Like Mommy, Like Kids, and a Run in with the bed

Those of you who know me, know I would rather eat the cake before it is baked, the cookie dough, and the brownie batter. I have created two monsters in my two children who, when hearing the mixer always ask for a lick, no matter what is in there! Oh, the taste of fresh cookie dough, homemade icing, or anything else sweet that can be made with mixer!

The kids enjoying licking the mixer beater!

Noah had a run in with his bed last night, and unfortunately for him, the bed won. Something about boys and eyes, at least in our family. This is at least his second black one. He seems to still fall so much, I sometimes wish he had a helmet to wear, (wouldn't that be stylish!). Thankfully, he is okay and seems to not have slowed down at all. Oh, the treasure of little boys being boys!

His sour expression matches his poor black and blue eye! You must be more careful my sweet boy!

Happy Birthday Madi

Today is my niece Madison's birthday. She is 11 years old. Madi, sorry about the old picture, it's all I could find on the computer. I remember the day you were born even though I wasn't there, I was in San Antonio doing a week long mission trip with the BSM in college. Oh the joy you brought to our family, the first baby to oh an ah over and to love. I remember many times you coming and staying with Justin and I while in college and seminary before our kids were born.
I am proud that you share my middle name and that I am your aunt. I have enjoyed watching you grow these last 11 years into a beautiful, considerate, kind, thoughtful, athletic, protective, honoring, and gracious girl. I am so thankful to call you my niece and my sister in Christ.
I love you Madi and wish I was there to spend your special day with you. We will see you soon though. I can't wait to see you strike some people out on the softball field, a girl after my own heart!

Trucks and a Tutu

Monday Karis and Noah received a few gifts from their Aunt Courtney! I have been so excited to see Noah's comforter, and I was not disappointed. Courtney, you did a fantastic job. Noah was so excited! I tried to get him to take a picture in his bed, but he didn't want to.

The whole comforter, animals and all, put just how Noah likes them!

Trucks, cars, trains, diggers, all of these are on his new bedspread. He sits on it and names all the trucks! I am surprised he naps in his bed with so many trucks to look at!

Karis got a Fancy Nancy tutu, courtesy of Aunt Courtney, she made it. I don't think she has taken it off since she got it. She even wore it on an errand, which I have always thought I would never let my kid do that, oh how I have learned not to say never!

As usual, my girl is not the picture taking kind.

I at least got a half laugh in this picture. The necklaces only enhance her fancy tutu she made sure to tell me that!

Thanks so much Courtney, you did a wonderful job as usual!

I Passed

I just received my fitness instructor certification letter in the mail. I passed and am now an AFAA group fitness instructor. Thank goodness! I was expecting to have a wait until the end of March to find out. I can now teach classes at the YMCA or anywhere else and make a little extra money doing something I enjoy and already do. Who wouldn't want to get paid to do something they enjoy!
I wanted to thank Justin for all his encouragement through this and hope this allows me to help pay for a few extra things for our family and plane tickets to Texas!!! It will also allow me to have a free membership to the YMCA.

Happenings Around Here

We have been very busy at the Childers' home, especially the last weeks of February, thus my long absence of posting. Last week alone, we busy every night, including Saturday. It was a fun week, and we got to make lots of memories. Justin and I attended the Pregnancy Centers Banquet last Thursday night. It was a great time to visit with people, and eat good food, and raise money for our Wilson Pregnancy Center. Justin is on the board this year, so he is spending many Monday nights there.

Karis took this picture of us before the banquet, quite the photographer.

On Friday, I decorated a cake for my friend, Rebecca's baby shower. It was so much fun, and I even branched out a bit to my creative side! Kind of, at least I tried! Friday night we got to watch our friends children so they could go on a date and eat pancakes and icing, who would have thought butter cream icing would be good on pancakes, it was delicious, thus the extra miles on Saturday!!

Saturday was the baby shower. It was so much fun, and I am always surprised to see how much new stuff they have for babies since even Noah was born two years ago! We are so excited for Chris and Rebecca and can't wait to watch and help them care for Evan's soul.

A few pictures of the cake:

Baby buggy and name