My 33rd Birthday: The Decor

Since my birthday is February 8th and it is so close to Valentine's Day, I chose Black, White, Lavender, Pink, Red color scheme. The anchor was black & white damask table runners, layered on top of white table cloths. Then lavender and pink roses. You will see more of the color brought in on my food post. I LOVE these mercury glass candle holders. Three of them cost $15 a piece at World Market, two of them I paid $6 each at Target and they match perfectly!

 

I found wine corks at The Pottery Barn. It was a bag of 50 for $24. I stacked and hot glued them, and added a curled piece of wire to the tops to create placeholders. Since we didn't have formal seating for a dinner at this party, I used the placeholders to create little signs all over the place for the party. 

 Not only did I thank my guests...but I also put little notes up around telling people where the food came from at the party, or what was in drinks that were served.

 I also put business cards out for the bakery that made a bunch of the goodies. Where the food comes from is always a topic at parties...so I thought I would make it easier for everyone. Plus...I really like to give people kudos where it is deserved. I didn't get paid...in fact I paid for the food. Nothing was donated. I really wish there was more of giving kudos "just because" in this world.

 

I found this box of conversation starters at a local shop. I don't think they were touched...but they will be great to set on the table when we have company over for dinner. I set up little tables throughout the house for drinks/food to rest on. All of the chairs were pulled away from the tables and kitchen island to create conversation areas. 

 After the party was over, I used the flowers that were on my cake to create a new centerpiece for my dining table. I wouldn't dare let all of those beautiful roses go to waste!

Lavender roses were my wedding flower. My favorite. Love.

Sneak Peek at my party

 Sneak...

 Peek...

to my 33rd birthday party.

Unlocked

A while back I read the book "Unlocked" by Karen Kingsbury. It is about an Autistic boy who hadn't talked or barely communicated verbally for years and years. It took the bravery and dedication of one girl, a friend to "Unlock" his ability to communicate.

Yesterday I had an "Unlocked" break through at church. I sing. I have always been able to sing, I have always LOVED to sing. Music is one of the biggest things that speaks to me. However, when singing in front of others, I have always held back. I rarely ever, probably never just belted it out in a way where there was no holding back. Primarily due to fear of messing up. If I sing loud...but not TOO loud and not TOO spectacular...it would be easier to hide any imperfections in my notes or if I mess up a word or phrase. Yesterday, was a day unlike any other. We did 3 songs which were all pretty new to our praise band. All by Jesus Culture. Freedom Reigns (Where the Spirit of the Lord is), Worthy is the Lamb, You Won't Relent. We did great with all of them, but You Won't Relent was the show stopper. First time through it went "ok". But then I stepped out of God's way and He showed up in a big way. I sang like I have never sang (In front of other people) before! It was like something was unlocked. It was amazing. "I" wasn't amazing. It was God working through me and the entire Praise band that was amazing.

On my drive home I started thinking...I have always seen myself being able to sing and perform like I did on Sunday. But I had never actually achieved it. Sunday I achieved it. Now I KNOW that I can do it, and if feels liberating. Do you know what it is like to know that you have a gift, but for 32 years to have never fully used it? Its kind of like having the cure to cancer 2 feet away from you, you can see it, but it is locked behind a 10 inch piece of bullet proof glass.

Then I started thinking about my weightloss rollercoaster. If you have been with me for awhile you will remember, if not...here is the history. Just 4 weeks ago I was back up to 242 pounds. Just 2 years ago when I first went public with my weight I was 243.2. I lost weight, got down to 218, got pregnant, got up to 255 during my pregnancy, lost weight back down to 225 within a couple weeks of giving birth. Then slowly crept back up maxing out at 242. In the last couple of weeks I have slowly been getting motivated and changing little habits. I have already lost 6 pounds and am down to 236. I have been toying with the idea of signing up for Medifast for months. My friend Debby has been on it this last year and has lost 60 pounds. She looks amazing! I know how to diet, I know what I have to eat, I know how to excercise. Most overweight people do know how to do all of this because we have tried it ALL! I am only committing to 30 days of this plan, there were no contracts. I just need something to kick start me and help me get my habits turned around. The more simple things are, the easier it will be to stick with it.

Back to my thinking on Sunday. I started thinking about how I have always invisioned and dreamed about being skinny. I could see it happening, but always holding back on my full potential. I would lose a bunch of weight and then soon after sabotauge myself somehow. I would like to think THIS is MY SEASON. My season of unlocking my full potential in all areas of my life.

It's my turn! I am sick of sitting back watching other people enjoy what life has to offer!

Harrison 8 Month Update

Harrison will be 8 months old on January 11th. Can't really fathom it. What I need to record is this:

Teeth

At 6 months old, early November, he broke his first 2 teeth! The bottom front. It wasn't too horrible of an ordeal. I think he is in the beginning stages of getting his top 2 teeth right now. Lets hope that gets accomplished before I go to Blissdom.

Sleep

Since the time change early November he has stopped sleeping through the night. He now gets up once or twice even to nurse. He still sleeps in the rock 'n cradle right next to our bed. Actually...I have tried to move him to the crib...but that isn't working out very hot. I didn't read the fine print on the rock 'n cradle when I got it...it says you shouldn't make this your childs main place to sleep. I now see why. He loves to be cuddled, cradled. The cradle does that. The crib, not so much. Any ideas for me would be helpful!

Mobility

Around this same 6 month time period he started rolling, and eventually army crawling any where his little body could take him. On Thanksgiving day he started full throttle crawling! That would be 6 months and 2 weeks old. He can get himself to the sitting up position..but he still keeps one arm holding him propped up. He can't seem to get the courage to let go of that one arm keeping him stable.

Words

Right before Christmas he started saying "Da-Da". Figures right? Yo...baby...who has nursed you, changed you, etc for the last 8 month! That was my original thought...but then my second more sensible thought was this: If hearing his son say Daddy..helps him have the motivation to work hard for his family...so that I get to stay home and raise them...then so be it. On this past Sunday, 1-1-12, he said "Bubba" at church. Bubba is what Xavier & River have been teaching him. Later that day he finally said "Ma Ma". 

Food

Harrison still exclusively breastfeeds. We have tried rice cereals and baby foods. He doesn't like any of them. I have mentioned this on Facebook before...and I get a trillion people thinking it is because he can't. I know he can...because he has a couple of times. What he does though...is he starts gagging BEFORE the spoon ever even gets to his mouth! The "don't make me eat that disgusting stuff or I will make myself puke" kind of gagging. He also does not take any form of bottle. Doesn't matter what kind of bottle, or what is in the bottle...he absolutely refuses. I also have people tell me "If he is hungry enough he will take it". Really? How long shall I starve him? I have tried letting him be somewhat hungry....but it doesn't matter. I have just decided to roll with it. It really isn't a big issue...except that James & I are limited to 3 hour dates. I don't plan to leave him overnight until he is at least a year old.

and really...how could I be mad at this? 

Temperament

He is the absolute most dreamy, happy, smiley baby I have ever met. Everyone who meets him says the same. He is an absolute joy to be around. And as the picture states above...it will be ok! We are just rolling with it. Basking in the joy of being with him so much during these itty bitty days. Because I know those days are short, and soon he will be running after our 3 year old! 

Size

Did I use the term itty bitty to describe Harrison?  Yeah...he is 20 pounds! His rolls have rolls! Not sure on his length. He was 36 inches tall at his 6 month appointment. I love his chubbiness. If only someone would say the same thing about me? :)

Nicknames

Mostly everyone calls him Harrison. Xavier and one of my nephews call him Harry. I am not opposed to calling him Harry. I just seemed to have stuck with Harrison. When his great grandpa met him for the first time (whom he is named after James Harrison Miller) he kept saying..."Harrison, that is a good name, just don't let them call you Harry". Great Grandpa Jim is 93 years old. He is highly opinionated. He is a super cute old man. He was absolutely tickled that we named him after him. Sometimes I even forget that Harrison's first name is James. Sometimes I call him Baby James. A lot of people tell me that he looks a lot like me. Then people say he looks just like River & James. He is a perfect blend.

Toddler Learning is Fun!

 

This is a creation I made over the summer for the little boys' room. (which is pretty much River's room until we can trust him to sleep in the same room alone with his baby brother) I had to hurry up and post this now because...I...myself...came up with this creation. The was design BP...that stands for Before Pinterest. It is true that I am now a Pinterest addict. However THIS creation...I came up with ON MY OWN. Just yesterday I was on Crackerist Pinterest and I saw a creation similar but not the same. What I am learning about Pinterest is this: If you can dream it or think of it...it is more than likely someone has already done it. You can have a thought like..I wonder if I can create something with toilet paper rolls...and then you type that in and whalah! 50,000 other people had the same thought and did it! I love to inspire others with my creations. I love to see other inspirations and make them my own by changing them up a bit. But lets just get real here. When it is something you did come up with on your own...you want the credit for it! :) I am so humble right? 

Ok...back to the post. I bought 2 packs of alphabet flash cards at Wal-Mart. I got out my huge roll of jute rope and my paper puncher. The cards are 2 sided. So with 2 packs I was able display the upper case, lower case, and 2 pictures corresponding with that letter.

 

Then later...we were working on colors with River, and I had a thought. Same concept, this time I just used colored card stock paper, wrote the name of the color on the bottom of each paper and put them on the string. I didn't take a lot of time with this project. If I ever do it over again...I would take the time and put the papers through the printer and print the name of the color on each page. I hate my handwriting. My Father has always told me I write like a boy. :)

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And the best part of this photo shoot:

 

Oh, that big gash by his eye?? Yeah...he tripped while carrying a pen and jammed it into his face. It came 1/4 inch away from literally poking his eye out. It was pretty deep and gross. It required a doctors visit and liquid stitches. He will definitely have a permanent battle wound. 

The end! Someday I will show you the rest of the room. There are 2 beds (which are bunkbeds torn apart) a rocking chair, a changing table, a bookshelf, 3 hanging vintage metal airplanes, several other vintage style metal vehicles, blue walls, Bed Bath & Beyond quilt....and 4000 stuffed animals.