New Windows :) 2-23-12

Today Window World is installing new windows throughout our home. This is exciting beause hopefully our electric bill will decrease. Here is the old windows... .

The new ones :)

Next on our repair list is to finally finish the floor in the master bathroom. It has only been "in the remodeling stage" since Ayla was an infant (she is 4). I really have a hard time deciding what type of floor I want. So, it has just been on hold. I have to make a decision I am tired of walking on broken tile

I love to change and remodel our home. It is just difficult with our busy schedules to find the time.

2-18-12

Today, is just a random day at home. Kelan your imagination never stops...I love watching your gears turn. You took the lid to Ayla's toy box and turned it into a slide.

Lots of laughs!

You and Ayla have days that you play well together. Then, there are days that I feel like a referee. I love listening to the laughter in the air of our home. There is nothing like it. I pray that our home is always a safe place for you and Ayla to be yourselves. You are not a follower. Daddy and I have always prayed that you would be a leader. You are unique. Simple things make you smile : ) You need encouraged. You are very hard on yourself. Today, we were wrestling on the bed and I was trying to get you to "spraw" a wrestling move. "I can't" was your reply. As always I had you quote Phil 4:13. I want you to believe in yourself. You are awesome! Talented, in everything you put your hands to. I might be partial but really you are awesome! Right now...I hear you and Ayla playing in your bedroom. You being the bossy big brother that you like to be. She is laughing that silly laugh she has that makes my heart smile every time I hear it.

You are in art class at school this 9 weeks. The art teacher taught your class how to make sock people. You were so excited to tell me about it and had to make one. This is the one you made at home. "The Little Big Planet Guy."

Geri's Buttermilk Biscuits

My husband laughs and says he put me in training with his mom so she could teach me how to cook before we married. Her buttermilk biscuits are yummy. Super easy too! 2 cup self-rising flour
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/8 cup canola oil (optional) I usually leave this out. Mix all ingredients together and cut biscuit with a cup or biscuit cutter. Bake on 360 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until brown.

When I purchase buttermilk it always spoils before I can use it so, I make my own. Just add 1 tbsp of vinegar to each cup of regular milk. So simple!

Loved

I had a church meeting after work yesterday and didn't get home until 8:30. When I arrived as always my little loves come charging through the kitchen "Mommy your home." Words cannot express the feeling of being loved, needed...appreciated. Dan said "I just turned the water off for your bath." Really, what have I done to deserve all this LOVE? It was perfect...coming in from the cold into a Hot bath. He is so getting it...my love language. I am getting his. It's really not that hard to love...its easy really. Hugs, hot baths and a clean Volvo = Valentines Day for this mama. I don't need flowers, chocolates or fancy jewelry. I just need to be LOVED. It's the little things that make me smile. We celebrate each other all year long...not just one day out of the year. Everyone wants to be loved and celebrated. Thank you Daniel for making me smile :)

When loading the Volvo Valentine's morning each of us had a treat from daddy in our seat. I had mentioned that I had a new craving for the little Reece's hearts. We stopped at Walmart on the way home the other day and could not find them. So, I had 2 bags of them in my seat :) Thanks for listening to my wants/needs. It means so much...love you more everday ;)

Early Valentines 2/9/12

Valentine gifts were given 5 days early this year. Ayla and I went shopping while daddy and bubba were at wrestling practice. She just fell in love with this (not so cute) monkey snuggler. Bubba (what Ayla always calls Kelan)received an iTunes card.

First Match 2/12/12

Today, Kelan you competed for your first time in wrestling. You said "Mama I don't even have 1 butterfly." Your first match was up against last years champion that was undefeated. We obviously did not know this before the match...he won but you certainly have nothing to be ashamed of. You fought right down to the buzzer. No pin he just out pointed you (mama is learning the process as we go). The difference was experience...that kid had wrestled for 3 years. I could see the determination on your face as you pushed through every round. I was so nervous I could feel my stomach in my throat. Today, was a great learning experience for you...you may not have won the match but you did your very best and that is all that I ever ask of you :)

Drawing=Snuggler

This is one of Ayla's drawings "This is you momma." At this moment she loves to draw and she loves "Snugglers" aka stuffed animals. So, I decided to make one of her drawings come to life as a Snuggler.

Not to bad for my first try. Considering that I used supplies that I already had on hand. She helped me with the stuffing :)

Art

Found these drawing by Ayla while cleaning the other day. Love my babies little art. I find them all over my house. Kelan loves to draw momma, daddy, and Ayla in a stick people. Love his creativeness :) His little sweetness wants me to keep everything! If I put something in the recycle bin he will fish it out an remind me to not throw his things away. He inherited this trait from his daddy. When I find there pages laying I ask them (or they tell me about it) and I try to date and quote each one. It's amazing how fast each day passes. My memory fails me daily so I want to remember our days together. Ayla, for a while struggled with writing her name (or just lacked the interest). The other evening while in church she as laying in the floor beneath me doodling on the tithe envelope. To my surprise, I looked down and it was her little name :) this just melted my heart.

Super Bowl Breakfast

Our Sunday school class serves breakfast every Sunday and Super Bowl Sunday was my turn. So I decided to serve a "touchdown" menu.

Chocolate football strawberries, sausage footballs and goal post cinnamon biscuits. I also served BLT dip by Pampered Chef with crackers. For the goal post I just cut grands biscuits in 3 pieces and rolled and shaped them with my fingers. Buttered each and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Sausage ball recipe is 1lb sausage 2 1/2 cups of Bisquick 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese 1/2 cup milk. Mix all ingredients. Shape into balls or footballs and bake 350 degrees for 15minutes or until brown. Cut american cheese slices to resemble the laces on football.

All night wrestler

Daddy and I picked up your wrestling shoes yesterday. You were super excited! You tried to sleep in them last night. So daddy and I decided to let you join the Bobcats wrestling team. We have been taking you to Logan for practice one night a week so you are not missing Wednesday night church. The coach was bragging on you the other night on your second practice. "He is strong for his size and he is as good as some of the kids that have been here for months." You are so passionate and you give everything you are involved in your very best. I am so proud to be called your mama. I love you Kelan more than you will ever know.

Your wrestling face...these dinosaur jommies we bought you for Christmas and you have literally worn them every night since opening them ( I have washed them in between). I ordered you another pair from eBay just so you would have a back up pair. I love this about you! Everything means so much to you...the smallest gift brightens your day (even those stinking quarter machines).

2-3-2012 Ryan stayed all night with you for the first time. He went to wrestling practice with us and came home after. You both play so well together...he has such a sweet spirit. He helped you fold clothes to put back in you drawer and helped Ayla pick up the Legos she spilled. You all watched Friday night smackdown, wrestled and played light strike. It only took 6 tries to get a photo of you to silly boys :)

Choir

February 1, 2012 I decided to re-join our church choir. Not that I can sing well but it is important to serve and "gather together" in the house of the Lord. How could HE love me so? Have been practicing for the drama "We fall down" this is my 3rd time performing. Maybe a little old? Pastor asked and he asked for our age group so I agreed. When I feel alone, sad, overwhelmed or anxious I can just call out HIS name and HE is there in the midst of my storm. Still reading daily...what you put in comes out. So, I am trying to daily renew my mind with his word. To bear good "fruit." Little eyes and ears are watching my actions. To be an example in every life I come in contact with daily to just live life in front of them (Jesus with skin on). I fail at times and even "beat" myself up over it. His grace gets me through! Because we do "Fall down and get up."

First Slumber Party

At this moment Kaylee is your best friend...you both play so well together. You went to Tianna's slumber party in November and insisted on having one yourself. Skylea, Tianna, Sierra, Giselle, Kyra, Ryleigh and Kaylee attended your sleepover. We served pizza, chips, hot chocolate, heart cupcakes and punch. You stuck with Kaylee most of the night..and I would watch you both run to the kitchen sneaking come Doritos and mini cupcakes :) You love to help mama bake...you constantly ask "Can we make cookies or brownies." When you go to paw paw's he bakes with you. The other day you wanted to make your own recipe...water, ice, shredded cheese, sugar and ritz crackers. Forgot to snap a photo of this lovely creation.

You wanted to have a "Build a Bear" sleepover so we compromised and made "Hello Kitty" pillows. I created a pattern cut them out. The eyes are large brads that I colored with a black sharpie, the nose a yellow fuzzy ball (michaels craft store), the hairbow I made out of glittery felt and the wiskers was pipe cleaners. The girls stuff them and I glued the opening with a hot glue gun.

They had a blast with the stuffing! I found it all over my house for days after the party.

This photo is priceless...Ayla helping Krystal with inexpensive implants...Krystal also helped with games while I finished getting the pillows ready. She is an awesome teacher and woman of God. Most important... memories were made :)

Did u forget something? 1-30-12

....asks my sweet Ayla tonight and every night. She needs to snuggle that is what "Feels her love tank" (refer to The 5 Love Languages by: Gary Chapman). She loves her "Nummie" aka blanket :) She is a family member we talk about Nummie like she is a person...funny if she can't find her (which happens often) she will hollar "Nummie were are you?" Like she is gonna just come running. I had a blankie when I was a child (still have it) and I wanted her to have one. I know this is gonna sound CrAzY but really still when I pick it up and hold it I can feel a comfort that is just hard to explain. Sooo, I understand that Nummie is her person.

Funny how when she asks "Mama you wanna snuggle?" my world stops. Everything elce at that moment disappears. Who needs a clean house anyway? She is a thumb sucker..found it early. Such a sweet self soothing baby...she didn't require much. As long as she has her Nummie in her arms and her left thumb in her mouth she is content. At 4 I asked her "Ayla why do you like to suck your thumb." "I don't like it when it gets dry." She is so funny! Personality plus :)