Nifty Thrifty

If you haven't discovered the cheapo, cutesie-tootsie iron-on monograms at Hobby Lobby, you need to!! I have used them on all kinds of stuff for my favorite girly-girl and for gifts for other little girly-girls on the way!! I'm all about monograms and bargains!! Here are my latest 30 second thrifty redos.

Last year's swimsuit from Target got a little somethin-somethin!

And, this year's new Target find got one too!

Happy Ironing!!

(Just so you know, the instructions on the iron-on monograms said NOT to use steam or on "water-proof material." I did both, and they turned out just fine!)

Lets Hear It for the Boy

I heard this song at my body pump class yesterday and couldn't help laughing out loud!! I used to sing it all the time as a kid. The lyrics describe my hubby to a T.........really!! (Pause my music)

As my kiddos would say, "Daddy Oz, you're the best!!!"

Solo Searching

As a mother of twins, I often hear, "I don't know how you do it with two the same age. " But, the truth is.......I don't know how I'd do it without two the same age!! Sometimes folks forget that my two have a built-in playmate......a permanent play date that last 24/7. They have a friend at all times.....a full-time partner in crime.....a buddy that never has to go home. I think Karson finally realized what it's like for most of the world's 3-year-olds when she attended an egg hunt at the church where she goes to pre-school........solo. With a temp of over 100, Brady had no desire or energy to go. So, Karson experienced a little taste of loneliness without her Braids by her side.Before the hunt, the church's pastor had everyone meet in the sanctuary for a brief message about the meaning of Easter. The entire pre-school had been invited to the event. However, I am pretty sure that we were the only non-members of this church who accepted the invite. Karson looked at me and said, "Mommy, we are sitting by ourselves. We have no friends. I need a friend to sit by." She is definitely not used to doing things solo. She is looking a little forlorn at the start of the hunt. Normally, she and Brady would be holding hands.......with Brady giving her explicit instructions about exactly what to do.

She did, however, find a pink egg which made the egg hunt a great success in her mind!!

She was VERY eager to take her candy home to share with her Braids. I think she has decided that except for girls only tea-parties and toe-nail painting.......she want her Braids with her at all times!

Now you Know.......

Dear Family, I know that you love me. I know that you want to get me a fabulous Mother's Day Surprise. Yes, I know that it is several weeks away. But, I know that Daddy Oz's Love Language is "Acts of Service" and not "Gift Giving." I know you need help. I know you want to know what I would like. Now you know: (something to help me get rid of my walkman and mixed tape)

(hydrangea bushes)

(a hammock stand)

( You know I mean the tree and not the random dog!)

(a swing of my very own)

Now, I know that you won't be able to say that you weren't in the "know" about what I wanted. And, you do know that these are in no particular order.........and you do know to just choose one. Oh, and also know that some will require more work for you........but since "Acts of Service" is your thing......that should not be a problem........ya know?!?!

It's a great time to be Dave Jones, C.P.A. !!!

My little brother, Dave, just passed all of the exams needed for his C.P.A. license. This was quite an achievement considering that he did it while already holding the positions of a busy accountant, loving hubby and doting daddy. His sweet wife, Cara, threw him a surprise congrats party to celebrate!!

Here he is upon arrival. He really was surprised!! Lots of his new and old buddies came to show their support!! Oh, and his wonderful family of course!

We had super yummy barbecue and all the fixings!

..........and cookie cake to celebrate his awesomeness!

G-Daddy spent most of the evening grooming baby Gavin to be an all-star pitcher.

However, Gavin was more interested in doing this:

Awwwww........the happy Jones'

Congrats Dave! Thank goodness tax season is over!!

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10

The Picture of Innocence

Here is my snuggle puppy......my beads......my favorite baby boy.

And his sister........my sweet girl, my Sissy Sue, my Karsononee.

The picture of innocence.......these two. Angelic, perfect children who would NEVER embarrass their dear, sweet mama. These are sensitive, astute children who understand that mama has just gotten over the stomach flu, who get that she is a single parent on this lovely afternoon after passing on her germs to their daddy and who realize that mama's friends are watching their every move.....especially those who don't yet have children. These precious little lambs would never misbehave at a birthday party, throw tantrums for one more piece of candy, steal tomatoes out of the salad bowl, send another child's bucket of collected eggs soaring through the air in an attempted act of thievery or chase their playmates with large, sharp sticks.
No, not these sweet dears. No way, no how!
No sir. They would never, ever make their mama look the fool!

But, at least there was one party participate who truly managed to remain as his picture portrays.......


........Absolutely innocent

Happy Birthday Sweet Flynn!

My Easter Peeps

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay."

1 Peter 1:3-4

Welcome Home G-Daddy!

Our G-Daddy spent last week in Florida visiting his brother and sister-in-law (Uncle Harold and Aunt Bonnie). Karson and Brady missed him so much! Many nights, while he was gone, Karson prayed, "Jesus, let G-Daddy be home already." And Brady almost always remembered (without any prompting) to ask Jesus to "make Uncle Harold feel better." After a week without Mopey the Mole stories and guitar solos of "Cripple Creek," they were ready to have G-Daddy back! So, they were super excited to go pick him up at the airport!! As his plan landed, Brady yelled over and over, "I LOVE you G-Daddy!! I LOVE you!!!" (Then, he hid his head in embarrassment when he saw that I was listening.)

Karson and Brady made signs to welcome him home. Then, they ran out to meet him!He brought them each a special present from FL.......but he was careful to remind his UT fans in training, "You know G-Daddy really doesn't like Gators!"

Welcome back G-Daddy!

The Best Laid Plans........

Y'all know that I have been trying to teach myself to sew. I love, love, love all of the cute, homemade stuff that I see on etsy.com and the adorable holiday clothes that are carried by expensive children's boutiques. However, let's be honest.......as a stay-at-home mama...Dave Ramsey... and more importantly........my hubby say that I must stay on a budget!!!! Thus, one of the most impatient people in the world (aka me) is trying her hand at one of the most frustrating, patience requiring hobbies on earth. Seriously, learning to sew is not something for the faint at heart.

Anyway, as usual, I decided the night before the twins' pre-school Easter party that they both needed cute holiday attire for the occasion. So, I got to work. I found this little tutorial which taught me how to turn a old t-shirt into a t-shirt dress for Karson. After much seam ripping, bobbin finagling and needle re-threading, the outfits were complete, and I stopped to admire my creations. I had just finished snapping this pic when I heard my hubby yell from upstairs........"KRISTEN!!!!!!!!! Get up here!"

I found Daddy Oz in the bathtub holding Sis, wearing just his boxers and socks, with throw-up all down his arms, neck and back. Thus, began our first case of the stomach flu. Brady, however, was just fine and dandy in the a.m. and was absolutely determined not to miss his Easter bash.

I sent him to school as baby girl begged to "go too!" By 11:00, it seemed that Karson had seriously beaten the bug and was well! She convinced me that she could go to her party....and since I was supposed to be in charge of the whole shebang.......I dressed her and off we went. She looked like a true spring princess in her new dress and sang the whole way to school. It wasn't until we got about 3 feet from the door of the school that she began to lose her lunch all over the sidewalk and her bunny dress. Ahhhhhhhhh........the best laid plans of mice and men.......

That'll teach me to stay-up all night making outfits that can really only be worn about once. Good times.....good times. We did come home and do our own little egg hunt while Braids made it through the party without mommy or Sis. And, all the yummy candy that brother brought home made everyone happy.........even mommy!

Horse Birthday Bash

My godmother, Joan, always throws the most AMAZING themed birthday parties for her daughter, Alexandria! Seriously, her parties should be featured on some of those children's design blogs. She is so creative and has the neatest ideas!! Because Alexandria has become very accomplished in horse jumping and riding, the theme was "Horse Jumping." She turned her entire dining room into a stable! The walls were covered in paper that looked just like the inside of a barn.

Check out all of the neat details!! Even the lights were turned into lanterns!! So cute!! There was even a miniature table especially for my two little riders!

Even the window (which had a view of the driveway) was made to appear as if it looked out into a field for horses to run and jump! Talk about perfection!!The girls had a lot of fun and laughs decorating a candy horse barn.Karson totally thought that she was just "one of the girls." She wanted to participate in everything they did.......even though they had about 10 years on her!

Braids........well, he was more interested in swiping licks and nibbles than "helping" with the project!

Even most of the gifts that the birthday girl received were horse related!!

And, of course, Karson had to help her open every one!

I think Equestrianism is so regal and classy! I am thrilled that Alexandria has taken up such a cool sport!! I, on the other hand, have only ridden a horse once (on a date in college) and was scared to death! Maybe one day she will be able to convince me to try it again and teach me a thing or two!