Happy Birthday to the Greatest Maw Maw Ever!

Recently, Paul's mom celebrated her birthday and we were able to join them out to eat to celebrate thanks to Paul actually having an unexpected schedule change at work. It was a lot of fun to help her feel special since she rarely lets anyone make her feel that way. :)

Check out my new shirt. :) I have decided to view all cups half full. :) If someone is so interested in my life (I had no idea I was so fascinating) to incenuate things about my abilities as a mom or wife, then I figured I would take it for what it was. Really, in a twisted deranged sort of way, it is a compliment. I do not to want steal the post here, because this is about Maw Maw. I could type on and on about this, but all I will say is I wear my shirt...often...proudly. And, I will continue to do so. I am proud to call myself "SUPERMOM." I am glad people think I devote myself to my husband and children, and Paul even thinks I should coin the phrase, trademark it, make some money, and sell more shirts like this one. Hmmm.. I don't plan to take it that far.

You all know how I am about birthdays! This one is no different! Happy Birthday, Maw Maw! Hope you enjoy your new makeup bag and warm scarf!

Merry Christmas To Me!

Some years Paul and I exchange gifts, some years not. Some years we give big, extravagant gifts, some years we just stuff each other's stockings. This year I got him some candy and a pair of jeans. This year he got me some candy and some ornaments. But, also this year he gave me date night that was wonderful. And, time is something that noone can buy me...and yet it is always my favorite thing. I love my kids. Alot. But, I love being able to talk with my husband without interruption, take care of noone but myself, and just being reminded of what made me fall in love with him all over again.

We were originally going to go ice skating (yes, see how much he loves me? He's never been and had broken his feet multiple times and still agreed to go!) But, it was very busy at Centennial Park, and the parking seemed so far away and admittedly scary. I hate downtown Atlanta sometimes. Anyway, he's never been to Atlantic Station so we decided to venture up there. Thankfully, our shopping was all done, so we weren't scurrying around in the frigid temps like alot of the harried shoppers up there were. We got to enjoy a nice, warm dinner.

And look at all the pretty decorations that were up. This tree was really pretty. It was probably the most relaxed, slowed down date night we have had in a while. That was all I asked for. I told him I didn't want to have a time to be somewhere, feel like I was late for something, or feel rushed. I enjoy action packed dates, don't get me wrong. But, this season I just wanted a slower pace. It was such a great night.

Paul and I have had 18 Christmases together. Yes, 18. Can you believe it? I can't. You would think by now I'd be tired of him. :) Nope. I love him more this year than the last. I know that sounds corny, but it's true.

Thank you, Lord, for the best gift of all. Paul.

Heritage Christmas Festival

This year we went to the Henry County Parks and Recreation Heritage Christmas Festival. We've never been, and it was pretty neat. They had sleigh (think hay) rides, a tree lighting, and cookie decorating, and of course the train that is always at Heritage Park always provides for entertainment. It was neat, too, that we ran into our friends Katy and Ella there.

I am amazed at myself lately. Really. I need a brag moment. And, since I know you all love me dearly and approve of my taking a brag moment.... :)

Anyway, Jackson's sugar right before he ate this cookie was uh..I think high 200s or low 300s I cannot remember exactly...but high. Man, oh man. I was alone, facing a cookie with icing, and seven layers of shirts, nowhere to really feel clean enough to open up my supplies, in the freezing cold, knowing I only had minutes to figure out what to do before we missed the tree lighting. And, I survived. Well, I thrived. I did it. I handled it. I know maybe I got a tad snippy a few times with the kids as I was surmising the situation deciding what to do. But, I did it. I really thought it would never happen where I could really figure it out and just handle it. I DID IT. This was huge for me. I am very happy to look back and see his smile and know that maybe he did once or twice cry and whimper having to wait a minute for his cookie, but that in the end he had this huge smile and ate that yummy cookie to pieces!

I love tree lightings. This one had some hangups. I wish it had ended up more like a Lifetime movie. :) But, my two boys belting out "Away in a Manger" as we waited for it to light made the whole night and trip worthwhile.

Happy Birthday, John Michael!

I love my niece and nephews. And, it would utterly crush me if I couldn't be a part of their lives. We were able to go help John Michael celebrate turning five recently even though things are still a bit rocky with the parental side of the relationships, and I feel very lucky and blessed to have been included and been able to go. We missed Bree's first birthday a few years ago due to us having tickets prepaid to go see Thomas the Train on the same day, and I hated it. I strive every year after that to always make sure I am free to go help them all (my sister's kids included) celebrate.

John Michael had a great day I think! He even got cowboy boots! We got him some walkie talkies, too! He was very excited as he opened his gifts. What a fun age.

Uncle Steven was very sweet and asked my boys to start us off in singing "Happy Birthday." They were very excited to do so.

And, Uncle Steven (bless his dear heart..I don't know if I will ever attempt a pirate ship cake again!) did a wonderful job handcrafting this pirate ship cake for John Michael. He even put a twist on the icing, and it was delicious.

My kids love going to their house to play. Sadly, they are moving and most of their toys had already made the move, but the kids still had fun. Preston is traumatized I think though. He is STILL (a week later!) asking about John Michael's toybox and it's whereabouts. He even keeps asking Paul's dad where it is. Once he even said, "Is it coming to my house?" Poor kid. They never forget anything. They knew that stuff was missing! Hopefully we can go see their new house soon and find that toy box on a playdate.

Happy Birthday, John Michael! We love you, buddy!

The Shoemaker and the Elves!

I took the kids to the Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts again this year, and just like before we all loved it. I think I might love it more than them. That is sad. :) I really like how the theme this year was about the shoemaker because it reminded me of my dad. They kids got to do the "make your own puppet" workshop at the end like last year, too. Last year we went on a Saturday, and it was so busy in there you couldn't think straight. Thankfully, it was just us and two other kids this year. Whew. That made it SO much more enjoyable. I will say though that those "elves" they made looked more like Frankenstein to me. :)

And, speaking of elves....our elf made a huge mess in our guest bath a few days ago! Jackson was shocked and said, "I am not cleaning that up!" haha! Silly old elf!

I love this Christmas season!

Stone Mountain Christmas!

You all know how much I love Stone Mountain. And, Christmas at Stone Mountain is probably my favorite by far. We felt a little rushed this year because they decided once we arrived to close an hour earlier than expected, (and because I was stupid and messed up Paul's ticket...long story there that wasted time) but we still had fun! Lots of fun memories. It had rained and rained the day and night before and we were worried we'd get rained on again. But, thankfully no rain while we were there! And, since others were worried, too, we almost had the park to ourselves. And, last year it was so busy you were almost miserable! We bundled up and headed out. We did the Polar Express 4D again this year, and thankfully since this has been playing in our car for like the past month, they weren't that afraid of the whole 4D thing. I think we FINALLY might be just about over that fear. :)

But, we all still do look funny in our glasses nonetheless.

It was very tricky timing to fit in the train ride AND the Snow Angel's finale, but after I "dragged" Preston according to Paul across the train depot we made it. Haha! Seriously. Next time you see Paul ask him to do a reenactment. The floor was wet and slippery, and I was holding Preston's hand and running...why you ask? Because I am so my dad, the typical tourist you know and I was worried we'd miss the finale. :) Anyway, it made for a very funny few moments. I laughed so hard later about it I almost peed my pants. Supermom? I think not. :)

But, hey we made it!

Here is Preston bundled up on the train ride. I am very proud that Stone Mountain still includes the true Christmas Story of the birth of Jesus on the train ride. Makes me not mind too much paying my $3.00 for a bottled water. :)

I like how the icy cold rain was sitting on the trees. ALMOST makes it look like snow. Will we ever have a white Christmas?

Merry Christmas, the Stone Mountain way!