Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Melted Snowman Snack!

In honor of WINTER and to say goodbye to the month of January, Tyson and I made a fun, winter trail mix for (6) of his friends and (6) of Lilah/Jaxon's friends. I like to call this snack "The Melted Snowman!" Inside each baggie we included:
Marshmallows = Snowballs
Pretzel sticks = Arms
Cinnamon Candies = Mouth
Raisins = "Eyes made out of coal"
"Dots" = Hat
Candy Corn = "Button Nose"
Junior Mints = Buttons
Twizzlers Pull & Peel - Scarf

What you need:
1. Snack bags
2. Food representing "Frosty's" body!
You may have to sing the song, out loud, in order to get your brain thinking! OR just use the same foods I used.


3. Free TAGS from a blogger, like this one, that is creative and willing to share.

4. WORD! Add your own riddle/rhyme explaining what the snack is all about.

5. A friendly face willing to ingest it. It's not hard completing requirement #5 with three kids in our home. Someone is always willing to eat some JUNK!

Now get to work!!! There are only 2 days left in January.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Happy 64th Grandnee!!!!

Today is grandnee's 64th birthday.  We were thankful to celebrate with her and grandad, yesterday, at church and Carrabas Italian Grill.  The kids were excited to present her with the card they colored for her and a few other gifts.  We love you grandnee. Happy Happy Happy Day!!!!
This is my NEW, favorite gift in LIEU of flowers.  Flowers die and are a burden to take care of.  This gift was purchased at Hallmark.  It's a single rose (fake).  It opens up to reveal a special message for the birthday girl.  You press the button on the back and the rose petals slowly open.  The note reads, "I love you bunches!"
I absolutely ADORE this picture.  Jax was playing with pizza dough and made a mustache with it.  He said, "Look mom, I look like grandad."
The kids really look forward to being with grandad and grandnee.  I am so thankful that our relationship is continuing to grow closer and closer, moment by moment.  You can tell that both the kids and the grandparents bring equal amounts of joy into each other's lives.

First Snow of 2013

The first snow of 2013 arrived on January 18th.  The kids had in the snow, thanks to Darren.  I am not a fan of the cold, so I didn't participate. I did, however, cook for them and wash all the wet laundry :)  Darren, thanks for being so good with them in the snow and oh so willing to play, play, play.  If it wasnt' for you, these kids would have no snow memories.
 Trampoline fun in the snow!!!
 IGLOO fun!

Exhaustion!

Occasionally, we try to skip the twins' nap, so we can put them to bed at a reasonable time.  Usually, they end up falling asleep.  They are just not ready to drop their naps yet.  I couldn't resist capturing their sleeping arrangements in these photos.  Tyson thought it was comical to add the iron man mask to his sister's face.  LOL!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

My Original Creation, Not Pinterest Inspired

When I found out my dear friend Kaitlyn was expecting a baby, I slowly started collecting things for her.  After she finalized the nursery theme, monsters, I kept my eyes pealed for monster stuff.  You know me, I love to be themey.  I ran across monster duct tape.  I couldn't believe it.  I was unsure what I would do with it, but I didn't care.  I bought it anyway.  The best part, it was on sale from $6.99 to $1.99.  

I love pinterest, but lately, pinterest takes all the credit for anything everyone does.  Does it annoy you as much as it annoys me to hear, "Did you get that idea off of pinterest?"  It's as if no one can think for themselves anymore.  I decided I was going to come up with my own creation, not something pinterest inspired.  This is the only idea I could think of....
 1. Canvas (from Ollies) - $2
2. Googlie Eyes (from Dollar Tree) - $1
3. Duct Tape (from Target) $1.99
4. The Letter "W" (from Michael's) - $3.99 (40% off coupon).
 The twins helped me since they love her AND
now Watson, so much!
 Jax cut open the tape.
 I lined the canvas with the tape.  
Photo: compliments of Jax.
 Covered the canvas completely, front to back.
  The twins filled up the "W" with the goolie eyes.
 Then I hot glued the eyes all over the "W".  
The eyes represented the monsters eyes.
The complete project. I think it looked better in person, but I told Kaitlyn if she didn't like it, to just throw it out. I'm thinking that pom pom's would have made it look less busy and softer. Oh well!!  We had fun making it for Watson.

The next day, we were scheduled to bring her a meal.  It was the FIRST snow we received this year, but we brought it to her in the snow anyway.  Unfortunately, it was snowing so bad, we only had time to drop it off.  I didn't even get to hold Watson yet. :(

Glow In The Dark Bath

Three weeks ago, yikes am I really that far behind on blogging, I surprised the kids with a pack of glow sticks each. I told them that at bath time they were going to take a bath, in the dark. Using their glow sticks, they made bath time even MORE fun than it normally is.  I will say, a glow in the dark bath is extremely hard to photograph, as you will see below. 
 My three cuties!!!
 Fill up the bath with loads of bubbles.
 "Snap" the glow sticks in half, to "ignite" them.
Throw them in the tub!!! Shut the bathroom lights out and walaaa!
This bath fun made such an impression on them (especially the twins) that they have not stopped talking about it. You can usually find a pack of glow sticks in the $1 section at Target or Michael's.  The Dollar Tree also sells them.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

He's Teaching Me...

This week has definitely been a difficult week.  I'm a little glad to see it's almost over.  Surprisingly, it wasn't my kids.  Rarely, is it ever my husband (so blessed to have him).  I'm trusting that the Lord is refining me and I choose today to give him THANKS and PRAISE for these difficult moments.  

I want to worship Him the way He deserves to be worshiped. Having trouble worshiping? You're not alone.  Sometimes self-pity or anger or doubt cause me to not worship either, but then, my great God disciplines me and shows me that worshiping Him brings me away from all of those emotions.  

Here are 20 good reasons to worship Him...

1.   He forgives my iniquities.
2.   He heals all of my diseases.
3.   He redeems my life from destruction.
4.   He crowns me with lovingkindness.
5.   He satisfies my mouth with good things.
6.   He executes righteousness and justice for the oppressed.
7.   He makes His ways known.
8.   He is merciful.
9.   He is gracious.
10. He is slow to anger.
11. He will not strive with us.
12. He will not keep His anger forever.
13. He does not punish us according to our iniquities.
14. He removes our transgressions from us.
15. He shows great mercy to those who fear Him.
16. He has pity on us.
17. He remembers we are dust.  
18. His mercy is everlasting.
19. He blesses our children and our grandchildren who obey Him.
20. He rules over all and His throne is established.

Psalm 103.

It's in my flesh to be angry, hurt, and disappointed when I am having a tough week.  It's for the LOVE of my God that I turn that into WORSHIP, THANKFULNESS, and GRATITUDE and I can trust He is doing this for my good.

I covet your prayers for my silent prayer requests this week.  

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

True Love

What is true love?  God answers this clearly in 1 John 4:19-21 and in many other places in the bible.  

"If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother who he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Loving God and others is not just a choice, it's a command. It's not always easy to do.  Sometimes doubt creeps in. Sometimes someone hurts you, frustrates you, or disappoints you. For someone like me, who is super sensitive, feeling unloved can happen quite often.  Knowing though that God commands me to love Him and others, no matter what, is definitely something I cannot ignore, no matter how real my feelings or emotions are to me.  It's not an easy task walking the Christian walk because doing so means dying to your old self and going against everything which your flesh WANTS to do.  

IF you are discontent with someone today, I encourage you to resolve it.  Humble yourself because your hate towards them is not invisible to God above, who knows all, sees all, and is ALL.  Again, this is no easy task sometimes because it means YOU must humble yourself.  The Lord hates the proud...

"All of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

Soli Deo Gloria

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Go Spurs!!!!

Tyson's FIRST year of basketball has been in session for well over a month now, but his first (2) games just took place last week (Thursday and Saturday). Darren is the assistant coach. Their team name is the "Spurs".  Ty's team lost by 2 points in their first game, but if you ask Ty, he'd say, "We tied!" They did, however, WIN their second game by 2 points.  If you'll allow me to say this without sounding arrogant or bias, I believe, this is by far Tyson's BEST sport. He hustles well and stays right on top of the ball the entire game.  I think he loves this sport because it is really fast paced.  There's always something going on for this BUSY/RAMBUNCTIOUS 7 year old :) There are a ton of pictures and NO captions. I didn't have it in me to narrate the entire two games :) If you can't bring yourself to view ALL of the photos, I will post a few of my favorites below!!! OR you can come see him in action MOST Saturdays!!  

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

FUNNY!


Monday, January 7, 2013

Killing Two Birds With ONE Stone!!!

Over the weekend, we had the pleasure of "killing two birds with ONE stone".  We were able to travel to Richmond and reside with my brother's family for the weekend in addition to seeing my mother, who actually lives in Florida.  
Upon arriving, the kids were greeted with gifts form Gram. Now that's the way to start any gathering.  LOL!  (Above): Gram is playing play-doh with the kids.

The weekend was filled with loads of good eats.  Friday, we ate in (hamburgers and hotdogs).  Then we left to enjoy a scoop of ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery.  YUM!!!!!  
The next day, my brother, the chef, cooked us bacon, eggs, and blueberries.  NO BREAD... he's a hardcore gluten free/grass fed eater.  Lunch consisted of Chipolte.  (Above): Even the dog is fed grass grazed and gluten free. NO LIE. NO DOG FOOD.  Check out what his breakfast consisted of.

The kids had a blast all day Saturday.  Gram took them to the park, while Darren, Amanda, and I shopped at Five Below and Old Navy.  Amanda hired a baby sitter and the grown-ups enjoyed MORE good eats at the Cheesecake Factory.  Now, that's the way to end your BAD EATING HABITS.  Haha.  

The laughter and excitement never ended for the kids.  It's amazing how after just two visits in one month, Tyson and Will are attached to the hip.  Immediately after getting in our car to head back to Roanoke, Tyson exclaimed, "I wish Will could come with us!"  

We plan to visit them again and go to Busch Gardens together. Dave and Amanda, if Will needs a Tyson fix before then, feel free to come see us!!!  I can always use a Short Pump fix. LOL!  Thanks for your hospitality.  We had a lovely time.

To view all of the photos from the weekend, double click on the photo album below.

[I had a photo album inserted HERE, but skeevy perverts from the internet where viewing my blog and enjoy "boys in their undies".  This is a SICK WORLD we live in.  If you are family or close friends and desire to see the photo album that was attached above... please shoot me an email.  I WILL SEND the photo album to you personally.]