Difference

Vi posing for our Christmas card this year.

Around the same time last year, who is that sweet baby?

WOW, Violet has grown SO much! I can't believe how big our girl is this year!! When people tell you time flies, it is completely true! We are heading to Dallas for a few days, so we want to wish each of you Merry Christmas! We hope you have an amazing holiday season, and that you take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas!!

Mommy's Little Helper

I can't get enough of my sweet girl, Mommy's Little Helper!

Christmas decorations

I have been feeling like I just can't get it all together this holiday season. It didn't feel like Christmas when Mer and the kids had to leave, and I know that we have all been feeling lots of sadness and I have just felt this pit in my stomach that won't go away...Please PRAY for my sister, that is the most important thing that any of us can do. I decided that I was going to try very hard not to let the devil steal my joy and take the focus off of the real reason for Christmas. I made an effort and decorated the inside of the house, and I have to say that it feels a little more like Christmas. I am so thankful for my sweet girl and all the fun traditions she gets to participate in this year. I have a constant lump in my throat though b/c I can't help but think about my sissy and all she is going through. I feel like saying, God, where are you? But I keep hearing him whisper: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." A verse I have been really taking to heart, which is one of my faves is "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." I have also been reflecting on the words of one of my favorite songs, by Meredith Andrews. I am going to post the lyrics. It seems so small that some sparkly lights can bring a smile, but they do...Please, please be in frequent and regular prayer for my sister, because our God is MIGHTY TO SAVE.


Can Anybody Hear Me? by Meredith Andrews.

I’m staring at these empty walls
Wondering when You’ll visit me again
When will You come?
If there is anything at all
Coming in between our love
Please show me, ‘cause I am barely hanging on

Can anybody hear me?
The silence is deafening
Why do You feel so far away?
When I know You’re here with me
But I just need faith to see
Nothing can separate me from Your love

Believing what I can’t see
Has never come naturally to me
And I’ve got questions
But I am certain of a Love
Strong enough to hold me when I’m doubting
You’ll never let go of my hand

Can anybody hear me?
The silence is deafening
Why do You feel so far away?
When I know You’re here with me
But I just need faith to see
Nothing can separate me from Your love

I will trust in You, even in the moments
I can’t find you, and I will hold on to
Your promises of love
You’ve never failed before

I know You can hear me
When the silence is deafening
Even though You seem far away
And I know You’re here with me
But I just need faith to see
Nothing can separate me from Your love

Can anybody hear me?
The silence is deafening
Why do You feel so far away?
When I know You’re here with me
But I just need faith to see
Nothing can separate me from Your love






Vivi's tree!

Violet's pretty stocking.


More garland...

Chio Christmas purchase this year!


I seriously LOVE bowls of sparkly ornaments! I am thinking of leaving them out year round, ha!


The mantle area above the tv.


O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree...


This is for my mom!

Yummy Christmas Treats

Violet has been enjoying a few yummy Christmas treats this year. She loves peppermint ice cream like her daddy, and recently discovered one of mommy's faves, white chocolate pretzels. I gave her about 3, and she gobbled them up. I think she was scared I was going to take them away, because at one point she got down on the floor and was trying to eat without me seeing her, ha! She kept saying "MMM" and "More". Violet definitely has a sweet tooth like her mommy! I can't wait for her to try buckeyes next year. We are having fun getting everything ready for Christmas. Violet and I finished up our Christmas shopping today, and I baked a few things. I hope yall are having a great Christmas season, and getting to spend time with the ones you love!

Birthday party!!

One of Vi's friends Niko turned one and we got to go to his super fun party at Leaping Lizards. It had rooms filled with different bounce houses. Violet had a blast. She was even adventurous enough to go down the slide with mommy, ha! We had a fun time and I am sure there are more bounce houses in our future...

bling

Violet is blinging in the holidays and hopes you do too!

It's beginning to look...

A lot like Christmas!! Vivi has some Christmas fashions she will be modeling for you this season. Here is the first Christmas tree shirt!

Gobble gobble

We had a fun Thanksgiving and hope that you did too! We started our day of in Weatherford for lunch. Somehow I didn't remember to take any pictures there, but we had a yummy lunch and headed to Dallas for the afternoon/evening where we had another meal of a yummy dinner. Violet ate fried turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, broccoli rice casserole, and tried buttermilk pie, pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert! I was so glad to be off for a few days during the week. I got to pretend I was a stay at home mom and loved it, ha! Ev and I got almost all of our Christmas shopping done on Friday. We didn't seem to come across any real Black Friday deals, but nonetheless, it is nice to be about done with shopping! We hope you are having a great week, and I will be back soon with another post.

Vi and her cousins Brady and Stella having fun.


I did not get any pics of them actually looking up at the same time, ha!

Cousin bath time, Vivi was over it at this point, but still a cute pic!

Going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

Violet had her first trip to the zoo a few weeks ago! We were having some great weather, so we packed up and headed to the zoo. I wasn't sure what Violet would think, but we had a fun short trip there. Vi wasn't feeling her stroller, so she spent most of the time being carried by us. You will see in the pics that, yes, she was still hanging in her sling. I LOVE that thing, but she is getting big for it. It came in handy for sure. We saw gorillas, penguins, owls (wowls to Violet), fish, reptiles, a baby cow, and the highlight of the visit for Vivi were the flamingos and ducks. We didn't end up staying very long, but we will definitely have more zoo trips in our future when Vivi gets a little older.

Happy Friday from Vivi and her baba (baby)!

Wordless Wednesday