Thanksgiving Hoopla

Thanksgiving is over and the turkey, pumpkins, and acorns are put away.

This year, it all went by way to fast! Lets look at some things we did.

Madyson had "The first Thanksgiving" at school She was a pilgrim!

I started decorating for Christmas (more on that tomorrow)

We had Thanksgiving dinner with our LifeGroup! So yummy!!

Wednesday, I was sending a tweet when my trackball, cover, and side buttons literally fell apart in my hands. I had NO phone for 5 days. Serious eye opener. Didn't really miss anything except being able to tweet, facebook, and email without having to stop what I am doing to go sit at computer.

We celebrated Thanksgiving morning my favorite way! Watching the parade.We all decided that we will take a NY trip in a few years to see it first hand. My favorite moment was when Aubrie yelled out (i was in the kitchen getting coffee) "Momma, Sista, come look....its abbydabby!!" (the SS float)

After the parade we headed to Todd's parents house for Thanksgiving dinner with his aunts, uncles, and cousins. I look forward to this ever year because I love this family to death and we all live in other states so its the one time we all come together! (PLUS, they are all FABULOUS cooks!!)

After lunch and some rest time, we (Todd, myself, and cousin Justin) took 8 kids to the movies to see Tangled! It was really cute! I think all the time with the boy cousins really made Todd excited about the possibility of having a son. 

The girls spent the night with Todd's mom and me, my sister-in-law and Todd all went Black Friday Shopping. Us girls started at Walmart @ 11 and didn't get home til Friday at noon~12 hours! I got alot of great deals though!

I spent the rest of the afternoon/night sleeping. Todd and the girls got home around 11 that evening and we all slept until 9am! Saturday we stayed at the house in our PJ's all day! We watched movies, I cleaned the kitchen cabinets all out and organized them, hung some more decorations...just chilled. That evening we decided to go to Bass Pro to see "Santa". The girls were great. Aubrie asked for a baby doll. Madyson asked for Mittens, an Easy Bake Oven, and a Kitchen aid Mixer for momma. (I LOVE THAT CHILD, not only that she thought to ask for a present for someone else, that she really listens every time we trek through Belk and I stop to talk to Mary my Green mixer.)

Sunday, we were suppose to be out of town, but plans changed so we hung our outside Christmas Lights, I stopped by Family Christian book store to pick up 2 books for myself

Bringing Up Girls: By James Dobson 

 

7 ways to be a S.M.A.R.T.E.R Mom

 

Then we ate some homemade potato soup for dinner!

Publish Post

and now, a Madyson Moment from the week......... I walked in on Madyson on the computer. I said, "whatcha doing?" She said, "Googlin"...Me: "really,(knowing she can't spell) watcha googlin? She said, "dunno just typin in letters to see what comes up"

How was your Thanksgiving?

a new obsession

So, I have alot to tell you about Thanksgiving activites, decorting for Christmas, adoption updates and such...but that will come later this week!

Right now, I want to share with you my new obsession. (I am sure most of you already know about this...shame on you for not forcing me there MONTHS ago!)

Zulily is my absolute favorite new site!

I have purchased Christmas dresses, toys, ballet bags, socks, and so much more!

Right now they have my FAVORITE toy company, Green Toys (toys made of recycled materials, their tea set even meets FDA standards!!!)

so if you are off doing some cyber shopping, go to Zulily! Today is the last day for FREE shipping on your purchase of $50 or more!

Our Christmas Card!

shutt

Merry Mistletoe Christmas 5x7 folded card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

SO we took a family vote and we decided to go with this card! We opted to just use this snapshot of our girls, taken one morning before school because it captures there personalities perfectly! I can't wait to receive these and see how great the look in person!

If you haven't done your Christmas Cards yet, head over to Shutterfly NOW!!! I can't wait to finish the other projects I am doing on there for Christmas Gifts!

Breakfast of Champions!

For the past month, this has been my breakfast during the week!

DanActive, Babybel Cheese, Quaker Granola Bar.

After getting Madyson & Aubrie up dressed, fed, out the door. Rarely do I have time to eat!

Do you have any weird breakfast foods you eat?

Ideas for the little one?

I have finished Christmas shopping for Madyson. I am very pleased at my choices. She is into 2 things right now. 1) American Girls 2) Strawberry Shortcake. Easy peasy

but the little one.....little doodle, Aubrie Kate...not so much she plays with
1) Her home living stuff, baby dolls, princesses, maple town (yes my 1980's maple town), Little ponies, Potato Head....she loves toys and has TONS!

So I am stuck. I have no idea what to get her for christmas. Right now..she has 2 things. A Bitty Baby-bc Madyson wont share hers. and an Ironing board & Iron. Because I find her time to time playing with my real one and well...thats just dangerous.

So if you have any ideas on presents for an almost 3 year old, I would LOVE to hear them!

A Classic Madyson Moment

So yesterday we were shopping at our "Holiday Market" in town. Madyson was pushing her American girl down the street in the baby stroller when a man came up to her.

Man:"What's your baby's name?"
Madyson: "Molly"
Man: " I have a dog name Molly. Does your baby talk to you alot?"
Madyson: "No sir, She's not real. Does your dog talk to you?"

Man to Me: Kids these days have no imagination. 

Christmas Time is Near!

My favorite holiday is fast approaching-No not Christmas-Thanksgiving! But with it being just 2 weeks away the reminder of the next holiday is near! CHRISTMAS!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE CHRISTMAS! But there is SO much that goes in to it! (Shopping, Decorating, Church Performances, More Shopping, Wrapping) I honestly have no idea how I am going to get everything done, IN TIME...to sit and enjoy the REAL meaning of Christmas!

I started my shopping 2 months ago. Madyson is almost finished, Aubrie isn't, My sisters, mothers are done, the boys are not....I usually NEVER have a Christmas List, but with the plan of having a new kitchen (By valentines is my goal...hahah) I have a list this year!

And I will share!

A cute Apron (and I like this one bc there are "Mini-Me" aprons for the girls

The Black & Decker Brew & Go! I am the ONLY person in my house that drinks coffee and even though I can drink a whole pot in the morning, I really don't need that much. So this would be perfect. I can make it ..and take it!

Some Cute Salt & Pepper Shakers

The Most Important Item in the World The KitchenAid Mixer (apple green or cornflower blue)

But don't worry!

If your not a big Kitchen Person, I have 2 other things on my list

an Ipad. (Because I have sold my soul to Verizon Wireless, and if/when they do get the IPHONE I am sure the extra Iphone service will cause me to get a second job)

and silver glitter toms, size 7.0 because I need some sparkle in my life =) 

Do you have a fun Wish List of random things?!?! Please share!

Shutterfly!

I got started using shutterfly a few years ago, when my sister got her first digital camera. She would upload pictures to their site and we could go and view them! (Now days, our whole family is involved and we share albums and such)

I am in love with Shutterfly's Photo Books. I have made photo books from several companies but none have the quality as Shutterfly's!

Their cards are outstanding quality. The designs are fun, funky, classic...they have tons to choose from. See?

I love this card! I am into the full photo cards this year!

Here are some bonus to becoming a member!

 picture storage is free and unlimited. They never delete photos

Shutterfly securely store your images at full resolution

Enjoy free personalized websites

100% customer satisfaction guaranteed

Plus, receive 50 free 4x6 prints

Pick up prints at Target, Walgreens, or CVS in as little as an hour

Can't get much better!



If you have a blog, and would like to share your experience of Shutterfly, go here and sign up to receive a code for free holiday cards!

Most Popular Stories of All Time!

Once again, I checked out the stats section here are the top 10 most read stories on our blog!!! 10) Welcome to our World!  Feb. 6, 2009, 1 comment, 33 page views Our first post! One of my favorites! 9) JumpStart Review: From a Mom's Eyes Oct. 4, 2010, 5 comments, 36 page views. Review on a great product for kids 3 and up!  Give-a-way attached! Won by Tyanne of McCoy Musings! 8) Sunday Girls Design: Feature July 7, 2010, 1 comment, 38 page views An AMAZING company that does awesome work! 7) I need help from you: Decorating a fixer upper Sept. 14, 2010, 6 comments, 44 page views What color to paint the door/shutters?!?! What to do with the discovery room!?!? What was the outcome! Stay tuned this month!!! 6) Wowzers!  August 18, 2010, 3 commetns, 45 page views Preggo People that invade my reader 5) From My Heart: When Life Gets Into Marriage August 11, 2010. 6 comments, 49 page views  A post about how our marriage is and how we "deal" with life. 4) Guest Blogger: Jill Kyser July 5, 2010, 1 comment, 53 page views One of the best post I have ever read. Jill and her family are planning on going to Malawi to serve as missionaries. Please continue to pray for this family. 3) Redoing the Room July 15, 2010 5 comments, 66 page views 2) no i am not dead July 21, 2010 3 comments, 86 page views Summer Camp post, slime photos!  and the number one post of all time!!! drumroll........ 1) Show Us Your Life: Single Guys!!! July 9. 2010, 36 comments, 4, 302 views This is no surprise to me, Brian has always drawn a crowd.

Busy Weekend!

Friday night was our "Friday Family Night" this is something we started about a year ago and we all enjoy it!

We started out by making pizza so when daddy got home from work we could eat!

Then we packed our Operation Christmas Child Shoe boxes (or as our kids refer to them "our shoebox kids") This is such a great way to teach young children about giving to others. Madyson and Aubrie each did a box for a girl there age and then the 4 of us did a box for a little boy. (*adoption side note, we are in prayer that God clearly shows us which path to take, but we are both feeling like its domestic adoption, boy, age 4-7)

After our shoe boxes were packed we watched Toy Story 3! If you remember this, then you know how I feel about this movie!

When the movie was over the girls went to bed, and Todd and I stayed up talking. We were both so excited because we knew what tomorrow was!

Saturday we got up Extremely early!!! We had to get everyone dressed and out of the house by 8 to make our drop off at grandmomma's house, so Todd and I could meet the Braddy's at their church for an Orphan Care Workshop. We got there and had a great time! We learned a lot and made some new friends. Todd left with an overwhelming feeling. You could tell by seeing other men admit that at first, they weren't into the whole adoption idea, then God got to them...now they are there/been there, made him feel so much better.

Saturday was "Toddnoon" we were out with his family dedicated the day to him! He got to pick out his birthday present, get new glasses, all sorts of fun stuff for a man who always gives to us but never ask for things for himself. (his momma did get me a new bag! I love it!! Pink and Orange, my favorite color combo!!)

Sunday was church, here is a picture of my boss (the children's minister) about to go into children's worship to talk about "being unique" yes, he is a fly.

After church we napped, which was LOVELY! then we went out to eat with Todd's mom and stepdad to celebrate Todd's birthday ( a day early)

Monday was work~ Then we went out to dinner with our LifeGroup friends to celebrate Todd's Birthday, Jennifer's Birthday and Eric's Birthday! 3 birthdays 1 on the 7th, 2 on the 8th!

Did you have a busy weekend??

"You will be blessed"

God and I have a great understanding. He knows that if my heart starts pounding 90 to nothing that I will stop and listen.

Yesterday, in the midst of fighting a cold, I ran to Family Dollar to pick up some crosses for our Operation Christmas Child Shoe boxes. As I was waiting to check out, there was an older lady in front of me, counting change to pay for her $30.00 garbage can, clothes pins, etc. My heart was pounding. When the lady at the counter told her she didn't have enough, she started to recount. I couldn't ignore the feeling anymore. I opened my mouth and said, "I will pay for your purchase". Automatically she grabbed my arm and proceeded to tell me how God will bless me. 

The store clerk looked stunned, her daughters started praising...and out came the flood of my mouth. I told her how I appreciate her saying that, but God had blessed me. He put me in that store at that time to help her and that I was just glad that he allowed me to serve him. She then asked me what church I go to, when I told her. She said, Oh thats such a great church. I invited her to attend Sunday, we will see.

When I got in the car, I sat in awe. I had to thank God again for allowing me to serve him. I was blessed the day I decided to start living a Christian life. I never have to feel alone and I have the knowledge that HE is in control.

Tonight is family night! Another way I am blessed! Todd, I and the girls are packing up our Operation Christmas Child boxes and watching Toy Story 3! Do you have family night? what are some of the things that you do?

The ugly....ugly kitchen

So we have an extremely ugly kitchen! For those of you that have been on this journey for a while, you know the background story. For those of you that are new...ill give you a quick overview. Todd and I looked for a 4 bedroom 2.5 bathroom house all over our city. Everyone we looked at was foreclosed and/or falling apart. We knew we needed 4 bedrooms plus 2 living spaces. We wanted a house we could stay in and grow in.

Well, when we were giving up hope we got the opportunity to buy my parents house. It is the PERFECT size. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 separate living spaces, nice backyard....BUT it has never ever been remodeled (built in the 60s) so it is dated and not cool retro dated....like dated as in UGLY.

So we have been working room by room to turn it cute (pictures to come this month, I promise) well...the time is near, we have to start working on the UGLIEST room in the house...The Kitchen. Now this kitchen is SO ugly that my camera gags taking pictures of it so I will show you bits and pieces of the ugly....

The Floor..(seriously, whoever decided that this is appropriate...needs to be committed to an institution)

The original oven spray painted black (yes...)

The Paneling (above the cabinets and on the wall.)

Are you throwing up on yourself yet? Don't worry, I have been FOR YEARS! Here is my inspiration of what I want my kitchen to look like.

Fun-Open-Friendly! I want people to walk in and say "Wow! This kitchen makes me want to cook"

I mean! Check out that back splash...and barstools...add in a green kitchenaid mixer and I would be SET!

So needless to say, I have a LONG way to go! Hopefully, It will be started and done in the next few months! We will see!

The Longest Post in Blogger History.....

So, if your computer shuts down during the loading of this post, I do apologize! I am sorry I have been absent for a while! With Todd's knee surgery and Fall Harvest at the church....life had been Crazy!!

So lets start where I left off....

Todd is doing great from his surgery! The doctor was very pleased at the post-op exam and thinks he will be able to heal without therapy!

I finished the girls costumes!! Madyson was Strawberry Shortcake this year. She has all the sudden taken a HUGE liking to this character.



Aubrie was Abby Cadabby!

Madyson had a field trip to the pumpkin patch! It was alot of fun!

We went to the Fall Carnival in our hometown! The girls had alot of fun getting candy! My niece, Emma, won 1st place in her age division for the costume contest!

Todd's business had a city wide costume contest to see which branch could dress/decorate their office the best. Todd's Branch won!! They did a batman theme! Here is the goofy group! (when you have 2 big guys in lycra you are kind of a shoe-in)

Fall Festival at the church was fabulous this year! (makes you feel really good when all your planning goes accordingly!) I did find some stuff I want to change for next year (usually do) but other than that, I was very pleased!

Can you say, sugar high????

Now for some bigger stuff!

If you remember this post, you know that adoption has been on my heart for a while(actually one year ago from today!)Well, I mentioned it to Todd but at the time, he wasn't ready. That was okay! I spent the next few months just praying that God would speak to him on this topic. Over the summer, I had a little boy from our local children's home in my Sunday School Class. I fell in love with this child. Every Sunday, when he would leave. My heart would break. One Sunday, I finally just broke down and told Todd how I wanted him to come live with us. He agreed. He said, "Lets bring him home". Well, it wasn't that simple. He wasn't a ward of the state yet, so he was unadoptable. And turns out, for the better...he is back with his family. It took alot of time for my heart to heal. I was sure God wanted him to be our son. I was wrong....

A few months past and Todd and I began talking again about adopting. We adore our two girls, to bits and pieces but we know 3-4 is our number. We began talking to Madyson about adoption. I explained my adoption story to her as best as I could. I showed her pictures of orphans and explained how God allowed those children to be born, and has a special mommy and daddy waiting on them. She turned to me and said, "Why don't we have those kids come live with us, I am a great big sister, and you and daddy are special."---affirmation.

All of the sudden, I noticed a trend. 1/2 of the blogs I was following were adoption blogs. Honestly, I never thought much about it. I just liked reading about everyones lives.

So, there is our big news. We are going to adopt a child. The next step is, waiting on God to show us where from. This process is new, and we are still learning. We have begun conversation with All God's Children's and a few local adoption agencys. We are in the early stages of this process and both know it is going to be a LONG haul. But we are ready.

Most of the people we have shared this with are excited for us. Some say, "you are going to start this adoption and get pregnant." Our response is usually, "okay". We both feel that God is in control of our lives and that no matter what, this is what he wants us to do.

So there is our big news! We are on the "adoption bandwagon" as some call it. We are going to a workshop this weekend with our blog friends The Braddy's, we are excited to go through this and can't wait to see where God is taking us!

Busy Busy!

I have so much to share with you!!!!

I will be back tomorrow with a full update on October, Fall Harvest and what God is doing in our lives!!!