What are you THANKFUL for?

This holiday always comes at just the right time for me. It always comes when I need to be more intentional about thanking people and realizing how much I have to be thankful for. I am very blessed and sometimes need to remember that instead of complaining. I am definitely a complainer and I have NO reason to do so...

I have a wonderful husband. He loves me so much and it is SO obvious how much he loves Julianna. He goes to work every day while I stay home with Julianna and although sometimes staying at home seems like a chore, I am very lucky to have that option. Ike, I love you and Julianna and I are SO thankful for YOU!

I have an amazing daughter. I don't need to say much here. Anyone who reads this blog knows how in love with her I am. She means the world to me. What a blessing to be her mother.

I have a loving and supportive family. Who could ask for more in that department?! Although they are far away I know they would be here in a minute if I needed them.
I hope I am as good of a parent to Julianna and my Mom and Dad are for me. Who would have thought that I would call my parents EVERY day? They probably look at the caller ID and say "It's Caroline again." Thank you for being my parents and loving me the way you do. And if Julianna asks where Pop Pop is one more time I am going to demand that you move to Memphis! :)

I am also thankful to live closer to Ike's family. There aren't many opportunities to do so with the Navy and we are happy to be here. They have been great with watching Julianna over the weekend for us, taking us to Auburn games, and this year we get to spend the holidays with them! It is nice to know we do have some family nearby!!

I have great friends.... all over the place! It is a blessing and a curse to move so frequently. It is hard to leave friends (old and new) that you have made but a blessing to know that you will continue to make more friends along the way. Thank you for putting up with me, for discussing ridiculous TV shows with me, for entertaining me, for listening to story after story about Julianna, and for occasionally putting me in my place. That's what friends are for, right?!

And not to sound silly, but I am extremely thankful for Julianna's preschool. That time when she is at school is not only a blessing to her but it does wonders for me! She has sweet little friends and loves her teachers. I get to unwind a bit, have a little "me" time, get some things done around the house, and I feel like I am a better mother for it.

And I never would have known when I started this blog what a blessing it would be for me. I actually was a little hard headed about doing it at first but it has become such a fun project for me. I love keeping my family and friends up to date and finding out the people who read it that I never would have guessed. It is such a fun outlet and I hope to have it all printed out some day for Julianna. I love the internet "friendships" that have been formed here.

I have a wonderful life and I could not ask for more. Thank you God for all of my many blessings!

Two peas...

If these aren't two peas in a pod!!! I really liked this picture and had to sneak on here to post one for Caroline. Julianna is learning new songs and likes hearing Mommy play them on the piano. Every song ends with "do it again."

Preschool Thanksgiving Feast

What a BLESSING! We love our preschool and feel so lucky that Julianna is there. They had their Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday and it was precious. Here are some pics of the festivities.


The "dining table."


All of Julianna's school buddies.


This year I am thankful for... this turkey!


How cute are the babies!! haha I love it. They all had little Indian names on their high chairs and wearing their Indian head dress. :) Sweet babies!


And one clever mom made these turkey treats!


Hey, Indians know better than anyone... when nature calls you can't ignore it! :)

2 going on 21!

It is obvious that we have read Fancy Nancy one too many times lately. Yesterday as we were playing with stickers Julianna says, "This is SO posh!" I could have died. What a little stinker. She makes me laugh.
And I almost forgot... this weekend she said her first "Y'all!" We were leaving cousin's house and she yelled from her car seat, "Y'all have fun!" :)

School Picture Day

It was picture day at school today so Julianna was all decked out in her dress, new red shoes, and even her bracelet! Here are a few pics I took at the house this afternoon when she got home. She made it through the whole day without messing up her dress! Pretty impressive for a 2 year old.


Say "Cheese!"


Not a very lady like pose, but a sweet face! :)

What a weekend!

So, I have decided that Ike and I were on crack when we planned our weekend. We drove from Memphis to Columbus, GA on Friday night getting there around midnight. Yes, with Julianna in the car with us. She was a pretty good sport and fell asleep finally in the car around 9pm. We stayed with our friends Mike and Jana who have been tailgating with the Stutts' for over 10 years at Auburn. (Their daughters were flower girls in our wedding.) We got up around 6am and drove from their house to Auburn the next morning to set up the tailgate spot. The game was great, too bad Auburn lost but it was SO much fun to be there. The girls (above in their new Auburn chairs from Nana and Papa) stayed at the tailgate day care with Nana and Papa while JM, Carlton, Ike, and I went to the game. Check out JM's blog for more pics. We got back to Decatur around 830pm Saturday night. We left today around 130 to head back to Memphis after lunch at Panera. Julianna was so over the car ride and Ike and I were completely exhausted, but I think it was worth it. I am already in bed and as soon as this is posted I will be snuggled in and asleep before 8:45pm! :)

Maryland Pics

I LOVE this beautiful little girl!


Best Buds


Julianna took her job very seriously!


More pics on the water.


"Cheers" with the flowers.


Sitting with Daddy. Starting to get sleepy! It had been a long day.


Outside with Pop Pop.


Family pic on the pier.

Walking to see the boats.

What a smile!

Downtown Annapolis looking at more boats. (Not many boats in Memphis, we have to get our fix!)

On our road trip we stopped in Williamsburg, VA.

The trees were gorgeous everywhere!

Our sweet little family. What did we do before Julianna was born? Did I take pictures then?

In the airport Julianna rides in style. She always rides on my suitcase when she and I travel alone. That way I don't need a stroller and she thinks it is so much fun. Daddy wanted a turn to pull this time since he was with us on our flight back. I love this pic, you can tell we were talking fast!! Everyone laughs at us when we pass by.

Fun with Friends

Visiting with Bethany and Audrey in Annapolis.


Then Blake in Virginia Beach.


And new baby Luke of course!


Dinner with Uncle Arthur in Salisbury.


And dress up in Memphis with our friend Claire down the street.

More pics from our trip to MD to come!

Just a "few"

O-M-G

Julianna was the best flower girl EVER!!!! I am so proud of her. She was such a good girl the WHOLE DAY!! The wedding was beautiful. Pics soon...

All packed up and ready to go!!!

Julianna has her suitcase and she is ready to go. We are flying to Maryland tomorrow and are so excited. Julianna and I are going to be in a wedding this weekend. We have been practicing her flower girl smile. My friend Erin is getting married on Saturday and we are really happy to be a part of the wedding. We will be staying with Mom and Dad for the week! See you tomorrow NeeNee and PopPop. Can't wait!!! Pray for a quick, safe, HAPPY flight.

Meet Our New Neighbor

This is Bentley our new neighbor! HOW CUTE IS HE??? Julianna had a ball playing with him yesterday. It reminds me how cute Lucy was when she was a little baby. Why can't they stay that small and sweet forever?!