July 4th Crafts...

Zoey came to me today and said “let’s decorate”. July 4th is just around the corner so we decided to find some fun red, white, and blue crafts to whip up. Best of all, they are all…FREE!!! Tweedle Dee Designs has the cutest printable party pack. We made this banner today.

I also plan on using her cupcake toppers too.

I think this craft from eighteen25 is something fun for the kids to do. These buttons will make any outfit patriotic.

I’m making these fireworks treat bags for my nieces and nephews.

You can also find the download for it over at eighteen25. Last but not least, these patriotic ice cream cone wrappers from Martha Stewart make your July 4th treats look extra special.

Break out your craft boxes and have some fun!

A Heavy Heart…

I’m up late tonight because my heart is very heavy. Some things in life are just hard to understand. My two children lay sleeping in their bed peacefully. All I can think is how grateful I am to have healthy children to love. My day to day life is not overwhelmed by thoughts of losing my child to a horrible illness. I feel selfish for feeling so lucky; as our family friends found out today that their four year old daughter’s body is again filled with cancer. They have been fighting for over a year and are now preparing for a death that is just unimaginable to me. I want them to know that we love them and are praying for them. Praying for peace, understanding, and hope.

I hope that this post will spread their story and more prayers will be made for Katelyn and her family. Miracles can happen! Follow the Connor's at http://ourturkey.blogspot.com/.

Justin and Faith...

I love taking pictures. However, I am NOT a professional photographer and I have never claimed to be. I occasionally have a friend or family member who asks me to take pictures for some type of event. In all honesty, my first response is to cringe…I always get so nervous when I’m doing something for someone else. I feel this enormous amount of pressure to be perfect…which is never possible. The one thing that always evokes the most amount of stress for me is the word….WEDDING!!! It might have a little to do with the amount of stress I underwent during my own wedding. Yes, it is suppose to be the most wonderful time of your life. However, add it in with finals…a college graduation…moving…finding a new job and last but not least…trying to stay a size 8 so you can fit into the stupid sample size wedding dress you bought to save a few bucks… you tend to get a little bit cranky. If fact, I think I might have suffered a little post traumatic stress from that wonderful time in my life. Yes, I can still walk by the wedding aisle at Hobby Lobby and my heart rate increases and I break out in a cold sweat. In all honesty, I run the other direction. Well, now that I have spilled the beans about my wedding phobia…I‘m moving back to the topic at hand. My friend, Erin, called me recently and asked me to take some engagement pictures of her baby sister and her soon to be brother-in-law. You know my initial response, but I soon gave into Erin…I just have a hard time turning a friend down and I’m so glad I didn't. I met Erin’s baby sister, Faith, and boy is she a sweetie.

She came with a suitcase full of cute clothes, jewelry, and fun hair pieces. We loaded up and headed out in the heat, ants, and humidity, but we had a good time. This couple is so cute.

You can feel the love between them.

I wish Justin and Faith the best of luck!

By the way, I hope I didn't scare you two with all my wedding phobia talk…I’m still with my wonderful husband and going into my tenth year of marriage. Stress must be a good sign for marital bliss (LOL)!

Post Q&A...

Zoey finished her first year of preschool! I’m so proud of her. She has grown not only physically but socially. She has gained three and a half pounds and grown one inch. Best of all, she met new friends, learned to write her full name, and can recognize EVERY letter of the alphabet. You can see my question and answer session from the beginning of the school year under my post Q&A. I took photos of Zoey at the start of the school year. We went back to the same place to take a few post-preschool photos.

I can only see small changes in her appearance.

However, I know as she grows older and her looks begin to change more drastically; I’ll be grateful I took the time to document this time in her life.

Name: Zoey Blakley
Height: 42 inches
Weight: 46.5 lbs

Mom: School is out. Are you excited about summer vacation?
Zoey: Yes, but I will miss my friends at school.

Mom: What do you want to do this summer?
Zoey: Go to the beach!

Mom: What was your favorite thing about school this past year?
Zoey: Learning my letters…the "applebet". I learned "lots of good stuff". I can write my "whole name".

Mom: What was your favorite letter of the alphabet?
Zoey: Z, because I like my name.

Mom: Who were your friends at school this year?
Zoey: Everyone was my friend.

Mom: Is there anything you did not like about school?
Zoey: The color purple…"it does not smell good".

Mom: Who was your favorite visitor that came to your school?
Zoey: The fireman.

Mom: Why the fireman?
Zoey: Because I got to see his water hose and try on the fireman’s boots.

Mom: What did you like most about Mrs. Connie?
Zoey: She taught us lots of songs.

Mom: What was your favorite song?
Zoey: The "vet song…when my pets are feeling sick my vet can make them better…"

Mom: Did you have a boyfriend this year?
Zoey: No…"boys have germs". (Music to a Mama’s ears)

Thanks Mrs. Connie for all your hard work and a GREAT school year!

A Dog Named Squirrel...

Joey and I dated all through high school. However, when I went off to college we lived in separate towns. Therefore, I would often visit him where he was employed on a working cattle ranch. During one of those visits, I met a friend of his who's dog just had a litter of puppies. I’m a sucker for anything newborn and tiny…I’m weak! At that time, I could talk Joey into anything. So, we came home with a runt puppy that would fit in the palm of my hand. She was covered in fleas. So, the first stop was a bath. While soaking wet and covered in soap we decided our new addition looked just like a Squirrel and we have been calling her that ever since. I graduated college, Joey and I got married, and we have had two babies…Squirrel was along for the entire journey.

I have always claimed Squirrel as MY DOG! My husband has several work dogs but Squirrel has always been our only pet. However, when my daughter Zoey was born things changed. Squirrel became very protective of our baby girl. Ever since Zoey’s been walking she has been dragging Squirrel around by the collar. She quickly claimed Squirrel as her own. Today was our last day with our family pet. She will be missed dearly but I’m thankful for the time we had with her and the memories we will cherish.