Called on it once again

So last Wednesday night I was SO upset that our picture session was ruined thanks to little miss not cooperating. Well guess what, Erin is more amazing than I thought! We got the pictures back tonight and they are awesome! Even when Caroline was upset and had a wrinkled nose, she was still precious. Erin captured the moment perfectly!

I love that the Lord was working on my heart! He brought me to a place where I was broken, my sinful nature was revealed and still HE worked it all out. I can't wait to share the pictures with you soon!

Thanksgiving weekend

We enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving Holiday with our family! We discovered that Caroline had an ear infection on Friday which made the holiday weekend rather interesting... However thanks to some ear drops and anitbotics, little miss is feeling much better (an is happier!!!)


We had a house full of family and enjoyed every minute of it. Aunt Lill and Uncle Ed came in Wednesday night and my mom came in on Thursday morning. We enjoyed lots of laughs throughout the weekend. You never know what's going to happen when we all get together. Thanksgiving day was pretty quiet. My mom and I worked on laundry and catching up on household "stuff." Somehow I managed to miss the Macy's Day parade. I remember as as kid, I lived for the parade, it was a HUGE deal! I would watch the parade while my parents where busy cooking in the kitchen. Then once I was old enough, I started helping and would watch the parade while cooking too. It was such a sweet time for us as a family.

Thursday evening we headed over to Andy's aunt's house for dinner. We had enough food to feed a family of 30, too bad there was only 12 of us! LEFT OVERS!!!! It was YUMMY, we ate too much came home and complained about how full we were.

No Black Friday shopping for us, we headed to Dr. E's office. After about 2 hours of waiting, we discovered that Caroline had an ear infection. That helped explain why she wasn't herself the past week or during pictures... Once again the Lord showed me the error of my ways! We did however go out for a quick bargin, one stop, found exactly what we wanted-no lines, no fighting! Friday night we went to an "adult only" dinner with my cousin Richard and his wife Sharon, Aunt Lill and Uncle Ed and my mom. It was wonderful. After dinner, we enjoyed a short tour of Christmas lights, my favorite!

Saturday we were up before daylight getting ready for the BIG GAME-USC vs. Clemson. My wonderful mom offered to keep Caroline for us! (LOVE HER!) Our trip to Columbia was amazing! We had a great conversation about the direction of our life, as a family, and really just had some time for US. It was perfect. I soaked up every minute with my sweet hubby. We enjoyed tailgating and the game! It started out ugly but turned out just right 34-17 win over Clemson. It doesn't happen often so it sure was nice! Especially since we had to spend the next day with my Clemson family!!!!!

Sunday was spent with my family at my mom's. We enjoyed a yummy fried turkey and all the trimmings. You know it's the little things in life that mean so much. My mom and dad use to make the BEST dressing (some call it stuffing) and gravy. It's pretty complicated but it is wonderful! Every since my daddy passed away, we've been missing the dressing at Thanksgiving. This year my mom agreed to make it! It was just as good as ever. Guess who brought the left overs home-ME! I know it sounds really small but it was HUGE. It made me feel like the old days... We put mom's tree up and also put the wreaths up at the cemetary before heading home.

God has blessed us with so much-a wonderful family, a beautiful daughter, shelter, clothes, transportation, etc. It's easy however to become caught up in the little things of life that can bring us down. I really struggled this Thanksgiving. Ever since my dad passed away, I feel like the holidays just aren't the same. We didn't have huge Christmas' but we made memories. We enjoyed the true holiday-not that I always liked it, but my parents keep the true meaning. I think about the traditions that I had as a kid that are no longer the same... However, I have to remember that I am starting traditions for my family now. I can begin things with Caroline that she will look forward to every year... So here's to another year and thankful for what God has given us this YEAR!! :0)

Are you talking to me?

I know I'm cute! :0)

I can get out of this, just watch me! It's really not that hard when you give me things like my leap frog table...

The wreaths at the cemetary

The big kids enjoyed baby jail more than Caroline did.

Caroline found an extra paci in daddy's car.

Caroline enjoyed the sleigh ride... Daddy was tired.

Us before the big game-GO Gamecocks!!!!!

Expectations...

So for the last few months I have been really excited about taking a family picture. We haven't had Caroline's pictures taken professionally since she was a newborn. A friend from college is an amazing photographer and was planning to be in town for the holidays. I asked if she would be willing to take a few shots of our family. I was so excited, so happy to have a picture with all of us in it. I found Caroline the perfect outfit on our girls trip and everything was set.

Well Caroline had other plans. She totally had no interest in taking pictures. She cried almost the entire time. She arched her back, fell on the ground, etc. All the while, my friend Erin was working so hard and was so sweet and compassionate. After about an hour, we called it quits. Caroline wasn't cooperating and that was that.

I went into today praying that I wouldn't be disappointed if things didn't work out. I have learned that our reaction to things in life are all about our expectations. If I didn't have high expectations, then whatever we got would be a plus. However, I was totally called on it. I got very upset when things didn't go my way. I got very upset with Caroline because she would not cooperate. However, as I sat at home alone, I realized that I truly should be thankful for my daughters health. I should be thankful for strong lungs that allowed her to scream her head off. Healthy legs that allowed her to climb down off the couch. Perfect little fingers that allowed her to pick up the acorns and dig in the dirt.

You see, pictures are just "stuff." There will always be another chance, another day, another appointment. I just need to be thankful for the stage she's in and grateful that God blessed us with a beautiful healthy baby girl...

November fun

Our little stinker's personality is truly shinning through these days. She's blowing kisses, clapping when she's excited, saying bye bye, etc. I went away for a girls weekend and came home to find a new tooth. I still think of her as being a tiny baby but am continued to be amazed at what she can do. Here are some fun pictures from the last few weeks. (My New Years goal this year is to get back on track with updating weekly... hold me to it!)

Peep and Caroline sharing a drink. Notice Caroline's beautiful outfit. We were trying on shoes and she decided she needed one of each shoe and her rain hat.

Rocking in Daddy's rocking chair-it was his grandfather's chair. Caroline is one of the few children who get to rock in it!! :0) She loves to get in and rock.
Caroline's birthday present from her Chick-fil-A friends-The Drummond's

A few Saturday's ago, Caroline decided she wasn't ready for her nap. Therefore she tried to play with any and everything she could get her hands on. Mommy put the extra diapers in her grocery buggy, which was really close to her crib. Caroline put every single diaper in her crib. Then she started pushing her buggy... all through the bars of her crib!

Enjoying her spaghetti till the last drop! Look at that face-looks a little mischievous if you ask me!

My sweetie playing in baby jail while I pack the car for work and Mrs. Jerri's.

Every time I look at this sweet face, I am reminded of God's blessings in my life!

Girls Trip 2009

As always, our girls trip was perfect! There were 12 of us this year and we had a great time! We ate really well... ok maybe too well! Angie got us a great hotel, great location, great price. We enjoyed lots of shopping, hanging out, pj parties and just being bums. I enjoyed catching up with everyone, what they've been up to, how their kids are, etc. I have some great girlfriends and I am very thankful for them!



It was so nice to get away and not have to worry about one thing except what I wanted to do next. I didn't have to worry about nap times, feedings, washing dishes, making beds, packing lunches, etc. It was great. However, I must admit by Saturday night, I was ready to see my family.


Here are some pictures from our fun weekend!

We ate family style at an Italian restaurant. It was so good and SO much food. I know we were being sinful as we indulged...

fried mozzarella

stuffed mushrooms

Cesar salad, forgot to take one of the chopped salad

chicken parm

manticotti (sp) and spaghetti with meatballs

chicken Marsala

my FAVORITE!! toasted pound bake

teramousi (sp)

Saturday I was able to meet up with Sage for breakfast at Panera Bread...YUM! Enjoyed catching up with my dear friend who always shows the love of Jesus Christ! (miss you Sage)

We realized Sunday morning as we were leaving the hotel, we didn't have a group picture-we are missing a few.

another group shot after breakfast-unfortunately we are missing Suzanne

Saving the best for last-Tara Jane bought this at the Christmas show. You should have seen the looks she got as we were leaving... :0)

I am thankful for my wonderful friends for a great weekend. However, I am most thankful for my wonderful husband who took care of Caroline so that I could enjoy some time with my friends. I am a very blessed girl!

Everything...

Today's message really touched a nerve and convicted me of the priorities in my life. There is so much to get done in a day, commitments that have to be kept-friendships, obligations, work, family, etc. Some days I wonder if I will ever get it all done. Just when I complete one "to do" list, I am reminded that there is another one waiting on the counter. It's so easy to become overwhelmed with what to do next. And to add to all this "stuff" that has to get done, somewhere in there I want to find ME TIME! It's so easy to put off the things that can wait until tomorrow or at least until I have a moment to take care of it...

One of those things is my quiet time with the Lord. I know that it's important and that I need it more than anything else on my list but... I make excuses. Then while I am taking a shower or on the way to work, I cry out to God. I lay before him all the things that need my attention. (I have started doing a better job thanking him and not just giving him my baggage.) None the less, it's still not what it should be. We all serve a God who is loving and faithful and is always ready to come to our rescue, whatever it may be. He doesn't always answer the way we want him to but no matter what, He loves us and is there for us.

This morning our closing hymn at Church really made me think about my life and my day to day relationship with my Lord and Savior.

Everything, everything, Lord you are everything to me
Everything, everything, Lord you are everything to me

My treasure, my priority, who can compare to You?
Great is the measure of Your royalty
Oh Morning Star, You truly are everything!
~Israel Houghton

As I sang the chorus, I stopped. Is He my TREASURE, my PRIORITY? Who can compare to HIM? Shamefully, if I answer honestly, treasure-yes, priority, no. Nothing compares to Him but so much competes with him. Grocery list, job, family, commitments, events, Facebook, emails, blogs-none of which would be possible without him. I wish that I could say that with one simple touch, it would be right. However, it's up to me and the choices I make on a daily bases to determine if he truly is my treasure and my priority. I am going to really have to take a long look at my day and decide what truly matters the most. And instead of asking the good ole "will it matter a month from not" if it all got done, I need to ask myself "what will Christ say when we meet?"

The Pecan Festival

Today was the perfect day to be outside and enjoy the nice cool weather, not too cold, not too hot. Andy and I decided to take Caroline downtown to the Pecan Festival. We got there right as it was beginning so it wasn't too crowded. We saw our good friends John Van and Amy and their family as well. We were amazed at how much the festival has grown since it started several years ago. There were several city blocks marked off for the event. They had lots of live entertainment and lots of yummy food vendors. Caroline had a great time and enjoyed all that was going on around her. We can't wait for next year.

I loved the car show, especially the OLD cars. I know this is going to sound crazy but oh well... On the two blocks were the car show was, they were playing beach music. I old Andy that I would love to go back to the 50's and 60's and ride around down at the beach in one of the old cars and listen to beach music. You know like they did in the movie "Shag?"

Mommy and Caroline

Little bit having a good time

John Van, Amy and the boys with JV's parents

Giffin

I LOVED this little vendor, too cute!

Daddy and C. Daddy said he officially feels like a parent-stroller filled with a sweet baby and lots of balloons!

Caroline loved playing the balloons, we were waiting for one to pop, but lucky for us it didn't!

Within minutes of leaving the festival, she was OUT!

She's a genius

The time change has really throw Caroline for a loop. She's been ready for bed around 5:15 or 5:30 in the afternoons. We have been trying really hard to keep her awake until at least 6 or 6:30. Last night my mom spent the night with us and was helping me entertain Caroline. About 6:15 I said "Caroline are you ready to tell granny bye bye and go night night?" She walked across the den, waved to granny and went straight to her room. So cute, so sweet, so SMART!

I LOVE IT! :0)

Heather and Ethan

Caroline and I enjoyed a girls only afternoon. Our good friends Heather and Ethan Jay flew in and just so happened to fly in to our local airport. We were so excited to see them and visit, even if it was just 30 or 45 minutes. We haven't seen them since the summer! We appreciate them hanging out with us and hope to get to see them soon. Christmas is less than 2 months away! YEAH!!! :0)

14 months

Caroline is growing and learning everyday. It's amazing how quickly she picks up on things... Here are a few things she's been up to:

1. If she's not ready to go to sleep, she will play in her crib anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The first thing she does is take off her socks! Then if she gets really bored she pushes her grocery buggy through the slats in her crib. If she's still not tired, she will throw her lovey out and her paci and start crying until you come in and pick it up.


2. One night last week I asked her if she was ready to go to night night? She walked across the den and straight to her room, waving bye bye at us along the way.


3. When we walk into the room, she gets so excited! She starts waving and smiling. It melts my heart everytime!


4. Andy and I pick with each other all the time. We "tickle" each other when they aren't looking. After several weeks of playing with Caroline she has finally picked up on it. When we walk up behind each other, she "pats" us and laughs.


5. She has started to pat us on our backs when we pick her up. Love it!