PRAY FOR AUSTEN!

In March, March 6th to be exact, my brother's friend, Austen, was in a terrible car accident.  Austen had severe head trauma and was not given a favorable outcome.  Well, long story short, he has beat the odds and is still alive.  He has been in and out of hospitals, was even sent to hospice for a while and transferred out and back to an amazing rehab hospital in Houston.  He still has a long way to go and many surgeries but he is fighting every step of the way.

You can visit his facebook page HERE.

So many people have come together and prayed for Austen and his family.  They have been through more highs and lows than you can imagine.  Please pray for them and that they will find peace in all that they are going through and have gone through.

There will be a benefit for Austen in a few weeks and a silent auction to help raise money to help with his medical expenses.  Its always difficult to find ways to help in a situation like Austen's.  BUT, if donating something for the silent auction will help, then donate is what I will do.  I decided to put my love for sewing to work and made these....

a set of western 'boy' and shabby chic 'girl' burp cloths.  My brother is the one that said do a western thing.  I have no idea how much people will bid for these but it will be fun to see how much they bring in for Austen!

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS!!

OK, so I'm joining in on Love From Texas' "Tuesday's List" blog party!  I love making lists and wouldn't it be great if I could cross off all these things from my wish list!!  Wishful thinking...... I know!!  

1.  A Windows computer....

I have a Mac and LOVE it and wouldn't give it up for anything... BUT unfortunately none of my embroidery files or software will run on a MAC.  I'm not asking for anything fancy but just a simple and cheap computer for all my embroidery stuff.

2.  Sew What Pro embroidery software

It will help me make all the cute outfits I have in mind for my girls!!

3.  Headboard and dresser

I'll just say our master bedroom has been the most neglected room in the house and could use a makeover!  I don't know exactly what I want but it has to be timeless and I'm sure I'll know when I see it. 

4.  A blog makeover.  

I love all the cute blog headers and all the cute backgrounds but I don't have the talent to do it myself. Blogging is new to me and I'm really trying hard just to keep up with posting something every few days.  But, I've done pretty good so far and am learning this whole blog thing slowly.

5.  Flip HD Video Camera
Our video camera is about 6 years old and has seen better days.  I love how the flip is so compact and there are no tapes to worry about.  I love taking video of my kids and this would make it so much easier.

And let's not forget about the girls.

London would love to see a sandbox and trampoline but since we are in a rent house, she knows those things will have to wait.  She was so difficult to get a birthday list out of so hopefully she will be a little easier for Christmas.  I honestly have no idea what I want to get her....or what she wants to see under the tree.

Kinley will of course get lots of clothes from family but I would like to get her a playhouse. 

well, not this $20K one but if I had the change to spare, you bet my kiddo's would be playing in this.  It's adorable!!

She will probably see one of these too!!

As for Matt....My bet is he will want tickets to see one of his favorite teams play, a flat screen, blue ray player and as boring as it is, more work clothes.  Ha!!  

I hope Santa is good to us this year!!

WELCOME FALL!!

I know the first day of Fall was several days ago but today is the first day is actually feels like Fall.  London and I walked to school and I had to put a sweater on her and bundle Kinley in blankets in the stroller.  It was GREAT.  Kinley and I took an extra long walk on the way back home.  Everyone was out running and biking.

I came home and turned the A/C off and opened the back door and windows.  I know this weather won't last long but I am loving every minute of this crisp cool Fall air.

The family emails have begun to arrange all the Thanksgiving plans.  Everyone...Aunt's, Uncle's, Cousins, and more will join at the ranch to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Oh, and of course Aunt T and I will celebrate our birthday together.

Happy Fall!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!!

Today I gave my sister her birthday gift....a massage from here.  Of course I got one too and let me just say it was the BEST massage EVER!!  1 hr. and 15 min. of pure relaxation.  I'm not sure if I have ever had my neck and shoulders rubbed so much.  I warned the massage therapist that I was tense in my neck and shoulders and well......I think she rubbed out every knot I had.  

Afterwards we headed here.....

Matt and the girls met us there.  Can you tell London was excited for a cupcake!

Then my sister and I parted ways and Matt and I took the girls to the Weekend Pet Adoption place to look at the dogs and cats.  WE DO NOT want or need another animal but I knew the girls would love seeing the cats and dogs.  There was a whole room just for cats.  London thought she had died and gone to heaven.  

After petting every cat and me slathering Purell on our hands we headed home and stopped for dinner.... and I talked Matt to walking over to Hobby Lobby with me to get some wrapping paper.  The trip just for wrapping paper turned into browsing most of the store and I ended up with some cute fabric for one of the outfits I have in mind for the girls.  

It was a great day and I can't wait to continue the birthday celebrations at the ranch next weekend.

PARTY! PARTY!

It was a party filled weekend!

Saturday was London's 6th birthday party and we had a blast.  We started the day early, only because both girls woke up early!!  It ended up being a good thing though since Matt was still in bed....sick.  He had a virus all night and still felt sick Saturday morning so I got in Super Mom mode and was ready to do London's party solo!  I told Matt he was quarantined to the bedroom and I disinfected the whole rest of the house.  I mopped, vacuumed, wiped down {with lysol} the sofa's, door knobs, faucets, phones, pretty much anything that had been touched and got the house looking sparkly clean by 9:30 a.m.  London cleaned the playroom and her room which included a mighty fine job of making her bed. I couldn't have asked for anything more.  With Matt being sick and me knowing I was on my own, London really stepped up as mommy's helper.   I had myself and both girls dressed and at the store to get party snacks, juice boxes, and ice by 10.  Yes folks, that is a major accomplishment on my part considering I normally don't function until about 10!! London was a saint!  She helped me pick out just the right snacks {which only Kinley ended up eating} and juice.  We got home and she even tried to empty the big ice bags into the cooler.  A quick lunch of PB&J and a little down time and that is when the DARK storm clouds rolled in.   Oh, and a little thunder too just to make me crazy.  Matt was feeling better by this point and we both were pretty convinced that there wasn't going to be a pool party.  Miraculously, it rained for a little while and stopped and a little sun came out just in time for the party. London had a blast and her cake was her favorite part.....and presents of course.

She wanted her cake to look just like the one that was in a My Little Pony set that she had......and it looked just like it.  Thank you, Sue for your awesome work!!

I added another candle to her birthday banner too!

Sunday we headed north to our nephew's birthday party.  It was at a 'jumpy' place and London and Kinley had a ball.  Kinley couldn't get enough of the big slide.  She was so cute.  Every time she slid down she would give us a big belly laugh.  And London loved racing Matt and I through the obstacles.  I now have big respect for the Wipe-out contestants.  Those 'jumpy' things wore me out.

Now the girls are in bed and London's lunch is packed for school tomorrow.  I hope this week is better than last and that that darned 'bug' is out of our house.

Have a happy Monday!!

THE 'BUG' VISITS

How many times can a family of 4 vomit in one week?  Let me just say we have had our fair share of being sick this week.  Here is the rundown of the nice 'stomach bug' that was let loose in our house.

Monday:  All is well, I am on my own since Matt was still at the ranch and on his way home later that night.  I conquored bedtime and managed to get the girls in bed ontime and just as I thought they were both in dreamland, Kinley cries out.  Not totally abnormal for her but as I go to console her and reach into her crib I get hit with the nice unmistakeable smell of vomit.  Needless to say I spent the next few hours wondering if "'this' was going to be the last time she vomits tonight."  11 PM rolls around and after 2 crib sheet changes, a load of vomit laundry, 2 baths and PJ changes....Kinley is asleep.

Tuesday:  The day was great.  No one was sick and I was convinced that we had gotten lucky and the stomach bug was gone.

Wednesday: Just another day in our house....London went to school, Kinley and I did our normal clean house, play, and nap routine and took London to gymnastics.  I even did some errands that morning and had dinner in the crockpot.  I was feeling super productive.  No 'bug' in sight!!!  During gymnastics I started feeling run down and just dismissed it as busy mom syndrome.  We got home, ate dinner, and I started feeling so tired and a little 'yucky'.   I managed to bathe Kinley and Matt was a lifesaver and took over bedtime.  I did participate by laying by London's bed for a few minutes before the 'bug' came to visit me.  MOTHER'S SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SICK.......EVER!!!


Thursday: Matt walked London to school and even took Kinley with him. {no I didn't get a pic and am still kicking myself for not dragging myself outside for at least one shot of the  3 of them walking down the sidewalk}  I slowly started feeling better and thought "all is well"......until 3:15.  I get a call from London's teacher saying she isn't feeling well and is upset.  I rush out of the house to get in the front of the car rider line.  While in line the school calls again and says "come to the front of the line and go ahead and pull up to the front of the school".  London has vomited in the car rider line.  WONDERFUL!!  Welcome back stomach bug!!


Friday:  London gets to stay home from school since the rule is no school for 24 hours after vomiting etc.  She woke up feeling great.  No more 'bug' for her.  No more 'bug' for me and no more 'bug' for Kinley.  Matt goes to work, comes home, we play and do our normal evening thing with the kids, kids are in bed and now Matt has announced that the 'bug' has probably come to visit him.  


Tomorrow is London's birthday party.  Let's pray the 'bug' is gone by then!!!

GRANDPARENT'S DAY!!

Today was grandparent's day at London's school.  Each child was allowed to eat lunch with their grandparents at school.  I was thrilled when I found out both my mom (Nana)  and dad (Avy)  could make it for lunch with London.  They are such wonderful grandparent's and I couldn't ask for more!  They took London Chick-Fil-A and read her a story during lunch.  As an ex-teacher, of course Nana had to get the grand tour of London's classroom.

My mom is the typical, loving caring, sweet Nana that always greets you with a warm hug.  London has made so many great memories at Nana's house and I know many more are still to be made.  Often times London will beg to stay at Nana's .... just one more day.  I usually give in to her plea too because one more day at Nana's is just one more dose of extra love for my girl.

My dad, well, I'll just say that I've never seen him love a little girl more than he does London .... and Kinley of course.  His two girls have a hold of his heart and you can see the love in his eyes when they run to him.  He is full of stories and a surprise (M&M's) whenever we see him.  He was always a great dad but seeing him as a grandfather is awesome.

My girls are so lucky to have such great grandparents.  I had the most amazing Nanny and Papa and I know that if they were still living, even they would have made sure to be at lunch with London today.

6 YEARS OLD!!

How did this.......

Turn into this so fast?

don't  you just love that pose!!  she does that for just about every picture i take.  ha ha!!

ABOUT LONDON AT 6 YEARS OLD!!

FAVORITE THINGS TO PLAY

• LITTLEST PET SHOP
• MY LITTLE PONY
• KITCHEN/RESTAURANT
• SCHOOL

BEST FRIEND:

• KATIE

ACTIVITIES:

• GYMNASTICS  {Gymnastics lessons was Grandma's bday gift}

THINGS YOU DISLIKE

• KINLEY CRYING
• WAKING UP AT 7

I brought London Chick-Fil-A to school today to continue the birthday celebration and we got to eat lunch together!!  Kinley came too and boy does she love those long hallways.  

After lunch we got to go to her class and have cupcakes with her class.  Her teacher just bragged on how sweet she is and told me she made London model her outfit for all the teachers.  

We ended the day with a birthday dinner at McDonalds {London's pick} and then home for homework, baths and bedtime.  The big party is in two weeks....invites are out, cake is ordered and favors are made.  We can't wait.

Happy Birthday sweet London.  I love all 6 seasoned years of you!!

ALL IN A RAINY DAYS WORK

So here is the final product except the matching bow.

I can't wait for miss Lo to put it on!!  As soon as I get the shoulder ribbons cut to the right length I will make her a matching bow too.  Her birthday bows always are her favorite to wear with everything.   The top isn't exactly what I was thinking when I started the project but I like how it turned out.

I lost the memory card to my embroidery machine soooooo the applique design I wanted to put on the top didn't make it on and I had to settle for the block font that my machine has standard instead of a cutesy one.  I have searched the whole house for that stinking card and I have given up and come to terms that I will have to order a new one.  I hope I can get one in time for me to make some cute Halloween shirts.

On another note..

It has been raining ALL day.  I am really enjoying the rain and hoping that some cooler weather is around the corner.  I am ready to pull out my fall decor but with 100 degree temps, it just doesn't  seem right to put out pumpkins and scarecrows.  I did buy a cinnamon spice candle today so it at least smells like fall in my house.

Kinley and I made a much needed grocery run after I took London to school.  I picked up cupcakes for London to take to her class.  The school doesn't allow any homemade stuff.  I was going to make cupcake pops until I was told I had to bring store bought stuff.  So instead of my cute cupcake pops  with cute tags to match, I picked up these...

I don't think the kids will care what kind of cupcake it is, just as long as they get something.

Of course the sky had to open up while we were shopping and we had to make a mad dash to the car.  I'm pretty sure I made record time unloading a basket full of groceries and getting Kinely in her seat.  Then I made another record  time unloading the car once we got home.  And why is it that when you get plastic bags for your groceries that the sacker person only puts 3 things in each bag.  It's time for me to start taking my reusable shopping bags again.

I dressed Kinley up in piggy tails today.  It made her look so grown up.....well, as grown us as an 18 month old can look.  She actually kept them in most of the morning too.  I could only get a back shot of her.  She has been running from me all day.

Dinner is in the crockpot........and it smells so good.  Kinley is napping and I'm going to rest before going to get London.  Tomorrow is the big 6th birthday for my sweet girl.  I can't believe she is growing up so fast.  A fun birthday post is in store for tomorrow!!!!

BIRTHDAY SHIRT

Somehow this...............

will be something presentable for London to wear to school on her birthday.  She has had a special birthday outfit every year and this year will be no exception.  I managed to find some scraps of fabric in my fabric bin that might just work out and keep me from having to make a trip to Hobby Lobby or Jo-Anns.  I'm thinking a pillowcase dress style top and an applique'd cake but we'll see.  Pics of the final product will be posted later!!!

A FROG AND A LITTLE RED CAR!!

Friday afternoon was great.  The weather was actually bearable enough to play outside.  The kids had some good old fashion fun with friends all afternoon until all the mommies called out, "time for dinner!" A little of that fun included building a house......

made of a red igloo cooler......

a few leaves, hot pink easter grass, and easter eggs.....

and one lucky frog.......

isn't he/she the luckiest frog around??





























And while the frog house was being made


Little feet pitter pattered down the driveway and little hands went beep beep beep.....

I hope you all had a happy weekend!!