Beth and Company

Monday Carter Edition #50~Do I love you this much?

2009-11-09T20:32:00.000-08:00

Monday Carter woke up on the wrong side of the bed. She was cantankerous and cranky from the start and to be honest I wasn't equipped to deal. What can I say, some days you have the patience some days you don't. I wish I was the "perfect mom" and could say that I never lose my temper, get short, or find myself frustrated over the "little" things...but, that would be lying and I try to avoid that if at all possible (unless you're my sister and ask me if the Arby's to go cup in the car is mine. In which case I will lie and I emphatically deny ownership. I will even go as far as to blame its presence on my husband, when in fact I had really scarfed it as I drove to the airport to pick her up. What can I say I'm preggo and sometimes there is nothing like roast beef and nacho cheese). Anyway, before we headed out the door for pre-school she had already received a few spankings, and I may or may not have said, "YOU are driving me bananas!" (I know, I know, I'm a horrible mom). So we were running late and doing our best to get over a bad start to the day...

Sometimes rain puddle jumping can be good for things like that...

And, if you're really lucky you might even find yourself giggling in spite of a bad morning...

I wish I could report that the whole day was a complete success. But, to be honest I'm spread a little thin and unfortunately that sometimes means Carter doesn't get the best of me. But, she is quite possibly the most forgiving little thing I have ever met. She showered me with kisses, hugs, and a little game of, "Do I love you this much?" before she headed to bed. I'm one lucky mama. Hopefully we'll both roll out on the other side of the bed tomorrow...

Party in the U.S.A. (or at least our house)

2009-11-06T21:19:00.000-08:00

For Carter's most recent birthday Aunt Kimmi gave her something she's been wanting for a while now...

Granted we're not exactly sure why, because she has never seen the movie or watched the show. Anyway, her dadddy hasn't been too sure about his feelings on the famed Hannah Montana, but Aunt Kim decided to go ahead and make her little niece smile...

Oh yeah, every little rock star needs a hot pink microphone! She was all set and ready to give performing a go...

That was her first day with the CD and she's gotten a few more Miley lyrics down since then...

Without embarrassing myself too much let's just say that we spend quite a bit of time "nodding our heads...and moving our hips" together. But, I don't look nearly as cute as she does!

And, on another note, a quick CONGRATS to my dad and the Abilene Cooper Cougars who are District Champs! Pops looks pretty nice in a pink mic too...

but, considering how successful you are we're thinking you probably shouldn't quit your day job! Way to go DAD!

VOTE for Us!!! (pretty please, with sugar and a cherry on top)

2009-11-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and was happy to have a little "sunshine" to brighten my day! Carter's room is entry #22 on the Apartment Therapy site Ohdeedoh's Small Kid's BIG Color room contest (I wrote about entering a few posts back!) So, for the next 48 hours anyone who would like to can give us a THUMBS UP (which will encourage them to make us one of the finalist). I'm not above begging so would you please pretty please head over and check it out?? If your little heart desires and you would like to give us your vote that would be just peachy!! Just click the following link...

Carter's Punch of Color~OhDeeDoh

Many thanks!

Monday Carter Edition #49~Little Chick

2009-11-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

Monday Carter spent her weekend like most other children...on a sugar high! Like a lot of other moms I started about a month ago with the, "What is my little cutie going to dress up as?" thoughts. I wanted her input and after discussing it at length she decided she wanted to be a puppy. I did a little research and found that Old Navy actually had a fairly cute (and really affordable, as in way less than Pottery Barn) puppy costume. So off we went....over the river, through the woods and off the island toward civilization. And, while we're on the topic of civilization I am pretty sure that no one else's kids request that you take their photo with the mannequins at Old Navy right?

Yeah, I was pretty sure that was just me. Apparently Old Navy is such a "special" place that we needed to document being there with photos...

Carter may not quite know what to do with herself when there is literally an Old Navy on every corner, what a sheltered life she has led for the past three years!

So anyway, back to the costume hunt. We arrived and found the puppy but we also ran across something Carter thought was much, MUCH better. Let me just say that in the day of fairy princesses and cheerleaders I was already quite surprised she had decided to be a puppy. Imagine the shock when she changed her mind and could not be talked out of being a....

And not once was she anything but thrilled to be going as a little chick!! I loved it. Our first round of trick or treat was actually about a week ago. I worked a table for our squadron and Nate took Carter around to gather the goods...

I never get tired of how cute these two look together (a big thanks to Roxi to for the perfect trick or treat "feed sack")...

Later that week we decided (last minute) to attend Nate's squadron costume party, so I had less than 24 hours to throw us some costumes together. We decided to go as the "Swine Flu". Carter was obviously our "swine"...

Then the BIG night of trick or treating arrived! Carter was super excited...

and super cute I might add...

She tried to fly the coop...

"Come back here little chick!"

We started the night off with one of our favorite houses in Oak Harbor. Knock, Knock, Kenny and Molly...

Trick or Treat...

Treat of course!!

We were then ready to hit our neighborhood, it's chilly up here y'all!

I'm not sure there is a whole lot more exciting when you're 4 than having people give you lots of candy!

What?? You don't believe me?? Just look at that face!

The night sure is fun, especially when you have your best guy to escort you around...

We'll leave you with one last smile...

Little Chick...over and out!

Watching My Baby Sleep

2009-10-30T21:05:00.000-07:00

Watching my baby sleep.

Is like watching a part of me breathe outside my body.

It is the gift of seeing peace.

Her rest is mine and yet I am awake.

The sweet arch of her lip and crease of her chin

four years and they are unchanged.

Is it possible an angel rests beside me?

Can she really be mine?

To be trusted with such things...

It can only mean this...

I am truly loved by someone.

Author of my story.

The gift of immeasurably more.

My heart is yours...

and I fall more in love

with every breath that she takes.

Small and orange and round and lovely...

2009-10-28T16:19:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I got to head out on a field trip with Carter's Pre-Scool class. They were off to a quaint little working pumpkin farm. I was a little curious to see how 16 three and four year old's would behave on the loose, but their teacher runs a tight ship and they were perfect little angels. The tour began with a look at a few of the animals on the farm. Turkey's (aka someones Thanksgiving dinner)...

My little munchkin's personal fave the cats and their kittens...

She was particularly fond of this little black kitten who seemed to follow her around the rest of the day...

which made her smile...

On to the next animals...

I whole herd of these guys (I felt a little like The Pioneer Woman as I was taking this pic)...

Nothing like watching a cow eat a pumpkin, now that's something you don't see everyday...

It was then time to head out in search of the perfect pumpkin...

It didn't take her long...

Small and orange and round and lovely the pumpkin from the patch was looking (hummed to the tune of The Girl From Ipanema)...

These kids were so well behaved they even managed to get a group photo...

That was until a certain little black kitten got the attention of a certain little girl...

She was a lost cause at that point...

What a wonderful day with my little punkin'!

Monday Carter Edition #48~Gray Day

2009-10-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

Gray day...everything is gray. I watch but nothing moves today. ~Dr. Seuss

Today was gray. It's definitely fall again here on Whidbey Island. The wind threatens to blow you away and the rain makes things just a bit more complicated. No matter how gray the day Monday Carter and her smile tend to brighten things up a bit (so gray my flash was going off at 9 o'clock this morning)...

She was also exercising her imagination and came home for the third or fourth time in the last week telling me about her "brother Marcus". Apparently she has decided that a boy in her class named Marcus is her brother. I asked her how he felt about this and she said he told her, "I am not your brother." This gave me quite a laugh. I can just see her insisting that he is, which probably leaves him feeling a bit confused.

In other news my Christmas Card Designs are officially up for grabs over at SCOOP. And I also just posted the winner of my giveaway! Feel free to meander over and browse...I am offering the designs at $25 as opposed to the normal price of $30 for anyone who orders in the next two weeks. So, if you like a little bargain this one's for you!

She even has teeth!

2009-10-24T21:55:00.001-07:00

This past week Carter had Open House at pre-school. We have been looking forward to it for a few weeks. She made us an invitation and kept us on pins and needles by telling us about all the wonderful "crafts" she was making to show us. When Wednesday night rolled around we were just beside ourselves with anticipation. As soon as we entered the room she immediately started telling us about all of her projects, a book all about her...

A scarecrow (that she was quick to tell us she had drawn flowers all over)...

A pumpkin (she knew which one was hers because it had teeth, the only one with teeth I might add)...

She and her good friend Lydia showed off their monthly calendar...

And, as we ooohed and ahhhhed over all of her creations I realized that the pride she felt was very similar to my own. I mean just look at her...3 and a half feet of blonde hair, blue eyes and an ear to ear grin. Don't get me wrong, she has her moments, and lately they come with an overdose of sass. But, I find myself feeling the same way about her that she does her masterpieces. I have to refrain from having my own "Open House" everyday. It would be so easy to give in and tell every person we meet, "Look! She sings, dances, and can write her ABC's! Oh, and she even has teeth!"

I'm sure it is the stuff that all parents blood is made of. But, there is something so amazing about looking at a little person that you had a role in creating and just marveling in all the complex things that make them tick. I think the term is sometimes overused, but gosh, we sure are blessed...

Hey Punkin' it's Fall!

2009-10-22T22:28:00.000-07:00

When we woke up this morning my little punkin' was in the mood to do some baking. We needed something quick, easy and preferably fall themed. Carter loves (that is sort of an understatement) the Pumpkin Bread at Starbucks and I found this fabulously easy Pumpkin Bread recipe at a great little site Lickable Spoon...

It literally took my sassy assistant and I 5, maybe 10 minutes, to whip together the ingredients...

We only had one can of pumpkin on hand so we halved the recipe and just made one loaf...

It was seriously the tastiest and moistest Pumpkin Bread I have ever had.
Just had to share...make it tomorrow, your little punkin's will thank you!

Color me Happy!

2009-10-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

I love the home design site for children ohdeedoh. They have several new posts daily on fun finds and decorative suggestions for kids rooms. They are currently having a contest called Small Kids, Big Color. While we are quite limited in the paint on walls department (living in base housing has its restrictions) I have still enjoyed trying to make our little munchkin's room as colorful as possible! So, in spite of our lack of paint, I decided to go ahead and enter Carter's room and thought I would post the pic's here as well (let's face it, rarely is it so clean and presentable so I might as well show it off)!

But, you know what my favorite thing about this room is?

The little girl that lives in it!

Cinderella

2009-10-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the annual Navy Ball. Nate and I have actually never attended before (due to the fact that he has never been here) but, this year we were planning on going. I had scheduled a babysitter almost a month ago but last Tuesday she had "something come up." Ahhhh, the dreaded words in mommyland. I was beginning to feel a bit like Cinderella but, lucky for me another gal came through in a pinch (thanks Stefanie) and I was able to go to the ball after all! I realize I'm making the whole event sound pretty spectacular...when, in reality, it ranks about a 3 on the spectacular scale. But, when my Prince Charming "has to" attend there is no place else I would rather be than by his side...

We are always happy to hang out with our compadres the Vaughns (aren't they cute)...

Carter was so excited about seeing some dressed up gals, she wanted to get in on the picture taking action...

She is our favorite accessory...

Time to hit the town...

We headed over for a little get together at our XO's house, I'm lucky to have made some really good girlfriends in our squadron...

So glad this gal will be coming to Texas with me...

That's right, it's official, our little trio is TEXAS bound! More on that soon. But, one thing is for sure, Prince Charming and I could not be happier to be heading home to the great state we love...

Monday Carter Edition #47~BOO!

2009-10-19T17:37:00.001-07:00

Fall has officially arrived and Monday Carter has just one thing to say about it...

BOO to YOU!!

I don't even eat eggplant...

2009-10-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

...but apparently this month there you are, being all eggplanty...

I may not be a big eggplant fan, but I can appreciate the color combo. I'm really digging the plumb and olive contrast! You are tossing, turning and kicking like nobodies business and we all LOVE it! This can only mean one thing you are growing. What?? Don't believe me?? Well, I have the photos to prove it...

Your sister even decided she needs to start measuring you (she also asks me daily if I'm having contractions yet and informs me that when I do I'll need to get ready to "PUSH", which she illustrates fully "pushing" face and all...thank you so much TLC for your show A Baby Story, what would I do without a mini-Lamaze coach)....

Hey month 6...ready or not, here we come!!

Modern & Bright GIVEWAY!!!

2009-10-17T13:15:00.001-07:00

After debuting my 12 Designs of Christmas here is your chance to win the design of your choice! The contest will run through next Saturday at Midnight! In order to enter all you have to do is head over to Scoop and leave a comment on the giveaway post telling what your favorite design was. For a second chance to win you can become a follower of my Scoop blog, for a third follow Scoop on Facebook, and for a fourth mention this giveaway on Facebook or your blog!! (Please let me know in your comment if you are doing any of these things that qualify you for an extra entry). Good luck, and may the best gal (or man) win!!

On the twelfth day of Christmas...

2009-10-15T09:34:00.000-07:00

...the design that came to me...

Inspiration

*full photo card that can be customized with any verse or saying you like

On the eleventh day of Christmas...

2009-10-14T10:01:00.001-07:00

...the design that came to me...

Christmas Joy

Monday Carter Edition #46~It's Tuesday!

2009-10-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

No school for Monday Carter, thanks to Columbus, so we'll have her on a Tuesday instead...

Yep, she's a keeper!

On the tenth day of Christmas...

2009-10-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

...the design that came to me...

Jailhouse Rock

The Best Decision I Ever Made

2009-10-12T00:05:00.000-07:00

We make decisions every day.

The simple--
What to wear...
what to eat...
what to do.

The more difficult--
How to behave...
how to live...
how to matter.

Decisions both big and small are basically what life is made up of. Everyone can look at themselves and where they sit right this very minute and trace the path of decisions (or maybe circumstances) that have gotten you there.

So, I realized something today. I know exactly (beyond a shadow of a doubt) what the BEST decision I ever made was. Well, maybe second best, deciding to follow Jesus will always rank numero uno (without that one nothing else makes sense) But, beyond that this one tops the list.

Here goes...

He's about 6'2", has spiky blonde hair, and a grin that stretches from ear to ear. It was the grin that got me. The longer we share and live this life we have created together the more I realize how grateful I am for what we have. I'm so thankful for the whirlwind romance that had me head over heels within weeks of meeting him. I am still just as in awe of the calming presence he brings and the overall sense of joy that comes strolling in every time he does. His smile makes you smile and I've decided that is a gift. One of the first things I realized when I met him, way back when, was that you'd be hard pressed to find someone who wouldn't say, "Wow, what a great guy." Eight years and many life changes later that still remains true. That's impressive. But so is the fact that we spend more time together than anyone and I feel the exact same way. I can search every crack and crevice of my heart and say, in all honesty, there is not one thing of significance that I don't like about you. So, the best decision I ever made can actually be summed up into one very short three letter word..."YES!" Which is what I emphatically said the day you asked me to marry you...

And today as you turn 32 (this means you are officially in your thirties babe) I realize we are doing this. I mean really doing this...as in we are no longer a couple of lovestruck newlyweds, but a real honest to goodness family. I pray the road to "growing old together" is full of moments and love just like the ones we have already shared. You are beyond my wildest dreams when it comes to husband and daddy material. You take the cake. My heart is happy because of you. So, today on your day, I need to say one thing...you are the best decision I ever made. But, none of it would have been possible if you hadn't given me the choice. So, what I really need to say is...Thanks so much for asking.

On the ninth day of Christmas...

2009-10-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

...the design that came to me...

Good Cheer

*For those who are a little camera shy~a design without a photo

On the eighth day of Christmas...

2009-10-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

...the design that came to me...

Wish

On the seventh day of Christmas...

2009-10-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

...the design that came to me...

Great Joy

On the sixth day of Christmas...

2009-10-08T09:02:00.001-07:00

...the design that came to me...

Holiday in Bloom

On the fifth day of Christmas...

2009-10-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

...the design that came to me...

Sparkle

On the fourth day of Christmas...

2009-10-06T08:12:00.001-07:00

...the design that came to me...

Peace Love & Joy