well take a look......

And if I could only take the credit for them. First of all let me take a sentence or two to thank you for all the great feedback on the last post. I truly have alot of crafty and creative friends...how fun to hear from so many of you.

So...I took off for Micheals in search for the thick cardboard boxes to cover with the fabic. When looking for them I passed the boxes pictured above. Already covered and in several different sizes. Look at them people.... in the very colors I wanted. The cashier even let me use a coupon he had....which brought them to less than $8 each!!! Now I can put that fabric to great use on some pillow shams. I'd also like to attempt to make a new liner for the basket that was on the shelf...but it scares me a little. Today is defentinly not the day to take on that task. Isabella was home sick all day and Donovan is out of town until late tonight. So any volunteers to do some sewing for me???

Suzy during her nap yesterday.

calling all creative people

Dear all creative friends, I need help. I want these. But they are $19 for the small and $39 for the large.

So I found this fabric today....and I need help from you. I want to make something simular to the above picture to organize toys with and....

to set on these shelves. So any ideas????

saving for Target....

Today....I was reminded of how much my children have changed......It seems after this weekend and moving my "baby" into a bed has made me reflect on how fast this journey of parenting is going. I decided I needed to take some pictures for the sheer joy of trying to capture them just how they are. We had just gotten home from a church pot luck and the kids were running around having fun. I took one by one and photographed them with the sun just pouring in the window. It was a great natural lighting opportunity.

At our church we have a container at the front of the church for the children to take their offering forward and put their "gifts" for Jesus in. We sent all of our kids up with coins. However after William came back and the offering time was over, he pulls out almost all of his coins and said, "I'm saving this to buy something at Target" I was proud and ashamed all at the same time. Proud because he had given some to Jesus - And wow what a great store to choose. Ashamed that he kept what was for Jesus. After church his papa took him right back up to deposit what he was supposed to in the first place. I love how William is so transparent. I love how he loves to write and practice writting his name. I love how he follows his big brother around and loves him. I love his spontaneous hugs and kisses. I love smelling his sweet breath. I love listening to him talk and repeat big words he's learned. I love to kiss his chubby cheeks.

Suzanna loves little books right now...she often is carrying one around the house with her. I love that she loves to pretend to read. I hope that she grows up to love reading like her mama and big sister. I love her little pony tails. I love her little voice, I love her smell, I love her her hugs during church while we sing. I love how excited she gets when she sees people she loves. I love having a 1 year old.

Jack is feeling so much better and I'm so happy to have the "old" Jack back. He is so tender at times, and it almost makes me forget his very strong will. He loved the attention of getting his picture taken. I love those big blue eyes. I love how he plays with my hair. I love his dimple, and his cute smile.

Isabella has a tender side too. She is so sweet and patient with her siblings. She is also very shy. This weekend she had a breakthrough with speaking to someone she had never met...one of my friends we ran into at the store. She looked them in the eyes and said, "hello, Mrs. Mast" It was huge for her. We keep working with her to speak when spoken to and with a smile, it is so hard for her. I like that she is thoughtful before she speaks....I just wish more people could get to know her, she is such a delight. I love how she anticipates things and gets them for me before I ask. I love how she snuggles with me. I love her kisses. I love how she loves me.

saturday

This morning we watched our friends, Travis & Kristin's little children. Lauren is 3 and Lawson is 1. Lauren has a big vocabulary and a cute little voice. She is very good at expressing herself. She esp. liked helping with our "baby suzy" as she called her.

Lauren was so cute to say while I was combing Suzy this morning, "Wow, Suzy can really talk well, Heather"

However Lawson was not on board. He had slight separation anxiety and promptly let us know he is not "down" with the plan of him staying at our home without mama & daddy. He went and got his hat and stood by the door for most of an hour.

The best thing about having siblings for your children is they will comfort each other. I love this picture! It just is so sweet. Lauren is going to be a great mama!

However when Travis and Kristin came back, Lawson came out of his shell, turned off the tears, and was really falling for Suzy. They are just 1 month apart and are so cute together. Lawson went to kiss Suzy all on his own and then I made him do it several more times until I could snap a picture.

And here is a taste of Suzanna's room....still in progress. It always takes me so long to decide how to decorate the walls. I probably will put the same things back up only switch it around a little. Donovan is at the shop now working on her bed...until then she is learning to stay on her mattress on the floor. And I am begging Donovan to make her one of these for her books. I'm glad wood working is one of his favorite hobbies. So more to come on her room. I was however very happy with the paint color!

Suzy seems pretty happy to have more room in her bedroom, and looks so grown up trotting in there showing us her "new" bed. So hard to see her grow up right before our eyes, and yet so exciting. Donovan's brother Jon and his wife Arlene were here last night and took the crib for their new baby who will be here in August. I can't wait to see the crib be passed down in our family with a new little delicious baby this summer. Watch out Jon and Arlene....before you know it I will be stealing that baby and kissing him or her all over, smelling that sweet new baby skin, and snacking on her/his little toes.

spring fever

I'm running out of material. Even I can only take so many pictures in a day. So here's a blast from the past. Well just from March/ 07. I am getting spring fever in January. This is a problem...since spring isn't even around the corner. That's what I get for living in Indiana....it seems after 33 years I would learn and accept the fact it is a cold place in the winter.

So....Tonight we are starting a fun and exciting project inside. More details and pictures to follow tomorrow. And if your wondering what could be exciting for me inside, in the winter....well, I'll just tell you it involves interior- matte' paint.

It's about the fun of the game...not the score

my boys.....

Tonight big"D" kicked off his church league basketball season. The boys were so excited that their dad was going to play basketball. I on the other hand have mixed feelings about giving up a night. Shouldn't I have the night off? Before I start getting hate mail....and reminders that I DO have a good husband.....Let me assure you I Know. I am well aware of the sleeping in that goes on in this house, the days a certain husband comes home early from work, and helps so much with all the short people that live here, etc. It's just hard to be on duty all day and then for the evening too. And if you have children- You understand. Ahhhhh...the sacrifice I make for the man I love. I know. They have one game a week....But seriously they have a game on Feb. 14th. That is pushing the limits people! And I know a man must have made up that schedule, because NO woman would've done that. It's just not right.

The games are played at the NEW Clinton Christian School gym. Donovan is almost in the middle of the picture with a black tank top in running motion. After the game tonight...I realized it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be with 4 kids at the game. Isabella was a big help taking Suzanna on walks and carrying her up stairs, etc.

The boys played well and the game really didn't take that long. And Donovan had so much fun being out on the court, it was really fun for him to be a part of the team.
And it really is all about having fun, so we won't bother mentioning the score.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip Cookies

Need some comfort food? Make a batch of these......

This recipe came from a cousin- Joyce. Mmmmmm delish!

It comes right off the back of the bag. Before I made these I had never heard of Cinnamon Chips. But friends you are missing out if you have never bought these, because again....Delish. You can find them at your local mega store right next to all your other chocolate chip varities.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Chips Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1-2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S Cinnamon Chips
3/4 cup raisins

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F.

2. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in bowl until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour and baking soda; add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in oats, cinnamon chips and raisins (batter will be stiff). Drop by heaping teaspoons unto ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes on until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. About 4 dozen.

The first time I made these I used butter and they were a good flavor...but came out flat as pancakes. So after taking to Joyce she advised to use Crisco. They came out perfect.

And to the first 2 people that comment......I will send you a little taste of these delish cookies.

18 months ago......

Only 18 months ago little Suzy was born....

Where did the time go.....?????

We have all had so much fun adoring this little girl. And Isabella was so overjoyed to get a sister at last. She spent so much time holding & admiring her new little sweetie.

.......and they still have such a sweet friendship...although it has changed a little over the last 18 months.

Happy 18 months Suzanna Faye. You are a joy.

seeing him smile

This has been our life since Wednesday.......

Lortab.... for pain

Phenergan.... for throwing up

Steroid....for throat swelling

and we've also been doing this.....

And Thursday....we had visitors. Little cousin Easton helped William entertain Jack.

And in the evening, Jack's friend from school- Abby came bringing movies and Popsicles. It was so nice to see Jack smile finally. He was happy to see his friend!

Thanks also to our our family who has sent cards and cheered Jack up with mail....Rosetta, Aunt Esther, Aunt Ruby, and Uncle Jon & Aunt Arlene.




And here is Jack on Friday....improving every day. I love to see him smile again.

surgery day

before surgery.....(note 6:30 a.m.!!)

and.....after surgery.


The poor guy looks scared to death. I'm sure in his mind he is thinking...I thought this was going to be fun???
But he did so good. And if I can brag just a little on this guy, the nurse said they have NEVER had such a good 5 year old that was so polite and handled the pain so well. The nurse would say, "you're doing so good Jack!" and he would weakly respond.."Thank you"

Jack did however enjoy the non-stop cartoons he got to watch.

And home again. William wants so badly to play with Jack....and Jack just looks at him.

Right now we are just trying to control the nausea. He has thrown up probably 12 times today. But who's counting? For sure it is from the anesthesia...but he's not able to keep his pain medicine down. So he is trying another medicine for the nausea...hopefully it will that will work.

Because I really don't want to have to put the medicine in the other end.

he loves her & she loves him back

Everyday she watches....

her brother wait for the bus. He loves her so much. And loves to make her laugh.

I love to watch how much they love each other. Yesterday when I got Suzanna out of her crib, Her first word was "ack" for Jack. As soon as Jack came around the corner she held her hands out to Jack for him to hold her...and then she hugged & kissed him.

earning brownie points

Usually Monday brings the blues for me. I just get a little overwhelmed starting the week....and after having a weekend with help from big "D" I just hate to get back to reality. I'd rather keep playing house, the version where the husband stays home and he doesn't need a little thing like a job.





However......today was different.




And what made that difference you ask?




Part of it was 3 little children that slept until 9:00 a.m.! (Isabella of course was up by 7 for school) But Jack, William, and Suzanna slept in! And that just makes me happy. It has been months since we have slept like that, and it truly warms my heart. I am not of the morning variety.






And the other part that truly made my Monday seem not so huge...is the weekend. Rest and Relaxation, the Bed & Breakfast we were at, and the love & affection. We had an awesome time celebrating our 10th anniversary.




Donovan had to work later than usual on Friday so that got us off to a later start than we had planned. After I came down from my pedestal and tucked my expectations away....I apologized for my behavior and we were off to a great little overnight get-away. We checked in to the B & B, and as we walked in to the room....this is what I saw.

Donovan doesn't do flowers. Mostly at my request. I just think it's a lot of money to spend on something that is so short term. But this my friends, was a sweet gesture of love, and earned major brownie points. After the check-in we went to dinner at a little sweet cafe' called Every day people Cafe'. The name of the restaurant is a puzzle to me?? It was candle lit, delicious food, and exactly what I had in mind --even though it was a surprise to me where we were going to end up for dinner.

After we finished dinner the owner of the restaurant stopped us on our way out and saw Donovan's camera and asked if we would like her to take a picture. Great! It would be nice to have one together....so this is what she did.... made us go back to a clean table and sit down and pose. She wanted it just right.

The owner then asked us our names and what we were celebrating, then she proceded to get the entire rooms attention and told the whole restaurant our names, that we were celebrating our 10th and to please would they help her sing, "happy anniversary" in the tune of Happy Birthday. Just a little embarrassing.











We laughed and quickly slipped out. It was around 10:00 and since we were feeling wild and free we went to see a late movie. Then went back to our B & B and took a long, relaxing soak in the jacuzzi......it was only 1:00 a.m. but hey, we didn't have to get up with 4 little kids so we took full advantage of the freedom. The jacuzzi was outside on the dock of the B & B, that overlooks the harbor. They had some snow on the ground in Saugatuck, but the water was hot and we had a blast.



Here is a picture taken the next morning after breakfast looking out over the harbor.

What a fun weekend. We just don't go away by ourselves enough. Thanks to a great husband that made the night so fun, and to Grandma and Grandpa for keeping the kids.

yum-a-licious

Whenever I visit my friend Anna she always gives me something she has made. The last time she watched the kids for me was no exception. She babysat for me and then....gave me some delicious homemade granola bars. They were amazing. So of course I got the recipe and have been throwing self-control out the window ever since. Because again, they are De-lish. They are chewy and they are easy to make.

Here is the very simple recipe......

Bring to boil:

1 1/4 cup corn syrup

1 cup brown sugar

then add:

1 cup heaping creamy peanut butter

after peanut butter melts into mixture, add:

2 cups mini marshmallows

Remove from heat & add:

4 cups oatmeal

3 cups Rice Krispies

grease 9 X 13 pan and put 1/2 of granola mixture in pan. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Put the rest of the mixture on top and press until flat. (like Rice Krispie treats) Sprinkle with mini m & m's or mini chocolate chips on top.