LIfe Lately

The end of the year was laid back and busy all at the same time.  I have no idea how it happens like that, but since Emmy is growing up I don't ever really feel rested.   Anyway, I'm not going to bore you with our Christmas happenings (ya know, since that was three weeks ago and all), but here are some highlights from our life lately.

Deer season is over, but during the last week, my dad and brother went hunting every day and Emmy literally begged them to take her hunting too.  Of course I did not let my two year old go deer hunting, but my dad did get out my brother's old bee bee gun and taught her some gun safety and let her shoot it a couple of times. 

 

You'd think I have a tomboy, but that is not the case.  Sure, Emmy loves to be outside, shooting guns, playing with animals, running around, but...

 

 

a girl must be pampered.  And who better to do that than your Uncle Bubby.

It takes a really good uncle to paint his niece's toe nails and finger nails.

 

I love that boy!  

Hopefully I'll get more snap happy now that things are going a little slower.   

The holidays are over and a new year is before us.  And with most of us broke and trying to lose the holiday weight, dare I say, things might start to calm down? We will see.  I am looking forward to so many things this year.  Trips, concerts, baby showers and babies, weddings, another move for our family, zoo trips, Ikea shopping, taking more pictures, actually completing some pinterest projects, girls' nights, and making more memories with family and friends!  So stay tuned for the unpredictable bliss that comes our way!

Top 10 of 2012!

These are our favorite moments from 2012 - in no particular order.

1. Daddy came home from Iraq!!!!

 

 

2. Caleb and I got to go to the mountains by ourselves for a few days after his return home.

  

 3. Emmy got to spend a lot of time with her cousins this year and has grown VERY fond of all 7 of them.

 

4. Emmy's second birthday!

  

5.We took a family trip to Wyoming with Ama and Bopa and got to see more of God's beautiful creation.

 

6. Our beach trip with my family!

 7.We got to experience the SC State Fair for the first time together as a family.

8. We went apple picking in NC with Emmy's Godparents.

9. We enjoyed lots of trip to the zoo as a family!

10. And loved tailgating in support of our favorite team - GO GAMECOCKS!!!

 

We are looking forward to the joys and surprises that 2013 has in store for our family!

Realizations

I have realized a few things lately and wanted to share.

I need more than one outfits pinterest board.  I'm thinking, a winter, summer, maternity (it'll hopefully happen again at some point) and an accessories board.  We'll see how long it takes me to actually do it.

I'm loving colored pants.  Yes, Ashley, I said it!  I have two pair, but haven't been bold enough to wear them out yet.

I wish I lived somewhere that had colder winters.  In SC so far this fall the weather has barely reached sweater temps and I definitely haven't been anywhere close to wearing a wool peacoat yet.  And, in the summers, it is almost too hot and humid to even attempt to look cute.  Between May and September, I might as well go makeup-less (because it is going to melt off by noon) and put my hair in a "messy" bun every morning due to the fact that my hair will look like a 1976 Afro anyway.

"Jeff" from the sitcom Rules of Engagement is just like my husband!  It is so fun to watch and see conversations that we have already had or potential situations play out.

I'm becoming more and more corny as the mom of a toddler.

I am an old lady when it comes to late nights.  I definitely cannot hang as late as I used to!

I loathe taking Christmas decorations down.

2013 is days away!

There are more reasons than one lately to start moving Emmy toward a bed instead of a crib (yes, she's still in a crib - we haven't taken the plunge yet), but the biggest reason is the fact that Emmy woke me up this morning by standing beside the bed saying, "mommy, I woke up."

In AWE

Babies are great.  They are small, helpless, cute, and sleep a lot.  I mean, who doesn't love a baby?  As they grow older they get better.  Personalities start to shine through and the love for them grows with them.  I know I'm a relatively new mom (at just 2.5 years of experience), but as I think about Christmas this year and trying to wrap my head around the true meaning of Jesus' short earthly life I can't help but think about Mary, Joseph, and God. 

Being a parent myself puts the fact that Jesus was a baby into perspective.  I mean, before I became a mom it was just nice to think of Jesus as one of us - starting life out as helpless as the next babe, and learning just as we all have.  But now, thinking of God, and how he meticulously planned for His son to be born as the small, helpless, cute, human that everyone loves to dote on, just to know that even before life outside the womb, he would die a brutal death without any fault of his own, I'm amazed at his strength.  It also kind of puts into perspective how selfless and loving and emotionally strong our maker truly is.

I cannot fathom thinking of raising Emmy and loving her for her so long, only to know that she would be hurt or killed in any way.  I can't think of anything more heartbreaking than losing a child, much less having to watch it. 

However, this does excite me.  Because, if God was willing to put to death Jesus, for the sake of his earthly children, then the place He is preparing for us in Heaven is going to be so awesome.  I'm excited to give Emmy her Christmas presents and I've only been planning those for about 2 months and God has been planning/preparing Heaven for His children for centuries.  And He's GOD.  I'm in tears from being so overcome with aweness and gratitude for what my God has done and is doing for me. 

WOW.




One more thing, I'd really like to know what it was like to raise a sinless child.  So, she had to give birth in stable on spiky hay, with no help from modern medicine, but I bet the toddler years with Jesus were a breeze!

A little before and after

Sorry for being a bit MIA lately, but my "free time" has been consumed with turning photos like this...

 

Into looking like this.

Christmas decor

Riding around in my car with the windows down on the way to get more Christmas presents, doesn't really make one feel like it is only 20 days until Christmas.  But, the stockings are up, the tree is decorated, and the Christmas cards have been mailed, so I guess it is Christmastime. 

Here are the Christmas sights around our house.

The tree.  Every year we purchase an ornament symbolic of something memorable from the past year.  I love that we started this tradition during our first year of marriage.  I haven't found what I want to get for this year yet, but I'm diligently looking everywhere!

 

I have been looking for an advent calendar for Emmy to participate with.  I found this train at Hobby Lobby for half off!  I love it and Emmy does too!

 

This year we have a mantel.  Who knows if we'll have one next year, but I love having a mantel, especially at Christmas.  This year, I made the NOEL to put on above the stockings.

This Santa was given to me by my Mother-in-law.  I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it and was so happy when she gave it to me.  Emmy has enjoyed pointing out every detail on him.

 

While decorating our tree, Caleb wrapped Emmy up in lights.  Even though I had to snap fast to get a photo of it and it didn't come out crisp, I still like the lighting.