the house that built me.

there once was a brown brick house down a winding narrow road lined by trees for miles.
past the baseball fields and under the railroad tracks.
a house filled with memories of a mommy and a daddy and their two little girls.
a yard that was perfect for snowball fights, playing catch, swimming pools, and bare feet.
acres of land that were driven by four wheelers and beloved pets that are buried beneath the ground.
a porch that welcomed you on cold rainy nights and had countless good byes said from it on the steps under the porch light.
a door that creaked as well as some of the floors.
a laundry room filled with basketballs and helmets, socks and shoes.
a kitchen that was cooked in and danced in.
a living room filled with voices.
a dining room table where there once was a fort built.
a hallway that was always a bit creepy and the sound of knuckles being run down the paneling.
bedrooms filled with laughter from sleepovers and early morning wake up calls-the sun flooding the rooms after the curtains were open.
the faint sound of the train in the background.
a den where christmas morning were spent.
and mommy and daddy's room.

there once was a little girl who grew up in this house and will leave so many memories there, the good and the bad, all a part of her.
so good bye one last time, but this time for good.
not a place untouched or a room unseen.
good bye to a house that is loved, but not forgotten.

love always,
the little girl

saying good-bye to a home and a chapter.

the nostalgia began as soon as my tires hit the highway.

the skies were the perfect shade of gray, mist fell lightly on my windshield, the trees were extra prickly and the auburn tones of the hills drew me in.

it's typical for the thoughts in my head on the -not so quite- 2 hour drive back "home" to be somewhat sentimental, but this day was a bit different.

i was heading "home" for my mother's retirement party and to say good-bye to the home we grew up in.

you see my mom worked at one place for 37 years. yep, that's right. 3-7 years. this place was not just a place of work. it was a place of love and of friendship and family. my mom and dad met there. baby showers and wedding showers were thrown there. many birthdays and picnics and holiday parties-mom's gold party dress will always be embedded in my mind. the smell of my dad's cologne, his tie, and the clicks of mom's shoes as they got ready for work. this place was special even before my sister and i were born and then as we grew the people were still there. the people, that's what made this place. joyce-always singing someone happy birthday opera style mind you. marsha-always making everyone laugh, richard-giving us money to go buy something from the candy/pop machines in the cafeteria, angela-always had a smile on her face and something nice to say, lanny-too cool for school, linda and her california raisins, pam, donna and ida, just to name a few, dad-the prankster, and mom was, well, she was the proud momma-every time we were up for a visit she would parade us around the office and once rylan and tenley were born the parading carried on another generation. i couldn't be more blessed to know these people. they have celebrated birthdays with me, graduations, my wedding and now my babies. these people are great.

the party went well. my momma spoke and did a good job at making us all cry. it's been a long time coming and, perhaps, she won't stop working, i doubt she ever will, but it's a new season and a new journey and i'm excited for her.

on the way out my sister and i passed by my mom's old office. it was strange seeing someone else in that chair. i will never forget that place or the times i spent sleeping under her desk, but most of all i will never forget the people.

afterwards, we stopped at our favorite BBQ joint in town. then we took the faithful drive back to our old home. my mom and dad moved out about 3 years ago and have been trying to sell it ever since. the day had finally come so it was time to say our good-byes.

i followed rylan down the hall and watched him head directly for my old room. it was as if he knew, straight to the very room where momma laid in bed every night and listened to the distant rumble of the train. where sleepovers were had, where my best friend kim got stuck in the bathroom and had to hammer the hinges off the door to get out, where we jammed out to destiny's child and snuck out the back door, where i did a lot of thinking and growing up and most importantly where i finally realized how much i needed the Lord in my life.

we walked through every room that night and shared different memories. like how the light switch in the "red room" was upside down still to this day by dad's "handiwork" and how the door to the closet sticks. how we "fished" with our toy fishing poles in the hallway and exactly where the floor creaks in the living room.

that house is bursting at the seams with memories, some good, some bad, but it will always hold a special corner in my heart.

we took a family picture out front and i drove away for the last time.

good-bye old house. may you be filled with lots of joy, laughter and love in the days to come.

i will miss you my dear friend.

why yes, we did celebrate Christmas.

after ry's first birthday party, we had dinner with nick's side of the family. since they were all in from out of town we celebrated christmas with them that night. that's right, ry had double the presents! maybe being a "christmas" baby isn't so bad after all! i know he's not complaining!

 on christmas eve we went to my family's house and woke up to celebrate on christmas morning. and i must agree with my friend courtney-little boys in christmas pjs are just too much! seeing that little tush in his jams-definitely one of my most favorite things from this christmas :)

by the way...ry may or may not be sporting his christmas jammies again today because i just can't get enough :)

we should celebrate christmas every day, right?!

Ry's Foxy 1st Birthday!

ry's first birthday party was a success! 

all the planning, stressing and hard work finally came together! 

and my little fox partied his little tail off!

best year of my life.

decorations: 

black & white checkered tablecloth: hobby lobby

green tablecloths: target

banners: homemade-burlap/stencil/paint, canvas/paint, pom pom/string

hawaiian table skirt (on wall): hobby lobby

succulents & pots: hobby lobby

cake stands: target & wal mart

toy fox: hobby lobby

woodland finger puppets: oriental trading

wood piece (under cake stands): hobby lobby

moss mats: hobby lobby (are you catching a trend here?)

beverage bucket: target

goodie bags:

paper sacks: michael's

black & white striped washi tape: michael's

it's a party & chevron stamp: michael's

food:

trees: broccoli

acorns (not pictured): hersey kisses, mini vanilla wafers, topped with peanut butter chips-all held together by peanut butter

toadstools: cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cheese sticks

berries: strawberries

twigs: pretzel sticks

mossy logs: twisted pretzel sticks rolled in cream cheese frosting and green sprinkles

cheese dip & chips

cheese ball & crackers

cakes: homemade

drinks:

water & coke

merry christmas.

"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

oh my dear.

that sweet face-bah! i can't get enough of him. we did good Mr. Baker ;)

we got some great shots during ry's one year photo session with Oh My Dear Photography! If you remember Courtney did our maternity and newborn sessions as well and it seems like that was just yesterday. seriously, where did the time go?

and since ry isn't technically one yet i'm going to hold off on showing too much, but, you guys, i died over his smash cake pics. 

more to come.