Craft Hope

Recently, one of my favorite blogs (Under the Sycamore) made a post about Craft Hope (their button is on the right) & what they're doing to help with the oil spill in the Gulf.

I've heard of Craft Hope before, but never actually clicked over there.

Until I saw what Ashley did with her kids.

Definitely a place we'll frequent from now on...

Being the creative person I am....

I stole Ashley Ann's idea.

Well...you know.

Why fix what's not broken, right?

I showed Park video of the oil spilling in the ocean.

She remembers the ocean from our vacation last year, so she was kind of understanding, at least the location.

We found our Squirt, & let him go for a swim in our "multipurpose jar."

We talked about clean water.

We'd live in that water if we were a turtle...yep.

Then I poured in the oil I had made.

Ew. "Mom, if I was a tu-ttle, I wouldn't live in that wata."

:)

 

So, we talked about all the animals whose homes were getting covered in oil & how dirty & sick they were getting.

Then we talked about the nice people who were taking lots & lots of time to help the animals, by washing them with washcloths & soap.

We helped Squirt out.

And since my oil was made with oil & balsamic vinegar, it smelled gross too, which worked perfectly. Stinky, sticky, & gooey.

After our thorough scrubbing, Squirt not only felt clean, but he smelled much better too.

As she gave Squirt some love, I kept talking to her about all the other animals.

"Oh Squirt, I will make you all better."

We hit the store that morning & bought 20 washcloths for $10.

Good ol' Dollar Tree.

We talked about how there were so many animals that the special people helping needed lots & lots of wash cloths to clean them with.

She was excited.

Since we are helping through craft hope, I decided to add some hearts.

To make the animals feel loved.

Took me probably 20 minutes to get them sewn on....over the course of a week...hmm.

Ta- da!

Time to package them up & send them off.

She was helping me cut the ribbons to tie up our washcloths.

She did NOT want me telling her how to help me.

Grr. She's a scissors fanatic. I have to hide them.

Remember this post?

What was I thinking?

We also made thank you cards for the volunteers.

My aunt Kathy helped us out with some too.

They were tied nicely on top.

We mailed them this morning.

With a bottle of Dawn dish washing liquid.

The post office lady saw the address & asked about what we were doing.

I told her about the website & what we were shipping.

Then Parker added, "We're helping the animals."

:)

The sprinkler

At our home in the summer evenings, after dinner is over, we often find it a perfect time for watering the grass.

This year, Parker joins Mitchel outside every time & ends up soaked from head to toe.

But...sometimes, when I remember....we get smart & water the grass with this...

 

You want to go play with your sprinkler ball?

You want to try it out too?

Okay!

Those cuties...

Standing a little too well for a 6 month old...

He wasn't the least bit shocked by all the water spraying in his face.

I was though...

She has experience.

Look how professional she looks.

:)

Geez.

See what I mean?

Don't you just want to squeeze those thighs...

Boy! You are c-ute.

That's nice...

The Man

There is no greater daddy than you.

In my own personal opinion...

They love you.

The First Taste...

of "real" food.

Sort of:).

Whole grain, all organic, rice cereal.

I'm kind of a freak about my babies & their first foods.

But you know...I do what I can.

hehe

Hey buddy....you ready for something "yummy"?

I think you would've done this about 2 months ago.

You've been drooling over our food for about that long.

But, we made you wait. For your own good...

Parker was overjoyed about your cereal experience.

That hand holding...makes me happy.

We all ate cereal that morning in your honor.

You already knew how it worked.

Of course, anything you can possibly get a hold of goes straight into your mouth...

so I guess it was really just normal for you.

Until you discovered I left something behind.

Hmm.

You're so darn cute...

Hmm.

Don't you want some more?

Or would you rather just chew on your tray than experience another taste of your fine cuisine?

That's okay.

I understand.

I wouldn't want it either:).

You really do great with your eating.

Parker NEVER liked rice cereal.

But your dad & I had a hunch you'd like yours.

You seemed like a man who would appreciate a meal:).

Next up...veggies!

I know without a doubt that'll get you even more excited...

my sweet, hungry boy.

June 14, 2003

It's been 7 years.

A tiny apartment, to a home.

Two barely grown ups, to a mom & a dad.

A Parker & a Tucker.

A Lilly dog.

The Virgin Islands, Mexico,  Florida, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma:), New Mexico, Colorado...

From college to working.

Real jobs- with salaries.

Taxes, bills, Roth IRA's, investments, money.

Food, cooking, expensive restaurants.

Movies, movies, movies.

Church.

The Lord.

Memories.

Remembering what it was that made our hearts beat faster.

You've made these past 7 years, years I would live over & over & over again.

You still make me laugh. You still make me excited.

You are so very loved Mitchel Mershawn.

And I'm glad you know it:).

Happy Anniversary.

Countdown 1 year {6 months}

Tucker, it's been 1/2 a year already.

It seems like just yesterday we were planning your arrival,

and yet it feels like you've always been a part of our family now.

At 6 months...

you are silly. You make funny faces & such silly noises.

Your voice is deeper than your sister's & a little raspy.

You have a contagious gummy grin & giggle.

Your dad, sister, & I remain your favorite friends.

But your growing curiosity & sense of adventure have made you very aware of other friends in your world. Dogs, toys, Parker's snack bowls of pretzels, cuppies, remote controls, cell phones & grandparents are some of your other favorite ways to spend your time.

You are SO strong.

I think you may be crawling very soon.

You love practicing pushing up on all fours & throwing yourself forward on your face.

You roll & creep all over the place.

If you are on a lap, you wiggle & roll yourself off somehow.

Our tiny lump has become a great source of entertainment.

You have filled our house with squeals of delight, gurgles, & growls.

Sometimes I don't think your sister knows what to think of you.

That makes me smile.

I think it will be that way forever. :)

She still loves you so much.

You get hugs & kisses from her throughout much of your day.

You're a water baby like your sis.

But at this point 10-15 minutes is your limit.

Who can blame you, though.

Its no fun being strapped to a big crab floaty when you'd rather be figuring out something to get in to...

You are so very cute...

I squish you a lot.

And you like it...at least that's what I tell myself.

At your doctor's appointment this week you:

weighed: 17 lbs 2 oz (50%)

&

measured: 27 in long (74%).

He said you were a good looking guy.

You were very happy for him...

And as you lay here & squeal & holler at my foot trying to get to it, I can't help but smile knowing you must have some great fun in store for us.

You are my most favorite drooly, squishy, cuddly, happy boy.

We love you!