Must've been a beautiful Baby!!

How did my sweet girl get to be almost 4 years old?? oh, if I could do it again..i would. I love her so much and she is such a fun little girl full of energy and laughter. Everyone tells you how fast time goes when you become a Mom, but you don't believe them. I just booked her 4th birthday party and a piece of my heart hurts because she is really growing up way to fast. Praying time will slow down a little ,trying to love every single minute with her ( even when she isn't being so sweet :) )

It was a very Merry Christmas 2008

This is how our Christmas was spent...
Christmas Eve: Paul, Mary Claire and I went shopping for some very special little boys and girls who live at a local shelter right now with their famlies. I talked to Mary Claire all day about giving and how much it makes Jesus happy to give to others on his Birthday. I want her, our sweet girl, to be a giver of her time, money, and good deeds. Then we went to Christmas Eve service at our church. It was really special. Mary Claire was so good and she loved the candles. This was the first time we shared communion with her. I will never ever forget it. We tucked her in to bed and told her that Santa was coming in the morning and we were going to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

Christmas Day: Mary Claire woke up to Paul saying Ho, HO, HO in the living room. The sound of her excitement was so wonderful. She just kept saying " oh, my goodness- i love that, Thank you mommy and daddy" The sweetest little girl. We adopted the 3 gift rule just like Jesus got 3 gifts. She was so happy with what she received.
We got ready and went to the shelter to drop off the toys. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. She makes me Happy. She freely gave those toys away and I think she understood why. We spent the rest of the day at Cookie's house. Paul's family is amazing. They are so loving and we had the best day.

Friday Dec. 26th- I am blogging and remembering this online to share with Mary Claire one day. My parents should be here any time to spend the weekend. I am so thankful.

Wishing it would Snow!!

It is really coming down outside, that is freezing rain. I am so wishing we could get some snow for my sweet girl to play in. She is really talking about snow a lot lately since watching all the Christmas movies.

Thought I would share some pictures... this is my newest outfit I made for Mary Claire and bow. She is going to look like one of Santa's little helpers. I am so greatful this holiday season to try to see everything through her eyes. She is excited about everything!! I am just holding on tight to this little girl that seems to grow bigger everyday.

Mary Claire loves Santa

Paul and Mary Claire went to a pancake breakfast at our local community center to meet and have pictures with Santa. I am so sad that I couldn't go ( I was working) , but Mary's sweet Daddy took her and they had a great time.

I also wanted to include a picture of our home at Christmas. So fun having christmas decor with a 3 year old around. Every morning she says " mommy, wake up the Christmas tree:" She is adorable. We are working hard to teach her the real reason behind the season and reminding her that all of our blessings come from Jesus!!!!!

I also want to blog that I have accepted a job at Baptist Health again. I have stayed on their agency staff, but I love that hospital so much and I am going back " home". So excited about this!! I start back 32 hours per week in early January!!

Small Group Christmas Party 2008

This Friday night we had our small group Christmas party at our friend's the Brighton's house. We had a lot of great food and fellowship. I am so very thankful for our small group. I can't imagine my life without a single one of these people. I wish I had pictures of all of them. Paul and I are so blessed to call them family. I thank Jesus for Clint, Hannah, Allison, Tyler, Rebekah, Grant, Bart, Amanda, Chasity, and Darby and for our babies Mary Claire, Blakely, Addison, Chloe, Madeline, Pratt, and soon to be Tucker.

Here are a few pictures taken, thanks Allison for sharing them with me since I forgot my camera.

Getting ready for Christmas!!! 24 more days to go!!

We are having so much fun decorating for Christmas at our house. We put up our Christmas tree and I decorated our mantel. Paul went to the store and bought new lights for outside the house. I love watching Mary Claire enjoy the season. She gets so excited about everything. This Mickey Mouse Christmas countdown was given to us by Paul's grandmother before Mary Claire was born and it her favorite thing to put the # ornaments on each day. By the way, the cute shirt she has on is from my friend Ryann's business http://www.personality-personalizedgifts.com/ She has a lot of fun stuff on her website, but if you contact her you can go see all the wonderful gifts she has to offer.