If the Shoe Fits....

...then you probably should think twice before wearing it outside!

We have had an enormous amount of rain this year. While most of the country got snow and ice we got rain...and more rain. Our yard is a soggy mess, which makes trying to get the car near impossible when you have on cute shoes. These are now my go to shoes....

Heath bought me these for Christmas and I am glad he did, they have saved many a shoe.

Cute shoes in the bag, rubber boots on and out the door I go. Don't worry I do change out of them once I get to my destination!

1 year later....

One year ago, we were all awaiting the arrival of this little face....

and 361 days later this is what she looks like!

To My Sweet Livey Lou,

I can't believe it's been one year since those chubby pink cheeks made their debut into our lives. You give us some good laugh girly, what a ham you are! Uncle Heath and I think you are the cutest "Fat Baby" we have ever seen! Happy 1st Birthday Alivia!

Here are a few more pics from the party...

I love these sweet faces!

How Cute is this!?!

To the next 10 years....

Here is a look back, over the past TEN years...

I started out the new millennium as a first time home owner,

since then I have lived in 5 different homes.

I have worked as a children's artist, office manager,

and a retail manager but,

I spent most of the past decade working for David's Bridal.

I have been a bridesmaid exactly 4 times in the past 10 years,

and sewn countless bridesmaid dresses (and Wedding Gowns)

I have been out of the country 4 times including 2 cruises

I have swam with dolphins and snorkeled

I have had my toes in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

I shopped on Rodeo Drive,

walked on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,

And put my hands in the exact spot that Marylin Monroe once touched.

I have learned that Panama City Beach is the best place to vacation within driving distance.

I have learned to LOVE wine!

I have passed out 3 times from drinking too much but,

have never gotten sick from it!

I have had my heart broken,

I have fallen out of love.

I have gotten divorced

and survived it!

I have become a strong woman.

I have been on blind dates and dated online

My family looked at me like I was crazy but,

I met the love of my life

I put it all in God's hands and

My love asked for mine.

I moved to Georgia and missed Texas like crazy

all for love.

I married again,

this time under a tree in the summer sun.

We celebrated our vows in Savannah that night,

I have been back countless times since then.

We have walked hand-in-hand on the beach more time than I can count.

I have learned to dance.

I have lost a grandparent.

I am thankful that it has only been one.

I have longed to be a mother

and I have become a step-mother.

I have watched my sweet Emily grow

from a shy little girl, to a beautiful young woman.

I have had held 3 nieces,

I am waiting to hold the 4th.

Each of these precious girls bring joy to my heart.

I turned 30!

I have lost my four-legged best friend

and gained 2 new fur babies

I have been to see Britney Spears, Kiss, Aerosmith, Rascal Flatts, Gary Allen and Blake Shelton

in concert

I have experienced a house fire

I have become a land owner and a home owner again.

I have learned to slow down and breathe.

Ten years ago, had I known what my future held, I might not have believed it.

I can't wait to see what the next 10 years may hold for us!

Welcome 2010!

1 more makes 4

It is my pleasure to announce the birth of my 4th niece....

Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hand of God.- Barretto

Name: Presley Elizabeth

Birthday: December 29, 2009

Time: 6:33 AM

Weight: 7lbs 12 oz

Length: 20.5"

Proud Parents: Brandon and Ashlie

Proud Grands: Gary & Rochelle and Bob & Linda Beth

Proud Aunts: Brittani, Brooke and Melissa

Proud Uncles: Heath, Ryan and Justin

Presley chose to make her debut less than 12 hours after we left for Georgia. Hopefully we can come back to see her soon. I am the only aunt that didn't get to hold her :(

Congratulations Brandon and Ashlie, we are very happy for you and your new addition!

Christmas at a Glance

This post is a brief glance at our Holiday Fun, if I didn't summarize we would be here all day!

Decmeber 14 - 18

Emily and Adam were in town. We enjoyed spending time with them and celebrating Christmas.

December 24th

We make our way into Texas, we land literally as it begin snowing. Our first stop was Taco Bueno as usual. A short visit with Nana at the hospital and then home for fun and games on Christmas Eve with the family. We can now officially say we have had a "white christmas".

Here we all are in our Christmas Shirts, we decided next time we will do Tacky Christmas Sweaters.

December 25th

We had our traditional Christmas breakfast, Dad's taquitos and salsa. After opening gifts, we headed out into the snow to my Aunt Kathleen's house where we had lunch with family.

Almost all the cousins, we were only missing Melissa and Rick

After lunch we headed back over to see Nana at the rehab center (she had some mini strokes about a week before Christmas)

After our visit we headed back to the house for naps and a little Wii action.

December 26th

Saturday afternoon consisted of bumming around and more Wii. Saturday night however, we all went to Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie. If you live in the area this is a must see holiday attraction. You drive through a huge light display, then you can get out and walk through another area that also includes rides, food and a light show.

After the lights, we headed to dinner, and the Heath and I and Mom, Brooke and Shai went to Billy Bob's for a little dancing.

December 27th

On Sunday, we had lunch with some friends from high school, then one last visit to Nana. In the evening we went to spend some time at Brandon and Ashlie's house and enjoyed yummy pizza together.

December 28th

I got up and went to have breakfast with Jamie, my best friend from high school. We didn't have long but we enjoyed our time together. While I was out with her, I got a phone call, that they were taking my dad to the emergency room. Turns out he had a stroke. They sent him home but, he returned to the hospital and was admitted today for further testing. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. After some debate, we finally wound up leaving as scheduled around seven.

So that is our holiday in a nutshell. I will post our other exciting news in my next post. I didn't feel it should be lumped together in the holiday post.

All I want for Christmas is...A little more Time!

I have been lagging behind in the blogging world since Thanksgiving. I can never seem to find enough time to fill you all in on my oh-so-exciting life. I actually have a list of about 20 things I need to be doing right now! Instead, I have opted to give you all the juicy details that you have been waiting for. So, here is a December update....

We put lights on the outside of our house for the first time ever. It was much easier than I thought it would be. Although, the tough part is going to be getting Heath to take them down...and no I don't have a picture. Sorry, I know how you were all on the edge of your seats, waiting for one.

Heath and I have decided to add one new decorating item to our Christmas collection each year, as our budget does not allow for us to just rush out and buy whatever we want...This year it was our outdoor lights and the lighting and decoration for the top of the cabinets. So we had to use our sad tree for one more year. It is beginning to look like the Charlie Brown tree. Bits of limb were falling off as I was trying to decorate it...again no picture, sorry! Next year though, I will have the tall, skinny, pre-lit tree my heart desires.

Odie has been fascinated by the Christmas tree and the gifts under it. I chase him off several times a day and rescue helpless ornaments repeatedly. Its a little old now.

We have started our Christmas movie marathon, one of our favorite traditions. We try to add a new Christmas movie each year, this year I hope to add "White Christmas" We have a specific order that we watch them in too! Its sort of a countdown to our favorites. Christmas Eve is dedicated to Christmas Story. Some of our others we love include Christmas Vacation and Love Actually! Those we will be watching soon.

We took our Christmas pictures this past Sunday, and I have to say I have become pretty good at editing them myself. When Heath complains I remind him I could be paying for professional pictures, that usually will keep him quiet! Those pics I do have...here are a few of them...

On Wednesday, I went to Ashlyn and Alyssa's Christmas program at church it was so cute. The theme was Christmas around the world. Alyssa was from Mexico and Ashlyn was from China (I think :o) They were so cute. Alyssa even had a duet. Please excuse the way I look, I was so tired and had just come from work!

You may notice my lack of pictures, it is because my camera bit the dust. I may have to ask Santa for a new one!

So that is about all that has been going on so far. Two more weeks till we head to Texas for Christmas. I am ready to be Home for the Holidays. Hopefully, after the new year I will be a better blogger! Merry Christmas!

I am Thankful...

I honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow I thought I would list a few things I am thankful for (cliche I know, but who cares)


I am Thankful for my sweet husband, who never ceases to make me smile. There are some I know who have lost theirs this year and for them my heart breaks....

I am Thankful for my home, and while it might not be the biggest or the fanciest its ours and I love it and all the beautiful land around us.

I am Thankful for my job, yes I did say that. Over the past year work has been rough. Not only do I love what I do, I am so grateful to have a job, as there are some I know who are struggling to find one.

I am Thankful for my family, they have hovered around me like gaurdain angels this year when I have been sad or sick. They have not held against me my faults or flaws. They have helped give me strength when my mind is screaming "I can't do it".

I am Thankful for my friends who have listened to me b*tch and made me laugh when I needed it.

I am Thankful for mine and Heath's health, I know many who are watching their spouse struggle with illness.

There are many other things I could add to this list but I won't bore you with them...

What are you Thankful for this year?