Thursday, October 31, 2013

Our Little Bug

We have called Winston our little Love Bug since day one.  Not sure why, we just have.  Most days we shorten it to just calling him Bug.  And, for better or worse, it is a name that has stuck between Benjamin and I.  We refer to him as Bug when speaking about his morning on the phone, or if he's napping or just telling exciting stories about his day.  He is our sweet little bug!  

At the beginning of the month when all of the Halloween costumes start popping up, I had expressed interest in getting Winston some sort of bug costume.  We looked at a few of the magazines that came our way but never put any real effort into buying anything... mainly because he wouldn't quite yet be old enough to grasp the magic of the phrase "Trick or Treat!"   

We quite happily went through the rest of the month thinking he'd wear one of his cute festive shirts and have no need for a costume.  Until that fated day when the School declared that they were having a costume parade and party!  "No worries," I thought, "I have that monkey costume that I bought before there was even a thought of a Winston...surely that will fit."  Later that night I pulled the costume out of the closet and alas, it was too small.  About 5" too small.  So...no go on the monkey.  

As it would turn out, the next day I was out and about running errands with Mom when we wandered into Pottery Barn Kids and saw the cutest spider outfit I ever did see... and for $8!!  I snatched it up and was so excited to get home to see how Winston would like it.  

The next day we tried it on and I declared he was THE cutest spider ever to be created!  He wore his costume like a champ in the parade and again tonight while we sat outside with the neighbors and handed out candy.

You don't have to take my word for it - see for yourself!
 He just slays me!
 I'd like to smother this spider with cuddles!

Benjamin dressed up in his trusty mullet and Van Halen t-shirt today.  At first Winston wasn't quite sure about the wig...and then he realized it indeed was his Daddy!
Happy All Hallows' Eve from our family to yours!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

{Winner} Sara + Abraham Give-a-way

Good Morning Folks - 
I had a few minutes while getting ready to for ChurchSearch2013 and I wanted to make sure to announce that:

Chelsea Derry
Polka Dot Wife

has won our Sara + Abraham Platter give-a-way!
A big thanks to everyone who entered and congratulations Chelsea!
Enjoy your Sunday everyone!  Rejoice for this is the day the Lord has made!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Reflections of Thankfulness: September

September was a big month for us: We closed on our Spring house and made the move!
  1. Baby giggles
  2. Lulu bunny hops
  3. Miguel and the CenterPoint Energy guy who got the electric meter in at the 11th hour
  4. Breakfast dates at IKEA
  5. That everyday minus three or four, Benjamin has been able and willing to take Winston to daycare
  6. Vacation days off of work
  7. Movers and their strength
  8. Quick and easy closing
  9. Our new home
  10. Our old home and the amazing landlords we had the opportunity of renting from for over two years
  11. God's grace and amazing timing 
  12. Swings
  13. Extra crispy fries
  14. Car insurance to repair windshield rock dings
  15. Ice cream family nights
  16. Having the opportunity of dedicating Winston to the Lord
  17. The anticipation of fall 
  18. Change
  19. Visits from Aunt Deborah and Ray
  20. Days when I can stay at home and cuddle with a sick Winston
  21. Sweet singing coos as tired baby falls asleep
  22. The mess of toys in my living room
  23. Boxes
  24. The hands that built our house
  25. Mexican food
  26. Dinner dates with my Winston buddy
  27. Two cars that are in excellent working order to drive us back and forth to work
  28. Miss Alex and Kids R Kids Pearland
  29. Pumpkin Spice Lattes
  30. Great evening weather
******************************************************************************

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Sarah + Abraham Thanksgiving Give-a-way

Now, one thing you must know about me is that I come from a long line of plate lovers.  I'm all about having a set of holiday plates for every holiday, season and occasion.  It could be labeled as a "condition." But like my mother and her mother before her, I look forward to busting out the cute dishes each season adding a bit of festivity to the table.  And when I say plates - I mean, plates, bowls, cups, serving platters, anything needed to make a meal cutesy and complete!

Enter Sarah + Abraham with their adorably sweet products!  They have personalized pillows, dish sets, lunch boxes, puzzles, iphone cases and on and on.  I came across them a little while ago and fell into love with all they have to offer!

These fancies caught my eye:
Their entire line of Thanksgiving platters is just precious!  With designs for all tastes, when picking out the one I am going to get myself, I decided to get one for one of you, sweet readers!  So visit the website, pick your favorite and fill out the rafflecopter below!  ...And we'll have it to you in time to use for all the festivities that fall time brings!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Images from Sarah + Abraham.  Sarah + Abraham do not know who I am and are not sponsoring this give-a-way.  It's just a little something for you from us!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Workplace Wednesday {3}

Hello!  Last Wednesday I took a break from the workplace as I was home all week unpacking and spending time with Little Baby.  It was heaven!  Since going to back to work full time I hadn't taken a week off to just be at home.  It was glorious!  

I arrive to work on Monday to find these beauties sitting outside of my cube...
Not only did I just move my house...but now I have to move my cube!  Good thing I'm a pro at packing things into {and back out of} boxes!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Pumpkin Decorating: Cheeseburger!

Benjamin came home from work one afternoon early in September declaring that we needed to start thinking of a pumpkin decorating idea because the office has a contest each year and it is highly competitive!  Amidst everything else we had going on we added this to our list started brainstorming.  Benjamin had a few ideas that, if done well, would have been super cool, but they were quite time intensive.  Since this was happening in the middle of closing, packing and moving, the design needed to be something fairly simple.

We have a running joke with Luke and Kala that the only thing Benjamin eats when we are on trips with them is hamburger and fries!  ...And it really is true.  He eats a hamburger in every city we visit.  On top of that - his first job was at Micky D's and the man cannot pass up a good cheeseburger and extra crispy fries!  

Enter the pumpkin idea for 2013: Cheeseburger!

We took one of those foam pumpkins that you can find at any hobby store and sliced it in two.  This made our two buns.  To make the top piece look more like a burger bun, I hot glued pumpkin seeds all over.  To create cheese, we purchased yellow Fimo clay, rolled it out and cut it into cheese squares.  Funnily enough I had placemats that look like very large pieces of lettuce, so one was donated to the cause.

Fries were also created out of Fimo clay with the thoughts of getting a McDonald's fry container to put them in.

It took two buckets of the Crayola air dry clay to create the hamburger patty!  After a full day it was still damp, so we put it in the oven on low heat to dry it out a little bit.  Then Benjamin spray painted it brown.
Once the paint dried, we put assembled the burger and ....TA DA!  A cheeseburger!
A really, really BIG burger!
Benjamin loaded the burger and fries into his car and toted it to the office.  On his way, he was able to secure a McDonald's tray, large drink cup, and a fry container.  I was eagerly waiting to see the final product when I got this text...
Amazing right?!  
I can tell you that... "ba da ba da daaa, I'm lovin' it!"

29 and still so fine!

Today is my hubby-love's birthday.  This has been a big year for him!

He graduated from Orthodontic residency.
His research paper was accepted for print in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics A.jo.do as I like to call it.
He became part-time staff at the UT Ortho Program.
He started practicing in the North Houston area!
He became a Dad.
Winston just adores Benjamin and right fully so - He is the best husband for me and the best dad for him {and Lulu too!}.  We couldn't be more privileged to get to celebrate this special day with the person who truly makes our lives complete. 
We love you from the tip of our toes to the top of our heads!
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