Princesa

We're in our house- PRAISE GOD! I bought this princess kitchen for Sweetpea for her birthday/Christmas. I finally was able to put it together for her. I felt silly putting it together since she can't stand so she can't fully enjoy it. Well, thankfully I was wrong- she started playing with it right away! :)

Back to work... :)

Closer

We close on our house tomorrow! PRAISE GOD!

Sweetpea asked to hold Bolt then said, "I need to take a picture!" lol

Twosday

Two days till we close on our house! Praise God! I can do this, I can do this...

Mall Memorial

Just a reminder of something that was fought for by those we remember today. Have I mentioned I love living in a small town?! :)

Happy Memorial Day! God bless our vets and troops!

Snoring Sunday

Sweetpea and I are about to take a much needed nap. :) Here is a pic from the other day of her sleeping in a cute position. :)

Starfish Mirror

I've seen a starfish mirror all over pinterest and it's very pricey, (even the cheaper versions are pricey, like $250!). Of course I HAD to have it but not at that price! So I collected fake starfish and grabbed my glue gun!

There are less starfish than I wanted, but I did what I could with what I could find. I think it turned out pretty nice, and it makes me smile so that's what counts, right? ;)

My cost was $50! MUCH cheaper than anything I could have bought online,(and yes, that includes the price of the mirror!).

Also notice the two extra sparkly, special starfish. They symbolize our two little girls! :)

(please excuse the less than stellar phone pics via Mr. Incredible's phone. I'll have Internet access back in June. I can do this, I can do this...)

I Scream

Gypsophila

Gypsophila means "lover of chalk" and is more commonly known as Baby's Breath.

I got that knowledge from Gnomeo and Juliet- great movie. :)

Sweetpea is a lover of chalk as well. You will see her kissing Mickey and then you will see the chalk on her lips up close. :)

Four Starfish

Starfish are very special to me and symbolize orphans to us, (see the legend of the starfish).

I will have countless starfish in my home to symbolize the countless orphans I will impact during my lifetime.

However, there are four specific starfish that take center stage. Woody, Buzz, Sweetpea, and Briar Rose. We were not able to adopt Woody and Buzz but they still are our sons and I know we greatly impacted their lives. And of course Sweetpea and Briar Rose need no explanation. :)

I added Briar Rose's starfish to my van today. :) Hopefully next month we'll be okayed to bring her home. :)

Catheter Bracelets

Sweetpea loves jewelry and she loves playing with her catheters. Put the two together and you get catheter bracelets. Now, I'm not being wasteful I assure you. If the tip of the catheter touches anything I can't use it so then Sweetpea gets to play with it. :) You know you're jealous. ;)

Chillin

Goofy

Mr. Incredible could easily have been named Goofy. :) He's such a blessing to me! We went shopping for fun to relieve some of my stress and he added his usual silliness to the mix! :)

Busted Up Bolt

Bolt had a reaction to a rattlesnake vaccine and it had to be lanced. He's ok now, see how happy he is in the car? :)

Dancing in the Rain

I'm still having a hard time and to top it all of today would have been my sister's 24th birthday. Thankfully I have Little Miss Sunshine to bring me joy no matter what I'm going through!

Sparrow

I made myself another necklace. :) I used one of my favorite Bible verses and a song. Sorry the quality isn't that great- I'm on Mr Incredible's phone. I also have a massive migraine so please excuse my brevity.

If Only

If only Walt Disney could see this picture. ♥

blah

Well, our close date has been pushed back.

To say I am under stress right now would be an understatement.  I am actually feeling the stress now. No fun.

I came all the way to the library to blog, but I have no energy, nor will to do.  I wish it was free to fly because I need to get away for awhile.

I CAN'T wait to FINALLY be settled in our house.

I'm just tired.

Starfish Jackpot

For Mother's Day yesterday Mr. Incredible let me go shopping with a certain amount of money. It was very nice to shop with Sweetpea, (while Mr. Incredible did laundry- our washing machine died! Thanks for sitting at the Laundromat Babe!)  I had a hard time spending money on myself.  There was not really anything I wanted for me. I want lots of things for the house and of course for Sweetpea, and every dollar I get goes to her or the house. After walking the whole mall, looking very carefully I might add, I was about to go home empty handed, (I refuse to spend money just to spend money. I have to really want something before I decide to spend money).  I ran into Dillards and just happened to look in their jewelry department and I found...

This starfish cuff!  I have been wanting it for months since I first saw it on Pinterest!  I asked the saleslady to get it out of the case. The price was right- I was ecstatic!

Then I saw this starfish necklace- the price was also right! Happy Mother's Day to me! ;)  Mr. Incredible gave me a price to stay under- after bying both pieces of jewelry- I had 50 cents to spare! lol I consider that a victory!  lol

Then we ran into Kohls because I have bought many starfish items there in the past and I was curious what they may have.  Well, I found this for our coffee table- on sale for $19.  I was in love. I was so thankful for the gifts he had already bought me, but we needed this for our new house! Thankfully he gave in to his begging grateful wife. :)

Right now I am surfing the web for more starfish items. :) I can't help myself!  Post tomorrow!  Also, my bestie has starfish paper that she is giving to me!  I am very excited about that!  :)

We are supposed to close on our house one week from today, but the builders haven't been there since Friday so it looks like the date may get pushed back. We'll see...

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas out there! I love today! Not because I am celebrated, but because I'm so thankful to be a mommy! What a joy! To all you ladies who are dying to be mamas but this isnt your year yet- I've been there! I know you have that baby in your heart, so happy mothers day to you too!

Like my phone? I know you are jealous of my mad crafting skills! Lol NOT! It's a temporary fix- I love my girls!

No internet

Not only do I not have the Internet at my house but now I can't use my phone either. :( I'm on mr inredibles phone. It's an iPhone and I hate it. Lol I'll be heading to the library monday to do some proper posts! Happy Saturday! I'm off to nap with the fam!

Baby Talk

1. My nephypoo Nathan turned a year old today! I wish I was going to be there to celebrate! Happy birthday Nater Tot!

2. I weighed Sweetpea last night and she weighs 23.6lbs! She has gained 2lbs in 2 months! She also turned 29mths yesterday! Just to give you an idea- the average weight of a one year old is about 20lbs, and it took Sweetpea almost a year and a half to gain 4lbs. SO, 2lbs is 2 months is huge! :)

3. Sweetpea has pretty much mastered the alphabet! A year ago she'd say it with me which was impressive. She took a break for whatever reason, but recently started again. All by herself she'll recite the whole thing.

4. I'm starting to miss Briar Rose. The year we got Sweetpea, God taught me too enjoy everyday and not wish it away for the future. Thankfully the lesson took, and I've been able to enjoy everyday as a blessing. In the past I yearned for our future babies. It down right hurt. Now though, I think about the future but it doesn't take away from today. I am starting to miss her though. Not yearn for her like last time, but I am starting to miss her. Its because as early add next month we could meet her. :) I'm trying to enjoy these last few weeks/months where its just Sweetpea. :) AND I get to decorate a whole house is 10 days! :) That'll give me something to focus on for sure! :) The yellow fabric below is for the girls' curtains, and the other fabric is for our living room/kitchen. :)

Thundering Thursday

Last year Houston experienced a significant drought.

It its no where near the drought we're experiencing here. Its been like 3 years since we've received rain on a regular basis, (something like that).

Well, today its raining, and thundering, but mostly raining.

I'm the happiest mama in town- its 11:30 and Sweetpea is still out! I got to sleep till 10:30!

The only people who are happier than I am are the farmers who actually NEED the rain. Seriously, on Sunday there was prayer for the rain for the farmers. When there is a drought here it affects more than the lawns!

I love living in a small town! Speaking of which, a local Italian restaurant opened yesterday and we tried it out! I love our small town, and I love supporting small business! Here are some sweet pics of Sweetpea at that restaurant. :)

Baby's First Booboo

Yesterday Sweetpea awoke with a random scab on her arm. I was surprised that I had never seen it.

This was Sweetpea's first official booboo. She's had many stitches from surgery, but this is her first random booboo. I know once she starts walking there will be many more! Lol

I think it was a bug bite she scratched.

I wiped it down with a wet wipe and put a band aid on it- cue freak out!

I immediately took off the band aid and Sweetpea wanted me to get the scab off her arm too. Um, that's a wee bit impossible.

I put a wet wipe on it and that calmed her. After 20 minutes of this I was at my wits end. I made her hold it so I could get ready. We were going to Walmart. Y'all, she held it there like it was holding her arm on! Ha!

We get to Walmart and I head straight for the band aid section. Mickey to the rescue! Thankfully she liked the Mickey band aids!

Yes, Spoiled Sweetpea- about 30 minutes of doting and a trip to Walmart for special band aids- over a bug bite scratch. Its good to be Sweetpea. ;) (oh yeah, and a Walmart  employee noticed her band aid and grabbed her a cookie from the bakery. Yeah, what is she going to expect when she gets a real owie!?). Lol

Like Mother Like Daughter

While I was painting yesterday, Sweetpea kept playing with the paint brushes. So I gave her some paper, stripped her down, and let her have it! She loved it! She spent and hour and a half painting- not exaggerating!

In 13 days we'll be moving in! I will be keeping all the (kid) art supplies close by the table so Sweetpea, (and Rosie!) can color, paint, create on a daily basis. I CANNOT WAIT!

PS, check out this video! Whether you're married, engaged, or ever want to be married!
http://vimeo.com/38033654

Comfort Zone

Two weeks from today is moving day!!! I can do this. I can do this.

Its no secret that I love to create. Well, I'll say I'm creative, but I am in no way artistic.

I cannot draw or paint to save my life.

I want to, but I can't. Half because I lack the necessary ability and the other half is because I'm a  perfectionist in remission.

Last week I saw a minimalist picture of a dandelion and thought, "even I may be able to do that!" I drew it on Friday and it looked pretty good-well decent. :)

Last night I got the idea to paint a dandelion pic for the  girls' room.

Today I took the plunge. I think it turned out decently. Be kind, art is most definitely not my forte!

My mom and I went shopping this summer and we found these pieces of wall art for 90% off! She splurged and bought me the large one at $2.99 and the small one at $1.99! Ha! I got them with the intention of painting over them and recycling the canvases- seriously, do you know what canvases cost? Def not $2.99! ;)

Also, I included a pic of the during pics- one of which shows you which brush I used. I hate those brushes usually, but it allowed me to blend the colors nicely, so I recommend it!

Jump out of your comfort zone today! Let me know if you do and what you did. ;)

(real pic to come in 2 weeks when I hang this on the girls' wall). :)

T.Minus 15 Days

Its after midnight so its officially 15 days till closing day!

I had a rough Friday and Saturday. I had a migraine and we completed our adoption training, (try sitting through/paying attention to 8 hours of training with a migraine. yeah.).

So obviously.I'm thrilled we're done with training- we're that much closer to bringing home Rosie, but I definitely got discouraged this weekend.

Our journey to Sweetpea was ridiculously easy. If you are familiar with the process at all you'd be shocked at how easy it all went.

Well, I think I psyched myself out, dreaming that Briar Rose would be as easy as Sweetpea. Now it could go as smoothly- IF God chooses it to- but logic, statistics, etc would say otherwise.

And that's not even mentioning us losing our child to reunification. Yeah. Not even going there.

Nor does that include worrying about Briar Rise's transition, attachment, how Sweetpea responds, etc...

Y'all, I'm JUST talking about Sweetpea's super quick/easy process.

I know what's coming on all fronts- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not to mention the paper work. Ooh the paper work.

Foster parents everywhere just threw up in their mouths a little.

Prayers are greatly appreciated! The enemy is trying to tear this mama down! He won't win, but I don't want to grow weary either. :)

Over the years while waiting to begin the adoption process, I've decorated/redecorated the nursery. It helps for sure! :)

Well, this time- I get to decorate our whole house in 15 days!! Not to mention a new nursery!

I just ordered countless yards of fabric, (fabric for curtains in every room of the house minus the master and playroom!), and get this...

I just ordered TWO matching cribs!!!

If that doesn't shake my discouragement I don't know what will!

15 days. A brand new home. A blank canvas for me to decorate. A fresh nursery with Sweetpea in one crib and the promise of Briar Rose in the second.

I'd say that's just what this mama needs to get through this, (you know, besides massive amounts of prayer!). :)

(here is a pic of our whole family on a walk- 10 points if you know where Bolt is! Sweetpea and I holding hands as I said the other day. :) Pretty soon we'll be trading in that jogger for a double!) :)

Gnomeo and Juliet

Mr. Incredible and I have fallen in love with Gnomeo and Juliet. Its a cute movie, and while its rated G, I wouldn't necessarily deem it appropriate for little kids, (its nowhere near Shrek by any means-I just think its too much of a love story for little kiddos). :)

We wanted to get a Gnomeo and Juliet statue, but it was a bit too pricey. Then I found these little guys at Hob Lob- and I found a gnome Mickey  too! Too perfect for words...epecially since we can't have a garden really in the desert! Lol We'll get one potted plant for the back patio to put these little guys on. :)

Walking Hand in Hand

Many  moms enjoy the privilege of walking hand in hand with their child, and I'm sure many take it for granted.

Well, Sweetpea and I can't really do that. Until now.

When Mr. Incredible joins us on walks, I have him push the stroller and then I can walk next to Sweetpea and hold her hand. :) She loves it! She always tries to get me to hold both of her hands, (which is impossible lol).

Enchanted Rose

Since I still had the red roses, I decided to do another photoshoot and star another item on Annie's Aspirations: 6. Dress up clothes photoshoot
I mean, come on- how perfect is it that I have red roses- a Belle photoshoot is a MUST!  Oh, and notice her Tiana doll?  Sweetpea has 4 princess costumes, (our favorite princesses), Tiana, Belle, Cinderella and Aurora.  I bought matching costumes for her Tiana doll so when she dresses up her Tiana can too! :)

She requested Bolt for the shoot again :)