Collages, Painting and more

Allison had a blast today working on some different art projects.

First, I had her make a collage using construction paper, Toy Story 3 noodles, glitter (every girl’s fav!), cotton balls, beads and lots of glue.

The final product, lots and lots of glitter!

 

Next, we worked on painting wooden shapes and making a fairy yard stake.

Allison’s painting skills are really improving.  She was able to paint the wooden shapes without getting too much paint on the paper.

 

Finally, I had Allison create a beautiful abstract painting.  She really enjoyed using the paint brush and mixing all the colors.

Ta da!! Her beautiful masterpiece!

Girls Weekend

This past Saturday, after my cousin Amanda’s wedding, I hopped in the car, turned up the radio and headed off to a fun, filled girls weekend in Austin.  All in all, there were ten of us and we had so much fun catching up.  These girls are the ones who knew me when…no worries, cares, responsibilities, nada. 

During college, we all had a blast living in the Tri Delt house and I really bonded with them my Junior and Senior year.  We have seen each other annually due to one of our weddings, but now that most of us are married, we decided to plan a weekend away.

We went to dinner at Garitos.  This place is awesome, serving up eclectic, gourmet tacos that taste fabulous.  If in Austin, try the shrimp, sirloin, and fried oyster tacos, delicious.  After dinner and a few margaritas, we headed over to Annie West, a fun bar on West 6th Street.  We had a blast dancing and singing the night away.

On Sunday, we headed to lunch at Austin Java Co. where I scarf fed down the Migas.  I must say, I love the restaurants in Austin.  After lunch, I went over to Audrey’s and hung out with my buds Amy and Audrey.  I tell you, the best conversations always seem to pop up when I least expect it.

I arrived home about 6 pm on Sunday and learned what my crew had been up to while I was gone.  Never would Mommy have allowed this but you can tell they had a lot of fun.  Next time, have Will wear a helmet! 

I came home refreshed and renewed with a new outlook on life and my role as a Mommy.

Thanks guys for a great time!  Love you all, and look forward to next year’s reunion.

 

Saturday Morning

 

On Saturdays, we have a tradition of pancakes.  Each Saturday, Brad gets up and makes pancakes for me and the kiddos.  It is

something we all look forward to and I cherish this time together as a family.

Today, after we had finished breakfast, Allison was a ball of energy and needed an activity to keep her busy.  I decided to make an outline of her and let her accessorize   and decorate herself.  We used Reynolds Freezer Paper (works great for art projects and costs $5.00 for 150 ft.) and Crayola Slick Sticks.  She had a ball adding earrings, finger nail polish, a party hat and tutu.

Till death do us part

 

Our very first date 7/1/01

Till death do us part, when Brad and I got married, I had an idea of what this meant but really had no real understanding.  I think you have to be married for a period of time to understand the good times vs. the bad, how you handle financial struggles, the stress of children, intimacy, and remembering to always keep things fresh.

I remember saying to my mother-in-law a few months after we had gotten married, “I love him soooo much, he is absolutely amazing!”  Don’t get me wrong, I still feel this way about Brad but our love has changed in the last 6 years and I am sure it will again in the next 6 years. 

Tonight we went to my cousin Amanda’s rehearsal dinner.  She gazed into her fiancé, Joel’s eyes with a look that took me back to my own wedding.   Your future ahead of you, plans for a family and life together, and so in love.  What an exciting time! 

May we all have the blessing of keeping that excitement alive in our own marriages.  Taking the time to dote on each other, laugh and play. 

I remind myself often of the following:

1.  We are on the same team

2. Don’t take life so seriously

3.  Love my mother-in-law, she helped mold my husband into the man he is today.

4.  Laugh often

5.  Date my spouse-Though I am not the best at this, I really need to remind myself of the importance of date nights.  Doing the things you did as boyfriend/girlfriend (ex. sitting together on one side of the booth at a restaurant) on a regular basis. It is not only good for your marriage but for your children and your life as a family.

My wedding day is a memory frozen in time. I remember vividly my thoughts and emotions.  Standing in front of the mirror and looking at myself before walking down the aisle.  Makeup done, hair perfect, my dress perfectly altered to fit me like a glove. It was momentous.

Today, a stay-at-home mommy of two, you may think I might say “what happened to that bride?”  But you know what, I am happier today than even on that day.  We have created a loving family, I feel secure and I believe through tough times and struggles we learn who we are and who are spouse is.  We learn how to compromise, forgive and work together. 

I saw a man all alone today.  He had a debilitating condition that had caused sores all over him and caused him to walk with a limp.  Even with all of that, he still smiled and spoke to the children.  Though they were scared of him by the way he looked, you could tell he was a loving person.  I pray for this man.  I pray that he feels love and connection to someone.  It may be a human face or the face of God.  I thank God daily for the blessing of my husband and the way he has made me feel love and accepted, even with all of my flaws. Though life does get more interesting and complicated as you are married, I can whole heartedly say the key to success is keeping your eyes on the Lord both as an individual and a couple.

 

Easter 2010

Growing up so fast

Then

Now



It is very odd how daily life seems to roll by so slow yet before you know it, a whole year has gone by.  When I got pregnant with Will, I was a little nervous about having a boy.  As you know, I am a very girly girl.  But the Lord knew just what our family needed.  You can definitely see God's workmanship in the beauty of a child.  He knows just what type of personality your family needs and creates your child to be more beautiful than you could ever imagine. Will turned 14 months old yesterday and I sometimes wonder if it is unhealthy how much I love him and how crazy I am about him.  A friend commented and said, "Maybe now we can understand our mother-in-laws a little better." I hope Will and I are always close but even more, I try and remind myself how Jesus needs to be first in my life and to love him more than anything else.  I thank him daily for Brad, Allison and Will, what blessings they are in my life and they are all gifts from HIM.

Which brings me to Allison, she is growing up sooo fast and is super funny.  I love the things she says and how sometimes you would think she is 8 years old and at other times, still an infant!  Her zest for life is contagious and we say to each other all the time, "Girlfriends forever".  I started writing this blog to document the daily adorable things my children do.  So far in the last few weeks, here are a few random thoughts and memorable events:

1.  Gave Allison finger paints and paper-painted the dog and herself instead
2.  The new fad is Silly bandz-what shape do we need next?
3.  Allison believes sneaking Doritos for breakfast is ok and a nutritious way to start the day
4.  Will started walking 6/19 and is all over the place.  He carries toys all over the house and loves to climb up on his stool in the bathroom, look and the mirror and brush his hair or brush his teeth.
5. Will is officially a toddler and for some reason it makes me sad.  I don't want him to grow up but at the same time, I don't want him to be a weanie (pardon me)
6.  I love reading as a family at night before bed and bathing the kids.  Color Dots by Crayola have become a standard in our family and every night we choose what color to make our bath water.  Don't think it has any dangerous chemicals.
7.  Red boots go with everything and you must ALWAYS wear a raincoat in the rain (Allison philosophy)
7.  The Lord is revealing to me his presence in my life

Thats all for now.


Allison's first ballet class, all dressed up!