A Fun Christmas Quiz!

Macie's first, second, and third Christmas.

 

CHRISTMAS QUIZ

 

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? I'm not sure I've ever tried egg nog, but I LOVE me some hot chocolate!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Oh he most definitely wraps them.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? We only have them on the tree and they're white.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope, but I should--maybe I would get some more kisses. ;)

5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually I have everything up and going, but this year we hardly even have a tree....it's quite sad and pitiful actually.  I have no energy!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Oh, I love it all!  I especially love sitting around eating on all of the snacks {i.e. jalapeno jelly on cream cheese, fruit w/fruit dip, cheese balls--pretty much anything with cream cheese!}.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Spending every Christmas Eve at my Grandparents' and waiting on "Santa" to ring to doorbell leaving our stockings.  Such a fun memory!!!  We're continuing it with our kiddos.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? The year that my mom "hid" a Barbie in her van and I ended up getting it for Christmas from Santa.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? At my Grandma and Grandad's house.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? It's an artificial tree that has white lights and I always have lots of red and green everywhere! 

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? LOVE it--except when I am not able to make it to family Christmas {for example, Christmas two years ago}.

12. Can you ice skate? I used to like it, but I'm not sure I could balance myself at the moment.  Baby belly might make me a little unstable!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? When I got a sweet little red wagon.  My grandma still has it at her house and Macie rides around in it when we are over there!

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Getting LOADS of family time and just enjoying making memories.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Any and all of them!!!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Our newest are two--a gingerbread party and riding the train on the North Pole Express!

17. What tops your tree? This year will be a bow if I ever get around to making the darn thing!!!

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? I love GIVING!  It is so much fun to pick something out for someone else.

19. Candy canes: yuck or yummy? Yummy!

20. Favorite Christmas show? Love Elf, The Santa Clause, and now Macie's new favorite is The Nightmare Before Christmas {a little weird, I know--it was on TV one day and she loved it}.

21. Saddest Christmas song? I didn't know there was such a thing??

22. What is your favorite Christmas song? Macie's is "Jingle Bells" and I like "Carol of Bells".

A day to myself

And what do I do?
I lay around ALL DAY!

I started out productive.  Dropped Macie off at school then went grocery shopping. 
I guess the Walmart trip did me in because when I got home, I hardly had the energy to put away the groceries!

I had so many plans for today.  I needed to finish decorating the Christmas tree {because it's pretty pathetic as of this moment}, I wanted to start organizing baby clothes, study for my final on Thursday, and do the prenatal yoga video that I bought last week.  **None of these were achieved**

Instead, I sat down in the recliner, got comfortable, and caught up on my DVRed shows that I can't watch with Macie around.

About mid-morning I started to get a little worried because baby wasn't moving at all and she is usually up and at 'em by then.  So, I poked around on my belly and still nothing--then it dawned on me, I hadn't eaten breakfast!  I ran to the kitchen and made a little something, ate it, and the activity began.  This little girl has some painful jabs!

The most productive thing I did today was take 32 week pictures of the belly.

I feel HUGE! 

I went yesterday for the 3d/4d sono, but we had no luck getting a good view of her face.  About the only positives from that appointment were that we CONFIRMED girl for sure and saw a TON of hair on that stubborn little head.  I go back next Monday when, hopefully, we will get a picture and video that doesn't look so smooshed!

Also, I now know what is jabbed into my ribs causing so much pain--her tiny foot--and her head is stuck in my pelvis, which doesn't feel that great either.  I honestly have no idea where the rest of her body is going to go as she grows over the next 8 weeks.  And I know she is growing because today for lunch, I wasn't satisfied until I had two PB&J sandwiches.  I think it's a growth spurt!

Well, now that I've wasted most of my day I guess I will try and get something done....

Gingerbread Party 2011

I think I might just have the best MIL in the whole world.  No, I know I have the best!

This past weekend, she threw a Gingerbread Party for Macie. It was actually the 2nd annual decorating extravaganza because we decorated some last year, but this year she a had big, FUN, party. 

She had everything down to sweet little aprons with each girl's initial on them.  There were gingerbread shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and everything was gingerbread!  She definitely has a great talent!  I'm thinking she just needs to take over all of my children's birthday parties----hint, hint. :)

This party was all Macie talked about for weeks!  She was ready and was a great hostess.

She invited Macie's little girlfriends, Brittan and Lilly, and Brittan's little cousin Axel came along too.  We needed a boy in the mix!  He's just too cute!!!

Lilly cracks me up.  She's 6 going on 16 and has the funniest attitude.
She's beautiful and such a sweetie, nonetheless.

Getting started!

I asked Brittan to smile and this is what she flashed me.
Super model pose!

Anita help Axel with his house.

 Macie had fun decorating her house.

If you look really close at Macie's forehead, you'll see kisses from her Meme.

The finished product.

 I think they all had fun.  The after about 15 minutes of decorating, the 3 and under crowd hit up the toy room.  Lilly was good and kept decorating--I think she's the perfect age (6 years old) to do something like decorating gingerbread houses.

I think it's so neat that Macie is such great friends with her daddy's best friends' little girls.  It's truly special.  AND all three of them look just like their daddies!!!

After everyone had left and it was just family around, Ashley and I started playing around with the gingerbread men.  This one, we made for Chris.  He's a rock n roll gingerbread man.

Don't be jealous of our artistic abilities.  Although, it doesn't really compare to Ashley's gingerbread house from last year.  Seriously, that one might go in the hall of most unique gingerbread houses.  I actually found a picture of "Mr. Droopy Face".

 She might kill me for that one.  Or she might just laugh really really hard like I did. :)

We all had fun and I can't wait to do it again next year!!!

Late night tummy partying

Holy cow--this sweet girl sure is moving around a TON lately!  I finally took a chance to lie down and catch a video.  Let me tell ya, she's got some CRAZY moves--and some of them are a little painful.  I love every moment, though!!!

Here's the action:

Today...

My A&P professor told me that I seem to be gaining weight.

Hmmmm....

Ya think?

Just in one area, right???

It's 30 weeks exactly and I am feeling huge.

My abdominal muscles feel like they are tearing...

OUCH!

Sometimes, her kicks are off the scale,

feels like a foot right to the hip.

Leg cramps have made an appearance.

I wake up every hour or so....

so I've started couch sleeping frequently.

But it's all worth it for this sweet sweet baby......

 The cutest beating heart.

{yes, that's her heart :)}

I went to see my MIL at work on Thanksgiving 

and she broke out the ultrasound machine--

we had a whole half an hour or so to look at our sweet girl!

Things are definitely more squished than last time!!!

She's growing, growing, growing.

People tell me I'm still so small for 30 weeks,

I tell them that I don't feel small!

Excuse the bathroom background, Macie was bathing...

meanwhile I was blogging.

I have MAJOR pregnancy brain.

I didn't take, not a one, picture over Thanksgiving break.

Seriously, none....ZERO!

Poor Macie will always wonder what happened to 

Thanksgiving 2011.

I will just tell her nothing, your baby sister 

{giving me pregnancy brain} 

and my {pregnancy} appetite got in the way of picture taking.

I only gained two pounds through all of the eating!!!

Seriously, don't know how I managed that.

I thought surely it would be about 7 or 8!

So, now it's time to move on to Christmas.

Let's hope I am a little better about taking 

pictures for this holiday!

You know what this week is?

THANKSGIVING!!!

Family, food, laughs, hugs, no school {!!!!}, chaos driving all over the place {the bad thing about marrying someone whose family lives 2 hours away from yours}.

Thanksgiving = THANKFUL, giving thanks for the blessings in life.

I didn't do the whole daily "days of things I'm thankful for" on Facebook because, quite honestly, I would probably forget to post {that seems to be a frequent occurrence lately}.  It's not that I forget what I'm thankful for--I'm constantly thinking about all of the blessings God has given me!  I just don't update my "status" daily.

So, here goes my list:

~Chris~

God knew what he was doing when he brought Chris into my life.  We do not have a perfect marriage, we have our share of problems, but I can honestly say I do not know what I would do without him.  He works so hard to provide for our family and never complains about anything {well, hardly ever, UPS does work him hard}.  I enjoy our laughs and inside jokes--if people were on the outside looking in on our days together, they would think we are complete goofballs.  Chris is such a sweet daddy and Macie is so excited to see him every day when he gets home from work.  He puts up with my messiness, emotional tirades, pregnancy hormones and moodiness, and still loves me.  I only see things getting better and better over the many MANY years we will be together {uh, forever, duh.}.

~Macie~

Oh my sweet Macie!  I was so excited, nervous, every emotion in the book when you were kicking in my belly.  I couldn't wait to meet you!  I thank God for you every day.  I love your sweet hugs and kisses, sweet words, and the love you show to those that mean so much to you.  You give me a hard time sometimes, but the fun times are double the hard.  You are so excited to have a baby sister and I just know you are going to be an amazing big sister.  I hope your sister is as sweet and loving as you!

~The sweet baby girl in my belly~

Your kicks are strong and you're growing at a record pace.  I prayed so hard for you and can't wait to finally meet you in February.  You are with me 24/7 and I am cherishing every moment spent inseparable.  I can't wait to feel your soft skin and hear your sweet coos, but I'm enjoying every second you grow bigger and stronger in my belly.  I love you already!

~My momma and daddy~

I could go on and on about how wonderful my parents are.  We knocked heads a lot while I was growing up.  Especially with my dad.  My mom was always the one taking up for me and I know I gave her the toughest time of all.  I'm surprised my parents even like me today because I sure wouldn't!  I am so glad I came to my senses and figured out that my parents really were right about EVERYTHING!  They are such wonderful people, with great hearts--helping people in need {even strangers}.  I love the both of them and I hope I "grow up" to be as wonderful, responsible, loving, giving, and smart as they are.   If I am every in need of a little "momma time", my mom is always there.  I talk to her on the phone {at least} once a day, sometimes two, three, and four times--I tell her I'm now making up for all the days I ignored her as a teenager. 

~My grandparents~

I don't have my Grandma Barbara and Grandpapa anymore {my dad's parents}, but I will never forget the fun times I had with them growing up.  We didn't get to see them as often as my mom's parents, so the moments I spent with them I will cherish forever.  When I think of going to their house as a child, I think of LOTS of yummy food, laughs, Christmas, and sliding down the stairs in their house.  My Grandma Barbara was so gullible {she would believe anything you told her} and my Grandpapa was so funny {that's where my dad gets his sense of humor}.  I will never forget their very distinct voices, full of personality and comfort.

{gosh, couldn't get through that without crying!}

~~~~~~~~

I am, however, very lucky to still have both of my mom's parents--Grandma and Grandad.  What a couple they are!  If you ever get the chance to meet these two, you are a lucky person.  My grandad is a man of few words, but hard working--even at 81 years old.  He works in their garden and still does work on his bulldozer and tractor.  I will never forget his hands--the hands of a man who has truly worked for everything he has.  My grandma is one of the most loving people I know {I guess that's where my mom gets it from}.  She is family-centered and would do anything to help those in need.  She volunteers her time at the church, works in the garden, and loves shopping for her great-grandbabies.  They have been married either 60 years or almost 60 years {why can't I remember???}.  That is what I hope to have one day.  The cutest couple ever!
~My sister~
What a role model I had in my big sister.  I always looked up to her as a little girl--I wanted to be just like her.  We didn't get along for many years and I was a mean little sister, but she still loves me and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful sister.  I can call her to vent about anything, tell her my problems, and she doesn't judge me.  She only has kind words.  I would have thought we would grow to be complete opposites, but we seem to be very similar people now.  I can't imagine life without my "big sister" and am thankful for her love.  I will add that I am also thankful that she gave me the sweetest niece and nephew that Macie loves--they are her best friends.

~Chris' family~

I hear horror stories about in-laws and I am happy to say I absolutely do not have one of my own.  I hit the in-law lottery when I married Chris.  I enjoy spending time with his family as much as I do with "my own".  His sister is one of my best friends and I miss not getting to spend as much time with her as I used to.  His brothers bring so many smiles to Macie's face and I love them for that.  His mom would drop whatever she is doing to help me with anything, as would his dad.  They love our child{ren} so much and are such a great Lolli and PopPop.  Chris' grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are equally special and are wonderful people that I am blessed to have in my life.

I am {blank} because...

I got this idea from this blog and thought it would be fun.  The pictures are just a bunch of random that I found saved in my photo files.

I’m weird because…

I have a fear of meat not getting cooked enough {especially chicken}.

I could eat fruits and veggies for every meal.

I love watching most everything on Investigation Discovery.

I have a hard time getting rid of "things"....anything.

I love reality TV....most any show.

I can't leave the house without makeup.

I prefer my bare pregnant belly over my {semi} flat tummy.

I’m a bad friend because…

I'm terrible at returning phone calls and texts in a timely manner.

I forget Birthdays....until after the fact.

I have a tough time finding time for friend activities.

Sometimes I say things and they come out the wrong way...

{or maybe the right way and just not the way you wanted to hear}.

Planning isn't my strong suit.

I’m a good friend because…

I will be honest with you.

Once you're my friend, I will do anything for you.

I like to do nice things for my friends.

I will drop what I am doing to help you out.

To call you a friend, is to call you my family.

I enjoy and cherish every minute we get to spend together.

I’m sad because…

Some of my family is going through a difficult time and I can't do anything to help them.

This will be our first year without my Grandma Barbara for the holidays.

Our new baby will never know Granny B {Grandma Barbara}.

Money is too big of a deal in life.

This is a silly one, but: my face won't stop breaking out {like really bad breakout}. :(

I'm not getting any help naming our baby.

Macie is growing up way too fast!!!

I'm nervous about sharing my love with another baby.

I’m happy because…

This semester of school is coming to an end {another one down}!

We are expecting a baby girl in February. 

I get to spend so much time with my sweet Macie girl {I have been so fortunate}.

I am in the third {and final} trimester of the pregnancy.

We have such wonderful families that are our support system and make our lives complete.

I have such a hardworking husband that supports us....

and supports my returning to college to finish my degree despite the difficulties it causes.

We have the opportunity to see our families so often.

No matter how difficult things get, there always seems to be a solution. 

I have so much to be thankful for.

I’m excited for…  

The upcoming months of cold weather.

Big comfy sweaters.

Mulled apple cider. 

Spicy candles.

Red fingernails.

Christmas decorations.

Giving.

Completing Pinterest projects.

Thanksgiving

Being thankful.

LOTS OF FOOD!

Riding the North Pole Express in Grapevine with the kiddos {and my mom and sister!}.

Having a little time to do things with Macie before her baby sister arrives.

Christmas

New Year's

THE NEW BABY GIRL!!! 

and tons more, too many to name! 

 

"One of those days"

We all have them.  Today was it for me.

Well, a combination of yesterday and today. 

Yesterday started out okay.  I skipped school (bad, but for Macie's school Thanksgiving lunch).

I think that's what threw everything off.

On my way home from dropping Macie off at school, I decided I needed a Starbucks.  I had wanted to try the Holiday Peppermint Mocha.  Ordered, she handed me what she called a Peppermint Mocha, and off I went towards the boonies {where we live in relation to civilization aka "town"}. 

I get home and start fixing my hair, take a big gulp, and thought "man, this doesn't taste anything like peppermint."  I look at the label and she had handed me a pumpkin spice latte.....that looked as if it had been sipped about 1/3 of the way down.  Ahhhh!

So, that's just one minor setback........everything is fine.

Chris' mom came in for the lunch and that made Macie a happy girl.

I thought it would be fun to go down to the square and get some ice cream together, 

but Macie thought we needed to go to the park.

My MIL was leaving town, so we didn't really have the time to make it to the park.

She was going to meet my SIL and asked us to go, but Macie was in such a terrible 

mood that I decided we better stay home.  

Of course, I dealt with a huge fit because we weren't going to the park.

Let me tell ya, life is not fun when Macie is in a rotten mood.

I managed to get a dinner thrown together, but by the time Chris got home

I was exhausted and ready for bed.  I closed my eyes and was out as soon as

my head hit the pillow.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Fast forward to this morning.

Our day started out pretty good, besides bossy pants demanding eggs.

I think she thinks they just magically make themselves as fast a lightening.

I always take too long according to her.  So, anyway, she got her eggs.

We just hung out and I started working on some Christmas decor.

I needed some more pieces to add to my decorations, so that called for a trip to Hob Lob.

We got dressed and headed out, no big fights.  I obliged to her wardrobe requests....

just to avoid conflict.  We headed down the road.

When we got to the stop light at the end of our road, Macie started demanding we

go eat at Chickfila.  She was TELLING me we were going there.  I said no, not today.

Instead, I offered to stop at Sonic and get a snack and a drink.  Still a no.

I stopped anyway--I got a sweet tea with lemon and I ordered her a Sprite and 

some mozzarella sticks {her usual request at Sonic}.  She didn't eat any of the food

and frowned at her drink.....all while crying that she wanted to go to the "chicken place".

She finally quit crying by the time we got to Hobby Lobby and was acting a little less rotten.

The bell ringers were out in full force, so I gave her some change to put into the bucket.

We walk in, she wants to ride in the buggy and as soon as she gets in, she drops her entire

cup of Sprite onto the floor right in the middle of the entrance.  My luck....

We look around for a while and Macie starts acting grumpy again. I was so frustrated and she was terrible {I know it's hard being three and riding around Hobby Lobby, but I just knew she was going to give up the bad mood}.

My Saving Grace:

We ended up on the same aisle as a lady, I didn't think she was paying a bit of attention to my horrible child {or at least was trying to ignore the awkward situation}.  Macie was talking back and getting in trouble and the lady said, "Looks like someone is having a grumpy day."  I told her yes, and we had a little chit chat and I thought our conversation was over.

I was finished looking on that aisle and started to walk away, past the lady when she stopped me.  She said, "You know what?" I stopped to listen, what did I have to lose?

She said she was only able to have one child, a son, and he was mentally handicapped.  I immediately started getting teary eyed because here I am, pregnant, with a "normal" child {that was just having an off day} and I thought I had it bad.

She went on to tell me about how she would randomly see people having a hard time with their children and would stop to let them know it's not really all that bad.  She told me to stop and think about it because I have a lot to be thankful for--I was blessed with a child that will have a normal life.

I do believe that God sends people to be in the right place at the right time and I think he sent her to me.  I know he did.  After that, I just wanted to hug my girl tight because I am thankful for her.  

I will go to bed tonight thanking God for all of the blessings in my life. I have too many blessings to let a couple of bad days throw me on to a negative path.  I am especially thankful for this lady that put things into perspective when I needed that guidance.

I will take the few bad days for ALL of the GOOD days I get.

Pregnancy Style

I love styling my pregnant belly,

but let's face it...

it gets a little tough.

Especially during the colder months.

I forgot how hard it was to find

anything to wear when I was expecting Macie.

I wanted to wear all of the adorable ensembles

that all of the other girlies my age were sporting!

Back then, I hardly went anywhere

so I didn't have to get as creative.

This time, I'm going to school and find

myself getting very intimidated by 

all of the cute college age ladies.

It's hard enough getting old,

the last thing I want is to look old!

So, there was my little pity party.

Now, I will show you how I'm trying 

my best to not look like a frump

and where I get my ideas.

Thank goodness for Pinterest!!!

I have found so many ideas

for making the wardrobe I already

have work for my growing baby bump.

Just search pregnancy style.

This cutie patootie over at The Daybook always looks perfect.

I'm actually jealous of her perfectly put together look.

Every.day.  Seriously.

My outfit was just inspired by hers.

She looks way cuter, but I tried!

Oh, and I added some leg warmers

that I've had since I was a Freshman in

college as "boot socks".

AND I've seriously become the biggest 

fan of the messy top knot bun.

Love it--especially after I've worn

my hair curly a couple of days.

 

{Yes, I only wash my hair every 

few days.  You can think I'm gross,

but it doesn't get nasty or smelly.

At.all. AND I use dry shampoo.}

 When I came across this outfit,

I got a little excited.

Last Summer, I bought a denim dress

thinking I would wear it....

and never did.  Just didn't like it much.

After I saw this picture on Pinterest,

I thought....hmmm, I should try

that dress again.

Mine is short sleeved, so

I just added a long sleeve under.

Then I just happened to have

a pair of leggings that

look almost exactly like the 

ones in this picture.

{that were never worn :-/}

I have a ton of scarves,

so I grabbed one that matched.

Boots WILL be my staple this Winter!

They're flat and comfy!

I wore some wedges the other day

and let me tell you, that was a mistake.

By the end of the day, I thought my feet

would fall off. :(

I wish I had a picture of that outfit

because it was pretty cute.
{even though it killed my feet}

Heels and wedges will only be for the days

that I have to do little to no walking.

 I've only bought a few "maternity" pieces

and when I wear them I don't feel very stylish.

{except when I wear jeans or leggings}

For those of you expecting, I would suggest

trying to work with what you have.

Some tops will surprisingly look just

as great on a baby bump as they do

on your regular body.

Layering works wonders!

The only things that really are necessary

are jeans, leggings, and tshirts or tanks.

So, that's my two cents on pregnancy style

and I hope to add to this as I get farther along.

When I am out of school, I will have a lot more

time on my hands to get some more posts up.

Thursday: Me time....

Thursdays I'm usually finished with school early.

This is my "me" time while Macie is still at school.

We all deserve our special time.

And I'm going to get a lot less of it

come February when the new baby arrives!

(probably none)

When I'm alone...

I get to have quality time with SBG2 

(sweet baby girl 2....that is probably going 

to remain nameless until her day of birth).

I get to ponder dinner for the night.

AND search PINTEREST for ideas!

(YES, Pinterest does cause me to make that face)

Tonight's menu will consist of this:

Via

 and this:

Via

Here's to hoping it turns out as good as it looks!

I should have done homework...

or house work...

but what fun is that???

The laundry, sweeping, bleaching, and mopping

will still be there tomorrow

when I have ALL DAY.

Today was just about me--

and that was nice.