it is spring.

Welcome Back. I took a nice little vacation bc life was a little fussy.  Now, to catch you up.

1st) I would like to report that Todd's mom is out of the hospital (1 week post serious stroke) and has been moved into a rehab facility. We aren't sure how long she will be there but it is for the best. She will learn how to walk on her own again, move her arm, help her facial muscles...all that fun stuff.
We are just PRAISING GOD that she is here with us still. Its a long road, but what a testimony.

2) Spring break was last week. So in between, work/ running to the hospital, kids being home...it was a little chaotic. Luckily, My mom was here to help me threw it all. She has spring break too since she works for our public school system so she kept the kids. They went to the zoo, to chick-fil-a, played outside alot. They had fun!

3) Thursday, Aubrie started Tball. I really wanted to get her into a really active sport. She isn't much of an athlete yet, but she likes to be outside. Friends of ours were coaching a team, and she agreed to play with them. It will def. be fun to watch!

thats aubrie playing in the dirt :)

4) Friday, she had received some birthday money and wanted to go buy stuff. Instead of toys, she ended up at the sports store. She bought a pink bat, pink helmet, and pink bat bag. =)

5) Saturday Todd had to work (surprise! :) so the girls and my mom and myself all loaded up for a little "green shopping" we went to the farmers market, the fruit stand, and the flea market! It was a successful trip bc I found the 3rd bowl I needed for my Vintage Pyrex Nesting bowls! 1 more to go!

6) Sunday was church, then I mowed the grass...I am trying to get into this homeowner thing but neither Todd nor myself are outdoors/lawn people.



Madyson was down with allergies so she stayed with Todd while Aubrie and I went to Mission Friends. We have a lot of members in our church that are members of the Christian Motorcycle Association. They came and talked to the kids about their mission and then the kids got to see their bikes! It was a lot of fun!

Now the fun begins! Dance is wrapping up! (we get costumes next week, pictures the next week, 3 weeks of practice then recital) Tball is gearing up. Practice this month, games start next month. I cant wait for yall to see their uniforms! summer plans are being made and all that jazz!!


It is spring!

Lifestyle. Part 3

When introducing those around me to my new lifestyle the most common questions are, "where are you getting your protein from then?" "Are You starving yourself?" "Can Veggies really give you all you need?" Well, I am learning all of this as I go. So here is some info that I found.

I decided to embark in this journey after reading this article, i watched the documentary and was intrigued by it. the whole concept. I already love vegetables so It was really just letting go of the other things...

I started doing research and found that Ellen is a Vegan!

From "Going Vegan" 
Do It for Yourself
Scientific studies supported by the American Dietetic Association have confirmed that vegan and vegetarian diets are associated with lower cholesterol, lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, lower risk of hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, lower body fat, and lower overall cancer rates. In fact, studies have shown that a vegan diet can actually reverse diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. For more info, check out "Forks Over Knives."
Vegetarian and vegan diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, have higher levels of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamins C and E, and folate.
The health benefits of a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle are vast. The American Dietetic Association (or ADA) released a report which stated that vegetarians and vegans "meet and exceed requirements" for protein consumption. In fact, vegetarians and vegans usually have better protein consumption than people who eat meat, dairy and eggs.

I gather my protein from protein rich veggies like Broccoli and asparagus, avocados & spinach. Also throw in some almonds (21.1g of protein) and things like whole wheat pastas, etc. And of course...my Luna Protein bars :)


Like I said in Part 2. There is no other reason behind this experiment other than, I want to try it. Its not an animal cruelty bit, its not a religious movement...its simple the fact that I want to be the healthiest me I can be. My only 2 hold backs are Honey (i read somewhere that this must be cut out to be considered Vegan) I use this daily for allergy medication and Goat-Milk Soap (the savior to mine & madysons skin)

I want to share with you some of the foods I have been eating.

1) Hummus, Salsa and homemade chips.
2) Meatless Tacos (i could have added black beans to this but didn't feel like it at the time)
3) Avocado & Tomato Salad
4) Peanut Butter
5) Almond Milk
6) Quinoa (this is a new thing for me...)
7)oatmeal
8) McAlisters has a veggie club that is really good! I get it without the cheese :)

Needless to say, I am not starving. I have made a few exceptions (aubrie's party i had cake that had eggs in it...and a slice of pizza for dinner) but other than that, I am trying really hard to do this.

Aubrie's Fourth Birthday Party: A Tangled Affair

Once Upon A time, There lived a princess named Aubrie Kate. Who was turning four.

 She longed for a party with a Tangled Themed. Her Mother, the Queen, began to prepare for this joyous event by calling on her friends at SundayGirls Designs to create the perfect invitation.

Next, The beautiful queen began to enlist the help of her chamber maids, Rachel and SuperMom for decorations and ideas.

Fair Maiden Rachel had just hosted her own tangled inspired party. When Queen Sarah let her know she was preparing for one as well, Maiden Rachel sent the decorations she had made over to the Broadus Castle.

Queen Sarah began "pinning" ideas for the fair and  loved these wanted posters. Found Here

Source: deviantart.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Except, the queen  did a tea effect to them to give them an aged looked.

Pintrest was a huge inspiration for this party. When she found this pin of "hair" she knew she had to borrow that idea as well.

Source: party.tipjunkie.com via Heather on Pinterest

After weeks of preparing, The time had arrived for artsy affair. But the evil Mother Gothal had plans of her own. She sent down pouring rains days before this outdoor kingdom celebration so Queen Sarah had no choice but to move the celebration indoors.

daddy painted the happy birthday sign in the tangled font. of course we had to have the bunting and serve food in iron skillets (this is prefood) For plates we had mini frying pans to eat on!

The fireplace became rapunzel's tower with her hair draped throughout the house even to the front yard~

The favor table!

out the front door into the trees! 70 ft of rapunzel hair!

Daddy drew us a flynn rider to play pin the pan on flynn rider!

before the party started!

sweet friends eating and watching tangled

the most calm party ....ever.

Then the favorite activity! They got to help rapunzel decorate her tower walls!

her presents!

at night, we had the family come over for more presents, cake and a special surprise!

her favorite gift, rapunzels wedding dress!

Then her big surprise! Real floating lanterns like in the movie!!

They were beautiful! we had 4...one for each year of her life!

Madyson made the cake for the night! Aubrie's favorite cake is yellow cake with chocolate icing. The cake read (before it got tinfoil squished (Happy Bday Doodle) thats what madyson calls her.

Everyone singing Happy Birthday

 Sunday Morning was Princess Aubrie's actual birthday, this is her sparkly dress she chose to wear to church!

It was a great day had by all! happy Birthday Aubrie!

the weekend

My planned post for today was the pictures of Aubrie Kate's party, but our weekend had an unexpected event and it needs the attention right now.

Friday afternoon, I got a call from Todd saying his mom had fallen at work, hit her head, and was on the way to the ER and he was going there too.

Thinking in my positive way, I assumed all would be good after a few test.

I was wrong. It turns out Todd's mom had a stroke and was bleeding inside her brain, so deep that they couldn't do surgery.

So they admitted her to ICU, began pumping her with medications (hoping to dry out the bleeding etc.)

Saturday, we went on with Aubrie's party, bc grandmomma would not have wanted her to miss out.

Sunday we went to see her at the hospital and it was a rough day. She has some movement on her left side (where as on Friday she did not) but its not a lot of movement, she had to have a test done to see about her "swallowing" bc when she does she coughs...she has had CT Scans, but no MRI's yet...(bc get this, there isn't anyone there on Sundays that can do them!!!)

All in all its alot of questions, without a lot of answers. They moved her to a private room when she needs full care. I am baffled by alot of the decisions being made.

Madyson is having a real hard time with this. She went with us to see grandmomma yesterday and it was just too much for her, we had to leave.

Please pray for us as we work through this journey. Prayers for healing would be appreciated as well.

Happy Birthday My Aubrie!

Aubrie Kate!

You are four today! I can not believe those words! You are the most adorable blondie and have the most infectious laugh!

What are you up to these days? Well, You started Ballet this year, and you love going to dance class.

You are in 3k this year and love your teacher Ms. Hannah.  You feel like such a big girl now that you get to go on field trips.

You are starting Tball this spring. Something that is out of the ordinary for you (since you are a little on the prissy side) but you are excited bc you got a new pair of shoes.

Speaking of shoes, you adore them. When I asked you want you wanted for your birthday you said "SHOES" and "DWESSES" and "PAPUNZEL"

You are very smart and have excellent handwriting for your age. You love to color and to put stickers everywhere.

You are done with sippy cups, pull ups, sassys and all the baby stuff. Which makes me very sad.

You love a good surprise and when Madyson (or I) try to tell you your surprise, you say "No, WAIT! I want my Swurprise to be happinin"

You have a little lisp and it is the cutest thing! You are very much in control of your life and march to the beat of your own drum.

You are a size 9.5 shoe and a full 4t almost 5t clothing. You love that you are a "yewo" hair kid. You are 95% always dressed in a dress or skirt and rainboots. its your style :)


We adore your spunky self and are so thankful you are in our family! Happy Birthday Little Doodle!

A memory for you to always have

Madyson,

Last Sunday we were out delivering girl scout cookies with Aubrie, Nana, and Maw. It was a full afternoon of 4 generations of crazy women. I want you to have this day as a memory. And since you are so young, I decided to write it out for you to always keep.

Maw is so special to me. She was the best grandmother ever. I have such sweet memories of playing in her yard, picking and growing vegetables with her, making mud pies on her porch, eating snack plates after school while watching The Monkees on TV.

A few years ago, Maw got really sick and developed Dementia and it has slowly started taking her away from us. Most 5 year olds don't understand this disease. But you baby, you do. You are so patient with Maw. You don't get upset when she doesn't understand what you are trying to say, you help her walk, you buckle her seat belt, and most importantly you treat her with respect, always.

This past Sunday, I watched you with Maw. We had stopped in at Popeyes to get you a shrimp basket, and Aubrie and Maw chicken nuggets. We had to wait on Maw and Aubrie Kates food. So while we waited you helped Maw put her straw in her drink, you showed her where her cup holder was, then you buckled yourself back up and sat and had the sweetest conversation with her. I was watching you in the rear view mirror and I wanted to capture that moment and hold on to it forever.

Here you were, sharing your french fries with Maw while we waited. No one asked you to, you just did. I say time and time again that I know God has big plans for you. Your heart is the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed. I have never met a child more loving, more compassionate, and more understandable to the needs of an elderly person.

I pray that you will have this memory and all the other precious and sweet times you have with your great grandmothers and grandmothers. These woman are apart of you and always will be.

Jane O'Conner

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to meet Ms. Jane O'Conner, author of our beloved Fancy Nancy books.

Madyson is all things Fancy Nancy. She loves her big words, her fancy attire, and believes everything is better with glitter.

When I heard that Ms. O'Conner was going to be at a local book store reading the new Fancy Nancy Book "The Mermaid Ballet" I knew we had to go! So I told the girls to get in their fanciest attire and to load up, we were off to meet Ms. O'Conner.

Yes, they are quiet the mess. and that is Aubrie's "mowdal" pose.

 Ms. O'Conner told about how she has 2 sons and no grandchildren (but really wants some!) The inspiration for Fancy Nancy came from her childhood. She showed a picture and it was so cute!

 My mom went with us, to help me crowd control.

The girls followed along in their book as Ms. O'Conner read it to them. It was so interesting hearing the one who created this world read her own story.  Afterwards, we got to meet her and she signed our new book for us! She is a very precious lady. She and madyson hugged and Madyson told her all about her Fancy Nancy Party last year, and how she loves all the books.

 (p.s. Aubrie Kate was playing with my mom, she had no desire to stand in line for 20 minutes)

 and how her and Fancy Nancy are so much alike. and how she loves Frenchie.....

 they had a great conversation and Madyson came home elated!

This is when Ms. O'Conner looked up and said, "SHES ADORABLE"....

It was a great experience!