A Gymboree Day

Monday I had a nice morning at home with Laura Beth. We were blessed with a quiet weekend at home and then Monday off of school and work. We met up with Aubrey and Erin to play at Gymboree. The girls had fun playing around on all of the equipment. Aubrey especially loves it there. She cracks me up with her free spirited personality just doing her own thing and not afraid of anything or anybody. I made Laura Beth the 2 t-shirt as I thought Erin could capture a cute photo for her birthday invitation. We are having her 2nd birthday at Gymboree with a few friends. I look forward to a small party not at home. :) Laura Beth is not always so camera friendly and it's difficult to get a smile out of her. She is always too busy studying everything and everyone or talking. However, as you can see in the impromptu shot of Aubrey she is always all smiles. So cute!!! Either way Erin always amazes me. Just when I think it's impossible to get a good shot.. she'll capture something. She is truly talented. We always enjoy spending time with Erin and Aubrey.

Random Pics from Nov./Dec.

Christmas Dinner Club with Courtney, Laura, Julie, and Paula. A tradition now for about 6+ years.

Laura Beth waiting to see Santa at Phipps. She was all ready until it was actually time. Then she wouldn't have anything to do with him except to wave bye and give him a quick half hug.

All of the kids in Paula's shower at Christmas. Funny!!

GA vs. Tech game. First win for Tech in about 8 years. Larry and Kristen, Christine and Trey, Tiff and Jeff, and Liv came to watch the game the night after Trey's 40th birthday party. We had a good time and Landon sure enjoyed that win!

Harris and Laura Beth in the bathtub during the game. They had fun playing together.

Laura Beth enjoying a sucker Daddy gave her. She looks grown up here to me. We'll be celebrating the big 2 in two months!

Laura Beth playing with her friends at Mommy's Morning Out. She loves being in the two year old class now. Less drama as she can't pick on people her own size. They moved her back in October. My old soul doesn't slow down. I can hardly keep up.

Fun With Friends!

A day at the jumpin zone with our favorite boys Parker and Jack. Laura Beth went straight for the big slide and went up and down the entire time.

Grateful!!!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Each day feel so truly blessed and thank my God for all he bestows upon me.

Today I am thankful for:

1. The pitter patter of "biscuit feet." I call Laura Beth's feet "biscuit feet" because they are so round and cute. She crosses them when she sits and says "mom, mom..." They keep me on my toes and keep my budget at work trying to keep them in shoes that fit.

2. A curious little soul. Lately, it's "mom, what's that?" "Mom, who's that?" "Mom, want one.. you sure (for are you sure?)"

3. Sweet kisses. A loving husband who is offering up more random kisses (as he says his new years resolution is to make me feel more special) Laura Beth's kiss, hug, five, and then rub your hands together. Too funny! In that order too.

4. A good job. I struggle with leaving my baby girl to return to work full time but during a time when I see others being laid off and struggling or those who work lots of hours... I find gratitude for my job as a teacher. I truly love teaching and the hours are so perfect for Laura Beth and family. I was able to enjoy two weeks with her and family at Christmas.

5. Emails and orders for The Whimsical Woods. Although I am so busy and would like days with nothing to do I am grateful for those that keep me on my toes. I have 4 orders in Jan. already and we are only on day 5! I thought everyone would be burnt out from Christmas. Bring it on!! Love it!

6. A dedicated husband. The way he knows and understands without words. He knows when I need him and steps up to the plate when necessary.

7. Amazing friends and family! A day doesn't go by when I don't lean on my friends and family through a phone call, email, text message, blog, or facebook message. Theire are just some spaces that can only be filled by a good friend.. mom, sister, or brother.

8. Grandparents!! Laura Beth is so blessed to have a Nana, Papa, Meme, Poppy, and great-grandmother who would climb mountains for her. They are always there whenever we need them to help with her. Nana, Papa, and Meme would jump in the car and drive here tomorrow if we needed them too. Landon's grandmother even at 80 years old has also been so sweet and good to us.

9. My home. Although I often think about that "dream home" I get to live in my "home." The one God has provided us with. It has a warm bed, plenty of space and things but most of all lots of love!!

10. The Bachelor! Hee, hee... but I am grateful for cheesy, dirty t.v. this Winter. It makes me sit down and relax taking a moment just for me. :)

Happy 2009!!

We rang in the new year in Charleston with great friends!! It was a fun few days and I had a lot of laughs with the girls. The highlight was the annual Polar Bear Swim on Sullivan's Island. No explanation can give this event justice. You just have to see it. Tons of people wake up on New Years Day and head to the streets to celebrate. Yes, I mean wake up and head to the streets. No showers, many in random costumes or pajamas and I mean RANDOM! Vendors are waiting with an abundance of hot dogs, yummy barbecue (low country style!), and spirits overfloweth. No one is left at home.. young, old, and all in between. Dogs, babies, grandma and grandpa .. you name it. At 2 o'clock a group of bagpipes lead a man out to the beach where thousands of people are waiting to jump in the ocean. Did I mention it was about 40 degrees. They run in and quickly ran out this time. I stood in shock... it was a great laugh I must say.

Returning home and having my precious baby girl run up to me yelling "mommy" brought 2009 home! I look forward to another year of wonderful memories and growth.

Uploading Pics!

Why does blogger take so long to upload pictures!! Ahhhh... driving me crazy. It'll have to be facebook and/or email.

I am back!!

Well.... I had to take a little hiatus from blogging, facebook, etc. The month of December proved to be quite a busy time! What have I been doing.. well I made about 10 dresses, a few jon jons, 20 t-shirts, monogrammed 20 duffle bags, about 30 towels, 10+ cosmetic bags... and the list goes on and on. All the while teaching 21 kids each day, hosting and attending Christmas parties, o.k.. you get the picture! However, on the 19th... the craziness ended and for the past 8 days I have enjoyed quality time with our families and little girl! We had a fantastic Christmas! We visited Mom last weekend and relaxed with Nana and Papa while celebrating Christmas with my family. Papa Randy prepared yummy food as usual while we opened gifts and watched the kids while being kids ourselves at times. On Sunday we went to church with Daddy and then spent the evening with the McClains.. Well not so much McClain any more as they all start their own families. Growing up we spent every Christmas Eve with them and since Jan passed away we have tried to continue the tradition by getting all of the kids together. Such a nice time! Always bringing me back to my childhood. You know those people in your life you may hardly see but when you get together it's like you were never apart! Well that is Janill, Brandi, Lindsay, and Brad for me.

Monday we headed home and had Christine and Trey over for a nice dinner. One of our new traditions. Then on Wednesday Landon's family arrived and stayed Christmas Eve. We had such a great time eating a nice dinner and seeing the happiness on Mema's face. It was her first Christmas without Granddaddy yet she commented on it being one the best one's she's ever had. That truly made me feel good and reminded me once again what a special little girl Laura Beth is! She is loved by so many amazing people. We are blessed!!! Landon's entire family was here to see Laura Beth wake up to her presents from Santa. Later that afternoon we headed to Wendy and Jason's for Christmas with Landon's extended family.

And for the past 2 days I have enjoyed numerous tea parties, coloring, playing with baby dolls, flashcards, etc. with Laura Beth. She says.. "mommy, sit down.. want to have a tea party.. want some coffee?" So much fun!!

So Merry Christmas to all!!! I hope your holiday was a special as mine!