Thankful Thursday

There are many blessings in our lives each day.  I like to pause on Thursdays and reflect on the previous week.  

~ that my husband is able to go to PT for his heel spur and learning exercises to do to help with this pain.

~ our oldest cooking for the birthday party for his little brother.  Burgers, hot dogs, and poppers!!

~ our DIL being helpful and her relationship with Titus. She is a blessing!

~ getting to celebrate our 11 year old last Saturday at his birthday party and then on his actual birthday on Sunday.  He is a blessing! We were thankful for the weather being nice to be outside on Saturday too....an answer to prayer!

~ family and friends that came to celebrate Titus for his birthday!

~ our niece being baptized!  So happy for her!

~ walking at ACU.  It is nice to do on a beautiful morning and hear and see the birds, shining sun, green grass, and pretty flowers.  

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

As you turn 16

As we were driving home we heard the song “You’re Gonna Miss This.”  It seemed fitting for today and brought tears to my eyes.  Yes I’m gonna miss this.....all four of us being together stopping for a Blizzard.

Driving you to work your steer.

Taking to you football practice.

Waiting to pick you up after football or youth group.

Having my driver with me for Meals On Wheels.

Dropping you off to work various jobs.

Picking up your stuff and bringing you a snack before out of town football games.

Taking you to school in the mornings (although it's been so long already since I've done this anyway!).

There’s so much I’m gonna miss,  but I am thankful for this new chapter and that we get to experience this with you.

I’m excited for you as you have reached this milestone, Caleb and will be praying for your safety. Please be careful!

Love, 
Momma

Thankful Thursday

Another Thursday, two weeks until school starts for us.  Caleb started football practices this week at 6:30 in the morning.  Next week he will go in the afternoons.

This week I am thankful for...
~ my husband taking Caleb to the 6:30 practices!

~ my big boy completing the beginning of his driver's ed course.  He will be 15 next week!

~ my little guy dancing in the aisle at the grocery store.  I'd stopped to look at the school supply display.  He heard the music and just started dancing.  It was hilarious to see.  Caleb got part of it on video.

~ the lady returning an envelope of money I'd dropped at the check out.  I was moving out of the way of the next customer and still had my change in my hand, she asked me if the envelope was mine.  I guess I had dropped it on the floor as I got my money out to pay.

~ beginning an online Bible study of the book "Gideon" by Priscilla Shirer.  It is so interesting so far! I think it will be another really good study. They have a new video each week.  It is free to sign up and you can buy the book to go along with it if you want.

~ getting my books I earned from my recent book party.  It was fun to see what I ordered!  Several are gifts.


Have a day of blessings!
Bethany

To my 14 year old...

Today we celebrate our 14 year old!  Happy birthday Caleb!  

I made a list of 14 things I appreciate about you. There are many more, I'm thankful for you and am blessed to be your Mom! 

1. I appreciate your willingness to help me...if it's unloading groceries or doing something like cook supper when I don't feel well, you are a big help to me in so many ways.  

2. I appreciate that you are a hard worker. I've had different people tell me that they've seen you work hard. This is important all through life. 

3.  I appreciate that you have so much knowledge about so many areas. You always surprise me with the random facts you know.

4.  I appreciate the relationship you have with your Dad.  I remember when you started following him around everywhere and wanted to do everything he did. I like to listen to the two of you talk in the van when you're both up front. I pray that you two will always be close. 

5.  I appreciate your laugh and how you can make me laugh. There are so many ways you do this! Thank you! 

6. I appreciate your sense of adventure.  Remember the time on vacation we went on the rapids.  Or when you and Dad when zip lining?  You love the outdoors.  

7.  I appreciate that you are an amazing big brother. It touches my heart to see you two together and to hear y'all laughing and playing.  You have such a special bond, and I pray you always will. 

8.  I appreciate the friends you have chosen. As you get older it's always important to be wise in your friendships.  You have some good ones and I'm so thankful.  

9.  I appreciate your love of God and your heart to follow Him.  Seek after Him in all you do.  

10.  I appreciate the way younger kids look up to you. I've been told numerous times how good you are with kids.  Those little eyes are watching you and are following what you do.  

11.  I appreciate your hugs.  They are the best and I need those!  

12.  I appreciate your confidence and how you can speak in front of a crowd so effectively.  You amazed me with your speech for UIL modern oratory this year and your best man speech at Uncle Cody's wedding.  Many people are terrified of public speaking, you seem to be a natural at it.  

13.  I appreciate that we share some of the same interests.  I love that you have always loved reading like me! 

14. I appreciate you being you!  God made you special and unique. Always be you and don't try to be like everyone else. 

I'm proud of you. 

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Thankful Thursday

Happy birthday to my Titus!  He is 3 years old today. 

I'm tired out but we had a wonderful day!  He was so excited that Daddy was taking off work.  When Caleb woke him up that was the first thing he said....Daddy's gonna be home today.  Caleb also had an early release day today due to a track meet.  We had lunch and took Caleb lunch, then Titus had his nap.  After Caleb got here he did his homework and woke up Titus.  Titus opened his presents and then we went to the zoo!  We had a nice time.  We rode the little train and enjoyed our time.

Today I am thankful for...

~ my sweet husband and his love. Just in the day to day I'm so thankful for him and us.

~ my big boy getting done with another 6 weeks at school.  One more to go until high school!  Eeeek!  He also had two tests this week, the state testing STAAR test for Reading and then he took an end of course benchmark for Algebra.  He will take the real test for Algebra in May. 

~ my 3 year old boy and the blessing he is to all of us in so many ways.  He is a joy.

~ the family and friends that came to Titus' birthday party.  Even if it was 30 degrees on party day! 

~ all my Mom did to help with the party.  She did cupcakes, cake, and decorations plus the food.  I did a Walmart order and took it to her house and she got it ready.  It was a very nice party, and Titus had fun.

~ participating in the Baby Blessing at our church on Sunday.  They asked us if we'd like to participate with Titus since we are new to the congregation.  It was for babies and  young children.  They prayed for the parents and children and gave them a Bible.  It was so special that all of Titus' grandparents were there too. 

Have a day of blessings! 
Bethany

Thankful Thursday

This week is our Spring Break.  I am thankful for...

~ celebrating my husband's birthday on Tuesday.  He is two weeks younger than me.  We took a cake and pie to his work office after we went to lunch.  We went with him on an overnight trip.  Before we left I remembered that we always sing "Happy birthday" to him and the boys help blow out the candles.  So I picked up a pack of cupcakes and we sang at the hotel lobby.  Titus sang on and on very loudly and it was very cute.

~ my big boy feeling better this week and being seen by the ENT.  We were glad he was able to be seen so quickly after his referral.  It looks like he is going to have his tonsils removed this summer. 

~ my little guy's love for his big brother and how he gets excited/happy about such simple things.

~ God reminding me not to worry.

~ working on our plans for the summer.  The summer months are filling up quickly! 

~  the timing of devotionals I read.  Two times in the past week it has been perfectly time on the day I needed to read it. 

Have a day of blessings!
  Bethany

Thankful Thursday

Happy March!  February was busy for us and went fast.

This week I am thankful for...

~ my sweet husband cleaning the house over the weekend.  It felt so nice to come home to the clean house!

~ my big boy doing so well in school. He got his report card last week, we are proud of him.  He is to the 5th six weeks now! 

~ my little guy running in the house and giving me a yellow flower he had found in the yard. 

~ ladies retreat hosted by our church.  It started on Friday and then those that wanted to stayed overnight.  The theme verse was Proverbs 4:23.  I got to know some of the ladies better, and it was a very nice time.

~ having a nice birthday! I turned 39 on Tuesday!  I had my normal Tuesday activities going to Bible study, library with Titus and lunch with my husband.  Then he took off early too.  After we got Caleb we went to my Mom's for a delicious supper.  She made hamburger steak, rolls, mashed potatoes, and pea salad for me (my favorite).  And angel food cake. My husband had made me a chocolate cake as well which we've been enjoying this week.  I also got so many nice cards in the mail and had lunch with a friend on Wednesday.

~ winning a pass to go to the consignment sale here.  I usually to to the sale the night they have "consignor's night."  You get a pass to come before it opens to the public.  Well that was on my birthday night so I hadn't planned to go.  Then Sunday night I got a text that I had won a pass to the "worker's night" so I got to go Monday night!  I found some clothes for Titus and a couple other things.

Have a day of blessings! 
Bethany

Thankful Thursday

I hope your week has been blessed.  Ours has been filled with blessings since the last post I did! Thank you God!

Today I am thankful for...

~ the way my husband listens to me when I talk and tell him my heart.  He always does a good job of hearing me and knowing what I need.

~ my big boy choosing a book for me from the table of giveaways from his school library.  After school he told me they were getting rid of some old books and he got one he thought I would like.  It was one about the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I loved that he thought of me and got it for me!

~ my little guy getting well!  He felt warm to me Saturday evening after his party and then in the night I could tell he had fever.  I stayed home from church and he just wanted to be held and kept saying Momma, Momma.  Poor little guy.  His fever got over 103.  We prayed for him and started diffusing essential oils and rubbed some on his feet.  We gave him some med and the fever did go down but then would go back up.  He ate fine but did not want to do anything except sleep and lay on me.  We had planned to take him to the doctor on Monday morning. But he woke up as normal as could be with no fever.  He has been fine ever since!

~ having a wonderful 2nd birthday party for our boy!  It was a fun day and most of the family got to attend. He had a fun time with his cousins and opening his gifts.  Here are the cakes my Mom made.  We thought they were amazing and tasted good too!

~ having a fun evening out at a fundraiser called Taste of Abilene.  We went last year and decided to go again.  It was a lot of fun, and we enjoyed the food!  Caleb saw the list of participating restaraunts and was disappointed Chick fil a wasn't going to be there.  He found plenty to eat and tried Firehouse Subs and loved their meatball sub!

~  reading books for fun. I finished up my last book I received to review so I've been reading library books for fun lately.  (Not that the review ones aren't fun!)  It's nice to be caught up with the reviews.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Titus' first birthday party.....Book theme!

I chose a book/reading theme for Titus' first birthday party.  He loves books and I'd seen cute ideas on Pinterest.  We all love books so it was fun for us all.  I loved how it came together!

For the invitation I used old library card pockets and check out cards.  On the part of the card you can't see I included the times and his clothing sizes.

The "1" was his smash cake.  For the other cake I printed the covers of some of his favorite books from the past year, and my Mom (who made the cakes) put them on sticks on top of the cake.

I saw streamers done like this on a  Pinterest post so we recreated it with two shades of blue.  I loved how it turned out.  My husband did the streamers and I did the balloons. I used a trick I learned from Pinterest for those too....use a needle to string the balloons together on a piece of thread.

We put the books and characters on the mantle and bookshelf.

Here are a couple more decorations.

This poster had pictures (that I took off before I took this picture) around the edge of Titus reading by himself or with us. The letters are cut out of pages of books.  I got them cheap at Goodwill to cut apart.

This is a banner that Caleb helped make. It was originally going to go in front of the high chair but I realized the high chair was going to be behind the table so you wouldn't be able to see it.  Caleb added the pictures to each side of the ONE.  He made the blue book shapes for the letters to go on as well.

I don't know how we missed a picture of the food but oh well!  We set out food on the bar with the book related to it sitting beside it.  Here is a list of the books/food we used...

Green Eggs and Ham.....deviled eggs dyed green and ham slices (to make a ham sandwich)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.....meatballs
Go, Go, Grapes!: A Fruit Chant (this was a book Titus loved for Caleb to read him when he was very little so we included it!)......bowl of fruit
Very Hungry Caterpillar.....fruit that the caterpillar ate laid out on a platter
Rah, Rah, Radishes!: A Vegetable Chant....various cut up veggies with dip
any chicken book.....Chick fil a nuggets
Three Little Pigs.....pigs in a blanket
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food....bowl of mini candy bars and bags of chips
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.....plate of chocolate chip cookies

It was a fun party, and we enjoyed celebrating our one year old!

Have a day of blessings!
 

For my baby boy...

To my sweet Titus,

I'll never forget  how surprised I was when my water broke early Sunday morning.  I couldn't believe this was really happening!  That wasn't our plan. Our plan was for you to be born on Thursday. I had a list of things in my mind that would happen before Thursday....our last supper as a family of 3, my last snack day with Caleb, a final baby bump picture before going to the hospital,making a definite decision for your name if you were a boy.

But it didn't happen according to our plans. You have been a surprise from the beginning really....from finding out I was pregnant after the doctor had told us a couple of months before that if we wanted more children I'd need to see a specialist....to the day you decided to "bust out early" (as Caleb said).

My heart is just so full of love for you. The year has gone so fast since that Sunday morning when all your family gathered to welcome you. I remember how my heart felt when the doctor held you up and I saw your cute little pouty lip for the first time.

The year has been amazing.  We have loved watching you grow bigger physically and learn new things. I loved the newborn days of holding you and just watching you, and I love these days now as you have turned into a little toddler. It's so fun to see you explore and discover new things every day.

 I'm so blessed to be your Mommy.  I'm thankful God gave us you!  You bring so much joy to us all. It has been fun to see you interact with your brother and see how much you love each other. I love the joy and contentment I see in your Daddy's face when he's holding you. I have honestly learned so much from you already.

God's plan and His timing were perfect in every way. I could never have imagined it all this way, and I can see that He knew best!  I thank Him for giving us you, sweet boy.

Happy first birthday!

Love,
Mum
(That's your name for me, I love it!)

Have a day of blessings!

To my 10 year old....

Ten years ago today our lives were blessed with you our 8 pound baby boy.

I am so thankful for the gift of you and the blessing you are to me and Dad as well as the others around you.

It has been a joy to watch you grow up and learn and try new things. You always amaze me!

It is hard to believe you are already a 10 year old.  We've enjoyed remembering together the day you were born and meeting you for the first time. What a happy day that was!  I'm so glad we can celebrate you today.

I have always liked the song "Masterpiece" by Sandi Patty. I feel this second verse is so accurate.

Verse 2:
And now you're growing up
Your life's a miracle.
Every time I look at you,
I stand in awe.
Because I see in you
a reflection of me
and you'll always be my little lamb from God.
And as your life goes on each day
how I pray that you will see
just how much your life has meant to me.
And I'm so proud of you
what else is there to say
just be the masterpiece He created you to be.

More lyrics http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/sandi_patti/you_are_a_masterpiece-lyrics-759717.html#ixzz3ADYQVjEm

I love you!
Momma


Have a day of blessings!

Ten years later

Over the past few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about a decade and how quickly that length of time passes. As I think back ten years, there have been so many changes for me and our family. You see, tomorrow our boy will turn ten years old…two hands….a decade!

Today I'm over at Laced With Grace sharing "Ten Years Later. "

Join me there to read the rest of my thoughts.

Have a day of blessings!

Detective birthday party

This year Caleb wanted to have a detective birthday party.  I looked for ideas on Pinterest, and he helped me come up with things and make things how he wanted them to be.  We had his family party the weekend before his birthday, and everyone seemed to have a fun time. 

First we made the invitations on the computer using some clip art I found on Microsoft Word. I printed them on tag and cut them to fit in a legal size envelope.  The back side had the RSVP information. For the case # I used Caleb's birth date.

We printed the envelopes on our computer as well with CONFIDENTIAL in red in the lower corner, and for the return address we put HEADQUARTERS and our address. 

We decided first we would have a code for the guests to read when they arrived.  I used a font on Microsoft Word called webdings to make the message, and then printed it, glued both pieces to construction paper, and laminated.  The code said "Come inside to be fingerprinted."

We put this on our front porch.

Then we decided the mystery was going to be that lunch tickets were stolen.  The guests had to find their lunch tickets using a clue after they were fingerprinted.  We called it "The Case of the Missing Lunch Tickets."

We made cards for all the guests to be fingerprinted.  We put their name and used their birth date for their ID number.  The ID number matched the number on the lunch ticket.  Here is a picture of the fingerprint cards and lunch tickets. 

 

We had scavenger hunt type clues for everyone to find their tickets.  We had four different hiding places....the washing machine, phone, freezer, and under a chair.  We also had an easier clue for a little cousin to find her lunch ticket hidden on Caleb's pillow.

Caleb also wanted a laser beam for the detectives to go through so he made this between trees in the backyard with red yarn. 

For the decorations I printed a finger print that I attached to construction paper.  Also I made question marks with black poster board.  Caleb drew me a magnifying glass which I traced onto black poster board and laminated.

We gathered a bunch of disguises too for everyone to take funny pictures. 

This is the sign we made for the front door. 

My Mom made the cake.  Caleb told her what he wanted several months ago and she came up with this.  He thought it was perfect.  (The blotted out parts were our last name). I loved the real magnifying glass that was looking towards the fingerprints.

(Know it is not the best photo but I took a picture of a printed picture so I could cover our name.)

One of the fun things that happened were some "mystery guests" that arrived.  It was so funny to go to the door and see some family  members dressed with disguises.  I did not know they were doing it, and it was so fun and a great idea for the party! 

We had a fun day and the party was a lot of fun!  I'm glad I got to plan it with  my boy. 

Have a day of blessings!

I want to remember

.... the way you adjusted so well to your new campus as you began 3rd grade. 

... when I hear you softly humming a song or loudly singing at random times.

....how it filled my heart with joy to see you love reading so much all year long!

.....how it blessed me so much to see you leading "I'll Fly Away" and "Amazing Grace" at Meemaw's memorial service. 

... when you would give me a big smile when you'd see me volunteering at your school. 

... how you will ask me if I went to the library and dump all the books all over the living room floor, looking at each one.

...how I was so proud to watch you order your entire sandwich at Subway all by yourself.  I knew you could do it but just seeing you do it gave me a special feeling that you are growing up!

... the shouts of excitement when we told you that you were going to be a big brother.  I am so thankful we had our secret with you for a few weeks.  You got to share in our joy.

.... that you said exactly what I knew you would say whenever we told you about the miscarriage.  I dreaded telling you so much because I knew how excited you were. 

...the way it made my heart smile when you called me from Midnight Madness to see if it was okay for you to get your face painted (because you had never done it before).

...how muddy and dirty you were when we spent a mostly rainy Memorial Day weekend at the river and you loved every minute.

....sharing sunflower seeds and sour straws while we watched field events at field day.

...the night at bedtime when you told me you need new socks and underwear desperately.

...watching you catch a shark and the excitement on your face.

... swimming and playing racquetball on Saturday afternoons.

...the day you told me I was the best mom because I let you get a medium drink for orange Hi-C!!

...in your prayer when you thanked God for letting us live here on His land and the reminder this is just temporary.

...when you accidentally cut your finger and you asked if we could just take you to the hospital so they could put some blood back in you.

... seeing that you won 2nd place in a drawing contest at the library.

..... watching "Let's Make a Deal" together on summer days.

... how encouraged I was when you told me one day a lesson about using knives and the reminder to never give up.

... the day you made slime using a recipe from a library book.

... laughing and screaming together as we rode a water park slide.

... how you make me laugh when we are doing our grocery shopping as you ride on the front of the cart, leaning against me and wiping off my kisses!

... the day you told me you were practically 10.  

... hearing you laugh with Daddy as you shot rubber bands at army men.


Happy 9th birthday to my sweet Caleb! I am thankful for you and the blessing it is to be your Mom.


Have a day of blessings!

Another birthday!

On March 1, 1988 I was in third grade.  My Mom was volunteering at the school.  The office buzzed our class for her to come to the office for a phone call.  Her sister was going to the hospital to have a baby.  I told my Mom to tell her to wait till I got there to have the baby!  Some time after 6 p.m. my cousin was born. 

It is hard to believe that was 25 years ago.  I have been reminiscing today as I now have a 3rd grader of my own and was volunteering at his school today. 

I'm thankful for my cousin!  I have so many wonderful memories of our time together.   Since our birthdays were only a day apart, we celebrated together.  When I got my license I would pick her up after school and we'd have a snack, sometimes with Peepaw, and some days I'd take her to her gymnastics practice.  If we went home, I'd pull into our driveway and get out to get the mail.  When I'd get back to my car she'd be in the driver's seat and would want to drive up to the house.  We had many sleepovers and went on many trips together through the years as well as camping trips at the State Park.  In the summers we would use our summer passes to go bowling and then to get a snowcone.  When I went to college, she would send me cards in the mail telling me she missed me.  When I got married, she was my maid of honor. 

Now she is finishing up an internship at a school and will graduate with her Master's Degree in May.  I'm so proud of her and know she will touch many children's lives.  I love you Chel!  I'm thankful you are part of my life.

Have a day of blessings!

My birthday

This year my birthday (yesterday) was very different than my birthday last year!  We all had been sick, and it was the one day of school Caleb missed last year!  As I remembered last year and that blog post, I also was reminded how now I have been keeping my list of "One thousand gifts" for 2 years now!  I am on my second book and up to 3150 gifts as of 2-26-13. 

This year on my birthday my boys came to wish  me a happy birthday when I was still in bed.  Caleb led me to the kitchen, making sure my eyes were closed.  There was a birthday balloon attached to my chair and a donut for breakfast. I thought I might try to take a nap after Caleb went to school, but I couldn't go back to sleep! 

I met my husband for lunch at Schlotzsky's.  We did a couple errands too and when I got in my truck I saw this in the floorboard.  Do you know what it is?

 He moved it for me, and I asked what it was so he gave me the tag.  I was so excited!  I hope I can grow this and not kill it.  Maybe I can!

We went to meet my Mom for supper at a yummy Mexican food restaurant.  I had chicken enchiladas that were delicious.  She made chocolate cake for me as well.  For my gift she gave me this frame. 

photo from www.preciousmoments.com

I had wanted a special frame to put the last picture I took with Meemaw before she passed away.  I had looked for one that said Meemaw but mostly they said Grandmother or Grandma.  I had mentioned this when I had the picture printed and forgotten about it.  It was sweet that she remembered and found this frame.  It is so fitting with the little angel because there was a song I sang to Meemaw when I was little about angels.  And Meemaw had given me Precious Moments gifts in the past. 

It was such a wonderful day, and I feel so blessed.  I enjoyed reading all the birthday messages I got via Facebook as well as the blog and email and texts and calls and many cards in the mail. 

The birthday fun continued today!  I had an invitation to have lunch with the 2nd grade teachers at the school where I volunteer.  I had a chicken salad sandwich and they got me a cake also.  It was very sweet and I was touched by their kindness. 

Have a day of blessings!

End of February Thankful Thursday!

Here we are at the last day of February already.  Can you believe it? 

I had such a wonderful birthday yesterday and feel very blessed.  I think I will do a separate post about it. 

We are joining over at Grace Alone today for Thankful Thursday.  Today I am thankful for....

~ my husband taking part of the day off to spend with me on my birthday!  He surprised me several times through the day. 

~ my boy and his many sweet hugs he has been giving me lately.

~ getting to see my Mom on my birthday and have supper together and cake.  And the sweet gift she gave me (I'll share in my separate birthday post!).

~ two people who were born on this day, February 28, different years.  Those two married and were my husband's grandparents.  I unfortunately never knew his grandmother, she passed away in 1991 before I met my husband. I am thankful that these two met and married and because of that I have the family I have today!

~ going to a kids clothing consignment sale and finding some good deals for my boy and nieces. 

Have a day of blessings!

Police birthday party!

Every year my boy has a plan for the theme for his birthday party.  He usually knows the theme months (or sometimes even a year) in advance. 

This year he chose to have a police birthday party.  I looked for ideas, decorations, etc. online and thought I'd share what we did.

We had two parties.  The first was with some friends from church.  We met at Schlotzsky's in an extra room they have.  The boys ate and played with the pretend jail we'd made, had cupcakes, and played another game to get the "robber" in the jail.

Here is our pretend jail.  I've included two pictures so you can see both sides.  It was a group effort!  My husband found the box at work in the trash pile.  It worked out perfectly.  He cut the bars and they wrapped them with foil.  The other part he covered with duct tape.  I made the poster on the front.  Caleb wanted two guards and one dog.  My husband drew the dog and the Barney Fife guard and my Mom drew the blue guard.  Caleb was pleased with how it turned out.  It made for fun photos at his party as he put family members in the jail and someone could put their face in the holes to be the guards.

 

 

Here is the game we made.  I'd seen an idea on Pinterest using a similar idea (they did theirs outside with a whole village and didn't use straws).  Caleb and I made a box to look like a jail.  We cut a small hole in the front for a door.  I put it on the floor in a corner.  The boys got on their hands and knees with a straw (new straw for each boy by the way) and had to blow the "robber" (a small plastic ball) into the jail.  They all had fun with this and it was more difficult that you'd think! 

For this party we made cupcakes.  Caleb and I made them and decorated them together.  I made cupcake toppers with a badge and an "8" in them and the other side had "Caleb."  I decided to put them in the shape of an "8" too. 

For the goodie bags, we had a little notepad, pencil, plastic police badge, and crocheted handcuffs for the boys.  My Mom made these from another Pinterest idea I found.  They turned out so cute I thought! She made most of them gray but did a camo pair for Caleb too.

We had a family party at our house.  For decorations my husband and I hung blue and black balloons in a line down our front hallway (another Pinterest idea).  It was super easy to do this and did not take too long either once the balloons were blown up. 

(not sure what happened with this picture, it messed up in the upload)

I also printed these (that I found on Pinterest) and lined them down the two sides of our cabinets along with badges from the Dollar Tree.  My husband drew the police car.  Didn't he do a great job on both the car and the police dog? 

Here is the birthday cake. (I blacked out his name which was above the pocket.)   My Mom made it too.  It turned out great!  Caleb was excited to keep the plastic walkie talkie, handcuffs, and baton too.

It was a very fun birthday, and I'm appreciative of the help from my husband and Mom to have things like Caleb wanted.

Have a day of blessings!

My year of gifts....

Last year I read the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  If you haven't read it, you should!  I want to reread it sometime.  On my birthday 2011 I started recording daily gifts in a journal at night before bed.  I have recorded 1982 gifts as of 2-26-12. 

I have gone through and reread this journal of gifts.  It was such a blessing to remember all of these special gifts God has given me through the year.  It brings tears to my eyes as I type that.  I'm so glad God has given me this blessing of recording these gifts and remembering them.  It brought a smile to my face to remember the funny things that were said, the special words of my husband or son, the encouragement of friends, spending time with special people, the growth we've seen in our son. Only God would have known just how much I needed to be reminded of all these gifts from the past year on this night before my birthday after a weekend in which my whole family has been sick. (Thankfully we are on the mend, but it was very stressful overwhelming feeling as we were all  feeling so poorly.) 

I am so blessed on this day and every day.   There are so many things I found repeated through this book; many of your names (my blog friends and family members) are written time and again throughout this book.  Thank you for your friendship and the blessing you are to my life! 

I marked some of the gifts and wanted to share them with you today one year later from starting.  I was going to limit it to 33 as I am turning 33 years old today but I couldn't stop at sharing only 33! 

Here they are as they are numbered in my journal...

4.  watching Caleb ride his bike with no training wheels.
16.  the smell of my husband on his clothes as I put them in the washing machine.
51.  seeing my Dad.
105.  Mom and her school being safe today.
106.  peanuts on the floor that remind me of our "booknook" time earlier today.
114.  the kids at school knowing I am "Caleb's Mom."
136.  nice words in a card from my mother in law.
163.  walking to the car holding hands with both of my boys.
196.  cute cards at Michael's and Target
204.  fun time laughing at ladies Bible study tonight and yummy cake.
230.  two squirrels playing in the backyard.
231.  my neighbor giving me the angel food cake pan
232.  and my aunt buying one to mail me.
272.  my new friend at the post office.
282.  being consistent about cleaning our bath tubs.
320.  lunch with Debra.
348.  talking to Chel on Facebook this morning.
352.  my husband calling to check on me when he heard there was a storm headed this way.
361.  wearing new jeans a smaller size.
374.  praying with my husband.
403.  no one hurt by the snake at the baseball game.
418.  Caleb saying "MOMMY!" and jumping in my bed this morning.
442.  Caleb talking about his sister in heaven.
485.  Caleb saying an angel pulled his tooth.
500.  reading in the bath.
507.  talking with my husband about the past year.
513.  learning to trust God.
519.  visiting Cristela.
521.  lunch with Casey.
590.  Sis buying our lunch.
612.  pajama day!
635.  Caleb's servant spirit to fix a snack.
672.  finding a great bargain on shoes for Caleb and getting myself a pair too.
714.  my dream coming true of going to see Colorado with my husband.
747.  sound of a rushing river.
769.  my husband providing for our family.
784.  blog comments.
802.  smiling at my husband over our son's head as he sang "Count Your Many Blessings" in church.
810.  August memories...even though some make my heart hurt.
855.  sweet smile of my cute husband.
871.  new book in the mail.
894.  knowing Jesus loves me.
923.  Caleb's teacher telling me he was a great kid when I picked him up.
928.  Peepaw memories.
969.  listening to an encouraging Grace Cafe
984.  yummy El Chico. (it made me laugh how many times I mentioned El Chico in my list of gifts!)
994.  playing "monkey in the middle."
1025.  my niece Avery Mae.
1103.  opportunity to teach 4 year olds.
1149.  Mom cleaning bathrooms for us.
1177.  starting our family book of 1000 gifts together.
1213.  my husband getting an award.
1282.  snuggles and "good morning my precious little sunshine."
1351.  getting $42 credit on electric bill.
1365.  Heidi's baby boy's arrival.
1399.  seeing Mrs. Pat awake!
1433.  Cody letting me shoot his .22.
1447.  church friends.
1478.  peppermint shake.
1522.  sleep.
1550.  fun mail surprises.
1563.  cute way Caleb says the word "insurance."
1599.  remembering Mammaw's life.
1633.  colors of sunset.
1659.  my husband making me laugh.
1731.  A. saying her memory verse in class.
1743.  reading in car line.
1778.  chicken fried steak turning out like Mom's.
1844.  being reminded of lack of value in accumulating things.
1855.  sweet email from Debbie.
1866.  savoring moment of my boy sleeping peacefully in my arms without coughing.
1902.  safe while driving.
1920.  band aids for cut fingers.
1941.  my husband cleaning the bathrooms.
1950  eating hot fudge sundaes.
1967.  Ms. Eleanore.
1971.  God's strength to help me through a busy day.
1975.  my husband taking care of us.

Have a day of blessings!

Happy birthday to my 7 year old!

Today is Caleb's 7th birthday!  He has our day planned out for us as we have our traditional family day together.  He wants donuts for breakfast and then for us to go to the park, Lowe's, the library, and bowling.  He wants Olive Garden for lunch.  I'm glad Daddy could take off again this year as we have our day together!  And here is a little letter for my boy about his year as a 6 year old....
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Caleb, 
We have had so many changes in our family during the past year as you've been six.  I have been so thankful with how well you have done with the transitions and moves.  It didn't happen the way we would have planned in our own thinking, but God has been with us and had it all planned out for us.  Now we are here and it's been wonderful to get settled into our new home and city with you and watch as you adjust to the new surroundings. 

I am so thankful to be your Mom and for the special boy you are to us.  You always make us laugh with some of your words and phrases you throw into conversations....like the other night as we were getting supper on the table, you said I think I'll have this orange for my appetizer. 

It has been very exciting to see how well you read.  You just read everything and that is so fun for your "teacher" Mommy!  I hope you will love to read and be excited about reading.  It's also funny when you read a random sign and ask what it means. 

Lately you are constantly talking.  You always have an idea or plan or question.  I love that about you!  You are such an inquisitive boy and it seems like you really think and ponder things.  You will ask a question about something and then 10 minutes or 2 days later say something else about the subject that you've obviously been pondering. 

I love to see how close you are to your Daddy and the love you two share.  You really look up to him and I've noticed this so much  more the past year.  You two like to watch Andy Griffith or Dick Van Dyke together after your bath in the evenings.  I love hearing you laugh together.

I can't believe you will be a 2nd grader!  More about that in another post.  We still have one week of summer together. ;)

You are a blessing and we are so thankful for you and the joy you bring our family! 
Love, Mommy
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Have a day of blessings!