A few fab finds...

I have Spring fever and I was shopping for some new outdoor items. I adore West Elm. Such great stuff. West Elm is a Willams-Sonaoma Company. So. It is very cool. Of course. I just had to share. Enjoy!Woven Drink Basket

Mediterranean Blue Glassware
{Don't these make you want to go to the beach?}

Bird Melamine Plates. {Seriously. I love these.}

Bird Bottle Opener. {only $8...Adorable.}

Montauk nest chair.

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Friend.

Today is my friend, Lydia's Birthday. Lydia is one of my very best friends. She is one of those girls that we all want to be like. She loves Jesus with all of her heart and LIVES for HIM. Lydia is such a wonderful friend. She listens. Gives. Loves. Never Judges. She loves my children and they love her. They respect her. She isn't afraid to help parent and love on them. Lydia is a great mom and has a lovely 16 year old daughter to prove it. I am just happy to know her. I am blessed to call her my friend. Happy Birthday, LYDIA. {Me, Kim, Lydia and Mary Ellen. I LOVE these ladies.}

Tonight, the girls are going out to dinner. So we haven't celebrated quite yet. However, I wanted to show you our celebration from last year. Last year, Lydia turned the big 40. She and Bryan also celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary. We threw a huge surprise party for her in July and celebrated both milestones. It was defiantly a surprise! We turned our backyard into a party! We hid in the back yard and waited for what seemed like forever. The event didn't start until after Bryan took her to dinner. We served cake, chocolate covered strawberries, and cream cheese mints. It was perfect evening. The kids had a great time swimming and we had a great time visiting.

Here are a few photos:

{my sweet babies with their friend, Bella. Bella is so sweet. Can't believe how they have all changed in a year.}

To the doctor.

Today, Benjamin and I have a date. With the doctor. I will pick him up early from school and we will drive to the see his pediatrician. Benjamin is not a fan of any doctor. He will put on a brave face and try to act like a big boy. I always feel so sad for him. However, today's visit is necessary. Benjamin struggles with allergies. He just doesn't sleep that well. It's a normal night if we are up 3 or 4 times in the night with him. He was a good sleeper as a baby and toddler. He really didn't start this phase of sleeping until about 18 months ago. The poor little guy always looks sleepy. Thankfully, Benjamin is in half day kindergarten and still gets to nap. He is exhausted by 8pm and crawls right into bed. I just kept thinking he would outgrow his sleepless nights. So, I wonder if it has something to do with his allergies? I don't know. We defiantly need to do the complete allergy testing. Which will not be fun. So, today we are looking for some answers. I just pray that the Lord provides {and I know HE will} and we can help this sweet little boy rest.

New Every Morning.

Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning

great is Your faithfulness.

"The Lord is my portion" says the soul.
Therefore I will hope in Him.

I find joy and hope in these verses from Lamentations. There is comfort in the newness of each morning. I love tulips because they bring signs of Spring. I love how God designed the season of Spring to remind us that after a long winter--He brings a new day. A new beginning. New mercies. A fresh start. I am so very thankful that He loves me. Regardless, of who I am or my failures. His love is constant. God's mercies will never end. May I walk with Him and spend time in the new morning. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!

Out my front door.

I snapped these photos, this morning. This was my view. Isn't this the best delivery truck?! I wish it made weekly stops at my house. However, that would get expensive. So, I will enjoy the photo. They delivered Georgia-Kate's "big girl" bed. Two of the nicest guys made the delivery. The box was packed without the feet for the bed. However, they are sending them and we will be able to finish it.

My other favorite thing of the morning. These little pots that we planted. I don't usually get my pots finished, so early in the Spring. So we are very proud. Benjamin helped me. He had a great time playing in the dirt.

The "Queen Bee"and Her Birthday

For Georgia-Kate's 3rd Birthday we celebrated our little "Queen Bee". We had a great time celebrating with a few friends and our family. We had a great time getting ready for this party. My mom was such a great help. It was fun and interesting to work with colors that weren't pink. Georgia-Kate loves pink. {As do I} The bees and yellow flowers were much fun. I found a wonderful shop, Love the Day. She designed the birthday banner, cupcake toppers, water bottle labels, and welcome sign. Oh, and the chocolate wraps...for our party favor. I love how she incoperated Georgia-Kate's name and age. She sent me the pdf file and I printed away. After printing, my sweet mom and I put assembled all the goodies and added lots of ribbon. I used my cricut to make some extra bees.

Check it out below:

Welcome to the party!

Our Table Scape

Chocolate covered Marshmallows. {One of Georgia-Kate's favorite treats}.

So easy and fun to make. They were the hit of the party. We also had fruit & cheese and a veggie platter. And....Cupcakes. So cute and yummy. We ordered from a local cake shop.

The birthday girl!

A few more photos:

The Birthday Girl showing off some of her new accesories. She had a great day! She loved being the center of attention. The umbrella and rain boots were a huge hit. {A gift from my sweet friend Kim} She wants to wear the boots, everyday! Mimi {my mom} made her the cutest dress. I'll post some photos soon! She received many wonderful gifts. We are thankful and blessed that she is loved by so many.

The party favor.

Happy Birthday, Georgia-Kate!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Georgia-Kate is 3 years old. It really seems impossible that she is already 3. She is crazy independent, full of energy and has a great sense of humor. She is already into her personal style. {Scary. I know} She adores hair bows, shoes, and sunglasses. She loves to shop. {Again. Scary. I know.} Georgia-Kate is so very friendly. She loves people and has a sweet smile. She does everything in her own time. {I love that about her.} She loves her Sunday School class and is learning so much about God. Her favorite new story is about Jonah and the whale. She volunteers to pray at meal time and bedtime. I adore this little 3 year old. Love her. Like Crazy.

Here are few pics of her birthday outfit. {I could not get her to smile.Much.}

We celebrated with few of our friends and family with a "Queen Bee" birthday!

More pictures to follow.

Quote from my funny girl:

"Georgia-Kate has no powers."

{After waving her hands over her cup in an attempt to change her milk into juice.}

Sweet and Simple.

It was so hard to decide. I choose this simple quilt from Restoration Hardware Baby. If you haven't check out their kids and baby stuff. Oh my, so cute. I love this quilt. It's so sweet and simple. I think it will be so pretty with her tiole window coverings and prints. I adored all the other prints, but I was so afraid it would be too much. So...simple it is! I can't wait to get it. I will keep you updated! Her bed is scheduled for delivery. She will be a "big girl", very soon!

Decisions...Decisions...

I recently ordered a "big girl" bed for Georgia-Kate. I am having the worst time choosing bedding. So I need some help. What do think?! These are my favorites...

1. Pink Floral, Pottery Barn

2. Roses, Land of Nod.

3. Cherry Blossom, Restoraion Hardware.4. Italian Damask, Restoration Hardware

5. Dots & Pin Dots, Restoration Hardware

I plan to keep her window treatments, and rug. You can see her current room here.
Let me know what you think...

Fun in the Snow.

We have more snow in NW Arkansas...than we have ever seen. We spent lots of time outside, enjoying the weather and playing. I quickly figured out that we don't really own any real winter clothing. We just don't usually have such cold temps. So, we also enjoyed the warmth of the fireplace and many movies. Our best friends live next to us. {Which we love.} Needless, to say we spent lots of time together cooking and hanging out. We enjoyed the break from our hectic lives of school and work. However, I am thankful I don't live in the north. Today it is 60 degrees here and sunny...my kind of weather. It's a wonderful change from the snow of last week.

My Sweet Boy.

It is hard to believe that Benjamin is nearly 5 & 1/2 years old. He is already Kindergarten. And lost his first tooth, this week. He has such a sweet spirit. I just hope to embrace these moments. He is growing and changing. Quickly. I sure do love this little guy.

{More pictures from our Christmas photo shoot.}

Sweet {&Sassy}.

Georgia-Kate loves a toot-t00t {aka a tutu}. Our sweet photographer, Miss Pat, could not get many photos of the kids together, this year. Because Georgia-Kate did not really want to smile in her pretty custom-made Christmas dress. Yes. Custom made. For her. Why? Because it was NOT pink. I'm so not kidding. Silly me. Shouldn't every girl wear pink for a nice Christmas photo with her brother. Needless to say, she turned on the smiles after she was dressed in a pink tutu from Miss Pat's closet. Oh, I may have some interesting years ahead of me...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

from our family to yours.

Today as we enjoy time with our family and friends, may we remember

to celebrate the birth of

Jesus

for he entered our world to save us from our sins.

"She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins."

Matthew 1:21

Santa and the Polar Express

Dressed in matching pajamas and excited to see Santa Claus, Benjamin and Georgia-Kate boarded the "Polar Express". It was a great time. We enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate while we listed to the reading of the Polar Express book. After a long wait and a ride to the "North Pole", Santa visited our car. The kids were so excited. However, Georgia-Kate was not interested in a photo with Santa.

So excited. Waiting on the train.

Enjoying the train.

But, so tired.