Playdates

I am so thankful for Teagan's best friend, Matilda! She is such an adorable and sweet little one! If you've read the blog for a little while you know that Teagan and Matilda "Tilda" share the same birthday! Teagan is a mere 2 hrs older! Matilda has been a blessing for Teagan and Matilda's mom, Tara, has been a blessing to me! It's nice when you click with your child's best friends parents! There aren't many days during the week where she and I haven't shot a txt or a message to each other about something.  Teagan and Matilda have reached each of their major milestones within days of each other so it's been nice to have somebody to bounce stuff off of when it comes to these things!
Even though Teagan and Matilda get to see each other every day during the week we like to try and get them together outside of school.  This Saturday we had the chance! Matilda and Tara came over to the house for a playdate! It was so much fun! The girls loved seeing each other.  Teagan was saying "Tilda, Tilda" all morning and the look on her face when they pulled in the driveway was priceless!
The girls played in the house then got on their swimmy diapers and played in/around the pool and then came in for a good PB&J (hello, homemade strawberry jelly made by Grandma!) and then played until a little after 12.  At that point both girls were well beyond exhaustion and so Tara and Matilda headed home.  It was such a great morning! We can't wait to do it again!

Oh, yes! Of course there are pictures! Be cautious though. Like I said before.  The sweetness surpasses a chocolate cupcake with extra icing and sprinkles!

First photo link up!

Thanks to my sweet friend Nessa at Moments & Impressions we decided to link up with Grace's Snap & Share this week!

This was Teagan at her playdate with her bff, Matilda this weekend! I'll post about the cuteness overload later! Promise! It's as sweet as a cupcake with extra icing and sprinkles!

Flashlight needed.

Have you ever been at a point in your life where you are about to have no control over the situation at hand? There are no words you can string together or amout of promises to make that will make a difference? 
Well, I am at that point in my job.  My job is a grant funded position.  Right now, the budget is up for vote.  The end result is still unknown.  How much will be cut. What will be cut. What happens to those of us who are cut.  Does it matter to those voting that my numbers are higher?  Does it matter to those voting the number of success stories that come through my facility (I say my because I'm the only one doing my job currently)?  Does it matter that I get to meet the kids of the parents I educate after they've been reunited with their parents? Apparently not.  The people voting on the budget just see numbers.  They just see the now and not the long term impact of their decisions. 
Right now, I feel like I need a flashlight as I'm walking through this tunnel and all I have is a match that has started to flicker the deeper I go.  Completely unsure of what waits for me on the other end. 
All I can do, all we can do as a family, is keep the faith that God's provision is greater then any dark tunnel we have to walk through.  The Lord will provide and we will be okay.  I do truly believe this but my family and I would appreciate all the prayers you can muster.

Monday Inspiration

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.  Let your good spirit lead me on a level path."

Psalm 143:10

"Marriage is not a noun; it's a verb.  It isnt' something you get.  It's something you do.  It's the way you love your partner every day."

Barbara DeAngelis

Pamper's Miracle Mission

We aren't a Pampers family but I recently got an e-mail from Pampers asking if I'd spread the word about a new project they have going on.  After looking into it I agreed because if it's about people helping people, then why not? Humanity needs a little lift every now and then. 
Pampers is on mission to help out families but they are asking the rest of us to step up too.  If we reach a goal by helping with their missions then Pampers answers that goal with their own thing. 
For instance the current "mission" is focused on dad's and bonding with their babies.  Giving dad the time to read, play, love on their babies without having to focus on running errands or mowing the grass.  It's equally important for dad's and babies to bond as it is for mom's and babies to bond.  If 4,000 people commit to helping out a dad so they can spend time with their babies then Pampers will hold up their end of the bargain.  What is there end of the bargain? They have pledged to give special Father's Day cook-outs across the country for dads and babies.  The point of this is to give dad's an opportunity to be with their babies.

I'm sure you have seen the newest commercial Pampers has out.  Honestly, it makes me cry every single time I see it.  Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones or maybe it's just the beauty of a miracle that is a child. No matter how that child comes into the world. 
If you haven't seen it and have about 2 minutes then check it out below.  Also, if you want to know more about Pampers mission or commit to being one of the 4,000 then you can go to their facebook page to find out more. 

Dirty Dozen

We are all about local and organic at our house when we can afford it.  Sometimes, we just can't.  Or I can't make it to the farmer's market.  I do, however, go by the "Dirty Dozen" list when it comes to buying organic fruits and veggies.  Yet another reason I try to use coupons! So I can still get the good things my family needs without wondering how we are going to make it through the month.   
I found this list in a Fit Pregnancy magazine and clipped it out to keep with me when I go out shopping for groceries.  They call it the "Dirty Dozen" list.  These are the 12 foods you should be sure to try and get organic because the non-organic are usually loaded with pesticides.

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Imported grapes
11. Carrots
12. Pears

*I got this list from Fit Pregnancy magazine and they sourced it from the Environmental Working Group.*