Looking forward to 2009

As the new year approaches I am reminded of all that things I didn't accomplish in 2008! I never make resolutions, I feel it's better to just not make them as to make them and break them... lol. I do like to set goals each year and I never really put those things down anyplace but in my head. However, this year I'm giving it a shot!

These are the things I'd like to accomplish in 2009 (with 365 days to do it surely I can mark off most of them)
1. Get more financially stable.(this is a big one, I hope to cut out some of the bills)
2. Shed a few pounds, but get more healthy mostly.(HUGE on the list too)
3. Take a fun vacation. (Last year's vacation wasn't exactly dreamy)
4. Read more books. (I read alot in 2008 but hope to read even more, it's a great stress relief for me)
5. Meal plan. (Every week I say I'll do this and I never do, I hope to be much better at this)
6. Call friends more. (I do quite often but it's always to whine, my goal is to call with chitter chatter or great news most often lol)
7. Learn random facts that will impress people. (I said it this way to be funny but honestly I'd like to know some fun things that other people might not know, so I can just throw out "did you know..." randomness and make people smile)
8. Printout more pictures. (I take a gillion pictures a year, seriously it might be more than a gillion, but I hardly ever print them out, gonna do it!)
9. Clip coupons. (I always have great intentions and sometimes do cut them out but never hardly use them. Let's hope they put some worth having in the paper)
10. Be a better Mom! (this will always make my list and is my main priority. I really wish to be a better Mom, I feel you can always improve)

Here's hoping 2009 is as good or better than 2008! We had a great year so even just much of the same would be great. Better than 2008 would be just fine too! :D

Welcome New Year!

So spoiled & blessed!

Christmas has come and gone and it was such an amazing time!
We were blessed beyond measure with our wonderful gifts and time with family. It was a great holiday and I was sad to see it end!

Here's our run down!

Girlie: (these are just gifts listed from anyone and everyone for her)
Hannah Montana guitar
9 different movies
Princess CD player
Portable DVD player
Cupcake Maker & Carrier
Hannah Montana Stylin' head
Littest Pet Shop playhouse
Puzzles (some really neat ones)
Build A Bear toy
Polly Pockets
Cash register (it's so neat, it scans real barcodes)
2 photobooks of her life (Year 1 & 2)
New shoes (that I had to return because wrong size - must order new online)
New coat
Few shirts (Hannah Montana, cool sayings, etc)
All kinds of Bitty Baby stuff (High Chair, fake food, mobile, canopy and several outfits)
Engraved bracelet
Pink ring
Misc Stocking Stuffers (including shapable soap)

SHE WAS SPOILED and I'm sure I'm missing things.

James got the following:
TONS of iTunes
PS3 (which he adores by the way)
Clothes (hoodies mostly which he asked for)
Cologne
Movies
a few odds n ends

I GOT :)
Celine Dion tickets (YAHOO!! - Mom and I will be going on the 13th)
Automatic Remote Start for my truck
DVD player to be installed in my truck (will be in back of headrest)
Laugh. Dance. Cure shirt from Ellen
Jon & Kate + 8 book
cool kitchen stuff
office stuff
Bath & Body works
etc.

As a family we got Rockband 2 for PS3! FUN TIMES!


Again, we were spoiled! I'm so blessed!! WE are so blessed!!
I hope everyone had a splendid Christams. We are gearing up for the new year and Girlie's 4th birthday. Just one short week and my baby will be 4 - TIME FLIES!!

From the Withrows to you - we wish you a very Happy New Year!

Unto you a child is born this day...

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.'
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.'

"How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'

The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.'
'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' Then the angel left her. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city called Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them at the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them,

"Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born today in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. "

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
"Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."

And they came with haste, and found, Mary, Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.'

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.'
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!

Christmas approaches!

Well, 6 days and counting! I can't believe that the holiday season is upon us and in just a few short weeks it will be the year 2009!!! It's such a fun time of year but it seems that every passing year gets more and more stressful, busy and with things as they are now, more expensive with less money.

I'm excited for Christmas. I am. But in alot of ways I'm dreading it. I dread some of the reactions to gifts I'm giving. I have no idea if my nieces and nephews will like their gifts. I usually do well with the girls gifts, so really I guess, I worry that the boys won't like theirs. Oh well, I tried! I know Girlie will absolutely adore everything she's getting. She's such a lover of Christmas. She keeps saying "it's not Christmas yet" and I'll reply not the actual day but it's "Christmastime" She loves that word and has now taken to using it often. "Momma it's Christmastime" I love it. She's enamoured by the lights and sounds of Christmas. She sings Joy to the World constantly and even throws in her French version of Jingle Bells. I love hearing her sing them. But what I'm most excited about is her waking up Christmas morning and coming down to presents and stocking. That look on her face when she sees the present she's asked Santa for since September.
However, I don't want the real reason to be overshadowed. I want her to know the real reason we even celebrate a Christmas. I'm a spiritual person and I want to include that. I love that she learns so much about Jesus and bible stories at school. Just the other day she said "Momma, who saw the big burning bush?" Then she proceeded to tell me the story. I love it!

I do wish the season was much less materialistic than it is. Girlie really isn't getting much this year compared to previous years. She gets so much during the year that it's unnecessary. I'll say that and then all the gifts my mom has purchased for her will outnumber mine by 50. UGH!

It's also difficult since her birthday is just like a week and a half after Christmas. And gift wise, I always put more weight on gifts because that's HER day :) My baby will be 4 this year (in just a few short weeks) where did time fly off to?

I'm actually in prepare mode for family coming to us tomorrow for a Christmas celebration. I do hope that I'm ready for them. I sure had a hefty grocery bill for it! Most I've spent at the grocery in forever! For one meal!!!

Happy Friday everyone - 6 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Around the World

On Saturday, Girlie participated in her first ever production. Her school had their 2nd annual Christmas Around the World Pagent. It was the most adorable thing you've ever seen! :) She was so stinking cute singing Jingle Bells in French and then Joy to the World with the entire school. I was so proud of how well she did and she wasn't too frightened to be on stage in front of everyone :)

I have a few pictures on my other camera at home (will upload those later) but here is videos to hold you over!

Singing Jingle Bells in English & French (it's a little long, but so darn cute)

At the end, the entire school sang Joy to the World! SO CUTE!!

OH I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I'm such a sucker for this type of thing too! It was a blast!

NEW PICTURE!

Girlie got her first school picture taken a few weeks ago and I just picked them up today. I couldn't be happier with them. She looks like a doll! The lady that was selling them said ok, get out your checkbook before she even showed them to me.

She's such a ham!

I love them though - see what you think!

Neglected... sorry!

I've seriously neglected my blog the past week or so. I'm sorry about that. Life has gotten so busy! I've missed you blog and I promise not to stay away long again. lol

Things have been crazy here. My brother and family came in on Monday before Thanksgiving and it's been a whirlwind since. We did something with them everyday they were here. We did jump zone, the movie Bolt (SO CUTE!), ICE! at Gaylord (fantastic, the Grinch), 4am shopping (so wonderful, I adore Black Friday!) and a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner fit for a royal family, which we are!

The sad part came when they left and my baby got really really sick :( On Saturday Girlie started getting sick, well she was sick on Saturday morning when she woke. She had a fever of 101.3 and complained tons about her throat hurting. I knew she had strep throat, it had to be. Called the Dr and they couldn't see her on Saturday but said that they could on Monday but to bring her in on Sunday (walk-in) if she didn't get better. She didn't, in fact a little worse as she broke out with a rash on Saturday afternoon. I thought she was allergic to Tylenol all the sudden since I gave it to her that day and hadn't given it to her for years, I use Motrin. Turns out Girlie has SCARLET FEVER! When the dr. said that I just sat there with my mouth open. I didn't even know that still existed. It's caused from strep and is a terrible itchy rash and strep and high fever. Lucky after a few doses of antibiotics she was better. She's nearly 100% now. She was so sick!

Today I'm going to Frankfort, KY to see my peeps! :) I can't wait to see my girlies. This is our 10th Christmas get together. It's so hard to believe we were in college 10 years ago. That seems so long but then it doesn't. I feel so old when I say I've been out of college for 10 years. CRAZY!
In any event I can't wait to see the girls. I'm leaving at noon today to go there and I'm so excited, as is Girlie - to see Chelsea!

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! :) Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!

LOVE!

I am thankful...

for my family - my hubby and daughter are THE BEST! But I have a fantastic extended family too!



for my friends - I have the most fantastic bunch of friends God ever gave someone. I don't know what I did to deserve them, but I'm glad I did it!



for my job - I'm lucky to work someplace that I actually like and during times like these I'm thankful for not only that but that I have a job that appears to be stable.



for my life - I have a wonderful life. I'm healthy and happy and have never wanted for much ever!



FOR GOD! - He's my rock and continues to bless me beyond measure daily. In the words of my brother, I'm much better than I deserve to be! :) So blessed and so thankful for all he has bestoyed on me!

What are you thankful for?

I hope everyone has a very happy and fulfilling Thanksgiving!

*GOOBLE GOOBLE*

Girlie sends her best at Thanksgiving as well! (she wrote every letter, I just added the cute turkey)

It's hard to say goodbye

Tonight is a sad night for me!
My cousin and kids are having to move back to WV tomorrow! I said my last goodbyes for who knows how long. I'm heartbroken! Eventhough we sometimes go months without actually seeing each other I know they are down the street if I need or want them!

Girlie has gotten so close to Aunt Shelly and even adores DeeDee and Zack so much. It's going to be so tough knowing they aren't in LaVergne :( I've already had to say goodbye to Michelle once. When I was a teenager she got married and moved to Germany with her husband. I was devestated then. So crushed. I remember the day she came back from Germany like it was yesterday. (Ah, it's my blog I'm sharing the story...)
My grandmother owned a beauty shop (she's hands down the best hairdresser around) and I went to the shop nearly everyday after school. Well this was just another day and I had just gotten home from school. When I walked into the shop someone was holding this most adorable little boy. He was about 8 months old or a little more. I asked who he was and they said Zack. I was like Zack who? And Michelle walked out of the restroom and I ran and hugged her. It was so great seeing her! I can remember that moment so vividly!

Michelle's always been like a big sister to me. Growing up I wanted to be Shell. She was the best in my eyes (and she still is). It breaks my heart that they are moving so far away and I won't be able to see her often or almost never. I hope that it's meant for us to see each other more often than I anticipate now.

So, Aunt Shelly, Zack & DeeDee we wish you guys the best at your new life in WV! We'll miss you so much but know that we are thinking and praying for you! Don't ever forget you have a home right here in TN! And maybe someday we'll get our chance at another fantastic reunion!

I LOVE YOU! Miss you already!
*KISSES*

My little composer

She has always loved music. I can't even remember a time she didn't. Even at weeks old Celine Dion calmed her like no other person could, not even me! We're lucky enough to have a fantastic piano at home and she spends tons of time there pecking at the keys. I have hopes that she'll be able to play someday. However, this morning she was doing more than playing. She was what appeared to be composing! She had her little notepad and pencil and was playing a few notes and then scribbling on her pad. WOW! My little Mozart! <3 id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270400376763205234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKnzYrNQAVWlcBG-aQLxB__y1J7ibOFlUqTRJpqYzyNtENE67iC9kkE5XaHAHB76LQ9sVjuDBD6fHy11gzrMeUUZgy7v-WP-AI09zEb-FxwhQUF_wTsKcdTjwpebuGCevuLBgdby9Xdg4/s320/IMG_7564.jpg" border="0">

She's also sporting her new haircut that Grammy K gave her! It's so cute.

Maybe someday you'll be hearing music composed by the great Girlie!

Whatever happens in life...

it's not anything that a big fat chocolate chip cookie can't fix!!

Girlie got a treat at Starbucks! Mommy gets hot chocolate and she gets chocolate chip! Addicted much?

No. 44!!

Well, it's over. The big race has been run and the winner is Obama!

Girlie should be happy with this as her support for Obama never waivered (I'm sure Crystal had something to do with this hehe) This video was taken way back in February! She already had the chant down! Everytime you'd say "Who is going to be our next President?" she'd reply "Obama"

So the morning after the election I asked her "So who IS our next President?" and she glady said "Obama!" What other 3 year old has such a political view already?

This is the shirt Girlie wore on election day to school! Would be nice if her shirt becomes reality! :) I think she'd do a fine job!!

I hope the next term serves us well! I'm definitely proud to be an American, always have been, and I hope this term doesn't make me jaded!

I wish Obama well! Welcome to the White House Mr. President!

Valet parking where?

Ok, so on Saturday I was at a local store and found a lovely sign plastered on their doorway. The sign not only took me by surprise but seriously peeked my interests enough to post a blog about it.

Now if you are a local and know the location of this Walmart you completely understand why they need valet parking but overall isn't it nuts to think that a Walmart is offering Valet Parking?

Since when is going to the cheapest store in America at enough of a level to require valet parking? It cracks me up!

Notice at the bottom of the sign it says "Just one more way we are helping our customers save money and live better!" How is valet parking saving money? I mean, I know it's free but you should tip the guy and it's not really saving me anything if I don't even tip, it's just not costing me anything. And how is it helping me live better? Living better doesn't really mean having someone else park my car so I don't have to walk very far. Thus, creating an even lazier customer base!

Oh this just all makes me chuckle!

Also, I can't even imagine the caliber of peeps they have doing the valet parking - is your car safe?

JUST SAYING!!!

Fall Festival/Halloween Party

Girlie's school had their Fall Festival/Halloween Party today. She went dressed as a Fairy and Bitty went dressed as a puppy! :) Mom and I were lucky enough to attend. The kids had a blast but man those teachers are a blessing, I could not do that all day!

My beautiful babe!

They had two pinatas and she was such a good hitter that they let her go first the second time! She kept hitting and hitting and hitting that thing - think she's got some pent up anger :/



Her teacher, Ms. Tawana, got in on the action too! So much fun!



When it broke the kids didn't really go rushing, they had to tell them too and then they were very selective about what they picked up. Girlie was very selective and only picked up the things she liked! lol

See her checking out the loot before putting it in her bag? LOL

Then it was time for lunch! Mom and I prepared all their plates while they broke the pinata! They had the cutest little ghost shaped sandwiches! Her and her friends!

Girlie loved that we brought Bitty Baby along and she was telling her friend MJ that he could hold her! :) SO SWEET!

I'll be going to get her to trick or treat at work soon! She'll be a pirate then! Many costume changes today! Then we'll trick or treat at home! SUCH FUN TIMES!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

The Halloween Festivities continue

Carving pumpkins is so much fun and ICKY too! Sydney was lovin' the icky parts as well as the fun! She drove right in and was up to her elbows in pumpkin' guts LOL

"See a seed Momma!"
"What's this?"

"Oh this is neat!"

Our smilie face (Sydney chose this)

She can't wait to see it at night lit up! She's so excited about everything today and so tired already!

She keeps saying "Momma put a candle in it!"

SO CUTE! I love having a kid. It makes me acting like one not seem so outrageous LOL

Gearing up for Halloween!

I'm so excited for Halloween (I've mentioned that before here). We did our first "Halloweeny" type thing on Friday evening with Henry & Family at the Nashville Zoo. Their annual Halloween event is "Ghouls at Grassmere" and it's so much fun!

Our pirates!! H & Girlie had a blast and looked fantastic! The cutest kids there BY FAR :)


Girlie getting a treat! I have to say that this year they gave away much nicer things than last! It's really a big advertisement for some companies that participate but it's FUN!


Our second big Halloween thing was creating our pumpkins. We aren't finished with them yet (will be carving one tomorrow - nothing like waiting til the last minute) but we had these neat Mr. Potato head type things for our other pumpkins. Girlie LOVED them and enjoyed picking out what went on each pumpkin.

Then I had a little fun with the pumpkin decorations too! :)

It's funny how things have changed since I was a kid. We NEVER had mr potato head decorations for our pumpkins! What's the world coming too? LOL

Patty Cake Patty Cake - Er - I mean Patty Bread!

Girlie's school usually provides lunch, however, today they had to bring their own lunch and in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness they asked kids to bring their favorite pink lunch! Well, being the overdoer I am I had to go all out!!
She had pink applesauce, pink tinted ranch dip for her carrots, pink lemonade, pink mac & cheese and Nannie even made pink bread for her sandwich!

I had dinner out with Stephanie last night and when I got home I came home to this!!!!

Having a little too much fun with flour!

Although she really did help Mom out!

And we even had flour footprints in our living room!

The end result was the cutest pink lunch you've ever seen!!!!

And some of the cutest bread animals EVER!! That are pink marble inside! LOL

It's so much fun being a mom!!!

Graffiti Artist!

I've always wanted to paint a wall with chalkboard paint. ALWAYS! I FINALLY DID IT!
I painted Girlie a space in her play area that she can be a graffiti queen!! She loves it so much! Some people say I'm just giving her permission to write on the walls, but I'm actually ok with that! LOL

Us painting it!

She loves it so much!