Christmas Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends

A friend emailed this to me today and I like it so much I thought I would share with my fellow bloggers...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrap
2. Real tree or Artificial? artificial but I love a real tree
3. When do you put up the tree? the weekend after thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? the week after Christmas
5. Do you like eggnog? love it
6. Favorite gift received as a child? anything barbie
7. Hardest person to buy for? parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? girls
9. Do you have a nativity scene? several
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? ???
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Polar Express
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? homemade treats from my friends and family
17. Favorite Christmas song? love them all
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? at home
19. Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer? dasher, dancer, prancer, vixon, comet, cupid, donnor, blitzen, and rudolph...not so hard when the person before me did it!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? always Christmas day
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Happy Holidays...I just prefer Merry Christmas
23. What theme or color are you using? no theme but we focus on the "reason for the season"
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? super skinny body, perfect skin, new wardrobe :-)

I won a wristlet!

I've never been a gambler, but feel like I need to go buy some lottery tickets (or maybe I should stick to the blog give-a-ways)! Over the weekend, I found out that I won the above wristlet. It is sooo cute! Girls, there is something to these blog contests...get out there and leave a comment and win some great stuff!

My sister-in-law Pam had a give-a-way on her blog last week and I was one of many winners. If you need any very cute and personalized Christmas gifts check out her Etsy store.

Thankful

I am truly a blessed woman! It seems that there are so many things around us to be discouraged about, but inside our home is a place of comfort. Here are a few of the things I am most thankful for:

1. My awesome husband (we don't sit around the fire having long romantic talks, but he is a great man and a great father and a great husband)
2. My precious girls (they aren't always perfect, but I am blessed everyday to see God's little creation right before my very eyes)
3. Our nation (I'm not always thrilled with the direction of our nation, but we still have freedom...to worship Jesus Christ, to choose how I want to live, to express my views...there are thousands of people around the world who don't have those freedoms)

Bethy and Rylee making apple pies...they were yummy!

Snow Fun!

We went to East TN last weekend to visit Matt's family and we were greeted with snow! There wasn't a ton of it but is was soft and beautiful. We don't get much snow in middle TN and when we do it's more like ice. The girls LOVED it! They also had a great time seeing the grandparents and family.

My Little Gobblins

Here are a few pictures of the girls on Halloween. Reagan was the sweetest little pumpkin and Rylee was doctor at school and decided she wanted to be a princess an hour before we left for trick-or-treating on the square. They had a blast this year!

Our Sweet Girls

These pictures were so sweet...I wanted to share!

Jesse Tree

As I have been organizing my thoughts and schedule for the holidays, I have come across some really great ideas but the best one I've found came up today on one of the blogs I read daily. Simple Mom had a post about a Jesse Tree (which was new to me...I'm sure everyone else has heard of it). Every evening for about four weeks until Christmas, the family reads through a simple devotional, talks about the lesson, and hangs the appropriate ornament on the Jesse Tree.

It sounded like something that Rylee would really enjoy and might even peak Reagan's interest, and I'm always up for something that will help my kids understand the true meaning of Christmas!

Others Resources for the Jesse Tree:

• Rocks In My Dyer tells about how her family did a Jesse Tree
• Reformed Church in America has simple devotionals and ornament ideas

It's been a while...

I was doing so good posting every week (or so) and then nothing for 2 months! Life got busy, or more accurately, life is always busy and this is something that fell by the wayside. Just so no one else thinks that they can be slackers, I may not have been posting but I was still keeping up with all the blogs I read :-).

Cookout and Hayride with my Moms Group

My moms group did a cookout and hayride and we have a fabulous time! Usually when we plan a night out it is without the husbands and the kids (we love 'em but we need our time away). Well, we decided to invite the whole family for this event and it was so much fun.

Rylee with chocolate on her face.

It was a perfect night to enjoy the fire.

Kristi and Jacob

Kim and Michelle

Jennifer, Marc and Jett - please keep them in your prayers - Marc

got to join us while on a short (2 week) leave from Iraq

Fun at the Pumpkin Farm

A few weeks ago we headed to Waldon Farms with my neighbor and her kids to "pick" some pumpkins. It was a really cute little place and the kids had a great time.

Rylee and Keely showing off their pumpkins.

Rylee down on the farm!

Keely down on the farm!

Reagan down on the farm!

Reagan playing on the toys.

Shouldn't they be having fun??? No, mom made

them stop and take a picture together :-).

The Many Styles of Reagan

I just had to share with you my most recent pictures of Reagan's unique style. Her philosophy is the more the better. It doesn't matter the accessory...she just wants a lot of them. I hope that one day she can use it for good :-)!!!

Obviously, you can't miss the headbands but notice the wrist and fingers too. This was a style she enjoyed for about 3 or 4 days...no kidding.

Here is Reagan playing with her friend Jonathon. She is sporting the "eyes" (which most of us would call sun glasses) and the lovely rain boots.

Cream Cheese Filled Strawberries

These are great for showers or any type of entertaining. They taste so yummy!

Cream Cheese Filled Strawberries

32 Starwberries

Filling:
12 oz Cream Cheese
3/4 cup powder sugar
1/4 tsp almond extract

Cut an X in the strawberry to create a pocket and use a zip lock bag to squeeze in the filling. Refridgerate before serving.

Happy Birthday Reagan Elizabeth!

Today is my baby girl's 2nd birthday! She is a precious child and has been such a blessing in our lives! She has a wonderful smile (that she won't share with just anyone), she thinks her sister is the greatest and is still happiest when she has blankie in her arms :-).

Life lessons from our kids: Matt and I got Reagan a roller coaster for her birthday and Rylee wanted to give her a sucker. Both were in the living room when Reagan got up this morning, however, the first thing she noticed and the only she cared about was the sucker that was from her sister. After the sucker was open and in her mouth she decided to get excited about the coaster.

What she's doing now...

• within the past month or two her talking switch has been turned on and she'll carry on a conversation with us


• still our picky eater (hot dogs, chicken nuggets, fruit, crackers and cereal...these aren't the only things she eats but the things I know I can get her to eat)


• sleeping in a big girl bed for about almost 3 months now


• has definitely realized her ability to protest :-)


• LOVES: jewelry, lipstick, playing with her baby dolls and coloring/art/play dough

(Reagan acting camera shy)

Exciting News...

(above: picture and baby by Kim Wheeler :-D)

I won some incredibly cute, personalized art by Kim at Small Words. I check out her blog all the time and this week she had a contest going on and all you had to do was leave a comment. Never did I think I had a chance at winning...but I did!!! I am so excited! I don't know that I've ever won anything of value before. Maybe this will motivate me to do some decorating in the girls rooms.

All about me...

I think I'm going to set a record for number of posts this month...I've not blogged this much in a long time! I have been tagged, so here are 6 random facts about me:


1- My two favorite flavors are caramel and cinnamon (sorry Pam!). Yum, yum...I love 'em! Notice they are both desert/sweet flavors. That tells you something else about me :-).

2- Matt and I met on a blind date and married exactly a year (to the date) after our first date. Alomst 7 years later, I have no doubt it was the best decision I've ever made!!!

(this picture was taken the year we were married)

3- I really enjoy girly movies...you know the Julia Roberts/Cameron Diaz/Reese Whitherspoon type movies. The kind of movies that don't have a very thick plot and you can watch the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes and pretty much have the movie, yeah those are the ones I talking about.

4- I have big babies! Both of my girls were over 9 lbs when they were born...skipped right over those newborn diapers :-).

5- My favorite new blog is http://www.simplemom.net/. I am a pretty practical girl and she is very practical and inspiring!

6- My favorite color is green. It's a happy color and it reminds me of the outdoors and nature. When we built our house I painted my kitchen green...I mean really green...and after the first coat of paint Matt said "are you sure this is the color you want???" I think he even likes it now!

***I tag Bethany, Melissa, Pam, Amy, Terra, Lisa***

Well, that's it for randomness on my part! Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you

2. Post the rules to your blog

3. Write 6 random things about myself

4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them

5. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.

Invisible

My mom sent me this today. Amazing timing I tell ya!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0

I had one of those moments this weekend...I was tired of laundry, tired of cooking, tired of cleaning the house 3 times a day and tired of whining girls (who's attitudes just reflect that of their mom). Being a mom is the most challenging job I've ever had. It's challenging because it's not about me and I don't get the recognition that I so enjoy. The one thing I know, though, is that it is the greatest opportunity I've ever been given. So, for the rest of today :-), I will remind myself with every dirty sock I pick up and spill that I clean up that I am blessed to be able do it for the 3 most important people in my life.

School Days...

Carson Andrew

Keely Parker

Margaret "Maggie" Elaine

Fast forward 5 years and these 3 precious babies (my nieces and nephew) are all starting school this year. It's a little overwhelming when I stop and realize how grown up they really are. They are amazing kids now and I can't wait to see the impact they have on the world around them. My prayer for them is that God will bless them with an exciting and wonderful year and that His light will shine in their lives!

I'm a photo thief! If the following pictures were taken from your blog, please forgive me :-). The past few weeks I seem to have forgotten I own a camera. A few shots of what we've been up to since my last post...

Swimming and lunch at Terra's...it was the perfect day and we had great company. The only one missing from the picture is Amy and she is behind the camera. Thank you Terra for a fun day!!!

Bethany and I met Dad, Amy, Rachael and Emily up in the mountains for a surprise birthday celebration for my dad. We had a great time and as always, Rachael and Emily spoiled us helping with the babies.

Terra and I took Rylee and Julia to see the American Girl movie. What a cute movie! By the end of the movie the girls were both in the same seat and had gone through twizzlers and a box of crunch. I think they had a great time too!

Woohooo...I got an award!

Let's face it, I'm not the most creative cat but it's very exciting to know that there are a few people out there who check out my blog from time to time!!! Who knows, this may even inspire me to step it up a notch :-). I was nominated for this award by my friend Rachel. She is a stay-at-home mom, talented cook and a great blogger. What I like most about Rachel is that she has a big heart and a enjoys the little things in life. Beware...her little boy Noah will crack you up too!

There are specific instructions that must be followed now in order to maintain such status in blog world though, so here they are:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. Nominate at least seven other blogs.

4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

Here are my nominees...

http://www.bethanyandjeramy.blogspot.com/ - My sister, my friend and the mom of my sweet Ella Jean! If you know Bethy, you love her. Her blog is about family and her health and exercise journey. She is transparent and real...what more can you ask for!

http://www.livefromthequickhouse.blogspot.com/ - Terra is my "let's not take life too seriously" voice of reason (which is particularly helpful to me :-D). She is creative and sassy and the mom of 2 cute kiddos! You'll enjoy reading about their family fun and her newest projects.

http://www.tylerkateshawn.blogspot.com/ - This girl has is going on! Life with a 2 1/2 yr old and twins that will soon be 1 and she still has a clean house, mows the grass and blogs. Her blog is a small window into the the world of all those beautiful babies. It will inspire you to appreciate life day by day.

http://www.pamelaposch.blogspot.com/ - This is the one member of our family with oodles of talent. She can turn trash into treasure and makes it look easy. She is also the most creative scrapper I've ever seen. Most importantly, though, she is an amazing mom to my very energetic nieces and nephew.

http://www.thekempfamily.blogspot.com/ - The focus of Amy's blog and life is her precious daughter Scotlyn. Amy, however, is an incredible decorator and really needs to expand her blog to include all of her great decorating ideas for those of us who are a little decorating challenged...hint, hint!!!

http://www.annamarie08.blogspot.com/ - My friends Steve and Ruth Ann recently adopted a beautiful little girl and this is their story. Start at the beginning...they share wonderful details about the adoption process and you'll fall in love with the love of their life!

http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/ - This is the one blog in which I do not personally know the author, but I love what she has to say. Becky's trade is scrap booking (which I don't do), but she also posts the most handy little tips and ideas and has wonderful recipes (and great pics of those recipes).

Blackberry Pickin'

According to my husband, I am a city girl. I like a nice, clean hotel when we go on vacation (rather than a camping trip), I don't make biscuits and gravy and I've never been blackberry picking before (or any berry for that matter). Over the years I've come to appreciate the wonderful experiences he has introduced me to and our girls are always thrilled when daddy has planned an adventure. This week it was blackberry picking. When he mention what we were going to do, I envisioned the manicured strawberry patches that you hear about...that was not the case. There were thorns, lots of brush to climb through and the insects of summer. We had a great time though!!! We will be doing it again...except next time with long sleeves.

These are the days...

The past few weeks have been filled with summer fun. I love watching the girls run and play and pass out from pure exhaustion. It's amazing...as soon as we finish breakfast they are ready to go outside and I think they would stay out there all day if I'd let them.

This is a picture of the Zinnia's that Rylee planted around our garden. They are beautiful and attract tons on butterflies.

Reagan playing in the pool on the 4th of July. She also watched her 1st fireworks show that night and loved it! At the last minute, we decided to wake her up and let her watch the fireworks and we are so glad we did.


Girls waiting patiently to go play at the Splash Pad.

It was a bit chilly one morning last week, so Rylee decided she needed all of her winter accessories. She played like that for about 20 minutes and then decided it wasn't that cold any more :-).

We had a great visit with nana and pap pap last weekend. They brought Rylee the picnic set for her birthday and the girls love it!

Happy Birthday Rylee!

My precious girl is 4 years old today. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about the day she was born...it feels like it was yesterday. If I heard it once I heard it 1000 times, "it will pass so quickly." It has passed so quickly!

Over the past year she left the baby stage and became a little girl. I have also seen many wonderful qualities develop, such as compassion (not leaving my side when I had the stomach bug), precision (typical 1st child characteristic but she knows what she wants to do and how she wants it done) and I've also learned how tough she really is (the broken arm). Rylee brings such joy to our lives and we are blessed by every moment we get to share with her!

Here are some pictures from her party:

Rylee enjoying cake and ice cream!

Gramma, Rylee and Reagan decorating their crowns.

Cole, Carson and Katelyn

Bethany and Ella Jean

Rylee and Anna

Tyler enjoying cake and ice cream!

Ruth Ann and Anna Marie

Took this little ditty this past week. Sorry, it's a little fuzzy because I standing in the kitchen. Rylee had a grove going on, but as soon as she sees me with the camera she gets all shy. I thought it was cute!