Yesterday seemed like an ordinary afternoon.  The kids were down for naps, and I was attempting to be productive.  All in all, it was indeed a productive day, and I was able to cross several tasks off of my to-do list.  Three o’clock rolled around and it was time to get Kaylor from school.  The two little ones were still soundly sleeping, so I went upstairs to wake them.  Upon entering Ashlyn’s room, I found her not only not sleeping, but this;

While she was supposed to be napping, she had snuck into Kaylor’s room, and found her craft box.  It contained foam stick-ons, stamps, and my least favorite item… INK!  Turquoise ink to be exact.  Boy, did Ashlyn have fun stamping away.  Thank goodness, the majority of it was on herself, and not anywhere else.  There was a tiny bit on the (brand new) carpet, but thankfully I was able to get it all out.  She kept telling me, “Mommy, daddy is gunna be so proud of you for cleaning the carpet!”… Um, yeah, doubt it! lol    Every time I asked her why she would do such a thing she would say, “Sissy just had it for FOUR days”…. I have no idea what the significance of four days was to her stamping everywhere… oye..  This child is our true test of patience!

As she now repeats to me sometimes, because she hears it quite often, “You’re luck you’re cute!”….

Our Easter this year didn’t start off how it normally does.. Both Rowen & Ashlyn woke up Sunday morning w/ fevers.  Ashlyn also had a cough, however I think Rowen’s fever was due to teething.  He had two molars the couple of weeks prior.  Thankfully we were still able to watch an Easter service on t.v, and we all still got dressed to make the most of the special day.

We had a nice breakfast together, and then the kiddos looked at their baskets.. No candy in them this year (ah hem’ partly for their mother’s own sake i.e. lack of willpower).  So they each got new loofahs, a book, and the girls both had crayons & paper in theirs.

Kaylor read to us about Jesus’ resurrection; 

And our annual in front of the front door Easter picture.. sick kiddos & all.. lol;

And Mamaw w/ the kids;

We then dyed eggs later in the day;

Even w/ a change of plans, we still had a great Easter.. Hope you & your family did as well!

We had an awesome time w/ our dear friends and kiddos this year… Thought the weather would be a bit cool, but it turned out to be an amazing day full of sunshine.  I love that our friends want to invest into teaching our children why we celebrate specific holidays, just as much as we want to for our own kids.  Seeing our children understand and talk about Christ is priceless!

We started by filling our tummies w/ yummy food..  Not sure if any others were Pinterest inspired, but my breakfast skewers were  Thankfully the culprit <ah hem> that got into the donut holes the night before our brunch left enough to make the skewers… (and that culprit just may or may not have been myself… doh!)  I loved Courtney’s chick cake too..  Just as cute as her bunny from last year.

The kids then made Resurrection rolls, and listened to John 19 while they baked.  Of course when they came out of the oven, the tombs were empty!  Jesus had risen..

Then it was time for the egg hunt.. Ready, set, go!

These two… They’re in love, for sure;

Isn’t my little bunny the cutest?..  (and see that nice purple bruise on my lip?  Yep.. sweet kisses from this cute, little bunny turned into him biting my lip last week!  Eeek! lol)

So different from this same time last year (3rd picture down)..

And Kaylor reading the “Jelly Bean Prayer”… each color of a jelly bean represents part of the story of Jesus’ Resurrection;

I love looking at how homes have their mantels decorated.  I’m always inspired to have it coordinate w/ the seasons.  My inspiration is at the bottom of the post..   My dear friend Kim, is great at updating her mantel, and I love her creative ideas.  Up until recently I hadn’t found a combination that I really liked, until my latest one.  I love the crisp of white, paired w/ the little touches.

The white mirror was purchased at Hobby Lobby during a week when their mirrors were 50% off.. Score!  I want to say it was around $22.95..

The white pitcher & greenery was purchased at HomeGoods.  I added the twine from some that I had in my “craft stash”…   The letter “B” was from Hobby Lobby, painted it white, sanded a little for a slight distressed touch, and then wrapped a combination of raffia & twine.

This plate was also from Hobby Lobby (around $2), and is a lightweight material, originally gold, but spray painted white.  I drew out a 5 (for our family of 5) w/ pencil, then painted w/ black craft paint.  The little easel was also gold, and painted white w/ spray paint.  Picture frame also from HomeGoods, w/ a picture of my three, sweet monkeys..

Finally put to use three of the baby food jars I’d had saved… A quick coat of white spray paint, and then roughed up a little w/ sand paper.. More twine wrapped around to keep them together.  The cream flowers & greenery were clipped from a stemmed bunch also in my craft supplies.. 
The adorable lantern, and whimsical vase were also from HomeGoods..  This just may be the start to a new addiction.  I’ve only been to the store once (about an hour & a 1/2 away), but I loved it!

This is what started the goal for white accessories;
Image from The Lettered Cottage

Thanks for checking out my latest mantel decor!  :)

such as these.  Rowen learning to walk, and seeing Kaylor’s excitement that he was taking some of his very first steps to her. A proud sister, indeed.  She such a great, caring, and thoughtful big sister.  Becoming quite the young lady too.

From February 2, 2012…

1.  16 more days til closing!…

2.  Full moon from back in January;

3.  Another from January… Ashlyn calls this her “silly hat”, received as a gift from my Aunt Vicki.. She loves it!

4.  We love coconut oil… Think you can only use it for one or two things?  Fear not!  Check out these uses too!

5.  Confession… Ashlyn has been really good about watching & helping pack her things, however <ah hem, this is where the confession comes in> a couple of items, I knew she wouldn’t be happy about seeing go out.  I just may or may not have seen her coming around the corner and quickly had to BOLT out to put the item in the garage

6.  Speaking of packing, I’ve become notorious for packing something literally the same day someone needs it.. Whoops!

7.  Far from winter here… Regardless, a shot from some playing in the snow (also in January)  
8.  After playing in the snow… Messy?  Yes… Makes me happy?  Yes, too!

9.  Also from January.. Rowen at 12 months old..   
10.  A sweet brother & sister moment… 

1.  Easter is just right around the corner… Do you do any special crafts or tasks w/ your children?  I’d like to read some special scriptures, and maybe even try this one w/ our kids..

2.  I was looking around a favorite website, The Container Store, and came across this..   Shh, don’t tell my husband they make these… He’d have one in the fridge, one in the cabinet.. hehe.. Okay, so maybe I’ve snuck into his treat stash a time or two.. BUT, when you’re married, it’s a team effort, righhhhhht?… 3.  Also from the same website… Definitely gonna need a couple of these, since my desk will most likely be facing away from a wall at our new house, and sitting somewhat in the open.  4.  Check out this cute wreath… Any guess on what the orange flowers are made of?  ShamWow rags!  ha!
5.  Friends that live in the neighborhood we’re moving to just told us that every summer there are bright, orange flowers that grow all along the fence in our yard… I’m stoked!

6.  22 days left on our closing day countdown..  Kaylor told me last night that she’s very excited, and when she gets excited about something she wishes it would just be here already.. Me too, kiddo, me too!

7.  Erik is excited too… He keeps showing me online plans for an outdoor fireplace, built-in grill, patio area… I just smile & nod

8.  Oh, I just remembered that I haven’t shared my winter mantle on the blog yet!  I love it, so it’s continuing on through spring.. I’m tempted to even put the same back up after we move..

9.  I often times wake up not sure of what day of the week it is.. Obviously depending on which day, varies for our schedule.. It usually takes me a moment or two to figure it out.  Am I the only one that does this?..

10.  Has anyone read “Grace Based Parenting”… Think I’ll buy a copy from the Kindle edition.

• 1 lb ground beef (I use lean ground pork from a local farm)
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 (20 ounce) can enchilada sauce
• 8 flour tortillas (I use whole wheat)

1.  30 days until we close!  Gah!

2.  This was from Valentine’s Day… For years, we’ve gotten a heart-shaped pizza for dinner.

3.  Also from V-day… Kaylor was showing me all of her Valentines from her friends.  I remember as a grade-schooler, looking through them, and always showing my mom my favorites.

4.  Who says you can’t enjoy the staples of “kid approved” lunches when you’re eating healthy?  We don’t, that’s who!  Not in this house, no sir-ee…  We love having mac & cheese w/ hotdogs mixed in.  Thanks to companies like this one, we can still enjoy them safely, and they taste good too!

5.  Are you having amazing weather where you are located?  We most definitely are!  My in-laws were down for a visit over the weekend, and the little ones enjoyed bubbles, and playing in the rocks.  Biggest sister was w/ her Girl Scouts for a field trip all day.

6.  Little man LOVES digging in the rocks.. 
7.  It’s too cute, how he lies on his belly to get a closer look.. 
8.  Grandma Banana & the little ones; 

9.  Kaylor was so excited about singing for a recent chorus program..  She definitely gets the love of performing from her father’s genes! lol

10.  This is quite the hair do…  Done by herself, because she IS a big girl now that she’s 3…

hehe….  She DOES exist!  (remember the M&M commercials w/ the m&ms and Santa.. lol)  I can’t recall how much this mini-session w/ Kaylor cost me, as I’m sure I had to use a bribe of some sort, but I’ll take it!  I wish her beautiful face would be more willing to get in front of the camera for me.. At any rate, I’ll take what I can get

(taken on Valentine’s Day 2012)