Oh Happy Day!

What a happy day we have had today! We went to S and L's birthday party this morning and the kids had tons of fun. Asher couldn't quite understand where the pirate stuff was (he wants a pirate birthday party) or why he didn't get any presents, but he still had a great time. Then, we went to lunch with mom, nana, and Kyle before Kyle leaves town. Leila is smitten with her Uncle Kyle and Asher kept all of us entertained. Then, we all went to Target for a little while. Now, it's naptime for the two little ones and mommy time for me. Anyways, I love days when you get to experience things just like you'd always hoped for. It was fun to visit with friends and watch the kids play with their friends at the birthday party. I am glad they are developing friendships early in life. It was great to visit over lunch with my wonderful mom, nana, and brother. Kyle, we love you and will miss you so much while you are away. And, everything will come to you in time! To top it off, it was snowing outside and very pleasant to watch out the window. Tyler was working on a construction project with men from church. Now, we are in our warm home and very thankful for the day, the family, and all God has so lovingly provided for us.

Playing around

Bummed!

Today has not been my day! I have enjoyed having a Saturday with the babies and Tyler to do whatever we please, but this day doesn't like me. It started with a small incident at Sam's Club (no big deal). Then, we went to my great grandparents abandoned home to pick up an antique vanity to have redone for Leila's room. We were greeted there by a neighbor that asked if we had sold the home. When we told him "no", he told us that yesterday three young adults had loaded up the contents inside. Thankfully, he watches out for the place and went to find out what they were doing. They told him they had purchased the house and were cleaning out the contents. He did get their license plate #...just in case. So, we found the back door busted in and the vanity that I wanted was gone. I am so sad b/c my great grandparents did not have many earthly belongings, but my little granny would have been so pleased that Leila was using her vanity. I am mad at myself for waiting to go and get something so important and I am upset that this just happened yesterday. I was one day late! Anyways, the police dept. has been contacted and we are waiting on the license plate #. I know the chances are slim to ever see the vanity again, but I am hoping. Then, I got home to find that I had left the chicken pot pie I cooked last night out on the stove. I forgot to put it in the fridge last night. UGH! I really hate to waste. As Asher puts it..."We are not wasters". No sir, we try not to be. Anyways, hoping the rest of the day gets better. I realize none of these things are any major things....just frustrating. Also, Tyler's grandma is undergoing some medical tests this week, so please say a prayer for her to get good results.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! We have had a good day. The kids have been showered with Valentine's from us and grandparents for the past three days. I won tickets at work for the Razorback basketball game, so Tyler and I went up the hill for that. Mom kept the kids, and they had a fun-filled time while we were gone. Now, we are back to celebrate with our two little Valentines. Speaking of Valentines...Tyler has been my Valentine for 14 years! That is a lot of years of Kopper Kettle candies...my favorite! The kids and I made our favorite Valentine (Tyler) a poster of candy with a special message. Oh yeah, I also got Tyler an umbrella. I know, I know, so romantic! Hey, it's what the man wanted! Anyways, Happy Heart Day!

Our Sweethearts

The lights of my life

My happiest days are spent with these two precious babies!

See you later Samantha!

I just discovered that Samantha from the American Girls collection is going to be retired. I am so sad to hear this news b/c I imagined trips to the Chicago store with Leila to pick out accessories for her/my Samantha doll. I think these dolls are a wonderful thing for little girls everywhere. The stories teach history and life lessons. I think the Christmas I received my Samantha doll was one of my most memorable. She was the only present I had asked for that year. After opening all of the gifts at Nana's house....no Samantha. I was extremely disappointed. Then, a knock at the door! We opened it to find two perfect sized boxes wrapped with my name and Desiree's name. I ripped into the box and found the most beautiful doll I had ever seen. I dreamed of owning the entire collection one day. Now, I am trying to collect what I can rummage up on ebay so Leila can share my happiness with this doll. I'm sure that mom and nana never imagined the joy this doll would bring me Like a child, I'm still giddy to receive the maroon box in the mail with Samantha's treasures. I just knew Haley and I would get along great when I walked into Tyler's house for the first time and saw this beautiful 8 year old girl playing with Samantha. My best friend is also a Samantha doll owner (courtney, you'd better round out your collection!). So, sadly, it's time to say good-bye to the best doll ever, Samantha Parkington.

Happy 70th Birthday Papa!

Yesterday, we celebrated Papa's 70th! Asher calls Papa Shredder from the Ninja Turtles. So, the cake was Asher's present to Papa. The kids had so much fun at the celebration that they insisted on staying the night. Nana and Papa said yes....of course! I picked Asher and Leila up when the sun came up...as ordered by Asher.

The prize is hers

1 week no bottle and she is doing great! She was more than excited to get the doll and slept with it Thur. night. Great job, Leila!

Red Jelly and Innocence

Tonight, Asher was watching Sleeping Beauty for the third time this week and Tyler was watching it with him. Asher was super excited for the dragon slaying scene. He wanted his daddy to see this very exciting event. Asher was animated as he was acting out the events of the fight. Then, he told Tyler, "Daddy, that man threw that sword and poked that red jelly out of that dragon." Isn't the innocence of children the greatest blessing! We all had a good laugh and it was an end to a wonderful day with my two babies!

We'll Miss You Uncle Kyle

These pictures are from our "see you later dinner" with Kyle. He is going off to work out of state for a couple of months. We all will miss him so much, but we wish him well. Leila is going to be sad without her buddy at Nanny and Papa's house. Kyle, we love you soooooooo much and can't wait for you to come back home. Oh, don't worry, I'll keep your jeep in good shape for you!(SMILE) Love you! Be safe.

Asher's neck

Our little Asher has had issues with his neck since he was born. Saturday, he woke up with a large knot around his lymph node area on his neck. He was as healty as could be. I (of course) started worrying about my precious little boy. Today, we made a trip to the doctor to confirm that it was just an enlarged lymph node. Nothing to worry about....thank the good Lord. Dr. says that some kids have larger nodes than others and we would just keep an eye on it. I posted the pic where he is looking up b/c you can actually see the knot.

Cinderella

"Cinderella is proof that shoes can change your life!" Leila must believe this statement b/c she is a shoe lover! Last night, we went to some friend's home for a superbowl party. Leila found L's sparkly high-heeled shoes. It was hilarious! She was really working it. Today, we went and bought Leila her own princess shoes. I know, I know...I'm a sucker. Hey, the girl deserves a little credit for going 3 days without her bottle!

No more ba-ba!

Leila is growing up! It is happening too quickly for my taste, but it is still happening. She is 17 months old, and it is time to kick the ba-ba habit. Knowing Leila, I knew I was in for a fight. I picked this weekend to start the battle. We have had a few rough moments, but overall not so bad! Leila has been a much bigger girl than I expected. She does still ask for the ba-ba (especially at bedtime and the middle of the night), but she is doing well with her Abby Cadabby soft spout sippy cup. Last night, we went to the movies to see Taken. It was a great flick...if you were wondering! On the way home, we stopped at some friend's home and their daughter got this doll for her birthday. Leila fell in love! So, this is the promised prize at the end of this battle with the ba-ba. Two days down, go Leila go!

Outside Fun

This weekend we had a tease of spring like weather. It's crazy! Ice early in the week...60's by Saturday!