Bug Bows

So, I need some help. I am trying out this little craft. I found a tutorial to make Bug Bows online, here. They are really cute and Maryn loves them. It's pretty easy to make the bugs, I'm just having a problem with the clip they are attached to. I've tried alligator clips covered in ribbon, using hot glue, but they seem bulky, don't stay in very well, and the hot glue makes a mess. So, I tried the flippy clips (used for the bugs shown in the picture). I covered those with a piece of felt, using hot glue. I liked how they looked and they work really well in Maryn's fine hair, but after a day in "Maryn the Warrior's" hair, the felt come unglued from the clip. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any glue recommendations? Alternative clips or ways to cover them?

Maryn

Maryn is a funny kid. She loves to laugh, and enjoys making others laugh, too. In three words I would describe her as: Silly, shy, and stubborn. Hmm. They all start with s. The other day we were playing and we thought this was pretty funny:
That is a tutu around her head, and she is a lion. (if you couldn't figure it out) Maryn has gotten to that phase in childhood where she is very curious. She hasn't busted out any publicly embarrassing questions, yet. She's more into the serious points about life. The two big questions these days are: Am I going to die? (any suggestions on how to put this one to rest?) and, Will it melt? She asks me if the most random things will melt. Crackers, toys, pickles.
Ha ha! Could you imagine what a melted pickle would look like?

An Exciting Spring Day

The past few days here in KY have been very beautiful. I'm so excited that Spring is here. It seems like it came overnight...either that, or I am not very observant. I just noticed that all of the Spring blooms are out. The forsythia and magnolias are always a welcome sight.

From our backyard

My friend, Sarah, called me up this morning to see if we wanted to go to the park. We called a few more people and headed out to Cherokee Park. At about 1 o'clock, we're starting to pack things up, the kids are flying a kit, and we're just kind of relaxing in a field next to the playground. Suddenly, Sarah and I notice three boys standing at the edge of the field, looking into the woods. About 5 feet from where they are standing, the dead brush is smoking, a lot.

"Fire," they start saying. Not yelling. Just saying it. Kind of to each other, like they don't know what to do. Sarah and I are the closest adults, so we starting walking over. Two boys run away, the other stays and says "Fire" a little bit louder to us. "Is it really a fire?" Sarah asks the boy. He nods, and we see flames shoot up. Fortunately I had my water bottle and a small thermos. Sarah grabs them while I stay with the kids. Another lady comes over and yells to call the fire department. I am the only one nearby. And, yes, the number to call is 911. While I am on the phone with the 911 operator, everyone starts running over with their water bottles, pouring water on the flames. The operator gets the information: my name, number, where we are, etc. Just as we are done, someone yells, "Its out!" Now I feel dumb, talking to a 911 operator about a small fire at the park, that is now out. They will send a truck over, just in case.

Wow, I have never had to call 911, and hope I never have to again. However, Sarah was able to fulfill her life long dream of being a forest firefighter. And, three boys learned a lesson that:

Smoke grenade + dead leaves = Fire

If You Can't FInd It, Make It Yourself!

I have searched high and low for something cute to put into Ailee's hair. She has enough hair to make for some serious bed head, but not enough to pull up or into clips. Every store I went in to, I would check out their baby head band collection, only to be disappointed that everything has big icky bows and/or lace. Finally, I decided to do some internet research and make my own. I found this tutorial, and altered it for a baby's head, making the width smaller (2") and using only 1/4" elastic so it wasn't so bulky (which was a little tricky to figure out how to cover it in fabric...but once I got it, it was a breeze). Hobby Lobby (I heart Hobby Lobby) had a bunch of cute fabrics, so I bought a fourth of a yard of each...which will make several headbands. Here's my little model, showing off one of my favorites:

Awesome GNO

Ok, it's been over a week, and I have neglected to post about our latest Girls' Night. This was actually a Girls' Overnight, and it was pretty stinkin' fun. My friend, Sarah, has a great mother-in-law, who owns a cabin in beautiful Red River Gorge. She let us use it for our escape. We loaded up our cars on Friday evening as soon as all of our hubbies got home to take over the child corralling. We drove about 2 hours to the cabin, AKA "Lover's Landing" (very romantic...) which was in a great spot, and was so nice! The evening was spent playing games:

(The best picture of the night--Janelle licking Brinn's toe.)

And soaking up the bacteria in the scalding hot tub:(What a bunch of HOT MAMAS!!)

The next morning, we had one of the best breakfasts I think I have ever had (probably because it didn't include Cheerios or frozen waffles) to start the day. A few of the gals had to head home, but we got a picture of the group before they ran off.

Back: Collette, Me (with my eyes closed), Melissa, Sarah, Erin, Waveney, and Amber

Front: Janelle (no diseases, yet from licking the toe) and Brinn

Our first hike was up to Natural Bridge. The last time I hiked this was many, many years ago, when:

1. I hadn't had two kids

2. I was about 10 lbs lighter, and

3. I didn't have a chest cold.

Needless to say, I am out of shape, and had a much harder time climbing all the stairs than my more in shape, marathon running, athletic friends. But, I survived, squeezed through the skinny gap...

...and made it all the way to the top.

Me, Janelle, Sarah, Erin, Waveney, and Amber

The way down was much easier. We drove a few miles over and did another (flatter) hike. It was very beautiful, too, and this time my balancing skills were put to the test as we had to cross a creek many times. My shoes were very muddy, but only a little bit wet. We hiked out to Danielle Boone's hut, which was in a cool cave-ish area, but happened to be only a few rotten boards laying on the ground. It was still a great hike, and I was able to see a new side to some of my friends. (ha ha!)

After hiking, we went back to the cabin for a very good lunch, soaked up a few more bacteria in the hot tub, and packed up. We bid farewell to Lover's Landing and headed home. Thanks to all my friends, who made this such a fun time! I look forward to our future Girls' Outings!

Reasons to Smile

This morning was a rough one. Maryn went beyond her normal three-year-old-ness and was extra, extra moody today. I don't know what has happened over the past few months, but my sweet girl has turned into a rotten teenager. She is never happy with what I give her, wants the exact opposite of the things I choose, and talks back to me. I am not an advocate of spanking, but I sure was tempted. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to...and I'm glad I didn't. I would have regretted it, because I know it would have been out of anger/frustration and not done with loving discipline. I hope this is just a phase, and not a personality trait.

After getting dinner in the crock pot, getting ready for the day and fighting the urge to just run away, the girls and I went over to a friend's house. I am grateful for my friends (#1). I went over with a big, dark cloud over my head, but it seemed to disappear the instant I sat down. My friends are good and uplifting--I love to be around them. We had a super duper fun GNO (Girls' Night Out) this last weekend. As soon as I get my pictures together, you will hear more about our little overnight trip at Lover's Landing. (Oh, the anticipation!!)

When I got home, I put the girls down for some much needed naps. Maryn was so exhausted from throwing tantrums and crying this morning, that she fell right to sleep. I was able to balance the check book and pay some bills. We have some banking accounts and insurance policies through a company called USAA. USAA is available to military members and their families, and over the years has proven to be the company with the best customer service. (#2) We pay a little bit more for our insurance, but it is SO worth it. After natural disaster #2 hit Louisville, I heard rumors that homeowners insurance policies would cover your food spoilage if you lost power, and I wondered if our renters insurance would also cover the costs. We were fortunate enough to keep our power after the ice storm, but I had never made any claims from last September, after the wind storm. So, I called them up today. What a great company! I was pleased for the following reasons:

A) I was on the phone with a real person longer than I was on hold.

B) The person's primary language was English. Not Spanish, Hindi, or Ebonics.

C) I did not feel like I was interrupting this person's busy day of checking their email or texting with their friends.

D) They did cover the cost of the food loss.

[Chanting]

U-S-A-A

U-S-A-A

U-S-A-A

Now, if only they offered sanity insurance.

After I talked with the rep. at USAA about the food, I was asking them about making some claims on our upcoming move, should we need to. I realized that I never announced our big decision.

We are moving to Denver, Colorado! (#3)

Kade accepted a position there a few weeks ago, and I can't tell you the relief it has brought to have that decision made. Now I have to deal with the stress of finding a dwelling place. Rent for a while? How long? Risk online home buying? Whatever the outcome, we are excited about it. We both loved it there when we went out for the interview. Also, I am excited to step down as "bread winner" for the family.

Our new flag

Of course Denver comes with a downside to it. I did some online research:

-It is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor,

-It is illegal to mistreat rats, and

-You may not drive a black car on Sundays.

Hmm...it makes you wonder, how did these laws come into effect??

Reason number four (#4) is this:

Yep, it's my fav German chocolate, and that's what I ate for lunch. Confession: I am an emotional chocolate eater. Normally I eat one or two squares, at most, half a bar. Today, I ate the WHOLE THING. About 3:00 my stomach was pretty angry. But it made me feel better.

The First 5

I got this from my sister's blog and I thought I'd give it a try:

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!

my choice.

for you.

this offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. what I create will be just for you.
3. it’ll be done this year.
4. you have no clue what it’s going to be … it may be cards, a poem, a bookmark, something yummy or a complete surprise to you (and me) … who knows? not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
6. most importantly, you must offer the same deal on your blog - the first 5 people to comment on your blog (or if you do not have a blog, facebook) get something made by YOU! the first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me …

Hunger Pains

I was trying to think about something interesting to blog about today. But, today is Fast Sunday (as a Mo' on the first Sunday of every month, we fast through two meals and then donate the money we would have used for those meals to the church, to distribute to those in need), so all I can think about is food. When I was in Utah, my sister took me (without kids....thanks to my bro in law) to this restaraunt called Shoots. YUM. My first thought is that is was a sports bar. No. It was Chinese cuisine, and it was the BESTESTEST Chinese food I have ever had! Every so once in a while, I really like Chinese buffets, but they always leave me feeling heavy and greasy. This restaraunt was so not like that. Instead of mounds and mounds of breaded meat on top of rice, our main course was mostly vegetables with a good amount of meat mixed in. We got Kung Pao Chicken and String Beans Beef. Mmmmm, it was good. I even liked my soup (Hot and sour soup...which my sister didn't care for as much) and the egg rolled served with our meal. Seriously, it was the best restaurant meal I've had in a long time. So, if you are ever in Provo, Utah, and you're looking for a good place to eat...Shoots. Oh, and the price was great. I think it was $20 for lunch for both of us.