Thankful

After our usual Sunday swim with the Mayes', the kids and I went to see my grandparents in Elkins.  We haven't seen them since March, so I was excited to catch up on lost time.   

One of the things I look forward to when we visit them is the "wall".  In the entry way of their kitchen, my grandfather has a wall where he marks all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren's (my kids) height.  He backs us up to the wall while placing a book on our head, and marks our height with our name and date.  As usual, he marked all my children, and amazingly they had all grown a significant amount since March.  As we stood back and had the routine conversation about how quickly they grow up, it hit me hard how true that is.  In just a few short years, they will be grown and I will be wondering where the time has gone.

 Moments before he marked them on the wall, I sat at the table with them complaining about how hard it is to be a mother to three small children.  Sometimes I feel like I run in circles every day, then I wake up and do it all over again.  I deal with attitudes all day, I cook, clean, do laundry, dishes, baths, iron... the list goes on and on.  

When it hit me, I thought... gosh, they really ARE growing up fast.  How is it possible that they could grow inches in just four months?  Instead of wishing the minutes would pass just to get to another day, or another year, I should stop and be thankful for what I have.  Every moment I have with them is a gift, and I should be cherishing every second. 

Today in church the sermon was on thankfulness, and I really felt the Holy Spirit speak to me. Colossians 3:15-17 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Amen!  What a great responsibility and honor it is, that God chose me to be a mother to Kent, Grace and Amos.  This was His perfect plan for me.  So, my goal is to joyfully serve my family and be thankful for them.  I will put the house work aside and invest in my family, and be thankful. All the little things that I will do for them that are sometimes expected or that don't come with a "thank you", I will do in the name of the Lord Jesus.  God has blessed our family in countless ways with his unfailing love.  Why am I complaining???  We are so blessed!  

Thank you Lord!  

Sewing Projects

Your probably wondering why I'm posting about random sewing projects.  Well, I had someone ask if we sold our items online.  Since we don't, I thought I would post some pictures so people could see some of the things we offer.

If anyone is interested in a brochure, just let me know.  I would be happy to mail you one. :-)

 "Silkies" are our best seller.  One side is fuzzy and soft, and the other side is slick and smooth. 

 Babies love to snuggle these things!

Hair bows....

Onesies....

Burp cloths are our second best seller.  

This one is my favorite.  It has all of the baby's birth information sewn onto the ribbon.

We applique too!

This is actually a pillow case turned into an outfit.  The shirt is the main part of the pillow case, and the ruffle on the jeans is the cuff off the pillow case.  

Add a monogram and some ribbons, and your set!

My sweet friend Shannon ordered two of these dresses for her girls.  

Another dress....

You can't go wrong with sock monkeys!

More Razorback stuff....

 

Out with the old... in with the new!

The "old" car

Gosh, I'm going to miss my stickers on the back window!

Well, I've finally given in!  I fought the idea of a van for a long, long time, and yet here we are... proud owners of a Sienna.  Most of you know, I loved my Camry.  It was somewhat sporty and didn't make me feel "old".  Here lately I've started telling myself to GET OVER IT!!!  My children have pushed me beyond all measures in the car.  Amos and Grace fight constantly EVERY time we go anywhere.  Someone is always touching, hitting, poking and yes, even looking at someone else the wrong way!  It's never a good thing if your mad when you get to church on Sunday morning because you had to referee a fight while driving.  The more they would fight, the more crazy I was getting!

I finally reached my breaking point and decided it was time.  Grace and I had a hard time saying goodbye to the car.  When we got out of it in the parking lot for the last time she said, "you've been a good little car.  I will really miss you."  As she was talking to the car, she had her arms stretched around the door trying to hug it!  As pathetic as it may sound, she was saying and doing all the things I wanted to do, but didn't!  

On the way home from picking it up (we special ordered it and had to wait a week for it to get here), they watched a movie and I didn't hear a peep out of them!  I don't intend on popping in a movie every time we get in the car, however, today was a special occasion. I was so impressed with how quiet they were, and how everyone kept their hands (and feet) to themselves!   

I guess I have officially embraced the van.  I don't know why I had this preconceived idea that vans weren't cool!  I would recommend it to any mother that would like to keep her sanity!!!  Thank the Lord for cars where the seats don't touch!    

The new van!

I LOVE how the side windows roll down like a car

I think they like it too!

Their favorite thing is the dvd players....imagine!

This picture says it all!

Here is a scary thought!!!

Branson Bachelorette Party

Brittany opening her goodie bag

So cute!

The scrap book page I made for her

Lunch at the Tea Room

This was a cake Mary Jo bought at Rick's Bakery that traveled all the way to Branson.  She slid around a little in the car, so it looks like she is wearing a belly shirt!

The Showboat

All six of us with the captain of the boat

Barn swinging.... ahhhhhh!

Me riding Sanchez the mechanical bull!

I loved this slide!

This past weekend was my good friend Brittany's bachelorette party in Branson.  We all got there Friday and met a few of her close friends for a weekend full of fun, laughing and just having a great time of fellowship.  

The first night we met up at a hotel and got to know each other. We all brought pictures of ourselves with Brittany, and we each made a scrap book page.  At the end of the night we put them all together and started a book for her.  It was really neat.

After we made the scrap book pages, Brittany's friend, Mary Jo, gave each of us a goodie bag with buttons that said "I'M WITH THE BRIDE", a recorder, tierra, a plastic diamond ring and a magic wand!  We all laughed so hard when we saw all the fun things in the bag.  She gave Brittany a veil with fuchsia colored feathers glued to the top and a matching fuchsia boa.  It was too funny.  We thought it would be fun to wear all these lovely things around town, and boy did we get some funny looks!  

Saturday was the most fun, and the most exhausting.  We all wore old bridesmaid dresses complete with all of our gifts from Mary Jo, and had a nice lunch at the Tea Room.  We couldn't help but laugh because of all the stares we got.  Our waiter at lunch was a singer on the Showboat Branson Belle, and he invited us to come see him perform that night. Everyone thought it sounded like fun, so we went.  They served us dinner and we saw our waiter, Chip, sing some "broadway style" songs.  We even got invited to come up to meet the captain and have our picture taken!  It was very entertaining, to say the least, but we all had a great time!    

Saturday night we went barn swinging and had some more laughs.  I was genuinely looking forward to it until we got there, and I realized how high I would be swinging.  I attempted it one time, and just watched the rest of the girls the rest of the time.  I did however, slide on the giant slide and rode a mechanical bull and loved it.  

That night we were all pretty tired, and crashed for the night.  We got up Sunday morning and drove home.  I was so happy to get away and have some "girl time".  I think we all went away from the trip with new friends and lots of wonderful memories!  Thanks Brittany!  :-)

Birthday Parties Galore

Amos climbing inside the obstacle coarse

Grace at the top of the giant slide

Grace sliding

Amos breaking the rules, and sliding head first!

Say CHEESE!

Today was a busy, but fun day for our family. We had two birthday parties at the exact same time. One was at Lokomotion in Fayetteville, and the other was at Pump It Up in Bentonville. So..... I dropped Kent off at his party in Fayetteville, and my sweet friend Jennifer, volunteered to bring him to me after the party in Bentonville so Grace and Amos wouldn't miss their friend's party.

Two weeks ago was our first time at Pump It Up, and oh my goodness, it was fun! For those of you that haven't been, it's a giant room full of aired up toys to jump, climb and slide on. I don't know who had more fun, me and Billy, or the kids! I jokingly told Billy I want my next birthday party to be there! :-)

My Little Swimmers

I've always enjoyed Sunday afternoons with the Mayes'.  Every week after church all 20 (give or take) of us get together for lunch and swimming.  We always have a great time!  The kids look forward to Sundays more than any other day of the week.  We are so blessed to have such a great family!

My handsome boy!

Pretty blue eyed girl!

Half 6 year old boy... half fish!

CANNON BALL!!!!!

I love this picture!  Every week Papaw throws dollar coins into the pool for each kiddo.  He throws the bigger kids their coins in the deep end, and Grace and Amos' on the steps!  It's so cute!  

 

Fireworks Fun

Every year we always go to the little fireworks tent down the road and let the kids pick out a few things.  This year was no different.  They always get excited about picking out their fireworks! 

After stopping by the tent, we went to Billy's Uncle Ben and Aunt Sue's house.  The kids love them, and always have a great time playing with Sammy (Billy's cousin).  Before everyone else in the family showed up, we jumped on the trampoline and took turns in their new tree swing.  

Kent has always enjoyed "helping" with the fireworks and has never been scared.  However, this was the first year Amos didn't scream!  He was content to sit in his chair the whole time and stick his fingers in his ears!  If you know anything about Amos, that was HUGE for him to sit in one spot and be happy! Grace decided she wasn't going to sit with Amos, so she had fun with a few sparklers and roman candles.

We all had a great time and enjoyed everyone's company.    

Mimi and Grandpa's House

Last night Billy and I went to dinner with our good friends Brittany and Emery.  While we were out having a nice quiet dinner, the kid's were at Mimi and Grandpa's playing.  They love to go to Billy's parents because, well..... first of all, there really are no rules (ha/ha), but they love to play with the horses.  They recently had a new baby horse and Grace named her Rosella!  Funny huh!!  Anyway, Mimi took these pictures, and they were just too cute to not share.