Parenting

When Jaelyn was born, our world was flipped upside down. We were so in love with our little girl but we never knew how much work it would actually be. Here I am, a young mom, trying to teach my little girl to live up to her full potential in life. And even though I would never claim to have it all together or to know it all, I have learned a few things that I try to live by everyday as a mom. I thought I would share them today.

1. Don't expect perfection from your kids. They are kids. I've learned to be patient with my girls and realize that mistakes happen and children do get cranky or hungry or grumpy. They are learning and do make mistakes just like you and I.

2. Let your kids know that you love them everyday. This is big for me. Even though we have expectations for our children, they must know that we love them too. I am constantly trying to let my kids know that I love them but I don't think they will ever know how much I love them.

3. Praise your kids 10 times more than you correct them. I heard this statement not too long ago. There is nothing wrong with disciplining your kids but instead of constantly correcting them, we can't forget to praise them for the good that they do too. I have tried this with Jaelyn the past few months and it has worked tremendously.

4. The best thing we can do for our kids is be an example for them. This is a really big deal for me, too. I think we often forget how much our kids follow us, look up to us, and rely on us. I'm not perfect but I do feel like setting an example for my children makes a big impact on how they learn. For example, I believe that a man should know how to treat his wife just by watching his own father and the way he treats his own wife.

This blog is really a place for me to journal so that my children can read a piece of their life when they're older. Never will I have it all together but I am learning about myself and my life and I love sharing it with the ones I love.

Xoxo,

Tanna

Photo Booth

Here is my sweet Finlee-girl. I couldn't help but share these pictures. :) Everyday after naptime when I pick her up out of her crib, she points to all of her bows hanging on the wall. When I take her to them, she chooses no less than 3 bows that she wants to wear. And then she giggles because she thinks it's so funny that she has so many bows on her head. So cute!

Xoxo,

Tanna

Fall Festival

This morning I hosted a Fall Festival at my house. It had been awhile since I spent time with my friends from church so I decided to throw a fall-themed party. We had a lot of fun! And it happened to be just what I needed to get back in touch with the mom in me. I love spending time with other mom's who know exactly what life is like with children.

We played the classic game where you guess how many candies are in the jar and the closest person to the actual amount wins. Cristina/Isaias and Amanda won!

These are the party favors I put together for the mom's. I think every mom deserves a treat when they arrive because of all of the effort it takes to get there with their children. :)

I made delicious pumpkin muffins! I frosted them with cream cheese frosting and a candy pumpkin!

I used these flowers that Matt got me on the snack table. I thought they were pretty!

(Thanks, hunny, since I am sure you will read this!)

We also made caramel apples. I also had a few toppings that we could choose from to put on the outside of the caramel. Yum!!

Mini M&Ms, Chocolate Chips, Oreo, Graham Cracker, and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

We even painted pumpkins!

Jaelyn painting her pumpkin!

Jaelyn

Brogan

Brody

Zander

Gabe

Isaias

Ariel

Finlee

Bobbing for apples.

It was so great to see all of the kids playing games and having fun! I think it was a great way to bring in Fall. I managed to get a few good pictures so I hope you enjoy! Thanks to everyone who came!!

Xoxo,

Tanna 

Thankful

10.13.2010

Something I was thankful for yesterday:

"Today I am thankful for kind people that really make life more simple in the smallest ways. I'm thankful for our waiter at Chili's who gave my tired girls balloons to cheer them up and prepared their food so that I wouldn't have to."

After a long evening, we noticed it was 7:30 and our girls hadn't ate supper yet so Matt decided to take us all on a date to Chili's, one of our favorite restaurants. The girls were getting tired and antsy and apparently our waiter noticed and brought them each a balloon. The smiles on their faces were so cute and distracted them just enough until our food was ready. When we go to restaurants, we just have the girls share a kids meal because that's all the more they eat. Our waiter was kind enough to split up their meal and have it completely ready so that when it came to our table, I didn't have to worry about it. It seems silly but he was really helpful after a long day. It's the simple acts of kindness that mean the most.

10.14.2010

"Today I am thankful for new and exciting opportunities. And for all of the good news that I keep recieving that makes life so worth it!"

Many new opportunities have become available to me in the past few weeks and I am so excited. From volunteering to leading and creating to hosting, there have been many ways for me to get involved with life and I cannot wait to start. Not too long ago, I decided to really put myself out there and to try new things. And I'm really glad I did. It sounds so cliche but I cannot wait to make a difference and try and learn something new while doing stuff that I love and have a passion for. There's really no better feeling than taking a big leap of faith and being successful while doing so. Try it!

As for the news, I can't share much right now but I just know that good things will soon be happening! And besides that, I have a new nephew on the way and he should be here sometime today!! Life is good.

I may not be posting what I am thankful for everyday anymore but I will be journaling it and I encourage you to do so too!

What are you thankful for today?

Xoxo,
Tanna

Texas Longhorns Birthday Cake

In August, I made a birthday cake for Josh (Matt's brother) and I never got to share pictures of it. I wanted to today so that my Grandma could see how it turned out. Matt and his brother are Texas Longhorns fans so for his birthday Matt and I decided to make him an orange, longhorn themed cake. The top layer was chocolate and the bottom layer was vanilla and then I covered it with orange buttercream frosting! Yum!

The side of the cake had footballs and mini Bevo's made out of fondant.

This looks just like the topper that was on Matt's grooms cake at our wedding. Infact, we just traced the topper and cut it out of fondant.

The side of the cake had "Hook Em'" cut out of fondant on it.

Josh turned 15 this year...unbelieveable!

I thought it turned out really cute and it was delicious too!

Xoxo,

Tanna

Thankful

10.12.2010

"Today I am thankful for the many people that make an impact on my children, love my children, and make an effort to be a role model for my children."

Whether it be church members, school teachers, family, friends, or loved ones I am so thankful for the people that pour their lives into the lives of my children. There is no better feeling than knowing other people love your children almost or just as much as you do. God has blessed us and surrounded us with very many people that strive to make an impact on our children or love our children and for that I am very thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

Xoxo,

Tanna

Thankful

Lately, I've really been counting my blessings. I believe that when you do so, it really puts your life in perspective. Instead of concentrating on all of the negative things that happen in my day, which are very small compared to the many things that I have to be thankful for, I decided to write something that I am thankful for each day. It is amazing how coming up with one thing, can make you feel so good about the life that you have.

10.11.2010
This is what I was thankful for yesterday:

"Today I am thankful for a husband that knows what is important and meaningful to me and works hard towards doing what he can to make it happen."

And I am still so thankful for him today. God really blessed me with an amazing husband and I am so thankful that He did. Matt goes to work everyday, and works hard, because he knows how much it means to me to be a stay-at-home mom. Matt strives to get a better education so he can provide for his family more than he already does. Matt is very gracious when it comes to helping out around the house and giving me breaks. Matt is so supportive in my goals and values. Matt is the best daddy to his daughters and is a very good example for them. I love him. :)

What are you thankful for today?

Xoxo,

Tanna