Artist in the Making

It has been very interesting lately to go through Korben's school bag each day.  He does a really good job on most all of his work...writing his letters, matching pictures, cutting and gluing.  But it used to be that once he was done with his school work I think he would try to entertain himself and in the process he would end up getting in trouble.  Whether he was distracting the other kids, or rolling around on the floor, or {perhaps} even TALKING out of turn, I think he was only looking for ways to occupy his time while the other kids finished up.

Well...THIS WEEK, his papers have looked a little bit different!  I think he has finally found a way to pass the time by and still have a little fun WITHOUT getting into trouble.  Check out what I've been finding on the back of his papers.



Example #1:  18-Wheeler complete with cables from cab to compartment area.

 

Example #2:  Police SWAT Team Truck...you never know how much
back-up you may need.



Example #3:  Garbage Truck...What can I say?
He's always had a thing for recycling for some reason.



Example #4:  Firetruck with markers!  I love the detail on the ladders.
Can't forget that the one on top swivels!



Example #5:  The #20 Home Depot Race Car usually driven by Joey Logano!
I LOVE that he even remembered to draw the NET over the window
instead of just a plain opening.

Needless to say, my eyes are peeled these days and I can't wait to see what Korben has "used his imagination" to draw.  I hope he always keeps his keen eye for detail.  IF he will do that, I think he'll have a very happy wife one of these days.  I mean, seriously...surely if he remembers to draw the window net on a race car that would mean that he would never forget a birthday or anniversary or anything like that.  RIGHT? {At least I can hope.}

I love you, Mr. Korben!!  Keep it up, Buddy.  You make my heart smile!  :o)

Attempt at Better 2012 Blogging...

First of all, let's make one thing clear...I did NOT make a New Year's Resolution to do a better job of blogging.  So I don't really feel this pressure from anyone or any "promises" to do better.  But the fact still reamains, my poor blog has really missed me and I have missed it even more!  I always thought I would be the best at writing down little moments and remembering stuff, but ya'll...I STINK at it!  I have a hard time remembering to stop and buy a gallon of milk on the my way home from work let alone actually finding time to sit down and put words with pictures and "make it look all pretty".

Nonetheless, I am going to give it my best shot in 2012.  I hope to complete the ProjectScrap 2012 hosted through theShabbyShoppeBlog.  IF I stick with it, I should have at LEAST 2 scrapbook pages for each month of 2012.  And yes, I'm allowed to change it up however I feel like it OR to add more pages if need be.  I HOPE that I will have some memories that I can look back on and maybe even print in a BOUND book for 2012.  (A girl can dream, right?)  AND THEN...if I'm feeling super creative, I may even try to work backwards and do a 2011 album too.  So hang in there.  Hopefully there will be fun things to come.

For now, I'll leave you with my two January 2012 pages.  :o)  My family's memories in the making...





I think you should be able to click the images to view them larger.  At least that's how things worked "way back when" I used to blog alot more.  ha ha!  ENJOY!

11 Random Things

Marcie, from My Life as Marcie, tagged me in this survey.  Here goes nothing!

Rules
1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them
6. Tag 11 people

11 Random Things about Me
1. This is the first blog post I’ve attempted since 2009 I think! WOW! I think I’m a little behind.

2. I MUST have a big cup of chocolate milk every morning. It makes me happy. :o)

3. I had rather listen to books on CD or something than to actually READ a book.

4. I love to type! It’s crazy.

5. I LOVE my family to death…especially the fact that we have to much extended family! Seriously…I don’t know what I would do without my “big happy family” (as Korben says).

6. I officially feel old because to me a great date is to eat at Applebee’s or even Dairy Queen and then ramble around Target for a while.

7. I am extremely forgetful lately! Should I be concerned that this is happening so early?

8. I WANT to exercise, but yet I DON’T exercise. Oh well. Ha!

9. I love nothing on this earth more than to hear Korben say “I love you, Mama”. MELT!

10. I can do a pretty awesome monkey noise. Oh yeah…mega talent here!

11. I could live off of french fries! (Which is most likely why I NEED to exercise, but don’t.)

Marcie's Questions for Me

1. What is your favorite baby girl and baby boy name? Of course Korben Russell is my favorite boy name. For a girl I used to have my heart set on Kylie Melayne, but now I’m not so sure. I also like the name Kate…who knows on this one.

2. Would you change anything about your wedding day? If so, what? YES!!! I would have definitely taken most of the pictures BEFORE the ceremony instead of afterwards. Also, I would have gone to a nice spa or salon to be pampered a little bit. Also…I think I would have gone to the tanning bed a LOT before my wedding day…what was I thinking!!

3. Your favorite recipe? Share it please. Ok here it is, but know ahead of time that I am awesome at making this, but I do NOT eat it! :o)

CRAWFISH ETOUFFE

½ bag Pictsweet brand Seasoning Blend
4 cloves minced garlic
2 sticks Blue Bonnet margarine
¼ tsp. black pepper
2 good dashes crushed red pepper
1 tsp. salt
3 pkg. Bernard’s frozen crawfish tails
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cans cream of celery soup
1 ½ tbs. Zataran’s liquid crab boil
1 tbs. parsley flakes

Sauté seasoning blend and garlic in margarine. Add crawfish tails, soups, black pepper, red pepper, and salt. Cook about 20 minutes and taste (may need more salt and/or pepper).

Add parsley flakes. Simmer and stir occasionally.

Serve over hot rice with rolls, ice tea, and green salad.

TO DOUBLE THE RECIPE:

You can use the whole bag of Seasoning Blend, 5 pkgs. Bernard’s frozen crawfish tails; as well as, doubling all other ingredients.

4. Your dream job? To work from home making cute invitations and party favors. That would just be awesome!

5. What is your favorite bible verse? “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3

6. Would you rather go to the dentist or the doctor? Hmmm…that’s a tough one. I guess dentist, but I’m not really a fan of going there either.

7. If you could visit any place for the summer, where and why? I don’t know if summer would be the best time for this, but I really want to go to Wyoming and Colorado one day. Kyle went there when he was younger and he absolutely loved it and talks about that trip all the time. We want to go there as a family one day.

8. What is your night time routine? Get everyone fed, chill out in my recliner for a little bit, play with Korben, get my bath while Kyle gives Korben his bath, read Korben’s Bible devotion to him, snuggle with him in the recliner a little, then head to my bed and read my Bible before watching the news and drifting off to lala land. :o)

9. How many children would you like to complete your family? This varies from day to day. Most days I’m totally happy with my only son, but then I have to admit that there are also times that I daydream about having another child. Who knows what the future will hold.

10. Share your favorite picture of you and your family, and tell what you like about it.  We took this picture in December of 2010 on some land that has been in my family for over 100 years!  I love the huge tree in the background because my Poppa used to talk about that big tree and how it was a tiny little thing when he was a little boy and how he used to be able to climb it and play.  It is HUGE and just reminds me of family!

11. If you suffered with infertility, how long did it take you to go to a baby shower, or not feel jealous over a pregnant woman? How did you deal? Share any infertility advice. As you know, I had to continue going to baby showers even when I really didn’t want to go. No matter how much time went by, they were all extremely hard on me. I just tried to keep reminding myself that I wouldn’t wish infertility or pregnancy difficulties on anyone and that I just needed to be happy for those women and pray that God would continue to help me SURRENDER my own desires for a child to Him. It wasn’t a simple process, but I was basically just honest with God about how I felt and asked Him to help me day by day. I personally had to come to the point where I could say (and truly KNOW in my heart) that even if God never chose to bless me with a child, HE WAS ENOUGH. Once I started focusing on God more and His will for my life, then I wasn’t constantly thinking about myself and my own wants and wishes. None of it is easy though.

My Questions for You...

1. Did you play any sports in school?
2. How long have you been married?
3. What is something that you like to do when it’s just you and your besties?
4. Is your college degree directly related to your current job?
5. Are you mad at me for tagging you?
6. What is your favorite restaurant and food?
7. Favorite vacation spot for a family with young children?
8. Do you have any money-saving/budgeting tips?
9. How do you handle difficult situations that you encounter?
10. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off work?
11. How do you manage the stress of work, family, kids, etc.?

OK...

Here are the lucky ones (please don’t kill me)...TAG!!

Neisha - The Leggett Family

Angela – Life with Cliff, Angela, and Amelia

Tonya – The Bishop Family

I know this isn't 11 people but SERIOUSLY…this is all I can come up with!

Enjoy!

Get Your Verse On...

I just recently found a new company on-line called Wild Olive. They design some pretty awesome looking t-shirts with bible verses on them...a neat way to wear your witness. I ordered 2 shirts from them this week and I can't WAIT to get them in!!

Anyway...I just got an e-mail from them this morning and they're having a giveaway worth $75 of free stuff from their store which can be entered from now through June 10th. I want some more of their tees so I just HAD to enter!! Check 'em out when you get a chance!!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Mis!!

My big sister, Misti (Aunt Mis as Korben calls her), had a birthday on February 28th. Since she and her husband had plans for Friday and Saturday of that weekend, we took what was left...Sunday afternoon.


Korben and I left as soon as our church was over and headed straight to Popeyes where he (all on his own) asked to see a firetruck. LOL! When did his memory get so good?? Anyway...we picked up the food and went to Misti's house and were waiting there for her when she got home from church. (My church starts an hour earlier than theirs.) Mama and Daddy came too so the whole family was together (minus Kyle and Jason). The kids had the best time playing. They ran all over the house. Korben was chasing Micah and Caroline wasn't far behind them with a big grin on her face as she was trying to catch the big kids. They had not seen each other in a few weeks, so it was a big reunion.


After we were there a while, Jason got home and joined the party too. And by party I mean all of the adults sitting around trying not to fall asleep (does anybody else LOVE a Sunday afternoon nap?) and making sure that Korben and Caroline didn't destroy anything in Micah's room. I love my family!

I love you, big sis, and I'm so glad that we get along better than we did when we were little kids. ha! Poor Mama and Daddy...the things that they had to put up with. HAPPY 33rd BIRTHDAY!!

Awesome Designs for your Desktop...

Okay...I have been stalking the Shabby Princess blog waiting for her to release the latest desktop, and I was so happy when today it was finally there!! This desktop layout was made with the new Happy Go Lucky kit , which is absolutely adorable. It brightens up my day to see this on my computer while I'm working. So, without further ado…my March 2009 desktop.

And just because I loved it so much and almost hate to replace it with the new one...this is what my February 2009 desktop looked like:

Chocowate ina my milk!

Just when you think that maybe you can pull one over on a 2 year old...they catch you! Korben loves milk. He had no problems switching over from formula to whole milk (thank goodness) and would drink plain white milk in the beginning like a champ. Then we started adding a drinkable yogurt to his morning cup of milk (just to help him get a few more vitamins or whatever). His favorite is the Mixed Berry flavored one...I can't remember the brand.

Anyway...THEN somebody (surely it wasn't my own mother) started giving him chocolate milk. Well any kid knows that if milk is good, chocolate milk is EVEN BETTER. :o) So now my son won't hardly drink just plain white milk at all. But I still try to sneak it in on him when I can.

(You may want to pause the music player at the bottom before playing video clip.)

I had him. I gave him his cup in the kitchen and he turned it up and started chugging...all the way from the kitchen to the living room (which...I know...isn't that far). Sat down on his bean bag and kept drinking away while watching his "Dirt Monsters" DVD (see previous post).

And then it happened...as soon as I walked in the living room to sit down and relax, what did I hear from him? "Chocowate ina my milk...PWEASE!?"

PS...I'm sure it seems that I made all this up due to the fact that as the video starts he seems perfectly content until my prodding of "What do you want in your cup?", but I can assure you that the statement had already been made to me about a dozen times!! I just made him wait long enough for me to get my camera so I could try to capture his sweet little voice on video. I love the way he pronounces "chocolate" and "milk"...and also how he says "ina" instead of just "in". My sweet little buddy!

Dirt Monsters (2.25.09)

An attempt at catching up...

I know, I know... I'm slacking.

Many of you have told me and you're all so right. Why in the world is it so hard for me to keep this blog updated. ha! I don't have the answer, but here's my attempt at catching you up to speed.

Lots of posts to follow.

Pwease, Jesus...

{Conversation between me and Korben (and Jesus) in Brookhaven on Friday, February 20, 2009.}

We're waiting in the drive through lineat Popeye's behind 2 other cars to when a firetruck passes on Brookway Boulevard with sirens screaming and lights flashing. Korben gets very excited!!

K: Wook, wook, Mama! A firetruck! A firetruck!!

Me: Yes, I see it!

K: Mama...where's the firetruck go? I don't see him.

Me: Well, baby, the firetruck must be on the way to a fire. Someone probably needs their help and so they're going to do their job and rescue somebody. They might have to put out a fire.

K: Oh. Okay, Mama. I'm sorry, I don't see the firetruck anymore.

Me: It's okay, Korben. You don't have to be sorry. I'll tell you what we need to do. Let's say a prayer for the firemen and the people that they're going to help. Let's pray that Jesus will keep everybody safe.

K: OKAY!!! We say prayer!

Me: Dear Jesus...

K: [Quickly clasping hands together and squinting eyes closed and WITHOUT PAUSE]
Dear Jesus, I want to see another one firetruck. PWEASE??? AMEN!

WOW!!! I love this boy so much!

Happy Balwentime's Day!!!!!!

Christmas with Our Families 2008

Johnston Family Christmas @ Misti and Jason's house.

Lofton Family Christmas @ Mammy & PawPaw's house. Evidently there was a musical theme there this year. Korben got a drum set, Micah got a hot pink guitar (which Korben wanted to steal from her), and Caroline got lots of little singing toys.

Altman Family Christmas @ Pappy & Gammy's house. Korben got lots of books, clothes, tractors, and a set of pistols. It was very chaotic, but lots of fun!

Here's our attempt at getting a picture of the 3 little munchkins together. They were so funny!!

As you can tell we had a great Christmas and got to spend time with lots of family! What more could you ask for!

2nd Snow Day of 2008

On Thursday, December 11, 2008 we awoke to beautiful white snow in south Mississippi!! It's still hard for me to believe. It had also snowed in January of 2008, but Kyle and I were goofy and were so scared of Korben getting a snotty nose that we barely let him experience it and I only got ONE picture. So I was determined to have a little more fun this time around while I had the chance. Kyle was at work and I hated that he didn't get to enjoy it with us, but we still had a great time. Korben kept saying, "Mama...I wuv snow walking!"

Carrying a snowball around at Gammy & Pappy's house.

Christmas Morning 2008

Christmas was so much fun with Korben this year. From the day I put our tree up he has been so excited about it and got more into it than he had the past 2 Christmases. He loved to lay underneath the Christmas tree and drive his tractors on the branches. He really didn't bother any of the ornaments, but he was very interested in each one and liked to wook at them very closely. He sort of played with a few of them, but I didn't mind. The wonder and amazement in his eyes made me even more excited about the season, too.

Korben and Caroline checking out the Christmas tree ornaments at Mammy & PawPaw's house.

We baked cookies for Santa Clause on Christmas Eve and that was a lot of fun. I caught Korben a time or two trying to eat the flour. ha! I think they turned out pretty cute though. And evidently Santa must have enjoyed them because he only left a few crumbs. ;o)

Korben showing off the finished products.

Kyle and I had a very hard time getting Korben to wake up Christmas morning. Poor thing...I guess he was just exhausted from all the activities that had been going on. We finally just went in his room and woke him up. I hated to, but we had other places to go that day and I wanted him to have time to play at home before we ran off.

I kept telling him to go in the living room and see what Santa had brought for him, but he hung on to my neck like crazy! ha! I think in his little mind, he was probably expecting to see Santa still sitting in there and Korben is NOT a fan of Santa. lol! Once I got him in the living room though and he saw his new toys he was pretty excited and was all smiles!

Santa Clause brought Korben a Caterpillar train set (which was going around and around our Christmas tree when we woke up), a table and chair set, a remote control Caterpillar bulldozer, and a Little Tikes Shop 'n Learn Market. Korben also got a car, new toothbrush, a Crayola art smock, and a Horton Hears a Who DVD in his stocking.

Korben checkin out the goodies from Santa!

Blessings to You...

Okay...my Christmas cards have finally been mailed so I think by now it's safe to post it on here to all of my other friends to see! If the price of postage stamps would stop going up then maybe I could send the real thing out to EVERYONE. But, this will have to do for now.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. And please...make time for JESUS this Christmas. After all...HE IS THE REASON!!

Rebel for a Cause

Check out my new button to the left. Click on it and you'll be able to donate to three awesome charities, read a really inspiring blog, and possibly WIN alot of cool prizes!!!

Boo to You!

Compassionate little Jammer!

Korben is turning into quite the little caregiver lately. Sunday night we were at home watching TV and pretty much just waiting for Korben to get tired and fall asleep. :o) I went to the kitchen to get something to drink and I overheard Korben talking to one of his BIG balloons from his birthday party (Tyrone). He was holding Tyrone's lil hand and the "one-sided" conversation went like this:

Korben:
Oh no, Tyrone. A hurt a bobo. I kiss it. {insert sweet little kiss to the hand of Tyrone the balloon character here.} All better? No? Let's see...

And then he proceeded to look the balloon over as if he was trying to figure out a way to FIX Tyrone's bobo (that didn't exist). It was so sweet! And I didn't have my camera nearby to catch it!

Then later on in the living room he started the bobo kissing all over again so I grabbed my camera real quick and was able to capture this. You've just gotta love this kid!


Now...while Korben is becoming very compassionate lately, he still loves to JAM out on his drums! I caught this little video clip of him playing his drums while singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (winkle winkle e e tar) the other day. Melts my heart!! Oh how I hope he'll stick with it and be an awesome drummer for the LORD one day!


And (last one - I think) this is Korben singing "Deep and Wide" while playing with his trains.

...and then came Halloween

We went to the Fall Festival at our church for Halloween. There were lots of games for the kids outside, a cake walk, good food, hayrides, and (the BIGGEST HITS) a bounce house and blow-up slide!! Korben dressed up as a "horse riding cowboy". ha ha!! I think he looked TOO CUTE!! Ava was Dorothy and was absolutely precious! These 2 are going to be really good buddies! Korben is only 6 months older than Ava so they will be in the same grade at school. Should be lots of fun!!

We took this little video clip and a few pictures of Korben at home before we went to the church.

Korben sporting his cool 'lil costume and giving a big CHEESE!!

(You may want to pause the music player at the very

bottom of the window in order to hear the video clip.)

My little pumpkin standing next to his pumpkins.

Again...with the big cheesy grin. :o)

Korben and Ava.

(aka Cowboy Korben and Dorothy. Who needs Toto anyway!)

Uncle Kelly and the kiddos takin a quick breather in the bounce house.

He and I had almost as much fun as the kids!!

In Honor of Korben's 2nd Birthday

Now that Korben is 2, he got to move up to the big 2 year old class in Sunday School on Sunday, October 26th. It doesn't seem like he is big enough to be in this class, but he loves it!! They have a short lesson, do crafts, and have snacks (his favorite part). A big change from just PLAYING the entire time in the nursery.

Korben lovin' the snacks in the big kid class.

Our church gets volunteers to provide the altar flowers each Sunday. So Kyle and I signed up to do the flowers for the Sunday after Korben's birthday in HONOR OF his 2nd birthday. I thought the arrangement turned out nice.

Attempt at a picture of Korben with the arrangements.

He was too interested in playing with the tractor.