GAME DAY BABY!

College Football is BACK!!!!!!!

It's game day! 

Last season was ROUGH.

But we have a new coach and renewed hope. 

Harper and Hollis say 

GO HOGS! 

Beat Those Louisiana Ragin Cajuns!!!!!! 

{And we are on day 4 and Harper hasn't slowed down one bit from her surgery. She's completely fine. Playing and eating just like normal! Thank goodness!}

Hope your teams win today too!!!! 

(Unless you are a LA cajun and I just say Good luck!)

Their dresses are from Pumpkin Butter Kids (had them made last year and they still fit this year! yeay!) and they have cute game day bracelets from my friend Shelli! 

Doc McStuffins and a $100 visa giveaway

One of my girls' favorite TV shows is Disney Junior's "Doc McStuffins".   It's a show I even enjoy because it's just a cute show of a little girl pretending to be a doctor with her animals.  They sing fun songs and it's just a fun show.

My girls love to pretend they are doctors as well.  Thankfully besides Harper's birth and a couple of ear infections (and Hollis' recent lump issue) - my girls have always been relatively healthy.  We have managed to escape (I'm knocking on wood) really ever being sick.  Harper and Hollis both love to go to the doctor for well visits and the occasional check up.  It probably has a lot to do with the fact that our pediatrician is nice and they usually leave with a sucker and a sticker.

I try to talk to my girls about any doctor visits that we have to help them not be afraid and understand what might happen like shots or even getting their temperature taken.  Harper is having her adenoids and tonsils removed soon and we haven't told her yet because we don't want her to worry but we will talk to her the night before and help her to understand.  It will help that she can eat all the ice cream she wants.

I catch my girls playing doctor and dentist a lot with their animals.  They love to take turns being the doctor and the patient.  I would love if one of my girls actually grew up to be a doctor or a nurse!
We stay healthy  mostly by washing our hands a lot with antibiotic soap, taking vitamins, and trying to eat "somewhat" healthy and resting.  We are on the go a lot and go to preschool and church so there is only so much we can do to prepare for germs we encounter.
We are so excited that Doc McStuffins Season 2 is coming out on September 6 with all new episodes on Fridays! We will be setting our DVR!!!!
Watch Doc share great tips for keeping your kid healthy here:

And I have something fun for you - leave a comment and tell me "How do you keep your kids healthy on the go with snack ideas or other fun activities?" and one of you will win a $100 Visa Gift card!!!!!!
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
"b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: ""#SweepstakesEntry""; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post"
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 8/30/2013 - 9/27/2013

This sweepstakes is not administered or endorsed by Disney.


Be sure to visit the Doc McStuffins Brand Page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Show us Your Life - Cleaning Tips

I'm putting this link up a little early because I have another post to get up tomorrow afternoon.  Plus - I need all the cleaning help I can get.

I know a lot of your cleaning tips are "hire some cleaning help".  But not everyone can do that. I have had help before when I worked and when I was pregnant but not now and we are on the go SOOOOO much this fall - I'm a little stressed about keeping our house clean.

My normal plan is to clean one room a day.  I like to break it up so it doesn't seem SO big.  I also try to do at least one load of laundry a day and I always clean the kitchen - usually at least twice a day.  I can't stand dishes in my sink.  I also make all beds every morning first thing and work all day at keeping the house "picked up."

You could probably drop in on me just about any time and my house would look fairly clean but I will always feel like it's dirty.  I could clean every day and I would never feel like it was clean enough......does anyone else have this problem.

Plus - being home with little kids - let's be honest. It's like trying to keep the sand neat when the tide is coming in, right?

I've said this a million times and never gone there ......but I'm thinking of signing up for Flylady.net and see if that can get me organized.  It's worth a shot. Or maybe I will read some of your tips and get better ideas!

A Good Report and Some Fun news!

Harper had her tonsils and adenoids removed this morning.  We had to be there at 6. Her surgery was at 7.  The girls are VERY into super heros all the sudden so I told them we could get super hero shirts to wear to the hospital.  They were SO excited! We had both sets of grandparents here with us (except for my dad who is in India for 2 weeks training pastors).  

{You can probably guess what our family theme is for our Halloween costumes this year! I can't wait!}

{yes - I already have it planned out}

Harper was gone for about 35 minutes and then in recovery for about 20 or 30 minutes and then they let us go back.  I was warned that she would be really upset or irritable but she was all smiles. She even ate a popsicle and some ice cream and drank juice.  She took a nap and they let us go home! 

Harper kept asking if we could go home.  We didn't have to spend the night and she told me she never wanted to go back to that place. ha! Although everyone was very nice and it was so much easier than I could have dreamed.  I was a nervous wreck but it all went great.  She even got to hold her new kitty the entire time. 

I've been warned it's day 3 or 4 when things go downhill so I'm preparing for that but right now she's running around acting normal and asking for food.  

Thank you for your prayers - I just wanted to give a report.  Once we are through the next few weeks of recovery - I will report back for all of you who have said you may have to do this with your kids! I'm glad for everyone who gave me advice from their surgeries! 

I also wanted to share some exciting news! We have a really great magazine here in NWA that I have read for years and starting in October - I am going to have a monthly feature! I'm going to write it for moms and kids and talk about things to do in this area and just "mom stuff" in general! If you live in Arkansas or used to live in Arkansas or want to live in Arkansas some day (or maybe you are just curious about this corner of the world or do business here with a certain major retailer) - this is a magazine you need to check out!
You can also check it out on-line at celebratearkansas.com.

I will be sharing more about this in the feature but I thought it would be fun to tell you today!

Just a few sentences

I feel like I get all "itchy" if I don't write a blog post every day.

The world won't come to an end if I don't post. CLEARLY.

It's just a busy week.

I went to OKC all day yesterday with some friends to be at my friend Rachel's nephew's funeral.  It was a sad day.  Anytime a child dies - it's so hard to understand or bear.  But it was such an uplifting service.  Xander was an extraordinary boy who loved Jesus with all of his heart and knew he was going to heaven and was happy about that.  He did more in his 11 years to point people to Jesus than most people do in 91 years.  The world would be a completely different place if there were a lot more Xanders around.

Meanwhile Scott kept the girls and took Harper to her first soccer practice.  A think a star has been born.  She loved it.

Today I had a women's ministry meeting at church all morning and then we had to go to the hospital for a pre-op appointment.  Harper is having her tonsils and adenoids out tomorrow.  It's a minor surgery but it's MAJOR to me and Scott.  I know it will be SO worth it in about two weeks once her recovery is over but I hate putting her through it.  I wouldn't be sad if you would pray for her.

So I will be taking care of her for the next week or so.  I won't mind the snuggles.

Later friends.

Weekend

We have had such a fun and very busy weekend.  

Unfortunately - it's been overlaid by a lot of sadness.  My dear friend Rachel's nephew, Xander, who I have mentioned several times died of cancer Thursday night.  He was 11 and has been fighting cancer since he was 2.  His family has unbelievable faith but it's still so hard for any parent to lose a child.  I've been so sad for my friend and her family.  

Friday the girls had preschool and then we were off to get fall hair cuts.  Hollis got a good shape up and I couldn't resist a cute bob on Harper.  There is nothing sweeter to me than a little girl in a bob.

We ran home and ate dinner and then we were off to the Soccer kick off.  We just got to meet our coaches and team and pick up our uniform.  So excited our color is pink! :-) Harper had to try it on right on the field.  (Don't worry - we won't wear dresses or bows in actual games or practices! )

After that - the fun wasn't over! Harper went for her first sleepover! Laurie sent me this picture. I don't think the girls could have been any more excited! She had a GREAT time! 

 I went over to Laurie's this morning early and picked up she and Harper and we met our friend Kristin for breakfast at the good old Cracker Barrel.  Kristin lives in south AR and was up here for the weekend. We haven't seen her in forever.  We just adore Kristin.  She is beautiful and funny and extremely sweet and a Godly girl and she is also SINGLE!!!!!!!!!! I need to find her a man! Know anyone really great?  She's actually super content but some amazing guy is going to find a hidden treasure when they find Kristin!

This afternoon we headed to a 5th birthday party for our sweet friend Madeline.  It was at Build A Bear.  It was such a fun party.  Harper and Sarah Kate both had to have cats. Of course. 

And because Laurie and her bunch couldn't get enough of us this weekend - we headed to dinner tonight.  This was all the men's idea - they wanted steak. 

We went to our favorite - Doe's.  It was the first time for our girls to visit the Big Steak Mecca.  Laurie hates Doe's.  But what you need to know about Laurie is she is super weird about food.  She won't eat salads, sandwiches or ice cream that isn't "gritty".   She said in heaven it says you will have the finest of meats and in her mind - that means "Western Sizzlin" - which she thinks has the best steaks. 

How are we friends? 

These are my people.  I love them.

We have church tomorrow and then I plan to do a lot of nothing tomorrow afternoon. 

Hope your weekend was great! 

Share your Favorite On-Line Shops

When you have small kids ......or even if you don't and just don't like to have to get out in the hustle and bustle of stores and malls - shopping on-line is GREAT!!!

It's fun to discover new on-line sites so today is all about sharing your favorite places to shop on-line.  It may be for yourself, kids, home goods, anything........

I have a couple of favorite little "shops" -

The Blue Door Boutique always has super cute dresses and outfits.  They update daily with new styles.  Sometimes I just love to watch to see what's "in" this season! 

One of my personal favorite stores is Riffraff.  This is a local store but it's 30 minutes from me and so I don't get there as often as I wish so I like to look on-line! They have not only super cute clothes updated daily but they also have an entire State Love line with all kinds of "state" items, a unique Greek line (so if you are in a sorority or are an alumni - you should check them out!) and a whole Game Day section (which you know I'm all about the Game Day outfit)!

Another site I love is Modcloth.  They have so many cute and kind of vintage feel clothes.  I feel like they have a lot of unique styles.  

I also LOVE Shabby Apple for modest, flattering dresses that are also very stylish and somewhat vintage looking.  (I love a good vintage look).  

What about you? Where do you shop? 

Carter's Fall Looks and a Give Away

OI think y'all know by now that I love dressing up my girls.  I rotate the same 4-5 outfits all season but I love dressing my girls (as long as I possibly can before they quit letting me pick out their outfits).

Today I'm teaming up with Carter's.  The girls are modeling a few of their fall looks that they provided for us and we have something special for one of you!!!!!

Harper LOVED this top and skinny jeans.  She can't wait to wear it to school this fall! 

(Accessories are her own choice!)

And OH MY GOSH  - this dress!!!!!!! 

We put it with one of our own cardigans, cowboy boots and Hollis picked her accessories (you know Fancy Nancy needed some - be shocked she doesn't have a purse on her arm.)

 Carter’s has picked out the Top 5 looks to make sure your little ones are looking great as they head back to school or play this fall. They’ve got everything you need to outfit your kids in the newest styles! For this fall, the top looks for kids include:
o        Fun prints to brighten up your kids’ wardrobe
o        Colored bottoms and skirts for classroom or playroom
o        Graphic tees & bodysuits to make a cute statement
o        Great pieces for layering (especially with Carter’s adorable jewelry!)
o        Perfect matching sets for easy outfitting
·        Everyone will “ooh and aah” at your kids’ new bright skirts and shorts this fall! 
o        For girls, Carter’s features new colored skirts to dance and prance around in at playtime. 
o        For boys, the new assortment of shorts will keep him cool and comfy plus match all of his favorite polos, shirts and graphic tees.
·        Graphics are very popular for kids, toddlers and babies this season! They will love the new graphic tees, perfect for school or playtime. The new bodysuits for your littlest ones are stylish as well as functional and are sure to become a staple among your baby clothes.
·        Whether they are headed back to school or back to play, Carter’s has perfect fall looks for your kids including tunics & leggings, mix & match tees, everyday dresses and kids accessories.
·        Carter’s easy layering makes outfitting stress-free for kids of all ages. With new jewelry and matching sets, it’ll be easier than ever to get your little ones ready for whatever is on your plate that day.

  “Like” Carter's on Facebook, mention @Carters on Twitterand follow them on Pinterest  to discover the latest great deals, exclusive events and offers for your little ones! 

 Halloween Sweepstakes: Like” Carter’s on Facebook then enter for your chance to win adorable Carter’s Halloween-themed styles for your little one, plus, a $150 gift card. Simply enter one time now through September 11 and you’ll automatically be entered into the weekly drawing.

You can check out these fall looks and more at Carter's website or a store near you! 

NOW ........Here is the great thing!!!!

One of you will win a $50 gift card to shop for your child at Carter's!

Just leave a comment and tell me:

Which Top 5 look from Carter’s would you give as a back to school gift?

Carter’s partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote Top 5 for Fall. As part of the program, I received product or gift cards.  Carter’s believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words, and therefore did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products I used. Carter’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of any giveaway in this program will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.

I will pick the winner on Saturday.

First Day of School

Today was our first day of preschool! 

We had a great morning!  The girls were all smiles and so excited to go into their new rooms! 

We are so blessed! My girls have two WONDERFUL teachers this year! 

We prayed over them last night that they would have a good year and learn a lot and make good friends.  

My prayer above all is that they would be kind to others and respectful to their teachers. 

They are growing so fast.  This is Harper's last year of preschool.  Next year Hollis will start preschool.  

 They have grown so much in the last year.  Harper is becoming more of a little girl.  I'm so proud of her.  She may not be reading books yet but she is learning.  And she is so polite and kind.  She is so quick to share with others.  I love watching her sweet and giving heart.  That is more important to me than a million A's on tests.

{I am determined to get as much wear out of this little "school" outfit as possible! ha!}

Hollis was just a baby last year.  She wants to be called a "big kid" now all the time.  She wants to do everything big sister does.  She is so smart and funny.  She also demands that we call her "Superman".  

It's sad watching them grow so quickly but it's also fun to enjoy each stage that their lives bring.

I had to add this - it's Harper's First First day of preschool and today is her Last First day of Preschool.  This is her 4th year there.  It seems like yesterday I dropped her off for the first time!

and if you are like me and have a 4 year old (or younger or older) and worry about what they do or do not know or how they compare to other kids...... I read this on FB this week and LOVED it.

"what a 4 year old should know"

Something New to my Blog that I'm excited to share!

I have something new to my blog that I'm excited to share!

I love this little corner (or Korner - ba ha ha - I know how corny the name of my blog is) of the internet.

I love to be able to write about my family and to share what's on my heart.

And I have something new that's coming soon that I have really prayed about and I feel like it's going to be so special.

I have asked a lot of different people to come here on Tuesdays and share their stories of what God has done in their lives with you.  A lot of them are just my close friends - most of whom don't even blog.  Some of them are blog friends of mine and some are bloggers I don't know well but who I know have stories to share.  I have people scheduled through next spring but I think I will probably extend it as long as there are stories to be told.

They all have different stories and different lives but God has done amazing works in all of their lives and my prayer is that it will resonate in one or more of you.

I want this blog to above all bring God glory and I'm excited that so many are willing to share their stories with us!

I hope you will pop back in on Tuesdays to "meet" all of the friends who will come here to visit and share.  AND I pray you will welcome them with open arms and support them for being brave enough to share!

This will start the Tuesday after Labor Day!


{CUTE CUTE BLOG BUTTON IS BY Sarah at Sweet Life Creative}

First Days of School

School started here today in Arkansas and I have been so happy looking at everyone's pictures on facebook and instagram and twitter.  First day of School pics make my heart so happy. 

I LOVED School growing up! 

My mom took our pictures every year on the first day.  Of course she had nothing to post it on - no blogs or social media.  She would have to wait to print out the roll and just hope there was at least one good picture in focus with us looking that she could stick in an album.

Can you even imagine life without digital cameras?

Or smart phones?

Or computers? 

(Well that was my life before I was late 20's.........)

{For real - I went through high school and college without a computer or a cell phone. Sometimes I wonder how we survived. ha! Mostly I'm so glad I was lucky enough we didn't have all that.  We couldn't be in constant contact with people, everyone didn't know what we were doing at every second of the day, no one was posting selflies, we actually had to go to the library and look up things on micro fiche for research.  It was a slower time.}

 I love this one of me in my cute little apple dress and Strawberry shortcake lunch box and my brother and his Dukes of Hazzard lunch box.  I think I was starting 3rd grade.  

We moved a lot when I was young.  I think I went to 6 or 7 different Elementary Schools.  If you worry about your kids when they have to start new schools - don't.  I learned to adjust and make friends no matter where I went.  It taught me to adapt.  

This picture is awesome.  I put the "awk" in AWKWARD.  I was starting 8th grade.  Thick glasses, mom jeans and that awesome bi-level hairdo.  And my matching yellow accessories and swatch watch. (and yet my brother was like something out of a Gap ad.)

(Yes - it's a little weird that I almost look older at 12 than I do at 39.  This is good news. Maybe at 68 I will finally be cool. ha ha ha ha!)

I feel like school is such a huge hot topic these days.  Everyone has such STRONG opinions on where your kids should go to school and their choice is always the best one.  I think every kid is different.  And every family is different.  One day I will maybe write my thoughts on this subject (and I have some STRONG ONES) (actually I will never blog about it because I'm not a fan of controversy or making people mad) but for now I just want to enjoy the first days of school.  I love that they symbolize new beginnings.  

I still miss getting those new school supplies and picking out my first day of school outfit.  I miss packing to go back to college.  But now I'm looking forward to the first days for my girls. And the knowledge and opportunities and fun it will bring them. 

Here's to all of our first days!!! 

Meaningful

So Harper is in the country with my parents having the time of her life.  They went to Silver Dollar City (or as I like to call it Steal your Dollar City) yesterday.

I'm pretty sure she AND the deer are very happy.  But we sure miss her! 

Meanwhile me and Hollis are having "lots and lots of fun".  Harper was so excited about going to Nonny's house that Hollis was content to know she would be alone with me and daddy. 

I took her to meet some friends at a local play place yesterday.  We had a blast! 

 We met up with Ashley and Amanda and their girls.  

 Such sweet faces 

 Last night we ate with our friends and then had cupcakes at Bliss.  (SO yummy!)

 I would say it was a success of a night. 

We have had the summer of weird ailments.  First me and the Staph and Hollis and the lump and now Dawson is having horrible pain in his back.  He has arthritis and it flairs up about every 6 months.  It makes me so sad.  Little Fancy Nancy helped me take him to the vet yesterday. 

And totally off topic but I had to share:

I saw this video yesterday and I couldn't stop crying.  I love Shane and Shane and this song is amazing.  I have so many friends who are hurting - I know so many of you are too.  I hope this song will encourage you.  Especially around the 3:20 point........love the words of John Piper.

{Gorgeous words in this song}

Though you slay me - still I will praise you. 
Though you take from me - I will bless your name. 
Though you ruin me - I will sing a song of worship
To the One who is all I need.

Favorite Thrift Store Finds - Link up and share!

My friend Maegan is super stylish and always looks like a model and her kids always look like Gap models.  But every time  I compliment something .....it's like "oh I got that at Goodwill".  She also has a house out of a magazine but most of what's in it she finds at junk stores or thrift stores and paints and re-news it.  I'm in awe of her.  I also always tell her she needs to take me thrifting.

In fact - once the kids are in school - I'm headed to Goodwill to see what I can find!

So I don't have any good thrift store finds to share but I KNOW some of you do!!!! I look at pinterest. People can make things out of anything or find great clothes at Goodwill.  SHARE!

Win a $75 gift card to Lisa Leonard Designs

I have admired Lisa Leonard's jewelry for a long time.

It wasn't until a few months ago that I read her blog and really learned more about her as a person.  And I was so inspired.  She's an amazing mom of two precious boys - one who has special needs.  Her family is precious. And her work is amazing.  Her core message is finding beauty in the broken and she does that so well.

I love all the personalized jewelry she makes.  These are wonderful gifts for grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts.......or yourself! 

And dad's aren't left out. 

Maybe you just have a special word that you want written and worn around your heart.  It could be anything......Loved, Brave, Strong, Hope......... 

Lisa made a special necklace for me with my girls initials.  I'm so thankful for the reminder of my two blessings that I can wear close to my heart. 

And now I have something exciting for you!

One of you will win a $75 credit to Lisa Leonard Designs to have something special made for you!!!!!

I've given you a ton of ways to enter.  The only one you MUST do is to sign up for Lisa's newsletter.  And by doing that you will get a 15% off coupon.  All of you!!!!!  And if you want more chances to win - you are welcome to enter the other ways!


I will pick a winner Sunday night!


a Rafflecopter giveaway