One Year

 One Year has passed.
But not one day has gone by without thoughts of you.
We've tucked you in our hearts forever.
 

Justin's 20th birthday, August 2010

 

Nana and Papa's Anniversary, August 2011

 

Justin and Baby Kam, September 2009
 

 

 Justin and Kenners, Christmas Day 2009

Nothing but love, and hugs, and smooches for you today, Jus.
I just know you are celebrating this glorious day with our Savior.
Love you Baby Brother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life

I am bound and determined to play catch up on the ol' blog.
I miss it so much.
I miss the journaling.
I miss visiting my friends.
But good gracious, life . . .
is BUSY!

So.
Updates.
Jeremy and I actually made it out on a date for our anniversary!
We don't ever get out of the house together, so it was pretty special.

 

Just a quick dinner, but it was pretty fabulous to enjoy conversation without
being interrupted 422 times :)

The following day, the girls and I picked up my MIL,
 and headed to Seattle for a trip to American Girl!
It was exhausting, but fun.

We have dental appointments tomorrow.
I hate the dentist.
I mean, I don't hate our dentist.  He's pretty great.
But I hate going to the dentist.
I hate having someone messing with my mouth.
I hate being told that one of the girls has a cavity, or some other such issue.

And then Easter weekend.
It's going to be a difficult one.
But I am determined to make it special and fun, and filled with joy for the girls.
We've had too much sadness this year.

What have you all been up to?

 

 

 

Eleven Years

 

 

 

 Eleven years, and I love him more each day . . .

 

 

 

Wordful Wednesday ~ Birdie Rescue

 The girls and I were in the shop the other day, checking on our chicks
{or rather nearly full grown chickens!}, when Sierra spotted a bird that wasn't supposed to be there.  It was a little like the game, 'one of these things is not like the other'.

I suggested that Sierra leave it be, rather than catch it,
and I'd open up all of our bay doors in  hopes it'd fly out.

It didn't.

The next thing I knew, Sierra was shrieking, crying, and trying to explain
that the little bird had managed to get caught in one of the many mouse traps lying about.

Poor little darlin'.
 

No worries.  Grandpa to the rescue!
He helped me get the bird out of the trap . . .
 

 

 

 We cleaned up his feet a little, and that little fighter flew right off!!

 

 

 

 

 

Projects!

It's been a looooong time since I've had an extra minute for a project.
Like, a long time.
But lately Sierra has been interested in sprucing up her room a bit, so we're brainstorming to come up with inexpensive {free?} ideas to transform her plain room into a special spot she can love.

First thing on her list was a new comforter/bedding set.
She found one online that she loved.
And it was on sale!

She has also wanted a canvas to hang above her bed.
And one of our favorite labs was having an amazing canvas sale,
so we took advantage:




It was a great start, but there was still a lot of bare wall space just staring at us.
Eventually she would like to put up a shelf that she can decorate with pictures and other trinkets.
But that will have to come later
{when we can shop around and find some steals!}

After a little thought, we decided a corkboard was a must.
A spot to pin photos, quotes, letters from pen-pals, and other special momentos.

So we started in.

The best thing about this project?
It cost nothing.
I guess at one time I had invested a few dollars into the supplies,
but all of these items I had on hand.
And when you're living on a very strict budget . . . free is like a breath of fresh air!

I found some scrap fabric {that just so happens to match Sierra's new bedding perfectly},
cork board, picture frame, ribbon, and stapler.

 

 We covered the cork board in our fabric, and stapled to the back.
{I also stapled my finger, but we won't talk about that}
 

 

Added accent ribbon 

And placed inside the frame.
 

Tada!

Now Miss Sierra has a little spot for all of her special treasures.

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Sunshine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcoming Spring

I'm trying sooooo hard not to complain about the weather.
But all it does is rain, and I'm a big complainer, so . . .
Waaahhhhhhh :(

In hopes of summoning Spring a little early,
we snuggled up some chickies and grabbed the camera.

It pains me to part with money, but I'm sooooo tempted to make this a canvas.

 

We had a little mishap the other night,
resulting in one of my favorite collage frames crashing to the floor.
So I have a pretty good idea where I'd hang the new canvas ;)
But then I worry that it's too seasonal . . .
But then I think how much I love it.
Ahhhhh.  Decision maker, I am not.


Our Red Chickies were a little camera shy.
I snapped this photo, and then away he ran . . .  trying to hide under the couch.
 

Taylor is in LOVE with all kinds of animals.
I think she could've snuggled up the chickies all day long.
 

My Sweet Big Girls :)
They love the chicks too.
 

 This little guy makes me smile.
Our Barred Rock chicks seem to be a lot more laid back than the Reds.
We put this one up on the basket, and he just stayed put.
Then let out one little "peep".
 

 

Ahhhh.  I love Spring.
The kind of Spring that involves a little sun, some flowers in bloom, the hint of Summer.
NOT the kind that involves incessant rain.
Just in case you were wondering.

 

 

 

Stinker

 

Taylor can be such a stinker.

 

She challenges me every day.

 

But.

 

Most of the time, she is so funny, you forget why you were ever exasperated.

 

Case in point:

 

Tay hates to have her diaper changed. 

Actually, she hates to have a diaper on.

 

So, every time I go to change her, she kicks, screams, rolls over, and runs

as fast as her little legs can carry her.  Yelling: "Nooooooooooo!"

 

Sunday, we were getting ready for Church.

She plays her no diaper game.

 

I start counting:

 

Me: "One" . . . {because counting is super threatening to a 20 month old}

 

Tay: {already down the hall}: "One"

 

Me: {A little stern this time} "Two" . . .

 

Tay:  "Three!"

 

Ohhhhhh that girl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party Prep

 So.  I'm behind.  As always.
Still posting pics from Makenna's birthday, a week ago.

But, we had so much fun in the kitchen, prepping for her party, that I had to share.

One of the girls' favorite "accessories" is sprinkles.
I have to admit, I love them too!
They make everything so festive and sparkly :)

So we gave our little birthday glasses a makeover.

A little icing . . .



A little roll in the sprinkles . . .
 

Ta-Da!

Party-ready cups!
 

Remember my Heart-Shaped Yogurt Treats? 
These little heart-shaped ice cube trays have come to the rescue again!
{Thank you, Target!}

Pureed strawberries, frozen in heart-shaped molds . . .
 

Make the perfect little addition to Lemonade, or Punch, or Sprite or . . .
Whatever!
 

 

 

 

 How do you accessorize your party?