It's beginning to....

....look alot like Christmas!

My grandmother has been on the hunt for a tree for Abby's room, and she picked this one up for us at WalMart.

So, Ab & I headed to Hobby Lobby to find some cuteness for it!
They didn't have alot in the colors that we were looking for (very picked over - but what can I expect? It's just 7 1/2 days til Christmas!) so we improvised with the frosted glass balls and some of the super cute "non-Christmasy" things that we found.

Sequins, sparkles, and zebra print just SCREAM Christmas, don't they?

We also stopped by Target, which is where the hot pink snowflakes came from.

This is my new front door "happy" - $1 ornaments from WalMart + a passed down wreath! I love a bargain!!

I hope your families have a fantastic, healthy, fun-filled Christmas!!

This is an "out take" from my attempts to make her smile.....I absolutely LOVE this picture of her!!

Cousin Sam gave Abby these footed pj's....she has been dying for a pair!

At our churchs' parents afternoon out, the kids made these sweet little baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph figures.

Not that I have many readers (maybe 2 per month, thanks Pam & Danielle!)....but I thought I would let y'all know what I've been up to seeing as I obviously haven't been blogging!

• Homework with Ab
  
  
• Laundry
  
  
• Getting sucked into the hot mess that is known as Millionaire Matchmaker
  
  
• Homework with Ab (do you remember what an adverb is?)
  
  
• Getting sucked into the hot mess that is known as Real Housewives of Atlanta
  
  
• I baked FROM SCRATCH! Go me!
  
  
• Decorating for Christmas
  
  
• Started working out with my FREE elliptical (ok, so twice in 1 1/2 wks isn't impressive, but a girl has to start somewhere)
  
  
• Reading just about anything I can get my hands on
  
  
• Homework with Ab (did you know that the government is comprised of 3 branches? ha!)

Reminiscing...

Who says you can't multitask?!?

Future fashion designer?

This is a test....

Okay folks - I am totally over the fact that I haven't had any comments in over what feels like 10 yrs! Unless I hear from some of you over the weekend, I am done with this blog!

Seriously - how hard is it to write a 1 sentence comment? If no one comments on this - I know that nobody is reading anymore - so why waste my time?

Sincerely,

Best ? I've heard in a long time

I never watch the videos that people link to on facebook, but since multiple friends recommended it, I thought "Why not?".

It was a woman named Gianna who survived a saline abortion, and WOW! what a testimony she has! She is now 33 yrs old and has cerebral palsy because of the lack of oxygen during the attempted abortion. She apparently has done lots of speaking to political groups across the world, in hopes of convincing people to stop abortions.

Specifically speaking to the men in the audience, she asked this simple question: "Will you obsess over your own glory, or will you become obsessed with God's glory?"

It's amazing to me what He uses to minister to us. Oh, and to top it all off - do you know what the origin/meaning of Gianna is? It's a form of Giovanna which means "God's grace". Hmm!

My lil cheerleader

Ok, friends and family- Abby's school is now registered with MyCokeRewards. Save your tops and enter them online to help her school! The zip to use is 30707, and the school is Chickamauga Elementary.

Thanks!

Full of the Word Wednesday

While driving home from our LIFE group tonight I had a most enlightening conversation with my daughter. I will try to quote her:

"Momma, did you know that when you get baptized, and it doesn't matter if you get sprinkled or dunked, that even if it's a little water or alot of water, that God had sent His glory down to that water to cover you? ALL of you Momma, even if it's just a little water - His glory covers all of you!"

Wow! Her faith and understanding amaze me sometimes!

a LONG time ago...

It was the summer before my junior year of high school. There was a really cute lifeguard that worked at the local pool. He was a few yrs older than me, so I figured that I was invisible to him.

Fast forward to the end of summer - and I am at band camp (yes, I'm one of those band nerds - except I am a cool nerd because I dance, instead of march with an instrument - SOOO much better I know!!). One of the senior guys takes a liking to me (could it have been the sports bras that us danceline girls were rocking that reeled him in?!). I'm receptive to his attention, and our little relationship lasts a few weeks. Until he smothers me into oblivion. My friends coined him "Mr. Annoying" because he was always RIGHT THERE! So, I very immaturely broke up with him, not that breaking up is immature - but it was how I went about it that was bad. I didn't even have the nerve to tell him face to face - I just handed him a note during class change. Ugh, I'm such a dork!

Fast forward to Homecoming Night. My friend, Christy knew that I had been checking out the lifeguard back in the summer, and she was friends with him. She so nicely coordinates him to come to the homecoming game to check me out. Then, we ended up at the dance together. I have to say, my first impression wasn't the best.

He had family in town from Colorado that were alumni at my HS, so he was really excited to see them. I was all self-centered and thinking "How dare he not focus all his energy on me!" Then, I was sitting in the bleachers with a friend who had a crick in her neck, and being the good friend that I am, I was rubbing her neck. He has the audacity to come over, sit down beside me, and tell me "Move over, you aren't doing that right". This guy has no intentions of trying to win brownie points, I mean sheesh - he's giving my friend a rubdown!

I'm still giving him a chance at this point because #1 - he's cute #2 - he smells good & #3 - he's in college! How shallow am I!?

That same night, a few friends were going to eat at Taco Bell after the dance. We tag along, and I am MORTIFIED to eat my crunchy taco in front of him. Why? I have no idea. I'm starving, but how do I dare eat a messy taco in front of the blonde cutie?

We talked on the phone a few times, & decide to go out on a REAL date. "For Love Or Money" with Michael J. Fox and chicken tenders at Applebee's. Again, I was so nervous, I think I might've eaten 1 tender. No wonder I was so skinny!

Well, we started dating exclusively - so I guess I wasn't as invisible as I thought I was back during the summer. OR, I just made him fall head over heels for me because of my intelligence, my quick wit, and my magnetic personality. And for those of you who know me personally - you know that none of those things were present at the ripe age of 16 and 17. I was so terribly shy!

Who knew - almost 17 yrs later, I would be sitting here writing this REALLY long post!

Danny - Happy 14th Anniversary baby! I love you and the life that we have built together! I love the fact that I can eat in front of you and not feel embarrassed (or whatever emotion it was back then). I love the fact that we can ride in the car in comfortable silence. I love the fact that we have known each other for so long that sometimes, we don't even need words because facial expressions suffice (this is a major plus in public!). I love the fact that even though I sometimes feel like I am twice the girl you married, you still love me like you did on our wedding day. I love that even though we don't mean to, our parenting skills coordinate with one another. I love you because you feed the animals everyday. I love you because you get me something to drink when my cup is empty.

We've been through alot in our 14 yrs, and we are better for it! Here's to alot more celebrations!

Abby, the photog

Don't leave your phone or camera where an 8 yr old can get to it. I thought that the older she got, she would quit doing this kind of stuff. Obviously not!

Wordless Wednesday

School days....

We were backing out of the driveway yesterday morning when Abby informs me: "Johnny showed me a book at school yesterday with a picture of naked men with socks on their weenies."

Well, of course I was flabbergasted! I had so many questions, but I didn't know what to ask first. One thought was of the Red Hot Chili Peppers - but then I realized that 3rd graders don't even know who they are. I chilled out enough to rationally ask her what kind of book he had, and she tells me: "I don't know what kind of book it was, but the 2nd man on the left looked like a vampire and it freaked me out, but thank goodness I didn't have bad dreams last night!"

So, now we are dealing with a naked vampire! I experienced another deeper level of flabbergastedness!!! I pondered on the whole scenario on my 30 min drive to work and after a discussion with one of my co-workers, I decided to call the teacher. What a trooper Mrs. Sweeton is! She calmly informed me that she would immediately get to the bottom of this issue, and she assured me that she would keep me informed of the outcome.

Not even 10 mins later, I got a call back from her. Seems that our school's library has quite a collection of National Geographic magazines. You know, that magazine that always has pictures of African tribes in their natural surroundings? War paint on their faces, loin clothes, the full on experience? Yeah - that's the naked vampire. I've GOT to let my daughter out of Chickamauga, GA more often!

Requirements

We were driving thru town earlier tonight, and passed some pre-teen/teenage boys (so hard to tell ages these days - they all look so young!!!!), and I decided to tell Abby that I have certain requirements when it comes to her "liking" a boy (when she is older of course!). I would appreciate any input that anyone has regarding this matter. So far, this is what I have:

• He must be a good Christian boy
• He HAS to wear a belt - or at least wear pants/shorts that fit so that his underwear does not show
• Considering the last requirement - he can't go shirtless when out in public (unless he is at the pool or beach)
• Hats are to be worn either frontwards or backwards, but definitely not sideways

1st day of 3rd grade

I'm a momma of a 3rd grader! WOW!

She absolutely did not want her picture made this morning - but she knows it's not an option!

This pic is of her first assignment, it's called "What's Your Bag?". She was to find 5 things that say something important about herself that could fit inside a lunch bag.
Her explanation (in her own words):

1) Jamaica hat - she loves Jamaica because her Nana and Popaw are missionaries there

2) UGA pin - because we love GA football

3) Girl Scout bracelet - because she's a Girl Scout

4) Fruit Roll-up wrapper - because it's her fav snack

5) Jesus - because she loves Him and worships Him

Oh, how I love my (not so)little girl!

Happy birthday to my baby!

Wow, what a difference 7 yrs makes!

This is all the "stuff" that Abby chose to buy with her leftover birthday $ today.....and her daddy was so proud that she dressed her Build-A-Bear in a UGA football uniform! His name is Reggie!

When you go to ToysRUs on your b-day - you get a crown, a balloon, and something out of their treasure box. Plus, everyone that works there makes a big deal out of it when they see you. She was on cloud nine!!!!

2nd edition of "My, how you've grown!"

1st day of 2nd grade

Last day of 2nd grade

Time flies! It seems like yesterday that we were bringing Abby home from the hospital. Bittersweet? -- ABSOLUTELY!

I am SO looking forward to seeing my little girl grow up, but: God - can we slow down time just a little bit? It's going way too fast!

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. ~~Ephesians 6:4

Birthday fun!

What do you get when you have 92 degree weather and 19 kids show up for your daughters party? LOTS of laughing, yelling, and giggling, with NO cake left over!

Maisun, Emma, the birthday girl, and Freddie

Emma, Abby, and Natalie

The card says "BFF" inside - I love the expression on Abby's face!

Thanks everyone who came out today and made Abby's birthday celebration so special! And a HUGE thank you to Steve and Martha for being so gracious as to let us invade their backyard for the afternoon!

Wordless Wednesday

Me & my crazy dreams

You know those commercials, where the "average Joe" turns into a well-known diva because of hunger? And as soon as he takes a bite of a Snickers bar, he is back to normal. Yeah, cuz Snickers really satisfies (I only wish I was getting paid for this post)!

So in my dream last night, I won a contest. The prize was to go onstage and sing with Third Day. Which, if you know me well at all - you know that would be a dream come true.

So, we're at rehearsal, doing our sound check and what-have-you. Mac Powell is all "You can't sing a B flat?" And I am all "Can't the guitar or keyboard give me my note?" And get this - I turn my eyes away from him to look at the other back-up singer (not that Third Day has "back-up" singers - it's just 4 guys rockin' out for the Lord!) and then look back at him - and "he" has turned into Mariah Carey!!!

Ugh, even though he wasn't being nice to me in the dream, I still like to look at him!!!! Come on, it's Mac Powell!!

So, I then proceed to shove a Snickers bar in his mouth and then I woke up! Hello, can I have closure?!

Mac - I am prepared if we ever meet! I am ALWAYS gonna carry around a Snickers because I have no urge to meet Mariah Carey, but I would be honored to meet you!! The real you - not the "diva you"!

Trials

You know that saying - "When God closes one door, he opens a window"? All of our doors are closed at my house & we need all new windows! Or that other saying "He never gives you more than you can handle"? He really needs to realize that I CAN'T HANDLE ANYMORE!

Today started out like every other day: Wake up , shower, get ready, get the Ab-ster ready for school, drop her off for school, drive to work, try to meet my deadlines, have a yummy FREE lunch from McAllister's, finish out my day, drive home, and BOOM, when I walk in the door - my daughter says "Momma, Daddy needs to tell you some bad news."

I knew when I came in the door that something was wrong based on the look on my honey's face. His company decided (without warning mind you) that his weekly sales didn't meet up with their expectations. By an average of $100/wk. Wow! And the only reason A knew this news before me is because she has GREAT timing on interrupting conversations between sons and moms. And the fact that D couldn't bring himself to tell me, so that I could make it thru my workday without having a meltdown (those who know me closely, know that 2010 hasn't really been a great year so far!).

So, yet again in our (sadly) recent history - my sweet, hard-working husband is unemployed.

I sent a prayer request to our coordinator at church - and we have already had a MEGA outpouring of wonderful, inspirational, encouraging responses (in a matter of hours - you guys are AMAZING!)! Here is just a sample:

"His desire for His children is that they prosper and be in good health. You are His and He loves you. I stand with you believing that His answer will be swift and even better that you ever believed."

"Thanks for letting us know you need your Church family. God is good. He will provide in the most unique fashion. Just keep looking up."

"Lifting you up to the throne of grace, asking God to do what only he can, and to help the rest of us make some sense of all this."

Someone is having a birthday today!

Happy birthday Danielle! Hope it has been great!

Who's the coolest Mom ever?

Me, that's who!

How many moms would double up their childs carb intake just because Spencer on iCarly makes spaghetti tacos?

I do believe that Abby was a REALLY happy gal!