Things I can't live without: Levi Edition

I am continuing my series on "Things I can't live without". Levi will be 3 in a week and a half - agree or disagree with the list?

Electric Toothbrushes. After using all those "Baby Toothbrushes" for so long, I found this on clearance for $1 and Levi now loves to brush his teeth. I feel like it gets them cleaner anyways.

Cars shoes. I love any shoes that I don't have to put on Levi. They might not always get on the right feet, but I'm OK with that.
MDO. I know I talk about this ALL the time, but I can't help it. Every day Levi comes home with something new he has learned. The past few weeks have included the days of the week, the letters A & B, numbers 1 & 2, the color red, circles and the weather wheel.

Kandoo products. There is just something about green foam soap that encourages Levi to wash his hands.

Portable DVD Player. Levi thinks it is his own laptop. A must for any trip.

Large sheets. Great for tents and forts galore.

Diego Dixie Cups. Levi is now drinking out of "big boy" cups and I can throw these away instead of washing them.

Plastic Sheets. Although Levi is now wearing "big boy" underwear at night, he has had a couple of accidents in the middle of the night this past month. Plastic sheets are a lifesaver!

The shower. Levi has never been a big bath person (I think because it aggravates his eczema so much), so now he takes showers. We even let him take his own now (although we help him with the cleaning part a little).

Lemonade (Crystal Light specifically). Thank goodness for sugar-free lemonade. This is Levi's drink of choice and he could put away a gallon-a-day if you would let him.

Playgrounds at Chick-fil-a, McDonalds and the mall. These provide an incentive for Levi to eat...something he doesn't do very well.

"Cars" Pasta. Spaghetti night is no longer the messiest night in our house! Levi's can "ring" the pasta on his fork and it doesn't go all over his shirt!
Strawberry Sugar-Free Applesauce. The one thing that has to be included in his lunch every day.

Pants that don't button and zip. When a kid really needs to use the bathroom, easy-off pants are a must!

Playground. We went back and forth on this for a long time, but it is so nice to have as an alternative to being inside all day!

Stay tuned for the Kara edition tomorrow and if we are lucky, the Garet edition on Thursday!

Things I can't live without: Alison Edition

This week, I'm going to do a series of posts on "Things I can't live without". I am starting with myself. Would you agree with anything on this list?

Target. I wish someone would pay me to shop there every day of the week. I could do it and I could find fabulous deals every day. If anything keeps me from our Dave Ramsey budget, it is Target.

Tivo. I'm still trying to decide if I watch more TV or less TV than I did before Tivo. I think it is about the same. I watch more shows, but have only seen about 10 commercials in the last two years. Our favorite is watching a 4 hour football game in 2.

Amazing Race. I just love that show. I would so be on it if I knew I could control my ugly side.

Travel. I need lots of vacations.

Facebook. I love friends and have been blessed with so many good ones over the years. What a joy to see (almost) all of them in one place. I love reconnecting with friends as far back as grade school and getting to keep up with their day to day activities. I think I'm about to cancel Myspace - too much work.

Costco/Sams. I posted about my love affair with them here.

The Beach. I've said it before, but Garet and I hope to live at the beach someday. I honestly don't think there is a better way to relax than at the beach.

Good jeans. I wear them everyday - I have to seriously think about the last time I wore a dress, another kind of pants or shorts (except at the gym) - it doesn't happen often.

Flip flops. Is there anything else to wear in the summer?

Sunglasses. I think I have super-sensitive eyes. Mine are missing at the moment, proving that I can't live without them! Side note: I couldn't find a picture of me without my sunglasses on my head the other day.

Google Reader & Google Calendar. How else would I keep up with 100 blogs a day and also keep my family organized?

Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi. I allow myself one a day. Ahhhh....

Cheesecake. Not the fruity kind. If you read this post, you know I only get it after working out 12 times. Otherwise, I would be a balloon.

The gym. When I am not in a consistent routine, it just ain't pretty.

My Life Group / Friends. God knows that I need them and they blow me away each and every day with their kindness and compassion.

My family. I am so, so blessed on both sides to have an amazing family that loves me and cares about me. There is no family drama, which I know is something to be thankful for.

My kids. Who knew you could love something so much? They have magnified every emotion I have 10 fold.

My husband. Just watch this.

My faith. Without it, I don't know how I could navigate this life. I have been given so much grace.

Life Change

As I mentioned earlier, our church celebrated it's 10th birthday this past Sunday. And yes, we used the confetti cannons - loved it! My idea to put a color by number birthday cake in the bulletin, did not. Maybe next year...

Anyway, all kidding aside, this past weekend was a win for our church - an amazing celebration. As a staff member, I can easily get caught up in the details of "church". This video reminded me of why I do what I do - it is all about life change.

Although every card was moving, if you have been following this blog, you are now familiar with the Schroders. Look for them - tell me you don't tear up to see those precious kids right where they belong!

Cardboard Testimonies from Jan Owen on Vimeo.

Auburn Quote

This morning Levi walks into my room with an Auburn Shaker. I told him that we need to take it down to the game with us when we go.

His reply: "Yea, I can make all those Eagles go fast!"

I thought that might get a smile out of you Auburn Fans :).

Note: Garet and I are planning on taking Levi to the Arkansas Game on Oct. 11th (Levi's 3rd Birthday!). Let us know if you are planning on coming - we'd love to see you!

Doggies, Cats, Surfboards, Cars & Belly Buttons

Those are the things Levi was thankful for before prayers last night.

Makes my heart happy (well, maybe not the dogs). Love it!

Oh, and yesterday he told me that he is going to Auburn. Glad he made that choice.

My church is growing up!

As a mom, I relate everything to my kids, because that is what mom's do. So here is my attempt to relate my kids to my church, The Brook, which is celebrating its 10th birthday this weekend. As with every birthday (OK, two) Levi has had (since Kara hasn't had one yet!), it is a time to pause and reflect. While you are SO excited that they are getting older (and can do more things), it is also a time to celebrate how far they have come. It can also be a little emotional.

That is exactly how I feel about my church. I am SO excited about what is in our future. We have had a couple of rocky years, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I know we have so many amazing things to come. At the same time, it is so refreshing (do I get extra points for using that word?) to look back and see how far we have come.

While The Brook is celebrating 10 years, Garet and I have only been attending for 8 of those years. We missed some at the beginning, but we have been fortunate to be a part of most of the Brook's history. Our very first visit was to the store front. We came because we had been invited by (of all people) our mattress salesman. If that isn't a God thing, I don't know what is!

So, we show up, just graduated from Auburn, and married for all of two weeks and were immediately invited to the youth group by the youth pastor at the time. People think I'm 18 now, so 8 years ago, I looked about 12. (I'm told I'll appreciate this one day!) Anyway, over the next few months, we felt the Brook was our church and we jumped in.

I'm on staff now (which I never would have guessed is where I would be), and since Life Groups are my thing, I'm going to leave you with pictures of my 8 years in Life Groups. Despite the hard times of late, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I am blessed (to be a blessing...OK, I'll stop trying to win points here!). While the services are fantastic, our Life Groups over the years are where we have really connected with others. I couldn't imagine not having all of these people in my life!

If you are in town (or anywhere close) this Sunday, we would love to have you join us for our Birthday Bash! It is going to be one (yes, one) amazing service at 10 AM. Come hungry - there is going to be a picnic following! See you then!

2001 (this is the only picture I could find of anyone in our group! Our leaders & hosts):

2002 (minus the guys):

2003:

2004:
2005:

2006:2007:2008:

Wow - what a trip down memory lane. Tear. I should take a picture of all the kids we've produced over the years - that would be funny. To read more from my co-workers, check out these blogs: Jan1, Jan2, Jan3, Josh, Richard (Guess who blogs the most on our staff)

I get by with a little help from my friends

This past Saturday, we had an adoption shower for our friends Bill & Melodie, and daughters, Fern & Rosa. The symbol of adoption is a ladybug, so we decorated with all kinds of ladybugs - it turned out so cute!

Since this was a brunch, the ever so creative, Kendra, made chocolate muffins and put ladybug icing on them. They were so sweet (and so good):

The other Allison (who spells her name wrong - we love her anyways :)!), made the diaper cake. I mean seriously, how fun is this:

Opening the gifts. The girls were so excited about all of them - Fern was passing them out to us:

Melodie and her girls:

I love this picture, because these are some of my closest friends! I am so thankful to be able to celebrate each others highs and walk through the lows with these ladies. I think we have officially done every kind of shower you can do now - we are experts! Thanks ladies - aren't they beautiful?!?!

Kristen's Creativity

In an effort to redeem myself in my brother's eyes from yesterday's post, I figure I better try to make him lots of money today. You see, my brother married Kristen, who is seriously one of the most artistic people on the planet. After much encouragement, she has finally started her own Etsy site (Little Acorn Products) and is now sharing all of her amazing abilities with the rest of the world - yea for us!

In addition to the items on her site, I have to share with you a couple of the things she has done for me. When Kara was born, I asked Kristen to do something for Kara's wall, and the result was amazing! I wish you could see them in person, because I do not have photography skills.

Look at the details! Kara's room is in dragonflies and she handmade the dragonflies with little beads - so cute!These boxes were my Christmas present and I love them! Again, my photography doesn't do them justice.

Go check out her stuff. I've got a link on the side of my blog, so come back often to see what new and amazing things she has!

This is hilarious!

For those of you that know my brother, Brian, prepare to laugh!


I must give credit where credit is due, his friend Joel (rapper #2 & video guru at bilbyfilms) actually posted this. Brian (rapper #3 for those of you that don't recognize him) & Kristen are in Amsterdam right now, so I figured I was safe from his wrath since he is out of the country.

As noted in the picture below, Brian did not pursue rapping as a profession, but I'm thinking his physics students at the University of Maryland would vote him "coolest teacher" if he rapped every once in awhile!

Give him some love....

Tumblebeez

This past Saturday, we went to Tumblebeez for a birthday party. While we had lots of fun, the poor birthday girl got sick that morning and couldn't make it. As a mom, I felt so sorry for her mom...you plan and plan for your kids' big days and I am sure it was just heartbreaking. The party went on though and we sang happy birthday to her via video. We had never been to Tumblebeez before, but the kids loved it! Here are a couple of fun pictures.

Kara climbed all over the place like she had done this before - she is our climber: War Eagle!Parachute time! I loved this as a kid:

Jumping on the trampoline into the foam pit. I really wanted to do it, but I refrained:

They had the cutest little "high" bar for the kids. Not so flattering of Levi, but I wanted you to see how cute it was:

You know we had to do it...I think Kara was a little terrified though:

Kara, Kara, Kara...

Kara challenges us in every area, but she still makes us laugh! Here are a few of her latest antics...

Notice the purple Kleenex box between the crib & nightstand:

Apparently it was a little too close to her crib - she pulled out every last Kleenex when she woke up - without making a sound. That grin says it all:

The next day, she got into Levi's markers. I actually thought she looked a little like the Joker and I didn't like that:

Although I don't have a picture of it, she has successfully figured out how to climb up on top of the end table...twice now. She keeps me on my toes and the girl has personality, I will give her that!

What can you buy for $6.36?

3 shirts, 1 pair of shorts, a swim shirt and a swim suit. That's right - each piece was about $1!Our local Old Navy is moving to Bridge Street and so they are clearing out the store. All clearance items are 75% off the lowest price. If you have a boy, they still have a big selection, but there wasn't anything for girls. All the baby stuff is 40% off this week, though, so I still got a few things for Kara that I couldn't pass up!

Oh yes I did!

I got the tissue box out of the country!!!

You can read the thank you here. I disguised it as a gift for Fern & Rosa for the flight home (it did include the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" too in all fairness!).

Bill & Melodie didn't take long to pass it off...Joshua & Kimberly received it as a going away gift! Enjoy!

I love that I have friends that like to do crazy things!!! Does anyone else have any crazy traditions?

Saying Good-bye

Most every Sunday Night, we have our Life Group at our house. It sometimes gets annoying to clean up every week, but the benefits of having friends in our house week in and week out far exceeds the slight inconvenience of cleaning. After everyone leaves each Sunday, I feel like our house is a little more "homey" because we have new memories (laughter, tears, prayer, hugs, kids running through the house, Bible Study, GREAT food, just to name a few) that we have made with our friends. Yes, I'm getting a little sappy, but they mean that much to me.

Tonight was a sad night at the casa. We had to say good-bye to friends that have been a part of our group for a couple of years now. Joshua (a new blogger!) & Kimberly showed up at our church a few years back, went out to eat with us after the service that night, and have been friends ever since. Having both been teachers, we have been blessed to have Joshua lead our Life Group and Kimberly lead my ladies Bible Study.

Unfortunately for us, Joshua has been transferred to the Nashville area and they will be moving up there this week. Boo.

Last week, we had a farewell party/baby shower for them. Being the crazy people that we are, we went out to eat with 22 adults and 17 children (all 4 and under). It was a little wild, but we had some fun celebrating the Browns.

Here is the insanity:

To say good-bye to the Browns, we played: "Who will miss the Browns the most". I asked a series of questions about them and we tested our knowledge. The winners were Peter & Kate!

While Garet and I will miss Joshua & Kimberly, I think Levi might miss Noah more! We still expect to see you guys for all the parties!!!

Why have I not been blogging?

Because of this:

If you have read this series, you know exactly what I mean. I finished the last book late last night and as my sister-in-law said, I am very happy with how it all wrapped up.

Yesterday, I had three people ask me what had happened to my blogging and that is when I had to admit my obsession with these books! When I was buying the third one, Garet said, "This says juvenile" - I know, depressing. When I tried to tell him about the plot, he just kinda looked at me like, what??

Another mom at the kids school told me that her book club was addicted to this site: TwilightMoms. This is crazy, I know, but I can't wait until the movie!!!

Has anyone else fallen victim to these books?

If you are local, I've got the 3rd and 4th book that you can have. I gave my sister-in-law the first two and she finished the whole series in a week!