A fun little {must read} FYI…

Check out this crazy information…

FAMOUS ONLY CHILDREN:

       

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{FAMOUS} BROTHERS and/or SISTERS:

       

Surprise!!!

 {coming July 2010…details to come!}

“Bubbling” Over with Excitement…

On Saturday, I had the great privilege of helping host a baby shower for my precious Baylor/Chi O/old roomie/bridesmaid/playgroup friend, Alli. She is due with her second boy in January, and I loved being able to celebrate her and sweet Cole. …We had the shower at a nail salon (our new favorite shower venue) and went with a bubblegum theme! We had a great time eating goodies, getting pampered and blowing bubbles! :) It’s going to be so fun to have a new baby to love on very soon!!!

The cupcakes were fun! I’ll post the recipe on my recipe blog soon!!!…and, the pics show all of the gumball machines and the emery boards that were the favor. They each had a different date on them to pray for Alli and Baby Cole! :)
  We had two fun party games and Amy found the most fabulous prizes! One game was to guess the number of gumballs in the container with the flowers (which had 679, I think!). And, the other was to see who could blow the biggest bubble! Our Mom-to-Be won that one!!!! :)

  Alli, know that you are very loved and that I can’t wait to meet your newest little man very soon!!!

Quinn's {or Mommy's for Quinn} Christmas Wish List

This is a tough gift-giving age! Quinn seems to want everything and care about nothing at the same time. He'd seem to be just as happy with another Thomas train as he would an extravagant gift. So, this Christmas, I want to put some things on his wish list that I think will last! Things that will get play time! I don't know if we'll ever beat Santa's gift from last year (his train table), but we'll try! ... Here are some things that I'm thinking about puting on Q's list this year! And, some of these are his own wishes from some catalog browsing! ... Let me know if you know good or bad things about any of these items....and, what is Santa bringing your kiddos this year?

1. Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera: How fun for him to have his own blog posts!!!

2. How to Build an A: this book looks SO fun...and it contains the pieces so that he can build the letters himself!
3. Silicone Alphabet Letter Trays: to make crayons, jello, ice, candy and more! 4. A play kitchen: Is this super girly? I just think Q would have fun with it. And this one isn't very expensive and has lots of frills...and it's blue! :) When we talk to him about it, he seems VERY interested!

5. Either a Plasma Car or this Cars Scooter: any reviews? They both seem fun!!!

6. New labels: I like that they're little.

7. High Five Magazine: Quinn loves mail and so this will be a fun surprise every month!

8. An art smock: I'd love to find one that's vinal.

9. CARS Drift and Jump Track: This is a request from Q! This may be what he asks Santa for! :)

10. On top of these things, I feel that Thomas, Buzz and Lightening McQueen will be the star of other gifts! Quinn's train table is BY FAR his favorite thing!!! He plays with it EVERY DAY and loves each and every train! It's fun for his collection to grow!!!

So, now it's your turn...let me know what I should add/take away on Q's list and tell me what Santa is brining your little one this year!

Quinn’s a BIG KID NOW!

I guess it’s official! I’ve had a hard time figuring out when to say that my little man is potty trained! So, you be the judge! …

We started on on Sunday, October 18th, after church. I told myself it was time and knew that we had a pretty low key week ahead of us! So, we did LOTS of pottying and lots of rewarding! He did great from the get go. Not many accidents. But, I was a nervous wreck ANYTIME we left the house. I would ask Quinn every 2 seconds if he needed to go potty! I’m sure it was annoying, but I wasn’t wanting to clean it up!!!

Then, Sunday the 25th rolled around and, after a tee tee accident on our way out of the door from home (SO ANNOYING when he was ALL dressed for church), Quinn wore his “wear wear” to Sunday School. I was, once again, a nervous wreck that they were going to end up with a mess. But, after the almost 3 hours had passed, I picked up my dry and VERY proud little boy! I was SO excited. But, as soon as we celebrated, he walked around the corner and did the deed in his pants! And, I mean #2! YUCK! It was not fun…and I was discouraged.

While I complained about being ready to quit and put him back in diapers, lots of mommies reminded me that he was doing GREAT! I tried to listen, but I was convinced that I HATED potty training!!!

Then, as week 2 began, I put on my Potty Training Hat and got serious again! …Pull ups at night but wear wear all day!!! And, lots of listening to THIS rediculous potty music! (Q loves it!!!) On Monday he did great…and we had a VERY busy day out and about. Tuesday we were home, so of course he did great. And, then Wednesday came and I cheated a little. We were going to the Pumpkin Patch and I wasn’t sure if bathrooms would be accessible. So, I put on his wear wear and put a Pull-up on OVER it. So, he would feel that he had an accident, but I wouldn’t have to clean it. … And, to be honest, I got LAZY at the pumpkin patch. I NEVER asked him if he needed to go. Even though I thought about it numerous times. It was just too much trouble. … So, when we went to lunch with Mock-a-Moly afterwards, we headed straight to the bathroom. I knew I’d have a mess to clean up! But, to my surprise, HE WAS DRY! It had been over FOUR HOURS!!! I was SO excited and rewarded him with a BIG cookie!

I’d say that was our turning point. He’s only had two little accidents in the past week and a half (just tee tee, thankfully!) and almost always wakes with a dry Pull-up from nap and night. When he wakes up, he’s immediately ready to put his wear wear on! … It’s still something that I remind him of often, but he usually tells me or goes to the potty himself!

I have to admit that it has been my least favorite thing about Mommyhood thus far. And, I know it isn’t over! But, I’m proud of my little guy! My {potty trained} toddler! :)

And, I’m also happy for Slickpaw! Why, you might ask!? …When Quinn was born, Slickpaw started buying diapers for Quinn! And, somehow, he never stopped! He’d either visit us with a BIG box from Sam’s, buy some while he was here, or hide money in silly spots so that he could guide us to it when Quinn needed more! It was a HUGE blessing to not have to spend the $50+ dollars a month to buy them! And, because of Slickpaw, Quinn NEVER had to use the “cheap” diapers! :) Thank you, Slickpaw, for taking care of us in the little unexpected ways that help more than you know!!!
And, let me leave you with this! … One day, I flushed a bug down the potty! Quinn was so curious and worried so I told him that the bug was going swimming! Then, later that day, Q went potty, and as he flushed he said, “YAY, MOMMY! My POO POO IS GOING TO GO VISIT THAT BUG!!!” Yes, baby, it did!!!

Hut….HUT….Halloween!!!

A few weeks before Halloween, we got Q all suited up to take pictures with Mammer & Slickpaw in his cool Brady Quinn uniform! Since Slickpaw is hugely responsible for the coolness of this outfit, and since they weren’t going to be able to come for Halloween, we knew that Quinn had to show off his stuff for him! :) And, we needed pictures for Quinn’s football trading cards that he’d be giving to his friends!!!…

Then, after a little reminiscing, it was time to celebrate Halloween with our BIG 2 1/2 year old!!!…

We headed to the front yard for our annual “Smelly feet pumpkin” picture…and even got to include Baby Michael in on the fun!!!…

Then, we headed to the church for the “Trunk or Treat!” Quinn and Daddy figured out a game plan (I guess!? I’m not really sure what Matt is telling him), and then it was time for the fun… Quinn handed out his trading cards to all of his buddies… …and had a blast playing, sliding, running, and getting INSANE amounts of candy!!!… {I guess that’s what you get for being a minister’s kid! :)}

Matt and I decided to participate a little this year as “Quinn’s Biggest Fans!” Even though it wasn’t an extravagant costume, it’s so much fun to dress up!!! Can you find Quinn?...

I loved that you could still see his monkey “wear wear” through his football pants and that my tough football player wasn’t too tough to pick mommy a flower! :) … After we could Trunk or Treat no more, we headed home to turn on our porch light! Every 20 seconds, the doorbell would ring, and Quinn and I would RUN to the door to hand out candy to our visitors! It was so much fun (most of the time) to see what costumes everyone had on! And, it didn’t take long for us to run out of candy and call it a night! It was such a FUN Halloween! I feel like Quinn ‘got it’ a little more this year! He loved dressing up and had a great time just being a kid! I can’t wait to see what he chooses to be next year!!! I just hope I can dress up with him again! :)

"I want THAT one for Chrithmath!” –Quinn

It all started last Wednesday when we went to the pumpkin patch. After our outing, we headed to lunch with Mock-a-Moly and Titus…and Quinn fell in LOVE! He thought that Titus was TOO cute, and after admiring him for some time, I asked Q if he wanted a baby at his house. That’s when Quinn responded with, “I want that one!…I want that one for Chrithmath,” while pointing at Titus! We cracked up…but, I have to admit…I’d take him home RIGHT NOW! Those chubby little cheeks, that squishy little belly, and all of those snuggles! He is PRECIOUS in every way and I loved seeing Molly totally in her element! She was meant to be a mommy…no doubt! And, I was so thankful to get to spend some quality time with both of them!!!…

 

Then, on Thursday, we headed down the road to have our monthly playdate with Sharee and Tristan. We were so excited to see the big ONE year old! And, while we were all dining on our yummy Bueno (Tristan even loved it!), Quinn said, out of the blue, “I want a baby sister!” Then, he pointed at Tristan and said, “I want that one!” We had to explain that Tristan is a boy, so that would be a brother…but, regardless, he was once again requesting one of my friend’s babies for Christmas. I have to give him some credit…it seems a lot easier than getting our own baby…we know they’re cute…and it would be a lot more immediate! :) …And, Quinn had so much fun playing with Tristan’s toys…but Quinn had to announce that the toys weren’t baby toys numerous times! ha! :)

  Then, on Friday, we FINALLY got to love on this little man!!!…

Our sweet nephew, Michael, came to visit us for Halloween!!! We were ecstatic to love on him…since it has been since his birthday that we had gotten to!!! Quinn immediately took to him…it’s like he knew he was family and something EXTRA special! He would kiss him, hug him, ask to hold him and share his toys! Michael would smile at Quinn and Quinn would smile at Michael! It didn’t take long for Quinn to request that this baby become his as well! And, who could blame him!? He was the easiest little guy…so happy, so sweet, so snuggly! I loved the time that I got to spend loving on my one and only nephew! Here are a few sweet moments…and, the precious Halloween pictures will be coming soon!…

We are so thankful that Aunt Boogie, Uncle Derin and Baby Michael took the time out of their busy schedules to come to see us! We had so much fun just being lazy with them and getting to know our sweet nephew! Thanksgiving couldn’t come soon enough so that we can do it all over again!!!

So, over all, I guess the consensus is that Q wants a baby for “Chrithmath!” But, not just any baby…one that is already perfect and precious! I’ll let Santa break the bad news to him! :)

“Boo”tiful Sonora is THREE!!!

On Halloween morning, Q and I got dressed in our festive wear (I had on my annual Halloween orange jacket and my black and orange striped tights!), and headed to celebrate Sonora’s 3rd Birthday at Build-a-Bear. Q had never been to a Build-a-Bear party and he had such a great time! He got to act crazy with his best buddy, pick out a bear (that he decided to name “Palie!”), kiss a heart for Sonora to put in her bear, kiss a heart to put in his own bear, stuff his bear, give his bear a bath, dress him, sing songs with him and then hug him to pieces! Then, he got to head upstairs for cake and a carousel ride! A pretty cool day, right? We loved celebrating THREE with Sonora!!!  

Meet These Crazies…

…a Joe Jonas just strummin’ a song

…Tigger with a bounce in his step

…a conductor with places to go

…a pirate with a treasure to hunt

…a cowboy with buddies to herd

…a football player with plays to call

…a Tom Cruse look-alike with “risky business” to plan

…and a golfer that is way above par! 

{I think that this picture perfectly describes how Q felt about this little photo shoot!}

Cara hosted the most fabulous Halloween playgroup!!! And, the boys had a great time just being themselves…but in costume!!! They were so cute and enjoyed way too many sweets!!!…Especially the ones that were used as bribery to get them all to sit still for the pic! :)

And, even though these wild cupcakes made an appearance…

…this little sweet was the icing on our playgroup cake! Miss Ellie is the only girl in the bunch…and she’s already fulfilling her role as precious and girly!!! …

Thanks, everyone, for the fun goodies and for the fun time!!!

Happy Halloween!

A REAL fall day at the pumpkin patch…

On Wednesday, Q and I headed out for our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch. We went to a different one this year and Quinn had a great time! It ended up being lots colder than the weather man said, and I loved it! It felt the way it should when you visit the pumpkin patch…like REAL fall!!! (not the typical 80 degree Texas fall day!) Quinn fed the animals, played in they hay, rode a “bucket train,” went on a hay ride and picked the perfect “little pumpkin!” And, most importantly, he had a great time with buddies of all ages! … I was so happy that Mock-a-Moly decided to come with Baby Titus and that two of Q’s playgroup buddies made it for the fun…along with some of our favorite friends from church!!! I always look forward to our Pumpkin Patch trip and know that we will have many more to look forward to in years to come!…

 

One of my favorite parts of the visit was Quinn interacting with this goat! He must have thought he was extra special, because when I walked up on them, I overheard him telling this silly white goat all about Mater…about how funny Mater was and how fast. And, he even did a few impressions of Mater for this lucky guy! It was the MOST precious thing EVER!!!…      

And, the kids had the BEST time on this silly bucket train! They honked their horns 1,000 times and laughed and played!!! It was cute!…

“The rules of soccer are very simple, basically it is this: if it moves, kick it. If it doesn't move, kick it until it does.” -Phil Woosnam

Well, our first “season” is officially over! And, we ended with a bang. On Monday, we had our last class and then celebrated the victory with a little Soccer Party! All in all, we were SO very pleased with this precious class, with our coach and with the buddies that we got to spend 2 1/2 months playing with! I have a feeling that this will be the first of many victory parties…and, I’m totally ok with that! I must admit that I love being a “Soccer Mom!!!”                                Look at their cool “Team shirts” that Matt designed for them!!! They all looked so cool!!!…

This was one of their favorite games…playing “bad/good monkey!” They’d kick over all the cones and then be “good monkeys” to pick them back up with their feet! And, Coach T would chase them around as the “tickle gorilla!!!” …

The parachute was also ALWAYS a fan fave…

    And, of course, the “Soccer Tots” cheer and stamp time was one of the highlights of each class. Coach T would give them stamps on their legs, their arms, their hands and their TUMMIES! They thought it was great and couldn’t wait to choose their stamp each week!!!…

Our party was complete with fun personalized soccer cookies, balloons, trophies and a goody bag!!! So much fun!!!…

 

Quinn couldn’t wait to get home to put his trophy on his shelf! He was so proud of it!!!…

   Q and I gave all of the mommies these magnet frames! Gotta celebrate what we are!!!…

And, with a sugar high, we said goodbye to this season of soccer! Can’t wait for the next one!!!

My husband, the Youth Pastor!

My husband has been a youth pastor for 13 years!!! He started in college…with his own little church in Winters, Texas…and, in the next years went on to be the “cool guy” at a church in Abilene, a church in Waco and a church in Allen. Then, after being married for 3 short months, he got the job as the Youth Pastor at Four Corners Church in Plano. It’s there that I totally fell in love with how good my husband was at his job! Seriously, if you know him, you know that the title “youth pastor” fits him perfectly! Because of the way that he can instantly relate with kids…especially that typical 7th grade boy {ha!}…he had a way of making them feel comfortable and safe. I love to sit back and watch him interact with students, and, way before Quinn, I knew he would make a great Daddy!

 

Besides the fun stuff, I love how my husband knows the Word. I am always amazed at the scripture that he can retain, the stories that he knows the details of, and the way that he can tie them all together to produce the most excellent message. As I listened to countless sermons that he preached to the youth, I never left without a challenge in my heart! He is so talented…and never preaches a “ho-hum” sermon. He’s good…he’s relatable…and he makes me proud!

 

So, for the last {almost 7} years that he has carried this title, I have walked beside him as a “Youth Pastor’s Wife!” At first, I wasn’t so sure if I liked the title…since I was only about 4 years older than the kids he was ministering to…but, it didn’t take me long to truly enjoy the Wednesday  night craziness, the girly Bible studies, the gazillions of games, the fundraisers, and the hugs that I would receive every time I walked into “the warehouse!” Even though I may not be the one on stage participating in the crazy games or making a fool of myself time after time, I love being married to a man that does! I love that he’s silly…that he’s spontaneous…that he has NO inhibitions…and that he’s passionate!!! …

    But, after those 13 years, the time came for him to move on to a new calling. Even though he is now the “Connections Pastor” at our church, I have a feeling that Matt will always use the latest and greatest “cool words,” will rarely decline an invite to a High School Football game, and will always be up for a game of Ultimate Frisbee. Regardless of his title, I will always be proud that my husband was a “youth pastor” and that I was his wife.  

…And, in tribute to him and ALL YOUTH PASTORS…take a look at this HILARIOUS video!!!! I was seriously CRYING I was laughing so hard! It couldn’t be more DEAD ON!!! …

All of this to say…Matt Poe, I love you and am so proud of all that you accomplished as a Youth Minister! You are so very gifted and the lives that you have changed are countless!!! Thank you for always being a good youth minister while being a great Daddy & husband at the same time! (And, always staying true to those “awkward side hugs!) I can’t wait to see how God uses you in the next 13 years!!!…You’re TGTBT!!!…BGP

“Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks.” ~Henri Bergson

I wish you could hear this picture!!! I. Love. Him.

His & Hers

About a month ago, Matt and I picked up our own Tervis Tumblers. We’d always seen them around, and after Kristin’s rave reviews, we decided that we needed one for our evening water! And, I truly think we’ve used them EVERY night since the purchase. They’re great…big, no sweating, and they keep my water nice and cold!!! The “His & Hers” are too cute…and there’s no mix ups! :) …I have yet to try it with coffee, but I hear that it works great, too!…Go get you one..and, what a fun Xmas gift! I think I’m going to add a few more to my wish list!   

His heart.

Quinn’s heart is precious. Recently, he’s been noticing things like the “pretty sky” and making comments. He’ll stop for the tiniest flower. He’ll ohhh and ahh over the ugliest black bird. And, now, he’s starting to talk more about Jesus. Not long ago, we were in the car and he noticed the clouds. He said, “Look at those clouds, Mommy! Jesus went in the clouds to heaven!” I proceeded to tell him that after he rose from the dead, he DID go into the clouds. Then he said, “My want to go to heaven too, Mommy! You wanna go with me?” With tears, I said, yes. Then, he said, “Daddy could go there too. It's gunna be so fun!”

Oh, I love him. I pray that his innocence and awe of the little things never changes. And, I long for the day that Jesus becomes his Savior and heaven seems EVEN greater!

My child, if your heart is wise, 
my own heart will rejoice!
Everything in me will celebrate
when you speak what is right.

Proverbs 23:15-16

Muffin Tin Munchies: Asian Market

Last weekend when Daddy was out of town at Men’s Retreat, Q and I went on a little date to the Asian World Market! Needless to say, it was a crazy experience. Let’s just say that there was NO ONE like us in the store! :) … We were actually on the hunt for a fun, kiddy bento box, but had no luck! (except for the Hello Kitty kind!) …But, we decided it would be fun to shop a bit…

 

…So, we spent about $12.00 and got all of this!!!…

…Obviously, Q was MOST excited about the Thomas cookies!!! And, I beg of you, whatever you do, DO NOT buy those green wafers that you see pictured in the front. When we opened the bag it was such a strong oniony smell, that we thought we might be sick!!! HORRIBLE!   Then, today, we had a Muffin Tin Munchies with all of our findings. Quinn LOVED it! His favorites were the little chocolate puffs, eating his fruit & PB sandwiches off of the chop sticks and eating his yogurt with the BIG spoon! :) …And, my favorites are the green tea biscuits (the green circles)! YUM! 

Out of the {Rainy Day} Box: Laundry Hamper FUN!

The other day, while I was doing laundry, I knew it was time to pull out the Rainy Day Box. So, I found the idea that used these fun balls and a laundry basket. All you do is kick the balls in the basket…then, pick them up, but them in a bowl, and do it all over again! It made for a good 15 minutes of fun! Then, Quinn made it into a basketball goal…and later, his sweet little imagination even made the basket into a Space Ship! :) So, my little activity turned into two more! Gotta love that! :) …

Soccer… Basketball…

Space Ship…

“With or Without You…” –U2

So, Matt went to the U2 concert without me! Even though I was SUPER jealous, I loved that he had such a good time. An ex-student from his youth ministry gave him a ticket for his birthday, and he’s been looking forward to it ever since! …Needless to say, they had a GREAT time! They had awesome seats (ok, not really seats…they were in the standing section) and rocked out with U2 in the packed (and brand new) Cowboy’s Stadium! Thankfully, he took my little pink camera to capture some of the concert…and, he did a great job…it looked SO cool! …But, we made a deal…the next concert will be with me instead of without me!!! :)

I love this one…look at all of those cameras! :) … My favorite U2 song…Beautiful Day…

Matt said that this was such a cool moment! Bono started with Amazing Grace and led into Where the Streets Have No Name! But, he ran out of video!!!!…I still think it’s cool…

Another cool story from the concert…Bono selected a person from the audience to walk around with him during a song. That person was our worship leader’s little brother!!!! He ended up giving him his glasses and everything!!!! WOW!

Matt & Spencer…crazy U2 FANS! Matt said that Spencer knew EVERY word to EVERY song! What a special birthday gift he gave to Matt…one that will never be forgotten! …

1 ticket, 2 movies, 3 dimensions, 4 FUN, 5 friends…

Last weekend, we headed to the movies! Since Quinn has only been once before, it’s still SO magical to him…and he couldn’t wait to see “Stoy Story” at the BIG movie!!! …But, the best part about this movie was that it was in 3D…and one ticket included BOTH Toy Story movies…can’t beat that!!!… Cade, Quinn, Cruse and Ellie… 3D glasses have definitely made an UPGRADE since I was little! And, the 3D effects were SO cool! I must say that we all enjoyed it!!!… Then, today, Quinn had his little friend, Sonora, over to play. After being at home for a while, we all headed to the movies to see the other one! (since our tickets could be used again!!!)   Sadly, Sonora was not a fan of the movie and her Mommy came to pick her up! (she was so scared of the loud noise!) But, Q and Cruse wore their glasses like champs and snacked on Sprite, popcorn and candy! Quinn fell in love with the BIG movie pickles…just like his momma…and had too much fun saying “too ‘finity and BEYOND” with his cup topper Buzz that he got at the snack bar! :) …

So, if you haven’t been yet, be sure to do it quick!!! This fun 3D double feature is not in theatres much longer! But, Toy Story 3 comes out in Summer of 2010…and it is going to be PRECIOUS!!! (Andy goes to college and all of his toys are given to a Daycare Center…and, they try to escape! Hilarious!)

Halloween Sneak Peek

Wanna guess what Quinn is going to be for Halloween?…Here are a few hints and a behind the scenes look at a photo shoot from Saturday! :) … He is TOOO cute…but you’ll have to wait to see!!!