Our entire month of DECEMBER

WOW what a month we had! I must say I really enjoyed this last month of 2012 & took in every single second being with my child & family & making every memory possible with her this year.

This year God has really made it heavy on my heart that life is so short.  After everything that has happened with Dad & then 2 friends that lost their husbands, to be honest leading into December I was a little sad.  I had a hard time getting into the spirit & really didn't want to do much.  I normally throw a huge Holiday party & try to do everything imaginable to keep myself busy; but this year although we still stayed busy I found myself slowing down, thanking God for each & every blessing, for each person in my life, for my family, child & friends. I stayed in my pajamas most days, NEVER once hit the gym, baked until I couldn't see straight, visited those in need, read my Bible more, went to Wal-mart a billion times, took a few baths during the day just because & spent my evenings just chilling with my family.

So the month prior to Christmas my best friend was here for our friend Andrew's funeral.  It was so great having her next to me even though we hated seeing each other under the circumstance of his death it really lifted our spirits leading into the Holidays.  She herself had a good friend pass months prior & everything has just been hard.  It was so great to see her & be still with each other... we held hands through the entire funeral & just cried together.  Life doesn't makes sense sometimes.

Her amazing brother came too and lifted our spirits, took us to dinners, opened our car doors,  drove us around... he is so great! What a gentleman! He is like a little brother to me we grew up together!

This started my Holiday binge of eating these yummies all month long....

I love her so much, seeing her was exactly what I needed to kick off the month of December!

Shortly after the Newtown tragedy happened.  My heart broke when I heard of the news that day & was glued to CNN.  I just don't know what is wrong with this world, I just know if you don't know Jesus, you better because times are rough.  I can't imagine what those people went through before the Holiday's.  The next morning I woke up & caught his picture of Avery, again thanking God for my every breath with her.

We did go to Silver Dollar City in December!  We love Branson!

I also spent several of my days while Avery was in school working full days on tree's! I started quite the little business this year!

And made a few wreaths!

We had a blast dressing in our Christmas goodies!  This child loves her picture taken it makes me laugh!

We went to one of our local squares one night with cousins & sister in law to see the lights!

Our church Christmas program was AMAZING this year!!!!!  We enjoyed that with family & friends!

Our Santa experience was the best this year!  She totally believes in him & understands & just was in complete & utter shock & loved sitting on his lap!  She thought it was a celebrity! LOL!

I feel like I baked every single day this month!!  I love peanut butter balls.

And yup, I bake in style!

We had lots of Santa kissing!

Momma did a little shopping for herself with some Christmas money before the Holiday's!  Loved these leggings!

We counted down the days....

Avery & I took some fun stops in between shopping to enjoy dates for ourselves!

I watched the mailbox daily I loved getting cards it was so much fun!

And loved hanging all my cards each day!

I was the world's WORSE "ELF" Momma but promise to be better next year, this is all I managed to do this year for Avery she wasn't really into it.  I think 4 will be the perfect age!

We spent days crafting at home when it was cold in our pjs painting, cutting, you name it!

We ate too many sweets!

Avery's school Christmas party melted my heart! We crafted with them & they had a sweet little lunch & story time!

I got my nails ready for the Holiday festivities!

One night I enjoyed a coffee date alone & just driving around town listening to Christmas music, it was such a nice break from the hustle & bustle!

I loved driving & seeing this beautiful little cottage house!

We made gingerbread houses!

I enjoyed getting her December art from church & school!

We dressed in more Christmas fun throughout the month!

Had dinners & Christmas exchanges with besties!

Amy got us both these amazing gifts- monogrammed bracelets!

Got together with more besties for an ornament exchange at my dear friend Lane's house!

And more besties for a scarf exchange!

Got together with an amazing group of ladies from my Wenesday morning Bible class!

We did lots of fun projects during the day!

Santa came to visit our house!

We took gifts to the nursing homes for those in need!  I made it a priority this year to teach Avery about the importance of giving to those in need & walked away so very blessed.  My heart forever changed.

We went & looked at lights several nights this month but this one was so fun!!

We road bikes on warmer days this month & fed the ducks!  I caught this beautiful sun set one evening when we were out!

I enjoyed spending time with my niece!

I finished up decorating my last tree 2 weeks before Christmas! I made quit the business this year in decorating & can't wait to share some exciting new plans for my future!

Avery decorated her little play room tree, she was so proud!

Wore more Christmas pretties!

We had a dinner date with some of our old dear friends that were in our wedding, Davin & Stacey!  They have twin girls that melt our hearts!  Avery made new best friends!

I became the stinkin' wrapping queen!!!  I wrapped until my fingers hurt!

We painted nails almost everyday!

Friends came over to play!

Im always moving adding or doing something in this house!

Our blogger & friend Jill came into town to visit & hang out and we did a fun lunch!  

Then we snuck to Kelly's house & enjoyed a fun long converation with her! Poor girl we made her come out in her jammies!   

Chad had a guys night out with all his buddies so the girls all came to do cookies!  

We enjoyed lots of movie nights on the couch with Daddy as a family!  This was a favorite movie!

Chad & I went out several times to dinner alone & shopped and had a few dates, it was so fun! He bought a pair of boots for Christmas at one stop!

We played dress up everyday!

We spent a few days before the festivities looking at lights with Chad, running errands & being with each other as a family!

We had Christmas with my brother & his family on the 23rd at my Mom's house!  We all wore our jammies!   

I love my Mom's Santa pictures!

She had the table so beautiful for our dinner, we even ate in candelight I just loved it!

She made all kinds of amazing goodies for us!

Loved my new present from my Momma!

Christmas Eve Day!

We do Christmas Eve with all of Chad's families; Uncles/Aunts/counsins, it's so much fun!

Christmas Eve we made up our own deer feed & fed the deer on our porch!!!

We baked cookies for Santa & Avery put them out!

Chad was up until 1am putting this goodie together for Avery!

Christmas Day at our house Santa came!

She about died when she saw Santa brought her the pogo stick she wanted all year!!!

We love stocking stuffers!

Christmas Day was at my parents & it was just me, Chad & Avery.  It was relaxing!

We praise Jesus my Dad's heart is healthy!

I sat right here for hours and didn't move!

Then it was off to Chad's Mom & Dad's house!  We had a great dinner with them & opened gifts & played cards & drank coffee for hours!  Such a great night!!!

So far we have been enjoying playing games and staying on our jammies & enjoying some snow since Christmas has been over!  Just getting ready for a low key New Year with friends!