This past weekend me and Wes went and saw the movie Grace Card and man. I haven't cried that hard in a REALLY long time. Especially, in a movie theater. lol I wish I would have seen it at home. So I highly recommend if it's playing near you GO SEE IT! Plus, it's a local Memphis movie. How cool is that!!
Synopsis
Everything can change in an instant ... and take a lifetime to unravel.
When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God ... and just about everyone else.
Mac's rage stonewalls his career in the police department and makes for a combustible situation when he's partnered with Sam Wright, a rising star Mac's home life is as frightening as anything he encounters on the streets of Memphis. Money is tight and emotions run high as he constantly argues with his wife and his surviving son Blake, who is hanging with the wrong crowd and in danger of flunking out of school.
Sam Wright also never expected to be a police officer. He has a calling—to be a minister like his Grandpa George. But leading a small, start-up church doesn't always put enough food on the table for a young family, so Sam doubles as a police officer. With his new promotion to Sergeant, Sam starts questioning if his real calling might actually be police work rather than the pastorate.
Can Mac and Sam somehow join forces to help one another when it's impossible for either of them to look past their differences—especially the most obvious one?
Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God's grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD ... and never underestimate the power of God's love.
Long post warning!
Aiden daycare update:
1st day: He wanted to be held the entire day and only took at 15 minute nap! OMG! So when we came to get him he was soo frantic and tired. The nice thing he went to bed at 7pm! OMG soooooooooooooo nice!
2nd day: He did MUCH better and took a 1 hour nap! YAH Aiden!!
Every morning my heart melts because I drop him off and WW3 starts. CRYING and walking/crawling toward me going MOMMA!! But by the time its time to pick him up he's having too much fun and wants to play. This has been a good thing though! I definitely notice a difference. Bedtime now officially 7pm. Sleeps till 6:20 and Wes gets him ready, while I'm getting ready and makes me my required morning coffee. Greatest hubby ever! Big help! He is now walking all the time now. I think seeing the other kids walking helps him feel more confident. He doesn't cry when he sees his cousins. lol He actually smiles and tries to play. I'm so happy about all the changes until I write that money check. haha JK it's totally worth it though to see him developing so much in just 1 week. Who would have thought!
Going to daycare has definitely increased his laundry load...because at the house with Wes he would just be in a diaper most the time unless it was cold. But now there are socks, pants, shirts, backups of each. Since he is such a messy eater they are forced to change him after lunch every day. So noticing the dirty clothes everyday I decided that I needed to make him a dirty clothes bag.
So off I went to the sewing machine. Luckily, I had some of the strip fabric that was on his bookbag. Matchy Matchy! :-) Can't get any better than that. This was my first time to work with PUL fabric, and let me say DEFINITELY not a fan. Neat stuff, but it was hard to sew. It made my squares not perfectly squared, but nothing to fret about. It is cool because I can just wipe the inside instead of washing it. I loved how it turned out so I made a clean bag too and changed the layout just a little bit. Don't you just love!
Then I decided to take one more preventive step. New bibs! The kind with the plastic on the back. Lately, Aiden has been a drooling machine. I mean soaking his shirts! And it doesn't help that instead of drinking the water he uses it to drool back out. He does this thing where he sticks his tongue out and the blows....spraying the water everywhere. Just a phase right?! It's so darn cute, that I can't get really mad at him. lol So off I went to wally world to get some cheap bibs, and using some fabrics I already had. Custom bibs! His name has to be on everything we take, so having the "A" on it makes it easy.
Well, speaking of clothes as soon as I think we have money saved up for something...the roof, bedroom furniture, porch, etc. There it goes towards something else. Ugh! So annoying! But I guess that's life, something always goes wrong. This time the dryer! Same issue as the last one. For about 2 weeks its been taking 3 full timers to dry one load. Talk about pouring money down the drain just to run it. Plus, it's not good for our clothes! So I finally said that's it. Time to get a new one! So the research began and I finally decided on a Maytag FRONT LOADER! Fancy huh? The prices on them are actually reasonable now, so why not?! Eventually whenever our washer gives out I will get that front loader washer...but our little washer is going strong! Thank goodness!
Next Tuesday I'll be happy when the new dryer arrives! But the size is huge 7.5 cu ft! Very nice! The other feature that I loved was the Sanitary Cycle. With my future of washing stuff animals this cycle helps remove germs and bacteria from items that you prefer not to wash. Neat huh?!
Other item updates:
So apparently I don't know my own strength. lol I break everything. 1st I actually broke the light bulb when changing it in one of our pendant lights above the counter. That was fun to fix! Next, it's the soap dispenser. UGH! Therefore, check out the new one! I need to get a different soap from Sam's other than peach, since both my dispensers are clear. lol And check out our poor old dispenser...off to the trash it went.
A few weeks back I finally found our bedroom table lamps. Even Wes approved! I found the shades first. Textured gray. PERFECT! Next I wanted to find some basic bases that can transition if we never change our comforter, which won't happen for YEARS! :-) Excuse the throw shams but I wanted to give the full effect. I took a close up so you can see the shade, which I loved! Since we only have one nightstand the other rests on my sewing table. Can't complain there! :-)
Lastly, I know I got this WAY early but a friend told me about it. I got Aiden's Easter basket. Yes, I know WAY early, but I wanted a specific look and that's hard to come across. I wanted a metal basket. Harder to find than you think. Thanks to Hobby Lobby, I found what I had been looking for that will last for years and won't break on me! It's soo cute!! I just wish the ribbon was something other than purple, but I didn't have much of a choice. Blue with pink ribbon or Green with purple ribbon. So the Green won! I might change this ribbon...still deciding a cheap fix for sure.
It's the perfect size, just big enough for a toy or a few outfits. And of course the chocolate bunny or jelly beans. :-)
That's it I have to be at work at 7am tomorrow for a full week of on-call support, so not really looking forward to that but at least its only a week compared to two which they originally wanted. I fought and won that battle. I still think 1 week is crazy since I didn't have any code go-live, but I gotta represent P&S....
So I found I am kind of obsessed with three colors. Our whole house seems to be inspired by them. lol....
Blue
Green
Tan
I think our next little one needs to be a girl so I can introduce some Pink and Purples in there. Get some variety :-) Sorry random post, but this is what I thought as I was packing up Aiden's new bedspread.
So I was wrong. I forgot today was President's Day, which equals no daycare. Probably because I have to work....ugh why can't we get off!!!???
Therefore, TOMORROW is the big day!! I'm so worried, but I know he will be okay. It's kinda like his first day of school. Big milestone!!
Everything is packed up and ready to go. Don't worry I will be snapping pictures! :) Tomorrow we both are going to drop him off and pick him up together. But after that I will drop off and Wes will pick up.
It's only Monday and I'm already drained. Work has been kicking my butt lately. Soo overloaded. It's a lot being the sole supporter for IP's DP IT plus dealing with the entire security aspect of Planning and Scheduling. OMG! Even though I have a lot I have been making a point to take a 5-10 min break every day to chat with my friends or I might go insane. Literally! Staring at all these numbers and words start blurring after awhile....so me and the ice machine have some quality time. lol ohh the sound of crunchy Sonic ice!
On another note, the item I was stalking, Aiden's big boy bedding, is officially over. I got an email stating they were sale, so after work I stopped by on my way home. OMG only 1 left....plus an additional 25% off....SOLD! Yes, I know its WAY early to get it, but at those prices I couldn't pass. Plus, it's exactly what I was looking for and will last as he grows up into a little boy. So no replacing for awhile.
So with that being said bedtime is calling, so I end with some pictures I took during Aiden's 1 year doctor appointment. Loves reading books!
Stealing this blog idea from Allison.
I guess the reason why I wanted to post this was because I recently bought the sham for his bedding. How it happened was one day during my lunch break I just had to get out of the office and my work happens to be near the Pottery Barn Outlet. So as I'm looking and awing over everything then I spot it. The CUTEST bedding ever! Something that was little boy but not babyish. I wanted something that would last through all of his phases and go with the nautical furniture. I didn't want the classic red/blue/white nautical theme.
So why did I already purchase it?! Well it was $7 and there were only 2 that's why! Gotta love a steal the bedding was marked down to $60, but there 12 of them on display so I know there will be an additional off soon. And did I say it is still full price on potterybarnkids.com!! Double steal! So I guess I will have to stalk it till the price is right. Even if I miss it I still can just get a solid comforter to go with it. Either way it's a win/win.
Luckily we don't need any furniture or storage. Yah! So that just leaves bedding, paint, and just a few decor changes. So I see this milestone change not hurting the pocketbook.
Paint: I can't decide if I want to do a pale tan or light yellow. I don't think I want to do blue again, even though I loooooove his current paint colors. Just something different and calm. Looks like there will be lots of swatches on the wall.
Decor: Remove his name from the wall and maybe replace by handmade nautical flag banner with his name on it?! Keep everything else the same, but incorporate some nautical items like buoys, nautical glass floats, etc. Not too much nautical though. Make new curtains. I'm thinking solid navy and then getting some natural colored rope and loosely draping it at the top like a valance (my curtain rod has 2 bars). Remove the teal from the front bar on the rod and replace with red. There's the most cheesy nautical I'm going :-)
Rug: Remove the teal rug and replace with a navy rug. Not sure if I want the one in the picture or another solid rug....I'll probably buy multiple and test them out in the room.
TA-DAH once those items are changed we have a BIG BOY room ladies and gentlemen. Not like this is gonna happen anytime soon, but I like the fact I'm documenting it for my forgetful mind. :-) Getting old is really taking its toll on my memory.
So I will give sneak peak of something....wonder what it is for?!?!
Today I signed Aiden up for daycare...and with that I had to get him a nap mat, because the 1 year olds sleep on those rather than the cribs. Soooo with that being said off I go making a cover for it. I'm kinda sad this day is here, just another sign he's not a baby anymore...gosh....he's growing up too fast! But it will be good for him interacting with other little kids on a daily basis. Monday I will be a complete wreck!
So we had a GREAT Valentines Day in this house hold until about 10pm....
It started by my amazing hubby fixing me and Aiden dinner! YUMMY! Flaffels. Aiden loves Flaffels and rice pilaf. So since he was cooking I told him I would bring home dessert. Gigi cupcakes! My first time ever, and I am gonna have to say Muddy's is WAAAY better. Their icing is fluffy and not as rich as GiGis. But they looked so pretty.
Aiden just kept watching Daddy, so I will interpret his pictures. "Come on Dad! I'm hungry!" "Are you done yet?" "Mom can I have my cupcake now?!" "MMMMMMM CUPCAKE!!!!" Gosh I love this little boy so much he truly is "Mom and Dads little Valentine". The shirt he wore for 5 minutes because it was covered with icing.
After dinner it was time to open his presents! Yah! His favorite part was the book of course! So we curled up on the sofa and read the book together. Love moments like that! One of the gifts was totally inappropriate not for a 1 year old...but it was sooo awesome I just had to get it. It was "My Responsibility Chart". I probably won't use it for a year, but I think it will help him.
As you can see from the pictures Aiden is a walking machine. So cute! However, that night I'm not sure if it was from the sugar high or the teething factor but Aiden wouldn't go to sleep. This is the 4th night of sleepless nights. OMG! Well, walking plus a tired baby equals a accident. I felt awful it happened on my clock. See the HUGE bump that appeared, but luckily by bedtime it went down and today it improved a lot more. I definitely didn't win the Best Mom Award that night. :-(
House Updates:
We got a new table lamp. Thanks Mom and Dad we finally used that Pier 1 card! haha like 1 year later! I had been stalking the lamp forever, but didn't want to pay full price. Lucky me I just happen to stop by on Mommy and Son outing Saturday and OMG it was on clearance! SCORE! It looks great. Well with that change I decided the other lamp needed to change after I saw a picture in my Better Homes and Gardens magazine. So off I went for a simple cheap change. Baby blue spray paint. LOOOOVE it! Now I'm on the hunt for a shade that is similar to the new lamp. I couldn't convince Wes we needed to paint our ceiling blue. haha. Can't win all the battles right?!
Another news my parents brought up my Fostoria crystal last weekend. Look at me Mrs. Fancy! It was Mudder's, which makes it even better! Memories of using it during Christmas/Easter/Thanksgivings at her house growing up. As I was cleaning the pieces before putting them in the buffet I just stood there in amazement and felt so blessed and overwhelmed. I mean look at all those pieces. 12 settings + extras items. I'd NEVER be able to afford it. It would probably take me like 10 years to get all of it. Even from up in the heavens Mudder is blessing my little family like she always did. LOVE YOU!
Tonight was my Cookbook Club, German night! AMAZING like normal even if I felt awful and had a day from hell at work. I live for these nights! Next month Irish night. So I'm up on the plate...gotta find something to teach everyone to make. No pressure :-)
On that note: I gladly say Aiden went down at 10pm and both me and Wes are sick....UGH Hopefully, I will feel better in the morning....
As I'm uploading pictures from Aiden's party I realized something. Gosh, I'm mad at myself but we didn't take one family shot! UGH! Oh well, I'm just gonna have to get us to have a little family photo shoot later this month. So upset!
This week we still had gifts rolling in from friends and family who couldn't make it to the party. So thankful! Means so much that they would go out of their way for my little guy. I will mention one of the gifts, because I think everyone should get one! Aiden LOOOOVES it! He is permanently glued to the frig now. I love those magnet alphabets, but this is so much more than just that! It not only sings the alphabet song, but the sound each letter makes. Love it!
LEAP FROG Fridge Phonics®: Magnetic Alphabet Set
This snow is KILLING me! I am swamped at work, and working at home with a son who wants me to hold him 24/7 or trying to type on the keyboard or pull out my power cord makes it so difficult. Normally its okay but I'm a little overloaded. I have BIG deadlines next week....on top of my normal support role, which is killing me too. Of course every business is having WEIRD issues that require research time. Time I don't have. Walking mummy! Thankfully the snow melted so me and Aiden went on a little fresh air adventure....and he got to ride for the 1st time forward facing! Ah! He loved it!!
Speaking of milestones little man is a walking machine! We even had to rearrange the living room and remove the coffee table to help promote this new stage. Kind of exciting he started this the day before his birthday. I love watching him turning into a little boy! Just another sign my son isn't a baby anymore :-(
Each month we have an exciting day checking the mailbox....why?....Aiden gets a new book! Thanks to Miss Dolly Parton and the Imagination Library we will receive a free book every month til Aiden is 5. How awesome is that!!
Check to see if her program is available in your area. You could be missing out! Just enter in your zip code and see....
WEBSITE
It's probably why Aiden loves books so much :-)
I can't believe we finally got here but my baby boy, Aiden, turned 1 on Saturday!! AHHHHH!!!! Excuse our mess of a 1 year old photo shoot. The teething started to hit full force. DROOL MONSTER!!
It was so much fun with all of our friends and family gathered together to share this special moment! Aiden is one blessed and lucky boy!
All the decorations turned out great! Bob the Builder theme was a success! And the balloons on the ground was a HIT! Thanks Allison! I even loved the way his high chair cover turned out...just one of those last minute things I did.
So the cake decorating adventure...4 cake boxes. 2 batches of buttercream. baking for 3 hours. We have SUCCESS!! I wish I took a picture of the failed attempts, but lets just say I had a little mound of cake pieces. The only thing I wish I would have taken in to account was the size of the trucks! OMG they were a lot bigger than I thought so I could only fit one. BOO! But I still loved it. Even Aiden's cake turned out adorable (Can you see the construction hat?)...plus the cute cake plate my Mom and Dad got when Aiden was born made it cuter. I highly recommend the French Vanilla cake mix though. Delicious!!
Now that we have the cake, let's eat the cake! So you see videos of little kids with cake all over their face. Not Aiden. Such a polite eater, picking up one piece at a time. NO FUN!! So I picked up the cake and held it in front of him then the fun began. As you can see from the picture yes he stuck his head in the cake! hahaha PRICELESS! Regardless he LOVED my cake and couldn't stop eating it. Love that sweet kid!
He was showered with gifts galore! Gosh, our family and friends are amazing! We appreciate it all so much! Adorable clothes (which will make him the most stylin baby in daycare...yes he's going to daycare next month!! AH!), books (which he wanted to eat them all), bath toys (which he loved playing with today, bc bathtime is his fav time), an AWESOME ride-on airplane (LOOK at that face when we put him on it and got the propeller to start spinning), and the best gift of all.....his toy chest/book shelf made by his Grande! Ah!!!! I can FINALLY organize and store his toys! We LOVE it! As you can tell Aiden is one blessed kid!
On Sunday, I got to do something amazing! Flip Aiden's carseat! AHHHH! No more hitting head and Aiden can look forward. Now the passenger seat can be moved back too! Double Yah!!! Aiden is one set little boy with a snack cup and drink holder! Perfect!!
I am so thankful to everyone that got to celebrate this special day with us. Yes, I made it through the day without crying! I can't believe it's already been a year! And the best part of it all was on Friday he started WALKING!!!!!!! He's been doing the one step then fall, but Friday it was like multiple steps. Ah! Just another sign he's not a baby anymore, but I'm loving every moment of it!
