Last blog of the year!

 2010 coming to an end....really? Already? This year has been full of good things and great times, and I can not belive it's already coming to an end! This year holds so many memories I'll forever cherish. Some of the bigger events are that Elliana has went from being a 6 month old drooling, bobbling baby to a walking, talking toddler running wild! Our family moved from Clarksville, TN back to Bryant, AL for Bryson's new job; and last, but not least, our precious baby Kade has joined our family! It's so amazing to now have both a daughter and son! This time last year I would've laughed out loud if someone would've told me I'd have a 3 month old a year from then. Kade has been such an amazing addition to our family. I'm so very thankful to God for blessing me with such a wonderful family!
 I hope 2011 brings good things as well. I know the cliche thing for New's Years resolutions is to lose weight. I've never been one to jump on that bandwagon. However, now that I have two little ones I realize now more than ever that I NEED to get healthy. I have extremely high cholesterol that is mostly a hereditary problem, though I know getting fit and losing weight would definitely do great things for my cholesterol as well as help my over all health. I went to the doctor this past Tuesday because I suspected an umbilical hernia which I had noticed shortly after giving birth to Kade. My suspicions were correct. I have a small hernia that I'm consulting a surgeon about next week. It would also be beneficial for me to lose weight as far as the hernia is concerned. I'm not sure if the surgeon is going to recommend surgery yet, since we are not sure we are finished having babies. Anyhow, the point is I have many very important reasons why I need to get healthy. I'm to the point where I'm truly embarrassed to go out in public because of the fact I'm 50 lbs overweight! I'm tired of being disgusted with the way I look. Most importantly I want to be healthy for Bryson, the kids, and myself. I want to teach my kids how to be healthy by example. I truly hope that Elliana nor Kade ever struggle with self image the way I have. Growing up, I was never taught healthy eating habits or really how important staying active really is. I don't want to be the mom who's too fat to go hiking with her kids, and who always feels bad and tired because I choose unhealthy foods and don't exercise properly. So, having said all that it looks like 2011 will be my year to jump on the weight loss bandwagon. I truly hope I can make a real life change that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I have no one to blame for the condition I'm currently in and I am the only one who can make the change. I pray God helps me to stay focused and determined.
 On a lighter note, Christmas this year was fantastic. Waking up to a winter wonderland was amazing. It was so beautiful to see a white Christmas, something I've never seen before. Sure, there have been dustings in the past and maybe some left over snow, but never a fresh bountiful Christmas snow! It was also Kade's first Christmas, which is specail as well. I know he nor Elliana will really remember this snow, but I have lots of pictures that I'm sure they'll enjoy when they're older. We had such a great Christmas spending time together as a family opening presents at our house first. We then went to Chris and Marianne's and later that night to the Whetzell's. Christmas Eve was spent as usual at Nanny and Pap's. We got to see all of our close relatives (except Chad and his family since they are in China :( ) We missed them very much, but had a blast seeing the rest of our families. Oh yes, and I got to see Amy's baby Isaac for a second time. He's a month old now and so precious. Bryson, Elliana, and Kade met him for the first time while they were here for the Christmas break. I can't belive Christmas has already been and gone, but it was definitely a great one. I am looking forward to next Christmas already!

Loving Christmas time

 I love this time each year. It's especially fun now that we have two babies! Elliana is very into all the pretty lights and singing Christmas decorations. When she sees a manger scene she says, "esus!" It's too cute. I aim to teach her at a very early age what Christmas is truly about. I want her to know first and foremost that it's about Jesus and his birth and there would be no Christmas without the gift of Jesus. Sure I want her to enjoy the Santa thrill (until some jerk kid at school ruins it for her when she starts school ;) ) and presents are always nice too, but I want her and Kade to both know why Christmas is Christmas. Kade of course doesn't know that anything special is happening this month, but Elliana is fun to watch already. I can not wait until Christmas morning to see her reaction to her new things, and just to see her in all the family traditions and the excitment that goes with it.
 Speaking of traditions I want to carry on a tradition from when I was growing up. Our family used to always gather around in the living room the night before Christmas and read the Christmas story from the Bible by candle light. Seems like a different kid read it each year. It was really neat to take a few minutes each year and hear, once again, the wonderful story of Jesus's birth. I hope Elliana and Kade will one day look forward to it as much as I did. I'm thinking about maybe baking a birthday cake for Jesus with the kids too. Maybe we could do that instead of making cookies for Santa. I think it would be another way to ensure that they remember the true meaning of Christmas ( and we can always tell them Santa can have a bite of the cake instead of cookies, haha). I also think doing a family trip to Rock City or Ruby Falls each December would be a fun tradition. We are actually going to Rock City tomorrow and I think Elliana will love it. I didn't realize that Ruby Falls had a Christmas thing as well until I saw a billboard the other day. Anyhow, maybe we'll switch out from year to year and do both.
 In other news, Kade is trying to recover from a virus. I took him to the doctor yesterday because he just hadn't been himself since Monday. He was a lot more fussy than normal and had a low grade temp. too. I was afraid he might have an ear infection, but his ears were clear. They did bloodwork to make sure nothing major was up, but that came back normal and they said it was likely just a virus making him feel yucky. Bless his heart. I hate to see either of my babies sick, but it's especially pitiful when they are so young. He does seem to be on the mend today though, so that's great.
 Elliana is amazing me with her learning here lately. It seems like she picks up so many new things everyday! She's saying all kinds of words now and even saying short sentences such as, "mere" for come here and "there it is!". :) It's amazing how she'll watch someone do something just once and then she copies them perfectly. She has her 18 month check up on the 27th and that's when we are going to start good old potty training! Oh boy oh boy, I can't wait. ;) I hope she does well with that and learns quickly. It was be WONDERFUL to have her out of diapers. Two in diapers is no fun at all.
 Bryson has been getting to work more and more 4/10's here lately and I love it. Today is his Friday and we'll get him for a 3 day weekend this week, yea! He has a really good boss with this job. She is really down to earth and understands that family comes before work and doesn't give Bryson any grief about needing time off here and there for family things. I'm very thankful for that. Some people are just way too into work and put it before anything else. Coming from a family where my dad had to work 16 hour sifts and travel out of town often, I know just how important it is to put family first.  My dad had 7 kids to support and working over time was pretty much mandatory for him. It just sucked not having him there often. He really missed a lot while we were growing up.
 Well I have a little girl who is past due for a nap and it's really showing at the moment. I better get her to bed pronto!

2010

Modern Cranberry Noir Christmas

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Christmas shopping coming to an end

 I like to do things early and avoiding the crowds associated with Christmas shopping. Bryson had a 4 day weekend this week, so we headed out Thursday to start our shopping. We took both babies and had a great day! We started at Shogun for lunch (you know it's going to be a good day when you start by eating out), :) then hit TJ Max, Academy, the mall, and Walmart. We were blasted by the end of the day, but successfully got 3/4 of our list checked off. I think the kids had fun too, but they were exhausted when we pulled into the garage.
  I realized on the way home that day that we had gotten everyone on our list at least one thing...except for our own 2 kids! Ha, we hadn't gotten a single thing for our own, but I did remedy that today.  One of my friends gave me an early pass to the Just Between Friends consignment sale they have at camp jordan. It was so nice getting to go in before the general public. There are so many good deals offered at a consignment sale. Some things are brand new and the used things are, for the most part, in pefect condition. You get the cutest clothes and neatest toys and furniture, but not the huge price tag. I'm sorry but if you have kids and you don't do consignment shopping, you are a fool. I got absolutely everything for my kids Christmas there today (clothes, shoes, and toys) and it cost me $103.00. It feels so good to be done. I only have Bryson left on my list, so I am all but finished with Christmas shopping altogether; and it's only Novemeber 13th, woohoo!
 Today was also nice in that it was my first day since having Kade to be baby free. I had 5 hours of down time. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids dearly and even missed them while I was out, but I was in serious need of  a break.  Bryson chilled out at Chris and Marianne's with the kids. I didn't feel too bad leaving him with them since he had pleanty of help. With Mammie, Inga, Brodie, Brilee and Pappy around I seriously doubt he had to worry much about either of them.
 I'm so ready to get back in the saddle, literally. My horse, Sohie, is going to be 6 years old this coming spring and I've only been on her back a handful of times. Usually horses are broken in at age 2, so we are way behind. It's been extremely tough to find time to work with her over the past 4 years; in part because we've lived either in Tuscaloosa or TN during that time (while my horse lived at home at my parents house) and in part because I've been pregnant with three back to back pregnancies (my first pregnancy was a tubal) over the past 3 years. So, on my Christmas wish list is a few things I need tack wise to get back started on my horse. I guess my new year's resolution should be to officially get Sohpie broke to ride. It shouldn't be too much longer until I have a little girl who's ready to saddle up.....at least I hope she shares my love for horses and riding.
 

Kade's first trick or treating adventure

 Bryson and I had such a good time taking the kids trick or treating (and no it wasn't just because we get to eat the majority of their candy either. ;)). They were both adorable in their costumes. Elliana was a ladybug and Kade was a red hot chili pepper. Elliana, this being her second trick or treating experience, was showing baby Kade the ropes. He slept through the majority of the day, but Elliana seemed to really enjoy it. She was very sweet telling everybody please and thank you. :) She loved her 'nummy nummies.' We mostly went to our family's houses and the the trunk or treat at both Ebenezer and Canaanland. I think we went 7 places Saturday night and it took us 4 hours to make those rounds! Everybody was thrilled to see the babies, so we had to stop and visit a while at each house. I so look forward to these special memories we are making as a family of 4 now. I truly cherish each day I am blessed with my husband and two wonderful babies.
 We are planning on putting up our Christmas tree this weekend. Yes, I know it's only the begininng of November, but the Christmas season passes so quickly that I want to start celebrating as early as possible. Besides, it's a lot of work decorating and I'd like to have a little time to enjoy all the hard work. I can't wait to see how Elliana responds to the tree once it's up. I bet she'll love the lights and all the 'baws.' I just hope I'm not fighting her about leaving the ornaments on the tree. I have an inkling I will be though.
 Bryson is finishing up on Kade's toy box. He's has all the boards cut and sanded, so he only has to put it together and add the finish. It looks really good already. He decided on a toy box for Kade since he did a cradle for Elliana. I think it's so special that he's hand making each of his kids a keepsake for when they are older; not to mention they are useful now. My dad made a cradle for us when we were little. The problem was he only made one cradle and he had 7 kids! Amberly eneded up with it since she had the first grandbaby. Anyhow, Elliana and Kade will both have something to take with them when they get married that their daddy made for them. I'm thankful Bryson is such a handy man and that he wants to do this for his babies.

Kade's first Halloween 2010

My sweet babies

She wasn't thrilled about being in costume at first, but she decided it was o.k. later on

trick or treating at Popie and Granny's house

Trunk or treating at Ebenezer

                                                         So sweet together
                                                                 

October is here and almost gone

 It's hard to believe we are already almost through October! This month has flown by with lots going on. Earlier this month, the 9th I think it was, we had my sister's baby shower. It went well and she got lots of things for baby Isaac. I'm sure Isaac is especially thrilled with all his dipes and wipes. :) I know Amy will be thrilled once she sees just how many diapers these little poopers go through in a day! I was greatful to see lots of friends and family come out to support Amy and baby Isaac. I hope they both feel the love everyone has for them.
 October 16th Bryson and I took Elliana and Kade to Ellijay Ga for the apple festival. It was neat seeing just how many goodies people can make with apples. The apple dumplings were both mine and Elliana's favorite.  I think Bryson was pretty taken with the apple fritters. I guess Kade will have another year to wait to see what his favorite will be. Elliana enjoyed watching the ponies and camels ride kids around. She was content just watching so we figured we'd get by one more year without having to pay for her to ride. :) It was a long drive, but a great family outing for us.
 October has also been a 'sick' month for our family. Currently I am the only one well. Late Sunday night/early Monday morning Elliana came down with croup. We had to take her to the E.R. because her breathing wasn't so great. They gave her a steriod to help open her airway and she's slowly gotten better. Today she still has a cough, but it's just related to her cold and not croup. Bryson has also been coughing his head off the past 3 days. I think his is allergy related and he seems to be on the mend. Poor baby Kade has been coughing as well. I'm fairly certain his is a cold. He's just been coughing and sneezing. No runny nose, fever, or wheezing. I'm just praying his doesn't turn into croup too! Hopefully everyone will be all better soon. I don't know how much more sleep this mama can go without!

Life as a family of 4

 It has been so incredible having a little baby boy added to our family! Kade is such a precious one. Elliana always looks for him as soon as she gets up and is very interested in helping me take care of him. She's so funny with him. The other day I was changing his diaper. She was watching intently. The next thing I know she has grabbed a wipe and is scrubbing his leg with it. She also loves to try to stick his passy in his mouth. Though she usually has it turned around backward trying to put the wrong side in, which doesn't work out well. Elliana loves to brush his hair too. She's definitely my little 'helper.' I am so blessed to have such precious babies! Thank you God for giving me 2 wonderful, healthy kids!
 Bryson went back to work this past Wednesday. I was truly nervous about being home with 2 babies all alone.  Bryson was so very helpful the 2 weeks he was off. I enjoyed having him home so much and have missed him terribly! Elliana seems to notice he's back to work too. She goes to the door multiple times a day and looks out asking, 'daddy?' It's sweet and sad at the same time. Obviously he's got to go to work, but I wish there were some way we could have him home more. Though I am truly thankful he only works 5 days a week and gets to come home every night. I'm just amazed at the women who have husbands in the military that are gone for months at a time. I would never make it! Anyhow, I survived my first few days alone just fine and even though I know I've got pleanty of challenging days ahead, I look forward to each and every day with my babies.
 Kade is a good sleeper...during the day. He's definitely got his days and nights mixed up. He sleeps like a rock during the day. At night he'll lay awake just looking around or fussing for his passy. It's like he wants to hang out with me and Bryson at night when he should be sleeping! He's usually up every 2 hours to eat. I don't get a lot of sleep at night, but I usually get a good 2 hour nap in during the day sometime. Elliana occasionally wakes up (usually because she hears Kade crying). Last night was one of those nights. She woke up with him at about 2:00 and Bryson had to go get her and lay her down with him while I fed Kade. When I came back to bed I carried Elliana back to her bed. A few minutes later Kade kept losing his passy and me or Bryson would have to go put it back in for him. Finally we just put him in our bed so we didn't have to get up; of course then he went right to sleep! Bryson and I are trying not to let Elliana nor Kade get in the habit of sleeping in our bed. We really like having our bed to ourselves. We and the babies seem to sleep best when everyone is in their own bed anyhow (well most of the time). I just can't sprawl out and sleep very soundly with a little one in the bed with us. I guess I'm always aware of them and trying to make sure I don't roll over on them.
 Elliana got her 15 month shots last Tuesday. Bless her heart. I hate that she has to get so many shots, but I know getting shots and preventing any one of the diseases they prevent is more than worth it. Elliana is very wary of Dr. Jenny, her peditrician. I'm not sure why because Dr. Jenny never actually gives the shots and is always very soft spoken and gentle with her. The only thing I can figure out is that Dr. Jenny is Asian. She doesn't have an accent or anything (for all I know she's lived in the U.S. all her life), but I don't know that Elliana has ever seen an Asian person before. Now she'll probably associate all Asian folks with doctors and shots. :)
 My sister Amy's baby shower is in one week. I'm excited for her to have a shower, even though she won't be attending herself. She had her 4D ultrasound yesterday and baby Isaac is so cute! I know Amy is looking so forward to meeting her son, who is due December 20! At least Kade will have one boy cousin who lives a little closer to him. William is a bit far away being that he lives in China! Looks like the boys are making a come back. Until Kade came along, poor William was the only boy with Daly, Atalie, Elliana, and Victoria! Amy is naming her baby Isaac Bradley after our brother Bradley. I love the name and think it's really neat that she's naming him after Boog. I can't wait to meet little Isaac Bradley!
 Amberly is supposed to be coming up soon for a visit and to meet baby Kade. She was actually supposed to be here today, but Attie got sick. We'll have to wait and see how she does to know when they might get to come. I'm excited to see her and Daly and Atalie.
 Well Kade just about blew his diaper off with a big poop while my sister Ashley is holding him. He scared her to death it was so loud, ha! All of the sudden she wants me to get him now.....go figure! :)