Gretchen's 14th Birthday

I blinked, and somehow our oldest daughter turned 14. It's crazy to me that we only have 4 more solid years before she moves out and goes to college. She's already counting down the days, and I'm wishing we could go back in time. I always try to surprise the girls with a fun family celebration on their actual birthday, and this year was no different.

Last Tuesday, Megan had gymnastics and our aunt took Gretchen to dinner & a movie, which left Adalyn and I plenty of time to bake a cake and decorate. 

We made a delicious gluten free chocolate cake with lots of sprinkles! 

Every year, we re-use Gretchen's party hat from her 1st birthday.

And every year, I try to take a "last day as a ___ year old" picture. So, here's her last day as a 13 year old. 

And one with momma too!

I was feeling all sentimental and looking back at her baby pictures. This one makes me laugh every time, because who doesn't want to smash in to cake and have it all over?!

And how precious is this one of her. 

DJ was out of town on her birthday morning and we were all trying to rush out the door, so we skipped morning celebrations, and opted for celebrations after school. By that time, DJ was home and we could celebrate as a family. 

She opened presents and got lots of little random things from paper clips to sticky note tabs, nail polish, cricut vinyl and more. 

Then we sang to her and she blew out her candles. 

Precious, precious girl. 

Gretchen didn't really know what she wanted for her birthday, so I gave her some suggestions, and she asked if she could get highlights; I think she was shocked when I told her she could! I messaged our hairstylist, and he was able to get her in Saturday night, so we took her in for a much needed cut and a subtle hint of color with a balayage. 

Here's a little before

and after.

The cut is perfect, and  do wish the color was a bit brighter, but it should lighten up with the balayage and I'll be honest, the change isn't huge or shocking, which is perfect for a 14 year old.

This weekend we are celebrating with friends and having a bowling birthday party!

Gretchen Rose, I'm not sure how you grew up on us, but you certainly did. 

 

Wednesday What?!

Happy Wednesday. I feel like I have finally had a moment to sit and breathe for the first time in several weeks. I have a random assortment of Wednesday What?! for you today, so grab a cozy cup of coffee, and enjoy. 

First up, Young Living's free gifts with purchase this month, are incredible. If you're a member, just log in and place your qualifying order. If you aren't a member, you can click here and make a purchase; orders at 100 PV (that's basically $100.00) ship free, and at 190 PV, you start earning free oils, and this month you can ear up to 8 free oils! I say all the time that I've stopped buying oils from Young Living because I literally get them for free. So, I'll buy make up, shampoo, and supplements, and then get my oils free. 

 I randomly picked up this mascara from Ulta after a hair cut, and I'm loving it. My old mascara would rub off during the day and smear underneath, so I definitely needed something new. This one is so good. 

I had heard great things about this eye balm, and I grabbed it too! 

While we were traveling over Christmas, I placed a Thrive Market order so we would have a few groceries and snacks when we got home. My girls love the Good Chips, Adalyn loves the Turtle Splash cereal, and I found some gluten free ramen for Gretchen! I love that I can search by grocery category and diet specific, if you haven't tried Thrive Market before you can click here and get 40% off your first order and a free gift! 

And, if you haven't heard, I started a new Instagram account because, I just can't get enough. The Welte House documents are home, decorating, and some updates we have planned for 2022.  I can't wait to share all we have planned and our home updates with y'all! My style is a mix of farmhouse, traditional, boho, and antiques mixed in. It's such a hodge podge that works, and it's home decor on a budget. 

The weather here has been a bit up and down. We'll have 2 warm days, and then a few colder days. I live for those warm days. Last week, I went on a walk near the lake, and then sat and did my Bible study and it did my heart so good. 

Lastly, Adalyn had her tonsils out yesterday, so my mom is in town ( I couldn't do it without her!) and we plan on giving her lots of cuddles this week. 

Happy Wednesday!

Tell me WHAT has been going on with you in the comments; and if you're on the gram, I'd love to connect with you there. 

 

The Last of 2021

The day after Christmas, we packed up and headed to Arkansas. It was the first time in 4 years that we haven't been bowl eligible and we were  able to go home for Christmas. We drove to my mom's house, and spent the night, and on Monday, we got up and drove to Jonesboro to see DJ's mom, sister, and her kids. 

We went bowling and the kids had a blast. 

The next day, we went to brunch, and headed to the campus store to pick up an ASU flag for our camper. 

We spent the afternoon at the theater watching Sing 2. 

The next day, we gave big hugs to Nana and we drove to visit DJ's dad and stepmom. 

Silly girls. 

Pops and Grandma Dee spoiled us all. They had sent us presents to our house for Christmas, and then when we got there we had stockings and a few more presents. 

We exchanged gifts, played way too much pinball, and enjoyed being together. I literally spent the week just enjoying the time and have hardly any pictures to show for it, but gosh, it was wonderful. 

On New Years Eve day, DJ's sister brought over her kids (they were ringing in the New Year with the grandparents) and we were excited to see them again before we left. One big family picture, and then we drove back to my mom's house. 

We made a huge charcuterie board for New Years Eve dinner, played lots of games, and stayed up until midnight. I think we were all surprised we made it that late! 

Sister-cousins ready to ring in the New Year. 

All the girls.. 

ready to toast... 

On Sunday, we went to my sisters to visit my her and my niece's little girl, who is almost 1. The girls ate her up, and she wasn't too sure what to think! Ha!

It was wonderful to get away. We loved seeing everyone and celebrating the season with family. 

 

Christmas Weekend

Our Christmas was wonderful. Our kids typically wake up stupid early on Christmas morning, and somehow, when we told them they couldn't wake up and come downstairs until 7:30, they believed us, and they slept until about 7. I think last year they were awake at 2 and 4 and we had to tell them to get back to bed, and we were up around 5 or something crazy early opening presents.  I was so thankful for a little bit of sleep on Christmas morning. 

The girls came downstairs and Megan found the pickle ornament so she was able to open the first present. 

Then Gretchen and Adalyn had their turns. 

Adalyn asked for a stuffed Buccee toy and I told her she should ask Santa for one. She promptly told me that Santa does not shop at Buccees. Oh, but he does. 

Megan also asked for a stuffed Bevo at every single football game, so Santa brought her a super soft one. 

Adalyn got new bedding for her room. We plan to paint it in the next few weeks and get her room all set up for her, and maybe she'll finally sleep in it again. She's been sleeping with Megan ever since March 2020. 

Adalyn got a Barbie helicopter from her grandparents. 

Megan's big gift was an air track. She immediately started jumping on it! 

One of the sweetest presents I received was this hand embroidered picture from Gretchen. When I worked in the schools in Indiana, I had a patient who had hand drawn the scene, and he was working on cross stitching it. Sadly, he passed away before he could finish it, and the classroom teacher let me have the project. It sat unfinished, and I asked Gretchen a few months ago to finish it for me, and she did! I was totally surprised and I love it so much! 

Gretchen's big gift was a Cricut Joy. She went to work figuring it out and put her name on her machine. 

 We opened the stockings and the girls played with their presents. WE stayed home, didn't have a big meal, and just spent the day together. 

On Sunday, we headed to Arkansas. We stopped at Buccee's and Santa Buccee was there! Only two of the girls were excited to have their picture with him! 

We made it to Gee's house in record time. The traffic was light and we only had a few stops and made it an hour before we thought we would. We had dinner, and the girls exchanged presents with Amelia, Gee and Papaw. 

Gee and her girls. We were so thankful to be with them the day after Christmas, even if it was just for the night.