Happy New Year!

Happy 2009!

No pictures please

This little starlet is paparazzi ready.

Better late than never

Here are some pictures that I've been meaning to post all week.

Saturday was our Food Allergy Walk. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's support. Thank you all very much!

Saturday night we went to the Holly Jolly Festival that was hosted by a nearby town. It is so much fun, this was our second year to attend. They make snow for the kids to play in. Of course, Emory couldn't care less last year. She was so funny this time. She didn't want to touch the snow with her hands but she thought it was great for walking in. She just walked around her little corner of the snow pile and squealed with excitement. There were kids there in full on snowsuits, come on people, it was still 70 degrees!

I'll leave you with a picture of Emory eating her first piece of chocolate cake. I was so excited to find this company that I decided she needed cake for no reason. I'm still looking for a frosting recipe that is dairy and corn (confectioner's sugar) free. If anyone has such a recipe (or one that soy milk will work in) please pass it on. I topped this cake with an orange - cranberry glaze. It was okay, I just think it could be better.

Mimi Fix

Okay, Rebecca, here's your Mimi fix. We've been busy this week and I haven't taken many pictures, except for our trip to see the most terrifying man in the entire world, aka Santa Claus. I'm going to finish my thankful list (just a little late).

22. Sponsors- Thank you to everyone who is sponsoring us for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Walk this weekend. Eric, Emory and I are all three walking this Saturday. I know that money is very tight right now and I truly appreciate everything our wonderful friends and family have done. ( It's not too late if you still want to help out.) :)

23. Clothes made with love - Emory is such a lucky little girl (in a lot of ways). Both of her grandmothers have lovingly made clothes, bedding, and window treatments for her. Momma just started blogging about her sewing.

24. Emory's playgroup - Emory is in such a wonderful playgroup! She has the best time when we get together (I enjoy talking to grown-ups as well). This group of kids play very well together and constantly teach each other new skills (good and not so good).

25. Pizza - I could eat pizza every day of my life. I usually do eat some form of this wonderful food every day that Eric is out of town. I know this isn't a big surprise to a lot of people.

26. My new Dyson - We finally broke down and bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner. I didn't really believe that it could make that much of a difference. I WAS WRONG! Our carpet looks amazing! I just hope that it continues to work this well. I vacuumed last night (the second time this week) and had to empty the canister twice in the family room alone. AMAZING!

27. Holidays- I love to celebrate holidays with our friends and family. We had such a nice time on Thanksgiving. We spent all morning and early afternoon at home just hanging out with each other and then went to Eric's Aunt Barb and Uncle Bill's for dinner. Barb even made ham, just for me. :) We had a wonderful, relaxing day.

28. Black Friday - I have always thought that "those people" are CRAZY for getting up so early just to fight crowds. I must confess, I'm now converted. I found the best deals (see #26) and got some gifts that I wasn't expecting to find.

29. Angel Trees - My MOMS club decided to sponsor some angels off the local tree this year. I have always enjoyed working with / buying for angel trees. In my previous life (before Emory) a lot of the clients I worked with truly benefited from these organizations. I jumped at the chance to take Emory to help pick out toys for someone that really needs them. I know that she won't remember this year, but it is a good tradition to start.

30. Christmas Season - I love getting out all the decorations (except when a mouse comes out along with them) and getting the house ready. I decided not to put a tree up this year :( . We won't be home on Christmas and I don't have a good way to keep Emory (or Boomer) away from a tree. I decided to do a little more as far as all the other decorations go. I'm already planning our birthday cake for Baby Jesus. Even though Christmas comes along with cooler weather, it is one of my favorite times of year.

I highly recommend doing a thankful list. It has made me realize how good my life is.

Ten years ago today.

I know, I have some catching up to do.

14. Cell Phones- My cell phone is my life line. I am ALWAYS on my cell phone. We made sure to get a cell phone plan that allowed me to talk to almost everyone without using all our minutes. I don't know what we would do without a friends and family plan.

15. Free Concerts- I have never lived in a place that offers so many entertainment options. There is a free concert every Friday and Saturday night about five minutes from our house. Emory LOVES to listen to music and dance. We went last weekend and had a wonderful time.

16. Blueberries- I know it sounds crazy, but right now Emory won't eat anything but blueberries. I keep envisioning Violet from Willy Wonka. There is one grocery store that still carries fresh blueberries and we go through at least 4 pints a week.

17. The Park- We have a park/ playground within walking distance to our house. We have been everyday this week. Emory loves the slides, swings and digging in the sand. Her friend, Noah, also lives in the neighborhood and has met us there many times.

18. Boomer- I love my puppy. I know, he's three and not really a puppy anymore. He is a huge part of our family and I don't want to imagine what we would do without him. One of Emory's first words was "pup-pee".

19. Arizona Allergy Associates- I am so thankful that we found a doctor that was able to tell me what was going on with Emory. We got the final results of her allergy tests this week and it is quite a list of things to avoid. I'm just glad that we were able to find out and are able to do something about it.

20. Girls Night- Wednesday was Moms Night Out for my MOMS club. My friends are so wonderful. They came over here for a game night since Eric is out of town and I wouldn't have been able to participate otherwise.

21. Eric- We had our first date 10 years ago, today. We went to Natasha's twentieth birthday party (happy birthday) and I took my cousin, Russell, along with me. Who knew that we would fall in love, get married and have a beautiful baby. I can't imagine a better husband, father or friend. Eric, I love you.

The list goes on

You know how you forget how important something is until you go without it, well our computer has decided not to cooperate lately. It is working today so I decided to take advantage of Emory's nap time. Here is the latest installment of my Thankful List.


9. Computers and Internet- I am addicted to the computer. I'm constantly checking my email, on Facebook, editing pictures or just playing online. My computer keeps me in touch with everyone back home.


10. Christmas Shopping- I love Christmas shopping! I love picking out gifts for my nieces, nephews and Emory. I start thinking about what to get people in September. We went to Toys'r'us last night and Emory wanted EVERYTHING. She will NOT, however, get everything.



11. Hand-me-downs- We love the fact that Emory has big cousins that are willing to share their previously loved clothes and shoes. I feel bad buying brand new winter clothes for such a short amount of cold weather.


12. Diet Mt. Dew- I used to drink a gallon a day before I got pregnant. I have since switched to one a day. I enjoy it first thing in the morning the way most people drink coffee. I savor every second of it.


13. Warm weather- We are supposed to have record breaking warm weather this weekend. This means that it should be in the low eighties and sunny all weekend. Most people think I'm crazy but I could live forever without seeing snow (or temperatures below seventy).

Thankful

I've been thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for and decided to copy this list. So in no particular order of importance (just the order of how things come up), here goes.


1. Weddings and Anniversaries - We went to the wedding of our wonderful friends Andrew and Amanda last weekend. I love weddings, everyone is so happy. I wish the Slades all the best. Tuesday was my grandparents' 58th wedding anniversary and I was very happy to be there to celebrate with them. I hope they have many more happy years together.

2. Family- Different people in my family will probably make this list again as individuals, but I can't imagine life without my family. We were very lucky to be able to visit with most of our family last week. It is hard to live so far away, however, it makes visits that much more special.

3. Friends- I consider my friends (old and new) to be family. I don't know how I got so lucky to have the wonderful friends that I have.

4. Democracy- I am very happy that the election is over. That being said I am very glad to live in a country where I have a say in our government. I am very excited to see what the future has in store for our country.

5. Birthdays- Today is my Mamaw's birthday. I love to celebrate the life of someone I love. Happy Birthday Mamaw!

6. Friendly flight attendants- We had the nicest flight attendant on our flight from Knoxville to Philadelphia. She let Emory play with the demo seat belt to keep her from unbuckling her own belt during takeoff and landing. She also brought her extra crackers that no one else got to have.

7. Home- I love visiting friends and family but nothing is better than sleeping in my bed.

8. Emory- Like I said this list is not in order of importance, just the order of how things come up chronologically throughout the month. Emory is one of the best people to come into my life. She truly makes me happy.