Remembering Mema

Last week I went into a store to pick up something I had monogrammed.  While I was waiting for them to get my order, this sweet ornament caught my attention.  I immediately thought of my Mema.  She LOVED nativities and had so many different ones.  We found the perfect spot at the top of our tree for this sweet ornament.  So thankful for small memories that mean so much!

Same dress, same age

I absolutely love moments like this...both girls had their 3k pictures taken by the same photographer with the same sweet dress.  Sweet memories for sure!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!

I love decorating for the holidays!  I'm trying to do a better job of decorating all through the year but I have always managed to decorate for Christmas.  This year was super sweet because both girls could truly help.  Maggie understands that things are fragile and is careful.  This year I was the one who broke an ornament...boo!  

As Andy and I unwrapped the ornaments for them to hang, we took a trip down memory lane.  Our first Christmas in our first house before we got married was one to remember.  We couldn't WAIT to put up a tree in the house.  However, I was a college student and he had just made his first month of payments (house payment, utilities, etc.) and we were BROKE.  So we headed to Wally World and found a pretty tree and paid $20 for it.  Then we headed over to the dollar store and bought some silver and garnet ornaments, a tree skirt and silver ribbon to a tree topper.  We were so excited.  We got home and took the tree out of the box and it was BLUE!!  There was a hint of green but mostly blue.  We laughed but it was the best we could do...so we added our ornaments and ribbon.  It was a pitiful tree and oh how I wish we had a picture but we were so proud.  A few weeks later, Mom, Dad and I went to Mr. Charlie and Mrs. Virginia's Christmas party.  There was always a "heated" ornament exchange.  I told folks about our pitiful tree and made folks feel guilty for trying to take my pretty ornament!!  I scored a gorgeous ornament and then several more because folks felt sorry for me. :-)  We still have those ornaments and I thought about that event as we hung them on our tree.  

When we moved to our current home, three years later, we decided to retire the blue tree.  I looked online and found the perfect tree for our house.  It was at Home Depot.  We didn't have one here so we drove to the beach to pick it up.  I told Mom and Dad about it and they decided to meet us for dinner.  It was a special night and we were so proud of our tree!  It was a gorgeous tree and served us well for many years.  About 4 years ago, we noticed some of the lights weren't working and some branches were falling.  I knew we needed to get rid of it but I couldn't bring myself to...the tree held sweet memories of my daddy and I didn't want to let it go but knew it was time.  So after Christmas, 3 years ago we went on the search for a new tree.  I thought I measured well and we found an acceptable tree...not what I wanted but would totally work.  Last year when we put it up, we realized that I obviously didn't measure correctly and the tree was TOO tall.  My tree topper was squished. So this year I looked on Pinterest to get some ideas.  I'm excited to say I actually had a Pinterest success!!!  I managed to find exactly what I was looking for and for less than $12!!  And it just so happened to match the wrapping paper I purchased ahead of time!  

This year, our tree is larger, it's actually green AND it is filled with gorgeous ornaments that have meaning.  I can just about tell you something about every single ornament we have...who gave it to us, why it's important, etc.  I love it and I am so thankful for the memories!!!!!  I'm thankful for the beautiful little elves that helped us decorate our tree this year!!  A lot has changed in the last 16 years and I'm so thankful!

Shew, that was way more than I planned to type this morning...here's this years tree!  

We mixed things up a little outside.  When Andy and I got married, we had a Christmas shower.  We received lots of beautiful Christmas decorations for inside and outside.  I've used those same decorations for 14 years.  Caroline has been begging for inflatables outside but honestly I'm not an inflatables person...however, last year, she and Maggie picked these two inflatables out after Christmas.  I kept my porch decorations but allowed them to take over the other areas.  I have to say I actually love these sweet little inflatables.  The girls are asking if we can add to them!!  While they weren't my idea or my style, I know that my children love them and they make this season a little brighter for the girls.  So here's to inflatables and kid decorations!!

Will you still be my sister?

A few weeks ago the girls were playing outside.  I overheard the sweetest conversation.

Mags: If you get mad at me, you won't be my sister anymore?
Caroline: You will always be my sister!  I might be mad at you but I will ALWAYS love you!!

Y'all sometimes I wonder just how much these two love each other.  However, I am thankful for moments like this when I really get to hear their heart.  I do pray that they always LOVE each other and remember the gift of having a sister!!

Thanksgiving Part 2

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family...the stars lined up and somehow both Bob, Daniel and Jared were off today.  Such a treat to enjoy the whole day with everyone.  We arrived shortly after lunch.  Mom had the boys working on trimming overgrown weeds and trees.  At first Caroline wasn't interested in helping...it didn't take long for her to join the crew.  

Caroline and Maggie started out playing in the dirt pile Uncle Bob and Uncle Daniel made.

Bob and Daniel were working on a water line for momma.  By the time we arrived they were pretty much done.  I however did my part by helping them finish the project...I helped fill in the hole.  They said I didn't really "help" on the project but the pictures tell a different story! :-)

Caroline decided maybe she did want to help.  Granny gave her a pair of gloves and she went to work.

Mom made a ridiculous amount of homemade rolls for the gathering. So she decided to bake a few batched early.  They were SO.GOOD!!!!!!  Emma and I took a basket of fresh, warm, delicious rolls to the yard crew, aka the boys and Caroline.

Thank the Lord for Jenna!!!  She helped me put the tree together and fluff the branches.  I LOVED chatting with her about her first semester in college.  She is a fine little lady and I am so proud of her!!!

Per tradition, the kids worked to decorate Granny's tree.  

Wilson, Peyton and Daniel left after finishing the water line to go duck hunting. Wilson was super proud of his loot for the afternoon.    

It was a fun day and so very nice to have everyone together for an extended time.  The kids always play so well together!! I am SO thankful for family!!

Thanksgiving Part 1

This evening we celebrated Thanksgiving with Andy's family.  It truly felt like Thanksgiving-the weather was cool and the leaves on the trees were beautiful shades of red and orange.  It was a fun evening with friends and family.  I am super sad that these are the only 2 pictures I have from the evening.  We sat around the big table in Tomi Jean's dining room and told stories and laughed until we cried.  As usual we had MORE than enough food to enjoy together! We definitely missed our Mema this year but we did tell some funny stories about her. 

Every year since Jack and Grace were babies, Uncle Greg decorates the same holly tree as a Christmas tree.  It's crazy how much the tree has grown in the last 15 years.  After Thanksgiving dinner, Uncle Greg officially lights the tree.  It's something that I, the biggest kid at Christmas, looks forward to every year!!

Caroline's Thanksgiving Brunch

Andy and I were invited to join Caroline and her classmates for Thanksgiving brunch this morning.  We were very thankful that we were both able to attend this morning.  On the back of Caroline's place mat, she wrote the SWEETEST note about what she was thankful for!  I love this sweet girl and her big heart!!

Maggie's Thanksgiving Program

Maggie was in her first Thanksgiving program at school this past Friday.  She loved every single minute of the performance.  After the first song, she very clearly and very loudly said "Daddy you got to clap!"  Proud momma moment!  It was so much fun to watch her perform and sing her little heart out!

After the performance, we headed into the CLC to enjoy cookies with our family and friends.  Mags had a large crowd supporting her today-Peep, Aunt Doe, Aunt Tomi Jean, Mommy and Daddy.

Performing is hard work...2 1/2 hour nap after school. :-)

USC fun with friends

 The dad's have been talking the last several years about taking Tyler and Caroline to a USC game.  Unfortunately schedules just never quite worked out.  This year they finally had a date that worked for everyone.  Caroline didn't have much to say when she came home because she was sound asleep when Andy brought her in.  The pictures look like fun was had by all!  I can't wait to hear what she has to say tomorrow!

Caroline and Pop

My sweet friend found this picture and brought it to me at work.  What a precious gift it is!!  Andy had a meeting and couldn't attend Dad's night.  So Pops went in his place.  Caroline was so excited to have Pops join her.  While I absolutely adore this picture, it also stings a little...so much has happened and changed since this picture 4 years ago.  Just another reminder to cherish every day!!

Oh Maggie!

This picture sums Maggie up in so many ways.  I have come to learn this sweet girl does everything 150%!  She loves big, she throws tantrums big, she loves to help and she just generally loves life!  She is honest and doesn't have problem admitting she did something wrong.  Sometimes this sort of personality can be draining but sometimes it can also be so sweet!!  One thing is for sure, she keeps us laughing and on our toes.

• One day after I put Maggie to bed, I noticed she wasn't going to sleep.  I asked her "why aren't you laying down."  Her response "Cause God made us to do things...I'm doing things!"
• I was busy working on something.  I heard Maggie call my name but didn't respond.  She said "Hey mom!  Listen to me...are your ears on, my ears are on."
• She loves a doctor kit.  She calls the stethoscope a "step o scoats."
• She says we have to hold hands in the parking 'lark'
• A thermometer is also known as 'a ter mom a ster'
• We love rolling the windows down in the car this time of year.  On the way to school she said "Will you roll my window up, I don't want my hair to fly away...then I will look like a boy!"
• A remote is also known as a 'marote.'

So thankful for this little turkey!!!!

Sweet dreams

No matter how crazy the day, there is NOTHING sweeter than a sleeping baby!  I love all the sweet features captured in this picture...she will never be this tiny, ever again...

Just the two of us!

Today Andy and I got to enjoy the entire day together, just the two of us!!  We went back to where it all begin 18 years ago...Williams Brice Stadium! It was a fantastic day and we were SO thankful for the time together.  The weather was perfect for football and the game was so much fun! I appreciate my sweet Momma watching the girls today so we could enjoy being Rita and Andy!!  The girls enjoyed their time with Granny and I'm pretty sure they didn't miss us one little bit. :-)

Dinner with the whole crew

Tonight we got to enjoy having the whole Emert crew over for dinner.  After dinner we headed out back for smores and hot chocolate.  The weather didn't exactly cooperate temperature wise but everyone enjoyed themselves.  Thankful for every opportunity we have with these folks!!  Such a gift!

Fun with Jude

Caroline had an early dismissal from school today.  So I picked Jude up and brought him home with me.  He surprised her when she got in the car after school.  It was a gorgeous day so we had a picnic lunch outside.  Maggie took a nap after lunch and Jude and Caroline spent the afternoon entertaining themselves.  So thankful for the opportunity to have Jude hang out with us.

Maybe one of the funniest things that happen was over the popcorn.  Caroline said "Hey Jude, do you like popcorn done the old fashion way?"  He said "yes" and so we started getting everything out.  He looked at her and said "Caroline this really isn't the old fashion way...the old fashion way is the way we do it with a pot on the stove, not a machine."  Caroline said "Well it's not like most people who put the popcorn in microwave."  Once it finished I melted some butter to put on it.  I told Jude we typically didn't add butter so this was a splurge.  He said "Is it because butter is expensive...sometimes we don't do things because it's too expensive where we are."  I didn't have the heart to tell him I was just too lazy to melt the butter typically!!!  Love him!

They took two straws and the left over popcorn seeds outside for a seeds war!