Getting Ready For Church

It Was A Holly Jolly Christmas For Sure!

Christmas dinner is so much fun when you have a sweet Christmas bib to wear!

I am a bit embarrhassed by the amount of goodies in this photo so I must explain that these were not all Christmas gifts....many were toys we have had that just had to be played with today as well :)!

Ok, seriously...have you ever seen a more precious face???

Look at our big boy - standing without any help!!!

Santa brought Rhonald ... I mean Cole ... an early gift this year. We bought an aquarium and both of the boys are IN LOVE with it. I have been enjoying it so much too but I think they are obsessed! It is so relaxing and fun to watch. And if you ask Cole "where are the fish?" he crawls over to the aquarium and points....so sweet!

We had such a wonderful first Christmas with Cole this year! Above are pictures that we took trying to capture the fun we have had! We kept saying how strange it was to think about last Christmas when we were wishing and hoping for him to make his first appearance into this world...how nervous and excited we were to meet him face to face! Now, we know everything about this sweet boy and cannot imagine life without him! Last night Rhonald stayed up putting together a few toys for Cole and I stuffed his stocking (and Mason's too of course). He loved the stocking...taking things out of containers is a big deal to him right now so that was right up his alley. I think he was a bit overwhelmed with the toys and the unwrapping but he did well and seemed to love everything he got! It was so much fun watching him take everything in today! We were lucky to have Rhonald's mom and dad here with us this year and I know they loved sharing the day with Cole as well. We had a huge dinner (which Cole also loved) and then we all settled down for a long afternoon nap! Tonight Rhonald and I took Cole out to look at Christmas lights - I think he fell asleep about 30 mins into the adventure but hey --- at least we can say we did it! I included the last picture to let you know that Cole loved every card we received so if you sent one to us I promise it was looked at at least 1 million times! There is so much more to share but I am exhausted! We hope that your holiday was amazing and we look forward to hearing all about it soon! Merry Christmas!

WOW!

I read this quote today and wanted to share it...thank you Gaylee! I know you were actually sending me a forward but this really touched my heart too!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we subconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Marianne Williamson adjusted, originally Nelson Mandela

I've Been Tagged....

My friend, Melissa, tagged me with this through her blog so here I go....7 random facts about me:

1. I am a list maker. I actually made a list of things to put in this post. I make lists everyday and I am so obsessive that if I have to add things, or I don't like my handwriting, I rewrite the list! I know, crazy huh? I love lists and I have no idea how people live without them. I do not make lists for Rhonald...that was something I promised I would never do although I would like to every now and then!

2. I love the smell of fresh cut grass and burning leaves. I love them so much that I even mowed the yard when we bought this house just to smell it. Of course, that stopped when I got pregnant and I have not picked it back up since!

3. I pray every time I rock Cole. It is about the most relaxing and peaceful time in my day. I rock him before each nap and bedtime and that is my "quiet time." I love it.

4. I wish I was southern. I was born in Michigan and have wonderful memories but I wish I could say I was truly southern. I try and I do well but there is a difference. I love the traditions of the South...the sweet tea, the porches, the Sunday picnics after church...the lazy days. If you have never lived here you think I am crazy and cannot understand but there is something so charming about it and I love it.

5. In another life I would have loved to be the star in a musical! Not any musical mind you...a musical on Broadway! When I am alone in the car (not often) I tend to put in a CD from one of my favorite shows and sing like crazy! If you know me well at all you know...I CANNOT SING (and I have never been in a play)! But I love to think I would be awesome if given the chance in another life.

6. I do not like popcorn. Well, I should say, I only like homemade popcorn and I am so lucky to have a father in law that will make it for me whenever I ask!

7. I am very proud that I have breastfed Cole for a year (well almost...we only have 3 weeks to go) and that I made all of his baby food.

Now I tag.....Kellie, Rachel C, Rachel G, Emily, Deidre, Margaret and Amy M!

A Messy Kind Of Day

You know, it has been one of those weeks! Cole and I have had a great time together but we have been stuck at home much of the time (except for play group - thank goodness for that) because of the weather. As I mentioned a few days ago, Cole is not a pasta fan! That is ok with me but I felt like he would like it if he could learn to have fun with it. So, today was the day! I bought some Beefaroni (I know, gross-but every kid tries it) and off we went! He loved playing with it and making a mess and he even ate quite a bit more than I thought he would. He did not gobble it up but it was a start and it was fun! Now, looking back, there are a few things I would have done differently....like take his clothes off before he ate! Needless to say after lunch we jumped in to the tub - that turned out to be fun too since we usually only take baths before bed. Overall, it was well worth it and hey- I got a few great pictures too!

A New Kind Of Dinner Party

Saturday night we had a few friends over...all who have children! It was a fun and wild time with 4 little ones running around but it was well worth it! And, once again, we were all reminded of how times have changed...every child had a seat at the table while every adult stood while eating! Oh - and the centerpiece has changed from flowers to Clorox disinfecting wipes!!!! Oh well...such is life! Cole had an absolute blast sharing his toys and home with his buddies. We enjoyed lots of good food and company and I actually hope that we do it again soon!!!

Just A Few Pictures To Share

Cole is really into the cabinets and drawers these days. This morning I cleaned out a drawer and put all of his cups, bowls, bottles, etc in it so that he could get to them easily. Well, as soon as there was a little extra room in this TINY cabinet he climbed in. I could not believe that he could even get in there but he did! We had a small amount of trouble getting him out but he did not seem to mind...he tried to climb right back in! What a silly boy!

How many Searcy men does it take to child proof the kitchen? I am thankful to Rhonald for putting locks on some of the kitchen cabinets...so that I did not have to do it myself! It was an annoying job but one that needed to be done.

A family picture taken by Miss Amy. I promise I am not that pale!!!

If Cole is not in the kitchen getting in to things he is usually reading a book on Mason's dog bed. He loves rolling around on there and bouncing. He really loves it if Mason is there too but after several minutes of sharing his place Mason usually finds a new place to rest.