A Delightful Chrismas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! We had all decided to make it not so big and I'm so thankful we did. Even the girls didn't get a ton of stuff, which made for not having to find places to put all the new things! I am certainly enjoying the week after to clean and just relax, though! Ellie's favorites have been a paper doll set from Abuela, a Haystacks memory game from Gramma D and Grampa T and Chutes and Ladders from Granpa John and Granma Geri. Of course, she's been playing on the swingset a ton - what a blessing! Aubrey was quite happy that Santa remembered to bring her some bows for all that hair! Julie and Brian finally got some red wine glasses, thanks to Julie's sister, Amy, among many other thoughful gifts. Ellie and Mommy enjoyed quite a bit of baking on Christmas Eve and Daddy made a delicious Lowcountry Boil that we all agreed should become tradition! Most of all, we were overjoyed to spend great quality time with family since that's what it's all about! Here's Aubrey with a bow!

A Frugal Christmas Game

When I got to Pensacola yesterday, my mom pulled out a Christmas memory game that she had made to play with Ellie. I had forgotten; but she did these a lot with us when we were little. Just take a piece or two of heavier paper and draw a grid on it with 2" x 2" squares. Then, (this is the only thing you may have to buy) get some Christmas stickers that have enough variety to make at least ten different pairs. For the younger kids, stickers with characters are probably easier. For older kids, you could probably use snowflakes with different variations or something to make it a little harder. Place one sticker in each square, cut the squares and - voila! - you've got a Christmas memory game. Ellie is three and she and I played a couple times today. She loved it!

Christmas for the Kids - and the Firemen!

Last Friday, we had a Christmas party for the kids at Autumn's house (thanks again for letting our kids trash your kitchen floor!) The kids decorated cookies while the moms did a kids craft - it involved too much hot glue and attention for the kids! Then we took the cookies to our local fire station where the kids sang 'We Wish you a Merry Christmas' and 'Jingle Bells' to the firemen on duty. They (the kids and the firemen) were delighted and we were treated to tours of the fire truck as an added bonus. What a blast!

So this is Christmas...

I'm beginning to learn what it's like to 'put on' Christmas for your family or children even when you may be too tired to feel like it. I love Christmas; but it's always been stressful for me to try to make it all happen. To get the gift that each person wants, to decorate just right, make the best food ever, pick out the perfect card, etc. It's easy to get wrapped up in all of that and forget about the true meaning of Christmas - Christ's birth - which has absolutely nothing to do with all of the glitz we've grown accustomed to. It's also easy to emphasize the other, more commercialized part of Christmas - you know...Santa - when you've got small children who see it everywhere and you want them to be excited about Santa; but not at Christ's expense. I have found it especially difficult this year to find little moments to teach Ellie the Christmas story (probably because of her new little sister). I think I've taken for granted that she learns it in school and church. HELLO...I'm already letting them do the teaching for me - how awful! Some years are exceptions, so I'm giving us grace (something I'm not good at but am learning to be better about). I really want to establish traditions of doing the advent candles and reading a different part of the Christmas story every night and maybe even acting it out and listening to all the spiritual Christmas songs instead of the mainstream ones on the radio. I really do want to enjoy it all and not be so stressed out that I can't wait until it's over. Is this what it feels like to be a mom and want to make sure everyone's happy and taken care of and has a perfect Christmas? I think a perfect Christmas is probably not fathomable, so I'll just find joy in imperfection and in seeing my sweet little three-year old's face light up - and my husband's too - just because Mommy is happy and having fun. It's not here yet - I've still got a few days left. I'll reflect on the joy and miracle of Christmas this year like never before.

Merry Christmas!

I Heart WAGS

I don't usually do this; but WAGS (otherwise known as Walgreens) had great sales this week. I went twice and yesterday was one of my best trips ever. What you see pictured cost me a whopping $9. It actually should have only cost $4; but one of my register rewards didn't print from my first transaction that I would have redeemed in my second. Still, this is really good! The value of all of these items is $61.

Catching Up...

I've wanted to post on a lot of activities over the past couple of weeks; but just have not been able to find the time that I wanted to set aside for doing it. So, I finally found some time and it's all going to be in one post!

Two weeks ago today, we traveled to my sister's in Atlanta for Thanksgiving. They are in their beautiful new house and we had a great time! (after the 8 hour trip that should have taken 5!) The first day we were there, we got the news that they are having a BOY! Yeah!! We can't wait to meet the little booger. The pregnancy is going very well so far, which is a huge answer to prayer!

On the second day, Thanksgiving, we walked down the road to visit the five donkeys and two horses:
Oh, I almost forgot about the pillowcase indian costume I made for Ellie that didn't make it on the trip - oops! I dubbed her Princess Talking Flower! Wonder why...!
On the day that we (the home-team Seminoles) got beat by them (the Tebow-worshipping Gators), Aubrey turned two months old! We can't believe it's already been two months since she entered our world. She is so precious and I'll do a whole other post on her later. I snapped this picture (that I mean to do each month and really wish I had at one month because she's grown so much). What a cutie patootie!
Last week, Ellie and I got to spend some time together while Gramma D watched little Aubrey. It was fun; but not at all quite as appreciated as I expected. More on that later - I've got a lot to learn! I kept reminding myself that it was our time to do what SHE wanted, not want I wanted (accomplish a ton of errands)! With that in mind, we had ice cream, went to Zoinks, aka "The Bouncy Place" and bought a gingerbread house to make. Now, as an adult, it makes complete sense to me that you make gingerbread houses NOT to be eaten and they make take a while to make - well, almost complete sense. But not to a three year old! And why should it? Why can't we eat it? In their little instant, self-gratification world (we are talking about a three-year old here, not me! - some lessons take a long time to learn, huh?) they don't understand the concept and I don't blame her. I ignorantly set myself up for this one! We put the sides together and then it had to sit to harden for a while. Then we put the roof on and it had to sit again. Poor Ellie was quite annoyed with this process. Finally, on day three, we finished it! Can you tell where mommy got to control where the candy went and where I decided to let Ellie have 'artistic freedom'? I think she just dumped the candy at the end!
So, we attempted to make gingerbread cookies that you CAN eat; but the recipe I used produced the gooeist dough that falls apart that I've ever seen. Oh well!

This past Saturday, Ellie got her hair cut for the first time! Her friend got hers cut a couple of weeks ago and it's still curly so I thought we could go for it. She was really excited and did really good - and it's a little more curly since it's not so heavy anymore!
After that, we went to see The Nutcracker Ballet and had the best seats ever! Ellie got to sit with some friends in the second row! She really enjoyed it. Thanks Amy V.!

In Aubrey news, she's successfully sleeping in her crib at night, although not all the way through yet, which is fine. And, she is taking a nap in her crib during the day! This has been much easier than it was with Ellie thanks to it being the second time around and God giving us another good sleeper.

My Friend Maddie...and the other Maddie and Tyler and the other Tyler!

A few months back, I wrote about Ellie's imaginary friend, Maddie. Well, Maddie now has a sister also named Maddie and two brothers or friends ( I still can't figure out which) named Tyler and the other Tyler. Now, when you talk about the Maddie's and the Tyler's, you have to say 'Maddie and the other Maddie and Tyler and the other Tyler'. And they're always together, never separated! I've tried saying 'the Maddies and the Tylers' and I've been corrected! Maddie and the other Maddie and Tyler and the other Tyler always are doing exactly what Ellie is doing or have done that day what Ellie did! It's pretty cute. We're able to use them for teachable moments too. Ellie is definitely three and that means arguing, questioning and figuring out her boundaries. So, we ask her if Maddie and the other Maddie and Tyler and the other Tyler talk to their parents that way and what happens when they do. She's also told us that they've told her to do things that are contrary to what we want her to do so we're able to use that to teach about following obeying our friends or our parents. Thanks Maddie and the other Maddie and Tyler and the other Tyler for all of these teachable moments! She's also got a friend named JJ; but he doesn't come around very often!

Thanksgiving...

This Thursday, my two girls will be wearing their 'Gobble' shirts for Thanksgiving. I'm thankful that I was able to enjoy some time making them with friends (and saving lots of money doing it). I'm thankful for another healthy baby who is truly a joy even though she spits up just like her sister did. (Was that too much info? Sorry.) I'm thankful for a wonderful big sister who truly loves loving on Aubrey (see slide show below). I'm thankful that we are all healthy. I'm thankful that God continues to provide for us in ways we can't even imagine. I'm thankful for family. I'm thankful for the lessons that I am still learning - and being quite stubborn about. I'm thankful for hard times that make us learn and grow. I'm thankful for the love my husband shows me every day even though I really don't think I deserve it. I'm thankful for the love my God shows me and bestows upon me through friends and family - I definitely don't deserve it. I'm thankful for the salvation he granted me many years ago. I'm thankful for the blessing of sharing that with our children. I'm so thankful for our country where we have so many things to be thankful for, not least of which is our freedom and opportunity. There are so many other things that I just can't think of. Are you thankful this Thanksgiving? Make sure to stop and think about all the many ways God has blessed you and yours. It's amazing!

One Month Ago...

Yesterday, Ellie and Aubrey's first cousin was born and Brian and I finally became Aunt and Uncle. Zoe Noelle Reeves was born in Cambridge, England to Brian's sister, Charlotte, and her husband, Ryan. Happy One Month, Zoe! We're so glad you're here!

As a side note, we're looking forward to meeting our next niece or nephew in May since Julie's sister, Amy, is pregnant!

Gobble Gobble

Yesterday, my friends and I hijacked a design we saw and made our own little Thanksgiving shirts for the kids. I only had time to get Aubrey's finished and boy did Ellie call me out on it! I guess I should have done hers first since she's the one who knew what I was up to and not her 6 week old sister. I'm really trying not to make her feel like she's been replaced and I feel like that was a bad call yesterday. Oh well. I'll get the hang of it and she'll get hers later this week. Here's Aubrey's:

Trick or Treat!

I know, I know...it was a couple of weeks ago. Gimme a break! At least I'm posting on it;) So, this was the first year Ellie really got it - the point of Halloween - the CANDY! The week before, our church hosted a festival and it was so much fun. We look forward to this with anticipation each year. Ellie was able to participate in the booths (although not with much proficiency) in order to get candy. Believe me when I say that she wanted to do as many booths as many times as possible! We dressed she and Aubrey up in tandem - Ellie was Little Bo Peep and Aubrey was her lost (or not) sheep. They were so cute!
By the time we got to Halloween, she had decided she wanted to be Angelina Ballerina again - this is what she was last year. I decided I was not going to fight it - if she was going to be happy as a ballerina, that was fine with me! We went to a friends house with some other couples and the kids had a great time. By the time we started trick or treating, she was a fairy princess ballerina! Check out the pictures Here. Our batteries were dead, so these are pics from Auntie Steph's camera. Enjoy all the pictures of Lucy and Ryan too!

Picture Pages...

Sorry it's been a while. Been a little busy. We're doing great! Here are some pictures to get you by until I take a chance to update!

Daddy hijacks the blog

So for some reason Julie gave me the password to this puppy and I'm on the loose! We're in the hospital for (hopefully) our last night before going home.

So, is this Julie or what?

10:30 PM the night before she has to be at the hospital at 5 AM and she's working on a brochure for work - Then about 27 hours after the baby was born, she's in the room, in her bed, strategizing with Ashley Nuzzo about the latest coupon deals at CVS - something about razors for a penny or them actually paying US to take toilet paper out of the store...she never stops. It's sort of disturbing, in an amazingly frugel sort of way.

In case you haven't heard, we welcomed Aubrey Elizabeth into the world at 7:47 AM on October 1st. She was 7lb 9oz and 20 inches of amazingness.



We've got pictures on snapfish - click here!

I'm sure Julie will have a more "professional" post when she gets home.

Peace out!

OH, and a special shout-out to Brook Veleber and Rachel Dasher for being the best nurses in the world!

My Last Meal!

By this time tomorrow, Baby Aubrey will have made her entrance into the world and into our lives (and arms and out of my belly - whew -relief!). Since I'm having a repeat c-section, I can't eat after midnight tonight. Although I complain about it, it shouldn't be too bad since I'm scheduled at 7:30am. For my last meal, I was going to make this Easy Pumpkin Soup that many of you have asked for the recipe. It is so good any time of year; but especially in the fall. I say 'was' because by the time I got in there to make it, I didn't feel like standing anymore, so we heated leftovers. Anyways, break out the pumpkin, canned that is, and treat yourself to this yummy soup.

Easy Pumpkin Soup
1/2 cup onion - chopped
3 T butter
2 C canned pumpkin (I think 2 cans actually makes it creamier)
1 t salt
1 T sugar
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 t ground pepper
3 C chicken broth
1/2 c half and half
Optional - kernel corn (white or yellow - I use frozen)

Chop onions and gently brown in butter in stockpot. Stir in mashed pumpkin and add salt, sugar, nutmeg and pepper. Slowly add chicken broth & heat thoroughly; but do not boil. To serve, pour into soup tureen (or individual bowls) and add the cream on top. You could do it somewhat artistically for presentation if you want! Makes 4-6 medium servings.

It's really good served with some kind of artisan bread or parmesan toasts!

Since it's pumpkin season, I had the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks today too - YUM! You have to try it:)

Priceless...

This is what it looks like when Ellie does construction with her daddy! I just love this picture because I remember helping my dad do projects around the house and countless trips to the hardware store. What a cutie!

Ellie's Three!!!

Last Friday, Ellie celebrated her third birthday! As we look forward to Baby Aubrey's arrival on Wednesday, it's hard to believe that three years ago, we were awaiting our first child's entrance into our lives. She has blessed us and challenged us tremendously over the past three years. The challenges have come in the way of God completely revealing to us our depravity and selfishness and some bad habits too! I guess those are also blessings. In more obvious ways, she has blessed us with her smile, laughter, imagination, sociability, and just her presence. As most parents say, we couldn't imagine our lives any differently now - although sometimes we try to imagine what life was like without her. I must say, it's really hard to remember and we are definitely two better people because of her.

So, we had fun celebrating with her by having a horse party at Happy Trails Ranch. The kids got to feed and ride the horses, watch a cat and a dog do tricks and go on a hayride. Everyone had a great time and fall decided to make it's debut with gorgeous skies, cool temperatures and a little reprieve from the love bugs - which are not at all lovely! There are two links to the pictures: one from Our Camera (these include at home birthday pics) and one from Stephanie's (thanks, Steph!).

Two of a kind; but each their own

Thanks to all my wonderful friends who threw us a fun, unique shower last weekend! My sweet girlfriends decided it would be fun to shower us with matching clothes for Ellie and Aubrey and I couldn't wait to see what they'd come up with! First of all, they decorated in zebra and pink theme - which I LOVED! I took Ellie with me so she could help open and since half of the presents were for her! She loved helping me open everything - and then played when she got too bored. Thank you everyone for a fun time - I can't wait to see these two in all their matching clothes! One girl even got pajamas because her girls love having matching pjs. Now that I think about it, Amy and I had a lot of matching pjs, only hers were pink and mine were purple - good memories!

T minus 11 days!

Well, the time is almost here and we've gotten a lot done. I thoroughly enjoyed my shower last weekend - more on that later. Brian's mom's birthday and Ellie's birthdays have come and gone this week, including Ellie's party at Happy Trails yesterday - more on that later too! What else? Shelves are up, letters ordered, basket for toys is painted and filled. Crib sheet is in, car seat is clean and in the car, swing is down and clean, pregnancy pictures are ordered and frames purchased. Just need to go to Target to pick up a few odds and ends and find a diaper bag. Poor Brian is the recipient of my 'must get this done now, I'm not asking again - it's D-Day' attitude. He's a great sport and I'm sorry, honey! Thanks for all of your hard work - this house and family wouldn't run without you - and certainly wouldn't feel like a home! Please keep praying for all of the pregnancies that are about to come to a close - we can't wait to welcome these babies:

• Meredith and Trent Carter will welcome their second, Baby Ella, on Friday, 9/26
• We will welcome Baby Aubrey on Wednesday, 10/1
• Ginny and James Yearty will welcome their third around 10/7
  
• Brian's sister, Charlotte, and her husband, Ryan will welcome their first, Baby Zoe, around 10/10 - in England!
• Rachel and Mike Dasher will welcome Baby Daniel around 10/22
• And there's more after that!
  

The Most Anticipated Shower Ever

On September 6th, a bunch of friends and family had the very distinct pleasure of honoring our dear friends Mike and Rachel Dasher at one of the most beautiful and touching showers ever. We have been waiting and praying for this baby, Daniel Reagan Dasher, for the last 3+ years and can't believe that he's finally almost here! Rachel and Mike are dear friends who we love and support with all of our hearts. We are so blessed to have them in our lives and look forward with anticipation to how God continues to bless them through the birth of their son (on or around October 22nd). Below are some pictures from the shower.

Jingle Frog and Swimmy Diapers

One night last week, Ellie decided that she and Jingle Frog were going swimming in the pond. Why? Because that's where frogs swim of course! So she found one last swimmy diaper, which fit Jingle Frog perfectly and put on her swimsuit too! Her imagination is amazing to me:)

Please Pray

As you've probably seen in another post, Brian's mom's house flooded in Tropical Storm Fay. Please pray for them as they are in the process of cleaning up and will begin thinking about restructuring what has been lost. We have not been out there yet and plan to go tomorrow; but from what they've told us, they are ripping the walls to the studs for 4 feet up from the ground! Of course this means they're ripping up flooring too. We know they're strong and thank the Lord for their health and stamina; but I'm sure it gets overwhelming at times. So, please pray for them as they walk through this unfortunate experience. Thanks!

Ellie's First Day of School

Ellie's a big three-year old now and going to school five mornings a week! This should prove to be a huge blessing with my work schedule - especially after the summer! Phew - we made it back to the fall and normal scheduling:) Even though I only worked three mornings the first week (Monday was Labor Day and Friday was my birthday outing), it felt good to be there on a consistent basis. Her teachers, Ms. Jackie and Ms. Katie, say she's doing great and she's already got a new 'friend' - Preston! Great...we're gonna have to watch out for this girl - we think she's a little flirt already! Just for comparison, here's last year's pic:

T Minus 3 weeks and 4 days!

Well, we've definitely made headway in the last couple of weeks. As you saw in the post before this, the bedding is finished. So, here's my list - and since I'm such a list maker, I've added a few more (some that are already crossed off!).

• Finish last bumper for crib - CHECK!
  
• Finish sewing changing table skirt - CHECK!
  
• Find stuff to decorate the walls - name, shelves, art, etc. - Have shelves and made French Memory Board
  
• Find bookcase for Ellie
• Find baskets to put stuff in/organize - CHECK!
  
• Make a sling? (need more fabric)
  
• Make/buy a diaper bag
• Make presents for SIL's baby Zoe!
  
• Normal, everyday life stuff
• Rachel's shower - CHECK!
• My shower, next Saturday
• Ellie's Birthday Party - 9/20

I'm definitely feeling a little better; but if I stand in the room too long, I get overwhelmed. I know it will all get done and what doesn't get finished will happen eventually!

Aubrey's Room

Here's the long-awaited post on Aubrey's room...after much love (and sore back) put into this project, I am definitely pleased. I'm not sure if I'll do it again - however, now that I've done it once, it shouldn't be as hard the next time. Plus, it's probably like having a baby - you forget how painful it was when you decide you'd like to have another! Here are the pics of the handiwork (the room itself is not completely finished; but getting there). I don't think the pictures do it justice; but you'll get the idea.

Window Valance
One of the bumpers - it's hard to tell in the crib pics.
One angle - notice no crib sheet yet!
Inside of bumpers is beautiful pink - hard to tell:(
Trying to get a good angle for the stripes

Ellie thought her Raggedy's should play in the crib for now! (PS - the one on the right was mine, hence the extra love it's received! The one on the left we got for her last year in Charleston.)

Changing table skirt matches crib skirt

Update on Birthday Ice Cream

Since so many of you have asked if I had ice cream yesterday for breakfast, lunch and dinner - I did not:( I had fully planned to have it at least twice; but just did not have time - or room in my stomach! I was, however, treated to a yummy breakfast with friends, followed by a pedicure. This has become somewhat of a tradition with us and I think we all look forward to it each time one of our birthdays arrives. How fun it is to spend part of the day getting pampered with and by close friends I love and adore! Then, I got Ellie from school and spent the rest of the afternoon running around getting the fixin's for SUSHI! Brian had invited friends over for dinner and we decided to make sushi followed by red velvet cake and ice cream - so I had it once! It's so much fun and tastes so good:) Thanks again for all the calls and notes of birthday wishes. It was a wonderful day!

I Scream, You Scream...!

Julie is screaming for ICE CREAM!!! So, if I've had one craving this pregnancy, it's been for ice cream. And since Publix puts a different brand of ice cream on B1G1 free each week during the summer, I have had no problem paying for my newly found addiction! (this week, it's Publix's brand, which is perfectly yummy! AND...Blue Bell is 2/$7) Since I've loved ice cream so much - believe me, this is not my normal addiction - usually I'm jabbing at my husband for enjoying a bowl each night - I was quite delighted to learn that many ice cream joints have birthday clubs where you get free ice cream on your birthday (and they're not all for kids!). So, I've signed up for a few of them and I'll be visiting them starting tomorrow! Perhaps you should sign up too - everyone deserves to treat themselves to free ice cream on their birthday. (For those who are allergic or lactose-intolerant, I am so sorry you are not able to enjoy this treat!)

Since some of them are places like Cold Stone and Marble Slab, I am soliciting your favorite concoctions to try, so post a comment with your fav! I'm usually a chocoholic; but Ellie's blend of bubblegum ice cream with marshmallows and sprinkles on top is really good for the kid in me! Click through these links to sign up:

www.marbleslab.com - this one is actually just kids; but you can give it a try
www.coldstonecreamery.com
www.baskinrobbins.com

Happy Birthday to All!

The First Week of September

I look forward to this week each year. For 32 years, I've had one reason to look forward to Labor Day and the first week of September - my birthday! Now, I have another reason which I think I'm a little more excited about - Ellie starts school! She started this week and of course, since it's her second year, I haven't taken pictures yet. I'll do that tomorrow. I can't believe she's such a big girl - she's going five days a week now! It's amazing the difference between this year and last. I have looked forward to this day all summer long!!! Not because we didn't have a great summer. We had plenty of fun swimming and doing crafts. Ellie went to a few camps and visited her Abuela and Papi in Pensacola for a week. But it was really hard to work with her around all the time. Now that she's going every day, I can work while she's in school and not have to take any work home - hardly ever! For those who don't know, Ellie goes to school at our church, which is where I work, so this simplifies things greatly! Speaking of simplification, look for a post on that soon.

Is it Hurricane Season or something?!

Well, we were supposed to go to Pensacola for Labor Day weekend; but Gustav has us thinking twice. If it comes here, we'll need to prepare. If it goes to Pensacola or close to their west, my parents will have to prepare. So, we're staying put after all. Which is a bummer because this was supposed to be our annual Labor Day with my family. But even more than that, it's a bummer because somewhere, someone else is going to be affected by another tropical system. Living in Florida all my life, you get used to the threat of storms; but the devastation that some experience (thankfully never me) is something you never get used to. We got dumped on this past weekend by Tropical Storm Fay more than we've ever been by any other storm in the 14 years I've lived in Tallahassee. My in-laws house is flooded, my friends have a river for a street right now, and Lake Ella spilled into Monroe Street - crazy!



You can see more images of Lake Ella here. We got over 20" of rain! So, of course those affected most by the flooding can't stand to have more. Pensacola just finished the new I-10 bridge which replaced the old one that was ripped apart by Ivan 4 years ago. And we all know New Orleans is still reeling from Katrina. It was three years ago that we were waiting the arrival of Ellie and wondering if hurricanes were going to hit us. Now we're waiting the arrival of Aubrey and wondering the same thing. We know our God will take care of all of us; but it's still a little nerve-racking!