Yeehaw It's Friday!

Have you all seen these Blue Bell Mini Country Cones?
I mean, how could this flashy packaging not captivate you as you walk the frozen food aisles of your local grocery store?! ;)

Well, I had apparently moseyed on past this lovely lady with her mini country cone for quite a spell until my dear friend kindly introduced me. (Howdy, Jennifer!)

I don't know about you, but I have a rather odd addiction to anything in miniature form -- particularly of the food variety. Mini Saltines, mini Nilla wafers, and mini Club crackers can all be found living happily in my pantry. It's a known fact around our house: If it's mini -- Ashley will buy it.

Anyway, back to the mini country cones.



Lord have mercy, they are gooood.

I'm talking gooood to the last bite.
(By the way, is there anything better than the last bite of an ice cream cone?!)
These even have the chocolate in the bottom.
Ya'll know what I'm talking about...

I'm telling you, these scrumptious little treats will have you licking your lips in a total yumminess trance...

Mmmmm.

By the way, I'm not exactly sure why I am writing an entire post about ice cream cones other-than the fact that I will literally do anything to delay ironing clothes.

Cheers!

Farewell Friday Funsies

It all started back in Cincinnati.

The very first Friday Funsie.

As with most things, I get stuck on something and just can't "let it go".

Then I wake up one day and am totally sick of it.

I do this with food too.

Anyway...

I think it's time to bid farewell to the Friday Funsie.

There have been too many weeks of me waiting until Friday night to post something when I really just want to inhale my Hideaway pizza and go into auto-pilot as I catch up on our DVR.

I have never wanted the blog to feel like a "job" -- it's intended to be a way for me to document this phase in our lives and for long-distance family members, friends, blog-stalkers, etc. to get a peak of our every day happenings.

So, to bring it full circle, I give you the last thrilling Friday Funsie...

{Almost} a two year run...
Farewell Friday Funsies!

Friday Funsies

This morning Aubrey and I were reading her Children's Bible book. We came to a picture of David and his sheep and had the following conversation:

Aubrey: He loves sheep? [pointing to David]
Me: Yes. David was a shepherd.
A: A shepherd?
M: Yes. Did you know that God is our shepherd and that we are God's sheep?
A: God loves sheep too?
M: Yes, God loves His sheep very much.
A: He likes cats too?
M: Who--God or David?
A: God.
M: Uh, yeah. God loves cats.
A: I wannabe God's kitty cat.
M: You do? Why do you want to be God's kitty cat?
A: 'Cause kitty cats are purrrfect.
M: [busted out laughing]

{photo courtesy of my friend, Bethany.}

*******

Happy Friday!
Hope it's purrrfect.
;)

Friday Funsies

Is there anything more precious than a brand new baby?

Well, two big brothers in scrubs welcoming their baby brother
is pretty darling...

And the initial introduction into the brotherhood?
Beyond adorable.

Embracing life as a family of five...
Truly a beautiful thing.

So sleep sweetly, baby boy...

You already have the most loving parents...

And two brothers who can't wait for you to join them in all their mischief...

*******
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...

Psalm 139:13,14

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Happy Friday!
&
Congratulations to the Laws Family!

Friday Funsies

We have guests this weekend!
And we're LOVING it.

Especially one little girl. :)

*******
Happy Friday!

Friday Funsies

I tried braving the snowy/icy roads yesterday.

After driving 0.7 miles and nearly suffering a massive panic attack, I decided it was best for me to stay in the confines of my home.

So, I turned around in a grocery store's parking lot and sped home at 2 mph.

Accepting the fact that Aubrey and I are stuck indoors, we've had to get creative in order to survive severe cabin fever.

So in case any of you are living in Winter Solitary Confinement like us, here's a craft idea for you.

Homemade Mini Bird Feeders

Maybe these little feeders will be just the ticket to coax our feathered friends out of their snow-laden nests...

Supplies:

1. Stale bread
2. Cookie-cutters
3. Peanut butter
4. Toppings (ex. raisins, Cheerio Snack Mix, popcorn, and sunflower seeds)
5. Fishing line (or thread, dental floss, etc.)

How-to:

:Once you have the bread shapes ready, use some fishing line (or whatever you have on hand that's comparable), loop it through, and knot it so it resembles an ornament. If the bread is stale enough, the fishing line will go right through the bread without having to create a hole.

::Next, spread the peanut butter on one side of the bread and either dip it into your preferred topping or arrange the toppings piece by piece.

:::Lastly, just flip it over and repeat peanut butter/toppings on the other side.
And you're done!

I will say that this craft can get bit a messy--
but what isn't when it involves a toddler?

{A Mama Tip}
There's a good chance that when you tell your toddler that the toppings are for the bird feeders, your little chick will start pecking at them immediately.
Not for them = irresistible.

I'm seriously considering making another batch of bird feeders with
hummus, broccoli, flax seed, spinach, and peas.

So even if not a single birds nibbles on these feeders,
I'm chalking it up as a success.

It was a good full hour of crafty togetherness.
Aubrey ate a rather healthy afternoon snack.
And she wasn't begging to watch Dora or Wonder Pets a gazillion times.

But, honestly, couldn't at least one bird take a tiny nip already?

*******

Happy Friday!
Tweet! Tweet!

Friday Funsies

The doorbell rang this afternoon.
I watched the UPS guy hurriedly jump back into his brown truck.
Hmmm...I don't remember ordering anything...
What could it be?

Of course, if it's pink with hearts, Aubrey is convinced it must be for her.

To both of our surprise, it was a box full of goodies for ME!

{2 cute tops, Sweetart Hearts, Bruno Mars CD (I have a crush on him, is that weird?),
and 4 fun hand gels (I use these as often as chapstick.)}

My mom and sister sent this incredibly sweet package after knowing the dramatic past few weeks I have had in relation to Aubrey's "poopy issues"*.

I have the best mom and sister. Ever.

Aubrey was adamant that the Sweetarts were for her.

When I gave her a blue one** she said, "It has a name on it!" then asked, "What's its name, Mommy?"

"This one's name is Cutie."

"Oh, just like me!" she chimed.

Yes, Aubrey, just like you...

Happy Friday to all you Cuties!
*******
*Things are slowly getting better with Aubrey's poopy issues. More on that later.
Thank you to all of you who have called/emailed me to check on her.
**Is it bad that I'm only giving her the blue Sweetarts since those are my least favorite flavor? ;)

Friday Funsies

We have visitors!
Zubie and Aunt Margaret!

*******

Hats off (or on!) for Friday!

Friday Funsies {insert sarcasm}

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the 3-day weekend.

{That would be Aubrey's lovey on my head.}

*******
Happy Friday!

Home for the Holidays: Friday Funsies

Allow me to introduce you to my wonderful friend Jamie!

Jamie and I have been friends since elementary school. We played on the same softball team as tweens (from what I remember, we enjoyed socializing in the dug-out and concession stand goodies more than actually playing softball...hehe). We even sat next to each-other in many high school classes, and I'm sure we were guilty of passing a note or two.

After graduation, Jamie and I went to different universities but both wound up in Alabama. For a short stint, we were all (Jamie, Alec-her hubby, Daniel, and me) in Birmingham. My job, at the time, kept me insanely swamped (and out of town) while Daniel trudged through medical school. I'm just now realizing we never actually got together during that time! Terrible!

One thing that really stands out in my mind when I think of Jamie is how genuine she is as a friend. She drove all the way to Kentucky when Daniel's dad passed away. We had not seen each-other since high school, and she came all that way to offer her heartfelt sympathy. That meant so much to Daniel and me.

As life took our families down different roads, the fabulous world of blogging brought us back together once we moved away. We have both had front-row computer seats to all our recent life adventures, and it has felt like our friendship never had any time-lapse at all.

So, while we were in town for the holidays last week, Jamie and her sweet family made the trip from Huntsville, AL to Owensboro so we could all meet-up.

It was high-time our two families united!
We were dying to meet Alec and the adorable little Vivian!

We had such a fun time with them.
Just look at these two beautiful ladies...
How could anyone not love every second with them?!

We started our family play-date at a cute little 50's inspired diner to grab a bite to eat, then did a little bit of shopping, and concluded the day at Winter Wonderland in downtown Owensboro.

Despite the one year age difference between Vivian and Aubrey, the two of them bonded quickly. Shopping + girls is generally a good combination! :)

I am so thankful that God keeps weaving our two lives together. Hopefully one day our daughters will have the joy of becoming lifelong friends just like their mommies!

I'd say these two are off to a good start! :)

*******
Happy Friday!

*******
Thank you Helms family for making the journey to Kentucky!
I cannot wait for our next family play-date!

Friday Funsies

Instead of cocktail dresses, hors d'oeuvres, and champagne on New Year's Eve, it has been camo, barbecue, and sweet tea here in Kentucky.

Today is my dad's birthday, and we wanted to do something a little special since we were all in town for once.

My dad has loved hunting for as long as I can remember, so we all went out and bought some camo/hunting attire for his shindig. We ordered a funny deer hunter scene birthday cake, used deer calls as party kazoos, and had some of dad's deer meat cooked/bbq'ed (yuck to me, but yummy to him).

When party time rolled around and dad saw us all decked out in camo, he absolutely LOVED it. He laughed and cried. The perfect combination.

We had a great time celebrating him and his favorite hobby. :)

As much as my dad loves hunting, my mom detests it.
This was the first time she's ever worn camo.
Dad LOVED it and kept telling her how cute she looked. :)

Happy Birthday, Daddy-o!
We LOVE you!!

*******
Happy Friday & Happy New Year!

Friday Funsies

Merry Christmas!

Friday Funsies FUNK

It's been a not-so-fun week over here. 

I'll spare you all the whiny details, but I will tell you that it has involved a toddler with a nasty cold/pink eye/teething (4 molars at once)/super short naps/tireless nights.

The cherry on top is that Daniel is working all weekend too. BOO!

But amidst this rather rotten week, there have been some intermittent smiles and laughs. There was even some singing caught on tape. 

So, to end on a good note (no pun intended)...here's the one and only Aubrey, performing her special version of "Jesus Loves Me".

P.S. There is a moment when she accidentally "poots" during her solo. It isn't audible, but see if you can tell when it happens...

(You can tell she's cutting teeth from all that drool on her chin!)

*******

Happy stinkin' Friday, everyone! ;)

Friday Funsies (well, not for Aubrey...)

Today we had our Playgroup Christmas Party!

The word on the street was that Santa was coming to the party too.

I decided to mention this to Aubrey on our way just to prepare her. She seemed genuinely excited and when I asked her, "What are you going to tell Santa?" she said, "Thank you and Merry Trismas!"

So at the party, just as someone announced that Santa was on his way,
Aubrey made a mad dash to the window.

Ho Ho Ho!
Here comes SANTA!

Aubrey hopped out of the chair and stood by her bestie, Lauren.All the kids were a little stand-off-ish when Santa made his grand entrance.
When he asked for a hug, Aubrey reluctantly went over to him.
She gave him a timid, little hug and then booked it outta-there. Just when I thought, "Wow, she's really handling this well!"
She walked over to me and her bottom lip started to quiver.

Oh no...

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Aubrey immediately insisted that I hold her (something that NEVER happens), and buried her face in my shoulder where she proceeded to bawl her eyes out.

I took her into another room to try and calm her down.
Even sweet Lauren came over to reassure her that everything was okay.
But it was no use...

When Santa called out from the living room, "I have a gift for Miss Aubrey!"

She let out an even louder wail and said, "Mommy go get it!"
When I returned with gift in hand, the tears subsided...

{Please disregard her incredibly crooked part. She is impossible when it comes to fixing her hair.}

Then, in 0.5 seconds -- it was back to the water-works.Even after Santa left, Aubrey kept saying,
"I need to go home! It's time to go bye-bye!"

Since there was no way Aubrey was about to sit on Santa's lap for a picture while he made his jolly visit, I hoped to at least get a picture with her in front of the tree before we dashed home.

That was a no-go too, as you can see...

Despite the traumatic experience today, there was one shining moment...

In the midst of the Santa freak-out, Aubrey stopped -- looked up -- and said, "Eyes up..."

Whenever I get frustrated or just need some Divine help (it happens when you're home with a toddler 24/7...), I say "eyes up..." and look up while internally pleading, "HELP ME, LORD!!!" The "eyes up" is a (very, very) shortened version of my favorite verse (Psalm 121:1-2), "I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Oh my little Aubrey...maybe it won't be so hard to focus on Jesus instead of Santa this Christmas afterall...

*******
Happy Friday!