Mommy the "Artist"

My new favorite store Acorn Farm

My first creation, I call it the big red barn next to the apple tree.

Here is the great smelling potpourri that Kathy makes at her store, my pick was the lime vanilla.

A few weeks ago while I was out shopping for a new couch I ran across an adorable new store in a nearby downtown. I was drawn in by the name "Acorn Farm" isn't that just so cute. I walked in and knew right away that this was probably my new favorite place to go when mommy needs some time to herself. It is a cooking/stationary/childrens goodies/home dec store. As I was leaving I noticed a cute little painting on the countertop, the lady behind the counter told me that they offer several cooking classes at the store and each month a watercolor painting class. The little barn with an apple tree picture was going to be next month's creation and she reassured me that yours will actually look like the original. So I thought what the heck, for $20 I can give myself a few hours out of the house and maybe start a new hobby. I am NOT an artist by no stretch of the imagination. Actually when I told Dayton that I was going to take a painting class, he cracked up, I mean CRACKED up! My good friend Val watched Myah for me and off I went yesterday. The owner of the store Kathy is just the sweetest person you would ever want to meet, I love someone who smiles as much as I does not think I am goofy (right mom!). Anywhooo, I was there with about 8 other women, mostly all older women, but I love spending time with people of "age" so I was thrilled to be spending my precious mommy time with these sweet little ladies. The teacher Wendy was so patient and so talented. I had a wonderful time, they are all asking me to come back and they also want me to join their Optimist club, (which is too far away so I wont' be doing it but flattered that they asked). I was pretty proud of my creation, it is just a tiny print about 4x6 but it is a good start. Mine didn't even look close to the original but Wendy kept telling us it was our "own interpretation", her nice way of saying, keep your day job! I cannot tell you how much fun I had! I really needed that! Afterwards Kathy gave us a 20% off coupon to spend in the store so I purchased a box of her own blend of potpourri, she has the beautiful jars filled with her seasonal scents. I took Val a small box too for watching my little darling. They have them boxed up so cute in a Chinese take out box with cute ribbon. I am sure my sister is dying to see my work, please be gentle Mel, remember I am the organized one! I will definately be going back next month!

Dayton's Basketball Game

Dayton is playing on the school rec basketball team this winter. It is so much fun, a great time for us to see all of our friends (more like we come out of hibernation), and Dayton keeps in shape. Today we played his best buddy Andrew's team, it was so cute watching them chit chat and pat each other on the back. When Mr. Randy comes Myah is thrilled. He is our good friend and he is also the wrestling coach so he opens up the wrestler's gym for Myah exclusively. He lets her swing on the big rope like Tarzan and she giggles so hard! She holds on for dear life!

Daddy woke up to come watch Dayton play, poor Daddy is on midnights again and sleeps during the day. He will do anything for his kids, including wake up in the middle of his "night" to watch D play.

Giddy Up

Here they come through our back yard.

Uh-oh Daddy, I think she wants one!

We live in an area where there are several horse stables, Indie was being transferred to one behind our house, we can look out our window and see her. Instead of renting a trailer they just walked her about 2 miles! We were cracking up!

Our good friends bought their daughter Taylor a horse for Christmas and the other day they were walking it to a new stable behind our house. They called to see if we were home so they could cut through our yard and Mark and Myah were here, they looked out our back window and here came Mike and Tabitha with their horse Indie. Myah was so excited! She got to sit on Indie's back and feed him carrots. Indie joins our other neighbor's horse in the barn now so we can go visit both of them and take them treats any time we want. Myah is very excited!

Single Lady

Myah loves this song by Bey*once and everytime she hears it in the car she says "momma, put your hand up" , so we drive down the street with her little hand waving, she is so funny. I played it for her one morning after she woke up and she wanted to dance so I captured this little bit of video of her. I love her so much, she has really kept me laughing over the past 6 weeks since Dad has passed. It is little moments like this that keep me going!

*hint: turn off my music at the bottom.

Lora and Rachel's Mission Trip

I have received information that Lora and Rachel's church has created a blog for those of us who want to follow along on their mission to the Amani Baby Cottage in Uganda. If you would like to visi the site the go here. I am not sure how often they will be able to update but it is something. Please continue to pray for them!

Vote for this guy!

I am so glad that American Idol is on, it has really been a "happy" thing in my life right now. Something our whole family enjoys. It does make me a bit sad though that I can't call my dad when someone bad or really good is on, we used to laugh together about it. There is someone special on there this year that we are rooting for. His name is Matthew Gir*ard and he goes to my brother and sister in law's church. He is the dueling piano guys who can really sing! He sang "Georgia On My Mind" the other night. He has made it to the top 36 and we are hoping that he goes really far! So pass it on to vote for this guy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Praying for a Special Mission

My sister in law Lora and my niece Rachel are leaving on Monday for a mission trip to Uganda, Africa for 2 weeks. They are going to be volunteering at the Amani Baby Cottage, taking care of the babies and toddlers at the orphanage. Many of the babies were abandoned as infants or their parents have died from AIDS. This is their first mission trip and although they are very eager to get there they still have some fears. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel, Rachel is 14 years old and has a heart for missions, she wants to be a missionary when she grows up, I have to say I think this is a pretty "grown up" thing to do. For a while she was sleeping on a cot in her room to get herself used to living without luxuries. God is sure working through that young lady. I cannot wait to hear about their trip and see how their lives will be changed. Lora showed me some very special videos by going on You Tu*be and searching Amani Baby Cottage. So sweet! It is a very remote area in Uganda, the airport is only 45 minutes from the Cottage but it is 3 hours by car because the roads and terrain are so bad. Please pray for their health, safety and travel as they carry out God's work.

Sleeping Beauty

I snapped these the other day of my little princess taking her nap. I am so thankful she still needs a nap! You can barely see that her eyes don't completely close while she is sleeping. During my Dad's services etc, my brother in law's and their families took care of Myah for us and they both commented on how she fell asleep in her carseat and they were freaked out by her eyes not closing all the way, they woke her up because they were afraid something was wrong, I guess we will have to pass along that little tid bit of information when someone else watches her!

These reminded me of taking this picture of her very first nap as our daughter in China.

It's Official!

Florida 05

This picture was taken almost 4 years ago on their last day of 4th grade.

This is Dayton and his best buddy Brandon, they have been friends since 1st Grade.

It is official, Dayton is now taller than me! I am 5'6 and he is just barely taller but it still counts right? I tease him that we can start sharing clothes now, he doesn't seem too excited about that! I am seeing so many changes in him physically and I keep wondering where my little boy went to? He is such a good little guy with a big heart, a crazy sense of humor (hmmm, don't know where THAT would come from?) and is a great student. I had to take this picture the other day of him and Brandon, I have taken many through the years just to chart their progress and so that we can laugh about it in years to come. Brandon's voice is really changing and he is getting a little mustache! Oh my! I have high school orientation next month, yikes! I am sad to think that in about 4 1/2 years he could be going away to college. I am sounding dramatic but I think about how fast the past 4 years have gone since he has been at the middle school campus and I know that high school will move even faster. We have had Myah almost 3 years! Man, time flies when you are having fun. I am trying to simplify my life once again and really take the time to enjoy my children, especially now that my Dad is gone, I really realize the importance of spending quality time with my family. I want our kids to enjoy our company and know that they can come to us with any issue. I pray for guidance constantly. I feel like I am in uncharted territory on many occasions, isn't it like that with your firstborn? So much has changed since we were his age, I am always searching for a balance around here, trying to still be in control of his life and protecting him, but at the same time letting him gain some independence and learning things the hard way. I am not going to try and be his best friend, but I also want him to know that I am someone he can confide in and trust. I love my children so much, they are my world. I feel like we are entering a new stage in his life, and in ours, I am looking forward to it but I am scared at the same time. I love the phrase "give them roots and wings", and feel like that is where I am at with Dayton, every day is a lesson to be learned lately, I am trying to strengthen his "roots" so that someday I can give him his "wings" and be confident that I have done a good job and that he will be prepared for whatever path he chooses in life.

A Record Breaker!

Yesterday we hit 58 degrees here, it broke the record! I cannot tell you how nice it was to take Myah outside to play. We have had snow on the ground since November 16th! It has been the longest winter that I can remember. On Saturday temps were in the 50's as well so much of our snow has melted thankfully, we had about a foot on the ground for months. We live on a cul-de-sac and the plow guy puts a huge pile of snow on our lawn so it takes a long time for the pile to finally melt but the kids have fun climbing on it. Myah decided to ride her bike up a small pile. We went for a walk last night, and the whole family got in the hot tub as well! I know this is only a teaser, I am sure more snow and cold temps are still to come but I will take a break from this cold any chance I can!

It is getting warmer!

On Saturday the temps were in the low 50's so we busted down the doors to get out and enjoy the sunshine! I only had Myah in her snow suit to keep her dry, the snow was melting like crazy!

Family Pictures

I came across these pictures while going through files on my computer. I thought I would post them on here. The older picture was taken I think when I was in the 4th grade, Mel would have been in 2nd grade. My Grandmother took a whole mess of us up to the beautiful Grand Hotel for a week! Can you imagine? I would do anything to get to spend just one night there as an adult! I remember the Jamaican waiters running with the huge trays of food up and down the aisles in the dining room. It was amazing. We had a little book that we had to carry everywhere with us to prove that we were guests. My Dad came up to join us for a few days and the hotel photographer snapped this one of our family. I love the red geranium carpet, the signature of the Grand!

The more recent picture was obviously taken at Melaine's wedding 12 years ago! Gosh it sure doesn't seem that long ago! I remember little Dayton crying as I walked down the aisle, he wanted his momma! Mel was married on Sweetest Day, all ivory wedding with gorgeous red roses! It was such a memorable day in our family.