Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary

Happy Birthday to our son-in-law Ryan. Ryan we've always said "you fit like a glove" in our family. You were just somewhat of a kid when you and Cortney started dating. We've always be so proud of you and proud to say you belong to us.

Ryan is terrific guy who has a fierce love for our Lord and Saviour, our beautiful daughter, Cortney and those three precious babies. Happy Birthday, Ryano! We love you!

This is where is all happened five years ago today. The beautiful Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and what a beautiful day it was. We woke to find six inches of fresh snow had fallen overnight.

The wedding of our precious baby girl, Casey, took place on that snow topped mountain that day and it was magical. Casey you were one of the two most beautiful brides I've ever seen. I'll never forget how nervous you were as Lou was putting your makeup on. How, you jumped up, started pacing the floor, then said "calm down, it's just Josh"! I still get tears in my eyes when I recall this. How just saying the word "Josh" had such a calming effect on you.

Case, I remember so many times you saying, "but, when am I going to find my guy, I'm not going to settle, I want someone who's going to treat me like daddy treats you and how Ryan treats Cortney" and we would always tell you, "God has that special person for you, and he will reveal him when he's ready". And boy were we ever right. Thanks Josh for coming along! Josh was the perfect fit for our baby girl. He puts her on that same pedestal that Ryan puts Cortney on and Alvin puts me on.The above picture is my favorite picture taken at their wedding. You can just see the love flowing, even with their eyes closed. We love you guys - Happy Anniversary!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Another transformed room. AAAAH! This was our laundry room/morning room a couple of months ago. I've always loved this room however, it's never really been decorated like I wanted. The washer/dryer are behind the bi-fold doors, so it can be used as a funtional morning room or office. As you can see from the picture below I used to have my desk in there. This is where I had my desk top computer until it bit the dirt and I purchased a lap top.

This is what the room looks like today. I LOVE IT!!!! When I found my $50 dollar cabinet at Lucky's I ditched the desk and started adding things to the room that I already had. When Christmas started rolling around I thought it would be nice to add a some Christmas to it. I don't go all out decorating every room for Christmas and I thought this would be a nice touch for the back part of the house.

And here's Mr. Snowman, isn't he cute, just look at that sweet face. I bought him a couple of weeks ago for 1/2 price at Hobby Lobby - $8.

Here's my Lucky cabinet (still needs something on the shelves behind the glass doors).

And looky here.....aren't these the cutest presents and they look mighty cute on top of those candlesticks I bought in LA! The presents were on clearance at Cato's. Who would have ever thought candlesticks could be used in so many ways (remember, I had ceramic pumpkins on them at Halloween).

I bought this cute plate last year at Khols for around$4 I think. I just love the little snowmen. I think they look alot like Alvin and myself!

I love this ornament. I won it a bunko a few years ago.

And of course the most important thing. A picture of our pride and joy.

Sweet little stinkers.

And all the stockings were hung by the chimney with care. This is what you do if you don't have a fireplace. Thanks Kirklands for your great ideas! Love that store!!!

This has nothing to do with Christmas, but momma bought me this sign from Hobby Lobby of course, for my birthday. I love what it says.......as matter of fact I came real close to naming my blog Live, Laugh & Love.

This is looking from the back door.

Oh, and my little tree was $10 at Luckys.

And that's my cute laundry/morning room!

Just a quick note!

Are these not the sweetest little guys you have ever laid eyes on!!! Y-U-M-M-Y!!!! Mom and I made a quick trip to Little Rock today and met Cortney with these two little ones. Reid was in school dadgummit and we didn't get to see him. However, we got lots of kisses from these two precious ones........
Here they are with GiGI, aren't those the sweetest little outfits. Cade is totally in love with Ridge, isn't it sweet that he's holdin' little Ridges hand. As matter of fact he keep trying to feed Ridge his slaw at lunch! HA!!!

Hard to believe this sweet one will be four months old in a few days. He is absolutely the happiest baby I have ever seen. He has a smile for everyone!

Well girls, this chick is totally exhausted. Thank goodness it is suppose to be rainy and yucky tomorrow. I plan on staying in my PJ's all day long, finishing up my decorating and hopefully finish up my wrapping. I lack one gift card being finished with Christmas shopping. YEA!!!!!

Cards and Letters for "Fridays Show and Tell"

Kelli over at There Is No Place Like Home sponsors Show and Tell each Friday and I'm excited to be participating for the first time this week. I wanted to show some letters and cards from my Grandma and Poppa that are very near and dear to my heart.

As you can see these letters were written in the 70's when stamps were a lot cheaper.

The letter on the left is from my grandma dated February 5, 1975 and the one on the right is from my poppa, written on January 26th, 1973 (poppa wrote this letter right after Alvin and I married. I wanted to read an excerpt from my poppas letter that has always stuck with me. It reads:

"When I take a short look in the past it only seems like a very short time since you were just a little girl and we have a little snapshot of you where you were about 3 or 4 years old and you had my old big work shoes on and then I wonder where time has went to. But people must realize that time must go on and on and on. But we must realize too that we must make the very best of what we have left of course. We never can know excactly what is best for us as we never know for sure that there will even be a tomorrow and we must take a solemn look at ourselves and ask this question. Have I done everything today I should have done or not and if I have not, promise ourselves tomorrow I will try".

Aren't these vintage Christmas cards beautiful. They are from my grandparents as well.

Thank you for visiting my show and tell. And thank you for letting me share a small bit of my poppa's wisdom.


P.S. I just realized my link is not working for Kelli so just go to kellishouse.blogspot.com to read Kelli's wonderful blog.

Easy come easy go

See this gorgeous black and white zebra print occasional chair. I had it in my very clutches yesterday morning at Luckys. Or a least I thought I did. Last week when Lou and I were shopping we ran across this baby for $199 which I thought was a pretty good deal. However, I really didn't need it nor was I wanting to spend that kind of money before Christmas. Well, lo and behold.....they had one a Luckys yesterday morning. Are you ready for the price! Drum Roll please............$40! HEAVENS TOO BETSY!!! Did someone say $40. Yep! I found it in the back on a pallet that still had lots of boxes of furniture in shrink wrap. I told Lucky I wanted it and he said he would have it ready for me to pick up in a couple of hours. He wouldn't let me pay for it because he wanted to make sure it was salvagable first. No problem. I came home found the perfect place for my $40 chair. Called Lou and bragged a little! Called Lucky about 11:00 and heard the dreaded words.......it was broken beyond repair. Well fiddle dee dee! What's a girl to do......go back again this afternoon to see if there might be another one. This chick ain't given up until she finds another one.......come on girls, the hunt is on!!!!
Since we're on the subject of black and white. Just look at my little darling "Boscoe". I walked in this morning to find him all cozied up. He ain't worried about no ole black and white chair! But wait! The could be another cozy place upon which to place his lanky body. Oh, wouldn't he be cute laying in that black and white chair!!!

Girls, I don't know about ya'll but I am revived up like a full blown hot rod engine today. My mind is going ninety to nothin, just wish my body would catch up with it. Gotta run! Ya'll have a wonderful day. And if you happen to see that dadgum black and white zebra print chair running around for $40, be sure and catch it for me. LOL!!!

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Jacquie over at The Middle of Eleven. Jacquie is one of the sweetest blog friends I have. We have actually exchanged email addresses and email each other frequently. We hope to meet on one of my trips to see my daughter.

Anyhow, I'm supposed to share eight random things about myself and tag eight people. Most everyone I blog with has already been tagged. So feel free to play along. Here goes......

1. I have used the same brand mascara since I was sixteen and started wearing makeup. Most things in life change. Not my GREAT LASH mascara by Maybelline. No sir ree. This baby has always looked exactly like this (well the top was a little sleeker than the bottom). It's always come in these cute colors of hot pink and lime green. In high school I wore the blue. That's right, I had blue eyelashes. HA!!! I've grown up now dadgummit and brownish black seems to be the choice these days!


2. I LOVE tablelamps. As soon as I walk into our house I turn on most all the lamps. I love the warm inviting touch it adds to our home.


3. I do not like scary movies. If I HAVE to go I sit there with my hands over my face peeping through my fingers. It never fails I always scream out loud like an idiot and pee my pants at least once during the film!

4. Mince meat pies send my gag reflex into full motion.

5. I'm not a breakfast food eater. But I can eat cold sour kraut straight out of the fridge first thing in the morning. When I was home, momma always wanted us kids to have breakfast before school, well I just couldn't eat breakfast food. Momma would ask what she could fix me and I would always say a "cheeseburger". You guessed it, momma always fixed me a cheeseburger. Thanks Mom!!!

6. I don't get British humor. I've tried. Just don't!

7. My hair has NEVER looked like this, because my hair has NEVER, EVER been longer than my shoulders. I'm just a short haircut kinda gal!8. I used to be TERRIFIED to fly!!!! There. I said it! I'm fifty-five years old. I have been a flight attendant for five years. So basically, I was terrified for fifty years. WOW!!! That just seems weird doesn't it. How did I get over it you ask! All it takes is for your daughter to try it, like it and tell you over and over, "mom, you should try this, remember mom, planes don't just fall out of the sky"! So here I am loving every minute of something I used to be terrified of doing!!!

The Winner.......

........of these cute little Christmas tree towels is....

Mimi's Memories


This is "Mimi" or Emilie

I'm just tickled pink that Emilie over at Mimi's Making Memories
has won my giveaway. Emilie is a wonderful christian lady with the cutest granddaughter Emma Boo. She also has two daughters Grace at Amaze of Grace and Faith at Walk with me by Faith. Emilie also has a cooking blog - Mimi's Making Meals .

Congratulations Emilie! Email me your address and I'll get these towels out to you so you can enjoy them this holiday season!

Thanks to all my friends who entered. Stay tuned. You never know when I may go shopping again and find the perfect gift for my bloggy friends!