Flashback Friday

I think this has been my favorite costume that Seth has ever worn for Halloween. This was taken Halloween 2006

Bad Bad Blogger

Yeah that's me! Sorry...it's been crazy around here. Nathan and I went to Florida for a week; my laptop was sick (but now it's fixed thanks to one of Nathan's genious coworkers!); Pumpkin Light Night kept me busy; and I've been working everyday! SO...this weekend, it's my mission to get my blog updated with pictures! Stay tuned...

Busy Week, Fun Fall Break, Depressing Saturday

I will post pictures soon of our fun, family,fall break. We went camping on Thursday night/Friday at Shady Lake, then we attended my high school homecoming football game. Got to see lots of old friends I haven't seen in ages! I subbed alot last week so sorry I haven't been posting much on the ol' blog. And on a final note, I'm SO depressed right now. Trying not to let a silly game get me down too much, but it's hard. Biggest rival game that I look forward to all year. Texas 45 Oklahoma 35. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Flashback Friday

Jonathan was 10 months old in this picture. He's so cute! I scanned this picture and it doesn't do justice on his eyes. They were the most beautiful, deep, sparkly blue when he was little. Jonathan was such a good baby...always happy, smiling, and so laid back. His personality is pretty much the same now as it was then.

The Return of the Green Apple Now and Later

I've been thinking about candy alot lately, well actually I think about candy all the time! I'm a candy fanatic! I know where Seth gets it! Jonathan doesn't really love candy, he likes it ok, but not the love like we do. Anyway...one of my favorite kind of candy was Now and Laters. I especially loved the green apple ones. I have a not so fond memory of Now and Laters though. When I was in the 9th grade, our basketball teams traveled to Genoa (over an hour away) to play. Before getting on the bus, I went to EZ Mart and got a TON of green apple Now and Laters! Like 10 packages at least! I ate them all the way to Genoa and by the time we got to the gym, I was literally seeing GREEN! I was SO SICK! I remember hardly being able to move, let alone dressing out for the game. I just sat in the locker room praying I wouldn't throw up, but really thinking I probably should! Well it hit me and it hit me hard. I started puking and had to stay that entire game in the locker room! Needless to say, my coach wasn't exactly thrilled about the whole thing.

Now you ask why I'm telling you all this right? Jonathan came home a couple weeks ago, after AWANA saying, "Mom, I got some candy, but I don't want it." as he's handing it to me. Guess what kind of candy it was? Just looking at those green apple Now and Laters almost made me run to the bathroom and have a replay of that night in the 9th grade in Genoa! But in a minute, I couldn't resist. I ate a few of them and thought, "Now I remember why I love these so much!" Now I didn't overdo it like I did in the 9th grade, I understand moderation a little better.

Do you have a certain candy or food that reminds you of an event or circumstance in your life? Do you have a certain food that you used to love and now won't touch with a ten foot pole or have just started to love again after years like I did?

Look who's #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, My Friend!

You still read my blog don't you Beth?! I miss you! Hope you had a great birthday!

Flashback Friday

Now this picture isn't really that old...only about 2 years old actually. It's of me and my grandfather, Papaw Walker. I've mentioned him on my blog a few times. He's so special to me. He's my only grandparent left out of the four.

We've always been close, we lived right down the street from him when I was growing up. I have fond memories playing at his house...doing anything I wanted! He would let me play "beauty shop" and I would style his hair! I remember him always having Eskimo pies and Dr. Pepper in the glass bottles! Oh how much better soda tastes in those old glass bottles! I remember going home with him after church on Sunday and Wednesday nights, but first taking all the old widowed ladies home to DeQueen. I loved riding in his big Oldsmobile...that car was so comfy. I'd sprawl out in the back and fall asleep (back before we had any sense and used seatbelts), listening to whatever ball game was being broadcasted on AM radio. I remember him letting me drive that car before I could really see over the steering wheel (remember, I'm from redneckville).

He was my biggest Christian influence. He has been a minister for over 50 years! His birthday is next week so that's the main reason I wanted to post this picture for Flashback Friday. Since my high school homecoming is week after next, I'm going home for it. I'll get to see him and eat some of his super yummy, famous BBQ.

Come join me everyone...

By popular demand, I, along with some other blog friends (and any that want to join), am starting "Flashback Friday". Everyone post a picture from some time in the past and tell us about it. It will be fun!

Flashback Monday

Well, really it should be Flashback Friday, but since I can't seem to get my recent pics uploaded from my camera, I'm going to post this picture...one I absolutely love of Seth. This was taken in spring of 2005. He was just over 2 and we lived in OKC. Good times. Simple times that I miss.

I tell ya, all this working business is overrated! I've subbed on all my days off lately. I thought I was going to be off today, but they called me in a little late this morning since one of the 2nd grade teacher's kiddos became ill. Maybe I can get a day off to get some stuff on this blog again. Until then...

I think I'll start doing a Flashback Friday because I love going back and looking at old pictures.

Target Dollar Spot...my love

I LOVE the dollar spot at Target. I get all excited when they get new items in that section. I was there today and picked up these fall scrapbooking goodies. Now they had tons more (and even some non-fall, girly things)...ribbon, tons of new papers, acrylic stamps, stickers, etc., but this is what I got today. Can't wait to play with it all!

Box Top Box

Jonathan's teacher asked me last week if I would be responsible for their box top collection (box tops for education that come on certain products,). I said sure and made this box for the kids in his class to put their box tops. Once a month, she'll send the box home and I'll add them up. Each class has a competition and then is rewarded if they collect the most.

It was fun making this box...I just got a regular, brown, paper mache box from Hobby Lobby. I added patterned paper with mod podge to cover the entire box and then used ric rack around the base of the lid. Then I used various alphabet stickers for the top.

Jonathan's New Believers Recognition

When I upload several pictures at a time, they always end up backwards! Sorry!



Jonathan had his New Believer's Class Recognition today at church. He recieved a framed certificate, a trophy for finishing all his work, and a neat cube that helps him tell others about Jesus. Most of the kids were baptized at today's service, but Jonathan has already been baptized. We wanted him to participate in this four week class since it really told the kids about what being a Christian is all about...more on their level. I loved the format and material Mrs. Faye (our children's minister) created for this class. I helped in the class so I got a first hand look at how it all went.

Ending prayer

All these kids were recognized. They do this at least twice a year. My sweet, smart boy! Jonathan with Brother Chad, our Pastor. This was SO neat! They showed a video presentation at the beginning. Mrs. Faye recorded all the kids answering certain questions and giving their testimonies (of course I got teary eyed!). Jonathan was the first one shown. He also had to answer the question, "What is a testimony". If I can figure it out, I'm going to put his entire recording (they gave us the DVD) on my blog to share.
What a proud day for this momma! :)

Recent Layouts

These two layouts I did at the Eastwood crop. Thanks to Kelly for the title on the first one. It's perfect!

Wow! Has it really been a week?

Has it really been a week since I've posted?

It's been a crazy week...anticipating Gustav, kids being out of school, company, AWANA starting, etc. Anyway...we faired just fine with Gustav. It wasn't nearly as bad as expected. Thank the Lord it weakened and most of all we got was a steady rain for a couple of days, some wind, and a few trees and limbs down. I know some in Southern Louisiana are still without power. I'm praying they get it all back on soon.

I'm subbing tomorrow for the first time at SWP. Wish me luck! I'll also start back at the church next Tuesday.

Seth's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Sorry...these pictures are backwards!

Seth with his teacher, Mrs. Penton during Open House

Well, I'd like to say that Seth's first day went on without a hitch, and actually the going to was great (excitement of riding the bus and all), but when he got home, he said he'd had a horrible day. Crying, he told me that he had just rather stay home with mom and that he was a nervous wreck (his exact words) to go back. I think I did a pretty good job consoling him and making Kindergarten seem so enticing...telling him his 2nd day would be awesome and that each day to come would be even better. We prayed and I bribed him with McDonald's for the next day. I'm not a huge fan of bribing, but I have to say it worked...he had a great second day! He came home excited and saying how much he liked school. I had a chance to chat with his teacher, Mrs. Penton the next day. I was at the school signing up to sub and she just happened to be on her conference hour so I went to her room. Mrs. Penton said Seth was such a sweet child ! She said he was so good the first day and didn't act nervous at all so she seemed surprised. Today was a great day too! Of course I will admit...this whole school thing/sending my last baby off to Kindergarten is SURE hard on a momma.

Last Hoo-Rah

On Friday, I wanted to do something special with Seth since it was his last 'real' day home before starting school tomorrow. We decided to go to Jumpin' Jupiter. We don't go over that way much so when Seth saw Toys R Us, he begged me to stop in there. I made a deal with him to go after Jumpin' Jupiter (you know, made it easy to leave!). Then we met Nathan at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Nicky's (Seth's choice, he calls it Micky's). We had a very fun day and now we are ready for the big day tomorrow! After lots of mixed feelings, I'm actually ok with tomorrow. Seth has really come around too...he's excited. I know the testing day last week really helped. Plus he can't wait to ride the bus! Here's some pictures from our last hoo-rah!

I have to brag...right before we left, Seth stopped right in the middle of playing and starting praying, "Thank you God for telling my mommy to bring me here. Amen." Isn't that sweet?!

Another Layout or Two

I knew I wanted to do a special layout about Jonathan's love for reading after seeing Kelly's blog and her post about her daughter's love for reading. I also wanted to do a layout about "The Polar Express" book Jonathan got from my mom for Christmas last year. He insisted this was his favorite gift he received. SO...I combined them both and here's what I came up with. I LOVE this KI 'lace' paper. I got some inspiration from Destiny with how she used it on a recent layout she did for her daughter's first day of school. See...I get so much inspiration from your blogs!

Just a general layout about how we celebrated Christmas last year. I love the photo of Jonathan playing his guitar with my Papaw Walker. We always play and sing Christmas carols at our Christmas Eve get-together at my uncle's home. This side of my family is SO musically talented (aunts, uncles, and cousins)...each one sings and plays at least one instrument. My mom is amazing on the piano (and no, she didn't teach me, well she tried, but I was SO stubborn!). I do know how to play the flute though...thank you Mr. Reid (my band instructor at school).

Layout

I'm doing Christmas 2007...slowly getting 'caught up'. I couldn't wait to do this layout because the timing was perfect! Jonathan was a total snaggletooth, missing both two front teeth at Christmas time this year.

How do you all take such good photos of your layouts to post (Kelly, Destiny)? I use to scan them and stitch, but what a pain and even then, they always were crooked.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 c sugar
1/2 brown sugar
1/2 c softened butter or margarine
1/2 c creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 t vanilla
1 1/4 c flour
1 t baking soda
pinch of salt
large bag of Reese's mini peanut butter cups

Combine:1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup softened butter and beat until light and fluffy. Add:1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, large egg, and teaspoon vanilla. Blend for several minutes. Add dry ingredients:1 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, pinch of salt. Chill dough at least two hours.

Bake: Preheat oven to 350. Bring dough out at the same time you start the oven preheating. Use this time to unwrap the PB cups. In a 24 ct non-stick (very important) mini muffin tin, place enough dough in each cup to fill 2/3 full. Bake for seven to nine minutes, or until it is starting to get browner on the edges (do not overbake because it will make the cookies too hard). Remove cookies from the oven. The cookies will have puffed a bit. Immediately, place a peanut butter cup in the middle of each cookie pressing firmly. Cookie edges should be even with or above the candy. Let set in pan for a few minutes. Remove and cool on racks for some time until the chocolate has set.

Makes 4 dozen.

A Few of My Favorite Things...

I guess I need things to do since I'm not working this month and Seth informed me he really just wants to 'hang out at home', build with legos, and watch the Garfield movie. SO...I went around and took photos of some of my favorite decorative things in my home. Again, sorry for all the photos...I had a hard time narrowing it down, but then I always do.

I love this cross. I love the little Fleur De Lis on it. Guess I'm becoming more and more Louisianan.

I've heard this saying before and I really like it. Someone gave this to me a while back.
I like this Creation painting on my mantel. I've had it for years (think I got it at Kirkland's, one of my favorite stores)...I just wish the frame wasn't goldish.
I love big stars! Wish I had tons of them like the Nester
I love this picture frame that's on my dresser. I could tell you that these are my distant relatives from long ago, but that would be a lie! Yes, I really should put an actual photo in this frame.
My most favorite cookbook right now! I've tried several recipes from this cookbook and all of them have been yummy. I am a huge fan of Southern Living and Southern Living at Home. I'm thinking of having a catalog show soon if anyone wants one for themselves.

Yes, my beloved Sooner platter. I actually have a couple of them that I have recieved as gifts, but I bought this one. In Louisiana actually!
I love this dome and stand that I got from Southern Living at Home. Actually my mom got me the stand years ago and I just got the dome to go on top. I do not like this big candle in it, but can't really think of anything else. My mom puts neat little treats in her's, but I don't bake and when I do, whatever I bake doesn't stick around long enough to be displayed in something like this!
My Willow Tree Angel collection. Each one I have has been given to me as a gift...this one the most meaningful for obvious reasons...a dear friend gave this to me right after I had Seth.
My new curtains. I was shopping for curtains at Bed, Bath, and Beyond with my neighbor/friend and she said, "These would look great in your dining room!" I thought they were very busy and would clash with everything else, but I have to say she was right. They look great! I love the little rings that hold them.
Now...what are some of YOUR favorite decorative things in your home. Post them on your blog. I'm anxious to see!

Jonathan's 1st Day of 2nd Grade

Well, my big boy is in 2nd grade as of yesterday. He was so ready to go back to school. Forgive me for all the pictures, I just can't help it you know. :)

Jonathan and Seth before we left. Now Seth has not officially started Kindergarten (I'm hanging on to that as long as I possibly can!), but he had all day testing. I was fine with that, even though I have to say it sure got lonely being at home all day without him.

Jonathan with his teacher, Mrs. Cockrell. We were SO pleased that Jonathan got Mrs. Cockrell. She's such a great teacher and a wonderful Christian woman. We went to church together (she was one of Jonathan's AWANA leaders) and she's also our neighbor!

Isn't this a neat little note?

What a lovely photo huh? It's so hard to get everyone to cooporate.

Since I took the boys in the morning, they weren't able to ride the bus. But they did ride home so here they off getting off. We love their bus driver, Mrs. Walker.

Throwing one in of Seth, but just wait, he'll have his own day on Monday.

These are Jonathan's most favorite cookies in the whole world. I surprised him with them when he got home (well and after a quick trip to Sonic!).

How was your first day back to school for those that went???