A Merry End To 2013

My kids will probably wear these pajamas every week this upcoming year. For whatever reason, of all the pajamas they own, or should I say "jah-ma-zz" we own, the kids prefer Christmas ones most often. I don't know if it's the stripes, the red & green, or just how tight they are, but the kids love them. One child in particular is none to strip as soon as we get home from being in public and immediately put on some Christmas "jah-ma-zz". I won't name any names, but... Solomon.

December was full of all the usual [but still amazing] parties and holiday traditions. Minus the flu. We don't usually make a habit of doing that in December, but we did this year. Bahumbug!

Just a simple Christmas at home. No traveling, no company... it was nice in some ways and too quiet and lonely in others. I hope next year is a full house with lots of people.

Nevertheless, Thank you Jesus for being born. Happy Birthday.

Christmas 2012

2012 Christmas Card Photo Session

Our Christmas card photo session by Clear Creek Images

When Seasons Change

When Seasons Change...

...I'm somewhere in between ready for the last season to be over and "can't wait" for the next season all the while knowing that before I know it...I'll be feeling just the same way about this season as I was the last---ready for the next.

I was born and raised in Texas, which has...basically...one season. Hot. Okay, two seasons, Hot & Humid. Neither which work well with naturally curly frizzy hair. Moving to Georgia my sophomore year in high school was the best thing that ever happen to the locks attached to my head. They throughly enjoy those few months between summer and spring to hold those hot roller-curls and soak up the compliments like bounty paper towels.

Being in Ohio, we did enjoy the snow, but the cold there [and here] I'm over. It's mid May and my heater has been on this week? I'm ready for the warm. Ready to break out the capri's and skirts and rock the Rainbows till November, or December. As for my hair, well, it will mainly stay in a pony tail.

As for other season in my life. The season of packing, unpacking, moving, packing, unpacking, traveling, looking to move, packing, moving, unpacking---is---hopefully over. We've been here in our new house for two weeks and I'm looking forward to the next season of---no boxes.

Another season I've been thinking about is, baby bump time. Normally around the time my baby is a year, I get pregnant, and I'd love to be pregnant like...yesterday, but am trying to faithfully finish Weight Watchers. I'm growing tired of this season of no baby in my belly, but looking forward to it maybe this Fall. But then again, looking around at all these boxes [and my pregnant friends] I'm maybe still thankful for that heater on, maybe I'm not quite ready to be lugging that huge belly around up and down these stairs. But maybe I am.

You forget how much work it is!

Seasons, they are a funny thing. They encompass that "grass is greener on the other side" more than anything else in life.

'Twas 6 Nights After Christmas...

... when Candra finally uploaded her Christmas photos

It doesn't get much better than that loving neck squeeze.

Exhibit A: Nation's head tilt Exhibit B: Solomon's cheesy smile

My Three Stooges

Opening presents with Home Alone in the background...adorable.

It was his first Christmas...well...outside the womb.

I got Charles a ukulele because he's slightly jealous of how much I swoon for Jack Johnson. Oh, and I don't wrap pretty. Someone wanted it documented.

My sister got a Twilight poster. My mom got a dinosaur from Solomon. 

And that's my bros Nate & Noah & step dad, Jim.

I kid you not, after all those new presents Nation spent his entire day playing with "stuff" he found in upstairs drawers and making contraptions. Solomon ran around and played with this tiny bible that he found. The new bike & toddler piano were greatly neglected.

I heard a rumor that our "White Christmas" in Atlanta was the first in 100 years. We were excited, but honestly, had had enough snow already in Ohio.

Quite possibly the most awful [tired] picture of us, but nevertheless, the only picture of us that day. Or of me for that matter, well, minus my feet.

In short...We were home. It was Merry. 

Kids+Christmas=Awesomeness.

Scripture & Snapshot [#6]

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Scripture through Snapshots

[Giving God glory through our photos]

& Straight Out Of Camera Sunday

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Always grateful for your one click...

These Boots Are Made For Saying Goodbye

I'll get straight to the point...

5 Months

5 People

5 Thoughts 

...I'm about to get back to packing again because...

[1] We probably have more stuff than will fit in our cars

[2] We are tired, but already memorized all the Starbuck exits from OH to GA

[3] We are splitting up the kids so one of us hears crying & the other hears crying

[4] We will attempt to make it in time for church on Sunday [but probably won't]

[5] This may be my last post this year with the label "Dayton"

*Side Note*

Aren't my boys Croc boots cute? They are awesome. They are light weight, washable, soft inside, easy to put on & take off, look just like regular shoes when pants are down and best of all I got them buy one get one half off. Last time [this year] their adorable boots will touch this Ohio snow. 

Bittersweet.

Oh my gosh, please go look at the hot pink little girl versions...I'm drooling.
This might be a good time to mention I have baby fever again.
Stay tuned 2011...

Thankful Thursdays Top Ten [#20]

This snow picture [taken by iPhone] is for You Capture's Photo Challenge

Thankful This Week For:

[For All My Ohio Favorites]

[1] Elizabeth Kilby

I'm so thankful she invited us to her daughter's first birthday even though I was a stranger. She has befriended me each week since...playdates, meetups, and our date night babysitter. She's a wonderful wife & mother, but also has such a sweet heart towards all those around her. She especially pours herself into girls transitioning into womanhood. We could all learn a lot from her hospitality and genuine love.

[2] Attractions

The kids & I go to see and experience so many neat local places & events I can hardly believe it's all going to fit into one scrapbook. I'm thankful that even though I always said I'd never want to come "somewhere boring like Ohio", I came to realize that there are places in "those states" that actually have lots to see and do. I will always miss driving down the highway and seeing all the gorgeous barns and fields too.

[3] The Lofts @ Willow Creek

I didn't want to mention it before [for safety reasons], but our apartment complex has been the best one we've stayed in yet. It was safe, gorgeous, full of things to do [pool! pool! pool!] and all the residents were really kind. [Well, most of them.] I'm going to miss my playroom and extra 500 square feet most, but I suppose my fenced in backyard will make up for it. No, it won't, but I will tell myself that anyways.

[4] To-Go Food

It was nice to have wonderful [for convince, not so much for calories] food around-the-corner. We ate House of Thai & Don Pablos many a nights...because I don't make Thai & Mexican like they do. I'm not even going to go into how much money we probably spent at the Chick-fil-a in Beavercreek. At least it's a Christian company, ha.

[5] Cincinnati [the mall & downtown]

It was the prettiest mall we visited in Ohio and our anniversary in downtown Cincinnati was magical. A must see fountain [at night].

[6] The Greene 

It's where my kids played in the water one month and where we froze our tushes off looking up at the snow covered Christmas tree another month. Caribou coffee gave me my first coffee drink I actually liked. And many much needed date nights. Oh, and let's not forget Noodles...best-mac-and-cheese-ever.

[7] Chicago

Okay, so technically this isn't in Ohio, but I'm thankful it was close because I've fallen in love with this city. I was already planning a trip back before we left. Perfect food, perfect attractions, perfect art, perfect entertainment, perfect architecture, perfect.

[8] Dayton Daily News

I'm so very thankful that after a very slow and unusual finance year we've been able to not only be provided work over the last 5 months, but provide work for many people as well.

[9] Parks

I feel as though this one should receive more than just one thankful mention because these parks in Dayton have been a saving grace for my boys and will definitely be the hardest thing I will have to leave behind. We have amazing parks in Atlanta, but I'm not sure I've ever been to anything as practical and gorgeous as this park. I will miss thee, for all occupying my kids while I cleaned out the car.

[10] A Reason To Blog

I'm thankful that this season in my life provided me the opportunity to start a blog. It started off as a way to keep up with everyone back in GA while here in OH, but has turned into a real outlet for me and [I hope] ministry...to those who read it. 

Be it...

a ministry of humor

a ministry of comradery

a ministry of advice

a ministry of love

I've enjoyed sharing what I believe God has given me and enjoyed receiving from all of you as well. I've fallen even more in love with God's creation of women. We are a special, precious, beautiful thing He has made. I think so many of you are fantastic and hope to continue to have the opportunity to watch God change us from glory to glory...one dish and sock at a time.

After leaving Ohio this weekend, we'll still be on the road [and living out of suitcases] for the next 4 weeks, but will return from our many adventures on [one month from today]...January 16th.

Look forward to my stories of: a week in GA for Christmas, a week in Houston, a week at my dad's ranch, and our cruise to the Caribbean.

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Every week I invite my friends in blogworld to join me in being thankful. 

[1] write a blog post with 10 things you're thankful for this week

[2] mention this blog post [hyperlink my blog and/or grab my button]

[3] use McLinky below by clicking on "Click here to enter"

You don't have to do it on Thursdays. You can do it any day of the week. Call it whatever you want. Be creative...use words, pictures, poems, etc. Come back throughout the week and read other's lists and make new friends.
Ask others to join too. 

Thanks for participating and being patient as "we" grow.

Linking up at The Tarr Pit

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Because you're thankful for me right? [ha!]

Thankful Thursday Top Ten -#19-

Thankful This Week For: 

[1] Snow.

[2] My God's faithfulness to restore when I repent

[3] A hard working husband

[4] Our "Moon Sand" indoor activity station [I'm desperately trying here]

[5] The Advent Calendar helping us remember what this season is all about

[6] Twitter...I recently joined and this guy & this guy keep me laughing

[7] Knowing I'll be home, not to visit, but to stay...in 10 days

[8] Heat

[9] The apartment's [free] valet trash service [we just got]

[10] Our Christmas card...ordered...printed...mailed...on my refridge

Thank you for your votes & for putting me in the top 25

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This post was apart of the blog hops:

You Capture

Family Friendly Frugality

Obviously MARvelous 
A Collection of This and That

***

Every week I invite my friends in blogworld to join me in being thankful. 

[1] write a blog post with 10 things you're thankful for this week

[2] mention this blog post [hyperlink my blog and/or grab my button]

[3] use McLinky below by clicking on "Click here to enter"

You don't have to do it on Thursdays. You can do it any day of the week. Call it whatever you want. Be creative...use words, pictures, poems, etc. Come back throughout the week and read other's lists and make new friends.
Ask others to join too. 

Thanks for participating and being patient as "we" grow.

Scuba Santa & Shark Boy

This past Saturday we decided to check out Newport Aquarium just across the Ohio border in Kentucky. Charles had to work again, like last Saturday, and the Saturday before, so instead of sulking at home we went and did something fun.

It was snowing, but that didn't stop us...apparently it did stop others though, but we were thankful it wasn't crowded. Right as we got there they were having a Scuba Santa show. The kids thought it was fabulous. He "talked" to them and when he asked who had been naughty this year...both my boys raised their hands!

Solomon keep his up a long time, which made everyone laugh. I think Santa's elf was mainly there [with his back to us] to watch that sharks didn't prevent Santa from his Christmas duty.

Later as we were leaving, we walked through the mall and saw Santa again.

Take a nice look at that shark. Take a nice look at that tank.


Now, imagine... you're pushing a double stroller  [with one walking next to you] towards the last exhibit making your way to the exit sign when, pause... the walker wants to take one last look at the shark tank [from above]. Fabulous, "okay now, let's go". You push open the double doors alone [which you've learned to do with your mad double stroller mom skills] and BAM the doors slam behind you. 


Sigh. 


Ugh, now you've got to go open them to yell at the toddler to hurry up and come in the gift shop now, when you realize...they're locked. 


You freak. 


Your toddler is a short wall and a little net away from the shark tank.

I yelled at the gift shop worker "open these doors now, it's an emergency" to which she [obviously hears a lot] calmly, slowly and un-anxiously replies "you'll have to go around and go back in that way" [points]. 


I didn't have time to yell at her and save him so I rush over back to another set of doors and rush through an exhibit to get back to where Nation was...


...still looking at the sharks. 

Thank God.

Like I said, it wasn't crowded so I was worried knowing curious Nation was just a tiny climb away from falling in. I can't believe that made double doors that lock you out as you enter the gift shop, especially when the last exhibit is an open shark tank.

Again, super fun day with the kiddos, but thanks for angels! I'd recommend going if you're near by. It was no GA Aquarium, but it took us a good 4 hours to explore.

Best way to "calm down" after the Shark Boy stunt was to take the kids to the [always] overpriced candy store. Next to Starbucks, candy stores are the biggest [most tastiest] ripe off.


What can I say? I'm a sucker for beautiful colors and elated kids. I didn't have any, thank you [overpriced] Starbucks drink inside the aquarium.

It was a little over an hour away, but located in this really cute shopping and eating area. I'd love to go back, but we probably won't have time before we leave for GA. We left at noon and arrived home near 7. The sparkly white snow falling all the way there and back with Christmas music made it quite delightful. 

Oh, and all three the kids sleeping on the way back might have helped too.

An hour later Charles was home and we were off on our date night. We had dinner at a Mongolian bbq place and saw 127 hours. 

Loved Saturday.

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Just one click really helps, Thanks!