Thursday, February 23, 2012

I Can Do Without...

 Reflecting on all Jesus gave up for me, it's been hard to pick one thing that would really 'hurt'. I tried to think of something that I do about every day...facebook (sad, I know), my Kelly's Kids business, hang out with family and friends....and then it dawned on me. Starbucks. As silly as that may seem, I am a Starbucks addict and this is going to be a challenge! So, I guess I'll get my caffeine through diet sodas, but as a mom....there's nothing like a peppermint white mocha from Starbucks to give you a boost on a hard day. I can do this. This is *pale, pale, pale* in comparison to what my Lord did for me.

Goodbye! I may not even miss you!
The following scripture was read last night at my church's Lent service and I LOVE it. I also included 'The Message' translation. I used Bible Gateway to look up the passages.

Psalm 103:8-14

New International Version (NIV)

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
   slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
   nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
   or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
 13 As a father has compassion on his children,
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
   he remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:8-14

The Message (MSG)


 6-18 God makes everything come out right;
      he puts victims back on their feet.
   He showed Moses how he went about his work,
      opened up his plans to all Israel.
   God is sheer mercy and grace;
      not easily angered, he's rich in love.
   He doesn't endlessly nag and scold,
      nor hold grudges forever.
   He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve,
      nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
   As high as heaven is over the earth,
      so strong is his love to those who fear him.
   And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
      he has separated us from our sins.
   As parents feel for their children,
      God feels for those who fear him.
   He knows us inside and out,
      keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
   Men and women don't live very long;
      like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
   But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
      leaving nothing to show they were here.
   God's love, though, is ever and always,
      eternally present to all who fear him,
   Making everything right for them and their children
      as they follow his Covenant ways
      and remember to do whatever he said.
 
If you're giving something up....what is it? xoxo

More Party Pics :)

Here are some special pics of the wonderful friends and family in our lives! :)  Thanks for coming to Collins' 1st Birthday Party!! Gosh, we had a blast!

If you want to see more of the party, click here: Very Hungry Caterpillar Decorations 


My BIG boy!!

What adorable boys! Davis and Will

Grandma Waltz getting her squeezes in!

My girlfriends! Tiff, Andrea, Sara, Megan, and Mary (Mary Maldonado Photography)

Matt, Brian, and Sleeping Harper

Matthew, Caron, and Justin

Kristin, Brian, and Eliza Jane

Uncle Bob, Uncle Mark, and Aunt Lisa (drove in all the way from Michigan!)

Neighbors! Jenny and J.P.

The Sweet Seevers Fam! Kyra and Rachel were my flower girls 5 years ago! Rachel is also my Godchild! :)
Tiff and Nick

Papaw and Collins after the cake clean up!!

Aunt Sissy and the birthday boy!

:) Normal occurence.
Aunt Erin, Collins, Cuzzie Kennedi, and Uncle Aaron!

Rick, Gabriella, and Mary

The next pics were taken by Mary Maldonado Photography!
:)
LOVED opening gifts with all of these little precious gifts!

A happy daddy xo

:) Oh eyelashes...wish I had them!

What will he do!?!

He ate the cake very slow and methodically. He would have sat there all day if I would have let him!

LOVE Trent's serious video camera face. xo

Our family of 3!

Collins loving on sweet Harper!!

:) glad the kiddos liked searching for all of the foods that the caterpillar ate!

What a great pic! :) Yum!

Precious Baby


One happy birthday boy.

Thank you everyone for all of the sweet cards and gifts! We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. God has blessed us with way more than we deserve!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Collins' Very Hungry Caterpillar Decorations!

Planning Collins' 1st birthday party was so enjoyable for me. It gave me a chance to be creative and crafty and I've missed that by not being in the classroom. I felt like a teacher all over again! :)

Enjoy the party decorations! The **good** pics were taken by Mary Maldonado photography! :) I put an *MMP* below her pics!

Mantel decorations...."On Friday, he ate through five oranges!"

*MMP*

The penant is made out of fabric. I tried to match the paper on his party invitations! I loved the polka dots...it reminded me of the holes that the caterpillar had made while eating!



"On Sunday he ate through one nice green leaf and felt much better!"

*MMP* took this picture at his 6 month photo shoot. He was reading the book!

Party guests signed his baby book. :)

I used the paper left over from the party invites to make the Collins caterpillar.
 LOVED the tie and hat!! Thanks graceynsmom on Etsy! *MMP* 

Water bottle labels, cup labels, cupcake toppers, food tents, and candy wrappers were ordered from Etsy (see below). Super cheap...they send you the file and you print on labels, cardstock, or paper! Saves money on shipping and labor!


Silly I know, but fun!



Can you see the 1? :)
*MMP*

Caterpillar treats for the kiddos...and grownups!


Treats for the adults! *MMP*

Created little caterpillars out of pompoms and hot glue! Put brown M&M's at the bottom for dirt and a big green leaf in the dirt with a written thank you.
Yard sign! The ground was frozen, so we taped it to the railing! :) *MMP*

Spraypainted a wreath white, cut styrofoam balls in half, and covered with fabric! Easy caterpillar wreath!



Caterpillar antenna headbands for the kids! Used pipe cleaners and pom poms!

 
*MMP*

Activity center for the kids! Caterpillar Coloring and Food Dig! I printed off pictures and activities online and used crayons I had left over from teaching! The food dig was a big container full of large noodles that contained all of the food in the book! I think the kids had a good time digging for the food!


*MMP*



Polka dot balloons to go with the theme. :)

Watermelon jelly beans and ice cream cones!!! Fun little treats for the kids that the caterpillar loooved!

*MMP*

Cupcakes and Collins' two tiered cake were made with love by his Mommy and Aunt Sis. xoxo We love FUNFETTI! *MMP*

The cake tent was made with left over fabric, twine, and two cupcake sticks! Sprinkles around the edge jazzed it up! *MMP*

*MMP*

*MMP*
*MMP*
LOVED these little goodies I found on Etsy! I added Mike-n-Ike's to add color! *MMP*

More goodies that the caterpillar ate through....



My mom made these awesome ice cream balls to eat with the cupcakes!! We forgot!!!!

Collins' birth announcement!

Monthly pictures! Just taped ribbon to my cabinets and hooked the pics with clothespins!


*MMP*

Thanks to the following Etsy friends for the awesome party supplies and decorations!!!
Forks: Etsy: sucreandspice
Labels: jenleonardini
Hat/Tie: graceynsmom
Caterpillar PomPom Banner (she sends you the items and you build!): pompom momma
Collins' Caterpillar Shirt: sweet3leafprints

Love,