Christmas Reflections

We have had such blessed holiday season so far. We got to spend the beginning of the break in Tennessee with my family. We had lots of food, family, fun, presents, laughs, just lots of holiday goodness. We got to see extended family, as well as not so extended. We did make a quick trip to Kentucky for lunch with Pap and Aunt Sally. Being away makes me cherish our family time even more. While in Tennessee, Charlie and I even managed to sneak away to movie. We saw The Blind Side while the grandparents quite willingly watched a sleeping baby.

Abigail got lots of extra attention during our visit. Her cousin Madeline loves to pat her and watch her. One of the cutest moments of the visit, was Madeline coming back into the room where Abigail had been playing on the floor, and asking "Abigail, where are you." I believe that at the time Abigail had escaped the floor to be snuggled by someone.

Charlie had to work Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, but we were able to have a few minutes for just ourfamily to spend together on Christmas. Abigail was delighted with her high chair from Santa. While celebrating with Charlie's extended family, she also got to meet some new cousins who are even younger than she is. We have been blessed this holiday season. More than anything, I have loved the extra time to love on my precious baby girl. Time with her is so special, as she seems to change almost before my very eyes.

Abigail was getting anxious while waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Here she is with her milk and cookies for Santa. Notice this year, it's Rice Milk. Next year, Santa wants the real thing.

We were dressed up for our first holiday party of the season.

My little angel

Ahhhhh... Christmas

I am quite excited about Christmas this year. It's going to be an extra special to share the season with the little angel pictured below.

We have had a couple Christmas events thus far. It's so much to play dress up with my little doll. This year I am looking forward to the time off even more than usual so that I can have time to spend with Abigail and Charlie as well as our extended family. We head to Tennessee tomorrow to be with my family for a few days. Ahhh... I love the holidays.

Turkey Time

I am very blessed. Over the past week or so, I have tried to compose my thanksgiving post to describe how blessed my life is. It's hard to put into words. My cup runneth over.

Last week we traveled to Tennessee to spend my break from school with my family. We had a great time. We spent time playing with my niece who was very excited to have so much family in one room. She almost didn't know what to do with herself when she arrived at her grandparents to find Abigail, Charlie and me. We took the two cousins to have their picture made with Santa. Madeline was not a fan, but Abigail wasn't fazed at all by the situation. She still likes to snuggle and isn't too picky about whose arms she rests in. Wednesday night was the famous popcorn party that my parents host every year for the last 15. Old friends and come over for big bowls of popcorn, various toppings, and all the soft drinks you could want. It's always a good time. My mom is a great hostess.

We spent Thanksgiving morning in the kitchen. Mom cooked various dishes to take with us to dinner. Charlie and I made apple pie. I wanted to make sure that there would be a dairy free dessert for me to be thankful for. Once again, I enjoyed watching my grandfather with Abigail. His love for her and the joy he finds in her was obvious. My heart was filled to bursting. I don't get to see my Kentucky often, but it's always enjoyable.

Friday was a good day. Charlie and I spent a little while shopping while Abigail took a long nap in the loving arms of her Bop. I'm not sure which one enjoyed it more. We spent the day relaxing and enjoying time together.

The break was wonderful. I got to have some time with my extended family as well as my husband and daughter. Both of whom I hadn't had enough time with in the last few days.

How do I count my blessings. They are more bountiful than the stars. God has given me so much. Now it's my chance to enjoy and be thankful and share. God is so good.
Th

Hmmmm

Maybe now wasn't the time to start a blog. The past week has been very busy since I started back to school. I have even had thoughts rolling in my head for a post, but the sitting down to do it hasn't happened. Hopefully this week there will be a chance for some down time and relaxing.

Back to the Working World

On Monday I return to the world of the working. I have been blessed to be home for the last twelve weeks with my sweet Abigail. Our time together has been priceless. The time has absolutely flown. She has grown and changed so much. Having had this precious time to be with her means the world to me. I treasure the moments and memories even those late at night. I thank God often for my sweet little girl.

Going back to work brings out many emotions and uncertainties. Most of all, I will just miss spending so much time with Abigail. I enjoy her company. I am blessed though, that Abigail will spend her time with her daddy and her Nana. She will always be with people who love her and want only good for life. I'm not worried about what some stranger will teach her or that she won't be loved and hugged. My little girl will have a great life.

Now as I go back to work, i have to figure out how to be a teacher and mom at the same time. I have been a teacher for 6 years. I have been a mom for 12 weeks. Starting Monday, I have to learn how they work together. Any working moms out there who have advice, I'll take it.

I love fall!!!

I love the fall season. I seem to be noticing that more than ever this year. That might be due to the fact that I am not teaching right now. Yes, I am busy with a baby, but in a totally different way. Now I feel more like it's full rather than busy. I'm not sure that distinction makes much sense to anyone else. I'm not locked inside a classroom 8 hours each day. My heart is full to bursting with joy about my baby girl. I spend time taking walks and watching Abigail play on the floor, or even watch her sleep. I enjoy Charlie's days off when we get to spend time as a family of three. Maybe I just appreciate it more. Whatever the reason, fall makes me feel happy.

The weather is great. For those who know how cold I am, that might be surprising. I actually do like the chill in the eveing air. Something about it just makes me feel alive. The fall colors shout out God's glory to me. Charlie and I were talking about that earlier this year. For some reason, I appreciate God's creation more in this time of year. He has given us a beautiful world to enjoy.

The weather can also be described as football weather. Growing up, I would have never thought that football would be such a big part of my fall season. But alas, Saturdays find me dressed in red and black, cheering on the Bulldogs. I have really come to enjoy having a team. One of my concerns before Abigail was born was making sure she had a UGA outfit ready for her first game. She was well taken care of, and she had more than enough come opening day.

I greatly look forward to Thanksgiving coming up soon. Good food, good family time, a few more days away from school, My life is so good.

Family Trip

Last week we traveled to Jekyll Island, Ga with Charlie's family. This is a yearly tradition, but this year marked my first time to get to go. Being on maternity leave has so many benefits. We left out dark and early on Thursday morning. Abigail was a great traveller. At this point, she sleeps pretty much anytime she's in the car. The trip did take a bit longer than usual because of stopping to feed her, but everyone was very patient with us.


After we settled in our beautiful house, we all trekked to the golf course, even Abigail. The boys let us tag along. My sister in law and I pushed the baby in the stroller around the holes. We had one near miss, but Uncle Andy and I dove over the stroller, and the ball landed a mere 6 or so inches away from her. Thursay night we had a fabulous steak and shrimp dinner cooked by the Nix boys. All the food was yummy, but I'm not sure who credit goes to for that. There was a bit of arguing back and forth about who was in charge.

Friday brought more golf for the boys, and lazy morning of tv for the girls. We stayed in our PJs for a bit longer than normal which was a treat. The highlight of the day was taking Abigail to dip her toes in the ocean for the first time. It was not love at first feel. The air was warm, but to little toes, the water was quite cold.

The reason for this yearly family excursion is the UGA/FL game each year. The boys go to the game and the girls go shopping and watch it at home. This year the we ladies went with the boys to do some tailgating before the game. Other family member from out of town were going to be there, so it was a change for Abigail to meet some of her cousins. After a long hot trek from the car to the tailgate, we joined with Charlie's family. Abigail was great. She didn't complain at all about the heat, being passed around or any of that. She was a real trooper. She got her picture taken with the cheerleaders and Vince Dooley, a famous Georgia coach for those who don't know.

The game wasn't pretty, but the weekend was wonderful. It was great to get out of town to a new place for me and spend time with family.

Traveling

Last week we took Abigail to Tennesee for the first time. What a wonderful week of family time. I enjoyed showing off my little girl to family and to friends at church. I am so incredibly proud that she's my daughter, so it's natural to want to show her to people I've know for a long time. We weren't sure how the trip would go with a little one, but she was a great rider and slept most of the way to Franklin.

One of the most special parts of the time with family was introducing Abigail to her great-grandparents. She met my mom's mom and my dad's dad. Both were quite fond of this new addition to the family. I know that she won't remember this visit. Yes, we have pictures and video to show her someday, but these memories are for me. I will forever have the memory of watching my grandparents faces light up when holding my daughter. I will hold dear the sound of Pap singing "Sugar Booger Pie" to Abigail sitting on his lap. No, Abigail won't remember these moments, but I will have them for me. What a special time.

Our time in Tennessee was busy with visitors coming to my parents, the trip to Kentucky, the UGA/Vanderbilt football game (minus Abigail), playing on the floor, snuggling with grandparents. We were so blessed. I loved watching my own parents love my daughter. Watching my niece was also quite fun. She has grown so much. Madeline is 19 months old and loves to "read" to herself. She sits with books and reads them over and over. Currently Elmo is a big love in her life. Mom and Dad gave her an Elmo that sings the ABCs which combines two of her favorite things. Seeing her reminds me how quickly Abigail will grow.

Here are a few pics from our time in Tennessee and Kentucky. Well the pictures ended up at the top. I'll do better next time.

Just Trying This Out

Here I go, joining the world of boggers. Part of me can't believe I'm doing this, while another part of me can't believe I waited this long. As Charlie and I are expecting our first child, I feel like it's a good time to begin. Maybe I will be in a habit before the baby gets here and actually be able to continue. As I write this, I am dreaming of a spring break about to begin. After three more days of school, I will have an incredible week off to relax and spend time with family. Living away from my family has made me appreciate my time with them so much more. I treasure every moment, even the small seemingly unimportant ones. For anyone who does decide to read this, welcome to my ramblings. I make no promises about what the content or frequency of my writing will be. It is what is.