2009. The Year that Rocked.

When I was thinking back over this past year (an entire year has gone by? already?) I honestly couldn't think of much to say about it. Even after Thanksgiving this year, as we were putting up the Christmas Tree, I asked Joe, "Did we have a Christmas tree last year?"

I had forgotten.

It was such a blur, 2009, and mostly because I was pregnant for most of it. And pregnant, for me, isn't fun. (Albeit, pregnancy is joyful because of the ability to produce a new life.)

So, I looked back at the pictures of the past year, and I realized that I had, indeed, had a good year.

Joe and I were woken on a strangely warm winter's night to some loud crashing. This is what we found when we awoke the next morning. We still haven't replaced it.
I found out I was pregnant around Thanksgiving 2008. By the time Christmas hit, I was down for the count. I didn't come out of the pregnancy sickness, sinus craziness, tired yuckiness until the end of March. That was like, something like, about, around, say 1/4 ish of my entire 2009. (Umm, I'm bad at math). But it felt like an eternity.
We did have the first "snow" (as we southerners like to call the sugar-powder sprinkling on the ground that lasts about a day) that Abby got to enjoy.

I started to look pregnant...

Ok, so I don't really look pregnant there. But, I was to0 busy throwing up to gain much weight. I'm just sayin.

I always vowed that I wouldn't put pictures like this online. But, I just did. Because, who wouldn't want to forget the year your child learned to go to the bathroom all by herself? I was diaper-free! For about 7 months, anyway.

Abby started doing things like wanting to put on my make-up. (Ok, she isn't the darling is she? Look at the paparazzi surrounding her. She might just grow up with a complex.)

2009 was also the year we clogged the drain in our kitchen while we had friends over for dinner. And it was a cooperative effort to fix it.

Who could forget that 2009 was a very political year? And Abby went with us to a "tea party"! She is very politically savvy. Look at that sign she made!

Abby also found a passionate love for dressing herself and all things accessory.

We went to a shower for my new sister - in- law Ashley in Johnson City, TN. Pictured here: Erika (sis in law), Ashley (bride- to- be, at the time), Karen (mom in law) and Me Abby and Audrey Kate (in utero).

And of course, sometime in March, we found out that we were having another GIRL! And Joe almost, but not quite, fainted on the floor during the ultrasound. Because anyone who knows Joe well knows that it's funny that he is currently surrounded by all things girl!

And we got to my friend Elizabeth's newest addition Jack. Elizabeth went through a lot to have Jack, and he is a sweet blessing to their family. And Abby loved getting to smooch all over him. (We also put a bow in the poor boy's head since he had sooo much pretty hair!)

And how could I forget my sweet husband taking me on the most relaxing vacation EVER?! Oh, Jamaica. How I miss you. Except for your airport, that I do not miss.

And then. Well, I turned 29 again. Isn't that weird? To have two birthdays in a row where you turn the same age? It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it is like a miracle.

Disregard the big 3 and the big 0. They mean nothing.

Joe's youngest brother John married Ashley in June of 2009. We were all in the wedding.

We had a girls weekend at the beach with my mom and sister that was very fun!!

Abby continued to fine-tune the art of dressing herself.

Joe took a very pregnant wife and a 2 year old on a canoe trip down the river. I think he learned his lesson.

But how could I not always love the year 2009?

If not anything else, 2009 brought us a new addition to our family.

She has completed our family of 4.

And so far, in 2009, Audrey Kate has gone from crying, red-faced, squirmy newborn, to a chunky baby girl who loves to watch her sister, loves to eat, gave us her first smiles and laughs, and is working on sitting up on her own!

Abby became a big sister. A job which she has been taking very seriously. Her joy is so exhuberent that she has passed on every cold to Audrey Kate that she possibly can. What can I say? She likes to share!

My princess turned 3 years old in 2009. Slow transition from toddler to girl.

We braved a family vacation to Gatlinburg with my in laws. And we had fun!

(Disclaimer:I just read that sentence back to myself and then I laughed because it sounds a little like I meant that we were brave to go on vacation with my inlaws. So, I thought I'd add a little disclaimer that no, we weren't brave to go with my in laws, we were just brave to go at all with a one month old baby. Just needed to make that clear!)

My sweet Nanny came for a visit. She lives in Louisiana, and I don't get to see her often. She is the quintessential grandmother...look up "grandmother" in the dictionary and I am pretty sure Nanny's picture is there.

Fall of 2009, my favorite time of year, we visited the pumpkin patch. I really love the pumpkin patch.

And, of course, football season began and we HAD to introduce Audrey Kate to her new favorite team: LSU TIGERS!!

Doesn't she look a tad bit overwhelmed?

In 2009 I had two ducks.

Joe turned 29 again.

Audrey Kate figured out some Texas Hold'em.

Audrey Kate got to meet Joe's grandmother, Noonie Peg, for the first time.

We had a sneaky, silly elf come to our house and visit for a few weeks. Here is "Fred" hanging from a light. Crazy elf.

I got to have my whole family together for Christmas.

And just recently, Audrey Kate tried her first few bites of oatmeal and some green peas. Oh yum!

So, I think 2009 turned out to be a good year after all. And no matter what, God has blessed me beyond what I could ever ask for or repay. I think I'll spend 2010 thinking of ways to show my gratefulness!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3: 20-21

And because this is one of my favorite pictures of all...

Happy New Year!

For All Time

I had this done as a Christmas gift for Joe this year. Don't tell him, but it is also a little bit a Christmas gift for me, too!

I've known Kelly since my high school years, and we went to college together at Union. She is an amazingly talented artist, and I Love Love Love that my girls have been captured in this way! For all time.

Of course, you can check out her work at www.theartistoflife.com.

Thanks Kelly. You did a great job and we'll treasure this forever!

Wonderful

I think our Christmas would have been much more fun if we had more presents under the tree.
Ha! Only kidding, of course. I think.

Abby asked and asked and asked for a car. Well, Santa delivered. And Joe worked. And Andrew...helped.


And he kept helping.
Actually, he really did help. I was just being mean and took pictures of him while he was taking a break. You know, in the spirit of Christmas and all.

Audrey Kate was super-fascinated with my dad's beard.

In all of its glory. The car was assembled with care. The stockings were hung. No creatures stirred.

And we were up at the crack of dawn! But Abby liked her car. Audrey Kate had a great first Christmas. We enjoyed having my family here to help us celebrate!

Joe took this picture of Audrey Kate and said he thought it looked like a mug shot.

Yes, a mugshot of a baby with a red bow. You see that all the time.

Maybe she was taken in for reckless driving? Driving without a license?

I don't know but this next picture makes me have visions of my life 13 years from now.

Don't read and drive Abby!

On Christmas Eve, we all went to our church's service. Afterwards we attempted to get a family picture. We aren't all together very often.

How hard do you think it would be

to get a picture

where everyone is looking

and everyone is smiling?

Oh, it's easy!

(Did you notice all my wardrobe changes?)

Hope you had as wonderful a Christmas as we did!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Me, Baking

It doesn't happen often, but when it does...

Watch out!

I am one of the messiest people in the kitchen that I know. And I know lots of people.
I enjoy baking, though I don't do it often (for obvious health reasons, and also lack of time with 2 kiddos).
These are the cinnamon rolls after I baked them. They lasted about 2.5 seconds. They are probably some of the best I have ever eaten. I got the recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

And if you don't know who The Pioneer Woman is, well, you'll just have to go to her blog and find out. It took me about 5 different conversations to explain her to Joe.
A pioneer woman? You are getting lifestyle and cooking advice from a pioneer woman? Please tell me you won't start dressing like one, too!

So, no, it's not like that.

But she does have this amazing cinnamon roll recipe, that is absolutely fabulous, but it makes like 7 pans of cinnamon rolls. It's labor-intensive, but Oh So worth it. I baked and froze them to have some Christmas morning. And will probably have several left over to give to friends. Any takers?

I spent much of the weekend baking (MeMe and Pop were here this weekend, and they herded the little ones while I spent time in the kitchen)
so that I could get ready for Christmas Day dinner. I froze everything so that I could just pull it out that morning. I SO want to enjoy time with the family and relax on Christmas morning. I don't want to spend the whole day in the kitchen!

Sugar cookies, baked and frozen.

Abby LOVES to help bake.

And make a mess.

This is about the time I start to hyperventilate.

Nanny's Squash Casserole supreme... (Below)

But don't be mad Nanny. I added cheese. Yes. I messed with your recipe. Please don't be mad. I just thought, hmmm, cheese is good. Squash casserole is good. SO? Why not marry the two in a yummy blend of goodness?

We'll see.

And I baked everything in disposable pans for easy clean-up! I figure, I'm using my nice china, and that is enough to clean for one day! ha!

Sausage casserole for Christmas breakfast. This, along with some home-made cinnamon rolls and hot coffee. Are you drooling yet?!

Also, not pictured are the pecan pie I baked and froze. And the Genie Bars (also known around our house as the "peanut-butter chocolate things" and everyone knows exactly what you are talking about.)

All made and ready for Christmas! Aren't I G-O-O-D?!

We have an already baked and ready to go turkey and ham. So, all we have to prepare on Christmas Day are the mashed potatoes and gravy and green bean casserole. Everything else is ready to be heated up in the oven. Yum! I can't wait!

This weekend we also got to spend time with MeMe and Pop and have our Christmas with them. Abby, obviously, loves her new presents.

We had a great time with them celebrating Christmas and spending time with family and, of course, opening some gifts!

I think that Princess status was forced upon an unsuspecting Audrey Kate. Hopefully one day she will embrace her calling.

I didn't want to leave without showing some pictures of Abby at her school Christmas program. She actually DID do some singing. But she has started this habit of putting her fingers in her mouth, or chewing her fingernails, or something. It makes getting a good picture rather tough. But when I ask her to move her hand she gets pouty, so that makes an even worse picture! Poor thing, she comes by it honestly. (I'm talking about the finger-nail chewing, not the pouting, though we could argue both.) I have had a life-long habit of biting my nails and it's not a pretty sight.

See what I mean?

Ahh! Beautiful!

(That's Abby's BFF Shealee)

So, go make some cinnamon rolls! Let me know how they turn out.