Friday, August 31, 2012

Pink Confetti Glitter with Hearts!

It's official. I am now 27, realizing I am slowly but surely approaching the big "3-0" and don't mind a bit. :) Yesterday, August 30th, was my birthday.
 I just love the "picstitch" app. I guess this sums up just a little part of my birthday.
 Mama and B.A. visited us for a couple of days. We were so glad to see them. Wednesday night, we walked around the square, of course.
 I painted my nails yesterday. What can I say, I am a high maintenence girl who loves celebrating and enjoying little "happies." I layered one very pink glitter polish first then added a pale pink with confetti hearts over it. Plus base coat and top coat of course. I called it my bday nails. I think I want to show Lauren, my niece, how to do it!
I was off work yesterday, so Mama and I went shopping! What girl doesn't love shopping? We went to Lifeway, Old Navy, and a few local gift shops.
 We met one of my very best friends, Mandy, and her sweet girl, Eden, for lunch at my FAVORITE--The Crumpet Tea Room. Very dainty, very girly. I think so!
Mama finally got to meet Mandy.
 Me and Mama!
We had a lot of fun visiting!
 We went to Venesian Inn for dinner and also met my aunt, Molly there. We had a  good visit together.
 Russell surprised me with a cake from Rick's Bakery, too! It was ombre pink with little Razorbacks on the side holding pink roses. So pretty! And guess who is featured on the cake? Belle!! HA! She better know how much we love her. :)
 So good.

 These sparkler candles cracked me up! And no, I couldn't blow them out! It was quite hilarious!
Our little family!
I am so thankful for everything God has given me! Everyone made it so so special.
Pink, confetti, glitter, and hearts. I think that about sums yesterday up. Don't ya think? ;)
 
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Secret Keeper Girl

This past Thursday night, our church had a great event for girls ages 8-12 years old and their moms! It was Secret Keeper Girl Pajama Party Live!!
 Here's the stage before everyone arrived.
I helped with the merchandise section of the event.
 Me and Sarah before it started. We are both kids at heart!
 Beth and Lisa
 I had to get a picture with my co-worker, Stephanie! She is so fun to work with.
 SKG showcased their "totally tubular TV moms" from the past. It was quite funny to see my friends dress up as cute characters.
 It's Lucy from " I Love Lucy"!
 Alice from The Brady Bunch
 I had to get a picture of this sweet mother and daughter, Shelley and Kylee!

 Jane Jetson from the Jetsons!
All the girls loved dancing the "chicken dance" together. :)
 A special story for special girls
 What FUN!
 Jennifer and Katie!
I really enjoyed helping with the credit card table because I got to interact with lots of special people.
 Mary Catherine and her sweet mom!
 There was even a cool fashion show for the girls. Too cute!
 The girls modeled modest, cute and stylish outfits to fit any style!
 My heart melted after Jennifer and Katie came back to say hi to me. Katie is my new little friend. We loved each other's nail polish. We had to show it off. :)
 Reagan, Michaela, and their sweet mom, Kim! They loved those balloons and really wanted to take them home. So funny!
 Baylie and Angie, Kylee and Shelley after the event!
Me and sweet Shelley
 
It was awesome helping at this event.  I am not a mom (yet), but I know I will be someday. If we ever have a little girl, I would  LOVE taking her to something like this. It was so special and inspiring for girls of all ages!
 
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Crayons and Pencils

It's Back to School Season!
Kids are opening their new boxes of crayons, teachers are grading papers with fresh red pens and stickers, and there are bouquets of newly sharpened pencils everywhere. HA!
It has been a crazy busy August. One of the main reasons I have been slacking in the blog world is I recently got a new job! I am working at Noah's Ark Learning Center. I am thrilled about it too. I prayed so very much about it. Monday, I cleaned my room and got ready for open house for Tuesday. Wednesday was the first day for the babies and kids to come and we had other things going on this week, which I will share soon. Busy is an understatement. :) 

I enoyed typing up these welcome letters for my kids' parents. Our theme is "art and crayons" or the basic "back to school" theme for now.
I have never had such awesome co-workers until now!! I love it!!
 
I hope y'all are having a great weekend! Happy Back to School Time!
 
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9

Sunday, August 12, 2012

A Fun Weekend

Russell and I had a great weekend. It was busy, but good.
We live near a small town called Tontitown. Every year, they have a grape festival to celebrate their Italian heritage.
 I loved this old Catholic church.
 The festival was held near the church.
 As y'all know, Italians are known for their wonderful spaghetti. They like to serve it with fried chicken , roll, and salad with infamous Italian dressing.
Yes, I know....they gave me too much spaghetti! I definitely took a lot home! But it tasted fabulous!
 We also tried grape ice cream at the festival. It was good, but different.
This festival is the oldest festival ever held in Arkansas. It was their 114th one! It started out as a small family picnic and now, SO many people enjoy it.

Saturday morning, we went to Yarnell's "TrYathlon" on the square. I mentioned my excitement early this Spring, that Yarnell's is back in business. Since then, they have traveled around the state of Arkansas to promote their wonderful and yummy ice cream. It's so good!
 They gave everyone samples (more like servings) of any of these flavors. It was so neat.
 The reason why they called it the "TrYathlon" is because they had all kinds of contests. An ice cream eating contest, ice cream scoop contest, and an ice cream sandwich stacking contest was held. Scoop is the company mascot and the "M.C" for the event.
 I thought this little boy was so cute trying his hardest with the ice cream scoop.
 Wow!
 This picture explains so much, I think. Can you imagine, starting out with a very much frozen carton of ice cream. trying to balance it all on one cone, and your hands freezing? I don't think I'll take part in that event...ever. HA! I am not that coordinated. :)
 He was so funny!

 Russell and I both got t-shirts that were thrown to some of the crowd. That was pure luck! We hardly ever win anything. HA! Here's Russell with the old fashioned ice cream truck.
 We also ran into Amy, Tony, and family. Leighann loved the chickens.
 Me and Amsie

We also love going on road trips, but especially Russell.
We decided to visit Precious Moments park.
 Sweet fountain
 Pretty flowers
 Walking to another fountain, which is in front of the chapel.
 This is such a neat chapel. Every time we go, we learn something new about the art and stories about the artist, Sam Butcher.
 One of my favorite paintings is one Sam Butcher painted of Hannah, from the book of 1 Samuel.
 Such wonderful work! There are tons of stories for every person painted on the walls in the chapel. It truly brings a tear to your eye.
 We visited this chapel three years ago and I wrote in a memorial book in memory of Daddy. Many people wrote in the books because it is such a good way of healing for many people. Russell helped me find the one I wrote last time we came here.
 After lots of looking, we found it! And guess when it was dated! August 11, 2009! Three years ago to the day we were there. And we seriously did not plan it and didn't realize it was August 11th!! What a God thing! God is in the details!
 So yes, I wrote one more brief note.
We had such a wonderful time. If you live near there, I highly recommend visiting. It is a wonderful experience for everyone!!

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness, through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4