Happy Birthday Emma!

Yes, she's one! I can't believe it. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!!! Emma was lucky to have her great grandpa & grandma Murphy, and her great uncle Bob and aunt Pauline here for her birthday. Pauline's birthday was Thursday, but Nate was working. So we had a double party for Pauline and Emma Thursday, and then a party for Emma on Friday when Nate was home.

Emma is such a joy in our lives. I can't even imagine life without her. I can't believe that a year ago I was in a hospital room in Kirksville, Missouri, with a brand new sweet angel from heaven in my arms. Emma has taught me so many things this past year. I have grown in ways I didn't know possible, and I have enjoyed every minute of every day with her in our family. She brightens the room with her sweet spirit and her funny personality. I think with every child I have gained bigger and fuller tear ducts, and deeper emotions. Emma has a way of connecting with people...and I feel like we have connected so strongly. She is so smart and she understands so many things. She cuddles when she can tell I need a little cuddling. She teases and plays peek-a-boo when I need a little smile. And let us not forget the cutest cubby cheeks in all the world! I could kiss on those things all day. Happy 1st Birthday my Emma, you are such an amazing blessing from Heaven! We love you Emma Jo.

And she's...WALKING!!!

Emma seems to have been waiting around for the right moment to take those first few steps. I guess when they learn how to crawl first, the walking isn't such a necessity like it was for Caitlin and Abby. Or maybe Emma was just waiting to have the audience of her BFF Lily (and Als and Linds) to make her big debut! I ran to their house to take a couple books and borrow a Wii controller, and Lindsay was holding Emma standing up...counting how long she could stand up alone. Then when she was balanced she walked to me! She's done it a bunch of times at our house to show off for our company here. :o) Such a big girl...melts my heart!

BOLT! (Cheap!!)

Ok, so I NEVER do this but it's such a cute movie, and SUCH great deal!! On the SAA website at Nate's school, a friend posted these coupons to get Bolt really cheap. BUT...at our Wal*Mart it was on sale today for $15.97....so after these deals it ends up costing $6.97!!! Here's the deal...

Print this coupon for $5 off when you buy the movie. (YES you have to download their coupon printer 1st, but it's worth it.)

http://recp.mkt41.net/servlet/MailView?m=32103131&r=MjE0MDIyNzA2OAS2&j=NDY2ODI3MzcgS0&mt=1

Then print off this $4 mail-in rebate form. You just buy one of their pasta products and finish the rebate process.

http://ronzonismarttaste.newworldpasta.com/bolt/bolt_rebate.cfm

Voila!!! Pretty cheap, and we think this movie is so darn cute. Good luck..happy saving! (Kind-of :o)

Simple Math

One husband out-of-town + one busy mama + one tired ready-for-bed baby + 2 girls that have been begging for ice cream for 1/2 hour =

Guess they got sick of waiting. ;o)

Sticky rice? I made Kalua Pork (my new favorite dish...thanks Linds) and gave some of the sticky rice to Ems to eat. Yeah..they don't call it sticky rice for nothing...I think it's made with glue. I had to hose her off in the tub...I couldn't get it all off of her!

Well...here's our large-and-in-charge garden!! We have radishes, carrots, a tomato plant, and a cucumber plant. We'll keep you posted if anything actually grows!!

And here's just plain cute. :oD