The Pinata...

This is the pinata for Jeremiah's party- I used a balloon as the base and put the paper mache- newspaper, flour and water, around it to make the shape- it just takes awhile to dry.  After a few coats- then when it was dry- we painted it brown and then decorated it!  I thought it would be easy to break- it actually was harder than I thought for litter 3 year olds- we had to give it some help.

Jeremiah's Curious George Birthday Party Pt. 1

The Saturday after Jeremiah's birthday we had a "Curious George" birthday party for Jeremiah with family and a few friends!  Here were the decorations for the party and things to an idea from my friend Laura- I decided to try to make my own pinata- not too hard but like my friend said- do it early as it takes a while to dry!  The You Tube video I looked up on how to make it- said when you are finished- sit and admire and your enjoy your creation before it gets smashed into smithereens.  Here were the decorations for the party!

 A sweet friend and lady who has been mentoring me- Becky got this idea for the cupcakes- monkey cupcakes and she came over to help me decorate them which was soo helpful!  Super fun!

 We also gave everyone a banana at the party to take home that said- Thanks A Bunch For Swinging By & Coming To Monkey Around With Me- but I forgot to give these out when everyone left- oh well, you can't remember everything!

 We had a few Curious George Books for story time and a few games- the first being pin the banana on Curious George blindfolded- super fun- and we had the pinata monkey style!

 I made the kids a little craft that I thought we could do at the party but we didn't have time so we sent it as a take home- I forgot this too but we handed them out later.

Jeremiah's 3rd Birthday- Our Family Celebrations...

Jeremiah's birthday this year was on a Friday- so here is what we did on his actual birthday!  We love to celebrate in our home!  Daddy woke up early (well he usually wakes up early) but on his birthday he made him some extra special pancakes and sausage.  Jeremiah LOVES pancakes and asks for them almost every morning- I think I am too lazy to make them every day though. :)

 We then went to our Friday morning music class. Lydie loves to eat her socks- she looks like a little puppy crazy girl eating her socks.  Then one of his favorite buds Jack and his sister and mommy went with us to McDonalds for lunch so we could play in the play area afterward!

 Of course there was snow on the ground, so after naps- we went outside to play in the snow!  And then in the evening we had another favorite of Jeremiahs and are common Lyons Family Pizza and Movie night only this night Jeremiah got to join us and we popped popcorn and he watched part of the movie "Cars..." which he got for his birthday.  I see a lot more of Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen in our future!  We had a wonderful day celebrating our little guy turning 3!!!

Sleeping Like A Baby...

My baby was sick today with a fever and pretty much had a fussy day but sleep is sweet. I caught a picture of my babe sleeping this afternoon- I love how she sleeps.  Michael always laughs at this position because he says that she sleeps like me.  He says he wakes up to find me sleeping just like Lydie at times.  I think my dad has been known to sleep in this position too- so funny!  :)  Guess we are carrying on a family tradition!

Jesus Speaks to Pain...

Today, in a devotional my Dad got me at Christmas- called Hope by Nancy Guthrie- I was challenged to think through Job and suffering.  At the end of January- I went to a Nancy Guthrie conference on Suffering and Jesus speaking to Pain, Physical Ailments and Offenses.  It was so good to be reminded of the hope we have in suffering and to prepare ourselves for the suffering that will come.  So many times when we experience suffering- we think of the fact that we do not deserve this suffering when many around the world experience it as part of their daily lives!  We need to be ready for when suffering will come and like Job worship at His feet!
These are a great listen for many of you moms out there!  She speaks to the pain that can't be prayed away, when healing does not come and when you have been hurt by people!  So many times I go throughout my day and don't know what to listen to if I have a moment- hope you can listen and be encouraged!

Nancy Guthrie- Jesus Speaks to Pain, Promises & Offenses 

Scroll down to Audio Files- Women's Conference 2014

Happy 1st Birthday Lydia!!

Today is Lydia's 1st birthday!  It is another beautiful day like it was a year ago.  I remember going in to have an ultrasound and they had me stay to induce me since my fluid levels were low.  I sat there in the hospital bed waiting to be induced thinking I want to be outside- it is soo pretty!  Little Lydie has been a huge blessing to our family!  At 1 year old- she is still not crawling but has perfected the spin- she spins in a circle very fast with her arms and she can bounce her way across a room and tries to reach as many things as she can!  She still LOVES and is quite soothed by her pacifier at bed times and at nap time!  She loves to watch Jeremiah and tries to take his toys!  She loves to hang upside and loves clapping her hands lately and playing peek-a-boo!  She is a little shy in big groups but loves when someone looks at her and smiles or pays attention to her!  Lately she loves to squeal and try to match her brother's squeals!  She continues to be such a joy and blessing to us!!!  We had a birthday blessing party for her this weekend and we pray the Lord would grow her to love Jesus above all else!  We have chosen the hymn- Fairest Lord Jesus for her and the passage:

Habakkuk 3:17-19-   
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the deer's;
    he makes me tread on my high places.
We pray little Lydia would grow to love the Lord with all her heart mind and strength and that no matter what trial comes her way- she would rejoice and take joy in the God of her salvation!  Honestly- sometimes I think, Lord would suffering will come upon this daughter in her life and we pray that she would cling to Christ no matter what!  We pray she would have a gentle quiet spirit and serve and care for others!  

And we pray the words of this hymn over her as well:

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine,
Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine

Happy Birthday Lydia Lyons!  We love you and are so thankful that God has entrusted us with your little life!  

Valentine's Week...

The birthday boy had a great birthday on Friday and at his party Saturday- I will post more updates and pictures soon but today we decided to celebrate a little of Valentine's Day.  My sister in law made these cute heart brownies with icing and heart sprinkles on Saturday and I think I may try to make them on Friday when my family comes to town to celebrate Lydia 1st birthday.  We are gearing up for another party celebrating Lydia this Sunday.

Yesterday, Mondays seem to be hard days for me.  Yesterday we entered lying- a perfectly folded basket of laundry dumped on the floor.  Jeremiah was the only one in the room at the time and said he didn't do it.  Then, we think he flushed his underwear down the toilet and denied he did- but he kept saying they were going down the river for the crocodile to eat.  It is hard at this young stage to know how to explain and how to discipline lying so we are taking it one step at a time.  After a hard day of discipline yesterday, I was encouraged today by Hebrews 12- the Father disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness.  (vs. 11)  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have ben trained by it.  Praying the Lord will work the peaceful fruit of righteousness in Jeremiah's little heart these days!

Jeremiah is 3!!!

Hard to believe my little guy turns 3 today!  We are planning on going to Music class with our friends this morning and going out to lunch with one of his best buds- Jack.  We are going to have a quiet night together as a family with his favorite food pizza!  And Saturday- I am planning a little Curious George Birthday party for him in the evening so we are busy getting ready.

Jeremiah is a sweet, caring little boy full of loads of energy.  He also is known as a boy who likes to have fun and loves playing with his friends!  His favorite activities lately are playing with his trains and building tracks!  He also loves to line up his trucks and enjoys singing and dancing!  He has also learned to ride his tricycle lately and loves to pedal in the basement chasing me!  He loves to go fast too and of course, crash into walls and objects!  He is a fun loving little boy who loves life and loves having fun- and he loves to wrestle with his Daddy.  He is not too big on crafts yet, but anything that involves running and jumping- he is into it! Happy 3rd Birthday Jeremiah Michael! You are a special little guy!  So glad the Lord gave you to us!  

Jeremiah Turns 1!

Jeremiah Turns 2!

Jeremiah Turns 3!

   

What Do You Do...

So what do you do when it is snowing and sleeting out last night and your hubby is trying to get things done while you entertain the kids...  You make a frosty dessert out of Marshmallows and then you eat it up!  :)  Jeremiah did!  Yes, that is a big bruise on the middle of my son's forehead and yes, he did run full speed into a wall!  :)

More Snow...

 We are anticipating MORE snow here tonight!  The kids are definitely enjoying the snow!  One week- we did a "Snow" and Frosty theme!  We made a snowman when it was snowy- drove trucks and dump trucks in the snow creating a work site for diggers- every boy's dream!  And we even watched the movie "Frosty the Snowman" and ate popcorn while Daddy was away at work one evening!  We made a picture of Frosty the Snowman, made some paper snowflakes and hope to still try making a snowman out of Marshmallows. :)  That snowman you could definitely eat!  Jeremiah loves eating the snow too and trying to help me shovel with his little baby shovel!  On Saturday it got up to 50 and our Frosty melted and Jeremiah says every time he goes outsisde- "Oh no, Frosty melted..."  It is a sad sad day when Frosty melts- but he will probably come around again!  Lydia- on the other hand- she is not too sure about that Frosty!  :)  Happy Snowing!