More Comments at pYzam.com

Christmas Memories 2007

This is Anna's third Christmas and probably the first that will leave a large impression on us both.

During her first Christmas, she was all of 5 months. My fondest memory from that year was watching "White Christmas" (my favorite Christmas movie) and singing the "Snow" song. I attempted to make the chugga-chugga train sound (didn't do it so great lol) and she thought it was hysterical and gave us her first big belly laugh. It was the sweetest Christmas moment ever!

I was as sick as a dog during her second Christmas. We were at our house and had a party Christmas Eve. Anna had her first kiss that year with her buddy Jeff Jeff! We had a good time and she enjoyed opening presents but she really didn't get it. Ya know? The best part of that Christmas was the Santa Cookie plate we made at a pottery place. It used her hand for Santa and her foot for a reindeer.

This Christmas has been full of wonder and joy! She is really starting to get Santa. She loved the lights and music of the season. Her favorite songs are "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty!" We baked cookies and pies. We laughed a lot and watched all of the Christmas specials that came out on tv. We played ball under the tree. Took a ton of pictures, since Anna wanted to "pose" with our Santa all the time. We made gifts for our family. We had several parties to attend; Anna thought that was big fun! Went to look at decorations at least 2 or 3 times a week. This was all leading up to the big day!

Christmas Eve ~ We had a family party and opened some of our gifts. Anna was thrilled to receive a baby, the Jungle Book Movie, a few books and I can't even remember what else. She loved it all and the adults enjoyed watching the movie with her, lol. We had heavy hors d'vours and played Christmas music. We even got to drink Snowman soup, aka, hot chocolate. We put reindeer food in the yard and forgot to leave Santa his cookies :O Thank goodness we have a few years to practice and get this together; maybe by next year we will get it straight, lol.

Christmas Day ~ Anna woke up and discovered Santa had in fact brought her the baby she had wanted for at least a month. She also got a tractor and a beautiful necklace with a cross on it. She had a stocking with "lip stick", a horse and some cars in it. After enjoying all of that for a while she got to open a few more presents including a rocking horse and (don't laugh) a Tonka dump truck. We headed over to my parents house for a few hours, after that, where she got to open more gifts including an Aqua doodle thingy and another doll with a car seat carrier. I know there were a few others but they aren't coming to me right now. We had some yummy spaghetti that Granddaddy made for us and we went to pet a horse that apparently lives across the street now. She loved visiting with the horse. She pet his nose and even tried to kiss him and didn't want to leave but he had (hmm how to say this delicately lol) passed gas, broke the cheese or whatever you want to call it. It smelled and we went on back, lol.

Since Christmas we have enjoyed family time! Going shopping, to the Edventure Museum and lots of playing. Today it is a rainy yucky day and although we need it I would much rather be out and about doing something. However, I do so enjoy a good bloggy day some times. I should be up and running again soon. Oh I saw an email from the people that do the month of blogging and they told me about the year of blogging. Hmmm, that sounds like a challenge but I think I might just sign up for it lol. It never hurts to try right!

Ramblings

I am sitting here waiting on my daughter to get back from who knows where and so I thought I would pop back into here. We went to a fun museum this morning and on the way home the hubby and I stopped to check on the dog and Anna came on to Yia Yia and Pops house. When we got over here they were gone and all the cars are here lol. I am hoping they are at the neighbors house visiting but who knows where they wondered off to. I tried calling cell phones but wouldn't you know they started ringing here in the house. So we are just waiting.

I didn't tell you guys but my slideshows were a hit. My mother in law started crying and I think so did my sis in law, but shhh don't tell that would hurt her image ;D My hubby wrote a beautiful letter to us all that was so touching I cried! I might post it but I am waiting on his approval. He said it was very emotional and private and he isn't sure he wants to share it with the world! I understand that so if he doesn't ok it you will just have to trust me that it was wonderfully touching! My sis in law gave us all a vacation for us to take in April over spring break. Can't wait for that to get here. We do have some logistics to work out like everyone getting the time off etc. Hopefully it will all come together!

I have found that I really like having a more personal Christmas. I wish of course that I could give the world to everyone but we can't. Even if I could I think the heartfelt personal gifts are so much better. I hope the others will agree. Don't get me wrong I loved getting that little getaway for April but that isn't what is important. What is important is our time together, our love for each other and the memories that we are creating for ourselves and Anna!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to say hi! I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays! I know I am. It is great being with family and friends! Anna has been full of life and joy and has truly made this a special Christmas! She received all kinds of goodies and enjoyed all of the music and lights. She has enjoyed all of the food too lol. Well, I am being called to go draw on her new aquadoodle thingy. Merry Christmas you guys and if I don't make it on here before have a safe and Happy New Year!!!

Christmas presents

We are putting back ups on here just in case the others don't work. So no opening your present until it is time!

Merry Christmas Aunt Casey!

Merry Christmas to my parents (Don't open yet!)

Just in case!

Merry Christmas to Chris and ME lol!

Mornin All

Well, it is 4 am and I am sitting here at the computer waiting fairly impatiently for it to do what I want it to do. I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep because I kept thinking of all the things I need to get done today. I decided I better get up and do something. the program that I am using for the slide shows I am doing for everyone takes forever to do everything. So I thought I would say good morning to all of you even though you are all probably in blissful sleep. I think the best part of this is that it is pouring down rain and I tell you there is nothing like listening to the rain making music. It is desperately needed of course and that makes the sound even sweeter. I would love to have a tin roof so that we could really listen to it.

So yesterday I didn't get much accomplished. I got Anna's last gift which (don't laugh) is a Tonka truck! She loves those things and I figure her dolly can ride around in it lol. I finished what is to be mine and Chris's gift from Anna (another slide show) it is my favorite of all them I have to say. It is set to great music - Baby, Baby by Amy Grant cause that was our song oh so long ago, Angel Eyes by Steelheart and I Need You Now by Winger. Great music from the good ole days ya know. By the way I found a great site to download free music! It is awesome they have a wide variety of stuff and I personally recommend it! Anyway back to my day lol. I started cleaning out the fish tank and did a load of laundry but other than that I don't know where my day went. One minute I was full of hope for all the things I would accomplish and the next it was time to head out to our party. Which was a lot of fun by the way. It was at Denise's house. Anna fell in love with the blow up Christmas thingy in her yard. It had reindeer and Santa and a snowman and the best part it was a light show with music! We couldn't get her out of the yard between that and all the balls. Not to mention the boys out there letting her play with them. It was a wonderland for her.

Today we have to run back over to Denise's house because we left one of Anna's favorite dolls over there and I am afraid of the moment Anna starts looking for her lol. We still need to clean house and laundry and stuff and I have got to finish these blasted slide shows. I am beginning to have a love/hate relationship with them. They look so good but they are a pain in the you know what. If our computer wasn't so slow it might not be so bad but it is so... The good news is if I can email them to hubby I can have them put on a DVD so we can watch them on tv instead of a computer! So I am excited about that but I am worried the files will be to big or something so we will see.

Gosh I am starving this morning. I wish we had some yummy junk in the house lol. Nothing like munching on some junk food at now 5 in the morning lol. Well I guess I will go do some laundry or something productive while I wait for my file to do its thing. Hope everyone has a lovely and productive day!!! If you have time pray for me that I will cause it will be only by the Grace of God that I will accomplish my to do list!

To give you guys something to wow you this morning~

1991 Senior Prom with now hubby

1996 Wedding pic

So youthful!!!

The joys of Christmas!

The joys are getting in the way of all the work I need to do lol. I have so much to do and I thought I would spread it out over the course of the week and here it is Thursday and I haven't hardly made a dent in the real work! I have however managed to bake cookies, go Christmas shopping and I have worked on my Christmas presents that I am making at home. So know I have all the yucky stuff and not so much fun stuff. What was I thinking?

The other day I had to go get Anna's baby from Santa because they were almost out of the particular doll she wants. I had very few options one being to go to Wal-mart after my hubby got home from work and shop with the other 10,000 people that have waited until the last minute. Or I could go with Anna and try to figure out a way to sneak it past her ha ha. She might be JUST 2 years old but she is one of the smartest 2 year old I have ever known :D So I went to the Christmas section and found a large gift bag figuring I could figure something out with that to hide it in. I wondered down to the toy section and saw an elf (a walmart worker) and begged, crawling on my knees (nah just kidding) asked very nicely if she would sneak to the back and get one of the dolls and put it in the bag. She smiled and looked over at Anna that was studying a stuffed kitty at the moment and said sure I will. So shew that part was easier than I thought it would be. Then we had the next obstacle of the check out. I found the nicest one that I could and waited in line for oh about 30 minutes and that is not an exaggeration. Then just as I am about to move up they send me to another line thankfully with no waiting. I kept Anna pushed back looking at the wonderful chocolate delights and asked the lady quietly if she would scan the objects in the gift bag where my daughter couldn't see them. She was very accommodating and did it with no other questions. So to my walmart elves and all the other retail elves that help Moms like me THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

So over the next 2 days here is what I need to accomplish. Hopefully it will go quickly and smoothly.

1. laundry/pack
2. clean out fridge
3. clean fish tank
4. take ornaments off tree and lights too if I can manage
5. clean house
6. finish up my gifts for all
7. make ornaments out of applesauce and cinnamon (if I have time lol)
8. wash the dog
9. go to a party tonight

Boy that list looks fun huh. I am sure we will work our way through it. If only I had a housekeeper *sigh*!!!

Tiny Talk Tuesday!

Let me start this weeks talk by saying Thank You Mary!!! I received my CD in the mail Monday and it was a great addition to my Christmas music collection. Anna and I plugged in the tree and turned on the CD. We sat under the tree and played ball through the first half. It was a great memory for this year.

THANK YOU Mary!!!

This past week has been entertaining to say the least. Anna is in rare form. I thought I would have a few years before she got nuts around Christmas. Nope not so lucky lol. Really though she is a good girl. A few of the more entertaining quotes for the week are:

"Daddy do my shoes! Daddy do my shoes!"
Daddy tries to do them and he can't seem to get the right one on.
"Mommy do shoes Daddy!"

We have been potty trained for a while now with just a random accident here or there and occasionally at night. The other day she came to me and said "Poopy Mommy Poopy!" So I started trailing behind her to the bathroom because she still needs help getting on the potty. As I was walking behind her she grabs her butt and repeats "Wait, wait, wait, wait". It brings tears to my eyes lol she did such a good job talking herself through that!

We have been going to several holiday parties over the past few weeks and now she associates party - FUN! If you say party she gets excited and starts clapping YAY PARTY FUN!!!

Funny word of the week:
reindeer - daneer

For more Tiny Talk go to NB7

I'm SO Proud!!!

Check this out! This is our gift to Yia Yia and Pop this year! I am so happy with the way it turned out!!!

Yia Yia and Pop do NOT look!!! Santa is watching you!!!

Santa getting a bad "w"rap?

** Don't let your child read this!!!**

I have been so upset to discover that Santa is being banished from more and more homes! I don't get it, really I don't. I am a Christian, Southern Baptist to be exact and I know that Christmas is about the birth of Christ and that should be our main focus at this miraculous time of year. However, I don't see the harm in the magic of Santa. The wonder and amazement that he can bring to a child. I remember sneaking to the living room when I was little and trying to stay awake so I could see him come down the chimney. Or laying in bed with my brother and him (he already knew the truth) going oh do I hear a sleigh, did you hear that I bet it is Santa and so on and so on. Waking up at 4 in the morning feeling utter excitement cause I just knew that Santa had been to see us. I would have to wake up the adults before we could go in the living room so I would stand in the hall shouting at the top of my lungs. When I questioned my parents about the validity of Santa they told me as long as I believe he would come see me so to this day I still believe lol. Seriously though I still do believe in the spirit of Santa! I like to think that Santa represents the spirit of giving, the spirit of laughter and the spirit of joy. These are all qualities that God wants us to have and if we use Santa to help spread that what is the harm.

One argument I have heard is that you are lying to your child if you buy into the whole Santa theory. I have to say that I believe that is a bunch of whoey! If you pretend to eat something your child pretended to cook are you lying to your child? NO you are pretending, make believe whatever you want to call it. If you read a fairy tale to your child like Cinderella or watch a cartoon even do you sit there and tell them it is all made up and a bunch of lies. I hope not, imagination is already missing in a lot of children today because they watch tv or play games more than anything. I am afraid if we take away all make believe and pretend aspects out of life imagination is going to go out the door! I never felt like I was lied to or damaged in anyway because Santa came to see me. In fact I had 2 cousins that were told from the beginning that Santa wasn't real and I always felt bad for them. That they didn't have Santa come see them and that they missed out on all the magic and wonder. Not to mention they tried to spoil it for us a few times. Although, I never believed them.

I hope I didn't offend or upset anyone that is not doing Santa. That was not my intent I just really don't get it so I had to vent. Anna is already into the magic of Santa and it is exciting to see. I hate that anyone would have to miss out on that either child or the parent! Feel free to leave me comments going either way!

Welcome to my home!

I hope you enjoy looking at my decorations! I don't have as much out as usual but we have been busy so we are making do. Anna loves the ones we do have so she is in most of our pictures. Oh and I thought we were doing this today but have since discovered everyone else is sharing on Sunday so sorry I got an early start! It is better to be early rather than late though right!

This is my fiber optic angel or anel as Anna likes to call her. I searched high and low for the perfect angel and although she isn't quite my vision she is very close!
Here is my tree in the living room or den (whichever you want to call it). Don't tell but 98% of the presents under it are just wrapped up empty boxes. I am a last minute shopper but hate to have an empty tree skirt!
My favorite ornament! I think they look so elegant and natural on the tree.
This is Anna's tree. It is a fake one and although I have never liked fake trees I love that she can have one in her room.
This is Anna's ornament for this year because she loves all things country!!

This was one of my ornaments from way back when and Anna has adopted it because she loves a cute horsey.
Here is my homemade wreath. I even made the bow on it.
Ho Ho Ho! What is Christmas without a big ole Santa in the house!
These guys stay under my tree. Well mostly that is, Anna tends to carry them around the house.
And last but certainly not least here are some sugar cookies just for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit and please come back again some time. If you want to see more Christmas decorations inside and out go to Boomama on Dec. 17th. Again sorry about getting started so early. I just wanted to have a few extra days to party lol!!!

Works for me Wednesday!

With the holidays upon us we all have parties to attend. Some of these parties we need to bring something. My favorite holiday treat to take to parties is a Cherry Cream Cheese Pie! It is so YUMMY and so easy to do. So for our next party which is this coming Saturday we will be taking this with us.

1 - 8 oz package cream cheese, room temp

1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 - 21 oz can cherry pie filling (chilled)

1 - 6 oz ounce graham cracker crust

Let cream cheese stand at room temperature until softened. In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in sweetened condensed milk. Add lemon juice and vanilla and stir until well mixed. Pour into crust. Chill several hours and then top with pie filling.

Needs to chill roughly 3 hours!

Try it you won't be disappointed!

Wordless Wednesday - Best Present EVER!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Anna is chattering up a storm around here. I haven't participated in a while so I thought I would today.

Her favorite song to sing right now is Jinle Bells.

She has learned how to say Merry Cissmas and Happy New Year!

She is speaking in incredible sentences and can even change them around like this morning.
She told me to "stay" and went out of the room to peak back in and say "you staying?" lol it was to cute!

She likes to announce when she or someone else "burps" or "toots" lol. Oh and the funniest is when she goes pee pee in a public place and comes out and pretty much screams "I pee pee YAY"

Well it is time for luNch so I will run but for more super cute kiddie talk go to Not Before 7!

I almost forgot her very favorite sentences of all times: "I do that" or "its my turn"

Well, my Christmas program went without to many hitches. I did better on Saturday night than I did on Sunday night but I guess I did ok as far as it goes. Anna LOVED the show. She watched both nights and was just enthralled in it the whole time. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow choir members better and it was fun being active in church again.

Below is my friend Neesey! My hubby worked with her with the youth and we are now teaching her youngest son in Sunday School. She is an inspirational woman. I had to share with you all her lovely costume. Be sure to check out those socks!!!

Way to go, Hubby!

I can't believe that you are finished with your Masters Degree! I am so very proud of you for all of your hard work and dedication you put into this program. You earned every single A you got and the only B you got should have been an A too. Either way I know the truth ~ you are a brilliant man and I am very proud of you. You are setting an amazing example for Anna! I can't wait until we figure out the next step in our journey together. Maybe a Doctorate or a fabulous new position. Whatever it is I am glad we will be doing it together.

Progress!

What a busy busy day I have had so far.

1. I have done a small mountain of laundry. (with still more to go :()
2. I have cleaned my bedroom which was quite an undertaking!
3. I have cleaned the kitchen (I still need to sweep and mop)
4. I have played with Anna and even managed to feed her lunch lol.

OK so why is it when you list it out it looks like nothing? I guess I could list each individual thing I did in my bedroom or just how big the mountain was or even how many dirty dishes one small family can create. Oh well at least I know I have accomplished a lot. I think this afternoon we will have another photoshoot so that I can relax a little. Of course that means I need to put away all the toys and straighten the living room a little more. Ugh why is housework never ending? I feel like that is all I do some days and you can't even tell it.

My inlaws are coming to town tomorrow. We are going to have a crazy busy weekend. Saturday at 1 my hubby graduates with his Masters Degree! I am so proud of you baby! I knew you could and would do it. We now who will be helping Anna with her homework in a few years lol. Anywho, after that we have my Christmas program with the church. We have to be there at about 6:15 so we will have a little down time (I hope) in between the two events. I don't have a clue when Anna is going to nap or how all of this is going to work out with her because being still is not something she is really good at. The church will be fine cause we have nursery but she is supposed to be on stage for about 5 minutes and if she is crabby, well then, that is not going to happen. We will have the best day that we can and if she can't go on with me thats ok. It will be a full day and I don't want to torture her or myself lol.

Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed after nap. No not me! Anna did but she is better now that she has had time to wake up. There has been about a 3 hour delay in this post because of it lol. Now I must run and keep up with the hurricane we like to call Anna! She is eating a candy cane and I don't want red all over my house! Have a great afternoon!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Ho Ho Humm

I am so sleepy! We have been having a few rough nights this week. Anna has a terrible cough that wakes us up usually once a night, typically around midnight. We are awake for about 15 minutes with her coughing and then it takes me forever to get back to sleep because I worry about her. Ah, the joy of parenthood. I feel like I am trying to get a bug but I certainly hope not. Our Christmas program is this weekend and I can't sing if I am sick.

Anna wet the bed for the first time in about a week last night. I don't know how that doesn't wake her up. It is super gross. So I clean her and the bed up and she sleeps right through it. I roll her around and tug off wet clothes and she is totally clueless.

I have so much stuff I need to do. My Tackle it Tuesday will be my to do list lol. That is all I have the energy for at this point.

1. Clean living room
2. Clean kitchen
3. Clean bedroom
4. Clean both bathrooms
5. Clean off the guest bed
6. Clean outside toy
7. Finish Christmas present for Yia Yia
8. Start the one for Casey and Pop and Daddy too
9. Email Jena Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie recipe
10. Watch Rudolph tonight!

I think I will stop there. I am exhausted just reading the list lol. If anyone wants to come help come on over. I have cookies left!

Drum Roll PLEASE!!!

O' Christmas Tree

Here are the cookies I made totally from scratch!

Taking about 2 hours total for some reason lol!
Ta Da!!! Aren't they loverly? They taste even better then they look!