December happenings---

I have been so excited to decorate this year for Christmas. I always love Christmastime and am happy to be in our new house for christmas.

We changed our tradition of getting a real tree and opted for the artificial tree this year.  I am still not sure how I feel about the change, but it was alot easier to set up. The kids had a great time decorating.  I usually specify where the ornaments need to go, but this year I let the kids put things where they wanted.

Derek put lights on the house and I love the cozy feel when the house is decorated for Christmas!

We also continued some of our Christmas traditions. Gingerbread houses(with a little extra trip to get another one after I broke the pieces in frustration!) We also decorated sugar cookies.

We went to the Zilker Tree. There was no trail of lights this year, but we did enjoy the light show.

 Brooklyn also had her Christmas program at her school.  She was a Shepard and she was adorable. Though, she was disappointed that she did not have the role of Mary.  It was cute!  Derek took the kids to the Living Nativity at her school as well.  It is a cool show and a tradition we hope to continue.

 We had an adults only Christmas party. It was our first big party at our house.  It was fun to hang out with many of our friends. We did have a little fire in the bathroom, but everything was ok, except for my cute Christmas towel!

The highlight of the month was getting to meet Miss Olivia Shoemaker.  It was up in Dallas for her birth and then got to go back for a few days after she came home.  She is adorable and I am so in love!!  Kellee & Anthony are wonderful parents and I am so looking forward to watching Miss O grow up!  

Turkey Day

We went to Houston for Thanksgiving with the Reaves.  We enjoyed lots of food and the kids had a blast hanging out with their cousins.  We ran the Turkey Trot and the kids ran too.  It was hot and humid, but we all seemed to have fun! It was a relaxing time together.

Kids before the race

After the race with their medals!

relaxing after the run

Brooklyn and GrandBob

H and B had lots of fun together

S reading to Brooklyn

Just chillin'!

Thankfulness

Well, i have not done very well with listing the things I am thankful for each day, so here is a big catch up and the final day.  I have much to be thankful for and I strive to be better about daily remembering the blessings in my life.
22-I am thankful for my sisters.  I love having sisters.  It is an awesome relationship.  I am lucky that my sisters are my best friends too.  It is nice to be loved as you are and called out when needed.  It is fun to be around my sisters, just laughing and talking and being together.
23- I am thankful for my dad.  He is a strong moral example to me and others.  He is making a difference in the world.  He is encouraging and supportive. He would do anything for me. I am a lucky girl!
24-I am thankful for Barrett.  He's funny and easy going.  He is developing quite the competitive spirit.  He is caring and sensitive to others.  And, he gives the best hugs.
25-I am thankful for a house that is becoming our home.  Its nice to be getting settled in a place and making it ours.  And, I really thankful that Derek finished the side fence!
26-I am thankful for Brooklyn. I love having a little girl.  She is a mix of princess and queen!  She is fun to be around and makes me laugh.  She has her own way of doing things, which my or may not be the same as mine.  She is a great buddy to spend my days with.
27-I am thankful for my parents, my inlaws, grandparents, other relatives and family friends who helped to shape me into the person I have become.
28-I am thankful for our church.  It is a loving body that seeks to serve God and others.  I feel challenged to go deeper in my personal faith and show the love of Christ to others.  I pray that I can begin to get uncomfortable for Jesus.
29-I am thankful for Derek.  He is my everything.  I am so blessed that I married him.  He is so kind, thoughtful, easy going and selfless.  He puts aside his stress from work when he comes home and is on for me and the kids.  I appreciate that he tries hard to balance his work and family life.  He is my best friend, the one I want to share things with.  I am so thankful for the man he is and that he is mine.
30- I am thankful today for a clean house, no laundry to fold and all of the dishes put away.  I love feeling like things are under control on the homefront!

Princess Wishes

A few weeks ago, Brooklyn and I met Kara and Elizabeth for Disney On Ice in Waco.  The girls were beside themselves with excitement.  It was a cute show and lots of fun.  I really enjoyed getting to hang out with Kara.  we hardly ever get to have sister time like that.  And Brooklyn and Elizabeth had fun together too.  The girls were mesmerized by the princess.  What a fun memory for us all.

Princesses

Cinderella

Ready for the show to start

All smiles!

Ariel- our favorite!

Silly girls

Cinderella and her carriage

fun times together

Thankful...

18- I am thankful for my girlfriends.  I am so glad to have girlfriends in my life who love me as I am.  I can laugh, cry, talk about nothing or something deep with my girlfriends.  I enjoy having people I can call an talk about anything with and people to get advice from who are going through similar things as me.  Its nice to have people who help you out in a pinch and friends who give you a hug, a call and hold me accountable.  I am so blessed to have my friends!
19- I am thankful to be a stay at home mommy.  I am glad that I get to just hang out with the kids and be around.  It s nice to not have to rush off to work, but stay in our jammies all morning if we want(well, me and Brooklyn anyways). I am glad that Derek is happy for me to be home with the kids for now.
20- I am thankful for the basics- food, clothing and a home.  I was reminded of the blessing of having what I consider the basics, and then some.  We can get the things we need and often things we want and I am so thankful for not having those worries.
21-I am thankful for Jesus.  I was listening to some praise music today and got all tearyeyed thinking about the amazing love Jesus has for us. Jesus loves me, He loves you! He died for my sins and forgives me for ALL of my sins.  How amazing!

Thankful 16 &17

16- I am thankful for my mom.  She is a wonderful mother.  She is patient and never complains.  She is a great listener and gives good advice when asked. She has taught me so much about life.  My mom is fun to hang out with and shop with too.  She is an amazing example to me of a mom,wife, and Christian.  I am so thankful to call her mom.  Thanks mom for all you do!

17- I am thankful for our huddle.  Derek and I have been working this year with the freshman at our church.  The idea is to stay with the same kids for 4 years, until they are seniors.  High school is such a fun time of life and  these kids are fun to be around.  They are smart and have lots of interesting things to say.  I am looking forward to continuing to build a deeper relationship with these kids in the coming years.

Fun Field Day- 1st grade

B had field day a few weeks ago at school.  He had a great time playing the games and activities.  The weather was great for being outside.  It was a fun day for B and his buddies.

Barrett was the flag holder

Rock climbing wall

Climbing the net

Brooklyn even got in on the climbing action

Bouncing along

Ready for the scooter race

Barrett's girl Lauren

B's buddy, Sam

Concentration on doing well

This was a favorite activity

Holding the sign- they all had to pick healthy foods

parachute- I remember these

Sack racing

Capture the flag