Photo Card

Tree Of Whimsy Christmas

Custom Christmas cards are always available at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Our Work Horse

The kids and I are so blessed to have Layton.  He works so hard and often is gone when we are home, but he is doing it all for us.  

My Loves

These two make my heart so happy.

LegoLand

After what seemed like a VERY long car ride last Saturday, Marcia and I finally made it to Winter Haven, FL, with these two sweetie pies.  I had won 4 tickets to LegoLand Florida on the radio and we were all so excited to visit the newest theme park in Florida.  This little yellow guy was in our hotel lobby.  Garrison and Emma were really tired from the ride, but really were excited to be staying in a hotel and going to LegoLand.  Neither of them had every stayed in a hotel very many times as we normally stay in condos or cabins when we travel.  The trip was amazing.  I am so glad we went.

Let It Rise!

As Big Daddy Weave sings in his song, "Let the praises of the King rise among us."  I don't want a day to pass without praising my King.  I have so much for which to be thankful.  I children are beautiful, healthy, and amazing.  I pray each night for God to bless and keep them.   My husband loves me and works hard for our family.  I pray God keeps his hand on Layton each day or night that he works.  God is so faithful to his children.  This love I have for Jesus makes me want to shout his praises right here in my office.  Blessings!

Where's Brooks?

This is our version of Where's Waldo? 

My Little Indian

Poor Brooks is allergic to bug bites.  He recently got one in a very noticeable spot.  Even though he has this huge red dot between his eyes, he is still a cutie pie in his mommy's eyes.

 

Summer Mud

The kids have both really enjoyed the summer season.  Emma comes home every afternoon, shucks down to her undies, and makes mud for hours.  Brooks has gotten big enough now that he is getting in on the action too.  I still have to watch him pretty close as he also enjoys eating some of those good mud pies. 

I spent lots of time as a young girl playing in the mud.  There's nothing like getting dirt under your fingernails. 

Joshua 24:15 KJV

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Where does times go?

One moment you are bringing home a fresh new angel from heaven and the next you are celebrating a first birthday.  I am a little sad to see my little guy getting so big.  He is such a joy.  I love how he gives sugar and waves and has just recently started to take a few steps.  Before I know it, he'll be going off to big school with his sister. 

I pray daily that God will help me raise him to be a good man.  He is so precious.

Thankful Thursday

Some days the blessings that I have in my life overwhelm me.  I get a little emotional and shake my head in disbelief that I have been given so much in life.  Below are a few pictures of the awesome things that have been happening for our little family. 

Emma Layne started pre-k. 

She was so excited and I was so sad to see my baby going to school. 

Brooks got his first hair cut by Pa C.W.  He loved it and thought the clippers were funny. 

It's hard to believe this little turkey is almost a year old.

My Baby Girl

Emma is so amazing.  There is not a day that passes without her making me smile.  She is becoming more brilliant by the day.  It's hard to believe that this once 7 lb 4 oz baby girl will be starting Pre-K in just 3 weeks.  I know she will LOVE school.  I am so excited for her. 

Vintage Blues

I know this picture is not the best quality, but wanted to share the story of these cute jeans Brooks is sporting.  They were actually Uncle Zac's about 24 years ago.  Grammy, Charlene, gave me several of Layton and Zac's old baby items to use with Brookie.  I thought they were super snazzy.  We plan to keep them in the family and let the new baby cousin arriving in February use them too.

Snuggle Buddies

I could cuddle with these two cuties all day. :)

Cute Joke

Mrs. Castellucci comes to visit her son Anthony for dinner.  He lives with a female roommate, Maria. During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how pretty Anthony's roommate was. She had long been suspicious of a relationship between the two, and this had only made her more curious.

Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between Anthony and his roommate than met the eye. Reading his mom's thoughts, Anthony volunteered, 'I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Maria and I are just roommates.

About a week later, Maria came to Anthony saying, 'Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the silver sugar bowl. You don't suppose she took it, do you?' Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure.' So he sat down and wrote an email: ‘Dear Mama, I'm not saying that you 'did' take the sugar bowl from my house; I'm not saying that you 'did not' take it. But the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.  Love, Anthony’

Several days later, Anthony received a response email from his Mama which read: ‘Dear Son, I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with Maria, and I'm not saying that you 'do not' sleep with her. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the sugar bowl by now. Love, Mama

Moral:  Never lie to your Mama . . . especially if she's Italian.  

Beach Babies

Layton and I took the kids to the beach last Saturday.  Emma has always enjoyed the beach, but this was Brooks' first trip.  Below are the during and after pictures.  Needless to say, they had a fabulous time.  We can't wait to go on our vacation in July at Fernandina.

Playing and maybe eating a little sand.

Homeward bound and worn out from all the fun.

  

And, my favorite beach baby.

Thankful Thursday!

I am so thankful for these kiddos and for their papa.  Life wouldn't be nearly as fun without them.  Being a mom and (favorite) aunt is the best! :)

Mama a.k.a. Shot Caller

Parenting is not for the weak.  There are so many decisions to make for your own children that you don't really understand until you have kids.  I remember when I was a brand new mom, I had a hard time deciding when our Emma was truly sick enough to go to the doctor.  Over the last few days, Brooks has been running a fever and had a weird thing going on with his left eye.  This morning Layt was asking me to tell him if we should take him to see the doctor.  I couldn't decide because Brooks is also teething and that could have been causing the symptoms.  Layton finally says, "You're the shot caller!  Tell me what to do!"  I almost busted out laughing as I realized that I, Mama, am the official family shot caller.  It's a hard job, but somebody has to do it. 

In the end, I made the right decision.  Layton took Brooks to see the doctor and he has an ear infection.  With the help of an antibiotic and prayer, he should be as good as new in a few days.

Say your prayers.

"The family that prays together stays together." - Al Scalpone

I have always been a praying person, but lately I have had a stronger desire to talk to The Father.  Several years ago a dear friend turned me on to a local christian radio (90.7) station and I have been tuning in daily since that time.  Through that station, I was led to an amazing link that I wanted to share.  This link will lead you to three prayers for spouses and parents that can make a world of difference in your daily walk.

http://store2.bandfarm.com/audio/Prayers.pdf

We have been studying prayer at church on Wednesday night and some of the points Brother Jackson has been making have really hit home with me on how, when, and for who we should pray.  I have never had a stronger need for a relationship with God.  I am so thankful to be his child.

Blessings!

Wordless Wednesday

Because he takes my breath away....

Grandparents are so GRAND!

I am so thankful to have my parents as my neighbors.  They are always around to lend a helping hand and their grandbabies absolutely LOVE them.  Here they are on Easter Sunday.


Garrison
Papa, Nana
Emma, Lily, and Brooks



Wordless Wednesday

Overflowing Joy

My heart is so full that it may burst. I am so in love with my family. God's blessings are so amazing. I have an amazing husband and two beautiful, healthy, precious children. I am so thankful.

Jumperoo Baby

Brooks has found a new activity that keeps him busy and makes him sleep really good at night.

Character Breakfast

Emma and I attended a character breakfast with Aunt Marcia and Lily on Saturday. Emma was able to see several of her friends. Her favorite was really Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. It was a nice treat.

Is it summer yet?

We are all ready for summer and the warmth of the sun on our skin. Over the weekend, Emma spent an entire day in her swimsuit. I think she was hoping it would make summer come a little earlier like a rain dance brings on rain.

Emma Ballerina

One of Emma's favorite television shows is Angelina Ballerina. She loves to dress up and dance around the house. Since neither of Emma's parent have any moves, I decided classes probably wouldn't be a bad idea if Emma has any hope for dancing in her life. Monday, we attended her first class at Anita's Dance Studio. She loved it! The class was a split into ballet, tap, and tumbling. There were 4 other little girls at the session which lasted an hour. For her first class, Emma did pretty well. She listened, waited her turn in line, and Ms. Anita gave her great praise.

A Hobby!

For years now, Layton has been telling me to get a hobby. It's pretty difficult to find time for a hobby when you have kiddos running around, a house to clean, a full time job to work, and the list goes on and on. I am excited to declare that I have found an interest and now I am hooked. As the family budget planner/bill payer, another task that I feel is super important is saving money for my family. Thanks to a wonderful friend, I have learned to be a coupon shopper.

I am pleased to say that in my last four trips to Publix, I have spent $172.98 out of pocket and saved $213.67. That is pretty amazing! Below are some pics of the groceries I came home with Saturday when I saved $105 and spent $38.18. Not pictured, I also got a large bag of dog food to go along with the 60 jars of baby food and all the other great items.

Coupon shopping at Publix is the new way of shopping for the Anderson family. I now purchase the items we would normally buy at full price from the big box store on a sales cycle at Publix. It is amazing how fruitful my efforts at clipping have become. Praise the Lord!