I am thankful for cream cheese icing... and the Publix Bakery!

My Thanksgiving dinner contribution in pictures.

It completely crumbled in my hand.

I was not happy.

I mean really not happy.

Layer 2 in pan.. my last hope.

I said a prayer... apparantly I was feeling charismatic.. or just desperate.

Nothing a little.. or a lot.. of cream cheese couldn't hide.. and who doesn't like a lot of icing around the holidays??

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Ah, to be a dog

 Last week you met my Mom, but now it is time for you to meet my precious little baby boy, Parker.

He's a 9 lb. Maltese with a ton of personality and a few funny quirks. For instance, Parker hates holding his own head up. If his head can be propped up on something, he'll take full advantage. It's hilarious. I can literally hold out my hand in front of his face and he'll look at me thankfully and rest his head on it. Don't believe me??

It started when we first adopted him. He leaned right against me.

But then realized his toy was perfect as a pillow!

 

See his head at the perfect level? He likes to use our legs as props too.

Parker couldn't reach the top of his shoulder so he just leaned.

Jumping onto the dining room table chairs and resting his head is almost a nightly norm, especially when we are eating at the table. It's so much easier to beg when your head is comfortable. Plus he knows it's all in the eyes.

BTW- Want to get our sweet Parker on a Hallmark Card??

Click the link below and VOTE! We need to get over 4,000 votes to win. You can vote daily on multiple computers. And please pass the word!! This is his second competition this year. He told me if he loses another one I'm not allowed to enter him in anymore. He must win!

Parker Johnson | A Dog Named Christmas

First Christmases

After the Kay commercial where the husband surprises his wife (holding their newborn) with a ring on their family's "first" Christmas:

Me: "That is so lame. It's not technically their first Christmas as a family."

Jeremy: "What do you mean?"

Me: "Well, it may be the baby's first Christmas, but it isn't the family's."

Jeremy: "Yes, it is."

Me: "No, it isn't. They were a family before the baby. The baby is an addition. It doesn't make them a family all of a sudden."

Jeremy: "But now they are a complete family."

Me: "What?! You mean, they weren't complete before?"

Jeremy: "No.. they were, but now they are more complete and it is their first Christmas as a family."

Me: "So what if they have a second child? Will that year be their first Christmas as a family too?"

Jeremy: "I guess..."

Me: "That's dumb. You can only have one first Christmas."

Jeremy: "No. It's their first Christmas all together."

Me: "Then, they should call it that instead their first Christmas 'as a family.'"

Jeremy: "It's just a commercial."

Me: "I just don't want you to pull out 'it's our first Christmas' if we ever have kids. We've had our first Christmas together. It's now in the past."

Jeremy: "But it will be our first Christmas together as a family."

Me: "We are a family!"

Jeremy: "Not a complete one."

Me: "And trust me, we won't be 'complete' for a while."

Oh, the joys of the holidays...

Meet Mom

Meet my Mom.

My mom is a fanatic about Christmas stuff. Between December 1 and December 31 of each year our house is transformed into a full on red, green, and white Christmas village. She has Santas, nutcrackers, candy dishes, figurines, garland, flags, plates, bowls, mugs, salt and pepper shakers, tablecloth, and on. Growing up I thought she had a problem. Seriously. Each year I would think she couldn't possibly buy anything more; we were full on Christmas trinkets, but no. My mom would somehow find room. A nativity scene, more Santas that danced, angels, additional candy dishes. It was/is insane. There is no doubting when it's Christmas at my parent's home.

And while growing up I made fun, I really do love it. Sadly, my home is quite the opposite. In December, I put a runner on my table, stockings on the wall (we don't have a fireplace), and one snowman out. Oh, and we have a tiny tabletop tree which we were given by some wonderful friends. It has been okay for the past two years. Jeremy and I live in a small apartment. We don't have room for normal Christmas tree nor do we have room to store stuff. I know it doesn't make sense to start my collection yet, but I'm really depressed about it this year.

So what do I do when I'm depressed about not having a home to decorate for the holidays? I make it worst by looking at all the items I would buy if I did have a house.

So while in Atlanta, I decide to stop by my favorite two shops: Limetree and Swoozies. And, of course, the stores are decked out for Christmas...And instead of quickly glancing around and leaving, I take pictures with my phone so that I can continue to torture myself even after I leave the store...

Love red and green. And I love the funkiness of this tree. I want a Dr. Suess style tree. And this one is almost perfect.

Not only do I like holiday mats, but I also love wreaths. 

 

 I almost bought this one anyways. It's handmade and one of those items I'd never seen before. I called Jeremy to let him know and he talked me out of it. I continued to debate the subject with myself for another 10 minutes after I got off the phone...

 

I don't know when I would use these or if ever, but it's so festive!

 

See.. torture. I don't know what I was thinking. But then, I came across something else: something for Thanksgiving. It caught my eye instantly.

You see, I'm not just envious of my mom's decorations. I'm also envious of the traditions my family has had. Jeremy and I are traveling every holiday. And since we spend each holiday with a different family we have yet to make our own traditions.

Don't get me wrong. I love spending time with our families and taking part in their traditions, but I'm really looking forward to having our own. Ones that are special to us. Ones that represent the blending of those traditions.

So when I saw this item, I knew I had to buy it.

 This year, Jeremy and I will be starting our very first family tradition! And who knows, maybe next year I'll have house to decorate!

Atlanta Friends

I grew up in a really small town in SOUTH Georgia. It is a town where everyone knows everyone and everything. You have to leave your house fully put together because you are bound to run into 20 people on any errand and the minute you misbehave the 'rents know.

As a child it was annoying. There was never anything to do. The most excitement came from trips to Tallahassee. Everything closed at 6 except for Wal-Mart and back then the restaurant choices were sparce. I couldn't wait to move away, My dream was to live it large in a big city!

So after college, when I was offered a job in Atlanta, I jumped at it! I was going to get my dream. I moved into an one-bedroom apartment 15 minutes from my office... in rush hour (which if you know anything about Atlanta traffic that in and of itself is amazing). I knew no one, but I didn't care. I was in the big city!

And I loved it. I loved the cooler weather. (It may have only been 10 degrees cooler, but, trust me, it makes a difference.) I loved watching the leaves change colors. I loved all the things I could do. I was very rarely bored. The shopping was wonderful...I LOVE to shop. But most of all I loved the friends I made.

 It took me six months to make my first friends.

We met through a Bible Study. We were all transplants and all had no friends in the area. I think the commonality bonded us immediately. We were also very raw with each other. I'd only had a few friends prior who I could be that real with and they still love me and want to hang out. We struggled together, laughed together, cried together, and were just together- good or bad.

As we met more people, we grew slightly. Some have married, some, including me, moved off, but we have still remained close. There is nothing I wouldn't do for these women. They are amazing, admired greatly, and this weekend I get to see them! I can't wait!!

 

Wednesdays

By Wednesday of each week I am exhausted. I've already worked two days, had one class, prepared for the other class to take place on Thursday, had a Junior League meeting, and prepared for S Group. My brain power is diminishing. I am forgetful about things like paying the rent or feeding the dog. I have knots in my back that push against my nerve endings causing sharp pains in my head. And if I can't work out (which in a week like this week is the case) I turn to food for comfort. My go to is a cold coke and chocolate.

 But thankfully Fox knew this. They knew that on Wednesdays of each week I need something to look forward to. I need something to give me a push into Thursday and Friday with a cheery attitude. I need Glee.

Yes, my Wednesdays revolve around Glee. I block out that hour for nothing else. I prepare in the morning by situating the couch cushions just right. I lay out my p.j.'s so I can run in the house, change, and wait. Wait for the joy that is about to come from my T.V.

For the past two weeks, I have followed this routine... and I am positive you have heard the yells at 9 p.m. coming from homes much like mine around the United States. Why? Because the World Series took its place.

*GASP*

I know. Can you believe it? First, why is Fox hosting the World Series? And second, is it really any mystery as to who is going to win anymore? Seriously?? The Yankees win it again.. for the gazillionth year. Yay... It's a little ridiculous to use all that T.V. space for the inevitable... especially when there are people who plan their Wednesdays around a show airing on that station!


But not today. I went online and tonight Glee is back!! My cushions are arranged. My p.j.'s are out. And I will be singing show tunes all day.

And to celebrate, I am off to the vending machine. Happy Hump Day!

Hard work

This picture was taken last year on mine and Jeremy's 1st Anniversary trip to San Antonio. It's hard to believe that we've been married for two and a half years. It may sound like a short amount of time, but it feels much longer.

Jeremy and I met in high school through his sister. I liked him instantly. But I had to wait. I waited 2 years until we dated the first time and another 2 years after our "summer fling" until the next time we dated. So when he proposed 3 years later, I wanted to yell hallelujah. I was tired of waiting to start our lives together.

I'll never forget the first time I was asked how I liked marriage. I laughed and said it felt like a 24 hour sleepover with my best friend. We were having so much fun. We'd known each other so long that moving in together wasn't too hard. We had our share of fights before we said I do, and had 2 marriage counseling classes to work through our expectations. It felt easy.

But you know, marriage isn't always easy. It is also really hard work.

These past few months have been tough. In August, I went back to school to get my MBA. Two nights out of the week I go after work and sit in a classroom until 8. Then, weekends are busy with papers, homework, and studying for tests. Two weekends ago I actually considered moving in to Panera so that I wouldn't have to carry my laptop back and forth. The manager explained to me, though, that I had to go home.

Then, I have work, Junior League, bible study, church, home group and friends that in order to keep as friends I need to hang out with occasionally. I feel stressed 24/7. The best way to explain it is that my brain is about 3/4 Einstein's brain (Yes, I'd like to think I'm that smart.), but I'm trying to cram enough information in it for 2 Einstein brains. It just isn't possible.

Then, there's Jeremy's schedule. He has work which starts at 6 a.m., Bible Study, home group, volunteer work, and his friends that he needs to see. He also had surgery 6 weeks ago and is still semi-recovering.

For about 3 weeks now, I have come home to Jeremy asleep on the couch. He gets up so early and works overtime, and I can't seem to get home before 9 at night!

Both of us have missed each other terribly. I've missed talking about our days. I've missed Jeremy's cooking. I've missed snuggling!

But you know what I haven't missed? I haven't missed the comfort in knowing that each night I get to fall asleep next to the love of my life. I haven't missed peace in knowing that this is just a stage and it will soon pass. I haven't missed the support and encouragement from Jeremy. I haven't missed the butterflies in my stomach when Jeremy kisses me good-bye for the day. And I haven't missed laughing with Jeremy over the stupidest things that no one else would find funny. I haven't missed all these things because they haven't left. He's my family now.

And when I do get a break from the busy life to spend with Jeremy, it is even more special Because in those moments it is just me and him.. our dog...and, for last night, our Johnson Movie night.... and it was perfect.

(Yes, Parker actually watches the movies with us. He really likes cartoons. Kung Fu Panda was his favorite.)