Our Forever Princess!

My boss' son always picks with me about Lily and says, "what will she do when she finds out she's not a real princess?"

We always laugh about this question because Lily is treated like a Princess and probably does think she is a Princess. She loves to dress up like one, and the funniest thing is she calls headbands - "Crowns."

I saw these books in our local Christian bookstore and I got to thinking about this one day, and you know what, Lily will never find out she's not a Princess because she is a REAL princess. She is the daughter of the greatest King of all.

Isn't that the greatest gift ever? I can't wait to buy Lily some of these books and teach Lily more about being a child of Christ.



Speaking of our Princess, this is how her daddy dressed her after her bath for supper the other night. "A true Princess must wear her crown at all times"



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Jump! for your love!

Lily got her much requested "jump" from Santa this past year, and she is loving it. It was finally warmer weather so we were able to get outside this past week, and do some jumping!

Mommy is definitely feeling her age and Lily is so full of energy. She could jump for hours and never get tired. I am excited to finally her a "jump." I never had one as a child mostly because I was so clumsy and they didn't come with huge nets back, but we are really enjoying it if the weather will cooperate with us.

Here are some pics from our jumping adventure.

What? No Pictures?

My last couple of posts have been missing something very important! Pictures of Lily!

I have been taking pics, but forgetting to upload them, so here are some to catch you up on our growing girl!

Our girl of many questions

Since turning three, Lily has became more mature and very inquisitive lately. She wants to know "why" about everything, and we better have a good explanation because she has questions about our explanation. Here are couple of examples of the good questions we have been asked by our smart girl:

While she and I were watching TLC one night, she asks..

"Mommy, what's wrong with that lady?"

"She's going to have a baby."

"Mommy, how does that baby come out?"

Mommy thinks for what seemed like forever, because mommy didn't realize it was time for this question and hadn't prepared a proper answer and responds,

"at the hospital, the doctors help the mommy get the baby out and a stork bring the baby to the mommy" - HA! Definitely not the best answer, but I've been thinking about what to say next time she asks and hoping we can revise this. (What have you told your kids about this?)


Next question...while eating at a local restaurant..

"Daddy, why is that man in that chair with wheels?" (loudly)

"Shhh, Lily! Don't talk to loud." "He hurt his legs."

"What's wrong with his legs, daddy?"

"He hurt them and can't walk so he has to be pushed around in that chair like we push you in your stroller"

She thinks for a while and seems to accept this answer...

While at church during the sermon one day a couple of weeks ago, Lily decided not to go to children's church..referring to the preacher, Lily asks me,

"Mommy, is he mad at us? " (loudly)

"Shh, Lily, whisper.."

"He's yellings at us, mommy"

"No, he's not mad, he's just talking loud so we all can hear."

a few minutes later..

"mommy, why does he keep talking about Jesus?"

"because he's supposed to tell us about Jesus, Lily"


There's many more where that came from, and I'm loving every minute but also learning I need to be much more prepared for these questions because they aren't getting easier and I know my answers are going to stick in her head so I don't want them to sound crazy.

Not Me! Monday - It's been a while!

As I was reading, MckMama's "Not Me! Monday" post this morning, I realized it's been quite a while since I done one myself.

I figure it's about time I remind myself of the things I would never ever do!

The past week was a challenging one for me and BJ. We started our new diet plan, attempting to follow Weight Watchers. Five pounds later, I am trying to be more motived this week after a successful week last week. I did so great all week with no candy or sweets, but this weekend, being at home, stuck inside from the frigid cold temps, I would never sneak in a couple of flavored Tootsie Rolls in, and not count them in my points. That's totally against the rules!

We were so lazy this weekend..and I would never admit that I am starting to get used to it and I'm afraid I'm getting spoiled. This is not good, because it definitely won't be cold for too much longer, then it's time to get outside and work on our yard.

Speaking of being lazy, Lily didn't feel good this weekend. Poor baby is sick with a cough and cold. She and I would never stay in our "jammies" until 1 pm on Saturday, and I would never watch the Hannah Montana movie twice with her on Saturday. I'm not sure why she has suddenly discovered a love for movies, but she loves them lately.

I could go on and on, but I better not reveal all of those things I would never do. I hope everyone has a great week. I'm already working on a post for tomorrow about Lily's new in-depth questions she's been asking lately.

Chilly nights..

Just finally got my Christmas look off of here and now trying out something new! Hope you like it and hope it looks ok, since yours truly designed it..It's probably upside down or something, hehe..

The year so far for us is going great. I am still feeling yucky some days with my sinus problems, but it's ok. It is really cold here right now...It's been a colder week than we have had in over 10 years. Tonight's low is in the low teens so it's gonna be chilly. All of my plants even though covered and protected are freezing and we are just not used to this in the deep South. We are used to lows in the 30's at the most.

Next week is looking warmer and I'm already planning for Springtime and Easter. It's gonna be a great year.

(Oh, and I started a diet this week. So far so good, haven't weighed yet but tomorrow is my big day so pray for me. It's really hard!)

A Whole New Year!

Happy New Year! I am excited about 2010.

My family and I were blessed in 2009. We had a great year. We did have some sad things and disappointments, but most of all, we are healthy and have everything that we could ever need. God has blessed us, and in 2010, I want to be closer to Him, most of all.

I have my resolutions, as usual, the main one being to eat healthier and exercise. I really need to focus on this. We stay so busy running that we eat quickly and I eat quickly and sometimes whatever is easiest. I am definitely a person that easily gains weight. I can look at a cookie and gain two pounds, lol..I want to stick to this, this year..

I also want to be a better wife and mother. By doing this, I want to try and be more slow paced. A couple of things that have kept me busy in the past are coming to end, so I want to devote more time to church and my family.


I pray that 2010 is year full of changes for us, all for the better.

May all of your resolutions come true this year!

It's Christmastime!

We have had such a great Christmas season so far. Lily has loved everything...She is in love with Christmas lights and singing Christmas songs. I am so behind on posts and really, really need to catch up! Here are some pics to summarize our Christmas season this year!

Lily is loving Nativity scenes this year and the whole Christmas story. Here she is at a local Christmas lights display all in the manger scene, haha..
She smiled with Santa...this was a Christmas miracle in itself..
Checking out the lights ...
Waiting on our hometown Christmas parade
At her dance Christmas party...

Posing by our Tree - she is such a poser!
Our angel - in her first Christmas program at church..She did sooo good!
Making our gingerbread house..
Posing again...
My fav pic of the year! It's shows the joy of Christmas..

A Stroller Full?

Lily came out of her room the other day with her stroller ready to go shopping. Do you think she could fit just one more baby? She looked like the "Duggars." (On a serious note: Please pray for their newborn 1 pound baby by the way.)

She's so cute and such a good mommy to her babies.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Kelly's Korner Blog is doing "Show us your Christmas Tree!" this week, so I thought this would be a good time to show you some of Christmas decorations inside my house. I still haven't taken pictures of everything but this is most of it.

I just want to stop December and let it last longer because it always seems it goes by too fast for me and then it's over..On Christmas Day, I always have a bittersweet feeling because we can't wait until Christmas but when it's here, I'm sad because it's here...

First off, this is a table in our small dining room. I love the plates on the bottom. I got them at Walmart and thought they were so cute!


This is my dining room table. I'm not completely satisfied with it. I have the hardest time with my table. Any ideas?There is definitely too much red going on. I'm looking for a different table cloth/or runner.


Top of my frig..just a bit of Christmas cheer up there..


Kitchen window - snowmen collection


Our Tree - I use red and green throughout my house, except for Lily's room. She has a white tree with bright colored ornaments. (I will add a pic soon)


Fireplace mantel (Sorry for the dark pic, It's hard to capture lights in their true glory.)


Entrance to the dining room/kitchen


My carport door - (Sorry it's sideways)



That's a good bit of our inside decorations. It's a lot of work, but I love doing it.

I also want to give a "shout-out" to Jamie - who is in the process of creating a blog design company and she is offering "free templates" for a couple of days so be watching for my new blog design. You can visit her site by clicking the button below. Great blog designs!

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Hard to Believe She's 3..

Saturday was Lily's actual 3rd birthday even though we celebrated with her party two weeks ago.

This year, I cannot believe more than ever that my precious baby is already 3! The time has flown by so fast. There is nothing she can't do or say. She is so smart and talented, and I am more proud every day that she's mine.

To think that her next party, she will be 4, makes me sad :( Four is old, but don't get me wrong, I enjoy every day with our sweetheart. She is the best blessing that God could ever give BJ and I.

I cherish every moment with her, and at this time of year, especially, I am thankful for my wonderful family - my husband, and our princess, Lily!

Lily's 50's Elvis Birthday Party

This past Saturday, Lily had her 3rd birthday party (she turns 3 November 28.) I always start planning in July every year and this year when we asked her what she wanted, she always said an Elvis party. (My mom got her to loving Elvis and she loves Jailhouse Rock.) An Elvis party with a 50's theme was our plan and it turned out wonderfully.

We couldn't have asked for a prettier day and it was so easy to have a fifties party, so many ideas out there to help me out.

Here is Lily all dressed up in her poodle skirt from Ebay. She was so pretty and so grown up.


Here is some of the decorations and Lily's cake. The lady that made her first bday cake made this one and it turned out perfect. Very yummy too!


Here is Lily with her cousins, Erin and Jayla before the party.


Lily posing with her cake.


Closeup of the cake


We had a hula hoop contest and the kids were so funny! Lily loved it!


BJ and I in our 50's attire

The birthday tent before everyone arrived.


We had a very special guest at the party - Elvis himself dropped by! I found his outfit at a local discount store (Dirt Cheap) for $7!!

Elvis and his mom



Our family pic with Elvis


Elvis and his favorite little girl. Elvis was a hit and everyone thought he was so funny. We had a fun time watching him dance and entertain everyone.

Time to open presents. She got so much and was so sweet and thanked everyone individually.



Excited over her iron crowns that she got from Aunt Sue and Uncle Jackie. She thought they went on her head.


Posing with some of her friends


Some of her best friends - Lily, Jancie, Aimree, and Allie Jewel


Everyone posed behind this car stand-up that my handy dad built.


It was a great party. Everything turned out perfect and it was a beautiful day.

Vacation

We are enjoying a week of vacation this week, mostly at home, and its been great so far. We are getting ready for the big 3 year old Elvis-50's party this weekend. Lily is so excited and so are we!

Look for lots of pics and details coming soon!

Now back to enjoying a week devoted to spending time with my family and just catching up on some things around the house.

Our Little Mermaid - Halloween 2009

So far, we have had a great week celebrating Halloween 2009. We definitely have been busy but it's been worth every minute.

Here is Lily below wishing everyone a safe and Happy Halloween. She completely chose her costume this year on her own. From the beginning, she has told me she wanted to be "mermaid" so we made a special trip to the Disney store where she had her selection of whatever character she wanted to be. I convinced her to try on Minnie Mouse but she wouldn't hear of it. She wanted to be mermaid and as you can see, a mermaid she is...She looks so grown up in her costume. It makes me sad that we are getting ready for her 3rd birthday party in 2 weeks - it's going to be a great one. I can't wait to share pics from this week and more party details soon!

Friends

Lily's sweet friend from daycare, Aimree just celebrated her 3rd birthday. She had a Strawberry Shortcake party, and it was so cute. Lily had the best time!

Lily and Aimree have been to daycare with each other since they were around 3 months old so they have grown up together.

Even though the weather was cool, Lily had the best time with Aimree. She's still talking about going to Aimree's party.

Wasn't the cake so cute?


I love this pic!


About to cut into the cake. They kept sneaking icing off the cake.


I just loved this pic. I am going to get it framed for Lily's room.