Fairy Dust and Sweet Retreats

So big night last night at the Stamps' house. 

Harper lost her first tooth!!!!!

And she pulled it out by herself! 

Yes- she just turned 5 two weeks ago.  But she had 6 teeth at 4 months and I've heard many times that the earlier you get teeth, the earlier you lose them.  I guess this is true.  Harper has been waiting for this for a while.  She found out about the tooth fairy and told us all about it not that long ago.  But I thought I had a lot longer to prepare.  It became loose about three weeks ago.  The adult tooth was already half up - pushing it out.  She has been wiggling and wiggling it.  

She had a little cold yesterday so I let her stay home with Scott and miss AWANA and I went on to church.  When I came home, she had pulled it out all by herself. 

The day it became loose I panicked! I had always planned to get her a little tooth pillow but thought I had more time.  So I ordered one on Etsy right away.  I figured I wouldn't get it in time but it came this weekend! Isn't it cute? It was only $10 and she had all colors.  I guess I better go ahead and order Hollis one so I will be prepared! 

And this worked SO much better than the old "put the tooth under the pillow and switch it out for money".  We hung it on her bedroom door and put the tooth in there.  I wanted to keep expectations low and give her a quarter.  But you know daddies and daughters - he insisted on a dollar. 

But this is what I'm wondering.............do you people keep their teeth???? And what do you do with them? I'm not sure how I feel about this. 

I had a hair appointment today and nothing to do with the girls so they came with me.  I was nervous because my appointments last at least two hours but I packed a bag of goodies. The girls were really pretty good.  And my sweet hair dresser is so precious and she entertained them while I was sitting under the steamer.  It helps that she has kids the same age.

Tonight we had a women's event at church - a "sweet retreat".  We have goodies and a speaker.  It was SO great.  I was greeting at the door so I didn't get a chance to really visit too much or take pictures.  I only took two.  One of my friends Ginger and Jessica in matching shirts and I had to get a picture of my friend Jenn in her sassy hat and hair.  She lost her hair to chemo and we love that she is always rocking a different wig or hat.  She always looks so great no matter what! It's all in the attitude.

And I need to confess something.

I came home tonight and everyone was already asleep.  I was picking up and Harper had some old birthday balloons that needed to go so I snipped the ends.  And then I just suddenly felt powerless to resist sucking in the helium.  So I started talking in that crazy munchkin voice and couldn't stop laughing.  I even went in the garage and was talking really loud so I could hear myself and was dying laughing.  I really needed someone here to laugh with me.

So if you ever thought I was "normal".........I'm pretty much not.

The Best of the Best of the Best

 Today has been a good day.  Harper had Pajama day at school because they are learning the letter P.

 Laurie and I had planned a trip to a town about 45 min away that we had heard has great junk/antique stores.  Laurie taught in this town when we first lived in NW AR about 20 years ago and my mom actually taught there when she was pregnant with me.  So first we drove around to see how much things had changed in 20 years.  Then we hit up Daisy and Olives and it did NOT disappoint.

 I walked in and saw my initials right in the front of the store so I knew I was in the right place.

 It was so much fun just to look around.

 I'm planning for the late summer or fall to move Hollis to a big bed and put both girls in one room and turn the other room into a play room so my mind is turning with ideas on how to change up both rooms.  I had fun looking around and getting ideas!

 Laurie just wanted to buy this vintage cat valentine. 

of course

 I found the greatest old church windows (behind me) and painted pulpit and church pew.  I told Laurie I might turn our living room into a church and invite them over to worship.  

 And then we saw this.

And I knew EXACTLY what Melanie could do with the Antelope in her Living Room. 

{By the way - her book comes out next week and it's all about marriage and hilarious!}

 I love vintage clothes and I found a dress I LOVED!!!!!!  

And Laurie found a dress to wear on her next date night. 

 (Just kidding. Even if she loved it I'm afraid I would have to step in and say no to that). 

Then we went to lunch at a place we had never been before.  We thought it would be kind of a dive but it was FANCY and SOOOOO good.  It's all organic fresh food and delicious.  Laurie had some kind of lemon meat loaf that she kept saying "Oh My" and "Wow" about and I had fish tacos.  

Laurie declared this day "The best of the best of the best:  My best friend, the best junk store and the best meatloaf ever." ha ha ha ha!


{I have to add this in because it made me laugh so hard - when I told Harper that Laurie and I were having a fun day because we are best friends she said "Do y'all run away from each other and say you don't want to be friends?"  Because that's what BFF's in preschool apparently do.  I told her adults don't do that.  (Well, MOST adults).  Laurie and I laughed at the mental image of that.}

A few Announcements ...... None of them involve me having a baby

I'm having a weird, can't get motivated to blog week.  I have a few things I want to write and I just can't get myself to sit down and do it.

But I do have a few things I wanted to tell about so I'm going to do that today.

Five years ago, Compassion took it's first group of bloggers on a trip.  They went to Uganda and my friend Sophie was on that trip.  I read her blog and opened my heart to sponsoring a child.  Then I was blessed to go on two trips with Compassion and sponsor two more children.  I'm a huge advocate for this wonderful organization.  They are on a trip to Uganda this week.  Some great bloggers are with them like two of my friends Nester and Emily.  You can follow along here.

Our friend and financial advisor, Mach 1,  is sponsoring a Financial Forum in NWA on March 6th and Mike Huckabee is the speaker.  This would be a great thing to attend and if you use "Kelly" when you go on line and register you can get $5 off!  (Tickets are $20 per person (before discount) and all net proceeds will go to the Arkansas Children's Hospital - which is something I'm SO thankful for!)

If you are any where in Arkansas, there is a WONDERFUL conference for you to attend coming up in just 4 short weeks!!!  Lysa Terkeurst, who is a friend of mine and an author and speaker of books like "Unglued" and "Made to Crave" is coming to First Baptist Church Russelleville.  And the music will be led by two of my friends from OBU - Mark and Mary Claire Maier and they are SOOOOOOO talented!  You can find more info at www.fbcruss.org.

I know this is a lot of Arkansas stuff..........but well - you should all just move here. :-)

I need to get one more plug in for all of you women in Arkansas.........there is a conference on March 8 in Little Rock and it is going to be great! It's just a one day conference and Debbie Stuart is the speaker and she is AMAZING (she's speaking to our women this week) and there are a lot of great breakout sessions on a tons of topics.  You might know one of those breakout leaders (Her initials are K.S.)  I'd love to see a lot of you there!!!


Okay ...... that's it.   Hopefully I will be back tomorrow with a real post.

Seriously.....move to Arkansas.

Germs, Germs Go AWAY!

I'm very thankful that I've been very fortunate to very rarely get sick throughout most of my life.  And thankfully my girls seem to have taken on my immunity.  I always hate to breathe that out loud for fear that they will wake up with a fever or the dreaded stomach virus just as sure as I finish bragging on their health. 

 I would say I was the very opposite of a hypochondriac before I had children.  I never worried about any symptoms and almost never went to a doctor.  But that all changed after I had Harper.  I became a lot more worried about germs and every little sniffle had me pulling up google and going in my mind to the worst case scenario.

With small children, especially ones who go to school and church (and Wal-Mart) frequently, it's inevitable that they might catch something but I like to do what I can to try and keep them healthy.

And after my unfortunate staph infections in the past, I have certainly been more aware of how to keep the germs at bay.

It probably doesn't hurt that this one would like to wash her hands 5689 times a day.  And does.  Hand washing with anti-bacterial soap isn't the worst thing at keeping the sickness away.

And as both prevention and sometimes as a follow up when sickness has hit our house - I try to wipe all counter tops and things we touch down with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes frequently.  Scott will tell you not frequently enough.  He's always insisting that things like computer keyboards, iPads and our phones need a lot more wipe downs.  And he's right.

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are so convenient.  I keep them right under my sink in the kitchen and sometimes in the bathrooms too and I love just being out to take them out and wipe off our counters and leather chairs quickly and hopefully chasing away the flu.  This season seems to be worse than normal and it makes me so nervous that we could catch a flu virus so I feel better knowing I have at least one thing in my corner by keeping most surfaces germ free.

What are your tips and tricks for a flu-free winter? Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!!!!!!!!

Use Clorox Disinfecting Wipes as directed. 

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Let's go to the Movies

Scott's parents are here staying with us this weekend to help us celebrate Harper's birthday party!  This morning we went to Cabela's.  Every little girl in ruffled leggings needs a camo mule to drive around.

I have anxiously waited for Chuy's to open in our town for over a year.  It did last week and we decided to go extra early to fight the huge crowds and eat lunch there.  It did NOT disappoint.  It was soooo good.  The girls loved just getting time with their grandparents.

I seriously blinked and she turned five.  I put so much thought into her first birthday party.  That seems like it was literally yesterday.  Harper is obsessed with birthday parties.  She has been talking about hers for months.  She LOVES going to the movies so I thought it would be fun to have a movie birthday party.  I found out you can rent a party room and they reserve you seats at the movie you pick and you get popcorn, pizza and drinks.  It was really a lot cheaper than any party we have ever had and Harper was THRILLED! 

{I found this popcorn shirt at Forever 21.  Harper thinks it's the greatest shirt of all times}

My two girls and their grandparents  

My family

(We had taken so many pictures at this point - can you see the joy on their faces.  They were done)

I'm probably the least creative mother in the world.   I can't sew.  I don't do crafts.  But I saw these cupcakes on Pinterest and felt ambitious.  And I was so proud of myself.  They turned out so cute.  I just made chocolate cupcakes with regular icing and then painted the marshmallows with yellow food coloring.  They are in little "nut cups" and then I printed out the wrapper on thick paper.  You can see the original post and get the printout here:

http://www.rookno17.com/2010/09/easy-movie-theater-birthday-party-with.html

And I got the little popcorn bags and put favors in them for the girls.  That was it for any work I did.  But I thought it turned out cute.  Simple and fun. 

This was the first year that Harper got to decide who she wanted at her party (before this I just asked my friends kids).  She picked just a few friends and thankfully most of them could come.  We missed a few of her best friends because they were sick or out of town.  These are all such sweet girls.  We saw "The Nut Job" and they all did great.  I hope they had a great time - I know Harper did! 

 This is Harper at her birthday party every year - from one to five.  

Older mothers really do know what they are talking about when they say it passes quickly and to enjoy every minute.   I rolled my eyes at those women when I was holding a screaming baby who never slept but now I'm that mother looking at mommas with babies in their shopping carts and missing those days.  And at the same time smiling because I love exactly where we are at now! 

SINGLES DAY 2014

Listen - crazier things can happen, right?

A mom blog seems like a ridiculous way to meet your spouse........but nine couples are engaged/married. So why not you? 

If you have a blog post about yourself, a friend, a sibling, a co-worker, a parent........link up!

If you don't have a blog or if you do.......look through the links.  If you see someone interesting - leave your contact info and hopefully they will get in touch.  

Nothing may come from this.

Or maybe one of you will just meet the person you have been looking for. 

On a mom blog.  

You never know. 

{look at previous post for more details on today}

Here are FIVE of the success stories if you want to read more about them:
http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2012/07/five-love-stories.html

Details on Singles Day!!! It's This Friday!!

Last night a bunch of girls from our Sunday School class got together for a girls night at Laurie's house.  We used to get together all the time for girls nights and play groups and as our kids have grown and we have all gotten busier - it seems to have really fallen to the side.  AND we have a ton of new couples in our church and Laurie and I are on a mission to help them feel welcome and get to know other people in the church so we thought it would be fun to just eat and visit.  And it was SO much fun.  I love being with my friends. 


Okay enough about me and my friends.............

Friday is SINGLES DAY!!!!!

I think you have heard by now but over the last few years of doing this - NINE couples are engaged or married.  Three of those now have children! NINE.  N-I-N-E!!! That blows my mind a little.  I wrote a post a little while ago where five of those couple shared their stories - you might be interested to read:  http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2012/07/five-love-stories.html

I need to get the other four to write out their stories so you can read those as well!!!

So "tell your friends, tell you momma, tell your brother, tell all the single people you know (ESPECIALLY MEN - we need MEN for this to work!)" - to come and check this out on Friday.

So here are the things to know:  PLEASE READ!!!!!!!!!!

1.  If you have a single friend, a single co-worker, a single family member or YOURSELF - write a blog post about them (or you) and include lots of pictures and a good TRUE description.  When you link up - you will put their first name, age and state they live in.  

 
2.  I will get this question a lot - "I don't have a blog - how can I participate?"  It is EXTREMELY easy to set up a blog (nothing fancy).  So even if you don't blog - you could totally set up a blog with one post just for the purpose of participating.  Then you can delete the whole thing. OR You can visit the posts and if you see one you are interested in - leave a comment with your info and tell a little about yourself.  Hopefully you will hear something back. 

 
3. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: God knows and has a plan for how you will meet your mate. Maybe it's here but more than likely it's not.  If you post and no one leaves any comments - the last thing I want is for you to feel rejected. YOU ARE NOT!!! It will just be clear that your future spouse does not read my blog. ha! And if you comment on someone and don't hear back - DO NOT FEEL REJECTED.  That is just not the person for you.  I can't stand for anyone to feel rejected and I know how singleness can attack your self esteem (or maybe it was just me).  That is not what is happening here.  

 
4.  This is also important - I have absolutely NO control over how many guys vs girls there are or what ages people are.  I get emails complaining about ages or whatever and y'all - I have NO control!!!! I'm just praying for the best and that something amazing comes out of it. 

 
5. If you meet, date, get engaged and get married - you are required to invite me. Bridesmaid is optional.  (I'm totally kidding about this but I really hope you will let me know if anything happens.  It encourages me and others to keep going with this!)

6.  We get a LOT more single girls than guys posting which TOTALLY makes sense BUT remember - I doubt I have many single guys reading my blog unless someone directs them to check out the Singles day.  So just don't be upset if you don't get a lot of response.  The thing we need most is for people to share their single brothers/co-workers, BIL's, dad's, friends here.  So if you know ANY single GOOD guys - please share them with us!!! 

7. Questions? Leave a comment or email me (kellyskornerblog@gmail.com). I"m the worst person in the world at email but I will try to help. 

{And PLEASE READ:  Please please use good judgement if you participate. I feel like this is a safe place but our world is crazy so obviously use caution and maybe get references before meeting someone. Pray about it. And you must be at least 21 to participate.} {I am not responsible for bad dates or things gone wrong.  I am just a host hoping for good things!}

Praying for Dogs

I told you that about two weeks ago, Dawson's back legs quit working.  He was so pitiful.  We got him on steroids and pain meds but he was also very sick and not keeping food down, couldn't go to the bathroom and losing weight.  I didn't sleep for three nights in a row because he was up crying most of the night and I slept by him in the living room.  Scott and I and the vet were having discussions on if it was time to put him down.  The vet called me at the gym one morning and I had to leave because I was crying.  

Thankfully, he is SO much better.  He is not 100% and is still a little wobbly but he's eating like a horse again and getting around pretty well.  I have been so thankful.  I don't know how much longer he has with us but I'm so thankful he is better for now.  

This was us pre-kids. Back when we did things like all 3 of us wearing Arkansas jerseys.  Doesn't Dawson look CHAWED? ha! 

The other night at dinner Harper said she wanted to say a special prayer for Dawson (we call him Dawsy most of the time).  Scott filmed it and I'm so glad he did because right at the end of this I was shaking the table I was laughing so hard.  Hopefully you can understand her.........at the end she says "that's a potty word."   Exactly what you want to hear your sweet little girl say in the middle of her prayers.

We are teaching the girls that you can talk to God about anything - big or small.  He cares about even the smallest details of our life.  I'm glad Harper is learning this truth.  Even if she is thanking God that Dawson can go to the bathroom again.

Weekend Follies

Have ya'll had a good weekend?  We haven't had a particularly eventful one but it was nice!!! 

Friday night we had Parents Night Out at our church which I was immensely excited about.  This has been re-scheduled twice since December because of snow.  I took this before I went - I had a new top/tunic from Riffraff that I was excited about.  I tried to take a picture on our date but Scott is not a fan of the selfie.  ha!  (Trust me - I know selfies are gooberish. )We ended up going to P F Chang and so did Laurie and Steve so we just had a double date and it was really fun! 

My mom got the girls these little ruffled sweat suits.  They were perfect for Saturday.  We had a day of the gym and cleaning and playing outside.  We were all in our sweat suits.  The girls insist on wearing their hoods when they have these on.  Ganstas. 

Today we had church and went to lunch and then soon after went to a birthday party for our friend Amelia.  The H's were over dressed for the party but we went right back to church afterwards and I didn't want to have to go through another set of clothes.  They didn't care.  They ran around and got sweaty and had the BEST time playing!

Hollis had so much fun!

I stole this from my friend Amanda's IG - her little Amelia was the birthday girl and my two monkeys in their party hats! 

Preschool choir started back tonight and then we had church afterwards.  It was a full day.  Sundays are my favorite days! 

Happy Day

Harper had a great birthday! 

We are having her friend party next weekend and she is SOOOOOOOO excited about it.  It's all she has talked about for probably 3 months - where to have it and who to invite.  My parents are going to be in Florida for a pastor's conference and will miss the party but they came over today to spend the day with her and that made it special for her! 

I feel like all I have talked about this week is Harper but little sister will get her day in the sun 2 months from now when she turns 3.  I had to keep reminding her that her birthday is coming.  Especially when Harper was getting presents and attention. 

We all drove over to meet Daddy for lunch at the Wooden Spoon.  We had the best lunch.  They have amazing desserts and I shared a chocolate chip pie with the girls and I'm still bitter 12 hours later that I didn't just get them their own dessert.  They were like little vacuums sucking up every bite of the pie.  It was SO delicious and I didn't get much of it.  Which was probably for the best.

We came home and Harper opened up gifts from my parents and Aunt Linda.  And a little later the UPS man brought gifts from her Uncle and Aunt and cousin.  Perfect timing. 

My parents left and we spent our normal afternoon in speech therapy.

Tonight we just had Taco Thursday at home and then cupcakes from Walmart.  It wasn't fancy but it was fun.   Every time we would tell Harper happy birthday or sing to her or someone else would call to tell her Happy birthday she would say "Really? Why does everyone keep celebrating me?" ha!

Such a sweet day for a sweet girl.

Happy Birthday Harper

Happy 5th birthday to my precious miracle Harper Brown.

I want to freeze you at this age forever. 

I thought it would be fun to play 20 questions on your 5th birthday so we can remember what you were like at this age.   So I asked you these questions and this was your response:

1.  Favorite Color:  Yellow

2.  Favorite Toy:  A fairy Barbie

3. Favorite TV Show: My Little Ponies

4. Favorite Movie:  Frozen

5.  Favorite Disney Princess: Belle

6.   Favorite Food:  Turkey sandwich with pickles

7.   Favorite Animal:  A donkey an horses

8.  Favorite Song:  "Let it Go" and "For the First time in forever" (Frozen soundtrack)

9.  Best Friends:  Anella, Emily, Sarah Kate, Madeline, Kinley, and Sosi and Julianne and Claire

10.  Favorite Drink: Lemonade

11.  Favorite thing to play outside: Swing and ride my bike and scooter

12.  Favorite thing to wear: Dresses and boots

13. Favorite Breakfast:  applesauce and breakfast bars

14. Favorite thing to draw:  People and rainbows

15.   Favorite thing about school: Coloring and playing with friends

16.  Favorite thing about Hollis   She plays with me and hugs me

17.  Favorite thing about Daddy   He plays with us and he loves us

18 .  Favorite thing about Mommy:  You are nice and I love to hug you

19.  Favorite Dessert:  Cookies with chocolate chips and sprinkles and whipped cream

20.  What do you want to be when you grow up?  Sleeping Beauty (first answer) and a Hearing aid doctor. :-)

Harper

I have loved you since the minute I found out I was pregnant but my love grows with each passing day, week and month because the more I know you, the more I love you.  You are just the joy of my life.  You have a sparkle in your eye and a huge smile on your face 98% of the time.  You are just always so happy.  You love to mother everyone around you.  You are the hero to the underdog and a friend to everyone.  You love music and you love to draw.  You LOVE to watch movies.  You love to play outside and ride your scooter and bicycle.  You love to be with your friends.  You love everything princess and ponies.  You have SO much personality.
I hope one day you will read the blog posts I wrote about you and know that your mother loved you so much it hurt.  I hope you know how proud of you I am.   Your daddy and I ADORE you.  And we thank God every day for the miracle that you are!

Happy 5th birthday baby monkey!

Momma



{Photos by Bethany Blair Photography}