Just being Chatty

My Little "Big Brother" wedding: Dec 17, 2011

2012-01-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

Maddie and Katelynn opening their snowglobes. Gifts for being their snowgirls.

Heather watching her groom make introductions at the rehearsal dinner.

Brandon introduces his groomsmen

Katelynn stops for a smile.

The "innocent" snowgirls having a blast in the ice machine at the reception site

Charity irons MANY tablecloths!!!!

BEAUTIFUL centerpieces made by the brides father

Finished tables

Brandon's college quartet practicing in "less than wedding attire"

Maddie and Katelynn make their way down the aisle for rehearsal

Brandon waits for his beautiful bride. (this big sister got a bit teary)

Heather and her father. ( I LOVED THE TOP HAT!!!!)

Heather, Starbucks in hand, gets her hair down by the talented Sylvia

The winter wonderland.

It really felt like we went out to the woods and had a wedding!

My little angel

So happy I got this shot....the girls were peeking in as Uncle "B" and Aunt Heather saw one another for the first time on their wedding day

All the snow girls getting ready for their pictures

Brandon and Heather pose for some shots

Heather and her girls

Anxiously awaiting to walk down the aisle

"Lord let your light"

Not sure what the big smile was for????

Bridesmaids all in a row

My sweet baby girl....looking all grown up!!!

I loved every part of my brothers wedding. It was such a winter feel...even was snowing when we got to the church to start getting ready. It was a beautiful cold winter day. The platform was just beautiful. And I loved that it felt like we headed out to the woods...and a Dashing father with top hat in hand gave away his BEAUTIFUL winter princess to a handsome groom. Heather sparkled as she said her vows and had tears while Brandon sung a special song to her from a park bench surrounded by "snow"...completing the picture with a lamp post. From start to finish it was special!!!

The reception was delicious with yummy soups and chicken salad and other tasty treats. A beautiful cake that was equally delicious. It was a beautiful day that ended with lanterns lit and let go into the sky! (which if you were there, it was a bit comical on the ground...if even a bit dangerous! LOL But no one went home with burns...so it was all good!)

We are so happy to have Heather in our family...she is a PERFECT match for my brother. I wish them both the VERY best in life. I love them both dearly!!!!

Katelynn's tree

2012-01-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

Let me be the first to say I do NOT (normally) like white trees!!! But I had wanted a tree for my little girls room so bad and with teals, pinks, lime greens a green tree was just NOT GOING TO WORK. So we found a white tree for like $20 at Wal-mart....I was tempted to wait another year so i could get it for $10 after Christmas...but figured hey it's for my little girl, why not? And I loved the colored lights on it for a kids room too. Since I am normally a fan of White/clear lights. I had picked some ornaments up the year before for 50% and 75% off so I was excited to get this tree decorated. We let her just go to town on it! She was so proud to do it. Although she only wanted to decorate one side of the tree? Not sure why...we tried to encourage her to do the other side...but nope not many bulbs got to the other side.

Here is her finished product! See how proud she was????

Well, I was pleased but still wanted so much more to go on this tree...so after a few trips to Target (who just happened to be selling JUST THE ORNAMENTS I NEEDED !!!!!) 4 snowflakes for $1 and the big Pink tree ornament approx. $3. I hooked the big one together with 2 of the snowflakes....loved the look for a tree topper. And I had seen Sock monkeys at Khols...but when I went to get them...they were gone. Even had my mom look for them at hers...NOPE. So a trip to Walmart...got me the other Sock Monkeys. (For Half the price I am sure!) Then with some extra teal ribbon (from my mom/Nana) I felt really bad to re-do her tree...but had fun making it look so Childish!

I LOVED THE END RESULT!!!

(Even had to get wrapping paper to match the theme!)

A random winter picture blog post

2012-01-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

Meeting Frosty the snowman! She loved hitting the button to put him up at night!

Enjoying "Jolly Days" at the children's museum...even Mommy, Daddy and Grandma Thompson enjoyed the slide with Katelynn

Stopped for a picture with Mrs. Santa

(to most this picture is no big deal...but for my Katelynn it is...she even stood by Santa this year too...no smile but she stood by him and talked to him. She has been SO SCARED of people in costumes and masks and even animals...but loves them from afar. But is getting so brave now. She tells me, "I not going to be scared, they're so nice (or so cute if it is an animal)" But I can tell she still is unsure at times...baby steps!)

Having fun pretending!

A Christmas gift for Katelynn's Sunday School teacher. Saw this idea in a Family Fun magazine and knew right away who I wanted to use it for! Sis. Shelia loved it. (Will post that picture later) Katelynn had a blast breaking all the crayons and tearing the paper off. (So much so that whenever the crayons are out now she continues to do it till I catch her) It was an easy craft and very inexpensive! (and yes, you take the glass out of the frame)

Helping Mommy with Christmas goodies. Making White Christmas Chocolate mix.

A Christmas project...a gingerbread house. A first for mommy and Katelynn. She had alot of fun...I think she had more fun eating the candy than putting it on the house.

A trip to the Children's museum with Nana and Mommy! Our passes have come in so handy, Katelynn has loved going and playing over and over!

My beautiful blessing! I can't explain how much JOY she has brought to my life!

Katelynn and her friend Dumus (who goes to our church and also works one day a week at the Children's Museum!) Katelynn was pretty excited to see someone she knew at the museum.

Enjoying a quiet moment at the museum, while Nana reads her a book

Her letter and coloring picture for Santa...she was excited to put it in the mailbox

The 1st of 2 Christmas weddings Jonathan Glick married his sweetheart known him since his mom was expecting him....also known his wife since she was a toddler. They had a beautiful spirit-filled wedding!

Katelynn was so excited about Christmas this year

My pretty grown-up Santa girl!

This Christmas was so much fun...will be posting more pictures this week and be saying alot more than. For now hope you enjoy the pictures while I get caught up on everything!

More Fall forgotten memories

2011-12-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

Another Fall moment that missed the blog.

STUCKEY'S APPLE FARM

Katelynn, Maddie, Nana and Mommy

It was a cool and wet day but the girls went home with an apple and a pumpkin and I bought some special cheese for daddy and got a jar of Mango salsa. ( I poured it over cream cheese and served with Crackers when Uncle B and "Aunt" Heather came to our house a few days later....it was YUMMY)

Next to impossible to get a good picture of two 2 year olds.

My bave little girl sitting all by herself in the dentist chair. Just in for them to check everything is coming in just fine...no cleanings till she is 3 or 4

A carved pumpkin and a BLONDIE moment

2011-12-08T13:40:00.000-08:00

I am such a BLONDIE!!!! Those of you that have your posts set up to where you can see when someone puts a new post on would see I updated a new Fall post. Well I was so happy I got "New" pictures on...just to post and than scroll down and see I had ALREADY POSTED THOSE PICTURES!!!! ARRR!!!! Needless to say that 30 min went "Bye-Bye" with the simple push of a delete button! LOL So here are some NEW pictures! They are from October of her carving and painting her pumpkin....better late than never huh?

She wasn't as thrilled about the Gooey stuff this year!!!

Not sure what happened this year, but I did an awful job of carving her pumpkin. But we made memories and that is what really matters.

Fall Happenings

2011-10-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Awful again...what can I say I have good beginnings but kind of flicker out. That is not my intention...but seems how my life goes. Trying to work on that "bad" thing in my life.

But anyhow here we are....parenting is going better only one more broken "expensive" item. So let's hope that is all the broken items we have for awhile.

We have had a tea party which was so fun. I was given by my grandma, whom I called Nanny, a pretty tea set. It actually has no cups and saucers...just the tea pot, sugar dish, one other little dish that I don't know what it is for and creamer. So Katelynn and I used coffee cups and saucers. (I have since bought one tea cup and saucer at a garage sale and am on the look out for a few more) We had water and gummy life savers, and Dove chocolate. I pulled out my table cloth and a cute vase with flowers and had her put her feather hat on from Nana and Papaw...and mommy had a fuzzy pink bucket hat. ( since she thought I needed a hat too.)

*even though this gift was Never really asked for and when opened thought "why in the world did Nanny get me this?" Maybe God knew I could share a little bit of her (my grandma) with her GREAT-granddaughter whom she would never meet on this earth....either way I am thankful for this gift NOW more than ever!!!*

Miss. Katelynn ready for "tea time"

*Notice the pinkie finger *

We also made some yummy apple cream cheese muffins and shared them at the bored meeting that night.

Then Friday came (Oct 14).....honestly I was dreading it. Katelynn was having her first sleepover at Map's house...just because. I knew I needed the break...but I was having a rough time knowing she was going to be gone for about 24 hrs. I know I am crazy...but it's honestly how I feel.

So Pap-pap ( Jonathan's dad) came and picked her up about 3:30. I quickly left the house due to not wanting to be lonely. I went to my favorite scrapbook store and used some coupons and enjoyed some shopping without having to say,"Katelynn come to mommy." "No, don't touch that". It was kind of nice. Finally went home...and planned on scrapbooking. But all energy left me and overwhelming loneliness set in. I was almost angry at my self. Jonathan called later and I told him to hurry home I needed someone in the house I was to sad. I knew we were going to dinner for a nice date but had asked no questions due to LOVING surprises. He came in the living room and told me to pack my bags. We headed downtown to Weber Grill. Dinner was so yummy, I had a delicious steak and yummy mashed potatoes (which is HIGH on my crave list) and Jonathan had combo plate of pulled pork and ribs. ( I think). We were to full for dessert so we headed outside were we had to wait for our carriage ride.

*pictures courtesy of yellow rose carriages and Weber Grill

I felt like we had been rushed back to our dating days. We some how had signed up for the long ride...which was a bit more money than we planned...but went for it. It was cold but we had a big blanket and enjoyed cuddling as we watched the city and just talked and talked...ok and maybe kissed too.

Then we went to the motel (ok so that did not remind me of dating but did remind me of pre-kid days.) Jonathan got a beautiful room overlooking the city at the J.W. Marriott for a really good deal. We got a delicious cookie Sunday from the bar downstairs ( which was the only thing opened that late) and enjoyed it in our room. It was a wonderful evening and the best date ever!!!! He out did himself!!!

*picture courtesy of J.W. Marriott

We had only had one real date since Katelynn was born so we deserved it. I told him I want one more date before this new baby is born.
The next morning we woke in time to see the last part of the sunrise across the city....just awesome from the 15th floor with floor to ceiling windows. After we got home I left and went to a small massage place that Jonathan had gotten me a gift card for LAST Christmas. I had been listening to some Christian music in the car and had just WISHED I could listen to that kind of music during my massage. When I got back to the room she turned on the music to....you guessed it!!!! Needless to say as got ready and crawled under the blanket on the table I was in tears!!!!! I told her she had NO IDEA what a blessing it was! The massage was awesome...and she talked of Jesus the whole time. She even prayed with me at the end and blessed me and the baby. Sounds crazy to some...but she was what I needed. Needless to say the pregnant lady was on hormone OVERDRIVE!!! Lots of tears all the way home. And trying to explain to hubby..he was trying not to laugh so than I got so tickled. I was a mess!!!! I was never more ready to go get my baby girl that late afternoon!!!

Oct 17 (Monday) we went to Mansfield to the cover bridge festival. We went with mom and dad and had a blast. It was cold to start but warmed up. We got lots of good deals and got some Christmas stuff too! We ended our time at MayberryGriffeth stuff...including the old police car out front.

We ended the week with a Be-lated birthday celebration at Don-Pablos with Phil and Jenn Alexander and Nathan and Leah Randall. We were there for a LONG time than Jenn invited us to their house...we had a wonderful evening that ended way to late!!!! Katelynn fell asleep on her big foot stool with a fuzzy blanket and her feet hanging off the end. She was such a good girl for such a adult evening!!!

So there you are caught up!!! Maybe next week I will keep on top of this...but do not hold your breath!

School of Hard knocks AKA PARENTING!!!

2011-10-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

So ok my blogging everyday is not exactly working out how I wanted it too! But I guess that is ok...not that blogging IS MOST important...but it is fun. Although my husband thinks I am a crazy nut job for blogging things about our life. And probably hides his embarrassment from things I post! :) But there have been many a post I DIDN'T let you in on because he left the room shaking his head after seeing my ready-to-be-sent-out -to-the-wide-world-of-web post. Gotta help a guy out sometimes.

Well my past week (AND THIS WEEK) I feel like I have been in the "School of Hard Knocks" AKA:PARENTING!!!

It's been a bit of a trying week. Not that she has been just TOTALLY disobedient...just REALLY testing the waters.

She has successfully ruined one of our more expensive household items. Not really on purpose..but did disobey mommy in the process thus ruining "said" item. So after a spanking and sitting in time out for a considerable amount of time. I sat down and talked to her about what happened going thru each step making sure she understood why she was in trouble and why mommy was so upset. Then I asked her "Why did you do that?" and this was her response....(Skip forward to 4:29)

And she was DEAD SERIOUS singing the first part of that song in her little sing-song voice.

I had to snort away a laughter!! (DISCLAIMER: Please do not mention the song to her or this incident with her around as I do not want to encourage her!) But it was not the response I had expected let me tell you!

Well Saturday I turned 30!!!! YIKES! Was really not ready for that. But all in all it was a good day. We got up and went to Riley Days in Greenfield. It was a chilly start but got warm as the day went on. Didn't buy much, but got my eye on several things I would like for the house and went home to decide where I can put them to justify buying them when we go to COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL next week. I AM SO EXCITED!!!! After going home for about an hour nap we headed out to Chilis to meet my in-laws for supper. I really enjoyed the chips and salsa!!!! Then off to the mall and did some shopping mainly for clothes for Katelynn, but we passed those wonderful Chinese massage guys in the mall. And Jonathan asked if I wanted one. Normally I would have passed it up...but IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY....and I have been having bad back, hip, shoulder and just overall ache everywhere it seems....so I took him up on the offer and did a chair massage. (after informing them I was pregnant)

It felt wonderful...Katelynn asked me if I was "Broke?" Since Daddy told her I was and the man was fixing me! LOL *I am excited because I get another massage this Saturday with a gift card I got for Christmas LAST YEAR!!!* I have NO PICTURES of my birthday weekend due to both cameras were dead and I forgot to charge them...but I did get some of Katelynn modeling one of our purchases that we promised her if we could find one her size....since she loves Mommy's.

LOOKING WAY TO OLD IF YOU ASK MOMMY!!!!

Here is my gift from my hubby and Katelynn and also any cash I got for my birthday went towards this too. It's a cricut. To all my "Fellow Scrappers" you know what it is. It is a awesome cutting machine will cut letters, shapes and about anything with the correct programed cartridge. (that's the money maker there since each cartridge cost about $40! But it comes with 2 that are nice and very user friendly...but when BLACK FRIDAY comes I will have my eyes peeled for deals!)

Got a very cool watch and maternity top from my Mamma and Dad

2 very pretty tops from my In-laws

Money from a dear friend

and a Mini-doughnut pan and Doughnut mix from another friend.

Have had a blessed 30 years.....Praying God gives me more....would love 30 more...but if this world stays the way it is....HEAVEN IS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE!!!! But don't get me wrong I am loving life!

Catching up from this week!

2011-10-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

SOOOO----this week has been a lazy, crazy, tired, do nothing but get the NORMAL stuff done, PREGNANT type of week! SO that meant BLOGGING was of Non-importance. But I missed it so I thought I would get on here and update you of my weekend past.

Old Fashion day was WONDERFUL. It was a very cold morning and we bundled up but enjoyed all of it. Katelynn liked looking at all the animals, but TOUCHING them was OUT OF THE QUESTION. She is doing better about reaching out and patting animals but still so scared, but LOVES to watch them.

Then she got to enjoy the "BOUNCE MAZE" (for lack of a better word) via her "Aunt-to-be" Heather and her Lovable Uncle "B". Mommy got some good laughs as they lugged her through all of it. (Hey I have had my share of Lugging on such a thing at Monkey Joe's...love all of it, but it is a work out!!!)

Aunt Heather helping her through

DOWN SHE GOES!!!!

And here comes Heather....gotta love the excuse to be a "KID" again!!!

Uncle "B's" turn

Climbing up, up and up

Finally Make it!!!

One happy little girl!!!

Uncle "B" goes down too!

Trying for a pretty fall picture

Her attempt to smile "PRETTY" (we are going to have to work on that grin!)

A little better smile! *she saw Aunt Heather*

ENOUGH MOMMY!!!!

Since mom and dad are not going to be with my brother and I on our upcoming birthday's we celebrated at Lunch time. Hard to believe I turn 30 this year!!!! My brother will be 27. He was a wonderful (Day late) birthday present to me on my 3rd birthday. Oct 8 is mine and Oct 9 is Brandon's!

Grandma "H" (as Katelynn calls her) got to join us. We were so happy to have her!!!

Then it was off to Covington to celebrate a certain special little girl named MADELYNN GRAYCE's 3rd birthday! We were so happy to get to be there!!!! And She was so excited that Katelynn was there. They don't get alot of time together...but LOVE BEING TOGETHER!!!!

Not sure what all was going on here....but Maddie was "FEEDING" Katelynn.

Showing some cousin love

GIFT TIME!!! Maddie got a lot of cool stuff...and Katelynn did pretty well not taking it all. But remember she is 2 so we had our moments!

This little girl never ceases to make me smile! She got into the "Pap-stick" (Chapstick) and had it smeared ALL OVER HER FACE!!!!

Here I am at about 8 1/2 weeks, still no official due date per the doctor, but my calculations is

MAY 11, 2012

Feeling pretty good, pretty queasy most days and a decent amount of back and hip pain....but it's all good! I hope for a girl. I never had a sister growing up, so I would LOVE to raise sisters! Plus all the cute clothes that I have in the attic I am dying to see again and buy matching ones for the girls. BUT WHATEVER THE LORD GIVES ME I WILL BE HAPPY WITH!!!

We go to hear the HEART BEAT Nov 3rd, pretty excited about that.

So here we are at the end....nothing to interesting about this blog other than the pictures. Figured I would keep it brief this time. :)

See ya next time!

On my table

2011-09-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

As an update from last "Feed me Friday"" my pizza dip was a major hit! I broiled up some french bread that I found at Wal-mart in the large loaf style in the bakery (it was about to expire but I was using it in 2 days so I didn't care and plus I got like 25 to 30 cents off! ) I cut the bread into bite size pieces and broiled it for just a couple minutes to crisp it up and it was yummy! (I did double the recipe due to my pie plate being a bit deep and I am glad I did...they scraped it clean!)

SO this coming week I am trying something new again. My poor hubby does not care for just plain roast, so I thought I would use a recipe I found on Food Networks "Sandwich King" called Chicago Italian Beef (Pot Roast Style) (Just click on title to go to his site and see his Recipe.) It looks really yummy. I am going to omit the Dry red wine, since I am still a new at this and I might use my Red wine Vinegar??? (GOOD IDEA OR NOT??? Please comment if you know?) and I did not get some Thyme. Also I hate Green peppers so I am going to use Yellow and Red instead.

Also the Homemade Hot Giardiniera he talks about I am going to omit...not a big one on REALLY spicy stuff right now. SO if I want some kick I MIGHT add some salsa or something. All in all it sounds like your basic "French Dip" sandwich. But I am excited to try something different with Roast, and try to impress the Hubby with it. (PLEASE NOTE: My husband is NOT, I repeat NOT a picky eater and will eat most anything I cook.) Will let you know how it goes!

Oh how I love to go to Sunday School and Old Fashion Day memories

2011-09-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this didn't quite make it to Thursday post...but oh well. Just thought I would include a picture of Kagelynn's WONDERFUL Sunday School Teacher, Shelia Gaskins. She has taught Katelynn so much and Katelynn ADORES her. She has called her "She-She" and "Sha-Sha" and now can call her by her name more clearly. Shelia told me one Sunday she was telling the story to the kids who were sitting on the little pew that is in her room and must have been really into the story when all the sudden Katelynn popped off the pew and started walking around saying, "Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord!" Shelia said she about died laughing but told Katelynn, "That's right you can praise the Lord!" Guess she has paid attention more in service than what I thought she had. SO GLAD TO BE BRINGING HER UP IN CHURCH!!!

I am really excited about this weekend it is our Alumni Weekend at Union Bible College also know as OLD FASHION DAY. I have been around UBC for roughly 28 + years, and not quiet sure when the FIRST OLD FASHION DAY came about...but I have always LOVED going!!!! Cool Crisp mornings, biscuits and gravy, yummy hamburgers, Taco Salad, all the pop you could EVER drink, Pies, crafts, Used to be the Old Jail and Stocks, getting your picture put on a button, NORA NEESES Peanut Butter Fudge. Now you can find some of the old favorites along with the new additions of a Paint ball booth, a dunk tank, and horse and buggy rides, a bounce house, a petting zoo and some kind of Oriental food *or some kind of food along that line at the Missions Organization booth*, Sis.Arrnett's candy shopee with delicious homemade goodies....and then a BIG car Auction and Misc. Auction run by Bro.Mark Mowery....and to cap your day off the newly introduced HOME COOKED SUPPER and the ANNUAL HAY RIDE!!! I realize it's not for everyone (like my lovely Hubby could care less to go..But I still love him and he still goes, but we opt out of the hayride....but maybe when our kids get bigger we can beg him to stay and the crash at grandma and grandpa's) What are some of your memories of OLD FASHION DAY? (Student, alumni or just visitor please leave me a comment!!!)

I wish I had some old pictures scanned into my computer but don't have the time to do so. SO thought I would include the pictures from the last 2 years. Can't believe how much she has grown!!!

2009

2010

Just a quote for today

2011-09-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

"The Bible shows we are a Easter people living in a Good Friday world, not a Good Friday people living in an Easter world". Meaning we are destined for joy no matter how difficult our daily Christian life may be. -----Barbra Johnson from "Joy for a Womans Soul"

Musical Laugh and "THE STREAK!"

2011-09-27T04:40:00.000-07:00

Just in case you couldn't tell what songs she was singing

1. Devil is a Sly Old Fox

2. Zacchaeus

Love finding good deals at 2nd hand shops. Found this at a kids store (something like "Once Upon A Child") for $4. It has Barney on it and she LOVES it. Asks to wear it anytime we say something about a coat.

Something about my daughter and clothes, or the lack thereof. We were outside playing and told Katelynn to go inside to go potty. Which she does pretty well by herself. (But the potty training is going AWFUL! Anyhow....) I was messing with the radio in the garage and after a couple minutes saw her run by me. No big deal. After a couple more minutes I called her name because she was quiet and I assumed she was playing on her slide, but couldn't see her. I turned to look for her to come and THERE SHE STOOD IN ONLY HER SHIRT.....IN OUR DRIVEWAY!!!

I about died!!! I also wanted to laugh...but this is something we are trying to work on discipline wise. SO after a quick smack on the bum I ran her inside only to find out her Pull up and skirt where OUTSIDE on the slide. (I guess I should be happy she at least brought her clothes with her!) I did have my laugh as i went back outside to get her clothes.

ONLY A CHILD!!!!

Mommy's Memories for the week

2011-09-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

Another full week has passed. I have to say it was a bit of a rough one for me. Seems that pregnancy has hit me full force. I was extremely queasy last week thus aided me in losing about 4lbs last week. (I was hoping for some weight loss at the beginning since last time I lost about 16lbs) I also started my last part of the week sleeping part of my nights in our big recliner due to upper back pain and hip pain. Thankfully I found out I have chiropractic coverage so in about a week hope to get an adjustment per the ok of my OBGYN.

OK enough about me!!!! Last Tuesday was Katelynn's big doctor appointment. She was pretty excited but wanted to take her monkey "Bubbles". Which means she is sometimes nervous. We love our doctor she is awesome. The wait is sometimes a little long BUT it's because she takes PERSONAL time with her patients.

(gotta love the one sock on!!)

Katelynn's stats

Weight 34 lbs
Height. 36.75 in

In the 98% for her age.

She was such a big girl about shots. I choose to tell her after we were in the room and waiting. Told her the nurse was going to give her 2 shots that would feel like big pinches. Then we would leave and go to McDonald and get ice cream. The first one was ok...she just kept saying Ouch!!! And had a big pouchy lip trying not to cry. The 2nd one she tried hard to be brave but than burst out crying. I felt awful. But quickly told her she was all done and she had been SO BRAVE and such a BIG GIRL!!!!!

Wednesdays are our library day. Our Library has a little train car in the front of the childrens section.

She loves it. It even has a phone in it that you can listen to a story (when it's working) Also in the kids area is a LEGO table and a Kitchen, Lots of puzzles, kids computers (that she is dying to learn to use.) and stuffed animals and LOTS of GREAT books. Here are some pictures of the last couple weeks trips. Sorry I did not get any with her ACTUAL books, but she does come home with alot and LOVES to read and look at them.

So to wrap up our week we did a craft and had a snack in Jr. Church. We did a one month theme and I used the WORDLESS BOOK. I got the bright idea to make wordless book cupcakes. SO I took 2 cake mixes and divided them out and used food coloring to dye 3 colors red (blood of Jesus), Green (living forever), and yellow (Heaven)....then iced with White frosting (our hearts free from sin) and used Chocolate sprinkles (For our hearts black with sin.) The kids loved them...and Katelynn enjoyed helping with the sprinkles and sampling them. *we also made felt wordless books*

Mommy's wonderful helper!!!

So there you have it another week in review in the Thompson household! Hope this doesn't bore you...but I am having fun blogging more!

Feed me Friday (a day late)

2011-09-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I didn't get the 2nd post in for yesterday. All in all the last few days have been very rough physically for me. But this Bearly prego mommy is making it.

This Sunday is our "youth night" the last Sunday night of every month somone other than our pastor takes over the service and has a kid-teen geared service. Then we head over to our Fellowship building and enjoy alot of good snacks. I love it!

SO here is what I am making....

A HOT PIZZA DIP

Pizza Dip

A layered, hot cheesy dip with all of the great pizza flavours including pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, olives and green peppers.

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
1 cup pizza sauce
1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
2 ounces pepperoni, sliced
2 tablespoons green pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons black olives, sliced

Directions

Mix the cream cheese, sour cream mayonnaise, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano and spread it across the bottom of a pie plate.
Spread the pizza sauce on top and sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni, green pepper and olives.
Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the cheese has melted, bubbling and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Hope that it is yummy!!!

I am also making a new dessert too, done with crackers, Butterscotch chip and Chocolate chips and Brown sugar and butter. I had it in Pinterest but I can't find it. Thankfully I jotted down the recepie when I made my grocery list. If any of you that are on there see it...put the @ sign to me. THANKS!

On a side noat I am LOVING PINTEREST!!!!! VERY ADDICTIVE, but I am excited to try some of the things I have found!!!!

Beauty secret

2011-09-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Ok so I missed Thursday but other than that I have kept my plan! Pardon me while I do my happy dance. And I even have an ALMOST clean house, kept up with my devotions, organized some pics and even took 1 nap this week! YIPEE!!!!! Pretty proud. Maybe I am finally gaining the discipline to keep things going?? To early to tell still! But at least it's headed in the right direction!!!

So to make up for yesterdays post that was on WHATEVER I wanted it to be on. (which in my defense I did have partly done.) I will be posting 2 times today.

Thought I would share one of my beauty secrets that I had mentioned in a post earlier. It is the Mary Kay Time wise collection!! I know for some of my readers you may stop reading after I say Mary Kay. I used to totally link Mary Kay with just Makeup...and thought "well, that is not for me so why waste my time?", but several years ago I was introduced to the "Satin Hands" Which I love by the way, but don't indulge in right now...maybe another time. (As a side note last I knew my Aunt Kim Collingsworth, who travels the countryside with her family loves this product and those that know her knows her hands are busy flying up and down those piano keys and need to be kept moist so they don't crack and split and cause her pain in her playing.) MOVING ON, my next door neighbor, Kristen Evans, and I became friends. Her husband Paul also really connected to Jonathan....he is a mechanic and loves working on cars and has shared his experience and advice in our direction. I soon found out that Kristen was a Mary Kay consultant began to talk about what kind of products they offer. She invited me to a Spa or Makeover show and I told her I really don't wear make up, other than a touch of cover up once in a great while. She informed me about some of their TIMEWISE facial line. A facial rinse and lotion. So I went, she by no means PUSHED the make-up line on me at ANY point. I was super impressed by the kindness of her team. And their was also a lot of mention about God in their meeting.

SO i pushed aside the wonderful Noxzema I had used since I was old enough in my Mom's eyes to use hers then able to start buying my own...so about 12 or 13. After a 2nd Spa show and a "New Mother gift" that Kristen brought over to me after Katelynn was born of one of their Timewise Lotion with SPF I made the plunge. I purchased their TimeWise wash and lotion. I was a bit apprehensive in beginning to use it due to the fact my $8-$10 tub of Noxzema that would last me well over 6 months, and my $40 Timewise would last me about half the time. BUT I was beginning to see huge open pores and more fine lines than I care to mention at pre-30...and was very unhappy when I would look in the mirror at my skin on my face! Jonathan said he would pay extra for me to get something that would work and I would be happy with.

After 6 months I was Hooked....I can get the Lotion and Face wash to last a bit longer than 3 months sometimes. Mary Kay (at least my consultant does) backs her self up with a money back GUARANTEE. She even worked with me to get the right combination of lotion and face when the oils in my face began to change and become dryer and allowed me to exchange bottles that I had already used at NO EXTRA cost. (Now that is probably done on each consultant basis...but I think I got one of THE BEST!!!!) It's been over a year since I have been using it and my pores are smaller, my lines are not as deep and an overall smoothness that I am loving is taking over. SO huge shout out to my wonderful neighbor KRISTEN EVANS!!!! And to a company that I originally thought I would have NOTHING to do with. GUESS that's why they say NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT"S COVER!!!!

Here is our wonderful neighbors with one of their dogs Wally. GOD really blessed us with AWESOME neighbors!!!! They have mowed our lawn, helped when Katelynn was born, and totaly spoil and adore Katelynn. I am thankful in this crazy world that God choose to put this couple beside us.

Don't just go to church!

2011-09-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

Worship wednesday. Just a couple hours away from going to church. I really love mid-week prayer service. Sometimes I am really exhausted and it takes me awhile to get into the mode of worship. Which I really hate when that happens. But I try to come prepared to worship. My parents are a lot to thank for helping us kids prepare for worship. Many times on the way to church I can remember one of my parents praying out loud for the .service or playing worship music. I will say it was more on Sunday's then it was Wednesday's. Wednesday's were rushed to get ready, rushed to eat, get homework done or at least started and done also on the ride to church...typical family madness....but not every prayer meeting night was like that.

Guess what I am trying to get at is we are going to church to worship God. To give praise to our living King. As hard as it is (believe me I am guilty too) try to focus on your drive to church...leave your stress and your to-do list in the car. And just for a couple hours WORSHIP!!!!! Your pastor will love you for it and people who have also come to worship and get a break from this hectic world will appreciate it as well. As a result all can be ushered into the presence of God for a few short moments. Don't just go to church, be an active part!

Never done this before

2011-09-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

I am linking up to this blog and answering her questions. Check her blog out, it's pretty cool! Lot's of cool crafts and links to others!!!

1. What are your favorite 3 things about fall? The changing of leaves, The crisp air, MY BIRTHDAY

2. Are you a football fan and if so who is your favorite team? I am not really but my husband kind of is...but being in Indianapolis I would always root for the COLTS even before my husband was around

3. What is your favorite fall scent? Probably pumpkin

4. So you have seasonal allergies? I deal with them in the fall and winter the worst

5. Have you started Christmas shopping yet? OH YES, I start the Day after Christmas!!!

SO I did something new....PLUS I POSTED 2x's today!!! OH MY!!!!!

Is that my child????

2011-09-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday night was our monthly board meeting. The last couple meetings we have been having them at the parsonage around their dinner table. Lot more comfortable. Plus it gives Katelynn a bit more play room that I can watch her better, since both her daddy and I are on the board. Well, I saw her dissappear and could hear her in the bathroom then a few moment later here came MY LITTLE girl streaking into the dinning room with ONLY HER SHIRT ON!!!!! I was so embarassed yet I couldn't hold back a laugh. I figure I better laugh then be upset. Her Daddy scooped her up and headed back to the bathroom only to come back in the room and inform me I HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER! She had made a nice deposit all on her own which this "potty-training Mommy" was quite proud of! (Even at the expense of my embarassement of a daughter running bare bummed from the bathroom!) Sometimes I wonder if she is my child! LOL

Another Funny thing recently is her daddy and her went on a lunch date to Denny's to give mommy some time with a friend. Well the potty issue came up and Daddy being the only one there had to take her. Well, I have been teaching her the difference between the boy and girl bathrooms and how to look at the pictures and tell which one is the girls. SHe was VERY UPSET that she had to go into the boys and started pouting and crying that she was NOT to be in the boys bathroom! (HA, HA!!! Gotta love it when training come back to bite you sometimes!)

Funny words from Katelynn:

Show-show------Lotion
Juice-------Penguins (Not sure how that one came about??)

Ready for a wedding shower with mommy, Gotta love the monkey purse!

Katelynn and her cousin Devan at a Red's game in August

She has finally learned to sing Deep and WIde the correct way. For awhile she had been singing it "Deep and Phil" (???? I told her, her S.S. teacher (whos husband is named Phil) must be talking about her hubby to much in class!)

A blessed week (Mommy memory day)

2011-09-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

Being a mommy you never know what kind of things are going to fill your week. Happy things that make you smile, things that make you have to turn your head to HIDE your laughter from your children, or days that you can NOT WAIT till nap time and its only 9:00 a.m. Crazy exciting times that you run to your journal to jot it down, or to the computer to post it on Face Book. As crazy as some memories are they will get lost in the "Black hole" called time. But they brought us joy or sorrow, a smile or a tear at the time. Isn't parenting and just life in general GREAT????

Probably our biggest accompishment this week was getting our Garage organized! I am so proud of how it looks. We still plan to buy one more shelf and also put a shelf to hold my husbands uniforms, because the closet they are in right now will be the new babies closet. Now we just have to keep this garage looking this way. But I am having fun organizing way early in this pregnancy.

UPDATE on my pregnancy: I am only about 6 weeks along. FIrst appointment just to see the nurse is Oct 4th. I am pretty tired, and very queasy in the mornings and then again in the early evening. I haven't lost weight like I would have liked to seen but I haven't really gained yet (VERY EARLY TO SEE ANY REAL CHANGE THERE ANYHOW.) I feel like my queasiness is far more fierce this time round then what I was with Katelynn. Mints and hard candies are my friend in the morning as well as crackers and Sierra Mist. Also been dealing with alot of diziness...but I find if I eat something it takes care of that. I also feel I am WAY more emotional with this one than with last. I bounce from one emotion to the next. WOw, is Jonathan in for a ride he still has 7 months to go!!! LOL

Probably my Favorite thing that happened last week was Friday (Sept 16) I was having my devotions in my room and Katelynn came in and crawled up on the bed and asked what I was doing. I told her I was having my devotions and reading and talking to Jesus. She mentioned something about Jesus and her heart. *which we have told that Jesus lives in heaven and can also live in her heart* I told her one day she could ask Jesus in her heart when she wanted to. SHe said "Yeah, yeah" I asked her, "Katelynn, do you want Jesus to live in your heart?" "Yeah, in my heart" came an excited answer. By this time I had tears in my eyes and told her "Ok lets pray right now and you can ask Jesus to come in your heart." I called for my husband who was home for the day...and Katelynn leaned over ( remember she is sitting on the bed still) and put her head in the blankets and repeated a simple sinners prayer. MOmmy came up with way more tears!!! And Katelynn had a big smile and said, "Jesus HEART!!!" (shaking her head up and down really fast) I know this really important moment was encouraged by Mommy alot...but I also know that she can understand at an early age that Jesus can live in her heart!!!!

Our Sunday School Picnic was the big event for the weekend! It was a crisp morning but got warmer thru the day and was just beautiful!

Katelynn and her matching BFF Lizzie Dennis

Katelynn had a ball on the swings and playground

How many men does it take to grill???

My lovely husband at one of his finer moments!

Tom, not so sure this fits you!

Preparing for our annual auction and passing out Central Wesleyan money

Jonathan and Tom our auctioneers

Our church treasurer with real money and FAKE!!!

I will give you $20!!!!

PLEASE DADDY?????

Enjoying some of her loot from the auction!

Tom, not sure your garndson's helment was ment for your head!

All for the sake of Jr. Church!!! (Can't believe I am posting this!) SHowing them how to get a cookie form their forehead to their mouth with out touching it. LOT harder than I thought...as big as my mouth was I never did get it. (But only tried one time too!)

ON YOUR MARK>>>GET SET>>>GO!!!!!

TRYING VERY HARD!!! Way to go Chyanne!

SO close Harper!

Awesome job Cameron! We have a winner.

*actually 2 winners but I didn't see who got it first, and wasn't so sure I could trust who said they were first*

Wrapping their Mummys up!!!

Another DEAR person in Katelynn's life who LOVES her Dearly!

A grandma when the other grandma's are not around!

We love you Grandma Becky!!!

Kids had a blast playing Kick ball! I gotta say I loved it too!!! Wished I could have gotten up there and kicked. Some of the things I miss from childhood!!!!

Mommy and her "almost" angel

Singing to her Pass-sirs (aka: Pastor)

"He looked up in the tree"

"Zaccheous you come down from there"

Jr. churh has been a bit challanging with Katelynn lately. She started attending about a month ago on a regular basis...but my helper Judy Alcorn was in charge of the services then and I just lead the singing and I could control her a little bit. SHe is learning to sit in her seat...very hard task for a 2 year old. Well for the last 2 weeks it has been my turn for Jr. Chruch and last week I had to send her back up stairs to sit....she just couldn't get it in her head that she couldn't be up by mommy the whole time and started throwing a fit about it. BUT this last sunday I was SOOOO happy to see her sitting in her seat (She did keep bugging the girl next to her, but when Judy moved her to her lap she did EXCELLENT!!!) I was happy because I was talking about the WORDLESS BOOK and was telling the story of Jesus dying on the cross, even had purchased a large sharp nail for the kids to touch and feel, and after the story I had a child ask some questions of how she could get to heaven? I told her by praying and asking Jesus into her heart. As I lead the kids in a group sinners prayer I heard 2 praying out loud and asked Jesus into their hearts!!! I was so excited and blessed. GOD is at work and I pray those 2 children found something Sunday morning that will stick with them through their lives!

Wow, what a week....3 new ones entered into the kingdom of GOD, a yummy picnic and a clean garage!!! Not sure this week can top that one!

My plan

2011-09-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, I love plans and I love lists. So here is my plan for this blog..it is not totally original. I got the idea from Natalie Herring. (for those that read her blog will understand)

So I plan to try and post at least something small daily during the week. Sat and Sunday are my days totally devoted to family.

Mommy Memory Mondays-- Will recount most of my memories of the previous week.

Tickle Me Tuesday--funny antics of Katelynn or funny things I have seen or heard lately

Worship Wednesday--inspirational posts

This and that Thursday--Just posting whatever I want

Feed me Friday--tasty treats and savory dishes I want to share

Now, I may not post every day so do not hold me to it....but I have a plan!

A new turn in life

2011-09-14T06:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, I feel awful. 4 months have gone by and I had done nothing with this blog. I hope in the days to come to do so much more with this. I truly have had lots of Blog postings go thru my head....even articulated just how I would say things....cute titles....pictures I wanted to add, only to fall into bed each night and say I will do it tomorrow! Sounds familiar on to many occasions on to many things. I think I sometimes make myself out to be more productive than I actually really am. The Lord is really working on that area in my life. So this blog is going to just be a quick (yes, for those that know me I CAN CUT TO THE CHASE SOMETIMES) overview of life changing things and some hopes to accomplish better things too.

1. DEVOTIONS: This is an area I am SO EMBARRASED about. I wish I could say I have always just dove right in daily to GODs word. But I haven't been that disciplined. But in the last almost 2 weeks I have only missed a few days and God has been so faithful to me. I thank God for being patient with me in this area.

2. MARRIAGE: Jonathan Thompson! Wow love being married to that man! He drives me crazy, crazy in love,makes me laugh, makes me cry....and loves me unconditionally. Having a child only makes me love him more BUT it makes marriage only that much harder. Finding time for just US is hard and is taking a lot of discipline especially on my part. I tend to be a loner when it comes to late evening and usually have a plan for how I WANT TO SPEND MY EVENING. But beginning to realize time is short and I need to make the best of the evenings I have with my wonderful hubby. I am a blessed woman to have a great man! And a great father for my little girl.

3. COOKING: I am having a blast in this area! Learning to cook with alot of fresh ingredients. Fresh garlic,peppers, and several other things. I am really learning to adjust things to my liking. I plan to share some of those on here soon. I have a dessert I have fallen in love with and have made it so much that my husband made m promise not to make it for a month! It's nothing extra special just gooey and chocolaty!!!! (need I say more to get your attention?). Than a savory soup that was supposed to be just meat and noodles...but the drippings were so good that I made more of the broth and added some veggies (and plan to add more next time too) and made such a yummy pork soup!!!!!! Plan to share SOON!!!!!

4. BEAUTY: Ok I kind of put this topic on here thru gritted teeth....but I decided at the beginning of this year that it was OK for me to care about me...my face, my skin, my teeth. My motto until than was basically just MAINTAIN. I found some products that I have now been using for about a year and I can see huge difference. And where it is a bit more money I am liking the skin change I have seen. But I will share more on that and give a huge shout out to my consultant who is also the greatest neighbor a person could have!

5. PARENTING: Who knew that one precious little girl could bring so much joy to life. When I feel that little arm drape over my shoulder as we are eating out and she has ketchup on her mouth and greasy chicken finger hands I resist the urge (most of the time) to move her arm, when she purses her lips and says "kisses" I can't help but lean in and oblige her, and a sleepy little girl,who is starting to have morning breath, gets placed in bed beside me as daddy gets ready for work looks at me with squinty eyes and a huge smile says "Goo Moe-ring Mommy" usually followed by a huge hug and a cold wet kiss... I am reminded just how blessed I am! Discipline is beginning to be a great challange and am finding how sometimes a mom whose nerves can be so on edge over someone she loves so much...and also feeling like her heart is hurting too!

6. LASTLY........ We are EXPECTING a new bundle of joy in the late spring approx May 11!

Minnie Mouse Birthday outfit

2011-05-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying...this is probably my first sewing project EVER out side of hems and such.

Well, my Daughters 2nd birthday is quickly approaching and we have decided since she loves Mickey and Minnie Mouse that we are going to have a Minnie Mouse party. (mainly due to Mommy wanting to keep the party girly...otherwise we probably would have gone with a "Wiggles" party...shame on me, I know...but she has years of choosing her own party themes...so I took advantage of being able to choose it myself!)

ANYHOW, I had been looking at so many DIY blogs...and several who had kids had been making shirts and doing over skirts and pants with all sorts of different things. (Any of you who follow the decor and clothing blogs know what I am talking about) SO I got this bright idea, instead of BUYING her a Minnie mouse outfit (that was practical to wear daily) I would make it myself, and I have always LOVED DIY projects. SO after HUNTING high and low for a SHORT-SLEEVED black T-shirt...I gave up and went with a White T-shirt. Had previously bought some Solid pink fabric, pink polka-dot fabric and polka-dot ribbon and set down to due this sewing project.

I found a Mickey Mouse head on line and printed it out on card stock the size I wanted and then pinned it to the solid pink fabric and cut around it. Then ironed on some "wonder-under" (a iron on adhesive) to the underside of the fabric. Then placed it on the shirt and ironed away. (I had to off-center it due to the little pocket on the front, and so it wouldn't be to low on the shirt and risk the bottom part of the mouse being tucked into her skirt band.)

Then I took some Black floss and stitched around the edges. * on my next project I will sew around edges then use the floss....so when washed it won't fray as bad...but I need to have a steadier hand before I do that*

I used the polka-dot ribbon and made a quick bow...following the tips I found on a couple YouTube videos. then attached the bow using a safety pen on the underside. (so I can remove when washing)

NOW the skirt, was MY hard part. I remind you , I have never sewn anything outside of Hems and slits in my skirts for college. The skirt I purchased at Wal-mart for like $3...it had 3 solid pink tiers. I cut off the 3rd one just slightly below the place where it was attached to the skirt. Then took my polka-dot fabric and began pinning on the underside...allowing a little material to gap between each pin. I actually needed a little longer piece, due to the fact the ruffles are not as big as I wanted but as I said...this was my first time. Then I made the side seam. *which I was pretty proud of...matched up pretty well....but the dots served as a great line to go by so that helped!* Got out my sewing machine (given to me by my husbands grandma) and just sewed straight along the line I pinned. I took out one of her skirts that I liked the length and began penning up the hem line. Then pressed it really well with my iron. (a tip a lady in line at JO-Ann's told me....the best advice she was given and would give to others who are beginning is PRESS everything before you sew it....wether or not its GOOD advice or not...for this project it REALLY helped me) Again the dot's helped me keep it fairly straight. I thought for sure my hem would be all crooked and short in the back.

I was so excited to do this project ALL BY MYSELF ( yes, I am pretty independent!!!) My husband asked me if I was going to cry! LOL I didn't but I was pretty happy! And it looks so cute on her...and we have Minnie ears with a pink bow...and I am making her a pink bow out of the same ribbon that's on the shirt...due to the fact the ears will probably stay on all of 5 min!

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Canister Makeover

2011-02-13T20:32:00.000-08:00

So another Apple makeover project....I was pretty excited about this one.

When I first got married I was SO EXCITED about these canisters. They were from "Home and Garden" another company like "Home Interior" I loved them...and they were a bit expensive but between my husband and his parents they got them for me, the Christmas after we were engaged or as a shower gift? I Can't remember.

ANYHOW, I didn't just want to pile them in a garage sale and get NOTHING for them...plus I needed them for decor. I use one for sugar, but it stays in my cabinet. So, I started hashing out in my brain projects I had seen on different blogs and what I could do to make them over and use them in my decorating.

First off they were a glazed pottery so I knew just taking regular paint or my "go-to spray paint" would not stick. So I found out I needed to prime them first.

Primed and ready for paint

So I found 2 colors that went great with my decor! I was THRILLED!!!!

Bauhaus Gold and Burgundy.

It's not the greatest spray paint job. But it's ok for me...adds texture!

For the star I took a stencil and a sponge brush.

Then sprayed some paint on to a Styrofoam plate. (wrong move! it ate the plate up! LOL!!! Some of the sticky, stringy plate is on the star..but again it added texture and you can't tell...just looks like I have meant for it to look that way! So a mistake turned out to be a good thing and gave me the look I was going for anyhow.) I am going to try and work on the spot that I smudged above the star. Not sure if it an be fixed or not

Then I took some black paint and a sponge brush and sponge painted the rim of each pot. I like how it turned out. I didn't show the yellow pot..but they all turned out great. Once everything is done I will try to get better pics of it all.

But for now I am loving my new pots!!!

I have to include a picture of my little girl...who is quickly growing up.

This is her first dress that she has a doll dress to match. She got it for Christmas..but it's almost to small..not sure if she will get to wear it again. So I HAD to get a picture of her and her dolly matching.

Yes, I am one of those crazy mom's that husbands put up with when we try to make sure our family matches or at least coordinates when going to church. SO GLAD my husband goes along with my madness..in fact sometimes he even asks what color Katelynn and I are wearing so he can match us! (GOTTA LOVE THAT GUY!!!)

A cheerful little girl and her daddy.

Love the curlers!!!

Katelynn Review

2011-02-07T22:05:00.000-08:00

Katelynn Nicole Thompson

20 months

31 lbs (approx)

32 1/4 in (approx)

In the 90% for height and weight

Size 2T-3T roughly (some 24 month stuff will fit her.)

Food: Loves peas, carrots, grapes, apples, fruit snacks, pretzels, Ice cream, and cheese, candy

Dislikes: I wouldn't say she Dislikes meat...but she would prefer veggies and fruit over her meat

Fav toys: Bubbles (her stuffed monkey), her tea pot, Noah ark set, grocery cart, camera, her watch, most of her stuffed animals and baby dolls.

Fav games: Rolling ball, doing puzzles

Fav songs and Movies: "Fingers" song from "The Wiggles", "I love you to the moon" sung and wrote by Mommy. :)

Loves helping out with Laundry and dishes.

Has Great manners...says Please and Thank You alot!!! We are so proud of her!

Can point out almost every body part...including her collar bone, chin, arm, neck, back, and wrist

Can do several simple puzzles all on her own.

EEEEE UU!! Aka- Love you!

Funny words-

Eye= yes

doe toe= Pluto (Disney's dog)

Doofy= Goofy

Wee wee- Wiggles movie

Pez zels = Pretzels

Bay kit= Blanket
Ni Ni= Night night

She gives hugs so much now...and bunches of kisses!!

More of a Mommy's girl right now..but sometimes when she is hurt she does want daddy to kiss it!

A budding artist

2011-01-28T10:34:00.000-08:00

This year for Christmas, Jonathan really surprised me with a gift from Katelynn.

I LOVE crafting and making things and I love having someone to do them with now too.

He bought a mug that you can paint and draw on and then bake it.

I was pretty excited to do it...but wanted to wait...so I put it in a drawer and when I was packing things for vacation I found it..I was pretty excited to be able to do it.

Katelynn was pretty happy about it too.

Mommy drew some pictures on it first then I gave her the paint an the brush and let her go to town.

As you can see I painted a little bit first to show her how it needed to be done.

Concentrating hard on getting paint on her brush.

Pretty excited to paint mommy's gift

Getting quite colorful

Learned to hold the brush pretty well for a 1 1/2 year old

Finished product...Mommy was quite happy.

Messy artist hands

Enjoying a tasty Zebra cake as a treat after lunch

Good till the last bite

Having a little girl has been the BEST thing that has ever happened to me. I have loved every minute of it!!! When I was a working mom...I had so many dreams and wishes that I wanted to do..but just not enough hours in my days to do it all. I became so overwhelmed and really started to HATE who I was becoming as a mom. I was an anxious ball of nerves and would burst at every upset. I had began praying long before Katelynn was born that MAYBE...just Maybe I could become a stay at home mom. It was with a hopeful heart I listened to Jonathan as he told me I would probably be able to quit work in Oct 2010. Even up to the month of Oct...I was so excited but part of me KNEW something bad was going to happen and I would not be able to quit. Well the time came...and I was able to quit. And somehow something in me began to relax. I don't like to think of myself as a controlling person...BUT when it comes to my own life and family...I want to at least feel I can somewhat "Control" what is happening . And with working...I felt TOTALLY lost. My HEART GOES OUT..to mommy's who WISH beyond anything that they could stay home. I know that feeling!!!! I pray for different mom's that I know that wish they could have the stay at home life.
God has been so good to us...in supplying our wants and our desires...and I am looking even more forward to the fact...that by the end of Summer 2011 with the exception of our house...we will be DEBT FREE!!! God has helped us and is still helping us!

1st Modge Podge craft

2011-01-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

Got my floral foam FINALLY!!! Those crazy things are more expensive than what I thought they would be. But thanks to 50% off at JO-Ann's I was able to get this for a little over $3

My 2nd floral arrangement I have done. I am beginning to like doing this! Still have a long way to go...to being good at it...but I do enjoy it.

And here it is...I think the colors are a bit bright..so I mght have to add a few things to the center arrangement so that it flows well. Not really sure. I will keep staring at it...and maybe it will hit me...what I need to do.

Another arrangement that needed a MAKEOVER!

Since I am getting rid of the Apples in my kitchen. This sign needed to go...BUT I kind of liked it..at least the fact that it was a sign and it was destressed looking. And a new sign this size would cost roughly $10. I could do that...but I have been seeing SO MANY makeover projects I decided to try one out myself.

After going through alot of scrapbook paper, I finally decided on a design that I felt would look nice in my kitchen. Got out my new bottle of Modge Podge (that I had on hand for another project...still waiting to be done..waiting on some stencils) I have to say I was pretty excited to do this!

1. I placed the scrap paper on the sign and creased it on the edges where it hung over....then took a box cutter and sliced off the excess.

2. then took my sponge brush and layered on the Modge Podge. Placed paper on top. Then smeared more modge podge on.

3. Then quckly before it dried I placed my center piece of SOLID scrap paper (that I had previously printed with a scripture and then measured and cut to fit) on top and smeared more Modge Podge on with my trusty sponge brush.

4. I repeated smearing more Modge Podge on every 15 min . About 4 times.

I learned not to do it to thick...and not to let it pool up making several white lines...that I had to peel off carefully with a knife.

5. After it was all dry...about 30 min after the last layer was put on...I took a coarse nail file and rubbed it over the top and the side....so it gave it a rugged look.

6. Lastly took a lightly damp cloth and wiped it over the entire sign...then a dry one to dry it all.

And after about 3 hrs...here it is!

The one thing I don't like is when My kitchen light is on and if your standing directly accross from the sign..you can not read it due to the glare off the Modge Podge.

Other than a few bubbles in it...I think it turned out ok..for my 1st Modge Podge project.

All in a winters day

2011-01-13T22:13:00.000-08:00

SPACE SAVER BAGS

I have HUGE like for them. I say LIKE and not LOVE due to there are some issues with them.

In this SMALL bag there are: (Katelynn's clothes)

2 socks

13 skirts

4 dresses

1 Halloween costume

FROM this Extra- Large bag:

1 twin size thermal blanket

2 large throws

4 baby blankets.

TO THIS:

Issues with the bag is it doesn't always keep it's seal well. But if you get it into the area you want it and don't yank the bag around to much, and make sure your really get the zip lock bag locked well!

But It has saved me a ton of room with having a growing toddler with lots of clothes.

AROUND OUR HOME LATELY

Anyone who has kids has made at least 1 homemade tent at some point.

Here was Katelynn's first real homemade tent!

I don't think she quite knew what to think when I started bringing all the kitchen chairs and her Highchair in the living room.

She had a blast. Mind her outfit, we have been going thru clothes and just like a kid when you go through OLD toys they suddenly become their favorite again...well my daughter does that with her clothes. She thinks she has to put them on. SO the last few days we have worn OLD PJ shirts over our outfits. I figured the layers are not going to hurt her and as funny as she looks, it keeps her happy. And WHO CARES, we are at home..she should be happy and comfortable.

Mommy and Katelynn enjoying the tent

Braving the cold..and enjoying the snow.

Has to be one of MY FAVORITE OUTSIDE pictures of her!!! TOTAL JOY!!!

I think she had more fun rolling in the snow than anything! Probably due to the fact she had several layers and couldn't move really well! Mommy wanted to be sure she was warm! :)

Yes, she ate lots of snow...and NO it was not YELLOW either! I didn't think about it until I was shoveling the drive way and saw some and quickly got rid of it and had her stay away from that pile!

SO winter has been enjoyed!

BRING ON THE SPRING!!!!

A new look

2011-01-10T20:16:00.000-08:00

I have had Apples in my kitchen since I got married. And before that my mom had apples in her kitchen. Needless to say I am tired of looking at apples!

SO, after I took my Christmas decor down I put up some of my new decor.

It's far from being done....but it is a start...and I am really loving it!

I love the big floral arrangement...in the wooden water can...but I think I am going to use it in my living room on top of my entertainment center. I may add a large frame with what has become popular "Subway Art"...still thinking on that one. And the family photo frame...I am going to add some colored scrapbook paper behind the letters. The canisters to the right have apples on the back. They were a pretty expensive set..and I need them for decor...so I plan to prime them and then paint them either burgundy, or golden yellow, or light olive green and then add either some words like "faith, Hope or family" or a "Star" or something.

This is on top of my fridge....I am pretty pleased with it as is!

The picture says... Life is not measured in how many breaths we take..but the moments that take our breath away. (or something like that...to lazy to go look right now!)

LOVE this side of my kitchen. (which tells me I still need to really work on the other side to match the thrill I have at looking at this side!) I found the little Planter tricycle at A.J Wright (same line of store as a T.J Max) Still need to take the tag off, but I am waiting on a coupon from Jo Ann's or another craft store to buy a floral dome, so I can put some silk mums in the basket. The basket of Ivy on the Far left is going "bye-bye" and I will be still looking for something else to place there.

Here is a close up of the middle...that I am just "IN LOVE" with. I got the bucket and the Burgundy jar and the wooden star with candle (which does light up) from the coverbridge festival. The bucket and jar I got at the same booth..the star I got a year ago. The Ivy in the bucket I got from $ Tree. Then the "Family" Jug...I got from Flower Factory. The wooden star is sitting on a upside down basket that holds one of my round baking dishes.

Like I said, I still have a ways to go...but for now I am Loving the new look! I have alot of work to do transforming some signs that I have in my kitchen that say things about Apples...but with a little paint and some Modge Podge I think I can save money and REMAKE them to what I want. Pretty excited to think of the possibilities!

What I've been reading! (OVER and OVER.....)

2010-12-28T21:23:00.000-08:00

Jonathan and I started a tradition for Katelynn. Last year and this we have bought her a Christmas book. I found this one on Borders website and it was only $6.99. I also had a $5 off coupon off ANY in-store purchase. SO...I headed off to Borders bookstore a few weeks before Christmas and picked this book up. It was PERFECT for her age. Short and Sweet. Have I mentioned she LOVES books. Little did I know that this book would quickly become her FAVORITE book. I think I read it on average about 6 times a day! Plus, she sleeps with the book!!!

The book is really cute...talking about a mouse telling everyone in the stable that SOMEONE is coming to this house. And the animals (in response to the mouse) began cleaning up the barn for Mary and Joseph. I would be embarassed to read it for you due to the fact I try my best to change my voice for each animal. My husband gets into it some too...but not as much as me. He gives me the "you're crazy" look as he sits across the room while I read it to Katelynn.

I am so happy she loves to look/read books and loves books being read to her. But this book, I must confess, get's hidden at times so I don't have to read it for the 10th time that day!!!

But I am happy I picked a winner this year!

Mary did you know? I wonder?

2010-12-16T10:17:00.000-08:00

I have began to ~~ponder~~ (ok so that word is to big for me) think about the Christmas story this year. Is it just me or do most mothers tend to gravitate towards Mary the mother of Jesus...and what she must have been thinking. With 3 Christmas' now being in some stage of motherhood...I seem to have been thinking about Mary alot. I listened to "Mary Did You Know" So that just made me think about it more.

I have to wonder, Did Mary Really know? I mean all of it? His whole life? I mean I know the Angel told her that "He shall save His people from their sin." (Matt 1:21) And "Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) But that does mean she thought it over right?? I mean, she didn't really have a choice in the matter...but If had been highly favored in Gods site...enough to bear His SON...I don't think I would want to change my situation either. Although, if I thought to much...I would probably freak out and think...there is NO WAY I can do this. I mean...RAISE GOD"S SON??? And if she knew everything? And just HOW he was going to "save His people from their sins". If I knew all that I think it would break my heart.    I look at my daughter and if I knew all that her life was going to hold...and couldn't change any of it. How would I re-act? How would I feel? Would I have a broken heart? Would I be happier beyond words? Would I have a bitter-sweet moment? COULD I HANDEL IT???

I am just glad that God really knew what woman to pick. I can't imagine how she felt knowing that "Goldfish" feeling in her tummy was the Son of GOD! And then riding on a DONKEY, in the last part of her pregnancy??? I had a hard time sitting in a church pew without my back killing me...let alone a DONKEY!!! I won't even go into the accommodations she had for delivery...BOY are we girls spoiled and think WE have it rough!!!  Finally, that squirming bundle of joy, she had to wrap in swaddling clothes. Did she bring them herself? Or did she find them in the stable? Did she go into early labor...or had she planned a home delivery once they got back from Bethlehem? And she had to lay him in the Cow's feeding dish. Did she make Joseph change out the hay to fresh hay ? Or was she to exhausted and excited taking in her newborn son to worry about that? Did she count his fingers and toes? And at what point did it hit her that she was looking into the eyes of the Son of God and kissing his tender face?

A baby always seems to bring out the best in people...what kind of emotion did it bring out in Mary and Joseph? And every new mother has guest...but dirty smelly shepherds? I mean, today we pass around the sanitizer before anyone touches or holds our new babies. And if you have the sniffles...a new mommy gets quite antsy for you to hold her new precious child. But these guys probably had grubby hands...and most likely didn't smell good. Or did they try to clean up? The angel did tell them they were going to go see JESUS...so did they think about their appearance? And Mary, no doubt exhausted, welcomed in her guests smelliness, grubbiness and all! What a woman!

Then instead of being able to go home..they got a new home and moved in. And after some settling in they heard some commotion going on out front of their house. Three men, with very expensive clothes were approaching. Mary and Joseph had began to notice that bright star that bathed their house every night, was very bright! (ok, so maybe that part is not totally scriptural...but I think after some time I would notice a big star that didn't seem to move from being over my house!) I wonder did Mary and Joseph's neighbors notice all that was going on??? How did Mary feel about these 3 important guest? Did she have any sort of feeling of embarrassment about the quaintness of their house. Or where the kings gracious and make her feel so comfortable? The presentation of their gifts had to be amazing! I wonder what she did with them? And after all that did she invite them in for food and fellowship? I have no doubt Mary was a gracious hostess.  After all God knew about all this, and knew all the phases she would have to go through.

Then the dedication, Simeon and Anna...I can only imagine the pride that went through those new parents hearts. The same pride that any parent has when someone makes over their new child!

All those years in between the events surrounding his birth and when he was 12 and they found him in the temple are not talked about. I can only imagine the memories Mary and Joseph made. How did they feel when he cut his first tooth? Was Jesus bald or did he have LOTS of hair as baby? What did they do on his birthday? Just how excited was Mary when Jesus took his first wobbly step? Can you imagine having such an OBEDIENT child? What was his first word? Did he say Ma Ma or Da da first. Was he a Daddy's boy or a Mommy's boy? (I think he was a Mommy's boy) What was his favorite toy? What was school like for Jesus? What was Jesus favorite food? Did He like sweets?   Just how was his childhood? You mothers who are more experienced then me...could continue this list. I know we are talking about Jesus...and I don't want to Humanize nor diminish just WHO HE IS...But He did have a childhood...and He did have a normal mother who went thru all the normal emotions that any of we Mommy's would go through. I just wonder???

This Christmas, let yourself wonder. You might be amazed how the story hits home in your heart...it has mine!!!!

Project Topiary....DONE!

2010-12-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

Another project DONE!! YEA for Me! (mind me as I do a little happy dance!)

I was visiting alot of blogs sometime in October and found this project. I did not get the website, but I do believe it was one of CREATIVE BLOGS in my side bar. Sorry I can not take credit for all of it. BUT, I did add my own take.

I could not find the Berry Picks in the color I needed, but as you soon find in crafting SPRAY PAINT goes a LONG way and you find yourself coming back to it OVER and OVER again. (Right Leah???)

Any how, I just happened to have the colors I needed at home that I had purchased to go with 2 other projects. (still wating to be done. In my defense one is a future Jr. Church decor project.)

Anyhow, so out I went to my COLD garage with my Gold Berry picks, and began spray painting away with these colors: Sage and Brown Boots

They spray painted quite well, and to let them dry I poked the stems into a box and had them dry upright.

*on a side note: this blonde did not crack the door on the garage, thus got told by my loving Hubby if I didn't want to risk getting high off the fumes I had better at least crack the garage door to get some air flow.* What do I know???

If your doing this your self you might want to spread apart the stems and THEN spray paint them. They tended to stick and got these little notches on them...but it didn't look to bad. (and I didn't want to spray paint them again. Some of them had to have a second coat, just to cover the original color well.)

I also took a medium Styrofoam ball and spray painted it brown.

After every thing was dry I brought it all inside and began to assemble.

Things you need: (will list again at bottom of blog)

2 Styrofoam balls (1 painted 1 not painted)

*I spray painted the one the berries went into, just so the WHITE would not be seen*

a vase/pot

a long stick

(can use a dowel rod..but will need to paint it..I got a stick from my tree outside. Just make sure the stick and the Styrofoam ball you use compliment one another)

SEVERAL berry picks (I used 3 colors and 2 sizes ) I used about 10 berry picks

Hot Glue gun

Wire cutter

Flowers (if desired)

Began cutting the berry's off .....leave enough wire attached so you can poke it into the ball.

Began assembling. I placed my stick into the bottom first so I would know the top from the bottom.

I really kept NO pattern with the berries...liked the abstract look.

I also added some flowers into the mix...and I chose to use the flower buds that looked like they were just starting to open at the top then used the open blooms at the bottom of the ball. I just popped the flowers off the stem and HOT GLUED them into the spots. On the open blooms I put a few berries underneath the petals so they would pop out.

Once I was done. (that step took awhile...and keep the glue gun handy some of the berries like to fall out...but I tried to use it the least as I could.) Place the 2nd ball into your vase/pot and poke the stick into it. Make sure it is pushed down far enough to support your Topiary. (I had to purchase another base...due to the square floral foam I had bought did not Support it well...but the ball was a very Tight fit and worked great for the vase that I had.)

I hot glued on some floral moss and Wah-LAH----Project is done!

You LIKE???

I LIKE!!!!

WHAT YOU NEED:

2 Styrofoam balls (1 painted/ 1 plain)
1 stick
vase/pot
Several Berry picks approx 10-12 (I suggest 2 sizes to give you some depth...but you can do as you like.)
spray paint (IF berrys are not the color you want)
Wire cutter
Glue gun
Moss

HAVE FUN!!!!

Christmas Photoshoot...with my Baby!

2010-12-01T11:39:00.000-08:00

Being home now gives me alot of time to do some things I really love and one is

PHOTOGRAPHY!

I am not an expert...but I am learning from 3 different photographers I know.

Here are my results from a Christmas photo shoot I had with Katelynn

Still learning to play around with Photoshop..so most of these pictures are untouched. We had alot of fun taking them...and Katelynn did quite well for mommy, in between wanting to see about every shot.

I love the tender look she has here.

*this one I did play with the staturation a bit...for you Photoshop junkies*

Adding the Christmas ornament really helped me to keep her attention and matched her dress perfect!

My little cheeser

This is the UNTOUCHED pic of the 1st one I showed you.

Adding a friend in the picture...she loves this snowman and plays with it many times during the day.
It is one of the few Christmas decor she is allowed to play with.

And again, the BIG smile I love to see!!!

In Christmas Awe!

My total favorite of them all!!! She did the knee and hand thing all on her own!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

It's Pumpkin Roll time

2010-11-23T20:41:00.000-08:00

This time of year I am always very busy making lots of pumpkin rolls. It started back about 4 years ago when a man at my old job heard me talking about my pumpkin rolls and asked if I would make him one if he paid me. I told him "Sure"...then other people thru the years got wind that I would make them. Last year I think I made about 10. This year I made 17 total. I had 13 orders and then 2 for our thanksgiving..but I had 2 that turned out bad. (one split apart and another burned a bit.) Let's just say my hubby loves when that happens because than he doesn't have to wait till Thanksgiving dinner to eat one. I on the other had hardley want to eat one at all. I did eat a few bites already to taste test them...YUMMY!!!

*just as a note, I have choose for now not to share my recipe..due to the fact that I am selling them*

Pumpkin Rolls cooling

Beautiful...and YUMMY!!!

My MESSY KITCHEN!

(Hey, I never claimed to be a NEAT cook)

My little girl was AWESOME!!!! She entertained herself..even by putting herself in her Daddy's shoes!

I was cooking from about 6:30 a.m till about 5 p.m we took breaks to run to the store for sugar, eat lunch, read books before naptime, and then ate supper together. (this mommy felt VERY guilty for not playing with her today...but I understand that things got to get done some times.)

We had some unexpected visitors. My dear friend Caroline was on her way to her mom and dad Thanksgiving and needed a potty stop for her boys. She stayed for a bit, and just in time for Katelynn to wake up from her nap and share some kisses with Jonny! (and Blakey too...he wasnt too sure at first then he started after her with a HUGE smile on his face! To bad I didn't get that on camera.)

If you look real close...you can see Powder Sugar on her chin and nose...she was crawling around under the table while I was rolling up the Pumpkin rolls. (I have to put Powder sugar on the towel I roll the pumpkin roll up in..so thus the sprinkling of powder sugar on her.)

WHEW!!! I am done...and one delivered already!

PUMPKIN ROLL STATS

6 lbs Powder sugar

2 lbs butter

11 lbs cream chees

4.5 doz eggs

8 lbs sugar

6 lbs flour

6 lbs pumpkin

Crafting and Cooking

2010-11-17T10:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I told you all I was working on some crafs. Other than making new memories with Katelynn...doing some crafts have been a HUGE thing I have been so excited about.

This little guy was given to me several years ago by my mother in law. She had extra Christmas stuff and knew I needed some things to decorate my home. I have used him alot over the years...but never been to thrilled with his painted little vest. The blue just does not go with me decor...unless he was to be in my bathroom. (LOL) So after going thru several blogs it hit me...REDO his vest.

So here he is! I like him ALOT better now!!!

It is so dangerous for me to go into craft stores!!! I love them and could spend $100's of dollars, if our budget would allow. Boy was I thrilled to find this vase for $2.97!!!! Not much better than a GW special!!!

And then the 3 floral stems I bought were 80% OFF!!!! YEA....so approx final cost...was a little over $6. I was thrilled!!!

I am not a floral desingner by any stretch...but this is what I turned out. I am pretty happy. I was going to wait till after Christmas to put it out! But I couldn't resist. I am re-doing alot of my rooms in my house and as excited as I am about Christmas decor...I can't wait to start redecorating with all my new stuff and good deals!!!

Now for the cooking area in my home...I have been enjoying being able to get back in front of the stove...and not feel rushed!

Jonathan's aunt gave us some FRESH pumpkin...and I made 1 pumpkin roll (which for the moment I am not going to share because I sell them...will be making 14 of them the week of Thanksgiving!!!)

Any how found this receipe on line (on another blog...not sure where at the moment)

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 cup Butter

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Brown Sugar

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

1 cup pumpkin

3 cup flour

2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 t cinnamon

1 t pumpkin spice

2 c chocolate chips

Beat sugars and butters together. Add eggs 1 at a time. Mix in Pumpkin and vanilla.

Sift in flour, soda, salt and spices.

Stir in chocolate chips

Bake 350 for 15-20 min.

These cookies are VERY soft and moist!

Very light in the pumpkin taste.

I tend to like chewy/crunchy cookies...but these were very good!

Homade Christmas gifts!

2010-11-15T20:16:00.000-08:00

Well Katelynn and I tried our hand at making some homemade Christmas ornaments!

Here she is admiring some of her shapes all cut out.

Pardon some of the blurry shots...I was having some MAJOR issues with my camera.

She had so much fun cutting out the circles!

And playing in the flour!

The Snowman baking

The Snowman being painted and drying!

Finished...

Some are ready for the tree and the rest just need ribbon attached.

And here is ours hanging on the tree!!!!

You can go Here and see how to do it yourself!!!

It was so easy!!!

My first 2 weeks

2010-11-12T20:58:00.000-08:00

Wow, I didn't know that I would love being a Stay-at-home-mom SO MUCH! It is amazing! And as much free time as I might seem to have the days still seem to go by fairly fast!

Katelynn and I are still trying to get into a schedule...for the most part we have it down...but with a bit of improvision here and there. BEING FLEXIBLE as a mom is something I am continuing to learn!

Katelynn is for the most part ALL girl. She loves her doll and likes to take it to bed with her, to church, in the car and pretty much everywhere. And the doll changes from day to day.

This day she choose one of the last dolls that I got for Christmas as a little girl. When I first introduced Katelynn to her, she was about 8 months...she was very scared of her! Wouldn't even come to me when I was holding the doll...thats how scared!

Now she drags her all over...she's a bit of a bigger doll so its cute to watch her try and lug her around!

Here they are watching a movie together

Need I say again how much of a girly she is??? She gets in my closet where I keep my purses and drags them out all the time. Plus she has a couple of her own and is getting a couple more for Christmas!

Here she is just before nap time giving another one of the baby dolls I had growing up a ride. The 1st "Baby Alive"...I loved her as a kid and she was one of the 2 baby dolls I kept. We had changed her into a little nightgown I had...Katelynn loved going through all of the little clothes and Barbie dolls I had kept. I felt she was old enough to play with them and was excited myself to get out some old toys that I had played with growing up. Lots of memories came back!

Our first week home together was cold, but it was sunny and she wanted to go outside so bad. So I bundled her up and we went out and played for awhile...it was so worth it!

Taking a break sitting on her pumpkin

Mamaw and Papaw Thompson gave her a pumpkin before Halloween, and I wanted to get it carved sooner..but with working and our short evenings I knew I would be more stressed about getting it done and getting the mess cleaned up. And worrying wether or not she would even like it or not and trying to keep her involved and the list could go on as to reasons why I didn't do it. So I decided we would do it during the day.

She was all about digging the seeds out! I was pretty suprised but happy that she was not turned off by the ickyness nor the goopiness. She had so much fun, but I was glad I had put the towels down. There were seeds everywhere!

Pulling out pumpkins mouth

And the end result! I was pretty pleased with my cutting skills and keeping a 1 year old away enough so she wouldn't get cut...but could still be involved.

And he's lit!!

(And yes, he is sitting on the toilet! I didn't have anyother dark places in my house at the moment and I wanted Katelynn to get the whole effect from cutting, carving and lighting him.)

A slide from Mamaw and Papaw!

And we have a Kids porch swing from Mommy and Daddy for her 1st birthday.

And Kids teter-totter that Jonathan found for FREE when he was running his UPS route, so he drove back the the persons house after work and it was still there...so He loaded it up!!! (Thank You GOD for little blessings.) So aside from the fact we do not have that much of a yard and a pond in our back yard. (mommy's nightmare!!) She has a LOT to play with!!!

Then Last Sunday my mom was baptised. Anyone that knows my mom, she is TERRIFIED of water!

I was SO proud of her for overcoming her fear and going thru with a very Special Moment in the life of a Christian.

On a lighter note...Katelynn proceeded to say, "Nana" over and over when she was speaking, and when papaw gave the scripture reading she shouted his name out too! Cute ( I guess) but we are trying to get her to learn to whisper in church! A HUGE challange! Thankfully she is not really talkitive so she is not to bad!

We Enjoyed some time with Papaw and Nana Hilligoss after the baptismal! She enjoys being with her Grandparents!

2nd WEEK!

We were able to enjoy several picnics this week! It was so much fun! I keep telling myself, next summer she is not going to be this little and is going to be alot more independent and I will not have some of these Precious "Little little" girl moments! I am holding back tears as I write...thinking back on this week and the precious moments I have had. I am so blessed...when I look at her I can't believe that she is mine!!!! I have the rest of my life to have so many "moment's" with her!!! She is so precious! I am loving that I get those times when she drops what she is doing and comes and wants a hug or a cuddle then she's off running and playing again! Wow, I never knew how these "mommy/parent moments" would be so amazing!!

We made Banana popcicles! They were very healthy and pretty good. Katelynn loved eating them. ALL BY HERSELF!!!!

I was Thanking God for the beautiful days He gave us! Due to me working all summer and getting home late...I bearly got anytime to play outside with her. I was thankful Mamaw and Papaw Thompson made sure she got alot of time outside...but I really missed being able to do it MYSELF! I think God did it just for me so I could make some memories with her outside! We had so much time! And I have her Snow suit and Boots ready for when we get the snow!!! As much as I kind of dislike HUGE snowstorms...I am so looking forward to playing in it and sledding with her!!!!

So there you have it my first 2 weeks at home. We also visited "Wiz" (Lizzie Dennis) 2 times and had a mini phot shoot (will post pics), spent time at the hospital with Grandpa Thompson who had Gallbladder surgury, and had "Auntie" Caroline visit us too! I have also tackled our garage and am almost done with it. (will post pics later) I have organized most of the dresser drawers in our bedroom, Kitchen drawers, and linen closet (Yea, feels good to purge!) I also have a few crafting things I am working on too! (pics soon to come on this too!)

(P.S. By the way I made a wonderful Candybar cheese cake (snicker bar) when Caroline came! Oh My goodness it was so delicious! I didn't even get a picture! But it is a do over that is for sure! but I will probably tweek it a bit. Due to my hubby not liking all the chocolate. But Oh man did Care and I LOVE it!!!!)

Oh Christmas tree!

2010-11-11T10:28:00.000-08:00

Tree topper! Love how unique it is!

Jon and I

This bell was on my parents tree when they were first married!

My tree!

New Homemade ornament, I made them this year!

WIll post more on these later!

Fall is here in my home!

2010-10-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

I had some time off earlier this month and I took that time to decorate my home for fall! I had a blast and picked up some new things along the way!

This is on top of my Entertainment center...I got the 2 pumpkins in front from the Christmas tree shop..for $2 each! This shop is in Greenwood and it's kind of an Hodge podge shop...kind of a smaller version of Flower Factory or Old Time Pottery!! And I love it!!!! I have to tell a secret...to give my basket in back height and my frame height...I stacked up some Adventures in Oddessy albums! And just covered them with Place mats. SHHHH!!! Don't tell! (he, he)

This is on top of my piano

And this is on top of my Fridge

Happy Fall!!!

Goodbye summer

2010-10-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

Good-bye Summer...my little girl is growing up! I love the preciousness of the summer glow on her skin and cheeks. The pure delight in her bright eyes. I am so blessed!

Last several months...cooking and crafting

2010-10-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

Better late than ever showing some pictures of Katelynn's nursrey. Here is her name on the wall above her crib. I found a font I liked on the computer, than had my dad cut out the letters.

I painted and decorated them.

If you look close I painted stitch work on the edges of each letter with the oppisite color that it is painted. When I got done...I was happy but not real happy they needed something else..so I raided my scarpbook stash and put some flowers together and hot glued them on the letters.

The ribbons I couldnt get even and tie bows that looked nice, SO---I glued a loop of ribbon to the back of the letter, used a thumb tack to tack it to the wall then made a bow out of seperate ribbon and hot glued it to the actual tack. And BOOM the look I wanted!

I love scrapbooking and wanted to incorperate it into Katelynn's room...so I bought a Scrapbook frame...and have been making different pages that I can change in and out.

Now on to the food!!!!

A pudding Fruit pie....got this one from my Brother Brandon's girlfriend...Heather. Her's was a bit tastier...but I hope to make this again next spring and do a better job. But I have to say mine was still pretty good and it looked really pretty!

Then...several weeks later I got LOTS of magazines from my Mother In Law. Lots of the Taste Of Home Magazines. One of the magazines there were lots of recepies where they MADE OVER the original and made it lower fat. I believe this one was an actual Paula Deene Cheesecake. Original calories 500 per slice!!!! Outrageous but no suprise for anyone who knows Paula Deene. (Food Network.) This one has a little over 300 calories per slice, still alot...but it was YUMMY!!!
Peanut butter cup Cheesecake!

My husband said with alot of the lowfat stuff it had a bit of a odd aftertaste...but I Loved it!!!! It was awsome!

Plain Cheescake layer

Done and ready to eat!

This was a very easy Recepie

A tube of crecent rolls. Each one cut in 2.

Snicker bar bite sizes

Roll each crecent rolls around the bite size.

Bake according to directions

drizzle on cream cheese cake frosting (or reg white frosting.)

ENJOY!!!

Ewwy gooey goodness!!!

Something light after all this fattening stuff.

Simple tuna salad put inside of a hollowed out tomato and some chedder chees sprinkled on top.

Very fresh and tasty!

HOW DID THAT GET IN MY CART!!!????!!!!

Got home from the grocery and my husband asked me what the "Corned Beef Hash" was for. Since my hubby goofs off all the time I assumed he was pulling my leg, since I have NEVER bought much less ate Corned beef Hash. Well.....he wasn't. I love it when people put canned goods back on the shelf where they DON'T belong. Then people like me come along and grab something without reading the label. Thus coming home with something I have no idea what to do with it.

Well, all those magazines came in handy...I ran across a "Corned Beef Casserole" So I improvised and used the corned beef HASH in place of the Corned beef. It was a tad bit salty...but I must say it was pretty good...and might find myself putting "Corned beef Hash" into my cart again.

(this basically Glorified Mac and Cheese with the Corned beef added in and Bread crumbs added on top. with a little bit of butter drizzeled on top to crisp up the bread.)

And last but not least This is something I am in the process of working on. But I want to figure out how to add links within my post. And I am waiting on some stencils that someone is making me on a Cricut. SO I can finish this for my bathroom.

I will Keep you posted!!!

ONLY 5 more days left till I am a

SAHM!!!

(Stay At Home Mom!)

COMING SOON>>>>

2010-10-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

For any of you "overthinkers" or "reader-inners" the above title does NOT mean what you might think it does!!!!

Just letting you know I am here and I plan to soon update this blog so much more! OCT 29 is a HUGE date for me. It marks the last day I will know as a working mom! (until further notice that is.)

I have so many organization projects, craft project and cooking I want to do! I am so excited. I have been visiting all over blog-land and have a thousand ideas running around my head.

But most of all I will get to spend uninterrupted time with my darling daughter! I am just TO EXCITED to put into words how I feel about that! Daddy is a bit jealous but he is happy and blessed that he has a job stable enough to support us to be able to take this HUGE step.

Pray for us that we will be wise in all of our decisions and that we will learn how to make up for the long hours "Daddy" works. We by no means will have a "Normal family" schedule. Any family of a UPS'er knows the long hours/ and unpredictable hours of a driver. But we will find what works for us...and find that special "Daddy time". Pray especially for Jonathan he struggles not getting to spend much quality evening time with her some nights. He is thrilled that I am going to stay home..but still feels he misses out. We make up for it on the weekend to our best. Thus being a bit stingy about our family time together. But trying to find a good balance.

So many feelings and emotions come over me...as I think about "MY NEW LIFE" I am astounded that God is actually blessing me with my Hugest prayer. (outside of finding a husband and becoming a mother) I truely feel unworthy. I have been blessed with a hard working husband and one that works hard to keep us in budget. (although we have much room to grow. But God will help us there!) And God allowing him to land the job at UPS is the best thing that could have happened. There is sacrifice in this job...but Jon and I have looked at other options and feel this is where God wants us at for now. I have to be honest...that in some ways I feel selfish and feel it's unfair that I get to be the one at home. Even though I know the women's place is usually to be in the home. Although not all Mother's have the choice to get that option no matter how much they want it. And that is why I have promised to try my hardest NOT to take it forgranted!

So in a few short days...READY OR NOT HERE I GO!!!! I am ready to make so many memories!

Birthday Party pictures....FINALLY!!!!

2010-07-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

Finally Birthday Pictures!!! My friend Elizabeth Dennis took pictures. (Just as a side note she is starting her own photography "business" called "Agape Photography" She does very well and if you need info, just leave me a note and I will give you a way to contact her to get her prices.)

Well I wanted to add some of my crafty styles to the decor of Katelynn's party...so here are a few of my attmepts to be a crafty mommy.

Castle made out of a Kleneex box and papertowel holders. Thanks to Family Fun Magazine for the idea. (at least I think that's where I got it! LOL)

A new spin on a guest book...Thanks to Creating Keepsakes Magazine

My own creation!

LET the PARTY BEGAN!!!

Fun with Papaw Hilligoss

Love my Uncle "B" and his beautiful girlfriend Heather!!

Lots of love from my fun and goofy Uncle Steve...he makes me smile.
*at least most of the time he does*

Mamaw and Papaw lovin'

Birthday Girl....I am 1 !!!!

Mommy's Girl!

One of my Bestest friends

My Cousin Madelynn and I share a passing hand squeeze

And a BIG hug too!!

NANA and PAPAW

Mommy's side of the family with Great Grandma Hilligoss

Daddy's side of the family with Great Grandma Brown

Papaw and Mamaw

MY BESTEST PEOPLE!!!!

Happy Birthday to you!

OUR LITTLE PRINCESS

Cake time

Sharing with Mommy

DIGGING IN

THIS IS SOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!!

THE DAMAGE

Friends

Sorry Katelynn your too late...Petey is taken...Besides, what has mommy told you about giving kisses to boys!!!!

Yummy CAKE!!

Tinkerbell plate set....from Lizzie and Peter

Sharing Cake with a friend

A Book and Jumper from Great Grandma Hilligoss.

(She Loves this book..."How do I love you")

We had a bit of a meltdown during presents...I had to kind of talk to her in the "wonderful Mommy stern voice" then I turned to get another gift for her...when I turned back around she had covered her eyes like she was embarassed! It was to cute. (I did feel a little bad for embarrasing her...but can't have my little girl trying to swipe at her cousin just because he got a little close to her...even if she is the birthday girl.)

More gifts!

Special time with Uncle "B"

Helping my niece Maddie draw a note for Katelynn's scrapbook

Devan helping Katelynn get better at walking.

(She started walking on Monday before her birthday. 6 days before she turned 1!!)

Great Grandma Hilligoss helps out too!

A good buddy!

Happy Birthday baby girl.....I know this post is about a month and a half late...so by know your almost 14 months. I really doesn't seem possible...this time last year I was just getting ready to go back to work and dreading every bit of it. You were so tiny...all legs and arms. Now your such a big girl...with thick chubby legs and strong arms. You love climbing on anything and walking on your own everywhere. I still think my favorite time of day is when I am rocking you to sleep. You are so precious as I watch your eyes drift shut and can feel your little body just totaly relax against me. I can't help by feel so blessed in my heart that you are truly mine! I have dreamed about you for so many years...but never did I expect my heart to be filled with this much love! I mean I know I would love my child...but unless your a parent that has held your sleeping child you can't quite put it into words! Seeing you waddle around our living room, hearing your slap happy giggle about 8:30 everynight when it's getting close to bed time, warms my heart in a way I can't began to explain. And all those open mouth slobbery kisses, snuggles into my neck and pats on my back from you tiny hand I wouldn't trade for anything in this world. It may sound cliche but I think God truly spent a little more time creating you!

Daddy and Mommy love you so much "Dinky" and you are a true joy and blessing to have as OUR daughter!!! XOXOXOXO

1st birthday celebration!

2010-06-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying...."Stay Tuned for Pictures from the actual Birthday party" I had a friend come and take pictures for me so I could actually just relax and enjoy the party..so I am to get them on Sunday...and they will be posted soon after.

She crashed for about 2 hrs after the party! She did well at the party only a few melt downs!

Mommy deciced after she got up that she wanted to do something special just for US...so we choose>>>>>>>>

One little happy birthday girl....has no idea what is in store for her.

Anxiously sitting at the table waiting for our pizza.

Yea!!! TOKENS!!!!

First time eating pizza all by herself.

(mommy and daddy decided next time we are going to buy store bought pizza our going to Pizza Hut for supper first then coming here to play games...due to the bad tasting pizza and HORRIBLE breadsticks....I should of stuck to the salad bar, would have been better for my diet not to mention alot tastier! LOL)

First ride of the night

Letting Daddy know she is having a great time!

LOOK out ya'll in 15 years!

She looks far to happy at the prospect of being able to drive!

Ladder 49's cutest fire "women"

Riding the school bus, but she wasn't to sure about Chucky Cheese that kept talking in the back seat.

One last sugar rush before the birthday is over....we'll catch up on the health food tomorrow.

Sharing ice cream with daddy...and it was low Sugar ice cream too. And we used a coupon so we got both of our ice creams for $5!!!! YEA!!!

She LOVES ice cream!!!

A very Happy Birthday girl! I am so happy we could make a party day all day long! Not sure who had more fun...us or her???

Sunday night we headed to Uncle Steve's to celebrate Memorial day

We took her new bike that she got from Uncle Steve and Devan and Devan helped her play with it...by trying to get her to come to him! Devan loves playing with Katelynn even though He does get bored at moments....I think he really adores her. And she likes him too!

I think she likes her new bike!
She's my little cheeser!

And her gift from Daddy and Mommy...she enjoyed Mamaw's swing so much that we got one for her at our house...we don't have a tree..but our porch is open on one end so we will put it up there and she can swing to her hearts content!

SWINGING SO HIGH!!!!

Completely enjoying Uncle Steve's pool....she loves the water!

DEVAN does too! He is growing up so fast...he is a big 8 now and turning into a nice young boy!

Splish- Splash!

All her money she's been saving up...will be heading to the bank in a few days to make a deposit! College or New Car here I come!!!!

Look folks, I am walking now!!! Not realy steady yet...but getting there!

That's all folks

SEE YA!!!!

Yes, I know my PJ's are too big! It makes me feel smaller! LOL

Our week in review!

2010-05-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

This week has been an eventful one! Please nobody faint, I know 3 new posts in a row!!!!

We have had a few nights where Katelynn would be asleep for about an hour and then wake up in tears. The first night a little rocking a little extra bottle did the trick. The next night (Wednesday) was another story!! Nothing would soothe her. I patted her, gave her her passy, walked around with her in her room, tried a bottle, gave her some "herbal" teething tablets (great thing really you can get them at walmart...they are these tiny little powdery tablets that they can just chomp right up, if the don't dissolve like paste first!!!) and lots more rocking, tried to lay her down in our bed (not something I really want to start) but lots of coughing and gagging started due to her cold and runny nose and probably all the crying. Finally I went in the living room and tried to lay in the recliner with a blanket...NOPE that didn't work, after a bit of Tylenol and more walking around and bouncing and with her squirming every 30 seconds after ALMOST being asleep, I finally laid her down in our bed again and she fell sound asleep. So daddy slept in the guest room and Mommy and Katelynn slept together. (me being scared half to death she would roll off the bed...I put a big pillow along the side of the bed and built up a pillow and blanket pallet on the floor in case she did roll off...and a pillow at the head board since she loves to sleep with her head right up against her bumper in her own bed I was afraid she would hurt her head is she squirmed her way up to the metal bar head board in our room. Well, by that point it was 12:30 a.m....now for some of you mom's out there (Regi I know this is pretty much nothing to you) you have had to deal with this alot. I am one of the blessed mommy's that she is a pretty good sleeper...once you get her there. She fights it pretty hard at times....but she sleeps the whole night!
Here are some pictures of our week...we are also busy getting prepared for her big birthday bash next Saturday...can't believe she will be 1!!!!

Couldn't make it through the rest of Sunday dinner!!

My little painter helper eating her treat for helping mommy and being such a good girl!

Little handprints for her Thank you cards!

What ya got cookin'?

Have all kinds of new recipes I want to try...these were a cinch and only a whooping 100 Cal. per roll.

CRESCENT Suprise Bundles

1 can of crescent rolls

8 snack size snicker bars

cream cheese frosting

Unroll crescent rolls and cut each roll into 2 pieces.

Cut each snicker bar into 2 pieces

place snicker bar piece onto roll and pinch dough all around chocolate to seal

bake at 350 for 12 to 18 min

drizzle on frosting

*I used regular vanilla frosting and it tasted fine..but I think I would like the cream cheese better.*

Right out of the oven and the frosting is melting! Yummy!

Yummy little bundle with something tasty inside

Melted chocolate and gooey carmel!

Try different candy bars, I am sure Milkyways and hershy kisses or Reeses Cups

would be great too!

Enjoying the evening playing with Posey her doll baby and

blowing raspberries and drooling all over!

AHHH, life with a 11 month old!

I just love her!

Katelynn at 11 months

2010-05-15T20:45:00.000-07:00

Katelynn is just shy of 1 year...will be 1 year in 2 weeks!!! Where has time gone? It goes to fast!

Here are some just home pictures....mind that she is in her pj's in most of them...but we like to get bath out of the way then have the evening to play.

She loves her stuffed animals and her dolls!We got this bear for her at Christmas and it quotes Luke 2 while it's mouth moves. She loved it in the store and Daddy's heart melted so he bought it for her. We have had in it the closet for awhile and decided to get it out the other night. She was so curious that it's mouth moved while he was talking....that is until she put her finger in it's mouth and it "BIT" her....
then she wasn't to thrilled with even being beside it.

Don't you love her outfit? She had gotten up from a nap and just had a onesie on so daddy grabbed pj pants for her to wear.

This is her favorite Big toy, right now at least, she loves to sit on it backwards! She will also try and ride around on it, but mostly pushes it everywhere and when she gets it stuck she will push it sideways so she can keep going. *smart girl*

Katelynn and Miss. Greenbean, she is really into her dolls right now and has a few of them. We have been pretending with Katelynn's sippy cups or bottles or even Legos to feed her babies. I told Jonathan that we needed to find a bottle for a baby doll. So we were at the $ Tree the other night and Jonathan picked her up one. Here she is trying to feed her baby. It was so precious for me to watch how it doesn't take long for her to understand the "motherly nature". She will kiss all over her dolls and pat there back and say "awww" (but then promptly throws it on the floor...guess we gotta a few things to work on still!)

Testing the "milk"

"Here mommy, you wanna try it?"

Guess it's safe for her to drink....drink up Miss. Greenbean!

Where is the mall, I'm going shopping!

Tuckered out! (see I told you she loves her dolls, I think this one is Polly)

A life change for me and cheat on my diet!

2010-05-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe in "Healthy Cooking" Taste of home magazine. It is called a Makeover Peanut butter cup cheesecake. The regular one had a whopping 500 calories the Makeover Cheesecake has just a bit over 300. Now you do have to cut the cheesecake into 16 pieces~~~~but it's promising to be delicious. We are having it for Sunday dinner and I can't wait to try it.

I Have been trying hard to get back in shape since Katelynn. I didn't gain to much weight with her only about 16 lbs. And I got that off fairly fast. But still had alot I wanted to loose.

Since Feb. I have lost about 23-25 lbs! I am thrilled...but have a long way to go!!! This weekend was BAD...but there is always tomorrow. (why did I make that cheesecake again? Oh well I will share it and sweets are not really my thing...just enjoy making them and sharing them.)

The pic to the left is me at Christmas and the pic to the right is 23 lbs later!

I actually think the angle of my face looks thinner at christmas but over all I can see the loss in the other pic. Please don't think I am trying to brag OR ASK FOR COMPLIMENTS!!!!! I am not! I just know WE (assuming most of my readers are women) always have a hard time keeping our weight in check. I am very undisciplined in my weight, or rather I WAS undisiplined. So IF I can do it you can too!!!! I just take it day by day...and try to treat this as a new way of life and NOT AS A DIET. If I can't live with the change I will never keep the weight off..So I adjust my eating to what I can live with and try and scale it down a little bit during the week so on the weekends I can go over a little bit. But right now I am at the point that I am going to have to be a bit more disiplined on the weekend to get over this hump.

So now the drooling can began:

1. crust and Pb layer (REAL PB...not the yucky reduced fat stuff!!! at least in my opinion.)

2. Cream cheese layer

3. thin layer of chocolate cheesecake

4. Baked and almost done cooling!
(don't you love the contrast of the banana's in the background!!)

5. The final touches!

Peanut Butter cup cheese cake By: Sharon Anderson~Lyons, Il

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. melted butter

3/4 cup creamy PB

Filling:

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) Fat-free cream cheese

1 pkg. (8 oz) reduced fat cream cheese

1 cup reduced fat sour cream

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup hot fudge ice cream topping (divided

6 PB cups

1. In a smally bowl combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press into bottom of 9-in spring form pan coated with cooking spray

2. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 min. Cool on a wire rack. In a microwave safe bowl, heat PB on high for 30 seconds or until soft. spread over crust to within 1 in of edges.

3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low until combined. Stir in vanilla. Pour 1 cup into a bowl and set aside. Pour remaining filling over PB layer.

4. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat 1/4 cup fudge topping on high for 30 seconds or until thin; fold into reserved cream cheese mixture. carefully pour over filling. cut through with a knife to swirl.

5. Return pan to baking sheet. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on wire rack for 10 min. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer.

6. Microwave remaining fudge topping until warm. Spread over cheesecake. Garnish with PB cups. Refrigerate overnight.

ENJOY!!!!!

So now I am ready for Monday to get here so I can get back on this "life change"!!! LOL

Crafty Juices going!

2010-02-03T22:04:00.001-08:00

Bear with me...I do hope to get on here this weekend and post some new pictures of Katelynn and I have some pretty cute ones!

But I am trying to win a really cute frame and I have to post about her blog on MY blog...
So visit here :

httpp://beneathmyheart.blogspot.com

I can't get it to copy and paste correctly...but she has some awsome craft ideas!!!!

Also if you go to Leah Randalls blog (it's in my side bar) she has some awsome decorating and clothing blog links in HER side bar. Check it out...it's got my creative juices going!

Our First Christmas!

2010-01-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

DISCLAIMER:
(Ok, I really do like to blog...I just don't really have the time. I am hoping that soon I will have more time to do it, but as long as you keep checking back about every 2 months I might have a new post. I would have more pictures but this crazy computer is not letting me load anymore for some reason)

Here are some pictures of Our First Family Christmas....we had it Dec 26...and ended up waiting till the eveing due to the fact we had spent the night at my mom and dad's Dec 25, got up early and went to the store to pick up some final things...by the time we got home and got Katelynn lunch and got our food for our Christmas ready....we were all pooped. So Jon took a nap and Katelynn and I crashed in the recliner for a 2 hr nap! Boy, I knew you were tired when you were a parent...but Christmas really did us in!

FINALLY about 4:00 or so we began our Christmas!

So Excited about Christmas! (with her favorite toy Miss. Posey)
Let's get to the gifts Mama!

Ok dad , how do we get mom to quit taking pictures and get to the gifts?

YEA!!! I love stockings!

(we happened to find alot of stuff at "Micheal's" Craft store for like 60 cents)

Her main gift...she loved it! And really didn't play with the box to much either!

Her 2nd big gift!

(we were so excited to be able to get her 2 big gifts and a couple of small ones due to great coupons from "Buy Buy Baby" Great store! We like the set up a little better than Baby's R Us. And some Black Friday online specials)

Enjoying her new toy!

Eating Puffs for the first time.

(for those who don't know they are the softer, melt-in-your mouth cherrios for babies and toddlers.)

Please don't pay attention to me...I look horrible...but after our routine Sunday afternoon nap in the recliner, Katelynn woke up with this Beautiful hair-do! (I didn't help it along at all, I promise)

Such a big girl, trying to drink out of her new sippy cup.

Our little pumpkin

2009-10-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

ok, I know it's been a GREAT long while since I have posted (Dorine this is just for you~)..but here are some updated pictures. I can't believe how fast she is growing...and how much more we are falling in love with her every day. She is truly our pride and joy!!!

at 1 1/2 months old...such a tiny skinny little girl!!!!
I am such a big girl @ 4 1/2 months old

Don't you mess with my bottle

Mommy's pretty angel (4 months)

Enjoying Mansfield, Ind with mommy and daddy

Yummy Mommy, this pumpkin is good!!!!

I am so excited....can't you tell???

A day at the Indiana State Fair

2009-08-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

We all got up early to head out to the fair and hoped to beat the heat of the day!

Takes a girl awhile to wake up in the morning!

Ok, mom I am ready to be dressed...and most importantly FED!!!!

Checking out my new ride...never been down here before, Ya'll normally put me in my big seat. Check out all the room!!

So....this is what a pig looks like???

Wow so many babies?

Meeting Miss. Indiana, not very intrested...but she really liked me!!!

A family moment at the fair...I got the best daddy and mommy ever!

Ok, guys you wore me out...time for a nap!

Daddy you tickle me!

(Don't you love those cheeks...she is really starting to fill out)

A new food group...I wonder if I will like it?

YEOW!!! That is SOUR!!!

Some nice lady had met me earlier in the day and thought I was so cute. Well we ran into her agian later and she had bought me this cute hat!!! She was really nice!

Also not long after this picture some older man died just a few feet from me!!! But with some help of some people around us they were able to bring him back by doing chest compressions and they rushed him off to the hospital!!!! I hope he is ok!

Katelynn at 2 months

2009-08-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

This week was a very hard week...I went back to work and it was pretty hard for mommy. Caroline has been a great baby sitter and my mom had her last Friday and will for the next 6 fridays or so.

This weekend Jon and I got up and went to several garage sales and then we went to the park
She was a very happy girl!

Getting my beauty rest while mom and dad get some deal! (For ME!!!)
At 2 months old, sitting in my Bumbo like a big girl!

All pretty in yellow
On my 2 month "b-day"

Such a happy baby girl!

Me and Ducky enjoying my bath time!

My beautiful princess....this dress Mommy wore her first time to church

And it fits me great!

Enjoying tummy time! And holding my head up pretty well!

Just showing my personality!

New best friends

2009-07-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

Matching dresses from Ireland a gift from Uncle Brandon
Best Friends or Best enemies~~~only time will tell~~and I am sure it will be a bit of both!

Discovering a new friend

We are family!

A real live baby doll or is she?

Madelynn- "He, he, he"

Katelynn- "Mom, how dare you leave me with her!"

Picture up date

2009-07-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I have posted so I will try to up date you with alot of pictures....pardon the order of them, my computer is not letting me move them to the order I want and I don't feel like deleting them and the reposting them.

Who needs a mower when we have Madelynn to take care of our weeds.

Yes, go ahead and eat that one too, your mother will thank me later for the extra fiber in your diet!!!

Our happy little mower.
Madelynn Grayce Hilligoss 9 months old

6 weeks old...don't you just love the "happy hair"

(at least that is what Uncle Brandon calls it)

My first time seeing Fireworks on July 3, Mamaw and Papaw thought I might be scared but I was a BIG girl and ate almost the whole time they were going off in Papaw's car. I did jump a bit at the Grand Fanale and when Papaw set off alot of loud Poppers.

Enjoying the 4th of July at the Lavy's with my cuz Maddie and my Nana!

Mama's little angel

Mommy and Daddy's precious gift!

(Thanks cuz Courtney for taking my pictures for me you did a great job!!!)

Stealing time with Papaw

Ok, Maddie if you don't get your hand off my throat I am going to beat you up when I get big!

BIG feet for such a little girl

Finally getting time with Uncle Brandon after him being gone all summer

Yes, I have a beautiful smile!

DAYBOOK

2009-06-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

Outside my window... it is dusk and alot cooler
I am thinking... About my little girl and what was going on a month ago...also that I have a ton of pics to organize and pages I want to scrap
From the learning rooms... have 4 weeks left being home and alot to get done...some decor hung up...photos choose, organized, ordered and hung up and scrapbooked.
I am thankful for...time off with my little girl
From the kitchen... we went out tonight...yummy Texas Roadhouse BBQ Chicken, Baked potato, salad, warm rolls with Cinnamon butter
I am wearing... in a jean skirt and a light pink top...I look awful!!!!
I am reading....my Bible....that is about the extent of my reading!
I am hoping.... To get scrapbooking done or at least organized tomorrow and take a nice walk with Katelynn in the stroller
I am creating... scrapbook pages in my head and figuring out what pictures I want where
I am praying.... God will continue to help me as I try to be the best wife, mother and homemaker I can be for my family.
Around the house.... Things are a little messy but it's only Monday
One of my favorite things... cuddles and naps with Katelynn..only 4 more weeks f the napping. And hugs from my hubby

One month has just flown by!

2009-06-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

One month ago *yesterday*

My little girl now

27 days old

Ok mom, I am over this picture taking!!!!

All better now!!!

3 Generations~ I love my Papaw and Nana This Sunday....looking all pretty in my Sunday bonnet! (Thanks Aunt Rena)

Wearing Big Girl Shoes!

Happy Fathers Day Daddy!!!

2009-06-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

This is Jonathan's first Fathers Day, and I want him to know that Katelynn and I think he is the best new daddy around!!! He is so loveable and caring and concerned and somewhat of a pest too...but that's what daddy's do! He is a big protector and loves to have fun and cuddle his little girl!

Jonathan you will be the first man she ever falls in love with...and she will always be your little girl. I hope this fathers day is just so special for you....we love you bunches!

Daddy's girl
Going on a walk with daddy

Cuddle time

Read me a story daddy! (Don't you love how she really looks like she is listening and watching!)

Daddy got me all nice and clean!

Exploring the outside with my Dad

Enough already!!!! A girl's gotta get her beauty rest!

Daddy sneaking in kisses

A Father's arms are the best place to be!!!!

And just in case you forget Katelynn, Mommy loves you too!!!

Also I don't have an updated picture, But I would like to wish my own Daddy a very happy fathers day!!! I love you very much!!!

Katelynn's arrival

2009-06-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

Well, May 29 started out like any other "doctor appointment day". My appointment was at 10:40 a.m, so I got up and goofed off on the computer a bit and just took my time. It was exciting because it was MY DUE DATE!!! Mom had called me and asked if I was feeling any different or was having any contractions...because she was going to go with dad to GBS to pick up my brother Brandon if all was going well. I told her we had, had a rough night due to Jonathan having a major sinus infection and had gotten sick and when I tried to help I got sick in the process. (joy, joy) So than due to Jonathan hacking and coughing I slept in the other room due so I could get some rest.

Finally, It was time to leave for the doctors office...I was trying not to think about having the baby today because I didn't want to be disappointed. I have been writing letters in a journal to Katelynn all during the pregnancy so I had started a letter to her while I sat in the car for the last few minutes. After going in and waiting on the doctor I had my BP checked and when the nurse didn't confirm whether it was a good reading or bad reading..I figured it was high...also since my legs and feet were like water balloons. As soon as the doctor came in he looked a bit grim. And said, "Well, your BP is high again today (which I hadn't had one until the last 2 visits)..so I think since you are 40 weeks, I would be silly not to send you on over to the hospital to have this baby." My heart about dropped! I was by myself...Jonathan at work and my mom was on her way to Cincy! Then after the doctor heard the heartbeat it was found a bit high on my belly...I asked the doctor, "that's not good is it?" He told me to head on over to Ultrasound so we could find the placement of the baby and then when we got over to the hospital Dr.Perkins (who was on call) would find out which route would be the best to take....due to the fact I was only about dilated to about 1.5. After ultrasound we found the baby was indeed HEAD DOWN!!! Thank God...but the tech said Katelynn was weighing about 8lbs. After talking to the doctor a bit more I was put in a wheel chair and the nurse that taught our birthing class wheeled me over. I had already called Jonathan and told him told him to get his truck back to the hub and get to the hospital we are going to have this baby today!!! And called my mom and said to hurry home after they picked up Brandon. I was pretty scared and felt lonely! But the nurse really tried to calm me down. After signing in and waiting on my delivery nurse I was choking back tears! Finally about an hour later Jonathan got there. I was so much better than. Dr.Perkins came in and checked me and told me he estimated about a 9lb baby...and that I had about a 20% chance of having her normal. Did I want to be induced, which was going to be more than 12 hours before they actually induced me due to the need to get me to dialate enough, or go C-section? With only a 20% chance I opted for the c-section. They told me about 4:30 we would start everything.

Well lets just say that I guess every other baby in Indianapolis decided to make their appearance that day too!!! My nurse even had to deliver one baby because the doctor couldn't get there on time. In fact in 90 min 7 babies were born! Finally about 7 pm they got to my C-section....it went pretty well...but I had to freak out on them! Made me pretty upset at myself...but at least when it was all said and done I had my beautiful baby girl! But all I remember is seeing her and then everything else is just bits and pieces, due to them giving me some meds to kind of knock me out...and calm me down. I remember seeing Jonathan later at the end of my bed still in his scrubs and holding Katelynn, I couldn't focus at all and even when he handed her to me for the first time...I could hardly focus on her face...which was so frustrating to me because I wanted to see her face so badly. It wasn't till later, after getting sick 2x's due to the meds, that I got to really cuddle and hold my baby girl! Finally a family! It was so Surreal to me...like a warm fuzzy dream that your going to wake up from and wish that you didn't have too!

Katelynn Nicole Thompson born May 29 at 7:19 p.m. weighing 7lbs 5.7oz and 20.5 in long! (Ha, ha what happened to that 9lb baby I was supposed to have???) She has LOTS of hair. She was very awake almost all of her first night...much to ours and the nurses surprise! But I got alot of time with her as did daddy!

Not to thrilled about her car seat!!!

Finally going home

We finally got home June 1 at about 11:15 PM!!!! They didn't let us go earlier due to some High BP problems with me. Also the doc is a little concerned with her weight drop down to 6lb 7oz, and then at the next day's appointment she was down to 6lbs 6 oz. And we had to start supplementing formula to get her to put some weight on. As of last Thurs she is at 7lbs 1 oz...not quite her birth weight but almost. And she is eating a lot more and we are having to supplement less. (pardon me while I do my tired mommy happy dance!!!)

Hanging out with Uncle Brandon before he leaves for the summer

First time in church....looks like Bro. Herring put her to sleep!

Not really we had a wonderful service and he didn't even preach.

Cuz Devan LOVES her....and has a hard time sharing her with all the rest of us.

My beautiful baby princess!!!

Aside from all the normal motherly things and worries and duties...having a child causes you to take in life on a whole new level. Sleeping will never be the same again....time away with my hubby won't be without a constant thought in the back of my mind of my child. And the attitude towards the importance of my spiritual life will only become more crucial each day. Yes, I get thru each day, at this point, and look back and think "what have I done besides feed, change diapers, nap and cuddle?" (all important things of my life don't get me wrong) As my daughter eats I look at her and know that I only have these moments for awhile...before long she will be "little Miss Independent" and probably the only time I will get a lengthy snuggle is when she is sleepy. I also wonder what God has for her? Will she be a preachers wife? With her LONG fingers will she play for some Bible college quartet or will she and her future husband go into song evangelism? Will she be a teacher like her Nana and her Uncle Steve? Or will she be a nurse/doctor....or maybe a Sunday school teacher like her mommy? Will she be good in school like her daddy and love numbers? (By the way Daddy is on the ball with her alphabet and says them to her almost every day!) But most of all when I look in her face I see a blessing that I askded God for several years ago. She is an answer to my prayer and I don't think God could have given me a more perfect or beautiful answer. Tears have poured down my face more times than I can count when I realize just how blessed Jonathan and I really her to have Katelynn in our lives! You think you love your husband with your whole heart and I wondered how would my love equal out between them both....but I have found you don't have to divide your love...it's like your heart extends and you find that you can love even more!
(Ok I will quit rambling...sorry!)

Introducing Katelynn Nicole

2009-05-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

Katelynn Nicole Thompson was born at 7:19 on 5/29/2009. She was 7lbs 5.7 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. Here are few picture with more of the story still to come.......

A reminder for me!

2009-05-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

This song by the "Martins" has been going thru my head...very fitting reminder for me at this time!

Wait on the Lord and be of good courage
and He will strengthen your heart.
Wait on the Lord and be of good courage
and He will strengthen your heart.

WAIT! I say Wait!
Wait upon the Lord!
Wait! I say Wait!
Wait upon the Lord!

Growing even more!

2009-05-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

(in this picture Katelynn had just moved really big and I was asking Jon if he felt her..just as my friend Elizabeth snapped the picture. It was a perfect picture and I love the expression on both of our faces.)

These pictures were taken last week (at 37 weeks). I now have approx 2 weeks left! Going to the doctor tomorrow and will be having an ultrasound to check my fluid levels. If they are to low they will take the baby. I am hoping all will be fine and I can go on my own free will! I am very excited...but also have that natural fear of...can I really do this? I know I can and only with God's help! I so want to be a Godly mother and I know that battle against the world will be a tough one. But I am learning that even for my own daily life the best place to stay is "on my knees". I know I will be there alot more once Katelynn gets here. Jon and I are dedicated to serving God and making our home a "haven". No we are not perfect...and may not measure up to what everyone thinks we should be. But we are seeking what God want for us as a new family! Pray for us as we began this new journey! One that we are so blessed and excited to travel together!