A Promise

Today has been a day. The kind of day when you look at the clock and it's 1:30 and you have done absolutely nothing. A day when you realize there are so many things you wish you would have differently, when you realize that things from your past never go away, when you realize things aren't fair sometimes. A day when you realize being a great mom looks great on a blog, but you aren't really always that great. That is what kind of day I have had. A day when you realize that families aren't always perfect, and things you expected aren't going to happen. I could linger here because honestly, that's what I want to do. Today, I am thankful for an amazing family, a husband who is a partner, and for the promise that this world is not my home.

9 months

Are you as shocked as I am? Usually, I am making monthly birthday posts 2 months after they happen. In this case, I am only 1 day late!! I think I am finally getting the hang of blogging!! This has been a huge month for little miss. I have to say I am so glad we were "home" when this little munchkin decided to grow up.

Just a couple days after we got to Abilene, HG started CRAWLING!! I was so excited, but knew what that mean't when we got home.

The same day she started crawling she pulled up for the first time.

Getting more hair everyday.

Still has her baby blues :)

She has cut her 2 bottom teeth.

She waves bye bye.

She says dada like its going out of style.

Mama is only followed by baba, of course.

As you can see, our little baby is growing up. I can only imagine what the next month will be like considering how fast things have happened in the past month. We love you HG!! Love seeing your little personality blossom more everyday!

1st time she stood up. Caught her as she was falling.

She is super proud of herself!!

What a way to start the New Year

I have a wonderful sister, y'all. Mike had to fly home to get back to work, which left me and the girls with 25 hrs. of driving ahead of us. Molly volunteered to drive back with me and then just fly back to Abilene. I have to say it was a long drive but it was such a blast. I was so glad to spend this time with my sister. We arrived back in SC on NYE so had a pretty boring evening. She stayed the remainder of the week and we had such a great time. We did plenty of shopping, eating, dressing up, sight seeing, and even took her to the beach. Thank you so much, Molly!! I am so lucky to have you as a sister, and even more to have you as a friend. We love you!!

Poor MoMo fell asleep with Baby

AK loving that they match

Isle of Palms

Love this picture

Had to include this picture and the story that goes with it. While we were in Gap Madelynn had my phone, and I thought she was looking at pictures. I was wrong. When we got home I had around 30 pictures of every person who was in the store. That girl!!

We found this bib and had to have it. My girls call my sister, Mackenzie, Auntie.

Oh, Mady!

Good Girls

These girls must have been mighty good, because Santa came and saw them again at home! When we got home from our extremely long drive home, we threw the girls in the bath and stuffed their stockings. I had to tell you they were in the bath so you would understand the craziness of their hair in the pictures :)

I am embarrassed to show you the pictures of this curtain-less room. Thanks to Hummy and Deba, the playroom will soon be complete. Now, if I can make some decisions!!

Presents :) Since we could not be with all of our family this year several of them had presents shipped here or sent money for us to buy for them. The girls were not dissappointed, let me tell you.

"Is this really all ours?"

MoMo made the drive home with us!! Thank you sooo much Molly! I never would have made it without you.

M asked for a rocking chair to rock "Baby Me". She told me early in November she needed a rocking chair like Deba's. How do you say no when she wants something from "home"?

Thank you Dida and Pink!!!

Audrey got some "chaco" sandals for Rae.

Little Miss just played with the trash. Oh, and sorry she has no clothes on. I am not exactly sure how this happened. I think I got too excited! For all you Abilene readers (especially Nana) it was warm in SC, not cold like in Texas.

Mike's mom got M a stroller

Can you tell what the theme was this xmas? We are American Girl overboard at our house now. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the girls Christmas this year. We are blessed!!

Home for the Holidays

Being home is probably the most wonderful feeling in the world. Christmas this year was very interesting, not any different from any other year. You see, we have a tradition in our family. For the last 4 years or so someone has always thrown up on Christmas. Gross, I know!! This year was no different but with a whole new caliber. It started about 5 days before xmas, myself, my grandmother, and AK were all sick. The following day my mom caught it. Friday, my sister Molly, Saturday my dad, Sunday my b-i-l, Nathan, Tuesday my brother and sister Mackenzie. It was pretty miserable!! I have to say it was the worst of the worst and I am so glad we all survived it!! Anyway, back to Christmas. It was wonderful, of course!! My parents never let us down. Y'all, my parents are amazing, you have no idea. They have so much going on in their life. They help so many people, do so many great things, and still manage to have us all for an unforgettable time. I will let the pictures tell the rest.

Mom and the girls always make cherry pies at holidays. This year they even left one for Santa :)

OH YEAH!! I almost forgot to tell you. Mike got to fly in and be with us. His flight had a layover and every leg of his flight had a delay. He ended up not getting to DFW until 1:30 in the morning where my amazing brother and s-i-l were waiting for him. They finally made it to Abilene at 4:00 a.m. It was worth it, let me tell ya!! I had my whole little family together!

We celebrated with my dad's family on Saturday. This is my dad's brother, Joseph showing HG her baby doll.

M was super proud of this book.

Xmas morning

Just for fun, the same picture 3 years ago of Mike and M

Santa ate some cherry pie!

her first stocking

she has wanted this bag for so long!! Thanks Hummy and Deba!

J and InaBeth had a "pinterest" Christmas. Everyones gift was homemade and OMW!!! They are amazing just let me say. I didn't get a pic of every gift but here are a few. They made an amazing picture of Africa out of string and nails. It was amazing!

They made a ruler growth chart for my parents to measure their grandkids.

InaBeth sewed this unbelievable pillow for Audrey. I am in awe!

A couple of days after xmas, InaBeth's parents were here because her dad was showing horses. J and InaBeth took the girls to see and ride the horses. They are still talking about it today. Thank you Phil and Elizabeth!!