3 little Miracles

3 little Miracles

Friday, December 31, 2010

Last survey of 2010

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1. What did you do in 2010 that you had never done before?Gave birth to a baby girl ;-).

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I had "goals" and I had some successful completions of those goals and others that I will amend and add to this years goals in hopes of finally completing them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
UMMMM YES ME :-) , I also had one good friend give birth and two new ones.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No

5. What places have you visited?
Only place out of our area that I traveled was to Wilmington, once for a doctors appointment and the second time for back to school shopping.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
To finally buy Rachel's stroller and playpen and MAYBE get the flat screen TV for our master bedroom so we can free up some desk space.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory and why?
October 21, the day Rachel came into our lives in a very fast and unexpected way.

8. What was your biggest achievement this year?
Remaining somewhat mentally stable, HA.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got shingles.  Four weeks after Rachel got home from the NICU, I broke out with shingles just in time for my 42nd birthday. For BONUS, a few weeks after I recovered from shingles, my husband broke out with chicken pox because he never had them as a child.

10. What was the best thing you bought?
My Canon, now hopefully I will get some new lenses this year and get some new skills on it too.

11. Where did most of your money go?
Car payment and getting ready for Rachel and renovating rooms to make room for a new addition.

12. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Light up the Sky - the Afters, it just really spoke to me during our ups and downs this past year

13. What do you wish you would have done more of?
One on one special time with the boys.

14. What do you wish you would have done less of?
Stressing!

15. What was your favorite TV program?
Gray's Anatomy

16. What was the best book you read this year?
Little blessings from a Big God by Michelle Medlock Adams

17. What was your favorite film of the year?
We don't get out to the movies as a couple very much, we mostly go to the movies with the kids, so my favorite family move this year was, How to train your Dragon

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
Take pain pills, scratch and sleep a lot.

19. What political issue stirred you the most?
I don't follow politics very much but I am not happy with some of the choices our current president and his administration are making.

20. Who was the best new person you met?
Rachel Elizabeth-Marie!

And now - My year-end blog STATS...

331 posts
164 followers
20,588 page visits

Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Years Resolution Review from 2010

At the end of 2009 I set "goals" for myself because I am not really a resolution kind of person, goals seem much more achievable then a defined commitment which I may or may not accomplish and end up feeling like a failure for not doing.  I love making list of projects I want to accomplish and this was my "list to accomplish" at the beginning of 2010 and how much of it I actually got done ;-)

1.  Continue with my 2009 weight loss efforts and loose 40-60 pounds in 2010. I know this one is so typical but I have really made strides in making time for me this past year and lost 21 pounds and would like to continue making time to be a healthier me for my boys and my MoG.
2.  Drink 8 glasses of water each day.
3.  Become consistent with a daily devotional that feeds me as a mother and provides me with spiritual tools to lead my 2 little Boys.
4.  Work on getting rid of MORE of our debt and managing our finances TOGETHER.
5.  Make time once a month to go out on a date night with my husband so we can truly spend time talking and focusing on us.  This past year with Jon becoming more active, it seems we are constantly in "Correction" mode and we collapse after the boys are asleep, we never seem to get quality time for us to just be the couple we were before the boys and I hope to fix some of that in 2010.
6.  Finish our Master Bedroom closet renovations and bookshelf in our bedroom so that we can convert the office into a bedroom.
7.  Clean out office and prepare it for Baby #3 (prayerfully) or a guest room.
8.  Redecorate the boys room when we get bunk beds later this spring.
9.  Build coffee table design that I like from Ballard Designs only with David's airplane window set into top.
10.  Finish the bathroom.
11.  Work harder on building my business and being consistent with calling clients.
12.  Develop and stick to a household budget.

I find it sad how much I didn't get done and happy with what I did get done.  Probably the biggest fly in the ointment of my plan was getting pregnant and having a difficult pregnancy.  So, tomorrow I will have to sit down and review the goals I didn't accomplish and reset my goals for 2011 with a clean slate ahead of us.

Christmas Day Recap

Christmas morning dawned bright and chilly and the boys actually slept in until after 7ish, probably because they stayed up late with Grandma on their sleepover Christmas Eve.  After everyone gathered in the living room, Davey played the roll of present man, he dug the presents out from under the tree and delivered them to each family members personal pile. While Davey made the piles of presents, Jon checked out their gift from Santa.
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Then the ripping of paper began . . . . .
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Rachel looked on and waited her turn
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Then Davey helped Rachel open her presents and this was her reaction as he showed them to her. . . . .
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(This is the ONLY picture of my MoG during his terrible round of Chicken Pox)
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I can't wait for next year when she is running around and ripping into the packages herself.

I pray that your Chritmas was Merry and Bright!

Dreams of a Pink Christmas come true!

I was looking back at my Christmas posts from 2009 (Undecked Walls) and realized that we were blessed with one of our post 2009 Christmas wishes coming true.  In my after Christmas sale shopping I found these
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. . . . . . . . . . well this year I got to do this and hang those "dream" ornaments on this white tree . . .
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. . . notice this is one of the ornaments I purchsed in 2009 with dreams of PINK
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REPOST of 12/23/3009 - Dreaming in PINK

*Looking back at my 2009 end of year posts I just had to share this oneagain.  I find it amazing that I wrote this last year at the same time as what is THIS years 2 month birthday for Rachel.  This was originally posted on 12/23/2009

I just got the best phone call I have had in a very long time . . . . . . . . . . . . . my primary physican just called with the latest results of my liver panel and my liver functions are back to normal.  This means we can finally try for Baby #3.  This is officially my best Christmas present so far.

As soon as I hung up the phone I did the happy dance and then picked up the phone and called our specialist to schedule an appointment to see him in January. So January 22nd we will be consultanting with him and hopefully . . . . . prayerfully . . . . . he will give us the go ahead and we will be pregnant by early spring.

Am I looking forward to the invasive exams . . . . . nope
Am I looking forward to the long drives to the doctors office . . . . . nope
Am I looking forward to the ups and downs emotionally that come with negative tests . . . . . nope
Am I looking forward to daily injections to increase my follicles and help me ovulate . . . . . nope
Am I looking forward to the side effects to my body . . . . . nope

Am I looking forward to the potential of more then one baby . . . . . Not so much,, but if God thinks we can handle it then I know he will provide.

Am I looking forward to being pregnant again . . . . .YES
Am I looking forward to holding another warm bundle of joy in my arms . . . . . YES
Am I looking forward to sharing Christ with another child . . . . . YES
Am I looking forward to rocking another little baby and singing sweet lullaby's . . . . . YES
Am I looking forward to decorating another room perfectly for baby #3 . . . . . YES
Am I looking forward to having another little one running around our home . . . . . YES

I am looking forward to whatever God has ahead for us because I know that He will be with us, give us strength, and give us the tools to handle the joys and the sorrows that come with being parents again.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Christmas Eve Recap

On Christmas Eve my poor MoG was very sick with chicken pox for the first time in his life (he got them from me because the weekend prior to my birthday I broke out in shingles, fun I know).  I can tell you now that getting CP at the age of 46 is not fun and he was very uncomfortable and asleep most of Christmas Eve, Day, and the 26th.  However, I did manage to get him during a wakeful moment to put together the boys Christmas present from "Santa" and then I did the rest alone.  So, HO HO HO here we go for the Christmas Eve setup and traditions.

First I set up Santa's runway, and then after the boys made their reindeer food, I took them out to put it out near the landing strip.  (Side Note:  the orange ball in the distance is the moon on the river, it was so beautiful)
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Then after sending the boys upstairs for their sleepover with Grandma, "Santa" at his cookies and milk and left behind some treats for the boys as a thank you.
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Then he filled all the stockings with care and left all of us our 2010 Christmas ornaments
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Rachel's ornament is so cute
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I LOVE my ornament this year, it says Christmas 2010 on the back

Then Santa placed the presents under the tree in readiness of hearing the Christmas Day glee.
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Then with one last look at the top of our tree, Santa left and allowed ME to finally get some sleep ;-)
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Willow House Spring 2011 - Day {10}

The final day of the Spring 2011 Willow House product preview brings us this sweet little table that will look adorable anywhere in your home.  The Addison Tray Table always by your side. Next to a chair or beside a sofa, this table has a beautiful zinc finish and is endlessly useful. Here’s the kicker: Top tray is removable, so it can be flipped and displayed either loops-up or loops-down. When entertaining, remove the tray altogether and use it to serve appetizers — it’s food safe when used with included tempered glass insert.
(19 3/4” x 13 3/4” x 24” tall)
•41436 $129.96

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my top 10 picks for Spring 2011, come back soon when our Spring 2011 catalog officially launches and pick your own top products and by them online from my Willow|House website.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

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Willow House Spring 2011 - Day {9}

If your already starting to think about how to decorate your front porch after Christmas, take a look at this wonderful new planter, great size, look, and ready for your green thumb.

Lincoln Village Planter
Add a little elegance to your entry with our fluted antiqued planter, complete with a verdigris finish and golden accents highlighting its embossed design. One planter alone makes a great statement; use two to flank an entry or doorway. Will weather if left outside uncovered. Planter does not include drainage holes, so remove plants for watering.
(14” square x 14” tall)
•41461 $89.96

Pair it with the Wisteria Trellis
Stand tall with our trellis, ideal alone or with climbing vines. Taupe gray finish complements any pot or planter, and three removable garden stakes ensure steady planting. Will weather naturally if left outside for an extended period.
(8” x 7” x 28” tall)
•41472 $49.96

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Things we didn't get around to this Christmas

I saw this post on another blog I follow and I thought it was a great idea to sum up why this Christmas was special and yet so hard and incomplete in some ways from Christmas's past.

I will be honest enough to tell you that although we have a beautiful life with our 3 little Miracles, this has been a very difficult year and one that I would erase if it weren' for the fact that we were blessed with our little Rachel.  God has been very good to us, and has protected us through a lot of hard times this year.  BUT, even with His protection, we are having a hard time feeling the JOLLY spirit of the season even though we celebrate the TRUE reason for it.

Why our Year and Christmas isn't quit so Jolly:
1.  We started 2010 with 3 of us sick with Bronchitis and 1 with a double ear infection
2.  Our fertility specialist telling us we couldn't and shouldn't have more children
3.  One month later finding out we were blessed with a miracle little one growing within me
4.  Horrible time finding a doctor that would treat me during the pregnancy
5.  Ear tube surgery for our 2 1/2 year old
6.  Difficult pregnancy with bleeding that took me to the ER twice, bed rest off and on throughout, and low amniotic fluid in the final trimester.
7.  Having to replace our 5 year old washing machine
8.  Emergency c-section on 10/21 due to my blood pressure and her low amniotic fluid.
9.  My three year old once again having a double ear infection and one busted ear drum the same day his little sister was born.
10.  Rachel being life flighted to the NICU an hour and a half away due to multiple medical issues.
11.  Rachel being in the NICU for 3 weeks while I live at the Ronald McDonald house to be near her.
11.  Getting SHINGLES
and finally
12.  My husband catching Chicken Pox because he never had CP as a child and having them for Christmas. (Good part about that was when we went to the ER on Christmas Eve he got a private room right away and we got in and out within 3o minutes because they didn't want him in their ER any longer then necessary)

Normal Christmas traditions that didn't get done or were done like we normally do them:
1.  Christmas shopping for the kids done BEFORE Thanksgiving - we did Christmas shopping on the 22nd and 23rd (talk about last minute).  I did have a few gifts for the boys that I had bought throughout the year tucked away in the closet already.
2.  Christmas decorations up the weekend after Thanksgiving within 24-48 hours and complete, unlike this year when it took me a week and a half.
3.  Christmas cards and family photo taken and in the mail the first week of December - posted our Christmas Card via facebook/blog and we are sending a New Years card instead
4.  Date night with my husband on my birthday, instead this year I got SHINGLES on my birthday
5.  Baking cookies and treats for the neighbors and church family - DIDN'T DO IT AT ALL
6.  Christmas presents wrapped pretty with bows and special tags the first week of December - didn't happen until Christmas Eve and the packages were pretty basic
7.  Visit Santa and get pictures during the Christmas season - didn't happen at all
8.  Homemade cookies for Santa -  Pillsbury to the rescue this year
9.  My dear husband and boys set up Santa's runway on the back lawn and put out reindeer food on Christmas Eve - I did it this year
10.  Making Jesus birthday cake on Christmas Eve - SADLY this didn't happen at all this year
11.  Attend Christmas Eve service - didn't happen at all this year
12.  Drive out to see the Christmas lights - didn't happen at all

We praise God for giving us the strength to make it through so many valley's this year and for blessing us through each storm that has hit us.  We KNOW that He is with us and have faith and hope for the new days of joy He has ahead for us.  We are confident that our lives were changed for the better and other's were touched because of the testimony of God working in our lives.  He is our Rock and our Salvation and although our Christmas wasn't as JOLLY as we would have liked it to be, we celebrated the greatest gift of all, our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!

We pray all of you are well and that you had a Merry Christmas too in spite of the failures and success of your "plans" for the season.  God Bless!


Willow House Spring 2011 - Day {8}

This product would be beautiful any time of season filled with treats OR ornaments at Christmas time.  If your looking for a wedding gift, take this sweet looking Trifle dish to your glass shop and have it etched with the couples monogram (unless your crafty).

Hawthorne Trifle
Food safe and great for organizing, our classic column-like shape showcases everything from tasty meringues to delicate blossoms. Avoid dramatic temperature changes, which can cause glassware to crack.
(7 1/2” diameter x 11 1/4” tall; holds 14 cups)
•41460 $39.96

Monday, December 27, 2010

Willow House Spring 2011 - Day {7}

As a follow up to yesterdays product favorite I had to share this one.  Think New Years and getting the home office orangized ;-)

French Wire Convertible Basket
A tisket, a tasket, a brilliantly adjustable basket! Our new organizers are deep and spacious, making them ideal for holding everything from fruits and vegetables in the kitchen to mail, magazines and file folders in a home office. Center divider is removable, so you can use the basket with either one or two sections. Hang on the wall, or simply sit a basket on your countertop.
(14” x 6 1/2” x 13” tall)
•41459 $32.96

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Willow House Spring 2011 - Day {6}

French Wire Carousel Caddy
For a sewing kit, it’s a perfect fit. But try it again with pencils and pens, or use it on a buffet and serve away! This caddy’s five removable glasses are fantastic for decorating, serving or corralling odds and ends. Metal rings and center rod can be removed so you can use the tray alone or flip it for use as a riser.
(Caddy is 11 1/2” x 8” tall; glasses are 2 3/4” diameter x 4” tall.)
•41458 $54.96

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Rachel's 1st Christmas

I did a quick photo session with Rachel in honor of her first Christmas and Crocket wanted to get in the picture, so here is a few of my favorites with Rachel in her Christmas Day outfit.
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Willow House Spring 2011 - Day {5}

The Belle Meade Flatware Caddy is great in the kitchen on a daily basis for organizing a coffee station, in the bathroom holding makeup brushes, a beautiful floral arrangement, or organizing your office or craft room.  You will love this multipurpose accessory in your home.

Belle Meade Flatware Caddy
Celebrate style with our gorgeous flatware caddy, the perfect piece for entertaining or organizing. Four cream ceramic canisters are dishwasher safe.
(7 1/2” square x 11 1/2” tall)
•41447 $79.96

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Willow House Spring 2011 - Day {4}

Alfresco Accent Tray
Serve up fun treats on a pretty tray. And when your tray’s off duty, try it as a spoon rest or butter dish. Dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven safe up to 350°.
(11 1/4” x 4” x 3/4” tall)
•41437 $24.96

AND

Alfresco Spice Cellars (set of 3)
Sugar and spice — three tiny bowls make everything nice! Spice cellars are the perfect complement to your table, whether they’re used for serving salt and spices or berries and chocolate chips. Trio includes three small blue spoons for serving. All pieces dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven safe up to 350°.
(Cellars are 3” diameter x 1 3/4” tall; spoon is 3 1/4” x 3/4” wide. set of three)
•41438 $34.96

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Willow House Spring 2011 - Day {3}

Day 3 of the Willow House top 10 items that I love is Amelia Thimble Domes, I can't wait to use these cute little domes to create special place settings, displays, and for adorable holiday decor.  The best part, they are sold in sets of 3 and they come with a cute little saucer underneath which makes this products have 6x's the display potential. and 3 x the gift potential ;-)

Amelia Thimble Domes
Pretty, petite — every bite’s a special treat when you serve macaroons, jelly beans or mini cupcakes in these innovative little domes. Put a new spin on the placecard holder, or fill the trio with Easter eggs or molded butter pats. Remove the glass dome and use the saucers alone with votive candles.
(4” x 2 3/4” x 4” tall, set of three domes and saucers)
•41439 $34.96