getting ready for "4"

I found what I thought was the coolest idea on Pinterest(don't we all). It involved four things. Poster board, coffee filters, glue and spray paint. Easy. Just the way I like it. I didn't take a picture of the number 4 when it was just poster board. And, in all honesty, when I got started I still wasn't too sure about this project. But, the more coffee filters I glued on, the fuller and more to life my number came. The finished product made me smile. And shed a tear. She is almost "4". And she is fantastic. My baby.

Doc McStuffins is not an easy party to plan or decorate for. She isn't on plates or napkins yet. With an awesome Etsy gal and friend that rocks the cake thing, I think we'll come together just fine!

The snow is supposed to roll back in tomorrow. Glad our generator is on our carport this time.

Stay warm!

"Snow" much Fun

We woke up to sun shine this morning. The sky was a vibrant blue. The perfect snow tipped trees popped against the sky so clear. Pure beauty...




The girls couldn't wait to get every inch of their bodies in the white blanket of snow. We joined some neighbor friends for snowman building and their first sleigh ride. Neither of them like the cold. We didn't have the best snow attire in all fairness, but we made the most of it. The snowman was fun, but the best smiles and giggles came from the sleigh riding. We packed as much fun in that thrity minutes or so that we could.






That snowball was definately meant for me

We returned home to a warm house with power. Yippee!! After thawing out and filling our bellies, we crashed for two hours. They say they want to go out again tomorrow. We'll see. Maybe. Maybe not. We have an afternoon playdate with some friends and quite a few craftastic projects up our sleeve. We have talked a lot about our appreciation for the things we have today. Electricity being the main one. But so many other things as well. I have really looked and seen how much I have to be thankful for today. We are so blessed and so lucky to have the luxuries we do.

It has been a great day. Another awaits us.  Good night.

White Blanket..Black Out

It started snowing today. Not slowly, but in buckets. Beautiful white blankets formed outside before our eyes. Part of me loves this. It is a good reason to stay in our pajamas and string lights from one end of the playroom to another. Making a "pretend" outdoor movie theater as the bean says.

 

Tonight, as I lay here in the pitch dark of our home (no power), I listen to the heavy breaths that my little ones take. So thankful for a husband that keeps a fire going to keep us warm and cozy. Thankful for the fun we can find in even the darkest moments. We are so blessed and so cozy in this beautiful place we call home.

Tomorrow brings sunlight and two little girls that can't wait to hit the snow full force. Truly appreciating this beauty that God has blessed us with.

For now, I am still. Nothing to interrupt or consume me. Just the sound of breathing babes and my heart so full..

Be safe and stay warm!

A New Way to Blog

I haven't attempted it because I wasn't sure of all the details. So much new technology and so much to learn. I am getting there. It still blows my mind that with one little application and a cell phone, I can blog from anywhere at the touch of a button. I love the idea of being able to use photos I capture with my phone. Our busy, crazy fun life happens at times I don't have my big camera. Times that I just want to capture that special, unplanned moment. Just like these...

Our week long plans are very low key. I am studying like crazy for the Life and Health Insurance exam. Andy has already sold policies to five customers. It is fun, exciting and something we love doing together.

I can't believe we are half way through the pre-school year. It is so hard to believe my Bear will be starting public school in less than a year.

We have been enjoying the spring like temperatures. I know it won't last, but February is right around the corner and spring won't be too far from that. I have a Doc McStuffins 4th birthday party in the works and a fun trip with some friends planned to break up the winter time blues coming in February. A fun place where snow, rain or shine, we play, laugh and catch up with dear friends...

Happy week!

New Blogger

I have a friend that has started something. Something I have been pushing her to start for a long time! Something amazing and full of heartfelt work, sweat and tears! With enough pushing and prayers, it has happened! You have to check her out. Follow her. Her work and her writing are just exactly like she is. Honest and beautiful! Happy Weekend!

www.number631.blogspot.com

Goodbye and Hello

Two years. One past and one coming on full force. 2012 was an amazing year. Big changes to our home life. Fun trips. An awesome summer. All of it. Not all days were perfect. They never are. I am so blessed. I cannot imagine what I did before being at home with my girls. This past year has been about learning, loving and listening. All four of us have grown closer. In many ways. We have remained close and in love with our existing family/friends and we have made and added new ones that are turning out to be such blessings.

I raise my glass to 2013. I can't wait for each and every day of it. The bad and the good. The hard and the easy. The familiar and the unknown. Bringing new challenges our way. Our Bear will start school in the fall. I plan to will loose the 20 pounds I have gained since staying home. Ouch. Yep. Not so good, huh? Being on top of my game as best as I can where they are concerned. Sweet times and memories to be made! 

Happy New Year~

Christmas 2012

I have not needed one Christmas CD in this house or in my vehicle this year. I have had the honor of my very own Christmas cheer and singing every single moment of my day. It has been wonderful. We have taken this whole Christmas spirit thing and run with it this year. We have taken part in some long time traditions and we have also started some of our own. Both have been great. I have seen my Bear play Mary in her pre-school play along with her sidekick Bean the cow. They have wrapped, baked an spread cheer in every place they could find from here to Maryland and back to North Carolina. Yep, it has been just perfect. Christmas eve began with our Blevins family gathering. It was fun, energetic and a great way to start off our day. We ended it with a powerful story told through music and the words of our amazing minister. The story that surrounds this season of the bold and beautiful birth of our very own Jesus. The service brought tears along with peace and reverence. Blessings.

We then went to my sister's to enjoy family for an hour or two. The look on one girls face was priceless when she saw what Santa had put on the tree early.



After arriving home for the end to a perfect Christmas Eve, we got ready. We put out our reindeer food. Prepared our plate of cookies with cold milk and then told stories of his coming. Both our Savior and Santa. And then peace and the gift exchange with my love. As always, he delivered. I am so blessed. He is so good to me all the time, but Christmas is just the icing on the cake.



Christmas morning was memories for a lifetime. The looks on their faces as they opened packages and stopped for only seconds to show us. To show each other. Sharing laughs and special "wow's" and "look at this sissy". We didn't really hear much from them after that. Until Nana came with the cabbage patch dolls. Can I just say, they still smell the same thirty years later. And we made memories. Just like the ones I have as a child. From the cookies to the colors to the smells. All love. It was a very Merry Christmas. From begining to end.



So, we await the new year. Plans already made. Spontaneous ones welcome. Quiet days at home. I can't wait for it all. Some changes and some new adventures. No matter what, we will bring in the new year together and we will live it together as well.



Happy New Year to all!