a baby changes everything...

it's christmas morning here. snow is beginning to fall. 4 generations of family are within 10 feet of each other. birthday cupcakes are about to be made. presents from family have been opened and i'm sitting down for just a minute to wish you all a glorious day. a day filled with wonder and love and thankfulness that a child was born to us. for us. there is no greater gift and no greater giver. the true giver of all good gifts is the only one who sees all things...knows all things...can be all places and thankfully his gifts matter not if you are naughty or nice. and he will not share his glory with another. not even for a day. so today we celebrate that christmas morn long ago when christ was born and we'll give gifts to each other as a taste of the good gifts and wonder that beautiful morning brought as well. and we'll sing. the angels sang and so will we.

so merry christmas friends. be not satisfied with the imitation miracles this world dreams up. read luke chapter 2 and fall to your knees in wonder of the real miracle that changes everything. the blessings of the nativity are unending...

merry christmas to all again. merry merry christmas.

'When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.'
Romans 5:6

of peculiar style...

no explanation really needed right. baby girl has her own style. it's all her choice when we're at home but i'm sure you can agree with me that when it's time to head out, i get to pick the attire. good memories here. good good times.

7

this picture was taken 7 years ago today. 7 years, 3 homes, 2 towns & one child later we are here today happier, healthier and more complete than we were that glorious day. i wasn't one of those girls who dreamed of her wedding day. i rarely even thought about marriage when i was younger and certainly didn't entertain thoughts of what my husband would be like. all that to say that even if i would have dreamed up what i thought would have been the perfect love, harold is better. better than anything my mind could have conceived. in fact i sometimes marvel at how much God must love me to send me a husband that adores me and loves me in a way that is so pure. and all of that love despite my shortcomings. it is truly a blessing to know that should we have 7 days or 70 years left on this earth, we'll be together.

happy anniversary goss. i adore you too.

the paci ~ june 11, 2008 - december 10,2010

this picture is from earlier this week. it's the last picture i found with her and her paci. the paci that has been there since day 1. and now we're working on day 3 without it. it was her decision to throw it away. so i'll remember...we were at the doctor for a nasty cold {again} and the mentioned that the paci isn't helping because it's a germ magnet. so when she walked out i explained to georgia that her paci was yucky. that she could keep it but it might mean having to come back to the dr several more times. or she could throw it away and hopefully start to get lots better and not have to come to the dr lots more. she thought about it and said 'i don't wanna go to doctor again'...so i said well, throwing your paci away will help that not happen as much. she walked over to the trash and threw it away. i. was. stunned. i also realized at that moment that we couldn't go back. this was our opportunity and i had to roll with it. she was okay that first day...not much whining and went to sleep fine. yesterday {and today} at nap has been the worst so far. she was having real withdrawal symptoms. she even said that she will go back to the dr if she can have her paci back. talk about pitiful. i just held her tight and reassured her that she was okay. that i was there to hold her and that Christ will supply the comfort she truly needs. i'm hoping this passes quickly. for both our sakes. but then again i hope it last long enough for both of us to get the message that comfort really one does come from one Source.

and i must confess. i wish i was a little more like that curly headed offspring of mine. although she's had a moment she really is just going about her days without the one thing that she clung to so dearly. with her childlike faith she just knows that she's okay. she knows that i'll hold her tight. that every need and tear will be attended too. she's free. and so am i. free from the false things of this world that will try to provide a comfort that masks the real Comforter.

for her...the paci was only a glimpse of what real comfort feels like. for us who believe...real Comfort in here in Christ. we will celebrate anew this Christmas what it really meant for the Savior to be born unto men and to live with us that we might live with Him in true comfort forever.

joy to the world. the Lord has come. {and the paci is gone}

embrace the camera - december 9

georgia's favorite game...cheerleader

having our team in the national championship game gives us lots to cheer about. and the bathing suit? she found this one in her closet that is supposed to be for next summer. i doubt we'll make it seeing that it fits perfectly now. and nevermind it's 20 degrees outside. she's traded her fairy costumes for this bathing suit from sun up to sun down.

happy monday

if you've never rocked around the christmas tree at 8am in a fairy costume with a plastic dora guitar you are really missing out. you might need to put that on your list this year of things to do before new years. happy monday friends.

and just so we're clear, georgia is in the fairy costume not me.

if you're interested....

i've been having a 'sale' at my house the last two days. too bad some of you don't live close. you'd be in for a real treat. i have *lots* of stationery/invites/stuff from when i used to have our business and it's time for it all to go. and cheaply. so i can't possibly post everything that i still have on here because i'd crash the server with pics but i since i have some christmas cards left i thought i'd see if there are any takers. below are the pictures of each one i have left. i haven't counted but i'd say there are around 50-70 of each design. the price is .50 each and that includes printing whatever you'd like on the inside. i know i know that's a steal if you know anything about stationery but if harold has to haul these boxes to the attic one more time he might throw a fit. so anyway, first come first serve. leave and comment if you're interesed and we'll go from there. all the designs will accomodate a 4x6 picture and include envelopes of course. happy shopping.

again .50 each for printed photo christmas card + shipping to wherever you are :)

embrace the camera - december 2

there are a few things i remember from being 2 years old. just a few though. and sometimes when i look at her, especially him & her, i think to myself

gosh i hope she remembers this....

thankful

don't let the pictures fool you. even though we are in full christmas swing around here, we didn't just pass over thanksgiving without taking a minute to actually be thankful. in fact, i'm just now getting here because it's taken me a whole week longer to really think about and appreciate all the things that i'm thankful for. true enough there is something special about 'thanksgiving day'. the family. the food. the fellowship. naps. football. on and on. but sometimes in the middle of an ordinary day...when prayers get answered. when bodies are healthy and spirits are encouraged. when the house warm and holds just enough space for love to grow. when friends are healing and strongholds are breaking. when God seems just a little closer than the day before...that's when i stop and i think to myself...this is what thanksgiving is. this right here is reason to celebrate. and so we are. celebrating the way things are and yet realizing that things won't always be this way. at least not this side of heaven.

so happy thanksgiving friends. be back soon.

him & her

my two favorite people. and i love that these pictures are from my favorite things we do together. a special night out with my husband friday night and a simple playdate with my girl last week. have i ever told you how much i adore my family? okay good.

we're headed to the plains for a few days but i'll be back soon. i hope there's still some toliet paper at left at toomer's when we arrive. happy monday my friends. hug your favorite people a little tighter today okay. be back soon...

where you go-ed?

every time i pick georgia up from mother's day out her first question is "where you go-ed?" she seems genuinely concerned about my whereabouts when we're apart and since it's been 2 weeks since we last visited here i figured you're asking the same thing..."where you go-ed?"

i'm here. we're here. things are good. in the best of interest of your time and my memory i'm going to bullet point the last two weeks. this is as much for our memory {we use this blog as a scrapbook} as it is to catch you up on the latest 'round here...

*georgia got her first ever bout of croup. we caught it early and the steroids did their magic to her cough and to her energy.

*30 minutes before a friend's party halloween night she tells me that she doesn't want her costume. that she wants to be a fairy. 30 minutes later a fairy she was. pink tights. sparkle shoes. a tutu. a purple dress. a homemade fairy wand and some face paint. she loved it. and i love her enough to make her feel like magic is real and plans can change.

*everyday since the fairy night we've had to paint her face. and most days before 7:30 am.

*favorite foods friday was a blast and we have one more this year. i'm hoping to get the post up on that blog this week. hoping i said. and seriously, you're missing out of the fun if you haven't decided to try this. i know it was my idea and i could be biased, but it's a blast. and encouraging all at the same time.

*i asked georgia to pick up her toys the other night and her reply was "um, no. i'm sick a little bit".

*i need to potty train, take the paci away and get her in her big girl bed all before new years. any body offering to help? it should be loads of fun around here this december ;)

*harold has a big day tomorrow. as in 10 months of waiting/wondering/praying/hoping/questioning/believing all coming to fruition. wish him luck okay...

*summer is back home. praise the lord. i wish all of you knew summer and got to sit on the front lines to witness this miracle as i have. you'd be so encouraged. so reminded of how god still hears. and heals. and protects. and loves.

and for those who did..thank you for praying for her. she still needs it. we need 100% recovery quickly. listen it's close. please don't stop until she's there. i promise i won't. thank you again. i mean it. thank you.

*lastly...remember the salted caramel hot chocolate from a few weeks ago? ummm, i figured out how to make it at home. in fact, i'm going for one after i finish here. it's seriously dangerous for my waistline. like this could be a major problem. i'll reach out if i need an intervention okay.

love you all. every one of you. stranger or friend.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.

Hebrews 13:2

the celebrating season

although november is a week away and the actual thanksgiving holiday is even more weeks away, i've found myself extra thankful these past days. and there's lots to celebrate indeed. in fact this week we had 5 parties/activities planned and we're already 2 down. here's a quick recap...

today was georgia's fall party at mother's day out. the kids were out of the room while us parents set up the tables. i could hear them coming so i snuck my head out the window and caught a glimpse of them walking together holding their rings...

i came back in quickly to get her reaction and this is what happened when she saw me standing there....so we ate and played and made sure to let the other know how thankful we were to be together for lunch today... so last night was trunk or treat at our church and i got no pictures of the action because...

a) it was inside the church and there was a million people and a million degrees and

b) richard simmons was being mr. grump pants

sooo, here's a picture from last year. remember the sucker situation. she wanted to sit on that curb and work on that one sucker the whole night...well this year wasn't much different. she's still very much into suckers but instead she wants to upwrap everyone of them. take a few licks. then throw them away. that's her idea of a good time. so that's what we did at 8:00pm last night. i knew she wouldn't actually eat any of them so i just kept letting her unwrap so they'd get gone :)

tomorrow we have our favorite foods friday party then another saturday & sunday. i have a feeling that we will all be partied and candied out by they week's end. but nevertheless, i'm still thankful these fun times.

and speaking of fun times. and celebrating. two friends from auburn came up here yesterday and we spent the morning together getting pedicures and having lunch. these are my friends revel and deann. their a mother daughter pair. i have two separate 'friendships' with them. revel is 10 years younger. i was her acteens leader at our old church in auburn and we developed a special bond. when we hang out there doesn't feel like there is a weeks difference in our ages. she's cool like that and i adore her. and yesterday was her 22nd birthday. i'd say a reason to celebrate.

through our relationship, her mom and i developed our own friendship. she's 20 years older than me. and when we hang out there doesn't feel like there is a weeks difference in our ages. she's cool like that and i adore her just as much. in fact she's a part of the woman i am today and a lot of the woman i want to be 20 years from now. she's my go-to lady for all things serious and silly. she's different and lovely and brutally honest and unselfishly giving all at once. and she just so happens to be a brand new certified flight instructor. she's not just a pilot. she makes pilots out of people. this has been a long time coming and i couldn't be more excited to be there to celebrate with her...

and lastly. and most importantly. i am celebrating the healing in my dear friend summer's life. this time two weeks ago she was having a normal day with her husband and boys. this time last week she was in ICU with a feeding tube after having 2 strokes. and tonight she out of the hospital...on her way to a full recovery and a return home to the place she belongs with her precious family. to the glory of God she is fine. and not only fine but she is on solid ground. her body has been shaken but her faith is steadfast. as is her husband's...

all of her friends and family have been praying since this happened for god to work mightily. and speedily. and wondrous. and he has. healing doesn't always come this side of heaven but when you see it happen, it's always beautiful. breathtaking beautiful. i couldn't be more thankful for the ways in which he is healing her body. and i wait with anticipation to hear the ways in which he's healed her soul. ways in which she didn't even know needed healing. that's the most beautiful kind. will you join me in praying that she get home to those boys as quickly and as whole as possible?

and will you take the time to look around you and see all the many things in your own life to celebrate? little things. big things. even the broken things which you know is on the mend. and be thankful for those all well?

okay good. i'll be back later with more. off to tell my groom just how thankful i am for him eating the last reese's cup. night night.

her

she sees nothing weird about sitting naked on our barstools with nothing but some mardi gras beads and afro puffs while she 'makes her craft'. she also thought nothing weird of my whole 80's dancer getup last week. i keep waiting for her to ask about it but she was oblivious. i think that we must be so weird around here that she's game for anything. i'm still trying to figure out if that is a good thing...

A Flower, A Fry, A Pirate, & Richard Simmons

and in case you needed a close-up:

love...in no particular order

feeling love-ly again. thanks for asking. here's few things that i am extra in-love with right now...

my new boots. they are every bit as good as they look. mom...have i said thank you????

love me some friend time. love seeing georgia with her friends. love spending time with my own friends. love love love me some friends.

favorite foods friday of course. love this idea if i may brag. i just posted about our latest get together on the fff blog so make sure to check it out http://favoritefoodsfriday.blogspot.com/

salted caramel hot chocolate from starbucks. need i say more besides get thee hiney to the nearest starbucks today!!!

this monkey pirate girl of mine and this ridiculously cute outfit. call up my friend sunni's shop and she'll be happy to send you one of your own with free shipping & 10% off. http://www.thegoodlifebirmingham.com/ or 205.979.2199

my mink muffs polish. georgia and i both had it on our toes and it is the *perfect* fall color. love it. love it.

do you love october too? i haven't bought a single pumpkin yet but gosh i love october. and for good measure...i'm loving being 32. i love date nights with my husband. i love date days with my daughter. love sharing lunch with my mom. love my jeggings. love my God. we truly are starting the 'most wonderful time of the year' and i feel every ounce.

turning a corner...

so this week has come to an end and i'm just now getting back here. georgia's sinus infection is gone, but diarrhea has come in it's place and i swear her insides must be squeky clean. i can't imagine there's much left in there. sorry. just keepin' it real. so we've had to stay close to home because i really have no desire to be dealing with the 'mess' at storytime or target. the good thing is that we've gotten to spend lots of extra time together inside our four walls. and she's gotten to do things that i probably don't take the extra time to let her do. but when you have all day it's easy to let her...

crack the eggs

or

count the sprinkles

or

stir the batter

or

cream the butter

she enjoyed every minute as did i. sure we {okay i} had a huge mess to clean up but more importantly we were together and i was able to teach her a lesson on loving your neighbor. the cookies were for friends who just has a baby and while we made them i discussed many of the ways in which we show love for our neighbor. making dinner & cookies is just one of them. and then i watched as my 2 year old joyfully served her neighboor. despite not feeling well. despite cabin fever. despite it all, she showed me that loving and serving is never based on feelings. and if you'll just take some extra time and use all the sprinkles you have, then it always brings joy.

in keeping honest...

i tried to sit down and post about favorite foods friday and the fun we had in auburn last week and how much fun my birthday was, but i'm just not up to it. not right now that is. right now i have a little sick person who...

is running, jumping, climbing on every surface in the house because the meds make her wacko. hence the need for her bike helmet at all times...

and she's gotten smart enough to figure out that when i'm distracted by cooking dinner that she can get away with stuff. the other day it happened to be suckers. she found the drawer i keep them in and then proceeded to get them all and open and lick each one. then leave them stuck to our couch. seriously this happened in 10 minutes and i had no clue. harold came home and saw this and photographed it. oh brother...

seriously, she can't just use things as intended. she *always* wants to find a way to climb it or jump from it. who knows where her helmet is in this picture but rest assured it was somewhere close.

so basically, i'm just spent. physically AND spiritually. but that's my fault. in the middle of all the beautiful chaos, i've let my guard down and let old fears and worries creep in {about her health}. so instead of spending lots of time online, i am resolved to have my nose back in the scriptures that heal and soothe and restore. and be reminded that our God is a consuming fire lest i be consumed with anything else. including my child.

i'll be back later this week to share all the fun stuff. just got knocked down a little but i'm getting back up slowly. and don't worry...i can rally.

hello?

been a while huh?

every day this week i had intentions of getting on here to say hello and share some fun things. and every night when i 'finished' the day, i reminded myself that tomorrow i must get to it. but obviously it hasn't happened and it's really not happening today i just wanted to pop in to say hello. we're here. we're well. we're loving and living and partying. we're celebrating another birthday around here tomorrow so i won't be back till the weekend is over. enjoy your weekend friends. ours is starting now. i'm leaving you with one cute picture so you don't hate me :)

much love from yours truly...

headed to the plains...

this was last year. it's crazy how much she's grown since then. i still however feel like this was yesterday. i remember having to cut the legs of the bloomers under this outfit because they were too tight on her irresistible thighs. they were baby thighs. and i loved them. i still do but now they are covered in marker and dirt instead of johnson's baby lotion. but i still love them. and the tigers too which we are headed to cheer on. but first it's time again for favorite foods friday. but back later with recaps of both....

war darn eagle!

embrace the camera - september 23

{lovebirds}