Days 6 through 8

So, I am getting very bad about blogging every day. 

Day Six

I am thankful for my little princess today (Saturday).  Autumn had her birthday party on Saturday.  She had a blast!  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.   Sorry in advance for the massive amount of pictures.



We had a blow up Elmo that was a hit with the kiddos.

Sesame Street Cake Pops by Maritza Anderson with
Deliciosos Cake Pops (check them out on Facebook).

 

Mmmm Cookie . . .

Elmo and #2 Cookies by Ambre Delongchamp
with Jolie's Delights - also on Facebook. 

 

Elmo and Abby.

These cookies are as delicious as they are cute.





Pink Lemonade and Swirl Straw Cups for the kiddos.

 

Autumn playing with one of her new toys before the party started. 
She got luggage for overnight trips to see the grandparents and a new baby doll.

 

The set up crew.  Papa and Bobbi had Autumn duty
while we set up in the kitchen.

 

Autumn's new tricycle.  She was so excited to have a bike like Daddy.

 

Kissing Elmo.



Waltzing with Elmo.

 

Playing Ring Around the Rosy with Grandma and Elmo.

 

Papa being silly.

 

Abby Pinata!

 

Tio Luke and Cookie Monster.

 

Sweet Elijah.

 

Jack.

 

Wearing her new bike helmet.  She is quickly learning
that she has to wear this when she plays with her bike.

 

Tio and Tia don't look too happy, but it's probably just
because they're a little sleep deprived. 
I promise they had a good time!

 

Lilly and her Elmo Cake Pop.

 

Autumn's cupcake, as if she didn't have enough sweets.



Autumn loved being sung to.

 

Digging into that cupcake.  She even blew out the candles all by herself.



Elijah and his Mommy, Christel, and Elmo too.

 

Jack hanging out with Abby on the couch.

 

Grandma T got to practice holding a baby with sweet Avery.

 

Tio and Tia after some sweets to perk them up.

 

Mommy loves redheaded dolls like this one from Mia.

 

Playing with her new shopping cart from Mommy and Daddy.

 

Pinata time!

 

Lilly trying to open up the pinata, looks like she is making a wish.



I think Autumn tried out every single whistle.

 

Autumn and PapPap.

 

The Clarke men serving as spectators.

 

All the kids love Bobbi!

 

Lilly blowing bubbles!

 

Poor buster did not want to leave.

 

Place the nose on Elmo.

 

Tio eating Elmo.


I am sooo thankful for the blessing this little girl is to our lives.  She is so sweet, loving, fun, happy and easy going.  She makes being a Mom easy.



Happy 2nd Birthday Princess.



Day Seven

I am thankful for babies.  On Sunday we got to not only see, but hold the twins.  I don't have any pictures from our visit, but I really enjoyed getting to hold these little cuties, change my very first ever cloth diaper, and going for a walk in the beautiful fall weather.

Day Eight

Today I am thankful for cold fronts.  I know tomorrow the high's will be back into the 80's, but I am loving the cooler weather today.  It is so refreshing.  Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year!

Day Five

Today I am thankful for KSBJ.  KSBJ is a Christian, listener supported, radio station in Houston.  I started listening to KSBJ back in the fall/winter of 2007.  I was working in College Station for a week or so and I was able to pick up the signal there.  They had just started playing Christmas music (which they do non-stop from Thanksgiving until Christmas) and then the station had a challenge to continue listening to KSBJ after the holidays for 30 days straight, listening to nothing else.  I hadn't really listened to Christian music much since high school, so I enjoyed getting to know some of the newer songs and artists.  I also began working out and running in early 2008.  I downloaded many of my favorite songs from KSBJ to listen to while I ran.

Now, I don't always listen to KSBJ.   I do usually listen to KSBJ when I have Autumn in the car.  I feel like it is more appropriate for her than many of the other things on the radio.  I usually listen to talk radio in the morning and evening commute, but my favorite talk show doesn't come on until 8am and I was driving in earlier than that this morning, so I turned on KSBJ.  One of my newer favorite songs came on:

Jesus Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns

I really feel like this song describes where I am/want to be in my walk with Christ right now.  It's a great song.  Hope y'all enjoy it!

Day Four

Today I am thankful for new furniture.  Andrew and I have had some pieces of furniture since we first got married 9 years ago.  One such piece of furniture is our coffee table.


This is the best picture I could find of our old coffee table.

When we got married we inherited this coffee table from Andrew's parents, so it is really much older than 9 years.  I'm guessing around 15+ years old.  I have nothing against old furniture.  Antiques are great if they are well built or maintained/updated.  We don't really update our furniture though.  A few years ago (my guess is around 3 or 4 years ago) one of the glass pieces in the coffee table broke in half.  We taped it together with packing tape and have made do with it ever since.  When Autumn starting cruising and walking we updated the coffee table with bumpers all around it.  Unfortunately they don't really stay on very well and are always coming unglued.  Needless to say we were way over due for a new coffee table.

I wanted a round coffee table or an ottoman because I wanted something that I wouldn't worry about the kids falling and hitting their heads on.  Glass or stone coffee tables were completely out for us.  We ended up deciding on a Tillary Ottoman from West Elm.  I just picked it up during my lunch break today and I am excited to get it home and set up.  I'll update the blog with pictures later. 


Tillary Ottoman from West Elm in Charcoal Faux Suede



Day Three

So, I am about 13 hours late in posting this entry, but oh well.

Today (yesterday really) I am thankful for help around my house. 

My Mom watches Autumn every Tuesday and Thursday.  While Autumn is napping my Mom helps out with laundry and dishes. 

Every other week we have a good family friend, Dang, come over to clean our house.  She is a huge help and without her my floors would be disgusting.  As a working Mom it is really hard to find time to work, cook, clean and spend quality time with Autumn and Andrew.  Without the help of my Mom and Dang I would be SUPER stressed out all of the time.

Day Two

I almost didn't do a post today, because I'm sick, but I figured I couldn't quit after only one day into this project.

Today I am thankful for my parents. 

Andrew and I both got a stomach bug today that has been going around.  It hit Andrew late this morning and he headed home from work.  I felt the virus coming on, but since it is month end close at work (aka our busy week) I stayed longer than I should have to finish up a few things.  I ended up getting sick at work.  So not fun!  Anyways, my Mom kept Autumn all day and overnight, so Andrew and I could rest up.  My Dad then brought us over dinner: soup, jello and sprite.  I am so blessed to have parents that consistently go out of their way to help me.

I am hoping Andrew and I feel better tomorrow.  From what I can tell the bug only lasts 24-48 hours, but sadly this means I have to wait even longer until I can see my new nieces. :-(

31 Days - Day One

Today, the first of October, is my first day to participate in the 31 Days Link Up.  My theme for these 31 days is Thanksgiving.

Today, I am thankful for my husband.

Last night I was sooo worn out.  I had been up since 5:30am for Andrew's triathlon yesterday and we had been on the go all day long.  After the triathlon we cleaned up, packed up, ate lunch and then headed into town to look at new bedroom furniture.  We got home around 5pm.  After feeding Autumn and attempting to put her down to bed early (she had no real nap during the day) we sat down to our own dinner.  I took about 5 bites and then passed out on the couch.  Andrew insisted I go to bed because I wasn't feeling well.  I think I was slightly dehydrated and just super exhausted. 

So Andrew dealt with Autumn as she fought bedtime.  Mind you this is after a full day for him which included a triathlon (turned duathlon - bike leg was cancelled due to wet weather) and during Sunday night football.  Andrew is such a great Daddy and husband, and I am so thankful for him EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Here are a few pics from our exhausting day yesterday.



Autumn and Papa waiting for Dada to finish swimming.

  

Andrew finishing his 3 mile run.  Sadly as he was running in a
10 year old girl (the youngest competitor yesterday)
quickly ran past him to finish her 10K for the Olympic distance triathlon.



Andrew, Marc and Matt in their medals after the race.

After the triathlon we went to Gallery Furniture, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel and then West Elm with a short detour to Sprinkles Cupcakes.  Did I mention it was a busy day?  Here are some of the ideas for our bedroom.  It is still in the works though.

Tate Bed from Crate & Barrel in either Boardwalk or Linen Upholstery

Dash 6 Drawer Dresser from Crate & Barrel

Dash Nightstand from Crate & Barrel



Organic Cotton Pintuck Duvet Cover from West Elm in White

 

Studded Velvet Pillow Cover from West Elm in Regal Blue


 

Sculpted Origami Pillow from West Elm in Heather Dusty Blue

 

Pottery Barn Organic 400 Thread Count Sheet Set
in Porcelain Blue and White (1 set of each)




Peyton Linen Cotton Drape in Blue Dawn from Pottery Barn



Deep Twilight Blue paint from Lowe's for accent wall behind headboard

  

Carolina Skies paint from Lowe's for Bathroom



Sesame paint from Lowe's for other walls in bedroom and toilet area of bathroom

Picking out new furniture, colors, and bedding for our room has been an exhausting process.  We keep going back and forth between a few different ideas.  Who knows when we will actually pull the trigger and make some of these purchases - hopefully soon.  Our current bedroom set has been Andrew's since 7th grade and he has a hard time investing in something new when ours works just fine.  Regardless we WILL be getting a new mattress soon (ours is also the same one Andrew has had since 7th grade).

31 Days Introduction

I have decided to participate in The Nester's 31 Days Link Up.  Basically, the idea is that for the whole month of October (31 days) you blog you day about a specific topic/theme of your choosing.  I have chosen "31 Days of Thanksgiving".  I wanted a theme that would be easy to revolve around Autumn (and Olivia) and family in general, since that is what I blog about pretty much all of time. 

I will update links to each day of the link up on this introduction page if you want to follow along.

1. Day One - Thankful for my husband
2. Day Two - Thankful for my parents
3. Day Three - Thankful for help around my house
4. Day Four - Thankful for new furniture
5. Day Five - Thankful for KSBJ
6. Day Six - Thankful for my little princess
7. Day Seven - Thankful for babies
8. Day Eight - Thankful for cold fronts
9. Day Nine - Thankful for celebrations at work
10. Day Ten - Thankful for Chick-fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
11. Day Eleven - Thankful for my friends
12. Day Twelve - Thankful for my baby girl
13. Day Thirteen - Thankful for family bay house
14. Day Fourteen - Thankful for discipline
15. Day Fifteen - Thankful for my little artist
16. Day Sixteen - Thankful for good doctors
17. Day Seventeen - Thankful for pumpkin cheesecake
18. Day Eighteen - Thankful for a healthy baby
19. Day Nineteen - Thankful for my co-workers
20. Day Twenty - Thankful for birthday parties
21. Day Twenty One - Thankful for my husband (again)
22. Day Twenty Two - Thankful for lunch with Tia and the girls
23. Day Twenty Three - Thankful for my Mom

I'm looking forward to being committed to a season of Thanksgiving both this month and next.