Don't Judge

 

I have had my Christmas decorations up for several days now.  I love everything about Christmas, and the more time I have to enjoy it the better!  I have had a few "you should wait until after Thanksgiving" comments, but I promise I still love and appreciate the meaning of Thanksgiving (even if we are eating turkey with the table decorated for Christmas). 

On another note, I am going to paraphrase from one of the blogs I enjoy reading.  When you have lost loved ones, they somehow magically, mystically come home to you during the holidays.  The things I have of my grandmother and mother are simply priceless to me, and I spend lots of times enjoying them now during the holidays.

The little red bird ornaments were the last things my grandmother made.

 

I can't remember a Christmas that I didn't decorate my grandparent's tree.  She had made TONS of crocheted ornaments.  They simply  weren't my favorite.  The year before she died, she had placed them in a box and gave them to me shortly after we took the tree down.  I tried to gracefully decline, but she insisted.  Now, they are among my very favorites.

 

She also made this pillow.

 

The year  I was born (which  was a very, very long time ago), my mother and grandmother made several variations of this ornament.  I still have about 20 of them. They are priceless to me.  We also have a similar one that Reed's grandmother made.

 

 

My mother made this Christmas Village.

 

The next 2 ornaments are from Lindsey and Caleb's first Christmas. Time flies!  It seems like yesterday! 

 Aunt Sandra made these for Caleb

Lindsey had a couple of other "First Christmas" ornaments that I can't find.  I am really hoping I have already given them to her.





This tray and a matching pitcher were made by my mom.

 One of my favorite ornaments-I love, love, love being a Nana!

Reed's mom gave us the pretty church!  I "acquired" that tray in a mad "moonlight madness" sale at Gayfer's many years ago.  It may or may not have involved me in a slight tussle with another customer.

And on a totally different note, we were so glad to have this guy home for part of the weekend.  He and his dad are working on some projects for his new apartment.

Things have been slow in the blogging world lately, but it should pick up this week. 

Road Trip

I hopped in the truck and rode with Reed to Baton Rouge for a very quick road trip this week.  We went there and back in a little over 12 hours.  I enjoy these trips, but when we were in Home Depot in Hattiesburg after 7:00 at night, I knew it would be a long work day the next day.  I am simply not the woman I use to be!

We usually stop at this neat little rest area on these trips.   This trip we weren't stopping, but I kindly and repeatedly begged Reed to pull in and let me get this picture.  He gave me 30 thirty seconds!  (See things are slow in the blogging world right now, so I have grasp every opportunity I can)

I am not a coffee drinker, but I recently stumbled upon Pumpkin Spice Latte's at Starbucks!  After just one, I was hooked!  Thanks to my trusty IPhone, I was able to locate a Starbucks right off the interstate.  We enjoyed a latte on the way down, AND on the way back!  My accountant son said that no one should spend that much on coffee in just one day! This time we tried the gingerbread and caramel brûlée lattes.  Yummy!  I am trying to convince Reed that a Starbucks would be a great hit in Aliceville. He's not buying into that for some reason though!

Below are some of the exciting things we saw on this trip!  I can't remember the last time I saw an Elsie the Cow truck!!  Love these beautiful flags!  There are purple tigers everywhere-Bless them!

We ate at the Bass Pro Shop and did a little shopping.  This is such a neat store!  It was decorated as winter wonderland. You have to love any store that has live ducks in a pond in the middle of the store! Santa was there, as well as a carousel.  I so wished the girls had been with us!  I left with an $8.00 pair of earrings and a smile!

Can't wait for our next adventure!!

Disney Fun

Disney knows how to put on a production!  Our oldest princess is really into anything that sparkles, so she was super excited to see the Disney on Ice show-Little Bit not so much!  We went during her nap time, and that is exactly what she did!  She snuggled in my lap almost the entire time!  And Nana loved that! The pictures aren't the best, but we had a great time!

Maddie (Princess Arial) got a ride to and from on Pop's shoulders.  Don't you love that side ways ride!  I am telling you-Pop is a good, good man!

Little Bit(Minnie Mouse) also got a special ride from Uncle C.  We were thrilled he got to go.  We simply don't see him much anymore.  That Big Boy job is really getting in the way of my life!  

He may have been just a little tired from the ballgame the night before!

A little pre-show fun!

She knows all the Princesses by name, and loves them all! Total concentration!

We love adventures with our sweet girls!  And in case you haven't heard, they are expecting another bundle of joy next summer.  We are thrilled and shocked!  We learned during Face Time.  Maddie kept saying over and over, "We're having a boy", and "We're getting a brother."  I thought she meant they were getting a new puppy!  I was wondering what in the world they were going to do with a new puppy!!!

Child Labor and Other Fun Stuff

Pop and I love good, free help, and Maddie is a wonderful helper.  She loves doing anything Pop is doing.  She actually helped him unload and stack a bunch of firewood with a smile on her face the entire time!  The best part is that after each wheelbarrow load, she got a ride!

Planting pansies was also lots of fun!!



She decided she was ready to take the training wheels off her bike.  After just a couple of attempts, she decided she would help Pop put them back on the bike. I love that sweet look of determination!

After the work is done, the fun begins! Little Bit is not into helping work yet, but she loves to have a good time! My heart melts every time I see this sweet smile!

She also loves doing everything her big sister does, and Maddie is very patient with her!

Kitty likes to hang out with the girls, too!

We had a great visit with the girls!  No one could have ever prepared us for the joy of being grandparents!!  It just keeps getting better and better!! Next up, Disney on Ice!

Fun with the Cousins

Maddie and Lillian enjoyed spending time with Charley and Josey today.  Maddie then ended the day with a horse ride with Kris and her boys.  I love that they are able to spend time with their cousins!

What a beautiful group of girls!!  Charley and Josey are wonderful with our little ones!

Papa enjoyed visiting with Lee, Christy and the girls. Lee's dog Avery has been experiencing a little bad luck lately.  Check out his cute little collar!  Poor thing!  Also, Lillian enjoyed sitting on the four wheeler.  However, when Pop started it, the tears began.  She also wouldn't ride in the Polaris, so I didn't get as many pictures of her. She and I headed back to the cabin and played with the kitties.

These girls had a ball exploring!

After we got home from Lee's, Pop and Maddie journeyed north to ride one of the miniature horses with Kris.  Lillian and I stayed home, and had lots of fun! It's wonderful having family with some many fun things to do!

Faculty Walk

The Federal Institute of Corrections of Aliceville adopted us shortly after the prison was built.  They have been phenomenal  in their support of our school.  Recently, they sponsored a 5K walk with proceeds going toward the purchasing of Christmas presents for all of our students.  Last year, the employees each adopted one or more students and presented them with wonderful gifts.  We are trying to help this year. I was in Alex City with the girls and sadly missed this event.  However, I want to say thank you to the Warden and her awesome staff. We have  been humbled and blessed by her and her tireless staff!  We think they are a very special group!!

All of these pictures were "stolen" from Facebook.  I truly love my coworkers and wish I could have been there!

My two sweet Jessica's

A mom, sister and baby joined this group!

Mr. Smart, Warden, and employees

 

Hard at it!

Best Faculty Ever!!

It's My Birthday

Birthdays seem to be coming around a whole lot faster these days.  So, when Reed asked what I wanted for my birthday, it didn't take me long to answer.  I told him I needed some new clothes that I wanted to buy myself, and I wanted to see my girls!  After a brief doctor's visit, I headed east and spent the afternoon and night with them.  After a picnic and a trip to the park the next morning, I headed home. Quick, but lots of fun.  I told Reed that just seeing their precious reactions when I picked them up from school made my day complete! We had originally planned on meeting at the zoo, but Josh and Reed were working and Uncle C was out of town with friends for the weekend.

Love, love, love these sweeties!

Little Bit went for a little afternoon car ride

The girls had a ball playing in their back yard! I am amazed by how quickly Maddie is growing up!

This one is such a cutie!  If Maddie can do it, she thinks she can too!

 

 

Early the next morning, the girls and I headed to the Alex City Park for a picnic and a little fun!

 

Little Bit is serious about mealtime.  She held on to her French toast until the last bite was gone!

This trip was somewhat of a challenge.  The park has a great toddler area, but Lillian wanted to do the same things Maddie did! 

A couple of my all time favorite pictures of Maddie were taken here.  Lillian is not quite tall enough yet, but Big Sis tried to help her out!

Just a few months ago, Maddie wouldn't swing down from this rope or pole.  This time she was a pro!

Maddie is very patient with Lillian, which is a good thing!  Lillian is quite determined to be a big girl like her sister.

Before  I headed home, I put on my crown like all good princesses do, and enjoyed a very precious birthday cookie.  Reed met me in Tuscaloosa for a late-lunch/early-supper.  All in all, I had a great day!