Lunches, Play Dates and Clothing

We have had a pretty low key week thankfully.  I feel like once December hits - it gets crazy up until January when we finally take a deep breath. 

Monday I caught up on life.  Mostly I soaked up a little quiet after being with the kids 24/7 for a week.  

Tuesday we had our women's ministry Christmas lunch.  A lot of people asked me - we try to plan events at lunch or night so that working women as well as those who are home can come.  I had to help set up so Will Holden and I went in the morning.  He was so good and helped set up the tables! 

My friend Marci did all the decorating and it looked so nice! 

She made everyone a simmer bag.  It has cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and all spice plus an orange.  I've been simmering it and my house smells so great! 

We had a catered lunch and an amazing crowd.  We had about 140 women come! A lady in our church spoke and she was amazing. 

I love this friend! 

We've had a crazy mayor election this year in our town.  We are having a runoff so I went and voted early on Wednesday.  Then I had an appointment with the foot doctor.  I have the feet of an 85 year old man (no offense to any 85 year old men reading this).  I have HORRIFIC bunions, plantar fascilitis, and now I have cysts on the top of my feet which apparently are from bone spurs.  It's a miracle I can walk most days honestly.  The food doctor was so nice - I have a feeling she and I are going to become good friends. ha! 

Yesterday Will Holden had his first little friend play date.  His friend is 2 years older but they got along really well.  His mom is one of my good friends.  These boys both are the babies with two older sisters.  They played all morning. 

They talked me into Chick-fil-A which was a good idea because they played in the playground for over an hour after eating.  

After school I took the kids to one of our favorite coffee shops for hot chocolate.  They have games and things for kids to do so we love going there.  

One thing I get asked about a lot is where I shop for Harper.  We are past all the cute little girl clothes but too young for juniors.  She wears a bigger size and likes clothes that are cute but comfortable.  

I was introduced to Wonderfully Made Clothing.  The owner designed clothes with her darling daughter Ruthie in mind.  Ruthie has downs syndrome and wears a bigger size.  She wanted her to be comfortable and to have something cute to wear.  The motto of the clothes are centered around Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful"

Harper loved all these pieces! She fit in a size smaller than normal so they run big and they passed her comfort test and she felt pretty! 

I know a lot of you have daughters that are in that pre-tween age and have a hard time finding cute clothes.  Check out their website! 

https://www.wonderfullymadeclothingco.com

Festival of Stars Toy Drive

This post is sponsored by Arkansas Children's Hospital

Most of you know all about Harper's story and know how much Arkansas Children's Hospital means to us.  Harper has grown up going there her whole life.  You know she was sick and spent her first month in the NICU.  We weren't at ACH because they didn't have a helicopter available that night or we would have been.  

But when she was diagnosed with hearing loss we started our journey at ACH and it's been a very special place to us for the last 8 years.  

Our first audiologist who we love so much.  Dr. Jan walked us through the early days of hearing tests and hearing aids and speech and all the unknowns.  She made it so much easier.  We made monthly trips to Little Rock at first and it was worth the 7 hours in the car every time.  

This is the day Harper got her first hearing aids.  It was July and it was so hot in the part of the hospital we were in (they have since moved).  Can you tell how sweaty she was? That day was life changing and special! 

And we are SO fortunate that we now have an ACH in NWA that we can go to for appointments! It's such a blessing to drive 20 minutes instead of 3.5 hours.  

And not just for us.  I have SO many friends who have kids over the years at ACH.  I've witnessed the great care they have given.  We are so thankful to have the hospital close in case anything serious ever happens.  I'm so grateful for how ACH has helped so many people I love.  It is a special place that is full of amazing nurses and doctors who love kids and make a difference in so many families' lives.   I remember the VERY first appointment we had with Harper, I had been feeling sorry for us over her hearing loss and as Scott and I saw so many families dealing with HARD things with their kids we just walked out in tears.  I hate any kid ever has to be in a hospital but so thankful for such an amazing place to help them.

And YOU can help ACH help the kids of our state! 

The Festival of Stars Toys and Donations is going on right now and will end on December 14th.  

There are 12 locations for you to drop off toys or donations.  The toys will be given to the kids who are in the hospital at Christmas to bring joy to them and their families.  

Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Children’s Hall – 6 Children’s Way

Little Rock, AR 72202

Presented by: Arkansas Business Alliance

Conway – Faulkner County Circle of Friends

Purple Cow

1055 Ellis Avenue

Conway, AR 72032

El Dorado – Union County Circle of Friends

El Dorado Chamber of Commerce

111 W. Main Street

El Dorado, AR 71730

Fort Smith – Greater Fort Smith Circle of Friends

Park Plaza Shopping Center

(behind Sweet Bay Coffee Co.)

3400 Rogers Ave.

Fort Smith, AR 72903

Hot Springs – Garland County Circle of Friends

Southern Bancorp

4138 Central Avenue

Hot Springs, AR 71913

Harrison – Harrison Circle of Friends

Durand Center – North Arkansas College

303 North Main Street

Harrison, AR 72601

Arkansas Children’s Northwest

2601 Gene George Blvd

Springdale, AR 72762

Media Partners: 4029 KHOG and Magic 107.9

Jonesboro Circle of Friends

Arkansas Children’s Jonesboro Clinic

520 Carson St.

Jonesboro, AR 72401

Magnolia – Magnolia Circle of Friends

Walmart Supercenter

60 U.S. 79

Magnolia, AR 71753

Russellville – AR River Valley Circle of Friends

Central Presbyterian Church

400 W. Main

Russellville, AR 72801

Sheridan – Jefferson County Circle of Friends

Walmart – Sheridan

1308 S. Rock Street

Sheridan, AR 72150

Texarkana – Texarkana Circle of Friends

Walgreens (two locations):

• 4415 North State Line Avenue

• 1902 Richmond Road

Texarkana, TX 75503

Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Children’s Hall – 6 Children’s Way

Little Rock, AR 72202

Presented by: Arkansas Business Alliance

Conway – Faulkner County Circle of Friends

Purple Cow

1055 Ellis Avenue

Conway, AR 72032

El Dorado – Union County Circle of Friends

El Dorado Chamber of Commerce

111 W. Main Street

El Dorado, AR 71730

Fort Smith – Greater Fort Smith Circle of Friends

Park Plaza Shopping Center

(behind Sweet Bay Coffee Co.)

3400 Rogers Ave.

Fort Smith, AR 72903

Hot Springs – Garland County Circle of Friends

Southern Bancorp

4138 Central Avenue

Hot Springs, AR 71913

Harrison – Harrison Circle of Friends

Durand Center – North Arkansas College

303 North Main Street

Harrison, AR 72601

Arkansas Children’s Northwest

2601 Gene George Blvd

Springdale, AR 72762

Media Partners: 4029 KHOG and Magic 107.9

Jonesboro Circle of Friends

Arkansas Children’s Jonesboro Clinic

520 Carson St.

Jonesboro, AR 72401

Magnolia – Magnolia Circle of Friends

Walmart Supercenter

60 U.S. 79

Magnolia, AR 71753

Russellville – AR River Valley Circle of Friends

Central Presbyterian Church

400 W. Main

Russellville, AR 72801

Sheridan – Jefferson County Circle of Friends

Walmart – Sheridan

1308 S. Rock Street

Sheridan, AR 72150

Texarkana – Texarkana Circle of Friends

Walgreens (two locations):

• 4415 North State Line Avenue

• 1902 Richmond Road

Texarkana, TX 75503

Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Children’s Hall – 6 Children’s Way

Little Rock, AR 72202

Presented by: Arkansas Business Alliance

Conway – Faulkner County Circle of Friends

Purple Cow

1055 Ellis Avenue

Conway, AR 72032

El Dorado – Union County Circle of Friends

El Dorado Chamber of Commerce

111 W. Main Street

El Dorado, AR 71730

Fort Smith – Greater Fort Smith Circle of Friends

Park Plaza Shopping Center

(behind Sweet Bay Coffee Co.)

3400 Rogers Ave.

Fort Smith, AR 72903

Hot Springs – Garland County Circle of Friends

Southern Bancorp

4138 Central Avenue

Hot Springs, AR 71913

Harrison – Harrison Circle of Friends

Durand Center – North Arkansas College

303 North Main Street

Harrison, AR 72601

Arkansas Children’s Northwest

2601 Gene George Blvd

Springdale, AR 72762

Media Partners: 4029 KHOG and Magic 107.9

Jonesboro Circle of Friends

Arkansas Children’s Jonesboro Clinic

520 Carson St.

Jonesboro, AR 72401

Magnolia – Magnolia Circle of Friends

Walmart Supercenter

60 U.S. 79

Magnolia, AR 71753

Russellville – AR River Valley Circle of Friends

Central Presbyterian Church

400 W. Main

Russellville, AR 72801

Sheridan – Jefferson County Circle of Friends

Walmart – Sheridan

1308 S. Rock Street

Sheridan, AR 72150

Texarkana – Texarkana Circle of Friends

Walgreens (two locations):

• 4415 North State Line Avenue

• 1902 Richmond Road

Texarkana, TX 75503

I am going to be at ACH in NWA on December 14 from 8-11 a.m. and I would love to see you there as you bring your donations!!! There will be music, snacks, hot chocolate and special guests! It's a great chance to see the hospital if you haven't already! Your gifts will make such a difference in the lives of sick kids.  In this season of giving - it feels good to do something that matters! I hope you will consider giving! And if you can - come see me that day!!! 

Go here to see the 12 locations spots along with wish lists.  There is also a place to donate online if you want to!! 

giving.archildrens.org/donate

Thanksgiving

Wednesday morning I loaded up the kids and packed us all up and headed to south Arkansas.  It was a beautiful day and we had a great trip.  It's about a 6 hour trip (it was 7 hours for us after we stopped a few times) and the kids were really good.  They slept the last hour or so and I listened to podcasts! 

Scott finished hunting and came home to see us and we were glad to see him! 

We had a nice Thanksgiving.  It was just us and Scott's parents.  It was a beautiful day! We ate around noon and spent the morning just getting ready.  We had to take a few family pictures.  

The kids have grown so much since two years ago.  GAH! And I'm still wearing the same shirt. ha ha ha! 

Love these sweet girls! 

We enjoyed spending time with Gigi and Papaw! 

Judy cooked us a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch.  

We had a low key rest of our day.  The kids played outside a lot.  I was so lazy and watched a ton of holiday episodes of Friends and the Office.  We had leftovers that night and just relaxed! 

Will Holden woke up at 5 a.m. ready to ride "the tractor".  So Scott took him on a ton of rides that day.  He was SO happy! 

He was also happy when he had his first taste of red velvet cake! 

Me and my girls! 

Friday, Scott and his dad went and hunted in the morning.  The kids and Judy and I went to eat lunch on the town square.  Laurie and her family live about 30 minutes from Scott's parents.  They had to come to Magnolia to pick up the deer Steve had killed and so they ate and came out to visit us.  I love that our best friends are also our family.  

My MIL plays the organ.  She used to play in church.  My kids have always LOVED the organ.  They run right to the room it's in first thing to play it.  Laurie came over and started playing it too.  I didn't know she could even play the piano.  

If you follow me on IG - you know I've told everyone about this great Walmart $20 coat (and sorry it's basically sold out now) - but Laurie was wearing hers! 

Scott's uncle, aunt and cousin came over soon after and stayed to eat dinner with us.  WE had the best gumbo! And I didn't take one picture!  

Scott got in one last hunt but sadly didn't get a deer this trip.  

We got up and headed home Saturday morning.  We stopped at our favorite little dairyette on the way home and I had their frito pie and it was delicious! 

Today we went to church covered in Christmas Checks! :-) 

This sweet thing gets older looking every day!  We went to eat lunch after church and ran into some friends and ended up sitting with them which was so much fun.  

Our plan was to go to the Christmas tree farm yesterday afternoon to get a real tree but when we came out of church it had dropped about 20 degrees and started icing.  So we had to scratch our plans.  

I'm hoping the weather is okay this weekend because if not - we will either not decorate until the middle of the month or drag our old worn out tree down from the attic.  I haven't put up one decoration yet.  I just can't get into it and I was hoping for us to have a real tree.  But I feel way behind when I get on social media! We are still going to soak up the season! Whether our tree is up or not! :-)