Catch the Latest

Okay, so I got several of my posts done, but I still have more to go!  But until then...don't miss these:

The Rooster

Playing Around

Baking Party 2009

The Rooster

Oh....dear sweet Caroline....what were you thinking?  I know you were trying to be a big girl and fix a problem, but please, please don't ever do that again!

She got a stretchy bracelet stuck in her hair, and bless her heart, she trien to get it out.  When she couldn't, she got panicked, and grabbed her scissors out of her art supplies and cut her hair to get it out.  I think she learned her lesson!  She has a new nickname...The Rooster.

Playing Around

Since all the schools are out on Christmas break right now, I took Caroline to work with me this week.  It works out perfectly for us because Baylor is out too, so I don't have to worry about her being crazy, loud, or disrupting classes or the professors.  On Wednesday, we decided to eat outside.  The weather was nice, and we had us a little picnic lunch!

There are tons of trees on the campus, so you can imagine the leaves that collect all around.  Well, let's just say that Boog had the time of her life this week playing in those leaves!

 I decided that we should do this everyday!  LOL!  Wouldn't that be the best?  It would...just seeing her face literally light up while she played in those leaves...ahhhh, it makes my heart smile!  She was pretty dang good up there this week too!  I never know how she's gonna be spending so much time with me at work, but she was really good this week!  My desk has a space under it {a large side desk sort of} that she likes to make a fort out of, and she stays in that thing all day!  One of my wonderful co-workers brought her a laptop that she could watch movies on {Thanks Pat!} and she had some toys so she was good to go.  But the best part by far was watching her play in the leaves! 

Isn't she just precious? I know...I'm a little biased!

Baking Party 2009

Many years before I moved down to Waco, my sisters had an annual Christmas Baking Day.  It started out with just a few ladies and has grown every year.  Since moving, it has been held at out house every year since I happen to have a rather large kitchen.

We hold this fun day every Saturday before Christmas, that way we have lots of goodies to eat during all the festivities that surround Jesus' birth!  This year we had 9 ladies coming to join in the fun!

 Yummy!  We have snacks, bake, have a little wine, and enjoy each others company for as long as we can drag it out!  It's such a fun day!  We all try to get an idea of what we are making so that no one makes the same thing.  With 9 of us this year, we had a lot of different goodies!  There were sugar cookies, peppermint cookies, peanut butter fudge, Texas Trash {sweet & regular!}, and several others!  Thank you to all the sweet ladies who came this year!

All the girls with all of our goodies!

Falling Behind

Yet again, I have fallen behind!  I have TONS to post, and I really, truly promise to try to have a blogging marathon today to get it all done!  I can think of about 10 posts I have, isn't that sad?  Where has this month gone?  Can it really be the 22nd?

On another note, Caroline is at work with me and we are going to be having a fire drill shortly...that should be fun!  She hates loud noises, and I swear our alarms are the loudest alarms I have ever heard!

Check back later today to see if I got some of these waiting posts up!

Thought Filled Thursdays

Today I have lots racing through my head!  Whew!  I think I'll start with my oh so stinking super awesome new favorite thing...ever!

This is my Christmas present!  It came in yesterday and I did a happy dance!  But don't worry, I'm not spoiled...I got my sweet hubby a new big screen because he works so hard to give us everything we need & want!  I love you honey!

I have to move on to another topic or I might be here all afternoon telling you about how thrilled I am to finally have a Rebel.  Let the learning begin!

Of course I had to play around with it last night, so here are some of my subjects!  LOL!

You can tell I have no clue what I'm doing!  Just a tad blurry!  HA!

 

 

I've been so busy painting and creating stuff, that I keep forgetting to give y'all a glimpse of what's going on!  Here are just a few things I've been working on!

 

I got this awesome idea from Brixton Lane.  It's a memory game that you can customize however you like!  Super simple and really cute!

And I did have a model last night that was very willing to pose for me.  I think she thouroughly enjoyed herself! In fact, I think she would have let me take pictures of her all night long!

This is sweet Shimmer, aka Shimmer Doo!  We love this little girl!

 I thought I would tell you something about me that you might not know.  I really like tattoos, and I know they are not for everyone.  I have 4.  Here's a look at 2 of them:

The Sunflower I got when I moved to Waco to symbolize starting fresh {Hollie, this should crack you up given your comment on my last post!}

I got this on my wrist a year ago.  I just really felt the need to have something for Caroline.  The 2 hearts intertwined obviously means just that.  We are linked together...me and my precious girl.

Okay, that's it for today!  Hope you all have a great night!

Nothing but the Truth..Q & A Time!

I was thinking...I don't really care who follows/reads my blog...but, I am curious!  I know you're out there.  How about a Q & A?  I  have the urge to be connected, maybe because of the holidays and all.  Thanksgiving really makes me think about the things I'm thankful for {well duh!}, and of course Christmas makes me think about Christ and all that he has given to me, all the graces I've been bestowed.  I truly believe that God has given me this outlet for a reason, whether its to share my experiences with others, encourage, inspire, or just be there for others, and vice versa.  There are so many of you out there that I read and gain those exact things from that I'm thankful for you.  I can be me, with no worries.  Of course, I know that there may be those who don't agree with things I post, but that's okay too...you learn from it all.

I follow tons of blogs...some IRL friends, and some "virtual".  I feel a connection with all of those people.  I know there are others out there, and I would love to be able to connect with you too!  Even if you may not have a question for me, I would love for you to at least say hi.  That way, if you have a blog, I can return the gesture and stop by.  I've found that there are so many others out there that share some of the same joys, pains, happiness, sorrows and just pure life that I can relate to, or share an experience with, maybe even help someone in a troubled time...those things warm my heart.

Please let me know if you have any questions...silly or serious that you would like to know the answers to, and I will gladly tell you the truth, and nothing but the truth!  I've led a great life thus far, made my fair share of mistakes, been down roads I wish to never travel again, and had some unbelievable joys that only God can bestow upon me.  I'd really like to connect with more people, won't you be one of them?

Ask away my friends, ask away!

Slow Down a Minute

Ha!  I wish I could slow down for a minute!  Last weekend was non-stop, and so much fun!  We had a get together Friday night, Saturday...Wowzers!  First we had a Christmas Brunch which a very dear friend was having, then Caroline's school was being sponsered at Barnes & Noble for the day, then we had a birthday party, then dinner with friends!  Sunday was spent with family so it was a much slower day!

But let's back up a few days really quick.  Caroline loves arts & crafts, and always wants to do her own while I'm working.  For her birthday she gots tons of different kits and crafts to make...the girl was in heaven!  One of the kits was to make a stepping stone.  Thursday night we got it all out and read the directions, and then we got to work.  I should have taken pictures, but I was too busy!  I'll shorten the process for you:  mix cement, pour into mold, let dry for 10 Minutes, adorn with all kinds of goodies, then let dry for several hours.  When the time comes for her to decorate her stone, she goes to town.  Stones, little glass pieces {hmhmm...plastic look alikes}, and then glitter.  It came with a tool to carve designs into the concrete, but we had to wait a little longer for that.  The next morning I get up and check it out, then as we are getting home that night, I show it to her.

"Caroline...look at your stone!"

Totally awed expression on her face

"It looks just like the beach mommy.  Tab, Tab...look!  It looks just like the sand at the beach!  I have my very own beach now!"

That girl cracks me up!  Back to Saturday...

The Christmas brunch was wonderful!  It was so nice to visit with other ladies over yummy food!  And I was super impressed by Caroline!  She played so good with the other little girl there, and didn't stay constantly underfoot, which she has a tendency to do sometimes.  The brunch was held by one of the ladies I work with, but our history goes back farther.  Tab worked for her husband for several years before he took a promotion.  And then a few years ago, Tab started to help him farm.  So, if you remember my post way back about Caroline getting to ride in Harvey the big truck, then you'll understand why we just had to take a picture with Harvey before we left their house on Saturday!

So when it was time to leave there we headed home to get Tab so we could go to Barnes & Noble.  They have this whole day full of different events for the kids all while giving a percent of the proceeds to our school!  There was story time, hot chocolate and cookies, prizes, and an art show/contest.  Caroline was picked as one of the kids for the art portion, and she was just so proud...can you tell?

Here is her fishy

Then we headed home for a short while and got ready to go to her friends birthday party.  Caroline of course had fun, but I think she was done for the day about halfway through the party!  There were tears and "i want my mommy's", poor little thing, she was pooped!  But what do you think makes everything all better?

Well, a balloon of course!

Sunday we had a lazy morning then headed over to Tab's dad & step-mom's house for some dominos, cards and food! It was a great way to end a super busy weekend

Caroline & their dog Jack

Thought Filled Thursdays are Back!

 Thought Filled Thursdays has been gone way too long!  I loved doing it because I could just list all the totally random things that enter my head on a daily basis.  So, it's time for me to bring it back, and unleash all these pent up thought and ideas!

I figure we'll start today with some of my wants!  Fun stuff right?  Now, wouldn't I look totally super cute in this little red jacket?  Thanks!  I thought so too! {Just kidding people!!!}

Old Navy

Old Navy

 

Brighton

 Banana Republic

 

Banana Republic

 

Banana Republic

 

Banana Republic

Ohhhh....how I love dreaming!  I haven't even hit up some of my favorite sites yet!  I'll have more goodies for you later!

On to my pain in the a..hmhmm sweet little stinker pot, AKA Caroline!  Can you please tell me what normal child goes to Whataburger and gets this for dinner?

And here are a few pictures from her birthday, which, she had so much fun playing and bouncing around with her friends!

 

I made Cake Pops for the party.  I thought it would be much easier for the kids and less of a mess...but apparently not!  They were everywhere!

Since there was no where to put the candles, I made Caroline a centerpiece that we put the candles in.  She loves this thing, and the best part is it doubles as a super cute decoration for her room...we just took out the candles and put it on top of her dresser!

 

Sweet Friends

 

This was for her actual birthday at home.  We had family over to celebrate!

 

Eventually I'll catch up on everything I have to post!  But, I'll leave you with a picture of a name plaque that I just got done with!  And when I'm done with the other pieces in this order, I'll have a super funny story to post about them!

Tab's Not Thrilled...BUT I Sure Am!

8:29am: Pure Love

This is for you Baby Girl...

my Sweet Caroline, Booga Boo, Boog, Stinky McGee...

{and yes, I am humiliating myself just for you...since you love these next 2 pictures so much!}

6 months

 Right before I had you

 ********************************************************************************

 
At about 8:25am Dr. Dean told me you would be here in a few minutes {I didn't know what time it was}, so I asked,"What time is it?", to which he replied,"8:26".

"Can you wait until 8:31"?

"She'll be here in about 2 minutes".

"But I wanted her to be born at 8:31".

"How about 8:29?" {as he pulls her out}

At that moment I could have cared less about what time it was.  My girl was here.  All that I had been waiting for just seconds away from my eyes.  He lifted her over the sheet that was draping over me, and I was in love. Pure.Love.

I have spent every moment since trying to be the best mommy I can.  Making sure that my decisions are good for you, that you eat right, you do your homework, gosh...that still gets me homework.  How can you already be old enough for homework?

Seven years.  No one can ever explain to a mommy how fast the time goes, blink and its gone.

I know I don't have to explain to you how special you are to me.  You know.  So, I have decided to just share some memories.  From when you were born until now.

The first is really not about you at all, but a treasured story from when I had you.  I was so excited, for so many reasons, but every mom knows how great it is to have food after having a baby.  Most of the time you are so hungry from not being allowed to eat, that getting food totally rocks!  Well, I decided I needed Whataburger.  It was soooo yummy!  I was cleaning up my mess and putting all the trash in my bag when suddenly I was covered in red blobs.  It looked like I had been shot!  I punctured a ketchup package...and it exploded all over the place.  Me, the wall behind me, and even the ceiling above me.  Instantly everyone there started cracking up, including me for about 1/2 a second until the peircing pain hit me.  Duh!  I just had a C-section, I couldn't laugh!  So then, in true Alicia fashion, the tears started.  And then the obsenities and me screaming at everyone to get out of my room.



You were so tiny, only weighing in at 5lbs. 11oz. when we brought you home {6lb.2oz at birth}.  Your first night "home" was spent at your Aunt Amy's house because the next day was Thanksgiving, and everyone was coming to see you.  You slept through the night from day 1, scaring me half to death because you were supposed to keep me up all night.

At about 7 weeks old I shaved your head.  I know.  No one has to ask me what I was thinking,  I temporarily lost my mind.  I was told by my hair stylist that it would make your hair grow in even and faster.  Lets just say that you were lucky to have a bow in your hair on your 1st birthday.

6 months old

1st Birthday

10 months...you took off running!

1st Halloween...this face is priceless

You were a piglet, still are really.  But, you have always eaten so healthy.  Very shocking.  And you did not want us to feed you.  You had to do it all by yourself.

You are a fiercely loyal little thing.  You  make friends and keep them.  Max was your best bud for years at school.  Gabriel has been your best friend from day one, and now you have many more.  You're too smart for your own good, and it wears me out.  There is no way to "put one over" on you!  I just can't tell you how much you mean to me...

 

 One of my absolute favorite pictures of you...ever!  It just shows your personality to a T.

I love you Boog,

Momma

{and to any of those wondering why I wanted her to be born at 8:31, here's the story.}
I know I've talked about my BFF Michelle lots, and we were lucky enough to be preggers together.  She delivered her son, Gabriel exactly 12 weeks before at 8:31am.  So if Boog could have stuck it out for 2 more minutes, she and her best bud would have been born 12 weeks apart...to the minute!  How cool would that have been?