SUPERGIRL Party

I had a baby --- and then she turned seven.

That’s about sums it up - just yesterday she was snuggling in my arms and now today she’s riding bikes without training wheels and tying her own shoes.  What happened?  What's a mom to do?

Answer: Throw a party.

That just may be my answer for about everything, but who can blame me?  Friends and cupcakes – perhaps a sugary social retreat?  It soothes the soul.

So after watching Bella and Sophie make copious amounts of super hero masks this past year – it hit me.  We needed a super party!  Just imagine, bright girly colors of cute fabrics styled into flapping capes as our heroes save the day.  Darling. 

My mom and I cut and faux serged the one-sided capes.  Then my amazing sister, Cami, helped design all the darling printables!  POW, ZAP, BOOM (coming to an Etsy store soon!)

The girls had a blast.  Decorating paper superhero masks, running through the grass, climbing fences, laughing and talking.  Who doesn’t want to be a super “girly” hero?  They even saved the backyard from the evil hijinks of a couple of supervillains with silly string (my mom and Nate).

We served up power peanut butter star shaped sandwiches, x-ray vision carrots and berry boost strawberries, but of course stayed away from peas because those just may be Bella’s Kryptonite.  All the super nourishment helped them conquer the star piñata – superhero training can be exhausting!

It was such great fun!  Now if I could only keep her seven forever.  In the meantime– enjoy all these fun pictures!  And a special treat – a VIDEO of all the fun (make sure to scroll down to view) – put together by my amazing friend Marissa Noe.  We are quite the digital team.  Maybe we should combine forces in the future.  Now that would really be super!

Let it...

SNOW!!!

Sophie came running into our room this morning exclaiming, "My wish came true!" When we probed her about where and when she made this wish she said, "From the wishbone!" I guess turkey wishbones do have magic!   Either way, we are so excited that the sparkly white fluff has found it's way to our lawn.

The whole family got dressed in snow gear (rain boots with layered socks for snow boots) and headed out into the frosty air! There wasn't enough to make a snowman but there was plenty for snowball fights, snow wrestling, sliding, snow angels and lots of fun! SO happy it snowed! Now let's hope it stays around and makes it a very merry white Christmas!

Christmas Card 2012

Merry Christmas!  Once again, I'm posting our Christmas card - crazy!  I had the distinct "honor" and "privilege" of writing the card this year (thank you Nate's crazy schedule).  Funny how words I've used the past few years to glorify the annual card writing came back to bite.  Ha ha.  So glad it's done!  Phew! 

Enjoy the season!

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TEN YEARS!  It’s crazy to think we’ve been married that long – my how time flies!  It’s been a great ten years of school, hard work, teeth, photos, lots of love, patience, pink, pure exhaustion, and so much joy.

Bella is loving her newly toothless smile. Nate is always ready and willing to help her get the loose ones out, but she’s learned to keep him at an arm’s distance.  She’s in first grade and was voted vice president of her class.  She’s our enthusiastic, energetic little optimist. She plays the piano, loves ballet, singing with her sister, and can run like the wind.

Sophie is my silly snuggle-bug.  Smiling, laughing, and entertaining, she is always ready for some fun.  If only we could bottle up her energy. She loves gymnastics and after much determination and practice, she has perfected her cartwheel!  She is quite the creative artist, enjoys preschool, Loves Donuts and adores all things My Little Pony.

As for me, I absolutely love living in the Kentucky countryside.  The seasons pretty much take my breath away – and the girls seem to find themselves sandwiched between the changing scenery and my camera.  Good thing there is a new little girl on her way (due in March) to steal some of the spotlight!  We are all so excited!

With all daughters and only sisters, Nate’s become very versed in all things pink, pretty and precious.  It’s a good thing he’s got his college football and basketball.  If you can believe it – he’s still in school – but we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Only 18 months left of orthodontic residency – but who’s counting, right?

It’s amazing how life’s little moments can add up so quickly.  And while it’s busy, it’s crazy, and can be overwhelming at times, I’m realizing the importance of cherishing the season of life we’re in – those little feet only stay little for so long.  I’m grateful for the blessings in my life, especially the blessings of family and friends, and the birth, life, and Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ - for He is the reason for the season. 

Merry Christmas and lots of love,

Nate, Stacie, Bella and Sophie

Christmas Service Stars

And we're back.  Wow...it's been quite awhile since I've hopped on the dear old blog.  Time to blow off some dust and pull down the cobwebs because I have something wonderful to share. 

CHRISTMAS SERVICE STARS!!

Last year Grandpa and Grandma Hawley included a service star in one of our 12 days of Christmas packages.  We'd never seen one before, but once we explained it to the girls, we were amazed at how quickly they jumped into passing the star around.  It's definitely already a Christmas tradition in our house.

When the STAR comes out - the secret service fun begins!  We all look for ways to serve each other, make a bed, clean the playroom, set the table, organize the shoes, etc., because when you have the star, its your turn to serve.  Then, once you complete your service you then leave the star on the bed of the person you served - and now it's their turn!  My girls literally can't get enough!  They've even been known to remind Nate and I that we're slacking if we've had the star in our possession too long (i.e. 10 minutes)!  Ha ha. 

So this Christmas as we all look for ways to serve, we wanted to spread the joy and make stars for some of our close friends and family!  Sophie painted, Bella did the stickers, I mod podged (how did I get the sticky job), and then we wrapped them up cute and pretty with a little poem that explains the whole idea!

They are super easy to make and the pictures give you a step-by-step guide, but here are a few tips I learned to make them even easier!

• Make sure the paint is completely dry before you apply the stickers.  I usually paint all my coats and then let them sit overnight before stickering.
• Brush the Mod Podge on in only one direction - strokes will be less visible that way.  Also let each coat dry overnight.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and enjoy the stars as much as we do!

Venting lemons...

Sometimes, when I don't think I can handle anything else, life throws more.

I try to catch the lemons as they are thrown, but with my hands tied up in making so much lemonade, all the new lemons just leave large bruises on my heart.

Ugh.  I feel like a Baa-humbugger today.  Why can't things just go my way?!!  Ha ha.

First of all, I'm tired.  Tired of still living as students after almost ten years of marriage.  I'm proud of my husband for going forward with higher education and I know it will pay off someday - but right now.  I'm just done.  And I'm pregnant.

I'm tired of trying to batten down the "hously" hatches by myself, as said husband is constantly having to go out of town for conferences for school, or for moonlight work, so that we can somewhat try and pay the bills each month.  I love him for it - but it's exhausting to both of us.  And I'm pregnant.

I have an extremely demanding calling - which I love - but with all the extra work - my attempt at trying to simplify my life has gone right out the window.  I need dependability.  I need an extra set of hands.  And I'm pregnant.

And then, just when I thought our car problems were over... our new (used 2012) van decided to have issues.  We have only had it for ONE MONTH.  Both the driver's seat and front passenger seat have started squeaking whenever someone sits down.  Not to mention the noise when we turn the car left or right.  It's constant and loud.  It is under warranty - but the dealership has been a NIGHTMARE to work with which makes matters worse.  At first they said they couldn't hear the problem.  And when we asked to speak to the manager over the repairs - the man who came out was deaf.  Um...hello.  He also had completely rotted out teeth.  Now after THREE failed attempts - they have only made the problems WORSE - but call us and tell us it's "done" to which we find that they have done nothing.  My confidence in their abilities is waining.  No, actually it's gone.  Lemon.

I wish I could just ignore the noises, but they are so apparent and predictable, and annoying.  We spent way too much money on this car for it to be having these issues.  Granted - Kia's are cheap.  But still, a 2012, albeit used?  We also spent SO much time researching and looking and test driving. How did I pick out a car with hidden issues?  I'm embarrassed, defeated, frustrated, and extremely angry.

I wish I could wave a magic wand and make all the stress go away.

And did I mention I'm pregnant?

Oh boy! It's a....

We are so excited.

I'll admit I was quietly, secretly (ok, maybe not so secretly) hoping for a little boy, but somehow this new little girl seems just as it should be.  Three sweet girls.  Lots of pink.  Lots of princesses.  And lots of long blond hair.  Cute.  Very cute. 

Nate took the news quite well, and has for some time now believed that all girls were his imminent future.  Coming from a family where he was the only boy - to only having daughters - he sure does take it in stride.  But truth be told, I can't imagine any other man being better with all these girls!  "Daddy loves hims girls," as Bella used to say.  So true.  He plays princesses and ponies - and loves every minute - and the girls sure love him.  He is the best!!

The girls were absolutely ecstatic.  Bella announced that we simply must go shopping for all things pink, and Sophie decided that her name should be either Flower Luciana Rose, or Flower Petal Chocolate.  And so it goes...  

We can't wait for the next one.  One more princess, here we come!

(Pictures from Bird and Banner.)

Grade School Girl

Bella started first grade today.  Did I really just say that?!!  First grade?!!!

I used to teach first grade like last year.  Ok...maybe it was more like six years ago.  And I was pregnant with Bella while doing so - has it really been that long? 

As we dropped her off this morning, she was soooo ready to go!  Silly girl was up half the night, just dying from excitement.  She couldn't even eat her breakfast because she had butterflys in her stomach.  I'm so glad she is excited - but my heart aches.  I miss my little Bella Boo. Does it ever get any easier as they just keep growing up? 

I hope she has a fabulous year full of learning and friends.  I hope that she will feel our love floating around her as she goes about her daily activities.  I hope when tested she will always choose the right.  I hope she uses her sweet smile and personality to lift those around her. I hope she misses me.

Love this girl with all my heart.  Have a great year Bella.