Pink Hair

I should preface this short chat with the fact that Jordan and I were watching Lazy Town. He was down, again with a stomach virus, and watching tv is pretty much the only thing to do when you feel bad...There's a girl on that show with hot pink hair (my favorite color, despite the fact that I really can't stand the show).

Me: Jordan, what would you think about me having pink hair? That's my favorite color, you know!?
Jordan: No, Mama. You would look totally unfashionable!
Thinking to myself: it's a good thing that someone in the house (besides me) knows what good fashion is!

Turquoise (it's so me)

In my last post, I said that pink is my favorite color; that's true, but turquoise is also my favorite color! Can't a girl have more than one favorite color?? I know, I'm just full of surprises! Long story short, I have been wanting some new dishes, but was in no rush to get them. Last week, I went to Target with a friend (that's worth mentioning because I usually go with my children!) Anyways...we were just looking at everything and chatting and she grabbed a mug that was in this collection, only it was red, and what do you know these dishes were just looking at me. It was like they were begging me to make them MINE! I came home and showed them to G, I wanted his stamp of approval, and I wanted him to tell me that I needed to get them. Of course, he was just thrilled with what I found and gave me the green light! Isn't it so sweet that we consult each other on purchases?!?! It feels old fashioned, but we have just always been that way. You know, the left hand can't do much if the left arm doesn't know and cooperate! So, a few days later, (with all of my kiddos), I went to Target and I got my new dishes. I like them so much!!! They are just...ME! Come over for dinner or coffee and I'll be happy to let you use them...

To the Man and the Boys

Just a little apology here, I'm sorry. Sorry to Greg and Jordan and Jamison that I used so much pink. I am dying for spring and all that accompanies warm weather: tank tops, flip flops, capris, skirts, days filled with sunshine and being at the pool and so on... I think that by making my blog look spring*ish* and summer*ish*, I'll feel better. Not to mention, PINK is my favorite color!!! So, bring it on Spring! I am ready for you and so is my blog!

Bibles and Ties and Blue Snakes...Oh My!

Today at church, our pastor, Doug Munton, presented bibles to all of the first graders. Jannah's name was called and she walked down to receive her bible and shake the pastor's hand. She told me she said thank you when her bible was given to her; that made me proud and thankful for a grateful child. She has been reading her bible today and has highlighted the verse she studied in life group (aka, Sunday school) this morning. Have I ever mentioned that we love our church?!?! We started praying about a church the moment we found out we would be moving here...boy, did God answer BIG!!!

Jordan mentioned a while back that he wanted to wear a tie. So, his wish came true! I'm not sure why I haven't gotten one before now. None the less, I think he was a mighty handsome boy this morning, and he was quite proud! So proud, he *gladly* cooperated for a picture; most of you know that's rare!

Last week, as I was getting ready, I heard some squeals and laughs. That usually gets my attention! The next thing I hear is this, from Jordan: "Mama, there's blue snakes in the toilet!" Of course I go to check that out...and this is what I saw! Jamison had created the blue snakes with toothpaste, and he was pretty proud if it! So proud, in fact, that he did it two more times the same day. After the third time and some disciplinary action, he hasn't done it again!

Made with Love

I always dedicate the title, "Made with Love" to the things in our lives which have been...well, um...made with love!!! It's usually something that mama or myself has sewn; it's been some vinyl wall art that my daddy has made, it's been food; but today, it's a little more random: Enjoy!

Everyday, I make our bed with love. Now, the king size bed is new to us; it was our 10th anniversary present to ourselves. I think I need an army to help me make it and place the pillows on the bed; I think there's a total of 14...I almost always make it myself, because I refuse to get up at 5ish when Greg leaves and let him help me! After making my bed with love, I usually throw this laundry on there so that I can fold it...with love and a smile, of course!

Now, let me tell you something about this dish. My friend, Annee fixed this for me for my birthday (my 30th, actually), and I think it might just be my all time fav pasta dish! I will post the recipe another time. It's a little time consuming, but so, so, so good and healthy, too! We had this last weekend, and all the kiddos helped me make it!

Does my little guy look muscular? Well, that's because Jannah stuffed his shirt with wads of toilet paper, with love (of course).

Now, this truly was made with love, by Daddy. This is the kids bathroom and I like it, a lot! He made their names in vinyl for me, so there's no confusion on the towels! I also had this shower curtain made in Korea before we left, because I was crazy about the fabric. Greg and I just painted the bathroom a month or so ago, and yes that was also done *with love*

That's all for now...I hope I have made you smile today!

With love, Shara

All in a week...

Whew; this sweet, little, mischievous boy is giving me a RUN for my money! I captured most of these moments, but I didn't want to make a big deal of them...because I don't need them to be repeated! Seriously, anytime it's quiet and I don't hear and see Jamison, I KNOW there's trouble! Even the older two J's know that I get a little concerned when we can't locate baby J pretty quickly. He's not naughty, just into things that are not toys.

-On a side not here, does anyone else have this problem? The problem of kids getting into and playing with things that aren't toys? We are *trying* really hard to put an end to this child-like behavior! Our new motto is if it's not a toy, then do not play with it!!!!

So, onto the post. These are the results of Jamison's curiosity and the quiet moments that I think I am enjoying, only to find out that J is doing something he shouldn't be!

So, who needs canvas or paper...just let your belly be the place for art! Jamison has always and still does make me nervous with any type of writing tool; which is why we try so very hard to keep them away from him. Guess he found one this time! I can't recall why he has tears in his eyes, could very well be because I had taken away his pen, or that he was told not to partake in this type of bahavior again :)

A pack of pictures laying on a table. There's no need for them to just sit there in the envelope. Jamison decides to make a "fork" with them. A fork is a fort; so, here's to a fort of pictures!

A rather large bowl of oranges on the table. Once again, J decides to make a "fork" with them and see if dominoes will sit on the oranges. See what I mean, it's not really naughty behavior, it's just being creative and undoing things that I have done. Goodness knows I don't have enough time to put oranges in the bowl again! Actually the oranges are the least of my worries. This next shenanigan concerns me!

These are my kitchen shears, in the kitchen. Our kitchen is on the main level. Unless I'm cooking or doing laundry, or cleaning, or something like that (which is what I do a lot of times-shocking, I know), we are upstairs hanging out and playing. Baby J knows exactly when to head downstairs and find trouble, or food! Many times, at least once a day, I find him standing on a chair, in the pantry, eating something. Of course, I tell him that's no-no and get him out, and of course he usually cries about it. I suppose he really thought he hit the jackpot with this one!

All on his own. He got the craisins out of the pantry, with the help of a chair. Got the kitchen shears, cut the bag open and poured them onto the floor, got a ziploc bag and proceeded to fill the baggie with the craisins (from the floor). When I walked down to the kitchen (because I realized it had been too quiet for too long), he looked at me and said, "these good, Mama." I think he was just fixing for himeself a bag of snack, like I usually do for him. It took me a minute to see that he had used the shears to open the bag. The open drawer kinda gave me a clue; so then I was really blown away, because I realized he could have really hurt himself. After taking the picture, we had a little talk about not touching the shears again. They have also found a new home, out of his reach!

Recapping all of this has made me really, really tired. It's midnight, and I think I should go to bed now. Never know what a new day is gonna bring, but I'm sure that it will bring me many adventures!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Jannah and Greg enjoyed a fancy and fun-filled night! They went to the Daddy-Daughter Dance in O'Fallon last Friday. She was so excited about it! She and I went shopping for a new dress, she picked this one out all by herself; she has an eye for exactly what she wants! Daddy was all dressed up and after my own little photo shoot, they were off (in the snow and freezin' cold weather). I'm told by both that they had a blast! They ate dinner, had pictures taken, hung out with friends, and danced until the late hour of 9:00. Jannah was excited that she had 2 full glasses of fruit punch (I love what kids get excited about)! We all need to step back and enjoy the "small indulgences!"

Jannah with two of her friends, who are sisters: Hannah and Abigail.

Chatty, Chat, Chat

Conversations...we all have them. Most of mine involve conversations with my children. I mean, I do talk to them the most throughout the day. I enjoy the new phase of talking with the older two J's. I mean, we really do have real conversations, and we totally connect. It's neat and I enjoy so much chatting with them. I also enjoy listening to the two of them carry on conversations, mostly in the car. Here are a few that have really made me laugh:

Jordan: Mama, is that groundhog thing a tradition?
Me: Yes, it's a tradition.
Jordan: So, do we only have one more week of winter?
Me: No honey, we have AT LEAST 6 more weeks of winter.
* I think he was hoping it was a tradition that had no meaning, because I think he *might* be getting tired of winter...

Jordan: Can I change my name to Steven.?
Me: Well, Daddy and I named you a name that we really liked and was special to us.
Jordan: I know, but Steven is a cool name.
Me: It is, but...you know Jordan, my last name used to be Jordan and Gamma and Gampa have the last name of Jordan. It's pretty cool too.
Jordan: I want my nickname to be Steven.
Me: Okay; is there any reason you like the name Steven?
Jordan (aka Steven): Well, yeah; our friend Steven from Korea, he's pretty cool.
Me: Okay...yep, he is cool. I just left it at that. I hope he decides to keep his name...

Here's one of my favorites with Jannah:
Me: Did you have fun in choir tonight?
Jannah: Yes, except that I was boy trapped.
Me: Really? What do you mean?
Jannah: When I got there, there was only one seat left and it was between two boys.
Me: Oh, I see. I had no idea that's what it was called.
Jannah: (laughing) I learned that in Kindergarten.

***Have you ever been boy trapped, or girl trapped for that matter??? I'm sure we've all had that awful experience!

Fun Times

All is well in the Bailey home. We've been busy with basketball and cheer leading on Saturdays. And the weeks just seem to fly right by. I can't believe February is here; it will be Spring soon, just not soon enough! The cold days seem so long sometimes, I think it's because we rarely see the sunshine. I sure do make a hoopla if and when we ever do see it!

This past Friday night, Greg and I went with some friends to St. Louis (in the snow) to see Glenn Beck and also enjoyed some fine Italian dining; it was quit fun! I was so bummed to realize after leaving the house that I had forgotten my camera! We went with some friends that we were stationed in FL with 5 years ago and are now together again...just love the "small military world." I think that's all for now! Enjoy the updates!

Why the football gumball machine, you ask? Because we had "Super Sunday" at church today, and Jannah Grace won the prize for inviting the most friends, she brought 3 with her!!! She was so excited and so were her friends who she shared the gumballs with! Let me just give a "shout out" to our church: First Baptist Church O'Fallon is the best, we love it and are so blessed and thankful to be a part of God's work there!

Do these two have a future in the AF?!?!? I love it when they dress up in their flight suits! Daddy bought these bears for them, and they have become a new favorite. Jordan has been wanting the one he's holding since we were in Korea, isn't is so sweet to finally get something you've been wanting for a long time? He thinks so!

My sweetheart brought these home to me last week...I might just add that I really, really love him!

My Jordi-roo playing some b-ball! I took tons of pictures, but what do you know? NONE really turned out. Greg says we need a new camera...we'll see!

Jordan 4-Wheelin

Is there any wonder why I'm goin' grey? I think not!!! Jordan was having nothing short of a good time on the 4-wheeler today. He told us at lunch he's trying to figure out how to turn a flip on the 4-wheeler...we told him it was NOT time for that. He also asked me why I get so nervous when he's riding; I told him it's part of Mama's job! I mean really, I can't handle these boys sometimes! He's riding across the street from our house on four lots that have yet to be built upon, it makes a perfect place for him to play!