Addison's 4th Birthday Party

So, in one of my previous posts I mentioned Addison turning four and how incredibly difficult it was to watch her grow up in front of my eyes. Today, I am celebrating the good. I wanted to share a little of her birthday party with all.
A few months ago, I asked her what "theme" did she want her party to be. She gave me her normal response..."Fairies and Princesses!"  Yeah, I have that girl ;-) I began explaining that this party was going to be for family and friends, not just girls and that we needed to come up with an idea for everyone to enjoy. C'mon, who doesn't want to dance around in tutus and tiaras?  So after about 15 seconds she pops up with a brilliant idea... "I want a Dr. Seuss, Cat in the Hat party!"  BINGO! This was perfect, I knew pinterest had TONS of ideas, this was going to be the best party EVER! So in the midst of wedding planning (not mine, my little sisters,) finishing the school year and everything else that was happening, I started planning for the best Dr. Seuss party ever. My pinterest boards started expanding with ideas and pictures of food, gifts and games. I just knew that this was going to rock everyone's socks off. So, after finding tons of ideas, I knew I needed to start at square one...where is this party going to be? Hmmmm, we live in Brunswick, and EVERYONE we know lives almost two hours away. We couldn't expect them all to drive down here, so I started looking for places to throw a party. June in south Georgia is tough, rain proof and air conditioning was a MUST! After striking out with many locations, family reminded me of B's family reunion center right in the middle of where everyone lived. PERFECTION. The problem, I hadn't seen this place. I had no clue what to plan for, how many tables I would have or any of the necessities that is needed while planning a party.
I used this lack of knowledge of the center to go crazy and make and complete many of the Pinterest ideas I had saved. After a complete week of making and crafting, and cleaning up the total disaster of a house, we packed up and headed to Bulloch County.

Traveling with a car loaded birthday party with two young children is tough to pack for, but we did it! 

After arriving at the center and looking at bare, white walls, we began "Operation Seuss" I could never have finished this without the help of my wonderful mother-in-love who took so many things off my hands that day. My sister was a tremendous help with decorations and someone to laugh with. I wouldn't have any way to share this magical day if it weren't for my sister-in-love who took all of the photos. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Please remember that many of these ideas were found on Pinterest, not all were my own ideas. If you like it, why not use it?

Framed invitation for party

Birthday Girl when she saw the decorations

All tables had Dr. Seuss books to read

"Who Food"

These were GONE in seconds!

What kid doesn't want marshmallows and sugar on a sick?

Seuss Cakes

Seuss Nugget

...and this is how he spent most of the party. Shhhh...

Silly Straws Rock!

Make a wish!

Awesome idea found on Pinterest!

Heart Breaker

Here is our handsome little heart breaker! Asa is so full of energy and always happy, we take so much joy in watching him play.

Asa LOVES the beach and water! We have a difficult time keeping him out of it. I believe it is his favorite thing in the world, other than food and his Mama. When bath time comes around, he starts moving as fast as he can the second he hears the water running. The fact that he never stops smiling in the bath is priceless.

4 going on 14

It is official... I feel old. Addison turned four years old yesterday and I still can't wrap my head around it.

Seriously, look at that face! I find myself looking and studying her every second I get. Most of the time, it ends with her saying, "Mama, why are you looking at me all the time?" I have to follow it up with, " I don't want you to grow up!" She then goes on with her life like I'm one of the biggest dorks she has ever met. 

She has been one of the greatest blessings that God has given us. She is incredibly smart, beautiful and thoughtful...most of the time. Every now and again she turns into this evil being that scares the hell out of me. 

She has developed a new "trick" when she is getting in trouble. It is pure genius. As my anger is boiling to its maximum capacity, she starts making this completely fake looking "surprised/scared" face. I'm talking about the one where her eyes triple in size, her lips stretch back as far and they can go and her whole body is leaning backwards until she is about to tip over. She is trying her hardest to break my concentration. She knows that once she breaks it, she is good. The problem with this...it works most of the time! As soon as she starts this, my angry boiling pot starts to decrease in temperature. I then begin trying to fight the smile and laughter that is banging to get out. I only have two choices at this point...give in and laugh or send her to her room. Most of the time, she goes to her room, but there are a few times when I can't find the power to fight back the smile. 

Even with her evilness, she is still one of the sweetest little girls I know. Her heart is so big and beautiful it puts mine to shame sometimes. 

She also surprises me with her kindness...

A few weeks of being here in Brunswick, I picked up the kiddos from daycare not knowing what God was about to teach me. The Boston bombing reports had been all over the media, people were posting horrific statuses, responses, and pictures of what was going on. I was heartbroken and sad for the lives lost, injured and for those who began to put out hateful messages about the bombers and what should happen to them. There were times when I would get on Facebook and the only thing I saw were awful pictures of bodies, blood and smoke. 

In the midst of all the sadness,hate, and discouragement that was going on in the world at that time, Addison became a beautiful ray of sunshine. After I picked up my children from daycare, we were stopped in traffic at a light. While waiting to turn, I noticed a woman sitting on the ground with a sign that read, "homeless & HUNGRY...anything will help" the first thought in my head was "We'll, she does have something to drink...Just don't look at her... Why did the light have to be red?....list continues. Until I looked behind me and saw my daughter looking at this woman. I then felt quilt over the fact that this woman was a human in need (regardless of her story and decisions) a human who needed anyone's help. I looked around my car for anything to give to her. The only food items other than old French Fries and broken crackers were a pack of animal crackers and a yummy looking Russell Stovers pure chocolate Easter bunny that was given to Addison by my cousin. I turned to her knowing that I had to explain what I was about to do in the seconds before the light turned green so that she would understand why I was about to give away her treasure."Addison, there is a lady who needs our help, she is hungry and doesn't have any food. We are going to give her these crackers and this bunny." The look in her eyes of terror confirmed that she did not want to loose this delicious treat, but her face suddenly changed. "Ok, Mommy" was all she said.

After giving the woman the food, I pulled off and headed home. Ok, here comes the "sunshine" part...."Mommy, I want to pray for that lady. I want to pray that God gives her someone to take care of her. You remember that Adam was sad and alone and needed someone to take care of him? God made him Eve...I will pray that God makes someone who will help that lady."

I am truly thankful for the blessing of this little heart that I get to learn from every day. It amazes me how much a child can teach us. ... To simply pray and to know he will provide, simply pray.

Living it up

Living in Brunswick has been one of the best decisions that we have made as a family. It was very difficult when Benjamin was driving long hours to and from work daily. We would miss him terribly at dinner times, bed times, and some special occasions. We were incredibly thankful for the awesome opportunity that was given to him, but we knew that a move would be needed.
I can not describe the overwhelming impact that this move has had on us. We have become a much closer and loving family. We now must rely on each other and our communication became so important. We found a church home (The Chapel) that we have fallen in love with and can't get enough. Together Benjamin and I have since joined the church and are excited to see where God uses us to server him!

Another thing that we have found is how much there is to do here! Every weekend...when we aren't driving home... has felt like a vacation. It has been so much fun doing the "tourist" thing on the islands and surrounding attractions and places. We love going to the forts, beaches, museums, learning to kayak and visiting the parks here...helps with a family who can't stand sitting still. I believe we are all ADD :)

It's been way too long...

Ok... So, it has been way too long. I have't posted because life has gotten super crazy lately! Ben started working with a company about 2 years ago..(yeah, I told you it was too long) We now are a family of four, and have moved to Brunswick, Ga!
We decided to move down here because of Ben's drive time...we were missing his face at dinner time :(  I decided to try to find a job so that we could move closer. I was blessed with an opportunity to work part time with a school in their special education department, and still have time with my beautiful children.
Fast forward to now.... ( that was a quick summary of the past two years :) )
We are now renting here in Brunswick and LOVING IT! I am currently interviewing for a permanent teaching position with the Glynn Co. School System. Hopefully God will place me where I can best serve him and his children. Say a few prayers too!
We have found a wonderful and spiritual church home and  we are super excited to watch how God uses our family to glorify him.

Crack....

Ok, so for Mother's Day I was introduced to a new form of "Crack " aka..... The Cricut! OMG, I must say that I have never seen anything so super cool! I was first aware of this new invention when my friend Miranda showed me hers. Apparently, they have been around for a good while...Where the HECK have I been?

I couldn't wait to open it and start playing with my new machine, I popped open that box, tore the paper away and marveled at the potential that this little piece of magic had in store.
My first "mission" was to make Mother's Day cards for my mom and mom-n-law....mission complete.

While sitting there and "practicing" masterpieces, I decided to search the different crafts that others have been producing for the past few years while I have been completely oblivious to the craft sensation that is now rocking my world. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that I can cut fabric with my cricut....which means that I can make appliques for Addison's clothes! My first applique will be to make her a birthday shirt for next month. I am so excited...if you don't hear from me or see me for a while, please remember that I am not ready for an intervention.


Stay tuned!


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Not so good at this blog thing ;-)

OK, so as I am reading some of my friends' blogs, I notice that I haven't added one myself since January....

So since then, Addison celebrated her first Easter as I did my first Mother's Day. We took on the never ending task of remodeling our kitchen...I must say that I thought it would never get finished...but I must say that it looks FANTASTIC! During the remodel, we moved in with Benjamin's parents for what I hoped would only be a month and ended up taking two. My whole goal was to get back in our house before Addi's first birthday...we did! Two days before ;-)

Addison started talking up a storm! She is now saying "Mama, Dada, Papa, Casey, Emma, Eat, Out, Night-Night, Diaper...and many more! She is growing so much and is very interested in her surroundings. She is constantly watching everything and everyone around her and trying to make sense of what she sees. There are many times I just sit and watch her in awe, it is so hard to believe that a year ago, I was holding a helpless newborn and now she is running around and talking. I am thankful each and everyday for the chance I was given and the blessings that I have in my life...I couldn't ask for more.