Happy 2nd Birthday, Olivia Kate!

I want to wish my baby girl a very happy 2nd birthday! Olivia came into this world two years ago with a fight and has proven to be one little firecracker. She has given us so much joy and laughter, amazing us with her personality and intelligence. She can give us fits, but she creates fits of laughter as well. She is a fun little sister for Mackenzie and the baby of our family.
We celebrated her birthday on Saturday with family and friends. She had a mod monkey party with pink and green colors. I made her cake and many of the decorations. But I want to thank Veryll for her colorful pom poms, the pink cups, and lots of ideas I borrowed for the party! We had a great time!! Her Nina came all the way from MS, as did cousins Terri, Reid, and Rhett. Papa and Kathy came from Georgia, the Thornburgs came from Knoxville, Ria and Javan came from Cleveland, and Cara and her daddy came, too! Birthdays are so much fun.
For tomorrow, we'll just keep up with our usual tradition and spend the day just the four of us.
Olivia, we love you and look forward to many more birthdays!

It's time for Christmas!

Funny how the very day after Thanksgiving, Christmastime is in the air! Time for putting up the tree, wrapping gifts, and sending out Christmas cards. I look forward to putting together our Christmas cards every year.

A few years ago, I began using Shutterfly to create photo cards to share pictures of our girls with friends and family. And I don't just create one. Sometimes I make three! Of course, I keep one of each. Shutterfly has so many wonderful options! And this year's selection is even more spectacular. One of my favorite things to do is go into my account and begin creating many different cards, just to try out the designs.

I enjoy sharing pictures of my family to show how much the girls grow each year. And I look forward to receiving the photo cards from other friends and family so I can watch their children grow. I collect them in albums and look back each year to see how much the children have grown. It's a precious tradition I hope to hold on to. Many of my friends use Shutterfly and rave about their service. If you're interested in doing the same, use this link: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards.

Not only can you make your Christmas cards, you can also create your own invitations for your Christmas parties. They have fantastic designs, something for everyone! Check out this link: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations. Need something a little extra to decorate for Christmas? Take your favorite Christmas snapshot and make it into a canvas wall hanging. Shutterfly can do this for you, too! http://www.shutterfly.com/home-decor/canvas-wall-art

Home again, home again....

We've just returned from a weekend in MS with family for Thanksgiving. I thoroughly enjoyed being home with David, the girls, my mom and brother and sister-in-law. I also got to visit my dad and stepmom, the first visit in almost a year. Being away makes coming home so sweet! Even though there's a pile of laundry, suitcases to be unpacked, and groceries to buy, I am still at peace to be home.

While we were in MS, my mom made the comment that Mackenzie just seems so much more mature. And it's something she wasn't ready to face. Neither am I. It seemed more obvious to me after my mom pointed it out. Mackenzie is growing up. I knew this. It's gonna happen. It's happening before my very eyes. But sometimes I just don't stop to pay attention just how much she's changing each and every day. I must make sure I don't let a moment slip by without my notice! I must cherish her. And Olivia. And each moment of every day because time is passing quickly.

I am so grateful for what God has done in my life. Blessed me with a loving husband, two precious little girls who light up my life, and a wonderful family to go home to and relish in the love, the memories, and the laughter.

Photoriffic!

If you are a snap-happy camera user, let me urge you to join Shutterfly! I have been a Shutterfly user for about 5 years now and it has made sharing photos with friends and family such a joy. You can even share videos. The photo books make great gifts, as well as keepsakes. I have gotten many of my family members hooked! And they have great options for Christmas photo cards.

The girls and I are home sick today. This is Kenzie's third day to stay home from school. I'll admit, I think it's a bit much. If I'd know she was gonna get worse over the weekend, I would have sent her to school on Friday. That way today would only be two days. But she's got the crud. And now Olivia and I have it. Not fun. But it's going around, I hear.

I have demanded that Mackenzie stay in bed all day, only to get out for a run to the bathroom or for lunch. I do need to run some errands, but do I take care of what I need to do (taking her with me, of course) or stay home to prove my point? Sometimes I wish I could stand more firm on the grounds I'm standing. But I know flexibility is also important in life. What's a mama to do?

Want some cheese with that whine?

Okay, for starters, we had a fun-filled weekend. We got to enjoy a little taste of Riverbend without having to fight the crowds or the heat. We took the girls to McDonald's and Livi enjoyed her first happy meal. Sunday, we took part in a wonderful worship service and then David took us to his favorite place for a burger, The Terminal. I must say the food was excellent, as was the service and atmosphere.

Today, I have the blahhhhhhhhhhs. Anyone else feel my pain? Particularly mamas? I love that I have been able to stay at home with my girls, but I think this also brings with it a bit of wear and tear on the ol' self esteem. Not to mention that it tends to bring on loads of the blues, blahs, ruts, and crazies. I'm trying to remind myself that I am blessed to be able to do this, though it comes with its own hardships. I would love to just go shop all day long. But that's just stuff that we don't need right now or can't afford right now.

I really don't like to air my complaining. There is so much I have to be grateful for. A Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally. Who hears and answers my prayers, meets my needs, and offers grace and mercy continually. Wow! What reasons to be joyful!! I have a husband who works hard for his family, who loves and supports me, makes me laugh, and has given me two precious girls. I love my daughters. They bring such life to my own. They are fun, bright, and loving little girls. Plus, I have many family members and friends who add so much joy to my life. So, perhaps this day, or any other, isn't quite so bad.

Mama's Got A Brand New Blog

Hello, bloggers! Let me begin by saying that I think this is such a neat way to keep track of all that goes on in our family. And a great way to keep up with other friends and families, too! It's a beautiful day outside. Kenzie, Livi, and I enjoyed a picnic at the TN Riverwalk park. Would've stayed longer, but it's quite warm in the sun. Plus, Miss Livi decided to let the world know it was time for her nap. So, home again we are. That is where I will leave off for now. Hope all of you have a wonderful Friday tomorrow and a terrific Memorial Day weekend.