An American Girl Adventure

A few weeks ago we had a wonderful GIRLS trip to Dallas!  It was for our sweet friend, Mandi's birthday. 

We let them skip school on Friday and they thought that was the best thing since sliced bread!  After a llooonnngggg 6 hour trip to Dallas we finally made it.  There was a lot of giggling and story telling.  ....and that was just from the moms.  ha!

The long trip was so worth it.  We got there at a decent time and was able to check in to the hotel and freshen up before we ventured out to find supper. 

Our hotel was great and it was walking distance to TONS of eating places.  We chose Mexican. 

Duh.

After dinner we just knew that they would be ready for bed after the long car ride.  We were wrong.  They were wired and ready to pull an all niter...we were not!  We were some tired mommas.

Finally they went to sleep and dreamt of all things American Girls. 

The next morning they woke up ready to go.  It was so cute watching them get all dolled up.  I think there was even a little make-up involved.  They usually don't get to do that but since the weekend was such a special time we allowed a little mascara.  I think we made big brownie points.  :) 

Our first stop for the day was to get our nails and toes all prettied up.  They thought they were somethin' at the nail place.  There was even a special chair for kids.  There might or might not have been some tears over who would go first, second and last.  When you are 8 being last is tragic.

Seriously.

Next stop...the AG store.  The girls were so excited they forgot all about the tears over the "chair"{{whew}}

Driving up to the AG store there were grins and a lot of jumping up and down.  I will remember that moment forever.  It was one of those mental pictures I randomly snap in my head that I hope I will remember forever. (Please tell me that y'all do that, too)  My little girl is growing up right in front of my eyes.

Their eyes were as big as saucers when they walked into the store.  It was precious.  Let me tell you, that store is AMAZING.  There is everything under the sun for those dolls...even a salon!  

Seriously.



YEAH!!  We made it to the best store EVAHHHHH!  The girls were so excited!  And to be quite honest with you, so was I....I felt like I was 8 again. 

Before we made it to the AG store, we HAD to get a manicure.  Can you say spoiled?? 

We also had to have a midnight snack of ICE CREAM DRUMSTICKS..can you say YUM!  I mean the trip wasn't complete until then.  :)

Look at those cute little piggies!  That polish lasted all of 30 minutes.  ha!

Here are the 3 Musketeers waiting to go inside the AG store. They would hardly take this picture because they wanted to go in so badly! 

Macy posing with Addison....her baby.  She fixed her hair and got her all ready for the big day.

My sweetie pie

Silly girls...

This is Macy with all her loot.  She had so much fun shopping and I had so much fun watching her.  I had just as much fun throwing stuff in the bag as she did.  We are t-r-o-u-b-l-e when we shop together.  Troy gets a little nervous when I say we are going shopping.

Here is Macy paying with her own money!  I was so proud of her.  She really was being careful and watching her dollars...then I paid for the rest.  {{wink, wink}}

I love this picture because she was calling Troy to tell him how much she spent and about all the loot she bought.  It was too cute.  She was so excited!

Ok, if this isn't the craziest thing...they have hooks in the bathroom so you can hang your doll while you potty.  Isn't that hilarious.  What is the world coming to....

Linda and the birthday girl, Mandi

Me, Macy and Addison

Cassie, Jaycee and Kit

Happy Birthday Mandi!

We hope all your wishes come true....

There is nothing better than FRIENDS....

So there you have it.  A little recap of our Dallas extravaganza.  It was a HUGE time and we would do it again in a heartbeat.  I think Houston needs an AG store.

Better yet, never mind. :)  My pocketbook would never recover.

Thank you Mandi (and Linda) for letting us share your special day with you.  Happy Birthday sweet girl!



My March Scripture

I haven't forgotten the scripture challenge....promise!  But, since things have been busy around here I haven't had time to post my latest verse.  So, here is my verse for March....Proverbs 3:21. 

Originally it started out that Beth Moore brought a challenge to bloggers and fellow bible study Siestas to memorize 2 scriptures a month. One on the first and one on the 15th. I was READY to start...I think it is an AWESOME idea. 

Then life happened.

So, I decided to do one a month.  For now.  Maybe when things slow down in the summer I can focus more of my time to trying 2 verses a month.  I feel like a failure because how hard can 2 verses be?  But, I have to be honest and say that I was stressing out over this challenge and thought trying just one a month might be better for me right now.

As me and my BFFs say....its just the season.

Made to Crave....the intro

Finding your want to....

Isn't that something.  Sounds so easy, right?

Wrong.

I have been really enjoying the book Made To Crave by Lysa Terkeurst.  So far, it hasn't seemed like the typical weight loss book.  Although I am just on the introduction.  Anyway, I have read many books on this subject. Some books I have read all of and others, just half.  Those that know me well know that is just me. Honestly, I have done so many diets and read so many articles, books and blogs on how to get fit it can make a girl go crazy....all that and have never had any success.  I have spent most of my adult life trying to get healthy.  And I am still on that journey....hoping for success and trying harder than I ever have before.

Honest.

So far I have read a few chapters and have really loved what she has said....Her take.  In finding your want to (which is just the introduction) I have seen myself.  I have read the pages and thought, WOW, that is me.  Over and Over.  For instance, the days of eating junk food, hiding junk food or buying junk food at the store and then saying, "Another day, another time.  I'm doing the best I can."  Was I really,  I think not.  Am I now?  It's getting better.

Honest.

She talked about the journey described in Matthew 19 and how the rich young man who comes to see Jesus explains that he is following all the rules but still feels something missing from his pursuit from God.  "All of these rules I have kept," he says to Jesus.  "What do I still lack?"  (Matthew 19:20)  I thought a lot about the moral of this story. I feel that way.  I am following all the rules but still feel like I am missing something.  Something BIG.  If I am lacking, Lord, please help me fill my tank with you and not Little Debbie cakes food.  I want this, I do.

Honest.

I think pleasing God is easy.  He is our Father, he loves us more than anything.  He wants us to be close to him.  I believe that He wants us to do our best to follow Him through prayer and studying his teachings.  He wants us to CRAVE Him.  One thing that she said that stuck out to me like a sore thumb was that when Jesus says Follow me it is not an invitation to drag our divided heart but to follow him and deny ourselves.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said:  "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  Mark 8:34



I can honestly say that this journey is going to be hard.  Not the God part because I love Him with all my being, but the food part, now that is another story.  Putting my focus on God when I feel a craving come on is going to be a new one for me.  Whenever I crave food, I eat it.  I've gotta step away from the sugar and put my focus where it should be.  On Him.  I am ready to break the cycle of diets, find my want to, stop worrying about the scale and to have a healthier relationship with God.

Honest.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday Brax!

It was a great 1st birthday celebration of our little sweetie pie, Braxton.  His party was a blast and all Mickey Mouse theme.  It was precious and right up this little guys alley.  Every time he hears the Mickey theme song, he comes a runnin'.  Well, maybe walkin'.  Or crawlin'.  He almost has the walking thing down.  It is too cute to watch him waddle to where he wants to go.  It won't be too much longer and there will be no stopping this boy.  He is adorable....and he has the best snuggles ever!

We all had fun visiting, laughing, eating, watching the kids run around in circles and playing with all Braxton's new toys.  This little man made a haul.  He got some really cute and fun toys.  Oh, BTW, you should have seen the sugar high that these kids were ALL on.  It was pretty funny.  Between the cake, candy and juice boxes...well, lets just say it was crazy...FUN! 

He LOVED his little cake.  He ate about the whole thing.  I think he was thinking, "Hey, they are letting me eat ALL this...oh, yeah!!"  After he ate he went straight to the bath and his highchair went outside to get squirted off by the water hose. 

Happy 1st birthday, little man!  I love you!

Made to Crave...

Everybody hold on to your hat.  I bought a book.  Not just any book, but one I have been wanting to check out for quite some time.

I have been on the weight roller coaster for most of my life.  I have made many changes to my life, diet, exercise and yada, yada, yada.  I know you have all heard it a million times.  I promise not to go on THAT rant because honestly, I know you don't want to hear it.  Neither do I. 

I'm a little bitter.

Ok, enough of that.

Lysa Terkeurst, president of Proverbs 31 ministries, has a new book out called  "Made to Crave" and it looks really good.  I haven't started it yet, but I will try to keep you posted.  I liked the title and the description that we should be satisfying our deepest desire with God, not food.

Ouch.

I hope to learn a little about breaking the cycle and to finally start feeling good about myself, to stop worrying about the numbers on the scale, replacing rationalizations that lead to failure with wisdom that leads to victory, and to reach healthy goals and grow closer to God in the process.  Those are the things that Lysa says she wants us to get from this book. 

All I know, is I am ready to stop fighting this battle.  I know that this book is not a cure all.  I know that God is the only way that I can fight this and with Him I know I can do anything. 

So, if you are interested in learning more about Lysa, her website and books...click here to find out more info.  I think you will be blessed.

I plan on giving you weekly updates...that will help keep me accountable as well.

Keep the Faith

I don't consider myself a great writer.  Not even a good writer.  I am often amazed when I read other blogs, letters, emails or even tweets and the writers words flow so well together.  I have all these ideas and words floating around in my head and they usually don't make it to any type of page.  Usually, I do all my best "writing" in the shower.  The funny thing is, that is where most my wonderful ideas, prayers and conversations happen. 
Pretty sad.  I know. 

But, if it makes you feel better about me, I don't answer myself. 

Most times.

Anyway, I have had this blog floating around in my head all day.  I have been thinking of my sweet Nana all day long.  She has finally completed her radiation treatment for breast cancer.  Can I get a PRAISE and a GLORY!  Oh, yes!!  This has been such a hard time for her.  She has been such a trooper through this whole ordeal.  I have no idea how I would handle such a situation and once again she has handled it with grace and most of all she still has that glow.  I think the glow is much more than she realizes.  The glow that touches all she meets.  The glow that happens the minute that she walks in the room.  The glow that only comes from THE ONE.  The glow has always been in her. 

Always. 

I am thankful for her glow, for her love and mostly for her christian example of what a godly woman should look like.  She has a face of faith, don't you think?  I love that they sign a survivor tree... What an accomplishment!  I know at MD Anderson, they ring a bell.  A bell, a tree...its all good. :)  Most of all, it signifies the end. 

See ya later cancer.

Here are Mom and Nana at the radiation "party".  I mean look at those two...they are just too precious for words.  Mom...you are an angel and we are so thankful for all you do!  You are such a wonderful mom, caregiver and friend.  What a blessing you are to everyone!  Love you so....to the moon and back!

I love that all the doctor and nurses celebrate the special time...what a blessing.   Don't you just love the party hats.  It makes me so happy that it is over for her and now we can all just look to the future.  Love you Nana...a bushel and a peck!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." 

Jeremiah 29:11

********************************

On a much different note.  Today it's cold. 

Again.

And, again, the city of Houston is going crazy.  They are even thinking about cancelling school tomorrow?

My kids are doing a snow dance as I type.

I am not.

p.s.  Spell check isn't working.  I'm not promising there isn't a typo or two.  Or three.

Wordless Wednesday

A little bit of this and that....again.

This post is way over due!  It seems like I do most of my posting on the weekends.  I guess because my weeks are so super crazy!  We had a wonderful family night at the Shaw's a few weeks ago. Out of that night I only took two pictures...what in the world!  Well, I had one more but it was of Robyn at the trash can and she would have killed me for putting that out on the world wide web! ha! 

I love the pictures of Annelise and Macy with their crazy faces!  These girls are too funny.  I really wanted to get them to do a cute picture but this is what I ended up with.  Aren't they precious.  We had a wonderful time laughing, singing, praying, eating and playing games. 

This is something we love to do and will hopefully keep it going.



*****************************



This week has been full of games, girl scouts, dance, birthday parties, play dates and who knows what else.   Our girl scout troop had a fun field trip to one of our local Italian restaurant to make their own pizzas.  They are trying to earn their cooking try-it badge.  They had so much fun...especially when the chef gave them their own pizza dough.  After a few flips up in the air and most of them falling on the floor (some dough was put on top of some heads..won't say whose daughter that was) all of their pizza dough looked...um, well...gross.  I think they all had fun and learned a lot about cooking and they even got a tour of the kitchen.  They all loved that!!

This weekend has been a weekend of nothings.  Which I love.  I guess because, usually our weekends are full.  I know our weekends are fixing to pick up with baseball right around the corner.  We have already started baseball practice and basketball isn't even over yet.  We love getting to cheer for our boy. 

Macy has been on a Nintendo marathon.  She said it makes her smart.  Um, ok.  Whatever makes you feel better.

Please continue to keep my sweet Nana in your prayers....she is half way through with radiation!  PRAISE!  We are so thankful for her and are so glad she is almost done with that part of the treatment.  In a couple of weeks she will go back in for surgery to put her pacemaker back where they moved it from...not sure what side, but you get the gist.  So, please pray for a successful surgery.  We appreciate your prayers for her and for her healing. 

Also, keep one of my BFF's Holly in your prayers.  Her Daddy went in for surgery to remove some cancer.  He is still in the hospital but doing well.  They said they think they got it all!  PRAISE!  He should come home soon...I know that she would appreciate your prayers.  He is such a wonderful man and we are praying for complete healing!!!  You can go to her site to read the sweet post she did about her Dad!

And one more...,another BFF, Kim, whose Granny is just getting home from the hospital.  She is really needing our prayers for healing and to continue to get stronger.

Also, please continue to remember all those who are taking care of the sickies...they need our prayers, too.  ;)  Man, I am in the praying mood today.  Thank you in advance for your prayers.

God is good all the time, all the time God is good....



Happy Thursday!

Happy Thursday everyone!  It has been one of those crazy weeks!  I think everynight we have had something going on.  I love it, though....that just means we are alive, well and kickin'.  ha

Reid had a game last night and it was a nail biter!  They lost but played their hearts out!  A few games ago I made the mistake of telling him I would give him a dollar a basket.

Um, I owe him 30.00.

Whoops.

Neena and Papaw came down for the game and to spend some time with us.  We had such a wonderful time and a fun visit.  When the kids were in school, the adults went out to eat.  It was so nice getting to sit there and just talk.  After school, Mom made the trek with me to take my carpool to dance class...that was a hoot.  Macy loved that Mom was watching her through the window.  ha!  Mom and I had fun watching all the little girls try to keep up with the teacher. We also did a little shopping while the boys napped at home for a bit...shocker, I know.  Thanks for coming!  We loved the visit...

Of course, I didn't have my camera.  Typical.

Trust me...it was a crazy week...there is just no proof.

Happy Saturday....again!

Has it been a whole week since I blogged?  WOW!  I was going to be so much better at keeping up this year. I am pretty sure I say that every January.  That's why I love the new year...new year, new beginnings.

The scripture memorization is going great!  Proverbs 16:24 will be my new one for the end of January.  I love this verse.  I love how true it is...Pleasant words make all the difference in the world.  Seriously.  Pleasant words and kind looks.  You gotta love some Proverbs!

Now, how do you like my little image? I made it all by myself.  Now, don't laugh at how simple it looks...it was...but for me it took a while.  Even though it was easy squisey I still have to toot my horn.  TOOT TOOT! 

I hate tooting my own horn.

But, here it is.  I downloaded Photoshop and it has really tried my patience. My sister came the other day and helped me download some stuff and gave me a mini tutoring session.  She can scoot around PS like a crazy woman  true professional.  What is even more impressive is that she taught herself.  I am so glad she came and helped me out.  Thanks sissy!  She even gave me some really cool brushes and paper.  You can also download them from different sites online.  We got some cool things off of The Pioneer Woman.  She had some free things you could download as well.  And, who doesn't love Ree!  So, all that to say that PS is a whole new ballgame!   Let me tell you it is a BEAR to figure out.  But, if you can get it, its worth a try.  I downloaded the free 30 day trial and I can already tell I am going to need WAY more than 30 days to figure this bear out! 

What's funny is that when I sat down to blog I started to google images for my verse and then I remembered..

Duh, I have Photoshop. 

So, ya better like it. 

Happy Saturday friends, family and all my fabulous followers.  Which who are my friends and family.  ;)  I feel the love.

Weekend with the Sab's

This weekend has been WONDERFUL!  We have done nothing.  Well, maybe nothing is putting it lightly.  So, when I say nothing I mean we got to stay around here, sleep in a little, and play, play, play!  I love those kind of weekends.  So, here is some of our weekend in fun and crazy pictures.  Note:  I feel like a bad mother because there are more pictures of Macy because she still loves to pose for the camera.  Now, the teenager?  Well, he runs and hides when he sees me coming.  He's a punk.




You might as well JUMP!!!  These two girls are like two peas in a pod.  The only bad thing about us moving is this little girl and her family....these girls love playing together.  Living across the street from a friend is wonderful.  They play and fight just like sisters. 

 

See, here is my baby posing.   This won't be the first posed picture you will see with her new American Girl doll!  She has LOVED this doll.  It is the best money I have ever spent.  AND Let me tell you these babies cost and arm and a leg but, oh so worth it.  She is growing up so fast and as long as she wants to play with baby dolls it is OK with me.  This doll is supposed to look like her.  It's the AG Just Like Me doll and I think it looks pretty close!  She named her Addison, Addyson or Addisyn.  I am not quite sure.  But, she calls her Addi, Addie, Addy??  ;)




Now, I can get a picture of the teenager if he is moving full speed.  Even then it is hard.  I got a new EOS Canon Rebel T1i a few months ago and let me tell you I have loved, loved, loved it!  I am still trying to figure it out...hence the blurry action shots, but I am learning.  The pictures come out way better than on my old point and shoot.  Especially in the gym.  I never could get any pictures during basketball season because it was too dark in the gym.  But, now they are better and hopefully I can figure out how to get him with our him looking like a blurr.  I love this picture of him because he is totally fighting for the ball.  I love his face!!  Btw, he got the ball, and got a basket!  Yipee!!




See...blurry!  But, in my defense he was running like a mad man.  This boys got SKILLZZZ!!  I think he takes after his momma!

 


OK, now, this cracks me up.  Yesterday, I was cleaning like crazy because we had a showing on our house.  It is sad that I only clean like crazy when someone comes over.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I clean, but when there is a showing or company it gets a little more TLC.  So, anyway, I was putting up laundry and went into Macy's room and found Addy reading.  She is so smart, especially with her glasses on.  ha!  Love it!





Flash or no flash??  Can you tell the difference?  ;)

 


If you are ever in a panic and can't find the teenager....HAVE NO FEAR!  He will be in his room playing PS3.  I snuck in and captured this picture and then got a "look" because he didn't want it to end up on Facebook.  ha!  I told him I wasn't.  But, I said nothing about blogger.  Isn't he cute?  Excuse his room, who knows whats on his bed or under the bed for that matter.

 


As for me, there are no pictures.  I will spare you...today.  But, just in case you wondered what my weekend was like, here it is.  I love laundry, don't you?

 


As I was putting away my laundry, this made me smile.  My sweet hubby always leaves me sweet notes and brings me flowers.  Yesterday he brought me pretty pink tulips.  So, sweet!

 


Here is hubby watching the Aggies!  WHOOP! 

 




More posing....Macy needed my reading glasses to look like her AG doll!  They even have matching PJ's. 

 


You know whats really funny.....When your daddy falls asleep while watching the Aggies, you put a doll in his lap and take a picture.  Now, that is funny.  ;)

 


He then wakes up when he hears the Blue Bell come out of the fridge.  Don't you love how now Macy and Addy have on Hawaiian leis?  She is always dressing up.  For Christmas my mom gave her a AG Scarf set.  The bad thing is is that you have to knit it yourself.  Well, those that know me, know that I don't knit.  So, opening up the package was a little overwhelming.  Have no fear, I opened it and have started it.  It really isn't "knitting" it's more like making pom-pom balls and then sewing them together.  It has been fun.  Yesterday, she asked if I could hurry up and finish them before its summer.  Geez, I'm tryin'.

I hope that you have all had a wonderful and relaxing weekend.  Enjoy every minute....




A little of this and that

I have been sitting here for a while trying to think of something to blog about. Why is it that when I want to blog I can't think of an important thing to say? Or, when I sit down for a little blogging time someone in my family needs something. It's always the teenager. He just asked me for the stapler. It is in the same place it has been for 5 years(ish).

I guess I can ramble a bit. Let's see.

**School is back in session! Can I get a praise and a glory? I love my kids, don't get me wrong but when they are in school I get so much done. Like, today, I went to the movies with my husband. Don't judge...the laundry, dishes and dusting can wait.

**Report cards came home today for the teenager and he made all A's and B's! I am so proud of him. He works really hard balancing his school work and sports. There are nights when he stays up until midnight doing homework. Then up and bright eyed and bushy tailed (well, that might be over-doing it) ready to go again. He is a great kid and I am proud to be his mama.

**Macy gets her report card tomorrow and I know she will have great grades as well. She LOVES homework. I'm sure that won't last much longer but for now I love it. I know my time is coming, especially when she gets older, when she will dread it. Like, next year when we have to do a science fair project. Man, can I tell you how much I hate that. I think they are stupid. But, that's a whole 'nother story. Hey, I wonder if I could use one of Reid's old ones. I am pretty sure they are in the garage.

**Our house is still on the market. {{sigh}} We are still not sure of God's plan for us but we are hopeful that things will work out.

**I am sitting here listening to my son and hubby laugh about this commerical. They love it. It just came on and we all looked at each other and cracked up. For some reason, I can't remember how to get YouTube to work on my blog....ugh!!! So, click on it if you want a chuckle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhlWddAXSRA

**I finally picked a word for 2011! I know....its a shocker! I don't think I have ever had one. I was trying to remember if I did last year. I guess I didn't since it didn't make much of an impression. haha! So, hold on to your hats. I know you are so excited...{{insert sarcasm here}}...all my 10 followers. My word is DREAM. I will elaborate more on that later.

**I am working on my scriptures for this year. I am also following Beth Moore's scripture team. We are to pick two verses a month..on the 1st and the 15. I am so excited to get started. I have done this since 2009 and have loved it. Now, don't get me wrong, there are months when I don't do as good as I would like. But, thank goodness for grace...and new mercies every morning! So, my verse for Jan 1-15th is....

"Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

**Oh, and one last thing. I am in the market for a new bloggy facelift. If anyone knows of anyone who does that for a good price, please let me know. I have been looking around but not sure of who to use. There are a lot of good ones out there in bloggy land but some are a little out of my price range. Who knows, maybe I can teach myself how to do it....

Wordless Wednesday

1-1-11

Happy 1-1-11 everyone! I love when the date does cool number sequences. Like when it was 8-9-10. I know. I'm weird. I can't believe it is 2011...where does the time go?



We rang in the New Year with some friends and then off to the annual church youth group lock-in. It was a lot of fun. Troy was working so it was just me and the kids. Macy and I left the church after a wild game of Romans and Christians. My kids LOVE that game. They have been playing that game for ever and I am glad they keep it going. There has been quite a few injuries over the years....these kids take it seriously. I'm just glad our AWESOME youth minister keeps it going. It is like a wild game of hide and seek....in the dark. The Romans are trying to catch the Christians. You kind of have to be there to see it. ha! You couldn't pay me to play. I hate people chasing me. Macy even played. The teenage girls are so sweet to her. She thinks she is one of the girls!



I guess Macy and I left around 2:30am. I know, I am a bad mom. But, in my defense my kids are night owls. She was getting sleepy and I was too. I kept thinking of all the crazies that would be on the road and whispered a little prayer for me and my baby girl. Let me tell you, I am so glad I did. God totally protected us last night. I was at a stop light....with no one else around, fixing to go and I see a truck coming towards us and he has lost control of his vehicle. He skidded off the road and hit a short brick wall at the building across from us. Thankfully, he didn't run through the light I was sitting at....yikes! There was no one else around so I called 911. The dudes air bag came out and I had no idea if he was OK or not. I feel bad but I wasn't going to get out of my car. I was scared he was a crazy drunk or something. Macy was in the back crying like we were in the wreck so I hated to get out and scare the pants off her. Poor thing. I pulled off the road and watched the car and saw a man get out of the passenger seat. He looked fine but I have no idea how many people were inside. I asked the lady on the phone if I should get out and check on them and she told me I could go because emergency was on its way. I still feel bad about leaving and hope that they weren't hurt. When we got home Macy and I snuggled in my bed and I was so thankful we were OK. Macy even prayed for the man in the car.....sweet girl.



So, I hope 2011 is good to us....it started out a little crazy. As far as New Years resolutions...I have nothing. I think that this year I am just going to kind of fly by the seat of my pants. The only 2 things I want to improve is my prayer life and learn more scripture and I don't think that qualifies as a resolution. ;)

Happy New year from our family to yours.....

Merry Christmas everyone!

WOW! I can't believe there is only 5 days until Christmas. This time next week it will all be over. We are so excited to get to be with family. Reid and Macy are counting the days until we leave. I love that they will always remember our traditions at Nana and Poppi's house. That they think that Santa only comes to Smithville. That they know where their "spot" is for their Santa gifts. That we make the biggest mess with wrapping paper that you ever saw. That there are so many presents under the tree that we feel guilty. I love that we eat ourselves silly. I love Kathy's sugar cookies. I love remembering all the fun times we had playing hide and seek with the McAdams clan. I think about the Christmases past when Poppi walks behind all of us picking up our crumbs and wrapping paper. He spent most of Christmas Day making trips out to the alley to take the trash out. I think we would have about 10 bags of trash. ha! We sure miss him. We are looking forward to this Christmas and looking forward to many more memories. Thinking about memories already made are so special to me and I keep them close to my heart. It makes me smile. My cup runneth over.

Our December has been so busy....hence the no blogging. It seems like there is something every evening. Enjoy some of the pics from our busy but fun December. I love the hustle and bustle of the season....

Macy at her Christmas program at school. It was so sweet and I might or might not have cried. Things get to me more these days. ha!

She was so proud because she had a little speaking role. She was a Grandma. ha! So cute.

Our Ward Stars! This is the 3rd grade program....they worked so hard!

Braxton stayed with us for a while and he loved the program. He would clap and smile when the kids would start singing. We loved having him. Macy was a fabulous babysitter.

The magic is still alive! I love it. We had a Lunch with Santa at the Junior League and had a wonderful time. I love getting all dressed up for Christmas activities! We went with friends from dance and enjoyed our time eating, talking to Santa, laughing with friends and making crafts.

I had to take a picture of my baby! Look at that. He was 4 years old. I love all my homemade ornaments. I can't believe how time has flown by.....

The cutest little Rudolph around! We went caroling with the Girl Scouts. ;) If you want to call it that. I think the Mom's did all the singing. They were too worried about all the crafts and snacks.

From 4 years old to 14 years old! ha! Who has time to talk to Santa or make a Christmas list when you have shooting to do. Seriously.

Pink Christmas....One of my most favorite times of the year. I love these girls!

Have yourself a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wordless Wednesday