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!

Announcing: LifeChurch BA!!

Husband and I have been part of a core group of people starting up a new campus of our church here in town. LifeChurch currently has three campuses in town, and it was time to launch a fourth and we agreed to be a part of the core group to assist with the launch. We went to meetings to get fired up and worship together, and events at the church to assist with putting together furniture and set up and learn our roles for serving.

This past weekend was the launch date - and it was SO exciting! We had two services, a 10 and an 1130. Husband and I went to the ten which was so packed it ended up being standing room only. We served in between the 10 and 1130 and were amazed at how quickly that service filled up as well. All in all, our campus saw over 2100 attendees and 43 people committed their lives to Christ. Exciting, huh?

{the auditorium, before the stage is set up and the chairs brought in!}

{blueprints. We got our permits to occupy only a few days before scheduled launch!}

{the next few are some of the wall art that I am SUPER in love with...}

{part of the HUGE kids room that Camden gets to play in..they are almost double in size from what we are used to!}

{The LifeKIDS area, so nice!}

This building actually used to be an old Albertson's. God had plans for us to use it, as it sat vacant waiting on us for about five years and then our church got an amazing deal on it. It just shows God provides for his people!

We were so packed out, that after one week they are already adding another service! This coming weekend there will be a 10, and 1130 and a 1! We are well on our way to having enough services to add a Saturday night, which is my FAVORITE time to go to church! (And it works out the best since I work every third weekend) Bring it on BA, let's do it!

The Newest Diaper Dolphin

Camden had his first 'swim lesson' this week at a local swim school. I saw a LivingSocial deal for the classes to be half off - so I quickly snatched it up. For fifty bucks we snagged a six week class that we can practice our swimming in. We didn't necessarily NEED to buy this as Camden LOVES the water and my in-laws have a great pool, but I figured since he loves it so much, why not get a head start on the summer?

Camden LOVED it. Love might be an understatement. They practiced putting water on them, getting them to lay on their backs and float, blowing bubbles (if you know Camden's obsession with bubbles you know this was his favorite) and how to kick and paddle with their bodies. They even practiced climbing out of the side of the pool. All of this while singing songs and playing with toys.

Camden was sold as soon as he and Husband got in the pool, but practicing blowing bubbles? His favorite. He kept doing it all through the class. He also kept turning around and waving at his audience watching through the window that included myself, my sister and his CiCi. Oh my WORD, was it adorable!

As we were leaving, Camden proceeded to throw the mother of all fits because we were walking out the door. Legs pumping simultaneously, arms flailing about and loud screeching all because we were leaving. I think it's safe to say he LOVES the water!

{learning to kick}

{still blowing bubbles}

{more waving. Checking to make sure his audience was still watching! Talk about melt my heart adorable. Love that kid.}

Puppy Bowl VIII

So the super bowl was this past weekend. If you all know me, you know I'm not super into the Super Bowl or what team is playing. I tend to root for the halftime performance and the commercials. Anyhow, a friend introduced me to the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet.

Have you heard of it? It's adorable. Basically they introduce all of these adorable puppies and you watch them play with toys and chase each other in a little arena that looks like a football field. The fun part is that all of the dogs you see on the show are also up for adoption. I had some spare time the other day while Husband and Camden were out and Pearl and I got to enjoy some of the Puppy Bowl while relaxing on the couch.

Jealous? You should be. It was nice. If you are interested in catching the Puppy Bowl next year, know that it plays ONLY on Super Bowl Sunday, but it plays for most of the day. Don't miss out!

Do you know what this is?

So looking at this, do you know what this is?

Okay, I'm sure you do. It's the spring to our garage door. Can you tell what's wrong with it? Yup, it's broken.

Do you have any idea what it sounds like when it breaks? In the middle of the night, when you're sleeping?

I do. And it isn't fun! It was SO loud, I thought someone had driven through our garage door.

Chris was still up so he checked it out and then reported back to me what it was.

Have I told you what I've been doing lately? Well, I worked five days last week, then on Saturday I drove to God's Country (for those of you that don't know, that would be the town that houses THE best STATE college) for an all day Saturday conference to get more CEU's so I can keep my certification when it comes due in May. I was originally scheduled to have Sunday off too - but I asked a fellow co-worker to switch me. Our church is opening a brand new campus nearby and we are part of the core group. We are SO super stoked about it - and we went to the meeting and found out it was supposed to open on the weekend I was supposed to work. FAIL! So, a sweet co-worker kindly offered to switch me so I could be off NEXT Sunday. Therefore I worked almost 7 straight days (A conference is like work, right?) With one day off, before working five more.

And guess what I get to do on that one day off?

Get the garage door fixed. At least I am off that day to deal with it. God always has a plan!

Buh-buhls

It's no secret that Camden's favorite thing is Bubbles. He asks for them when he wakes up, he asks for them before bed, he asks for them when Chris comes home. As soon as he sees Chris' car pulling up in the drive, He says "Da-da" and then repeats "Buh-buhls", over and over until we finally get the point.

This is a video of bubbles. Please excuse Pearl as one of her favorite things happens to be bubbles. You can see her chasing them in the video. You will also notice that Camden can successfully blow his own bubbles. I suppose teaching him how to blow a whistle toy paid off - he can also blow his nose! Also he says "Buh-Buhl" right off the bat - so you'll have to catch it rather quickly!

Favorite Photo From January

I took a lot of photos I really liked in January. Camden with his first sucker, a giant bruise, blowing big bubbles and actually holding still and grinning at the camera.

{look at that grin! So cute!} I don't think people realize how hard it is to get a 17 month old kid to hold still, smile and look at the camera. A feat that is pretty much impossible!

But of all the photos I took? That's not the favorite.

This one is my favorite.

Just those tiny precious feet. Those feet that are generally always moving, running, climbing. I snapped this picture real quick - almost on accident in between him pushing his cart and begging for "buh-bulhs" and waiting on Dad to get home. These are the feet have grown so much since he was born; the feet that can now hold him up as pigeon toed as they may be, the feet that are still as ticklish as ever.

It is so much my favorite that I ordered it in an 8x10 size from MPix in a metallic print, and I am going to put it on the frame and hang in the living room as art.

I love those precious feet. :)

Linking up with The Paper Mama