Monday, December 31, 2012

Sickness Never Killed Me


It almost killed me before and after Christmas, but I'm still holding on! This flu mess is not for me! I hate being sick and I am a whiney baby! With the hubs being out of town I can't just lay on the couch and do nothing, I have to do it all for myself. Needless to say my house is still a hotmess and it will stay that way until I am 100% better.

On to better things today- Christmas was great for us. I hope it was for you! We flew out to Kansas to spend Christmas with the hubs. It was great to see family that I don't get to see very often. Some of them I was able to see this summer and others it had been over 10 years! I'm thankful they still treat me like family!

The Thursday before we flew out to the Midwest, we had a get together with my parents and grandparents. They did it just for us! I sure felt the love because I didn't have to do anything but bring Zane and myself! We are so blessed!





Zane was spoiled by his grandparents and the next day we were off to be spoiled more!


This was the first time that Zane actually will remember flying. We flew when he was about 6 months old and he was in my lap the whole time. He did great then and did great this time too! He was so excited! Waiting at the gate to board our plane he was so anxious! He would not be still! Once we got on he was tickled! He was asking all kinds of questions. Even asking about the safety instructions that the flight attendant was showing us. I love how he wants to know everything about everything!

  

My plan for the plane ride was for us to watch a movie for the 2 hours. Once we got up in the air I got it out and we started to watch Milo & Otis. (love this movie) About twenty minutes into it Zane says " Momma, I just want to go to sleep." Well Okay. He leaned on my shoulder and went right to sleep!


He didn't wake up until we landed. What a blessing that was! Someone was looking over me for sure! We were so ready to get off that plane and be greeted by my hubby and my cousin Amy! I cried!

 



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

From Our Family to Yours...



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Friday, December 21, 2012

Christmas Break

I am probably on a plane making my way to the Midwest right about now! I probably won't blog much, but I will be reading and keeping up with your blogs! Once I get back from this trip I will catch y'all up with everything!



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I want to take the time to let each one of you know that I appreciate you! I appreciate you coming and reading my blog! I appreciate the ones who come back often and the ones that just stop by every now and then! Without you I don't think I would keep this ole blog up like I do! I've made some real true friendships out of this blog and I've also learned so much from not only the technological aspect, but relationship wise too! I'm thankful for this blog and I'm thankful that I have stuck with it for almost two years!  I'm also thankful for YOU!

I want to list each one of you by name but that makes me scared that I would leave someone out. I don't like to be left out and I don't want anyone else to feel that way! You all are awesome, different, magical, and special to my heart!


I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and safe travels if you are going to be out on the roads or in the air, like us, this holiday!


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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Santa and his gifts

Santa Claus comes once a year. How does he do it all in one night? Can I touch Eddie the Elf? I can have this? Can I have that on the t.v. Moma? I want that for Christmas! I hope Santa brings me this! Is Santa really watching me? Is Eddie following me around everywhere I go?


These are questions I have heard for a little over a month now. Christmas has set in and I have to find answers to all these questions. Am I consistent with the answers? Not always. Why? I forget. We all do.

Most of the questions about wanting a present, I usually respond with "You'll just have to wait until Christmas to see what Santa brings you!" Sometimes it might be followed with "You might just get some coal in your stocking if you don't start listening to what I say!"

Have you ever put 'coal' in your kids stocking? I haven't but I am tempted to! Just to put the fear in him. Is that mean? I don't think so! I think it will make him think more about how he acts sometimes. I like teaching my son a lesson the hard way. I want him to know that life isn't always grand. Just so you know, the Hubby probably wouldn't agree to this. haha!

"Can I touch Eddie the Elf?" No! He will lose all of his magic and go back to the North Pole and never come back! "Can you touch him Moma?" Yes, parents can touch the elves and they not lose their magic. There may come a time when the elf falls or needs to be moved. I will move him!

I love answering these questions because it makes him believe even more when I do! I love seeing this spirit light up every time I say something exciting about Christmas!


Are there questions that you have to constantly answer for your kids? What do you tell them? Please share!

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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Making the most of this Christmas Season

Hey Y'all! What's been happenin'? I'm not going to appologize for my lack of reading other blogs and commenting. Okay, maybe I just did. Oh well. Onward we march! Ha! I've always wanted to say that. Today I come to you with a head cold. My right ear is stopped up and I cannot hear a thing in that ear! Let's all pray that it's better by the time I fly on Friday. The pressure will not be plesant if it's still not 'popped' by then. Yikes!



Right now my Christmas music playing 24/7 is in full swing! I get it all out of my system for the next two weeks! Then it's back to regular music. I love all classic Christmas songs!






This past weekend we went back to Dollywood with my parents. Gosh, I just love this place! We had a great time! I did not take my good camera in this time. Just my cell phone, hence the poor quality photos. Good memories were made this weekend. We rode the infamous Dollywood Express and looked at the Miniature Railroad in all it's 1200 sq. ft. glory. We rode all kinds of rides! My Mom and I rode the Tennessee Tornado and giggled the whole time!




 

Are you ready?
I'm ready to see my hubby!

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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Silence for Sandy Hook



I pray for peace on earth.

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Monday, December 17, 2012

Show & Tell Monday: Christmas Talk and Our Christmas Card

Linking up with Becky today!



1. Tell us what your favorite thing about Christmas is.
Being together as a whole. It doesn't matter if you are family or not. I don't know one single person that would want to be alone on Christmas. I like to have great fellowship and good food! If I know that someone doesn't have somewhere to go on Christmas, I always invite them to come with me! I love being with my parents and grandparents in whatever we do. Seeing my little boy opening presents Christmas morning brings a huge smile on my face and in my heart.

2. Tell us what your plans are for Christmas this year. This year. This year will be like no other I have ever experienced. We will be traveling this Christmas. We are going to Kansas. The hubs is there working and we are going to visit him and family. I am excited but scared to travel at such a busy time. It's also going to be hard. Hard because this will be the first time that I will not get to spend Christmas with my parents. If you haven't figured it out by now, (if you are a long time reader) we have a VERYCLOSE relationship.

3. Show us a picture of Christmas in the past. Or present.
This set of pictures was taken last year! Brayden sure has grown in one year! Zane too!

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4. Do you wrap your presents all in one box, or do you like wrap each present separately? I wrap all of it separately. I like to wrap gifts and make pretty bows for them! It also irks me that some people say that the gifts from Santa are not wrapped. I guess it depends on how you were brought up but in my little world, Santa gifts are wrapped. It's fun to see the kids sling that paper EVERYWHERE! lol

5. Tell us about any special traditions that you or you and your family like to do. Well, there are a few. We always try to make a gingerbread house every year. We also make sure to have a Christmas get together at my Grandpa's house. Although we won't be there this year. Every Christmas morning after opening our gifts we go to my Grandmother's house. I've shared about that here before.



I'm also linking up with that pretty girl Kristen from All in My Twenties and posting our Christmas Card!

Here is our Christmas card that I created all on my own! I am so darn proud that I didn't use a preset card this year! I used Vista Print if anyone was curious!




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Thursday, December 13, 2012

It's OK Thursday #40

GOOOOOODDD MOOOORRRRNNNIIINNG VIETNAM! Sike I'm kidding! But I'm not! ha!

I hope that each and every single one of you are having a great week! I've been away and missed reading ALL of your blogs! I am playing catch up today so while I am read this and then go read some of your favorite blogs! Have a blessed day y'all!
 Go link up with Amber and Neely
 
Its Ok Thursdays


It's OK...

...that I have been traveling for work the past three days. I'm home now. Finally.

...to have lived it up while I was gone but still missed the comforts of home.

...to be scared and excited about Christmas traveling!



...that my parents will be having their first Christmas without me around. They still will have many other family members to be with.

...but I still feel guilty about it. Other than my hubby and son, my parents are my world.



...that my sweet blog frand Kristina came to visit me at my hotel! We had some great talks!

...to have lost my really expensive Costa sunglasses while on this trip. They were scratched and I want need a new pair.

...I also went to get my glasses out of their case and when I went to put them on, one of the arms broke off. They are two years old, I guess it's time for new glasses too. Sounds like I had bad luck with glasses this week. Ugh!
If you want to join in on "It's OK" Thursdays, all you have to do is type up a post like I have here, grab the linky button (to the right of my blog) for your post, and link up!
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Also for your entertainment, today I want you to watch this video and thank me later! I love y'all!






What's okay with y'all today?

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Yep. 12.12.12. We're still alive!

I promise that we're all still alive. Although you may have thought so since my blog posts have been slim.


Well, I'm not gonna be the best blogger for the next two weeks, but who's counting anyway? I mean, the Christmas Season is right on our tails and this Momma ain't freakin ready!

I've been traveling for work this week. It's bittersweet. I miss my boy! I will finally get to see him tonight!

  

I'm actually a nervous wreck! I will be traveling for the Holiday. Scared isn't the half of it. I just pray I get from Point A to Point B and back home again, safely! Since I am flying during the holidays, I have a few questions that maybe some of you that have done this before, can help me.

I want to take my DSLR. Is this a good idea? Should I put it in my luggage or carry on?

How packed out should I expect the airport to be?

Anything else you think I need to know?

It's been almost 4 years since I have been on a plane. Y'all, I don't have a fear of flying, I just hate flying and me being the only adult. That's right, it's me and Zaney Poo flying out to the Midwest. Want to accompany me? PLEASE? haha
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Monday, December 10, 2012

A Hair Post of Sorts

If you knew me in real life you'd know that these days I'm pretty simple. I don't get all dolled up just to go to the grocery store. I don't get all dolled up for nothing for that matter. Only special occasions!

I used to do my hair a different way almost every day of the week. That was when I was a hairstylist. You have to look like a hairstylist to be one right?! Right!

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a slob when it comes to doing my hair everyday, it's just boring since I don't switch it up as often. How do I wear it? Either straight and down or up in a ponytail. BORING. I'm too lazy to get up at the crack of dawn to get dolled up for work everyday. No thank you.

Tomorrow is our company Christmas party. It's time to get all dolled up for this! It's a fancy mansion with a formal dinner! It's gorgeous! AND because our team comes from out of town, we get to spend the night at this place! I think I mentioned it a little last year!

Well I've been trying to decide how to wear my hair and I have not a clue what I want! Do you have any suggestions? Up? Down? Half up?

 Do you stick to the same ol' routine with you hair everyday?
Or do you switch up pretty often?

Here are a two video tutorials I have found that I love when I am actually fixing my hair to get all dolled up!







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Thursday, December 06, 2012

It's OK Thursday #39

 Go link up with Amber and Neely
 
Its Ok Thursdays


It's OK...

...to be happy and sad at the same time. I will explain later. Just say a prayer for my family tomorrow!


...that I haven't got my ideas and thoughts together about all the Christmas presents I need to get! It's ok, I've got all my decorating done!
...that I haven't worn make-up to work in three days. Another reason I love my job!
...that last night the hubs and I folded and put away three weeks worth of laundry. I'm ashamed to admit that!
...that I am ready to go back to Dollywood already! I'm ready to take my Mom and Dad this time!
...that I'm proud I haven't skipped any days of moving Eddie, our elf on the shelf!
...that I don't tell anyone I want much for Christmas except my hubby and parents. I feel awkward telling anyone else!
...to have plans all the time...I'm gonna need to keep my mind busy!
...to not tell you all everything...at least not yet!

...to post your opinion on facebook, but expect to get both positive and negative responses.

...that people you block still have ways of finding out what you put on FB. Ugh I swear, it still pisses me off. Some people need to get a life.

...that people I no longer have in my life still try to bring drama to me. I don't care about you anymore. Even if you are a family member, I don't want anything to do with you.

Sorry I started ranting here! I don't do it often, but sometimes, I just gotta!

I'm ready for the weekend!
Let's do the dang thang already!


If you want to join in on "It's OK" Thursdays, all you have to do is type up a post like I have here, grab the linky button (to the right of my blog) for your post, and link up!




What's okay with y'all today?




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Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Christmas Came Early for a Day

Sunday morning Zane and I were laid up on the couch being lazy. I got a call from the Hubs saying he was finally done working until he goes to the next location. He came home and we still hadn't moved! He said if we wanted to do something then we best get up and get dressed! While I was getting ready he told me that we were going to drive up to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN!

We didn't tell Zane until we were pulling into the parking lot of the park. The whole drive up we told him he was getting a big surprise! Once we were about to turn into the parking lot, I videoed his reaction to the news...


He was more excited that his 'girlfriend' may be there than knowing it was a place to ride rides and have fun!


Once we entered the park he got so excited! The first ride we did was a motion seat 4D show of The Polar Express. UGH! It was horrible! I thought I was going to lose my lunch! It jerked all over the place and was not pleasant in the least! We won't ride that again!



Dollywood was decorated so beautifully for Christmas! I enjoyed just walking around looking at it all! I was impressed with how busy it was! There were way more people there than I expected! We made the whole day all about Zane. Whatever he wanted to do or ride, we did.


We rode the carousel and found Santa's workshop!


We walked into Santa's workshop just in time! People were starting to form a line to see Santa himself! This was by far my favorite part! It was the best Santa experience ever! While we were in line he walked out as Zane was sitting on that 'present' you see in the top left of collage above, as soon as Zane spotted him and jumped up and ran to give Santa a hug and tell him he loved him! No one else was around. It was SO funny! Then Santa walked around and greeted every single kid and even every adult standing in the line. Once he made his way to the front of the line, they started letting people sit in his lap and get their picture made. It was such a great time! Zane sat in his lap and actually got to have a real conversation with him. They talked for a good five minutes or so! Usually when kids see Santa it's tell him what you want, smile, ok we're done, next! Not this time! We loved it!


We didn't plan to see any shows or anything, we went and played with Zane for the day. Luckily, the Hubs bought us season passes, so we will be back, many times!

Like I said, Dollywood decorates beautifully for Christmas! They go ALL OUT! Every building has lights, many trees are lit with TONS of strands of lights, there are birds lit up and hanging in the trees, even the Dollywood Express (train) was trimmed in lights! It was spectacular!


Have you ever been to Dollywood?
Tell me about your time there!


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© The Carolina Country Girl
Maira Gall