Will Spring ever...spring?

This Winter has been a doozey.

Its one thing to be winter.

But to be Winter with a newborn, the pits.

Winter with a newborn with a metabolic disorder...downright miserable.

This is the first winter at home.

Winters didn't used to matter.  

Easton was at school.  I was in my cubicle.

But this Winter...oh, it's mattered.

And it's been brutal.

We have avoided a lot of public places at crowded times.

Chick Fil A playground? Skip it.

Indoor jumpy place? Forget it.

Church? We've finally gone back.

Its been rough.

Its been a lot of at home quality time.

But we are officially over it.

We, like the rest of the free world, are ready to bust the heck out of here.

Tempers, attitudes and moods are all outa whack.

We've exhausted our indoor resources.  Ahem.  Toys.

We've watched Dalmations and The Lorax till I can't watch again. 

I've said no to outside play more times than I can count.

We get a day or two here and there where Spring gives us a tease, then it's back to the cold weather.

I'm definitely more of a Spring/Summer/Fall mom.  This winter mess is for the birds.

Parks. Picnics.  Sonic Slushes.  Shorts. 

We are ready!

I'm tired of getting on to Easton for a mess inside.

I try to be relax about the mess, but there is just too much toys.

And he despises cleaning up.

We are about to Spring clean in here and get rid of a bunch of stuff.

Goodwill, here we come.  

10 Trucks are a lot easier to put up than 40.

10 balls are a lot easier to manage than 110.

Toys are great, but he gets overwhelmed at cleaning them up.

Today we had a little test.

I allowed him 1 bat, 1 ball, 1 glove, 1 hat when he wanted to play baseball.

Instead of all the baseball paraphernalia in the house.

There were no melt downs when it came time to clean up.

So, simplify, we will do.

I saved every toy he's ever gotten for the next baby.

But now, we have a girl, and she's going to accumulate her own set of toys. 

I'm in major clean out mode.

There's no less than 8 Rubbermaid tubs in the attic with little boy clothes.

I'm going to narrow down to about 3.

If Spring doesn't hurry up, we won't have anything left inside.

Cause I'm gonna give it all away!

Do you clean out kids toys or do you save them?

What about clothes?  Clean out or donate?

I'm so looking forward to a fresh Season.

Buttercups. Sunshine.  Fresh Air. Outside.

Bring on the plastic pools and sunscreen!

Happy Spring Friends!

Emerson Sloan:: 4 Months

Little Sister,

You are getting quite the personality.  Full of smiles.  Love to be looked at and talked to.  Love to be held but getting better about some solo time in your bed or on a quilt on the floor.  As long as you can be awake.  

You're still a little stinker when it comes to naps.  As I type this, your daddy is holding you for your late afternoon nap.  You're happiest in someone's arms or curled up in someones nook.  You gave us quite a wild few car trips this past week.  Screaming every time we got in the car.  Thankfully that was short lived.  You are back to being a good car rider again.  

We've found a few tickle spots that will get a giggle.  Easton brings a smile to your face every time.  A lot of the smiles in these pictures were you spotting him.

It's hard to believe in just 2 months you will be 6 months old and we'll be starting food.  It's going so fast.

You still nurse every 3-4 hours.  You typically nurse anywhere from 15-20 minutes and you're done.  You get distracted easily so sometimes we have to retreat to your room where it's quiet.  Secretly, I don't mind that.  It's the best seat in the house, cozy and sweet.  Did I mention quiet?

You sleep pretty good at night time, waking only to eat and then either back in your bassinet or back to sleep with me.  I've thought of putting you in your bed for the first sleeping period but I just can't do it yet.

You had your first cold this week.  But it came and went pretty quick.

You've moved up to a size 3 diaper and you are in most 6 month clothes.  You are a solid little thing.  We go to the doctor this week for your 4 month check up.  I'm betting you'll be 17 or 18 lbs.

You are working on sitting up.  You'll stand assisted when we hold your hands.  You do really good at tummy time, pushing your whole torso up, but only for short periods of time.  You're reaching and grabbing for toys and putting your hands in your mouth all the time.  Teething?  I'm not sure, but you sure do like them.

I'm thankful for these past 4 months with you Emerson.  It seems like you've been with us forever, yet  seems like just yesterday too.

Such a joy and delight you are, Emmy Boo.

We love you!

Baseball Party:: Menu & Recipes

When we finally decided on a Baseball Party, I knew I wanted to have Concession Stand style food with some more yummy favorites mixed in.

If you missed the party post, click {{here}}

So, for our menu I came up with the following:

Pretzel Rods dipped in Red Candy Melts

Melt the candy in the microwave at half power for 4 minutes.  

Stir every 30 seconds until creamy.

I do this in my glass mixing bowl.

DO NOT OVERHEAT

Once the candy is melted smooth, transfer to a tall skinny cup.

{{I use my Si Robertson Tupperware Cup.}}

Hold the cup at an angle, about 45 degrees.  

Dip the pretzel in and spin against the cup all the way out.

That scrapes off the excess candy and puts a little swirl design in it.

Lay on wax paper to harden.

Store in ziploc until ready to eat.

These are a hit at every party!!!  Make extras!!!

Pasta Salad with cut up cucumber and mini pepperonis.

Cowboy Caviar

This changes every time we make it.

Half a white onion- finely chopped

Can of black beans drained

Can of black eyed peas drained

1 Can of Rotel

1 Can of Corn

1 Can of Chick Peas (optional)

1/2 cup Italian Dressing

1/4 Cilantro

Combine all in a bowl and refrigerate until time to eat.

Homemade Salsa {{RECIPE HERE}}

SO EASY!  

Made this in my NINJA blender in about 10 minutes!

It taste like Chilis Salsa!

Putting all the food together is so much fun to me!

It's a lot of work, but once a year it's worth the work.

However next year, we might have a Pizza Party!

Happy Party-ing!

A Letter to the Birthday Boy:: 4 Years Old

Easton Garrett,

Today you are 4 years old.  I asked you yesterday, what I was going to do with you, getting so big and you said I could 'grow you down.'  I wish I could buddy.   I wish I could freeze you just the way you are.  But each year I say that.  But with each new year, you grow so much and become such a joy.  Full of personality.  A delight.  If someone asked me who I wanted to be like when I grow up, besides GG, I'd say you.  

You are unlike anything we could have ever dreamed.  More than we could have ever dreamed.  You are an answer to every single one of our prayers.  

Speaking of daddy, I'm pretty sure you think he hung the moon.  In years past, I could say that you felt that about me, but now that your older, you are definitely all about daddy.  And, I dare to say he feels the same about you.  Everything he ever wanted in a son, you are.  You want to do anything he's doing.  If the current hobby is duck hunting, you're all in.  If it's baseball, you've got the pants, cleats, shirt, eye black.  All of it.  

You still love me, but I can see our relationship changing.  The fun you go to daddy and the nurturing you come to me.  You're protective of me as well.  You don't want me to hurt or to be sad.  You are quick to cuddle up as close as you can to me any time I sit down on the couch.  You want my arm around you, you tell me it feels good.  You are a tender soul.  You've been a tender little soul since you were born.  Always very in tune with my feelings.  Always aware of the feelings of those around you.  

You are so funny Easton.  You keep us laughing all day long.  You have the greatest personality and sense of humor.  You are quick witted and sharp as a tack.  You are loved by all who meet you.  Family, friends & strangers.

You have taken the roll of Big Brother so well.  Never once being jealous.  Never once being ugly to your sister.  Even though she has taken so much of our time an attention since her arrival, you smother her in your love nonetheless.  You would kiss her and hold her all day if I'd let you.  I pray you will always love her like that and protect her the way you do now.  

As I put you to bed last night, I couldn't help but smile.  Yes, its bittersweet how babies grow up, but you bring new fun, new life, new enjoyment each day.  You promised me you'd always be my little boy.  Even when you are "too tall to reach my face."  And I'll remind you of what you said a few weeks ago, that you'd never get married either, because you want to live with me and daddy forever.  I know that will change, but to know you think so highly of us now makes my heart soar.

I love you a bushel and a peck, Easton Garrett.  You are my favorite little boy in the whole wide world.  I can't wait to watch you be 4 years old.  Happy Birthday buddy!

Easton's 4th Birthday:: A Baseball Party

We celebrated this little fella on Saturday afternoon.

He requested a baseball party, so baseball is what we did.

I love a Birthday Party and all the hoopla associated with it!

We had a Baseball Photo Booth with a few props for our guests!

I'll share that in detail later in the week.

Photo Booths are my favorite.

It's such a fun way to get a picture of all of your guests!

We had Baseball food and all the fixin's.

Sliders

Hot Dogs

Mini Pretzel Bites

Plus a few more yummy things.

My boy requested 'happy funny cake' for his cupcakes.

So, Funfetti it was.  I used white icing for these and added sprinkles.

2 boxed cake mixes and 2 cans of vanilla icing.  Can't beat it.

A round up of Baseball snack foods...

Peanuts, Cracker Jacks, Sunflower Seeds, Baby Ruth's.

The weather was amazing!

We moved all the presents outside and had cupcakes outside too!

And our Photo Booth picture!

The day couldn't have been more perfect.

Friends and family together celebrating Easton!

He is so loved!

We don't entertain at our home much but I love it when we do.

It made my heart so happy to have so many that we love come to our home.

A few times I looked out my kitchen window into the back yard to see the yard covered in toys, kids on the new trampoline, brothers playing baseball, laughter and smiles filling the air.

I had to pinch myself because it felt so perfect.

I don't think it could have been any better!

Later this week I'll share a yummy salsa recipe that I used and our full Baseball menu. 

And I'll share the details on the Photo Booth and some other craft tutorials for your own Baseball Party!

Thank you to all who came to celebrate Easton!

We love you all!!

10 on 10:: March Edition

Today was one of the best we've had in a while.

Perhaps it was due to the sun shining.  Or a cooperative almost 4 year old.  Or a patient momma.

Either way, today was the best day.

Our day started about 7am.  Easton's an early bird.  And daddy likes to wake him up before he leaves.

Emerson didn't wake up until 8:15 so we 'started' our day at 8:30 with a nursing session.

After nursing, we got our clothes changed real quick and headed to the Grocery.

I had Emerson up top in the cart and Easton pushed the mini cart.

After the grocery we headed to the health food store.

I needed Silver Spray and Elderberry.  Easton & I are both fighting coughs and sore throats.

We headed home after that to unload the groceries.

Easton played outside while I unloaded the truck and put away the groceries.

I fed Emerson and then made our lunch.
Easton requested a 'picnic' at the dining room table.

And this is where it gets really good.

Lunch together with my boy.

Baseball in the back yard.

I set up a field and hit a home run off the tee- and ran the bases.

I'm pretty sure I scored not only a home run in the back yard, but also in Easton's mental score book.

We set a little cozy spot for Emerson on the porch.

She took 2 naps out there.

After I fed Emerson, Easton requested a trip to the park.

So, to the park we went.

We made almost 2 loops around the playground before we played a bit.

He ran and smiled, ran and smiled.  Slide.  Swing.  Slide.  Smile.  Run.

It was the best.

After the park we headed to Sonic for slushies and then home to get supper started.

Easton took a little rest on the couch and watched 101 Dalmations.  

Again.  

It's a daily favorite these days.

I fed Emerson.

I set chicken out to grill.

We had grilled chicken salads with all the fixins.

After dinner, I cleaned up.  The boys took a bath.  Emerson helped me in the kitchen ;)

Then bath & feeding for Emerson.

Then it was work time for me.

And that's where I sit to the wee hours of the morning.

Easton got to lay on the couch a bit and watch The Voice with us.

During that time, I got no less than 5 unsolicited kisses on the mouth from him.

I think he had a good day too!

Our weekend

Our weekend was nice and laid back.

Mexican with my brother &nsister in law Friday night.

Saturday morning snuggles.

Blueberry muffins. 

Blueberry muffins could be my all time favorite breakfast food.

Fresh out of the oven, split in the middle with a dollop of butter.  Not much better.

A beautiful tease of Spring time.

A trip to Lowes.

A few bots of bulbs.  Hyacinth & Tulips.

A nice walk outside.

Practicing baseball in the back yard.

We skipped Church because Easton picked up a bad cough after swim lessons Tuesday.

We didn't want to spread our germs.

He and daddy did more yard work and Emerson and I went to the Mall.

My dad met up with us for lunch and a quick shop.

An interesting trip home with a screaming baby who refused to eat once I pulled in to the nearest parking lot.

We were pushing our 4 hour limit when we stopped and she finally ate 5 hours.

Lance had to bring a bottle of pumped milk from the freezer.

Talk about stressful.

But we ended the night with Rotisserie Chicken and Slice & Bake cookies.

All is well.  

We've got a big week ahead.

It's BIRTHDAY PARTY WEEK!!!

Let's all just stay outside until Saturday, as to avoid any {more} mess inside m'kay?

Joking!  

Sort-of.

We're having a baseball party and I can't wait to celebrate the ONE who made me a momma!

It's all about him this week, and even into next as his birthday is Tuesday!

Let the fun begin!

How was your weekend friends?

Giving Up to Receive

I've had the nudge for some time to get off Instagram.

Not forever, but just for a little while.

More often than not, it consumes my day.  My mind.  

And sometimes can be a real source of aggravation as I try to 'keep up with the Jones's'.

You know, who's wearing what, who cooked what, who's kids are the best, who exercised today.

I find that more times than not, I leave ill because someone has one upped me and I feel defeated.

Not good enough.  Not skinny enough.  Not well dressed.  Not enough Jesus.

That last one is what leads me to dig deeper in these feelings.

Sunday at church I felt convicted to turn it off for Lent, but I ignored the calling.

Then Monday my best friend said she took it off her phone, that it was consuming her day.  

The Lord was yet working again.

But again, naah- I thought, I can just not look at it.  Good try Annie.  

So, today, I pulled up my email from my phone and pulled up the She Reads Truth reading plan. 

And again, that conviction hit me square between the eyes.

"We come to Lent for REFRESHMENT, we FAST- to RECEIVE."

That Bible hasn't been read enough, those books are begging to be underlined and dog eared.  The journal, longing for words of the heart to be written down, saved for years, for my kids to read. 

I want to gain more Jesus.

I want that refreshment.  That peace.  Jesus.

So, off it will go.  

It pains me to think about not having 40 (46) days of pictures not printed. But I've decided I'll just save the ones I would Instagram to a different folder on my phone and load them all up after Easter, so I can have them to print.  Problem solved.

And in the time that I'm off Instagram, I want to be more present.  More in the Word.  More Jesus.  

And that doesn't come from what folks wore, what others ate, who's kid did the next best thing, who has the cutest baby...yes, I love sharing all of the above, but not at the cost of time with my family.  

Not at the cost of a full mind.

My mind is busy and full enough without cluttering it with other peoples business.

My mind needs emptying.

So, from now until Holy Saturday, I will be Instagram-less.

I tried to justify things.

I'd post just at night.

I wouldn't check others.

I can't stand the thought of not posting my favorite things.

My weekly Saturday pictures of Emerson.

Emerson's monthly pictures.

Easton's 4 Birthday

Swim Lessons

First baseball practices, games, etc.

But I kept coming back to TURN IT OFF.  

And the fact is, THOSE THINGS WILL STILL HAPPEN EVEN IF THEY DON"T MAKE IT TO IG!

I'll still be updating the blog regularly.

But I plan to be much more disconnected with the 'strangers'{yet friends I've come to adore} I follow, and more connected to the one's that matter most.  

I want to always look in the eyes of my Easton, and take in every grunt and gurgle of Emerson as I nurse her.  I want to ride along side of Lance in the truck, and listen to his day or look out the window at the flowers that are about to pop up out of the ground.  I want to sit at night with Lance and actually BE together.  I want to play legos without wondering what the next person is doing.  I want to read books.  Practice writing.  Play outside.  Catch all of the 1st that I didn't get with Easton for having to work.  Read my Bible.  Read some books that have been collecting dust on my night stand.  

So, those things I will do.

And I hope to come back here, to my little spot on the internets, and tell you what I'm learning along the way.

Happy Lent Season Friends.

May you find REFRESHMENT in the days to come. 

DIY Nursery Art: Emerson's Hospital Keepsakes

I've known I wanted to put all of Emerson's hospital keepsakes in a special spot.

I had originally planned to put her little hospital hat and bracelets in a big glass Christmas Ornament but that didn't quite work out.

Then, her little tiny red bow that they put in her hair the day she came home, rode around in the cup holder in my truck for 3 months now.

I stamped her feet myself the first week home because they no longer stamp feet anymore at the hospital.

So, now, after a trip to Michael's I finally have it all together in one sweet spot.

And frames are buy one- get one right now, so perfect time.

Supplies needed for this project:

Shadow box

Straight pins

Memorabilia

Directions: 

{does this even need explanation?}

Start by layering largest items first and layer, layer, layer till all items are pinned down.

I did think of hot gluing a few things but decided against it in case I ever decided to change things.

So, what do you think?

How do you store your special keepsakes?

Scrapbook, shadow box, show box?

Happy DIYing!