2010 Finally Came To An End.....

You may have noticed (or not lol) that I didn't write a 2010 summary this year.....

Well, if you want the highlights (most of which have to do with our super-awesome-amazes-us-everyday son) you can click over there on the right where it says "2010" and you will find more than enough wonderful things that happened in our lives in 2010.  For the most part, it was a good year.....

However, we faced some challenges as a family and individually. Of course I don't plan to shaaaaaaaaaaaare those things here, but overall I am thankful for the challenges that God placed in front of us this year.  Each challenge we faced, we conquered, we became stronger, we loved deeper (both ourselves, and each other), and we both became closer in our relationship with God.  The reason I chose to blog about this, briefly, is because I know that blogs can give the impression of the perfect little life with the perfect little family. I like to think that we are perfectly imperfect :) I am thankful for what God has given me in my life......There are days I just wait for something terribly tragic to happen (morbid, I know....) because I don't know how I can continue to have so much good in my life without something bad happening.  The challenges we faced in 2010 were so incredibly minor compared to the big, and very real, scheme of life. So where on one hand I was frustrated with the hands we were dealt here and there, I recognized that it could be a lot worse, and I continued to give thanks to God for our many blessings.

I will tell you this....the tough times could NOT have been handled as well without the love of my my husband- who is my rock, and my son- who is my world. Also, both of our families are great strengths in our lives.....which brings me to one last point...then I will quit, I swear :).........

At 16, 17, 18, 19.....your friends are your entire world.  Most people spend more time with their friends than their actual families.  When I was younger, I'd often hear older people say, "When it comes down to it, family's all you've got."  I thought those people were super lame and that they must not have as awesome of friends as I had...I mean, my goodness, we were all going to be friends forever, duh. Around 23 or 24, I began to see that the older, super lame-o, was right......folks, when it comes down to it, family's all you've got.  Now that doesn't mean I don't absolutely love my friends (you know who you are), and that doesn't mean that if you don't have a traditional family that you are screwed.  All it means is that whoever you consider your actual, unconditionally-loved-no-matter-what, family.....that's where you will find the most strength, encouragement, and love.

Speaking of family.....we'd like to try to extend ours soon.........

I'll leave you with that :)



"Hap-buh too woo"

Yesterday was Justin's 34th Birthday!  Every time I told Connor it was Daddy's Birthday, Connor would go "Hap-bur too-woo!"  A 4-word sentence....we were so proud! I managed to capture it on video!  Be sure to listen carefully, as it's kind of quiet :)

I made my first ever cake from scratch!  I have made a few out of the box, but this sucker was eggs, butter, oil, flour, sugar, cake flour (sifted of course), salt, and baking powder.....and the frosting? Well.....butter, sugar, cocoa, and coca-cola. A couple hours later, voila! A yellow cake with chocolate icing.  Justin's very favorite cake :)  I must say, it turned out pretty good!

 Daddy and Connor on the big day :)

 I didn't have any candles, so a tea light had to do :)

 Justin has had a little cold for the last few days, so he insisted I blow out the candle.  He didn't want to spread germs...how thoughtful lol! Anyway, I told him to pretend like he was blowing it out for photo purposes....kinda defeats the purpose when I go ahead and tell the story, but hey, it's still funny...just ask Macon! :)

Cake with the boys!

Connor told me "Thank you, Mommy!" about 473 times. He must have really liked his cake!

This picture is a perfect depiction of Baylor and Benton's personalities.  We just love them and were glad the Hossley's could join us for some cake and drinks!



Justin had a fun Birthday!  He got an iPad from me and Connor and has onnnnne more gift coming, but I can't say yet because it hasn't arrived yet :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN! Connor and I love you so VERY much!

Three Little Monkeys...Riding On The Sled... :)

Luckily, no one fell off and bumped their head ;)

And at the end, Connor makes sure to let everyone know that he wants to go "again" :) When he leans back on Baylor, he says, "Baylor."  He loves both Baylor and Benton like brothers.

SNOW DAY!!!

We were all VERY excited to spend a snow day at home on Monday!  What a nice way to sneak in a little three day weekend!

We spent the morning sledding with the Hossley's, and I cooked a delicious pot of southwest pinto beans and cornbread for dinner (courtesy of The Pioneer Woman....get the recipe HERE)

This was Connor's first time to sled.  We didn't have a sled, so Justin put his creativity to work :)  He called his dad, who manages a local grocery store, to see if they had any industrial baking sheets! LOL!  Sure enough, we made a super ghetto slider! It was semi-successful, but thankfully the Hossley's had their Super Snow Slider and were more than willing to share :) 

Here is our little snow man getting ready to brave the cold!

He isn't really sure what to think about all this snow!  But even more so, he isn't too sure about all these extra clothes he has to wear...(he's been going through a naked phase lately....Lord, help me. lol!)

Daddy getting Connor ready for a ride down the hill!

Two of the BEST Daddy's (and Dee-Da's) I know, and their sweet (sometimes) boys! ;)

Daddy took Connor down for his VERY first ride!

There are no words to express how much I. Love. This. Picture.

The Hossley's getting ready to sled down! (and their 3 year old MORE than willing to give them a little push)

I love these cheekies :)

Daddy dragging Connor around on his super industrial baking sled!

I more than ADORE these 3 boys!  They had a great time going down the hill!  I have a sweet video to post of their ride!

OH, and how could I forget.....Justin and I gave it a try......

Annnnnnnnd, as you can see, that didn't turn out so well! LOL!

It was a wonderful way to spend the day with family and friends before I left on a three day business trip.  I arrived home safe and sound last night, and BOY am I glad to be back!  I sure missed my boys :)  Oh, and I swear Connor has grown and aged atleast 4 years while I was gone...lol...isn't that how it always goes?

"Goo-duh, Buhh, Dank-doo!"

Here is Connor, first thing, on Christmas morning......Oh how I love his manners :)

Christmas Morning at Home

So when we arrived home from the Birch Family Christmas celebration, I told Connor we had to get ready for bed and get ready for Santa to come! He replied with, "Tuht-tees" (That's Connor for "cookies"). I couldn't believe he remembered that we talked about leaving cookies and milk out for Santa! He amazes me every single day! :) So we left Santa a snack, and he went right to sleep. He was SO tired from all the commotion at Nana and Granddad's! Justin and I were enjoying some time together when Santa just scooted down the chimney! We couldn't believe our eyes! Santa was SO bummed that he had just missed Connor. Santa thanked us for the snack, left Connor a note, left a few presents under the tree, and he and his reindeer headed out to deliver presents to Connor's buddies, Baylor and Benton. Justin and I wanted to get a picture of all the goodies that Santa left before Connor had a ball with them in the morning :)

We were so bummed that Connor missed Santa, so we got a picture of the aftermath on the cookies and milk :)

Connor and his "goo-duh." When he woke up in the morning, he was unsure if he could touch anything under the tree because for weeks we had told him not to touch any of the presents. When we convinced him it was ok, he ran straight to the scooter and said , "Goo-duh! Dank-doooo!" (That's "Scooter! Thank you!") We have it on video....I am going to post it, it's just precious!

Checkin out his new Spiderman chair! He sits in it ALL the time! Thanks, Santa!

Arkansas Razorback Mr. Potato Head...or "Head" for short :)

Everyone needs a Spiderman toothbrush in their stocking!

Once he got the Buzz jacket, he wore it for the rest of the morning. Guess he likes it :)

Buzz jacket, Buzz scooter, yummy sausage and cream cheese croissant....life is good for this

21 month old little boy :)

We spent the rest of the morning playing with all his new toys and figuring out where to put them all! I loved having Christmas morning at home with my family! That night, I didn't have to cook....we went to Mom and Dad's for lasagna! It was the perfect ending to the perfect Christmas season! Looking forward to next Christmas!

Today was a BIG day!

My BIG boy got a BIG haircut today! The curls were getting kinda scraggly, his bangs were in his eyes, and his hair was SUPER long. I told Suzanne (who is the ONLY woman I trust to cut my son's hair....she has cut my hair for around 13 years!!) to just do what she wanted.....she asked me SEVERAL times if I was sure. I said, "Yes, just do it before I change my mind!" lol!! The end result was bitter sweet. He looks absolutely precious, but I teared up on the way home thinking about how all those big beautiful blonde curls were gone. He is growing up SO fast, but we wouldn't have it any other way :)

Chopping it all off!

Home and hanging out in one of Papaw's old ties :) When we got home, I took him in the bathroom to look in the mirror. He kept checking it out, grinning from ear-to-ear, looking back at me, and looking back in the mirror. I think he likes it :)