big finish

Hi there. Still on vacation in a cabin on top of a mountain. One of my goals for 2009 was to learn how to crochet. After several failed attempts... I think I've finally got it! Granted, I can only do one stitch (sort of like a chain thingy back and forth... i'm sure it has a real name) but I've got that one stitch down. I'm working on this...

It will be a scarf for Millie G. when it is finished. Pics of the finished project coming soon. So thanks to mrs. pam t. for the crochet basics book. and thanks to mee maw for observing my first few crochet failures and advising me to "just slow down a little bit"... which is actually good advice for all areas of life. OK nighty night! Happy almost New Year's Eve.

swirl a candy cane in your coffee

So Christmas was terrific. It was very calm and peaceful amidst all of our recent coo coo craziness. Christmas eve cookie making, Christmas morning gift extravaganza (helloooo bright red kitchen-aid stand mixer!!!), Breakfast at Mee Maw and Pee Paws, laughing, singing, games, perfect.

We drove all day today, mostly up a mountain, to our cozy vacation cabin. The poor kids are so confused... they were like, "are we in Georgia yet?" "are we at our new house?" "what is a cabin?" "where is my bicycle?" These car rides have been very long and interesting and hilarious. O.K.! Hope your taking time to make hot chocolate or crochet a scarf this week!

christmas blogging

Happy Christmas Eve to you! So we moved last week. Then drove in the car for a very large amount of time back to visit my parents and sisters and everyone that we love. That's where we are now. I have the urge to crawl up in my old bed in my old room and get under the covers and never ever move or leave. Anyway, a few more days of precious-ness here then another very large amount of driving in the car to our gorgeous mountain, cabin, snowy, hot chocolaty, delicious vacation. Thennnnnnn back to reality of our new life in Georgia. Here's a recap of this past week for me...

packed it up...

cleaned it out...

took it all in... this is our new backyard by the way...

more soon. Merry happy wonderful Christmas!!!

reason for the season

An angel of the Lord came to Mary and said, "Do not be afraid! I have good news for you! You will have a baby. His name will be Jesus. He will be God's only Son."

Mary was excited to obey God

The angel also to Joseph about the baby.

So Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem looking for a place to spend the night. They found an Inn. Each one took turns knocking on the door.

But the inn keeper said there was no room for them in the inn. They would have to sleep in the stable with all the animals.

That night mary gave birth to a baby boy and they called him Jesus!

Merry Christmas.

i love you and you and you and you

I need to share, before I go to bed, that I am going to miss the following people in Baton Rouge...

That's all night, night.

there was this book

Little Dean's pre-K teachers informed me recently that little Dean has an obsession with a particular classroom book. Every day after lunch, the children sit quietly on the rug with a book to read. Apparently, my little Dean is always rushing to finish his Pb&J so the can grab his favorite book from the shelf. If other children get the book first, there are large amounts of drama that ensue until little Dean has the book in his possession. One day, he even got his friend (who eats faster than he does) to sit on the book so that no one else would take it. So, here's the adorable part... ready? Today was little Dean's last day at school in Baton Rouge. The class had a little party for him. He received a balloon, a "cool guy" watch, some army men, a hot wheels car, and... sweetest thing ever... his favorite book! The one from the shelf in his classroom so that no one else can get it after lunch. All the friends in his class signed their names and the teachers wrote some sweet notes that I'm still crying over. Thank you, Mrs. Jen and Mrs. Jamee B.! This is a treasure that we will keep forever!

scrap fabric ornaments

We are moving in six days. I've got tons more packing and baseboard scrubbing to do. So why do I have my hot glue gun out and fabric scraps everywhere? Because we cleaned out the attic and Charlie brought the Christmas tree down and it needed a little color. That's why. So here's a way to use up some fabric scraps and protect glass ornaments from sweet little toddlers... and procrastinate packing. 1) Take a long strip of fabric and hot glue it to the top of the ornament. 2)Hold tightly with your fingers and start twisting (and hot glue-ing pretty often to ensure security). 3)Cut the bottom and hot glue to make it look neat. You can also paint the little hangy thing on top. Warning: HOT GLUE IS HOT! Have a nice day!

happy anniversary

This is a picture from our wedding. It happened 7 years ago today. Charlie is my favorite person. He looks like a rock star. He's very quiet and disciplined and orderly and tidy and precious and strong and funny. I secretly want to be just like him. I love him forever.

whew

packing, packing, packing! I've only got 2 big projects to finish (besides loading all of our earthly belongings into the back of a penske truck) and I'll really feel like I'm "ready." Hopefully I'll be done this weekend with my projects so I can really embrace this last week in Baton Rouge. It is special and exciting to begin this new chapter... Anyway, as I run across Christmas decorations, I'm strategically placing them on the mantel/countertops and saving them to pack last. I need a little glitter in my life. Doesn't everyone? O.K. have a nice Saturday! Put on a gaudy necklace... it'll make you feel better.

well

I started making a scrapbook for my Charlie when we first moved to Baton Rouge. It is filled with little joys that have happened over the past 3 years. We really like the teenagers at church... very much. And we are going to miss them... very much. I wrapped up the book this afternoon and gave it to Charlie. He was happy. Here are a few highlights... pardon my poor, cloudy day, photography...