Valentines for class

Camden had his Valentine's party the other day at school. He has been singing his RED song so much that some times he won't sleep that he's so busy singing! It's cute.

The party at school was all red themed, eating things like strawberries, apples, and even pepperonis.

I made Valentines this year that were not candy related, they were little bottles of bubbles for his classmates.

Then for his teachers I bought boxes of brownies and some spatulas and tied them up with twine and a cute little card that said "shooting for brownie points".

It wasn't too much work to make, and they turned out pretty cute. I bought these bubbles on clearance at the end of summer last year, that's how long I have been planning to do these valentines for his classmates!! Glad I was finally able to put it to use. Now, I suppose it's time to start planning for next year!

Year End Wrap Up

2012 brought about lots of happenings in our household.

In January I wrote out a list of goals to accomplish in the new year. I wanted to be more present in my daily activities as I felt like Camden was growing up way too fast. I feel that this was accomplished rather well, as evidenced by my lack of blogging it goes to show that I am stepping away from the computer and enjoying my free seconds. As a working mom, that is something that has to be done. I spent as much time away as I do with him, so it's important that I soak it up. I also had a goal of maintaining a healthy workout routine. I'd go as far to say that is still a work in progress. I'll continue to work at that. My other goal was to read the bible in a year, and as of 12-26 I did just that! Woot! This was the month where I also struggled with learning how to discipline Camden and what would be the right steps for us as a family. I also videoed Camden running to me when I pick him up at daycare. I'm happy to report that he still runs when he sees me and yells "mamma mamma" the whole way over. I love it, and will be so sad when it stops!!

February brought about buidling a playhouse for the backyard, first swim lessons and first Bounce U party. This was also the month that we helped launch a new campus at church, and it was one of the most rewarding and best things we have done. We got more invovled in church, volunteering on the Host Team and meeting people weekly. It has really been a blessing.

March brought about the beginning of molar teething, Camden graduated diaper dolphins and we continued on in the next round of swim for another eight weeks to bring us right up to swim season. We were plagued with fevers and while teething and getting kicked out of school because of it, but still staying strong!

April we took a mini vacation to Great Wolf Lodge and had a blast. On Easter, Camden actually understood that he had to pick up the eggs. Until he found out that there were things INSIDE the eggs. I did my first Pinot's Palette painting party with friends and for my birthday my brother let me shoot his guns. I can now say I have shot a gun!

May brought about more teething and biitng for Camden, and he graduated rooms at daycare. We spent some time with the cousin's helping them build a fence and had a great time there. We dedicated Camden at church, and gave him the life verse of Zephaniah 3:17. It was such a special time, and I love that we get to take him to such a great place to learn and grow in Jesus.

June brought about fun stuff. We transitioned Camden to a toddler bed after continual climbing out of bed in the wee hours of the morning. We rode bikes and ate sno cones and played in the sprinklers. I took maternity pictures for my bestie Jennie and I think they turned out simply amazing, it was work I was truly proud of, one of my first real sessions! My bestie Tiffany and I threw a baby shower for Jennie at my house.

July brought about At the Movies series at Church. It is simply amazing, and we love going to visit nearby campuses and helping set up ours. It's always a fantastic series, so much to look forward to! We watched fireworks that Camden seemed to enjoy before requesting to watch Mickey Mouse. We swam lots. Pearl got really sick and we were all really worried about her, took her to the vet and after an arm and a leg later - she was on the up and up. We swam some more.

August came so quickly, and with it came Camden's second birthday. We planned a joint birthday party with his cousin and rented a big water slide. For me, the big thing that sticks out about August was finding out about my "spot" Sheldon. I had no idea what kind of spot he was, or what he was doing in my brain. It was a stressful time, not knowing what was going on. Thankful that I signed up for volunteer MRIs to learn more about it and maybe catch something early. I was called and told about this the day before Camden's birthday. It was stressful and scary when I was trying to focus on the happy time that was Camden's birthday.

September was here so fast. We visit the zoo, went to friends birthday parties and snuggled together, all of us. Camden moved again to another new room at daycare. Camden got sick with the vomits, and it was pathetic. The actual date of Camden's birthday party fell on Sept 1, as it was the first free weekend. It was so much fun, the kids LOVED the water slide, and we stayed late and played as a family after everyone left. It was great! It also served as a great distractor while I waited to hear back about my spot, "Sheldon".

October was another fun month. We visited the pumpkin patch and Camden got to go on his first pony ride. I'll never forget how excited he was to ride the ponies - he even remembered the name of his pony, Cherokee, months later after riding. Camden and I had a solo trip to the zoo, where he loved getting to run around and play. I took my sister in law's maternity photos, Camden started saying "I you Momma" (I love you momma) repeatedly, Husband and I went to Homecoming walkarounds at our Alma Mater and I threw a baby shower for my sister in law. Halloween flew by us, we trick or treated with the cousins and Camden just LOVES spending time with them. He was the same thing he was last year (a lion), because he could still fit and the kid wasn't about to wear anything on his head anyway.

November brought about our 6th anniversary, and on this date it was when I took a pregnancy test confirming what I had already suspected by Halloween. I worked that day, but left the evidence and a note out for Husband. Camden started becoming a little chatty cathy this month, talking all the time. We had an amazing Thanksgiving, announcing to our family that Camden was getting a promotion - to big brother! It was an exciting holiday and we were thrilled to share our news. I also had my first doctors appointment with my new doctor, and got to see the the little baby C.

December crept up on us quickly. We had holiday gatherings, work parties and events going on like whoa. Baking and being thankful and seeing Christmas lights. I had my second appointment with my doctor. We started new Christmas traditions like Elf on a Shelf and visited the Christmas Train for the first time. Christmas was good to us and we were blessed beyond measure. By Christmas I was officially 3 months pregnant and things were looking good. Even today, on the last day of the year we are taking Camden to his first OSU basketball game. Excited for the memories, and you can't beat free tickets! Thanks Heather!

Looking back on this year, we have been incredibly blessed. We have had our ups and downs, our questioning moments and our trials. But God always prevails, he never gives up on us, and he is faithful. He has brought us so much good out of such trying and scary times, that I can't help but tear up when thinking of all I DO have. We were so blessed by this pregnancy and that its timing fits perfectly into what needs to be done with further brain scans. I feel completely at ease with everything and know it's all in His hands.


By the way - We haven't announced on fb about our news and don't plan to yet, so those that are friends IRL (in real life), heads up!

Looking on to the next year my goals are simple: I want to continue to be the best mom to Camden, wife to Husband I can be. I want to be able to deliver a healthy baby and carry it healthy as well, spoil Camden in his last months as only child, and continue to learn and grow as a wife, mother, child of God. I started another year long reading plan, and other than that? My goals aren't too super ambitious. Just to take care of things. To take pictures. To love on my kid(s).

Happy New Year, friends!

Festivities on the Fourth

I know this is a little late, but better late than never! 

We had an exciting 4th. We started by spending the Sunday before the 4th at a firework show by a local church right by our house. 

We got there early, probably a little too early, to get our parking spot so we could watch the show. We ended up having to kill a good hour and a half or so before the show started. Luckily we came prepared! We played with our poppers, played on the iPad and we brought a cooler with milk when things got desperate. 

Camden was a trooper. We kept him up a full 2 hours past his bedtime by the time the fireworks started. I think they surprised him a bit. At first he got a little jumpy and begged to get in the car stating "all done" and pointing to the car. With extra encouragement and discussing the noise the fireworks make "Boom". By the end he was much more relaxed and would even point at the fireworks and say 'boom'. It was pretty cute.

I think Camden had a good time, and he learned that loud noises went "boom". So, a few days after, Husband was in the room and let out some gas. It was really loud. And what did Camden say?  BOOM!! It was pretty cute.

We spent the actual fourth swimming at the pool with the cousins and having a blast. We went to bed on time on the fourth, had we been a little earlier Camden may have just slept through the racket. But I didn't mind climbing in his toddler bed for a few cuddles to help him relax to go to sleep.

And that was our fourth in a nutshell!

Giggles

This video is from Easter. Little C had a full on giggling fit every time Husband and his brother would kick the ball. He's carrying around another family member's empty soda bottle but with the way Camden is giggling and walking around deliriously you'd think he just chugged the entire thing himself. But I promise he didn't! No judgies!




In other randomness...

Camden is huge. He's getting so big and so heavy and is learning so fast. But despite all that? He stopped last night and gave me the best cuddles. It had been a while too! He crawled onto my lap facing me, and laid his head down on his chest. It was so sweet! I like to know that my little ball of toddler fury still needs me!

Have a great weekend!

Easter.

Today is an amazing day. It is the day where our Lord and Savior, who died from our sins, rose again.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:2-6

Years ago, a Friday was the day where the world stood still. Hope was lost. Confusion abounded. But what we do know is that Sunday came. And on that Sunday there was a sunrise like never before. He is risen, INDEED!

He died to save us. The problem is, "until we see ourselves as sinners, we don't see a need for a savior" -Craig Groeschel

And I think that is one of the most important things we can take away. We are not good people. The only person who ever was good and pure? He died for us. He did something that no one ever would have chosen to do, but that something that he did was what EVERYONE needed.

Thank God for his amazing Son and our Savior on this day.

Happy Easter, friends.

If you are looking for a good message, or a hint into why bad things happen to good people? Check out Lifechurch.tv for Online Easter Services.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Back before Christmas Camden and I stopped by this lady's studio who makes art out of hand and footprints, usually putting them on ornamental plates or on canvas. I secretly went on my day off, and pitched an idea that I thought best fit with my needs. A toolbelt! The lady at Dimple Toes was super sweet, and despite having never done a tool belt before, she googled some ideas and promised me she'd make it work. I told her I had full faith in her, and she promised I'd have it by the beginning of February. Perfect for a Valentine's gift for the Hubs!

Well, after my mom slipped a hint, I couldn't wait any longer and Camden and I gave it to him early. Here is the finished product, a canvas painting of a toolbelt with a hand and footprint hidden within!

{So stinking awesome, right? It definitely exceeded my expectations.}

After some discussion with Husband, we decided for a change in hallway art. (I had it made thinking he would hang it up in his office, but he instead wanted to keep it at home. I was more than okay with that decision, because that meant I could enjoy it as well!) If you all know us, we don't change things around once we have it how we like it, so a revamped wall was a nice change in decoration. We took down our wedding guestbook that was a large framed picture, and switched it out for our Dimple Toes art and a blown up 8x10 of my most recent favorite picture, the one of little feet in the grass.

{A welcome change! Also: Pardon the crappy iPhone pics. I got a little lazy, but at least I can admit it.}

Happy Valentine's Day folks, also known as Happy Singles Awareness Day! We have no major plans, and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm not a fan of crowds or cold weather and would much rather stay in and play with the monkey of a toddler. Hope everyone has a great day!

High Five!

{Camden and his cute cousin K}

I hope your Thanksgiving was High Fives all around!!

Happy 4th!!

I am working today but we spent most of Sunday the 3rd celebrating the holiday. Here are a few pictures!

Swimming. Daddy is so funny! Plus, the baby rear end is too cute.

Water to the face. He did this multiple times. And kicked and splashed all over the place while in the pool.

Snackin' on some Goldfish

Dinner. He was obviously done in this picture.

Time for some fireworks shots. The ones that turned out the best are on here. We watched the fireworks at Rockets over Rhema. Rather, we watched them from a parking lot nearby. We had awesome seats, it was perfect.

Waiting for the show to start with Daddy. Pardon Husband's drunk look. He doesn't do well with a flash. EVER.

Watching the show. And Mommy. He enjoyed the fireworks but because we had kept him up so late he was done about halfway through. All he wanted was to go to bed. The paci prevented the fussing but we still left before the finale. Overall we enjoyed our first firework show as a family of three!

God Bless America!

First Visit to See Santa

Here we are, waiting in line to see Santa. There was so much going on, Camden was just amazed!


This was a little boy in front of us, who was not so fond of Santa. Poor thing! We were wondering how our little guy was going to take it and...


Here Dad is going in for the hand off...


Camden just checked Santa out, there was just so much to look at! The picture that they took at Bass Pro turned out fabulous, they had a little squeaky toy that got his attention and they snapped the shot. Amazing! Their picture turned out better than all the ones that I attempted to take with my camera. So, of course, we bought a few extra. Such a handsome little man telling Santa he wants a new pair of Uggs in size seven....er, wait.. some new toys. :)

Christmas 2010

*****EDIT*****
It was pointed out to me that I failed to mention that after leaving Grandma Allen's and then leaving the Allen's, before celebrating with my family and opening presents I first had some of the most delicious eggs benedict cooked by my amazing Dad. He only cooks these once in a blue moon, so it was a real treat. His eggs benedict are BY FAR my favorite, and it wouldn't have been Christmas without 'em! Yum!
*************

Christmas was amazing this year, and I didn't expect any less having a little one joining us this year.

We started on the 18th and had a family Christmas in OKC with my Granddaddy and that was just precious. We had a good time and got to see part of the family that we rarely get to catch up with anymore. It was fabulous!

Christmas Eve we had Christmas with Chris' Mom's side. We had a meal and then opened presents, Camden got some adorable clothes and I got a cute sweater jacket.

Then on actual Christmas day, Camden gave Mommy and Daddy the best gift of all, he slept all night! What made this even better was the fact that Mommy's alarm didn't go off at 530am like it was supposed to, so we slept all the way until we were supposed to be at Grandma Allen's house at 7 am! It was definitely a nice little surprise. (No worries, he hasn't done it since! It was a Christmas miracle I guess!!)

So we hurried out of the house late (for the record, it takes all three of us to get completely ready and the baby fed approx 50 mins) and arrived in time for some sausage biscuits and mush. Before we knew it, it was present opening time and it was complete madness with the amount of kids in that room this year! It was a blast. Camden got some ADORABLE clothes, can't wait to put him in them all! He has already broken in his OSU sleeper, gotta get fired up for the upcoming bowl game. After Christmas at Grandma Allen's (Great Grandma to Camden) we went to Christmas at Chris' parents (Grandma and Grandpa's) house. Camden got some AWESOME toys there, he got a Leapfrog dog named Scout, a ball that encourages crawling, some adorable clothes including a Jimmie Johnson onesie, a highchair, a Nemo of his own, and Mommy got her favorite gift - a mini camcorder so she can record exciting moments with baby. Wheee! Talk about spoiled!

After this we went to my parents house to hang out with my family and so Camden could FINALLY meet his Aunt and Uncle. He was so excited! :) There we surprised my sister by spending all of our Christmas money on spoiling her with a new laptop. I hope she was surprised but I think she might have had a sneaking suspicion. Oh well. It was fun to be able to bless her. Camden got the Little People Nativity Set which we are going to start a tradition of opening up and putting it in his room or out in the living room so he can play with it every year. It is SO cool, and we don't have a nativity set yet anyhow so I guess the Little People Set is a start!

Then we capped off our evening with dinner at my SIL and BIL's house. They cooked a ham and scalloped potatoes and salad and rolls and corn and it was fabulous! It was so sweet of them to have us over last minute for dinner. There we played with Haylie and her new toys, took tons of pictures and gave Camden his first taste of rice cereal. He actually did pretty well, it was pretty cute. Most of it ended up coming back out, but after repeatedly putting it back in he would eventually swallow. Don't worry, I have videos and pictures that I will try and post soon.

On our way home we drove through Rhema so Camden could look at the Christmas lights. They were beautiful! By the time we got home, all three of us were pretty exhausted. It had been a busy day of go, go, go! So we were definitely ready for showering and bed.

And what a memorable first Christmas Camden had! We are beyond blessed, and loved getting to spend time with family. We are looking forward to the many Christmases to come as a little family.

Attempts at Christmas Cards..

So, most of you follow me on facebook and have seen these photos and know what I am talking about when I say it is EXTREMELY hard to take productive Christmas card photos!




And here are some examples of Camden's adorable pouty face. I hate when he does that with his lip, breaks my heart! I tell him not to do that because if he keeps it up he may just always get what he wants!

Holiday Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is here! We don't really have any big plans, Chris has plans to wash his car and wax it, I have plans to see Sex and the City 2 with a friend, and we both plan to visit Chris' parents to go swimming. I work on Memorial Day, as I am saving PTO for after baby.

Pearl is SO excited to swim. She looks forward to summer all year long. Last week they pulled the cover off the pool and you could see the yearning look in her eyes, yet, she was NOT allowed to swim in the dirty green water!!

Anyhow, remember what Memorial Day is all about, I don't want anyone to forget the meaning for the long weekend!