The Release

Aunt Aundrea got Autumn a butterfly habitat for Christmas.

After 6 impatient short weeks of waiting for them, they arrived.

(You have to mail out a certificate and then they mail you the caterpillars).

Did you know ...

Painted Lady Butterflies have 16 legs?

that the life span of a matured PLB is only two weeks?

the PLB has two eyes made up of 10,000 lenses?

that a PLB tastes through its feet?

a PLB breathes through the side of its body?

that PLB get nourishment from orange slices and sugar water.

(They also release this red nasty fluid after the emerge from their chrysalis.

Gross. Really, really gross. )

After two weeks of the caterpillars making their change to butterflies, we knew it was time ...

Time to release our new baby butterlies.

Enjoy the pics. Here we go:

Here's one of our five butterflies

And another one ...

Miss Becca even got in on the action!

One of the greatest Big Sisters ever!
(Can you see the butterflies in their hand!)

And of course we didn't let the mancub kill touch the butterflies ... but he wanted to "cheese" with Miss Becca!

Do You Feel Loved?

I haven't been this busy in a while.

A good busy.

A week filled with friends busy.

Something to do every day kind of busy.

Sunday speaks for itself ... it was Valentines Day.

Monday we had off work thanks to Pastor ...
We went to Pier Park with the kids. Ate at Bootleg Bar-B-Que.

Tuesday I went into work ... cause I had Monday off, remember :)

Pastor Brackett, Donald and Cory invited Jo Ann and I to lunch with them at Old Mexico.

California Burritos should be on everyones bucket list.

Wednesday I went to my friend, Tracys house. We hit it big there. Tracy has three girls. Autumn is right in between two of their ages. And Megan, the oldest daughter, loves to take care of Easton. So after yummy fajitas and lots of catching up, I was introduced to my first official "stamping" project. Through much help, I accomplished these two cards. Almost too pretty to send to anyone!

This morning I had coffee with two lovelies in my life, Aundrea & Georgia. Then on to work. Lunch time rolled around and I met the one&only Breanna at Applebee's. Tonight Cory & I caught up on Survivor. I'm still attempting to catch up on Lost.

Tomorrow I'm meeting a bestie, Brittany, for breakfast at Corams.

Then I'll enjoy the company of my Renew girls for bowling.

Next week I get to eat lunch with Kristen and meet Baby Cole. I can't wait! I've had baby fever for a year. Maybe Cole will be able to speak to my ovaries or something!

Do you feel loved? ... Cause I do :)

My Thirtieth Photo Roll

I realized I didn't post pics from the surprise party that
my super awesome husband threw for me.

He thought of everyone ... Our parents, our grandparents, brothers, sisters, our team, besties, mentors, dear friends, really .... he did good! And if he forgot you, it's his fault, not mine, I'm sorry.

Without further a-do, here are the pics. Thanks again everyone!

They were singing Happy Birthday

They made up menus with my name on it. How awesome. I still have it hanging on my fridge.

The PERFECT cake my sister made for me. It's so me!

The restaraunt he chose. Since Captain Andersons was closed, Cory researched somewhere that made a mean grouper imperial (my fave).

Everyone took a polaroid then wrote me a lil' note. Loved that idea!

A room full of love, life and memories.

Our once-upon-a-time students who are now partners with us.

Family, Friends, Mentors

These people are our home away from home :)

I don't know how I missed this pic of our table, but I did :)

Thanks honey for an unforgettable birthday!

19 and Counting

Every time I watch the Duggers,
I have to admit a little jealousy creeps in.

I wonder why Michelle got stacked in the baby making genes.

(This is no news to Cory. Although I think he sighs in deep relief at times that I am not a baby dispenser! )

With that being said, I sit here thankful for the two blessings we have been able to have.

They are healthy. They are happy. They are miracles.

Only God knows when and if we will be blessed with more children.

He knows my purpose. He knows my future. He knows my heart.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to me." Psalm 138:13-16

Sugar Rush

We knew the weather was gonna be gloomy today ... and everyone knows I hate gloomy, rainy days.

So we made a trip to Wal-Mart last night to pick up a few items to keep us entertained while we're stuck inside.

The weather was actually so nasty last night, that when we woke up, we saw this. Cory said "you know the only way to get that out, right?" Needless to say, it's still there until someone decides to brave the water!

And then we started our inside fun stuff. I was proud of myself ... I didn't try to secretly "fix" Autumns cookies when she wasn't looking ... or tell her how to pour the sprinkles ... or how to spread the icing so it lays falt. NOPE ... I just let her do her thing. And they turned out so cute! We all made some, even the boys. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

And now I have to get back to reality and finish this ....

Thanks Ashley!

Thanks to Ashley over at For The Love Of Shoes ... and A Baby, Too! for this award! Thanks Ashley!

The rules of this award are as follows:
1. Thank and link the person that sent it to you

2. Present this award to at least five people and explain why you chose them for this award

3. Copy and past the award on your blog

I check these blogs often and think they are amazing women!

Molly at Stilettos and Diapers

Rebecca at Hmmm

Jami at Confessions Of A Stay At Home Mom

Alicia at A Life Defined

My Blessed Life

My Thirties

Well, I have arrived at my thirties.

The weeks leading up to my 30th birthday were pretty weird.

I started questioning whether I’ll be able to wear my Hollister jeans.

Whether I’ll be able to wear my sundresses and leggings.

Will my stilettos still be appropriate?

Will our students think I’m “old” now?

My back hurts … is that because I’m thirty?

I noticed I have more gray hairs than ever before.

I got nervous and bought some night wrinkle cream.

Cory laughed when he saw me putting it on, and I tried to convince him it was just a lotion I needed,

that happened to have anti-aging stuff in it :)

And yet over the past few weeks, my perspective has changed.

I realized that I have not only arrived safely at my thirties ….

I arrived healthy … at my thirties.

I arrived with a husband who loves me … at my thirties.

I arrived with a husband who loves Jesus … at my thirties.

I arrived with a daughter who walks like me and talks like me … at my thirties.

I arrived with a son who daily plays with my hair … at my thirties.

I arrived with a home to retreat to … at my thirties.

I arrived with parents who visit us often … at my thirties.

I arrived with six grandparents still living … at my thirties.

I arrived with a youth group full of students striving to reach God … at my thirties.

I arrived with a handful of friends who will lift my hands when I’m weak …. at my thirties.

I have arrived … safely …. healthy …. And full of more love and blessings than I know I deserve.

So instead of looking at growing older as a bad thing.

Instead of fretting and worrying over the negatives, I will choose to find the positives.

I will be thankful for the life God has granted me.
I will consider it an honor.

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

I will protect him, because he knows my name.

When he calls to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91:14-16