The Stockings Are Hung

It's official there is lots of Christmas cheer in our house. This weekend we put up our Christmas tree and decorated the house. I love Christmas decorations and want to buy everything from Pier 1 and Target:) However, I will only splurge a little and wait for after Christmas sales.

Jackson is in awe by the Christmas tree. He has actually left it alone so far, we will see how long that lasts!


Putting up the tree right now is very different from when I was growing up. I remember my dad going down to the basement and bringing up the tree and ornaments. It took us forever to unwrap all of our ornaments and then place them in just the right spot on the tree. Our tree had so many ornaments because each year my mom would let my sister and me pick out a new ornament for the year. The tree looked like it threw up ornaments but it represented many things we liked, or made, and held lots of memories. As we put each one on the tree I would talk with my mom about it or laugh about it! Right now our Christmas tree looks very classic but I can't wait to have a tree filled with ornaments that Jackson picked out or made for me with love. I also want it to be a family event with Christmas music and lots of laughter. Christmas is very commerical but I pray that every tradition we do with Jackson will be tied to the real meaning of Christmas and done as a family. This is the time of the year that I miss my family the most and hate being far away. I do love that I have a family now that I can carry on some of the things I love most about the holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I got to spend the day with two of the people I love most! I love days with no agenda, no place to go, just lots of relaxing and eating. Thanks to my Aunt Midge I didn't even have to do any of the cooking. I did make a carmel apple pie, YUM!

We started the day with an early morning stroll, singing praise to God for all He has blessed us with. I love this holiday because there is no focus on decorations or presents, just time with family.

Me and my "turkey"!

The ABC's of Thanksgiving

Just some of the things I am THANKFUL for big and small.



Airplanes- They allow for a quicker trip home to see my family that I miss dearly.

Boys- Brian and Jackson bring happiness and joy to my life daily.

Chick-fil-a- Great sandwiches, waffle fries, and makes dinner time so much easier.

Difficult times- They increase my relationship with Jesus and draw me closer to him.

Elliptical machines- My favorite workout machine.

Family and friends- Where would we be without them?

God's grace, forgiveness, and love- I need all of these on a daily basic.

Home- I thankful we have a safe home to live in and raise our family in.

Internet- I can easily keep up with with loved ones far away.

Jackson- He just makes my heart happy.

Kisses- The chocolate and non-chocolate ones.

Laughter- Especially Jackson's

My job- I love what I do and pray I am making a difference.

Naps- Jackson is in such a good mood when he wakes up from one.

Oatmeal- It is my staple for lunch each day and lowers cholesterol.

Pilates- Strengthens my muscles without bulk (according to Denise Austin's DVD).

Quiet time- Time alone with God, I wish I made more time in a day for this one.

Rest and relaxation- AKA vacation from school, extra time with the ones I love!

Sonic's Diet Coke with Vanilla- I think it may me heaven in a cup:)

Target- I love their clearance racks!

Uninterrupted sleep- I take what I can get and Brian is awesome at getting up for me sometimes

Verses- I love scripture, how it speaks to my heart, and encourages at just the right time.

Winter in Houston- No shoveling, scrapping ice off my windows, or temperatures below 32.

X-rays- They allow Brian to have a job and provide for us.

Yams- An easy to prepare and healthy food that Jackson loves to eat.

Zero health problems- Jackson and I have been relatively healthy, and are thankful for good health insurance for Brian.

What are you thankful for?

Party Animal

This weekend Jackson attended his first birthday party. His friend Cadence turned ONE!

Jackson excited to be at the party!

Jackson and the Birthday girl. Isn't she adorable? It is hard to get a picture of two moving babies.

Jackson and Cadence are so cute together. Jackson wanted to be able to walk like her so bad. He would just watch her and take it all in. He also likes to pull her hair and try and bite her fingers. I can't wait till they can run around together.

Not sure what his problem is, but Cadence is happy. I was surprised he kept the hat on.

I have less than 4 months to get ready for Jackson's first birthday! I am excited to start planning for it and can only imagine what he will do with his cake:)

A Special Birthday Message

Happy Birthday Grandma! I can't wait to come home and read to you. I wish I could have some cake with you.

We love you!

Purplicious

The girls in my class love the books Pinkalicious and Purplicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann.

Lately I too have had a fetish with purple.



I have bought:

- some purple flats with jewels-- an instant pop of color to any outfit,

- a purple scraf-- again an accent to my outift,


- a dark purple wrap dress with 3/4 quarter rolled sleeves (very cute:),

-this purple turtleneck lightweight sweater (pictured below) and another chunky fun shortsleeved sweater,


-I thought of buying a purple leather purse and I am painting my workout room a shade of purple.

Purple is the new black, right? :)

Goodbye...Hello

Goodbye little bathtub, Hello Big Rubber Ducky!

Now bathtime is even more fun, although Jackson is not quite sure about the noises he makes.

(Thanks Stacy, he loved it!)

Goodbye infant carseat, hello stage 2 carseat!

Jackson has hit the weight limit for the infant carseat. It is nice not hauling the carseat around however when he falls alseep in his new one it is harder to transfer him to the house without waking up.

Goodbye staying in one place, hello crawling!

Jackson has been rolling all over the place, but hasn't really gone anywhere on his belly. Today he has done it a couple of times. He doesn't quite get up on all fours and he only uses his right leg to push himself.

Goodbye wonderful weekend of fun and relaxation, hello work week!