Happy New Year! Ready for 2010? I am :). :) my new messenger style bag
New frame (from wedding)I decided to go ahead and set out....
Organized closet. Yes, this currently acts as our bookshelf as well :).

Fabric hearts I made.....they didn't turn out how I pictured in my mind, yet I'm remaining positive about them (soon enough I won't be able to blame my projects on the fact that I'm still a "beginner") :)

Embroidery!!! My machine does this :)

A big thanks to everyone who has given their input about our house! We have started taking notes, we've gotten so many suggestions from our families. Change is coming :)

Merry Christmas 2009! These pics are in reverse order, so we'll start with Christmas Day at Momma and Daddy's house. :)
"I am speed!" Silly girl! :)
Fun in the Tonka trunk-what a great hit Granna and Poppa!

Awww....

I like Sam's big 'ol smile in this picture!

Pretty :)
Papaw hard at work opening his gift.
Yeah! Just the books momma wanted :).

Handsome, busy boy!
Great thermos for my farmer boy :)
Thanks Daddy!!
Fancy Nancy's book of Fancy words with Granna-what fun!
Sweet girl, I made her these felt cupcakes and she was so sweet and grateful.

Lillie and I at Janice's house

Pat :)
the boys and Rosie
Mom-in-law and I
:) My greatest blessing.
SNOW!!!!!

Relaxing on Christmas Eve
I made Chinese food (with shrimp) for Christmas Eve dinner

Earrings from Brett
My favorite: Land O'Lakes hot chocolate

New Razorback shirt (thank-you, Amazon.com)

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Brett and I are getting closer to having our house plan drawn up. Just wondering..........any tips or suggestions from anyone on practical things that will make our house more enjoyable/organized? Anything you wish you had in your house, or anything you would change?

We already have the big idea of what we like and want (I was telling Daddy I'm more of the "pretty" planner, Brett, more of the "practical" planner.............but I think you need both) :)

Any suggestions would be great!

p.s.-prayers would be great too.........took a little trip to the dr. today because I am fighting a virus (fever, sore throat, achy body). Got the good 'ol "sinus cocktail" shot and am feeling some better, just very exhausted. Is it sad that I knew exactly what to do when the lady came in with the shot? She even commented on it and said "Wow, you knew exactly how to stand". HA

We went to Branson this weekend to relax and celebrate Brett's birthday (and to celebrate the passing of another school semester for Brett!) We went to Dixie Stampede-the food was delicious, the show entertaining, and the live nativity scene was amazing!
We did a bit of shopping at the Branson Landing........it was C-O-L-D.Beautiful tree at Bass Pro.Yay! Lunch at Fudrucker's :)

We stayed at Best Western Music Capital Inn. It was very clean and nice!

We like local :), and ate at a great Italian restaurant near the Branson Landing called Rocky's.
Happy Birthday Brett! Janice cooked a delicious meal and we had a great time celebrating on Thursday. :)

Thanks to Becca for making these very cute pendants for my sweet girls at school. I bought the colorful chains at Hobby Lobby and hung the pendants on them......the girls LOVED them! We had the party Thursday and they got to open the necklackes then. Most of them wore the necklaces to school Friday too :).

Almost Christmas! And, the countdown has begun-Brett has 3 classes total left (2 in spring semester, 1 in summer) before he's done with his Master's! In about 5 months we can do some starting on our house..........hooray! :)

More time for pics later, but-GOOD NEWS!

Brett got all A's again this semester as a grad. student :) :) :)

and, last night at our fourth-grade parent night (after a recount of the parent sign-in) we had 125 people come!! (not counting the students!)

Christmas at Grandma and Papaw's! Everyone enjoying the fire and good company :).
We had a model in our midst, evidently :). Can you guess who this cute little thing is?Look at those sweet eyes-(his momma walked up just then!)Beautiful tree.

Biiiig Nathan!

We all had such a great time talking, laughing, and eating :).