Kidz Klozet

Oh my.....a consignment sale!!! In Mobile we have this huge consignment sale twice a year, spring and fall!! I went this past spring to pick up a few things for Savanna. I happened to get a Charity Sale pass so I was able to go in before the public. I stood in line for about 30 minutes and was just behind about 20 people....not so bad!!

Well this year I happened to luck up with a Consigner Sale pass which once again meant that I could go in before the public but with all of the consingers!! So Sunday afternoon....I went out in the rain to go catch some bargains!! When I pulled up to the parking lot....there were no spaces left and I was re-routed to some grassy, rooty, patch in between some other stores!! As I parked I sat in my car one moment and said "To heck with this!" and left! I am not the richest girl in the world....but I DO NOT fight or want to feel crowded or overwhelmed for a good deal!! Nope...never have and NEVER will!! I LEFT....I couldn't believe it but I did.

WELL....the sale was opened to the public three days this week, so on Tuesday (with MOM in hand) I attempted again and it was much better!!! I may have missed out on the best stuff but I got quite a few bargains and was happy!!! Here are some of the nicer things...I got her a few other outfits too AND mom found her some pink, sparkly, Sleeping Beauty high heels!! I'll have to show those when she puts them on!!

What a Difference....

....A 3 Year Old Makes!!

Our Friday nights are VERY different!!

I must admit that finding the man of my dreams did not necessarily include also finding a 2 year old (at the time)! Most single girls are not looking for a family at the same time they are looking for a man....I was looking for fancy dinner dates, romantic get-a-ways, weekends of sleeping late, and all of that "just the two of us" time!!! I mean, seriously.....what girl dreams of being a step-mother?!?!? NOT most! After all, we all know how Cinderella's step-mother was such a witch...If I think of being thought of as "that" kind of step-mother I am just plain frightened!!



BUT.....with every other weekend that we have Savanna....her and I are building the bond that feels like a mom and a daughter! I love that she comes to me for things and tells me everything on her mind (I understand about half)!!! I love that she finishes her sentences with "Steph" to make sure that I heard her!! I love that I help her put on costumes all day every day!!

I love that she gets so excited she nearly jumps out of the car to see me (when daddy is out of town)!! I love that if she makes a bad choice, my disappointment is enough to make her feel remorseful! I LOVE that yesterday she let me fix her hair without screaming and crying...I reinforced her good behavior with 3 M&Ms!!!



AND...I love that when I told her I was going to marry Daddy.....she said "Me too!!!"



I guess after all.....it was at a child's party where I met JC and Savanna!! Maybe we were destined to be a family!! I know that God has brought us together in what "the world" may see as a nontraditional way.....(perhaps a little harder)...but I trust Him!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6

The HOUSE

I have just kept forgetting to take pictures of our house after the remodel!! So here are some of the remodels. Only things left to come....

1. Drapes for Kitchen and Dining Room
2. Coffee table for living room (but we kind of like it being open right now)

One thing JC and I have really come to agree on is "Less is More!" And after cleaning our new house...I love it!! We don't have a ton of decor....just a few nice things!!! It makes the house always feel so clean, open, and airy!!!

Kitchen Eating Area (BEFORE)Kitchen Eating Area (AFTER)

Kitchen with Wallpaper and White counters (BEFORE)

Kitchen painted and new counter tops (AFTER)

Foyer (BEFORE)

Foyer (AFTER)

Dining Room (BEFORE)

Dining Room (AFTER)

I LOVE our house!!!! Oh...here is my EMPTY china cabinet that I hope to fill really soon (per wedding gifts)!

Just Me and My Boy!!

I must say that I had an absolutely fabulous weekend with my "soon-to-be" hubby!!!

He had been traveling all last week, so I was super excited for him to be in town this weekend AND to have no big plans (except for football of course). Friday night we went out to dinner and some live music at Blue Gill restaurant on the causeway! Some good food, drink, and entertainment was just perfect. After we were the last couple to finally leave Blue Gill, we stopped by one of our favorite little bars and just enjoyed good company....and some late night food! The chef stayed late and so he made me some quesadillas at about 2:00 in the morning! YEP...2:00AM...we didn't get home until just after 3:00 but it was such a great night!

Here was our entertainer, Gregg Fells, absolutely awesome!

Needless to say we were a little tired the next day...but we went to some of JC's friends house for both games!!! I now take my staple foods...taco dip and meatballs!! Everyone loves it! We had a nice afternoon. I did catch my eyes closing a few time during the Alabama game (it was a little boring) but I totally woke up for what was a crazy Auburn game (we should show up for the first half from now on)! On the way home we stopped for a frosty...mmmm!!


Sunday we woke up feeling quite relaxed and rested. We ran a few errands, did laundry (I did), swam and cooked an awesome 10 month dating anniversary meal! We had filet mignon, twice baked potato (yes I realize my potato is just about twice the size of my meat...oh well), and peas!

I had a great day and JC did too...otherwise he would have told me to put the camera away...but he was having fun!!! I love weekends like this!

Sneaky Peaky!!!

It's CAKE time!!! I just went this week and chose my wedding cake...it was so much fun and I think because the lady (Cakes by Judi) was so sweet. She just listened and recommended and it was great!!! JC was out of town so my mom went with me.

Here are the two hints!!

1. I am using my grandparents cake topper. My grandfather has passed away but my grandmother will be at my wedding. The cake topper will be 71 years old when I use it. HOW AWESOME!! Several of the grandchildren have used it so far. It has been restored and the heads have been glued back on. My mom said she can remember playing with it as a child. How Funny!



2. Fresh Flowers!!!


That's all for now!!!

Birthdays and More Birthdays!

Need I say more.......
On September 7th Savanna turned 3 and to celebrate we hosted her a "Barbie" swim party on Saturday!!! I'm guessing we had around 50 people at the house!! It was great. We served hot dogs and hamburgers and chips and dips. I had ordered a 1/2 sheet cake.....and boy was I glad I did! At the end of the day we had 4 pieces left!! We also had made 18 goodie bags and had to scramble to make a few more based on how many people came!! Savanna had a great time and opened (what seemed like) a million presents!!!

Note-we had planned to eat cake and ice cream outside...but a little shower came up just in time!!!

The Barbie Cake from Sams....and it tasted awesome!

Savanna and her cousin Isabella!

Lots of people....and this wasn't even half!!

Lighting the candles!!

The Singing!!! I think she LOVES this part!!

Blow them out!!!!

Hiram and Hudson enjoying....Hudson wasn't waiting on his spoon!!!

She wanted the Barbie piece!

Ashlyn getting ready to dive in!
Zachary is keeping warm inside!
Kenny and his family...watching football!
Mark and Jack
The Kiddos

Jack and Grant enjoying cake and ice cream!

Savanna eating her "Barbie" piece of the cake!

Elizabeth enjoying her burger!

Some kids eating cake and ice cream (inside only because a brief shower came up)

I'm gearing up for this marathon of present opening!

Me and EVERYONE helping!!!

One of her many dress-up items.

She is sizing up the Sleeping Beauty Costume!!!
(Notice she is wearing it in the next picture)

After everyone left except for my cousins, Hiram and Hudson (ring bearer), playing with Cinderella's Castle!

We had the party from 10-1 so that she could make her nap time.....after we put her down at around 2:30....she shortly came out of her room dressed up and playing...NO NAP!!! And she was happy! Needless to say....she lounged around all day on Sunday!!

Well....only until 3:30 which is when we hosted ANOTHER party for my dad and brother!!! Both of their birthdays are this week so I had my dad's family over for swimming and eating!!!

My Dad and my brothers, Stephen and Mitchell

The Gang eating at the table!

The Birthday Boys

Bailey's beautiful writing on the cake!!!

We had some fabulous parties...but I am tired....and now I have to clean again just to get my house back in order!!!