All Things BUZZ...

      We have entered into the age of movie/character obsession!  "BUZZ" is what I hear at least 2 to 3 times an hour.  Can you guess which movie Buzz is from?....You got it, Toy Story...all 3 of them.  Chad and I can now quote the majority of Toy Story.  Currently we have Toy Story and Toy Story 2 recorded on DVR and Grandma and Grandpa are getting Toy Story 3 for his Easter basket from them.  He received the full size Buzz doll (or action figure) at his 2nd birthday party from Chad's Aunt.  He wasn't too interested in it at first, he just liked to push the buttons and that was about the extent of it....well I decided to introduce him to the Toy Story movies and Buzz became an instant favorite.  When it's time to go bye bye, Carter immediately grabs Buzz by the arm and heads for the door.  We drag him down the sidewalk and into the car where he proceeds to pitch a fit while I remove it from his grasp to buckle him up.  He quickly receives Buzz back in his arms for the ride, and Carter greets him with an ecstatic "Buzz!".  Buzz goes to Wal-Mart, the mall, restaurants, Mom and Pop's house, etc.  Let me tell you, this toy has THE life! He is starting to become more interested in Woody and is working on saying his name.  Right now it just sounds like "woooyie", but we know what he means : )
So, the Easter Bunny might be surprising us with a Woody doll in a few short weeks.

Here Carter is getting Buzz at his 2 year old birthday Party...

Here is a picture of Carter loving all things Buzz...hat, shirt, and action figure!
(excuse the poor quality, this was taken with my phone)

Elmo, or "Elpo" as Carter calls him, is also a favorite and he loves Sesame Street.  I love that because I LOVED Sesame Street when I was little!  I remember watching it at home everyday while my Mom stayed at home with me, so I'm glad to watch it at home with my little one while I stay at home with him : )

I love strolling through the store and hearing an occasional "Elpo" or "Buzz" come out of Carter's mouth...that usually means he has spotted them somewhere.

Although it is bittersweet to watch your baby grow up, it is so much fun to go through all these stages with him! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Big Boy room in progress...

 I am beginning the process of transforming Carter's nursery into a Big Boy room!  I am so excited about it, but of course it's bitter sweet...as it is for any Mommy.  Before I inform you on the details, I haven't done an update on what little man has been doing.  As you know, he is now my big 2 year old now...we had his checkup and he is a whopping 25lbs : ) and 34 inches long.  He is in the 15th percentile for weight and over 40th percentile for height.  She was quite pleased with his weight gain because he used to be in the 9th percentile! My sweet little skinny boy.  When we got to the pediatrician I was surprised with all new paperwork to fill out (always fun with a toddler in tow) and a sheet I had to fill out that quizes me on how he is developing (language, motor skills, etc.).  I'm ashamed to admit, I reverted back to my college days and got a little nervous before I started, ha!  Dr. Webster graded my paper and said he was right on track with all of his development.  Here are a few newer things he has picked up in the last month:

Says:
What you doin'?
Owey
KK
Let's Go!
Alright!
Elmo (sounds like Elpo)

He also has to say "Hey" to everyone he sees in the store, and he continues to say hey until you say hey back.  So if you see us in the store, PLEASE say HEY to my toddler!  He has now started to ask strangers "What you doin'?"...and they have to explain what they are doing to him...then he is satisfied.  Sorry to the lady in KFC that had to explain to him that she was in line waiting to order, ha!  He is a mess. I love him.

Anyways, back to the Big Boy room.  Now, this is a work in progress...meaning I am gathering items over the next month or so, that way I can complete it all at once.  An unfinished project drives me nuts, I need immediate satisfaction when I am putting new decor together.  I can't handle the unfinishedness of it and having to wait to see what the outcome will look like.
Okay, here is my theme: "Snips, and snails and puppy dog tails, that's what little boys are made of".
After looking around on the internet a little I realized that a lot of people do their little boy's nursery in this, but I have also seen some big boy rooms with this same nursery rhyme as the focal point.  Along with the nursery rhyme, snails and puppies will accent.  I painted this canvas today as a guide for the colors I want to use.  The canvas will have a place on the wall when I am finished.

I am going to give credit to the original artist on this one.  It is so cute.  I got the idea for this painting from a print from Kate Mawdsley.  I thought I could easily re-create it for Carter's bedroom and I think it came out pretty cute.

This is the spread I am looking at getting for his bed.  It is from Target and only $17.99 for a twin size.  I am quite certain this will be what we end up with.  I like the idea of just a solid color.

Here is the bed we are getting.  It is a platform bed and I like the idea because it is low to the ground and has the storage drawers underneath.  It also only requires a matress and not a box spring and Daddy likes that idea because less $$ for him!  I am planning on pushing it up against a wall and using a toddler rail at first.  This way I am hoping it won't be so traumatic for the little guy and he will still feel safe and enclosed.  If you know my child, you know he LOVES his crib.  He goes straight to it when he is sleepy and looks through the bars waiting on me to lift him in....so you can imagine I am a little bit nervous to eventually move him.

The wall color will be a neutral Khaki color, so hopefully everything with bright colors will POP.  I am also planning on doing another larger canvas with the "What Little Boys are Made of" nursery Rhyme painted on it.
He will have his own cork board, possibly custom made by Mommy, for him to hang his creations on.

That is about as far as I have gotten in the process...so stay tuned for updates and pictures of the finished product!

A House Based on Grace

My Mom bought me this book for Christmas when I was 9 months pregnant with Carter.  I am ashamed to say I have just now started it.  I am so NOT a reader, so it has taken some motivation to get started.  But, last night I could not put it down!  If anyone out there is looking for a parenting book to read, then this is the one.  I am not even to the 4th chapter and I can already tell you that Chad and I will raise our children with this method which is based on Grace...God's Grace.

The basic idea of the book is to treat and raise our children the same way our heavenly Father treats (and raises) us.  I know I have written a recent blog that talked about the parallel between parenting and our relationship with Christ, well this is just another parallel that will point our kids to Christ.  I am just going to say I AM LOVIN' these parallels that Christ is revealing to me!  He has such a perfect road map to life.

Here is just a little bit from the book:

"What does a grace-based family look like?  Grace-based parents spend their time entrusting themselves to Christ.  They live to know God more.  Their children are the daily recipients of the  grace these parents are enjoying from the Lord.  If you watch them in action, they appear to be peaceful and very much in love with God.  They are especiallyy graceful when their children are hardest to love.  Their advice to their children would be a mixture of :

- You are a gift from God; go make a difference

-You may struggle doing the right thing sometimes, but you're forgiven"

" The key characteristic of grace-based families is that they aren't afraid.  They are especially unafraid of all the evil around them"

Basically, we are raising our children the way Christ raises His.  Our goal in life is to ultimately become more and more Christ-like, so why not mix that same goal into our parenting styles?

Now, one thing to clear up about this book...Grace does NOT exclude obedience, respect, boundaries, or discipline...but it does determine the climate in which these important parts of parenting are carried out. 

So far from reading, what I have read thus far, is it is getting away from a legalistic way of parenting (list of rules), but it is also NOT one of these weird things where we aren't going to have any boundaries or discipline in our household.  It is almost like finding a good medium, but having it tailored to your child and their personality and what works best for them.  It is trusting God to lead you in the direction of what matters and what doesn't while parenting your child.

One last thing, the author guides you through the Grace based style of parenting using 3 things...and that is your child's three driving needs that are etched into his/her DNA.  Those being:

1. A need for security

2. A need for significance

3. A need for strength

Throughout the rest of the book the author will teach you how to meet these 3 basic needs in your child through 3 valuable gifts you can give them: Love, Purpose, and Hope.

If we do our jobs, our children will leave our homes with a love that is secure, a purpose that is significant, and a hope that is strong.

Also, he leads us to understand if we as parents don't fill our children's basic needs, then they will find it elsewhere in the world...and Satan knows about these needs he will always be working to try to fill our children's needs in counterfeit ways.  We've got to beat him to the punch.

The book is scriptually based, and the author backs himself up all throughout the book with scripture verses.

I feel like this parenting style is going to set my children free to choose Christ.  It will not be a style that will cause children to want to be rebellious, but it will point them straight to Christ by the way they are raised.

I feel refreshed knowing that we are going to choose this parenting style to raise our children.  I always knew I wanted to be a mother but until I became one I never felt how much of a calling mother's have on their lives to raise a Godly child.  Mothers...think about it, Christ is using us to mold this human into a God-loving, God-fearing individual that will ultimately make a difference for His Kingdom...now tell me that is not purpose!  Wow, what a task we have! With Christ's direction and help I am working towards that "Well done good and faithful servant"!  What a thrill it is to serve Him!

SO, if you haven't read this book yet...go get it!

2!

So we (we as in Carter) have officially been 2 for a week today!  On his birthday he got to open his birthday present from Mommy and Daddy, which was a keyboard that he loved, and then that evening we went to his favorite place for dinner, Chickfila.  Real original, right??  Chad's parents met us there and we ate, had a cake, and sang Happy Birthday...it was sweet. 
Saturday was his birthday party, which was themed after the Freshbeat Band.  He looooooooves the Freshbeat Band.  We even had Freshbeat Band music playing..which he was confused about because he didn't understand why he couldn't see them, but he could hear them.
All in all the party went great and was much less stressful than his 1st birthday party.  We had it at my sister's neighborhood clubhouse in Springville. It is a perfect spot for a party, it has a huge room with a kitchen...and that is all I needed!  Throw some balloons down and the kids had a BLAST.

Now, onto our averted disaster.  The clubhouse also has a pool outside which we can enjoy in the summertime...all you have to do is walk out the clubhouse door, step down off the patio and there is a beautiful pool with a small waterfall.  Well, folks were coming in and out and I guess somehow the door didn't get closed all the way or my child knew how to open it.  Either way, the Birthday Boy somehow made his way outside and was contemplating a nice little dip in the uncovered pool.  So, you're wondering, where is this kid's parents, right?  Well, it was slightly chaotic inside and I had my back turned to the door and was putting ice in glasses, Chad had been chatting with family and friends and we were just letting all the kids play...I mean it was one big room so what could go wrong? 
Chad said he happened to see the door open and went to close it and just happened to see Carter standing right at the edge of the pool, just looking at it.  He said he looked around for me because he thought "surely she is out here"...NOPE!  Chad ran straight at him and just hoped he didn't take a dive for it!  Luckily he did not become part of the Polar Bear club that evening.  But in all seriousness I laugh to keep from crying...though, I did burst into tears once all was said and done and we got home from the party, I just sat there and squeezed him so tight.  I'm sure he was wondering what the big fuss was about!
So, moral of the story is this...don't think the Lord doesn't hear your prayers...especially when they are consistent.  He hears them.  I think I have blogged before about the prayers I say for Carter for who he will grow up to be and how Christ will form his heart...well I also pray for the Lord's eyes to be on Carter when mine are not.  None of us are perfect parents and there are times when our eyes are just not on our children. 
So, His eyes were on Carter when mine were not and I have thanked the Lord a million times plus for that.  I keep wondering why it almost happened and I really think it was the Lord's way of showing me that He is hearing my prayers and reminding me to pray more.
HE is also reminding me to focus on what DIDN'T happen rather than what COULD have happened.  My mind likes to wander, so I usually like to come up with unproductive thoughts throughout the day.
So this is just one of the other thousands of reasons I praise my Lord.  HE is good.  All the time.

SO, after all of that we are now over-run with toys, and I am working on organizing everything since our house is back on the market (that's another prayer we're working on).  I will have to post again once our new toybox gets here and show you the before and after of our Toys R Us corner in the living room.
I know I have missed important posts like Christmas and snow days, but I am doing good to post this one!
Hopefully I will update my blog decor soon too, ha.
Below are a few pics of the party...

Symbolism in life...coincidence...I think not.

A couple of weeks ago I realized that our yard was FULL of leaves and I had just gotten a cute shirt made for Carter, so I decided to take some fall pictures.  I ended up getting some really good pictures made of him, and even a couple I could blow up to give to the grandparents to frame. 
Taking pictures of an almost 2 year old is a different experience than last year.  Our mobility status has changed quite a bit so it pretty much ends up being me chasing Carter around our yard with a camera.  I took about 80 shots and ended up with about 15 good ones and 3 framable ones.  Not too bad for a free sitting fee (I didn't charge myself), and $10 to print at Sam's.

On to the point of this post...as I was following Carter around the yard letting him do as he pleased (pretty much), I realized that this picture taking session was much like our walk with Christ.  We, being the child, and Christ being the parent.  I followed Carter all around the back yard, letting him run and walk as he pleased, jump up on rocks and play with sticks as I closely stayed behind.  I got such joy from watching him be who he is...

There were moments when he would come across a hole in our yard and stumble into it, unable to get out himself, he would reach up that little hand for some help. Warmed that he asked for my help, I would gladly reach out my hand to his.  I helped him down steps, over rocks, around the fence, and in the flowerbeds.
I followed close behind him as I saw him running for the ditch in our back yard, which is lined with huge rocks.  I scooped him up just before he got to them and pointed him in another direction.  Then it hit me...the symbolism in parenting, that is.  I realized that our backyard was much like life, filled with different paths, dangers, and uncertainty.  And my relationship with Carter was much like Christ's relationship with us.  Staying close behind us, guiding us in the right direction, keeping us close and saving us from danger.  I thought to myself about how this symbolism was no coincidence but an absolute intentional approach Christ took to show me just a tid bit of how much He really loves me.  It was like He was saying "Kim, you see how much you love Carter, long the best for him, strive to keep him safe and on the right path?  Well that is exactly what I do for you." 
A few days later, in my Bible study I came across this verse, which I love.



"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:16-18

I love that two of the most important relationships we have on earth, marriage and children, are symbolism of Christ and his love for us.  What a wonderful God we serve, that He makes every effort to display his love for us.  How could we worship any other?

Plug...

It's my own blog so I can put a plug in for myself, right?  Well I am, ha! 
Since the end of summer I have been selling Avon and it has really been a fun thing, and something else to wrap my mind around besides laundry, diapers, dishes, and such.  When I started selling I was your typical Wal-mart makeup buyer.  I didn't even buy a specific brand at Wal-mart, just whatever looked good and was cheapest...and I know there are some of you out there doing the same thing!  Which is fine, I have done it forever!!  Well, obviously, since I was selling Avon I thought I might as well buy it and try what I am selling.  I have just recently replaced all of my Wal-mart makeup with Avon makeup.  The thing with Avon is, their makeup is just as inexpensive as Wal-Mart, and we run so many sales that most of the time you can find it EVEN cheaper, so I was automatically sold once I figured this out.  So, this blog I am going to run through a few items I have bought and loved and give you an idea on price.  So, if you are out there, and also a Wal-Mart makeup buyer, and see a deal you want, let me know!!  I would love to drop a book off in your mailbox if you are interested.

First and my absolute favorite is my foundation...Smooth Minerals by Avon

I used to use the Covergirl pressed powder, and oh my goodness this TRUMPS it!  It is a loose powder (but also comes in pressed).  It covers blemishes and redness amazingly, and smooths out your complextion and almost gives you an airbrushed look.  It is very light, so you hardly know it's there.  It will also give you a little bit of a glow to your face, I love it and can't say enough good things about it.  My mother n law used to use the Bare Minerals foundation from Saphora (sp?), and has now switched to this and she says it's pretty much identical but cheaper.  I can get you this for $7.99

Smooth Minerals Blush

I also used the Smooth Minerals Blush in Perfect Plum.  The color pictured above is Rose Radiance I believe.  This blush is also amazing and goes on smooth and the colors offered are amazing.  I can get you this right now for $5.99

Primer

Oh my goodenss, I have never owned anything like this.  It is called Primer and you put it on after your moisturizer but before your makeup.  It is super light and almost like a thin lotion.  You apply it all over your face (eyelids too), once it is dry (takes a few seconds), your face becomes the perfect canvas for your makeup.  It WILL make your makeup last all day and help it not to wear off.  I especially love that when you put it over your eyelids it keeps your eyemakeup from creasing and smudging.  Also, I use 4 colors on my eyes and it doesn't let all the colors run together, so they keep their definition.  Love it and I can get it for you right now at $10.00

Eye Quads

Avon offers these cute little compacts with 4 eye shadows in them that are meant to go together on your eyes.  The color above is called "Smoky Eyes", I used this quad and "Earth Tones" featured below:

When you receive your compact, the back of the box will give you a diagram of where to put each color  on your eyelid to give you the great look you're going for.  We offer 8 more quad shades other than these two above.  But these are the two that I have tried and I love them.  I can get you one of these right now for $4.99

Mascara

Just got this one with my last Avon order, it is Super Extend Mascara.  And it does exactly what it says, extends your lash length, I like it!  I can get you this right now for $4.99

I also have this one, it is Super Magnify Mascara and it is very new to Avon.  It has the smallest brush I have ever seen and you will have zero clumps on your brush and your lashes.  It works to help separate every lash so you will see more of your lashes instead of them clumping together into what looks like 5 fat lashes, ha!

I can get you this right now for $4.99

Eyeliner

Glimmersticks is Avon's #1 Eyeliner and Allure has awarded it the Best Eyeliner award.  It truly does not smudge or run and stays put all day...but it's not waterproof so you don't have a tough time getting it off at night.  I have the following colors:

Blackest Black

Cosmic Brown

I can get you this right now for $3.49 each or 4 for $10

Nail Polish

Nailwear Pro Nail Enamel is great.  It is non-chip for up to 10 days of wear.  They are offering some amazing Fall/Winter colors too.  I have the following two:

Deluxe Chocolate

Wicked

I can get you these right now for $3.49 each.  Lowest price of the season.

Healthy Makeup Lipstick

I love this lipstick!  It literally feels like I am wearing chapstick...I guess that's why it's part of the "Healthy Makeup" line of Avon.  It is so smooth and so even.  I use the lipstick color Naturally Perfect:

It is a great brown color. But along with the lipsticks, they also make sheer lip conditioners, which gives you a 115% moisture boost with a little bit of color.  I can get you this right now for $9.00 Buy one get one half off.

Bathtime Body Paints

These are Carter's favorite!  They are Bathtime Body Paints (which double as soap).  They come in different colors and flavors and are holiday themed, so they are perfect for Stocking Stuffers, Easter Baskets, etc.  Carter has Green Apple and Cherry.  Since he has sensitive skin, and we have to use Dove soap, we strictly use them as paints and not soap.  So he rolls them all over the tub!  But if your little one doesn't have sensitive skin then be sure to roll on and lather up.  They smell so good too.  I can get you these for $1.99 each.

This blog has been incredibly long, so thanks if you finished reading.  Let me know if you are interested in any of these deals, but also remember this doesn't even scratch the surface of what Avon has, these are just some of the favorites that I use.  Along with makeup Avon offers skincare, jewelry, and other fun things.  Let me know and I'll get a book to you!











New Habit

     Since we have started putting heavier restrictions on the pacifier Carter has developed a new little habit.  Finger sucking.  There are just a couple of things that really bother me about it. 
1.) Thinking about everything he has touched and then putting those little fingers in his mouth, yuck!
2.)  The massive amount of slobber it creates..which runs down his hand and onto his arm.
     When he does finally take his fingers out of his mouth, it's kind of funny because he won't do anything with that hand and leaves his fingers spread until I wipe it off or until it dries (blah!..as you can imagine, I try to wipe it off instead of let it dry).
Here are a few pictures that have captured him in action with his new habit...

Quickly, here are a few new things Carter is doing since I have slacked on blogging:

Says "there" after he does something.  He is copying me because whenever I do something for him I say "there!".  It is one of the most precious things I have heard him say.

Will now Roar.  He was going to be a dalmation for Halloween but all the cousins decided to do their own thing, so Carter is now going to be a Dragon.  Apparently, he thinks dragons are much cooler than dalmations, since he will keep the dragon costume on for up to an hour and in the dog costume all I got was kicking and screaming.  He will admire himself in the mirror for a good length of time and will roar when I tell him to.  He thinks he is hot stuff...which he is ; )

Will eat his chicken nuggets with a fork AND dip them in ketchup.  He doesn't use his hands because he doesn't like to get them dirty.

Says "NO" all the time and points that little finger at me.

Obsessed with stickers and magna doodles.

Says "WOW" and "Heys"...for some reason it is plural!

Can put his shoes on.

Sits on the potty before bath...but nothing else has come of it so far.  Just getting him used to it.

That's all I can think of for now, and Chad has gone to bed already so you know I am up late...he never beats me to bed!  Soon I will upload a video of C in the dragon costume.