December Wrap Up

Well, here it is, the last day of 2009. Wow. What a year! This has been a year of faith, fear, birth, death, answered prayers, unanswered prayers, and, always, a light of hope shines on for the next year. We are most thankful for God sustaining us through the changes of 2009. Corey is here, he is healthy and he is a physical manifestation of God's faithfulness. Carley has grown up and adjusted to a new school, a pregnant and bedrested mom, and now, her role as Big Sister. Cody has made choices on the direction that he wants to go in his career, has focused on tasks ahead, has found ways to use his gifts in service, and has realized the power of providing us with more time with him. I have balanced all year living in faith that God would provide and fear that He would not. I am blessed by the changes in my life in 2009 and pray that I can find ways to bless others and be there for others in there time of need. May 2010 be a year that we all grow in Faith of Him, Compassion of others, and Love in all.

Here is how 2009 ended for us (beware, it is like 5 posts in 1):

I love making Christmas cookies with my favorite chef's assistant.

Carley was the cutest little thing at her Christmas recital. Look at that hiney in a tutu! :)

She had a blast at her 4th Birthday party! What a Princess she is! We gave her a Splaster and she loves it!

Santa Land with my family is always a treat

Watching Princess and the Frog with my family

Kids in matching pajamas

Santa's cutest elf, if I do say so myselfWatching the Tech Lady Raiders

Playing in the Snow
Christmas Eve with my Parents

Carley acting out the Nativity Scene and practicing scriptures she learned for the holidays
reading Twas the Night Before ChristmasSanta brought Carley a doll house and Corey a little farm

Happy 4th Birthday, Carley

I can't believe Carley is 4. It sounds SO old to me. It is amazing to me. Carley is a smart, spirited, loving, hilarious, thoughtful little girl. Carley loves to be read to, to be adventurous, to play pretend, and to talk. She talks constantly.....to herself, to us, to her dolls, to anyone. She is still very shy and timid when she is first around someone. She is loving and caring, especially towards her baby brother. She LOVES family, including her parents, Papa & Nana, her cousins, and her aunts and uncles. Her favorite thing to talk about is weddings, princesses, and loving people. She hates to have her done, to stay in bed all night by herself, taking turns, and being teased. She loves to hear and tell Bible stories. She knows lots of scriptures and will recite them for us often.

Life According to Carley:

What is your favorite food: Bananas, Strawberries, Hot Dogs, Scrambled Eggs, and Macaroni and Cheese

Favorite things: Being with my Daddy and Mom and my baby brother, playing princess

Favorite Place to go: to the mall, church, Science Spectrum, swimming, movies

Favorite Place to go Eat: Furrs, Cracker Barrell, Chick Fil A, McDonalds

Favorite TV Shows: Imagination Movers, Scooby Do, Pinky Dinky Do, Dora, Diego

Favorite Movies: Sleeping Beauty, Tinker Bell, Snow White, Strawberry Shortcake, Peter Pan, Princess and the Frog

Favorite Ice Cream: Rainbow Sherbert

Favorite toys: my elly, princess dolls, new doll house, snap babies, and TAG books


We are so blessed to be Carley's parents. I can't wait to continue to watch her grow and change even more this year. Happy Birthday, sweet girl.

The MOST Wonderful time of the Year

What a blessed Holiday season! We are enjoying December of 2009 so much! Carley is really into Christmas (and really scared to talk to Santa). Corey is just a wonderful reminder of the reason of the season. Cody and I are enjoying our family time and the magic of the season.

December started off great with the Women's Brunch at church. I was chatting it up too much and forgot to get pictures of everyone there, but here is my beautiful table hostess, Kendy, and her beautiful table.Cody suggested we put our tree right in the middle of our living room this year instead of against the wall. I have loved it because I can see it from almost any room. This year, it is decorated a little TOO much on the bottom, because Carley helped more. In fact almost all of the decorations in the house are at her level. At first I didn't like it because it wasn't "beautiful", but now I love it. It reminds of why I decorate and WHO Christmas is supposed to be about. :) Here are my two favorite decorators.It is fun to get a new ornament this year with all 4 of our names. I always buy one at Holiday Happening, but they didn't have that booth this year, so my Mom found this in Keller. Also I have wanted stockings from Pottery Barn FOREVER, but I wanted to wait until our family was complete. I have had them picked out for two years, but was never able to order them. This year I really did love hanging the stockings "by the chimney with care". Aren't they beautiful! I have SO much to be thankful for this season.

Last night was our class Christmas party and it was GREAT! We had so much fun! Why did I not take any pictures? I really cannot get my act together.

Tonight Jennifer and I took Elise, Carley, and Corey to the Christmas parade. It was SO fun. We had a great time being together and the girls loved yelling "Merry Christmas" at absolutely everyone.Finally, I hope your week is filled with Peace, Love, and Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

3 months

Our sweet boy is three months old. Corey Wayne Nelson is a joy and I am SO thankful that God added him to our family.

Here is what Corey is doing at three months:

- He is happy. I have only heard him really cry loud a handful of times.

- He loves to eat. He is already eating 6 ounces at a feeding from his bottle and during the day he eats every three hours like clockwork.

-He sleeps really good at night, but doesn't nap consistently yet. He USUALLY sleeps 10-12 hours at night, but might take 5 thirty minute naps during the day or one good nap and several cat naps.

- When we wakes up he is talking and laughing, not crying.

- Corey LOVES to have his diaper changed. Maybe it is just being a boy, but the second his diaper is off he laughs and laughs. He loves being naked.

- Corey has brown curly hair.

- Corey has dry skin, especially on his face and head. He has cradle cap right now.

- Corey loves to be talked to or sang to. He loves to be tickled as well.

- He is always reaching and grabbing for things. I can tell he will be one of those boys that is into everything, but he isn't trying to roll over yet.

- His toothless grin and coo melt our hearts.

- Corey thinks his sister is the funniest thing on the planet.

I know I talk about it all the time, but Corey really is a blessing. We wanted him in our lives for so long, his life is even sweeter than I imagined. The thing I love most about being Corey's mother is that his life has brought me closer to God. He has strengthened my faith. Our father is SO good and SO faithful.

Thanksgiving Week in Pictures

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family and friends. I am too tired to blog all about the week, but I can sum it up with these high points.

1. Alyssa's family was here for the week and it was WONDERFUL. She is just the best and her girls are so sweet, smart, and funny. My kids loved playing with hers.

2. Carley was sick most of the break. She had a double ear infection and a horrible cough. Poor girl did not feel good at all.

3. My dad brought home a RIDICULOUS turkey hat from work. I am totally okay with my sister inheriting it one day. The grandkids did love it though.

4. The week before Carley had her Thanksgiving feast at school. I told her she was a beautiful pilgrim and she said, "No mom, I am a bride". I told you she thinks all things white involve weddings and that she is obsessed with them.5. Mom gave the kids matching pajamas and reindeer. They were so cute in them. The 4 reindeer were named Peppermint, Jingle Bells, Buck, and Wedding Girl. I will let you guess which one was the name Carley gave to her white reindeer. (See #4)
6. The girls wore their feast costumes from school for thanksgiving dinner. Carley was a pilgrim (or bride), Lauren was an Indian, and Cam was a turkey. They were cute.

7. My family made fun of me for putting Corey in Carley's old "My First Thanksgiving" onesie. It was an 18 month. He looks so cute though!8. Obviously 2009 has been a very special year for us and I have so much to be thankful for....especially the addition of little Corey to our family. I am so blessed to be the mom to such sweet and funny kids.

9. You can read my sister's blog for MUCH better thoughts on this, but my mother's sister died in April. Her body was destroyed by cancer and it was her wish that she would be cremated and scattered at the farm where she grew up. It was my first experience with this and it was VERY special and meaningful. All but one of my cousins was able to return for this as well. This farm holds very special meaning for my family. It is a WONDERFUL place and full of memories. It was hand built by my grandfather. It has been empty for 12 years so it is sad to see it so empty, but it was special to be there with my family.

Thankful

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17

We all have SO much to be thankful for this year. We have a roof over our head, food to eat, and family to be with. God did not answer every prayer they way I wanted him to. He did not give me everything I ask for. He did not follow my plan for my life. Instead, He richly blessed me beyond measure, he prepared a place for me in Heaven, he taught be the beauty of being reliant on His daily bread, He asked me to rethink my priorities, my faith, my values, and my walk. How thankful I am to love a God who loves me more than I can imagine.

And bloggerland, I am thankful for you this holiday season. What a blessing it is to share our daily walks!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Corey's 2 Month pictures with Cody

Am I a lucky girl or what to have these two handsome men in my life?

This one is my favorite :)

Some New Carley Stories

Here are some new Carley stories, just to document for me how funny, smart, crazy, and silly my girl is

1. I got a haircut. I picked Carley up from school and she said, "Mom, did you get a hair cut?" I told her I did and she said, "Well, I love you, but I do not like your choice. You need to take some time to think about this before you do it again." Nice.

2. We went to Chick Fil A on Saturday night and Carley walked up to the counter and ordered a "Venti Apple Juice". Apparently she has spent too much time at Starbucks with her Daddy.

3. Tonight at dinner, I cooked breakfast food and Carley and Cody wanted milk to drink. So I poured them both a glass. The milk had an expiration date of the day before so I figured we were safe. Well, they both took drinks and let me know it was bad. I felt really awful. So they got waters for dinner. When Cody sat back down for us to eat, Carley asked to say the prayer. This is what she said, "Dear God, please help Mommy not to buy milk that is yucky again. Please help her to buy that milk that will make me big and strong and not make my tummy hurt. Bless her to never do this again. It was a bad mistake. Help her to do better. In Jesus Name, Amen". Cody laughed hysterically.

4. After dinner tonight Cody went to our church to do some work so I put the kids down by myself. Usually when this happens, Cody is at the station. So when Carley said her good night prayer, this is what she said, "Dear God, please help me to grow big and strong so I can be a firegirl with my dad. Help us to help people and fight fires and drive the truck. Let me be a firegirl so we can be together every night. In Jesus Name, Amen". How sweet is that?

5. I cooked chicken the other night and Carley said, "This is SO delicious. It is very French." Cody and I got tickled and we asked her what "French" meant and she said, "It means....very good".

6. Carley is obsessed with the fact that Cody and I are married. She loves to ask questions about where we got married, why we got married, and all the details. This morning she was getting dressed and she said, "Mom, did you wear panties to your wedding?" I told her I did. She asked if they were "lovely white, with ruffles, bells, and bows". I laughed and told her I didn't own any panties with bells, ruffles, or bows. She is SO disappointed.

7. She and Corey went to the pediatrician this week for his 2 month well check and her flu shot and cough. Carley was totally chatting up Dr. Landry, which was funny. When Dr. Landry opened Corey's diaper, Carley pointed and said, "This is part of his bottom lets him pee standing up. My bottom didn't come with one of those".

That is my girl. I could write a million of these stories. Is it the weekend yet?

Corey's baby Blessing

Today was our baby blessing at church. It was so neat. 14 babies were blessed today. We had a baby blessing in March and it amazes me that there are already 14 new babies since then. Anyway it was a special day for our family. Corey is such a blessing and these past two months as a family of 4 have been precious. Carley adores her baby brother. In fact today the elder who did our blessing told our story that Carley wants to marry Corey so they can live together forever. So sweet. Also, Corey's honorary parents and brother and sister in law were there. That was SUPER special for us. As always, it is a blessing to be able to worship with my parents each week.

A couple of weeks ago our VERY sweet friend, Jonathan King, snapped some pictures for our special day as well. Here are a couple of those. Thanks, Jon!