More Christmas Memories...

This Christmas was definitely packed with lots of excitement and many fun memories! 

Lots of visits with Santa himself   ...

(well, actually Santa's helper as the kiddos call him- they all know the real Santa is busy up North!)

Many afternoons spent together making cookies, exchanging gifts...

getting together for the perfect picture...

(and making sure I was able to get a quick shot with my favorite people too!)

There were many times to hang out and share many giggles...

And get lots of hugs from the ones we adore...

There was time to snuggle with sweet aunts...

and laugh with funny cousins!

Yes, every moment spent during the holiday season is always fun! Every year, it is always full of smiles, laughs, minutes of stress, but in the end...we are always left with a great memory. 

 This was a very memorable Christmas.  And I know for many, it was special in a different kind of way!  This year, I know we all had a certain someone weighing heavily on their hearts.  

We all understood that time is precious, and that this Christmas is one to cherish!

There were many laughs shared, special pictures taken....

The sweetest hugs were given...

And the best kisses were received! 

This year, we remembered what really mattered!!  We truly understood that it is the people in life that make it so special.  The ones who have shown us everyday that we matter and are important people.  The ones who make us laugh and lend us support when we need it most.  The ones who take care of us when we need a friend and put us in our place when we forget who we are!  Those who are always happy to see us and make us feel that the world is special just because we're in it!

I know for so many, Bobby has been just that!  He is a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend.  And we are all so thankful he is still here fighting the battle against this terrible disease! We are so thankful that we were able to share so many great moments with him.  Yes, Christmas is always special... but Christmas 2009 will always remain special in a different way!

A Christmas Surprise!

Christmas has always been my MOST favorite time of year!!  So many wonderful memories that I will never forget.  Listening to Alabama Christmas while decorating the tree (my dad would play it loud and then sing it even louder), driving around looking at lights (never to fully realize our neighborhood had the best lights of all), unwrapping our "countdown" hershey kiss bag each night, getting to sleep in Lisa's room and waiting patiently to hear Santa on the roof, waking up Christmas morning-running to my parent's room- and my dad saying he had to take a shower first (yes, this happened every year, and yes, he was only kidding...but every year he turned on the water and pretended to take a shower!)  Most importantly, I remember all the time spent with family and friends.  I know we all have these memories, and they are definitely ones I hold so dear to my heart.  Now that I am all grown up, and have my own sweet family, I, too, want to create the same memories.  We have created our own traditions and made new memories, and for this I feel so blessed! Getting to see the excitement in their eyes makes it so fun and definitely is something Manley and I look so forward to!

Around October, we started talking about something that we knew would make all three kiddos bust with excitement. We decided we were ready to add a new member to the family...a six week old Golden Retriever puppy.  We knew we wanted to give her to the kids on Christmas morning. So, Manley made the drive to Benton, AR in the pouring down rain, on his birthday (December 23), to pick up the newest addition to the Douglas family, sweet little Lucy. 

We were very lucky that Mimi and E didn't mind keeping her until Christmas morning (with the condition that they were able to be here when the kids saw her the first time!)  So, after we opened all Santa's presents, we told the kids that they had to open our present.  We let them open the first present, which was the movie "Santa Buddies" and on the back had a short poem:

This is a sweet movie about a cute, furry friend,

But this is not where your presents ends...

Instead of just seeing these cute faces on the screen,

Imagine what it would be like to have the REAL THING!

Go downstairs...

I don't think the words actually soaked in, but they were so excited to see what waited for them downstairs! (However, I think it'safe to say that we were more excited than they were!)  Ava screamed just like I knew she would...

 Parker was in shock (he's been asking for a dog for a very long time, and simply couldn't believe she was ours!)...

 Lily asked so many questions, but had a smile the entire time...

 Lucy has the sweetest face, and brings a smile to everyone's face daily!  We ALL love her to pieces, and we are so lucky to have her!  She was definitely a Christmas present we will never forget!  :)

Happy Birthday Lily!

It is hard to believe that I am actually writing these words... my sweet Lily turned 3 today.   December 5th-I can remember the day so clearly, almost as if it was yesterday, but it was three whole years ago.  How can this be?  

My sweet Lily girl... where do I begin?  How can I explain the joy you have brought into our lives?  Every day I see you grow more and more into such a fun and vivacious little miss... Every day I get to snuggle with you and feel your best Lily hugs...Every day I know how truly blessed I am to be your mommy.  You are one precious little girl, Lily Kathryn.  Oh such joy... and such a sweet handful you love to be.  You may be the "baby" of the group, but you are one independent, determined little girl.  Some things I have learned about you in your first three years are that you will never accept the words "you're not old enough" or "you can do that when you're bigger"...  You may like crayons and dolls, but make-up, markers, and paint are more your style...You've mastered how to say "I loves you" at the most perfect time...You never, I repeat NEVER meet a stranger... and I have definitely learned- if the house is quiet and you are not in eye's view- I need to find you and QUICK!

 

 

I've also learned a few other things about that make me smile every day!  You have the sassiest of walks- something we all love to watch, the sweetest brown eyes I've ever seen, a giggle that can melt any heart, and a voice that I love to hear everyday (especially when it say "I loves you , Mommy")!  You make me smile with your questions and make me laugh with any of your most famous "Lily" faces.  I knew when I looked at your sweet face three years ago that I was given an incredible gift.  And you, my sweet girl, are just that!  You are a wonderful and precious gift to anyone who knows you. You have blessed my life beyond measure and I am so happy you are mine.  I love you sweet girl!  Happy 3rd Birthday!!!