Happy Birthday, Hunter!

My baby is 2! And to top all of that off, he no longer sleeps in a crib! And he's asking to go on the big boy potty! Can someone PLEASE slow this train down? This child entered our life two years ago on July 13 on the first day of a major heat wave. To say we were surprised to find he would be joining our family would be an understatement -- his big brother (a very strong-willed and loud baby) was only 8 months old when I found I was pregnant for the 3rd time. I confess to spending a fair amount of time crying in the bathroom before I shared the surprise with my husband.

But God knew what He was doing, in His Infinite Wisdom. 8 months after the shock of my life, we welcomed into the world the most delightful, content, happily laid back child I have ever seen. My 2nd son was exactly what God knew I needed. He should have been called the Hudson Whisperer (think Horse Whisperer), because as a baby, his mere presence calmed his 17 month-old brother who rarely sat still and never did so quietly or without a fight. His smile and sweet personality soften the angriest of moods. Even now, in the midst of the terrible two's (and yes, we are going through them), he manages to be sweet and agreeable. He is still my cuddle-bug. He might be getting louder, and he's learning how to fight back (necessary for survival in our house!), and who's now driving tractors like his big brother and playing the piano next to his big sister. But at the end of the day, he's still the one who wakes up smiling and singing and patiently waiting for us to greet him for the day.

I have no idea where the last two years have gone. But I do know that I have cherished every single minute I've had with our surprise blessing. God sent Hunter to us exactly when we needed him, to remind us how to smile and laugh and love life no matter what. He brings out the best in us and his brother and sister. And I can't wait to see the tender, caring, funny man he will grow to be. But in the meantime, I think I'll just savor ever minute with my baby...my little boy.

And in true household fashion, he deserved a special cake. He asked over and over for tractor cake, so we came up with this excavator. Super simple, inspired by Family Fun Magazine, and loved by the guy that mattered -- Hunter! Anytime someone would mention his birthday or how old he is now, he'd respond with "I had a John Deere Tractor Cake"....okay, so it doesn't really say John Deere anywhere, but our boys live and breath John Deere, so if he thinks this looks like John Deere, well, I will take that as a compliment! Enjoy! (Sorry for the poor picture quality, and for the poor frosting on the cake....I'm not a professional...just doin' it for my kiddos!)

My Princess....

It's been nearly a month since we celebrated my daughter's birthday. She's anxiously been awaiting mommy's updated blog with her cake pictures. (Remember, I'm that dorky mom who makes her kids' cakes from scratch....and usually, they look totally and completely homemade -- dork that I am, I actually kind of like that charming quality.) She wanted a "Barbie" cake and we needed to be princesses, so her little girlfriends wore tiaras that we made and painted nails, along with a few other fun things.

I still can't believe she is FIVE!!!! I don't really remember what it was like before she was in our lives -- she is our oldest, our first, and completely our guinea pig (poor girl). I know I expect so much of her, and maybe sometimes too much, but I also know she's completely capable (I mean, for goodness sakes, she was reading books at 4 and playing the piano by ear before that). She is everything I ever dreamed my daughter would be -- smart, funny, helpful (sometimes too much so, but I'll take what I can get!), kind, thoughtful, sweet....the list can go on and on. And boy does this girl love GOD! She sings it at the top of her lungs with no worries like most of the rest of the world. I envy her passion and enthusiasm and fearlessness. And, like any mother I know, I swear she has taught me more than I could ever dream of teaching her.

You are special, little one, and I'm so lucky to be your mommy! Dream big, because I know, without a doubt, that whatever you reach for, you will make yours. My prayers for you are endless -- happiness, love, faith, comfort, peace, and more than I can explain. I LOVE YOU!

Valentine's and....Tractors?

I can't believe I haven't posted in almost TWO WEEKS!!! OH MY GOODNESS! Things have been busy at the Walters household....we totally remodeled the lighting in our home (pictures coming soon) and we've celebrated three birthdays in the midst of Cupid's pending arrival!


First, the birthdays. On February 2nd, my husband turned XX years old (I told him I wouldn't share....but he's still got 17 years to go until he reaches his half-century mark!), and on February 5th my nephew, Dawson, turned 1!!! (I can't believe my baby sister has a 2 1/2 year old AND a 1-year old!!!) Finally, my little guy, Hudson, turned 3 on Saturday, February 9th. Now if you know Hudson, you know that this kid lives and breathes for TRACTORS!!! (Must be the 2 years we lived in the cornfields -- I am DEFINITELY a city girl!) I always make my kids' birthday cakes....whatever they want! Last year he had a train and Samantha had a tea cup set (that was interesting!) Sometimes they look awesome, other times, well...it's probably better on those days that I'm NOT a cake decorator by trade! This year, Hudson had to have....what else?....a TRACTOR! And not just ANY tractor. It has to be JOHN DEERE, because by gosh John Deere is the BEST! So....he got a tractor cake....

This stage is so funny -- he really is smiling in this picture! (He's in the midst of saying CHEESE! and those smiles are always entertaining!)

It's unbelievable to me that Hudson is 3, Samantha will be 5 in just a few months (and um, Kindergarten Round-up is in a few weeks...oh my goodness....I am quietly screaming that my baby is going to Kindergarten!!!), and Hunter is going to be 2 in July!!!! Is it possible that the endless diapers that started 5 years ago could end in the next year?!?!?! Oh my!

With the arrival of our big birthday month comes the arrival of Cupid! This is such a fun time for me to create sweet little things for all the people we love and who love us! Such a blessing! This morning, I was blessed to lead the craft at my weekly mom's group, and in addition to a few cards, we made this cute goody bag. Another CTMH consultant, Maria Bell, posted these on her blog, along with a tutorial......they are SUPER easy and just so darn cute. Follow this link to see the tutorial! http://www.cardinspired.com/GoodyBagHolder.html And here's my version....

Stamps: All My Love (CTMH)..in chocolate ink

Paper: More to Adore, Chocolate Cardstock, Blush Cardstock (CTMH)

Accessories: Walmart pink sheer riboon, CTMH Waxy Flax in Colonial White, Colluzzle circle, scallop punch

Hopefully I'll be posting more frequently again now that our "remodeling" is winding down....updating your home is so wonderful when it's done, but it is certainly time-consuming, messy, expensive, etc.....but I LOVE it and we are very lucky to have family that helps us so much!

Happy Wednesday!