WARNING--See shirt!

For all you parents out there with daughters....

Don't say we didn't warn you!

From Black to Blue

Good bye black Colorado....you have been a good truck! However, you are just too small. 3 kiddos has pushed you to your limit! And no offense, but lately when we ride in you, we are just miserable! We need more room, therefore it's time for a new truck!Hello, navy Z71--full size truck!! Thank you for your space and having a few whistles and bells to entertain us! You are soooo comfortable with all of your space! Welcome to the family!

Kylie Loses Her Front Tooth

This post is a few days behind--as is everything I do....but, Kylie lost her first front tooth! The difference between her and her brother is that when Weston lost his front tooth we had to numb it with medicine from the dentist's office (courtesy of my friend Amy who works for a dentist), my Mom then had to come over and pull it as we held him down because the new tooth had grown in behind the baby tooth so much that they actually hung down further than the baby tooth in front! In Weston's defense though, he was very brave--because when Grammy went to pull the tooth, she pulled both of his front teeth (they were both loose, but one was much more than the other one).

However, Kylie, a.k.a. "Oh fearless one", pulled HER OWN tooth at school. She decided she was tired of it and wiggled it until it came out. That's how she is though--no fear, major determination, and all the willpower in the world to move mountains! That's my girl!

Welcome Baby Kaden!

My Auntie Karen passed away 8 years ago this month. I still miss her and think about her all of the time. But today was a special day--her grandson was born. Her daughter Alyssa gave birth to Kaden Reece at 2:17 pm today! He weighed 6 lbs and 8 oz and was 19.5 inches long. Ok, when I held him, I could not believe how absolutely tiny he was! My smallest baby (Landen) was 8 lbs 5 oz!!! What a huge difference 2 lbs makes in a newborn. It seems so weird that my little cousin has a baby! In this picture you can see how tiny his head is in comparison to my MeMe's hand/rings....his head was the size of the PALM of my hand!

He is adorable--I couldn't get over how he wanted to sleep with his mouth wide open! I told him he was going to catch a bunch of flies that way!

What a precious baby! Welcome to the world! Landen is going to have a ball playing with you! (He and Landen will be in the same grade!!)

Cooking for Landen

Call me crazy, but I have decided to cook baby food for Landen! I have actually been making food for him for about a month now, but it has been simple things--avocados and bananas that are basically "ready-made" foods. Now it's time to add more to his diet which means I have to prepare a few things. So, today I am baking sweet potatoes. I have bought a few foods--these really cool organic foods that are in "squeeze" bags and that way you only use what you want and then put the cap back on and refrigerate. I bought spinach and pumpkin in the organic squeeze bags because honestly I think it would be more cumbersome to prepare those than to just buy. Plus those are very similar to a consistency of homemade food as well.

My secret weapon--the Kidco Food Mill

I also love these Glad bowls to freeze the food in when I prepare it.

Landen LOVES his bananas...but you have to "hide" the avocado!

Little Miss Western Arkansas 2010

Today was a BUSY day! I am exhausted! But it was so worth it! Kylie and I started out this morning at Creekmore Park where Kylie competed in the Little Miss Western Arkansas pageant...and Kylie won! Congratulations girl--you are such a beauty to Mom!

I was so proud of her! I was a little nervous too--we had a HUGE hair catastrophe. I bought this new "gadget" that looks like a straightener but has curling iron barrels on the outside and it's supposed to make these awesome curls. And, I am sure it does when you know how to operate it. However, I didn't and all it made was straight hair on Kylie. So, I decided to twirl her hair and bobby pin it and then dry it to get some curls in it. Major disaster! She had these SERIOUSLY tight curls stuck all over her head. It was awful. But thank you Angela for pinning her hair up in a cute "messy" bun! You saved the day!

Thank you Aunt Heather for the mini skirt and leopard leggings! I was seriously scrambling to put that outfit together!

You know what the first thing Kylie said to me after she won? "So, I get to be in the parade again this year, right?" Told ya that girl does this for the ride!

From there we flew up to Bentonville where Kylie gave up her "Little Miss Heart of the Ozarks" title and helped crown the new girl. Kylie was the princess to Savvy Shields, the reigning Heart of the Ozarks Outstanding Teen who went on to win Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen.

After we finished up there, we headed back home to try and do some damage control on her hair. I decided to start over and just straighten it!

After we finally got her hair fixed, we went to the Miss Western Arkansas Pageant where they introduced the girls from the morning pageant. We stayed and watched them crown the winners. Let me just say there was a bunch of very, very talented girls this evening....I was truly amazed!

Now I am ready for bed! Whew!

Watch Me Grow!

I can't believe Landen is already 4 1/2 months old...time really does fly! It's so bittersweet sometimes. I love watching each milestone, but then I realize that he's getting older and I won't ever have a "baby" again. I am happy though that I have this blog and that I am taking pictures as much as I can so that I will have all these great memories captured. I wish I had my blog when my other kids were little--there are some things that pictures just can't capture and it's so neat to read about my thoughts or feelings during certain times!

Landen has yet to roll over--a direct result of severe reflux and "spoiling"! We rarely lay him on his back or tummy and now when you do it, he fusses after about 5 minutes! It's OK though, he's already trying to sit up on his own (a direct result from constantly being in an upright position) and he has had his first temper tantrum. I couldn't believe it Friday when the little guy arched his back when I put him in his carseat and thru the biggest fit! That scares me to think about what's to come!

Guess What I am Doing Today?

Guess what I am doing? I am so excited!!

Going to see Dear John...absolutely loved the book! I was so excited when I heard they were making a movie!!

And then on to Mt. Magazine...where Richie proposed....

to eat dinner! We have decided this will be our Valentine's Day tradition!

And the best part....NO KIDS!! YIPPEE!! Warm food, good movie, wonderful husband--I am in heaven!! Happy Valentine's Day! Love You Richie!

My boys are getting better!

I took Weston to the doctor yesterday and thank goodness he only has an upper respiratory infection! I was so afraid with the cough he had that it was much worse, but luckily it wasn't! Landen seems to be feeling better as well and even slept good last night--hallelujiah! Tonight, Kylie is going to start a new tumbling class at a new gym, so hopefully she likes it and it goes well. I really hope she gets the courage to do her tumbling without a spotter--she can do it, but she thinks she can't and needs someone to stand by her (even though they don't do anything to help her). Maybe a change of scenery will help!

Now the big boy is sick....

Well, Monday I took Landen to the pediatrician and he has his first ear infection. She said it wasn't really bad yet, but that with the weather and the possibility of not being able to get back in for a few days, she went ahead and started him on an antibiotic and gave him some pain drops. And boy, am I glad she did! That night, he let loose! I could tell he was hurting and didn't feel good. When I called the pediatrician Monday, I also asked her about Weston. He has had a yucky cough for several days. She told me to just give him his inhaler every 4 hours and to take Mucinex. Well, we have done that and he's only gotten worse. Last night I had to get up in the middle of the night and give him his inhaler. He was coughing so hard and so much I was afraid he was going to throw up! This morning I told him to go back to bed and that I would call the doctor and try to get him an appointment. So, hopefully today he will get some relief! I just pray he doesn't have bronchitis or pneumonia....that would be awful!

I was glad to "have" to stay home today. I have been soooo exhausted. Landen hasn't been sleeping wonderfully and I have been getting more and more tired as the days go by. I almost need a weekend to recover from the weekend sometimes!

Now for some good news--I just finished our taxes! Hallelujiah! I am VERY happy to have them done and a refund on the way! That money is going STRAIGHT to savings!

Super Bowl Blast!

What a great Super Bowl party we had!
Kylie and I were the only ones in the room rooting for the Saints....and Kylie fell asleep leaving me to fend for myself with the Colt fans!

We had so much food it was insane! I think I blew my "diet"!

The ONLY way to watch the BIG game--on a BIG movie screen!

Watching the game like a typical fan...and a typical man! :)

Kicked back and relaxing, just taking it all in!

A Saints fan gives out before the big game is over!

Thanks Mom and Jim for such a great time and way to go SAINTS!!!

Friday Night Fun

Jeremy and Catina came over Friday night to hang out! It was a great excuse for us to get the babies together and get some pictures, too. I got so tickled watching these two interact!

Here is Landen giving her "the eye" and trying to swoon her with that Casanova smile!

At one point, I caught them holding hands....

I think he was pretty smitten with her!

What cute babies...oh, to be young and in love again! Hopefully they will become soul mates...that gives us plenty of good reasons to keep having our Friday night get-togethers! Thank you Catina and Jeremy for a great time! And thank you Addison for entertaining my little guy!

Etsy...and a few of my favorite things.

I am addicted to this website (www.etsy.com) and love finding new treasures on here. I wish I had half the talent these people do! Such cute, creative things! I finally have two minutes to sit down and share some of my favorite Etsy finds (I had to burn a day of vacation to find two minutes!)....here they are in no particular order!

Snugglens Bag

by Gypsyrosehandbags

I love this camera bag--so cute! There are tons more patterns and styles, too. And best part, this designer is a fellow Arkansan! Definitely on my to-purchase list one day!

Camera Strap

by madebymeegz

I have ordered this camera strap and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival! What a fun way to jazz up my camera!

Rose Baby Blanket

by IraRott

I absolutely adore this rose baby blanket--so pretty! I just love the detail!

Vinyl Word Decal

by empressivedesigns

I love these decals--there is one for everything you could ever want! I especially love the families you can design for your car, wall, etc....too cute! Gonna have to get a few of these!

Time of the Month Clutch

by Bits O Honey Designs

I ordered this adorable clutch after I saw one while I was in Chicago for training in December. Thanks Kellie for turning me on to Etsy and for showing me this adorable clutch! It's such a great way to carry your "time of the month" stuff in your purse. Plus you don't have to dig to the bottom of your purse to find what you need and your tampons are not all torn and trashed by the time you need them. Great patterns and there are tons of other "clutches" too!

Tie One-Z

by WeChooseJoy

Ok, just found out this "shop" is temporarily closed, however bookmark it because she'll be back soon. Anyway, you voted, I ordered and the brown onesie won out! Just got it in the mail the other day and it's absolutely adorable! Landen is going to look handsome in it!

Mixed Metal Family Charms

by sTuckintheCoop

This is my new fave find right now--plus just got word back from the designer that all my kiddos names will fit! Zoom in on this one and check out each charm--one for kiddos, one for your last name initial, one for you and your honey's first name initials, one for your "established" date, and a cute little heart to round out the necklace. I LOVE IT! Thanks Richie for my Valentine's Day present (that you didn't know you bought!!)....

Alright, well there ya have it--my favorite Etsy things right now. I have a few more favorite sellers bookmarked, so I know my faves will grow and grow! If you go to the website and find some neat stuff, be sure and post your finds! The sky is the limit on this website!

Favorite Hymns

I love the contemporary music at our church--reminds me of a Garrison Avenue band, rocking out, getting down. But, it's always nice to change it up a bit. Last week, the hymn "Jesus Paid It All" started up and I immediately took a time warp back to when I was kid at my grandparents' church in Barling and all of the hymns we used to sing (before this contemporary stuff was ever even thought of). I love the lyrics of that song....

I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness....watch and pray
Find in me....thine all in all

Chorus:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin hath left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

Richie and I started talking about our favorite hymns...he said "Old Rugged Cross"....I love that one too. (Hence the lyrics of the song that I have framed on my wall) The lyrics of that song are absolutely amazing!

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

I would have to say one of my favorites is "Victory in Jesus"....everytime we sang that in church I would just smile inside. It is so upbeat!

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

With the new contemporary music, I have developed some favorites there as well. I think right now my favorite is "From the Inside Out". I LOVE that song!

A thousand times I've failed 

Still your mercy remains And should I stumble again

 Still I'm caught in your grace  

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades 

Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

 my heart and my soul, Lord I give you control 

Consume me from the inside out Lord 

Let justice and praise become my embrace 

To love You from the inside out 

So, what's your favorite hymn...and why? And how about your favorite contemporary song...and why?