Valentine countdown

I am a huge fan of countdowns I love looking forward to the future. It holds such hope and promise. so here we are counting down to the day of love. My 5 year old and I made this easy countdown using the window hanger featured here. 

You can find the easy bow tutorial here. 

The rest was so easy. 

Step 1

Punch shapes.

Step 2

Glue together 

Step 3

Paint number

Step 4

Add glitter to wet paint

Step 5 

Pin them up!

DIY bow

I really mean easy it take one item and like 3 minutes. 

A few years ago I bought a bunch of those little plastic baggies that you stick goodies in usually for kids parties. I have spent the last few years trying to do something with them. 

Not only is this bow super easy its really cute too. You can make it in any design all you need is 2 plastic baggies. 

Step 1

Cut the baggies short ways into strips mine were about 1/4-1/2 inch.

Step 2

Open strips (should make a circle) and gather on arm (leave one out to use to tie together)

Step 3

Double over find middle and tie one around holding the remaining together. 

Step 4 

Fluff and place on any package or decoration!!!

Get to know me week 1

- - QUESTIONS - -

{no. 1} What is your biggest guilty pleasure? 

{no. 2} Do you actually keep your resolutions for the New Year? 

{no. 3} If you had to do one random act of kindness today, what would it be?

{no. 4} Do you have a bucket list, 101 in 1001 list, or any other list? If you do, what are some of your goals?

{no. 5} Why do you love blogging?

Sweets!!! I am a sweet addict. This is my biggest pleasure. 

I don't usually keep my resolutions... I usually forget about them. This year I have them plastered in multiple places around the house. I am determined not to forget. 

Something simple that would help a total stranger maybe leave money with the cashier to pay for the persons bill behind you inline. 

I have a 30b430 list these goals include: reaching my goal weight, flying in a helicopter, riding a subway and zip lining somewhere AMAZING!

Blogging... I am fairly new to this whole thing and well it scares me in a lot of ways. What I really love about blogging is it allows me to get out there. I can show the world the real me and they get to decide if they stay or not. 

Wyatt's day

Sometimes imaginable things happen in this world. They happen everyday. Yet they seldom hit home. This week has hit. My heart is saddened and I know I will spend most of today reflecting on the life and joy I have with my own children.

On Tuesday afternoon, an armed man boarded a school bus killed the driver and took a small child hostage. It is now Thursday morning and the child is still being held in an underground bunker type shelter. This is all happening just a few short miles away from where I live in Alabama. In times like this we tend to ask God why then we pray.

3 years ago today something completely imaginable happened and to someone I once knew. Someone, I once knew is kind a strange way to describe a person but thats it, Katie and I grew up together, went to school together, played together, we also didn’t talk much after entering high school. She was someone I once knew.

The point of this post isn’t to dredge up the past but to remember Wyatt, pray for Katie and to remind myself to hold my little ones a little bit longer today.

Today we celebrate Wyatt’s day! Katie and hundreds of supporters like me will release blue and brown balloons for a little boy who should be here today.

You can read Katie and Wyatt's story here.

Please if you do take the time to read the story take the time to reflect on your own life and if you can make it happen over the weekend release balloons for your own children or for Wyatt or the small child in the bunker whichever you choose. Please if you do release balloons take a picture and email me. Katie keeps track of all the balloons released in Wyatt's name.

I have a favorite kid.

Yep, you read that right! I have a favorite kid.

Most parents aren't willing to admit it. They say things like I love them all the same yatta yatta. Yea I love my kids and I even love them all the same but still I have a favorite kid. And thats okay.

I have a favorite kid to have a conversation with. My oldest has always been “old” for her age. Able to carry and understand conversations beyond her years. I love talking with her. She shows and teaches me so much every day.

I have a favorite kid to snuggle with. My middle man has always been my snuggler. He has always been the first to crawl up in my lap and get comfy. The other two will occasionally try to lay with me but they are all feet and elbows. Preston just has a way of melting his body into mine.

I have a favorite kid to make me smile. The “baby” as I call him is so funny. Man that boy can make a british guard laugh. I think the best part is he doesn't even realize that he's so dang funny, he's just busy being him.

So yep there you have it. I put it out there for all the world to see I HAVE A FAVORITE kid.

So, now lets be honest do you have a favorite? Do you think your parents had a favorite?

Now thats what I call food

I love to cook. I am by no means a chef and I really wouldn't even call myself a great cook more like a magician. I manage to take really awesome healthy ingredients and turn them into things my kids will eat. Hello success. And sometimes you have to share pictures of those amazing dishes.

This salad has all the usual salad items baby butter lettuce, spinach, sunflower seeds, chi chi beans, tomato, mushrooms, carrots, but I also added some of my favorite salad kicker uppers strawberries and blue berries. It was delicious this I know because everyone including my 2 year old asked for more. Although not pictured I paired the salad with a poppy seed vinaigrette.

Weekend wrap up

We always have good weekends. But this weekend was GREAT. This weekend I am able to measure that based on our little ones ability to stay awake past 7.

January and the lake not really two things that go together very often but hello Alabama wonderful weather. We had a beautiful 70 degree weekend.

On Saturday we all including the water loving pup took a trip to the lake. The kids played in the water, we ate, we played and Astro swam. After we got back home we ate some more then set up the camp fire. No no marshmallows we all just sat around and enjoyed each others company. It was the perfect end to an amazing day.

On Sunday Daddy, the older two and Astro took another trip. First stop the archery range where daddy and Preston got some practice in. Preston's practice however had little to do with a bow and arrow but rather his ability to go potty on a tree. After finishing up there they took another trip to the Lake where they played and Astro swam. She’s one tired pup.

As I sit here writing this I feel so thankful to the Lord for all the wonderful things he has provided me. So truly blessed.