BEE our guest

Today, after church, Lauren was playing outside.  She was jumping on the tramp and throwing rocks into a bush.  Aliyah and I were sitting at the table playing SORRY.  I had been watching Lauren jump then turned around to take my turn, after a minute I thought "what is that noise?"  I turned around and Lauren was standing by the porch staring at a SWARM of BEES.  Now when I say swarm I mean it looked like the black plague came to my back yard!  It was so crazy they were only around my trampoline.  I hurried and got Lauren in the house and just stood there in amazement, waiting for them to leave.  THEY DIDN'T they camped out under my trampoline.

these were taken a good 10 minutes after we first saw them!

I was calling Daniel to come home, (he was HT) I was calling my Dad and Char and Mom trying to find out what to do.  Me and the girls just sat in my room at the window and watched.  I was incredible.  Then I started to cry, just thinking how lucky we were that the bees didn't sting Lauren and what could have happened to her.  IT WAS A LOT OF BEES. Im not squirmish with bugs and insects but the number of them made me nervous!

Daniel was goingt to go to home depot to get bee/wasp killer but his brother Delbert told him that was not a good idea, so we called the police dispatch and they sent a beekeeper to take care of the bees.

I guess in the spring bees with have a reproductive swarms.  The queen bee will take up to 60% of the hive and leave to find a new hive.  He had collected 4 other swarms just today! Our swarm was big enough the beekeeper said it would be called a prime swarm. 

 He just put out a hive let the scout bees buzz around it then smacked the trampoline and dropped them on the hive.  It took awhile to get the bees in the hive because the queen stayed on the leg of the trampoline and not the hive so he had to move small swarms to the hive.  Once she was there, almost all the bees went to the hive.

The crazy thing is; at the first of the year I saw a community class in beekeeping and I really wanted to take it. Honey is sweet and medicinal and it would be a great skill for food storage situations.  Well this incident just makes me want to do it more.  The beekeeper told me to just give him a call and he will teach me everything I need to know in a Saturday.  I excited.

But for now the bees are gone! 

WHAHOO! 

Buzz off bees!

Bishops is back

We used to have breakfast at Bishops every Saturday and we were so sad when it shut down.  Today we went to eat breakfast at the new Bishops.  It is the same just in a newer, CLEANER place.  The prices were slightly higher too. 

It wasn't bad but we had to wait so long to have are order taken.  I was ready to leave when another waitress came over and finally took our order.  It kinda killed my Bishops back buzz.

My NEW Pantry

Recently I was inspired by pantry makeover on studio 5 and internet browsing. 

They are beautiful, the one below is my favorite, aaahhh

Shelley at house of smiths did this and I LOVE it!!

So I got an itch, and ...

Yes my pantry needed some TLC so....

I CLEARED out the pantry and began scratching at that itch.  Can you believe how much stuff my pantry held !  5 laundry baskets and all my counter space!

Then Daniel and I started taping and painting.

This was a little scary for me as I have never painted a wall let alone a space.  And unfortunately I bombed big time on the first paint color.  It really is pretty, just not for this project.  So I got smart and got some samples and painted swatches on the ugly color,

 Oh, this green was so much better.  I love the color it turned out and it goes with the tone in the colors of my house. Its green and fresh and I love it.

 Now for some interest..

 I really love the quatrefoil design house of smith did but I could not afford to buy it, and making my own stencil was not going so good but now I'm happy with my design.  Its mine and not a copy.
 

And now the moment you've all been waiting for.....

I hope these pictures show how good it really does look.  It feels uncluttered, fresh, fun, bright, organized and down right pretty.  I have a little more I want to do with it but I need to find some jars/containers/bins.  I love it and I am so glad I actually scratch that itch!!

8 months

Christian is 8 months old.  He is an amazing baby.  So happy!
At 8 months he:

• says Mama...his first word YIPPEE!! I started realizing he was saying that on 3/6
• sorta says Dada
• sits very well
• Had his first kitchen sink bath
• Had his first cold on 3/13
• His hemaginoma is almost gone
• Today he scooted himself about 2ft.  a first
• Loves to eat, baby food, our food any food he can get
• Still nurses 5-6 times a day
• Sleeps from 7-730pm till 5am. 
• Love to grab our hair and/or face
• Like jewelry, pulling on it and sucking it
• Wears 9 month clothes and size 2 shoes
• No teeth yet
• Toes still webbed (Aliyah asks every week if they are still webbed)
• Travels great
• Looks to big in his car seat but whaddya do
• I sing "You are my "son"shine almost every time I lay him down
• Takes 2-3 naps
• Can make anyone smile and laugh
• Loves people and interacting with them
• He still lights up my world!

I am grateful everyday he is part of our family!!!! We love you Christian!!

The sweetest thing

Many of you know that Lauren does not talk much.  And although she has been saying more things its still far from where she should/could be.  Tonight I had New Beginnings at the church and we had a pirate theme so I was dressed up like a pirate.  When it was over I called Daniel to come get me and help me clean up.  When they got to the church Lauren walked into the R.S. room, saw me and her beautiful face lite up  and she said "Mama" and ran to me.

This my not seem like much but its the whole world to me!  I can count on probably one hand how many times I have heard her say Mama.  Every time she does my world stops for just a minute, heaven is on earth and I am so grateful to hear it.  Such a Sweet Sweet sound.

Some day I hope to hear "I love you Mama" and have a conversation with her.  And know she knows I love her!

Thank you Lauren for this special little gift!  Mommy loves you! You are my beautiful little girl!