{All Kinds of Amazing}

 Yesterday we ventured up to Northwest AR for a bit...I HAD NO IDEA THAT A GROCERY STORE COULD BRING ME SO MUCH JOY!?! I was kicking myself because I didn't have my camera.  I love and adore The Fresh Market. The music. The meat. The baskets. The fruit. The candy. The seafood. 

Oh yes, all the drinks in glass bottles! Dream. Dream. Dream. Little sample coffees with wooden stir sticks. 

Y'all life is good at the Promenade. 

I wasn't prepared to load up on groceries but we bought this and that.  I wanted to try these vegetable chips.

They are super tasty.  Super. Tasty.   

You would think I would be as equally excited about the Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, and Banana Republic, and I am, its just the feel of shopping in a "You've Got Mail Movie Market" really did it for me.

 Isn't this bedding lovely. I am over bedding at the moment though.  Whew! Aren't I glad!

I must tell you about one more thing. Popped Popcorn in the can from The Popped Popcorn Company

on Garrison Avenue! Who knew???!!!??? Well, apparently Mom did. This was one of our Christmas gifts. And, no doubt, it will be the gift that keeps on giving. . . because I cant stop eating it!!!

W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!

You buy the can for around $20 BUT you can go have it refilled. . . get this. . . $6!!!!

It's a crime people!

You can choose from more flavors than the law should allow.

It's amazing really.

All kinds of amazing.

{This and That}

 Yes. This is what it has come to.  This is all parked right at our front door.  Waiting for some assistance.  Except assistance doesn't come until Monday, so. . . here it will sit. Mmm? Surely not?

Now, you would think my house would be clean as a whistle, but that is just not the case.

Just as I patiently waited for The Mr. to get my decorations down out of the attic. . . I am now patiently waiting for him to retrieve the totes. Did we just put up the Christmas tree yesterday?  I seriously feel that way!   There are very few (if any) things I wait or don't attempt to do on my own, but getting in the attic is where I swallow all my pride.  I do not want to fall.  I do not want to hit my head after I fall.  I do not want to be in a body cast. . . or worse. . . a coffin.

The point of my Nativity photo is to say I don't think I can pack it away. Just look at my Baby Jesus! He is glass and precious in every way. So, He and his Sweet Momma and Daddy are going in my hutch.  I am going to enjoy the Christmas Story all year long. My hutch is really starting to remind me of my Grandma Reathas! No rhyme or reason to the hodge-podge knick-knack assortment inside to a visitor, but they all told a story or had much meaning to her.  I remember hers fondly. . . seashells, stuffed animals (I might draw the line there), and even a fire cracker that looked like a rooster.

Dreamy. I say.

(Thus the hutch door open (below) being loaded up with this and that.)



{She Can do More than Hook-Up with Ken }

 Tonight Lily gently tore off her paper and then struggled with the tape attached to each side of the box. . .finally, open!. . . she found a sweet little "girl" elf! She was very excited and knew all about the mischievous trouble these little elves can get into.  She really is as cute as a button. 

The question crosses my mind, "Do we really need any more help making Christmas more secular??" AND the answer is, NO.

BUT

I am a firm believer that you can turn anything into a "tool" to teach about the Lord, and this sweet little elf is no different!

 This sweet little face can do more than make sugar snow angels and hook-up with Ken Barbie.

She can. . . sit at Jesus feet in our nativity, read the Bible, do a devotion, and maybe write some scriptures on the chalkboard.

She will be used as a sweet reminder of the real reason for the season in our home.

We'll see what all she will do when she returns from the North Pole!!

Now. . . what to name her??  She's just too darn cute! 

{My Sweet Christmas Girl}

{A Sweet Christmas Eve Sight}

Sweet Buddy snuggled with Sweet Toodles.

Hobbs Christmas Eve @ Aunt DeAnnas

{White Christmas}

 What a wonderful White Christmas we had!  This snow made for a long cozy afternoon for movies, playing

 toys, and gadgets, of course.  The kids were up early! We opened presents and had a warm breakfast. I

 was super sleepy, but I managed to fix eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls.  We nestled back in after breakfast

 and then headed to Moms for lunch.  She is such a great cook! She had all sorts of traditional Christmas,

food but also added some Mexican flare! Delish! Delish! We were SUPER lazy after we ate.  Although,

 it didn't last long for The Mr.  The weather meant accidents and ditch dwellers. So, off to the rescue he

went!  Oh, how grateful I am for these three! What fun they are! What joy they bring to me! We had a great day and I hope you did too!

Love, Tonia

Happy Birthday Jesus! And because I know how much you love me. . . I know you wont mind if we make your cake tomorrow. . . or the next day.

{Dear John}

We stayed at home today. . . until around 1:00.
The Mr. says, "You want to go drive around?"
That question was like having an early Christmas present!
I love and adore driving around.  Of course, we rounded the lake,
and the other lake, and drove clear out to her neck of the woods.
We almost "crashed" there but I am just not 100% sure about
Buddy's flu situation.  We finally landed at The Mr.s folks for a
bit.  His brother and sister came over too.  We ate at Steffy's Pizza.
That pizza is Heaven by the Slice. So wonderful.  Buddy ate a slice
and then put his head down on the table. Not.a.Good.Sign.

We are back here, Home Sweet Home.
Tree is lit.
Cozy clothes on.
How about some. . . Dear John.

Don't mind if I do.

{It's Christmas Time}

What a week.
The flu has hit "the baby"
and
honestly I cant help but be thankful after turning on the news.
Heartbreak. Absolutely heartbreaking.
I welcome it after seeing coffin after coffin going in the ground.
Children being killed is about more than this girl can stand.
What in the world can we do? It is a big task. A really big job.
People sure are trying to figure it out.
Day after day. Everyday, I am reminded of the hope we have. . .
comes from the Lord. His promises.

I am ready for Christmas Break!
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. (My absolute favorite)
Jesus Birthday. (reading the story of His birth)
No school. (Hopefully no bored or fighting kids)
The excitement of Christmas morning. (New Toys! and Gadgets!)
Food. (more consumed in one day than should be in a week)
Family. (Love our Family Time)

I hope you all are doing well!  I am looking forward to starting the New Year blogging! I am really missing all of you! I miss Darby! and am loving Miss Dixie!

Talk soon!
Love y'all!

Christmas Confession. . . I didn't do Christmas Cards this year.

{Fun with 2's}

This past Sunday we had our Christmas Art Show for 2's. 

I had so much fun! And I LOVE my kids having an opportunity

to serve! They swept, vacummed, set up food, and. . . had fun! 

Our pastor came and shared the birth of Jesus "2 year old style".  He

did a great job and the kids were great. . . whew!  Ya just never know

with 2's! Well, children of all ages really. Can I get an Amen?

Talk Soon!

{Pinkitzel}

When Shaina & I went OK City there was this 

AMAZING candy store! 

This was my order. . .yes. . . there are 2 cupcakes in that box! 

PINK LEMONDADE! 

It was some of the best candy and eye-candy I have ever seen! 

They had rooms for baby showers or birthday parties. 

It was such a fun place and I would love to take my Lily. 

Pink everywhere! 

Damask everything! 

The mix of old & new! 

Topiaries & Taffy!

Dreamy!

{He Has Already Won}

Its almost Turkey Time! Look at my Sweet Little K Turkey! I cant

believe how big his is getting.  He is loving 1st Grade.  Mrs. Barker is a dream.

Oh, I am so thankful for a teacher that loves the Lord. . . and my child.

I cant remember if I shared my latest antique find?? 

  In the most perfect handwriting that

was obviously from an older lady full of wisdom it said, "Perfect for a breakfast

table or desk." And perfect it has been for The Mr. to do his school work.

 It is full of books and papers.  

The Mr. is doing well in school.  He is working so hard.  Can I just say going back to

school is a challenge.  Working full time, kids, etc. . . and school. . .Whew! 

(Meaning he has had very little recreation time. . .like the above photo)

SO. PROUD.  Lily has done so well at school this year! Its been such a

breath of fresh air!  She did well in 3rd grade, but everything just seemed hard and confusing.

This year she is a STAR tutor, doing great in Math, and just signed up for the new Drama Team??

Last but not least. . . I was really sad.  I have my faith.  I know who is control.

I know who the one true leader to follow. . . but . . . I was sad.

More like. . . devastated.  Okay. . . I am going to be brutally honest. . . I cried.

BUT God isn't and wasn't surprised.

I find peace in knowing

He has already won this battle.

Press On.  Press On.

{Meet Tikka}

My sister just got the sweetest little puppy dog!

Her name is Tikka, pronounced Tee-Kah.  

Sweet Lily loves her.  AND I love her because we can 

borrow and return her. 

It's the perfect set-up really. 

Sweet Girl.

Sweet Puppy.

(My little Lily is growing up. . . so fast.)

{Stop By. . }

here today! Love her blog. Love her. Love this space. Thinking of sending Mr. RW an email . . . just for fun!

{I have some "Want-to"!}

Monday Morning. . .
Great so far!
Dropped the kids off at school.
I was intentional with my conversations on the way.
Went to WalMart.
Dinner in the crock-pot.
I have dusted my desk. . . well, at the moment its more of a Mr. Desk.
I bought him some freshly sharpened pencils and a 3-ring binder.
All of which he mentioned last night and I delivered in less than 24 hours.
Hows that for taking care of my man. . . hey, its the little things around here.
I have his books all stacked neatly and a basket for his scratch paper and folders.
I am in the market for the perfect set of book-ends.  I must say I have
never been in the market for book-ends. But I love to hunt for home goods so
this should be fun.
My legs are still sore but looking less like I was in a car accident.
Speaking of car accident. . . got my car back and they did a swell job.
I am back on the road.
 I love this rain.
I love this rain.
I love this rain.
Pumpkins are out at Sharums.  I nearly ran off the road gawkin'.
Mums at WalMart look hearty I must say.  I didnt make any purchases just yet. . .
I am waiting for my perfect "Fall Get-a-Way Day". (I come up with that myself).
My day will look like this. . .
Something Pumpkin to drink.
Antique Shoppes.
Mum Purchase.
Cinnamon Cider Purchase.
It will be swell indeed.
Well, I am going to make my bed, start a load of clothes, and vacuum my bedroom.
Whew!
Then off to work I go.
Oh how thankful I am that I am up and around.  When you feel bad and everything
seems like such a chore and struggle, it really makes you appreciate being able to
do around with some "want-to"!

Have a wonderful day!

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into
His courts with praise, Be thankful to Him, and bless
His name.  Psalm 100:4

{The Glue}

I cruised on through my procedure last Thursday, and I have hopes by 3:30 today

Dr. Saltiel wont be working on my precious veins any longer. 

We celebrated sweet Carson's birthday last Friday.

But NOT before a lady accidentally rear ended me on my way to the party!

Slight Damage. No Biggie.

What a great group of boys!

He is the only child that has ever asked for a "Police Party".

The Mr. fixed them up with a badge and took them for some wild

rides. I had super fun decorating. . . and I will share more later (pics are on my other camera).

My favorite part was running that "Police Line" everywhere.

I felt so official.  That might be the closest I ever come to being like Jason Bourne.

We played "Pin the Badge on the Officer". Fun. Fun. 

Carson asked Jesus to be THE BOSS OF HIS LIFE on

Sunday, September 2.  I am so so happy and proud!

I have been able to pray with all three kiddos and I am

so thankful God has allowed me to do that. 

He was baptized on Sunday, September 9. . .

and he also tripped and fell right into the corner 

of the train table. So a Baptism and ER visit in the same day. 

They got him all glued back together! Speaking of glue. . .

Thank you Lord for being the GLUE that holds me together!

{September 11}

Remembering. . .