This Man

This man who loves his family enough to get up and go tirelessly to work to provide us financial stability.
This man whose chest is the perfect pillow for a stuffy nosed child and strong arms comfort when the world seems dark.
This man who has worked hard the last six months to apply for graduate school.
This man who is committed to devoting himself to family and work is once again a student.
This man is officially a member of the Fall 2011 UGA Executive MBA program. 
And I could not be more proud of him.

This family is now committed to doing what we have to do to get him through these next few years.

Because it what is right for us and our future.

Congrats my love, we are so very proud of you.

The Great Holiday Stress Out

I have a love affair with the holiday season. I absolutely love everything about it, the traditions, the decor and even the cool weather. Christmas trees should be accompanied by a fire and hot cup of cocoa.
 However, I don't need the snow. It's pretty and all but I prefer to not feel like my limbs are going to freeze off. A few years ago, Craig and I spent Christmas in Colorado and let me tell you I had quite the perfect picture in my head about how wonderful a white Christmas would be. I was dead wrong. It is not for me. It was down right cold and I did not even leave the condo on Christmas. Not to mention, we did not exchange any gifts. We did it before we left so we wouldn't have to travel with them and it really felt like any other day. It was downright weird. It was not a favorite memory at all. I missed my family, I missed the hustle and bustle of waking early making coffee and cinnamon rolls and opening gifts. This Southern Gal likes "her Christmas" cool but not frigid and full of family.

My only complaint with the holidays is undoubtedly there is stress. Presents for friends and family, getting the decorations up, parties and Christmas cards. Last year, I failed at Christmas. I ordered pictures too late so I had to come up with new presents literally the day before Christmas. I was wrapping at the final hour and the Christmas cards resulted in me staying up way too late one night texting friends for current addresses and addressing envelopes. I am pretty confident that most got there card after Christmas. It was nightmare. I vowed to never repeat it.

This year,I started coming up with presents early fall and by December 1st my gifts were bought AND wrapped. We put up our tree and I immediately placed all the gifts under it. Santa is in hiding. Our decorations are out and this year I am having fun with the holidays. Baking cookies, watching movies and relaxing. Relishing in what should be done this season not stressing out. And when I realized we had no good pictures for the Christmas card and that we would need to take a few and then that would mean cards arriving too close to Christmas to not cause stress I came up with a new plan. The New Years card. I think its fantastic and it just may be our family's thing. It will arrive after the masses. Not to mention NYE is a very special night to me. It is the night not too many years ago I met my dashing man sporting a bow tie and the rest is, well, history.

And the holiday season will be low stress because I am not ruining the season over a card, presents or decorations ever again.

A perfect day

Yesterday was a perfect day. It began with quiet cuddles, eggs and a warm cup of coffee. EJ and I let Daddy sleep in while we lounged in our pjs and did laundry. Later, we got dressed and headed to the mountains in quest of the perfect Christmas tree. Winter arrived just in time for us to step out of the car and realize that our trip would be brief but completely worth it. After checking the selection we picked our tree and bought it, grabbed a quick cup of cocoo, a few family pics and headed home.

We decorated the tree, relaxed and watched football. While EJ and Momma naped Daddy blew leaves and after the babe was in all snug in his bed for the night we built a fire and relaxed together. By 10pm we had both dozed off and headed to bed. It was quiet day of family fun. But it was perfect.

Farm Boy

I am pretty sure that within the next few years the boy will be begging to go to the Farm constantly. Its a good thing he is the apple of my parents eye. I have sneaky suspinion that all it will take is a phone call to Gammie and farm bound he will be. He is right at home in the dirt, mud, puppies, tractors and ducks. Needless to say he is all boy.