Glimpses of Love Everywhere

There are glimpses of love all over my home. I love Valentine's day.  Tony and I started dating 12 years ago, this Valentine's day.  It's a fun day to remember back to where our relationship started.  I'm not one of those "get out the big pink and red tub and decorate for Valentine's" type of people, but I do like to add my own little touches to the fun holiday.  This year, it's not like we had a bunch of heart stuff lying around ready to showcase for Valentines day, so I got creative.

January's Warmer of the Month was perfect.  I added two little birds that I already had. We will call them love birds. 

When the fire happened, people gave us all kinds of things. Some were fabulous.  Some were, well... let's just say we donated them.  And some were fun things that I stowed away for later. Like this sign.  It's not really my style, but it's Valentines day right? It's hanging on the kids bedroom door and they love it!

 My Aunt Carol sent me this table runner in Caroline's birthday package.  I LOVE it!  I'm a table runner kind of girl! You can't really see them in this photo, but there are Red Plate Chargers (that my mom gave me) on the table. We like our paper plates to be fancy like that, on Chargers. 

 There may or may not be tissue paper pom-pom's hanging in my dining room still, left over from a Princess Tea Party (*ahem 2 weeks ago* That I still need to blog about). The colors work for Valentines right?

Tomorrow I'm having my Scensty Team Meeting at my house.  Aren't these little buckets cute? Giving is one of my life's greatest pleasures, and I LOVE spoiling my Scentsy girls! So, these buckets are filled with a little bit of love, just for them!

Okay, you know I had to sneak in a pic of my two favorite little LOVES right?  They were looking all Valentine-E in their red and white so I had to snap a pic.  Aren't they cute?

 This is my Valentine's display.  Now, let me tell you I spent not a single penny on this.  I added the red burlap to my burlap bow at Christmas and well, let's face it, it works for Valentines Day.  Red, Comfy Cozy Scentsy warmer, and just a Vase someone gave me that I put branches in (clipped from trees in the backyard).

 I wanted to hang something that looked like love, so I whipped out some little stuffed hearts and hung them with ribbon. They aren't the best thing I've made, but for 10 minutes of work, not too shabby.

 Tobin made this heart ornament at Christmas of himself and his sister.  I just had to keep it aside for Valentines Day.  It was my inspiration for this little display.  Sweet, huh?  The other red glitter hearts are recycled Christmas Tree ornaments.  I told you I didn't spend any money.  It just so happens red is on my Christmas Tree too.  Get creative people!

I Love this Thrifted chalkboard. I use it for so many things. I pretty much move it around my house and write different things on it because, let's face it, that's what it's for! Ha! ... and I love these little birds.  They are super tiny (which you can't really tell in the picture) but I just love them! I turned them towards each other.  They make me smile every time I walk by.

 This wreath is a homemade wreath.  The grapevine was wrapped around my Christmas tree (pulled from outside- not kidding) and when I took my tree down I just used twine and made me some grapevine wreaths. I'm a sucker for wreaths!  I know... it's a disease. I'm working on it.  These two little foam/feathered birds were on my Christmas Tree too. Are you starting to see a trend?  I took a piece of Fabric and wrote (with a Sharpie) "Love Birds".  High tech, huh?  But, it works.  I love how effortless it looks (and really is).  It's on our Master Bedroom Door.

 Okay, last wreath (for this post anyway).  I promise.

I had the kids make me some hearts and put them on our wreath with tiny wooden clothespins. Today we got a Valentine in the mail from my Mom and I added it.  It's kind of like a Christmas Card wreath, but with Valentines.  Okay, I'll stop talking about Christmas.  Good grief!

Close up of one of Caroline's.  It has her and Tobin on it.  My kids-- I tell ya, the are best friends and worst enemies, but more about that on another post.

 

One of Tobin's was a butterfly.  He said, "mom, I put your favorite pattern on here".  I may or may not have a lot of Chevron (earrings, pillows, leggins, etc.). I'm not ashamed, I Love it! ha!

 

Did this get your creative juices flowing?  Everyone can have a little LOVE around their house too!  What did you think of? I'd LOVE to see it! Post your link below.

God Keeps His Promises...

... and the Bunny is fun too :)

Weekend Preview

This last weekend, we went to spend a couple days with my family in Arkansas. Here is a preview of what pics are to come!

Down 50 and 76

You may have noticed I've changed the photo on the blog. The reason being that we have taken on a new form. You see, Tony has lost 76 pounds, and I have lost 50! Next week we have a family photo session scheduled, so until then, the pic of the kids will have to do as the header.

I have been MIA for a while for good reason. Fall is always a busy season for our family. BIG SWITCH occurs in the Fall (our big 3 week youth event), and this year we added a new way of life. We are getting healthy, once. and. for. all. We will never go back. We have photos to remember the unhealthy life we led. The addiction to food is gone for good. We got rid of 14 garbage bags full of "fat" clothes. I am writing this post to give all my readers a sort of "heads up". When the new photos are posted, you may not recognize us. Most days we don't recognize ourselves. We are so excited about teaching our children, and leaving them a legacy of health.

Another thing we added this fall is my new Scentsy business. It has kept me even busier that before, but it is so much fun! It is going great. God is blessing us so much through Scentsy, and I can't wait to see where our lives will be this time next year. If you want to look at the online catalog, items can ship directly to your home. www.FreeFromWicks.com It's the best time of year to host a party. Scentsy makes awesome gifts, too!

I have been going to a women's bible study at a local church every Monday morning. I signed up in support of a friend, and have received so much out of it. It has given me the boost in my spiritual life that I needed in this season. I am so grateful for the women that God has placed in my life!

We are so excited about our new journey. Our marriage is stronger than it has ever been. Our kids are growing and learning new things every day. We are learning so many things through this diet/lifestyle change that we never thought possible. Before and after pics will come when we go to the maintain part of our diet. I'll post more on how we lost the weight later.

Keep us in your prayers! I'll try not to be so "lost in cyberspace" the next couple months. Family pics to come soon!

Have a safe, fun, and happy Halloween!

Remember this weekend...

As we enter the Memorial Day holiday weekend, may we remember the men and women who have given their life so we can have freedom today! We are so thankful and blessed!

I hope your weekend is filled with wonderful memories of friends and loved ones who served for us!

Easter Weekend 2010

Our Family of Four, the Friday before Easter

Easter Sunday, with our coordinating outfits. I wish we had taken another pic from head to toe. Oh well...

Miss Caroline, the weekend before Easter in her sweet pink dress :)

Saturday before Easter, we headed out to Choctaw for the annual Egg Hunt. It was Caroline's first time to "hunt" eggs (or put them in her basket when we handed them to her). Anyway, we had a great time! I think we all really enjoyed ourselves.

Trying to find his age group with daddy.

Thirsty girl!

Getting ready to start!

"So, I just put these in my basket?"

"I like these eggs, but why is everyone screaming?"

"I think I'll take them out now, and put them in my lap".

Mimi and Caroline after the hunt. She was excited!

Lined up, ready to go!

See Tony running with Tobin? Tony is in the yellow and white stripped shirt!

"Just concentrate on the eggs, just get them all!"

"I did pretty good, but I don't wanna pose for a pic, can I just open them already mom?!"

THE EASTER BUNNY!!!

Caroline was terrified!

"Get me outta here, Daddy!"

Tony and his Mamaw

Mimi, Mamaw, Caroline, cousin Emily, and Tobin

When we got back to Mimi's house, the "Easter Bunny" had left baskets a day early! How exciting!

She was so excited!

Emily, with her basket! We love Emily!

Almost walking on her own, if she would be brave enough!

So sleepy from all that Easter egg hunting!

EASTER SUNDAY:

After church, we headed out to Mimi's again. Lots of yummy food to eat!

...And more eggs to hunt!

Cousin Allen and Tobin, showing off their loot!

Sweet Siblings...

They were tired and fell asleep on the way home! What a busy weekend!

I hope your Easter was terrific! I hope everyone remembered the true sacrifice that we celebrate on Easter! Thank you Jesus for paying the debt for our sin!