Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Busy Busy Mommy

Well it has been a few days since I last talked with all of you! I have been truly too busy!!! I have made capes, pillowcase dresses for birthdays, bows, poodle skirt for retreat, preparing and packing for the retreat and mostly my beautiful little boys 6th birthday! I was super duper busy!

I will share with you on another day how to make the things that I have been making but today I am going to share with you what we made today for Alex's Class for St Patrick's Day. It was a super fun activity that we could do together.

Finished product. A small little treat for the kiddos


You start with a bag of rainbow Twizzlers Rainbow


We seperated them by colors. A good time to go over colors with the 2 year old. 


I cut them in half to fit into the bag.


Place them into treat bags


See even the 6 year old can help!


TaDa!!! There you go simple little treat for the 17th of March. ;) 


Enjoy! Hope you all have a great evening!!!
Until tomorrow.

C

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

God, The Circus and The Zoo

WOW!!! What a weekend! It was a truly amazing weekend. Friday was spent at the school playing with Kindergardeners and organizing Alex's classroom. You know the book If you give a Mouse a Cookie well my book would be called If you give Christina a Project. One thing led to another but I got a lot of work done for Alex's teachers.

Saturday morning I got up early. I know that is a little bit of a shock for those that know me. I went to the Sisters in Christ Conference. It was AMAZING! I heard some great talks from some very Godly Women. Babbie Mason was there as well as Liz you know the one that wrote the Bad Girls of the Bible. She was so funny! It was just a great day and I loved sitting with my amazing women from Bright Star.

After that as if that were not enough we went to the Northwest Gathering for Walk to Emmaus. I got to meet a lot more people from the community and spend some time fellowshipping with an amazing group of people. It was a beautiful day celebrating the Lord!

As if our weekend was not packed enough already we scheduled a circus trip for the Monkey and the Peanut on Sunday. We waited to tell them until Sunday morning before church. We went into their rooms after they went to sleep Saturday Night and put some posters up on their door. Monkey was too cute he said the Circus Fairy showed up and left them tickets for the circus.

They were too excited and asked 650 times if it was time to go to the circus yet. We went to the Varsity for lunch and then we were off to the circus. We had NEVER seen the children sit that still. They were in awe! After the circus we went to Ikea. I think I managed to spend most of the money Jon earned for the week there. ;) However we have some really cool favors for Abby's birthday party!


 

You know with a long weekend you really should stuff as much stuff as you can into one weekend. So being a long weekend....we did! Monday morning arrived and the kids and I decided we should spend the day at the zoo! It was an amazing day. We always love to head to Zoo Atlanta. We got to see all kinds of the babies that were born this summer out and running around. We got to see the baby gorilla that is only 9 months old playing near his mommy. We also were able to see Zuri the new baby Giraffe  roaming around with her mommy. And of course we were able to see Po the new baby panda. Well we saw him on a tv screen but we saw him! It was a fun day in the sun! 



 


Hope your weekend was as amazing as ours!

Until tomorrow!

C

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Being a Good Sport

What a beautiful day today was! It was a wonderful day for a field trip and an even better day to spend outside having fun! Today was The Monkey's second field trip of the year. We went to a nearby park and watch a cute play and then had lunch at the playground and what else would be do but play for a while too! ;)

I regress a little, we arrived at the theater to watch the play and most of the parents were waiting outside the door for the buses to get there and one of the actors comes outside and asks if any of us were up for a little fun and would be a good sport. One of the other parents looks over and says, "Christina will!" So there I was off to do a little improve acting in front of all 80 something of our kindergardeners plus the 1st graders from Sharps Creek. Fun times! It really was a lot of fun and I know that is something that Alex's class is going to remember.




It was a joy to see his class plus all of the other kids having a good time on the playground that we play on so often. We even went back outside after we came home from school. We had a blast playing with our neighbors riding various ride on toys down their steep grassy hill.A few of the kids actually took a turn riding down in a barrel. It was a blast for them and makes me long for summertime. It was just a beautiful day!

Until tomorrow.

C

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Happy Birthday Elmo


 Today we had the joy of spending the morning and well into the afternoon with one of the greatest groups of friends there is. Many of you already know that I am a member of a local mom's group called The MOMS Club of Villa Rica. It is a support group for stay at home moms. I have been a member of this group for 5 plus years now. We have all kinds of wonderful playgroups and outings. We also do some really cool service projects for our community.

Well today we had a Birthday Party for Elmo! Of course it included all kinds of wonderful things like party foods, crafts, games, and of course birthday cupcakes! It was a wonderful event that my friend Nappo went way over the top with! She decorated that house in Sesame Street items and party things and it was just wonderful! I have to say it is something that we had not done in a while!


We made the creations shown in the top photo out of empty toilet paper tolls and just a printed template. They were so simple that we just cut them out and glued them onto the rolls. The information on how to make them can he found here. Sesame Street Craft We also played a Dorothy Game where we had to toss Dorothy, Elmo's pet fish, back into her bowl. It was just a super great day!


If you are a new mom or even an experienced mom I encourage you to find a group like I did full of such wonder women. They have been there for me on so many occasions, birth, death, hardships, and illnesses. We lean on each other and we learn from each other and we help each other but mostly we just have a really great time together! For more information on the MOMS Club of Villa Rica click here. And for more information on if there is a club in your area click here. You will not be sorry!

Until next time!

C

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Much love to the blog

Ok so I am going to try this again. It has been very hard for me to post on this blog because of the pain that it has held. However the pain that it has held is my past and that has made me the person that I am today. I am a much stronger and loving person because of the many things that my family has endured.

Lots of things have happened since I last spoke with you all in November. You know all the regular Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff and the beginning of a new year! We have been blessed so much met new babies, found out more babies are coming, celebrating wonderful occasions, and now it is the time of the year where we start working toward celebrating more birthdays.

The Monkey Man will be 6 this year! Wow where has time gone!?! We are less than a month away and you know what that means! Little Peanut will be 3 right around the corner. Wow time flys when you are having fun!

Thanks for sticking with me those who have hung in there waiting on another post. More are coming. Look forward to some new things! Can't wait to show you what I am working on!

Many Blessings!

C

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Sickened

Today when I opened up my email I learned that the Tillman Case had now made National News. News Story  I reread the story as I had since yesterday and again thought to myself, why? What has happened in today's society that a person might think it was ok not to hit a girl but to beat another human being to death just as not hit a girl? A mindless act of murder. It hurts my heart to think that things have gone so far out of reality that things like this happen.


Why? Have parents not raised their children right? Are things like this becoming the norm? Are we to live in fear of being an innocent bystander that gets wrapped up in something aweful? There were also between 60-80 witnesses. Why did not one of them step up and say hey this is wrong? Are we afraid of interfering? Why not step up and stand up for what is right?
I can't help but wonder sometimes if my family is the minority in the world today. We teach our children right from wrong just as we were taught. We punish when they misbehave and we reward when they do good acts. I wonder if some of the parents of the children that were involved did the same? Our family attends church every Sunday and Wednesday and tries to live in the word of God's Love and we try to show it to others. Sometimes we fail but most of the time we do what is right and stand up to what is wrong. I wonder if these children ever stepped in to a place that they were loved? “You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws” (Psalm 119:73)

I know that watching what has happened in the past few days with this situation that happened in the town I grew up in that I will be more willing to speak out for what is wrong and that I will more openly share my love and God's love with others. Maybe if we all share a little more compassion with one another and less judgement then we will help things like this from happening. My heart is breaking for all the families involved. My heart hurts for the boys that made such a bad choice that now will affect them for the rest of their lives. My heart hurts for those that witnessed this graven situation and did not have the strength to step up and do what is right and will live with that image for the rest of their lives. My heart especially hurts for the family of Bobby who will no longer get to see his shining face everyday and have to wonder what would or could have been.

My prayers are with them all.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day

Well we had an interesting Father's Day today. For the most part we celebrated with Jon yesterday. He got his sleep in day and we gave him his presents (a new shirt and a mouse pad with the kids on it) yesterday. Today we said our see you laters (not goodbyes because we will keep in touch) to our Pastor Tim. Today was his last service at Bright Star. It was bittersweet. We know that he will be missed at Bright Star but he is also going to get his first church and be a senior pastor at Lowell UMC. We are excited for him but are also going to miss him a bunch.



We left church after getting there at 8:30 at 2:00. It was a very long day but awesome music and a wonderful message. Here are the things that we learned today:
  • God does not make crap!
  • God will provide you just have to trust him.
  • Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
  • Sparrow's don't worry about what they will wear or how they will get food; they just trust that God will provide for them.
After church we came home and had a fun afternoon with the kids. Abby wouldn't nap because she took a short 20 min nap in the car so she and Jon went outside and played in the pool for a while. They had a lot of fun just having some daddy/daughter time together. Later when Alex got up, Alex, Abby, and Daddy got the slip and slide out. Then we finally sat down to some dinner. Jon wanted burgers but we forgot to lay out the hamburger so I made him Bacon Cheese Patty Melts and Fried Potato Skins (his fave).


Daddy on Father's Day
Abby playing in the pool with Daddy
Abby with the water hose
Abby gets Daddy (My favorite picture of the day)
Making faces
Monkey see monkey do!
Brother woke up and joined the fun
Not sure Abby quite understands.

All in all it was a great day! Hope you all had a wonderful father's day also!!!

Until tomorrow!
C

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Lots of Thoughts

More or less my ramblings of today is just because I needed to get the feelings out before I exploded. Hope you are all doing well and very sorry that I have not written this week but Camp is crazy and I have been seriously going to be at 8 every night. God is so good. We have an awesome group of kids this year at camp and what usually takes up a week and half we did in four days. The kids are already up on the stage with the set done blocking the play. I just can't express how great this group of kids are, they are helpful and kind and just join all together as a group. It is amazing and makes all the hard work VERY worth it!



Anyways on with today's post...So I have been thinking lately about some of the people in my life. Some good, some bad. I have decided that I need a detox and need to focus on the things that really matter. I need to focus on God and serving him the way that I should be serving and I need to focus on my family and doing the right things for them. So we are going to go back to the basics and live a life with us and just cut the bad things out of our lives.

I wish that friends that I thought were friends would walk the walk that they talk but alas they don't and keep falling back into the same patterns that they previously have shown. So instead of dwelling on it and causing more pain in my life I am going to let it go and walk away.

You know let go and let God. Until tomorrow!

C

Friday, June 11, 2010

New Directions

So I am starting a new phase in my life. I have the camera. I have the editing software. I have the ability to do it. So why not. It has started. CC Photography has it's own website now. I am also working on business cards. It is an exciting new adventure in my life. So if you are interested in having portraits made please contact me! My OWN Website 

Here are a few of my recent works. I will also be starting another blog to put my previews in. :) Enjoy!








Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Knock Knock...

So our car rides lately have been filled with Knock Knock Jokes. Both of the kids have been getting in on the action. They love it and the laugh and giggle so much. Alex's favorite two:

Knock Knock.
Who's There?
Boo!
Boo Who?
Don't cry it's just a joke.

Knock Knock
Who's There?
Banana
Knock Knock (yes he does not give us a chance to say Banana Who)
Who's There?
Banana
Knock Knock
Who's There?
Orange
Orange Who?
Orange you glad I didn't say Banana?

Abby even has her way of saying it.

Knot Knot Mommy
Who's there?
Nana who?
Knot Knot Daddy
Who's there?
All my Nana!

It was is such a joy to listen to our children learn and grow even if it is the same knock knock joke 150 times in a row.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Father's Day Ideas

Here are some wonderful things that I have found for father's day. Thought that I would pass it along to all of you!

Homemade Book: 25 Things We Love About Dad














Supplies:

•4 pieces of 8½ x 11 white printer paper
•1 piece of 8½ x 11 heavy colored cardstock paper
•hole punch
•ribbon or yarn
•pen, crayons, or markers
•stickers

1. Cut each piece of white paper in half horizontally then fold each in half. Cut your colored cardstock paper a little bit taller to make for an overlapping cover. Fold the cover paper in half as well.
2. Punch 2 holes in each of the paper halves, one at the top and one at the bottom. Make sure that each hole is in the same place for each piece of paper so they match up.
3.Open up each piece of paper and place them on top of each other, with the colored cardstock piece on the bottom acting as the cover.
4. Thread your ribbon through each of the holes, binding all the paper together. Tie the ribbon off with a knot or a bow at the outside fold of the book.
5. Either write or place stickers for the words "25 Things We Love about Dad" on the front cover of the book. You can also decorate the cover with fun stickers to make it a little more fun.
6. Now write 25 things you love about Dad. One thing will go on each page, you should have 25 places to write, on the front and back of each piece of paper. Children can help talk to you about what they love about dad or they can even draw a picture. If your child is too young to write, dictate what they want to say.

(Thank you to Snackpicks.com)

Daddy Duct Dollars

Who doesn't love Duct Tape Here is an Idea on how you can give it to dad!

Materials

Duct tape
Clear plastic report cover

Instructions


 
  1. Lay a 10-inch strip of duct tape sticky-side up on your work surface. Place another 10-inch strip (sticky-side down) halfway down on top of the first strip.
  2. Fold down the top of the first strip over the second strip, then turn over the strips.
  3. Add another strip of tape to the second strip (sticky sides together), then flip over the strips again. Continue building your sheet until it is 6 inches long, then fold up the bottom edge of the last strip. Trim any uneven edges to get a 9- by 6-inch sheet.
  4. Fold the sheet in half, so that the bottom is 1/4 inch from the top. Crease the fold and secure the sides of the wallet together with narrow strips of tape.
  5. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to create a 9- by 5-inch sheet of duct tape, then cut this sheet into 4 rectangles, trimming them to 4 by 2 inches each. Tip: For smooth-edged pockets, be sure to leave one 4-inch side of each rectangle uncut.
  6. Set 1 rectangle aside and stack together the other 3 (smooth edges at the top), placing each one 1/4 inch lower than the one beneath it (A). Add strips of tape at the back and along the bottom and sides to secure the pieces together (B).
  7. Tape this assembly in place on the left half of the wallet, 1/4 inch in from the edge and 1/4 inch below the bill pocket. Repeat, placing the remaining duct tape rectangle on the right half of the wallet and taping the bottom and sides in place.
  8. For a photo or ID holder, fold a thin strip of tape over the top edge of a 4- by 2 1/4-inch rectangle cut from a clear plastic report cover. Set the plastic rectangle atop the duct tape rectangle and tape it in place, leaving the top open. Lastly, reinforce the wallet with strips of tape wherever needed.
(Thank you Family Fun)

Of course you can always make him some cookies or cake or anything sweet really and he would be happy! Enjoy and have fun!

Today's Post is brought to you by Ingles, Blockbuster, and McDonalds

This morning we went to Ingles to get our triple coupon on. I got lots of coffee creamer including a money maker on powdered creamer. Spent 13.08 and saved 13.81. Not as good as I had hoped but still ok. I also found Sunday Papers still there. :) Which is a good thing since I forgot to grab some on Sunday.

After the fun trip to the grocery store with both kids we went to blockbuster to go get some movies since we are stuck at home today. Alex is sick. We got 3 movies, 2 cokes, 2 popcorns, and 2 boxes of candy for 6.18. I love having the Total Access for Blockbuster. We get all the movies that we want and special deals for 15 buck a month.

After all the good deals I needed some coffee to get me through the rest of the day so the stop on the way home was through the McDonald's Drive Thru to find that the Frappies were A Buck this week! Nice yet another deal!

Off to do laundry, clean the house, then snuggle up with the babies and watch some movies.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Neglect

Seriously neglecting the blog lately! Sorry about that.

Between Birthdays....


School ending...

Graduations...


Acting in plays...


And just plain ole' summer time...      


I just have not had time to stop and post. I will do better! I hope you enjoy the pictures of our Month of May!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Cinco de Mayo (Memories of May 5, 2008)

Today is a very special day for our family and no it is not because we celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It is because we celebrated a new addition to our family 2 years ago this morning. I can still remember it like it was today. We got up about 5 am so we could get ready to go to the hospital. We called Amy to make sure she was awake and moving around and she met us to get Alex for the day. At this point we had not told anyone that my C-Section had been moved up from 2 in the afternoon to 8:00 am. It was very exciting. The car was packed and there was a new little carseat in the back waiting on the new little baby that was going to fill it. The bag was packed with all the pink that you could imagine plus one little red and white dress.

We arrive at the hospital at 6:00 am and parked and went up to the 2nd floor of Cobb Hospital to get ready to meet our little girl. It all went so fast from there. I went in and got it my lovely new outfit on and the booties and hat to match and got hooked up to all the monitors and then they got the iv team up to get the iv in my arm that was not cooperating. Then Jon got ready. I remember it so well because they had to get him special boots to wear because he had worn shorts that day. (No one told him not to wear shorts) After all that was done I walked (yes you heard me right, walked) into the operating room and sat on the table. They put in the spinal block and got me settled on the table and we got ready to start.

Let me start by saying Abby's C-Section was 20 times harder than Alex's. The whole time they could not regulate my blood pressure so I went back and forth between puking to passing out. It was a lot of fun really (not). Jon was not at all really worried because they kept telling him that everything was getting better. Yeah it got better when the knocked me out. :p It was time for our precious daughter to make her entrance into this world. Abigail Marie Cunningham made her arrival into this world at 8:34 am May 5, 2008. She was 9 pounds 8 ounces (a whole 3 ounces smaller than her brother) and 20 1/2 inches long (1 1/2 inches shorter than her brother). She had beautiful black hair and the brownest eyes that you would ever see on a baby. She was beautiful.



I remember after I got out of surgery and they put her in my arms for the first time. It was love just pure love. She was amazing. She didn't make a sound the first time we met and got to spend some time together. We just looked into each other's eyes and I adored her. She was a pro BFeder. She latched right on and ate like their was no tomorrow.



Jon was wrapped around her little finger from the start. She couldn't even really cry before he would snatch her up to snuggle her. She was and still is and will forever be Daddy's Little Girl. I think that he would give her the moon if he could. They formed a very special bond from the beginning.



Alex came up to the hospital with Renee, Jim, and Jason later that afternoon and could not have been more excited to see his sister. It had just happened that she was out of the room getting her newborn screening when he came so he got to spend a little time with just mommy and daddy while she was out. But the moment she came back into the room mommy and daddy did not exist any longer. He was totally in love with her too. She was her own personal baby doll.



Today she is a rambunctious 2 year old that gets into trouble faster that we stop her. Including the famous Lysol eye incident the day before her birthday and climbing counters and several number of other offences that can't be named at the moment. But she has been our pride and joy from the start. She is our wonderful baby girl and will always be. She is still the most wonderful little girl in the world and we are so lucky that God choose us to be her parents. I am the luckiest mom in the world because I am her mommy. Happy 2nd Birthday Lil' Momma!