Awesome time with family...and it didn't even make me wanna chew the inside of my jaw

To say that I thoroughly enjoyed my week off would be an understatement. On Monday, Kate and I headed to Chick-fil-A for lunch and to play on the playground there. I've found that if I do the Chick-fil-A playground time, I can squeeze in a completely unneeded Target run.

I love the dollar spot at Target. I wanna date it, get engaged, and marry it. I can find so many awesome things there that I never knew I needed (and essentially still don't actually 'need'). I can stroll down the first little aisle and "Bam"! The dollar spot has now turned into the twenty buck spot. But seriously, Christmas hand towels for a buck? Essential, wouldn't ya say? Little cardboard Christmas books with squeaky Santa's that don't quite squeak properly? Throw 'em in the buggy already!


We had a great day, but I really can't quite get past how awkward it is to sit in that little play area at Chick-fil-A and share a bench with someone you've never met, all the while just kind of smiling and laughing and asking how old every one's children are. What's really awkward is when it's just you and a random dad. Sometimes small talk is difficult, especially when I haven't had caffeine that day. This whole cutting back on caffeine thing, although totally worth it for my precious lil' baby, is really killin' me....and my personality! Dang, I never realized what a sleepy, somewhat quiet (ok maybe not quiet, but quieter) little person I was without my Diet Coke and other precious caffeinated nectars. I'll never forget that right after giving birth to Kate, the nurse came in and asked if she could get me some water, juice, or ice cubes and I just looked at her and said, "No thank you. But I'd love a big, fat Diet Coke in a Styrofoam cup with lots of ice, please."

After our little playdate, we came home and got everything ready to decorate our tree...but not before Kate and M to the Izz-A did a little fishing.

This is the earliest I've decorated for Christmas, but I figured I'd better get it done when I was off work or we'd be trying to throw it together the week before...and then I'd want to leave it up 'til February because I hate to put so much effort into something only to see it torn down shortly after.

This year we all helped decorate. Kate even hung a few of her paci's on the limbs for extra decoration. Cutest ornament I've ever seen.

Our favorite part

Our Thanksgiving was great. We spent the actual holiday with Matt's family, but also got to visit with family, who were down from South Carolina, the days following.

Kate and Kennedy love Grammy's farm

And because I was too lazy to move this picture after it was so randomly placed here, I left it. It's my mom and dad sharing a big hug with Kate and me....right after the Gators stuck it to the Seminoles. That's one reason we're smiling so big. Oh, and if my eyes look a little red in the pic, it's because I cried during on of the dadblame holiday commercials that aired during the game. Gotta love those hormones.

Now, where were we...

And of course my sisters and I headed out bright and early for Black Frizzy. It turned out to be a successful venture, but more than that, the time we shared together was what made the day so great. These gals make me smile and laugh 'til I get the hiccups.

In other news, M to the Izz-A is remodeling our laundry room. Well, I say remodeling, but really, I'm thinking that maybe I should leave off the re- and just say 'modeling'? Because technically the room was never finished from about three years ago. And for some reason, which I will be forever grateful for, he has decided to finish it. Maybe I'll post pics when it's finished. But a laundry room is pretty much a laundry room...not sure you'll be too interested in all that.

And before I go, I just wanna briefly share how completely in awe I am of my Lord and Savior. He's been talking and dealing with me on several things lately, and I've really seen Him at work in my life, and the life of my family. And on this Thanksgiving, I'm feeling particularly thankful for Him and what he's doing in my heart. It's not about me. It's about Him and others. Things I thought mattered, simply don't. I'm thankful that He's opening my eyes to what really matters in this life. It's not about me, Lord. It's all of about You. Thank you for turning my 'I already know everything heart' into a 'teachable heart'. But most importantly, thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy.

Who knew that Captain Jack Sparrow rides a pink beach cruiser?

Halloween was so much fun this year. Even though it was way too hot, Kate was old enough to enjoy all of the festivities and say, "Trick or treat!" And on top of it all, we got some really good candy, none of that 'made just for Halloween and doesn't even have a name' candy. Score!

She thought the pumpkin needed some hair.

A lil' left over Ranch dressing from dinner on the finger...because we decided to pick up some fried chicken and eat outside while we carved. Multi-tasking at its best.

On Saturday night we joined our family and friends for a hayride and trick or treating. M to the Izz-A, my cousin Ben, and our friend Clay decided to ride bikes behind us as we drove to my aunt's subdivision nearby. Why? Who knows?! They can never do anything normal. It turned out to be a great idea however, because they were able to ride the kids around a little so that they didn't get worn out too quickly. Turn in early? Never! Mama's on a mission for some Shock Tarts and Butterfingers!

Cousin Kennedy and Kate

My aunt's dog, Rocky, was a horse for Halloween. See the cowboy saddled up on his back?

Grandma and her granddog, Rocky

Thanks for this pic Mrs. Peg!! It's my favorite!


One of the greatest highlights of our weekend was Saturday's FL/GA game. The Gators showed the Dawgs what was up, as predicted! I love my Orange and Blue. Winning against a big rival feels good...and tends to make those monthly grad school loan payments a little less painful. Anyone feel me on that one?!

Unfortunately Georgia's black helmets didn't help them out as much as they had hoped.

Maybe next year they should try pink?!

That there's an RV

This past weekend was spent on the road - on a hunt. M to the Izz-A had us out looking for campers. Camper, RV, travel trailer, while they may very well be different in definition, they're all the same to me. They all equal something I've never done - camped. I like to think that I'm a pretty well-rounded gal, experienced many of the great experiences life has to offer, but with my milestone birthday approaching next month, I still have never been camping. Staying half the night in my playhouse as a kid doesn't really count. And I only made it half the night because I ran out of my Fudge Rounds. Because let's face it, if Little Debbie wasn't camping, Little Hollie wasn't either.

And because it was Father's Day weekend, along with the fact that I'm about half way through my Joyce Meyer's book (It's better than my evening primrose oil!), I felt like I could successfully handle being part of Matt's search committee.

Keep in mind that it was in the triple digits here in the dirty South and that made things extra sweaty. Also, Kate came along with us. 'Nuff said. Ever try to shop for anything with a two year old? She just wasn't sharing the camping passion.

I could tell that Matt really appreciated our willingness to participate because by the time I got myself ready and grabbed my purse and Kate's bag, he already had the car loaded with snacks, DVD's, and a mini-cooler of Diet Cokes to keep his ladies happy.

After two days of searching, we definitely became more knowledgeable and got a better idea of what exactly we are and are not looking for, but still came home camperless.

I have however changed my thinking on the subject. When I first thought about camping, I told Matt that while we're at it, I'm gonna go ahead and purchase myself a fanny pack and stop shaving my pits. What does that have to do with anything?! I have no idea, it's just the first thing I could think of. Originally, I couldn't care less if we bought one or not, but when I realized that it has the potential to take my Gator football game enjoyment to the next level, I was sold!

And oh yea, let's not forget the great vacation memories for the family...

...minus Cousin Eddie of course.

Today's deepest thoughts and emotions summed up in one image

Heads up:
In my next post I'll be sharing with you what I think to be the absolute best lip moisturizing treatment ever. Sal Gal was willing to gulp down four big tablespoons of humbleness for me, just so I could post and share her before and after photos with you. (Plus, she just really believes in this product.) This stuff is amazing!

Random Weekend Happenings

I'm still feeling a bit off, so forgive the randomness of this post. I am feeling better, but not quite 100% yet. S0 here goes...

When I got home from work on Friday, M to the Izz-A was itching to give me one of my Christmas gifts. He never wants to wait until the actual holiday to give me my present. He's such a kid in that way (many ways actually). I, on the other hand, do not like to get my gifts early because I am the queen of wanting to have something to look forward to.

He insisted that I open it, saying I would want to use it throughout the holiday season. I decided to go ahead and open it, and was thrilled to find
a new Nikon camera. I have been wanting one for quite a while now, but didn't even ask for one because I figured it was a hopeless cause.


Score one for the hubby. That does, however, mean that this blog may become quite picture heavy.


Today after church we had to make a trip to Lowe's and Wal-mart for a few necessities.



Here I am sitting in the Starbuck's drive-through waiting for another necessity of sorts (Peppermint mocha something or another) and trying to figure this thing out.

Note the object hanging out of the back passenger window. In lieu of buying a baby window shade, Matt prefers to just find a random piece of clothing (in this case, my gray fleece) and roll it up in the window. That's how we roll.

In other weekend news, we also attended our local Christmas parade (if you can even call it that) that lasted all of about a minute and a half, and that's only because it got stopped by a train midway through. It was incredibly lame and I promised to never do it again. It took us longer to drive to it and park than it did to watch it. Seriously, I sneezed and it was over. It definitely was not worth taking off my pajamas for.

Now, I realize I haven't posted in a few days, and as much as I love to post everyday, the holiday season is throwing me off a bit. I'm a girl of routine and as we all know, December brings nothing of the sort. So we'll have to see how it goes.

Before I go, I must congratulate my boys for their win yesterday. And I think the saying must be true, Superman does in fact where Tebow pajamas to bed.

GO GATORS!