Tu-Tu's, Kitchens and Carnivals

This past weekend I packed up the kids and drove down to Coronado to visit my friend who's hubby is still in the Navy. She has a one year old as well so we thought it would be a fun playdate.

And I LOVE where she lives.

Coronado is a little island right next to San Diego and there is a huge military base there.

That is where Aaron actually spent alot of his time in the Navy and our first dates were in Coronado.

anyway..

The base was putting on a Fall festival so we loaded the kids in strollers and walked over.

Brookelyn went crazy!

There were ponies, a mini ferris wheel, a merry go round, a bouncy house and many more fun things.

Of course I had no camera so you will just have to picture her riding a pony for the first time but signing 'all done' the whole time.

She hated the merry go round because it jerked and there was nothing to hang on to.

She loved the cotton candy.

And she loved the clowns that painted her face.

They also had this fluffy bunny named Coco that she was thrilled to be able to pet. 

There was a table with caramel apples and everytime she walked by the lady handed her one.

WHO gives a 3 year old a huge apple without asking the mother??? 

I had 3 by the end of the night...

I don't think she realized it was a carnival celebrating Halloween. 

There were no decorations excepts some cute scarecrows and hay bales.

All she saw was little girls dressed up like bumble bees, princesses or fairies.

She happened to be wearing HUGE tutu that my friend let her borrow so I was alittle worried I was confusing her.

But someone made a comment about trick or treating and she stomped her foot and said, 

"No!! We don't like trick or treating. Its icky."

I think we got our point across!!

She was very sad when she had to take it off and leave it so I thought to myself I better get one for her.

But cheapskate me, I refuse to pay $30 or more dollars for one,

So I went to good ol Walmart

I found tulle for $.99 a yard! 

I looked on a pattern and figure out how much I needed so I decided I could splurge and get another color that was $2 a yard.

After some pretty ribbon I spent a total of $10!

*note to other cheapskate moms- bare necessities I could have made it for less

I went home and took her old tu-tu (our wonderful neighbor lady had brought over bags of name brand clothes cuz her little girl had out grown them and Brooke's favorite article was a pink tutu. She literally wore it to shreds.)

I cut off the tatters and re-used the elastic band (you could even use an old pair of underwear elastic)

to make this

I also took an old headband she had and added more ribbon to match.

She was THRILLED!!!!

She wears it non stop.

Even to the park.

Its a good thing I didn't spend alot of money or else I would cringe every time it gets dirty.

Well on top of my exciting tu-tu find, I was driving home from Walmart when out of the corner of my eye I saw a garage sale with a little play kitchen.

I whipped my car around as fast as a I could and almost ran over to the lady and asked how much.

I was cringing because around here people ask way too much money for stuff because they pay way too much.

Her answer?

$30!!!!!

I said give me 5 seconds to call my hubby and make sure I can spend the money.

Right as I am calling another lady walks over and starts trying to barter for it.

I got really nervous but Aaron said yes and the garage sale lady said first come first serve so it was mine!

And I know it was the Lord because I never carry cash but that day I happened to have it and I had just been to the bank and almost put it in my account but for some reason my heart told me no.

If THAT wasn't enough she had boxes of play food and dishes.

I filled a trash bag she said make me on offer.

I HATE being rude so I asked if I could have it all for 45.

She said yes!

Sidenote-

 JUST THAT MORNING 

Aaron and I had been looking at them for the kids and decided they were too much money.

I didn't even ask the Lord and yet He KNEW what I wanted and gave it to us anyway.

WHAT?!!! 

I called my Mom ecstatic.

She instantly brought to mind the story in Genesis 22 when God is first called Jehovah Jireh or The Lord will Provide.

Abraham has been instructed to kill his son. 

Abraham had faith in God and even told His son that God himself will provide a lamb.

A lamb was provided and Isaacs life spared. 

Now, a kitchen is trivial in comparison but God does things in our life to bring us close to Him,

so we look at those big or small things, 

and the only thing we can do is give Him ALL the glory.

Don't you think that every time Abraham looked at a ram, he was reminded how God provided

 and then worshiped Jehovah Jireh?

Every time I look at the kitchen it is a small reminder that our Lord God takes care of us and provides my every want or need. 

He knows whats in my heart even before I ask or say it.

If this little kitchen brings me to my knees in awe and full of worship, can you imagine how Abraham felt?

You are holy, great and mighty
The moon and the stars declare who You are
I'm so unworthy, but still You love me
Forever my heart will sing of how great You are