Holidays

Bailey opening his Christmas present- We caught a video of Bailey trying to get into his present under the tree, despite previously being told "no". He also woke me up one morning with his candy cane bone lying next to me and his eyes begging me to open it up for him.

Matt bought me a Ty beanie baby of a dog (named Barley) that looks a lot like Bailey. Bailey was a little jealous.




The Gingerbread House (decorated on the 21st)

Bailey with one of his toys


Pumpkin Pie took this picture when Bailey was hanging with them in the play room (watching a movie)

Bailey in the first snow of December. He thought he was in hog heaven!
Me, my brother, and my sister- I don't think we look anything alike (or more like I don't look like either of them).

Oh my goodness...where do I start? I guess I will start by giving a run down of what December has had in store for us.
Matt left at the end of November for a business trip in Wisconsin and returned at the first of December. I handled myself very well, managed to get the girls ready for school each day (lunches and snacks included) and get to work on time. I also prepared supper, kept the house and all chores maintained, and spent some much needed quality time with my girls. We were so excited to have Matt back home though! Then the real madness of the holidays began...
4th: Girls music recital- absolutely wonderful and both of the girls played beautifully.
6th: I attended a woman's meeting with my best friend and enjoyed myself.
8th: Christmas program at the girls' school. Pumpkin Pie is in the choir and Sweet Pea played a cow. It was very cute and the kids did a magnificent job.
12th: Our best friend's came over to celebrate the holidays with dinner and gift exchanges. The girls received personalized watches (one of their favorite gifts received).
13th: My best friend from college and my husband's best friend from childhood, along with their precious daughter came to visit for the holidays. They brought the girls personalized items as well. Pumpkin Pie was most enamored with our friend's daughter singing and pretending to play the piano. She took over 20 pictures and 3 videos of it, which is so like me.
19th: We were supposed to visit Matt's family in North Carolina. However, those plans changed due to the snowy weather. We did eat a delicious dinner at his aunt's home and Matt's mom came to visit (technically, she was supposed to be in North Carolina but did not reach that destination due to the 6 inches of snow already in North Carolina. She did end up staying all night. The girls received another favorite of their gifts (actually two)- Mamaw bought them Vera Bradley backpacks and their aunt bought them certificates for a manicure. That evening, Matt's friend and his girlfriend came over to hang out for the evening, which ended up being awkward because of Matt's mom being here but that is a much longer and more personal story.
21st: My mom came to visit for the afternoon. We started the gingerbread house and Pumpkin Pie had been asking for some assistance with making friendship bracelets. We all attempted but sadly, I have never been very crafty. After mom left, we finished the Gingerbread House, which did not turn out like the picture on the box. The girls had a great time decorating the house and discussing plans for next year's house.
23rd: Matt's cousin and family came to visit for the holidays. They brought the girls so much stuff that I wouldn't know where to begin.
24th: We have a tradition of opening gifts with the kids on Christmas Eve. We emphasize the kids understanding the true meaning of Christmas and typically spend Christmas day running from place to place. Christmas Eve is OUR time together and to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Our children could not come up with any thing in particular that they really wanted for Christmas this year so they both ended up getting books (Pumpkin Pie received American Girl books and Sweet Pea received all of the new Olivia the Pig books that came out- due to her pig obsession). Sweet Pea also received a new music stand to hold her music when she is practicing violin. Pumpkin Pie received some fashion design items because she wants to become a fashion designer someday.
25th: Christmas Day- We started out by going to my sister's mom's house to take my nephew and sister their gifts. We then rejoined with them at our Grandparent's home where we had the traditional Christmas dinner, specially prepared by my Mamaw. She happens to be the best cook in the world. We exchanged gifts and had the traditional reading of the Christmas story. This year, my aunt had a beautiful story published about her mom's values and experiencing Alzheimer's and finding the blessings through such a frightful experience for those involved. We read it aloud and I managed to not cry in front of everyone. After leaving Mamaw's, we went to my mom's home where the girls received even more presents. We still had one more stop to make though, my bestest buddy's house to hang for the evening. It is becoming a traditional way to wind down a wonderful Christmas. We also received a special surprise this Christmas. My sister let my nephew come home with us for several days.
28th: We took my nephew back home today and Pumpkin Pie cried. Sweet Pea was sad but also enjoys being the baby, which she is not when Rotten is with us. I say "Rotten" because the girls have spoiled him. He can simply whimper and the girls run to take care of whatever he wants.
This year has been filled with so many blessings. Matt and I are very fortunate to have family and friends to celebrate with. We still have many more activities planned for the week before we have to return to work and school. One of those tasks is to definitely clean my house! I received so many thoughtful and wonderful gifts but the most important gift is the love of Jesus. I have already started thinking about my goals for the new year and am so appreciative of the wonderful things that have happened over this past year.

The Blue Box

I received a very special gift today...the blue box. My wonderful husband hid the gift in a cookie jar and sent a text with the picture and a note saying, "I love you." I came home and opened the jar (because I am curious like that). I found the special gift and was thrilled that my husband is sweet enough to think of me on such a random day. I promise to share the real reason on Friday, but it isn't as amazing of a reason as you might think.
I love my husband and adore him greatly. He is the perfect man for me.

Thanksgiving Holiday

This week was another wonderful week. Wednesday, Matt and I did some Christmas shopping and finished cleaning the house in anticipation of the plans ahead. Thursday, we attended dinner at Matt's Aunt's home and enjoyed a wonderful meal and visited with some much missed family. Thursday night started the thankfulness for us though. We picked up my sister and nephew and headed to Sevierville to view the Shadrack light show- which was so amazing. My nephew was in awe of the lights and the girls were pretty amazed too. We celebrated a family tradition that we have attempted to stick to for some years now. Every year, we each get a new pair of pajamas and enjoy decorating the Christmas tree as a family. My sister, nephew, both girls, and my husband decorated the tree while I snapped pictures of the wonderful memories. Matt got Superman pajamas this year. I got black and white polka dot pajamas. My sister got gray and blue artsy design pajamas. My nephew got polar bear pajamas and each girl picked out some Christmas design pajamas.
Friday, Matt attempted some Christmas shopping but only obtained a few goodies. He did, however, get the one thing that I requested for Christmas- a steam mop (don't act surprised that it is a cleaning supply). We took the girls and my nephew to see the miniature train set up at UT gardens, then to see the Three Rivers Rambler (which I did not realize would be running), and on to Worlds Fair Park to take some pictures and let the kids enjoy the playground. We managed some awesome pictures of my nephew on the train tracks, playing with his new Thomas the Train, and wearing his new train shirt. He has a passion for trains right now! We are planning some Christmas pictures of the girls this coming weekend. We did a little Christmas shopping Friday evening and watched the Polar Express.
Saturday, we had to take my sister and nephew back home. It is so sad to see them go back home but we have plans to see each other again in a few weeks. For those who don't know, they live about two hours away from here. I love them both so much and enjoy my time with them, which I never get enough of. We also visited with my grandparents Saturday and ate some delicious home cooking, courtesy of Mamaw.


From the light show in Sevierville
Matt in his Superman PJ's, decorating the tree

A photo from the miniature train exhibit

I have given a lot of thought to the changes in tradition this Thanksgiving. I have been so accustomed to our Thanksgiving breakfast at Mamaw's and I missed it so much this year. My Papaw is getting sicker and preparing a large meal has become a burden that my Mamaw can no longer bear. My Papaw has talked with me about his progressively worsening health and his preparation for death. I think about all of the changes that I have seen among my family over the years and how each one has been a struggle when I was faced with it but new traditions were celebrated in its place. I worry about how another lost tradition will be replaced when it was such a significant part of my life. I am thankful that I have traditions that I have started with my own children and I want to continue to instill those things with my girls. I want Thanksgiving to always be important to my girls and hope that they always remember that Thanksgiving is a religious holiday (started to celebrate how blessed our lives are because of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, our ability to have religious freedom, and God providing much more in our lives than we ever deserved). I love my family more than anything on this Earth and am truly thankful for the many blessings in my life.

Disney on Ice

We went out to eat with our best friends and attended Disney on Ice: Finding Nemo last night. The girls had a great time and Disney did a pretty good job with this show. The girls had matching dresses and hairbows (thanks to Val) and received tons (I do mean tons) of compliments on their outfits. Apparently, not too many people could find Nemo apparel and the girls are so doggone cute, everyone had to give compliments. The girls ate the attention up!
After the show, we all rejoined at the house to play an hour (or more) of Super Mario Bros. on the Wii. It was so much fun. The only thing that could have made the night better would have been better food at Applebee's and if Kari hadn't been so tired. She goes all of the time.

Next week is sure to be filled with activity too. I am planning on cleaning and putting up the Christmas tree. My sister and nephew are planning a visit for several days, and of course, giving thanks to God for another wonderful year (plus some yummy food at Matt's Aunt's). I am hoping to get all of the presents wrapped and possibly getting Christmas pictures made. Plus, we have another couple of fun activities planned for the kids.

First lost tooth

Sweet Pea chose a Barbie set with the puppy for her "tooth present". The second picture is right after I pulled her tooth. It didn't bleed too bad.

Sweet Pea lost her first tooth today. I cried at how fast my babies seem to be growing up. Pumpkin Pie was so sweet to tell her sister that it wouldn't hurt too bad as I wiggled it back and forth. Sweet Pea didn't cry at all and was so excited to have her tooth out. I placed it in a baggy for her to show off at school. We called a couple of people and texted a couple of others. She gets to pick something out from Walmart this weekend (since we do not believe in the tooth fairy).

where did she get that brain from?

Pumpkin Pie was studying for her science quiz tonight when she came upon a problem...

Child: Mom, I can't find the answer to number two.
Me: (Reading question: "In which of the three states of matter does air exist naturally?") OK, what are the three states of matter?
Child: Liquid, Solid, Gas...(pause)...Oh, I thought it wanted to know which state in the United States!

Hmmm...did she get that brain from her dad?

I have RELAPSED

We had a great time last weekend. We had the privilege of keeping my nephew all weekend and took a trip to Dollywood (his first time and to celebrate for Sweet Pea's birthday). Since we have been so busy, we decided to be absolutely lazy this weekend.
On to the relapse...last Christmas, we purchased a Wii for the girls. You can guess who plays it the most though. I became addicted. I thought I kicked the habit and had stayed away for a little while, afraid that I would get sucked back in. Well, today, temptation was too much. I purchased the new Mario game. I didn't play it before the night service at church because I knew that I would end up skipping service. However, after church-it was ON! Matt and I have spent the last hour realizing that we do not believe in team work (you would have to play the game to understand). I am already withdrawing and thinking about how I will get my next fix. After music lessons tomorrow, me and the girls may need some "quality time."
Pray that I do not get sucked into Mario World!!!