One More Day of BOO!

Today I finished some final prep for Halloween. I decided to glitter my BOO letters and like them SOOOOOO much better. I also made Jack's teacher a little jar full of sweets (I got the idea from a blog but can't remember where...please comment if it was you so I can give you credit!). My cauldron is filled with candy, the costumes are laid out, Jack's pumpkin cookies are all packaged and ready for his party. After tomorrow it is all over and we won't see The Great Pumpkin Patch for one more year and hopefully all this candy will be out of my house. It does not help my addiction at all to have tons of candy laying around. I hope you all have a really Happy and Safe Halloween.

Pumpkin Carving Party and BOO-ed

I've been Boo-ed by Mrs. B And now it's my turn to do the Boo-ing! If you're here because you've been boo-ed, just follow the directions below.

(Just one thing...I don't know how to upload the image....HELP!)

The Blogging Boo works like this... Go to as many friends as you want and tell them they've been "Boo-ed". Have them link back to your blog to pick up their Halloween Treat (the cute picture) and tell them to "Boo" their friends. Then, put the picture in your side bar so everyone knows that you've already been "Boo-ed" and to send the pic to someone else. Ready, set, BOO!



It's that time of year again...time to carve a pumpkin. We ordered pizza, had Mima and Pepa down, and got to business (by the way, the pizza was amazing it was Papa John's Tuscan Italian Pizza....YUMMY!). Jack was not too interested in touching the gooey parts but he liked watching Mommy and Pepa dig it out while he ate his M&Ms. He also loved when Pepa talked into the hollow pumpkin and he kept wanting to talk into it too. Sammers sat in his high chair smiling all the while and enjoyed beating on the pumpkin and listening to Pepa's funny noises. Pepa carved a "nice" pumpkin by encouragement from Mima. He even included just one tooth to look like little Sam. We then roasted the pumpkin seeds and took our little Jack-o-Lantern outside. I love this tradition and it was really neat for my little ones to be carving their pumpkin at the same table I carved pumpkins at when I was a child. We just wish Daddy could have been here. Mima put Sam down and Jack played a little longer and then went down easily. Everyone is asleep and our sweet Jack-o-Lantern is outside all aglow. Happy Halloween!

Cookies and Cross Stitch

Today I baked. And baked and baked and baked. Then I decorated and decorated and decorated (a little over 13 dozen cookies). Thankfully my friend, Niki, came over to help. I had a great time with her and lots of good conversation. Her little dude came over to play too looking adorable as always. I am finally finished with Halloween baking and ready to move on. I love the cookies I make for fall and Thanksgiving...my favorite of all year. Can't wait to show them to you.

As I am getting tucked into bed I am working on a Christmas bread towel (is that what they are called) I am cross-stitching for my mom. I love the simple pattern and think it will look beautiful on a Christmas table. She loves using these in her bread basket. I was wondering though if you think it would look better tea stained. I just think the white is too stark. What do you think? I would love lots of opinions.

Also, several people have asked me about how to make these cookies and I was thinking about posting a tutorial. They are really simple. What do you think?

Toby's Home for the Weekend

Toby was home for four days straight this weekend...needless to say my blog suffered. We had a great weekend working on home projects, playing with the kids, and going to Boo at the Zoo.

Our main home project that we worked on was sprucing up our laundry room. Bless Our Nest has inspired many laundry room makeovers and all of them have inspired me (and Mr. Tanner). He is great about getting involved in my projects and even gives some pretty good ideas. He quickly went to work making a table for in between our washer and dryer and I got busy creating a skirt, cleaning out, organizing, thrifting, and spray painting. We still need to paint the laundry room (we are going to use the color in our hallways...it is called Camel Tan). We are also going to turn a piece of antique china Toby bought me into a clock. It should be pretty nice when all finished.

I found the lamp, well actually two lamps like this, at a garage sale for only $2 (gave the other to my mom). It needs a larger shade but for right now it will work. We will hang the LAUNDRY sign (had it forever) after we finish painting and I will post pics of the clock when finished. The chalkboard was one we had in our kitchen awhile back and Toby suggested painting over some of the stuff on it and use it in there. We added a ribbon and it worked. The watering can I found at GoodWill for .75. STEAL! Everything else I already had. I love using the lavender linen water on my sheets. It rocks! This is the only "girlie" room in my house and since I do all the laundry it is appropriate.

Boo at the Zoo was a blast. We went with all our friends and had a great time. We got tons of candy and Jack got to ride the train with Daddy, Nicci, and Hayden. Our little elephant (Sam) got so tired he turned over in his stroller and took a nap. It was precious. Fun was had by all.

Today is Toby's last day off before he goes back to work. We will be working on final preparations for Halloween this week and are going to really get going on Christmas. Wow, the year has flown by. I still can't believe Jack is two and that Sam is pulling up and starting to walk around things. They grow so fast.

Oh yeah, only six weeks to Disney!!!! I am getting PUMPED!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

I got an e-mail asking you to take the first two words and complete the sentence. I thought it was a very self-reflective task so I wanted to post it. I challenge everyone to do the same. It made me think....which is good because sometimes I go through my day too busy to reflect. Try it...I dare you!

I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A PROJECT.
I WANT A VACATION
I WISH TOBY WAS HERE
I HATE IGNORANCE
I MISS TOBY LAYING NEXT TO ME AT NIGHT
I FEAR NOT BEING THE KIND OF MOM MY BOYS NEED ME TO BE
I HEAR ROXY SNORING
I SMELL FRESH SHEETS
I CRAVE A HUG FROM TOBY
I SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR EVERYTHING…AN ADDICTION
I WONDER IF MY KIDDOS KNOW HOW LOVED THEY ARE
I REGRET EVER BEING GRUMPY…I HAVE NOTHING TO BE GRUMPY ABOUT.
I LOVE MY HOME
I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE GOODWILL OF OTHERS
I ACHE FOR TOBY’S HUGS
I ALWAYS TAKE ON TOO MUCH
I BELIEVE IN OPTIMISM
I DANCE TO MAKE MY KIDS LAUGH…AND TOBY TOO.
I SING TO MY KIDS ALL THE TIME….HORRIBLY
I CRY RARELY
I DON’T ALWAYS PRIORITIZE WELL…I PICK FUN OVER NECESSITY
I FIGHT OVER THINGS I BELIEVE IN
I WRITE TOO MUCH ON MY BLOG…NOT ENOUGH IN A JOURNAL
I NEVER WANT TOBY, JACK, OR SAM TO GO A DAY WITHOUT FEELING APPRECIATED
I LISTEN NOT CAREFUL ENOUGH TO WHAT JACK IS TRYING TO SAY…HE IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES
I NEED SOME DOWN TIME
I AM HAPPY EVERYDAY….IT’S A CHOICE

Birthday Wishes and Tags

Jack turned two today. We started the day with candles on a pancake and singing "Happy Birthday" then on to school where he had cookies with his friends. Then home to watch Cars and play with his trains. Then a quiet night with Mom and Sam. I can't believe it has been two years. Where did the time go? What I hope to remember most about him right now is his learning to talk voice, his kissing games, love of trains, the way he runs everywhere he goes, how much he loves his brother and dad, how he loves to chase, his chubby cheeks, how he says hand when he wants to take you and show you something, and how he says Amen several times after every prayer. I love you so much Jack....you make me proud to be a mother.

On to the tags. I have been tagged twice this week. So kind of both Erin and Jessica.

OK...Here are the rules!Link to the person who tagged you, and post the rules in your post
Share 7 random/weird facts about yourself Tag 7 random people at the end of your blog and link to their blogs Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

So here goes...7 random things about myself.

#1 - I fall asleep in my clothes...a lot...my husband does not understand this. It does not bother me that bad. If I am not sleeping in my clothes then I sleep in soft nighties. I love them.

#2 - I love soft things. I will sit and rub them and cuddle them.

#3 - I have a really strong sense of smell. I HATE STINKY THINGS!

#4 - I have been to Disney World over 20 times...and still LOVE it.

#5 - I act silly...really silly where my kids will probably think I am crazy. I break out in song or dance a lot and come up with crazy dares and usually try to get others involved.

#6 - My car is ALWAYS a mess. No matter how hard I try it gets messy again.

# 7 - I am spoiled by my husband. He usually entertains my every whim, vacations, remodels, decorating, etc. He brings me water to bed and turns out all the lights.

Memories - Tag

Rules: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people & posts their names, then goes to their blog & leaves them a comment letting them know that they have been tagged & asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.

10 YEARS AGO I was...

1. Attending Baylor University

2. Living in a dorm with Ashley Edison

3. Playing a lot of SkipBo

4. Dating a guy named Ben Murr

5. Having a lot of fun and dancing all the time

5 THINGS ON TODAY'S TO-DO LIST
1. Celebrate Jack - he turned 2 today

2. Pay Bills
3. Clean
4. Meeting for Room Mother at Jack's school

5. Pay off Disney trip

5 THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE
1. Donate a large portion to my church and go to Africa with the missions team
2. Let my parents retire and just be grandparents
3. Get rid of any debt
4. Start building our dream home

5. Have Toby the most awesome custom motorcycle built

5 PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. Sycamore, IL
2. Arlington, TX

3. Mansfield, TX

4. Waco, TX

5. That's It! Sometimes though I dream of moving.

5 JOBS I'VE HAD
1. Rocking Horse Academy

2. Shelton's
3. Del Frisco's

4. Frulatti Cafe
5. Bath and Body Works

Christmas Gifts, Already?!?!?!

I have finished my first Christmas present. I am really feeling the creative vibe this year and am going to make a lot of my Christmas gifts. This one is for my sister-in-law...I hope she doesn't read this blog! Her room is black, white, and red. I hope she LOVES it all. (None of it is quite as bright as the picture makes it out to be....I am a horrible photographer!) I am going to attach a black and white ribbon to the chalkboard, the cross needs a little distressing, and the candles are finished. FUN!
My next project I am working on is for the centerpiece for my kitchen table when it is NOT a holiday. I have been frustrated over this for a long time. I saw on For Love of My Home something similar to this and LOVED it. I love the idea of having your silverware accessible at all times. I am embroidering our monogram on a stack of linen napkins to keep in the tray with it as well. I will post more pics when finished. Thanks Blanca! You always have such great ideas.

Loving My View and a GREAT GIVEAWAY

First things first....there is a great giveaway over at Glitter and Bliss. She is giving away one of her fabulous necklaces (I already ordered one and can't wait to get it in the mail). You should definitely go over to her blog and check it out. Her ETSY site is great too. Just click here to go straight to her giveaway post.

When I was doing dishes this morning at my new sink I opened the back door to let Jack play outside and I was so happy with the view. We put a flower bed directly out from the back door so that I could see it from the sink and today when I looked out it was blooming like crazy. Many colors and different types of flowers and it made me smile and marvel at how many ways God shows his strength and beauty. I am no gardener but to me it was beautiful. I love my home and the comfort it brings to me and my family. Thank you God for the blessing that is our humble abode.

I guess Sammer's liked the view too....when did he get SO big. Today he took several steps while holding onto the couch.

Kid's Bathroom

Today was a very relaxing Sunday. After teaching Sunday school I had a great lunch with my mom and two boys. We then came home and all three of us took a snooze. Then back out with my mom to walk around Home Goods and Michaels....and guess what.....we actually did not buy a thing. Just browsing. Then home to put my adorable boys to bed. They both had a really great day and it was quite relaxing. As I was giving them their bath I looked around and just loved their kid bath. So I decided to post a few pics of their bathroom. Mr. Tanner and I tiled it and added the beadboard awhile back and then painted it and made it kid friendly. Everything in the bathroom was very inexpensive and it was a pretty cheap redo. It is a fun bathroom and definitely the most colorful room in the house. All I still want is a little lamp and I need to get a towel made with Sam's name on it. Hope you like.

I've Been Tagged

I have been tagged for the first time by Sandy Toes over at A Shell in My Pocket. Thanks so much for tagging me and you all should check out her blog....it is fantastic. She tagged me with a book blog and the rules are as follows....

Grab the nearest book. Open the book to page 56. Find the fifth sentence. Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your journal/blog along with these instructions. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST. Tag five other people to do the same.

I have a book literally about three feet from me on my end table. It is Secrets of Style published by Southern Living.

"Sunny hued walls, maple cabinets, and red-and-gold valances at the windows unify and support the design motif across three different living areas: the kitchen, breakfast room, and living room. Common colors and textures play an important role in a large, open arrangement by creating a smooth transistion from one space to the next."

My book was not very interesting without the pictures...SORRY!

I tag.......whoever would like to participate.....anyone who would like to keep the love alive.

Happy Birthday Jack

We celebrated Jack's second birthday today with lots of friends and family. He is SO into Thomas the Train so that was the only fitting theme for his party. We had it all bounce house, pizza, pinata, cookies, cake, ice cream, and a candy station. Jack had a good time but was definitely overwhelmed. He got lots of great presents and was plum wore out by the end of the day. So were Mommy and Daddy! I can't believe it has been two years....time flies. He is one of the most independent, strong willed, determined little boys with a big sweet heart and the most adorable laugh. We are so blessed that he came into our lives! Happy Birthday our sweet boy.

Trash to Treasure

Don't you love when you can dig through your neighbors trash! Last year on Christmas my neighbors put out a beat up old china cabinet out on the curb for trash pick up. After seeing it my mind got to thinking that I had been needing a china cabinet and could redo this one to work with what I had going on in the dining room. I convinced my husband and brother-in-law to carry it into the garage for a redo. Many, many moons later Mr. Tanner and I got to the project and it did not take us long at all. We painted it black and then distressed it a bit and left some wood detailing. Our sideboard is black and wood so it looks great with that. I am so pleased that we picked it out of their trash and I love nothing more than my FREE china cabinet that holds all of my lovely china, crystal, and special serving pieces.

Here is a picture of the Halloween decor on my dining room table. You can see a little bit of the sideboard in this picture.

Happy List and Christmas Crafts

"Please play Rhett," Sam begged.

On my friend Heather's blog she made a "happy list" that listed 20 things that made her truly happy. It got me to thinking and made me realize that each and everyday you have something to be happy about. I am generally a really positive upbeat person but do not take time to reflect on why I am just so dang happy. So here is my go at a list of my 20 happy things (will I be able to limit it).......

1. Sam's silly little laugh that sounds so crazy

2. Red toenail polish

3. Sonic drinks with Mr. Tanner

4. Jack saying "Hey Baby" in his high pitch voice to make his brother smile

5. The way my niece Ava walks....it is like she has music playing in her head all the time

6. Granite counter tops

7. My mom's extensive craft room

8. My families' loud and chaotic holidays....my sister, brother, and I have always made sure

they were the most fun any family could possibly have.

9. Dreft

10. Candy....I seriously love candy more than anyone else I know...except maybe Jack and I

think he just inherited the gene.

11. My nephew Hayden's amazing sense of humor. He is the most witty little guy.

12. Mr. Tanner's willingness to act crazy with me.....silly routines, blowing in each other's noses,

ten second game, I'll pay you a dollar if... game, and any other stupid idea I come up with for

fun.

13. My blank canvas that is my home.

14. High heels

15. Our church

16. That my parents live done my street and are always so willing to help out with the boys.

17. Disney World...planning, going, memories

18. Watching my chocolate pie disappear in a day when I make it for Mr. Tanner

19. Conversations that last probably a little too long everyday with Brittany

20. Watching Jack and Sam wrestle and kiss all at the same time.....even though they are so

young you can see that brotherly bond already being secured

Take a second and think about how so many simple things make you happy. Perhaps even post about it. I would love to read other people's list.

One other thing that makes me happy.....CHRISTMAS! I went to visit my friend Brittany today and took her a get well Christmas craft basket. It is time to move on from fall and start preparing for the biggie. I have already made one Christmas craft that I am so pumped about. It is an Advent Calender on a cookie sheet. So much fun to make. Anyone else started Christmas crafting or preparations? It is really getting close now.

One more thing...Shell In Your Pocket is having a 100th post giveaway! Check it out it has some great stuff. Her blog has some really cute things in it.