Since Christmas....

I have taken the first picture with my new camera.

Celebrated New Year's Eve with some pretty great people.

Let my son creep in on a family picture.

Freaked the kids out. (Dancing Santa is always good for that...especially sans head.)

Danced with my boy to "Big Green Tractor" (A FEW times.)

Woke up to a winter wonderland.

Let my husband take my picture without makeup.

Played in the snow.

Chased Claire in the snow.

Watched Claire slide down the hill "like a penguin."

Kissed this face often.

...and that was just AFTER Christmas. Maybe if you're lucky, I'll let you in on what I did BEFORE and DURING Christmas!

I Am...

in LOVE with The Vintage Pearl! It's too bad there isn't anything like Valentine's Day...or a 30th birthday just around the corner. I'm just saying.

And THIS one couldn't be more perfect! I remember reading "Guess How Much I Love You" to Claire as a baby. I would tell her, "I love you to the moon and back!" As she got older, she said it back and tried with all her might to find a way to "top" me. She would also mix up the name of the main characters Big and Little "Nutbrown Hare" and it was HILARIOUS. Sick and wrong....but hilarious.

Treat from Heaven

Remember THIS post, where I mentioned something had happened that I would share about later? Well, it's later.

I mentioned in that post that it was my Uncle Gary's birthday. I was sitting at my computer that evening and I received a message from my cousin Amy, Gary's oldest daughter. It said, "So, I'm with Angela and I just took a pregnancy test...the line is really light but it's there. What does that mean?" I started crying/borderline sobbing. I think my response was something along the lines of, "IT MEANS YOUR EGGO IS PREGO!!! CALL ME!!!"

That's right. On what would have been my Uncle Gary's 49th birthday...his daughter finds out she is with child. I prayed that night and thanked God for His faithfulness. He never forgets us...His children. He knew that December 10, 2009 was going to be so hard for Uncle Gary's family. He also knew that would be the day Amy would learn that her life was going to change in an incredible way.

I can't wait to watch Amy blossom into motherhood. I am thrilled for Chad to have the chance to be the amazing daddy we all know he will be. My arms ache to hold the "baby bot." I think it will be a boy. Most of all, I am thankful that this baby will be welcomed by a mother and father who love the Lord with all their hearts! Amy and Chad, we love you and pray every night for your growing family!

Priceless.

Cost of a "Black Friday" shopping trip in Branson= $UNdisclosed.
Nutcracker=$14.99
The perfect place to hang your "Scoobs"=PRICELESS

Mary Did You Know?

Let me start by saying, I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love the smells, the beautiful lights, the music, the excitement and the spirit that surrounds us. One of my most favorite things is the music. I love it all. Music always touches my heart and takes me back to certain times in my life, be they good or bad. The Alabama Christmas album and Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas" always makes me think of my Oklahoma family. Silent night always reminds me of my ballet recitals. The Elvis Christmas album reminds me of Christmas morning at my mom and dad's. But one of my MOST favorite Christmas songs has to be, "Mary Did You Know?"

I will be honest when I say I didn't used to love it. It just wasn't one that caught my attention...until I was holding my infant son. I find myself thinking about Mary so often, especially during the Christmas season. Traveling on blind faith as her aching body was most likely pleading with her to stop. Giving birth to a son in conditions fit for a farm animal. Laying her sweet babe in a manger filled with hay. Did she know? Did she truly understand what this little baby was going going to do and how He would impact the world FOREVER???

I look at my children and am overwhelmed. I have no idea what they will become. But someone does...and I trust in Him.

A White Christmas!!!

Claire couldn't even wait to put a coat on...so I, mother of the year 2009, just let her go out in the 16 degree weather. I thought that since it felt like -2 degrees that she would come in very quickly. Apparently I was wrong. Apparently she is part polar bear and I had to drag her in! Cohen joined the fun for a little bit too! Hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas...especially you GRAMMY!!! We miss you!

A Little Tradition

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a good ol' Christmas toot. I don't think this video EVER gets old. I realized today...Claire is going to kill me for putting this on the web. But it's so stinkin' funny...pun intended.


Now I must go and wrap some presents and prepare for a WHITE Christmas!!! (We hope!)