January=Birthday Month!

Around our house, January is birthday month! Six of them to be exact! And 3 of those fall within 4 days. Talk about busy!
The first up was Mimi on January 4th! I absolutely love this precious and beautiful woman. I have always wanted to get to spend more time with her, and over the last couple of years, I have made that happen. It's really hard to live 4 hours away. And when the girls were little, it was just too hard to make the trip up there by myself. Plus, during that time was also when Papaw was declining, so it just didn't work out. But during the last 3 years, the girls and I have made it a point to make annual summer trips to Mimi's. And in the last year, our trips have gotten more frequent- and I LOVE it! Mimi has been a great support for me with loosing Mom. She listens, gives me "nudges" in the right direction without actually telling me what to do, supports me (even when I am being crazy), never judges me, and offers wisdom that always makes me feel better. I am so thankful for her and the time we get to spend together. I only hope to look as good as she does when I'm 82! I love you Mimi, and I am so thankful that God put you in my life!

Next up in the birthday line up was Kyson on the 10th! My little side kick- who isn't so little anymore. This dude and I were inseparable when he was little. I took him everywhere. If I got out of school early and didn't have to go to work, I went and picked him up at the sitter. I was probably the only high school kid, who didn't have a child of her own, with a car seat in my truck! No one could ever ride with me anywhere because I only had a single cab truck and there was a car seat in the front seat! I taught him to say "French fries coke" every time we drove by Sonic, and carted him all over town. He holds a special place in my heart. It made me feel so OLD when he turned 21 this year! Holy cow. How did that happen?? He's still suppose to be 3 and following every step I take! Now he's grown up and off to college. Makes me want to cry! I am pretty sure I have had my picture made more times with him than I have with my own children!

January 19th was our Papaw's birthday. I miss him so much. He always made me laugh, so matter what he said. When he opened his mouth, you better listen up because it was going to be something great. He was full of sayings that we now call "Papawisms". Rarely a day goes by that there isn't a "Papawism" used in my house. He left a great legacy for all of us. We miss him dearly, but I am so thankful that he is now in heaven and HEALED. His mind has been made whole, and his body repaired. I know that he and my Mama are having the time of their lives up there watching over all of us. Mom and Papaw had a pretty special bond, and I am grateful that they are up there taking care of each other until the rest of us join them.

Only a few days later on January 21st was Nina's 79th birthday! (We are going to have to celebrate BIG next year!) I had so much fun going through pictures for her facebook birthday post. I spent several hours the night before going through boxes of old pictures and reliving wonderful memories of vacations to places like Branson and New York City with just she and I and Mom. Some of my most treasured memories. The three of us had so much fun together doing things like that. There were lots of laughs, crazy adventures, and memories that I hold dear to my heart. I am so thankful that we got to make these memories. It has caused me to be more intentional with making memories with my girls. I have learned that you won't remember that the dishes went undone, or that the laundry was piled waist high, but you will remember the time spent doing fun things. There is no time like the present, and no present like time. Thank you Nina, for always taking the time to make memories with me!
Here is the facebook post I made for her on her birthday:
"Today this beautiful lady turns 79 years young. She knows everything there is to know about the insurance business. still works 8-5 every day. Makes the best ham n dumplings and deviled eggs you've ever tasted. And is always willing to do anything her family needs her to. We are blessed to call her our Nina. We love you Nina and hope you have a wonderful birthday!! And I hope you enjoy this photo trip down memory lane as much as I did."

The very next day, on the 21st, was Josh's birthday. There are so many things I could say about this wonderful man. He is my rock. I would not have made it through the last 3 years without him by my side. When we got married, I was sure that I couldn't love him more than I did that day. I was so very wrong. I love him more every single day. He is always supportive of me, yet he knows just the right time to tell me when I need to suck it up. He goes to bat for me and nothing ruffles his feathers more than when he thinks someone hasn't treated me or one of the girls right. He is one amazing Daddy. Brenna, Macie and I are so very blessed to have this man in our lives. He makes every day a little better and more fun!

For his birthday we went to Boo Rays to eat crawfish with the Rileys, Baldwins, and Middletons. It was a great night full of good food, friends, and laughs! I am thankful that we get to do life with these people!!

These girls- I don't know what to say about how much I love them all. I am so thankful that God placed us where he did, when he did. The friendships we have formed are a true blessing.

Brenna's birthday was the last one of the month, but I think that deserves its own post!

Randomness

A couple of pictures and stories that I don't want to leave out, but that don't quite justify their own post...

The day after Christmas, the Riley's came over to hang out. It was SOOO good to see them! I knew it would be lonely when they moved, but I had absolutely no idea just how lonely I would be! I miss this lady right here!!

And Brenna enjoyed hanging out with her friend Carter too.

Date nights are few and far between for us. It's just too hard to find someone to keep the girls, and I always feel guilty because I know it is an inconvenience for which ever family member has to keep them. But every now and then, we just MAKE time to do it. Thank you to Pops and Memaw for keeping them this night so that we could go out to dinner and just get away for a bit! Sometimes it's just nice to go and sit at the bar at a restaurant and enjoy the atmosphere and people. Something we can't do with two kids in tow. It was Buffalo Wild Wings for the WIN! And of course- Josh can't take a selfie without a goofy face. Just part of the reason I love this man!

I saw this idea on Facebook. You stack up candy canes and use one in your mouth as a hook to pick up candy canes and put them on a plate. I just knew that the girls would LOVE it! So one night I got it all out and set up.

Macie loved it and laughed the whole time. Brenna...not so much. She kept giving me the evil glare after she wasn't so good at it. haha! Josh and I laughed the whole time!

This girl and her milk.

I had just a little milk left in the jug one night and so I thought it would be fun to hand it to her and let her drink it. That may have been a mistake- because she thought that was the coolest thing she has ever done! She even sat the jug next to her dinner plate and drank from it with her dinner. Now she begs to drink from the carton. I may have created a monster. *Disclaimer: The milk at our house is safe to drink. She does NOT get to drink from the carton unless it is the very last bit and she finishes it!

New Year's day was kind of low key for us, and I loved it! We laid around and took naps and put away a few more Christmas presents. That evening we invited Pops and Memaw and Aunt Emily and Wyatt over for supper. Except Wyatt was gone with his Grandma and Grandpa, so it was just Aunt Emily. That made two little girls VERY sad. I learned very early on in Brenna's life that once you have kids, no one really wants to see you anymore. They are only interested in your kid! And Aunt Emily learned that lesson on New Year's day. (Well- she probably already knew it, but the girls were quick to remind her of it). As soon as she walked in, all I heard was "Where's Wyatt?" haha! They were none too happy with her. But they quickly got over it when Pops, Memaw, Aunt Emily, and myself joined them in coloring! Yep- we are wild and crazy at our house! Josh cooked dinner, and we all colored! Couldn't think of a more perfect evening!
This was our traditional New Year's Day meal:

The corn bread was still in the oven when I took the picture. Josh makes the BEST New Year's Day food! I loved looking at my Timehop app and seeing the meals of years past.... they all looked pretty much the same!

The only real difference was the one year that it was served on a black plate..... That was the year we lived with Mom and Dad and ate on her black plates! ha!

I had the pleasure of eating with this little guy and his Mama at Golden Moon right after school started back.

Sorry Brycen- but when you hang out with your Aunt Jen, and dig through her purse while we eat, you get to pose for pictures with rainbow sunshades on! I love you buddy- and I promise to only bring this picture out to embarrass you a couple of times when you are older.

We went to Railhead to eat dinner one evening, and Macie insisted on bringing Bitty Baby inside with us. All was well until it was time to eat and Bitty Baby needed a place to go. Yep- into Mommy's purse she went! And I couldn't help but laugh when I picked up my purse to leave and saw this. You know you are a Mommy when.....

This picture totally makes me laugh. I sent it to Sarah to tell her Thank You for my new sweat shirt and ear rings she got me for my birthday and Christmas present. Then I had to be sure and add in "Please don't ever tell anyone that I took a selfie.....in the car.....and actually sent it to someone!" ha! And here I am telling on myself. But I do love my shirt and ear rings!!

The girls and I had a pajama and movie party the first weekend after school started back. They insisted on wearing footed pajamas, except that Macie's were all too small, so she had to raid Brenna's drawer! They were a little big, but better that than too small! I loved that both were zebra!

We curled up and watched "Cinderella". Macie had never seen it, and loved it! We have a goal to watch all of the Disney movies that we haven't seen so that the girls will know who all of the characters are before we get to Disney in June! So far our count is.....1. Oops. We better get to work on that!

Oh Macie Claire! I feel like I should coin that phrase. This girl keeps us in stitches. In the last two weeks, I have found several comical selfies on my phone...

There is never a dull moment with this girl!

New Year's Eve 2015

Saying good bye to 2015 brought a high level of anxiety, as did most events over the holidays this year. While I was ready for a fresh start to 2016, I was sad to leave 2015 behind. It was the last year that had Mom in it. 2016 would never hold memories of her. Well, that is what my mind wanted me to think anyway. But that couldn't be farther from the truth. EVERY year will hold memories of Mom. Even thought she won't be here to physically be a part of the new memories we make, she will still be a part of them. Because she is a part of who we all are. And that will never change. So we forged on and enjoyed our last day of 2015.
First on the list was lunch with Megan and Ashley at Uncle Julio's!
Here is my Diva child on the way to Ft. Worth.... Oh Macie Claire!

I always look forward to our lunch or dinner dates. We have the best time and I always leave refreshed. The girls did great and played on their ipads while the adults visited. The biggest issue we had was who was going to sit by Ms. Megan! ha! They love them some Ms. Megan!
After we ate, we headed over to Chuck E Cheese to play with Aunt Emily and Wyatt and use our Christmas gift cards! The kids all had a blast and enjoyed getting to play together! You can see from the looks on their faces just how much fun they had!
This ride was hit with all three kiddos!

My sweet BIG girl! She's looking a little too grown up these days.

Macie had a blast, but didn't want me out of her sight for some reason. I thought we were past those days.

She was REALLY into this game! You had to lift the handle up and push it down. She got her whole body into it!

Macie and Wyatt had water gun races...

Wy-man had just as much fun as his cousins!!

I can't believe that next year we will have an 8month old to add to the mix! Yea!
Chuck E came out a couple of times and led the kids in a dance and then threw out tickets at the end. All 3 munchkins LOVED this part!!

Of course the highlight of the trip was cashing in all those tickets!! For $40 worth of tokens, we left with 4 tattoos, 2 whistles, a sucker, and two plastic spiders. UGH. That's why I dislike Chuck E Cheese. However, the kids had a blast and played for over an hour and a half, so it was worth it.
After that, we headed home. I wanted to be off the roads before the crazy people headed out for their New Year's Eve celebrations. As soon as we got there, we changed into our pajamas and I put a pizza in the oven. And we put in a Full House DVD. Perfect evening in my book! I was sad that Josh had to work, but was grateful for the excuse to just relax. Brenna curled up with her blanket and popcorn.

Macie got her and bitty baby dressed in matching pajamas!

The cuddle time was wonderful! I soaked up every minute!

They had their babies all lined up for the Full House marathon.

Both girls were determined to stay up until midnight. I wasn't sure I'd make it, but I was going to give it a shot! Macie Claire gave up about 10:45. She couldn't do it any longer. That girl needs her beauty sleep! And her pallet was already made and waiting beside my bed since they had both talked me into a slumber party in my room.
Brenna and I made it to midnight!! You can tell how tired we both are just by the looks of our eyes! ha!

We sent a good night text to Daddy at the fire station and headed to bed! I'm too old to stay up that late.

Snow and Six Flags!

On the morning of December 28th, we woke up to SNOW!! I knew it was a possibility, but in Texas you never really know if it will happen or not until you actually see the white stuff with your own eyes. I woke up in the middle of the night and looked outside- and sure enough! SNOW!
Josh had to go to work that morning, so he got up a little earlier to travel to Ft. Worth. He said that the roads were a little slick in Peaster, but once he got to Weatherford they were good, and by Willow Park, there was no sign of snow. CRAZY! But we had plenty in our yard for a morning of fun before it melted!
This was the view outside...

Absolutely beautiful!! But I will admit to not really liking snow...unless it means we get the day off of school to stay home! When I am already off, I do not like to be stuck at home. But we made the best of it. The girls begged to head outside as soon as they got up! So they got bundled up and were off to play!
Jake wasn't so sure about the cold stuff.

The girls went to work with buckets and shovels!

I stuck to taking pictures from the porch in my pajamas!!
They made snow angels...

Which Macie Claire promptly told me was MeMawMom "because she is an angel now".
I had them pose in the yard, but the pictures were a little blurry.

They were freezing cold by the time they came inside! Brenna Grace needed to cuddle a little to thaw out!

By about 1:00 the snow was starting to melt, so I decided we would go to Six Flags! ha! Doesn't everyone head out when it is snowing to go to Six Flags and freeze their tails off? No? Just us?
We had to activate our season passes before January 1st in order to get free parking and free up grades, so I figured this would be a good day. And the likelihood of the crowd being small was pretty great. So- we bundled up and headed out!
This was the road in our neighborhood.

There were probably some icy spots still, but it wasn't bad at all. And by the time we got out of our neighborhood, the roads were completely fine.
We went to Ft. Worth first to get the oil changed in the car. That took a while, and the girls were not happy about delaying our arrival at Six Flags! But they made it, and we got there soon after the park opened.
We got our season passes all set up and went inside to ride a few rides. We sent this first picture to Graddy to tell him Thank You for our passes!

It was SO cold! But we made our way over and rode the Mexican hat and the tea cups. We waited in line at the bob sled for a while waiting for it to open, but it never did. So we entertained ourselves with a few selfies while waited.

We then headed off to see what else was open to ride. You know what we found? NOT MUCH! I was so disappointed. Almost every ride was closed. If I had paid to get into the park that day, I would have been very mad.
We walked past the big chair and used it for a photo opp.

Then we got in line for the mine train. It was the only other ride open that we found. That was evident by the line! The mine train usually doesn't have a line at all. But we decided to stick it out. And all was well, until they shut the ride down to add a second train! The announcement said that it would take 5 minutes. HA! 30 minutes later, it was up and running again. I was about to go nuts!! But I knew the girls had their hearts set on riding it, so we did!

Poor Brenna. She always gets stuck by herself since her sister won't ride alone. But she is a good sport and didn't complain at all! She really is a great big sister.
After the ride, we headed to the front to leave. The girls were wanting to stop by the fire station and see their Daddy. We did run into this guy on our way out!

And knowing that they like to take pictures with dressed up characters makes our upcoming Disney trip even more exciting!
It was a great day of just hanging out with my girls. And I look forward to many more days of doing just that this summer with our passes! I'm even more excited that Josh will be able to join us too!!
Thanks for the great present Daddy/Graddy! We LOVE it!!