lunch date

Yesterday, Maddie had ANOTHER birthday party to go to (she is quite the popular little lady), so I decided to take My little Ty man out for lunch. While we were out I thought it would be fun to ask him a few questions (almost "Survey style") to see what some of his favorite things are...and maybe to even ask him the same questions a year from now and see what changes.
So...here was our conversation...
Me - Hey buddy...what is your favorite color?
Ty - Blue...definitely blue
Me - What is your favorite food?
Ty - rice
Me - Really? Rice?
Ty - yeah...I like rice...a lot. I really like it when you make it with chicken. Oh...and baked potato's
Me - Alright babe...I will make it more now that I know it is your favorite. What is your favorite car?
Ty - I want a BMW z3...blue...convertible
Me - Wow...good taste bud!
Ty - yeah and I also want a slug bug...but I want to paint it white so it looks like Herbie.
Me - Awesome...When do you think you will get married?
Ty - When I am 20
Me - What?!?! You wont even be done with college then...
Ty - When did you and daddy get married?
Me - That is not really important...lets just plan on finishing college before you get married
Ty - Alright...I can do that. I think Bailey has to finish college too
Me - Are you still planning on marrying Bailey?
Ty - Yup...she told me she was going to marry me when we were like 3 yrs old.
Me - Awesome..as long as you don't get married for a LONG time
Ty - MOM!!! (with an "o my goodness" face)
Me - So...who are your friends in your class?
Ty - Pretty much everyone. I like to play with Michael and Caleb a lot.
Me - Do you ever play with the girls?
Ty - Not usually...just because they play silly things
Me - What is the best part about school?
Ty - (quickly responded) RECESS
Me - Well...what subject do you like?
Ty - I think I like reading...and History
Me - What is your favorite thing about me?
Ty - You cook really well...and you are more fun now
Me - I wasn't fun before?
Ty - No...you were fun...you are just better at it now
Me - Awesome...I will make sure to keep working at that...What are you saving your money for?
Ty - for a DSI...but the first $20 I get is going to Africa
Me - For what?
Ty - At church my teacher said that only $20 sends a kid my age to school for a whole year...so my first $20 is going there. Can you believe that it only costs $20? Maybe my first 2 $20 will go to Africa
Me - That is awesome bud...is that why you wanted to start getting an allowance?
Ty - Yup...
Me - Well...that makes me proud buddy. You are a good boy...do you know that?
Ty - I try to be
Me - have you ever kissed a girl?
Ty - NO!!! (paused for a second with a smirk on his face) but Bailey kissed me...on the cheek
Me - Lets make sure that kissing is only on the cheek...ok?
Ty - I know
Me - What do you want to be when you grow up?
Ty - A rocket scientist...and maybe a worship leader on the weekends
Me - Awesome...I love both of those. What is your favorite thing to do?
Ty - Playing outside with Maddie and our friends. Can we play outside when we get home?
Me - I'm sure you can...Do you know how much I love you?
Ty - Lots...even more that I could ever know...you tell me that a lot
Me - And I always will!!

Maddie's Tea Party Birthday (Part 1)

So...Maddie wanted a tea party themed birthday party this year. She was very excited because this was her first "big girl party". I had a few ideas and a few supplies...but I felt like I needed some help to make the party amazing. I called two of my friends (who are pretty much the most artistic, talented, nice, and creative ladies ever!!) and asked them if they could help. Well...they not only helped...they came and decorated, brought TONS of stuff, and even took pictures of the house after they had finished. So I figured before I showed pics of the cutest little girls at the tea party...I would show you some pics of the set-up. (all of the shots are by the amazingly talented Emily Ogden)
This was the party favor table...complete with pink candy, pink marshmallows, pink nail polishes, pink pencils, pink bags...there was kind of a pink theme :-)



The place cards were pieces of stock paper cut into hearts...then placed into a cut pink marshmallow.


Hannah and Emily (the two amazing ladies) brought so many wonderful things for the girls to use. Hannah had a complete set of china and sterling silver pitchers...one for tea and one for pink lemonade.

This was the "dress up" area complete with sparkly jewelry and hats. The bench was used for the girls to get their pictures taken.

The room looked amazing!! Thank you SO much Hannah and Emily!!!

Dolphins, new seasons, and tears

My baby girl just had her 6th Birthday!! It was wonderful and full of girly tea parties, big hats, fake sparkly jewelry, fun presents, and princess cupcakes. Nana Carol (my mom) lives in NY and could not be here for her Birthday...but she wanted to make sure to do something special for sweet Maddie. So...after a lot of phone conversations...Maddie told Nana Carol that she knew what she wanted for her present. Maddie wanted a "room makeover". Well Nana Carol just HAD to get that for her so she sent a very wonderful credit card/gift card and told her sweet Maddie that she could get whatever she wanted. So, off to the stores we went. After a long day of shopping Maddie decided on a polka dot bedspread for her "theme". The bedspread is white with bright colorful polka dots. There is pink, plum purple, Tiffany blue, lime green, orange, and teal blue. She also got sheets and a bed skirt to match along with a HUGE purple pillow that she is in love with. She then decided that she wanted her walls two different colors. 2 walls plum purple and 2 walls Tiffany blue. So...off to the store I went...with her pillowcase stuffed in my purse. I went to the paint counter and they matched 2 different gallons to the colors on her pillowcase. I was so excited! I got home and instantly started to move her furniture and lay down old sheets so that I could begin to paint. My ipod was plugged in...the tunes were ready...the paint was opened and poured into the tray...and my roller was in my hand. Then...IT happened. I saw these

Now these dolphins may not seem like a big deal to you...but they flooded me with 8 years of memories. You see...I painted them when I was pregnant with Ty. His nursery was "under the sea" themed. I remembered painting the walls...and having aqua blue paint on my belly because it was sticking so far out. I remembered looking at his empty crib with the newly bought ocean waves bumpers tied on to the sides. I remembered painting dolphins and sea turtles on his wall. I remembered bringing him home for the first time and showing his his room. I remembered rocking him in the blue glider that used to sit in the corner. I remembered his chubby little face peeking out over the crib every time I would get him after he woke up from his nap. I remembered his first night in his "big boy bed" because the crib needed to be ready for his baby sister. I remembered rearranging his room so that two sweet babes could share it soon. I remembered bringing home Maddie from the hospital. Ty brought her his dolphin stuffed animal so she could have it in her crib with her. I remembered tucking them both in at night in their room. I remembered both of them jumping up and down in her crib and squealing with laughter as Dustin and I smiled from ear to ear as we watched them. I remembered making the basement into our bedroom so that they could each have their own rooms. I remembered Ty "moving out"into our old bedroom and Maddie staying in "the nursery". I remembered her Dora "big girl bed" and matching Dora kitchen and table set. I remembered getting rid of her Dora things and bringing in a new twin-sized bed. I remembered all of the memories in that room...all of the "firsts"...all of the night time stories and prayers...all of the "I love you's"...all of the games we had played on that very floor that I was now sitting on...and I cried.

In that moment my babes grew up in my mind. Now...they have been "growing up" for years...but somehow...right then...they really grew up. My sweet baby no longer wanted her dolphins on the wall. She was ready for brightly colored polka dots. I sat there almost unable bring myself to paint over those silly dolphins. They had been with me for so long. They had been there for the middle-of-the-night feedings and dress up times. They were there while we made crafts and tents to sleep under. They were there from the very beginning of my sweet babes. So...I sat there...roller in hand...and I just stared at those dolphins. And the longer I stared...the harder I cried.

After little while I began to think about how every new "season" in my sweet babes life has always been a little bittersweet. I hate saying goodbye to what we had...only to realize that I love what we are going to begin. I can honestly say that I have loved every new "season" with my babes more than the one before it...even though I think it is impossible to do so.

As I sat there...with a tear-stained face...I looked up at those dolphins and realized that the best is still to come. I love the memories that I have...and I cherish them. But I also know that many more memories need to be made...and I cannot wait to make them. So...I stood up...and started to paint. As I painted over those dolphins I realized that they would still be there...they would just be under a new layer of pretty purple paint. They won't ever be forgotten...much like my memories. And at least this time...I didn't get any purple paint on my belly from it sticking out too far.

In every season

So...it has been a little bit of a rough season of life the past few weeks (hence...the lack of posts) Nothing is seriously wrong...I have just had a lot on my plate and a lot of difficult situations to deal with (Dustin, the kids, and I are just fine...I don't want to worry anyone) But I cannot wait to posts pics from Maddie's sweet little tea party birthday...our AMAZING vacation...Fall fun times...and a few new recipes that I am loving right now. Until then I wanted to show this video. This song has been such an encouragement to me and I hope it is to you too!!