Our Christmas

Well, I am finally getting around to fighting this DIAL up internet...so, our Christmas was pretty uneventful...we always spend Christmas Eve with my folks steaming up oysters and shrimp in our shed...YUMMY! Always my favorite part...then we opened our gifts. Well, my gift had to be installed so I got cmas from mom, dad, and Wade early...a CD player for my car! Hooray! I have been driving my old Honda for 6 years now with no CD player! NOT NOW~! And Santa Wade brought me a IPOD Nano to hook into my new radio! And its pink! CUTE!

Anywho- The kids had a large Christmas as usual...they got a plenty! We have never had alot of Santa stuff...but its always enough. Wade and I just made our minds up after Bentlee was born that we did not need to start setting huge standards on Cmas morning...and we have pretty much stuck with that.

The best part of Christmas Eve and morning...my mom and dad spent the night with us again! Their house has been pretty boring since Jessica is "grown" and they like to enjoy Bentlee and Rylee on Christmas morning...and I can't tell you how much I treasure the memory of them being here. Last year I prepared a huge breakfast but I forgot to buy the stuff this year...next year, I will be more prepared.

We spent the evening with Wade's family...and all came to a bitter sweet ending. Without a doubt, it was an even better Christmas than last year...as always, we had so much to be thankful for...especially my dad's health. Last year, we were not sure what 2008 held for us...but He provided another Christmas spent with family and friends and good health...Amen.

Gifts for my kids

How cute did these turn out!??? I thought they were just perfect gifts for the kids I keep...and I made one for Bentlee and Rylee too! The boy buckets had Lightin McQueen socks, tobogan, and an ornament...the baby bucket had baby forks and spoons and can;t remember what else, LOL...the girl buckets had doodle pads, markers, light up bracelets and an ornament. Cute and right on budget when you have to buy for several. I found the buckets at Michaels the day after Thanksgiving but only in BLUE! This was Michele's idea and she remembered to buy her buckets during the summer so you all might want to keep that in mind if you want to do these next Christmas. All the kids loved them and the parents too.

Something from my "old" friend...

I am still a somewhat active part of Mary Kay and usually just sell to my friends...when I joined Mary Kay God put me in touch with a wise lady that is a Mary Kay story...her name is Ann Gibbs.

Ann continues to support me and hopes for a future for me in Mary Kay...I doubt it will happen but Ann never gives up encouraging me. And to me she is like an "old wise woman"...with old NOT true but you get where I am coming from.

She sends out a newsletter every so often with interesting stuff about ramping your business and so forth...Monday I received her newsletter and it contained a list of "Ten ways to get unstuck"..which is supposed to apply to my Mary Kay business but I can;t help but think it applies to more to life in general. I wanted to share it with you...

3. Stop worrying about the obstacles. The best antidote for anxiety is action! Stop worrying about how you are going to solve everything, and just take the first step. If you are looking for solutions instead of bemoaning the problem, the solutions will present themselves to you as you go.

Just thought some of you may like this...its simple but good.

A roller coaster ride with no stop

Well, here I am...once again and no promises to be a regular again...sorry, but my life seems to get more hectic rather than slow down.
As most of you know I usually get my Christmas cards out right after Thanksgiving but this year...I am behind! which seems to be the case in EVERYthing...I have become quit the procrastinator it seems...too much going on and too much on my mind these days. So, I finally got the cards done after several attempts at photos as you will see below. I spared you all the really silly shots, just gave you a preview.
Just a quick update...The Anatomy and Physiology class will come to a sweet end tomorrow night...with hopes of a C! yep, thats right, I have gone from a A to a C in about a month...lots of factors involved. The course information has gotten SOOO boring...we ended with the Central nervous system and if any of you have been through that study you know what a slow deathly grind that info can be...BORING would be putting it mildly!
So, the debate is, do I take A&P II next semester or do I give myself a break and let my life settle down a bit? hhhmmmm...can't decide. Its not that I am regretting going to school but I have alot going on that I would rather not get into.
Lastly, I want to put a prayer request out there for myself...just know I am need you to pray for me and lift me up...thats all you need to know. I am not sick...just an internal battle if you will.
Very lastly, I want all of you to know I have been thinking of you during your times of trial and your times of greatness....Kelli, I have had your dad and your family on my mind and I feel your pain, I pray for good days ahead, God will show you the way...Mandy, I know you and Charlie will be great parents, you just have NO idea how your life will change...Tina, my bestest bud, you have been patient with my blogging and been there for me emotionally and physically, thanks once again for all you do, Michele...I just can;t say how I miss having you in my life everyday and sharing this time with you and vice-versa...and to the others I have left out...just know I am still here...its just hard to get in front of this darn computer when kids call and laundry buzzers go off...and notes are waiting to be studied...and so forth.
Rock on my blogging buddies! Merry Christmas to you and yours...

First attempt at christmas cards...

Wade and I decided we would go visit Santa and see if we can get a card shot then...the sun was just awful on Rylee so she decided some shades were the best option...LOL! She seriously kept them on even as she rode into the mall in her stroller...reminded me of the movie Big Daddy...cause Rylee would want to be "hidden" just like the boy did in the movie...



Not the best...but okay, we'll use this on for the card! It turned out a bit dark on the actual card but these are the best smiles. My header picture has Rylee "cheesing" just a bit too much but its still a funny shot! Oh, and she even sat with Santa! NOT touching him but she was up there NOT screaming! Hooray!

Boy, am I glad its Monday! LOL

I just planned TOO darn much this long holiday weekend and I am EXHAUSTED!

Our Thanksgiving has never been really crazy simply because my parents/family do not really get together. Wade's family does get together for dinner but thats it...the real madness started at 3:40am Friday morning when I woke for my LONG AWAITED Black Friday shopping trip with Tina. With the exception of a couple of years this has been a tradition for the two of to SHOP TIL WE DROP on the day after Thanksgiving. We do LOVEEEEE it! We are not fighting for anything but we will be hard core shopping on this day "come h--- or high water"! LOL!

On Saturday we did the craft show in Conway as planned. That was a waste of my Saturday and energy. Not sure what the problem is with that craft show but its been going down for a couple of years I hear. Nobody did good business there, not sure if we need to blame the economy or what.

Sunday, I WORKED at the Grapevine...went back to Chesapeake to return unused stuff from the craft show and FINALLY made it home around 8:30 only to fall into bed around 9!

So, I am MOST thankful for my family, my friends, my faith, and our health but heres' to MONDAY also. Never thought I would say that, LOL!

Here are a couple of new boards I did for family birthdays (got to correct Sieanna's name) I forgot and some vases I sold at the craft show.

Spread the word...

Tina and myself will be at the HO-HO Craft Show in Conway on Saturday. The Conway parade will be first thing and then the craft show.

The hours are 9-4 and I heard its a full house of vendors. The location is in the gym at Conway Middle School and benefits the Conway Volunteer Fire Department.

Come on out and support the community and check us out!

Tina will have her PREMIER Jewelry and I will have my initial signs.

Happy Birthday to me!

My family and friends have been so sweet to me and its still a few hours until my birthday.

I had a birthday weekend...I had dinner with two of my best friends, Ava and Michele on Friday night at Applebee's..Vicky couldn't be there unfortunately. They gave me a cute pocket book, a new Cricut cartridge, a bath wrap with my initial, and a few cards. It was such a treat to be with them and have girl time...the gifts were just a perk! THANKS to all three of you for such great time and gifts...I love you girls!

I spent the night with Michele and we had more girl time on Saturday. We went to Greenbrier shopping for a dress for her to wear to a wedding in December. We had a great time just hanging out and chit-chatting!

On Sunday my in-laws came over and visited for a short while. They gave me a NEATO picture frame that I will share once I get pictures in it. Its so me...and I can hardly decide on the pictures I want to use. They have had the frame for months, I would never have been able to wait that long...if you know me, I get REAL excited about gifts and end up giving them early or telling what it is...I guess thats why I don;t shop early for anything!

Tonight, Wade and the girls gave me some clothes, a book, and two sweet cards.
Since I will be in class tomorrow night we had to celebrate tonight. My new header picture is a rough picture of me at the end of a long Monday! LOL~

Again, its not what I received thats important...its the thought that was put into it and the time I have spent with each of you. Thats everything a girl can ask for on her birthday..and its not even here yet!

Thanks again to EACH and EVERY one of you for being a part of my life and touching me each differently. I am THANKFUL for you on this Thanksgiving!