A Thankful Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving came and went quickly. It kind of makes me sad. I enjoyed having Andrews side of the family here.

We ate lots of food till our tummies were full, visited, played games, watched the kids play, and then ate again. You can’t beat that.

I must say though that my first Thanksgiving meal was 100% successful, from the Turkey to the giblet gravy. I also must add that the tablescape was just as awesome.

I truly enjoyed every minute of Thanksgiving. So I just want to say that I’m thankful that God gave me two hands and feet that work, so I could get everything prepared in order to feed my family.

I’m also thankful for… (In no particular order)

* My sweet husband for jumping in and helping me all the time, even when I don’t ask.
* For my kissable, funny, loving, healthy, smart little girl who I adore so much
* Andrew’s job that he works hard at everyday
* A roof over our heads
* Food to fill our stomachs
* A nice comfortable bed to sleep in
* Old friends and new friends
* An awesome family on both sides who loves us unconditionally and will do anything to help us out
* For our State Troopers, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and everyone else who keeps our streets and high-ways safe.
* For our country and the troops who put their lives on the line everyday for it.
* The chance to go to college and finish my degree
* Cleaning supplies because I love a clean house
* Books, because I love watching Eden try and read and for myself as well, when I get a chance to sit down in a quiet spot
* Candles or just anything that makes my house smell warm
* The Razorbacks (Gotta love those hogs even when they don’t win, because winning and losing is a team effort.)
* A car that gets us from point a to b
* Cherry-Vanilla Dr. Pepper a guilty pleasure
* Our health
* The ability to go to the doctor anytime we need to
* All four seasons (especially fall it’s my favorite)
* Our church family
* My faith in God and the power of prayer
* The opportunity to give rather then receive
* I’m thankful for Jesus who died for our sins, the opportunity to live an open christian life for God without being persecuted, and second chances without those three things life would be meaningless.

I didn't get very many pictures by the way actually I don't think a single one. I guess my mind was on other things. So I stole these pictures from aunt nutmeg.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Also, if anyone knows how to change the picture settings on here let me know. I want to be able to click on my pictures when I've published them, so that they will be bigger when you look at them. Thanks

More blogging to come. We have a big week ahead of us.

Also the big reveal of Eden's early Christmas present from Santa.

Twenty Month Letter

To my sweet little doodle bop, who mommy and daddy love more then anything.

I can’t believe you are twenty months old. That means you’re four months closer to age two then I’m ready for you to be. I guess I could call you my little two year old (not to rush things by any means) you are tall for your age, 90th percentile. When you smile your sweet little smile, I can see that you have all your teeth. Your mind is a constant sponge. You can count to ten, thanks to daddy’s help. You can even say the whole alphabet with our help. You are talking in sentences. Your most favorite things to say are: sugar is sleeping (sugar is uncle hunkies dog) or baby is sleeping, come here, come on, more please. You say other things in sentences but we can’t always understand. We try, we really do.

You are one active little girl. You love to run in circles, mostly around me. Jumping and spinning will keep you occupied for a long time. Walking backwards and on your tip-toes is so funny to watch. You definitely keep your dad and me on our feet constantly.

Not only are you active but you have a little ornery in you as well. Your orneriness has come out more in these past few months. You love to scream, mostly when we are in public. I’ve actually seen people cringe because you have a really high scream. Mommy’s always said screaming hurts people’s ears. Usually when you scream really loud like that in public, I do tell you that it hurts people’s ears and to try something else like singing or whispering. That only works for just a little bit and then your back to screaming again. I know you mean well and I try to understand that you are a toddler that loves to hear her voice, especially when it echoes. When you keep disobeying me though we go to time out, usually a quite place where no one is around. Guess what, time outs don’t really work for you. You actually think they are fun and you usually laugh. So we’ll keep exploring what works and hope I keep my sanity. HAHA!

Oh little miss, you’re a mess. You certainly love doing everything yourself. You’re very independent and that’s a good thing. I just didn’t know independence happened so soon.

Other things you like to do are read. Pinkalicious, Princess Baby, and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt are some of your recent favorites.

You know what else you like to do? Be silly! When it’s time to take a bath or put your clothes on, you run really fast, jump on the couch and hide underneath the pillows, all while screaming at the top of your lungs.

While working on your animal sounds, I asked you how a cow goes and you knew right off the bat…Mooo you said. I then ask you how a dog goes and you said…Mooo, laughed really loud and shook your head No while saying no and then said ruff ruff.

You also love to sing. When we’re at church you usually sing at the top of your lungs. I smile every time.

Eden, sweet princess, you’re a blessing. Mommy and daddy love you with all our hearts. Always remember that. We love watching you grow and learn new things. We are so proud that you’re our daughter.

I have an announcement to make!

No I'm not preggers, but I hear there's something in the water.

For real though.
I really can’t believe it’s the weekend before Thanksgiving, but here it is staring me right in the face.

I’m actually really excited, ahem… NOT that I shouldn’t be because I mean it’s Thanksgiving and that means lot of good food right? Well this year I get to fix my first Thanksgiving dinner for my family. Every other year we have been at my parent’s house or Andrew’s parent’s house. So, I’m hoping that all the food will turn out as planned. I’m crossing my fingers and toes and hoping for a miracle.

My in-laws are coming as well as my sister in-law, Aunt Megan, Uncle Mark & Aunt Renee, and Uncle Robert and Aunt Amanda’s Twins. I wish Robert and Amanda were coming too, but they have to work. We will truly miss you guys

With that said, there is lots to be done between now and then.

Good thing I’m OCD about things. I spent all last night making our menu as well as making the shopping list.

Are you itching to know what we’re having?

OK!

We are having:


Turkey & Dressing
Sweet potato casserole
Green Bean casserole
Cheesy Potato casserole
Mashed potatoes & Gravy
Fruit Salad
Cranbury Sauce
Roasted Carrots

For Dessert:
Pumpkin Pie
Caramel Cream Cheese Pecan Pie
Chocolate Pudding Pie

YUMMY!

I’m pretty sure I just might gobble till I wobble, and then work out/ fast everyday after that. I’m just say-in.

Well, now that you know I’m super pumped about our Thanksgiving dinner. You must know that I was equally excited about going to the Mistletoe Fair with my good friend Elizabeth today.

It was my first time to go and I had the best time! Thanks girl for inviting me.

I must tell you though that I bought several things that I’m excited about. A lot of the things I bought I’m giving as gifts. There is one gift specifically that I can’t wait to give Eden. We will be giving this one to her early, right after Thanksgiving. Am I leaving you in suspense? The present that we’re giving her will be the start of a new tradition that we hope to carry out every year before Christmas. I’ll give you one hint and that’s it. It sits on a shelf.

When Eden finds out you’ll find out. HAHA! I’m so mean.

Ok, well it’s time for some shut eye.

I'll leave you with a picture of us from last year about this time.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

I’ve got more to say so come back again. Hope to see yall soon.

Precious Giveaway!

My good friend Elizabeth is doing an awesome giveaway!
Just like everyone, she is ready for the Christmas season. So with that in mind, she is generously giving away a monogrammed onesie or t-shirt with a Christmas theme.

To enter, visit her precious blog and become a follower, that’s one entry, as well as blog about the giveaway on your blog, that’s another entry. After doing both of those things, leave a comment telling her you did both.

I can’t wait to see who gets this wonderful gift. So go, go right now to her blog.

I hope you don’t mind Elizabeth, I stole a picture from your blog of sweet EG to show everyone just how cute this onesie is, but also to show everyone how precious EG is in it as well.

I love to help

Mommy loves it when I help!

Like when I help sort the laundry

Mommy also says I’m becoming a big girl and I can feed my own dolls

Mommy says I’m the best at making up a bed.

I’m going to have to agree with her.

Mommy loves to see me happy, especially in the mornings

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I'm 19 months old and mommy's little helper. Could it get any better then this?

Our day at the ZOO

Thursday was a beautiful fall day, a perfect day to go to the zoo, so that’s what we did.
We packed up our things and headed to the Little Rock Zoo.

I was so excited for five different reasons.
1. It was Eden’s first time to the Zoo and couldn’t wait to see her expression when we saw the first animal.
2. My BESTIE Hannah got to go with us. She lives in LR now, which is just 2 hours away instead of four. YES!
3. Ashley my other good friend also came with us. She has a little girl named Addison who is so precious. I even got to hold her. Addi just melted my heart. I love holding little babies.
4. The 4th reason is kind of selfish but, I haven’t been to the zoo in a long time and couldn’t wait to go myself.
5. The 5th reason just made me jump up and down. The Zoo has one of the oldest Carousel rides unlike any other I’ve ever seen. This is one of Eden’s most favorite things to do, ride the carousel.

So, when we go to the Zoo the first thing we did was ride the carousel. Eden was so excited and daddy was more then willing to ride with her.

Eden could do this all day if we let her.

When the ride finally ended she wasn’t to happy.

That is until we saw our first animal. HAHA, ok she was really excited, but she also hadn’t gotten all her nap out.

The lemurs

This guy was huge!! He was climbing everywhere. It was so fun to watch what he was going to do next.
This is our lovely group. I really enjoyed going with everyone.
Can't we as parents all attest to this picture?

A little baby pulling on his momma or daddy.

After the zoo we said goodbye to our friend Ashley and Addison and headed back to Hannah and Tyler's apartment. Which is so cute by the way!

We talked for awhile while Eden slept. We really enjoy their company. They are so sweet.

After Eden woke up, we went to eat some really good pizza.

Let me just say that even though Eden got a small nap... it was not enough for her.

We decided to take a picture anyway after a long day at the zoo.

This is what the outcome was.

limp arms, exhaustion, and delirious

Even with all three of these things, we had an amazing time.

I can't wait till our next trip to the zoo.

Our little bee

Saturday was Eden’s big début as a bumble bee. I can’t believe I didn’t get very many pictures on my camera, but I know who did Gammy and I’ll have to still them from her.

My parents came down for the weekend to hang-out and see Eden in her cute bumble bee costume. We had lots of fun especially Saturday.

Saturday we had trunk or treat at the church we attend, so I decided to decorate my trunk this year. It was so much fun finding different things to decorate our trunk with. I think my mom enjoyed it just as much as I did.

I of course had to dress up a little bit, so I was a rocker chic.

Guess who this is?

Yep, it’s Andrew. He insisted on getting the mullet wig and this shirt. Gotta love him!

Here is our cute little bumble bee. Like I said I didn’t get very many pictures. Boo!

Isn’t she cute though? Ok I’m bias.

To sum this weekend, I would say it was spooktacular!