Wednesday, December 30, 2009

They Make My Heart....


...melt in a million peices!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Thankful Tuesday!

After spending lots of time with my family, I realized how much I have to be thankful for more than ever.

- I am thankful I have such a loving, forgiving, special, inviting family who I love dearly. I honestly can say I have no idea where I'd be without them and thank God every day for them. I am proud to say they are my best friends.
- I am thankful for my parents. Most people my age are probably saying they hate their parents or some crap like that, but I am proud to say that my Mom and Dad are my best friends. I am so lucky I was able to spend Christmas with them.
- I am thankful for God. He loves me unconditionally, never leaves my side, and always makes the best decisions for me whether I think they are right or wrong in the moment. He never gives me more than I can handle, though he gets me pretty close sometimes. He's awesome and without Him, I wouldn't be where I am today.
- I am thankful for all of my lovely presents I got this year. We got way too much, but appreciate everyone's kindness and thoughtfulness. :) We are blessed.
- I am thankful for my Snuggie. It is so warm and snuggie. Plus, it's ECU. IT really is a great invention. One day I'm going to invent something wonderful.
- I am thankful I was able to clean up some today. It's only the beginning of what needs to be done, but atleast we started. Maybe New Year's Eve...

I am so thankful for everything in my life andI am blessed... I love you all!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Not Me! Monday

I did not tell Jalen we can leave his Christmas tree up all year. I did not tell him that will will find new ornaments for all of the holidays. Nope, I would never do something like this to avoid having to put it up and hear him sad. I am not a sucker!

I did not stay up until 3 in the morning searching blogs for great deals right before Christmas. I just walk into stores and pay the full price, nope, not me. (Those great blogs I found are on the side of my blog, check them out!)

I did not bake cookies the other day with Jalen (and pumpkin pies) because he was acting crazy and I knew that was the only thing that would calm him slightly down. (Oh yeah, we turned Sprout on, too!) Nope, not me, we read books and do yoga together to calm down.

I am not sitting here blogging, surfing the internet, and doing Facebook while my house is covered in Christmas presents, playdough, and other messes. Nope, my house is always neat and perfect.

Well, if you haven't figured it out, it's a not me! monday and if you want the whole scoop on it, head over and see MckMama (see my side blogroll). Happy Monday!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Merry Christmas!





We had a lovely Christmas and we hope you did to. Spending the day with family and enjoying ourselves shouldn't only come once a year. I hope in this upcoming year I will be able to get my family together more and more as those are the times of the year we most appreciate and remember. It's amazing to me that we have God who loves us unconditionally and blesses us with more than imaginable. I can't tell you how many times we take things for granted in our lives. I love my family and I am so thankful I have them. Hope you're family had a lovely Christmas, just like ours did. More pictures to come!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Oh Christmas Tree..


This year was my first year with a real tree! It smells great and I really haven't seen the big 'trouble' with real trees. We have angel ornaments that I've collected over my 21 years from my Mom, Nick's Duke ornament, the ones Jalen made, and a few odds and ends. It's very pretty and I love it! I do not have a tree skirt because the stand is too fat for it to look normal, so instead we have a blue movers mat that we had from when we got new furniture. Ha! It works, it does the job, and who sees a tree skirt anyways?? Exactly! On the top is a metal, wiry star with little diamonds dangling. Very pretty, when it chooses to stay up there! It's OUR first Christmas tree...

You know, when I typed the word 'Christmas' it really made me get on my tangent of people putting X-Mas. I can't stand it and I do not understand how it takes less time to write X-Mas than Christmas. Why do we celebrate Christmas? Because of CHRIST... so why take His name out of it? Sorry, it really annoys me and bothers me when I see it. My Christmas cards will say 'Merry Christmas,' not Happy Holidays. That's my tangent. I'm done. Merry Christmas!!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Great Times, Great Family...

We had a blast at the beach. We did a lot of shopping, hanging out, and just having fun. We've all come to an agreement that we are a tough crowd - you can't have any imperfections, dress crazy, or do anything wrong because you will get called out. Jalen loved being around everyone. It was very cute - at the pool a boy took one of Ry's toys and Jalen swam as fast as he could to get that toy back from the boy and proceeded to tell him it was his Ry-Ry's and to not take it! They have a love/hate relationship.. Do not mess with his Ry-Ry or he'll beat you up! Ha! :) Jalen is an excellent swimmer with absolutely no fear. He has to wear his vest and he doesn't try to take it off because he knows the rules. It was the best invention ever. I don't know what we'd do without it - have a heart attack! We were able to see Grandnana while we were there and she looked great. Jalen slept most of the time. Ryan loved playing around. It was a great visit with her..


While we were at the beach we had a gingerbread house builiding activity. It was a lot of fun. We found out who was a sore loser about their house and we saw how creative we all can be. Overall, it was a very fun activity and one we will continue to do!!

Now, it's time for Christmas! I am very behind on my shopping, so therefore, I'll be shopping today. Poor Jalen, he will be attending the majority of the stores. We'll see how Christmas shopping for him goes with him there.. We'll see how many actually last until Christmas day!! Plus, we're battling the grocery store, too! Oh what a fun day.. My last day off until Christmas!!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Color Inc.


As you can see from my last post about Better in Bulk, I've won a few things from her blog. My last winning was a 20x24 wrapped canvas print from Color Inc. I was very excited to win this because I had a few pictures in mind that I wanted to use. Now, we have a life-size Jalen picture on our mantle. I'd love to get 2 more and put them all together in the hallway. We'll see! It was a $115 value!! (and if you're wondering, I haven't taken the plastic off because I'm scared it'll get messed up)!

Better in Bulk!

I love snooping around on blogs and I've stumbled across a great one... Better in Bulk! I've won numerous things off of her blog and enjoy reading it, as well. Right now, she's giving away Wal-Mart gift cards. Check it out!! www.betterinbulk.net

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Beach Bound!


Oh, how I miss those days? Pray for our safe travels! See you in a week (or maybe sooner!)

Thankful Tuesday!

This time of the year we have a lot to be thankful for or it seems as if it comes out more. I am always blessed and thankful for everything I have in my life. There are days we all lose sight of what is important, but it is important to always come back and remember.

* I am thankful we're heading out to the beach for a week of family times and memories. I'm very excited to have no plans and be done with school for a little bit, so I can enjoy it.
* I am thankful Jalen loves school. He wakes up and is ready to go. He enjoys playing and having fun. It does make me a little sad when I leave. I walk outside and his classroom backs up to the walk-way. He waits for me at his classroom door that looks outside to wave bye to me. Aww, it breaks my heart, but he's happy!
* I am thankful my Mom will be coming up on Christmas Eve!
* I am thankful we were able to go a Christmas play earlier in the week and enjoy a scrumptous dinner before at El Dorado!
* I am thankful I have my beautiful Christmas tree and heat in my house. We thought our heat died, but luckily, they fixed it for us. It was a mear 54 degrees when we woke up. I couldn't imagine not having heat - oh the things we take for granted.

I am thankful for so much and so blessed. Have a good rest of the week...

Pray for our safe travels!!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Not Me! Monday

This past week has been very hetic!

* I did not get my clothes for each day out of the clean clothes pile x 10 that I've failed to fold or carry up. Nope, I fold the clothes and put them away as soon as they get out of the dryer because I don't like for them to wrinkle!
* I did not turn George on for Jalen so I could sleep a little bit extra. Nope, I get up as soon as Jalen does to cook him a huge breakfast because it's the most important meal of the day!
* I did not take Jalen to Target to get out of the house and just have something to do. I did not buy him an Icee and Popcorn so I could look around in peace. Nope, not me!
* I did not go and get my test grade from school, see it was a 90, and leave. Nope, not me. I stay every single time and take wonderful notes. But, tonight is my final and I will study all day long. Nope, not me!

Friday, December 4, 2009

It's That Time...

...for our Christmas pictures and card! I'm not going to post our pictures or card until I'm completely done, but here is a taste to keep you coming back!


Need help with your Christmas card? Want to do something different this year? Tired of signing a Hallmark card with your names? I'll help you! Get creative.. creativity isn't expensive!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...




The other day Jalen had a blast putting up his little tree in his room. This little tree has been around for 3 years now and it amazes me it still stands. He was so cute and so serious about putting it up. Do not mess with his ornaments because he will know if it is misplaced. He loves how it lights up and gets so excited to show people his tree. You can tell he is very proud and I am proud he is proud...

We got our big tree tonight and for the first time ever, I have a real tree!! I am super excited and hope by the morning it is all comfy and cozy in our home so I can decorate it!