Out with the old Giveaway

Hey head on over to Shabby Creations for her awesome giveaway! She does great work.

Marley and Me

Make sure you bring your kleenex!!!

Santa Claus is coming soon!

I can't believe it is almost Christmas. Saylor has been counting down the days and she keeps asking me if I think she is on the "Nice" list. lol I told her she surely was. She's got her fingers crossed anyway. We will try and go look at Christmas lights and do a little baking and watching some of our holiday faves. We are very blessed in my family and I am sure most of you feel the same. I can't help but think of all of those kids out there that don't have heat or much to eat and Christmas is just another day to them. It breaks my heart to know there are so many out there that aren't as fortunate as my family is.

Merry Christmas to all of you and have a safe and happy holiday. Peace!

Preslie Slatton

It is hard to look forward to Christmas with so much sadness around. Yesterday Preslie Slatton passed away. She was only 12 and I believe she had leukemia. I can't imagine how her family is feeling and I know that it changes everything they were looking forward to this week. Christmas will not be the same this week for many people in our community that have lost a loved one. It breaks my heart to think of them and what they must be going through. I am blessed with healthy kids and a wonderful life and I am trying to learn to never take that for granted. We never know when it will be over. Tell your family you love them and enjoy your holiday while praying for the Slatton's, the Kirby's and the Gay's. Also pray for Andy Dunn as he has his tests done this week.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Even Santa has to visit Blog World

American Girl Place

Lexi Sullens invited Saylor to go with her to the American Girl Place in Atlanta for her birthday yesterday. I think Saylor may have had the time of her life!! I have never seen her so tore up when she got home. She got her doll's hair done and got new clothes and all that good stuff. Thanks to Chris, Tab and Lexi for making it such a fun trip and for the invite. She will never forget it.

The car ride.

We are here!

Checking out the dolls.

I don't know but it must be good!

A new do!

Lunch at the American Girl Cafe.

Aren't they cute?

Sweet Lexi.

My very own American Girl. lol

SNOW!!!

Saylor's Question

Saturday Mandy, Saylor and I went to Bell Buckle to their Tour of Homes. As we were shopping downtown Saylor spotted a nativity scene in one of the stores. She turned to me and said, "Is one of the wisemen Jesus' daddy?" Mandy and I almost fell over!! It was so hilarious. She said she gets confused about that sometimes. Kids are so funny.

The Tour of Homes was pretty neat and we had a really good time. Bell Buckle is such a neat town. We ate at the Bell Buckle Cafe and took a horse and buggy ride.

This is me and Saylor in the cafe.

What a Game!

Boyd Christian's 7th/8th grade teams played at home last night against Irving College. I had to work the concession stand during the girls game but what I saw was a good game and we won!

The boys game had a slow start. Christian started the game and this is his first one since his surgery the 24th. It took him a while to get warmed up. By halftime I think we were behind. Then the second half it all started to come together. We caught up and the game was tied at the end and went into overtime. Christian made four foul shots during the first overtime and 18 points for the whole game which we won after another overtime 42-40. It was a nail biter for sure. Congrats Boyd Broncos and Lady Broncos!

Giveaway

The Trendy Spot is having a giveaway, so you might want to go on over and check it out.

The cutest dog ever!!!

Is he not the cutest? This is Rudy and he is a goldendoodle. My sister loves Erin Vey's photography blog and got me into it and it is so awesome. She does pet photography and her pictures are great. Her link is in my sidebar and there is a slide show of this cutie pie on there.

BEFORE...

AFTER...

How to Cook aTurkey

Saylor gave me this "recipe" she did at school on how to cook a turkey. I thought it was quite comical. She wrote: You buy a turkey. Then you cut it open and get out the goos. And then when your done with that you wash your hands. Then you put it in a pan. Then you add pepper spices and put it on 450 dagres.


Too funny and she even knows to wash your hands. lol

A Precious Sight

As I walked down the hallway Friday night I passed Saylor's room to see this...
She is reading the bible. I was so proud when I saw this. She read 21 verses all by herself. Then on Saturday she read 7 or 8 more. Thanks to Mrs. LeAnn. She gave Saylor this bible when she was in her class at Westwood.

Our Christmas Tree

I haven't put up a tree in 2 years. I hate putting lights on them. So I finally got a prelit one yesterday. Thanks, Mom! I always decorate the house but no tree. So today my mom and I decorated my tree and I really like it. I think it is soooo pretty. I am getting in the spirit now.

New Pictures

Check out some of our pics on Ford's website. http://www.fordfairchild.com/

Successful Surgery

We made it home today by lunch which was great! Christian has made it through with flying colors. He's not even taking pain medicine. I am not sure why. He has some swelling on one side of his face but feels good and is on the road to recovery. He has a plastic splint in his mouth that may come out by Christmas. We just have to see how quick it heals. He has had a lot of bone put in his gum line. His doctor explained what all he did during the 3 hour surgery and I could never explain it. It is unbelievable what they can do in this day and time. We have received so many calls and texts asking about him. Thanks to all of you that have prayed for him and left comments or checked on him in any way. I truly appreciate it. It is great to be home. Hospital life stinks. I don't know how people like the Dunn's make it like they do. Hats off to them and their strength.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!!

Busy Days and Good Friends!

Like most of you this time of year keeps me busy with my kid's activities. Between both having basketball practices and games and Saylor also having dance and girl scouts, I feel like I am never home.

We are going to the Titans game tomorrow. It will be Saylor's first game! She's pretty excited. I am too! I love going to the games and we have awesome seats. After the game Christian and I along with Mandy will be spending the night in Nashville. Christian will be having his fourth surgery on Monday. We have to be at Baptist at 5:30 so we decided to just stay overnight. Saylor will be coming back with my parents and then Mom and Dad will come back down Monday morning. Christian is nervous but won't say much about it. It's a difficult surgery and involves several hours of work and putting bone in his gum line. It's all very confusing and I couldn't really explain it. We love his oral surgeon and know he will do great!

Tonight Christian's friend Casey Myers, who has been through the same surgeries as Christian,
had him a little surprise party at Boyd after all the boys finished high school basketball practice. Pretty much the whole high school team was there along with some of his other friends from Boyd. They got him a bunch of goodies to keep him occupied during his recovery and a few boys got him a Hastings gift card. They also had food and some gorgeous cupcakes that Gina Tilton made.

Casey's mom, Tracey Pickens, did great getting it all together and surprising Christian. I am amazed at how great they all are to Christian. There are some really great people associated with Boyd and I am so glad Christian is there.

Mandy made some pics so I will try and post some later.

Please keep Christian in your prayers and I will update this when we get home Tuesday.

Elf on the Shelf

Well our new friend has arrived. The Elf on the Shelf came yesterday to help Santa keep tabs on Saylor. She is so fascinated with the whole thing. It is quite funny. She hasn't named him yet and I am not sure when she will. We have so little time at home right now with ball practices and ball games. The poor little guy doesn't get to see her enough to report to Santa really. Maybe next week he can see her in action. I am trying to use him to get her to keep her room clean. You know Santa loves a clean room, right?

Happy Birthday Saylor!

Today my baby girl is 8 and what a sweet baby girl she is. She is beautiful inside and out and I am so proud of her. She definitely makes my world more interesting! Saylor, Happy Birthday! I love you sooooooo much tootz!

Saylor was one is the picture on the left. The other is Easter and I don't know which year. lol

Kindergarten Graduation with her buddy Ethan.

Westwood Preschool, age 5.

Dressed as Dorothy for Halloween. AGAIN I don't know what year. She was 3 or 4.



October 2008, age 7.

P.S. If one person leaves a comment that she looks like my sister I will whip you with a car antenna!!! lol I wish I had a dollar for all the people that have told me that. But it is totally true!

Pink Poodle in Paris Party

Yesterday I had Saylor's 8th birthday party at Mandy's house. There was pink and black everywhere! I had a huge jumping castle reserved but had to cancel it due to the weather. So that meant 3 hours of trying entertain about 10 kids. It was wild!!! We bought Operation and Jenga and also brought Kung-Fu Panda for them to watch. Here are some pics from our afternoon.

The poodle table.

Are these beautiful or what? The talented Paula
Wanamaker spent three days getting these cookies just right!

I loved Saylor's cake! It was absolutely perfect. I bought the little poodle for the top and Patsy Bolding and Misty Bolding made her cake. I can't thank them enough for all the love they put into her cake. It was a huge hit!!!

The poodle pinata before she met her maker. lol

I thought my platter looked cute with the pizza on it.

Ethan Smith enjoying his chip and dip.

Another picture of the cookies.

Lexi and Tia taking a breather.

Getting ready for cake.

She looks so sweet and happy!

Blowing out the candles.

Present time!

Saylor in her new Hannah Montana shades.

Ethan got Saylor a beautiful necklace with her initial on it and she was thrilled!

Fall Leaves

Brandie Mansfield took this cute picture of Saylor playing in the leaves at Linda Dunlap's. Saylor takes art from Brandie at Chole's. She is not a great artist but she learns so much about different artist from Mrs. Brandie and she tells me about it and I am amazed. Thanks Brandie!

I've Been Tagged Twice!!!

Veronica Stepien and Tanya Jones have both tagged me. I have been putting it off but here goes.

7 Weird/Unusual Facts about me:

1. I started fainting at the age of 5 and still do to this day. I have done it so much I can tell the person I am with it's going to happen.

2. I rub my feet on the bed trying to go to sleep and apparently while sleeping. I have worn a hole in my sheets from it.

3. My hair is so freaking thick that if it is getting on my nerves I just take a razor and comb through it to thin it out! I know, don't tell Wendy Beaty. lol

4. I watch Friends everyday!

5. I love Miley Cyrus and watching Hannah Montana.

6. I get obssessed with whatever sport my kids are playing. I hate for their teams to lose and get really competitive.

7. I talk to my sister and my mom daily and usually see them too!


If you haven't done this yet then I am tagging you. So if you just read this that means you!

Fabliques Applique Giveaway!

Head on over to Kim's page and post your idea for a shirt design and you could win. If your design is drawn out she will make the shirt just for you. Good luck!

Saylor's Birthday Invitations

Next weekend Saylor will be having her 8th birthday party. She is having a Pink Poodle in Paris party. Mandy handmade her invitations. This is the front.

You pull the poodle and the insert comes out with all the details. They are so adorable. Good old Aunt Mandy. Don't know what we would do without her. Thanks, Sis!!!

Boyd 7th & 8th grade Basketball

Christian's first basketball game was last night against Victory Baptist. We won 24-13. The boys did great! There are only 7 of them and they haven't got to practice a lot. Next week we go to Van Buren Co. I think we are in for a rough game there. Here are some pics of Christian in action.
The other teams outfits were interesting to say the least. I don't think Christian would play if he had to wear that. lol

Monkey Bread Recipe

Some people requested I post my Nena's recipe. So here it is.

1 package frozen roll dough (balls about 18)
1 stick butter, melted

I dip my rolls in the butter and then place in a buttered bundt pan. Pour remaining butter over the rolls.

Then mix together:

1 package Vanilla or Butterscotch Cook & Serve pudding (not instant)
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Sprinkle over rolls. Cover with a cloth and let stand over night at room temperature. Bake the next morning at 350 for about 30 minutes. A place a square of foil over mine to keep in from getting too brown. Let stand one minute in pan and then invert onto plate.

Monkey Bread

After Paula, over at Krumbz, posted her Monkey Bread last week I have been craving it. I bought the stuff to make hers and will try it this weekend. I have to bake my Nena's recipe during the week because you make it the night before and Lord knows I do good to get that done!

This is the complete recipe right before I covered it for the night.
This is what it looks like the next morning.

Then after it bakes.

Voila! Turn it out on a plate and enjoy!!! I could eat the whole thing. It is awesome!