Feather Boa Wreath!

Ok so last week I made this precious feather boa wreath for my niece's 1st birthday party! Isn't it the cutest thing you have ever seen?!? It was oh so easy so I thought I would share a tutorial on how to make one. 

I stopped by the dollar tree yesterday looking for nothing in particular when I came upon...you guessed it...feather boas in Christmas colors!!  Now, these weren't nearly as full or as long as the ones we purchased above at hobby lobby (hobby lobby boas are about $7 for a 6ft boa and you need 3 total for a 14" wreath) but they were much more affordable so buying over double the quantity isn't as big of a deal.  So I suggest to everyone...don't walk but RUN to the dollar tree and pick up some boas before they are all gone!

Here is what you will need:

9 dollar tree boas ($9) or 3 hobby lobby boas ($21)

1 14" straw wreath from hobby lobby (regular $4...got mine 1/2 off yesterday for $2)

Straight Pins (already had on hand)

Before I start I will say if you use all the same color (the pink, black, and white boa is actually 1 boa, the one below, I used 3 red, 3 green, 3 white) then you will inner twine them together, leaving no spaces....if you are using different colors like I did below, you will leave spaces for the 1st layer, then fill in with the next 1-2 layers.

1st - Start by pinning one end of your boa, then start wrapping it around...no spaces if its all the same color or leave spaces or make wider wraps if you are using different colors.  I started with the white...wrap all 3 white boas around 1st and as evenly spaced as possible.  You only need to secure the rope part of the boa with pins twice...1st at the beginning and 2nd at the end.  If you feel more comfortable you can tack it down a few more times but it is not necessary. 

2nd - Once the 1st layer is down, use the green boas and start filling in the holes.  Layer next to the white and go all the way around as evenly as possible, securing the same way as before. 

3rd - Continue with the red boas, filling in the open spots where you can still see the straw wreath. 

Voila! You have an awesome Christmas Wreath that can be used inside or out.  It would look great on your front door, on a mirror, over a fireplace, on a shelf, etc...the best part about it - it is something that can be used for many years to come and it is very inexpensive to make!  It can also very easily be changed since we only used a handful of straight pins to tack it down!  Even if the dollar tree doesn't get anymore colors, you could purchase a few extra red for Valentine's Day and a few extra green for St. Patty's Day.  Also, hobby lobby, among other places have them in every color under the sun!!!  Happy Crafting!!

Tennessee Game!

This weekend Michael and I went to the TN vs UAB game in Knoxville with a few friends.  We had a blast.  We even got to spend a few hours in Nashville Friday night which I LOVED.  It made me miss it even more     :o( sigh...but that's ok...I defiantly don't miss the stressful lifestyle that went along with it.  Hopefully one day we will move back but now just isn't the time! 

This was actually the 1st game I have been to since Briley was born.  We opted not to take her...I honestly cannot imagine taking an almost 18 month old to a game like that.  She would have been miserable and so would we.  Maybe when she is 3-4 but definatly no time soon.  She stayed with my grandparents Friday night and Michael's mom Saturday night.  From what I hear she had a great weekend too!  I certainly missed my little lady but I knew she was in good hands! 

It was an exhausting weekend but still fun.  TN actually looked terrible but at least they won...I really hope they get their act together or we will get killed next weekend against LSU!  Here are a few photos from the game...Go Vols!

First Trip to the Fair!

Last Friday night we took Briley by the fair for a little bit.  We actually ended up staying for 3 hours which was about 2 hours longer than I thought we would be there.  She loved it!  First we ate...she had chicken from the chicken shack and a few bites of a corn dog.  We walked around several times to check out what we thought she may be able to ride.  I was very hesitant at first but her very 1st ride she rode by herself! I was scared to death and I think she was too but she really enjoyed it.  It was called the fish jumper which is a ride for little ones.  It actually went very fast and went around and around in circles over and over.  It's a miracle she didn't get sick!  Then she rode another ride with da-da that also went around and around.  Then she rode the carousel with me and then the fish jumper one last time! Before we left we got a funnel cake, which she loved.  We only gave her a few bites but she loved every minute of that.  I am so glad we took her.  I can't believe how big she is!

We played with the horsey's 1st!

She was lovin it!

Not so much when it stopped!

Hanging on for dear life!

Briley and Gi Gi at the 4-H Chicken Shack!

Fairy Princess

So I have been dieing to get Briley some "dress up" outfits but have been waiting for Christmas or Birthday to do so...but when I came across these great fairy wings, necklace, and wand at the Dollar Tree, I couldn't resist!  I mainly got the necklace because she is always trying to take mine...she calls jewelry "bling bling" or "bing bing" as she says.  She already has a little crown (I didn't have it with me) so now all she needs is a tutu! She really didn't know what to think at first and when she would look at herself in the mirror she just laughed.  I will say I do think she likes it!  Can't wait to see what else we can come up with! Here are a few photos...It is nearly impossible to get her to stay still these days so I did the best I could :o)

Starry Night

Starry Night - Chris August

From the Birds that Sing, In the Tallest Trees.
To the Human Life, of you and me.
From the Desert Sands, to the place we stand.
He is God of All, He is Everything.

Waohhh

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything
'Cause he is everything

From the Autumn Leaves, that will ride the breeze
To the Faith it takes, to pray and sing
From the Painted sky, to my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything

Waohhh

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything.

Ohhhhhhh (everything)

Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe
Ohhh
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun
On that Starry Night, He changed my life.
I'm giving it all to the only son who gave me hope when I had none.
So let the praises ring,
Ohhhh Let the Praises Ring

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
and the Angels sing, that he is Heavenly

So let the Praises ring
'Cause he everything

Thankful to be busy!

1st I just want to say how grateful I am that Briley is back to normal and healthy!  Last week was probably the worst week we have had since she was born.  There is nothing in the world that is worse than seeing your child sick and she was extremely sick so it was extra hard (double ear infection and stomach virus)!  She finally started eating Friday and her appetite has progressed since then and I think she has almost gained that pound back that she lost!  Thank you God! I never thought i'd be happy to carry around more weight in my life! ha 

So this week we are back to normal, or at least trying to get there.  We are going to be very busy the next few weeks too! I will be very happy to post some projects I have been working on as well! Stay tuned!!



Here she is trying to climb the steps!  She is a little obsessed with them and it scares me to death.  We haven't been able to find a gate yet because the way the sides are made but we always keep and extremely close eye one her.  She gets so mad when you make her walk away from them.  It is a little funny and a little sad...funny because she throws such a temper tantrum over stairs and sad because I hate to see her cry.  But I know she will understand when she gets a little older! ;o)



Here we are on Sunday getting ready to head to Memphis for one of my friend's bridal showers.  I hadn't planned on taking her but since it was at someones home I figured it would be ok.  She was feeling much better and I thought she could use a little outing to help her get back to normal.  She did better than I expected but by the end of the day she had had it! On another note...she is finally starting to play with her lion.  It was a birthday gift from her Nanny and Maw and she hasn't touched it since she got it.  So I am very happy she is finally starting to warm up to it.  It is hilarious...she wants to sit on it and be pushed around.  She hasn't grasped the concept that she can push herself in it.  Hopefully she will catch on soon because my back can't handle it! lol

Here is Briley and I with the Bride to be Ashley! I am so happy for her!!! She has been waiting for her day for soooo long!!! Only 2 more months! YAY

Headed home from Memphis! We had to pull over to grab some milk so Briley could have a bottle on the way back!  Gigi insisted on sitting back there with her! 

Finally some answers!

So as I said in my previous post we were in the ER Monday morning.  Well yesterday Briley seemed to be a little better so I figured by today the worst had past us.  Negative! She was up again this morning at 1:30am.  She quickly went back to sleep when I laid down with her but when we woke up again around 5:30am her temp was 103.8!!! About an hour later she threw up some sort of brownish purpleish color and again around 7:30am.  I contacted the doctor immediatly at 8am when they opened.  It seriously took them FOREVER to call me back but they finally did.  We went in around 9:45am.  Of course she knew exactly where we were and started crying when we got into our room.  Poor Thing!  They ended up having to clean her ears so that was a huge battle on top of the throat swab and 2 ear checks (1 before they cleaned them out and 1 after).  Strep was negative again but she did have a double ear infection.  They said the left ear was much worse than the right.  And it wasn't caught in the ER because it only take 12-24 hours to show up and it had been well over 48 hours since we had been.  Luckily we didn't have to do any blood work because that was the next step if her ears looked fine.  I am definatly thankful that this is our 1st ear infection ever which seems so rare these days.  I am also thankful that she was able to get a shot (again another battle) and some antibiotics so that she may start to feel some relief very soon.  I do however, hate that her 1st ear infection hit her so hard and so painful and I hope, hope, hope that is all it is.  She is so weak and she has lost almost a pound since Monday morning which just hurts my heart.  We will go back September 20th for a re-check to make sure her ears look ok.  The doctor said she will probably still run fever for a few days but she will start to feel better by tomorrow and she will get a little better each and everyday.  We are going to keep things very low key for several days to make sure she gets 100% better.  Please keep our baby in your prayers.  Thank you Lord for looking out for us during this scarey time and giving us some answers!  Get well soon Briley! I love you!

1st Visit to the ER :o(

Well I was hoping we wouldn't have to do this so soon but Monday morning around 3:30am Briley woke up crying, when I went to get her she was burning up.  I was defiantly paniced and taken off guard.  The 1st time I tried taking her temp she freaked and screamed even louder and started throwing up clear mucusy stuff.  I got Michael up and he held her and calmed her down enough for me to get her temp...102.9! Holy Cow.  We defiantly felt like we needed to go to the ER since it was unlike her to run a fever that high or even get sick.  So we gave her some Tylenol and headed out the door.  Luckily we were the only patients so we were in and out very quickly.  They ran a strep and flu test, both were negative.  No ear infection.  No Hand Foot and Mouth.  Her throat was very red and she was very congested but other than that there was no other explanation.  I was relieved because I always think the worst in situations like that.  But I still felt so bad because it was one of those things that just needed to run its course which meant no relief right then.  So we came home and put her to bed.  She hasn't really eaten good since Saturday night.  She has taken a few good naps but was up most of the night last night.  I hate to see her in pain.  She is so weak but I think because her throat is so sore she just can't eat anything.  She really hasn't walked much either, she just wants to be held and because she is so weak she can't get very far without falling down and that only frustrates her.  I really hope she wakes up with no fever and a big appetite.  I Love you Briley and I hope you are feeling better very soon!  Here are a few photos from our ER visit...

Right after we got into our room.  Very worried at this point!

Tugging at her "braclet"

I'm so tired

This is the sadest face i've ever seen in my life.  My poor baby! :o(

About to leave.  Thank God it was nothing serious.  Michael told me I had to put a happy face on for Briley.  I was crying more than she was!

A Day at the Farm

This past Saturday morning we took Briley out to Papaw's (Michael's dad) farm.  He has lots of cows and since Briley is so into cows right now we thought she may enjoy it.  And She did! She loved every minute of it and was not happy when we left.  Minus the sunburn she got (I know, mother of the year, right? luckily it wasn't bad and considering we were only out there for 20 minutes I didn't think twice about it..not so smart) it was a great day! She wanted to pet them but of course we could only let her get so close because you never know what they may do.  They were very curious over her too!  You can also see she is ready for the Tennessee Game! Go Vols! Here are a few photos!

Chuckie Cheese + Nanny and Maw = Love

So Briley is loving Chuckie Cheese.  Nanny and Maw decided they wanted to take her the day before we went on vacation a few weeks ago so we met them there for a little while.  I had no idea how much she would like it so we ended up going back on 90210!  She loves riding the rides, eating pizza, and staring at Chuckie...from a distance.  She hasn't quite warmed up to him yet, although she did touch his hand last week.  Here are a few photos...

Can I just say I have never seen great-grandparents love a child so much in my life and the child love them the same right back? I feel so lucky to still have both my grandparents on this earth and for them to be healthy enough to spend so much time with Briley.  I was very close to them growing up and Briley is very close to them now.  They honestly live for her and I love that.  Everything they do revolves around her!  She loves spending time with them too.  I do think she is slightly partial to Nanny (my grandfather) as I was when I was that age.  He is the one person she will go to no matter who else is holding her.  It is so sweet how excited she gets when he walks into a room and how upset she gets when he leaves! We love our Nanny and Maw! Thanks for being so loving, supportive, and helpful!