Is there something on my face?

So... a few days ago my husband Eric and I made a "Vine" video...it's short, but fun!
Happy Sunday Funday! haha.
Enjoy!

Asked and Answered

So I read this wonderful article - agreed with it and applied it and this is my story.

First of all, I feel you must read the article so you know exactly what is going on:
Positive Parenting/end-child-nagging-negotiating-with-just-three-simple-words

Now I absolutely loved this article. I couldn't wait to use it in my own day to day life and felt it would greatly benefit both my children and myself. So... here my story begins.

We are on a Friday night trip to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things for the weekend.  Lexie found a little bear she wanted to buy.

Lexie: Mommy, can you buy me the bear?
Me: No.
Lexie: Mommy, pleeeaaasssee can you buy me the bear please?
Me: No.
Lexie: Mommy, I said please! I really really want the bear. please?
Me: Lexie, have you heard of  "Asked and Answered"?
Lexie: No.
Me: You asked already, and I answered. Do not ask me again. Asked and Answered.
Lexie: ok.

It was a wonderful conversation and worked like a charm. Lexie did not ask me again for the bear. I thought "this is great!" "wow! that worked!".... but then, the story isn't over. It never is with my Lexie Noelle. She's just too smart for it to be that easy.  Let me continue:

Lexie wanted to go look at something in the aisle next to where I was at checkout.  Here is the conversation:

Me: Lexie, will you come here and stand with mommy please?
Lexie: No.
Me: Lexie, get over here NOW.
Lexie: Asked and Answered mom. Asked and Answered.

She then proceeded to go on about her way... After picking my jaw up off the floor, I caught up with her and carried her in my arms back to my place in line.  The lady that was behind me had tears in her eyes from laughing at my child's use of the words I taught her just moments before.

I will probably still use "Asked and Answered"...Lexie will learn that only Mommy's and Daddy's get to use it, though. haha. :) This is my life! There is never a dull moment with either of my girls.

Here is my Lexie Noelle, making one of her many faces... i found this picture fitting.

A picture of both my girls- they sure keep life colorful! haha

Home Sweet Home

Eric and I bought our first home!!!!!!  

I want to say thank you to everyone that has prayed with us and for us, everyone that has been there for us and guided us.  Our dream finally came true and we are HOME OWNERS!!!! 

A special thanks to my mom and dad, who opened up their home and took care of us during our years in need.  From the depths of my soul, I appreciate everything, from the roof over our head to the words of wisdom and the countless meals you have provided us. Thank you is not enough.  I am a mama's baby and a  daddy's girl all balled up into one... I'm going to miss you being just down the hall, my kids already miss you, but we will call you often! Thank goodness for face time, skype, and iphones!!! 

And a special thanks to my in laws, who believed in us and gave us much needed advice and were willing to help us whenever we asked.  We are overwhelmed with love from all our family on both sides. 

The pictures below are of our home. 

Our home.

The Pilkenton Home!!!!

You have no idea how good it feels to say "We did it!"

Isaiah 32:18 "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." 

Lexie's VERY pink room! I love how every time she walks in she squeals and says " I LOVE MY ROOM! IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!"

Jenna's WAY COOL purple and blue room!  Peace signs abundant, her performance posters hung, and her Riley banner over the window... seeing her smile, priceless.

Owl bathroom designed by the girls.

Eric and I's room...the color we picked is called "Sparrow"... I love it so much.  And the name is fitting.  A song that seems to tell our story best is "Like two sparrows in a hurricane trying to find their way.  With a head full of dreams and faith, they can do anything.  They've heard it's all uphill, but all they know is how they feel.  The world says they'll never make it, love says they will."  We made it!  And we're more in love than ever.  

The color on the walls of our hallway and living room is called "Restrained Gold"...these pictures make it look more yellow, when in person it's more of a creamy color.  We get so many compliments on this color- it turned out AWESOME! 

My pretty kitchen!  Those that know me know I am most often found in the kitchen... it's my happy place, I love love love to cook, and I'm looking forward to making many wonderful meals here!  The color we picked for the kitchen is called "Sea Salt". We are beach lovers, can you tell?

The candle on the tree sconce was used during the blessing of our home, led by our friends Pastor Sean Miller and Pastor Maria Miller.  Tabitha Hardison, one of our best friends, held the candle as we blessed each room and thanked God for this precious gift, our home.  Thanks to everyone that were there for our house warming party, and participated in the blessing.  It's a memory that will live on in our hearts forever.

 haha! don't mind the rug all messed up...just noticed!  But this is my pretty kitchen! *squeal*

The fiesty green laundry room is one of the only rooms we didn't paint. But my decor made it look super cute, at least I think so! haha!

Last, but certainly not least, the back yard.  We always wanted a big yard...and this is more than we could have ever dreamed of. Thanks be to God, he has blessed us with way more than we deserve.

I'm still overwhelmed with emotion.  Even as I look at the photos... Can it be? Is it real?

Yes, this home... is OURS!!! 

Welcome Home Pilkenton's!

QUACK QUACK! IT'S DERBY TIME!

2013 Reedy River Duck Derby - Greenville, SC

PLEASE SUPPORT TEAM OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH!!!

I am head duck again this year and I really need YOUR help!

Adopt a duck through Our Saviour Lutheran Church online today!

Your duck could place in the race on May 4, 2013 and win a prize -- OR

EVERY duck adopted has a chance to win $1,000,000.00!!!!!

So you can help support my team and you could win BIG!!!!

1 duck = $10

Quack Pack = $30

(before April 15th = 5 ducks; after April 15th = 4 ducks)

Now through April 15th, you can get an extra duck for FREE by purchasing a Quack Pack!

That's 5 ducks for the price of 3!!!!! AND that's 5 chances to win!!!!

Just go to www.reedyriverduckderby.com follow these steps:

* click on "Adopt a Duck" - this will take you to a new internet tab/screen

* select "no" when it asks you if you have an adoption paper and click "Continue"

* click on the duck that says "Adopt NOW by supporting your favorite team!" (should be duck on the right)

* click on "Our Saviour Lutheran Church"

* click on "Stephanie Pilkenton" (me)

* Follow instructions for payment information, this is how they will contact you when you win!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!
Friends and Family all over the country: YOU can win! You do NOT have to be present to win, if you win- they will contact you!!!  So no matter where you are, you can help my team!

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Well Played God, Well Played!

I have not owned an umbrella in several years.  I had one that work gave me, but it broke about 5ish years ago.  I never felt I really needed to spend the money on one when I don't have to stand outside at all, so I'm not in the rain much - it's just water and usually I'm just running in or out of the house.

Tonight, while Jenna was at rehearsal, I went to WalMart to pick up some things I needed. While there, it started to rain.  I thought about getting an umbrella, but talked myself out of it. After all, I wasn't parked that far away and only picking up a couple things.. (Yes, I'm that talented! I can go to WalMart and only get a couple things!) Also, it really wasn't raining that hard. Suddenly the sky just opened up and the rain was pouring so hard, it sounded like it was going to come right through the roof of the store.  I decided I needed an umbrella, at least to use walking to my car.

After I checked out, picked up my 2 bags (k, maybe I bought more than a couple things... more like 5 or 6 things, but I still think that's not too bad! right?), and I pulled out my new umbrella. Standing at the door of WalMart, just as I was about to open my new umbrella, the rain stopped completely.  Not only did the rain come to a screeching halt, the clouds cleared enough that I had the moon and stars  while I walked to the car.

I now have a brand new, unused umbrella in my car, ready and available for the next time it rains.
Well played God, well played! :)

"The one enthroned in Heaven laughs." Psalm 2:4

The Christmas Baby

I've heard many times "Oh, that poor Christmas baby! Bless her heart!".  I feel the need to set the record straight.  There is nothing "poor" about my Christmas baby, Lexie Noelle, who was born on December 22nd.
Eric and I wait until after the first of the year to do her party, but usually do something at the house, let her pick out dinner or something special the day of.  My mother in law, Donna, and my mom, Denise have always...every year... made sure that baby girl had a birthday present to open on the day of her birthday. Sometimes Eric and I even get her one and her Aunts and Uncles will get her something on her birthday too, instead of waiting for her actual "party".  Lexie feels so special, and everyone that helps to make her day so special has no idea what it means to me.
I worried and worried while pregnant with her.  I didn't want my child to be a Christmas baby, I didn't want her to feel any disappointment regarding her birthday - I was guilty of being one of those people that says "Oh, that poor Christmas baby!"  Here is how Lexie's Birthday have been thus far:

Born: Hospital pictures done in a beautiful stocking, came home on Christmas Eve in an outfit that said "Mommy and Daddy's best present ever".  Home in time for Santa to come!  Something about  a 3 day old baby under the tree with a bow on her head...still brings tears to my eyes.  Best. Christmas. EVER. Tied with Jenna's first Christmas, when her eyes got so big over her new toys that resulted in hugs and kisses. Even topping the Christmas that I got my first bike and the Teddy Ruxpin as a kid...and that Christmas was pretty amazing, I must say.

First Birthday: Mommy and Daddy, Nana & Grandpop, Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Donna, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Keith all gave sweet girl a birthday present to open ON her birthday in birthday paper.  She also had to go with Mommy to one of Jenna's singing events at Chic-fil-a and wore a Princess Elmo crown and got a free ice cream from Chic-fil-a AND Jenna's chorus sang Happy Birthday to her with the entire restaurant. She also got presents on Christmas. THEN, on her Grandpa's birthday, she had a birthday party with her friends from day care and church.  Grandpa, Aunt Brandi, and Uncle Keith (who celebrate January birthdays) each got a giant cupcake made by Jenna so they could share in the celebration.  Sweet Lexie Noelle was so happy to share her party with them. :)

Second Birthday: Same as above for the day of her birthday... ok maybe this wasn't a good year... as we waited until February to have her party for friends... annnnndddd we invited Elmo to be there. Before party, Elmo was Lexie's FAVORITE person ever. Meeting Elmo was an absolute nightmare.  She cried the entire party.  After party, Lexie hates Elmo and never wants to watch his show again.  Way to go mom (I said to myself), way to go. Is it bad that the photos of my crying child with Elmo make me giggle looking back at that day? lol... I mean, it is something we'll always remember... might as well laugh at ourselves.

Third Birthday: On the day of her birthday, she received a present from Mommy and Daddy, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Keith, and Grandma and Grandpa. the day after her bday, her Nana and Grandpop let Lexie open a birthday present.... And Lexie also got a Christmas present from them (all the grandkids got to open at once, after Lexie got her special birthday gift).  Day after that (Christmas Eve) Aunt Brandi and Uncle Mark did the same, Lexie got a special birthday gift, and then also a Christmas gift along with her sister. Then of course, presents on Christmas... the day after Christmas she was confused as to why she didn't get a gift, after all, she'd received one every day for 4 days straight. LOL... she wanted a pool party so we waited until June to have her party for friends... more presents then. She even pigged out and ate about 5 hot dogs..back to back; swam until she was wrinkled as a prune...and slept all night that night, which made mommy and daddy pretty dern happy too.

Fourth Birthday (this year): since she wasn't going to be home on her bday, Eric picked up an already made cake from the grocery store, and added black icing to look like zebra stripes (she loves zebras) and we sang happy bday and took her to Holly wild where she got to pet a REAL zebra and see lots of pretty Christmas lights! This was special because her Aunt Donna, Great Grandma Arlene, and Great Grandpa Bob got to be there to sing to her.  Then on the day of her birthday, Nana and Grandpop (who had her and Jenna for the weekend) and her Aunt Brandi and Uncle Mark threw her a birthday party with her cousins!  She got cake, presents, the works!  She absolutely loved having a party on her actual birthday- it was soooo special to her! She still talks about her party at Nana's!  And on February 24th, we let her invite 3 friends from school and 3 from daycare, and let her have a party at Chuck E Cheese (she was begging for a party there), complete with zebra table cloths and cups to give it a "Lexie Noelle" style.

The moral of this blog post: Never feel sorry for my Christmas baby.  She is loved, and treasured, and she knows her birthday is special.  Every year, for one day, Christmas is put on hold, and she knows she is special, thanks to everyone that makes that happen every year.

cake decorated by Daddy and Sissy

Cake made by Aunt Brandi!

Meet the "Offer" - Mice on Main

A few weeks ago, the girls and I were downtown with my Aunt Donna.  We shopped a little in the girls favorite toy store, O.P. Taylor, then made our way to The Mast General Store.  This store is one of the most popular stores in Greenville, SC.  It has lots of interesting things including a giant candy department, many unique t-shirts and other articles of clothing, toys, kites, and books.

One book in particular, Mice On Main.  This is a special book- the author and illustrator worked together with a young man to create the book, and place the little bronze mice statues in various places downtown Greenville.  The book gives you clues, based on the personality of each mouse, as to where to find the mice.  The girls have had fun looking for the mice, but had never owned their own copy of the book.

Welp, December 15, 2012, would be their lucky day!  And what a lucky day it was- not just for them, but for my Aunt Donna and myself too.

We walk into the Mast General Store, and there sat two ladies at a table with copies of Mice On Main, some mice plush toys, and other Mice On Main souvenirs. Not only that, they were just a few minutes away from packing up and leaving when we walked up, surprised, not realizing what was about to happen.

It took seconds- my Aunt Donna and I realized they were the author and illustrator of Mice On Main.  They introduced themselves to the girls, and this was Jenna's reaction:

"OH!!! This is sooooo COOL!!! I get to meet a REAL OFFER!!!!! I love reading and this is like, one of my favorite books and I love to read!!! This is the BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!"

(OFFER = Jenna's adorable attempt to say the word Author. haha!)

Even Lexie squealed with excitement!

The Author, Linda Kelly, just smiled so big and told Jenna how wonderful it was that she loves to read, and to keep it up, and maybe be an author herself someday!  It was so sweet, both girls hugged the very kind ladies, Ms. Linda Kelly, and Ms. Zan Wells (Illustrator of Mice On Main). \

My Aunt bought each of the girls one of the books that Ms. Kelly and Ms. Wells signed with special notes for the girls, and she even got one for herself.

I love that my kids love to read.  I love their excitement over meeting authors, or as Jenna would say "a REAL OFFER"!!! I love that we got there in time to share that beautiful moment.

snapshots of each of the mice - this picture is in the back of the book to help you with your scavenger hunt in downtown Greenville!

Left to Right: Zan Wells (Illustrator of Mice On Main), Jenna, Lexie, and Linda Kelly, (Author of Mice On Main) 

The Moon

I got a new camera from my parents for Christmas.  It is the camera I've always wanted!!! Now, if only I could take the time to learn how to use it... Well, the other night my dad told me that the moon looked really neat.  So I went outside and started taking pictures.  I tried every setting, learning which ones would take clearly at night, and which ones surely would not haha!  Many pictures were deleted, but the few that came out looked awesome.
All of the pictures were taken from the other side of the yard at a diagonal, so the trees the moon is peeking through are a good 30-40 yards away...almost half a football field! ::squeal::
I LOVE MY NEW CAMERA! Thanks mom and dad! :)

*All rights reserved*

This one is my favorite! :)