Nursery Reveal...

With just 8 weeks to go until Button's arrival, it is finally time to reveal the nursery.

It was been so much fun sewing Button's nursery set and selecting the decor for the room. The room brings me much joy. I loved the months and hours of preparation.

This is the view as you walk into the room...

Button's crib- I loved this fabric. It has all the essential colors that were already in the room (blue for the walls, chocolate brown for the rug, with red/orange/ and green accents, and a warm butter yellow base).

 Button's Lion and a Gator bear awaiting to meeting their new friend

 My well loved cuddle chair has found its latest home (I am so glad that Rob would not let me get rid of it). The orange animal pillow matches 2 blankets for Button and the recently re-covered garage sale boppy accent the chair.

 A dresser and changing area of Button.

 And finally, my latest sewing project... a car seat blanket with animals and polka dots.

I can't wait to bring Button home to our family.

Happy 9th Birthday Madison!

Today is Madison's 9th birthday! I can hardly believe it.

We marked the day with her annual visit to Dr. Hensley.
Madison is 57" tall (just a foot shorter then Mommy) and growing strong.

We enjoyed a Mommy daughter breakfast at Chickfila before Madison returned to school. (She was anxious to see her teacher and share her birthday treats- Oreos- with her friends.)

Awaiting her when she got home, was her very first bouquet of flowers (pink, of course) sent by Omi and Opi. She was thrilled to have her own delivery.

Tonight we will have her birthday dinner- chicken enchiladas, rice and veggies and left over ice cream cake from Saturday's party.

Looking forward to another great year.

Happy Mothers Day!

Each year, Mothers day becomes more special. 

Some might think that this year is more special for us because of the impending arrival of Baby Button and while that is partially true, I have found that the specialness of the day comes from the manner in which the girls show their love to Mommy that year. 

(Every time Lillian sees me she shouts Happy Mothers Day- like when I got out of the car at church and walked around to unbuckle her, or when I picked her up from Sunday School, or while making lunch and I had gone into the other room to find my slippers). 

Mothers Day gifts are always a treat to receive and fun to see what the girls select. (They usually can't keep it a secret).

I have been blessed to have a wonderful mother who has taken it upon herself each year to shop with the girls for a mother's day gift for me and helped to steer the girls to meaningful mementos of their love. 

This year marked the year of the first "true" mother's day gift. The girls were stubborn in their decisions and gift selections.

Madison made her Mother's day gift at school- a coupon list of chores to do for Mommy and scented bath salts (made by her) for relaxing. She drew her card and kept the gift a secret and was proud to present it to me today. 

Madi was thrilled to have accomplished her gift on her own and eager to see my reaction. 

Thanks Moopers, it was a wonderful gift. 

Lillian gave a Lillian gift. 

(Thankfully Nana steered her away from something Dora :)

She was so excited to give it to me that she announced in the car (just around the corner from the house) what the gift was. 

Part one of the gift:

A hand print plaque:

(While all the other children in Sunday school made hand print plaques for their Mommy's Lillian made me a footprint (too messy for the fingers). 

Part two of the gift:

A heart box containing a pretty necklace (as shown in the picture)

and a notebook for my purse (so she can have paper to color)

I wish we had the camera ready to capture the sheer joy on Lillian's face as she presented her gifts. She was so proud to show Mommy what she had picked out and was anxious for Mommy to see the prizes. 

Only other mothers would understand the joy in my heart at receiving a gaudy necklace that I will wear out of love for my daughter. 

(Lillian was very concerned during lunch that I would spill on my necklace and ruin it).

I am blessed to be the mother of two wonderful, kind and loving daughters. 

Madison and Lillian are my treasures from heaven and I am so thankful to be their Mommy. 

This has been a wonderful Mother's day!

Afternoon with Daddy

An early mothers day present included an afternoon out for Mommy (with Nana) and a pedicure.

This is what Mommy came home to:

 All tuckered out- sleeping on the big bed together (Can you spot Madison wedged in the pillows?)

 A tornado of toys

 Woken up with raspberry kisses

Then outside for Popsicles (Daddy told the girls that whoever fell asleep could have a Popsicle when they woke up)

Mommy has pretty feet and the girls had a great day with their Daddy. A perfect gift!

Garage Sale junkie

With only one class left in Financial Peace University, I can say that I have learned a lot from Dave Ramsey and can see the impacts within our lifestyle.

I am becoming a Garage Sale junkie.
I have been on the look out for goods for Baby Button and getting them at bargain prices!

I have had quite a bit of success...

Our first purchase was a MacLaren stroller (its red and so easy to push. Lillian has already tried it out and said it was great)

Next came the HUGE sale at a local church where I found a diaper changing pad with 2 covers (for the dresser in the nursery) and a laundry basket of clothes (neutral for now but still very cute)

Today's bargains-
A pack 'n play (what a deal!)
Boppy pillow and cover (which I plan to recover with matching fabric for the nursery)
A few clothes for Button (I love finding onesies for a quarter)
and 2 large boxes of Lincoln logs for the girls (which were an instant hit)

It's great to see what bargains I have found and to compare the retail price to what we actually paid (amazing savings)

Birthday Bash for Madi

Today we celebrated Madison's 9th birthday (which is actually Tuesday May 10th).
As lives get busier, it is less challenging to celebrate birthdays on the weekend.

Nana and Papa joined us Saturday afternoon for gifts and lunch.

Madison was thrilled by all of gifts.
Thanks everyone for your thoughtfulness.

 New outdoor toys from Mommy and Daddy

 Several new books for our avid reader- she was ecstatic

 A pamper set to share with a friend

 Birthday greetings and wishes

 Oh my goodness...

 "What is it Sissie?"     A meer cat family from Bethan

 Lillian was a great helper and made the tough decision about which present for Madison to open next.

 Birthday greetings from cousin Loki

 Learning to crochet- the perfect summer craft.

 What can it be?

 Matching birthday outfits.

 More birthday greetings and wishes

 A pink dress

Summer clothes- perfect.

 (The face says it all)

Sister prizes from Aunt Beth:

 Oh wow a book!

 Oops... Nana mislabeled the packages. Open this book Lillian.

 Bear Snores On- an instant hit

With the presents all opened, it was time for a birthday lunch.
Madison requested salami sandwiches and baked beans (with a bit of encouragement she agreed to expand her menu to include other lunch meats- roast beef, ham, turkey, and pepperoni, cole slaw, potato salad and strawberries).

 The birthday girl was the first to make her sandwich.
Prepping the bread (mini sub rolls)

 Spreading on the mayo.

 Now slices of salami

 Adding slices of pepperoni

 Now time to eat!

After lunch (while Mommy and Nana cleaned up the kitchen), Papa and Daddy went outside to play with the girls. They really enjoyed playing with the new outdoor toys.

 Madison's birthday cake-
Homemade ice cream cake with M&M's and chocolate chips.
9 candles to make a wish

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday sweet Madison
Happy birthday to you!

 Making a wish (I hope its not for a puppy :)

Happy Birthday sweet Madison! We love you! xoxox