Cowgirl Party

For some reason the other day I got to thinking about my blog and I thought....I don't think I every posted about Mallorie's cowgirl birthday party.  I looked back and sure enough I didn't.  So here it is only four months late!!!

Mallorie loves to gallop around the house and pretend like she is a horse.  so when it can time to plan her party we thought what would be better than a cowgirl party.  I love to go all out for her birthday parties and my hubby thinks I am a little nuts but I was surprise how involved and how he jumped on board too!  We went to a western wear store about 40 minutes from our house and bought Mallorie some "real" cowgirl boots.  She LOVED them and wore them everywhere.  We invited family and friends to her party and we had a great time! I forgot to get a picture of the food but we had barnyard dogs (hot dogs), Cow chips (potato chips), Pig slop, (Pasta salad with olives, pepperoni, Italian dressing), Watermelon, Hay bales (rice krispie treats), and cow plops (no bake cookies)!

Sorry for picture overload!!!

I made a banner for her!  She also loved the cow print balloons!

 














We used hay bales as seating.

 My Hubby made troughs for the drinks!

We even had a mechanical horse for the kids (or adults) to ride on!

We had ask everyone to wear their western wear to the party.  It was fun.  Even our dog Carter dressed up!

The Birthday Girl in her Cowgirl outfit!

We had friends and family over for a cookout.

Mallorie loved opening her gifts.

One of her favorite gifts was a quiet book my Mom made for her!  

I made her cake again this year.  I cut the boot shape out of two 9x13 cakes.  It was pretty easy.  then I just piped the best I could a design on them to make them look like real boots!

Singing happy birthday!

I had goody bags for the kids to make.  Candy, little toys, and tattoos tied up in bandanas!

Mallorie was scared to ride the horse by herself so Daddy had to ride with her!

 We got pictures of all the kids on the horse but this one just makes me laugh.  (it is so Lewis)

She had so much fun at her party!  (She even got a Jeep!)

Wordless Wednesday

I love these gifts from your friends.  They are missionaries in Kenya and brought these home for us.  A little basket and zebra carved from wood for Mallorie, and cute bag with tea inside for me!  I love them and so does Mallorie.  She had to bring the "Zeba" to bed with her that night!

Great News

Well it is official..... I will no longer be a third shift worker!!!!! In a few weeks I will transfer to first shift.  a little over a year ago one of our officers was deployed to Afghanistan.  well he is now back and with him coming back we now have an extra person so instead of having to let another officer go we talked with HR and they approved to keep the "extra" employee.  That said, I will move to first shift, and one of my officers will be promoted to my supervisor position.  I will not be on first shift until we re-train the returning officer and train my replacement.  I have been working third shift for over 7 years and very ready for the change.  I will keep you updated with my venture to first shift.  I just want to thank everyone that has supported me and  prayed for this transition.

Excited

I am so excited for Saturday.  We are having some friends over that we have not seen in a long time.  They are missionaries in Kenya!  There are back in the states for a year to relax and raise more funds before they go back. (check out their blog here.)  I am so excited for them to come over to our house and see where we live.  Four years ago when there they were here we met them at their place.  I am also excited for them to meet Mallorie.  They have only every seen pictures of her.  I met Jeff (the dad) when I was in 7th grade.  He was my youth leader at church until my Junior year in High school.  He has helped me through a lot and I was heart broken when he and his wife, Joyellen, decided to move to Kenya and be missionaries.  I think what they do is amazing and such an adventure!  I can not wait to hear stories and just spend time with them and their kids!

Wordless Wednesday

My Nephew getting interviewed by local news before his break dance battle in Illinois this past weekend.

Prayers Please

I will take all of the prayers I can get today.  I can not say much but that there is a chance that I maybe able to move to first shift.  it all depends on the decisions of the company we are contracted to.  We currently have an "extra" employees and then decision is to let us keep the "extra" person or if we will have to get rid of the last person that was hired.  We really do need the extra person because we are swamped but it all comes down to budget and profit.  If the extra person is approved I will be able to move to first shift.  I love the company that I work for and most of the people I work with.  I have been here seven years and really do not want to leave but I NEED first shift.  I can not do thirds anymore.  with a 2 year old and a family I need to be on first shift and have a "normal" schedule.  I have noticed myself moody, depressed, and super emotional lately and just can not shake it.  I know that it just everything is catching up to me...lack of sleep, stress at work, laundry, cleaning, second job, cooking, family logistics, and just day to day life.  but I am ready for a change.  (I don't want this to be about my stress and hard times.)  please pray that the human resource department will see that we are extremely busy and that we are spread thin.  Pray for wisdom, thoroughness, and understanding for my supervisor as he presents this to the HR department, and in their decision.

Thank You <><

Cheers to the New Year

We did a little celebration with Mallorie at 8:00 to ring in the new year.  She thought she was big stuff drinking from a glass with no lid. (Yes is is a tall shot glass!)  Don't worry she only had apple juice!  I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year!