a visit to Dr. Suess

I started this post a few weeks ago (as you can tell we are like 1/2 through operation: broken arm…lol) just reflecting

today was not my favorite day. all week long had been weird. but in all of its Weirdness, I loved absolutely loved that today, days later after the weirdness I can see God’s hand at work in my life and I am eternally grateful for that. 

You see it started by reading my schedule wrong. I was so excited to have Wednesday off. Planned on doing some grocery shopping, had my coupons ready, I even volunteered to watch a friends little boy so she could have a moment to herself for a change. Then on Tuesday, I thought  I should check the schedule. :/ I was off on Thursday.

So I sucked it up went to work on Wednesday because my bad attitude said well if I have to be there then I’m getting coffee. Only to get stuck in the slowest line on earth. Wednesday night as we were getting ready for bed the kids were playing in the living room jumping off of an ottoman toybox thing that we have. The same one that a while back Kyle busted his nose while jumping from the couch. First let me say this disclaimer. We are not fans of our children jumping on furniture. They have been told 1/2 million times to stop, put in time out even. They don’t care. 

So Hanna jumped and crashed on her arm. She whined a little so I decided ok lets just do bedtime. I did a mom check on her arm you know, bend it wiggle your fingers, and sent her to bed.

well she woke up in the middle of the night crying about her arm so I made an appointment. the doctor had us take xrays, he thought maybe it was dislocated or sprained…after we got xrays it was clear. She broke it. So we were sent to a peds ortho doctor in Hurst, Tx…which is 3 hours away. Before we made it to the ortho doctor. She tripped and fell pusher her elbow out of place by 30%. So we were scheduled surgery, where they put 2 pins in. Surgery went great, besides trying to keep her still to keep her elbow elevated and iced for 48 hours. And Baths have definitely been interesting. Poor Girl, she loves water!

All week long though I kept seeing God’s goodness. If I had Wednesday off, I might not have been able to get Hanna in to see the doctor. I had gas points from grocery shopping that took .45 off of each gallon up to 20 gallons of gas. When I was talking to Hanna about going to see the doctor she started to ask a question by saying.. Mom when I go see Dr. Suess? lol. The innocence of a child. She hasn’t been in too much pain. I know she wants her daddy but she has been very kind in allowing me to love on her.

So we will have a DRY summer, make lots of trips to Ft. Worth over the next few months. Not at all how I planned. But sometimes that is how life goes. I heard a quote on the radio. Our emotions define us or they refine us. This past year and definitely challenged me to think about how I react to situations. My attitude is not always the most…fragrant, in fact I’ve had to apologize on many times and remind myself I’m an adult. I am so thankful to have great friends, family, an awesome church, and a SUPER husband who from the other side of the world can make anything better. But most of all a loving God who loves me in spite of me. I’ve really been challenged to take on an attitude like Hanna. Where ever we go..people ask her about her arm and she tells them, and its always followed by a BIG smile and Wanna sign my cast??? She is such a good girl, thank you Lord for blessing me to be her momma Kyle has been really sweet about it to, helping sister whenever she needs him. He has also learned the word ottoman from hearing the story repeated so many times. lol.

We go on Tuesday to get her pins pulled out at the Dr’s office. Doesn’t that sound like a blast? But I told Hanna we will be getting ice cream afterwards with (at her request) Mrs Dawn! We also got the ok from Daddy to get…a WATERPROOF cast because summers in OK are hot, no joke. Now we can visit the spray park! Was that an angelic chorus playing…yes friends yes it was.

I know that things are always going to happen with kids. It’s a part of life. Although I do expect a thank you from mine for never breaking a bone because this is no joke. You’re welcome mom and dad! ha! lol…So I don’t know the exact purpose of this post. Maybe you are having a tough day. Look for the silver lining, the karma, the blessing in it..its there. I believe its God at work in our lives and I for one and truly thankful for that.

Happy Wednesday
Amanda

Winner winner Chicken..I mean…Easter basket

Thank you everyone for making this so much fun!!! Our winner is……Amy Wolf Muirhead! Congrats Amy! You have 24 hours to send me your info to claim your prize…

If you didn’t win and you are still interested in a Minnie Mouse Easter Basket I have one left in my Etsy! 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125517833/minnie-mouse-inspired-easter-basket-red?ref=shop_home_feat

Use the coupon code: LOVE2013 FOR A 20% DISCOUNT CODE Coupon expires on Sunday. Thank you again for playing…so much fun..Maybe when I have 100 likes..we can play again!

Lets do a giveaway!

I haven’t posted in a good moment…guess that is how life goes sometimes when you are chasing two kids One who is about to turn 2 and showing every sign of it. oh my goodness. My children are so different. They are wonderful in every way but so very different lol.

Anyways. I think one of my last post was about my dear friend Holly that I grew up with who had a brain stem stroke on December 29, 2012. She is a living miracle, still recovering. She was blessed to spend time at TIRR in Houston, Texas and has recently been moved to home with her parents who are providing home care. You can read more about Holly’s journey of restoration at http://www.hollygilstrap.com. You will be inspired!

We were blessed to be able to be a part of a fundraiser for her family”Hollypalooza” and I made some cute little Minnie and Mickey Mouse Easter Basket. It was my first craft booth event. It was a lot of fun. I got to see lots of people I love and who love Holly..win win for sure. Anyways..back to the giveaway. I have 2 baskets left!  So I am listing 1 in my Etsy and putting the other in this FABULOUS GIVEAWAY!

The pattern for this wonderful basket  can be found at: 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/112748865/crochet-pattern-girl-mouse-halloween?

Here’s how to enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let the fun begin!

germs…and etsy love

oh my goodness we have been sick at our house. like curl up and fall asleep in the hallway because you are not sure if you are gonna throw up sick. it was bad. thanks to medicine..we are on the mend. we took yesterday off from church which was weird but thankful we can listen online when we have days we need to heal. and we did indeed need one. there was one good thing that happened yesterday. my son, my sweet sweet boy used the potty for the first time. heres to hoping he does it many many more times. we’ve only gone through 4 pairs of undies this morning. but none of them drenched. hes not even 2 yet!

not a whole lot going on..i have something in the works for my babies for Easter but its not photo ready yet Here is some ETSY love:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/105827436/crocheted-valentine-stripes-hat-with-red?ref=sr_gallery_21&ga_search_query=crochet+valentine&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all

I miss my babies being this deliciously little  

http://www.etsy.com/listing/119429989/custom-crochet-valentine-i-love-mom-hat?ref=sr_gallery_27&ga_search_query=crochet+valentine&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all

Might have to make Kyle one of these Since I am his main lady  

http://www.etsy.com/listing/121145943/ladies-pink-crochet-valentine-heart?ref=sr_gallery_34&ga_search_query=crochet+valentine&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all

cute cute..simple

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118830463/crochet-coffee-tea-mug-cozy-cozie-cotton?ref=sr_gallery_42&ga_search_query=crochet+valentine&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=8&ga_search_type=all

I dont know why I am crazy about mug cozies but I am. I think they are so cute and personable. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/120476430/boot-cuffs-with-bows-bootcuffs-brown?ref=sr_gallery_19&ga_search_query=crochet+valentine&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=11&ga_search_type=all

Boot cuffs are a new wonder to me and I’m sure i would think they were awesome..if my amazing boots didn’t get ruined lol. maybe next winter.

Well I gotta get ready for work, and check on the potty trainer. Although sister is insisting he needs to go. She may just want one of his treats. lol 

Hope you have a great day!

Amanda

Long Time..no post

Poor Poor Blog…

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. We were blessed to be with my husbands family in IL for two weeks. It was truly a gift. 

My kids enjoyed the snow. Hanna asked when she saw it..where are the penguins? and then later told me..Someone needs to clean this snow up mom..its bothering me. Oh to be  3, and one day 5 as she tells me. 

Kyle wanted to roll around in the snow. : ) I wanted to get them a little sled but Daddy said no..so I got them shovels. It didn’t really matter..we were out there for what I think was..umm..4 minutes. Kye’s pants were soaked by crawling around in it. ha!

We were able to see my love and my Brother In Law on Christmas morning through the wonder that is SKYPE, which I know made it even more special for the kids. They were so cute make sure that they ran over and showed them all of their gifts, and there were a lot of gifts.

However..this is what Kyle enjoyed playing with the most. A box and an old toy that lives at Grandma Kitty’s and Gramps. oh my.

While we were in IL, I received a text that my childhood best friend had a stroke and was in ICU. I don’t think I have too many childhood memories that don’t involve her. We were very blessed to grow up in church together, we did our girls program at church, sang together, went to camp together, switched clothes at church…drove our mothers crazy together. When I had back surgery, I remember I couldn’t go up and down stairs and they had stairs at the entry of their home and her dad carried me up and down the stairs so I could see her. Another favorite memory is putting on her dad’s dress socks and sliding across their kitchen floor and sitting on my parents counters after swimming with a bowl of salsa and chips just  chatting!

When we were in High School, they moved and we saw less and less of each other but she is one of those precious friends who no matter how long you’ve gone, its like you were together every day. She invited me to be in her wedding when we were in college. Our youngest kids are “birthday buddies” just like our moms. Callie was born on the 6th and Kyle on the 7th. She loves Jesus with all of her heart, and is a shining example of HIS love to others. She is an inspiration. She’s been in ICU for a week, and is able to respond with blinking to yes and no questions which is a miracle in itself. Several – thousands – have joined together to pray for her total restoration and for her family, her husband Kris, and three darling children: Abigail, Ethan and Callie. You can do- follow her story on Facebook: Pray for Holly Gilstrap.  www.hollygilstrap.com I know the Lord is restoring her and look forward to visiting with her again. I don’t ask for much on my blog, but would you pray for Holly?

I had a tremendous blessing this Christmas with selling hats on my Etsy shop and facebook…so much I had to turn hats away..I hate that feeling so I am working this year on stocking up : ) Look for exciting things to come for While You Were Napping.

My husband and I are starting a new tradition this year is selecting a word or a theme for the year. One that we can kinda look to for the year. I’m going to put up in our home and hopefully over the years we will grow a collection and be able to look back and reflect on faith family and friends. This year our word is TRUST. Being a military family, especially one with a loved one deployed we are learning to trust that God knows our every move. We are leaning on HIM and not our own understanding. (Prov 3:5-6) We never know where the ARMY will take us but we TRUST that God does. Personally I am trusting God for my friends Healing, I am trusting Him to lead us in decisions about finances, school, well pretty much everything. 

I hope the New Year has started well for you Blog World! Hopefully once we get back in to the swing of things..I wont be so neglectful..lol

Trusting HIM,

Amanda

Sparkle

poor poor blog..so sorry I have neglected you.

all of sudden I was flooded with orders! No complaints..just happy crocheting hands. : )  

This year at our house we introduced the Elf on a Shelf tradition.

 

She was lovingly named Sparkle by my three year old. Its fun because my 1 year old can say Sparkle too. Normally my kids are very grumpy in the morning…not sure where they get that from…lies. I know exactly where it comes from, don’t judge me. 

Anyways, since Sparkle has been at our house, all I have to say is Lets go find Sparkle and their little eyes light up! I love it…here are some photos of our fun

One day she brought doughnuts..Hans favorite

She had a kissing booth one day but since you can’t touch Sparkle or she will loose her magic and not be able to go back to Santa and give a report…she just gave some peppermint kisses. Which my kiddos now call sparkle candy

She hung out with frosty on top of the fridge

Played go fish with some friends. (Hanna did NOT like this one..)

Brought us a North Pole breakfast with new table cloth, plates and pancakes

Took a Marshmellow bath. Hanna asked me..why her in the snow? : ) I love how she thinks

Ate cookies on the ledge

She brought us Antler Ears from Joann’s..Mom gave her the tip  

brough bubble bath when she heard we were out..we are out again..Hanna told me..Sparkle needs to bring us more bubbles momma : ) 

Its been alot of fun. I’m hoping to plan some fun Sparkle moments on our trip to IL to see our family there. Hopefully we are leading up to the biggest moment of all when Sparkle helps us celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Ive read a lot of criticism about Elf on the Shelf. I for one think that if I can create a fun memory and tradition without taking away from what I believe this holiday is truly celebrating there is no harm. My children don’t behave because of an Elf. They behave because they are disciplined and loved. 

As I went to move Sparkle this morning, my heart went to those families in CT who lost their sweet children and loved ones. Maybe they had an elf, I could never imagine losing my child, let alone at the choice of another. And then finding things, little things each day that reminded me that they are no longer with me. Clothes in the Laudry, toys out from the morning before school… I am vowing to make lasting memories and each day count with my kids. We are not promised tomorrow. Our hearts and prayers are with those were involved in any way in CT, I know it may seem like God was not there on that day but please believe me that He was and He is there to comfort you. 

May you and your families have a wonderful Christmas!

Amanda

 

in all things give thanks

have you ever thought you posted something and then meant to once you realized you did and then a while week passed. Thats kinda what happened with my  Thanksgiving post! whoops.

I have so much to be thankful for this year. 2 years ago we PCS’d to  Ft. Sill Oklahoma where I was sure we were going to be miserable and of course God intervened and we are so very happy. He provided a job with some great not only co-workers but friends. We have an awesome church. Seriously, there should be an LFA at every military post. I was very worried I would be depressed and become a recluse while Tyler was gone but its been the opposite. We’ve met some great families. So very very blessed! 

We are thankful for great family and great friends who are on this deployment journey with us. Even though there are days Im sure Im gonna go crazy I am thankful for my kiddos and the age they are at and all they are discovering. Thank You Lord for our new apartment with more room to play and grow. : ) 

We were extra thankful to spend time with my family all at the same time, weve seen them in groups but got all be together, grandma included this year – just missing my LOVE. Sometimes you have to take what you get. 

Well I have a little boy holding on to my leg insisting he needs help…lol

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving

Amanda

thankful tom

I did a quick “thanksgiving” lesson with my children the other day. I racked my brain over how could i teach a 3 and a 1 year old what being Thankful meant. We give thanks to God each night before bed and before meals but how do you instill a deeper meaning in someone so young? The only way I can hope is by living thankfully every day and continue to explain the WHY behind the things we do. I find that when my children understand the WHY life is easier. 

So here is Thankful Tom. Nothing Spectacular. I brown piece of craft paper and construction paper with the different things we are thankful for. Some I did..i.e. a dependable car..some they did..I.e. hotdogs and chicken nuggets but hey Thankfulness has to start somewhere. 

I was most thankful during this project when I asked Hanna what she was thankful for she shouted: God! I love that my children are learning to love God and build a relationship with Him at such a young age. : )

What are you thankful for?

Amanda

a few of my

favorite things…Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things!!! Hopefully its stuck in your head now too. lol Sorry!

I recently bought some new crochet patterns. One from a new shop and I love them, I probably bought too many. I’ve only had a chance to make one because as soon as I posted the photo…I had orders from friends and family : ) They are so sweet to me!

 I adjusted it and made Mickey too : )

The pattern is by: http://www.facebook.com/LizzzieeCrochet Great prices and easy to follow pattern. Im in love with this one and excited to try the other ones I purchased. 

If anyone is interested, I am selling them 1- $15, 2 – $24, and 3-$34, you can email me at whileyouwerenapping@yahoo.com for more details if you would like. Once I’m done with the batch I have from my sweet family and Friends I’m going to try listing it on my Etsy Shop, price is subject to change to cover Etsy Fees. 

I also purchased this one from a designer <Boomer Beanies> I have been admiring for a while but afraid to try her patterns, didnt know if my skill was up to par but I’m gonna try it. Maybe I’ll make me and Hanna matching ones ; ) How cute would that be!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pretty-ponytail-child-and-teen-adult
 This is her photo, not mine just sharing an awesome pattern I found. Hopefully I will have one of my own work soon.

I also found some fun free fonts if anyone is interested in that kinda stuff

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts/

Another RANDOM favorite:

These are like a family favorite. My 3 year old calls them A-Mints. lol 

And that brings us to Thanksgiving : ) ITs coming! Hooray!!

http://pinterest.com/debchitwood/kids-thanksgiving-activities/ – This whole Board could be pretty perfect for Thanksgiving : ) Amazing ideas! I can tell I’m getting braver with doing messier crafts with my kids. lol 

I know its kinda random but maybe someone will stumble upon my favorites and maybe find some of their own favorites. If you find something good, let me know! : )

Happy Friday Blog World

Amanda

should be doing laundry

my daughter had an accident today that immediately made my regret the ” we’ll be fine with just going to the laundry mat for a year” decision. Oh how I miss my washer dryer. After this year, we shall never ever part again.

The woes of a housewife : )

I am up hoping to catch the hubs online before heading to bed. So I watched a movie “October Baby” SO GOOD, a tearjerker, watch out. I finished up some cute little beanies for my Etsy Shop. I normally try to make neutral or boy things but these were just too pretty pink yarns that needed to be made into hats.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/113286899/0-3-horse-beanie-ready-to-ship

https://www.etsy.com/listing/113286651/0-3-girls-owl-hat-ready-to-ship

Arent they precious?

The most popular item in my shop right now is this little guy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105800271/pacistache-mustache-pacifier?ref=v1_other_2

I’ve made more little black mustaches than I know what to do! I also learned in an order about a great cause: Movember

http://us.movember.com/about/
 My father and uncle are both Prostate Cancer survivors. I think this is just an awesome cause!

Today was a really great day…We had a lunch/playdate with some friends from church. Some of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met, and tomorrow we are having lunch with some more sweet girls who are celebrating  a homecoming for one of her girls. We are truly blessed this deployment to be surrounded by people who are so supportive and loving. And to top it all off, we have church on Sunday! If you aren’t able to attend church and wanna join us via radio check it out: radio.lawtonfirst.org We’d love to have you join us.

Welp I don’t think hes going to be on and I have two of the most beautiful sleeping angels who are going to probably wake up early..and I have my laundry that I played “hooky” from tonight (get it? I crocheted instead..”hooky” ok maybe its just funny to me).

Hope you guys have an awesome weekend!

Amanda