On this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for all of you...for sharing your lives and words and wisdom...for sharing your love of home and family. Enjoy this day with those you love. And with pumpkin pie. Lots of pumpkin pie.
November 27, 2014
November 25, 2014
Happy 18th Birthday Madison Marie!
My Madison is turning 18! I am so very proud of the young woman my firstborn has become. Although the years have run together and somehow taken that precious baby I held so close all those years ago and replaced her with a beautiful, amazing, talented young woman, I do remember many things about the first person ever to call me Mom.
Madison, I remember the exact moment I knew you were to be. I remember kneeling by my bed and thanking God for the gift of your life.
I remember Grandma holding my hand as I labored with you, and the look of worry on Grandpa's face as I left the room for the C-section that would finally bring you into the world. (You even started your life being late! I shouldn't be surprised now!)
I remember standing by your crib with Daddy, thinking you were exactly what I had prayed you would be.
I remember rocking you in your room, thinking of all the fun times we had ahead of us.
I remember your first day of Kindergarten, and how you chose your own outfit and how you would wear your hair.
I remember finding you asleep under the bedspread tent you made, surrounded by all your Barbies.
I remember how happy you were to become a big sister. Every single time.
I remember all these things about the little one that made me the thing I dreamed most of becoming...a mother.
And now, I am making new memories with the young woman that little one has become.
I taught you how to tie your shoes and button your clothes. Now, you teach me how to tie a scarf and wear the right boots with my jeans.
I taught you how to look for the best in people. You remind me to do just that.
I taught you how to drink milk from a cup. Now you teach me all about different kinds of delicious tea.
I no longer stand by your crib, my daughter. Now, when you get in your car and drive off to new adventures, I stand by the door and think you are exactly what I had prayed you would be.
Happy 18th Birthday, Madison Marie. I love you!
Madison, I remember the exact moment I knew you were to be. I remember kneeling by my bed and thanking God for the gift of your life.
I remember Grandma holding my hand as I labored with you, and the look of worry on Grandpa's face as I left the room for the C-section that would finally bring you into the world. (You even started your life being late! I shouldn't be surprised now!)
I remember standing by your crib with Daddy, thinking you were exactly what I had prayed you would be.
I remember rocking you in your room, thinking of all the fun times we had ahead of us.
I remember your first day of Kindergarten, and how you chose your own outfit and how you would wear your hair.
I remember finding you asleep under the bedspread tent you made, surrounded by all your Barbies.
I remember how happy you were to become a big sister. Every single time.
I remember all these things about the little one that made me the thing I dreamed most of becoming...a mother.
And now, I am making new memories with the young woman that little one has become.
I taught you how to tie your shoes and button your clothes. Now, you teach me how to tie a scarf and wear the right boots with my jeans.
I taught you how to look for the best in people. You remind me to do just that.
I taught you how to drink milk from a cup. Now you teach me all about different kinds of delicious tea.
I no longer stand by your crib, my daughter. Now, when you get in your car and drive off to new adventures, I stand by the door and think you are exactly what I had prayed you would be.
Happy 18th Birthday, Madison Marie. I love you!
November 24, 2014
November 22, 2014
Why I Decorate For Christmas Before Thanksgiving
Yes. I do. I admit it. I decorate my house for Christmas before Thanksgiving. As in put up the tree, get out the Christmas plates, hang the garland...the works. I realize not everyone shares my feelings on this. And I understand that. My reasoning is not that I love Christmas more than Thanksgiving, or that I want to skip over Thanksgiving and get right to Christmas festivities. Rather, my reasoning is the opposite. Decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving actually allows me to enjoy that special November holiday even more. Really.
Having our home decorated for Christmas on Thanksgiving Day allows me to sit, relax, and enjoy my family and my home while the turkey cooks away. I can live in the moment of that day. I can sit and watch The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and enjoy it, without my mind racing with all the things that need to be done in order for Christmas to begin.
I know this because I didn't always decorate before Thanksgiving. I used to wait until the day after. My mind would be racing with lists of things to do before the plates were cleared from the table. I was running around gathering up turkey and pumpkin décor before we even cut the pumpkin pie. I stressed about the dishes getting done so we could pull out the Christmas ones.
Now, I don't. Now it is all done. The house is decorated with Christmas love all around. And I am at peace. Do we eat turkey and stuffing off of Christmas tree plates? Yes, we do. Do we have Christmas music playing as we clear the table? Yep. Do we sit by the beautiful Christmas tree while we eat slices of pumpkin pie? Sure do. And you know what? That is alright. Because we are together. And we are happy.
Having our home decorated for Christmas on Thanksgiving Day allows me to sit, relax, and enjoy my family and my home while the turkey cooks away. I can live in the moment of that day. I can sit and watch The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and enjoy it, without my mind racing with all the things that need to be done in order for Christmas to begin.
I know this because I didn't always decorate before Thanksgiving. I used to wait until the day after. My mind would be racing with lists of things to do before the plates were cleared from the table. I was running around gathering up turkey and pumpkin décor before we even cut the pumpkin pie. I stressed about the dishes getting done so we could pull out the Christmas ones.
Now, I don't. Now it is all done. The house is decorated with Christmas love all around. And I am at peace. Do we eat turkey and stuffing off of Christmas tree plates? Yes, we do. Do we have Christmas music playing as we clear the table? Yep. Do we sit by the beautiful Christmas tree while we eat slices of pumpkin pie? Sure do. And you know what? That is alright. Because we are together. And we are happy.
So do what makes YOU happy, my friends.
Because, why not? : )
November 20, 2014
Thursday Thoughts
Today, I'm thinking about...
Yesterday! Because it was Flynn's 5th Birthday! And I was so happy for her and for the gift of her life, that I spend no time lamenting the fact that my baby is now 5. It was a wonderful day for my Cinderella loving girl.
Yesterday! Because it was Flynn's 5th Birthday! And I was so happy for her and for the gift of her life, that I spend no time lamenting the fact that my baby is now 5. It was a wonderful day for my Cinderella loving girl.
We spent the morning playing games and relaxing, because of course, when you homeschool Preschool, you take your birthday off. Then we got her all ready for party. She thought her party was going to be here at our house. But we told her we needed to go pick up Rhett from work at the theatre...and...
She was sooooo surprised!!!!!
She was happy to see her best friend/cousin Cammie, as well as her Aunt Margie and Uncle Chris, Aunt Sally, Aunt Scarlett and Grandma Margaret and Madison's bestie Miss Jessica.
They peeked at the cake before we opened presents...
and after presents we had the beautiful, delicious cake!
Then it was time to get our popcorn and head inside...
where my girl got to see her Cinderella on the big screen! She loved every single moment.
Then it was home to open family presents and sing Happy Birthday to our Flynn...just the six of us. And eat pumpkin bread, of course.
My girl had a wonderful day! I am thankful to the amazing friends at the theater who went out of their way to make sure Flynn had a perfect birthday. Thank all of you also for the birthday love. And for the record...we added three new Cinderellas to the mix! : )
November 18, 2014
Happy 5th Birthday Flynn Grace!
My baby is turning five...five is a big one for me. But like everything else, age is relative, right?
She is still a baby. My baby. And always will be. : )
At five years old, Flynn likes to drink milk. And only milk.
She loves school. She calls me Teacher. And she does so well.
Flynn loves to play in her kitchen center. She has a restaurant, and serves "FREE FOOD!"
She loves Cinderella. As in...adores.
Flynn is a loving child. She loves to love.
She loves to snuggle with me every afternoon on the couch. And I always do.
Flynn loves Peppa Pig, Max and Ruby, and yes...SpongeBob. Its inevitable with older kids in the house.
Flynn loves to go to bed. She has the uncanny ability to be wide awake one minute and fast asleep the next.
She loves to play Club Penguin. We play every morning on my iPad in my bed.
Flynn loves strawberries and bananas.
Flynn still loves her blanket, Taggie.
And she loves chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
We love her. So much. And cannot imagine our lives without her.
Happy 5th Birthday Flynn Grace!!!!
She is still a baby. My baby. And always will be. : )
At five years old, Flynn likes to drink milk. And only milk.
She loves school. She calls me Teacher. And she does so well.
Flynn loves to play in her kitchen center. She has a restaurant, and serves "FREE FOOD!"
She loves Cinderella. As in...adores.
Flynn is a loving child. She loves to love.
She loves to snuggle with me every afternoon on the couch. And I always do.
Flynn loves Peppa Pig, Max and Ruby, and yes...SpongeBob. Its inevitable with older kids in the house.
Flynn loves to go to bed. She has the uncanny ability to be wide awake one minute and fast asleep the next.
She loves to play Club Penguin. We play every morning on my iPad in my bed.
Flynn loves strawberries and bananas.
Flynn still loves her blanket, Taggie.
And she loves chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
We love her. So much. And cannot imagine our lives without her.
Happy 5th Birthday Flynn Grace!!!!
November 15, 2014
A Touch Of Thanksgiving...2014
Bright and early Saturday morning...November 1st...we boxed up our beloved Halloween for another year. Then we gave the house a good cleaning, and brought out the little bit of Thanksgiving we have and scattered it among the autumn decorations we left out. Now we have a cozy autumn home to enjoy before the red and green of Christmas come out! Here is a peek at our home all ready to give thanks. : )
Have a cozy November, my friends!
November 13, 2014
Thursday Thoughts
Today I am thinking about...
Birthdays! Flynn and Madison both have birthdays in the next couple of weeks. I am all ready for Flynn's big day. The cake is ordered and the presents are bought. Cinderella to the rescue! Madison is a bit more tricky...Eighteen is a big one, and not quite as easy to plan without input. Right now she is leaning toward a Frozen theme. She loves all things Disney. : ) Her birthday is the day before Thanksgiving, so I am not quite sure what she wants to have for dinner. Things will come together, right?! : ) I love November birthdays. And I love my November birthday girls.
Here is what we have been up to in our country home...
Birthdays! Flynn and Madison both have birthdays in the next couple of weeks. I am all ready for Flynn's big day. The cake is ordered and the presents are bought. Cinderella to the rescue! Madison is a bit more tricky...Eighteen is a big one, and not quite as easy to plan without input. Right now she is leaning toward a Frozen theme. She loves all things Disney. : ) Her birthday is the day before Thanksgiving, so I am not quite sure what she wants to have for dinner. Things will come together, right?! : ) I love November birthdays. And I love my November birthday girls.
Here is what we have been up to in our country home...
As if Tara visiting our home weren't enough, she brought sweet touches for us all.
November mornings are lovely here...
but November evenings are my favorite. : )
All ready to begin our family Christmas 2014...
with our annual Ornament Day at Hallmark.
They chose ornaments that reflect their personalities perfectly!
Madison...Christmas Vacation
Peyton...Jaws
Rhett...49ers
Flynn...Cinderella : )
And of course...snuggles in Christmas jammies are a must this time of year. : )
Leaving you with a selfie with my teen...how happy am I that she loves to spend time with her family...at almost 18 years old?!?
Have a wonderful weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)