Paper Mache

I really like to use my creativity to come up with things for me to do with the kids while I am working.  I would she exercise her mind doing something that starting at the t.v. all day.  This is what I came up with.  Paper mache.  It just so happens I thought of this already at their house and couldn't leave to go get supplies.  Talk about using your resources. 

In my mind, I planned this to take almost the whole hour or two that her brother would sleep.  She did not want to get her hands messy and this is the extent to which she painted her can. I thought she would want to paint something...

I on the other hand decided to use this time for my own creativeness to be unleashed.  Having lots of big decisions on my mind this was a good distraction. I know I shouldn't brag, she is 3 yeasr old, but I was pretty impressed with myself. Maybe I should look into painting!

lauren

Cupcakes and Cars

It is always sad when you don't live near great friends. Although it does make the times together that much better. Unfortunately it was only five great minutes.  I got to stop by her house on my way through town, see her new deck, and new paint colors in her house, which look AWESOME, and be on my merry way.  It was great to hand deliever her card and a little goody bag of Turtles and Pretzels.

Name: Stefany Renner
Nic Name: RENNER (used for less confusion below)

Date: August 13,1986

Relation: Ex coworker/Friend/Old Neighbor

Occasion: 24th Birthday

On to the cars...Renner and I have a mutual friend, Stephanie, who we used to work with when I lived in Columbia, MO.  Her and her husband had been trying to have a baby for quite some time.  As we worked with Stephanie, we could see how hard this was on her and how much she wanted a little blessing in her life. 

After many visits to the doctor, she finally thought her baby was on the way. 

I specifically remember working with her that day and how anxious she was waiting for that phone call from the doctor to confirm she was pregnant! When the call finally arrived, I was with her. So exciting. I stayed with her as she called her husband, Aaron, to share the good news. What an unbelievable thing I got to witness. The hapiness in both their voices was indescribable. It was so great watching her go through her pregnancy even though I was out of the country and missed the whole last month.  Renner and I were at the hospital when Gabriel was born and I saw him less than an hour old. This was great for two reasons. I got to spend Renner's birthday with her in the waiting room and little Gabriel was being born!!!

So here we are two years later, and their little angel is 2 years old. I hate that I can't make it to his birthday party. I try to visit as often as I can, which isn't enough.

and just for fun...I  know his momma is proud!

Happy birthday Renner and Gabriel!

Lauren

 

Enjoy Today

Warning: You may want to have some form of chocolaty goodness next to you as you read the following post. I am not responsible for any cravings that this may produce.

As promised, here are the sweet treats! The church I currently attend is having a rummage and bake sale tomorrow. I instantly knew I wanted to contribute in some way. Especially since my attendance at church has been so poor this summer due to all the traveling. They were still in need of donations for the bake sale and I love to bake.  However my concoctions did not require the oven.  In the 100 degree heat Missouri has been having, that would have just made it worse.  I decided on a few items: Homemade Turtles and Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods.

Turtles

Real simple if you need a quick treat.

 One pretzel + one rolo + one pecan = Turtle

Normally, I would use the oven to melt the Rolo slightly so they can be sandwiched between the pretzel and pecan.  I decided to conserve electricity and use...the metal roof of my car and the hot hot sun.

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods

Delicious. I did long and short pretzel rods and then some small ones with sprinkles. I spent approximately 4 hours dippin pretzels. While I did this, my mom made a huge, HUGE pan of Lasagna. It too was delicious.

Finally it was time to wrap it up with a nice little tag.

Super simple but adds that little extra something.

Enjoy Today refers to two things.

First being the obvious.. Enjoy Today. Period.

"This is the day the Lord has made;

 let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

The second are the instructions for the goodies. Enjoy Today!

Lauren

Amazing August

Merry Monday!  This is going to be the beginning of many cards to come for the month of August.  I have the photos waiting on my computer just begging to be blogged about. Yes, that means the cards are done in advance. Shocker huh?  However, they will have to wait until after this weekend. I did fail with the following card, and my on time resolution. Wha-whaaa. =( It is overdue, and not in the mail yet, but going first thing tomorrow morning!  Don't worry I doubt this will spoil it, at least I hope not, if it does she won't know what I included inside anyway!

Name: Emily Kirtley

Birth date: July 29th, 1986

Relation: Friend from Mizzou

I have been making an effort to start working on the presentation in addition to the card.  It has been so fun to hunt around the house to try and find goodies to throw in like they do in the magazines. If you look back to the very beginning of my blog back in January you will find very bad colored photos and no extra special effort but,

 lifes a dance, you learn as you go!

I also, again, updated the look of my blog. The new ribbon background is much more fitting I think, and the name too.  It just seemed BLAH and I wasn't ever really excited to blog and share my designs. Hopefully this one will stick for a few months, maybe even til the end of the year. One other new thing..my computer. It used to be getting one post written over a week, working on it bits and pieces because of a freeze up every five minutes, NO exaggeration. Now, I have completed this entire post in one sitting. So so wonderful ( and it was tax free yay).

Coming soon : birthday, baby, wedding, pregnancy, sweet treats, and MORE!

Lauren

Anniversary

One year. 365 Days. 8760 Hours. 525600 Minutes. 31536000 Seconds.  I think you will agree with me that certain times of the year go quicker than others.  But those are the numbers and when looked at like that, one can wonder how it goes by so slowly or quickly.  Interestingly enough, people can come into our lives who can ultimate change the whole year or even a lifetime.  It is also true that the exact opposite can happen and the year becomes one spent on the not so happy end of the spectrum.  I've seen both.  I will say that I know which is my favorite...

I have been so blessed to have spent the last year with Brandon and he has made me the happiest I have ever been. He makes sure that I am always happy, never upset, always taken care of, and always goes above and beyond anytime he does anything for me. Brandon is easily the only one for me and I've known this since early on in our relationship!!  I received these amazing flowers today and am including them in my blog because they are so unique.  I love that he spent time picking a flower arrangement that he knew I had never recieved before and also a timely effort to perfect wording on his card!! (Perfect example of the above and beyond gestures) 

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.

Happy Anniversary!

Lauren