The Last Christmas With Just Two

Yep! This was our last Christmas with just two in our family! Next year, we will be a party of THREE, and we are beyond excited! I can't wait to see Cooper's precious little face light up next Christmas morning!

So ... We just got back from a weekend in Alabama. Here are a few of my favorite moments from our festivities:

I made Jared's grandmother a calendar that included photos from everyone in the family. When I say everyone, I mean everyone! There were over 200 photos that included her parents (Jared's great grandparents), her brother and sisters and all of their families. Every persons birthday and anniversary was included on the date with another picture of that person/couple. When she opened it, it was the sweetest sight. She kept telling me she was going to cry. I think she enjoyed seeing everyone's photos ... especially those who had already passed away. A big HUGE thank you to Jared's Aunt Cheryl who gathered the majority of the photos for me. I couldn't have pulled it off without her!

Eeron and I took off to Gadsden on Christmas Eve morning, and we we got to see two of our high school friends who we hadn't seen in a long time: Laura and Rachel. Laura was precious enough to give me all of her maternity clothes. Seriously! How awesome is that! She and her husband are moving to Africa on a mission in the next few months to a year, so I was so glad that we got to see her before they left. And, bonus! She had her precious little boy with her. He is absolutely adorable! On our way back home, we stopped by Rachel's moms house to see them. Well, Rachel hasn't changed a bit! Cute as button, happy as a lark and loving life! We caught up on all kinds of stuff, and we ended up late to Christmas Eve dessert at Jared's grandparents house because we lost track of time.Oopsey daisy!

Jared and I met our friends Lisa and Patrick for breakfast on Christmas Eve (before my Gadsden trip with Eeron). First of all, let me just say that if you are ever in Albertville, Alabama, you should stop by The Food Basket. Best. Food. Ever. We had such a great time visiting with them, but I wish we had more time. An hour is never enough. There's always too much to talk about with Lisa and me. Poor Patrick and Jared just have to listen and occasionally they find a second of quiet time to chime in. Plus, she made the cutest picture frames for Cooper. I'll post pictures later. They are just precious! And, she got us a Christmas ornament that has a man and a pregnant woman with our names on them and Cooper's is written on the prego belly. Soooo cute! Cooper is going to love his Lisa!

And, of course, Christmas is most fun when there are kids running around! This year, Jared's cousin, Foster is 3 1/2, and he's at the perfect age to make Christmas a blast! Watching him open his presents at Jared's grandmother's house was a hoot! Jared's mom and dad got him batman pajamas and underwear. He immediately put the jammies on, and kept asking to put his undies on too. You would have htought that those jammies turned him into the real batman! He was so cute! And, on Christmas morning, we went over to their house to see what all Santa had brought him. He kept eating his chocolate circles (Reese cups), and running around like a wild man playing with his star wars gun that Eeron and John got him. I think Jared turned into a 3 year old while we were there. One was constantly shooting the other. It was so much fun! I can't wait until Cooper is running around like a wild man on Christmas morning! It's going to be so much fun! Before we left Foster's house, he hugged my belly and told Cooper bye, Merry Christmas and he loves him. It was very sweet! I think Foster is going to make an excellent big cousin to our little Coop!

On Christmas Day, Eeron got sick so she didn't get to come to Christmas at Jared's parents house. Everyone else was there, and we sure did miss Eeron. (Especially me ... She was supposed to teach me how to knit!) After we ate, we sat around and talked for a little bit and then Jared and I headed back to the bluegrass state! Although we had a nice time, it was nice to be home and sleep in our own beds! We both slept like babies!

The worst part of Christmas? I realized I didn't take any pictures! We have no pictures of Jared and me from Christmas ... we did not document my pregnant Christmas belly! How did I let this happen? Ugh! Double Ugh! 

So, that's that. It was an "on-the-go" Christmas for sure! Actually, it's been a busy holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Next year, we aren't sure what we're going to do ...

We want Cooper to get to wake up in his own bed, at his own house, on Christmas morning to all his Santa toys. With families in two different states, it's difficult to find time to spend with everyone. We already do Christmas with my family the weekend before Christmas, so we have to figure out when and where we're going to do Christmas with Jared's family. Do any of you have this same problem? How do you do Christmas with your families? I'd love to hear your good ideas about how to make family time special on the holidays while still being able to be at home on Christmas morning.

Long Time, No Write ... A Christmas Update

It's been a while. I've missed you guys! The holiday season sure takes a toll on one's schedule! Christmas is my favorite holiday, and I wish I could find time to write every day about all the joys of this beautiful time of year!

We kicked off Christmas this past weekend with my fabulous family! It's rare that we're all together in the same room, at the same time. But, when we are, we have a blast.

My little brother, Wil, is one of the funniest people you'll ever meet! He gets on a roll, and before we know it, we're all in tears we're laughing so hard. This time, we found out how funny his cute little wife is too!

Jeff, my older brother, and his wife have been remodeling their home, and this was the first time any of us have seen it. It's really beautiful! They did an awesome job. I know they are so proud.

Let's talk about how much we all ate ... on second thought, let's not. We'll leave it at this ... the women in my family sure know how to cook! And, well, let's face it ... the food at a family gathering can make or break the event. The gathering isn't all about food. That's not what I mean. But, if it's good, it puts everyone in a good mood, and folks are simply happy and having a great time. If it's not good, eveyone tends to focus on how quickly they can get away from the event to fill their belly's up because all they can focus on is how nasty the food is. Make sense? I NEVER want that to happen at my house. When I have folks over, I want them to leave happy and full and happy and looking forward to coming back again. I guess I take that after my sister. She's the queen of entertaining. It's an art. Not everyone can do it well. But, she does. Okay. I just realized how long this paragraph is compared to the others. I'm thinking I may need to do another post on the art of entertaining. Stay tuned.

Anyway, the way we do Christmas gifts in our family is simple. We buy for the kids. The gift to all of us brothers and sisters is simply being together. We know the value of family, and it's important to us that we spend quality time with each other. I think so often, we (as in people in general) get so caught up buying presents, that we forget to enjoy the presence of family and the true meaning of Christmas. There's some talk about playing dirty santa or some other game next year ... again, it won't be about the gift, but it will be all about having some fun!

Next on our list? An Alabama Christmas ... I'll share stories next week. :)

What are your plans for Christmas?

Thirty-One

 I am just absolutely beyond excited to share my good news with y'all! I've decided to join Thirty-One as a consultant. I've been praying for a while that God would give me an opportunity just like this ... and Wham! in my face ... there it was! God's good like that.


You see ... it's important to me that I work for a company who allows me to be me. And, well, you know who I am? I'm a Christian. I'm a woman. I'm a wife. I'm a soon-to-be-mother. I'm a hard-worker. I'm a gift-giver (I love to shop). I'm a chatty kind of gal. I'm a cook. I'm a homemaker. And, according to Thirty-One, I'm a virtuous woman.

"The name Thirty-One comes from the verses of Proverbs 31. These words may be thousands of years old, but I am constantly amazed by how today's modern woman can relate to them. The Proverbs 31 woman is dearly loved and respected by him and her children, yet she is an individual in her own right. She manages the home and property with kindness and integrity. Her savvy business skills are partly brought about by her desire to serve others, to do good deeds and prosper. I knew women just like this, and I wanted to find a way for every woman to be recognized for who they are and for their hard work!" - Cindy Monroe Founder & CEO

Proverbs 31: The Virtuous Wife
    10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
       11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
       12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
       13 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.
       14 She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
       15 She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.
       16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
       17 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.
       18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.
       19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.
       20 She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
       21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.
       22 She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
       23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
       24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.
       25 Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.
       26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
       27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
       28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
       29 “ Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.”
       30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
       31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

So, as you can see, I feel really blessed to be a part of this company, and I know God has plans for my new adventure. I'm starting to schedule parties for January and February. If you're interested in hosting one (and getting free or half price products), let me know. In the meantime, check out my website. If you still need a few last minute Christmas gifts, I can help out there too. You just need to order by December 10th. There are some great promotions right now!