Birthday Family Fun & MOPS Pumpkins

We had a wonderful celebration at our home for Wilson’s first birthday. We kept it simple by only having our family over Sunday for lunch, cake, and family time. We were very blessed to have 4 generations in our home for such a special, memorable day.

Ella and Wilson were so happy spending time playing with their cousins. Poor Wilson is completely outnumbered with a sister and 4 other girl cousins, but he will excitedly have a best buddy to play rough with come early March!

I made these pumpkins and gave them to Wilson’s cousins as party favors. The idea originated from a friend Chris, who has recently opened an incredible baby store called The Kangaroo Pouch. She is unbelievably talented and has made some incredible pumpkins. You should see these things! She was kind enough to teach me how to make them and I loved how they turned out! Thank you Chris! (Her store is AMAZING … stop by for a visit.)

We have started a MOPS group locally and I am the Creative Director – funny because I am so NOT creative! We meet for fun meetings every 2 weeks while our younger children play together in the nursery. So far it has been a huge success, as we have had to already place people on a waiting list! So, these pumpkins were also our “craft” for this week’s MOPS meeting. We decided to keep things simple by using the smaller pumpkins and just do initials, since we were limited on time. I think (and hope) they were a big hit today. I tied a cute ribbon around the stem and popped a light in the bottom.

I got everything from Michael’s … I think I cleaned them out of their small pumpkins! Think they also have everything at AC Moore. They are kind of expensive ($8) but you can find them on sale occasionally for 50% off. And the lights are $3 each. And then you actually use a regular pumpkin carving kit – mostly the puncher/poker to trace/”dot” your pattern and then the saw to finish.

I want to touch more on our amazing and inspirational speakers we had today. More in a later post – too much to say about it! Also, keep checking back as I have an exciting giveaway planned very soon! I am SO excited about this. I wish I could enter myself, however I don’t think that would be too fair! I am, though, going to order one for myself. You won’t want to miss this one!!

Her children stand and bless her ...

Proverbs 31:28

Birthday Boy (My Friday Favorite!)

I can hardly believe that today I am wishing my sweet little boy a Happy 1st Birthday.

Wilson, you have brought so much joy to us and all our family.

You are a happy, loving, little boy, full of energy, with a funny sense of humor and full-of-life attitude.

You absolutely adore Ella and have begun calling her name.

You follow her around wherever she goes.

Your eyes twinkle when you see her and you tremble with excitement.

As parents, it brings us so much pride and happiness to see the love and friendship you and Ella share.

For this child, I have prayed.

1 Samuel 1:27

You have your daddy's determination and drive, which I love.

You light up my life each and every day.

You, Wilson, are the absolute perfect addition to our family.

I pray each day that you will allow God in your heart, serve Him, be a witness for Him, let Him guide your every footstep and lead you down His path, and bring all honor and glory to Him in all that you are and do.

My son, attend to my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and healthy to all their flesh.

Proverbs 4:20-22

I pray for your wife, and that God leads you to a kind, genuine soul who also loves and serves our Lord.

And I pray that God shows us, your parents, how to teach you His ways.

We already see so many incredible qualities in you and we are so very proud of you.

Each and every day with you is so special and we look forward to all the fun times ahead.

(By the way, today you climbed out of your highchair and onto the kitchen table. You like to give me a nice scare ... several times a day! Can't wait to see what this next year holds - some excitement I'm sure! But that's just one more thing I love about you!)

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord.

Psalm 127:3a