Last night I got a much needed girls night out! YEAH! We went and saw 27 Dresses. I must say I wasn't expecting much and it turned out to be so cute and fun! Really a must see this Valentine's season. Katherine Heigel has been driving me crazy on Grey's Anatomy (before the writer's strike) so it was fun to see her in this! I also love James Marsden. It was very fun, light, and surprisingly very clean .

Heaven on Earth!

2008-01-27T16:31:00.000-08:00

I think my husband is trying to sabotage my New Year's resolution of trying to eat healthier. I found this ice cream in my freezer today and just decided to try a little bit. Delish! I have never seen it or heard of it. It is so yummy! What new grocery store finds have made it to your house?

Hopefully none as sinful!

Not much but we gotta make do with what we got!

2008-01-22T18:34:00.000-08:00

I have really been the worst blogger lately. Things have finally started settling down from the holidays but it takes awhile to get back in the swing of things. Does anyone else feel like the holidays zapped their energy??

It has been so cold in Tennessee lately. I know it hasn't been Utah or Idaho cold but cold for us and I hardly ever get cold! The other night we even got snow and Derek was so excited he had to make a snowman! I'm glad he did because by mid morning the next day it was melted!

Last week I got to go on another field trip with Derek to see Juno B. Jones the musical. It was interesting to say the least but the kids loved it and I was so happy to be with him. It makes me sad to think in a couple of years he probably won't even want me to come anywhere close to his school but for now he just gets so excited! This is his little friend Alex. Derek tells me she loves boy things. I guess so because she only invited Derek and one other boy to her birthday party!

Kids say the funniest things. The other day Derek asked Drew why dads had the Priesthood and moms don't? Drew tried to give a simple explanation. He said well moms do other things. Derek thought for a minute and then said like blogging and shopping? Gotta love 'em!

2008-01-14T07:39:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Rochelle I remembered to watch Masterpiece Theater last night. They are airing the complete Jane Austen Collection. Next Sunday they will be airing Northanger Abbey . This week they began with Persuasion. It was amazing. I loved it! It was so nice to watch an enjoyable romantic clean movie! Jane Austen was such an amazing author!

What shows/movies have you been watching?

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T20:43:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone! We had a great time last night. We went out with some friends to Texas Roadhouse. It was yummy! Everything was so crowded I couldn't believe it. Then we went and saw this amazing, funny, great movie called Juno. I like to call this type of movie a dramady. I really loved it! It was so well written and acted! A rare thing for Hollywood these days! The main actress Ellen Page is amazing! She got a nomination for a Golden Globe and I sure hope she gets an Oscar nod!

What fun thing did you do to bring in the New Years?

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

2007-12-28T19:20:00.000-08:00

I have been so far behind in my blogging. I'm trying to get caught up. Here is Christmas Eve & Christmas!

Our matching jammies!

Putting out the reindeer food & cookies for Santa!

*Christmas Morning*

Our new cool cars!

We have the tradition of everyone receiving a new ornament for something they did that year. Derek got a little football player.

After about 45 minutes Owen finally got out of the car to open some presents! It took a little while but he finally got into it!

It was a great day with many fun memeories! I hope you had a wonderful holiday too!

Derek exploring the backyard with his new wheels!

Gingerbread Houses!

2007-12-28T17:06:00.000-08:00

Decorating the gingerbread houses has always been a family tradition. When I was little my mom use to make her own gingerbread and cut out the pattern for houses. We would also make little gingerbread men and women. We would decorate them. It was one of my favorite family traditions. I'm so happy to carry it on with my boys. Only now I take the easy way out and buy the boxed kits at Sam's.

They had so much fun adding (I mean eating) the decorations.

The finished project!

ICE ICE BABY!!

2007-12-27T13:29:00.001-08:00

The Opryland Hotel has an amazing ICE exhibit every year! This year they did How The Grinch Stole Christmas! It was so fun, amazing and cold. It was only 9 degrees the whole time. We had a couple of layers on. Every picture that you see was made out of ice (except for us, of course but we felt like ice).

I could not believe all the detail and the colors. It was amazing.

They even had ice slides for the boys to go down. Owen got stuck.

At the end they had an amazing ice nativity. The pictures don't even do it justice. I have never seen anything like it.

Afterwards we warmed up with hot coco and homemade smores and this cute little shop!

Party!

2007-12-27T13:17:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged forever. December has just flown by! We had company, then got sick and then had all those busy December things going on. I'm going to back track a little mostly just to document the things we did this month. It wa so much fun and so busy!

First, we had a ward Christmas breakfast instead of the traditional Christmas dinner. It was fun and different.

The nursery acted out the nativity. They really didn't do much acting but they all looked really cute. Owen was a wiseman!

The next week we had Derek's school party. They had different stations and the kids got to make an ornament and decoration a cookie. Then they played a game. It was so fun and Derek was so excited to have me at his party, which made me feel so happy!

There is his cute teacher. She looks like she could be Derek's older sister!

Little Christmas Gift ideas

2007-12-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

I know this is long but it is an awesome tradition!

Gifts for the Savior
Scott and Angelle Anderson, “Gifts for the Savior,” Ensign, Dec. 1997, 58–59

One December we gathered our family together for a family meeting. We asked our 11-year-old son how it would be if on his birthday the family members gave presents to everyone but him. He didn’t like that idea at all. We went on to ask if there was a holiday when we gave gifts to others but not to the person whose birthday we were celebrating. It didn’t take the children long to realize we were talking about Christmas. That year, however, we wanted to make Christmas more meaningful by giving gifts to the Savior, whose birthday we were celebrating. Three-year-old Laralyn headed to her room and returned carrying her favorite doll. “Daddy, could I give my dolly to Jesus?” she asked. We explained that the Savior knew of her willingness to give him her most prized possession and that he would want her to take care of the dolly for him. She was delighted and said, “I love giving gifts to Jesus!” By now our older children had become more reflective. What could they give the Savior? We discussed what he would want. We talked about how he had paid for our sins and wanted us to give them up. We talked about how he would want us to give of ourselves through service and sharing our talents. Gifts could also include being more obedient in such areas as journal writing, scripture reading, and keeping the commandments. We put a little white box on the fireplace mantle and asked our family members to write their gifts on slips of paper and place the slips in the box. Then we explained that on Christmas morning, before all of the other gifts were opened, we would have family prayer and then share with each other the gifts we were giving to the Savior for the coming year. As the years have come and gone, the tradition of the white box has helped our family focus on the real meaning of Christmas and on our love and gratitude for the Savior.

Gift Idea for Children
(give out on Dec. 13th or 14th)

Did you know that Santa Claus chews gum everyday?
And that Santa blows bubbles in his sleigh!
Only twelve more days tell Christmas, it is coming fast
so plan carefully to make your blubble gum last.
A piece of gum everyday is all that you should chew
and with every bubble that you blow think of my Christmas wish to you.

Gifts for neighbors and friends

(attach to a candle)

Light a Christmas Candle
To Remind You of the Star
That Guided Humble Shepards
And Wisemen from Afar
May it's Light Still Lead You
As You Journey on Your Way
And Bring Thoughts of our Savior
Throughout Your Christmas Day

(attach with a bag of candy)
(sung to the tune of Jingle Bells)

Dashing from the mall,
with groceries yet to buy;
lessons, work and housecleaning,
life is so crazy! Why?

Bells on our phone ring;
the machine will take the call,
we have no time for family or friends,
it drives us up the wall

How are you? How’s your life?
We really want to know.
We’d love to chat and hear the news,
but please don’t talk too slow.

How are you? How’s your life?
We really want to know.
Hope you’re ready for Christmas,
now maybe it will snow.

A day or two ago,
we thought we’d make a treat,
for all our special friends.
a Christmas gift to eat.

Our intentions were top notch,
but our schedules would not budge,
hence, here’s this years edition,
of homemade Christmas fudge.

(attach to a bag of muffin mix)

You're getting
"muffin" for
Christmas!

Let the Birthday Celebration Begin!

2007-12-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

As a kid I use to love birthday parties especially mine. I do have to say though getting older isn't half bad when you get a week long celebration!

My birthday Celebration began last Monday when this cute Christmas plate arrived in the mail from my wonderful friends Michelle and Laura. Isn't it adorable? I just love it.

Then Thursday my new friends from Tennessee took me and two other birthday girls out for a little birthday lunch at my favorite lunch spot.

Zoe's birthday was on the 8th, mine the 9th and Christina was on the 6th.

I love how Owen is eating ice cream and holding a piece of lettuce.

Friday my husband sent me two dozen red roses! I absolutely love getting flowers delivered!

Friday night one of my best friends Lauren from elementary school came for a weekend visit. She is the best! I laughed so hard the whole weekend! It was so much fun.

Friday night we went to this awesome place called the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. It is a small cafe where you can listen to up and coming singer/songwriters. Many stars over the years have performed here.

Saturday we went and had a little lunch at the Loveless Cafe another hot spot around Nashville. They had the best biscuits I have ever tasted.

Saturday night Lauren wanted to see the Nashville Nightlife. Let's just say that is way out of my element. I don't drink and usually avoid these types of places. But it was so much fun and we had a great time dancing to the

Colley Jones Band.

Sunday was my actual birthday and it was great. I went to church, took a nap, my husband cooked an amazing dinner complete with coconut cream pie. After dinner we headed to the Opryland and got to see all the amazing Christmas lights and they had this wonderful outdoor Nativity (and you all know how much I love Nativities).

Yesterday morning we made a quick stop to the Pancake Pantry and I had the best breakfast of my life. I had an amazing omelet. But I wish I had take a picture of the chocolate chip pancakes Lauren ordered they looked amazing. (and I don't even like breakfast!)

This weekend my hubby is taking me on a special date. I can't wait!! Getting older isn't half as bad as I thought it would be!!

Choo-Choo- The Polar Express Here We Come!

2007-12-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was our annual trip on the polar express. My kids love it and we have done it the past three years. I was so happy when we moved to Tennesee and found that we would be able to carry on the tradition. This year was really fun. The night before we watched the movie and everyone opened their new pajamas.

Then the next morning we got up for the ride. We went with some friends from church and had a great time. This trip was a little different than the last one in Texas. We got to sit in the eating car and buy treats. We also stopped off in a town for about an hour and a half. The town had set up bounce houses, book walk, sit on Santa, a choir and booths. It was really cute.

The Elves greeted us as we boarded the train. Owen wasn't too excited to get up early.

Our new friends The Cluffs went with us.

The train conductor read the story of the Polar Express and then they had a magician aboard the train.

The town had a really cute activity. It was like a cake walk but instead the kids got to pick out a book.

Two visits with Santa made the trip complete!

What fun traditions do you have?

My little addiction!

2007-11-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

I just love Christmas time. Everyone seems to be happy, we are often thinking of others, it's my birthday this month, we bake, etc., etc. I don't even mind the decorating. Christmas does however bring out one of my addictions. I am addicted to Nativities. They are all over my house and I just love decorating with them. I tend to buy them all year long. Lately, however I don't just want any Nativity. I like it to be unique or have some special meaning. Since I can't invite you all over to my house (wish I could) I thought I would just share some of my favorites and why I love them.

This is the first nativity Drew and I received as a married couple. My brother and sister in law went on vacation to Israel and brought it back for us.

The first Christmas Drew and I were married we went to Europe. We were on a limited budget so we only bought a few souvenirs. This one came from a small town in Germany.

When we lived in Tucson, Arizona we would go down to the boarder towns in Mexico and I picked up this little tin nativity.

It helps to have a birthday in December. Nativities are almost beginning to be a staple gift from my mother and husband and I absolutely love it. Drew bought this Lladro nativity for my 30th birthday. See the Lladro of my dreams below!

My husband surprised me with this Jim Shore Nativity one year for Christmas. I love his work and was so excited.

My friends Laura and Michelle gave me this pewter nativity last year for my birthday. I love that those girls know me so well that they combined my two loves, nativities and pewter.

My mom gave me this cute little nativity by Mary Engelbreit. It has little kids acting out the nativity. My mom has also been helping me collect the willow tree nativity. It is large and has a number of pieces. I hoping this year it will be complete! (hint, hint mom)

My mom even found these cute nativity stocking holders for my birthday last year. I just felt like they went perfectly.

I found this one just a few weeks ago at a craft fair. It is the holy family made out of wooden spindles. I thought this was so clever and unique. I had to have them!

These are some of my favorites because my kids can play with them. The first one the kids move a bead each day starting the first day of December. I really love the advent nativity calendar.

On Executive Homemaker there is a cute activity where you can wrap up twelve pieces of the nativity and have the kids open one each day and read a poem with it.

I also found the cutest craft we are going to make this year. I wish I could post the picture but it won't let me. Check it out. It is a graham cracker nativity. It looks really easy to make. I know my kids will have a great time.

This is the Nativity of all Nativites in my mind. This Lladro Nativity is the nativity of my dreams!! At least I have my dreams!

What are your addictions, I mean things that you like to collect?

Thanksgiving

2007-11-29T13:08:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was so much fun this year. We had two families from the ward over so that made a total of 13 people. The day before Thanksgiving Derek made these cute little turkies that I got off of Kelly's site (a fellow blogger). It was such a cute idea and so easy. We really had a great time and it was nice to only have to cook a few items but get to taste everything. The adults also played my favorite game called compatibility. It is so much fun. I am so glad my friend Michelle introduced me to it. The kids really played well which made it even more enjoyable! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.

The kids had their table and the adults had their own table.

Black Friday did not disappoint!

2007-11-26T05:50:00.000-08:00

Black Friday turned out to be very fun and worthwhile this year. This year I awakened at 3:50 a.m. so that I could be at Toys R Us by 4:30ish. At the beginning I was a little disappointed because Drew usually likes to go with me and we have a great time going together. However, this year I didn't really feel like hiring a babysitter (I figured the dollars we would save on the items would have just ended up going to a sitter, making it not really worth it for both of us to go). Luckily, there are some fun girls in my ward that love to go together every year and asked me to join them. I met one of them at Toys R Us. The other two girls hit Sam's club this year because they had an amazing deal on the Wii and they both got it!! So I started at Toys R Us and bought for myself and one of the other girls that was at Sams. This is the smartest way to do Black Friday. Send each person to a different store and that person buys for everyone. That way you get most of the good deals but don't have to go everywhere. Toys R Us was packed!! It was hard to get around but for me that is what makes it fun (I guess it is the madness of it all) The funny thing is that I try to get all my shopping done by December 1st because I hate crowds. (The only day I don't mind is Black Friday). I also buy for my nieces and nephews birthdays throughout the year. I also sometimes buy extra for birthday party gifts. After Toys R Us, we hit Target and then the Mall. We were done about nine and then all went to breakfast. It was a blast. After breakfast I felt recharged (I guess it was the diet coke) so we went to Sam's and Costco. I didnt' have anything in mind but just felt like continuing to shop.

These are some of the great deals I got this year.
I got buy one power ranger for $9.99 and get two free.

I got buy two get one free of Thomas Trains

This is normally $15.00 on amazon and I got it for $6.99.

I got each Hanna Montana doll for $7.00 they are normally around $16 dollars.

I got this game for $9.00. I think it is normally around $20.00.

I won't keep boring you will all the deals. But they were a bunch of others. The stores have been having some amazing deals the past two months. It has been great. I have had so much fun shopping. Now I'm hoping to just sit back and enjoy the month of Decmeber (ya right)!

What great deals have you been finding?

Fun Thanksgiving Game!

2007-11-20T15:25:00.000-08:00

Derek brought this cute game home from school today. I thought I would share with everyone because it would be fun to play the next couple of days. Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry it is crooked, that is how it was on the original.

Martina McBride - In My Daughter's Eyes (LIVE)

2007-11-14T13:44:00.001-08:00

So today I went to Gymboree with Owen like we always do on Wednesday morning and I see this women. She has a little girl and I have never seen her before. Well, Owen and I keep playing and I don't really think about it until we sit down to play and I look at her again and think to myself she looks like Martina McBride. I think to myself that has to just be someone that looks like her. Well, I got so curious that after class I asked the Gymboree leader what that mom's name is and she said, "Oh that's Martina McBride, she comes every week. She even came last week before the CMA." Well, I can't believe I have never noticed her but she is one of my favorite country singers and I can't believe we are in the same Gymboree class!This is one of my favorite songs. I love livin in Nashville! First,Naomi and now Martina, I'm just waiting to run into Faith now.

Memphis here we come!

2007-11-14T13:24:00.001-08:00

This last weekend we took a trip to Memphis. It was so much fun. I loved visiting Graceland and learning more about Elvis Presley. I really didn't have much desire to know about him but he really was a pretty amazing person. I choose this song because Elvis loved gospel music and actually won three grammys for gospel songs. I was a little surprised the house was not bigger but it was on a beautiful piece of property. It is just sad he lived a short life. He abused prescription drugs because he thought if it was written by a doctor it was o.k. Kind of sad.

This is a fun link about Elvis and the book of mormon. Who knows if it is true. Apparently some people are making a movie about it. I haven't decided weather that is interesting or weird!

We also visited Shilo a Civil War battle site. It was so beautiful. It is really fun to learn about so much history.

Just close the little x in the white box to make it go away. Please forgive me I misspelled cemetery.

Halloween Fun

2007-11-06T06:41:00.000-08:00

I love Halloween and I love dressing up. My mom's birthday is right around Halloween and it is her favorite holiday. She always made a big deal about it growing up. Recently Derek and I have begun to discuss our Halloween costumes in August. My husband Drew thinks we are crazy but he is always a good sport about dressing up. These are a few of the costumes we have done in the past.

Derek's first Halloween. We were clowns.

This year I was a princess, Drew a king and Derek a dragon.

Last year we went as Star Wars characters. I was princess Leia, Drew Han Solo, Derek was Anakin and Owen was Chewy.

This year after much discussion we finally settled on characters from Toy Story 2. Owen was Woody, Derek was Buzz, I was Jessie and Drew was Stinky Pete.

We had a ward Halloween Carnival and Trunk or Treat. It was so much fun. They had a dinner, booths for the kids, a costume contest, and a Michael Jackson Thriller performance by the youth. The party finished up with Trunk or Treat. It was so much fun!

My mom loves Halloween so much that this year she wanted to be here for Halloween. We had a great time with her here.

It was so much fun. I kind of get sad when it is all over. It doesn't last long because I know Christmas is just around the corner.

Our Little Family Halloween Party.

2007-11-05T06:18:00.000-08:00

Every Monday evening of the year we try to have family night. We teach a lesson, sing songs, play games, do fun activities, etc. Well every year on the Monday before Halloween we usually invite another family over and have a little party. The kids always have a great time. This year we order pizza, breadsticks and had a salad. Then we cranked up the Halloween Music and the boys and men began to carve their pumpkins.

The kids danced to the music (especially little Owen, he loves music so much)

This year I decided instead of just making carmel apples. I would get a bunch of toppings and let the kids create their own. We had gummy worms, toffee bars, Reese's pieces, etc.

The Whole Gang.

The Final Product.

Yes, that is a U of U in that pumpkin. What can I say, my husband is obsessed.

Derek's Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

2007-11-05T06:01:00.001-08:00

This was a great field trip. I love the fall and I love pumpkin patches. They had tons of things for the kids to do. First we went on a hay ride.

The kids got to hear a story and pick their pumpkins.

They had a great barn maze with a cool spider web that they made. I tried to get a good picture of it.

They had tons of baby animals at this pumpkin patch. They had two calves, three little pigs (who knew pigs could be so cute), goats, horses, etc.

It was a great time and I'm so glad I got to spend some time with Derek and his class. It was a wonderful day.

I got tagged!

2007-10-27T05:49:00.000-07:00

I got tagged by Michelle (who threatened my life if Ididn't follow through- just joking) to write seven random facts about myself. So here it goes.

1. I have six friends from Chicago (where I grew up) that I still keep in touch with from high school (a few from elementary school). None of them are LDS and we have a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Since graduation our lives have gone in many directions (some have moved, some have married, some are single)but we have still remained such good friends. Over the years we have visited each other. They all wrote me on my mission, some came to my homecoming, visited me in college, they all came to my wedding (even though they couldn't enter the temple obviously), one visited me after the birth of my first son and they all came to see me after the adoption of Owen. We don't talk every week or month but we have a bond that I know at this point will never be broken. I love these girls -Diane, Sonal, V, Lauren, Amy and Meg.

All of us at Billy Bob's in Texas! I'm the one in the blue shirt!

2. Lately, I have been obsessed with reruns of the 80s soap opera Dallas. I watch it almost everyday or Tivo it. Sometimes I watch two epsiodes a day! Sad huh? It all started when my six friends from high school came to visit me over Labor Day 2006 in Texas (when I was still living there) and we went to Southfork Ranch. It was so much fun. I remember my parents watching it while growing up but couldn't remember the story lines. I remember it being an adult show. It's funny how times change. This show is mild compared to the things on TV now! Well, this summer I saw it on Soapnet and they were starting at the beginning and now everyday they play it and I'm hooked! I'm on season 6 only seven more to go! I have no idea what I will do with my days after it ends!!

3. I hate Chocolate (except for milk chocolate candy bars)! Brownies, chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, frosting, chocolate milk, etc. I can't stand it. I think it tastes gross. I really tend to crave more salty foods like chips & salsa, fries, popcorn, etc. I wish, because of this, I could say it has helped me to become a size 2, but, I have just found other things to fill my tummy with!

4. I love Diet A& W rootbeer. I try not to drink more than one or two a day but I just love the taste!

5. I love watching the Star Wars movies (the old ones not the new). I guess it is just the classic good vs. evil. I can watch them over and over again and never get tired of them. I'm thankful I have two sons who are beginning to follow in there mother's footsteps! My hubby doesn't care for them as much as I do. I guess because I grew up with three brothers we watched these all the time. They bring back good memories.I just love Han Solo. I still have a crush on Harrison Ford!

6. I love surprises! My latest surprise was last Saturday. The kids, hubby and I were going out to celebrate him passing the bar. My husband said he was craving a burger and wanted to go to Ruby Tuesdays (that really wasn't my idea of a celebration) but I didn't say a word. My husband started driving and we passed Ruby Tuesdays but we had to pick up something downtown so I figured we were doing that first. Well, 15 minutes later he pulled into Cheesecake Factory (my favorite restaurante) to celebrate there. Just an added note to make it extra special he doesn't care for the Cheesecake Factory at all!

7. Lastly, I have never been one for late nights. Even in high school I would have my friends drop me off at 10:30 or 11:00 because I just felt like going to bed. I really didn't care what was going on. In college I would never cram all night for finals. I would go to bed at 8 and wake up at 4:00 a.m. Even to this day I tend to go to bed early.

According to instructions I'm suppose to tag 7 people and have them write 7 random facts about themselves and tag 7 others so here it goes. I had fun doing it but don't feel like you have to. I know these tag things can get old after awhile.

1. Julianne
2. Katrina
3. Debbie
4. Julie
5. Wendi
6. Mary
7. Stevens girl

We got Booed!

2007-10-25T15:00:00.001-07:00

We were driving up to our house the other day and Derek screamed, "We got Booed!" I was thinking what are you talking about. On our front door step was this cute bag filled with fun stuff.

This cute poem was inside:

Boo

To our good friends on our street

Our homes locations made us meet

You now have been "booed", but who could we be?

We'll never tell. It's a secret you see!

We placed these goodies for you and yours.

Then we ran fast after knocking the door!

Happy Halloween!

Place this Boo on your front door

And make sure you "boo" two neighbors of yours.

We of course had to boo two neighbors. It was so much fun and the kids had a great time picking out the stuff to put in the boo bag!

Ringing the door bell and running away!

Better Late than Never

2007-10-25T14:50:00.001-07:00

This was my first blogging swap and I had so much fun putting it together. My witch switch package finally arrived. I think maybe it got lost in the mail. My cute witch sister Michelle sent all these fun things.

These are the fun things I sent to my witch switch sister Sally. It was so much fun. I definately would like to do it again next year.

Super Craft Night!

2007-10-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

Each year at our church we have a super craft night. This past weekend we had ours. It was so fun. We made some fun things. We had a lite dinner of soups and bread. It was a great night. These are the things that I made.
A family wall plaque.

Teacher clipboard for Derek's teacher.
A family home evening of 12 lessons on the different virtues.
A set of four cards with my initial. This is an example of one.

O Happy Day!

2007-10-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

After moving to Tennessee this past spring my husband had to take on the terrible task of studying for the bar in Tennessee. We already lived through this experience four years ago and it wasn't fun then. However, because of the new job in a new state it was required for him to pass the Tennessee Bar. After many long evenings, Saturdays, and many many hours, weeks and months of studying this past summer Drew passed the Bar!! Yeah! I'm very happy for him. He is such a hard working husband and does so much for me and the kids. I'm so happy to have him in my life! Congrats honey!

Our Trip to the Smokie Mountains!

2007-10-19T07:05:00.001-07:00

My in-laws were in town for the past week and we had a great time. We took a weekend trip to the Great Smokie Mountains. We had a wonderful time. It is gorgeous up there. It was fun to see some of the leaves starting to change. We saw a wild turkey and a coyote. There were lots of streams and beautiful trees. We stayed at this cute little cabin. It had a hot tub and a fireplace. We made smores, laughed and just had lots of fun. It is always great to get away.

Pumpkin Patch

2007-10-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I love the fall and going to the pumpkin patch. We just moved to Tennessee and they have many pumpkin patches here. Yeah! However, I had big plans this year to get matching shirts and have fun, cute pictures. Which my family (especially my husband) just loves! (ha, ha) Well, it turned out to be in the 90s and everything I bought was long sleeved. Well, I am the mean mother that made everyone wear the clothes I bought and change after the pictures. Needless to say the pictures didn't turn out that great but I'm going to post them anyway because I went to all the effort! Despite the heat it was a fun day (after we changed!)

Barn maze with slides!

Little activities for the kids!

My boys loved watching the chickens!

The hay ride!

The corn maze! We only got lost twice!

It was a fun and hot day at the pumpkin patch! I thought fall was suppose to get cooler!

Finally some girl time!

2007-10-10T12:36:00.001-07:00

This past week I had two girl nights out! It was so much fun. I moved here about five months ago and I'm so happy to finally be making some really fun friends. We went to Fridays for dessert and laughed and talked.

Then on Saturday night we went and saw Becoming Jane. I know it has been out awhile but I just got to see it and it was so so good! I loved it.

Well, we were all having so much fun that we decided to make it a double feature (thank heavens for Diet Coke so I could stay awake) and went and saw the Jane Austen Book Club. I really liked this movie as well. It was so fun. I figured after not having a girls night out for months I deserved two in one week! Thanks to my great hubby.

What fun things have you been up to?

Make your blog a book

2007-10-10T10:41:00.001-07:00

Well, I have been thinking I would like to have my blog in a book so that it can be a journal or remembrance of this year. My friend Debbie posted this website on her blog called blurb.com. You can upload your blog and make a book. I have gone to the site and it seems great. I downloaded the software and have been working on making a book of my blog. The prices seem reasonable. I think it is a great way to capture all of these moments and have them for generations to come. I think I am going to make a book every year. This year's book won't be very big since I just started blogging in August. But it will be fun to have and read.

Have you found any blog book publishing sites?

My mom is the Greatest!

2007-10-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

Well, my mom asked me a couple of weeks ago what I wanted for Christmas (we start early!) I told her I wanted this cute countdown calendar from Pottery Barn Kids. Isn't it adorable?

Well, my mom got busy and started talking to her friend and look what arrived in the mail today!

My mom and her friend made it! I think it looks as great as the one from Pottery Barn. Isn't it so cute? I am so excited to run to the store and buy some candy/trinkets to fill it. My boys will be so excited to pick something out everyday and have a countdown to Halloween! Yeah! Thanks Mom and Lori. I love it!

The Office Party!

2007-09-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I moved to Tennessee five months ago and I didn't think I would find bigger office fans than my friends Laura, Katrina or Michelle. However, a couple of friends invited us over for an office/ birthday party. They added a last minute change -come in costume! We didn't get the memo so we had to improvise! It was a ton of fun!

Dwight and Angela

The Love Triangle- Pam, Jim, & Karen

Phyllis and Bob Vance

Andy now known as Drew- before Anger Management- punching the wall!

Bob, Jim, Michael Scott, Toby, Dwight, (little Dwight), Andy

The Whole Office Gang!

I must say we are devoted fans. It was a great time! We really enjoyed the season premiere. Looks like we are going to be laughing all season long!

What season premier are you looking forward to?

I can't believe it!

2007-09-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for this to happen. Today around 3:00 p.m. I saw Naomi Judd at Hobby Lobby. Yes, my first star sighting in Nashville! It was so cool. I spotted her right away because she had these big sunglasses on. I thought to myself who would be having sunglasses on in the middle of Hobby Lobby. When I first spotted her I just kept on shopping but then I went to check out and I was right behind her. As we were waiting she said to my little Owen, "How you doin' little handsome guy?" I couldn't believe it. It was funny because the clerk asked to see her I.D. and she said she didn't have any. The clerk goes oh, I know who ya are and laughed. Then as I was walking to my parking spot I realized her Jaugar was parked right infront of my car. Can you believe it? I must say I am very happy I controlled myself and didn't gush (I saved it all for my blog!)

My neighbor next door said that they saw her a few months ago at a restaurant and that his friend saw Wynonna at Target a few weeks ago. So maybe I will run into them again.

Fun Fun Times!

2007-09-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been a week since I last blogged. My wonderful friend Michelle from My Favorite Things came to visit this last week. We had such a great time. Michelle and I both moved from Texas around the same time and have been going through similar experiences the last six months. It was great to see each other again and laugh!

Michelle is originally from the South so she was very excited to come to Nashville. I think she felt at home here. We decided to go and visit some of the plantation homes and started with Andrew Jackson's (the 7th President) home.

The Hermitage - Inside the Palor - His Tomb

It was beautiful. The interior still has the same wallpaper and furniture as when he was alive. It is pretty amazing. However, after this little adventure with two toddlers we decided that was the last antebellum home we were going to be looking at! We then headed off to lunch and shopping at Opry Mills. It was fun and Michelle found some cute shirts at the Bananna Republic Outlet.

On Friday we took the kids to a fun musuem and then that evening (thanks to my hubby) we went out to dinner and a movie. We went to Texas Roadhouse for old times sake.

We saw a great movie called Stardust (if you haven't seen it, see it!)

Saturaday we went shopping in this fun little historic downtown area of Franklin and out to lunch. It was so fun just to look around a get great ideas.

We found this fun idea and made these great frames.

Michelle and I busy working!

Our two little guys had a good time. I think they were slightly neglected by their mothers. Hey but they still got fed! They both have the same blanket thanks to our talented friend Katri. They would fight over each others blankies. It was funny. Here they are both content each having their own blankie in hand!

It was a great time and I'm so glad my wonderful friend Michelle came to stay the weekend and left being a better friend than before (if that's possible!)

2007-09-18T05:07:00.000-07:00

Find out

Who's Your 80s Hunk?

Maybe this quiz is going to date me but I love the 80s and all the fun things about it. Afterall, I spend a good part of my childhood in it. The quiz says my 80s hunk is Michael J. Fox. I really did love Family Ties in the 80s.

However, my true 80s hunk was Ralph Macchio. I had a magazine picuture of him and I put lipstick on my lips and kissed it. I was a bit silly. I had no idea what I was doing. But my whole family loved this movie.

My husband likes to tease me and say my 80s crush was Scott Baio. Anyone who knows my husband knows he is a big teaser. He always gets a fun reaction out of me!! Just for the record I never liked Scott Baio.

My 90s hunk was Christian Bale from Newsies. Look at that face!!

Well, my hunk of the this decade and forever is my wonderful husband Drew. He is a great support to me and always there to listen. He always makes me laugh! And the best part is I don't have to kiss a poster of him. I get the real deal! He! He!

Let me know about the hunks in your life?

Dining Room center piece

2007-09-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

I have really been struggling to make my dining room table fill more complete. I found this in a magazine and have tried to copy it. My husband is sick of me asking him, "What do you think?" So I am turning to my blogging friends. Do you think this works? (I know everyone is decorating with fall things but I am just trying to get the everyday ordinary decor done).

Magazine

My dining room

I added a red runner to make it fill a little dresser because it is a formal dining room. I had tried a white runner but it looked a little stark!

I still need to add some artwork to the walls and a few other things but this is what I have done so far. Let me know what you think before I go too far? Thanks

I got tagged! So here it goes-

2007-09-15T13:44:00.001-07:00

1) What was I doing ten years ago- In September of 1997 -I was serving a Spanish speaking mission for my church in California Carlsbad. I was serving in a small town called Ramona with my companion Sister Ramos. I had already been there a year. It was one of the best times of my life.

I'm the one in the yellow dress.

2) Five years ago was September 2002- We were living in Denver, Colorado and Drew was in law school. We went to law school at the University of Arizona in Tucson but Drew was doing an internship with the EEOC. It was so fun. I loved Denver and being there in the fall. I was a stay home mom with little Derek who was 19 months old at the time.

3) One year ago was September 2006- I was just beginning my second year at Hardeman Elementary in Texas teaching third grade (I had taught before in other states) but Texas is a whole different ballgame. Derek had just started kindergarten. Owen was seven months old.

4)Yesterday September 13, 2007: I ran errands with Owen and then we went out to dinner and grocery shopping. Nothing to exciting.

5) Snacks I enjoy: movie popcorn, milk chocolate candy, cheesecake (from the Cheesecake Factory), cheetos, and vegetables with dip.

6) Things I would do if suddenly I had a $100 million dollars: Travel, adopt many many more children, donate some to charity, save, invest, pay off our house.

7)Locations I would run away to: Anywhere in Europe, South Africa, Australia, Chile, and Israel.

8) Bad Habits I have: I get distracted, sometimes I interrupt, procrastinate.

9) Things I like doing: spending time with family/friends, shopping, travel, blogging, and watching movies

10) T.V. shows I like: The Office, Desperate Housewives, Law & Order, reruns of Dallas (sad huh?), House Hunters, Grey's Anatomy, & So you think you can dance

11) Things I don't like doing: cleaning, changing diapers, & watching ESPN

12) Biggest joys of the moment: Having Michelle, my in-laws and my mother coming to visit throughout the next month and a half, this time of year and all the fun things we have planned, the day after Thanksgiving shopping & decorating my new house

Now I'm going to tag four people and please do it, because it's fun!:

1. Laura

2. Debbie

3. Heather

4. Lacie- from Forever Flamingo

Thanks for tagging me Julianne. It was fun.

Movie Night- A new family tradition

2007-09-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

Well, it didn't start out to become a family tradition but now after many months I think I can call it a family tradition. Every weekend usually Sunday or Saturday night we have been having movie night at our home. It might sound funny but it has really been fun and brought us closer together. We usually make movie popcorn (on the stove) and low-fat fruit shakes and then pick a favorite movie to watch (something kid friendly of course). Then we go upstairs and cuddle under our blankets altogether and watch the show. It has been so fun.

This is Drew making the popcorn and our low-fat peach shakes! Yum!!

Well this weekend we watched Peter Pan the original Walt Disney Version. I'm not a huge Peter Pan fan but Derek and Owen really seemed to like the whole lost boys & Captian Hook story line. I much prefer Little Mermaid but in a house full of boys I rarely get to choose the girly movies!

What is your favorite Movie to watch as a family?

Around the World

2007-09-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had a really fun acitivity at church called Around the World. The activities committee asked people in the ward to sign up for places they had been, were from, served missions in or just interested in learning more about. People set up little booths and we were able to go around and try the food and learn a little about that country. Well, Drew decided to sign-up for Chile since he served his mission there. It took all day Saturday to prepare but it turned out to be really fun. Drew made Empanadas Fritas. They tasted awesome.

Do you like his University of Utah apron and Hat?

Empanada Frita filled with cheese

This is Drew dressed up as a Gaucho at his booth.

Some money, metal plates and other items he brought back from Chile.

These were some of the other booths. We had a Samoan man show everyone how to break a coconut. We also had a family play on the didgeridoo. I tried this stuff from Australia called vegimite and dried eel from somewhere in Asia and both were really bad but everything else tasted fabulous. It was tons of fun.

This is a booth from England and the other one is Samoa.

This is a booth from Peru and this one is Australia.

What fun activity has your ward/church planned lately?

New Product- Well at least to me

2007-09-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

We just moved to the Nashville area and I have been dying to get my hair done (color, highlights, cut the whole works)! I was going crazy. I got it done in June but the girl really didn't do a great job. She was in a hurry and just slapped some stuff on my head. So the other day I just decided to cold call out of the phone book and I saw this salon called New Beginnings (and since we just moved here- I thought it would be appropriate) I know it is kind of silly! But I loved the lady. She did just what I asked and was fairly reasonably priced. Well, I was feeling so good (like when you find the perfect outfit and have to get shoes and accessories ) so I bought this haircare product because the stylist recommended it. But I just love it and thought I would pass it along. It is called Sahag

It is a great product. It doesn't weigh down my hair but gives it the lift I need (especially with all the humidity here).

What new products (and it doesn't have to be haircare) have you found lately?

Chattanooga- Here we come.

2007-09-03T05:34:00.000-07:00

Well this weekend we went to Chattanooga! It was so much fun. I made a video slide show. If you press on the blue Chattanooga it should pop up. This is the first time I have done this so it is pretty basic and I'm not sure what I'm doing. You can use the arrows to go through the pictures faster if you want. The pictures are of the aquarium, the children's museum, and two civil war battle sites. They were Chickamunga and Chattanooga. It was so much fun. We really needed to get away and have some R&R. I hope everyone have a great weekend! Let me know what you did!

Enjoy the Moment!

2007-08-31T13:45:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the mommy moment I should say has been my personal motto lately. I have two children one of which is 18 months old. I have to be honest 18 months to about 2 1/2 years is my least favorite age. I think we all have times that are harder than others and this is mine. It is difficult for me because they can't speak very well, understand no but don't understand consequences, throw tantrums at anytime and anywhere, make huges messes, etc.

Below is some pictures of Owen's current mess. While his older brother was getting into the fridge to get an apple. Owen got in and got into the butter. He spread it all over the carpet and couch. I didn't discover this for some time. When I discovered Owen my first thought was great now I have another mess to clean up before dinner, etc, etc. But I stopped and thought enjoy the moment and laugh! So I grabbed the camera and started taking pictures of Owen.

I've been discovered with the butter!

I have also been talking some gym and music classes at Gymboree with Owen to help enjoy and savor this special time (that sometimes on a bad day I think when will this stage be over) but that is just the thing I'm learning is that it ends all too quickly, so to all the Mother's out there and especially to myself enjoy the moment of messes, tantrums, funny speech, etc, etc...

What moments have you been or not been enjoying lately?

Someone else's trash is another person's treasure

2007-08-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

We just moved into a new home about three months ago, and as I am sure many of you can relate, furnishing a new house takes lots of time, energy and money. Well, after spending a few thousand dollars at the furniture store and only ending up with a few new pieces, I realized I was going to have lots of blank spaces around my home, and instead of using painted cardboard (yes, I did see this on a home design show once) as furniture I decided to improvise while I save for the pieces I really want. In the process however, I have discovered some amazing deals. I have been searching various consignment stores, websites, etc. These are my finds:

This dining room table, six chairs and hutch was bought for half the price the original owner paid and it is only two years old. If anyone has any good ideas on how to decorate the top, I need help.

This TV armorie only cost me $140.00 off Craigslist and the doors slide back making it perfect for T.V. viewing. It did have a couple of scratches but I just bought one of those wood stain pens from Home Depot. I cleaned it off really well and used the pen and it covered all of the scratches. I also had to by a new roller latch which my husband installed for me (thank you honey).

A nearby store occasionally puts things on sale at 50% off. Last week I walked in and this piece of iron was only $20.00. I was really excited.

This iron piece above the pictures was only $6.00.

Lastly is my guest room:

I bought this lamp at the Goodwill for $2.99 and a new lamp shade for $14.00 from Lowe's.

The headboard I bought for $20.00. It was another Craigslist find. My husband painted it white for me.

This dresser and nightstand I already had but they just needed a fresh coat of white paint (thanks to my hubby again) and I purchased some crystal knobs at a nearby store for $30.00. The candle stick holders altogether were $6.00 and came from Goodwill (which I usually hate going into, but, I was inspired by my friend Laura's beach themed room(she got almost everything at goodwill).

Well, there you have it. This is my attempt at being clever and a little crafty. What clever things have you come up with lately?

First Day of School

2007-08-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

Well, the first day of school actually happened two weeks ago for us but I wasn't blogging and I feel like it was an important moment. We went to the school to find out Derek's teacher and I looked on the list and didn't see any familiar names. We have met a few kids at church and I was hoping he might be in their class. When I looked for their names I realized all four of them got in the same class. It was kind of weird. I felt a twinge of saddness wash over me but I quickly called my husband and he reminded me that Derek makes friends with kids at the grocery store and he would be o.k. Today I asked Derek, "How was school and How was your teacher?" He said, "She is the nicest person. She is always so nice." I am so glad it is turning out well.

I also made Derek's teacher this little first day "survival kit". I just put a few munches in it with some flavored water. I also added a book called, First Day Jitters. The book is really cute about a teacher that is nervous (just like the kids can be) for school. I also gave her a gift card to the teacher store. The next day she sent me the most wonderful thank-you note. I just wanted her first day to be brighter!

Superheros

2007-08-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

Before I was married I just wanted to have all girls (I grew up with three younger brothers) and felt like I had offically done the boy thing. But, now that I am the mother of two boys I can say it is so much fun. I wouldn't ever trade it. I love the trains, action figures, cars, and especially the dress-ups. Initally before children I thought only girls like to dress up as princesses, fairies, etc. But boys love to be superheros (especially at this house)! Derek had some friends over this weekend and they were all so excited to dress up and run around! What do your kids like to dress up as?

Our New House

2007-08-25T06:41:00.000-07:00

We just moved to a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee it is about twenty-five minutes away from downtown Nashville. We are loving it here. The trees and hills are gorgeous. I also love that major shopping is just five minutes away from us and that we live only about one mile from the freeway so there is easy access to everything. The people are so friendly and helpful. These are some pictures of the inside of our house (they still have the seller's furniture but you get the idea)

I will post pictures with my decor later. Right now my house is kind of like a blank canvas that needs lots of spicing up. The top five things that made me buy the house 1) the entry way -I always wanted stairs and hardwood floors 2) the game room (where I could put all of my kids junk - I mean toys 3) the dining room (even though we haven't used it much but I loved the molding. 4) the yard - lots of room for the kids to play and run around 5) the storage - lots of walk-in closets and a big storage room off the bonus room (houses with basements are built on hills here). What are the things you love most about your house?

A Favorite Quote

2007-08-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

My dad told me before I got married that marriage was a work in progress. He said that in a good marriage you have twice the joys and half the sorrows. I have always loved that quote and have thought of it often during my marriage.

The other day I came across this quote that was very similar to my father's , "Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by doubling our joy and dividing of our grief." Marcus Tullius Cicero

I am so thankful to my husband and friends that truly help me have the highest highs and truly understand and share my grief. I love you guys! Tell me what your favorite quote is and why?

My Little Cowboy

2007-08-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

My Little Franklin (the city we live in) Football Cowboy. Derek has been playing football since the end of July. I can honestly say I'm not a huge fan of football but I have been getting into it more and more. I especially love the games! It is so fun to hear when they announce his name over the speaker. I also love the cute uniforms! They are the real deal, complete with pads and a helmet. Do you enjoy the sports your kids play?

I have joined the Blogging World!

2007-08-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

After many months of sitting back and quietly reading everyone's blogs I found myself beginning to think about what I would say or post. So I have caved and decided to join the blogging world.