Birthday Girl

This smiley girl is about to be one! Where has time gone? Would I go back and redo this year? Absolutely, yes. I have enjoyed watching every second of her growth. She is so happy, energetic and knows how to handle her brother! She can already tattle on him.
Well, with it barely being a week past Christmas her birthday has snuck up on me. I knew it was coming but I hadn't sent my invitations out. So, tomorrow I will be hand delivering them.

Aren't they pretty? I just love these invitations.

This is her Bib to match her 1 year birthday dress. I'm so excited to see her in it.

I had in monogramed on both sides to make it a reversable dress. I just love the colors.

Here is the Birthday side. She has the most beautiful bow made by Felicia from Alibugbows on Etsy. I am so blessed that she doesn't live to far from me. I have gone to her house and had my own personal bow party. Just Heaven! More to come, my baby will soon be ONE!

Collin Marsh

This precious little boy is in desperate need of a healing miracle. My son and I pray for him every night. Bryston always says to me "I want Collin to grow up big like me". This Christmas he and his parents are fighting hard to save his life. He was diagnosed with AML at the tender age of 7 months. Chemo and a Bone Marrow transplant have elemented that cancer but he has been fighting Graft Vs. Host Rash since receiving the transplant. Now, he is in sucha a critical state with EOS. You can read about it HERE. Our Loving Father is capable of this miraculous healing. HE knows the plans HE has for this little boy. I pray and I want you to pray that Collin can live here on Earth and grow up to be as big as Bryston. Pray for this Christmas Miracle.

New Years Resolutions

It has been quite a full year. Jobless for the first time since the age of 14, a new mom to a 2nd child, and learning to become a SAHM have filled my year. This year has been a great year of learning. And now I'm thinking about my goals for next year. The year Twenty-Ten! Aren't we supposed to be flying in space cars by now? Ha! Normally I DON'T set 'New Year's Resolutions' because I feel like I am just setting myself up for failure. How wrong is that? But this year, I'm turning over a new leaf, which a I have a daily reminder of..... Hm, some of you know what I mean. So, here it is, in no particular order, MY New Year's Resolutions.

NUMBER ONE:
(I have no idea how many there will be)
My goal is to organize and clean my house by the end of January (not including the garage, that I will leave for my husband) and then maintain that cleanliness and orgazational heaven for an entire month. With that, I am hoping that I will have created a habit and t h e n maybe I will keep it up for good.

NUMBER TWO:
Calmness will be my friend this year. I'm going to destress my mind and soul through church attendance, Bible Reading, and prayer. I don't want to be a high-strung mom that could and does snap on a dime. All of this, without medication. (I'm not on medication now)

NUMBER THREE:
I have had the book The Purpose Driven Life for a long time. I don't think I have ever read past day 10. This year, I will finish. I will have it completed by the end of February. (First I need to find it)

NUMBER FOUR:
I'm not worried about losing weight, although, I really do need to lose weight. BUT, I want to live a healthier life. So, (I can't believe I'm going to say this) no more soda!!! And I plan to and WILL by goodness, complete some form of excercise every SINGLE blessed day of 2010! Whether it be 'Walk Away The Pounds' or running with my kid.

NUMBER FIVE:
Moderation, moderation, MoDerAtion. If I can't do something that I know takes my attention from things I should be doing, t h e n, I will give it up. That means, the internet, may have to go. And probably will, who knows. Fried food, Chocolate......

NUMBER SIX:
I am going to either receive or purchase a sewing machine this year. (Yes, I know how to sew) and will make some dresses for my little girl and any other little girl or little girl's momma who would like one. I'm going to complete more Personalized Paintings (I already of interest from two businesses), Bow Holders, and anything else that may come to mind. I'm talented in some areas and lack in others. I'm excited to explore this side of my life.

NUMBER SEVEN:

Christmas Wish List

All I want for Christmas is:

• Healing for Collin Marsh. You can read about him HERE. He is a precious one year old boy who is fighting for his life. He and his family go to my church.
• A sewing machine so that I can make my little girl beautiful dresses. Buy a girl a dress, she will have a dress and momma will be broke. Buy her momma a sewing machine and the girl will have many dresses for life. (or at least until she demands that she gets to wear what everyone else is wearing)
• Black snow boots. I want to join the trend of wearing fluffy snow boots over my jeans. Even though, snow is rare around here, but my feet will be warm and cozy.
• A Heating Pad that won't bunch up. When I was pregnant last year I ruined my heating pad by rolling it up to get relief from horrible carpal tunnel.

Night of Praise

We have so many reasons to Praise our Lord and Savior this Christmas. This was B-man's first year in our church choir. The ladies that take these 4 year olds and teach them music are pure saints. B has been singing up a storm since September. He loves choir. On December 6th the Children's Choir performed at our Night of Praise. My church has the best band and choir. I just love this night. Tears were in my eyes as my little sang, I can't believe he is old enough to do this.

Each child had a candle to hold (flameless of course) and my son is the one with the candle in his eye. Oh yes, that's our boy. We enjoyed this time so much. Our entire family came to see him for the 5 minutes that he sang. And that is the first time that my family and my husband's family have all been in one place since the day we married 7 years ago.

And this little angel was perfect. She listened and cuddled and enjoyed being passed to each family member. But when the lights were low she only wanted her mommy. My two sweet children. I'm so proud of both of them.

Contagious Laughter of an 11 month old

11 months ago my life changed forever. I became a mother of two. My sleep decreased significantly but my tolerance to the lack of sleep increased. I amaze and disappoint myself each and every day. But, my greatest achievements call me 'mom'. "Mom, where are you?", "Mom, I need you?", a whimper, a smile, and every jabber make my days wonderful. I struggle everyday to be a good mom. I have discovered I am a naturally lazy person. If it weren't for my kids I probably wouldn't get out of bed on Saturdays. But my two kids have forever changed me. For the better I think. My Heavenly Father blessed our family with a boy and a girl. And today, she is 11 months old.

She has a smile that lights up even the darkest room (at 4 a.m.). She has a contagious laughter that warms my soul on the frigid days here in the South. Little M is weighing in at just barely 18 lbs. At this rate a forward facing car seat is a couple of months away still. And that is fine by me. She is eating more and more table food. Strawberry and peanut allergy worry is now in the past. She has tried both with success! She still only sleeps through the night on occasion. But usually only wakes up once a night. I'm still happily nursing her 3 times a day and once at night.

She is crawling everywhere, into everything, and cruising around furniture on the bottoms of her footed pajamas. She and her brother constantly entertain each other. He loves having her in his room to play and she loves it when he plays with her in the living room. She tattles on him already and he tattles on her too. I simple impatient cry let's me know that she doesn't like how B-man is playing. And I often hear "Mom, she's put something in her mouth". B-man's 'tattles' can be considered keeping her safe.
I love to dress her up, put a cute clip or a big bow in her hair. I love to shop online and look for new outfits for my Little M.

She is even a big help when it comes to picking out her accessories. I love this girl! She successfully has all the men in her life wrapped around her finger. Now, that's my girl.

Happy 11 month birthday Little M! Mommy loves you!