Celebrating Christmas....while sick

Our Christmas break did not start out as planned. I ended up getting sick the week before Christmas as was not able to go Christmas shopping for the extended family or clean the house from head to toe like I had planned. My husband decided that we wouldn't got out of town before the forecast had predicted snow for Christmas and we would have trouble getting back...plus...I wasn't feeling well. This ended up being a good idea b/c Ladybug got some viral stomach thing and got the entire house sick. I was able to get her to the doctor on Friday and get her prescription before everything was shut down. This also let me do a little shopping b/c by the time we were able to get in to see the doctor, she was acting like she hadn't been up all morning sick to her stomach. So, she was good for a couple of hours out on the town shopping with Mommy. Well, the entire house has let this virus pass through our system.....now she is just running a low grade fever b/c of her allergies. I'll take that over vomiting and diarrhea any day!! She is still a little weak. She took a three hour nap and is now in the kitchen w/her father getting Santa's plate ready. She didn't have enough energy to stay up and make cookies for him. That's cool with me b/c Mommy and Daddy are ready to hit the sack early. I just wanted to drop a few lines to let everyone know that I was still here and breathing!!! I left a couple of pictures documenting our eventful "sickly" Christmas! I hope to have the Christmas post up soon!

Pretending to be sick at the doctor.  I am always wondering what they must think when I bring in a little one that is allegedly sick, but is running around like she owns the place.

I love Haribo, so when I saw this during my sick shopping, I was in Heaven!  I didn't even know they had all these different choices!!!

Yes, she is eating pop-ice with her mittens on.  I knew I would find a purpose for these things!!!  This is the only way I could get her to wear them!

Another reason why I love Aldi!  Only $2!!  Better not eat it though!

Decorating her Giant Gingerbread Man Girl!

  

She left this out for Santa on her art table.  She was too tired to make cookies with Daddy.

Remember....it's Christmas!

We took our daughter to a Christmas Party they were having at a local library across town. I saw it being advertised when I took one of my clients to the library. I thought this would be a great idea and something fun for us to do as a family. Well, first....anything that is free.....should be accompanied by a CAUTION sign. All in all we had a fun time, but it wouldn't be worth posting if there was a little crazy mixed in with everything else! Well, we got to the library with plenty of time to spare. We waiting in line, talked ate snacks and then....Ladybug had to go to the restroom. My husband stayed in line while we rushed in and out of the restroom. Once we got out of the restroom the line had moved into the party room. We ran to catch up with my husband and there were these women that were determined to not let us by. I tried to explain to her that we were in the bathroom and my husband was waiting for us at the FRONT of the line. She told me, "You 'gon' have to wait like everyone else". Um....not today, boo. I let my daughter off my hip....called to my husband and sent her to the front of the line. Then...I politely said "excuse me" and walked by. I have no time for silliness! It's Christmas, guys!! Well, Ladybug got the gift she wanted, worked on a craft and ate a cupcake that she described as "yucky". Then we left the area and got in line to wait on Santa. There was a woman sitting in a chair in the lobby that appear very upset that she was not allowed to get a gift and eat with the rest of the children. Hmm....maybe she didn't get the memo that this was just for children. She was quite upset and quoted the Bible that if it wasn't for everyone...God certainly didn't approve. Oh, you got to love Christmas! Well, we made this trip across town to this particular library b/c each year they have a certain Ethnic Santa that I like. He wears an Afro-centric Santa Suit and has long wavy hair and a nice salt and pepper beard. Um...that is not who stepped out of the back room. :-/ Oh, well. Like I said....Ladybug had fun and that is all that matters. I told her the Santa we saw was Santa's helper. She didn't seem to care either way. After we left the library we headed home and got ice-cream. She really liked that!!!

Ladybug is talking with her daddy and trying to decide what toy she wants for Christmas!

This was in the bathroom and was so hilarious!!!

Working hard on her Gingerbread craft.

This is the game that she picked out for herself.  I had no idea that they would be giving gifts to the children!  That was so sweet of them!!!

The finished Gingerbread man!  She is so talented.

Once we left Santa, we went to get ice-cream from Sonic, b/c it was happy hour by then.  I think the ice cream made up for all the craziness!  But, she loved every minute of it!

Ladybug and her bootlegged Santa!  LOL!  I think he couldn't find his wig....not sure what this is on his head.  He is like a Moses Santa.  But, Ladybug looks cute and happy and that's all that matters!

Let's Get Praisy!!!

This is a really fun and challenging link up from thenatos.com. This is my first one to do! The short version of what to do is to link a verse from a modern song to a biblical verse. You can check out the long version and link up at the website listed above. So if you like it, be sure to stop by her site and vote for me!!! I am #70!!!!



Turn up the lights in here, baby
Extra bright, I want y'all to see this
Turn up the lights in here, baby
You know what I need, want you to see everything, want you to see all of the lights.

Kanye West or Luke 11:33-35????

Luke11:33-35
33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy,[b] your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

On the way to Granny & Granddaddy's house for Thanksgiving Day!!! We left Wednesday after work and ran into traffic on the way down. These are a few pictures that I took of Ladybug on the way down! Enjoy the pictures! Leave me a message and let me know if you are a new follower!!!

This is what happens after being in traffice for an hour.  You take off your socks and shoes, put your shoes on your hands and sing if you're happy and you know it.

Ladybug watching Veggie Tales.  I am thankful for portable DVD players.

We enjoyed a trip to the Zoo to see the beautiful Koi fish before leaving for our trip.

Messy Motherhood Link up!

Be Encouraged!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:11
 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.


What’s the best way you have been encouraged as a mom? 

I have had a great support system while being a new mother.  I was new to the area and besides my husband, I only knew my sister, her family & some coworkers.  What helped me the most was surrounding myself with mothers...good mothers....mothers that could be a support to me.  I needed to be nourished and connected with mothers that had a fire in them to love God and be good mothers!  I was fortunate to have mothers and non-mothers that would love on me and my daughter.  Knowing that I "could do this", even if they weren't everyone's way of doing it, was comforting to me.  No, I didn't have all the answers and yes I did ask questions, but at the end of the day I made the choice that I thought was best.  Guess what??  It worked out!!  The first couple of months....well, I'll be honest, the first year, Google was my best friend!  Hearing struggles from other mother's and listening to advice....even the advice not taken, was a great source of encouragement to me.  I just felt the love when I would get a call, a comment on a Facebook post or just people sending their love anyway they knew how.  I liked hearing people tell me that I was doing a good job.  That meant a lot to me and still does!

How can someone encourage a mom that’s been through the ringer.

Sometimes mothers like to know that they are not alone and that they are not the only person that has screwed something up!  Especially when you thought you had almost gotten it together.  I am not afraid to admit that sometimes I'm still not organized enough in the morning and my little one is 2!!!  Call that mother and offer to help her!  You  may even have to insist that she let you help.  It can be as simple as helping her with a chore, letting her take a two hour nap, offering to give her a homemade mani!  Having a playdate with the kids.  Let her know that she and her children are loved and you appreciate her!  Talk with her, pray with her and mostly let her know that she has someone to call or text or whatever.....whenever she needs to!  

You are valuable because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are. –Max Lucado

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-for-encouragement-20-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2CkGKo1Qc

You are valuable because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are. –Max Lucado

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-for-encouragement-20-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2CkGKo1Qc

Encouragement starts at home. How do you & your husband encourage one another??

My husband and I really try hard to encourage one another and use a soft tongue when we speak to one another.  We have learned our love languages and learned to respect them and fill each other's cup.  Now....it gets difficult sometimes and we get careless, but we give our all to each to make sure we are both appreciated.  I give him "Man Time" and he gives me "Lady Time".  We enjoy verbal affirmation with each other.  He helps around the house and I say "thank you".  He gets our daughter ready in the morning and does her hair and I say, "THANK YOU!!!!"  We try to build each other up by respecting each other and loving each other.  It's not always easy, but it is definitely always worth it.

Wow!!!!  This was a wonderful link up and I hope it was encouraging to someone!  I know that I am interested in reading the posts from everyone else!  I love encouraging comments and new followers!

Sunday Social

I am so glad to be able to share with everyone what I am Thankful for in my life!!! These are in no special order.  Making this list of thankfulness really made me look at all that God has given me.  I really didn't make a dent in this, but I need to take a  nap!  I wanted to find a picture of my grandmother, but I can't get it off the computer.  But I am very thankful for her and all of her 94 years that she has been here on Earth!  Have fun reading and don't forget follow me when you're done. I love comments and following new followers!

So thankful for my first born nephew and my middle sister.  This was taken at his play, Sherlock Holmes.  Yes, he did steal the show.....as if you couldn't tell!

So, thankful for my little Ladybug that is a delight and doesn't mind posing for all the photos that I have taken of her.

I love the fact that there are materials to help me teach my daughter about Christ and how He loves her!

I have been pleased with a child that is in good health and loves doing "activities" with her Mommy.

I am thankful for a niece and nephew around Ladybug's age that she can share fun and laughter with!

I am thankful for a loving husband that lets our daughter jump on his back!

I have a wonderful oldest sister and she has raised a wonderful family!

Two wonderful parents that are in good health and that have raised a wonderful family and are very supportive of their 3 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 3 son-in-laws!

Sunday phone dump!!!

Looking like an Alien, getting my hair done!

Playing in her Princess Tower with her hair roaming free!

Reading her Bible.....on the table!

Evidently Mommy is a funny driver.

Lunch!!!

Smooches!!

Yay!!! Daddy's home! Love this picture!

Um....Could you take any longer w/my food, Taco Cabana?

I love new followers and following new blogs!!!! Let me hear from you!!!