Third Times a Charm!

The first visit to see Santa was a complete disaster.

The second visit, with Mrs. Claus, wasn't much of a success either.

Who am I kidding-our fake Santa & Mrs. Claus people weren't even a hit.

However, we did manage to get 1 good picture with Santa this year before he tried escaping his arms.

My Big Boy even walked up to him all by himself.

So to celebrate, we had a little Bass Pro Shop fun :)

Wipe Your Nose Like a Gentleman

Fortunately the flu has managed to stay away.  Unfortunately the sneezing, runny nose and cough hasn't.  As much as I hate to see my baby sick, something just warms my heart when I see this.

Step 1: Get a tissue.

Step 2:  Wipe your nose like a gentleman.

Step 3: Cough on purpose and cover mouth with tissue.

I love that he is so very independent at just 17 mths.  I love that he uses his manners like he should.  I love that he initiates it.  I love everything about him.

St. Nick

On December 5th, Phoenix placed his shoes by the fireplace in hopes St. Nicholas would come by that night and fill them with goodies.  This is what he woke to.

I guess regardless of what Mama may think at times, this just proves that he really has been a good boy :)

No Interest

Phoenix had no interest in picking out a tree, decorating the house, or helping decorate the tree.  At least I know my ornaments are safe :)

However, he did have some interest in what was under the tree :)

Celebrating in a Big Way :)

Well, we rang in 17 months with a fat lip and a busted nose.

Needless to say, it hasn't slowed us down any!!!!

A Few of the Many...

Reasons I'm Thankful:

1. Phoenix

He is my WORLD.  He is my EVERYTHING.  I eat, sleep, breathe HIM.  I would have it no other way.  He makes my life worth living.  He makes me strive to be bigger and better each and every second of every day.  He brings tears to my eyes and smiles to my lips.  He comforts me without saying a word.  He is the man I fell in love with long before I held him in my arms.




2. Jason

He is my rock.  My sanity.  My happy place.  He knows when I need to be comforted even when I pretend I'm okay.  He understands me better than anyone in this whole world.  He just gets me.  He is my best friend.  Even when we're fighting.  He gave me God's greatest gift and he loves him more than life itself.  He is tender hearted and not afraid to show it.  He cries with me.  He laughs with me.  We go up together and down together, but we are ALWAYS together.  GOD IS A GREAT MATCHMAKER.


3. Anna & Victoria

My two precious Goddaughters.  My love bug and my sassy frass.  
My responsible 8 year old and my wants nothing to do with me 2 year old.  My Blessings.    In church each and every Sunday learning the ways of the Lord.  Praying and acting in ways grown adults could learn from.  They make my heart proud.  I love them like my own.  They are so dear to me.  My heart grows each and every time I see them. They bring pure joy to my life.  


4. Anna, Abbie, LuLu, Suki, Ya-Ya, Isaiah & Andrew




All 7 of my nieces and nephews bring so much to my life.  Each in their own unique way. I love each of them like my own and treat them that way.  They are all so full of personality.  They are all so very different.  Anna is the responsible one.  Abbie G is the home body.  LuLu is the wild child.  Suki is the inspirator & teacher.  Ya-Ya is the doll child.  Isaiah is the genius.  And Andrew is the punk.  I wish I could see the boys more.  I wish I could spend more time with the girls.  I just hope they all know how much I love them.


5. Adopted Aunts

Phoenix has a group of Adopted Aunts.  Aunt La-La, Aunt K-K, Aunt Kissa, Aunt Mel & Aunt Jen-Jen (from left to right).  They also happen to be the dearest friends of mine.  We are both very lucky people.  These woman love this kid like they love their own children.  Its blatantly obvious.  They do anything and everything for him at any given moment.  Their love is pure.  Their hearts are full.  Their arms are open.  Oh, and Phoenix just happens to love them too.  He doesn't think twice when left with anyone of them.  He is right at home with each of them.  They definitely make mine and my child's heart happy.

The list could go on forever.  Like God.  I am forever thankful for him.  He plays a major role in my life on a daily basis.  He is the center of our family.  He is always there for us, never judging, yet always forgiving.  He is Awesome.  Like my parents.  Although we haven't (and still don't) always seen eye to eye, they have always been there for me.  They have taught me, shaped me, and shown me things that I am now instilling (with modifications) in my own child.  Like my sisters and my brother.  We couldn't be more different.  However, I am very thankful for that.  Because of this, they have help teach me so much about life.  Not to mention people.  All of our lives have been completely different from the start, and still are to an extent but I'm thankful I have them to show me that sometimes its okay not to be exactly like each other.  I'm sure they would totally disagree though.  Like Jason's family.  Although I don't know them all that well, I am thankful for them.  They have shaped him into the man he is today.  The man that is teaching my son how to treat a lady even at such a ripe age.  Because of them, Jason truly understands the importance of family and fully cherishes our time together.  Like my church family, who is really just an extension of my family.  I have grown up with them over the past 33 years.  We have experienced a lot together.  I love that they are Family.  I love that Phoenix has so much Family.  I love that we are so close and I am thankful that we do this all in the name of God.

Again, the list could go on forever and ever.  I have a life that gives me millions of reasons to be thankful.  Not just today, but everyday.  I'm going to try and do better about remembering that.  So to all those on the list and all those not specifically mentioned but who deserve to be, Thank you.

Elf Party at Blue Willow

As soon as I heard about the Elf Party at Blue Willow this year, I knew I wanted to take Phoenix.  I called my cousin Mindy and asked if she and Hollis wanted to join.  Hollis is about a month and a half younger than Phoenix.  They always have a lot of fun together and have been great buds since birth.  It was originally scheduled for Labor Day, but due to rain got rescheduled for today.

After last nights bottom issues, I was so scared we weren't going to be able to make it.  Well, Phoenix did well through the night, even though he did wake up with poop coming out of his diaper.  After a morning bath and some quiet time in his bed, he seemed good to go.  No more explosions, thankfully!

I got him up and dressed and the poor kid was still exhausted.  I really wasn't sure we were going to make it.  I was literally counting down the seconds until 9:00.

We passed the time by putting away dishes that were already put away :)  Mama's big helper!!!!

But that only bought be so much time.  I knew we either had to leave or we weren't going to make it.  So we left.  Mindy, Chuck and Hollis were running a few minutes late and since we literally live like 30 seconds away I tried to entertain Phoenix in the parking lot of Winn Dixie (since that is where parking for the event was).  That wasn't much of a success, but it was totally worth it once we made it over to Blue Willow.  I didn't even attempt to bring my camera or pull out my cell phone, but thankfully Mindy was able to capture some great moments for me.  Thanks Mindy!!!

So as you can see, everything was a big hit.  Well, everything except Santa!  I think Santa looks just as startled as poor Phoenix!  Apparently this was the first kid to react in this manner :)  

We even got to write a letter to Santa, color a picture of the Nativity and make our own reindeer food!  Did I mention get our picture taken with Santa, get a balloon animal, have our face painted, watch a movie, play games, meet jingle and jangle (not really sure what their names were), and more.  All for $4.00.  Seriously-it was fabulous!

I tried blowing it up but you still couldn't read it.  Sorry.  

Hate that you can't see his beautiful coloring here either :(

Reindeer food.  Maybe I'll send some with Jason on his next hunting trip!

This is definitely something I would recommend.  Something that I am definitely planning on attending again next year!  Phoenix and Hollis both had a great time, as did Mindy and I.  I can't say the same for Chuck, but I guess thats to be expected from a guy :).  He was definitely a good sport though!