Time for some reflection

As always, it seems like this year has just flown by.  It’s hard to remember what all has happened this year!

In February, Marc and I went on a marriage retreat with our church.  Not only did we learn a lot, but we had a blast.  We’re looking forward to this year’s retreat, as well! =.)

In March, we celebrated 3 years of wedded chaotic bliss!  It’s crazy to think that we’ve been married that long.  And I'm still not tired of looking at my wedding pictures! =.)

I also had my wisdom teeth removed in March, and that was an experience.  They gave me a bit of trouble afterwards, but finally worked itself out

April brought Allie’s 4th birthday, weekends with friends, and four-wheeling photography.

In May, our friends Chris & Jennifer got engaged, Memorial weekend at the lake with the pups and great friends, Grant, Katie & Krystle graduated from NC State, my big brother turned 30, and we went to the local Relay for Life event.

In June, Ava turned 1, Karleigh turned 2, I turned 26, we had to replace our well pump and all of the wiring, our softball season started, and we spent a lot of time with our families celebrating birthdays. =.)

We spent July 4th at Beaufort, NC with our friends, we played more softball, I took more pictures of the guys riding 4-wheelers, and I think I finished all of the Twilight series this month.

In August, Marc turned 24, Tiffany and Kelli turned 26 (we’re getting old, girls), we went to a wedding, and we celebrated having Paisley in our lives for 3 years.

In September, we spent Labor Day weekend at the lake with friends and the pups, Ace was bit by a snake, I spent a few days in Charleston for work, then spent the weekend in Charlotte with Grant, Katie, and Marc, and celebrated Krystle’s birthday. =.)

October brought Chad’s birthday, Allie rode in her 2nd horse show, and we spent Halloween at the corn maze, then enjoyed munchies at our house afterwards.

In November, we spent our last weekend at my grandpa’s mountain house before he sold it, celebrated Thanksgiving, and Marc went with the guys on his West Virginia 4-wheeling trip.

And finally, in December, I’ve celebrated 6 family birthdays, Jesus’ birthday, travelled to SC for Christmas with my in-laws, baked tons of sugar cookies with icing, painted pottery, and photographed some more 4-wheelers. =.)

I was expecting a little more out of 2009, but I know that God’s timing is perfect.  He’ll make sure everything happens just as it’s supposed to. =.)

Happy New Year! =.)

Now, I’m off to the beach for a great New Year’s Eve celebration with some great friends! =.)  Stay safe, don’t drink and drive!

Christmas Recap =.)

Christmas for us is just a super busy time.  We go to 7 different places in 3 days.  However, I don’t know what I’d do if we weren’t on the go.  I imagine I would sleep a little more, relax a bit more, and enjoy a bit more?  I don’t know, but here’s the run-down. =.)

On Christmas Eve, we go over to my grandma’s house and have a huge dinner with her brother and his family, and all of our family.  After dinner, we wash tons of dishes, then everyone leaves except for my uncle and his family, my grandma and her husband, and our family.  Then we open gifts.  We’ve been doing Christmas Eve since I was a kid.  We used to go over to my great grandpa’s house, Papa Tom, and do dinner and a few gifts there, then we would go back to my grandma’s house and do gifts with her.  I love traditions! =.)  Here’s a few picks from Christmas Eve

Royce with Allie & Ava Marc trying to get Ava’s doll out of the carrier Allie & AvaGranny & Ava

After Marc and I got home on Christmas Eve, we opened our gifts to each other. =.)  I am super excited – I got a pink Bl@ckberry! =.)  Love it!  It’s so pretty! =.)

On Christmas morning, we opened our stockings to each other, and gave the dogs their stockings.  They got a new toy and some bones.  They loved them both! =.)

We headed over to Brock and Wendy’s to do Christmas with them, and my Mama and Daddy.

Ava opening her gift from us – I just love her bed head! =.) Allie with one of her gifts from usMama made them matching Cowgirl outfits to play dress up in.  Ava wanted hers on right then. =.) 

Our next stop was Matt and Tammy’s house, Marc’s brother.  We got to hang out with Marc’s grandma and aunt, and watch Karleigh open her gifts. =.)

Marc and Karleigh Marc’s grandma Karleigh with Marc’s aunt, Susan Love this kid! =.) Marc and his mama

After hanging out with Marc’s family, we went to my aunt’s house.  My Mama’s family is there, her brother and sisters, and all of their families.  We had lunch, then opened Christmas gifts.

Allie & Ava with my cousins, Blake & Danielle.

**Side note: Ava never got rid of her bed head! =.) Allie with Blake & Danielle My cousin, Brandon.  He turned 16 and got his license last week…he’s making me feel super old. =.)Ava Reese Ava in her new jewelry Mama My grandma looking at her painted plate =.) 

Then, we had to celebrate my aunt’s birthday, as she and Jesus share this special day. =.)

Yummy…homemade red velvet cake! =.) Allie sneaking some icing Hanging out in Danielle’s room =.)

After my aunt’s house, we headed over spend Christmas with Marc’s dad’s family.  And I had left my camera at the house after we stopped back by to grab presents and unload, so I didn’t get any pictures at Gwen’s house.  We had dinner there and got to spend time with Marc’s grandma and grandpa.

Our final stop of the night was my grandpa’s house.  And, again, I didn’t have my camera, but we had fun there, too.  It’s all of my family, plus my uncle and his family.  Basically all of our Christmas Eve attendees, just with my grandpa and his wife instead of my grandma and her husband.  I got the prettiest necklace and earrings from them.  And I made a photo album of all of our pictures from our last trip to their mountain house.  Papa really seemed to like it, so I think I did good!  Now, I have to start thinking about what to do for next year… =.)

When we finally got back to the house, we had to do Christmas with Marc’s dad.  They were late coming in because it was raining really bad between South Carolina and us, so we didn’t get to do it earlier in the day as planned.

Karleigh Melinda and her photo album =.)Lyman and his Harley cover Melinda with her apron I made for her

Then, the day after Christmas, we had a big dinner, as is tradition, with my grandpa’s family.  It’s all of his brothers and sisters and their families.  We do tons of gag gifts and it’s a lot of fun.  And I had my camera, but me and Mama were the hostesses, so I didn’t get much of a chance to take pictures.  We were trying to keep everything in order.

So, on Sunday, I rested.  I slept in, I felt awful from this cold I’ve caught, I laid around the house, watched TV, and rested.  Then, Marc and I watched a movie and called it a night pretty early. =.)  Perfect Sunday. =.)

I hope your Christmas was wonderful! =.)

Now, I’m getting ready for New Year’s.  We’re heading down to the beach to spend the weekend with friends.  Should be a great time, and I can’t wait! =.)

Happy New Year’s! =.)

Christmas is {almost} here!

Yay!  Are you excited about Christmas?  I keep going through highs and lows.  I’ll be super excited, then I’ll come to work and all the excitement just gets crushed.  Then, I leave the office, and all is right with the world! =.)

I’ve promised a few pics, so here they are of the last 2 weeks or so. =.)

In South Carolina with Marc’s dad and stepmom, Lyman and Melinda.

Tammy, Karleigh, Logan, and Melinda

Karleigh & LoganBaking cookies at my grandma’s house:

Brock & Marc rolled out the dough and cut the cookies while Danielle, Allie and me icinged the cookies. =.)

Mau, me, Danielle, & Brock Allie was tired of icing cookies – she decided watching TV was more fun than getting fussed at for licking the icing off of her fingers. =.)Danielle & I – see all the cookies un-icinged on the left…that was only some of them!  They were yummy! =.) 

Some of my gifts so far! =.)

Beautiful and super soft scarf from Tiffany, with some iTunes…love it! =.) Thanks, Tiffy! =.) And from Kelli…I’m beyond thrilled about this one…Not just a Snuggie, but an Appalachian Snuggie.  How cool is THAT? =.)  Thank you, Kelli!  Completely didn’t expect this one! =.)

And from some agents in my office, some yummy smelling candles and a great Barnes & Noble gift card!  Perfect! 

And now, for one of my craftier gifts, this was what I gave Tiffany for Christmas.  She picked out the fabric, and my mama helped me make it for her.  What do you think?

I absolutely love the paisley print! =.) She loved it, as well!!

Now, I have to wait for Melinda to open her gift, so I can take pictures of her apron that I made.  It turned out really well, too!

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While you open all of your gifts for Christmas this year, remember that our greatest gift is God’s gift of Jesus.  Have a birthday party for Jesus, sing him a song, and thank Him for all He has done in your life. =.)

“’Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’  Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”  Luke 2:11-14

Merry Christmas, y’all! =.)

Such a Slaker!

Sorry, y’all!  It’s been a busy week, and I still haven’t taken pictures of my gifts from Tuesday night with my favorites!  However, I do have good excuses!! =.)

After dinner on Tuesday, Marc was at his brother’s home, so I stopped by so I could see the gorgeous Karleigh.  We stayed and played with Karleigh for close to an hour!  She’s just precious! =.)

Then on Wednesday night, I had to stop by Brock & Wendy’s to pick up my painted pottery (again, I still don’t have pictures of them, either!!), and put a picture on her computer for a gift for Brock.  Then, I went to Mama and Daddy’s to help her with some craftiness as decorations for one of our family Christmas gatherings.  Then, I helped her set up Daddy’s gift…a laptop!  I think he’s going to love it!  Once he is able to figure out how to actually use it, that is! =.)

And then last night, we had our life group meeting.  We were wrapping gifts for our adopted family within our church.  I have so much fun with these people! =.)  And I took pictures, but not with my camera, so I don’t have anything to show you!  Sorry!

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I’ve kind of decided that while I do love taking pictures, and I love having the pictures afterwards, I kind of want to be IN the moment, not just DOCUMENTING it.  Does that make sense?  I looked back through all of my pictures for the past year, and I’m disappointed for a few reasons.  One, I can remember the even so well, but I wasn’t really in the moment, so that disappoints me.  Two, I’m not in many of the pictures.  I was there, and I was at the event/memory, but I’m not in the pictures, so I want to remedy that for 2010. =.)

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And this verse is just speaking to me right now.  So, I’ll share, in hopes that maybe this is a verse that God wants you to hear, as well. =.)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

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Have a great weekend, y’all!  Stay warm! =.)  We might be getting some snow!  Exciting! =.)

Randoms…

First of all, welcome to all of my new followers! =.)  I love checking my dashboard and seeing that number grow!  =.)

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I had a busy weekend, but it was filled with fun! =.)  Friday night, we went to Marc’s company party.  Luckily, it’s my family, so I love going! =.)  We had a great dinner and it was just a fun time! =.)

Saturday, I went to breakfast with my grandma, my sister-in-law, Wendy, Allie, Ava, and Mama.  It was a bit eventful, as Allie walked in front of a server, and ended up covered in sweet tea (or soda).  Which was not a good thing, because Wendy and Allie left straight from breakfast to head to Disney on Ice.  They had to buy some new clothes for Allie before they went to the show.

**Side note: Allie was so cute.  She kept saying she was going to Disney World! =.)

Then I went shopping with Mama and Ava.  Ava is just such a well-mannered kid!  She didn’t fuss the whole time we were out.  It was a lot of fun hanging out with her without Allie to get jealous and interrupt or try to grab your attention away from Ava. =.)  Marc and I went to dinner by ourselves on Saturday at a Mexican restaurant in town.  It was delicious! =.)

Sunday, our church only had one service (we usually have two), followed by a potluck.  It was all wonderful! =.)  It was nice having our life group all together outside of our life group!  It’s been awhile since we have all been at church at the same service.  I love those people!  It was a lot of fun.

On Sunday afternoon, we went with Brock, Wendy, Allie and Ava to paint pottery for my grandmas.  Brock, Wendy, and I had done this when I was in college, and my grandmother still uses her platter, and still brags on it.  So, when we couldn’t think of anything else to get her, we decided we’d just reuse our great idea from before.  And, like a dummy, I forgot my camera.  I’ll make sure to take some photos of the finished products.  We had a lot of fun, and Allie painted stuff for her grandparents.  I love being crafty! =.)

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On Tuesday, we had our office Christmas party.  As a concession to the economy and our lack of extra money to throw away at an evening Christmas party, we just had a potluck lunch and white elephant/dirty Santa gifts.  I laughed so hard at the white elephant gifts!  Our rules were that you couldn’t buy something – you had to bring it from your house.  It could be a gift you no longer want, something you no longer use, a bad gift that was given to you, etc.  You get the idea.  We had people bring old VHS videos (and some of them were good, i.e. Grease!), an old water fountain for a garden (that still had dust/dirt on it), a nutcracker…the list just goes on.  It was so funny watching people try to entice the last people to pick their gifts!  So much fun.

And last night, I went out with my favorites!  However, I will post about that tomorrow, because I didn’t get a chance to take photos of my awesome gifts!  And one hint…I got a Snuggie!  Can’t wait to show you what was on my Snuggie! =.)  So excited about all of my gifts!  I’m even wearing one of them today!!!

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Hope you had a wonderful weekend (a little late, I know), and have a fabulous week!! =.)

I’d like to thank…

Whitney from over at That Girl and Her Pug for giving me this…

If you haven’t read Whitney’s blog, she is so witty, honest, sweet, and just plain fun! =.)  So, Thank You, Whitney for this award!  You’re awesome! =.)

I’m supposed to list 10 things that make me happy, and then tag 10 people.  So, here goes…

My Happies

1.  Marc

He’s been my best friend for over 10 years, now, and I don’t know what I would do without him! =.)

2. My Family

I may have an independent streak that runs through me, but I wouldn’t be where I am and who I am today without my family and their support.  Just love them to pieces!  And, having three of the most adorable nieces…what’s not to be happy about?

3. My Pups

Well, they aren’t puppies, anymore, but they’ll always be my pups.  Ace and Paisley – there’s just something about a dog (or any pet, I supposed), that is just comforting.  They so have personalities, I don’t care what people say! =.)

4. My Friends

They’re great.  And that about sums them up!! =.)

5.  Books

Need I say more?  They’re like an addiction for me!  I can never get enough of a good book.  I’m often disappointed when I finish a book, because the story is over.

6. Television

I’m pretty sure that I have an unhealthy obsession with Glee, and all things Glee related (as in their soundtrack is available on iTunes, and I’ve asked for that for Christmas).  It’s so corny, and I love it! =.)  I’d love to know what you thought of the finale?  Are you excited for the Spring season, too? =.)

7. Chick Flicks

I cry at all most of them!  And, I’m a sucker for a happy ending! =.)

8. Chocolate

Or any sweets, rather.  I think it runs in the family… =.)

9. Mini-vacations

For me, a week away is almost too long, but give me a long weekend and I’ll take it!

10. Lazy weekends at home

I love just being about to lounge around the house without something to do or somewhere to be.  So relaxing and restful! =.)

And now, I get to share the love! =.)  These are bloggers that I enjoy reading and slipping into their worlds through their words.  You should check them out if you haven’t, already! =.)

1. Suz - 30 Before 30 List

2. Amy Lynn – The Un-Wife Housewife Life

3. Sonja – For the Love of Stilettos

4. Brittany Ann –Living in the Moment

5. Lis – Lis Loves

6. Katie – Loves of Life

7. Christine – Lost in Translation

8. Angela – Sweet Tea Diaries

9. Adorably D – Adorably Distracted

10. Goodness Grace – Goodwill Grace

If you’ve already received the award, I’m sorry!

Hope y’all have a fabulous weekend! =.)

Moon

There was the biggest ring around the moon last night!  I’ve never seen one like it before!  Take a look…

Isn’t that crazy looking?!?!  And this is all natural..I’ve not done anything to enhance the photos.  It took me forever working my camera to take a picture where you could see the ring.  I had to do it in night framing without a flash.  I was DETERMINED to get a  picture, though!  It was too cool not to! =.)

Did you see the moon last night?  Did it look like this wherever you are? =.) 

Randomness…

I think I’m still a little full from Thanksgiving.  I’m loving my leftover turkey sandwiches, though! =.)  It was great for lunch today! =.)

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I had a great Thanksgiving, even though I caught a little cold.  I’m hoping it goes away by this weekend.  We’re heading down to South Carolina to do Christmas with Marc’s stepmom’s family. (I don’t remember the rule for apostrophes when there are two possessives beside each other.  If you know, please let me know, because I hate it when my grammar is incorrect.  I’m a dork.  I know this. =.)

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Black Friday was great!  I’m mostly done with my Christmas shopping.  I have just a few more people left.  And, more hints of the dork that I am, I have it organized into a spreadsheet with each person I have to buy for, each gift already purchased, gift ideas on those left to purchase, and highlighted if I still need to purchase. =.)  I know, a bit extreme.  Marc laughed at me when I showed it to him last night.  Fun! =.)

I arrived at Wal-Mart at 4:30 on Friday morning.  I got home, when finished for the day, at 5:00 in the evening.  Such a long day, but so great to be with so many ladies in my family.  I went with my Mama, my grandma, two aunts, and two cousins.  I love tradition! =.)  It was great, and I slept soooo well on Friday night! =.)

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Marc’s dad and stepmom stayed with us from Wednesday through Friday.  We renovated our house last spring, put up vinyl siding, new roof, redid a lot of the inside with hardwood floors, added a master suite, etc.  It looks really, really nice.  Until you look out back and see this awful mustard brown, paint peeling, shingles missing, wood rotting shed.  It’s just gross.  But we use it, so we didn’t want to get rid of it altogether.  Luckily, Marc’s dad, Lyman, is great with a hammer and some nails! =.)

They spent all of Wednesday afternoon and evening, Thursday afternoon and evening, until it started raining working on this shed.  We had some leftover vinyl siding, so they used that, then they put on a new roof, and added a lean-to, so we can park our mower and put other yard stuff under there.  They finally finished it up on Friday morning.  And let me just say…it’s a HUGE improvement! =.)  I love it! =.)  It matches the house, now! =.)

So, on Saturday, I spent most of the day painting the doors (three coats) to match the siding.  It’s not an exact match, but it’s still a vast improvement from the mustard brown. =.)

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We went out to dinner on Saturday for Wendy, my sister-in-law’s, birthday.  She turned 30 yesterday.  Happy belated Birthday, Wendy! =.)  I’m sorry, but I didn’t take any pictures…I’m a bad blogger (for more reasons than that).

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Sunday, we had lunch at my grandmother’s house.  The guys rode their 4-wheelers after that, and I had a little photo shoot with them. My crazy brother, Brock…awesome picture, though! =.)A little background – before I even got up there to watch them ride, Marc and Brock hit head-on.  They’re both fine, but Marc’s 4-wheeler doesn’t look so great at the moment.  So, he decided to ride Allie’s 4-wheeler down to the track.  He was just playing around, but he did jump one jump…love it! =.) See…all four wheels are off the ground! Hahaha…=.)  Great form, though. =.)

Allie and Ava love riding on the Ranger!  Here they are with my Daddy!

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Then, we went and played in the leaves…so.much.fun!! =.)

Allie loves the leaves.  Ava, not so much.  Look at the face on her…she wanted OUT! =.)

I love this one with the moon in the background.

She was holding on for dear life, as well.

I hope you’re having a wonderful week! =.)