A Little of This, A Little of That...

I'mmmm Baaaaacck!:) The last week and a half we have had our family here so my blog took the back burner. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I have had a wonderful holiday season so far.... mostly because my sweet husband had the last week off!!!! My sister and her precious husband were here for 5 days:) There is nothing I love more. We did some shopping, but mostly we spent time together at our home. We decorated for Christmas and watched some of our favorite holiday movies. The boys were in heaven..:)

My sister left Wednesday morning and my in-laws arrived Wednesday evening:) Weston spent the day putting up lights on our house and making a pot of chili for dinner. Grammie brought Wyatt and Elias a few Christmas movies and the movie "Brave." So, we spent the evening watching Brave and eating homemade chili....perfection. I wish I could have shared my delicious Turkey dinner with you all. It was sooo yummy! I made another Cajun Turkey and it was to die for!!! My sweet MIL made green beans, and I finished it off with homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and cherry cobbler. Weston and I did our annual Black Friday shopping. We couldn't bring ourselves to shopping on Thanksgiving Day. It just doesn't seem right. At what point do you draw the line and remember what this holiday time is about? We just aren't going to take our family time on Thanksgiving Day to go shop. So, we left out house at 4am on Friday and hit up all the stops on our list. We got some really great things for our boys and I cannot wait until they open their gifts. We then met up with my friend Jenn and her husband for breakfast and then hit up a couple more stores. I actually like that all of the crazies had gotten their shopping done because the stores were restocked and the lines were much shorter:) SCORE! We spent the next fews days cooking, went shopping for the boys winter clothes (got some ADORABLE STUFF), and went to our favorite restaurants around here....

This is the sweetest picture from their visit. Wyatt brushing his Grammie's hair;)

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I miss my family terribly, but am already counting down the days until we leave for Georgia....Until then, we have lots of parties, get togethers, SEC championship;)), shopping, eating, time with sweet friends, and the start to some new traditions. One of which I will share tomorrow on my blog..

Happy Post-Thanksgiving and Welcome Full on Christmas time!!:)

Christmas Things+Kid's Movie Picks

For those that know me, know that Christmas season starts after Halloween for me;) I have been  thoroughly enjoying my music, hot drinks, shopping, planning, Christmas events, movies, etc. I am so excited!!!! Today I just wanted an excuse to talk Christmas:).....

We are going to a Grant'sChristmas Tree Farm with our friends this year and cutting down our own tree. I have been dying for that day to get here, as I am soooooo ready to start decorating my house! My honey and I are putting together a tree for the boys this year, and I am so excited to have a little one in their room. The task now will be keeping Eli's sticky hands from taking off the ornaments...

This year is going to be the start of some new traditions for us. Some years we travel home and some years we stay here. This year we are going home to Georgia, but will celebrate our family Christmas before hand. Whether it be my Grandma's cooking traditions, activities, bible stories, etc...we will be doing some wonderful things this holiday season. One of the things we are starting is Elf on the Shelf. To welcome this elf, we are having a "North Pole" breakfast. I have had a fun time shopping for all things "Christmas breakfast." The boys will be so excited to do this.

So today, I thought I would share a couple of our Christmas movie picks for Kids:

These are just a couple of the ones we have! I will share more as the Christmas season continues:) We have a pretty good selection of Christmas movies, and I can't promise I won't be getting more today:/ Hallmark has a coupon out right now thru the end of December for $10 off. For those that buy their ornaments, I would watch the mail;) Wyatt has already picked out the one he wants:) 

Okay, I could sit here all day and blog about Christmas but I have to get ready for Thanksgiving;) Happy Wednesday!

Randoms and Thankfulness

Well, we had a great 4 day weekend. Veteran's Day is always special as I have many men/women in my life to celebrate. I am starting to miss blogging again, so I think the break I took was definitely worth it;) I was reminded of how much time I spend trying to "keep up" with the world and the standards of people around me. God has been showing me so much of himself and what he intended for my life. I am striving to pray daily, "God, what should I be doing for you today?" I am learning so much about my Lord and I am cherishing it.

For many years, the time change has been a dreaded day;) This year, God has really given me the desire to take advantage of waking up at 5 or 5:30 AM. I am aiming to use that quiet time to spend the early morning with my honey and get my bible study in:)

The holiday season brings up the "I am thankful fors"....on Facebook, instagram, etc. I get where people can get annoyed, and yes some people miss the real meaning of the thankfulness...I however like to look at the bright side and the fact that they are acknowledging whats important to them. For me, a lot of what I am thankful for are the people in my life. I have been so blessed. Today, however, I am thankful for my dearest friends here in Louisiana. Even before we moved here, I knew God had something special for us. I knew we would grow even more....I thank God everyday for bringing us here!! We are more settled now than we have ever been. For me, these girls are always there, they are always honest, loving, examples of Christ. Their children are such wonderful influences for my boys. I have not gone a day without hearing from at least one of them. That is so huge for me. I have been blessed with the friends in my life and I cherish all of them:) Here is the last picture we got together (which will change come Friday;)) We always get to eating, talking, "whatevering", that we forget to take pictures;)

Jenn being Jenn;), Hannah, Kristen, and Shaina

Missing Kayla

I have many more people I am thankful for, so heres to a few more "thankful for" posts;)

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I hope you all have a great Tuesday! I made some homemade recipes this weekend and I am looking forward to sharing them.....stay tuned! I am also getting together my "Christmas Wish List." I have so many wonderful holiday things coming up!! I cannot wait!:)

Today's the Day...VOTE!

Well, technically I voted 2 weeks ago, but it gets counted today! Have you voted? I always say, if you don't vote, don't complain. Today is a big day for our country. Every election day is a big day. It is a chance for us to stand for what we believe. It is also our right as american citizens to vote. Not only is it our right, it is a privilege. One in which we all should be taking advantage of today. Colorado, Florida, Virginia, and Ohio are the key states, so for those of you in those states, no pressure;)

Today I am forgoing "Turn The Page Tuesday" and focusing on something that has always been important to me. I grew up going to the polls with my mom and being taught how important it is. I am so thankful for a mother who taught me about voting and made a point to live out that teaching. Even this morning my mom called me and my sisters making sure we were voting. ;) As important as voting is to me, what is more important is my walk with the Lord. I am called as a christian to vote for the things that coincide with God's word. I am not worried about who is going to get elected, although I sure would like my candidate to win, or what will happen if things stay the same. It doesn't matter because God is still the one and only true God and He will use either candidate for his purpose. I hope you all get out to vote today and make a choice based on what you believe is right. Our vote shouldn't be based on race, political parties or affiliates, what the news channel says, etc. It should be based on what you feel is right. 

I hope you all have a wonderful election day and I hope you arrive when the lines have slowed down..:/ 

With that said, Happy Voting:)

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Next week I will pick back up with "Turn The Page Tuesday" so get your posts ready:) I have a great Thanksgiving book to share. I will also be posting Melissa and Doug's 2012 toy picks....

See you all tomorrow for another week of WIAW!:)

T-shirts for Monday+ It's Time to VOTE!

I hope you all had a great weekend and last week. It feels weird to not be blogging as much, but I have needed the extra time more. We had a great weekend of hanging around the house. We don't have those weekends very often, so we were pretty excited about it. Saturday was a great day for us Georgia fans! We won our game and are now 1 win from going to the SEC championship!!! Woohoo! We moved up to #5 in the country and now head to Auburn this week. After Auburn we will be 9-1. I am pretty pumped because we have a good shot at heading to the National Championship:)

I always think of this day when we play Auburn. I thought this t-shirt was pretty cute;) Our dear friends Amanda  and Brian are Auburn fans so it has always been like a "house-divided" when we are together, as they are like family. I do have to say out of all the SEC teams, other than Georgia, Auburn is one I like. They just aren't as obnoxious;)....no, we Bulldogs are never obnoxious;) GOO Dawgs!

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For those of you who like to embroider, (I am obsessed) I have a friend who has a business and she has amazing stuff! Michelle is one of my sorority sisters and she lives in Dahlonega, where we went to school. She has an amazing business, E is for Embroidery, and I highly recommend you checking out her site! She has some awesome holiday ideas, gifts, etc. She is also making this shirt and can make it in your sports team colors:

I just ordered one with red chevron and my initials:) Cannot wait to wear for the rest of our game days!

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Today is a typical Monday here. I am finishing up my cleaning and making some homemade soup. My friend Hannah and her girls are coming today so that makes my Monday even better! A nice run in the park with my honey tonight and home to some hot soup will be perfect! I hope you are all ready for tomorrow!!!! It is a VERY important day in our country and it should be on everyone's priority list. If you don't vote, you can't complain! I have some voting wisdom to share tomorrow that was shared with me this weekend. Our Pastor did a phenomenal job of preaching on simply what God says....so until tomorrow!:) Also, don't forget tomorrow is also another edition of "Turn The Page Tuesday" and I will be sharing a really great Thanksgiving book:) This week I have a post of My holiday wish list items, top rated kids toys for christmas, black friday deals, and more! So come back by....

Are you registered to vote? Are you going to the polls tomorrow?

If not, why?

Turn The Page Tuesday Week 10

Happy Tuesday, Y'all! I hope you had a great weekend and a great Monday! It's been a great week here so far and I am already looking forward to the weekend:) It is full on fall here in Louisiana and although I am loving the cool weather, I am already missing the warm:/ Probably not a good thing...I am a warm weather girl. However, I am excited for the holidays, sweaters, warm drinks, baking, changing trees, etc. 

I will tell you I am obsessed with the Gingerbread Latte at Starbucks....yum! I cannot get enough of these holiday yummies!:)

Yes, it is as delicious as it looks! I've also decided I am making gingerbread cookies for The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap!:) I am so excited!!!! If you haven't signed up, its not too late! This is a holiday cookie swap where you send cookies to three people and you receive cookies, too:)

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 It is also time for another Turn The Page Tuesday! Yes, Halloween is tomorrow but I am going to jump out of the Halloween theme and straight into another fall book! 

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Apples

By: Matt Ringler

 We got this book last year from Chickfila. It is a very simple counting book, but it also is about baking an apple pie:) We baked an apple pie this week so this is the perfect book. Brother and sister go and pick apples with their family. When they get home, they get to enjoy playing in the leaves while Mom and Dad bake. I love this book because it describes the simplicity of what I love about fall. 

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Time to grab the below button and go link up!! I have started buying books for my boys for Christmas. There have been some great deals. I am hoping you all share your holiday book choices!:) I have some fun blogs coming up, so come back!!:)

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Flashback Friday

Happy Friday! I hope you have all had a great week! It has been really busy here and I am ready for the weekend. I will be honest with you, my blogging is going to subside for a bit. I started to realize how much time was being put into it, and days just aren't long enough. My time with the Lord in my bible study is what I want my extra time to go to. I usually only have that time in the early morning as the afternoons and evenings are BUSY. I do love to blog, so don't worry you will still see me:) There just may be weeks where I don't get to blog much....especially now that the holidays are here:) eek! Speaking of holidays, yes, I am the annoying "listens to Christmas music after Halloween" person;) I LOVE the holidays and am so excited they are here. I have my Christmas list up and running and shopping has begun!!! I even received some Black Friday early bird ads this week. This year is going to be a good Black Friday day! This year Weston and I will be able to shop ALONE as my in-laws will be here and offered to keep the boys. This is HUGE because Weston and I are the ones who stand in the Target line at 3am;) And there are stores we hit all morning. I am so excited this year, because I have gotten a head start on gift ideas!!! My mom and I ate at a new restaurant here in DeRidder this week. OH MY was it amazing!!! I can't believe it took us this long to go. Two Sisters Deli and Pecan House is right down the road from us. They are a deli so they serve things like soups, salads, baked potatoes, and sandwiches. Everything is made fresh daily and so are their desserts! I had the pulled pork BBQ sandwich and a bowl of homemade chicken-n-dumplins. Hands down the BEST dumplins I've had other than my Grammies! I forgot to take a picture, but we are headed there this weekend so I will try and snap some shots! If you noticed they are a "pecan house". They make about 20 different kinds of homemade pecans, from bourbon praline to cajun. My mom got three different types for my step-dad and he LOVED them! It is run by a bunch of older women, which as you know, those are the ones who can cook. So, now we have our main go-to place here in D-town;) One more reason I love living in a small southern town!This is is my flashback for this Friday! This was Wyatt at Halloween last year. Poor Eli was stroller stricken behind him;)  

We have a beautiful park here in our town. Every year they set up a huge trick or treating trail. They sell food, treats, etc. and provide people to hand out candy to the kids. Its perfect because we just walk through the park for about an hour, the kids get their fill, and we head home:) I hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween next week!

See you on Monday for some weekend recap! We are having football Saturday with some new friends this weekend. I am looking forward to getting to know a couple new military wives! These guys are my hubby's closest friends at work and their wives are so sweet. Sunday we have our pumpkin patch day (finally;)) with my precious friend Jenn and her family! Cannot wait!:)
Happy Weekend!

Turn The Page Tuesday Week 9

I cannot think of the last time I blogged this late in the day. To be honest, I almost didn't get to. It has been crazy busy, and unfortunately my blog comes in towards the end of my list. I hope you all had a great weekend! We definitely did. I will post about our fun later this week:) So very quickly, here is my  book choice for this week before Halloween....

The Spooky Sound

Disney/Pixar Stage 2 Books

This is an adorable book for Halloween! Mater and Lightning are best pals. They are driving through town at night in the dark. While out they hear scary noises and keep seeing scary objects. They are already spooked and the more they see, the more they fret. Read along to find out what it is scaring them!:)

We love "Cars" in our house. This is one Wyatt likes to read often. We are those people that always come out of the store with something. Our "something" is usually a book:)

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I have already started shopping Christmas books! I cannot wait to share some classics, old favorites, and new favorites!!!:) Okay, it's not too late to link up! Go grab the butting and join in!! Have a great evening...see you tomorrow! 

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Flashback Friday

My mom is here and we are in party planning mode:) So today's post will be short! That is the joy of Flashback Friday...quick and easy. We have a lot planned this weekend including our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch! This is one of my favorite times of year so I thought I would share our picture from last year!:)

Have an awesome weekend! Come back next week for a full birthday party and pumpkin patch report:)
Thank you all who follow my blog and take the time to read. I love to hear feedback so feel free to leave message:)

Turn The Page Tuesday Week 8: Halloween Edition

I am so glad it's Tuesday:) We have a fun day planned and I am looking forward to it. I hope you all had a great Monday! I read an awesome verse this morning while I was doing my bible study and I thought I would share. I am doing the study of Genesis and it is phenomenal!! Its amazing to really learn what God planned from the very beginning and even before the earth was formed. Everything is from Him. This verse was just an encouraging reminder of how God intends for us to be with him. 

"But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how

we know we are in Him."

1 John 1:5

I encourage you to look up the closest (BSF) Bible Study Fellowship to you and join in this study! 

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It is also time for another week of Turn The Page Tuesday! For those of you who are new, click the highlighted link for more info:) This week's choice is a classic. I am sure most of you have this one or have at least read it. But, this one reminds me of being a little girl. We always watched the Charlie Brown specials around any holiday. The books are great because now you can read them before the show airs:)

It's The Great Pumpkin, 

Charlie Brown

By:Charles Schulz

Charlie Brown and the gang are excited for another year of Halloween festivities. Halloween parties, trick-or-tretaing, and lots of candy:) While the Peanuts gang are getting their costumes ready and preparing to trick-or-treat, Linus is planning something else. Linus is busy writing his letter to the Great Pumpkin. He is more concerned about getting to the pumpkin patch in time to see The Great Pumpkin. Read along to find out if Linus sees the Great Pumpkin, despite the disbelief of his friends:)

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I hope you are able to link up today! I also hope you all have a Terrific Tuesday! Come back tomorrow for another week of What I Ate Wednesday!:) Grab the button and go link up!

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Weekend Recap+Oatmeal Chocolate Chips

Phew. That was a weekend. The stomach virus went through our house this past week and weekend. We so very rarely get sick and have never all been sick at the same time that it was quite the treat. Its over now and I am ready for this busy week! Among the other things I have to do this week, it was Wyatt's birthday yesterday so I am in party planning mode:) We are having a super-hero party so I have a lot to do:) Some of the girls that are coming do not have superhero clothing so I am going to throw together a few "girly" capes:)

Ok, so who watched Revenge last night?! LOVE LOVE that show. Seriously like my favorite. It is getting so good and I am dying to see where they take the show this season. I am wanting Jack and Emily to reunite and be together so much...however, I see them dragging that out for.ever.

There is another round of presidential debates this week. I am hoping it goes a bit smoother for one party. Our VP made himself look like a child at the last weeks, which then in turn just makes the president look worse. I obviously am not a fan of either, but I still think Biden needs to think about his actions affecting other people. Maybe he should stop running his mouth...and the smiling...eek. Okay, off that soapbox;)

I made some delicious cookies last night and thought I would share. What is the best way to to tell if your cookies will be good, you ask?! The dough. Yes, always go by the cookie dough. I am telling you, that is key!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

by Rachel Layfield

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 9-12 minutes

Ingredients (3 dozen)

• 3 1/4 C Flour
• 1 t baking soda
• 3/4 t salt
• 1 1/3 C soft butter
• 1 1/4 C Sugar
• 1 C brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 4 t vanilla
• 1 package of mini chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup oats

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Beat butter and sugars on medium until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well and then slowly add dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop with an ice cream scoop onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees.

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Ok I am off to finish my Monday things but head back over here tomorrow for another week of Turn The Page Tuesday!!! I have a classic to share with you:) Halloween edition, of course! For those of you who want to know more about our Tuesday link up party, check out the link above! See you tomorrow!

Flashback Friday

Are you as excited as I am that it is FINALLY FRIDAY?! phew.  We have another great weekend planned and I am ready to get it started. The most important part of our weekend is my baby's birthday! Wyatt is turning 4 on Sunday:( I can't believe he is 4 and has become a little boy. I can relive the day he was born like it was yesterday. He is beyond a blessing to us and we are going to make his birthday very special. He asked for a red bicycle and we finally found one yesterday! I cannot wait to see the 

look on his face:)

I am headed to the commissary today and I will be hitting up these Pumpkin waffles everyone is raving about;) I am also going to be doing some baking this weekend and trying a new pumpkin bread. I need to start getting some recipe ideas for Thanksgiving as we have lots of family coming!!:) Up until a few days ago it was just gonna be my little family. Then we received the call from my in-laws and my sister and her husband!!!!!!! (making up for the lack of exclamation;)) I am so excited my sister is coming! My husband has the whole week of Thanksgiving off so it will be a wonderful week of family time! My sister come friday night before and then my in-laws come Wednesday:) 

Now onto my photo choice for this week's edition of Flashback Friday....

My Husband and I at my sister's wedding last October!

Happy 1st Anniversary to Gates and Brittany:)

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Go Dawgs!!!!! SIC'EM!

What are your weekend plans? Have you found any new "fall" treats?

Do you have family coming to you for Thanksgiving?

Turn The Page Tuesday Week 7+Melissa and Doug Giveaway!

I know I have been gone a couple days but we had our best friends Amanda and Brian here! We had an absolute blast and picked up right where we left off! But, we will get to the weekend later this week:) I have lots of pictures to share....it deserves a post of its own! I finally found some yummy coffee creamers last week! I ended up coming home with 4:/ I clearly am indecisive when it comes to choosing between a yummy treat! I ended up with Salted Caramel Mocha and Pumpkin Spice!! mmm!!!! Both are equally yummy so I highly recommend them! I also made a new pumpkin spice muffin this past weekend and it had a surprising ingredient! It is a must share so I will post that one later this week! It has already been a busy week and will be all week...cant complain because thats how I like it.
Amanda and I always enjoyed watching Grey's and Private Practice together...among others. When our husbands were deployed we got spoiled to having each other to watch it together, and even when we moved apart we would sometimes Skype and still watch it together. This past week she was here and we were able to watch it together! It was a lot of fun, just like the old days, but boy was that an intense episode!! I am so annoyed that they never say what actually happened to Mark!;) Maybe this week?:) The shows this fall are so intense..they must bee really trying to bring in more viewers!

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Now onto another edition of Turn The Page Tuesday!!

My book choice for this week is one my son Wyatt just received in the mail! His 4th birthday is on Sunday and my best friend Elizabeth sent him this awesome Halloween pop-up book...he loves it!

Silly Ghosts

By:Janet Lawler

The Spooky Ghosts pop up at night. What is it that they want? Is it to haunt, eat candy, play games? Read along and find out what the ghosts come out to do!!! 

I like this books because it isn't really scary and is perfect for little ones! The best part are the illustrations and pages. It has bright colors and big pop ups! The best page is the last page so have a blast reading to the end!!!

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I hope you all enjoy this book as much as we are! One thing I am doing today is ordering birthday gifts for my sweet baby! He turns 4 on Sunday:( Where has the time gone???! I can't believe it. We aren't celebrating his birthday until next weekend but we have a special day planned on Sunday! Has anyone seen "Hotel Transylvania?" I have been dying to take him to see it! Im not usually a fan off those types of movies but it looks like they did a good job of making it kid friendly!

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On another note, one our "TTPT" readers is hosting a giveaway!!! Head over to Trainy Brainy Blog and enter to win a Melissa and Doug Puzzle book!!!

Have you found any new fall treats? Have you read any of our "TTPT" books?

What are some of your birthday ideas for kids?

Okay, time to pick and book and link up!!!! See you tomorrow for What I Ate Wednesday!:)

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