2010

2010 has left it's mark, to say the least. We have experienced and seen loss and gain, tragedy and joy, illness and miraculous healing.

Needless to say, we are greatly anticipating 2011 - bringing home our baby girl, recovery and healing of friends and loved ones and all of the unknown that is sure to thrown our way.

One thing I have learned again and again, is that the unexpected may always be there, but so is God. If you can look toward him, trust him and obey him, nothing will be impossible.

Have a happy, safe and healthy new year:)

Christmas Eve and Day

We spent Christmas Eve and Day with Bill's family this year.

Christmas Eve the whole clan plus Uncle Ken came to Bill's parents' home. We ate a traditional meal and opened gifts.

On Christmas day Bill and I went with his parents to April and Jim's. Jim's family was there. April cooked a delish pork roast and lots of sides and snacks.

Christmas with Bill's family is always such a culture shock for me because there is no chaos. With my family, you have 3 major, crowded events to squeeze into 1, maybe 2 days if your lucky. It's fun, but busy. Being pregnant this year, relaxing was the way to go!

It also got me really excited to think about the traditions we will start next year with our little one.

making the ginger bread house

Vicki's tree

Our last year as a family of 3:)

us and the girls

Christa and Wes

April and Jim

Noah in his Lil' Grinch shirt

Vicki and Clyde

Braylee got Bill and Toys R Us gift card;-)

Noah got people crackers, lol

Traditional Christmas trash pic

Momma and Noah exhausted after all the festivities

There was a little less excitement Christmas day, which was nice. I only snapped a few pics

playing apples to apples

Hope everyone had a merry Christmas and has a safe and happy new year!







Top 2 Tuesday

Top 2 New Year's Resolutions

1. Declutter and organize - BEFORE the baby comes.

I need to get this house ready. That means crazy organization of everything. And I actually want it done this week (while I'm off of work).

2. Make a schedule and stick to it.

This is for everything - plan meals, exercise on certain days of the week, do certain chores, etc. We have to be disciplined and keep ourselves in order to have Little Woman on a schedule.

That is all! Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I will get our pictures up eventually - obviously, I'm busy cleaning and organizing right now:)

Have a Very Merry Christmas

Wishing you a merry Christmas:)

Baby Shower Time!

This past weekend was bombard Holly with baby gear weekend - and it was awesome.

I'm not going to write much (b/c there are so many pictures), but it was great and I am so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. From baby's first diamonds to safety basics, this kid is stocked! Thanks to all who came, helped and/or gave to Bill and I. We are overwhelmed with your enthusiasm for our baby girl:)

Bill and I preshower

Dessert table

cake

Mom and I

Nanny and I

 

 

w/ Brit (Baby Girl's Nanny)

My aunts - Corma, Renee, Kathy, Sheila and Libby (Dianne was running late)

My BFF's - Nicole and Courtney and Court's son Jake

Kiddos were everywhere! Little cousins Seamus (cheese!!) and Clara

Mom's side. Growing up, we all lived within 1 block of each other (and sometimes next door)

with my niece

and the kids again...

my goddaughter, Kallie

I think this is the only picture we got of Maw Maw Liz the whole time. She was watching John Wyatt (aka The Tank) while his mommy took the  pictures;-)

Renee and Rayann

Mackenzie with her mommy and nana

Fawn made Mackenzie and Baby Girl matching outfits:)

It was perfection! Thanks again to everyone! I had such a great time and love everything!



Top 2 Tuesday Plus

Top 2 Favorite Christmas ornaments

1. These are a set. They are ornaments my grandfather cut out and my aunt painted. They are probably 16 or 17 years old. He passed away 15 years ago and had been my mom's. I asked her if I could have them for my baby's first Christmas, and she decided to give them to me as part of my 30th birthday gift. I think it was a hint to have a baby. And apparently it worked:)

The other's are ties. The first two are our first Christmas ornaments. They were gifts at our wedding reception.

This one is part of several really pretty ones my grandmother gave me for my first Christmas tree.



This one was the cake topper at our reception Bill's parents' threw for us.



Speaking of decorating, we have been VERY busy around our house.

First, we had the guest bathroom and the baby's room painted. Then wood floors put in the baby's room.

The guest bath was painted a light blue with a silver wash streaked over it. She also did fleur de lis wall mud stencils in different sizes around the room. We have a picture to hang over the toilet that I just haven't had the  patience for yet. I also play to get a vallance for the window and a small cabinet for all the extra stuff we're going to have once Baby Girl gets here.

The colors don't show as well in the pictures, it's actually a brighter blue.

I also couldn't resist a matching tree for the room...

Speaking of trees....

The first one has the ornaments my mom gave me. Plus, I added some fillers. Next year I'll add some more, but I just couldn't find a ribbon I liked. And i ran out of money, lol.

 This is our main tree. It's the first year with the 9 footer, though. Very tedious to decorate, I needed a step ladder. The mantle has stockings that match, though I downgraded the mantle big time this year. Ran out of energy and patience.

 And Baby Girl's room...

Here's the before (my workout/craft room)

And here's the after! The bedding for the nursery is bold and has a lot of teal. I wanted neutral walls, but not boring, so I went with a faux finish by the fabulous Gwen (who also did the guest bath).

And that is all for my super long and random post!