and then it was over

My family packed up and headed South yesterday morning.  We were oh so sad to see them leave, but delight in knowing they'll be back soon.

Little man enjoyed his Christmas more than he ever has before.  He cautiously crept out of the bedroom Christmas morning with Lofton holding him tight, but leaped to the ground when he saw Santa's bounty.  A train table & new trains, a horn, lots of cars, a construction hat, books, and much more.

Emo and Buck gave him many, many presents but his favorite hands down is his Auburn football uniform.

It took much convincing to get him to take it off last night.  After two days of wear it needs washing.  What a sight Reese was, trolling Target in full pads and helmet, yesterday.

Christmas 2011 is in the books for us.  We cleaned up the stockings, put up the twinkly lights, and carted the trees outside.  Yep, it's all gone.

But we've got lots to keep us busy the next few days as we count down to the New Year.  A birthday, a visit with friends, and some good ole snuggle time with Harry.

Meet Harry.  Our new addition.  He's soft and cuddly; two requirements in Reese's book.  He's joined Mr. Rabbit, Leo the Lion & Peter Rabbit as a nighttime companion.

The bed is getting crowded, friends.

good tidings

The final presents have been delivered {thank you UPS}, wrapped or carefully hidden, and our advent calendar is down to the final two days.  It's hard to believe but after weeks of preparation the most wonderful time of the year is upon us.

My parents are on their way and aside from a grocery store adventure sure to cause me anxiety {i think I'm borderline agoraphobic} all my last minute errands have been accomplished.

What hasn't been marked off my list, won't be. And I'm a-okay with that.  I'm ready to settle down and enjoy this special time with some very special people.

Merry Christmas to you & yours from our little family.

a gift

Lofton and I aren't big on gift giving to each other.  Primarily because we put so much work and money into house re-doing that there isn't much moolah left to go around.  Also, with our anniversary, Christmas & my birthday being separated by only 12 days... it could get pricey real quick.

With that being said, i stumbled upon a little something that I had to get Lofton for our anniversary.  I'm so blown away by how it turned out that I wanted to share.  I wish you could see it in person because it really is stunning.

It's a watercolor portrait of our old house.

Obviously, this is a picture of the picture but you get an idea of it's awesomeness.  I randomly found a vendor on etsy, sent her a photo from our real estate listing, and after a few emails back and forth to answer some questions about colors/porch furnishings/plants this is what I was sent.

It's just the perfect rendering of all the work Lofton put into the house.  No matter what the new owner changes to make it hers we can always remember what it looked like when it was ours.

whirlwind

The last week has been whew.  I'm a little bit glad it's over and a lot of bit glad to slow down for a break.
 

Pete the Pirate.  A gift from one of my teacher friends.

Between Christmas happenings at home {neighborhood party, luminaries, pre-k Christmas program and party} and happenings at school {poetry recitations, ornament making, testing, parties}, I'm spent.

snuck away to stare at this face for a anniversary date

I've literally been falling into bed at night and dragging myself out the next morning for work.

I never do that.  Ever.

Pre-K program.  Humorous.

But this morning?  Blogging from bed while drinking my coffee.  And enjoying some cartoons with my favorite companion.  No school for us today!  And we are excited.

And we have lots of countdowns going on:

• Countdown until Emo, Buck & J-Man's arrival- 2 days 
• Christmas/Jesus's Birthday- 3 days 
• Our visit to see Tiger Baby, her mama & the doctor- 9 days.  

Woot!

six

Tomorrow the hubs and I will celebrate six years of wedded bliss.

Six years of pizza dinners on Valentine's Day, house renovating adventures, and more blessings that I can count.

Six years of wonderful.

campaign 2029

Here is my star, practicing for his Heisman:

Since it's looking like he isn't going to be the giant we initially projected, we're grooming a QB.

Basically, he's a stud athlete.  But a smart one... 

houston, we have a problem

Lofton and I have lived a pretty blissful existence these last three years. While other parents struggled with babies who crawled out of cribs, or toddlers who wouldn’t stay in bed, we’ve smirked... scoffed, even, at those people because our sweet boy always was content to stay in his bed until we went in to get him. Sure, he doesn’t sleep at night, but he’s always been happy just to yell our names {over and over again} until we rescued him from the bear cave. Until now.

Yesterday morning, I followed my usual morning routine {except for my back issue but that’s a whole separate blog post}. When I walked down the very dark hall to get Reese up, I was startled, quite literally, to find the toddler standing at the end of the hall. Ready to greet me. Shoot.

I told him he surprised me, explained that it was dangerous to get out of bed without us knowing because the house is so dark, and we went on our merry way.

Except not.

THIS morning, Chuck Norris climbed himself out of bed, walked down the long dark hall, went into the kitchen, opened the pantry and then got himself some fruit snacks. Oh yes he did.

Hell’s bells. This is an issue.