Little of this and a little of that....

I've had a few projects going this last week. The first one is a October decoration. I say that because I don't really care for Halloween. Don't get me wrong I like to decorate with the cute stuff. You know pumpkins, scare crows and the like. But not the gory, nasty make you scream kinda things.

I started out with a 12x12 piece of wood. Painted 2 coats of terra cotta, and then 1 coat of black. I sanded down the surface to give it that worn look that I just adore.

This is what it looked like after I applied the stencil.

And voila!!! My finished board. I applied a little sparkle to some of just to give it a little shimmer. Still need to make a trip to Hobby Lobby to find a easel for it. : )

Found 2 new quilting/fabric stores that have awesome fabric. Just not somewhere I would take Ainsley. Not because it's in a bad area, but it is so jammed packed with bolts of fabric that I wouldn't be able to get the stroller in there.

Realized after I finished this outfit that the last two I have made for her have been orange and brown. Think it's time for a different color, whatcha think? ; ) Maybe time for some zebra! Haha!!!

Finally, it has arrived!!!!

Fall, that is!! My absolute favorite season of the year!! The amazing colors, the crisp cool breeze blowing, the festivals, the yummy food, and I could go on and on, and on...

Here's a few of my favorites:

Honey Crisp Apples

Tasty and evil at the same time! ; )

We had our first cool front come in this weekend. It has been in the 50's the last two mornings! And in south Texas honey, that is reason enough to stand up and dance!! : )

Happy Fall, Y'all!!!!

Another good day

Wednesday was "Read for a Better Life" at school. The kids wore their pj's, brought a blanket and a book. They had guest readers all day. No math, spelling or science that day!

Ainsley and I suprised Tanner by coming up and reading "I'll love you Forever". It was his choice by the way! ; )

Tanner's teacher took this picture of Ainsley. She is holding a stuffed rat! Her name is Rodney. Yes, it is a she.

A few pictures of her walking....very fast! So close to running.

After school wrestling is always on tap at our house!!

It was nice and cool outside, for Texas in September that is. So we ate dinner and played some football.....

.......and badmitton.

Perfect day

It had already started raining before we got up this morning. Normally I'd grumble about having to get out in the rain to take Tanner to school. Not today. Why, I'm not quite sure. I had such a peace about me today, and that was such a gift. Ainsley was great today. Took 2 naps. Was such a hoot and in a really good mood. I got a lot done. Laundry.....done. All of it. Vacuumed, put fall decorations up, mopped, cleaned out Ainsley's closet. Nothing like the feeling of crossing things off your "to-do" list. : )

She was fascinated by the rain rolling down the window.....kept trying to touch it.

My absolute favorite picture today. You can just see the wonder in her eyes.

Wish I knew what was going through her little mind.

Tomorrow is gonna be a busy one! It is "Read for a Better Life" at school for Tanner tomorrow. Meaning, they are going to have guest readers all day. No regular school work....just stories. I'll be up at the school again...has become my home away from home. More on that soon.

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad".

Psalm 118:24

Ainsley's Birthday Party

I realize that once again, I am so stinkin' far behind that I wonder if I'll ever catch up. Huh, I am starting to see a trend here. Maybe I'll work on that character flaw. Maybe a New Year's resolution.....again? Ha!

Okay, onto the our sweet girl's birthday!

I made this balloon wreath for the front door, and I absolutely adore it. Let me know if you want the tutorial. Ainsley loves to feel of it.....oh, how that girl's smile can brighten a room!


Here is her birthday top I made. Totally forgot to get a picture of the shorts. Probably because I finished the morning of her party!!! Yep, I said it. I am usually not a procrastinator, really! ; )



Here we are night before birthday party making 48 sunflower cupcakes. I went with the sunflower theme and fall colors for her birthday. Turned out great. I used Oreo's as the center part for the flower and piped yellow petals.

Table partially decorated before we went to bed.

Decided it was time to call it a night and started cleaning up the kitchen. Now, you know I absolutely can not go to bed with a dirty kitchen. Tried it, makes me really crabby the next morning. Just tellin' ya like it is! : )

Oh, Michael's gonna kill me when he sees this one. Apparently we need to work on the modesty! ; ) Thought it was hilarious how comfortable she was.

Told ya.

Such a good daddy!! How many men would get in the floor and open gifts?

Not sure if she enjoyed the clothes or the tissue paper more.

Blowing out her 1 candle. Geez.....what's with the hunchback?

Kept waiting for her to dig in and a make a huge mess. Didn't happen. Maybe she's not a chocolate lover? Ugh.....can't stand the "L" word. How about chocoholic? Much better!! : )

Sweet girl, you have brought SO much joy to our lives! I can't imagine our days without your bright smile, and oh, that giggle. You truly are a miracle sent down from up above. Ainsley Paige, we love you more than you'll ever know!!

"I thank my God every time I remember you".

Philipians 1:3

A big helping of honesty.....

No pictures today. Not from the projects I'm working on. No firsts from Ainsley. No, nothing upbeat from me today. It's been another one of those days, no let's make that weeks. I'd like to say we're still getting in the groove of school starting back up and Tanner still getting over what seems to have been mono. But who knows...

I know that Satan is prowling around me and is ready to pounce at any second. I know this because I have been here before. That evil Satan will try and turn good into bad, if you let him. And because I am stubborn and don't like to give up....I will push forward.


"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms". Ephesians 6:12

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes".
Ephesians 6:11