Craft Project Thursday

Valentine Wreath

To make this fun craft for someone special, or to just decorate
your home for Valentine's Day, complete these easy steps.

 

Feel free to change it up using decorative ribbon, stickers, glitter, etc. I’m sure your kids will love this project!

What you need:

Paper plate

Ribbon

Colored construction paper

Markers

 

Glue, tape, or glue stick

Scissors

 

 

What you do:

With pointed scissors, cut the centre from the paper plate.

 

.

Using the scissors, poke a small hole through the rim of the plate, and attach a ribbon for hanging.

 

Cut hearts of various sizes from the construction paper.

 

Glue or tape hearts to the front of the plate. Make sure to cover the entire surface.

 

 

Be as creative as you like by writing messages on the hearts, using glitter or other craft supplies.

 

 

Happy Crafting!!!

 

 

Tiffanie

 

Purses and Pancakes

This morning I took Tiger to get his haircut and when I went to pull out my money to pay this is what I found.

 

 

Need a closer look?

 

 

Yep dear readers . . that is a petrified pancake in my purse. Shows you how long it’s been since I have cleaned it out.

 

What strange or ungodly thing do you have in your purse or diaper bag?

 

Tiffanie

It’s Giveaway time!!!

 

It’s that time again! The bloggy giveaways Carnival is back. I’m sure you all are sitting at your desks, franticly trying to enter into every giveaway you can in hopes of winning some great prizes.

 

I am so with you doing the same thing. Seriously, this is that time when the house gets ignored, the children get their own snacks, change their own diapers, and you may or may not get a shower. All in the name of Bloggy Giveaways. Gotta love this time huh?

 

So what am I giving away? It’s good! It really is! Do ya want to know? Do ya? Ok. You twisted my arm. *rubs arm in pain*.

 

A $20.00 Gift Card to Target!  I love me some Target! You can get whatever you like with that card. Gift cards are the best aren’t they? Ok here are the rules.

 

Tell me in the comments what you would buy at Target if you won. In order to get  more entries for this giveaway you can do all or some of the following:

• Call your mother and tell her you love her
• Sing I’m a little Teapot to your kids
• Subscribe to my feed
• Follow my blog
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet this, Stumble it, Digg it

In order to get 5 more entries you can make a donation for Bella’s Medical Bills (the widget is on my left sidebar). It doesn’t matter if it’s .25 or several dollars every little bit helps. But please do not feel obligated to give. If you want to know more before making a decision please go here, here, and here.

 

Please tell me every item you have done in a separate  comment. I will  use a Random Number Integer to pick the winner on Sunday, February 1. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada.

 

Good luck! And have fun this week!

 

Tiffanie

 

The Bella Update

First off, thank you all so much for your prayers, offer to send encouragement and your donations. They are much appreciated. Adam and Cheryl are flabbergasted by all of your generosity toward a family you don’t even know.

 

Friday evening, Bella began bleeding out from an artery where her port cath was placed. This port cath goes straight to her heart in order to deliver life saving medicines if the need arises. During the night she began to bleed from that artery. It became critical and she was again taken to surgery to repair the damage and place a new port cath in her chest.

 

Because of her heart condition (four holes in her heart), doctors can not give the same amount of pain medication as they would a normal baby her age. So she is at a fine line between being in pain and not.  Adam and Cheryl have said that their precious little girl is bruised up pretty good but breathing on her own and alert and awake.

 

She has graduated from ICU to Intermediate Cardiac Care. The ventilator came out Saturday morning because the little fighter was out breathing the machine! She had a low grade fever last night but considering all that she has dealt with it’s expected.

 

Adam and Cheryl are exhausted and haven’t been home in over a week. It’s going to be a long road a head for them and for baby Bella. We don’t know how long she will be in the hospital at this point. The longer she is there the larger their bills are. Please share their story with your readers, tweet it, Stumble it, Email it to family and friends.

 

They desperately need help financially and also need to know that people are praying for them. This can be the loneliest time for a family when they are going through something like this. I know from experience how we felt. We had no friends and lived several hours away from family. It was hard shouldering all those emotions without having someone hug you and ask how they can help. I am bound and determined that they will have a better experience they we did. I don’t like to see my family suffer. Please help them any way you can.

 

Tiffanie

 

PTL!!! Update on Baby Bella

She made it dear readers!!! The surgeon said every thing looks good. They will keep her drugged and intubated for a few days. And since we can not be near her, I have come home. The family is exhausted. A great burden has been lifted from our hearts.

 

God is good isn’t He?

 

It was really tough seeing my brother and his wife come out from the surgical holding room in tears. They could not contain their emotions. They were scared, as we all were. It helped a little when we had lunch in the cafeteria. The waiting was so hard. The surgery took longer than expected. They started at 12 and she was taken to the recovery room around 4:30.

 

As soon as Adam and Cheryl get to the ICU’s computer room they will email me pictures to add to my posts about their daughter. It’s amazing how much weight she has gained over the past few months. Her cheeks are so chubby. I wish I could kiss on them.

 

Adam and Cheryl are experiencing a lot of financial strain. He is co-owner of a construction company but at the moment work is non existent. The bills are piling up. There is medical equipment to pay for, Special formula for Bella. Cheryl is unable to work because Bella needs constant care and money is becoming scarce.

 

I have placed a “Chip in” widget on the left sidebar for those of you who feel compelled to help. You can copy that widget and put it on your own site. If you need any help just email me. And please tell your friends. Tweet it, Stumble it, etc.

 

As I said in my earlier post, please feel free to send them encouraging words. You can send your mail to me since they are not home and I’m checking their mail anyways. Please email me if you need the  address. The cards of encouragement and prayers over Christmas touched there hearts so deeply. You have no idea how much they needed and appreciated all of your kind words.

 

Please continue to pray for Adam, Cheryl and their precious angel.

 

Tiffanie

A Plea for Prayer

As most of you know my niece, Bella, was born with four holes in her heart and Penta X syndrome. She is one of only 24 babies in the world with this chromosomal disorder. Doctors here in NC are learning all they can about this and are doing there very best to take care of her.

 

Recently, Bella began vomiting despite having a feeding tube in her intestines. She would cry in pain, and turn blue. Most of you know that my brother and sister in law have become shut in there house in order to prevent germs from getting near there little girl. It’s been hard for them not to be around family and friends who so desperately want to be with them to support them. 

 

Adam, my brother, has had to go back to work due to the insurmountable bills from all of this. Cheryl, is left at home alone with Bella. I can’t imagine the loneliness, discouragement, and fear she must feel.

 

Yesterday, Bella was admitted to the local Children’s hospital for tests to find out why she is vomiting. What they found was shocking! Bella was born with her intestines twisted, and her appendix and stomach on the wrong side of her body. She is in constant pain. Something no three month old should ever have to experience.

 

The doctors have decided to fix this at 10:30 this morning. They said it will be a 2 1/2 hour surgery but it could be longer. They also told Adam and Cheryl, that Bella may not survive.

 

I’m asking you dear readers to pray fervently for this little girl. That God gives her the strength to survive. Pray for Adam and Cheryl for wisdom, strength, and courage. And pray for the doctors that God gives them wisdom to help Bella.

 

If you would like to send cards of encouragement to them in there time of need please contact me at Tiffanie(at)steventiffanie(dot)com . I know many of you did that for Christmas and it really meant a lot to them. They have wanted to do a thank you video and show you Bella but with all that’s gone on they haven’t been able to.

 

I will be setting up a fund to help them pay for the mountains of medical bills, equipment, medicines, and food . They are having a hard time with finances right now and  It will be up on my site soon. Along with a button for all to put on there sites as a reminder to keep them in your prayers.

 

They need all the love and encouragement they can get even if it is a virtual hug, or a card in the mail. I will be at the hospital with them this morning. But when I return I will post an update on her and Adam and Cheryl.

 

Prayer works. Let’s get on our knees!

 

 

Tiffanie

 

Craft Project Thursday

 

Bouncing Love Bugs

 

Could these little bugs be any cuter? I can not wait to make some of these with my kids. If you make some, take pictures!!! I’d love to see your creations.

 

Supplies

Styrofoam Balls, several of each size: 2-1/2"; 2"; 1" Eggs, 2-1/2", one or two per bug

Acrylic paints: pink; red; white; purple
Coordinating craft foam hearts, assorted sizes
Coordinating chenille stems
Coordinating pom poms, 1/8" (optional)
Wiggle eyes, 1/4", one pair per bug
White elastic cord
Serrated plastic knife
Pencil
Ruler
Wooden items: toothpicks; skewers; 1/4" dowel rods
Round paintbrush
Disposable palette
Water basin
Paper towels
Scissors
Extra-long straight pins
Craft knife (for adult use only)
Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
Thick, white craft glue

 

Instructions

Notes: Some adult supervision required; read instructions before beginning.

 

Encourage kids to mix and match foam shapes and embellishments to make their own delightfully creative critters.)

 

Place assorted foam balls and eggs in center of work surface. Refer to photo as assembly guide.

Select balls and eggs to use for the head, tail and body. Use serrated plastic knife to cut thin slice from one side only of head and tail pieces. Cut a thin slice from opposite ends of each body segment.

Glue and twist cut edges of foam pieces together until snug. If desired, apply glue along length of a wooden toothpick and push all the way through bug body to secure pieces. For feet, cut smallest foam balls in half or use whole. Let glue dry completely.

Insert skewer into bottom of each bug to use as handle. Holding skewer, paint bugs as desired. If using foam balls for feet and antennae ends, paint these, too.  Place skewer in heavy glass or jar to dry. Remove skewer when dry.

For wings, refer to photo as guide and glue together assorted craft foam hearts. Adult should cut tiny slit in back of bug for wings. Apply dot of glue to slit and insert tips of wings.

Cut chenille stem legs and antennae as desired; glue ends into bodies and heads. Glue craft foam hearts or small foam balls onto opposite ends of legs and antennae.

Adult should cut 12" to 18" length from elastic cord and knot one end. Pin knot to bug to determine best placement. Adjust as needed. Use skewer tip to poke small hole into foam by knot. Remove pin and glue knot into hole, using skewer to push it in securely. Let dry completely.

Tie free end of elastic to end of dowel or skewer so bug "flies."

 

Happy Crafting!!!

 

 

Tiffanie

 

Wordless Wednesday: Then and Now

Weighing in at 4lbs. 7 oz. and diagnosed with a cleft palate, deafness, failure to thrive, Apnea, and swallowing difficulties. This was Little Monkey then.

 

Weighing in at 24 lbs, this almost four year old is beating all odds. No longer deaf, cleft palate repaired, no more feeding tube. A happy healthy little boy. This is Little

Monkey now.

 

 

Tiffanie

 

 

Inauguration Day!!!

As I sit here watching the Inauguration on television I am in awe. In awe that I am a part of history. My children are part of history. When I was a child I used to wonder what it would be like to witness something grand in our lives. Something that changes our world. Yes I saw the wall come down in Germany, I saw the twin towers come down. I even got to sing at the White House when I was a teen.

 

But when you are a teen the impact isn’t felt as much as it does today. Yes, my daughter is aware what today represents. But she has no idea what this means for her. Her generation. Her way of life.

 

As I sit here watching President Obama being sworn in, tears are falling. A new beginning for us all. I’m filled with hope that these four years will be great. Things will change for us. Will he end the war? Will he help our economy? I don’t know. None of us do. All I can do is pray. Pray for wisdom , courage, and strength for a man I do not know but holds the key to our country.

 

I pray for the First Lady, that she will be the encouragement he needs, that she is his support, his rock. That God will be number one priority for the First Family. I pray for the First Daughters, that they will seek out Christ as they deal with the adjustments of life in the White House.

 

May God bless President Obama and his family in the years to come.

 

 

Tiffanie

Weekend Recap

1.  Grilled Cheese sandwiches taste better dipped in applesauce.

 

2. My 200lb English Mastiff and my 4 lb. kitten are friends. Too bad I didn’t take a picture. They were cuddled up together on the back porch.

 

3. Apparently, Little Monkey has claimed ownership of my vacuum. More power to him!

 

4. I got to pee alone this weekend!!! WOOHOO! DH installed a lock on the bathroom door.

 

5. I will not be locked in Tiger’s room in the middle of the night any longer. DH put a new doorknob on the door.

 

6. Salmon with brushed on Stir Fry sauce is to die for. Best Salmon i have had in a loooong time!

 

7. Why is that even though my children have a playroom complete with a tv and DVD player do they have to bring there toys into the living room?

 

8. Wearing dirty clothes. Pipes froze on the washing machine!

 

9. Read a book in 24 hours! Fastest reader in the south!

 

10.  Went swimming in the basement because of this little crack in the pipe.

 

11. No water for 24 hours is always a joy with two little boys.

 

Well that’s my Weekend Recap. Hope you are enjoying your day off. That is if you get one! What did you do this weekend?

 

 

Tiffanie

Craft Project Thursday

Heart Man

Isn’t he cute? This project is so easy. Your kids will have fun making him. I’m going to put a magnet on the back of him and put him on the fridge!

 

 

You will need:

Craft foam hearts
Pipe cleaner (chenille stem)
Wiggle eyes
Fabric paint
Glue

 

Instructions:

Use a large craft foam heart as the face/body. Glue on wiggle eyes and a small heart as a nose. Use fabric paint to add a mouth.

 

Cut the pipe cleaner into two and glue the two halves onto the centre to the back of the face/body so one half forms the arms and the other the legs. Glue small hearts to the ends of the chenille stems as the hands and feet.

 

Leave your man to dry.

 

Why not glue him to your pencil, or add a magnet or even make a hole in the top and make him into a key ring?

 

 

Tiffanie

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

 

 

 

Tiffanie

 

 

Nuclear Fallout Interrupts my Sleep

Sleep comes easy to me for the most part. I can always stay asleep pretty much all night. But there is one thing that can rip me out of my precious snooze fest. Doggie Gas. Yes my dear readers it can render me unable to get back to sleep for hours.

 

Be very aware. This phenomenon can occur several times and can cause many after shocks. Victims have been known to wake up the person next to them to ask if they smell something, experience watery eyes,  and have this overwhelming urge to plug it up.

 

It happened , friends.

 

In my house.

 

At 12:30am.

 

and 2:45

 

A.M.

 

The first time, my husband was the one who woke me up to take in the odorous event. The dog was promptly removed from the scene and the fan was set on industrial high. A whole can of air freshener was used .

 

Ok that’s a lie.

 

It was a half a can.

 

It took me 2 1/2 hours to finally doze off in a peaceful sleep. I was content. I think I may have sighed a time or too. Maybe even drooled (you know you do too). I thought I was dreaming about being on the beach, with the warm weather and slight breeze when all of a sudden . . .

 

It happened again.

 

And this is not coming from a small little Yippie dog that sleeps on the bed. Oh no. This is 215 lb Horse (Mastiff). And he tried to look innocent. Oh yes he did. With those sad eyes, wrinkling up his forehead as if to say . . . What?????? I Didn’t do anything!!!

 

After my eyes stopped tearing up, he was removed again. . . this time banished to the back porch for the rest of the night.  The room was sanitized  and all was well with the world again. . .until next time!!!

 

The bigger the dog the  . . . .

 

Think long and hard before you let your precious dog sleep in the same room with you. It can be dangerous to your health!!!!

 

 

Tiffanie

Weekend Recap

1. Syrup in the hair is not a fun feeling. . . I’m just say in’

 

2. “A Papa Lips” in the three yr old to adult dictionary really means Apocalypse

 

3. Apparently, my daughter wants a puppy. She called every five minutes to ask me about one in the paper.

 

We said no.

 

six times.

 

4. A quiet two year old and a green crayon = a very pretty picture on the window

 

He’s quiet the artist.

 

I should frame it.

 

5. When you have a bottle of champagne left over from New Years and a few Daiquiris' make sure you put a note on the ice tray that says. “Put me back in the freezer so there won’t be a waterfall in your kitchen in the morning”.. .I’m just say in’.

 

6. You begin to feel your age when your high school friends start posting pictures of you on Face Book from when you were a teenager.

 

7. If your in the restaurant business and you need someone to find all your burned out bulbs, Little Monkey is your man. He informed every waitress and the manager about the burned out bulbs.  That’s my boy! I’m so proud. I think he’s going to be an electrician when he grows up.

 

Well that’s my recap of this weekend. Hope you all have a very happy and productive Monday!

 

 

Tiffanie

And the Winner is . . .

I know you all have been waiting for me to announce the winner of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Gift Card. And very patiently I might add. Sorry for the delay. Life Happens.

 

So do you want to know who won? If you don’t I can just write another post. No Biggie.

 

You do?

Seriously?

 

Are you sure?

 

Alright, Alright! You talked me into it.

 

Ready?

 

Drum Roll Please . . . ( I am so keeping you in suspense)

 

Lolli from Life is Sweet!!!

 

Lolli is a stay at home mom of five beautiful children – three girls and two boys. Stop by and say hello!

 

 

Tiffanie

Craft Project Thursday

Baby Overalls Purse

When I saw this I wanted to try it immediately. But my boys are wearing all there overalls at the moment. But it would make a great bag to carry a diaper wipes and sippie cup for those short outings with your toddler.

Materials

Baby overalls
Scissors
Hot melt or craft glue

For this project you will need a pair of old children's overalls from a thrift store. The bigger the overalls the bigger you bag will be. We have used a cute little baby's overall suit for this little purse.

If your overalls has any pockets on the front it will make a great little mobile pocket on the outside of your bag.

Start by cutting the leg's off, making sure to cut above the crutch or you will end up with a tuft.

Turn the bag inside out creating a hem so you don't see the glue line, glue the bag closed. You could use hot glue or a strong fabric glue it really depends on just how much stuff you are planning to cram into this bag.
If you have a sewing machine then it would be more durable to use a sewing machine and sew across the bottom to close it up. Make sure you do 2 zig zag stitches on a sewing machine to strengthen it.

I found this craft at Craftbits.com Love this site. You need to check it out!

 

Happy Crafting!

 

Tiffanie

 

Wordless Wednesday

This is a picture I saw in Williamsburg, VA on my Trip.

And the second picture is my Step Dad! Relative perhaps? I had never seen that photo until New Years Day. The resemblance is amazing!

 

Yes, that’s me in the background!

 

 

Tiffanie

Down on the Farm

We went to Grace Farm the other day to visit my mom and step father. They breed, raise, and train Egyptian Arabians. I just thought I’d take some pictures from our visit!

 

 

 

 

 

The Golf Cart is one of the highlights to our visit for the kids.

 

Isn’t she beautiful? This is Nebelia

This is our dog Sam. He enjoyed a four day visit while we went to VA for a short trip.

 

This is Sam’s brother Murdock.

Two of the Yearlings. Cheraz, and Sultan

My hunky husband!

 

 

Tiffanie

SALE! SALE! SALE!!!

 

My friend Debye at C Berry Baby is having a HUGE sale at her store! Everything is 40-50% off!!! She carries everything from Baby Carriers, Children's Toys, Baby Accessories, Stuff for Mom’s, Baby Layette, and much more! Check it out and take advantage of this awesome sale!!!

 

 

Tiffanie

Get Excited about Reading!!!!!

 

Books are a passageway to the imagination. You can travel to distant lands, planets, meet knew people, and learn about unique experiences. I am an avid reader and strive to teach and encourage my children to love reading too.

 

I love it when they come up to me and climb on my lap with an arm full of books. We love to explore and learn together. My teenage daughter on the other hand likes to read too, but needs the excitement and adventure in order to get excited about reading.

 

Excite Books helps us do just that. Excite Books is not your average book company. They are members of the community who strive to add excitement and energy into your child’s reading activities by allowing your child to be an active participant in all phases of learning and development through responsibility, motivation, and giving back to the community.

 

How do they do that? They provide the books through a membership. Your child    receives 1-3 books a month depending on the membership you choose. With each book they receive a sticker which they will place on a reading chart. For every 12 books your child has read they  will be sent a pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelope. They can choose to donate all, some or none of the books they receive to a school library in need.

 

The books range from Infant to teen. There are cookbooks, puzzle books, and educational activity books.  All of these books are teacher approved and selected by your child’s age/grade level and mailed to them in a bright red package all their own.

 

We got our books last week and the kids went nuts! My daughter has enjoyed reading hers and has been known to sit with her little brothers and read to them the books that were sent for their age group. The boys got to place their stickers on the reading chart which they were so proud of. Having the chart  and seeing on paper how many you have read gives each child a sense of accomplishment.

 

Not only do they get excited about reading they can donate there books and by doing so, encourage other children to enjoy the thrill of diving into a good book. Excite Books allows children to take part in helping their community and also teaches them responsibility. What better way to help teach and encourage our children to help those in need?

 

Visit Excite Books and sign up for your free trial. I guarantee you and your children will be hooked!

 

 

Tiffanie

Back to Normal . . . I think

Things are slowly getting back to normal around here. I just dropped off my dad at the airport. I hated to see him go back home. We really enjoyed having him visit this past week. My son was so upset by having to take him to the airport he hollered “I’m going to knock the airport down!!!”  As if saying this would prevent “Papa” from going back home. Poor guys they love there Papa.

 

Tiger has an ear infection in both ears. He’s also got some kind of nasty sinus infection. He’s miserable and cranky. Oh Joy to me!!  Nothing like a cranky two year old to get the day started.

 

Even though School starts back on Monday, Little Monkey won’t be going. He has his first appointment with the Kids Eat Program. It took us months to get this appointment. I’m hoping they will help him work around his sensory issues in his mouth so he can gain some weight. He will be four in February and only weighs  25 pounds. He just started wearing size 2t.

 

My dad brought me a laptop when he came to visit. I’m so excited. Now I can be in the living room with the kids and keep up with all my bloggy friends. I even took it on our train trip this week. I’m such a nerd.

 

Baby Girl will be coming home Monday. I have missed her. She’s been visiting with her dad and his family. I hope this year makes for a more disciplined young lady. The teacher called me on the last day of school and told me she hadn’t been doing her homework. UH OH!! Here if you get a third call it’s grounds for suspension So she’s at strike one at the moment. And we made it very clear we didn’t want to see strike two. I think she got the message.

 

I’m doing great after heart surgery two weeks ago. I’m still bruised but doing well. So far i haven’t had any racing heart and no fainting spells. YAY!!! I will find out if it was a success in February.

 

Our family is slowly getting back to normal. This weekend our house will be back to normal. Although Christmas decorations are beautiful it’s nice to have the house cleaned up and put back. Hope you all enjoyed your New Year’s Celebration.  Stay tuned to your regularly scheduled posts!

 

Happy New Year!!!

 

Tiffanie