Savor surprise...

Friday night, I meet up with a few of my girlfriends for dinner. Kimberly was in town from Texas for some school work in Little Rock and Dawn's shower on Saturday in Van Buren.
Susan and Mischelyn joined us too. Susan recommended trying Savor and ANYTHING Susan recommends should be fabulous since she is an amazing chef. It was such a fun and relaxing dinner! We were there for more than 3 hours just talking and eating.

Kimberly also made an announcement....SHE IS EXPECTING! Yep, I am going to be an AUNT!
Is that not the coolest?! She told us family back in December but had been waiting to make the big announcement until recently. Many of our friends had been asking me and it has been very hard to keep it quiet. But she also made the announcement at Dawn's shower Saturday so since EVERYONE in Van Buren now knows, I think it is safe to put the news on my blog. ;)

She should know what they are having sometime in April. She is due at the first of September. Personally, I am hoping for a girl since I have two boys and it would be fun to buy some pink stuff for a change. ;)

Congratulations Kimberly and Wrenn!

St. Patty's...

Have I mentioned that I LOVE St. Patrick's Day?! Not that I am Irish (Italian, actually) but I love the festivities and what a fun-loving holiday it is! And who doesn't like green?!

Christian was excited that I got him a special St. Patrick's Day shirt. ;) At school, they made leprechaun catchers and wrote their own stories about leprechauns for homework!

While Andrew wasn't sure if he should applaud the fact I put a silly headband on him...

But he got into it a little later...

And began to look like a jabberin' Irishman...

And I swear his nose only looks orange in pictures. ;)

Today was my MDO (Mother's Day Out). Jim and I decided a few weeks ago to have a lunch date for St. Patrick's Day. What a celebration today turned out to be since it was the first day I was able to eat after experiencing the wrath of the stomach bug. I had not eaten anything but dry toast and a popsicle since Sunday night. Luckily, I was feeling MUCH better and was happy to be heading out for a special lunch to fill my empty tummy! At least I lost 5 pounds?!

So Jim and I headed to the only Irish restaurant in our area...


This picture reminds me of "the girl in the green scarf", ya know from the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic?! LOVE that movie and all the books too! Except I did not pay more than $200 bucks for my scarf (just $14.99 at Ann Taylor Loft a couple seasons ago).

So I can't end my post without sharing some of my St. Patrick's Day decor around our home...

I made this wreath for our front door...just a sign from Hobby Lobby stuck in the middle of a plain greenery wreath and flowers for a bit of "flair".

And stuck some glittery Shamrocks in my flower bed for fun!

I always put out my Irish Blessing plaque in our dining room.

So here is an Irish Blessing for you...

May your days be many and your troubles be few.

May all God's blessings descend upon you.

May peace be within you. May your heart be strong.

May you find what you're seeking wherever you roam.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Tile Project!

This past week, Christian and I did a fun project that benefits the homeless in our area. Christian loves art projects too!

The Tile Project is a fundraising event for Seven Hills Homeless Center. Individuals can paint tiles that will be part of a mural built in the food courts at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade. Tile kits can be purchased for $25 and include a 6x6 inch tile, 8 paint colors, brushes and instructions. Once the mural is completed a directory will be made to identify each artist.


Christian traced his hand and painted it green, his favorite color.

We even did a tile for Andrew. We traced his little hand and Christian painted it blue.

Here are our finished tiles!
How fun to be able to go to the tile wall years from now and see the little hands of my boys. :)
I am not sure when the deadline is for the tile project but you can check at your local NWA Arvest Bank for more information!

11 Months Old!

Andrew is 11 months old today!

He is now using his walker to walk around the house and he LOVES it!
He has started eating more regular food and less baby food.
He really likes yogurt and macaroni and cheese. ;)
And to top it all off, yesterday he said "mama" for the first time and has been saying non-stop!
Then this afternoon, he took his first step! Just one unassisted step but it was his first step!
Exciting!

I can't believe my baby will be one next month!

Hairspray!

This past Wednesday night, I spent the evening in Fayetteville with a few of my friends from Mom's Ministry. I had a wonderful dinner at Bordinos and went to see Hairspray at the Walton Arts Center! I remember watching the movie A LOT (with Ricki Lake) when I was growing up. It was a fun show! Thanks Andrea, Natalie and Kari for a fun girls night out!

VB family weekend

This past weekend we headed to Van Buren to celebrate some family birthdays (John, Wrenn and Uncle Rob). The weather was BEAUTIFUL! Christian was so excited to have nice weather that he spent the whole weekend riding his bike! We even put together his "Big Wheels" he got from Pops for Christmas. Well, Uncle Will helped put it together. ;)

It was the first warm weather since the holidays.

Andrew enjoyed watching them too!

While Christian rode his bike, Andrew enjoyed being pushed around in the stroller with Pops!

Kimberly, Grandmother and I enjoyed the sunshine too!

Later that evening, we sang happy birthday to Uncle Rob...

Wrenn...

and John!
Notice Christian "conducting" as we sing Happy Birthday in each picture. ;)

John, Jim and Will

My boys!

Thanks Pops and GoGo for the food and fun this weekend!

I'm busy...Read my blog!

OK, I know I have not done a new post in over a week (and for me that's a long time). But I have been busy! One day when I was out shopping, I saw this shirt--for $1.97 and had to get it. Perfect, huh?! I have lots of pics and new posts I am working on, so I will update the blog soon!