Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

CHRISTMAS!!!!

We set out cookies and milk for Santa--Addyson was so excited! Christmas morning was so fun! It's the one day of the year that Justin and I were up and couldn't wait for the girls to wake up!!! :) We opened presents at our house and then got ready and headed Vidalia for Christmas with family! Justin surprised me, this year, with several extra presents! Of course, I cried, but am so thankful to be married to such a wonderful hubby!!!

Favorite tradition........

Pre Christmas and traditions!

The whole Christmas season was SOOOOOOOOOO much fun this year! From decorating the tree, reading Christmas books every night before bed, our tradition of watching a Christmas movie and sleeping in front of the fireplace, to the actual opening gifts, she just loved all of it!!! Riley, bless her heart, seemed to be having the time of her life, but I don't think she knew anything that was going on! ;)This was the first year Addyson had ever sat on Santa's lap, but he came to our church for our kids Christmas party and brought Mrs. Claus. Both girls did great! It was such a fun little party--Kim and Fleet and Logan and Baby Fleetwood joined us! They had hot chocolate, cider and cookies, an ornament you could make, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a live nativity skit and animals to pet, a real snow mountain to sled down (which was a little steep for our little ones this year), and a store for the kids to shop for siblings, friends, family... I made all the girls pillowcase dresses and I must say, I am very proud of myself for that! Here are some pics of Addyson's Christmas program at school (Yes, she is dressed like a cow! Each three year old class was something different). She did an amazing job--singing all the words (after she had told me she couldn't sing any of them and didn't know any of them) and doing all the motions at the right time! Here are, also, pics from the party at church!!!

Thankful...

We spent the week of Thanksgiving in Texas, this year, with my parents! We left in the afternoon the Sunday before and drove until we got there--my poor parents had to let us in somewhere around 3:00am! We still managed to get the girls in and go back to bed so it was fantastic. And, they did an incredible job being in the car for so long! We had a great time visiting with friends and families that, still, are so special to us! It was great to spend some quality time with my parents (although it always goes by way too fast) and we celebrated Riley's first birthday. We ate at our favorite restaurant (Vernon's--kind of a hole in the wall, but the BEST ever!!!) about 3 times for lunch, got to see and catch up with some students, and even went back to First Baptist Conroe, the church we were on staff with! My dad and Justin went hunting, fried a turkey, Mom and I went shopping, and we had a great time just hanging out! The trip home was kind of an ordeal with several more stops than anticipated, sitting at a stand still on a bridge in LA, and being exhausted, but we made it home without stopping overnight. As we pulled into the driveway around 6:00am, Addyson (whom we thought was asleep) said, in the sweetest little quiet voice, "Yay! We're home!" Once again, they both did great and we were so thankful for a great trip!!!

Happy First Birthday RILEY KATE!!!!!!!

WOW! I cannot believe that it's been over a year ago that Riley was born! It still seems like a couple months ago! Her birthday fell the day before Thanksgiving this year and we were definitely reminded that we have a lot to be thankful for. We spent Thanksgiving week in Texas this year so we celebrated by going to Incredible Pizza and having cake with my parents! Then, when we got back into town I took little cookies to her class on a Wednesday night and had a little party for her! (The next to last pic is of her and her favorite lady in the nursery, Ms. JoAnn. She really wanted one of her cookies!) This year has flown by so fast and we have fallen in love with Riley Kate more and more each day. This is such a fun age and she is such a character. She is so loving and funny and wild all at the same time. She gets into way more than Addyson ever did and she's keeping us on our toes for sure! We love her so much and are so thankful that she is our little girl! Happy first birthday Riley Kate! Mommy and Daddy and Addyson love you so much!!!

Talking to Jesus!

I wanted to sit down real quick and write about this so I wouldn't forget it! Tonight we got home from church and I put Riley down and was helping Addyson get ready for bed. She was being so sweet and so good. We followed our normal routine: brush teeth, potty, put on pj's, read story, say prayers, hugs and kisses and good night. Well, when it got time to go to sleep, she started whining and saying she was not tired. On her bed was a little book and she wanted to look at it. (Normally, that is what I tell her she can do at rest time because she is trying to give up her nap.) She wanted me to leave the light on and I said no so she started to cry and I just said good night and walked out. She was crying pretty loud and I didn't want her to wake up Riley so I went back in and told her that was enough. She kept saying she just wasn't tired. So, I told her to talk to Jesus! She said, "Oh, ok" and she put her book down. (Shocking--I thought we were about to have it out!) I walked into my room to change clothes and through the monitor I heard her talking. I went to her door and listened in and she was saying, "And, Lord, I told my mommy I wasn't tired and wanted the light on so I could read my book, but she said no. I know there is a light in here, but I still can't see my book. But, that's ok....And, help me to be a good girl and sleep all night in my big girl bed. And, I think that's it. Amen"
I stood there and listened to my sweet girl talking to Jesus! She says the blessing (sings it) and we say prayers together every night, but it is rare that I get to hear her genuinely talking her own words to Him. She called me back in there and told me that she had talked to God and she was tired now! Amazing how when we start and end our day with talking to God, things get better--even for a 3 year old. I think I still hear her talking up there, but at least she is happy! :)And, if she's talking to Jesus--there is nothing I would rather her be doing!