Pinteresting!

So, I joined Pinterest a few months ago. At first I didn't really see the point of it. With life being busy, I didn't revisit it for a few weeks. Once I finally did take another look at it, I started pinning and then I realized the real need for it. Recipes, blogs, crafts, decor....and the list goes on. I love how it gets my creative juices flowing. I have done so many projects inspired by Pinterest. This Christmas I decided to make our gifts for our parents once I saw this blog pinned on Pinterest: http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2011/08/photo-tile-coasters-using-resin.html

The blog tutorial intimidated me at first. I was reading how to make the coasters, but once I saw a blow torch was involved, I closed my computer. A couple of days later I decided to continue reading the tutorial despite the blow torch scare. Turns out it was just her husband that wanted to show off his torch...and a plain ole' drinking straw was sufficient for the job. So, here's what I made:


I made 4 sets of 6 coasters. The grandparents got coasters of the boys (I included my Mom's dogs for hers). For Jason's aunt/godmother, we printed old pictures of Covington for her coasters. They turned out really cute.


I love the glass-like look of them.


The best part...it cost only $3.63/set!! Amazing! We'll be making some for ourselves real soon!

Jude Dude

Our sweet littlest boy is a 3 month old now! Really? Already? It's really flying by this time. We are filled with joy because of this little man. Jack adores his baby brother. He says all of the time that he wishes he could stay home from school so he doesn't have to miss Jude. And he always finds Jude to say goodbye before heading out the door for the bus. And when he returns home, he finds Jude to greet him...in a high pitched voice saying "you're the cutest baby in the world...". It's so sweet. James feels proud to now be a big brother. You can see it in his eyes when we mention his big brother status. He adores Jude too. I thought he would express a bit of jealousy over Jude...but so far that really hasn't happened. He's proud of his little brother. As for Jason and I, we're pretty sure Jude is our last. And after having two others, we truly know how fast this goes. So we're really trying to soak up this baby as much as possible. And boy, he makes it easy. He's such a sweet baby. He smiles when he looks at our faces, he sleeps well at night, and "talks" to us with his cute little baby voice. Head over heels in love, is what we are! Obsessed?!? Yah, obsessed! We have the pictures to prove it! Proud mama is all that is! Chuckle.











What a blessing!!!

Kid Quotes 2011

In 2010, one of my new year resolutions was to write down all of the meaningful or funny quotes from the boys. I was really good at writing every single worthy quote down. I slacked off in 2011 though. I only jotted a quote here and there on Facebook. So, I went back on FB and collected some of the quotes and tried to be better the last few weeks at getting back in the habit of recording these sweet words. Here's what I have for 2011:

January 2011

-James, "who messed that sticker up?" Me, "I don't know." James, "I did. But that's okay. I made a mistake. Everybody makes mistakes."

May 2011

-James said to my mom before she slept in his bed during her visit, "try not to teetee in my bed tonight, okay?"

June 2011

-James calls Gatorade "Alligatorade"...says "freaking in" instead of freaking out and "bring it off" instead of bring it on.

October 2011

-James said, when he met Jude for the first time in the hospital, "awww...he's so fuzzy (petting Jude's head)...just like a kitty!"

-When James came to see Jude in the hospital for the second time after birth, he said, "Jude's still OUT [of my belly]!!!"

-(Jason) After the first day home with Jude (a Saturday), we woke up a little past 8 to Jack and James opening our door beaming and bursting with excitement to tell us all the things they did by themselves (eat, dressed, etc. ).
Later I told jack how impressed and appreciative we were and how I wish we could do something to express our gratitude (I was thinking something like breakfast somewhere fun). Jack said: "Oh, you don't have to do anything - just saying you appreciated it is enough." I almost wanted to cry!

-James, "Dad, what's this?" Jason, "It's dog shampoo." James, "can we wash Potter?" Jason, "Not right now, it's kind of a pain in the butt." James, "then let's skip her butt."

November 2011

-Me to James, "you know I think you're so cute!?!" James, "yah, I wish there were lots of me all over the world so I can share how cute I am."

-Upon entering the movie theater, James ran to the ticket lady and whispered to her, "We don't have to buy candy here because we already bought some and it's in my mom's purse."

-Me: James, you know Christmas is coming up.
Jack: Yes, it's going to be a mad house... We already have tons of toys

December 2011

-Jack to his friend Laina, "I think James and I will probably hang out a lot when we're teenagers. 'Hang out' is like 'playing together' but the teenage version."

-Jack, "girls that buy lipstick are pretty vain. The vainest girls are on tv." (I had no idea he knew what the word 'vain' meant)

-Jack said about James, "I'll tell you the ingredients of James...he's 20% love and 90% drama."

-Me, "you can only wear those shoes on certain days." James, "is today a certain day?"

First of Many Laughs

It warms my heart to hear Jude becoming so vocal. And what's even better are his first laughs which I know are the first of many to come in this family! I had to catch this on video to show Jason what I was talking about. Jude did this a couple of days ago and I unsuccessfully tried to get him to laugh again for Jason later that day. I got big smiles, but not the laugh. So, I had to catch him on camera this time! Excuse the camera movement.

Beaux The Elf

Our elf, Beaux, returned shortly after Thanksgiving. I love this tradition. This is our second year and we're having even more fun this year, than last year.

Here's a little bit if what our elf has been up to:




He traded out our stockings for underwear! Even Jude's diaper was hung with care!


Beaux got into my bag of fake snow and made a snow angel.


He made his own fishing pole out of a candy cane and fished for red goldfish in green toilet water!


Beaux surely made some silly faces on two silly boys!


A T-36 ride put a smile on Beaux's face.


He got the munchies one night.


He worked hard to find all the letter blocks to spell Christmas!


Beaux doesn't know our family rule of 'Wii only on the Wiikend!!'

Hey Jude

My dad got to meet Jude for the first time! He came for one day the weekend after Thanksgiving. We all wished he could have stayed longer, but hopefully a longer visit soon.





James with his arm around Grandpa. He cried when Grandpa left. :(



We went fishing, and then out for some Nancy's Italian Ice.

The only grandparent left for Jude to meet is my Mom. It may be a while before that will happen though, because airfare from San Antonio to Montgomery is quite expensive. It's so sad that we don't live nearby. This sweet baby is one of three of my biggest accomplishments, and I can't share that with the people I love most.

The hardest part of the military thing is being far away from family. It only makes my own little family stronger though. I cherish them with all my heart!

Jason's parents came for Thanksgiving. It was so nice to share our home with them. We enjoyed the company! A classmate of Jason's from Botswana also joined us. He was interesting to talk to and we enjoyed his musical talents on our piano!

Happy Birthday Nan!

Today would have been my great-grandmother's 110th birthday! I'm so lucky to have met her and her to have been in most of my childhood life. Not too many people get that firsthand sight into prior generations. She passed away when I was 15 years old...the same year I met Jason (maybe she had something to do with crossing our paths)!

She used to keep me when I was little while my mom and dad worked during the day. She had a special spot in her heart for me, as I did her. I remember decorating her little bitty 3-4 ft Christmas tree with her a couple of years. I always think about her on Dec. 1st especially. I wish she could be around to see her great-great-grandchildren! I know she'd be proud.

Happy Birthday Fern Alice!!!



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