Munch in the Morning and Other Pics

I've been really wanting to slow down my constant "Get stuff done." attitude and enjoy my son, husband, and life in general.  Plus, I'm not the type of person to pull a camera out and "Capture the moment".   So, I want to start taking pictures of the things and people that I enjoy. 

N has this thing for balls or anything in a sphere like shape...this includes oranges.

N is such a cuddler and hugger.

Flowers

I don't know about you but my sister and I are in love with the flower trends in fashion.  Whether it is flowers in your hair, on your scarf or just making a plain tee not so plain they are always cute and of the moment.   So, for Jessy's Christmas gift I made some.  She got a hairband, a pin, and a clip...and I couldn't help but make some of my own too.  What do you think?

Better picture to come...

A New Day

Are you a list maker? I am.  I love to make lists and then revisit them later on.  Yes, I do check things off but I also like to see what was my top priorities say when I was in college or when N was first born or when Steve and I were first married.  It brings to light how life has changed and how it has stayed the same.  It's that sameness and difference that is most interesting to me.  My overall worries of perfection and not letting people down can be seen in all my lists but as time goes on my definitions of
"perfection" change, and the "people" sometimes change as well.  

Not wanting worry to drive my thoughts or lists anymore I've been thinking more and more about what should drive my lists and life for that matter.  What I've come up with is simple and really hard to do.  Love God, Love others, and Love life. 

It sounds like something you might read on a bumper sticker or maybe someone's t-shirt but if we do those three things then God promises peace, joy, a fulfilled life and even an everlasting life! Things that I've longed more and more for as materials (and worries) have made life empty, and all around harder.  But how do you do those things?  Well, I've discovered that they are in descending order starting first with God, then Others, and finally with life. 

You can get into huge discussions about how you can't love others without loving God first and life if empty without fellowship but really it just comes down to God made us to desire him, others and the life that he has set before us, and he is the only one who can teach us HOW to do such things.  No, step by step program just seek him and allow him to change you and the rest will follow suit.  

So, that all said here is my list for tomorrow (obviously I need to start planning ahead maybe a little bit further, but baby steps).  Do you have a collection of lists?

Merry Christmas!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday! Merry Christmas from our family!

Are pictures worth a 1000 words? Part 3

N loves water. Drinking it, bathing in it, and especially playing in it.

While baking cookies with friends. N decided to get into the tupperwear cabinet.

And then the following day he got into the chip cabinet. needless to say we now have locks on the doors.

Cora Marie Quinn (my new niece) born 12/15/10

Christmas #1 (we have around 4 or 5 each year!!)

N got a ton of toys, but all he wanted was a ball.

baby boy in heaven.

I really like wrapping gifts to perfection. aren't these pretty?

Are pictures worth a 1000 words? Part 2

For Halloween N was Charlie Brown.  The shirt was super easy to make. 

N turned one this November.

"What is this stuff?! It is so sticky!"

Pj waiting for some of N's birthday cake to come his way.

Are Pictures Worth 1000 Words?

You tell me.  Here a number of pictures of things we've been up to and crafts that I've done.  Enjoy!

For our 5th Anniversary Steve and I went Gocarting.  No I'm not winning...I'm slow. :)

N started walking at 10 months!!

Our trip to Missouri Town (in Lees Summit MO) was wonderful!

Merry Christmas!

Sharing The Love Christmas

Personalize your Christmas photo cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy Anniversary Love

Today is Steve's and my wedding anniversary.  We've been married for five wonderful years.  I have loved each moment that I've gotten to share with this man.  He is an amazing man.  I think it is a great blessing when you can look up to your husband easily and submit to his plans and ideas because you've seen his integrity and wisdom.  Yeah, he forgets that Gdiapers get put on differently than regular diapers but in the grand scheme of things that is something I'm prepared to live with and even laugh at.

So, here's to my wonderful husband and to falling even further in love. Love you Steve.

Butter!

Have you ever come across something that sounded too easy.  "If it were really that easy why don't more people do it?" you ask yourself, and then that nagging thought creeps in..."why don't I try it?"   This was my experience when I first read how to make butter.  All you do is pour heavy whipping cream into a mason jar to about the half way mark, put a lid on the jar and then shake.  THAT'S IT!  And that nagging thought, oh yeah it won out and I made butter!

You have to shake the heavy whipping cream for awhile and then like magic the butter milk and butter separate.  Make sure to squeeze out the butter milk or your butter will go bad faster.  Plus, if you like salt in your butter you can mix it in after you separate it from the milk.  so easy and everyone will be surprised that something so simple worked.

The Best Toys for the Price

I am a very privileged mom.  I have a mother-in-law who loves to shop and loves to pick up toys for her grandson.  But the best privilege of all is watching N play in the can goods.  It cracks me up every time.  He likes the baby food section the most, and while I am cooking or just need to make a latte he is there pulling out cans, boxes of croutons, and tuna packets.

He is there so much that I have started putting some of his toys away with the cans just so he can play with those as well.  Love it!

 
Another great toy is an old cell phone.  This one no longer works but Nolan loves it. :)

5th Rachel's Baby Shower

I don't know about you but it feels like there are babies or pregnant women everywhere you look! It might just be my imagination; you know when you buy a certain kind of car you notice it more, maybe that is it.  Well, two of my good friends are due August and September, and I have the great pleasure of throwing their baby showers.

The first shower on the calendar was Rachel's.  

The theme was Dump Trucks.  I had construction signs everywhere, as well as poms hanging from the ceiling in colors yellow and white.

I totally geeked out on the favors.  There were homemade biscotti, homemade marshmallows, and brownies.  Each in its own little bag with sticker.  (The biscotti were really good, but none of the guest got them because...well, let's just say that my dogs also agreed that the biscotti was really good. And yes, I almost killed them.)

Pam a mutual friend of mine and Rachel's, helped with the planning, and she is so awesome!  She made a cake that looked like a dump truck, and came up with a bib making project that the guests could do at the party and then give to Rachel.  All of which were taken on another camera!!! :(  (I really need to get better at taking pictures at these parties).
Here are some wonderful pictures taken by another friend.