Payton's First Trip to the Dentist

     Today, I took a sick day to take the girls to Dyersburg for their dentist appointments. This was Payton's first trip to the dentist and she did great. Rylee Love got a got report, and the dentist said everything looked good for Payton, too. Her 2 year molars are nearly all the way in. The dentist did mention that Payton has a significant crossbite that will likely require minor oral surgery to correct around the age of 7. He said it's mainly cosmetic, but can also cause minor speech impediment until it is corrected. He mentioned it may have been caused by an overly strong sucking reflex that she would have been born with, and this could also be why it took a long time to be able to wean her off the pacifier.

    Both girls behaved very well and were rewarded with a trip to Chik-fil-a following their appointments. This was the perfect way to spend a "sick" day.

Bailey's Birthday and Valentine's Day

     Friday, the kids had their class Valentine's parties. They got to enjoy treats and pass out little Valentine's cars to all their friends. They both had a blast.

     Saturday was Bailey's birthday party. I can't believe she is 6! I seriously wish time would slow down!! She had her party at Bounce With Us and the kids had a blast jumping and playing games. After her party we headed to her house to have lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, Liz  and Brandon, and of course Chuck and Mary. It was a lot of fun. The kids had a blast trying out all of Bailey's new toys.

     Today is Valentine's Day. The girls woke up to their Valentine's from us, Reese's hearts, dancing animals, and new flip-flops. The were thrilled. They danced witht heir animals until it was time for church.

    We got ready for church and headed that way, only to get a call when we were almost there that the parking lot had iced over and was too dangerous to hold church today. So back home we went. Ryan went over to his parents' house to visit with Mel and her kiddos, the kids and I stayed home because Austin was running fever, and we are trying to go 1 week this cold and flu season without someone being sick... All in all, we had a good Valentine's day. Maybe they can actually wear these outfits out of the house next year... haha.

Snow Day Fun!

     On Tuesday night, we had a chance for snow. We put our pjs on inside out and did our snow dance, but all we got was a tiny bit of yucky ice! Boo! Lauderdale County Schools got out for the day, but all it got us in Tipton County Schools was a 2 hour delay. The girls enjoyed their extra time to sleep in and did a little ice skating on the sidewalk before we had to go.

     There was a greater chance for snow for today, so good of a chance that most schools in our area went ahead and called off school for today last night. We were thrilled when we got the call that we were getting a 3-day-weekend, but we were still hopeful we would get some snow to play in.

     And we did! We played and played and played until we were frozen. Then we came in, warmed up, and went back out to play some more. I love snow days!

    Hopefully this is just the first of many, this school year, but that doesn't look too promising. So I will just enjoy today and go from there.

Goodbye 2015

     2015 is coming to an end. We celebrated at Liz and Brandon's for the 4th year in a row. We always get home before the "crazies" are out, but we have a blast nonetheless. Tonight we played games, watched football, ate chilli, and laughed A LOT. I love family time.

    2015 has been one heck of a year. It started out very, very rough. In the first week of 2015, my BABY suffered from a concussion, and had to undergo a head xray and CT scan. Then, I thought I was going to lose my baby brother, the person who was my best friend from his birth until I was married, but thankfully I was able to witness a miracle first hand, and he pulled through stronger than ever. I took my first plane ride and taxi ride during that whole process, and I survived being away from my kids for almost 4 days. As the year went on, I got fed up with my job and tried as hard as I could to grin and bear it as it pushed me deeper and deeper into stress and anxiety. I was able to resign and accept a new position, a fresh start, which came with it's own stresses and anxieties (although not NEARLY as many ;)). I have hurt more and prayed more than ever before, but I have grown stronger in my faith and closer to the ones I love because of it. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for my entire life, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I can survive anything. 2015 tried to break me, but it only made me stronger. That being said, I am truly hoping for a "sweet '16"!

    2015 wasn't all bad, I gained a brother in law and a step-nephew. And sweet baby Levi graced this world with his presence. I am thrilled about how our family had grown and how much love has been given over this year. I am not the same person I was this time last year, and after a year like this one, I know without a doubt I will never be the same again, but I think that might be for the best. I look forward to seeing what 2016 has in store for us. I pray the worst is behind us, but I have faith that even if it isn't, everything will be alright, one day at a time... Happy New Year, Y'all!

Christmas(es) 2015

      Our Christmas celebrations didn't start out so great this year. We were supposed to start with Christmas Eve brunch at Liz and Brandon's, but instead we started with Rylee puking her guts up at 3 am on Christmas Eve. I was absolutely devastated. I felt horrible that Rylee Love was so sick, and I was also very sad to miss out on celebrating with my sisters. By around 11, Rylee finally felt better, so after a nap and a good bath, we started our own celebration to help lift all our spirits.

    The girls LOVED their gifts. They each got a book, a raincoat, and rain boots. Payton got dress up clothes, a peekaboo kitty, and a new babydoll with a carrier and diaper bag. Rylee got a Mario Cart wall climber, Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii, and a hover ball. After they went to bed Ryan and I exchanged our gifts. It turned out to be a good day afterall.

     On Christmas morning, the girls woke up and opened their stockings. They were thrilled to find so many goodies and make up and bath toys.

     Then we headed to Christmas Breakfast at Granny and Paw Paw's. We had delicious food, and great company. The girls had a blast playing together and opening presents. Aunt Vicki even organized a candy cane hunt throughout the house, The kids loved it.

     After breakfast, we went home for a nap. Rylee, Payton, and I were PASSED OUT. Haha. Then we headed to Nonna and Granddaddy's for Christmas dinner. Nonna made pot roast!!! That was the best gift I got for Christmas-haha! I love pot roast. We were thrilled! Then we opened gifts and just enjoyed spending time together. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!

     On Saturday, Grandma and Grandpa came and we did Christmas with my side of the family. We always do a pajama party, and this year I personalized the kids' jammies. The looked extra adorable! We played, laughed, ate, and opened gifts. It was a blast.

   Even though everything didn't always go exactly as palnned, we had a very blessed Christmas. It is such a blessing to have so many people we love and who love us. I am so thankful for both of our families and for all the time we get to spend with those we love. Every moment is precious, but the holidays just magnify all those special relationships and how blessed we truly are.

Zoo Lights & Christmas City

    We had a weekend filled with Christmas fun. Saturday, we drove to Memphis to take the girls to Zoo Lights. It was so much fun. The weather was warm and perfect. The Zoo was crowded, but it's so big that it was not a problem.

   We walked around and enjoyed all the lights, int he entry way they even had snow machines. The girls loved that it was "snowing". We also rode the train and the carousel and then we ate and the girls played on the playground for a bit before we headed home. It was so much fun.

   Today we headed to Burlison to Christmas City with Liz, Brandon, Kaden, and Levi. It was a blast. There was no crowd at all, so the kids could walk around and look at whatever they wanted to. They loved it.

    Payton's favorite was the Minnie Mouse and Rylee's favorite was the Elsa, but they loved it all. There were so many new things, and they also loved looking at their favorite from years past.

    MY favorite part is the life of Jesus. The kids go from section to section talking all about what they see and what they know about Jesus's life. It is such a blessing to hear them speak the truth and want to learn more about Christ. It truly gets me into the Christmas spirit.

Mine and Kaden's birthdays

 

     I love my birthday, but I kinda wanted to stop aging at 25, so it felt like 26 snuck up on me. Haha! I woke up to a cake and gifts from my wonderful hubby, and that started my day off just right.

    Then I headed to school, and walked in to my kids shouting "Happy Birthday, Ms. Becca!" I love that. And my sweet assistant got me a card and a cake and the wonderful ladies on my wing bought me lunch. It was a great day. When we got home from school, we went to dinner with Nonna, Granddaddy, Granny, and Paw Paw. It was delicious, and the perfect way to wrap up my day.

    Unfortunately, as soon as my birthday was over, the stomach bug hit Payt. She woke up around midnight and got sick a couple more time between then and 4 am. After that she was better, but since she was sick that night, Ryan stayed home with her so she wouldn't spread her germs to her friends at daycare.

    Yesterday was Kaden's birthday party. He had a batman themed party at Bounce With Us. The kids had an absolute blast jumping and playing their hearts out.

    After the party, we went to Mary's house for lunch with my parents and sisters and their families. They gave me presents for my birthday and Chuck made a twix brownie dessert that was fabulous.

    Once we left Mary's we headed to Liz and Brandon's to check out Kaden's new "toy". He got a gas fourwheeler for his birthday, and it is really cool. They roe for a while, and Brandon rode them on his fourwheeler some, too. Then they headed inside to check out the rest of his new toys. It was a lot of fun. I would say we both had very good birthdays. I love sharing my birthday with him because it means I get to have lots of family time during my birthday week.

Thanksgiving 2015

      Today is Thanksgiving, and we have had a wonderful day! First I am so thankful that I was able to get these super cute family photos this morning. Anyone with small children knows it takes a small miracle to get a shot where everyone is looking and smiling. I am just thrilled with how these turned out.

    We spent the day with family at Granny and Paw Paw's house. We ate a delicious meal, then we spent the rest of the day outside. The kids took turns swinging and sliding and riding the golf cart. The big "kids" had just as much fun on the golf cart as the littles did. It was an absolute blast.

    Now we are at home, and Payton is already in bed. She had a big day and no nap, so she was more than ready for bed by 530. Rylee Love is laid out on the couch watching cartoons; she's worn out, too. Ryan went with Josh and Mel to do some "black Friday" shopping. And I am enjoying the quiet house for a change. I have so much to be thankful for and days like this remind me of that. There is nothing better than spending a day laughing until it hurts with the people you love. I am thankful.