Happy New Year!

It seemed like Christmas would never get here, and now I can't believe it's over.  Having a child certainly re-ignites the fire in all of us over Santa and presents and fun.  You sort of grow up and forget what Christmas is like through the eyes of a child.  Having Lu has made the season so much fun.  I hope that she gets to be a mom one day (when she's 35 or older) and can experience the joy through her child's eyes too.

We have a few traditions we do each year during the season.  One is mine personally, and I've done it for over 25 years.  I call one of my best friends on the planet and ask, "What did you get?  What did you get?!?!?!?"  When we were 7, Amber would exclaim things like, "A new barbie!"  Now we both laugh because it's things like, "I got a kid in my bed at 5:30," or, "I got a new dust buster."  Funny how things change, but I swear I'll call her and ask every year until I'm dead or too old to know who she is.

One tradition Lucy loves is making snickerdoodles for Santa.  She and her Mimi jump right in and mix, roll, and bake each year.  She also sprinkles "Magic Reindeer Food" in the front yard on Christmas Eve.  We also go to my parents house (with both sides of the family) on Christmas Eve for food.  Lots of food.  Christmas morning is insanity.  Lucy rushes to the playroom and begins the unwrapping, clothes changing, singing, unwrapping, playing, changing, etc.  Then we go to my parents house and do it all over again.

Needless to say, the days following Christmas, we're pretty tired.  Here are some of my favorite shots:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Perspective

After the horrific events yesterday at the elementary school in CT, you have to stop and put things in perspective.

I won't let the little things my child does bother me so much.  If she wants to wear earmuffs to bed-ok.  If she acts like a wild woman, ok.  I will laugh  more about it.  I will take joy in her craziness.  I will hug her every chance I get.

                              

I will not take for granted the fact that each day hundreds of parents charge my husband and I with the care of their own precious angels.  I won't forget to say thank you to the people in my life who have done so much for me.

Hug your sweet little ones.  After yesterday, you never know what this world will throw at us next.

The Halls Are Decked

It is 5:45 a.m. on a Saturday and I am up.  Why not blog?!?  Sleep is elusive these days, and I'm not sure why.  The woman's brain is an interesting thing.  As soon as my eyes pop open, it's all over.  The mind clicks on, the sleep is done.  Oh well. 

Now is the perfect time to update all of you out there on what we've been up to...

FIRST-Halloween was a complete success.  Little Raggedy Ann was a happy girl all day and night on the 31st.  She even won the costume contest at her school!  But I mean, look at her, how stinking cute is she?  This is not your average pink power ranger type costume people.  I will say, don't be fooled by that cute face.  A few days AFTER Halloween, she decided to unleash on her pre-school teacher when she asked Lucy to clean up.  The candy was dumped (with the exception of a few really good chocolate pieces that I thought might be good for bribery later).  ANYWHO...

SECOND-As you got from today's title, the halls are decked in the Moore house!  Bryan let me decorate the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving!!!!  That means this week while we were off, we got ALL THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE!!!!!!!!!!!  Well, we haven't found the "pink ballerina race car driver with a blue race car" that Lucy told Santa she wanted, but other than that small gift, we're done!

THIRD-We had Thanksgiving.  Bryan and I had 3 days off from work=amazing.  We did nothing fancy for the day.  We lounged in sweatpants-literally, and ate a lot.  It was equally as amazing as 3 days off.  Let me tell you, cooking is WAY overrated.  Hello Buddy's BBQ smoked turkey!!!!   On a more serious note, we do have a lot to be thankful for this year.  Bryan got a job, no horrific car accidents, heart issues, or parents in the hospital this year.  We can pay all our bills AND buy Christmas gifts for our family.  Much to be thankful for!

FINALLY-We always go to East TN Children's Hospital "Fantasy of Trees" (their big fundraiser) each year the Friday after Thanksgiving.  That's right folks, as cheap as I am, you will NOT find me out at midnight looking for a deal with all the crazies and their big purses.  I will pay that $5 extra and buy the gift the week before to avoid all the nuts that are out in the middle of the night knocking people over for ninja turtles (YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE).  Anyway, we spend the day after Thanksgiving getting in the Christmas spirit.  Lucy gets to see Santa, make lots of crafts, and help the hospital all at the same time.  This year, we got there early (so mom and dad could get the good senior discount.  We went straight to Santa's lap, where Lucy embraced him with a hug and told him about that pink ballerina race car thing I mentioned earlier.  She was so thrilled!  We proceeded to get her face painted, decorate (and eat) a cookie, ride the carousel (the bench ONLY, as she's still terrified of the horses), make several cheesy crafts, and this year, we took Lu to the preschool kids show.  It sort of made you want to kill yourself, but she really loved it, so I guess it was a success!  Now she keeps asking if Christmas is tomorrow.  It think she's in the spirit for sure!

 

 

Now, Christmas is in ONE MONTH, and my baby girl will be FOUR in 3 months!  She says she wants a "Pump it Up" party.  She totally hates that place and won't jump on one single thing.  I'm going to have to come up with something way better.  I have a birthday somewhere in the middle, but am contemplating skipping it this year.  Unlike my girl, I no longer enjoy a birhtday quite like I used to...

Hope your holidays were and are merry and bright!  Oh!  I thought about maybe doing a Christmas card this year, you know,  because we have some cash flow again.  Hubby isn't to thrilled, but I have a REALLY CUTE idea.  We'll see who wins the battle.  Check your mailbox!

Happy Fall Y'all

It's hard to believe it's almost Halloween.  Fall has literally flown by this year.  I have to say, it is my absolute favorite time of the year.  I don't think there's any place in the world prettier in the fall than east Tennessee.  It is GORGEOUS here.

This time of year I always want time to slow down a bit.  I hate when all the leaves have gone and the cold winter sets in.  I love the smell of a fire, pumpkin spiced everything, and the way the sun hits the tree tops and makes the oranges, yellows, and red pop.  I love seeing Lucy run through the leaves, pick them up, then throw them with all her might and dance around.  My Grandmother Flo and Grandpa "Dada" would sure have loved to see this kid growing up.

I dreamed about my Grandmother last night.  I can't believe she's been gone 6 years.  She was my great companion on Saturday nights, she taught me how to tell time, count money, and eat my piping hot oatmeal without burning my mouth.  In my dream we talked and talked for what seemed like most of the night.   I love it when God allows me to "visit" with those I've lost.  It also makes me realize how much I take time and the good things in my life for granted.  I am reminded that just like with fall, seasons in life change and are difficult.  Through it all though, we should all stop and appreciate the good.

So far, this season has been good.

Hubs turned 33.

We introduced the critter to the fair.

We ventured to Dollywood for the first time as a family.

 We've gone to pony parties.

Been a part of a good friend's perfect day.

Got crafty! (Which isn't helping our team)

And we've stopped to take time to enjoy God's beautiful creation.

HAPPY FALL!