A Project and a Career

I woke up this morning around 6:30 and decided to go ahead and get out of the bed and enjoy a few hours of time to myself. I made some muffins, started watching Miss Congeniality and I got the itch. The itch to do something a little creative. I am very much a busy body and I hardly sit still for long, so I am not surprised I started a project at 7am. I decided it was time to recover our dining room chairs.

Last week my Mom and I hit up some Old Time Pottery and I found this material not really knowing what I'd do with it. I just liked it.

After realizing how dingy our dining room chairs were, I decided that the material would be used to freshen them up. I had bought just enough to do the job. So, I found my trusty dusty staple gun and got to work. Again, at 7am.

By the way, I love a staple gun. It is one of the few tools I couldn't live without.

The chairs started off looking like this:

And ended up looking like this:

I am not sure how well I like the pattern, but it is growing on me. I figure I can live with it for a while and just change it again when and if the mood hits me. It was really quick and easy to do too. I got all of the chairs done and got myself and Thomas ready in time before church.

Speaking of church, Thomas did pretty well today. Of course we were in the cry room, but he played fairly quietly the majority of the time. At the very end he decided he wanted to run wild, so we, as quietly as possible, gathered our things and made our exit. One day we'll be sitting in the actual church again. Here's a picture of Thomas after church. I do love a little boy in knee highs.

I think we also have found a future career (or maybe just a hobby) for Thomas too.

DJ Jazzy Thomas in the house! He is obsessed with my parents record player. His favorite record is Michael Jackson's Thriller, so at least he has good taste in music. He starts dancing and clapping his hands as soon as P.Y.T comes on. My boy's got rhythm.

I also want to give a shout out to this little guy. He has entertained Thomas for a good chunk of the weekend. Thank you Publix for the free balloon.

It's a want, not a need

All this cold, dreary weather really has me wanting to throw some logs into the fireplace and curl up on the sofa with a good book. Oh wait, we don't have a fireplace. I've actually considered having one put in, but figured it would cost too much so that thought got put on the back burner.

I grew up with a big wood burning fireplace in our den and I even remember melting the soles of a pair of my Mom's house shoes after propping my feet up on the hearth for a few minutes. I love the crackling sounds and smell of the wood burning. It's also good to have one available to use during a once in a life time snow storm.

My next house WILL have a fireplace. Here are a few I found that I wouldn't mind in my den:

Isn't this one lovely?? It will not be in my next home.

I think this one is my favorite out of these:

It'll also be nice to have a mantle to hang stockings on too.

Signs Signs Everywhere Signs

On my way to work this morning I drove past this sign. I had to pull over and take a picture. I know I must have looked so ridiculous to people driving by. I had pulled over on the side of a fairly busy road, camera in hand, business suit on and taking pictures of a sign. I sunk into about an inch of very cold muddy water while I was at it.

I drive pass this sign at least twice a day. The message on it is constantly changing, which I love because I never know what it'll say next and how it will relate to my life. It has Bible verses, quotes, or just words of wisdom. Sometimes I feel like the message on the sign is meant specifically for me.

The current message couldn't have come at a better time, I got a letter in the mail today from Thomas's day-care saying that his tuition will be going up. Uh, fabulous, it's already expensive enough. It reminded me that whatever the cost, his day-care is worth it. Thomas is so incredibly happy there and has developed so much since he started.

One day, when we move, I will miss this sign and the daily reminders it gives me. I look forward to seeing what it says tomorrow.

Linus Van Pelt

Who would've thought that Linus actually had a last name?

A very dear customer of mine, Mrs. Hansford, made Thomas this blanket as a baby gift. Thomas has grown quite attached to it over the past 17 months. It has been in his crib with him every night since we brought him home from the hospital. He loves to weave his fingers through the holes and play peek-a-boo with it.

Thomas wakes up every morning around 6:30 so either Brett or I go and get him and just stick him in bed with us. Before we pick him up though, it's like he tells us to wait a second, and he reaches around in the dark to find his blanket.

I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those items that I hang on to for a really long time just hoping that one day his child will curl up with that blanket too. Who am I kidding, I am going to keep everything Thomas touches, just like my Mom did with my baby stuff.

Weekend of Firsts

The Carpris came over to our house on Friday night for a play date for all three of us. I am not sure who has a better time, the kids or the adults. They have a daughter, Anna Claire, that is 2 months younger than Thomas. I love getting these two together and watching them play. We decided to stick them in to tub together and let them burn some energy. They had a good time and Carrie and I enjoyed play paparazzi the entire time. That darn paci snuck back into the picture too. It's still a work in progress.

I've yet to see a head of hair on a baby like I did on this sweet girl. I think she currently has more hair than I do.

Luckily, I didn't have work on Saturday morning and I was able to relax. I decided to let Thomas eat breakfast in bed for the first time. I set him up with his t.v tray, Finding Nemo, pancakes, and some chocolate milk (also a first). He was in heaven.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and doing absolutely nothing, which might be a first for me. All in all, I would say it was a great weekend. Now, I just need garage selling season to hurry up and get here!

Oh Brother

I mentioned to Santa this past year that I wanted to learn how to sew and come Christmas day this showed up under the tree. I don't know the first thing about sewing either, so I am a little nervous.

I am debating on taking a class, but not sure if I have the time for it. Luckily I have an aunt that knows how to sew really well. I think if I ask really really nicely she'll show me a thing or two. My goal is to have at least one thing made, not sure what yet, by May. The box says it's easy to use, so maybe it won't be so bad.

I spy with my little eye

Thomas has been spending a good bit of time lately out of the public eye. Do you see him?

He has been hiding in the curtains and thinks it's so fun. I think it's pretty fun too.

Belly laughs make up for all the dirty little finger prints all over my Dry Clean Only curtains.

My gosh, I love this kid.

Here today, Gone tomorrow

This little guy has been our life saver for the past 17 months. It has gotten us through many church services, sleeping through the night, car rides, and much much more. We are starting the process of getting rid of it. I am not sure who is going to be more sad, me and Brett or Thomas. It is our crutch, our quick fix. Now what will we ever do without it?

Why would we do something so crazy??? Well, Thomas is moving up to the next level class in two weeks and apparently that class doesn't allow pacis at all. His current class only tries to give it to them during nap time. I found out the other day that he is also one of two kids that use one. I am so thankful for day-care for this reason. If it weren't for day-care Thomas would probably still be drinking out of a bottle and eating baby food.

For the past few days his teachers haven't been giving it to him for nap time and he has done great and falling asleep without it and taking just as long of naps as usual. He had a slight melt down this morning when I left because he didn't have it and was looking for it. He got past it and he did great the rest of the day. It's 9 o'clock and he STILL hasn't had it. That is HUGE for us and him. I know we are only a few days in, but hopefully he'll forget about it and be over it real quick. Out of sight, out of mind, right? It'll take lots of patience on our part, but we'll get through it one day at a time. Maybe I'll end up with more pictures like this too.

Surprise!

Saturday I helped throw a surprise 30th birthday for a dear friend of mine, Beth. We've literally grown up together. We go as far back as kindergarten. There was cosmos, good food, and cake and I think she really was surprised.

M.Y.M.

I don't know about everyone else, but I struggle every day with self control. Primarily with what I eat. I can start a diet one day and if someone brings cupcakes to work the very next, my diet is d.o.n.e. Just like that. I cannot resist temptation when that temptation is something yummy. I feel like I need something (besides the extra weight) to help keep me focused on my goal. Something visual, something that I will see when I reach for that second serving of potato salad. What could that something be?

When I was in first grade I got in trouble with my teacher, Miss Faught. I was NEVER the child to get in trouble in school, so you can imagine my Mother's surprise when I came home with a note from my teacher. The note said that I had burped at the lunch table. That's it, that's all I did. Really?? Well, my Mom, the creative genius that she is, decided to make me a bracelet. It read M.Y.M and that stood for Mind Your Manners. I wore it everyday to remind myself not to burp. I can say that I never got in trouble again for burping, but I have burped at the table since. Maybe I need to make myself a new one.

I've made myself a new bracelet. It reads S.C. for Self Control, something I want to work on in the new year. I figure it can't hurt to try it out. It isn't flashy and it's made with clear beads. I can take it off if it will not be right for the occasion. Maybe it'll work and I can wear my favorite jeans again. Here's to hoping!

A Child's Ten Commandments to Parents

My Mom was cleaning out her classroom and found a framed list of "A Child's Ten Commandments to Parents" and I thought I'd share. I can already pick out a few that I am going to need some help with, like #3. I have a tendency to constantly clean (although I never feel like my house looks it) while I am at home. I need to spend less time cleaning and more time playing and loving on my family.

1. My hands are small. Please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short, please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have. Please let me explore safely; don't restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for a short time. Please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender. Please be sensitive to my needs, don't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift from God. Please treasure me as God intended you to do, hold me accountable for my actions, giving me the guidelines to live by, and discipline me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement, but not your praise, to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then some days, I'll be prepared to make the kind of life decisions life requires of me.

8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't compare myself with my brother or sister.

9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacation from parents, just as parents need vacation for kids. Besides, it is a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

10. Please take me to Sunday school and church regularly, setting example for me to follow. I enjoy learning more about God.

From the Pen of Betty Bland.

Thank you James Spann

I love it when the weather people are wrong and predict snow when nothing actually happens. The city shuts down, which includes the school systems, and I have to--get to--stay home with Thomas. We stayed inside all day and played, it was wonderful. Well, I did 5 loads of laundry, but Thomas did play.




First, we got into the football spirit and threw the ball around a bit.





Then we colored with the fun gift Aunt Emily gave Thomas for Christmas. I find it amazing that we don't have any paper at all in this house. I scrambled around and finally found something for Thomas to use, but it wasn't much.





Then Thomas napped. Pictures like these make me realize how big my man is getting. Yes, he has his Bama gear on. He's a lost cause. Period. End of story.






Then we watched the big game. Brett did push ups whenever Bama scored any points. I don't think I've ever seen Brett go as crazy as he did during that game. I actually got text messages asking if he was alright. Lucky, Bama won and Brett is very happy. I mean VERY HAPPY, which means all is good in the Watson household. Hopefully it is in yours too.