Neighborhood Ice Cream Social, or Neighborhood Fish Fry? That is the question

Hi ladies,

A few posts ago I wrote about God speaking to my heart about starting up something for our neighborhood... I thought I would start simple and go from there. I would like to do a Bible study or a womans worship group... but my target area would be those who do not yet know the Lord, and titles as such would probably make that target area cringe and not show up at all. 

After much consideration, I thought I would have a "Neighborhood Get Together" once every couple of months so that our neighbors can get to know each other better. I know that just sitting and talking , if there is a need, God will open a door of opportunity. 

So far my ideas were to 1. have an ice cream social party! I thought that I could purchase the ice cream, some coke and root beer for coke or root beer floats... and everyone invited could bring their favorite ice cream toppings. I made up some invitations... I actually just edited some that I found floating around online. ;) (personal information has been smudged out).

Idea number 2 was my husbands idea... it was to have a neighborhood fish fry. Sooo, I created this invitation from something I found floating around online... crafty woman I am. (again, personal information has been smudged out.)

So, which one to choose? I guess it depends on the weather that day... if it should be cooler weather, we will have fish, if warmer weather, we will have ice cream! lol. 

I am completely outside of my comfort zone here, I pray Gods will be done. 

Which would you prefer to attend if it was your neighborhood?

Girls Retreat!

We had such an amazing time at the girls retreat this past weekend. I was so thrilled that me and all of my daughters were able to attend! We had a nice time. They had the girls schedules packed so tightly though... it really wore - me - out! I think it's going to take me another 2 weeks to recover from those 2 days! 

I took the Friday off work so I could go with my little ones. One of the girls in my missions group was dropped off at my house at 7:15 that morning. We then drove to met up at the church and started our trip at 8:00 a.m. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive to our destination. We made it there around 10:30, unpacked the bus, found our bunks, made our beds and had to immediately begin the activities which started at 11:00! It was non stop after that until 11:00 p.m. ! YES... 11:00 P.M.! I was soooo tired. My legs ached and my eyes burned! lol.

My youngest daughter (4 yrs) looked up at me at one point during the day and said "momma, my legs hurt" I said "I know sweet heart, next year maybe you would like to stay home with daddy instead of coming here with us." She replied "No, I want to come here with you again." I asked "Are you having fun?" She said "YES!".

Girls worshiping during service

I am so glad they had a nice time. Here are some pictures. There would have been more than this, except during one of the church services I dropped my camera, just from my knees in a sitting down position to the carpeted floor... and when I turned it on again to take a photo, the lens came out, and I received an error that it was obstructed. I broke my poor camera :( . Now I need to get another one I guess. Can't live without a camera!

The bunks in our dorm.

Angelique fitting inside the cubby.

One of the activities was called Beach Ball Blowout...

Conga during service and worship. 

Angelique making her snack craft of blue jello, jelly fish,
and graham cracker crumbs to represent the beach.

Here was her mixture when she was finished

Destiny making her snack craft.

Me and two of my girls waiting for another team
to show up for one of the relay activities.
(Sponsors had to wear a lei) 

I snapped a picture of Angelique on her bed during a 15 minute
break before supper.

So she wanted to take one of me... do those eyes look tired?!

"Crab walk" relay activity

Getting ready for the obstacle course relay!

Two of the wet jumps for the girls to have fun on.

We were all separated into age groups, each group was named
and each sponsor was in charge of a group. My group was
named the Squids... they were all sea and beach animal names.

My girls enjoying some concession refreshments!

Me and my girls... does Destiny look tired on the right?!

My two oldest daughters were selected to go before the service
and play a game!

On the way home the next day... I think this explains it all!

Crawfish Boil Party & Outfit!

This Saturday we had a crawfish boil to celebrate our Angelina's 8th birthday! She had a blast, so did everyone else. 

A few days ago when we were at the store, Angelina asked me to buy her a soccer ball. I did. She then asked me to buy her a soccer net and I told her that I could not get her both at that time.... so when my dad called me and asked what he should buy her, I remembered she wanted a soccer net and asked him to get her that!

I am so glad that he did, because it was the hit of the party! (besides the crawfish)

I had purchased some "crawfish" (was really supposed to be lobster) fabric and told Angelina that I would make her a dress. Well, time slipped away from me, and before I knew it, it was time for everyone to start arriving. I had no time to make her the dress. I did instead sew together a quick elastic skirt... and on a last though put together a head band that tied underneath. It came out pretty cute!

The weather was BEAUTIFUL! It was really sunny and warm, with a nice cool breeze blowing. We opened all the windows and doors to the house, turned on the attic fan, and it was just lovely! I don't think it could have been a better day!

Here are some pictures from the party... enjoy..

They were eating....

and eating...

and eating....

She realized it was the soccer net!

She was one happy girl!

Even daddy played with them... check out those cajun reeboks
I'm sure those helped him in running... :) 

All these beautiful pre teen girlies hung out in the livingroom.
(notice the new framed vases are still there for now)

One of my best friends, Natasha, with her niece and my daughter.

Grown up hang out apparently. :)

They had so much fun... I wish you could have seen it!

I hope you all had a wonderful, blessed weekend as well!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINKERBELL!

Today is my little Tinker Bells (Angelina's) birthday! 

She will be 8 years old at 3:30 today! She woke up to her favorite breakfast, pancakes!

I thought I would go the extra mile and put some sprinkles on her pancakes to make them super special for her. When she looked at them she made a face and said... "what's on them?"  I said "sprinkles" in which she replied "can I get some without sprinkles?" lol... Oh well, I know better next year. Don't mess with the girls pancakes. 

We will be having cake tonight to celebrate at home... and this weekend we will have a crawfish boil at our home and invite the family over to eat them! Yummmm.

I am so proud of my baby girl, our Lina Bo Bina, she is such a hard worker, super smart, and she makes such good grades in school. She has a kind heart and a love for all animals, those that have legs, and those that crawl and have slime. lol. She is the all american girl, she can put on a pretty frilly dress, and head outside and crawl under the house to help her brother dig for worms. She wants everything boys have... guns, boats, four wheelers, sling shots... except she wants them in pink!

Happy Birthday my sweet sweet girl, 

Mommie Loves you!

Cajun Wedding!

The wedding this weekend was AMAZING! Everything went exactly as the bride had visioned it! I was so honored to be a part of it.

She had an awesome CAJUN WEDDING. Complete with the bride coming in by boat! The entire wedding took place along a walking trail in the midst of Cypress trees hung with moss. The little river ran right beside the trail, perfect for her boat aisle idea.

The groom hand built a wooden deck for the two of them to stand on during the ceremony, and it came out so beautiful.

My lil one walked, and she did such a wonderful job. She looked so big and was not shy or bashful at all! (I had kind of bribed her with a puppy dog purse she wanted from Stage.)

Here are some sample pictures from the wedding! I will post more when they are finished!

Sorry they are so tiny, that's how large the previews are for now. I'm the one with the red shawl.

Here we were supposed to look shocked at the size of her ring.

One with my beautiful baby girl!

My oldest snapped this one of me at the reception.

The entire wedding party. :)

Lingerie Shower!!!

Well... tomorrow I will be spending my day preparing for, setting up for, and hosting a lingerie shower!

I am so excited and have so many ideas.  I have to admit, after throwing and hosting a bridal shower last Saturday, and having this lingerie shower this Saturday... I will be glad not to have anything to host next weekend!!  

The theme for her shower is lingerie, of course, and the colors black and pink. 

I will be serving sprite with pink food coloring in wine glasses for the beverage...

Pink cupcakes in black and white damask cupcake wrappers

Peanut Butter Cookies dyed pink with food coloring and indented with black and white hug kisses

Pizza! From Domino's!

We are planning to eat our pizza first...

Have a Mary Kay consultant come over and give us all makeovers!

Then snack on the goodies and play some fun games!

After we are finished playing games and opening the gifts at the bride-to-be's home we will head to the bowling alley for a few games of bowling!

For party favors each girl will take home a mesh lingerie bag to wash their delicates in!

I can't wait to get the pictures of everything to show off to everyone!

How are you all planning on spending your weekends?

Puppy milk recipe & Bridal Shower Theme

The little pup picture taken early this morning!

Status update on the puppy!!! … the remaining female German Shepherd Puppy is doing just fine thus far… I came across a recipe for a calorie and protein rich formula for baby pups… I thought I would share it with you, just in case any of you are ever in need of such a recipe!

10 oz of goat milk (you can find pure goat milk in a can in your local grocery store.)

1 cup of plain yogurt (not non fat… you need the full fat)

1 egg yolk

½ teaspoon of Karo Syrup/Corn Syrup

Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Warm what you need (never feed a puppy cold milk!) pour into a baby bottle and give it to the puppy! The left over’s can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days. You may need to poke extra holes in the nipple if the mixture is a little too thick for the pup to suck without getting exhausted.

She was so full she almost seemed miserable after the first time she was actually able to have a full little belly.  I think we will become very attached to this little pup.  I looked up German names yesterday to see if I could find a good fit for her… I think I found it….

MILLIE – which means Strength, Determination, Hard Worker

Okay, Bridal Shower Ideas!!

I wrote around Thanksgiving time that I was selected to be the Matron of Honor in my husbands nieces wedding!!  Bethanie is getting married on March 17^th of this year and I am getting ready to plan her shower. I'm thinking the end of January would be a good time.

She LOVES COFFEE, and her kitchen is done in Coffee art… all over! She doesn’t actually own a coffee maker yet though… so we were thinking of throwing her a Coffee Themed Bridal Shower!!

 I love this invite!!

I found some awesome decoration ideas… and was wondering if any of you had any additional ideas or thoughts that could add to this? I am having so much fun with this theme, because I myself am a coffee lover!

I was thinking we could do a coffee bar and do coffee taste tests/creamer taste test

We live in South Louisiana, and most everyone here drinks only Community Coffee... nothing else compares... so I am thinking that it would be better to do a creamer taste testing instead of coffee... since we have already found the perfect coffee :)

I was thinking of having biscotti, bagels, coffee cakes, thumb print cookies... etc. for the desserts. 

The center pieces I found are vases filled with coffee beans with either tea light candles or flowers in the center... SOO CUTE! 

Instead of confetti, we can put coffee beans on the tables. 

Party favors can be bags with coffee or cocoa tied shut and accented with chocolate dipped spoons!

I was thinking that we could have a plain white coffee cup/saucer that we pass around and sign for the Bride-to-be to keep instead of a guest book. 

Okay ladies... this is my first time planning anything like this... please chime in!!