{Yellow Cheery Flowers}

  

Good-bye January. . . Hello February!

At some point in January The Mr. and I found ourselves in an argument over a phone charger

 (Yes, you heard me. . .a phone charger!) and neither of us could just "get over it"!~

Long story short. . . I really found myself in the midst 

of the millions of marriage/parenting books 

I have read over the years in hopes of helping other people. . .  

I know the remedies. . . I just needed a swift reminder.. . for myself!

Priorities. . . God.  Husband.  Children.  Job/Hobbies/Etc.  

Easily typed and said. . . more of a challenge to accomplish. . .

Going deeper. . .

Praying for each other.

Praying together.

Date Nights.

Communication.

 One thing I am very aware that I do is celebrate birthdays. . . especially the kids.  The Mr. ... not so much.

So, in hopes of celebrating him more, I threw him a lovely little dinner party.  Even decorated with yellow cheer and hanging lanterns (sorry I didn't light them for you).  I invited some of his closest friends from the 188th Fighter Wing, ordered him a lovely chocolate cake and casserole, and filled our home with laughter! 

Something we both need to do more together!

 The weather has been crisp and cold!

  As a matter of fact The Mr. is out now (11:30 PM) working the streets. 

 They are snow-covered and very slick.  

I am blogging, burning my Alpine Meadow Candle, and waiting for him to get home.

In addition to talking about my marriage and the weather, how about some amazing art work!

I finally framed Carson's Shark. 

 I am in love with it.  

I have a stack of art that I hope to frame this year.  

We'll see. . . I will keep you posted!

Why do I feel like frames have to match?

{Something I "Pinned" & Actually Did}

 I am not sure if I am the only one who "pins" and then. . . out of sight. . . out of mind.

 BUT this is one pin that stuck. 

 Its a miracle! 

 I believe what I saw was a "You write Me - I Write You".  

 I started out with that concept and I was writing. . the kids were writing. . . I was writing back. . .and then. . . the kids weren't responding or vise verse. . . I didn't want it to be "chore like". . . so now. . . I am the author.  

I write.

  I jot down simple little things. 

Something they said or did.

Somewhere we went. 

Or sometimes just how I am feeling at the moment.

 If they ever want to pick it up and write they can, but  mainly its me. 

I don't mind if they read them now or later. 

 Or much later.

  It makes me no difference.

  Its just something I want them to have tucked away.

I love tucking things away. . .

{Yes, its the New Year. . .}

 and I am still sharing my Christmas with you!  January came in roaring with cold and ice! It hasn't spared us much on the weather side but I hear some warmer temps are soon to arrive. 

 I honestly forgot to look back to see if I have shared about our Christmas but we did enjoy our family time and friends.   I am relishing this down time with my kids.  Since football season has been over we have been involved in ZERO activities.  Lily has tumbling for an hour on Thursdays but other than that it is quiet around here.  

Can I just say this is my first year to mess with this deco-mesh stuff.  It is fun!  It really adds alot too!  Makes up for the missed fluffing and lack of ornaments if that happens to be a problem.  This was my kitchen/dining room this year.  Next year I think I will move this motif to Carson's room and do something different.  Maybe.

Here is my short list of things on my 2014 agenda. . . in no particular order. . . these are just my present thoughts. . .

Date Nights with The Mr.  

Quiet Time (but with a scenic twist)

Lunch Dates with my Lady Friends

Praying with The Mr. 

Making a "Get Ready" table in my bedroom

Curtains 

Hang Pictures (Eek! Maybe.)

Reading with my Babies (yes. babies.)

{Coffee Delight Heaven}

Lily and I spent SEVERAL hours

 and

watched SEVERAL Hallmark movies 

while we made SEVERAL

coffee filter flowers. 

 I just had it in my brain (pea brain) that

 I wanted my living room tree (aka The Tall Tree) to be "simple" and "different" this year. . . 

 I decorated The Tall Tree with dozens of the tea and coffee stained beauties, but. . .

 I just couldn't get it "just right". . . so The Tall Tree is back basking in gold and bronze. . .

and my bathroom is in Coffee Delight Heaven.

(Pardon the spots on that mirror!)

(and I added many more after these pics. . . I got ahead of myself!)

{Ice Ice Baby (sorry, couldn't help myself...eek!)}

 Ho!

 Ho! 

Ho!

 How are you making it this holiday season?

 So-far-so good here! 

We just survived a major ice storm. 

No Power.

 Pallets in the living room.

 Food in a cooler. 

 Burning left over candles from my sisters wedding. . . I knew those would come in handy!

  I really don't sweat situations like such.  

Now let me say, everything felt dirty to me.  That bugged me.  Mushy snow is dirty.

  But I would MUCH rather be out of power and have running water.

 I love and appreciate clean water coming out of a faucet. 

 I love and appreciate a flushing toilet. 

 So really power was nothing more than no TV and Gadgets. . . well. . . an oven. . .and heat, but other than that it wasn't bad.  We survived! 

 How are you making it with your elf? 

Ours. . . well. . . shes tired and forgetful, but she springs into action ever now and again.

 Clayton keeps telling me I don't understand how its supposed to work.  

As in, our elf isn't mischievous enough.. . .

This really doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

  I am not a mischievous person, and if it wasn't for all those Pinterest ideas I wouldn't have a clue.

I just assume she hang out in the stable all day with Baby Jesus and Mary.

That is where I would be!

 

This week she did find some mischief by unrolling the toilet paper down the hall.  

The kids just raise their brows. . .perhaps some of the magic goes away when all your children are almost in their teens? 

You think? 

 I don't know who is more in denial? 

Me or Them?

Oh well, its just for fun and I love it!

(and so do they!)

{Over the Holiday. . .}

 I got ahead of myself and skipped to Christmas yesterday, but I wasn't quite finished talking about

 Thanksgiving. 

 Over the holiday Lily took her first hunting trip with her Papa.

  The Mr. isn't a real big "hunter" so this is where grandparents are super important.  

Grandparents fill in many gaps, and

 the older I get the more I realize and see the importance of that.  

The Mr. and I are raising them but I consider it such a blessing

 that others are willing to pour into their lives (family or not)! 

 I think of it as rich gravy on warm mashed potatoes!  

So to all you sweet and precious moms

 out there whom feel like you have to do it all yourself. . . let others help! 

Let others enrich your child's life.  

Let people you love and trust teach and love on your kids too.  

 (Lesson I have learned. . )

Now Lily didn't actually kill the deer herself. . .but her Papa made sure she felt like it! 

Love that.

Our Sweet Cousin Benny got him one too!

Rainy cold ice is coming down outside.

  I think I need some flannel sheets. . .do you have some?

 Do you like them?  I don't like it when the "ball up"? 

Do you know what I am talking about?

Praying for my sweet friend, Stacy. . .her Grandfather passed this week.

Prayers for you.

{Oh Snap!}

 Can I just confess that instead of bracing for the upcoming freezing cold snap. . .

 as in buying milk, bread, and eggs. . .

  I got a pedicure instead?

Weeee! It was way more fun! I might be going to the store on a sled!

At least The Hot Cocoa Station is fully stocked!

{EMMA.}

Look who was at Francesca's!

 Awwwwe, my most favorite style girl ever.

 Ever. 

I am looking forward to her #HolidayReady Challenge!

She is partnering with 9 other bloggers, so I cant wait to check them out!

How fun!

{The Pie Table}

Just a little more talk about Thanksgiving today!  I have Christmas waiting in the wings!
OH mY GoOdNesS, the FoOd. . . well, it was nothing short of amazing.

  I have asked Mom several times over the years, "How did you do all this by yourself?"

It is so much food. . .and work!

A few years ago Carla and I took over the "sides"!

 We left mom with the ham, turkey, and dressing.

I am sure everyone feels the same, but my mom makes the most delicious dressing!

The highlight. . . The Pie Table. 

I should put that in ALL CAPS. 

 This is a picture before it was completely adorned with yummy goodness.

Dreamy.



{Mr. Rouse}

 Oh, I took a trip down memory lane today. . . 

I pulled this babies first tooth. . .and now. . . he is driving my baby to the movies.

{The Highlight}

 The highlight of my Thanksgiving was being with my kids. . . oh, how school robs them from me! 

 I love love having them all home under my feet.  And I enjoyed not having to pack lunches.  I know I am supposed to find great joy in packing lunches.  I can pray as I pack. . I can and should be grateful. . .and I am. . .but that might be one of my least favorite "mom chores".

 The kids have the best time when they are with their cousins! They are all growing up waaayyy too fast.

 I am not sure how I missed having a picture of Benny, but I will share some of him this week too.

The hot cocoa station was a hit!  

 Love my sisters!  Both of my sisters are teachers.  Deana is subbing in OK almost everyday.  She hasn't landed a job just yet, but she has only been out of school for a year.  Carla has hung up her teaching hat, and moved to real estate.  We all have it in our blood. . .

Clayton spent the night with these guys.  They went to see Catching Fire so that was a really good time for him.  

Talk more soon. . .

{Back to Reality}

 Our Thanksgiving

was full of food and family. 

 We had such a good time visiting and enjoying our time together.  

I will share our long break this week with you. . .

I drove through McDs tonight to get the kiddos a sweet treat to ease the pain of "back to reality" tomorrow.  We celebrated right up until bedtime.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

{W.}

Look at that smile!

{TN & AR}

 I am home! 

Whew!

What a trip!

 Nashville was full of some seriously fun Godly women. . .

 Justin Timberlake and all his fans were there too!

 I cannot say enough about V.Courtney and A. Thomas!  I am in love with them.  

Vicki spoke about living in a "Pinterest World" vs. our "Real World".  

Things can become very skewed if we aren't careful!

 Angela Thomas has a contagious spirit!

 She is full of spunk! 

She made me laugh out loud.

She talked about how to teach women.

 Of course I had to snatch up a few books!

 Have you read either of these? I cant wait!

 I did much listening and learning about womens ministry, but. . .

 I couldn't leave these baby books behind!

I hope to gift these to some new little mommas!

 I really feel like my family was glad to see me when I returned, but. . . 

they all had some fun of their own!  

 Birthday parties and 4-wheeling!

I am thankful God held it all together in TN and in AR!