Happy New Year's Eve 2010

As 2010 comes to an end, there is so much to be thankful for.

My husband taking a great new job with a previous employer.

Almost finishing seven years of marriage...I can't believe we will hit the 8 year mark soon.

Our children who delight our world. It is often the laughter and the wonder that gets us through on some days.

Our families that add that extra special something just when you need it. We thank you!

Our health...even though we had a HUGE scare tonight with a crash of a window pane and some blood. No trip to the ER needed but hopefully some little children learned running in the house is a NO! NO! Praises Campbell only got a few cuts and scrapes.

That recovery has continued to go well for me from my 2009-2010 surgeries. I really am very thankful for those that cared & prayed for me.

For the education my children are getting from the preschool they adore.

For a house to call home and friends to call dear.

2010 has not been the easiest of years and while it is minutes from being over here in Texas. It is still a year filled with memories of hopes and dreams.

May God bless you as you end 2010 and find yourself walking with Him in 2011!

New love....

Oh how I have come to love the facebook auctions of Lolly Wolly Doodle

Seriously I might be addicted as I look for them each night. I have gotten Campbell some amazingly cute things here. And well since most of her items come with personalization I am just one happy mommy. After all you all know how much I LOVE monograms.

There are some great things here for boys and if Travis wasn't already potty trained I would be buying me some longalls for him....but when you have to be quick on the draw with a boy, these outfits don't seem to work out as well as they use to when he was a bitty boy in his cloth covered bum.

So a shopping this mommy does for her little girl....after all isn't that what mom's and daughters do best???? Join in on the fun, each night Lolly Wolly Doodle holds auctions on facebook. I highly suggest you head over and "like" the page.

Christmas Eve pasts

Oh it's fun to look on the past.

A Texas Christmas eve pre children 2005...we were expecting.

Lance putting together Campbell's wagon to place under the tree. Christmas eve 2006

Papa meeting his Grandson for the very first time. Christmas Eve 2007



Santa had just arrived & escaped a picture. Christmas Eve 2008




Hugs on this Christmas eve 2009.






Happy Christmas Eve 2010 to all!

The Reason

It's hard not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Not to get carried away with all the gatherings, must have photo opportunities, gift buying and Santa this & Santa that. I know. Why...because I am guilty of it. I admit it. I have two little ones and while we talk of Jesus and his coming, it is VERY easy to get caught up in the Santa excitement. After all they are only little and BELIEVE in that for so long. My hope is that they will NEVER forget to BELIEVE in the real reason for the season. My goal is to enable them to know the beauty of this little life that grew to a man that died for them. For me. For you. For that stranger neither of us knows.

I came across this song while visiting my friend Esther's blog. I was busy wrapping gifts and humming "here comes Santa Claus" when I felt like I needed a break. I didn't go straight to bloggy world. I OF COURSE went to Facebook world and saw her update on her nativity days. I clicked on over and while reading her sweet post music was playing. I left a comment and still music played. I enjoyed the music so I went back to wrapping and throwing away my scraps of paper when a certain song came on. I don't believe I had ever heard it before so it made me stop. Then. Then it made me cry.

Give it a listen and I hope that it reminds your heart about the REASON of this season. Simply click on the name below.

Roxanne Paul

Christmas Miracles

Here is a Christmas miracle of sorts. Way to go Travis! I am so proud of you!!!

wordless wednesday

you know

You know you love your new earrings when you will dig through the trash for them. Not once. No, not once but twice.

Yep. I found them but man it was a dirty, dirty job.

wordless wednesday

Three...our little guy is three!!

Happy Third Birthday Travis!

I am swept away at how fast time has flown. I mean really. Really it's been three years since you made your wonderful entrance to the world.

Three wonderful years we have been blessed to have you. To love you. To Cherish you. To be servants to your every need and whim. To teach you. To sometimes send you to the naughty chair. To play with you. To learn YOU. To watch you. To snuggle with you. To comfort you. And again To Love you more than you might know.

Right now I am guessing you are about 30lbs and average height....your well check will be soon. Lucky for you....NO shots at three. Yahoo!

You love breakfast bars, Thomas, Hot Wheels, swinging, riding your tricycle, running, Cars (you adore Daddy's version of Mater). You love sissy, peanut butter, your blankies, Papa, holding my hand. You now really really enjoy daddy and me time. You love going to the park and going to school. You love to sit on Nana's lap and read. You love to ride with mommy on the back of her green bike.

What you don't love is getting your hands sticky, paint or the likes on them to boot. Now you don't mind playing in dirt but to make mommy and hand print turkey would have just about sent you to the loony house. You are not a fan of green beans, mustard and just about any food that might get you sticky. You absolutely do not like to spill. I'd say you are a bit of a perfectionist.

One of the best parts of you is that you are sensitive. You like to use manners and are very affectionate. I have noticed that on days when you might have had a busy day at school or if mommy was busy busy with an activity that you will call out more for me at night than the usual "i gotta go potty" call every night. But you know what....I love it. Your sweet voice saying "mommy, I need you...." just about melts my heart.

I am really looking forward to this year and seeing just who you become and what you learn this year. I know you will always do your best and try, try, try.....even when it gets "too hard." Which is something I hope you will always do.

Travis, we love you and so happy that God "picked" us to hold you dear little brother bear.

Defend the Reason for the Season: Watch and Share | Christian Music - gmc

If you are a Go Fish fan than that is just ONE more reason to watch this movie as they do the music for the movie Christmas with a Capitol C!!!

Click on the link below.

Defend the Reason for the Season: Watch and Share | Christian Music - gmc

wordless wednesday

My favoirte little "feasters"

So every year the kids school holds a Thanksgiving feast. Last year I was in the hospital recovering from a BIG surgery so I missed it. This year however, feeling GREAT and with two in school. This mommy got double the feast days. One right after the other. I LOVED it!

Who's this turkey??? Ha! Ha! This was a turkey that each child at Campbell's class got to take home....Ours is still on the mantel....we call him Fred.

Travis had his feast on Thursday and it was really exciting to see all the wee little ones.

I think he really was very thankful for his "something or other" free cupcake as someone in his class is sadly allergic to everything.

Campbell had her feast on Friday before the Thanksgiving break and the "big" kids got to sing and preform. It was so fun to see her sing...she loves too.

Campbell enjoying a very rare juice drink.

Enjoy every moment....that might be my new motto.

Thank you

Thank you Little Miss Baker

And thank your Mr. Clean

Mommy and Daddy are so very "thankful" for each of you!

wordless wednesday with some words.

My Pilgrim girl from November 4 years ago.

Sometimes

Sometimes my son wakes me in the midst of a dream.
Sometimes my son wakes me minutes after falling into that very state of sleep that you say "man, I just feel asleep."
Sometimes my son wakes me, rather gets me up out of bed before I can even get completely settled in.
Sometimes my son sleeps without waking me but more times than not I am awoken.

You see just about every night my son wakes me just to go pee pee.

While I am grateful for no wet sheets.....sometimes, No every time their is a bit of rough crying because he has been woken from a deep sleep. With an urgency....an urgency to pee. What he can't understand in his often hysterical screams is that I am there. Helping him. Tending to him. Awake...just for him.

Sometimes. No, every time. As tiresome as it has grown. I am grateful for that waking. You see sometimes it reminds me that he won't always need me. That there might be a time when I don't hear his screams. I won't be there to help him, tend to him, be awake just for him. On a night just like tonight, when sometimes, I can't fall right back to sleep. I think about those times and am happy to have been awoken.

Sometimes my son, no all the time, I love you.

six word saturday

I found this over at my friend Esther's blog. Thought it was cute and
well I am on overload of what I choose my words to be.

Halloween candy goes right to thighs!

add your own six words here.

the face....

The face of a satisfied donut purchase.

Cheerleader in the making

Not sure who loved Cheer camp more..Mommy or Campbell.

wordless wednesday

Wristlet

So I found the cutest wristlet!

If you have to have one too please let me know. I'll share with you how you can get one too.
The personalization is always free and it comes in rust (shown), black and plum.

Can you say super cute plus it makes a great personalized gift
if you are starting to cross items off your list.

The Lion and the Mermaid!

So for Halloween this year the kids were The Lion and the Mermaid.

However, my little Lion did NOT like having whiskers on his face...it was a struggle to get them on as you can see from the markings of these imperfect whiskers.

He was heard roaring about these whiskers for at least three houses
into the trick or treating experience.

They had a lot of fun and we went to a lot more houses than I expected.
ESPECIALLY seeing that Campbell was just getting over being sick and Travis too.

Nana was in town and she loved seeing them all dressed up

and shouting "trick or treat", "happy Halloween" "spooky!" and "thank you" to people along our journey to candy filled pumpkins.

We hope your candy filled holiday was enjoyable and that you got the one treat you were hoping for. Ours was Lollipops....they were SO excited when they got a lollipop in their buckets.
Yep, pretty simple but apparently lollipops rule!!