Good Bye February.

In all actuality, February hasn't been too bad. Not like January, which I could totally do without. We've been outside a ton which leads me to believe the boys and I will be outside all summer long working in the garden, playing in the sprinkler, and playing in our new huge lawn. Yep. I said "new lawn."

Have I mentioned we're buying a house?? Probably, but it's getting so close I can't hardly wait! We are supposed to close March 15th on the Hembree house. It will need lots of work though. In the past, Josh and I have done all of our renovating ourselves while living in the house. Now, we have two little helpers who DO love to help....but it's just more than we could imagine to do with the littles in tow. We expect it to take about two months for everything for Phase I to be done and be able to move in. But, as soon as we close, I'm headed over there to start my garden! Wells and I have already started some seeds inside, and we have Zinnia's coming up! :) I'm so thankful for a new house, more space, and more land! I've started praying for amazing tenants for the Ash Rill house {where we are now}. I hope and pray we find someone/a family that will take good care of the house, pay on time, and stay a long time. This house is cute. There's someone out there that fits that description, right?

Buying a house is a huge distraction for me. Whenever I get a moment, I'm looking at decorating books and blogs. Craigslisting for furniture that I can't buy yet cause we don't want to have to store it then move it. And day dreaming about our life in a new space. Will the kids like it? How will it be having the master on the main? The kids will be so far away!?! *sigh* but, oh....a master bathroom where the kids aren't constantly pulling everything out of the drawers and cabinets! :) And a kitchen with tons more counter space! The list goes on and on....:) Wells has started asking to go the the "new house"...I suppose he will be fine with the move.

So, good bye February. Hello March which brings Fielding's 1st birthday, a new house, a garden, and who knows what else!

Goats!

Last week we got to enjoy the sunshine at the farm and visit the new baby goats! My grandfather has a Polo Farm north of Atlanta and there's always something fun to do up there. My Aunt and Mom {Mia as the kids call her} just got two miniature goats. They are already jumping and climbing even though they are only about 2 weeks old. The boys {and I} loved them!

{Wells holding the little girl. We were thinking about naming her Heidi...what do you think?}


{Tate {my little brother}, Wells and Fielding watching Heidi climb about.}

{Proud "mama" ~ Aunt Heath}

{Fielding playing on the old but still in use gas tank...I'm sure I probably shouldn't have let him touch it...probably had lead paint....}

{Mia and Wells feeding the baby.}

Fielding loved the goats but was not happy when we brought out the bottles to feed them. He thought the bottles were for him! He was so frustrated that I had to nurse him right then and there.

{Wells did a good job.}

Both of the boys got to ride too! It was Wellington's second lesson and Fielding's first! They are naturals.

{First riding lesson!}

{cowboy}

After lunch, riding, playing with and feeding the goats, we walked down to the river pasture and played in the creek {threw sticks in}. Our trip to the farm reminded me of my childhood. I spent hours and hours at the barn playing, working, and walking around the farm. I love being outdoors and hope I can be diligent to instill a love of nature into my boys.

Binder Cover

My first tutorial!!

So I am awful when it comes to actually filing. I love to be organized, but it takes me weeks to get the paper work into the folders. So, I figured that maybe if they are cute I would put them somewhere more accessible and I would file more frequently.

Start off with your binder {filled or empty}.

Place your binder on your fabric - right or wrong side of fabric up. I cut with the right side up so I could cut along the pattern. Use 1/2" seam allowance. Cut a little more than 1/2" around the perimeter of your binder.

Cut 2 panels to make the sleeves. For a 1" binder, my pieces were (1) 12 3/4" x 23" & (2) 12 3/4" x 7" .

Fold over one side of the small fabric pieces 1/2" and sew to make a clean edge. Sew second piece. NOTE: if your fabric has a pattern, be sure to sew the appropriate edges so when it's on the folder, both sides will have the pattern going in the same direction.

Pin your inside panels onto the large piece taking note of your pattern. Sew small panels on.

Fold your cover right side out. I left the middle part without any seam and just ironed it down. You may want to sew yours down.

Insert folder! I super glued labels onto the sides.

Birthday Week

I am so blessed! Last week was so much fun hanging out with friends and family and eating way too much chocolate cake! I guess chocolate will be a big part of my 29th year.... :) I think I gained 5 pounds last week and am now having chocolate withdrawal as I try to detox from all the sugar. Ha! I started the week off by selling some items we no longer use {I love purging!} on craigslist. Wells ran into the door and got a nasty bump as you can see. But he's fine.

On my actual birthday, Josh came home from work and let me go use my Christmas present ~ an hour massage and an hour facial!! It was so relaxing. I have a wonderful husband. That night we ate cake, and Wells blew out candles for me. :)

Later in the week some of my girl friends had a play date/birthday lunch for me! So sweet!! It was great letting the kids play, catching up and not having to make lunch. :) My boys love play dates. They got to hang out with Michaela, Alexis, William, Mary Frances, and Xander.

They're getting so big!

Here's the kid table. Karen is holding Katy's Mary Frances and feeding her William as Wells and Michaela look on.

Here are the lovely ladies that blessed me so much that day. I'm super thankful for all of them!

{Lft-Rt: Katy, Karen, Lindsay, & Vanessa (host)}

For the rest of the week, we ate cake - with candles on it of course and worked on stuff around the house. I have a feeling that 29 is going to be a great year. I have so much to be thankful for. A wonderful husband, great kids, lots of family, more friends than I've ever had, and a God that wants good things for me.