MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS!

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas...

My favorite time of year for decorating is Christmas!! We didn't go all out for the outdoors this year, but I did add a few extras to my porch decorating. I even wrapped and stacked Christmas Gifts for some beautiful, yet inexpensive decorating!!!

Christmas pics of the inside of our home coming soon...

Madelyn's 1st Birthday

Madelyn is now 1!! It's so hard to believe that a year ago she was a tiny 6 pound 1 ounce baby and she is now 21 pounds and 29" long! This year has flown by! She had the most adorable Care Bear party w/ all of her family! She enjoyed pizza, cake and lots of gifts! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my sweet Maddie Mae! I LOVE YOU!

Trick or Treat!

We had a blast on Halloween this year! Mallory was Demi Lavato, Mason a Ghostbuster and Madelyn was a Strawberry Fairy!! The kids enjoyed Trick or Treating through our neighborhood with their cousin, Brooke. I just love making these kind of memories with my children! Mom was here to share in the fun this year as well...

At What Point Do We Go From Being A Girl To A Woman????

I think 31 officially qualifies me as a "woman". It's so funny that the years pass by and I feel a little wiser, but I don't feel older!! I look at people and I think "they must be in their mid 30's" and in my mind I think they look wayyyy older than me and then I realize, "wait, I'm almost in my mid 30's." Do I really look as old as they do??? hahahahha! I guess so!!

Here are a few pictures from my Birthday dinner at Shogun on Saturday, October 9th!!

THANK YOU Dad, Shirley, Robert, Gayle and my sweet hubby and kiddos for celebrating w/ me "just another day"!!

San Antonio Riverwalk was a BLAST!!

The kids and I had the rare opportunity to go w/ Jason to San Antonio. While it was all business for Jason, it was all play for the kids and I or so we thought...

We arrived Wednesday evening and this would be Jason's only free night so we were set to take advantage of having him with us. The night started at our hotel, the Westin Riverwalk and I have to say it was just about the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in, just beautiful! Mallory kept thinking she was like Eloise at the Plaza, which was really cute. We took our first stroll down the riverwalk so that I could try to get familiar w/ the area before setting out on my own w/ 3 kids the next day. We stopped at SaltGrass Steakhouse to eat and that's where Mason decided he wasn't hungry and needed to go back to the hotel. I immediately knew that if Mason wasn't hungry then something must be wrong. I sat there nervous the entire dinner thinking, is he going to throw up?? but he never did. We quickly ate what was suppose to be our nice family meal out (the only one) and headed back to the hotel and by this time Mason was burning up with fever. Back tracking several days prior to this, Mason has had some trouble breathing and coughing some, so we have been giving him his inhaler, as he usually, about once a year gets bad asthma and usually pneumonia. Well he's been doing fine, until Wed. night. Jason and I were both positive this was a repeat of 1 year ago when he came down with pneumonia. So... I called the telecare nurse and fortunately for us, the doctor on call understood our out of town situation and called us in an antibiotic. THANK THE LORD FOR THAT! So... Thursday morning I had to trek through downtown San Antonio with THREE KIDS, one sick, to a Walgreens to pick up his medicine. I immediately gave him the medicine and some motrin and the kids and I headed out to the Alamo.

Mason loved the Alamo and Mallory did too, but it really intrigued Mason, all the guns on display and battle scenes. He just loved it. He enjoyed prentending to be shot by cannons in front of the big cannonballs. After about 1 hour at the Alamo, the kids and I stumbled across the The Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum and they begged me to go in it, so we did. We were not in there 5 minutes when Mason doubled over sick to his stomach. I stayed calm, but was freaking out inside, thinking he's about to throw up. Then Mallory starts in... I really think Mallory's was the museum cuz there is some pretty freaky stuff in there. We quickly turned around and I asked the lady for a refund which she gave us. I gave Mason a bag and we scurried as fast as we could through the downtown streets to make it back to our hotel. All the while, Mason's head is hanging into this plastic bag. However, he never threw up. I decided to hang out at the hotel for a bit before trying to venture back out. When Mason perked back up the kids and I went to enjoy the Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk. This was all of our first time to go there. The kids were super excited, but when it came time for the "big thunderstorm" they both looked and me and said "that was it?!". They weren't impressed. You definitely just pay for the scenery in that place.

After our late lunch we made our way to the Rivercenter Mall to walk around. Mason wanted so badly to go into the dinosaur museum, but Mallory wasn't having it. She immediately began grabbing her stomach in fear so we were only able to get 1 photo of Mason in front of a dinosaur. Later that evening, the kids and I walked about 3 blocks to the downtown McDonalds while Madelyn enjoyed a nap while we brought our food back to the room to eat. Everytime we went out on the downtown streets, the kids would ask "are we gonna have to run". I think that was one of the highlights of the trip, waiting for the ok to walk sign to come on and then running from street corner to street corner, they laughed the whole way. I honestly think we could have done that all day and they would have called it a vacation...

Finally on Friday, the kids wanted to go back to the Alamo (for more soveniors) and then we went to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. Recently we watched the movie Big w/ the kids so Mason was tickled to find a Zoltar Machine at this museum and he put his $1 in and made a wish. It came back something about cowboys and how under every hat is a good cowboy and Mason looks at me w/ a big grin and says " that's what I wished for". I just laughed and laughed! For lunch the kids and I ate at the famous Casa Rio Mexican Restaurant on the Riverwalk and then we walked the entire Riverwalk, stopping at shops and feeding ducks before leaving San Antonio at 2:00.

Madelyn was an absolute angel the entire time. She never fussed or whined. In fact, there was more fussing coming from her older siblings. The only time she ever whimpered at all was bed time, it was difficult getting her to lay down, but once she did she was out!!

It was a memorable trip for the kids and I, the only thing that would have made it better would have been for Jason to be able to hang out with us. But, we sure enjoyed getting away and we can't wait to go back someday...

Back to School...

It's so hard to believe that just a few short (and I mean short) years ago I held Mallory and Mason in my arms as babies and now they are in 2nd and 1st grades!! My mama always told me these days will fly by and they will be grown before I know it. I'm beginning to see what she means...

An Apartment, 2 Houses, a Dog and 3 Kids Later...

Jason and I are celebrating 11 years of marriage!
I am so thankful that "I have found the one whom my soul loves."
Song of Solomon 3:4.

On July 31, 1999 Jason and I were pronounced man and wife. I count it as an honor to be his wife, he has been so good to me as a husband. I think back to the day we first laid eyes on each other and yes, so much has changed since then, for the better. The best change is the love! We love each other more deeply, more honorably and even more excitedly. We have fallen deeper in love than we were before marriage. After 11 years we've gone through struggles together, hurt together, laughter together and triumphs together. All the while, I have had my best friend along side me and he has been a great partner! I know I can speak for Jason on this as well, that we have grown to honor each in ways that we didn't know how 11 years ago. For me, Jason has been my best friend, my provider and an awesome father to our 3 children. He honors me by being such a hands on dad. There isn't a thing I do w/ the kids that he isn't right there helping. He works all day and when he comes home at night he doesn't sit down until I sit down. What a blessing! He has been an awesome provider for us and he works hard to create a better life for us. He honors me by building me up to others ( I know this becuase they tell me) and by holding my hand when I need an ear to talk to. He is my best friend! The excitement is still there and even more so as we pass each other daily in our mode of survival, knowing that as soon as the kids go to bed we will have each others full attention! I get excited when the phone rings and it's him. I get excited when it's 5:00 and I know he'll come through the door any minute. I get excited when I know we are having a date night!

The best part about being married to Jason is looking forward to the next 11 years, then 22 years and so on... We have so much to be thankful and so much love and excitement ahead!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

We are enjoying our summer!

I love love love being a mom! I know 100% w/o a doubt that God put me on this earth to be a mom! I love my children and I love having them home w/ me during the summer. Sure there are days that I think "when will August get here", but most days, I just love having my kids w/ me! It's what life is all about... the brother/sister arguments, the tattling, but most of all the fun. So here's what we've been up to this summer...

For the most part we've been hanging around the house just enjoying being home and not having anywhere pressing to be, but we've gone a few places too. In June Jason and I took the kids (w/o the baby) to Six Flags. What a fun day!! It was hot, HOT, HOTTT! But, there were no lines and we rode just about everything twice. It was exciting because there were lots of firsts that day, rides the kids weren't tall enough for the last time we went! It was nice to get away w/ Mallory and Mason and focus on them for an entire day since so much of our time the last 8 1/2 months has been on Madelyn.

Shortly after Six Flags the kids and I went to my moms. Yes, I loaded all 3 of my kids in the car and drove 7 hours (more like 8 w/ all the diaper changes, bottle feedings and potty stops) to my moms in Missouri BY MYSELF. We had a great time surprising her at her front door because she had no idea we were coming!! So glad she didn't have a heart attack! We just hung out for about 4 days, did some shopping and went swimming. The best part was that my mom drove back w/ me to hang out for the 4th of July weekend! I miss my Mama!!!

Since then we've just hung around the house, gone to Mimi and Papas to swim, gone to Barnes and Noble storytime and hung around the house some more! It's been nice!! Did I mention that I love my kids and I love being a mom??? I truly do!!! God has blessed me so graciously!

We've got more fun planned for the rest of summer, check back later for more updates...

Arrangements by Amy 3 Year Anniversary SALE!

One of my most favorite pastimes as been creating floral arrangements for home decorating and I have been so fortunate to keep it going for 3 years now! I absolutely love coming up with new designs as custom requests come in or just creating something new for my customers to see! It's amazing how God has blessed my business on the internet and locally! I love doing it and hope and pray to do it for many more years to come...

Please visit my website, http://www.arrangementsbyamy.com/, for my ANNIVERSARY SALE Arrangements! I've taken my most wildy popular arrangements and reduced the pricing! Hurry and order because the prices won't last long!
FREE SHIPPING on ENTIRE PURCHASE if you mention seeing this blog

Happy 6th Birthday, Mason!!

Today Mason is 6! I can hardly believe it. He has almost finished his first year of Kindergarten. He's reading on the 1st Grade level already! We are so proud of him! Yesterday we celebrated Mason turning 6 w/ a backyard Super Mario Birthday Party. He had a so much fun. There were about 14 little friends here and we played Pin the Mustache on the Mario (I made that one up) as well as a Pull String Pinata! The Party would not have been complete w/o the awesome Super Mario Birthday Cake!
Happy Birthday, Mason! Dad and I love you so much!

Madelyn is 6 months old, where does time go?

It's so hard to believe that my baby, my last baby, is already 6 months old!

It seems just like yesterday that I was having preterm contractions and making trips to the hospital sometimes twice a week. This went on for nearly 4 months. It also seems like yesterday that I held Madelyn in my arms, so relieved after my "all natural" experience, yet so amazed at this new baby girl. Her skin was dark, her hair even darker. She would sleep all the time and Mason would always ask me to wake her up. I would tell him you can't just wake up a baby! Mallory and Mason adore their baby sister. From the moment they wake up in the morning they go to her and they kiss her goodnight every night. It has become second nature to them. Even though it all seems like yesterday, Jason and I can barely remember life without her. It seems as though she has always been here with us. She has gone from her dark skin and hair and sleeping all the time to a much lighter complexion and lighter hair, to staying awake much of the day. She is very active, grabbing at things in front of her, chewing on everything as she tries to cut her first tooth, laying on her back and grabbing her feet. Just yesterday she figured out that those can go in her mouth too! She smiles all the time! She can wake up and be fussing in her bed and the minute she sees you it all stops and she smiles and cackles!

All 3 of our children are the light of our world! It's amazing all the blessings we have and that we are blessed enough to know that we have been blessed!

May Specials from Arrangements by Amy

There are 2 NEW Styles coming up on my May Specials! Good now through the end of May save $10 on each of these designs. $34 each! Both are 3-sided and measure approximately 21"Tall x 15"W x 6"D. Email me for accurate measurements.

www.ArrangementsbyAmy.com