Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

I cannot believe our sweet girl is One today! Where does the time go? I remember a year ago I was wondering what it would be like to have a little girl. It has been so fun being a mommy to a girly girl who is all drama!

• You have an attitude like me when you're hungry or mad, or just want your way.
• You have your brother's expressions.
• You are a Daddy's girl! You have him wrapped around your tiny little fingers, and he knows it.
• You love snack time and wish all day could be snack time!
• You can scoot around the floor like nobodies business!
• You can pull up on anything and cruise around furniture(and we watch you balance by yourself without you realizing it) and know that any day, you are going to start walking!
• You are completely spoiled by almost everyone who meets you.
• You have heartbreaking blue eyes, that will break lots of boys hearts one day.
• You are totally in love with your glow worm baby. You can't sleep without her!
• Wherever your brother is, that's where you go. He is your hero!
• You love to flirt with boys(men to be exact). We may be in trouble one day.
• You can say "Bubba"(brother), "Momma", "Dada", "Papa", "NehNeh"(which means you want to eat something), "Neni" which means "pacifier".
• You LOVE your Pacifier. I'm not sure how we are going to break you of this.
• You are officially off the bottle and onto the sippy cup.
• You are oh-so curious, all of the time.
• We know you are so smart by the way you try to figure out everything around you.
• You love to play in the pantry and pull silverware out of the dishwasher.
• You watch me cook dinner every night from your highchair.
• You love taking a bath with your brother.
• You enjoy riding in the front of the shopping cart and looking at everything as we pass by. I'm afraid you will have a love for shopping!
• Your favorite room of the house is Tobin's room, of course.
• You love music and always dance and bounce when the music is on.
• At worship time at church, you clap and raise your hands.
• You still LOVE to bounce in the jumperoo
• When you don't get your way, you make the saddest frown anyone has every seen.
• You always greet me in the morning standing up in your crib, squealing your happy squeal and light up when I walk in the room.

You are our sunshine, sweet girl, princess, and sissy. We love you very much and are so glad you are a part of our family. We would not be who we are today without you! We love you, Caroline! Happy Birthday sweet pea!

love,

Daddy, Momma, and Tobin

Snow sneak peak

Last week we were promised a winter storm. Everyone acted as if it was going to be an apocalypse. There hasn't been school for days and it has snowed many inches. There are plenty of snow photos and videos to be blogged about; however, we have all been under the weather. We made one trip to the ER with little Miss. Caroline for dehydration and are now still recovering from a nasty bug. There is still lots of snow on roads and school's and businesses are still closed. Caroline's birthday and party are this week, too... So, I'm not making any promises that I will update this blog much this week. Eventually, you will see what a fantastic time our Tobin boy had in the snow! Hope everyone's week is filled with hot chocolate, family time, and warm fuzzies. Say a prayer for us this week!

First Trip to the Play Place!

On Wednesday the kids and I went to the Play Place in the mall to escape the cold weather one last time before the ice storm came. The way the Weather men and people were talking (and shopping) that this Ice store was going to be the apocalypse.... So, we met up with some friends and had a fun day! I'm a germ freak (which you may know already) so today was Caroline's first day to actually "play" in the play place. Here are some photos to sum up the play time!


She is Oh-so proud of herself!

Tobin announced that you didn't have to play on top of the flowers, you could hid underneath. Ha!

Caroline is trying to figure out how all those kids got on top of the flowers, while sweet Ava ran around her! So cute!

This pretty much sums up most of the photos of Tobin that were taken.

Wonder what they are thinking here...

"okay, I'm tired! I think I'll just watch from the stroller now" (do you see her cute bow barrette actually in her hair! It's growing people!

Sweet Ava!

My baby is growing up! She will be walking ANY DAY NOW! Prayers are appreciated ;)

Fun at Mimi's House

Tobin has loved this bench since he was 18months old! Now, they sit together to watch tv, while being spoiled at Mimi's house!
Caroline With Mamaw(Tony's grandmother). Mamaw is smitten over her "Sweet Sunshine" Caroline!

Tobin loves his Mimi!

Mimi made this cute hat for Caroline! Isn't it darling? I added the bow, of course. Have I mentioned I'm addicted to bow making? Ha!

Snack Time!

"Why do you constantly tell me to "say cheese" mom? good grief!"
"I'll share if you stop taking pictures!"

"When are you gonna be done with this? Seriously?"

Have I mentioned this girl loves to eat?!

Vegetarian Spicy Taco Soup

Okay my friends, for all of you doing the Daniel Fast like I am, here's a recipe to try if you're out of ideas! It's what's for dinner tonight(okay, I know I'm not Rachael Ray, but I like making up recipes anyway)!

Two cans pinto beans

One can black beans

One can red beans (also can use kidney beans)

One large can diced tomatoes

One can tomato paste

(Optional)One can chopped green chili's

One can corn

Half of One sweet onion, chopped

One raw jalapeno chopped (If you like things really spicy, you can add more. However, beware if you simmer all day in a crock pot. It can get really spicy)

One package taco seasoning (if you get the low sodium kind, it doesn't have sugar in it)

Or, you can substitute taco seasoning for the following: (all approx: I don't measure anything, just put it in my hand and throw it in ;)

- 2 tbs chili powder

- 1 1/2 tsp cumin (or cuminos)

- 1 tbs minced garlic

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients into a pot or crock-pot. Do not drain juice out of the cans. I simmer all ingredients in a crock-pot for a few hours. You can also simmer in a pot on the stove. The longer it simmers, the better (I think).

(I usually like it topped with cheese, sour cream and chips, but you know... Daniel doesn't think that's wise :)

For all of you non-Daniel Fasters. You can start out with a pound of ground beef. Yum!

Christmas in a flash

Found the Camera on Christmas eve- it was a miracle! Here is a review of our Christmas/New Years holiday. I have more photos to upload than I have time to upload then, but this will give you an idea.





Our Christmas this year was fabulous! The kids got to meet Santa this year. I swear he was the real one! Caroline's first Christmas for Santa to visit...

Tobin was overjoyed to finally meet the real Santa!

We made our yearly tradition of Christmas cookies. I didn't think we were going to have time this year- but being snowed in on Christmas Eve made it easier for us to do the things we love to do together like... make Christmas cookies, read books, watch Christmas movies, and just enjoy each other. Mostly, we got to focus on what Christmas really is all about- the birth of our Savior!

Tobin was shocked when he woke Christmas morning! He got a Kitchen(which he plays with all day long every day- I keep thinking he'll get tired of it), and the only thing he asked for - A Slinky Dog!

Caroline got spoiled by everyone this year. Being her first Christmas , it didn't take her long to figure out how to unwrap the presents. She loves tearing paper now! Here she is playing with one of her new toys in her dress that my Grammy made her!

We experienced a real live blizzard this year! When it hit town, we were at church. It normally takes us 15 minutes to get home from church in traffic. It actually took us over an hour to get home! It was unbelievable! A white Christmas we will never forget! We got a record breaking 14.1 inches! Tobin loved making snow angels and of course, throwing snow balls!

Christmas afternoon, we dug our car out of the snow...

... drove through the snowy hills...

... to go see our family!

We had a great Christmas this year! Aunt Serina made everyone these great hats!

Second cousins Kinsey and Caroline finally got to meet.

...And we said goodbye to my sweet Grandaddy, Herschel. He is now gardening with the Lord in heaven, but we will miss him so much!
Tuesday, My doctor said I was officially in Remission. I am now off all steroids- Praise the Lord! I give the Lord full credit for my healing. We are starting 2010 thanking God for our blessings. Hope your 2010 is blessed beyond measure!