MY GIRL (kind of)

For anyone who has followed this blog for awhile, then you are familiar with Jenna.  If you aren't, then she's my niece, but trust me, if you looked at her you would totally think she was mine.  #minime And today is her 4th birthday.  I can't believe it's already been four years since this little angel made her way into my life.   Today I want to celebrate this little lady with a look back over the last four years.  But first, let me show you why she could be mine... it all started at birth. 

Jenna, you are my sweet little niece who I waited years to hug, dress up, put make up and bows on, and make silly faces.  Thank you so much for being just that and so much more.  Sissy loves you, baby girl.  

 

 

A little Luke Bryan Wednesday..

The superstar is baaaaaaaaaaaack!

Happy Wednesday! 

Party People

The past two weekends have held two very special birthdays, with two of my favorite girls!

First up, my mini-me turned 3! I can't believe it's already been three years since that little bundle of joy came into our lives.  I love getting to spend time with her and see her learn new things. For her birthday this year we did it on a smaller scale than the Minnie Mouse Party and the Dora Party.

For this birthday she wanted Max and Ruby, so that's what she got.  We had a simple day of playing in the pool and then jumping in the inflatable jumping castle.  Even I got in on that one and had a ball!

And so by far my biggest challenge yet for Jenna was making her birthday cake.

For this feat, I ordered a bunny cake pan from Wilton and baked two of those. And then for the body, I baked a cake in a 9X13 pan and cut it in half.  Then, in order for it to "fit" I had to trim some out of the "neck area" before icing it how I wanted.  As a guide, I simply Googled an image and did the best I could.

It isn't the best or prettiest creation, BUT it tasted good and I think it wasn't too bad for my first ever attempt at baking a cake for an occasion.  Success in my book.

Then this past weekend we had another birthday to celebrate, my mom.  She wanted to go to Lambert's to eat for her birthday, so some of us loaded up and took a mini road-trip.  It was such a fun day spending time with my family.

Once we got home, it was time for CAKE.  And I made this one too.  This one didn't turn out at all how it was supposed to look, but it was delicious so maybe that helps my case, ha!! 

Hope it's been a fantastic two birthday weekends for my two favorite girls!

My unicorn.

Gotta show off my sidekick...

Cutest unicorn I've ever seen..

EXCEPT..... the best part.....

SHE HAD A TAIL!! 

Be still my heart..



Cuteness Overload!

Last night was seriously one of the best nights ever. 

We thought we had a ballgame to go to at 7:00, but it turned out it was just a mistake, and so our plans for the night got threw off track. 

But I am SO glad they did. 

Bethany, Donna, Blake, Bryce, and Brad all came by my house.  Jenna was already there with me and B and then my mom joined in on the fun.  We thought it would be cute to take a picture of all the kids sitting together on the couch.  Well, it was. 

And then we had another good idea.  Sit Brad & Jenna together. 

Insert major cuteness. 

There was hand holding...

 Blake and Roxie made BFF's... she ate up the attention and he found a new love.  And poor Reagan tried to keep up..haha.

                                            Bryce and B posed for the camera!

                                                                              Can I kiss you?

                                                     The girl smiles.  The boy wipes it off.  Typical.

                                                           Money helps buy love, sometimes. :)

                                                               All the kids! First picture together!

                                                        Bethany got some "girl time!"



We all had such a good time just relaxing and watching/hearing what the kids would say/do.  Those are the nights that life is made of, for sure. 

                            B and myself and all our "babies".  I love this picture.

Now as if this isn't cute enough already, let me make it better.

Not long after everyone left I get a text from Blake.  That's him on the far right in that picture above. 

Told you I could make it better! ;)

New look..

I'm currently sporting a new look.

I wasn't necessarily "tired" of the leopard print because if you know me then you KNOW I love it.    I just wanted something different.  Some lighter...

**Fun note about yours truly:  I sport a lot of leopard print that none of you ever know about.  Yes, ladies, I mean my undies.  I own more leopard print pair than I do anything else.  And I have it in all shades.** 

ha! 

On to a more serious topic,  wait, what?  That was a joke.  I don't have anything serious to talk about today.  I'm going to spend the rest of the day tweaking at the page and making it more what I want.  You know, updating some picutres and things.  

And then since it's nasty weather outside, I'll bust out my Kindle from the bag and read some more.  I'm still currently reading Growing Up Amish.  I haven't finished it yet.  I've been fighting with a headache from hell (sinus) so reading has been last on my mind.  But I think it's getting about that time again!

Oh, and I need to show ya'll what my sweet man did this morning. 

What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.   =)  This ole gal done went and got on the lucky and blessed train!  I mean, seriously?!  HE did that free willingly.   

Again... what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!

Now, just for giggles.. check out the gypsy Jenna.  :)

She had Nana's pajamas on over her clothes.  It is safe to say she is going to be all girl. 

& SASSY!

Have a good day lovies!

Already 2012..?

Okay.  My apologizes for the absence.  I truly have made one of my goals (since I am terrible at "resolutions") is that I will become a better blogger.  Mark my word.  I am even going to start thinking up some topics and writing them in my famous planner.  This should help, yes?

Okay, before I can carry on with this year's agenda.. I must do a recap of the end of my 2011. And since I left off on Kaleb's bday...  

Christmas 2011- I was lucky enough this year to get off extra time for Christmas to get my house ready for the family get together.  You see, my house is always the Christmas meeting spot.  When I closed on my house three years ago (Gosh, where has time went!?) I wanted to have my very first Christmas there.. and now it is the tradition.  While it kind of makes me nervous since I don't have the biggest house, and I'm not used to that many people in my house (along with my huge LEANING ((more on this in a minute)) tree) it is still fun and I'm glad to have my family around for a little while just enjoying each other. 

Well, like I said... I work at a bank as some of you know and we were lucky enough to close at 2:00 on Friday Dec. 23 so I had the rest of that day and then the entire Christmas Eve to get prepared since my festivities didn't begin until 7:00.  We usually stick to 6:00 at my house, but since B is a part of my family now, and he had other family obligations to be at, I pushed mine back a whole hour so we were sure he would make it.  Yes, I love my B.

I wish I had a picture of the spread of food.  (More on that in a minute too!)  But I sadly don't.  When I'm hosting something at the house I tend to forget to actually capture the moments because I'm being a mama hen and trying to make sure everyone is taken care of, ha!  But the spread was good and we all had a fabulous time!


Christmas 2011 w/ Mom and Dad



Best shot I have, once again.. No pictures..

Mama's Christmas furbabies!

My oldest child.. haha!

Well, that's about all the pictures I have from Christmas Eve.  I am hoping to get copies of everything my sister in law took, and then maybe I'll show those off too! :)

Well, once my family was gone, B and I decided to have "our" Christmas together that night.  We had already agreed to not do it with either side of our family since we wanted it to be just us.  So we were both gathering our gifts to start our little merry Christmas and then it happened. 

What, you say...

Well.. the Christmas tree fell on me. 

Yes. You read it right.  It fell.  ON ME.

Crappy Iphone picture..

Okay, you have to look close, but there is a piece of TWINE holding my freaking tree up. 

Fabulous Redneck Christmas special.

Okay, back story on this.  When I was decorating my tree this year, I knew it felt a little "odd" but I thought I had overloaded it with ornaments since I added some different touches to it this year.  So I removed some and it still didn't get better.  I warned my family about touching the tree, that if it fell.. to run for your life.  They all laughed.  I was dead serious and with good reason. So the night before at my house I was trying to be responsible and I moved ALL the presents out from under the tree and grouped them by family.  I know this sounds dorky and while yes I fit that bill.. It was clearly to save my life from the scary falling tree. 

Well my plan worked and my tree survived Christmas with the family.. BUT when B and I sat down to get our presents out... well there she came.  All I could hear was him making strange noises in the background and I looked up to a sea of green/burnt orange/and gold coming at me.  Luckily, B saved me and caught it before it absolutely trampled me down.  But still.. there we were- both of us holding onto the tree that was NOT going to stand on it's own.

You see earlier in the night when I told my family about the tree, my brother made fun of me and told me I could tie it to the cieling. Sooooo..when the tree fell, I did what a smart girl does and takes the brotherly advice-I got the twine.  Thank God for there being a hook in my cieling (I dont know why??) and us being able to save the tree without a room full of disaster!

Well, once the tree was secured to the cieling (okay that just sounds ODD...) B and I went ahead with our gift exchange.  I think he was happy with what I got for him, or at least he acted happy! haha.  But more importantly I have to brag on my man.  He got me a gift certificate to Victoria Secret, which I swear is more for his benefit than mine, but still all smiles... and you ready?....

A NEW FREAKING CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mama is back in the house with her pictures.  I guess anyone who has 2000 pictures on their IPHONE needs a camera, right? :)  Well daddy delivered and mama is happy.  SOOO happy.
I haven't gotten those pictures uploaded to this computer yet, so that's on my "to do" list (that really is lying here by me..).  Anyway, it is a FABULOUS camera and I'm pretty pumped about getting to really use it.  So far I keep forgetting I have it in my purse since I've went so freaking long without one.. that and there is nothing to take pictures of but my dogs.. and God bless them.. they hate me getting on a picture rant.. haha.

And then there was the funny gift from the man..

ALWAYS.

You see, lovies, this man of mine thinks that MSU is the best.. and his woman begs to differ.  So we are and always will be a house divided.   But yes, this tag really is going on my Jeep.  I love him.. can you tell? :)   Anyway, it was FUNNY when I opened the box and saw this.  He sure got me with this one. haha.  Boy keeping a girl on her toes :)

The next day was B's family Christmas.  I should mention that this was the first Christmas I have been to or had anyone at my own in 6 years.  So this was a big deal to me.  But his family is awesome and I had a lot of fun watching them all enjoy their family time!!! So blessed to be a part of it now.  And I got some super good goodies from them too.  I'm still excited about it all!!!

Now, I gotta take a second and pass along some pictures of my sweet girl that my sister law sent me of Jenna.

Remember the Dora kitchen I purchased... here ya go! :)

Love this kid.

I just have to take a second right here and brag on what kind of fabulous end to 2011 I had.  Those that know me IRL or have followed me long enough to see, know I have been through some serious heartache this past year.  But I also got to experience some wonderful memories and some life changing trips.  A special thanks for Mert for that special talk we had in Florida that finally assured me of letting a certain bad situation go.  And another special thanks to Tammy for being the one to encourage me to take a chance of faith and talk to a complete stranger.  That man has evolved into the man I hope to spend the rest of my life enjoying. 

So, 2011 was crazy/dramatic/life learning... it was all worth it to end up where I am right now. 

So that brings me to 2012.  B and I spent the NYE eating pizza and watching Moonshiners on tv.. and I wouldn't have changed a thing.  I got my new years kiss and I got to start this year off with the man of my dreams..

I am living the fairly tale now.  Good luck bringing me down..

CHEERS TO 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!