What a DINO-MITE 2nd Birthday!

Wow!  What a difference 2 years makes!  I can't imagine life without my sweet son Jackson!  I feel extremely blessed by the gift of a SON!  Who would have ever known the special bond between a mother and her son!  Words can't describe my love for my son!  I know he won't be a mama's boy forever, so I will savor these extra hugs, kisses, and snuggles deep in my heart!

Jackson's Birthday!

Look at that face!  What a chunker!

"Look at me now!"

Being true to her role as big sister, Sophia took it upon herself to pick the theme of her brother's 2nd birthday: DINOSAURS!  She did a great job with the theme!  With some a lot of inspiration from Pinterest and blogs, I came up with lots of fun decorations!!  

Palm Trees and a dinosaur hanging in the tree!

ROAR Jax is 2 banner!

String Dinosaurs!

 

Our sign welcoming guests!  

Come in at your own risk ... dinosaur sighting

 

I actually splurged for dino theme plates, napkins, and cups!

Sweetivores!  Dino cupcakes with "dirt and worms"

Jax's cupcake in the middle!

Some of the Dino toe nails were dipped in dark chocolate thanks to the help of Sophia

Who knew there was a dinosaur called a "Fruitaden!" Oh the things you learn!

My version of healthy dinosaur eggs!  

With hummas as a yummy dip!

Ham or Turkey and Swiss sliders! YUM-O!

The Watering Hole - orange and mint water

Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets

Yum!

Reading "How do Dinosaurs say Good Night" to the kids!

Family Picture!

"Yes, I am pretty good at getting into trouble!  Can you tell?"

Only took us about 20 tries to get a good smile!

Swimming in the family grain bin pool with kids!  

"Oh NO" he said!  

We had such a fun time celebrating Jackson's 2nd birthday with our family!  We look forward to the many years to come with this sweet, fun-loving, silly boy!  Oh how much he adds to our family!  We are blessed!

Review: "Not of This World" by Lisa Chan

"What are the things that tie you to this world?"

What things do I treasure more in "this life" than I do God?  

In her third and final True Beauty DVD, Lisa reminds us we have to be very careful by how quickly these "things" can distract from God and His purpose for us and our love for Him.  She asks, "What keeps you from seeing and embracing God's purposes?"

Check out Matthew 6:19!  Are your treasures for this life or for the life to come?

Lisa asks, "What does friendship with the world look like?"  Often we find ourselves loving the things HE made more than we love Him.   I know I am guilty of this so often!  I have to always remind myself that HE is the giver and to worship the GIVER not the GIFTS!  Do you struggle with this?  

Here is a good question to ask yourself, "In what ways can I detach myself from the world and still enjoy the gifts that God has given me?"  We need to be aware of when our enjoyment has gone too far!

How can we open up our hearts and our hands an share the things of this world we have been given?  Are we white-knuckled with fists clenched holding our "gifts" too tight?  A great question for self-reflection as you consider the gifts you love more than the Giver!  

We must remember that everything pales in comparison to knowing and following Jesus.  We must allow this truth to resonate within our hearts and our minds.  Our pride can create discontentment with what He gives or doesn't give.  As our eyes are focused on Him and Him alone, we can find the joy in the gifts (yes's and the no's) and gratitude towards the Giver! 

Lisa graciously reminds us to follow Him and hold this world loosely!

I hope you will be encouraged by Lisa's challenges and check out her True Beauty DVD series!
  

WATCH IT:
Watch the trailer: HERE
Watch Carolyn: HERE discussing True Beauty is Not of This World

BUY IT: HERE

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Last Day of Preschool! Bring on Pre-K!

Today was Sophia's last day of 3-4's preschool!  Next year she will be in Pre-K!  I can't even believe how quickly the time has gone!!  This time next year, I have a feeling I will be an emotional mess with the thought of her going off to Kindergarten!

Looking back at her picture from the first day of Preschool, I can't believe how much she has changed over the past year!  Wow!  What a difference!!

1st Day - 9/2012

Last Day - 5/2013

Looking at the two pictures ... I have GOT to do something with her hair now!  It is a mess!  Looked so much better back in the fall!  Ha!! Ha!

Excited to go to school today, but she was VERY sad it was the last day!

Sophia had the best preschool teachers this year!  I am so thankful for their amazing influence in her life!  She has such a sweet relationship with both of them, and is really sad that she can't be in their class again next year!  She loved playing "doctor" and taking Miss Heather to the hospital!  During playtime, Sophia would always end up on Miss Heather's lap, just to talk and hang out!  She and Miss Pam had a running joke that made her day ... One day Sophia wore her BUTLER cheerleading outfit and Miss Pam called her a "Bulldog!" From that day on, every day during the bathroom breaks, Sophia would ask Miss Pam "Do I look like a Bulldog?"  Miss Pam would always say YES and Sophia would giggle!  Miss Pam called Sophia her favorite Bulldog Princess!  I am so thankful for these two ladies and am thankful for all the time, effort, and love they poured into her over the course of the school year!!  

Miss Heather and Miss Pam!

Sophia and her buddy Isaiah!

Isaiah, Cooper, Sophia, and Maya -- some of her classmates!

Wow, what a fun year it has been!  I can't believe she is going to be old enough to be in PRE-K!  I am excited about our summer together and hope we will make so many wonderful memories!

Anyone graduate in your household?

Happy Birthday Nate!

Happy Birthday to my WONDERFUL husband, Nate!!  To a companion and a best friend anyone could ever ask for!  Thanks for all the wonderful memories and we look forward to the many more to come!!

Excited Daddy is home and anxious to celebrate his birthday!

Daddy's Birthday Cake!  Homemade GF Chocolate Cake with
 fresh raspberry puree and homemade icing!

Daddy LOVED his cake!!  

In other HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE news .... (Yes, I am screaming loudly) ....

I think Sophia is FINALLY fully night trained!  She has been day potty-trained since 22 months, but unfortunately, she is such a hard sleeper, the night training has been quite stressful and taxing!  We have tried everything in the book and nothing work!  I finally broke down and did what I said I would never do ... We have been waking her up before we go to bed (usually about 10pm) to go to the bathroom!  She is like a walking zombie heading into the dark bathroom to pee!  It is hilarious!  She is so out of it that she NEVER remembers us coming in the next morning!  Since we have been doing this, she has been dry!  Below you will see a picture of her "reward" for 10 straight nights of dry panties! :)  She picked out a new Barbie at the consignment sale and she also received a trip to orange leaf!  (The awesome part was the Barbie only was $3.50!)   I have come to the conclusion that this poor girl cannot hold her bladder the full 12 hours she sleeps, but she can hold it 9-10 hours!  So, we will take that stretch and consider it done!

Thrilled with her reward she picked out!  I would love to know where the consignor got this new Barbie b/c it was definitely from 1996!  But still NEW IN THE BOX!  Ha!!

This morning we headed to the Children's Museum with one of my closest friends, Erin, and her two girls!  We had to capitalize on the last few weeks while the big kids are still in school!  The CM was pretty bare this morning, which we LOVED!!  I am not ready for the summer crowd!  We get spoiled during the weekday mornings in the school year!

Farmer Jackson!

Lovin' the carousel ride!

Silly girls!

Two peas in a pod!

This picture explains it all!!  

Love these kiddos!  Such a fun trip!

Treasure Hunting!

I know I have blogged about it before, but I am seriously a GARAGE SALE addict!!  I get so excited when the middle-end of May rolls around b/c it is the start of garage sale season!!  It is always the thrill of the HUNT that is the most exciting!  I am always looking for a good deal to make our hard-earned $'s stretch the furthest possible!  Also, I am always looking for stuff the kids can use for a bit and then I can turn around and sell them at a local consignment sale for a profit!  It is a way to bring in a little extra money for savings!!

$25 will buy you ... almost new wooden rocking horse (that even neigh's), Cozy Coupe, 2 pairs PJ's, girls sweater, 4 nice long sleeve shirts, hello kitty "bling" shirt, BRAND NEW bottle with all original packing, 2 brand new (in wrapping) DVD's, 3 used dvd's, princess dress up shoes, and Tonka tow truck and 2 cars! 

I think I made off pretty well this morning huh?   Do you like garage sale season?  Or is it more work than it is worth?  

It is so much fun with the kids, especially Sophia!  She is always looking for a treasure!  She is also learning the value of money too! :)  

Playing a sweet tune ...

Sophia loves playing her harmonica all throughout the house!  She especially enjoys playing it first thing in the morning when this mommy is still trying to wake up!!  Sophia and her Grandpa Long really enjoy playing it together!  Jackson isn't quite sure what to think all the time!

Enjoy!

Singing, dancing, and twirling ...

Here are a few pictures from Sophia's Spring Program at school as well as Mother's Day!!

Can you find Sophia's face?  Her teacher's are on the watering can!
  Oh how we LOVE Miss Heather and Miss Pam!

Yes, she is "cheesing"! 

"Thank you Lord"

"Rrrr"

Aligators saying Thank you Lord!

Sweet Girl!

 Mother's Day with my BLESSINGS!!

Love this girl so much even tho some days she drives me crazy!

Best one of all three of us!  One day there will be a great picture ... until then ...

Love her!

 

You can tell these three kids were THRILLED to have their picture taken!
  Sophia is the only one we can bribe with dessert for a smile!  The other two could care less!

Happy Mother's Day to a WORLD CLASS MOTHER!

Mimi and her grand kids!  

I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating the blessings and "Mothers" in your life!