Happy Friday from Photo Booth left overs

Ever use photo booth on your mac?  We do!!!!

So many good CHEESE faces! 

(totally confused Savannah that all of a sudden we had an aquarium behind us in the kitchen!)

Jasey had no idea I was about to attack her rib!! Mwwaahh.  

Happy Friday!

FACE WASH

My awesome kid decided the other night that water colors would be good on her face.  Why not?

 Travis had some guys over for small group and I was in the other room when I heard one of them say "oh, Savannah!  You're painting your face" - I looked in and just said "oh wow - that looks fun!"

 The boys were surprised at my response - like they expected me to stop her or something but as I sat there, I really couldn't think of any reason to not let her continue.  She was having so much fun!  And she said she felt like a pretty princess kitty cat.  (I dont know).  The only reason I could think of to stop her was because it's a little unconventional - but really.....why not paint all over your face?

So there IS one reason - Today when I was in the living room, Savannah was busy using markers all over her face.  This is a picture of her trying to hide it from me so I wouldn't wipe it off.  Same deal though - princess kitty cat.  So we had to talk about how it's not okay to ALWAYS color on your face and you have to ask.  Gosh - love this kid.

The Main Thing

Just got done reading this: 

The Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney

Hand down - recommend it. 

It's one of those little hardcover books that's only like 100 pages.  The cover and size reminds me of the Prayer of Jabez and that Secrets of the Vineyard book, but this one is way better.  One of the best parts was that it only took me a week of reading here and there to get it read.  But here are some other bonuses: 

"The punishment He received was for you. His resurrection is proof that God accepted Jesus' sacrifice.  The sins of your past and the sins you just committed were all atoned for; you need carry their weight no more."

"On a daily basis we have two choices.  We can either listen to ourselves and our constantly changing feelings about circumstances, or we can talk to ourselves about the unchanging truth of who God is and what He's accomplished for us at the cross." 

There's also a who chapter devoted to practical ways to center your life around the cross.  It's great for anyone - new, old or non believers. So, what are you waiting for?

For the honor

Just a couple things that represent life lately:

Our new favorite FREE thing to do - try on shoes at Payless.  Savannah spent over 30 minutes the other day just picking out all kinds of shoes and trying them on. Of course, leaving empty handed was a little hard to explain, but it was worth the entertainment. 

Caption: " For the Honor of Gray Scull!  I. Am. SHE-RA!"

Epic. 

I've been listening to a lot of Keith Green today.  Kinda love it.

Easter Recap

Here's a big post on the big events of Easter.  

It all started last weekend with our Easter egg dying party.  We had some high school students over to dye eggs, but before they came over, we stripped Savannah down and let her have a shot at it.  

It was her first time.  You can see how intense her face was about it.  I think every egg eventually ended up in every color of dye. Good thing it's all cheap and it's all just about the fun - not the outcome. 

We had never dyed real eggs with her before, so she was a little confused when she opened them up, only to find a REAL egg inside and not candy or a toy.  And check out those hands!

Travis and I were talking and not looking at her for a minute and when we turned back she was soaking her hair in one of the dye cups.  Travis was really proud of her, but unfortunately it washed out in the bath that night. 

And here's the product of our little party.  We actually ate ALL these eggs in a week.  Travis is trying a high protein/low carb diet right now so he loved it!

And here's Easter morning.  Savannah actually looks pretty sleepy.  You'll notice she does have a ball gown on already though.  Good thing Travis got her an Easter crown and necklace to match!

Here's the only shot I got of her in the outfit I had on her for Easter.  You can't tell very well, but there is chocolate all over it and her. 

So we went to my parent's house and she changed into this -

Which happens to be an outfit that my Great Grandma made for me when I was her age.  

ANNND the egg hunt. 

And what's a little Easter party without some digging the neighbors trash?  

I had to get a picture of my mom and some other neighbors rummaging through the curbside shopping after lunch. 

And here's another try at a family picture.  Gosh family!  How hard is it?

tiny bubbles

It's not near nice enough to swim outside yet, but this will do. 

Amazing what a $1.69 bottle of Magic Bubbles will do to bring joy to a family. 

Parent's, dont dress your little girls like tramps

I saw someone posted this on Facebook and had to check it out.  I feel pretty passionately about this.  I mean, I can hardly believe how hard it is to buy a swim suite for my 2 year old that isn't a bikini!  Seriously!
 Sorry I couldn't figure out how to get the video up on my blog so you have to go to the link.  Worth it.

Here's the link.  Enjoy. 

VEISHA YAY

On Friday night I looked in to our empty box of candy that we use to bribe Savannah into eating dinner and decided that it was, in fact, time to go to a parade and get some more free candy.  Luckily for us, the VEISHA parade was the next morning.  Unluckily for us, it was only 40 degrees (tops) and super windy during the VEISHA parade.  But there really is something about a beautiful little girl that will drag four freezing cold adults out to sit on a curb for two hours in weather like that.

Doesn't it look fun?  That's Travis totally under the blanket.  

Pre-parade: Coat - check.  Blanket - check.  Gloves - check.  Socks and boots - check.  Animal crackers - check. 

We actually had to work at the end to convince even Savannah it was worth it.  She kept saying "I'm cold.  Snuggle me.  I want to go inside."

After the parade we went back to my parent's van and warmed up while my mom made runs out in the cold to get us corn dogs, turkey legs, brats, and cheese balls.  She was like the Little Red Hen, "who will help me stand in the cold and get the food?" And no one would.  But she let us eat the food she brought us and didn't actually complain ever.  YAY VEISHA. 

Official Apology to all the Party People at Bandshell Park

I'll get to the apology in a minute -
I had plans today to get things done.  To take on the world.  Just me and Savannah.
We've been working on potty training for a while, so when Savannah insisted on wearing underwear out today instead of a pull up, I thought maybe today would be the day.  But, knowing my daughter, I thew an extra pair of pants and a plastic bag in the car just incase.

Side Track #1 We went to leave the house and a garbage man (weird, right?) ran up to my car to tell me I had a totally flat tire.  I was thankful, and did what any 29 year old married mother would do - I called my daddy to come help me.  He came to the rescue with a can of fix-a-flat and I took the car to the shop to get the tire patched up.  The process took about 45 minutes out of my planned day, but oh well.  No big deal.

Side Track #2 We did go to the park with some friends and about 3 minutes after I reminded Savannah that she had underwear on, not a diaper, I spotted her sitting on the other side of the play ground with no pants and no shoes.  She yelled over to me "Hey Mommy, I peed my pants!".  So I went and got her dry pants and put them on her.  Chances of it happening twice in a row aren't likely, right?

Side Track #3 While I was packing up to go, I noticed that she had kind of disappeared onto the play ground.  I figured she was hiding because she didn't want to go.  As I walked over to where I thought she was another mom said to me "i think your little girl went to the bathroom over there".  I said "oh, well, I guess that's the second time she peed her pants today".  Nope.  She had pooped her pants, taken them off, then wiped herself and her pants on her legs and on the play ground.  ANNND I didnt have any wipes, so we had to go the park bathroom and wash her entire body with cold water and wet toilet paper.  Then we brought a ton of wet tp over to the playground and I worked at cleaning it up while I sent her around to tell the other kids "Sorry I pooped on the play ground".  So, incase we missed you, Sorry we got poop all over the play ground at Bandshell Park today.  I think it's all cleaned up, but we can hope for a good rain. :)

Side Track #4 While cleaning up the poo poo, I had an issue with an unmentionable health issue.  Nothing to worry about, but figures it would happen in the middle of all this.

So - how do I plan to make lemonade out of this?  How will I rejoice in the Lord always?  How will I uncover the secret to contentment in a flat tire, two changes of pants, wet tp all over my hands, and a body issue?  Well... I dont know. I just know that God is good, and despite it all I am choosing to be thankful for what I have and choosing to move on.  I mean, it's funny, right?

Stinker. 

thrice baked coffee

What does it say about me that I've been drinking the same cup of coffee since 10am and it's now in the microwave for the 3rd time?


And here's an old picture for good times sake - The "drive through zoo" in Arkansas.  Probably in 2003 or 2004 I would guess.  I pet a zebra, held a lemur, and fed a kangaroo that day!

Could this get me arrested?

So we had a pretty fun day so far.  We were going to hang out with some friends, but they got sick last minute, which left Sav and I with a morning to fill.  It's super nice out finally, so we borrowed a jogging stroller and went out for a run.  I'm going to be keeping my eye out for a cheap jogging stroller now that I know Savannah can sit and ride for a full 25 minutes.  Then we played at a park, then in the back yard.  While I was making lunch (a frozen pizza and strawberries) I happen to have my camera handy to catch a couple classic moments:

So I heard all kinds of noises, like hard working, struggling noises coming from outside, or somewhere close by inside and couldn't figure it out. Then I looked behind the kitchen door to see this - 

She had crawled up the little ramp outside and into the dog door.  I've told her several times not to go OUT the door, but I guess we never addressed if she could come in it. 

Then about 5 minutes later I looked out and saw this happening -

Travis must have left a pipe laying around or something.  Let's just hope that none of the neighbors saw. What am I saying?  If they wanted to report us, they would have already had plenty of chances!  But really, could this get me arrested?  (I did take it away, right after I took a picture, and asked Travis to have a talk with her).

A kitchen trick-a-roo!

Here's a little trick I learned (and love) from Jasey.  She knows her way around a kitchen pretty well, thanks to her classy up bringing.  Maybe you already knew this, and I'm like the last person ever to get it - but I love it, and I did not know it.  So I'm sharing it.  It's my blog - deal with with. 

So start by peeling the onion, and cutting off the end.  The use your knife to make a grid on out of the onion.  (I'm realizing I'm not the best at describing this so hopefully the picture helps).  

Then turn the onion on it's side and slice down the grid.  Vwalla! Chopped onion!  I love this because it seems to be the best way to keep me from cutting my fingers off.  I dont know.  Good luck!

When you're rich you're rich!

Our friend Claude was here a couple weekends ago and we were talking about some recent home purchases that our families had made.  He was saying that he was excited because he'd just purchased a refrigerator with an ice maker on the door for his wife, and he'd always thought "That's when you know you're rich.  When you can get ice out of the fridge door anytime you want."  Then I told him that I think if you have an iphone (which means you could afford the actual phone, and the internet plan) then you must be rich.  Claude looked at his iphone and laughed.
A couple days later I was retelling this story to Ranel Wallace (who also happens to have an iphone) and she said "Todd always says if you can choose what you eat every day, then you are rich." Well now, I can't argue that.

So here's to choosing what I eat every day!

females and family fotos

I had the honor this weekend of being part of Cornerstone's woman's conference.  It was awesome!  We had 350 womans between the ages of 75 and 12 all learning the same things about being a woman of the Word, identity in Christ,  and living out what we believe.  I believe this weekend was just the start of a new culture of Biblical woman hood in our church.  So excitedddddd!

Travis' parents came down for the weekend to help us out with Savannah (we had a high school retreat going on Saturday also).  They were great.  Savannah is pretty busy and pretty willful, so this it is no small task to keep watch of her for a day and a half!

We went to a park right before they left and I decided it was a good time to get in some family pictures.  I'm not very good at intentionally taking pictures of people other than Savannah.  Here's the reason why....

Totally being a stinker

Nope, not yet....

Okay, everyone looking but Savannah this time...

And now everyone but Grammy was ready.....

Oh come on!  Almost a good one!

Let's see if throwing Daddy and the dog in will help.... nope. 

Then, since I was in the mood, we did one of the three of us when we got home.  Looks like I was the only one in the mood ......