Creative Car Seat Covers!

With a new baby on the way you can bet that I've already thought ahead to new baby gear...although if we have another boy we're pretty much all set. However, if a little girl comes along it would be sort of nice to have a few things that are more "sugar & spice"...which is where this guest giveaway comes in! I just saw this today over at Grosgrain, and immediately knew it would be the perfect way to save some money and have a new look at the same time! If you want to check out this very creative idea for recovering car seats just click on the link below the pictures!

Chubby Baby Car Seat Cover GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

"I Wuh Woo"

Johnathan has been getting really affectionate over the last couple of weeks. Usually this is in the form of spontaneous hugs and kisses, offered up by the sweetest little arms and lips this side of Heaven. Today however was the first time that he has vocalized his love...well, at least those three little words that every parent loves to hear...I love you!

Aaron was heading off to catch up on some rest and had made a quick stop into the living room to tell Johnathan and me that he loved us. We were given a few hugs & Johnathan doled out his special little boy kisses to the daddy that he adores, and then as Aaron turned to go back to our room he said I love you to the both of us. As he rounded the corner to our room Johnathan replied with..."I wuh woo!" Isn't that just precious?!! I have been waiting to hear those words for quite some time as Johnathan is becoming more and more of a talker these days---of course his speech requires a bit of interpretation, but I am almost always able to figure out what he's saying. As soon as I heard him utter those 3 sweet words my heart immediately melted. It was just beautiful!

So, in the words of Johnathan---"I Wuh Woo" all, and I hope y'all have a wonderful Friday!

P.S. Tomorrow the old man turns 30! Haha! Can you believe?!!

Mama's Big Helper!!!

Yesterday I thought it would be a good idea to break in the new oven that we got earlier in the week---we have been living without a working oven for over a year and a half! And let me tell you, you can make a TON of stuff in the toaster oven, so we really didn't miss it that much! If you want to read the whole oven story and why we got a new one, you can go here...but for now, let's get to the good stuff!

I remember being younger and wanting to make cookies...I'd ask my mom and she would usually say yes, but she'd want me to have my little sisters help. I remember my youngest sister "helping" a lot, and sometimes I would get frustrated because it took so much longer and it was so much messier! However, I can only imagine that she must have felt like a "big girl" and like she was really helping me out! So, yesterday afternoon I decided that it was Johnathan's time to be Mama's big helper! And you know what??? He was! Sure, it took quite a long time...and the clean-up process was almost as long as the creating process...but we sure had fun, and he was so proud of himself! I let him help with every stage---pouring in the sugar & flour, mixing all the spices (which he LOVED!) and eventually licking the beaters! No baking venture is complete without licking the beaters or spoon! Mmm, that's the best part!

Here's my little man, helping out his Mama with the first batch of cookies that our new oven got to bake! Isn't he just precious?!!

BIG NEWS at the "Daily Buzz"

Well folks, it looks like our hive is going to be home to another precious baby bee! We are happy to announce the pending birth of Johnathan's little baby brother OR sister...to be determined at a later date! You can see our little "bee" here, measuring at 6 weeks and 5 days with a heart rate of 132 bpm! Isn't he/she a cutie?!! Haha! We are very thankful for this new little blessing, and we look forward to the days ahead for what God will do. Happy Friday, all!

Baby and yolk sac.

Baby/yolk sac and heart rate rhythm.

Chili Dogs, Halloween, Grammy & a Haircut - - - oh, and Corny Dogs Too!

Man, a lot has gone on since I last posted about our sweet Johnathan! Here is a quick run-down.......

1) He had his very 1st Chili Dog---he's enjoyed many a hot dog, but never the full-blown chili variety, so we had to remedy that! And, just like Aaron, he has a new favorite (messy!) meal!

2) We went to a bowling party the weekend of Halloween, and I made Johnathan a cute little pirate costume (from scratch!) for the costume contest---where he won "1st Place" for the Cutest Costume! I was really happy that the bowling alley even had a nifty little ramp so that little kids could bowl too...Johnathan LOVED pushing the big heavy ball down the ramp!

3) Grammy came into town!!! We had a wonderful time with my mom (AKA, Grammy!) and enjoyed a bit of eating out, shopping, hanging out at home & at my aunt's place...and of course no visit to CC is complete without a trip to the aquarium! We love you, Grammy! Thanks for coming to visit!

4) Johnathan got his second hair-cut while Grammy was here to help distract him! Haha! I did this one myself (trying to remember how my sweet sister Gloria had managed to give him such a nice cut back in August). I have to admit, I am pretty pleased with my first attempt at cutting his hair, and I am proud thinking of all the money I'll save on hair cuts in the future!

5) Lastly, I just had to take a few pics of Johnathan enjoying a corny dog. He was too cute eating it, and dipping it into his ketchup---which he LoVes! He is certainly turning into an all-American boy when it comes to his favorite food choices! ;)

Getting tips from the "Chili Dog Master", aka Dada!

Picking the "dog" out of the chili, the boy loves his meat!

What a little cutie!

Can you tell that he's liking it?!!!

Silly, Messy, Chili-Dog Boy!

Getting ready for the costume contest...I made the shirt & pants out of some left-over fabric that I had bought to make some pillows.

Dada putting on the infamous pirate eye-patch!

Duct-tape pulls through again in the form of a sword!

No pirate is complete without his orange "cannon ball!"

This has got to be my favorite pirate picture!

Surprisingly, he kept his eye-patch on for several minutes!

Watch out! This is one tough little dude!

Playing at the bowling alley.

He was in awe of all the bowling balls!

Taking a try at it all by himself!

Looking at the fish in the aquarium with Grammy.

"Fish, fish, fish." He kept repeating that over and over again. He is really into fish right now!

Mama and Monkey, posing in front of the Nemo & Dory tank.

Sweet little profile, watching the dolphin show.

Getting ready to touch the sting rays!

Hair cut! Don't I look all professional in my PJ's?!! Haha! Not!

Cute cut, if I do say so myself!

Corny dog boy! Too cute!

That corny dog is as big as half his face! Haha!

Checking out the goods!

Getting some more yummy ketchup! Mmm, good!

Blog Alert! The Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge - Day 10

*Original Post Found at Ruby Moon Designs!*

Well, today is our final day of the Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge, but that's not to say that we're off the hook just because it's finished, no way! I have really been enjoying reading through these verses and thinking about how to apply the attributes listed in my own life. It will be a lifelong goal of mine to become more and more like this "Virtuous Woman"...and ultimately like Christ who is the Greatest Example of all!

The last verses that we're about to dig into are extremely important for us as women. Let's go ahead and read them...

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates. -Proverbs 31:30&31

If you're like me, then you have spent a large portion of time throughout your life catering to your "need" to feel beautiful on the outside. I can remember stressing out over a hair-do that just wasn't working, getting upset when my skin was less than perfect and bemoaning the fact that my body wasn't the shape/size that I wanted it to be. Wanting to take good care of ourselves is one thing, but we have to remember to cultivate our inner beauty which won't fade. The world wants us to focus on our outward looks---it tells us which size we should be, what our skin should look like, which clothes we should buy and what products will make us more vibrant and beautiful---because we're "worth it." Let me tell you, we're "worth it" because of who we are, not what we look like! Spend time with the Lord, let HIM be your mirror and you will always like what you see! The Lord looks at the heart, so let that be your focus!

When I read verse 31 it reminds me of the parable in Matthew about the master who had entrusted some of his money to his servants and told the ones who had been wise in their actions "Well done, good and faithful servant." I want to be the servant that the Lord is proud of, and I want to take good care of the things which He has already entrusted into my care---my family, our belongings, my time, my relationships, etc. If I lean on HIM, I have everything that I need to be wise with what He's given me.

So, onto our last challenge!

Challenge - Day 10

-Take time to focus today (and in the days to come) on your beauty which will last...your inner beauty. Be thankful for how God made you on the outside---being happy with that will make you shine from the inside out. The countenance of a peace-filled woman is a beautiful thing!

-Take stock of what responsibilities God has entrusted you with, and search for ways where you can take some steps to "earn interest" with what He's given into your care.

Alright ladies, that's the end of our challenge. I've really enjoy doing this and I might just have to do another challenge in the future! Hmm, I'll be thinking on that! Enjoy your day and take care of the people and things that God has blessed you with!

*Grace*

Blog Alert! The Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge - Day 9

*Original Post on Ruby Moon Designs' Blog Found Here!*

Well today has been a wonderful day...lots of time just hanging out with my mom, which is very fitting for today's verses! I know that I am blessed to have such a wonderful mother. She's been such a great example to me of a woman after God's own heart, and she was my original example of the Proverbs 31 Woman! She (and my dad, can't leave him out!) raised 7 beautiful (!) kids & homeschooled us all---teaching us book knowledge and every day life lessons, and I consider her one of my very closest friends. It's awesome to have a mom like her!

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.” -Proverbs 31:28 & 29

I am sure that many of us would do just about anything to have our children (and husband) think of us in such high regard. And though on some days we may feel like we're falling short of being worthy for our children to rise up and bless us, we have to keep in mind that 1) we can only be a true blessing to others when we're allowing Christ to live in and through us and 2) that our children (and husband!) are a work in progress too! I believe that if we let Jesus take the driver's seat then in due time we will be the women that He wants us to be and the mothers and wives that our children and husbands are proud to have as their own! So don't be discouraged, and let every day bring you closer to the goal of one day having your "children rise up and call {you} blessed!"

Challenge - Day 9

-Take time to thank your own mother, or motherly/mentor figure in your life, for what she has been to you.

-Be a blessing to your children and husband. Do something special just for them---it doesn't have to be anything big, but go out of your way to make them feel loved.

Tata for now, folks. See you back again tomorrow!

GO BE A BLESSING!!!

*Grace*

Blog Alert! The Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge - Day 8

*Original post found HERE!*

Happy Monday y'all, and welcome to our Challenge Day 8! Since I am a little late in posting this, I am just going to jump right in with our verses:

She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness. -Proverbs 31:26&27

I like how the importance of our speech is listed as one of the character qualities of the Proverbs 31 Woman. And, it is not just what we say that is important, it is how we say it---wisdom tempered with kindness = a great combination! Also, I like how the Virtuous Woman "does not eat the bread of idleness"...I mean, how could she?!! From what we've already read we know that she's a woman on the go! She's probably lucky to just eat bread! So, what are our challenges for today? Well, here you go!

Challenge - Day 8

-Make note of ways you will purposefully change your speech to convey kindness through your words. AND/OR make a point to speak with gentleness to someone who you may normally be a bit short with (i.e. a grumpy kiddo!). You can still use disciplinary words with kindness! Try it!

-Examine if there are any ways in which you are "idle" and work on a remedy! You don't have to be on the go 100% of the time, and there is room for fun in every day---but if your "idleness" is causing certain areas of your home to fall in disrepair then you've got a problem! ;)

Okay, y'all, I've gotta go---my mom just came in town, and I am going to go spend some quality (& quantity!) mother/daughter time with her!

Blessings!
*Grace*

Blog Alert! The Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge - Day *7*

*Original post found HERE!*

First off, sorry to skip yesterday's day 7 post---but I was extremely worn out for some reason, and I didn't even log onto my blog, which is very abnormal for me. I did however spend the whole day just hanging out with my boys---the big boy, the little boy and the hairy boy (i.e. the pooch!). We had a great time lazying around, watching movies, goofing around on the floor, and I feel much better today after some R&R. Anyways, all of that to say that today is "day 7"...so let's get to it!

She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come. -Proverbs 31:24 & 25

We can see here that the Proverbs 31 Woman is industrious and uses her skills to benefit her family's finances. She did not consider it beneath her to offer her wares for sale, and even though her husband is seen as a successful man, she still wants to contribute to the income of her family. Now, I don't think that every woman has to operate a business from home, and I do think that God calls some women to work outside of the home. Whether or not you've been called to stay at home or work outside the home, I KNOW that every woman can contribute to her family's finances---by earning an income or by saving and spending wisely what has been earned by her husband. I remember my mom saying that "saving money is like making money." If you save $20 on the grocery bill by using coupons, then you just "made" 20 bucks for your family!

*NOTE* I just want to mention that money can be a issue of division between a couple, especially if both dad and mom are working outside of the home. I think that it is important to realize that both partners are working toward the same goal---providing for the family as a whole---and there shouldn't be a rivalry between who makes the most and who contributes "more" in order to hang it over the other person's head. And if you are called to stay at home you shouldn't feel "less than" because you're not making the majority of the income. The well-being of your family depends on much more than just monetary security. Realizing what each person is bringing to the table in order to provide for each and every area of your family's needs is what is important. Dad & Mom need to be a team, both with unique roles but the same goal.

Back to our verses, when I read verse 25...Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come...I sense that the Virtuous Woman is "clothed" with something far more important than outer garments (although don't get me wrong, regular clothes are important---don't go without them!). It is also important to be "covered" in the character qualities which you can only get by seeking the Lord. And the Proverbs 31 Woman had that. Also, she was prepared for what the future would hold, and was able to rejoice (also translated "to laugh") at what would come. She did not worry! (Hmm, interesting that that is in here!)

So, what are our challenges for today? Let's see...

Challenge - Day 7

-Think about what role you play in your family, and examine what you can do to fulfill that role to it's utmost potential.

-Focus on the inward beauty---spend time with the Lord, leaning on Him to give you the strength that you will need to face your future with a big smile on your face!

Okay y'all, that's it for today. Thanks for hanging in there! Have a blessed Sunday!

*Grace*

Me, "laughing" at the days to come!