Welcome Home Ansley

Ansley spent the month of June with her Dad in Florida.
We really missed her.
Especially Olivia.
At one point when she went potty on the potty, knowing she would get a reward, she asked, "Now can Ansley come home?"
We greeted her at the airport with a banner and lots of hugs!!
We are glad to have our girl home :)

Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

I saw this recipe on a blog and had to try it! We love smoothies, and this one didn't disappoint!

Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

Seedless watermelon (I filled my blender about half way)
Frozen strawberries (maybe 6?)
I added a couple spoonfuls greek yogury

Blend. And enjoy.

(And it happened to match my nail polish.... He he)

Life.

The past 6 months have been chaotic.
I feel like many things have gone neglected.
My friends.
My house.
Even my family at times.
Obviously the blog (but, let's be honest, when has it ever not been neglected?).
In the past 6 months,
I have planned a wedding.
Played room Mom in Ansley's class.
Tried to still have parties, GNO's, craft nights, BBQ's.
Curtis has had 3 different jobs... in one week.
(Not complaining I know that is a blessing, but it did add to the chaos.)
The last and current job means moving.
We have been house hunting with no hope,
in a difficult rental market.
And then just throw in life.
A 2 year old in the mix of all this!?
Oh, and did I mention that most of this was done as a single parent?
Yeah, there was/is that.
I know that to many this list doesn't seem overwhelming,
and it is just daily life.
For me,
it was hard.
Too hard some days.
I don't like limbo. Not knowing what is going to happen.
The question marks in life.
I want a plan.
I wish I handled stress better.
My husband has been amazing.
Putting up with far too much whining and complaining from me.
And then, I remember to count my blessings.
I sit and I name them, one by one.
And I realize how lucky I am.
How truely blessed.
To have wonderful, supportive family and friends.
A roof over my head.
To be able to stay at home with my children.
The list goes on and on.
I am a lucky girl.
I take a deep breath, say a prayer, and try to have faith and trust in the Lord.
And the peace comes.
The comfort comes.
Patience.
Yesterday we got THE house.
The house I really knew was ours all along.
It took a leap of faith.
And I feel peace.
I feel the joy of knowing our family will be together.



(Beautiful photography by Amber Holt photography.
Curtis was out of town during the shoot.)

Olivia Kate: Bye Bye "Bappy"

Livvy is PACIFIER FREE!!!!
This is a big deal.
Things have been crazy the past few months,
and even though I knew it was time to take the
"bappy" (as she called it) away,
I was reluctant.
There was always an excuse.
After this... After that...
My Dad finally made the move.
(He is not a fan of 2 year olds with pacifiers!? Can you imagine...)
And, it wasn't bad.
At all.
She only asked for it ONE time after the initial take away.
It has been about a month now,
and we are loving life not having to hunt for her "bappy" all the time.
And, I think it means my baby is getting big :(
Thanks Dad for giving me the push I needed!

We love you little Liv.

Taylor and Curtis: Las Vegas!!

In May, Curtis and I had the opportunity to go on a little Vegas trip.
Curtis won a free stay at The Wynn hotel.
My parents kindly offered to watch both girl for 2 nights.
And, we enjoyed 2 kid free days of yummy food, shopping, people watching,
The Lion King, and a luxury 5 star hotel!!
Doesn't get much better than that.
Thanks for the awesome trip Curtis!!
And for letting me snap this photo of you :)
(Curtis LOVES?! having his picture taken...)
And feel free to laugh at my lame picture of myself.....
I am.

Ansley: Kindergarten Grad

We are so proud of Ansley.
On May 21, 2011 Ansley graduated Kindergarten.
It was a great year for our smart girl.
She loved her teacher, her class, and learning new things!!
We look forward to her starting 1st Grade in the fall.
(We recorded graduation, so I didn't bring my big camera, this was taken with my phone...)

Sewing: Easter Dresses

Making the girls Easter dresses is my new traditon.

I just decided :)

This is the second year I have made them,

and I love that I can pick out exactly what I want.

I love spending the hours sewing them,

and seeing the finished product.

This year I made Ansley a skirt, and a dress for Olivia.

I fell in love with this skirt pattern at my local quilt shop.

It was sold out, and the minute it came in a bought it.

This skirt was tedious.

It is a Jona G pattern.

I am a quick sewer.

And this took 5 hours.

It was 88 inches of gathering,

for both layers!!
It made for a very full skirt.

I am happy with the way it turned out,

but will not be using this pattern again any time soon.

Liv's dress is a Juvie Moon pattern.

http://fairytalefrocksandlollipops.com/catalog.htm?item=2637

I had never used their patterns before.

They are darling.

And simple.

I didn't get a great picture of Livvy's dress.

Getting a 2 year old to hold still is impossible.

And I gave up.

The girls got matching outfits for their dolls from the Easter Bunny.

They held their dolls ALL day long.

It made me SOO happy.

Ansley kept pointing out that their dolls had bows :)
This is the best picture I got of them together.

Like I said, impossible.

I tried getting them standing...

That was a complete joke.

A smile from Olivia.

On camera.

An Easter miracle!?

Hehe.

At least one of my girls can cooperate for the camera.

Easter baskets and the rest of Easter coming soon!