December festivities

Tonight was our church's annual ladies' banquet. I decided to volunteer to be a table hostess this year, and my friend Shari joined me. We always have fun together.
I wanted to use as much stuff that I already had as possible. My old sled, a lantern, mason jars, Epsom salt, ribbon, red berries from my backyard, magnolia leaves from a neighbor, candles, burlap, butcher paper, my dishes, and an old book were what I had to work with. For gifts for our guests, Shari made peppermint foot scrub & I found fuzzy socks at Target. My sister was sweet to print me really cute tags for the gifts!
I was excited that I sat between two ladies that I didn't know very well because I wanted to get to know them.
While I was at church, Ron took the girls to Chick-Fil-A for dinner & guess who happened to be there: Santa:).

Girly Christmas Tree & Books!

My Christmas decorations have been in storage for the past two holiday seasons, so I was extra excited this year to decorate our home! I bought this pink tree for Ava when she was one. It's a skinny little pink tree, but I loaded it with her ornaments, ribbon, and dress-up accessories (her fairy wings & tutu & tiara).
I surprised her by having presents under it one morning this week. I saw an idea that said to wrap up Christmas books that you already have to let them open one per day. We have A LOT of Christmas books-- some from my childhood, gifts, and a few I've bought for her. I keep those books packed up with our decorations, so that we have different stories to read during December. My mom always did that for us, and it was fun!

Thanksgiving

Ron & I hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year. Papaw, Aunt Bobbie, Uncle Steve, Mom, Dad, Brittany, Job, Reid, and Grace spent the day with us. Everyone brought wonderful food. We started the day with watching bits of the Macy's Parade and doing last minute straightening up while Ron was working on the turkey. When everyone arrived, we ate lunch. Then the guys visited/watched football while the girls continued to visit around the table. We talked about Christmas and shopping and our kids. I enjoyed it so much. After our out-of-town guests left, we took Ava and Reid outside to play until it got dark.
As much as I enjoyed the relaxing day with my family, my heart broke for Ron. I know the holidays have to be incredibly hard for him, especially this year, his first Thanksgiving without either of his parents. His brother wasn't able to come here this week. I'm so thankful for the times we shared with them.

My sweet baby on her first Thanksgiving

After 37 attemps, this is the best we got of all;)

turkey crafts!

Ava created a table decor for everyone.

This pic cracks me up! Reid was not happy about our photo shoot.

THANKFUL for these three precious people!

Addison, me, & Papaw

These girls have the best great-aunt ever.

 

My girls!

Addison: 6 months

Sweet Addison,
You have brought so much joy to our lives these past six months! I'm overwhelmed with God's goodness! You are just precious in every way. I get asked all the time if you're always so good and happy. And you are most of the time! You can almost sit up on your own; you had peas and sweet potatoes for the first time this past week. I love your smiles, your chunky legs, your sweet little hands, the way you laugh at us, the way you fake cough to get our attention, and so much more. Your daddy, sister, and I love you so much. Thank you, God, for this beautiful gift.

 

 

 

This week...

I am exhausted on this Saturday night. For the past nine days, we have been on the go and busy. Plus I started some big projects this week. Why do I do this to myself?!
Monday- I spent the morning cleaning & prepping for my night classes and then was gone all afternoon and evening to teach. Milestone: Addison had her first jar of vegetables; she loved it!
Tuesday- The girls & I met my mom, Brittany and her kiddos to walk through my parents' new house, vote, and have birthday lunch at El Charro's. Next was Walmart and a visit to my friend Jamie to see their new baby @ new house. We spent the evening watching election coverage.
Wednesday- We went outside to play and paint furniture. I also had to be at church an hour early to set up for a dinner. It was Girls' Club awards night. Ava was excited! :)
Thursday- I helped my mom with some house stuff then shopped at Walmart again. When we got home, our neighbors were outside so Ava played with them while I painted more & visited. Brittany came by to pick up something & ended up coming back to help me with a dining room project. And she brought some dinner over:)
Friday- I helped Jamie with her new house, and Ava had fun playing with her boys. Ron grilled some delicious steaks, and we all went to bed early.
Today- I cleaned the kitchen before showering so we could go to the Girls' Club: Operation Christmas Child wrapping party. It was really fun! When we finished there, we ran by the new Gap factory store so I could get some jeans. And tonight, Lexie is spending the night with Ava. They are having a blast! Ron, Addison, & I are lounging on the couch. I'm ready for bed! It's only 8:45...party animal. We have busy schedules the next two days, so I am hoping for a calm, "get caught up Tuesday"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Love Fall Weekends

The weekend's weather was unbelievably beautiful for November. Friday, the girls and I rode with the windows down and went jean shopping for me. It.Did.Not.Go.Well. I was reminded that just because I've lost five pounds, I still have a ways to go. I walked out empty handed (2 days in a row). I have been trying to decide (stalling) about what's the best way to get back to exercising business now that I have two children...I am all or nothing:/
Anyway, Friday afternoon, we had a picnic outside followed by Ava's schoolwork. It was really fun. Right as we were wrapping up our lessons, our neighbors came outside to play. Then, Shannon dropped something off for me, and her girls stayed to play while she ran errands. We had about ten kiddos running around having a blast. Just when I knew I was going to have to break up the fun to start dinner, Ron called and said the words I love to hear, "Let's grill tonight." Grilling has always been one of our favorite things to do, but since moving in three months ago we haven't grilled at all. We sat outside on the patio with the firepit blazing while Ron cooked the best filet ever. I just sat there feeling so thankful. There's no where else I'd rather be.
Saturday was a whirlwind of fun too. The girls and I had to be at church before 7 A.M. to set up my Rodan + Fields table for our indoor yard sale/direct sales event. After that, we walked through my parents' new house to see the  progress; they're hoping to move in next month. Next was lunch with Meg & Gaines! I haven't seen them in a while, and it was so good to catch up. We also went to some gift shops in Senatobia-- the kind of places where I could spend a fortune! And the next stop on our agenda was to Jilly's first birthday party! It was so cute with the owl theme.
After church on Sunday, we all crashed for a nap. Ava wanted pancakes for supper so we went to Cracker Barrel. And we crashed again at 8:30. I love weekends with my family & friends!

I lived with Carly & Jeanine my sophmore year, and here are our girls: Maggie, Jilly, Ava, & Addison.

school time

Ready for church:)

Jeanine had everything decorated so cute!

Watching the big kids play

I worked on this some more while Ava rode her bike; stained the top & did another coat of milk paint.

sweet sisters!

Trunk or Treat: Old West Style

What a fun night we had with our church and the first Trunk or Treat! It was such a great community outreach. There were 60+ trunks, free popcorn, a huge screen showing Charlie Brown's Halloween movie, bounces for the kids, and a hayride. The trunkers were fed chili and hot dogs before the event started. I heard one head count that 2,000 people came.
Our family partnered with the Ray family to share the decorating of our trunk. Angie and I changed the theme about ten times, sent about eight million text messages, and finally settled on what would be the most affordable with what we already had: Old West with cowboys and Indians. At the last minute they made a teepee; we gathered old quilts, candles, hay, and plaid, and at the end we won First Place complete with gift cards to a steakhouse & movie theater!
It was a blast! And I am tired this morning! Ha!



My cowgirl & Native American...Ava's costume was found at a yard sale last month. I bought those boots for Addison before she was born.

Our "trunk"

Amelia, Maddie, & Ava

This is what was happening when the judges (firemen from the fire department next door to our church) walked by.

Love them!!!

Ava and her best friend, Ms. Shari, and Addison too!

My precious family... We called Ron, Indiana Jones;)

Milk Paint

I woke up early this morning, had Pumpkin Spice creamer with my coffee (Happy Halloween!), and watched a few tutorials from Miss Mustard Seed who was introduced to me by Haven.

I've been reading about Annie Sloan chalk paint and Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint for the past few months. I also considered making my own. Last week, I decided to buy the milk paint-- it's been on the market for two months or less. It's more affordable than chalk paint which I still plan to try someday (I'm curious about it, and everyone loves it!).

So, after watching the tutorials, I ignored the massive pile of laundry and mixed up some paint. The milk paint comes in powder form and you just mix with warm water. I put two tablespoons in a plastic cup and mixed with water. Next, I just started painting it on this piece of furniture that I found in my mother-in-law's storage shed a few weeks ago. I didn't even know she had it, and I love it. I just did one coat today; Miss Mustard Seed recommends two coats. That'll be it for my painting today-- now back to housecleaning, teaching, & prepping for tonight's Trunk or Treat!

 

Love the shape of this and the added storage to our house!

 

I chose the Linen color and also added wax and hemp oil to my shipment.

Coat #1: It was watery like the tutorial said and very easy to apply. I didn't paint the top...considering just sanding it and restaining it.