Day 30...ending on a sad note

Today I am thankful for my family.  We lost a member of my family today and it really just makes you reflect on what is important.  My great uncle Jack was 93 and still a pistol.  I was the first person in my family to get to California to see their house in Paso Robles.  He and his wife Bernice, took me all over to see the sights of California.  My fondest memories were when they lived in Ennis.  We use to go over and see them quite often.  They were both always so sweet to us as children and as adults.  He was the last of my grandmother's generation in our family.  I am thankful for the example and the time I got to spend with each of them.  Great memories.

Day 29 - unknown

Today I am thankful for the unknown.  I am excited about what is to come in my life and I have no idea what is instore for my family.  I know that  "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)  I don't know what His plan is, but I know he has it all mapped out and I am not in control of that.  I like having a few suprises in life.  God has given me things that I would have never thought possible.  That is why with him, all things ARE possible.  ;-)  Letting Him guide my feet in the direction he wants to take me.  I can't wait! 

Catch up day

Day 26 - Thankful for my husband wanting to spend quality time with me and taking me out on a date.  ;-)

Day 27 - Thankful for the wondeful people that volunteer at our church to teach Sunday school and Children's Worship.  The kids love it and that is all that matters!!

Day 28 - Thankful for having a calm Monday back to school after having a SUPER calm week off!

All caught up!

Day 25 - technology

I love everything about it!  From my Iphone to my computer.  I know I shouldn't...but I just do.  ;-)   I could expand on this...but I won't!

Day 24 - good food and family

Today, we went to my families house for Thanksgiving.  We were suppose to get on the road and see Artie's family this weekend, but with "V" having an ear infection that she just can't seem to get rid of...we just opted to stay home and let her get good and well.  We are going Dec. 5th to the an ENT for kids to see if she needs to have tubes.  We have had too many ear infections since she was born.  Hopefully, she can get some and get her completely well for good ;-)
Spent lunch with my family and this is what we had:

sweet potato casserole

Ham - Artie made this - YUM!

Green beans

pie ;-)

pumpkin pie

lemon bars

There was lots of cousin love to go around.

and MiMi love

"V" had fun reading her books

Then she decided to make a jungle gym out of the bucket.

Kisses for Aunt Lacy

Artie cutting the ham he made.

Smiles all around from "G".

"V" liked her Thanksgiving dinner

""V" is thankful for Elmo.

And for the option to change her mood at anytime!

But most of all...we want to wish you all a happy holiday!

Day 23 - cheap stuff!

I just found this and I am thankful that there are people who come up with these things so I don't have to. 

Homemade baby wipes

What you need:

•a round plastic container with a tight-fitting lid (the one we chose is a little big, but it's what we had on hand)
•thick, strong roll of white paper towels (we prefer Viva brand, as it is very thick and strong but also soft and cloth-like)
•Sharp, serrated knife to cut paper towel roll in half
•2 cups water that has been boiled and cooled to room temperature
•2 Tbsp. baby shampoo or baby wash
•1 Tbsp. baby oil

First, cut your paper towel roll in half and remove the inner cardboard tube.
Then mix your liquid ingredients in container and place one of the paper towel halves inside, cut side down (save the other half for the next time you need to make wipes). Put the lid of the container one tightly and let it sit until all the liquid is absorbed. Next, turn the container upside down and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then turn it right side up, open your container, and "start" your roll by pulling a towel from the center of the roll.

Ta-da! You have just made baby wipes that will not only clean your baby's skin, but make it feel super-soft as well! Plus, these wipes are way cheaper than commercial brands and don't contain mystery ingredients. If you would prefer to make washable, reusable wipes, simply use this solution along with cloth wipes!

Day 22 - pinterest

OH MY!!!  That is all I have to say.  I am very thankful for all the creative people out there in this world that make super cool stuff and then make tutorials for people like me.  If you haven't ventured there yet...I suggest you hold on to your britches and then be prepared for some greatness!  http://www.pinterest.com/ is the site.

ENJOY!

Day 20 - church family

Today and always I am thankful for my church family.  This morning we had a baby blessing and it was super special.  "V" was apart of it and they had a slideshow of all the babies and toddlers that they were blessing.  She was one of I think 12 or 13.  We all went on stage and one of our elders talked about how we are all in this together and that we will commit our babies to the Lord and we are all responsible for keeping them on the right track.  Here are some pics of us on stage.

Day 19 - WEDDINGS!

I am thankful that people still fall in love and celebrate it in front of God, family and friends! We went to a co-worker's wedding last night. What a blast! The venue was at the Hall of State at Fair Park. I have never had so much fun at a wedding. The food was amazing, the dancing was off the chain, and it was just all around fun with everyone I work with.

Me and Artie at the cocktail hour.  In March, we will have been married 7 years.  No itch here!

Catch up - Day 15-18

Day 15:
I truly love my phone.  It makes my life so much easier on a daily basis.  Thanks Apple!

Day 16:
Freshly painted toes!  I enjoy a good pedicure about once a month.  I also appreciate the ladies that mess with all those toes daily...don't know if I could have that job!

Day 17:  I am thankful for my daddy today...it is his b-day!  64 doesn't seem that old anymore.  :-(

Day 18:  I am thankful that I am about to have a WHOLE week off with my husband and child.  I sure do miss him since he has been working HORRIBLE hours!

Friends and Saturday fun

Just now getting around to it, but last week brought a friend over to our house.  Ms. Barbara Ann came over to read, play, and love on "V".  Barbara is my friend Amy's mom.  She just so happens to live in my town now and she comes over every so often to see us.  "V" love her and we appreciate all she does for us.

AGGIES!  Let me start off by saying I an NOT an Aggie fan.  But that being said, my husband, brother in law, and best friend are.  These fun overalls are in honor of them ;-)  As Uncle Eric said.."V" is doing her "Farmer's Fight" yell right here (but she is actually saying "GO" - close.)

Last Sat., we decided to go out for breakfast at our new favorite place in town.  Daddy decided to go against "V's" Aggies and wore his Longhorn shirt.

Eating with Elmo

Giving Elmo a drink

Making eyes at each other

Happy daddy with his girls

Love this hat...it is my little Pippi

This is from my phone and one day I turned around and this was staring at me.  She cracks me up!

Day 14 - laughter

As I type this at 5:47 AM...I can hear "V" just waking up in her bed and laughing out.  I think laughing is a wonderful gift.  It keeps us sane in insane situations, helps us deal with being uncomfortable, and can even help you burn calories!  I think laughter is one of the reasons I fell in love with Artie.  He makes me laugh daily and I appreciate his humor.  This may be why I like teaching the little ones...they are always making me laugh.  So for today...I am thankful for laughter!

Day 13 - air conditioning

Today I am VERY thankful for air conditioning.  Enough said!

Day 12 - animals

I have always had some type of animal as a pet.  Before "V" was born, Lola was our only baby.  Then Otis came along about 4 years after her.  They are sweet dogs...but since "V" is here, of course they have taken a back seat to all the love in the house.  They are mostly outside dogs now and come in only when it is raining or cold.  I do miss snuggling with Lola in the bed or on the couch.  Otis is just way too big to snuggle with, but man does he try.  I know "V" loves animals and I can't wait for her to be old enough or big enough rather to just go out in the backyard and play with the muts.  Until then...we will proceed with caution out in the back yard and love on them when they are dry and clean ;-)

Day 11 - grace

I am very thankful for God's grace.  I have many flaws and will now and will always need God's grace to engulf my life. 

Hat day at CDO

Day 10 - music

There is a big joke at our house that "I don't like music".  Let me clarify.  I can't just sit and listen to music like Artie can for hours on end.  I have to be doing something or in the car to listen to music for any extended period of time.  I am also not a fan of needless music in movies and TV shows.  That being said...I do actually love music.  I love to sing, listen to great music, and be inspired by music.  I married someone that lives by music.  He knows every song on the radio I swear.  We go to musical things together for enjoyment...from concerts to the opera.  The best thing in the world is how much our little tator tot loves music.  She hears a beat and just goes crazy singing and dancing.  I LOVE that she got our LOVE of music.  I can't wait to see if she can sing like her momma or not.  Until then...she can just sing as loud as she wants and completely off key!

Day 9 - my job

Ah, teaching! Some days are a challenge and others are an absolute joy! There are children that you love like your own and there are children that just need to be loved because no one else will. Yesterday, I found myself being a hairdresser, clothes mender, psychologist, and cook. There are so many hats you have to wear to teach 4-5 year olds. I also have the best aide around. Cheryl and I have been together for 10 years. Longer than anyone else. She is patient and kind to my strict and harsh personality. I am so very thankful she has put up with me through boyfriends, breakups, marriage, infertility, pregnancy,  and finally motherhood. She is my "life partner"...and I am so thankful she puts up with me daily!! I also have a special Ed partner teacher, Courtney. We have been together for 6 years now. Yikes!! Time really flies. I could not teach with out her now. She is a wonderful woman and a fantastic mother. She is artsie and super fun! I love when she pulls some crazy accent out of her back pocket to start reading a book with. She has me laughing all the time. I am thankful I can call her my friend.

Day 8 - friends

This could be the longest post ever.  My friends are a huge part of my life...but now married with a child...it seems that role has changed a bit.  You find your time is so limited that seeing friends like you use to has taken a back burner to play time, laundry, dishes, and hanging with your family. But I do love my friends. Each one has a specific personality that really seems to work well with mine. None of my friends have a personality like mine...I love that they are much sweeter and kindhearted than me. Since I have so many different factions of my life, when I got married I was really nervous. All my friends were there and they are all so different and things may get uncomfortable. But if course not...they acted like they were all best buds with each other. They know me inside and out and still choose to be my friend...for that I am very thankful.

No talkin' Tuesday!

Just gonna let the pics speak for themselves...LOL

Day 7 - In laws and exteneded family

I am thankful also for my extended family.  My in laws have always treated me as if I was the breath of fresh air that came into the family.  Pops and Granny love their sons dearly and are really loving the fact that they have a granddaughter after having 3 grandsons. 
My brother in law has basically become my other brother (and it is funny that he and Greg are the same age).  I have been able to spend some quality time with him and his boys during the summers...I go down and help him out by staying with his kiddos during the day.  He loves having a neice and she adores him and all the boys.  He is a lot like Artie...but then in a lot of ways - they are WORLD'S apart personality wise. 
They know my husband in and out and still love him like I do.  You have be thankful that someone else in the world would put up with him the way I do...just kidding!

Day 6 - my brother and sister

I am thankful that I got to grow up with a brother and a sister.  My brother is the type of guy that is happy most all of the time.  Nothing really ever bothers him and he is laid back...unless you mess with his Star Wars collection.  He is artistic in the fact that he is still "making music".  At 40...he is still DJing and loving it. (see GGC productions) 
My sister has grown up to be a great young lady.  She is a great mom (to a crazy red head) and teaches something I would never even consider... high school.  She has changed a lot over the years...but she still has a very compassionate heart and wants to do the best by all those around her. 

I am thankful and appreciate that they are both blessings in my life.

Fall pics I forgot to post

I haven't cleaned out my BIG camera in a while...so here is what was lurking inside!

"V" was a kitty cat at CDO and this was her outfit. 

My mom put the whiskers on her as soon as she took her there.

All the faces of "V"!

And the get away

Here she is with my mom at CDO.

The ears!!

LOVE this outfit!  Got it a while back and was just waiting for "V" to take pictures at CDO and to wear it to church.  She looks so yummy and ready for Fall!

SASSY!  This little outfit was to wear to a party we were going to.  She was watching Artie work in the yard before we left...she was SOOOO precious yelling at him to come inside.  She loves her daddy!

Dinner out with the family.  "F" came to town while Greg and Winonah went a wedding, so we met up with L, D, and G to eat at El Fenix.  Trust me...Artie is just drinking Dr. P.

"V" looking like I am about to choke her or something...always showing off the molars.

Who doesn't love to get attacked by air from a straw??

HAPPY FALL!!