Pictures by Neelley Armes

We had the kids pictures taken before Christmas by a talented new photographer, Neelley Armes. Check out her work @ armesranch.com. I loved how they turned out! There are so many more to choose from...these are just a few of my favorites!

Shoe Splurge

Are these not the cutest?!?! AND they're sparkly too! Lol.

I am not a shoe person...never have been. So, when people talk about fancy shoes, and spending big bucks on a nice pair, I am just lost. I would much rather spend  money on "house stuff" or stuff for the kids. Anyways, on Pinterest I saw these, and I fell in love! I mean, completely head-over-heals in love with these shoes! So, I splurged and purchased them. I am sooooo excited though! So, there ya have it! I know this post is silly...really, really insignificantly silly!

Miss Mallary Jill

My little bundle will turn 20 months in three days! Here are her 20 month stats:

• weighs 27 lbs
• talks non-stop... I mean, NON-STOP yall!
• asks the questions, "What's this?" and "Why?
   all the time
• loves to play babies, trains with Matt, and read books
• wrestles with Matt
• screams at Matt
• loves to color (she's my creative one)
• sleeps with 2 babies, Minnie mouse, a giraffe, and Aggie dog (and if one is missing, she knows!)
• says "Hi" to everyone!
• loves yogurt, toasters, fruit, hotdogs, and suckers... and that's about it! She is very picky like Matt
• loves being tickled, and loves to tickle others
• and my favorite thing she does is says, " I ya you meeeeeee much" (I love you this much) with arms open wide

Painting, Painting, and MORE Painting...

In November, I decided to start selling some Holiday paintings. I can not even begin to tell you what a huge blessing this was for me! I wasn't at all expecting to sell as many as I did...in fact, I was completely shocked at the response! I painted non-stop for over a month (from sun up til sun down...no kidding), and I have people who are asking for more next year. I absolutely love to paint, and I have some really neat ideas for next year! Thank you to all who ordered from me! WE truly appreciate it.

p.s. and I can not go without saying thank you to my sweet husband and mother-in-law who took care of the kids while I tackled this job... I couldn't have done it without you!

Homemade Christmas

This year we decided to have a homemade Christmas (on my mom's side). It was so much fun, and I just have to tell you, there are some pretty talented women in my family! Love you all! Thanks for the beautiful, and thoughtful gifts!

Here are some pictures of the gifts that were given to us:

A purse made by my mom

homemade lotion by Mary Beth

sock monkeys for Matt and Mallary made by Aunt Amy

jewelry holder/display made by my sister Chelsie

initial plaque made by my Aunt Amy

Oh How He Loves Us

Christmas day marked the 2nd anniversary of my Dad's death. I can't believe I haven't hugged my Dad in two years. I long to wrap my arms around his neck and hear him say, "How's my Bran?" I miss him more and more every day. It hurts so much sometimes, almost to the point of where I feel like I can't breathe. I want him here with us. He was too young. I'm still a young girl in need of a Daddy. It's so unfair. Why him, why us? Why on Christmas day? I can go on and on with questions, but I know one thing remains... Our God. He is faithful, He is just, and He loves us. Life is so unfair, but God turns ashes into beauty. I hold on to that hope. I am asking those of you that read this blog to keep us in your prayers. We need them. My mom needs them, my siblings, and my family needs your prayers. I believe God gives us little signs that show us that He is here with us, and that He never abandons us...ever. Right after my Dad passed away, we had 2 bald eagles show up at our tail water pit. Seeing bald eagles around this part of the world is very rare. My Dad loved bald eagles. They stayed around the area for quite some time, and we loved watching them. They did not come around last year, so we figured that they were not coming back. On Christmas Eve of this year, there was one perched in a tree down at the tail water pit. Mark came in the house and said, "Brandea, the eagle is back." I could not believe it! I immediately started crying and thanking God for His sign. It was as if he was saying to us, "I love you, I will never leave nor forsake you, and you will one day see your Dad again." It was amazing, and I am so thankful for His blessings. Store up treasures in heaven. Nothing else in this world matters....nothing. 

Christmas 2011

We were blessed with a beautiful frost. I love waking up to this.

Visiting Santa=Success! Matt didn't want to sit on his lap, but at least he told him what he wanted. It was a NO GO for Mallary though. She didn't want ANY part of him :-D

Matt and Caden getting ready to go carolling....horse drawn carriage and all! What a fun night!

After carolling, Matt and a bunch of his buddies met at the Headquaters where they ate cookies and drank hot chocolate. Santa even stopped by!!!

Matt loving on sissy (in their matching footie pj's) Sometimes I feel like that mom on my all time favorite Christmas movie "A Christmas Story".  Those of you who have seen that movie know exactly what I'm talkin' about. Lol.

Writing our letters to Santa

Baking, baking...

and more baking.

Woo Hoo! Look at those muscles!

Aunt Amy lovin' on MJ

Santa brought Matt a real 4-wheeler for Christmas.

Taking a ride with Daddy.

Papa, Mare Mare, the grands, and the great grands!

I love this picture: Hudson 5, Evy 2, Matt 4, and Mallary 19 months. Christmas is fun with this bunch!

Matt and Mallary

I took these pics a few months ago and I am just now getting around to posting them. I love watching my children together. There is a bond there that is indescribable. It fills my heart with joy. I hope they always have a strong relationship. I think these days siblings are not taught to love each other, and it makes me so sad to see that. I know that I would be lost without my brother and sister. I pray that they will always love each other and always rely on each other through thick and thin.