Spring Break and Jessica's visit, bachelorette and bridal shower

We spent our Spring break mostly in the Panhandle.  Jessica flew down for her Spring break.  Since it was the only time most of us would be together before the wedding we decided it was the perfect time to have her bachelorette party and bridal shower.  The only thing missing was Merry.

We had a sister only bachelorette party.  We rented a hotel room next to the beach.  We were a little mischievous in our event planning but not too much.  First, we went shopping for Jessica to pick out some new pretty outfits for her honeymoon.  Then we blindfolded her for most of the evening getting to and from places so each place could be a surprise.  We ate at a local Japanese Steak House, which we pick because both Sally and I did on the night of our bachelorette party so I guess it is now a tradition of the Williams girls.  We also gave Jessica a scavenger hunt.  It was fun evening.

Jessica's dinner with the sisters (Merry in spirit) and Mom

Silly, playful, and a bit mischievous fun :)

The next morning, we got ready went to church.  After church we went out to dinner.  Then the sister's went to church to get Jessica's afternoon tea party bridal shower ready.  Jessica loves tea and she loves delicate, pretty, and vintage things so a tea party was perfect.  Lots of ladies were so helpful in helping us decorate and in letting us borrow their gorgeous full tea sets.  It was so much fun!

Tea Time

Josh, Jeremiah and Sally headed home after the weekend.  The kids and I enjoyed a few more days in the panhandle before heading back home.  It was a great trip getting to spend time with my family.

February Wrap Up

Painting

  Corks & Colors

I love working at Corks and Colors.  My boss is awesome, my co workers (although I rarely see them) are great and I get to paint and get paid for it all.  The other paintings below were parts of the wall mural I helped paint with Ashley Bolin for the boys room.  It was also tons of fun :)

The kids came to work with me one day.  They painted ceramic dolphins, Bella's is purple and Landon's is half blue and half red.  

 Lego Class

 Lego class is going so well.  3 of these pictures were taken on our "house" week.  The kids were asked to build a house after reading  The Best Place by Susan Meddaugh.  I loved all the house.  Some of the kids choose to work in groups.  I am impressed every week how well the kids work together.

Valentine's Day

The kids woke up to a heart shaped bagel with pink cream cheese.  We watched Charlie Brown's Valentine's day movie, we had lots of heart shape lunch items (yay for cookie cutters), we made Daddy a special Valentine's day picture, and had a a few heart shape things at dinner.  I didn't take pictures of all our Valentine Day events.  We had fun and always enjoy any extra excuse to love on each other.

Josh surprised me a few days before Valentine's day with a surprise date on the town.  We ate at Harry's and walked around downtown together.  Josh also got my tennis bracelet, he bought as my 21st birthday gift fixed.  About 5 years ago I broke it.  Due to the coming of a certain little boy, I forgot about getting it fixed and there always seemed like there was something better to spend money on.  I was so happy because I love my diamond tennis bracelet.

Happy Valentine's Day

 Arabella and her sweet girlie-ness

Arabella and her favorite doll, Dora getting a mani and pedi.

Arabella and her baby

Everyday Life at the Williams'

Lots of dress up and Legos, as always, filled out February.  Snuggles, naps, some walks, and silly antics were also a big part of our February.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Arabella!!

We had a  little birthday celebration at our house for Arabella at home.  We had her favorite dinner- chicken and rice with ice cream for dessert.  We also gave Arabella her present from Daddy, Mommy, and Landon.  Arabella LOVES playing house, taking care of babies and playing in kitchens.  I had thought maybe we would buy one but they are expensive and the used ones weren't anything that was that exciting to me.  Being a big fan of Pinterest and being crafty I thought maybe we could make one.  I searched the Internet and Pinterest. There were so many ideas on how to make one and most were under $75.  I looked for months and months for a used piece of furniture that was solid wood and inexpensive.  I wasn't  having much luck with my two specifications.  Finally, at the end of September, I found a lady who was moving and trying to quickly get rid of all her furniture.  So for $20 I got this TV stand/entertainment center.  There is a shelf in the middle that is sitting on top of the whole thing.  I was super excited! But now, what do I do with it?

 



We had planned to make this a Christmas present.  Well, with holidays and a wedding I didn't get to it.  So 2nd birthday present it is. :)
Aunt Merry moved and she had some left over magnetic paint.  Sweet! Maybe we can make the refrigerator door magnetic?
A family friend/ architect, Linda, had a bag of knobs and pulls.  Ooo, controls for a oven? Knobs for the sinks?

After a bit of wood cutting and glueing 

A few of the knobs Linda gave us made into oven controls and the microwave door.

Brian, Josh's co-ower of his painting/ landscape business, had some left over paint.  Paint the whole piece.
I had plenty of craft paint and fabric to do little details. Josh had scrap wood. We had a few old CDs we didn't need

So we bought- a pull for the fridge door, a ceramic dish,  a bit more fabric, a little bit of paint and a sealer.
Total cost-$52 dollars

Josh did some woodwork and took my sketch into reality! Josh, Landon and I sanded the wood.  Josh, Landon and I painted. I painted and painted and painted. Josh and I added hardware.  I sewed. I glued. I painted a bit more. Josh and I sealed the whole thing, in hopes to make all that painting last a bit longer.

Daddy designed and created the sink all by himself.  Mommy was super happy and impressed! 

In all things, give thanks.  

Microwave and Oven

The refrigerator and yes, it is magnetic

A place to put all the food 

Josh remembered we had a rack which was rarely used from a toaster oven we no longer had.

Did I mention it has a light already built into it?

The (Christmas present from Daddy and Mommy) pots and pans look great

AND.....IT IS DONE!

Welcome to Arabella's kitchen!

Landon and Arabella love it :)

A couple of weeks later, we drove up to the panhandle to have a birthday party and celebrate with family.  Josh drove up a couple of days after us since he had to work and could only visit on the weekend. Arabella received some great presents, mostly fun stuff for her kitchen.  We were able to Skype with Aunt Jessica and Great Grandma Williams. Our good friends the Richards were also able to come help celebrate. 

Colorful cupcakes 

Williams family 2013

Tucked out after partying 

It was a fun visit

The kids and I were able to come in time to see Grandpa Williams in a Barbershop event.  The event was a tribute to Frank Sinatra. It was awesome as always! Landon and Arabella were amazingly well behaved and listened to the whole 2.5 hour long event. 

Arabella's 2 Year Mommy Letter

Arabella turned 2 on February 7, 2013.

Dear Arabella
My sweet little lady bug! Oh, how you melt me.  You are so loving.  We love how you hold each of our faces and rub it and kiss it. You are all girl except when you aren't.  You are quick to give your opinion about fashion. You are always up for getting your nails painted.  Everything pink and purple is "mine" or "Bellaboo's."  You are strong willed and don't give up just because someone tells you otherwise.  We are thankful when we see this behavior around other big kids because we know you will stick to your convictions.   Although you are all girl you are also quick to get dirty by playing in sand or dirt.  You love Lighting McQueen (I think there is a little boy who you look up quick a bit who has influenced this love).  Arabella, you are adventurous and are excited to try new things.  You love to build things.

You love playing pretend with your babies and are a very caring and diligent "mother."  The way I see you care for your babies makes me often wonder if I am too hard on myself for not being a "better mother."  You love on those babies. Often you can be found with little "babies" wrapped carefully in your shirt.   I am sure that you are God's way of showing me a mirror of myself.  I love how you are little and love to be "little."  You want to be held like a baby and enjoy being babied.  I love how God teaches us in ways that could be easily over-looked.  I am suppose to be teaching you and helping you grow into a Godly women yet you and your brother often teach me how to be more Godly.  You both show so much love to others.  You both love so many, unconditionally.

Your favorite colors have stayed fairly consistent since you ability to express "favorites."  Green, purple and pink in that basic order are the colors you choose and claim as your own.  You already recognize many letters, can sing the whole ABC song, plus count to 10.  I think you may even understand some basic addition.  You are so articulate.  You don't generally use a word unless you feel you can say it well.  You are very thoughtful of the words you use.  It is so cute to watch you think of the exact right words you want to use in a sentence, practice to your self to make sure you can say them to your satisfaction and then say your sentence.  I don't think I have ever seen someone young put so much thought into their words.  You are so smart.

You love meat. Meat and rice. You often ask for it at every meal.  You like spicy foods.  You have your daddy's food taste.  Meat over sweets.  Often you choose more meat or veggies over a sweet treat, much to my continued disbelief and your Daddy's joy.  You love veggie and fruit.  Berries and oranges are the top fruits.  You pretty much haven't found a veggie you don't like.

You are quite the mimic.  You copy your brother most of all.  Actually, I feel like if you weren't the mimic you are your brother and you would be as as different as night and day.  Other than you are both quite the sweetie pies!

You still love your naps most days.  Much to my joy and relief you nap 1.5-2 hours.  You still like to snuggle a bit before naps and bed time.  You are happy with both Mommy or Daddy being your snuggle buddy.  Landon and you share a bed for night time.  Landon likes to fall asleep on his own, so he can have some quiet time in bed with his books and a couple of toys.  Once he has fallen asleep we bring you in his room (you are often asleep as well).  Most nights in the early morning hours you climb in bed with Mommy and Daddy for an hour or more of cuddles, which we love.

I am still nursing you, mostly just at your sleep times.  I think you love the one on one time with Mommy.  

On your birthday, you weight 23 lb. and were 2feet and 9 3/4in. You are a beautiful little girl inside and out.  People always tell me how beautiful and precious you are.  Although, Mommy and Daddy see looks of differences you look like your brother.  We have been asked more than once if you two are twins.  

Your brother adores you.  He is so sweet and loving to you.  

The german meaning for your name is beautiful, loving, lovable, graceful.  In Latin, it means prayerful.  You are all those things. Arabella, you are such a blessing to us.  We love you!