Christmas Fun...

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas.

We have had a blast.

Alanna and I sent Daddy home on Sunday and we have stayed behind in Arkansas for another few days.

I have so much to post at a later date.

But for now...

This was taken after church on Christmas Sunday.

Christmas Blogging Break...

We are with family, so I am taking a blogging break.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Remember...Jesus is the gift!

  

What I love Wednesday...

Cie-J got me a new bed for Christmas.

It's chocolate brown leather and it's perfect.

I love it!!

Then, with my Christmas money from my mother in law, I got a new comforter and pillows.

 I love it!!

The color is supposed to be a deep aqua.  This picture doesn't do it justice.

YAY for a grown up bedroom! 

I love it!!

 Today I am thankful that we are leaving for Dallas to stay with my brother.  YAY for family time!!

Things for Tuesday...

Alanna can say around 50 words right now.

It's amazing!  

She usually says two or three new ones a week.

Here are some of my favorites:

bap = bath

boofs = boots

Gunkle = Uncle Clint 

sees = cheese

dink = drink

gong = all gone

dee dee = binky

I could go on all day long because I just love everything she says.  But the most important one and my personal favorite is...

Uh ew = I love you!

  Yes, that is the nose sucker.  LOL!

Today I am thankful for my new bed.  What a huge difference a new box springs makes!

  

Monkey Monday...

I was busy dying last week and couldn't blog.

Thankfully, Alanna and I are on the mend and feeling much better now.  

Alanna was able to skype with her Mamaw in Indiana this weekend and opened her Christmas presents with her watching.

She opened her first present one tiny little rip at a time.  By the second gift, she had figured out how to rip the paper and get to her present!!

 

 She got all kinds of fruits and veggies and a big shopping cart to put them in!

 

I love that she's blurry in this picture because it shows how fast she was running with her new shopping cart!!!

 
She also got a little tea set (that she LOVES!) and a new sweater (that I LOVE!)

Thank you Mamaw!!!

Today I am thankful for antibiotics!

Well....

Alanna is pretty sick today so I don't have time for pictures.  They are coming though!!

Thank God for Walgreens and vicks.

We are pretty miserable at the Brown house.

Hopefully we can get in to our new pediatrician tomorrow and get all fixed up.

Today I am thankful for a new day tomorrow.  =)

I MISSED MONKEY MONDAY!!

I am back home and back on track.

So...here is your picture and we will resume the regular schedule tomorrow.

I bought this adorable outfit for Alanna in Indiana and can't wait for her to wear it here in Texas!!

Today I am thankful for a safe trip home from Dallas.  What a fun weekend!

Saturday funnies?!?

Sorry folks,  I wasn't able to blog yesterday and missed my Friday Funnies post.

I will save my story for next week.

However, today at a store, they were playing a Christmas CD and this particular song (Deck the Halls)had dogs barking to the part of "Fa la la la la la la la".

When we got out to the car and started to drive away, Alanna (in perfect dog bark and tone) sang "woof woof woof woof woof" just like the song in the store.

  I laughed so hard I almost couldn't see to drive.  I had tears running down my face.  Maybe you just had to have been there...but I'm telling you, it was HYSTERICAL!!!

Today I am thankful for a fun weekend trip at my brother and sister in law's house.

Thoughts for Thursday...

I get a weekly email from babycenter.com that reminds me how big my little monkey is getting. 

Today they let me know that she is HALF WAY to being two years old.  WHAT?!?

How did that happen?

Where did that half a year go?

Wasn't it just a month or so ago that we were blowing up balloons?

And getting the cupcakes ready?  And the smash cake.  Oh how I loved the smash cake!

 

And watching her take her first bites of sugar.

She was such a cute little birthday girl!!

So, who stole my six months?? Because it is not possible that it just flew by without me noticing!

P.S.

I do however, feel like we have already entered the terrible twos with this big girl attitude Alanna is sporting lately.  

OH MY!!

Today I am thankful for deep belly laughs with my baby girl.  We both laughed for a good 10 minutes on the couch today.  It was about....well...you'd just had to been there.

What I love Wednesday...

I really love my nativity set.

It's the Willow Tree brand.

It took several years to collect all the pieces but it was totally worth it.

I am considering keeping it out year round.

It's so beautiful.

Then again...little hands might find their way to it.

She can climb AND open doors now!!!

Nevermind. =) 

 Today I am thankful for a webcam.  It's so nice that Alanna gets to see her grandparents when she talks to them.  Any time I get out the computer...she starts asking for all of them.  It's cute.

Tasty Tuesday...

I have the BEST meatloaf recipe in the WORLD!!!

It is my mother in laws recipe and it is darn good.

Try it, you won't regret it.

1# ground chuck or sirloin

1/2--3/4 # hot italian sausage  (slightly more beef than pork)

couple eggs

1 snack size crunched up cheese-its 

1T Tuscan seasoning (if you don't have this, italian would work too)

1pkg meatloaf seasoning

1/4c chopped onion

1/4 c finely chopped green bell pepper

1/4c finely chopped red bell pepper  

(I buy the frozen onion and peppers...it works great!!)

dash of liquid smoke

 

Mix all the stuff up.  Add spicy V8 (half a can).  Bake @ about 350 for 45 min, (drain it) then the last 15 min or so @ 425.  Brush the top w/ketchup or BBQ sauce the last 15 mins.

This recipe changed my life.  I hated meatloaf until I ate this.  Try it tonight!  Your family will thank you.

Today I am thankful for nap time.  Most mom know what I mean.  =)

Monkey Monday...

 

 This is Alanna.

 This is her Daddy around the same age.

They don't look a thing alike.

(note sarcasm)

I love love love that she looks like him.  

Problem is...she ACTS like me!

Today I am thankful for a healthy family.  There is a lot of sickness in this world and a lot of families with sick kids.  THANK YOU LORD for a healthy family!

Friday Funnies...

This is a totally true story.

 

Several nights ago, Alanna woke up in the middle of the night crying.  This happens sometimes and she usually goes back to sleep on her own.

I woke up and laid there waiting to see if she went back to sleep.  Her cries became louder and louder and she started yelling "Mama!  Mama!"  

I knew it was time to go in there.

When I got in her room, she was standing and pointing at something.  I asked her what was wrong and she said "Mama....hat!"  Excuse me?!?  I asked her what she wanted again and she said "hat!" and put her hand on the top of her head.  She continued to say "hat" over and over.  

 

I told her it was time to go to sleep and laid her back down.  She immediately stood up, started crying, and saying "hat! hat! hat!"  

I got her Old Navy hat and put it on her head and kissed her goodnight.  She stopped crying, laid down, and fell right back asleep!!!

 

So from 2:00 in the morning until 8:30, my child slept with a hat on.  

 Today I am thankful for my Mom's Club.  We had a fun time today!

Thursday's Thoughts...

Here is my 2010 accomplishment list for the Brown family.

We did good.

#1 - We survived the first year as being parents!  I tell ya, those first six months were nuts!


#2 - Packed up and moved to Indiana for hubby's job.


#3 - Transitioned from living on two incomes to one income.


#4 - Packed up and moved again three months later for hubby's promotion at said job.


#5 - Switching to 75% of what we eat to being organic foods.


#6 - Making and sticking to a budget.


#7 - Starting chiropractic care for the whole family.


#8 - Praying every single night as a family and snuggling in bed while we do it.


#9 - Replaced 90% of sugar intake with stevia.


#10 - Eating dinner at the dinner table, every night,  with the tv off.
2010 has been a great year so far.  Come back for our goal list for 2011.

Today I am thankful for tinted windows on my car.  It will make the Texas heat a bit more bearable. 

What I HATE Wednesday...

I'm changing it up a bit today.  

Usually it's what I LOVE on Wednesdays but today it's what I HATE.

Footy pajamas are completely adorable on children.

In fact, some days I can't get enough and let Alanna stay in them until lunch time.  Shhh...don't tell. 

See....completely and adorably scrumptious.  

Footy pajamas for adults???

Just plain CREEPY!!!

I HATE these.  

Dear Target, 

I have always thought you were the coolest store.  But seeing these today made me wonder if you are loosing your cool points.  Please get rid of these pronto. 

Thanks.

Let me leave you with a cute little picture of Alanna so  you won't have nightmare of the last one I posted. (shiver)

 Awwww.

Today I am thankful for Christmas lights.  Everyone in Texas does 'em up big!

Talk for Tuesday...

Can you believe it is almost December?!?

Where did 2010 go?

I am baffled.

I have decided to compile a top ten list for 2010.

The top ten things that happened for the Browns.

#1 being that we survived the first year of being parents.  HOORAY!  That's big...like BIG BIG. 

Then I will come up with a top ten goal list for 2011.

If you don't set goals, you don't have anything to work towards.

#1 will be to potty train my child!!  

Oh boy...well girl actually. =)

Oh and since this post is turning out to be totally random...

I already have my Friday Funnies story for this week.  

Stay tuned...you won't want to miss this one...

Today I am thankful for the show 'Hoarders'.  It inspires me to clean my house each and every episode.

Monkey Monday...

Alanna is VERY busy most days.

She has many important phone calls to make.

Sometimes she has to use them both at the same time.

I wonder how busy she will be when she is 2???

P.S. We are just about half way there!  *tears*

Today I am thankful for coffee.  LOTS and LOTS of coffee!

Friday Funnies...

I am at the bank to see about opening up a new checking account.

I have to go in the manager  guy's little office. 

It's seriously the size of a postage stamp. 

He is talking to me about the different types of accounts they have when all of a sudden Alanna rips a HUGE fart!!!

I WAS MORTIFIED!

I wanted to say "that wasn't me" but I couldn't make any noise come out of my mouth.  He obviously heard it but was trying VERY hard to stay professional and keep going like nothing happened.

At that moment...Alanna busted out laughing and said "poo poo!"

He and I both cracked up and at that moment, the appointment was over.

And by the way, she was right.

Today I am thankful for Buffalo Wild Wings.  It was our Thanksgiving meal.

Thankful...

Today I am reminded to be thankful.

I am thankful for a Savior.  

I am thankful that He loves me no matter what.

I am thankful for my family.

I am thankful for a husband that provides for me so that I get the privilege of staying home with my daughter.

I am thankful for a beautiful, smarty pants, and healthy little red head that melts my heart daily.

I am thankful for the country we live in and the men and women that give their lives daily for that freedom.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I think we should be thankful every single day of the year.  Instead of putting my usual tag at the end of my blog of "something super and something rotten"  everyday; I think I will change that to something I am thankful for everyday.

P.S. YAY...Christmas is SOO close now!!

 I am thankful for a good job that brought my hubby and I to Texas.

What I love Wednesday...

I'm alive!  I didn't die and everything stayed inside me today!  I know, TMI...but it's my blog and I can say what I want.  HA!

On a side note...Alanna got a good report from her teacher today!  She said she is a great baby and fun to have in class.  She goes once a week.

I'm so proud.

So....this is what I am loving lately.

(boo...it won't let me put the picture)

http://www.amazon.com/Concords-Chiquita-Banana-Bread-Mix-6/dp/B0032K1W98

 

Seriously.  Have you tried it?  

It's AMAZING!  (thanks mom)

Go buy it.  Today.

Something Super:  Christmas is almost here!

Something Rotten:  Cavities...UGH!!

I'm falling behind!!!

I was sick as a dog last night and thought I might die.

The good news is...I'm alive and everything is staying inside of me today.  (TMI!)

I had a recipe that I wanted to share today but nothing sounds good and I can't eat, so typing a recipe makes me feel sick.  Sorry.

Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

Something Super:  I didn't die last night! =)
Something Rotten:  Garlic shrimp is NOT good the second time around!

Monkey Monday...

 

Something Super:  We found a GREAT Mexican place here!

Something Rotten:  The dryer stopped working and we had to buy a new one.

Friday Funnies...

***WARNING***

This story might be TMI for some folks.

Alanna follows me everywhere these days and I mean EVERYWHERE!

Lately, she's been imitating my every move as well.

SO....she finds a pantyliner in my room a few days ago and proceeds to peel the backing off of it. She marches right up to me and lifts my shirt and sticks it on my stomach.

The funny part is...she clapped for herself when she was finished.  =)  

For the record, I have never clapped for myself.  I don't know where she got that part.

Something Super: I am putting up the Christmas tree this weekend!!

Something Rotten:  Alanna is getting four teeth at the same time.  This means very little sleep.

I'M BACK!!!!

We can now resume our regularly scheduled program.

We are happy to be in Texas and finally feel like we are getting settled.  It's been a rough road here but the good news is...we are here!! 

I have successfully found a "mommy club", Mothers Day Out program (seriously check it out), and we are on the hunt for a good church.

I will leave you with a picture.

 

We found this little greasy spoon here called "Charcoal House".  

Alanna was waiting for her grilled cheese.

Something Super:  YAY...we have internet and cable!!
Something Rotten:  The roaches in Texas are HUGE!  Don't ask how I know this...

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to my Hubby for serving and for picking me to walk beside you.

 P.S. Doesn't he just look so good in this uniform?!?