Happy 2nd Birthday, Alyssa Lou!

Our little Alyssa turned two the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we had a big family party for her at our house.  With Madelyn's help we decided on the My Little Pony/rainbow theme.  I had planned to make the famous layered rainbow cake and some layered rainbow jello cups but ended up only making it to the cake.  I opted for a date night on Friday rather than staying in the make colored jello cups.  I am glad I decided to forgo all the extras because we had plenty to eat with 10 large pizzas, chips, dip, cake, ice cream, punch and soda.

Alyssa woke from her nap around 3:30 with a fever of 102.9 and bright red, rosy cheeks.  This was a duplicate of Madelyn from a couple days before.  I gave her some motrin and continued on with the party plans.  She perked up after the medicine kicked in and had a good time with the guests:)
She did a great job blowing her candles out and thoroughly enjoyed her own piece of cake afterwards.

Madelyn and Reilynn enjoyed setting up stage in Madelyn's bedroom to perform for anyone who would watch.  In the pictures below you can see the audience lined up watching them.

Alyssa couldn't quite figure out the whole opening of presents things just yet.  It's a good thing she had her sister and cousin, Reilynn there to argue over who got to help open the next present:)  They were a big help, as always:)
Some gifts included a quite a few cute outfits, boots, Little People Princess Castle,  Leaptop, Fur Real Pup, and Radio Flyer trike.  She loves the trike and loves to have us push her around the house on it.  She'll really love it when we can get it outside in the spring!  Thank you to everyone who came and helped make this day a memorable one for our sweet girl.  We love you all!

Day 19, 20, 21 thanks:

I knew it would happen at some point this month with the craziness of everything and it did this week. I missed my last 3 thankful posts but ill catch up now...

Day 19- I'm thankful for our jobs. I'm thankful that both my husband and I get to do something we are passionate about and get paid for it. I'm thankful for the means provided by our jobs that not only pay the bills but allow for some fun here and there as well. I'm thankful that at a time when so many go without, my family has more than enough.

Day 20- I'm thankful that parent teacher conferences are over and we now have  wonderful 4 day weekend ahead of us for nothing but family time.

Day 21- I'm thankful for my  daughters. Oh how I am blessed with their sweet, sweet selves.  I'm so thankful to have not just one healthy girl but two healthy girls to nurture and raise into (hopefully) passionate, we'll rounded young ladies someday.  I can't imagine a life without them. Praise god for his blessings on our family!

Day 18 Thanks:

I just received confirmation that my final Capstone C project was approved and needs no revisions! yeah! This is a final project in my Master's program that runs in conjunction to my classes.  I am now down to a measly 3 weeks and I will graduate!! For THAT, I am thankful! I am thankful I was able to pay my way through this program over the last 18 months (not by using student loans) and even more thankful I will be done writing papers. :):):)

Day 16 Thanks:

So thankful for chiropractic care! I've been dealing with almost daily headaches for the past few months and it's been insane the amount of sinus headache medicine I consume.  Well not the amount, more like the number of days I have to take a 12 hour pill.  I'd say I have been experiencing horrible, horrible, headaches 5 days a week.  After taking a sinus pill, they clear up but it's not normal to have to take medicine that often! I finally got back to the chiropractor 2 weeks ago and I am so thrilled to report that it's been a solid SIX DAYS since I've had a headache. (last Sunday!!)  This is just amazing.  I had so much going on in my neck that was clearly causing the head pain.  Thank you, Lord!

Day 17 Thanks:

I am oh so thankful for my husband and the compassion he has toward the less fortunate.  I am thankful for his political views and although, I don't want to talk about politics every second of the day, I am grateful for what he has opened my eyes to.

 Just recently, (yesterday to be exact), I logged onto Facebook to find  a fellow christian friend of mine engaging in a conversation about the Obama care and how it's more like "O-bum-a-care" and on and on.  I was appalled to say the least, by the disrespect and hatred being spewed from the mouths of people claiming to serve the same God that I serve.  My blood began to boil as I read each comment on the thread.  I am so disgusted with the conservative attitude of entitlement and hatred toward those who are unfortunate enough to live in poverty.  It's a shame that not everyone has had the chance to grow up in the same family, with the same parents, who encourage and support their child's education and expect them to continue on to complete a higher educational degree.  Isn't it just a shame that some children are born into situations that they did not choose, nor will they ever have the same opportunities come knocking at their door as we "middle class" citizens did?  It's a continuous cycle that I'm not sure, if I were a part of, would be able to get out of on my own either.

I learned from my parents, what hard work and responsibility looks like.  My life is a reflection of what I learned from them.  I work with children who live in poverty and have often wondered why they act the way they do.  Well, I have also come to realize they learn what they are exposed to.  Environment shapes who we are, how we act, and what we do in our lives.  I am 100 percent sure that Jesus would show compassion toward these people and not let their paycheck (or lack thereof) determine whether they are cared for. 

Day 15 Thanks

Tonight I am thankful for date nights with girlfriends...more specifically tonight's date with my dear friend, Jess :) It's so nice to chat and catch up on life over laughs and dinner but also so nice to be able to listen, comfort, encourage, and motivate one another to keep on keeping on.  I am thankful for friendships likes these. Thank you Jess!

day 13 thanks-

Today I'm thankful I was able to get up at 5:45am and get a workout in.  Tomorrow I plan to continue this crazy pledge I've made to a friend at work.  I am excited to get back into shape before the holidays instead of waiting until afterwards.  I guess I am thankful for this willpower too!

Day 12 thanks

Today I'm thankful for my amazing friends at work. They aren't "coworkers", they're my friends and I'm thankful I get to spend my days with them, if I have to be away from my family!  I love the 3:16 bar dates, Christmas parties, and other get together a we do throughout the year. They're uplifting when I'm having a rough day and always know how to bring out a laugh in the hallway, teachers lounge, staff meeting etc. they are a blessing:)

Day 11 Thanks

Christmas lights!! I am so thankful for those wonderful, mood lifting Christmas lights this time of year.  Today, my husband and I spent the entire afternoon putting up multi-colored lights around the gutters and shingles.  It's a Christmas of 1st for me (or us, whatever you want to call it).  Our 1sst year doing multi-colored lights (outdoors only) and on the house.  It will also be our 1st year, my 1st EVER to have a real Christmas tree and I am stoked!! Pictures will follow when I get a chance:)

Day 9 & 10 thanks

Yesterday was one of those days and getting on my blog didn't make the list before going to bed. Madelyn threw up shortly after getting into bed which had me doing laundry late and then again at 4am. She's doing better today and hasn't gotten sick again, so I'm thankful for that today:)

I'm also thankful to have my last culminating paper completed and submitted today. I'm still in my final class and will have assignments due for that class for the next 5 weeks but to have that other paper done, is a relief. 5 weeks and I will be a master!!

Day 8 thanks

I'm struggling to feel thankful today. I feel overwhelmed, stressed and tired after a long week. I guess I can be thankful my girls were asleep by 7:30 tonight and I am sitting on my butt at 8:15. Ugh what a day...week. So ready for tomorrow at 3:15. Breathe.....

Day 7 Thanks

Tonight I am thankful for my brother's life. I'm thankful he is alive and still has the opportunity to be happy and healthy.  I'm thankful that he's dug himself a hole so deep that he's down and out with nowhere to go but up. I don't kow what else to say. My heart is Heavy..  I must  let go and allow God to intervene.

Day 6 thanks

Today I'm thankful for online shopping! I have no idea how in the world I would find time to Christmas shop if I had to actually go out and shop. I have just 2 gifts (for my mom and dad) left to buy and I'm DONE. Such a great feeling to have it done before Thanksgiving so that I am able to enjoy the month of December with friends and family at holiday parties and at home enjoying my Christmas tree and lights:) I love shopping but I despise shopping in December. Ick!

Day 5 Thanks

Today I am thankful my parents.  They're going through some tough and trying times right now yet they manage to stay strong in their faith, stick together and continue to be a supportive rock for our family.  They love my brother and I unconditionally.  Thank you mom and dad for always being there!!

Getting crafty!

Some of you have asked what projects I've been up to lately.  Here are my current projects. I don't start one and finish it before starting the next.  My style is more like start a few and work on them simultaneously... SO MUCH FUN!  If you think you can't do these, think again.  Give it a try, you too can do them! If you have a question about something, I'd love to help you out:) Happy crafting everyone!!!

   
 

Bathroom progress from a Pinterest addict!

I've been going a bit hog-wild with pinterest lately but it's sooo much fun! can you blame me?  Anyway, last night I finally finished painting vertical stripes in the girls' bathroom upstairs and I am more than thrilled with the way it turned out.  I used a leftover gray paint color (although it looks like a blue) from when I painted our master bath last winter and the white is my favorite go to white (mineral ash) that I use when I'm refinishing old pieces of furniture.  Here's a little sneak at the walls now.  Sorry my photog skills aren't the greatest so the lighting is a bit wacky but I think you can get the idea.  I still have to decorate with light purple accents and linens.  Madelyn picked out some  purple butterfly wall decals that will also be a part of the bathroom.  I ordered a solid white all ruffle shower curtain and will hang that as soon as I get a shower rod.  It's going to be so cute!

Day 4 thanks

Penny my girls' daycare provider- not only does this amazing lady take care of my children when I'm at work but she loves them as her own! I'm so thankful to have found her right away after we moved back to Michigan when Madelyn was only 5 months old. Yesterday I was reminded of how much I also appreciate all she teaches and has taught my girls. While having pictures taken the photographer had brought out the letters T-W-O. Alyssa walks up to the T, Picks it up and says loud and clear "T!" Then she picks up the W and shouts "W!" She is singing her ABCs and counting to 11 too. She isn't even 2 folks. Thank you, thank you, thank you Penny! We love you!

Day 3 Thanks:

Christmas Pictures. Today we took the girls to JC Penny to get some Christmas pictures and Alyssa's two year.  All I wanted was one good shot of the girls together. We didn't have much luck when we had family photos done with my friend Jess so I hoped Alyssa would cooperate more being 5 months older.  Well she didn't...BUT we were able to get a couple cute ones when it was all said and done:) I was also super thankful that getting them taken so early in the season, the studio was not busy like it has been in years past. Major bonus!

Day 2 Thanks:

Pinterest! ahhhh pinterest how you have inspired me and moved along the decorating of my home tremendously.  Currently, I am working on Christmas decorations of many sorts and they get me so giddy, it's kind of silly:) Pair this site with a 25% off entire purchase coupon to JoAnn's and you know what my weekend right there.

30 Days of Thanks- Day 1

I've always wanted to do this and by golly, this year I will do a daily post of my Thankfulness.

Today, I am thankful to be well and healthy again.  After experiencing strep and feeling like I had been hit by a truck for 4 days, I am just happy that I can sit and stand without hurting everywhere. :):)

Trick-or-Treating 2012

The weather this year turned out pretty cold and rainy so I was unsure what we would do Halloween night.  Robert had to work out of town with a day  notice and so sadly he would not be with us.  I contemplated taking the girls to an indoor trunk-or-treat at a church until we got home from school and Madelyn was knocked out on the couch until 6:00.  I had taken her temp. and she was also running a fever of 99.5 so I wasn't sure what the evening had instore for her.  6:00 rolled around and I woke her up from her little slumber to see what she wanted to do and if she felt ready to eat and trick-or-treat.  Who was I kidding? Of course, she was up for it all!  We quickly ate some tacos and I got the girls into their costumes.  I knew we had a couple of neighbors who would be expecting these two to make their rounds at their doorstep at some point so we had better get a move on.  We went to 3 houses and then I decided to load them in the car and drive house to house.  With each house, I had to get out and open Madelyn's door and wait for her return but it was well worth the joy I saw on her face.  She even let out of "Mom, don't come with me!" at one house.  Alyssa was content sitting in her carseat holding her pumpkin of candy.  She had to have the light on in the back seat and made sure I knew it.  She sat and played with her candy in such a cute way. (in the car and back at home).  Here are the few pictures I snuck in:

Pumpkin Carving

We aren't really the pumpkin carving kind of family but this year it was my goal to change that. Out of our 4 enormous pumpkins we picked out this year, 1 made it to completion.  I was totally hoping to have a  jack-o-lantern family of four sitting on our front porch Halloween night.  With me being sick all weekend, Robert carved one with Madelyn and that was that.  Madelyn thought it was great though.  Hopefully next  year, we will get our pumpkins carved, all of them:)  They did a great job!