Oh the Places You'll Go

"The more that you read, the more you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."  -  Dr. Seuss

I've been meaning to write this post since the beginning of the week, but life happened and time got away from me!  Since a tiny someone is tucked away for a nap I get to squeeze in a post.  This week is National Read Across America week (February 25 - March 1), with Dr. Seuss' birthday being Saturday! Last year, even though A was not even 3 months old, we bundled up and headed to our nearest Barnes and Noble to read some classics - "The Cat in the Hat", "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish", and of course "Green Eggs and Ham."

Several people passed by with funny looks on their faces likely wondering why I was reading aloud to a newborn.  Little did they know I read out loud while she was still in my belly too!  I knew from the moment I became pregnant I wanted to pass along my love for books.  Reading is my getaway, my mini vacation, my passport to other worlds.

I read somewhere recently (forgive me for not citing where because I honestly have no clue) that there's a reason that people watch a movie and say "The book was so much better."  It's because when you read a book you get to be the producer, designer, and casting director!  Reading is your ticket to faraway places that you may or may not ever get to see.

Luckily, A has picked up on this same passion for words.  She's not the typical toddler who likes to tear pages out or flip through the pictures.  She loves "reading" by herself and also being read to by anyone that will share their time with her.  She plays with toys like other children her age, but her favorite thing is by far all of the books she has.  One day she may bring her daddy or me a pile of books and the next it may be the same one over and over and over.

I was blessed with so many books when I was pregnant because a friend gave me a book shower! It was a great idea and we have been adding to her library ever since.  Reading is not only a great escape, it helps with creativity, thinking skills, increases vocabulary, and improves memory!  If you don't have many books laying around the house grab your kiddo and head over to your local library for some free knowledge!

She had to turn around and cheese after the flash went off :)

   

Sorry, I've tried everything and can't figure out how to rotate the video.  If you have any tips, leave them in the comments section please!

                                                                                                            

      

What Momma Did

Five Minute Friday: What Mama Did

This week four friends have shared unique memories of their mothers with us. Here are parts one (the storytelling), two (the mashed potatoes), three (the laughing) and four (the imagining) in the series.

It’s been a gift to unwrap each of them and wonder what my own kids will treasure. The things I never could have imagined they would remember. Way beyond the laundry or dishes or craft projects gone wrong, what things will they take away from my mothering I never could have expected? Never could have planned for?  Today’s your turn. What did your mama do that makes her your mama? - Lisa Jo Baker

So you remember the rules right? Set a timer and write for five minutes flat.  No edits or corrections, just straight from the heart.  I encourage you to join in! Whether you have a blog or not, grab a pen and paper and jot down your thoughts.  It might end up being something your own Mama would treasure!

Ready??  Go!!

As I've been reading the series this week, I kept thinking to myself - what one thing did Momma do?  Turns out I was stumped, I couldn't think of one thing...I could think of a million.  

I speak for my 4 siblings and myself when I write:
She was our teacher, our biggest supporter, our encourager, our friend, and our guiding light.  She taught us not to follow the crowd or try to be popluar, but instead to be ourselves and watch as the crowds follow us.  She supported us at every dance competition, baseball/football/soccer game, or band concert.  She encouraged us to do what's right; it may not be easy, but it's worth it.  We didn't become friends until I moved away to college, but I'm so glad we did - I've shared everything with her.  She's lead the way and shown us that even when you're in your darkest place, God is still there even when you can't see him.  

She has a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh, and a heart bigger than the ocean.  She gets her feelings hurt easily, worries about everything, and is spastic beyond belief - But that's what Momma does, and that's what makes her mine :)

I love you Momma!

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all." 
                                                                                                                                    Proverbs 31:26-31

wearing our high school colors to support my sister at a danceline competition;
Go Bearkats! :)

My husband, my BFF

Here's the second part of our Valentine's day advent calender!  I know it's super cheesy, but I feel like so many people let their marriages go simply because they don't have fun anymore. So I love doing random things to show M that I am always thinking of him.  

I think sometimes you should do something other than the ordinary dinner and a movie.  Go to a favorite store and window shop together, go on a walk, do something that your husband enjoys rather than the same person calling all the shots.  Growing up I've learned that after God, your spouse should be number one in your life.  They should come before your kids, friends, siblings, and parents.  You wouldn't even have your kids if it wasn't for each other, so why not take time to nurture that relationship?  

My parents are great examples of how to take care of each other.  Sure they get into arguements and get angry and even might spend a day or two not talking to each other.  Which is actually pretty funny, because they can sound like little kids "Tell Daddy this..." or "Go tell your Momma that..."   But overall they make time to spend together and in different ways.  During the school year they are always going to my younger siblings ball games together.  And it's Free, well it's cheap anyway :) During the summer months they love getting up early and going to the local farmer's market and then scouring the newspaper for garage sales.  Dates don't always have to be romantic, it's about spending time with each other.  So be creative and do something different with your hubby this weekend.  Grab a babysitter, or better yet offer to trade sitting jobs for free, and do something with your #1 !

Served up with a cold Mtn. Dew!                         &...his favorite snack-pistachios    

A "hug" from A, and a card saying BEST DADDY, HANDS DOWN!
It's much harder than I thought to trace or make handprints with a one year old

                     

I moved our mattress into the living room, created a "canopy" with extra sheets, and even added some candles and the flowers M sent me.  Really shouts swanky hotel, huh? haha Since we don't live anywhere near family, and V-day was on a weeknight I had to think outside the box.  So after we put A to bed, we ordered pizza and had a picnic on the living room floor.  Then cuddled up for a movie in front of the "Big Screen" It was so much fun and defintiely something different!  

Luckily I had a cutie who wanted to help put it all back the next morning :)

 










 "Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD." - Proverbs 19:14                                                                                    

The Momma's and the Poppa's

*Sigh*  Sunday evening, a time to sit back and relax and be thankful for the week behind you and the week ahead of you.  My plan for the evening after putting A to bed was to write a short update post on our Valentine's advent calender.  However, I just realized my camera is in the car and I'm just too comfy to go get it.  So tonight I shall write on another matter entirely and post about Valentine's tomorrow hopefully.  

Today I went to our local whole foods store and let me tell you I fell in love!  They were extremely friendly and helpful.  Some of the prices were a little more than I was expecting to pay, especially  for a tiny .5 oz bottle of eucalyptus essential oil and a bottle of honey, but it was well worth the price.  My husband and I are always talking about how awful big name stores are. From customer service down to how clean their stores are, the whole experience at these big stores is usually terrible.  So when I walked out of this particular store today I immediately told M how great they were.  We agree that it's worth it to pay a little more for clean stores, friendly customer service, and employees who can actually answer your questions.  And the fact that it's all natural was definitely an added bonus!

So today I challenge you to find a local "Mom and Pop" store with good service and employees who seem like friends and support them!  I understand it may not be financially affordable to shop solely at that store, but stop in once-in-a-while and show them you care.  It takes a lot for these kind of businesses to survive with big corporations popping up everywhere, so they need your help!

"This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalms 118:24

 

So thankful I have found a wonderful place to help me keep my beautiful family healthy and happy!

                             

                                                                               

My Love, My Valentine

I'm baaack!  It's been two weeks since my last post so now I have seventy-two ideas for blog posts :/  My head is swimming!  Valentines Day is just around the corner and at my house it's definitely one of my favorite holidays - who am I kidding?  I love all holidays! I get overwhelmed with crafty ideas to celebrate anything, so I thought I would share my ideas for this years love fest!

For most of the year I am focusing lots of attention on my daughter with clothes, toys, you name it.  So Valentines Day is a holiday I dedicate soley to my hubby.  Last year for each day leading up to Valentines I wrote a reason that I love him on our enormous bathroom mirror.  And Valentines Morning I woke up extra early to make heart shaped french toast with pink scrambled eggs, it was delicious! And I had pictures made of our sweet baby girl and they came in right before Valentines so I made that part of the surprise too!

 

This year was no different, I had to think of something extra special and creative.  So I decided to make a Valentines advent calender.  But since we have a toddler this year I decided to let her help out to show her love and appreciation for Daddy too!  Each day had a funny little saying or rhyme and I had an empty diaper box that I wrapped and turned upside down to hide the gift in.  Right before I go to bed at night I've been slipping the gift under the box and he opens the door and sees his gift before he heads off to work.  What a great sendoff right?!  None of them have been fancy or expensive at all, if it wasn't something we've made at home then I bought it at the Dollar Tree.

Here's a preview of some of the things he's gotten this far.  Unfortunately I can't show everything because he likes to be supportive and read my posts so I don't want to ruin the surprise!  However I will make an updated post after Valentines to show the rest of what he got!  So here's what he's recieved so far...

A finger paint picture from A in
 different hues of red and pink

  

Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast shaped into hearts
(Pinterest Idea!)

A homemade scratch off "lottery ticket"
(another Pinterest idea!)

An old school "Mixed Tape"

             Will you be our Valentine?

I printed the pictures together as a side-by-side and told him  it should have said
Here's a picture from me to you, when you're having a bad day I probably am too!
She was being a little sassy this particular day and did not want to wear a hair bow.  Hence the  happy smile once she took it off :)


So that's my Valentines Day advent calender that I made for M.  I know it's a little late, but I hope that I've inspired you to do something creative for your man too!