What's on Her Heart

Won't my mama be so proud of me are the words I hear my two year old singing over and over (and over) as she plays in her own little world, with The Bumble Bee Song lyrics dancing through her mind.  

Yes my love, your mama is so proud of you. 

Mama, where did baby Jesus go? she asks as her inquisitive mind notices the neighbor's Christmas nativity scene no longer decorates their front yard.  When I explained that the manger scene was packed up after the holiday, she sits quiet for a moment only to respond with Baby Jesus lives in our heart mama.  

I get a pop for being disobeeedient she proudly states as Daddy walks through the front door after what I'm sure was a long day for us both.  Clearly I need to reevaluate my game plan if pops are a bragging point for her.  

I need to go find him are the words she shrieks when McClain is hiding from his buddy during one of their games of follow you {a combo of chase and hide-and-go seek}.  

By far my favorite is when she speaks I need a hug, kiss, squeeze Mama whenever we part ways - either at the nursery or at naps.  We don't lose our grip without her innocent voice mumbling the words I never want to live without.  I can just see me dropping her off somewhere during her teenage years, rolling down the car window, exclaiming Lucy Mills, I need a hug, kiss, squeeze! Won't she be the popular gal? 

Updates from my iphone

Snapshots from life lately:

1.) Over Thanksgiving weekend we spent the night at my dad's house.  Lucy Mills and Anna Heath loved having a pajama picnic for breakfast one morning.

2.) Also taken over Thanksgiving weekend, Trav and I at the Clemson/Carolina game. 

3.) Our new favorite afternoon activity - going to the park to swing. Lucy Mills loves to push McClain. 

4.) PopPop took LM for a ride on the merry-go-round at the local mall.  She loved every minute. I think he did too. 

5.) Watching Saturday morning movies in their own chairs.  

{Thank you Grandmother and Grandaddy!}

6.) Gotta love the matching Christmas jammies.  And the organization of mommy's kitchen cabinet going on. 

7.) - 9.) This was the first year that we went to see Santa.  There was no line at the mall and both kids were not scared of him one bit.  Lucy Mills tried to pull on his beard and he said not to do that, so she looked away.  Once McClain had enough, I let Lucy Mills sit by herself for a second.  Santa pulled out a Frosty the Snowman book and they thumbed through it a bit.  It was a sweet visit with jolly ol' guy. 

10.) Sweet girls latest obsession: "yipticks" (chapstick if you will)

11.) Jumping for joy on the bed on Christmas morning.

12.) McClain sporting his new polo vest from Uncle Daniel on Christmas.  Does he not look so grown up in this?

I love that my cell phone can capture these day in and day out moments! 

A Look Back

Let's travel down memory lane to remember the highlights of 2011. 

:: January ::

We adjusted to life with a 15 month old and a newborn. 

I celebrated turning 30 with my sweet husband who whisked me out of town for a fun night away. 

:: February ::

We were home.  A lot.  It snowed some, we were sick, we stayed inside.  End of story. 

:: March ::

We enjoyed storytime at the library, MyGym classes, and daddy being home on the weekends again. 

:: April ::

Trav turned 40 and we celebrated with a surprise day on the lake. 

Springtime was finally here! 

I had another round of health issues to deal with.  I underwent a kidney procedure that month, and thankfully have been healthy since. 

:: May ::

We realized that Sweet Girl needed glasses to correct the straightness of her eyes. 

McClain was presented during the baby dedication service at our church. 

:: June ::

I went to visit my sister on a weekend getaway. It was a special time for me. 

Our neighborhood pool became our saving grace during the summertime heat. 

:: July ::

We soaked up the rays at the beach in July. 

:: August ::

Lucy Mills turned 2 and we celebrated with a Princess Party. 

:: September ::

One of our favorite times of the year - fall weather and football season! 

The kids and I {and Suggie too!} started going to a weekly bible study, CBS.  We love, love it! 

:: October ::

McClain sported his new hat,

and Lucy Mills dressed up as a cute 50's gal.

:: November ::

Lucy Mills underwent eye surgery to correct the alignment in both of her eyes.  God was so faithful and her eyes look beautiful. 

:: December ::

The sweetest little boy in the world turned 1.

It was a year of blessings, of tough decisions, of joys, and of thankfulness for bringing us through it all.  I pray that this year we will serve the Lord more than ever; and that we will develop hearts to serve others more than ourselves. 
Happy 2012!!!!

It Was a Very Merry One!

Who are the luckiest kiddos around? My two.  Their grandparents made.their.Christmas. 

This season was so much fun since Lucy Mills was old enough to be aware of what was happening.  It really is a magical time of year for a two year old.  The lights, the songs, the gifts - it brought me right back to my own childhood. 

Since we planned to be in Alabama for Christmas, we celebrated with Suggie, Tutu, and Aunt Marian the Sunday before we left.   

:: So many presents, she doesn't know where to begin! ::

:: Yay! More kitchen gadgets for her little kitchen. ::

:: What in the world is in this big bag? ::

It's a life size Angelina the Ballerina! She straps onto your shoes to dance right along with you! 

:: Yep, it's a hit Suggie. ::

We hit the road bright and early Thursday morning headed to Grandmother and Grandaddy Mason's house. 

Why of course we enjoyed our time with Grandmother, Grandad, and Daniel, it was a special treat to spend Christmas Eve with all of Travis' aunts, uncles, and cousins that we haven't seen in a while.  This was McClain's first time meeting the whole gang.
Let's just say he fit right in.

He took right to charming the girls.  

In fact they all took turns holding and kissing on that little studmuffin. 

Lucy Mills got plenty of attention too.  She adored keeping up with the big girls, and they were so sweet with her. 

One of the traditions in the Mason family is that all of the children get to open up a gift from Great Grandma on Christmas Eve. 
And since the youngest gets to go first, McClain was in a great spot.

He sure loved opening and playing with his tool bench.  Sister liked playing with boy toy too. 

Since Lucy Mills was the second youngest, she got to open up her gift next. 

Now this little girl has received some amazing gifts over the course of her two years.  But I don't think I have seen such an excited reaction from her after she opened Great Grandma's present. 

Yep.  Elmo. 

Who knew that red muppet would be such a hit? 
Thank you Great Grandma!

I love this pictures - Trav sure loves this sweet lady. We all do. 

It was a memorable Christmas Eve. 

Christmas morning was just as fun to wake up to.  Chef Grandaddy whipped up his traditional breakfast of homemade apple dumplings and quiche.  So yummy! 

Then we walked into the living room to see what Santa brought. 

Sweet girl had the hang of this present opening thing by now. 

Actually they both loved ripping into one after another. 

For the chapstick obsessed girly girl, her very own "yiptick and pursssse."

And a new bitty baby...

or two! 

This little mommy jumped into her new role of taking care of her new baby dolls. 

Meanwhile, Superbud was manning his tool bench to avoid all things baby doll occurring. 

My kids LOVE the My Baby Can Read series.  We have been lucky enough to borrow most of the dvds and accessories since they can be quite pricey.  But we are now the proud owners of the preschool level dvds, books, and workbooks.  

These videos were a life saver on the car ride home! 

We were blessed with a very Merry Christmas.  Amongst the presents, ribbons, and wrapping, we remember that above all we celebrate our Savior's birth.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6
:: Christmas 2011 ::