Transform-her...more than meets the eye

My girls got invited to a boy party this week.  We grabbed this seemingly boy appropriate gift, one we thought a 5 year old boy would totally be in to. Unbeknownst to us, this is actually a female transformer.  A transform-her, if you will.  Who knew there was such a thing?  And why, may I ask?  Must be one of those gender equality things I guess.  Anyway, Brooklyn's friend graciously informed us before the girls were completely mortified as the birthday boy opened a pink (which actually looked red in the store) girl transformer in front of all his little boy buddies.  So back to Target it goes.  Just goes to show (again), we do girl things best!

pretty, pretty

I've been bu-sy working in my big girls' room this week...painting this and that, Craig's-ing this and that, crafting this and that, thrifting this and that...and I think I'm nearly done (but can you ever really say that?!?).  The thing still looming over my head is the bedding...try to make it, export the job to my genius quilting mother-in-law, buy something vintage... jury's still out on that one.  Anyway, I'm a huge fan of free printables and found these two adorable prints I had to use. You can find them here (along with a couple other cuties).  I also had some vintage hangers (thank you amvets 25cents each!) that I wanted to use but had to girlify them to fit the room a bit better.  In comes two old faithfuls- mod podge and scrapbook paper.  I left the other side wood in case I ever need them for something else, but I think they look pretty pretty indeed.

so happy together

then
it seemed like it took you forever to ask
now
it seems like forever ago
still
i'm so thrilled to share forever with you
happy anniversary brett

Sisters

Sometimes it seems like all they do is
boss each other
resist each other
annoy each other
try to manipulate each other
hoard from each other
argue with each other
tattle on each other
speak unkindly to each other.
But then I see this...
and I remember
those are things that sisters do,
but they truly love each other
in spite of it all.

Thithter thuzy thitting on a thithle

I thimply couldn't rethitht. 

P.S.This girl is going to make the Tooth Fairy broke.

Rhu what?

This recipe just goes to show that anything can be made into something delicious if you add enough butter and/or sugar.  Ever heard of rhubarb?  The checkout lady at Henry's had to ask me what it was, she thought it was rutabaga (whatever that is!).  I would bet most people have probably not ever even seen rhubarb.   They wouldn't know that it looks just like celery only its red, has the identical texture, and it tastes sour as all-get-out.  Seriously, who thought of making it into a dessert?  Must be the same lady who first made candied watermelon rind.  Anyway, I totally remember my grandma growing tons of it in her garden and making cobblers and pies in the summertime.  So in our attempts to try new things and get creative in the kitchen...enter Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (not to be confused with Rhubarb dessert, or Rhubarb pie, or Rhubarb cobbler).   And honestly, it was completely delish.  Light crust on the bottom, ooey gooey sweetness in the middle and crumbled perfection on top.  And don't forget the vanilla ice cream.  Ever. On any pie, crisp, cobbler, or crumble.

RHUBARB STRAWBERRY CRISP

2 c. flour 1 1/2 c. brown sugar 1 1/2 c. oatmeal 1 c. softened butter Mix together for crust and topping. Filling: 1 1/2 c. chopped rhubarb 1 1/2 c. sliced strawberries 1 2/3 c. sugar 2 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch 2 1/2 c. water 2 tsp. vanilla Combine crust ingredients, press 1/2 of mixture into greased 9 x 13 pan. Top with rhubarb and strawberries. Stir together sugar and cornstarch, stir into water. Cook until thickened. Pour over fruit, sprinkle other 1/2 of crumbs on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve with ice cream or yogurt.

Eleven

The oldest picture I had on my computer 

April 2004

2 weeks in Hawaii, no kids, ahhhhhhh, the good old days right?

This week will mark 11 yeas of wedded bliss for Brett and me.  Eleven years ago we promised to love each other forever, no matter what.  We are so thankful that the God we promised our faithfulness to, has been faithful to us, in filling us with love for each other every single day.   And I have to say, thanks to Him, we have an amazing marriage.

I've been reading God's Priorities for Today's Woman, a study on Titus 2:3-5, and let me say it has been kicking my butt.  In so may areas of my life.  But, I wanted to share some of the things I've been challenged with in the area of loving my husband.  Because even after 1 1years, I've still got some major growing to do in that area.   Here goes...

"Loving your husband biblically is not always convenient or easy for you; in fact it always requires sacrifice." Ouch!  Am I willing to sacrifice? I know my kids require me to sacrifice, but my husband too?

"By faithfully making your husband a priority, you bring God glory."

It is my purpose in life to bring God glory, and if that is accomplished by loving my husband, that is what I must do. 

Eight practical ways to make your husband a priority:

1.  Think about him- Your heart follows what your mind dwells on.

2.  Do his stuff first- He will be blessed when he sees you putting his stuff at the top of your to-do list.

3.  Maintain an identity as a couple-Spend time together, just the two of you.  Husbands thrive on their wives' undistracted attention.

4.  Look forward to his homecoming- Prepare yourself, your kids and your home for your husbands arrival.

5.  Be at home when he is home-  Take care of your errands while he is at work so you can spend time together as a family.

6.  Pray for him-  There is nothing like praying for someone to motivate us to put our love into action.

7.  Make your relationship with your husband a priority over the other friendships you have- Make your husband your best earthly friend.

8.  From the first year of your marriage to the sixty-first year, plan on and look forward to times of intimacy with your husband- Nothing communicates priority more to a man than this wife's eagerness and willingness to meet his needs in this way.  You are the only person on earth who can do this for him.  And God has given you this special privilege to joyfully obey.

Let the wife see that she 

respects 

and 

reverences her husband- 

that she 

notices him, 

regards him, 

honors him, 

prefers him, 

venerates 

and 

esteems him, 

that she defers to him, 

praises him, 

and 

loves 

and 

admires him 

exceedingly.

Ephesians 5:33 (Amplified Bible) 

Now you know what I mean about kicking my butt right?  

Linkin' up with Katie...check it out!

the perfect combination

What do you get when you cross this...

(I've dreamed about using one of these for years...)

this...

(A Craig's list find -that I had to call for reinforcement to get into the van- thanks Renee!)

and this...?

 

(the ultimate in furniture makeover)

You get me working in my element outside all day sanding, sanding, and sanding and painting, painting, and painting while my kids run wild half naked drinking soda from the can and pigging out on my stash of M&Ms.  You also get me covered in fine dust and gray spray paint.  Think ashy to the tenth power.  I must go shower now.  Stay tuned for the big reveal.

Life is not always a bowl of cherries. Especially when your baby chokes on one.  Like really chokes.  Like yank her out of her high chair, sweep her mouth, bang on her back, try to remember the baby Heimlich, this dang thing is not coming out, Jesus help me, kind of choke.  Strangely enough it was a pretty small piece of cherry.  Of course I had cut them up so she wouldn't choke.  But she, in typical Leighton fashion, had shoved 3 or 4 pieces in at the same time.  I am so thankful Brett was home.  So thankful we were sitting close beside her and noticed right away what was happening.  So thankful he was able to get that cherry to come out in time.  So thankful our baby is okay.  
Obviously this led me to do a little refresher on the baby Heimlich.  Here's what I found.  I have to admit, this is not what I was doing.  Apparently the old slapping on the back is not the best way.  Anyway, hope it's helpful to you- actually I hope you never ever have to use it, but just in case...

Follow these steps to help a choking infant:

Lay the child down, face up, on a firm surface and kneel or stand at the victim's feet, or hold infant on your lap facing away from you. Place the middle and index fingers of both your hands below his rib cage and above his navel. Press into the victim's upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust; do not squeeze the rib cage. Be very gentle. Repeat until object is expelled.

If the Victim has not recovered, proceed with CPR. The Victim should see a physician immediately after rescue.

Don't slap the victim's back. (This could make matters worse.)

letting her do it

She picked the colors,
she picked the pattern,
she picked the decals,
but I insisted on her letting me paint them.
Fingernail polish is
easily tipped over
and
impossible to get out of clothes,
off tile,
off rugs.
Its sticky
and 
incredibly messy,
and a bit beyond the ability of a 6 year old, I'm afraid.
But she was persistent.
I can do it Mommy.
I promise I'll be careful.
I won't tip it over.
I know what I'm doing.
So,
I let go.
I let her do it.
She tipped over the polish once,
but I caught it in time.
She went outside the lines,
several times.
But I corrected her mistakes gently.
She did her nails
all by herself.
She was so proud.
I let go,
and let her do it.