Happy Birthday to My Son

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON!!

sliding at church is so fun!

I had wanted to get this post up yesterday, but we were too busy CELEBRATING! After church, we hurried over to Raleighwood to catch the movie, Bolt. Aaron seemed to really enjoy the movie, and the fun of eating popcorn, french fries, chicken fingers and drinking soda! All the bad stuff that you MUST enjoy on your birthday, right? His cousins, Carrie and Ashley joined us for the movie. Kekey, Dree-Dree and Uncle David also came for the fun! I think that even the adults enjoyed this movie.

the gang at Raleighwood

After the movie, we all went back to the house to have some cake and ice cream. Nanay and Papa showed up to wish Aaron a Happy Birthday. This year, Aaron liked having everyone sing to him...he even joined in on his own birthday song! It was too cute. He blew out the candles 1-2-3! And then, on to the fun part...opening presents. We really had a WALL-e theme going...a WALL-e blanket, a WALL-e "action figure", WALL-e pj's and a WALL-e cup! He also got some Matchbox cars and the coolest PLUTO "robot". Awesome gifts! Oh, and he did get a cute outfit from our friends & neighbors, the Riveras, and $$$$ from his Nanay, Mema & Great-Granny! Thanks to all my family who made this day so special for Aaron.

i love my nanay

Aaron sings Happy Birthday to himself!

She couldn't wait for the cake & ice cream!

Sissy gave Aaron a WALL-e blanket.
I love the way he is gently touching WALL-e's head.

I've really taken a liking to my Uncle David.

Here's my WALL-e ensemble: blanket, pjs & action figure.

sisters together

Lastly, since it was Aaron's day, he got to choose where we would eat out for dinner. And it will come as NO surprise that he chose LAS PALMAS. He only asks to eat there 5-6 times a week. He loved getting to eat his favorites: chips, salsa, queso dip, chicken enchiladas & rice. He actually devoured his first plate and asked for seconds. That almost never happens! And for this special occasion, the waiters (who know us very well) came over to sing Happy Birthday to Aaron. How sweet!

The bench outside of Las Palmas. Oh boy!
Chips and Salsa...here we come.

One of our favorite waiters...he loves Aaron!

And as I said good night to the birthday boy, and held him close for just a second longer than usual, I couldn't help but get a wee bit emotional for this blessing I held in my arms. My little boy, who is growing up so fast, and who will one day be bigger and taller than his Mommy. My tender-hearted rascal. My rambunctious scaredy-cat. You are such a joy to me. I love you, Aaron.

Snuggle time before bed!

Snow Angel...

There is a blog that I just found out about, it's called i heart faces! They have contests each week where people can share photos of kids, adults, and I think even pets! Check them out. I wanted to highlight this photo of Aaron. It's colorful, full of snow, and of course, there's Aaron's smile. He was rolling in the snow when this photo was taken. Do you think he enjoyed it at all?

Here is the first page of my Snow Day digital layout:

And here is page 2:

Here Comes The Jackpot Question In Advance...

...what are you doing New Years, New Years Eve?

We (meaning me) had a FANTASTIC time at the Batistas ringing in the New Year with some good music and a little booty shakin'. Seriously though, I loved dancing to all the old skool songs. Wish my hubby had been up for it, but he's not really in to the whole "dancing" thing. And when you throw on some hip-hop, he just stands there like, "you must be joking". Also, Mr. Cranky Pants (Aaron), had to go home early to go to bed. Thankfully, Kelsey was able to watch him for us. Kate had 4 other little girls to play with...and she got a party hat and a horn! She was happy!


So, I was thinking about 2009 and what I wanted out of this year. Actually, what I wanted out of me. And...just bein' real...there are lots of things that I wish I could change about myself.

• I want to break free from the grip that fear has on me. It's amazing how anxious I can feel about life. It's painful to look back on a period of your life and say, "wow...if I hadn't wasted all that time being afraid". Not a pretty side of me, but it's there.

• I want to learn how to be more disciplined. I feel like I am a lazy creature. Whether by nature or by habit...doesn't matter, I have a hard time sticking to something. A diet. Date nights. Bible study. Exercise. Housework.

• I want to be a nicer, kinder version of me. There are times when I feel like "getting older" equates to becoming more cynical...bitter even. I may not show it on the outside, but I'm definitely thinking it on the inside. When did I become this person? And why do I continually hurt the ones I love the most?

• I want to have more faith in God. Maybe part of my cynicism comes from the realization that life can be tragically cruel. I have witnessed so much hurt...suffering...loss. And yet I know that there is a God out there who loves me and cares for me...for everyone. I struggle with the constant doubting...if God loves this person, how can He allow this? I want to trust Him completely. Why is this so hard for me?

Okay, readers, so this is not the typical happy-go-lucky post, but these are things that have been weighing heavy on my heart and mind. Would you please pray for me? Pray that God would renew my mind. Pray that I would take time to read His Word and meditate on the truth I find there. Thank you!!!

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."
-2 Corinthians 4: 16-18, The Message

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Bryan and I really like the idea of our kids waking up every Christmas morning at our house. So while we may travel around the holidays, you will usually find us at home for Christmas.

Before the kids wake up, we turn the Christmas lights on and put on some holiday tunes. Here's a few photos of what our house looks like Christmas morning:

We wake the kids up (yes, you heard correctly), and have them sit on the stairs (long enough for Bryan to get the camcorder on and in position). Can you tell they are excited? Aaron still doesn't quite get it yet...so he's thinkin' about it. Kate is ALL smiles.

They calmly walked downstairs and then ran to the Christmas tree. They both seemed pretty happy with all the gifts Santa brought them this year. Here's their favorite gifts:

Kate really wanted a Nintendo DS this year...she got it...and it was PINK.

Her favorite color, of course.

Since we took Aaron to see WALL-E at the "BIG" movies, he has taken a liking to the main character. Anytime he sees a picture of WALL-E, he gets so excited and says, "Look, Look, Look...it's WALL-E". So, when Aaron found this Look and Find WALL-E book, he wanted Daddy to read it to him.

Want to take a guess at what DVD he is holding?

We also opened some gifts from Mommy & Daddy and Mema & Pop (who were spending Christmas with the Florida Shermans this year). Kate was super-excited to see that she got a Paula Deen cookbook for kids...and it was signed by Paula herself! Thanks so much Mema for getting her book signed. She really was impressed.

After they looked at all of their gifts, and opened their stockings, it was PLAYTIME. Here is Aaron playing with his police car, Kate trying to figure out her Nintendo DS, and Daddy desperately wanting to build his Lincoln Log cabin.

Of course, we didn't get to play for long. We were off to my Mom & Dad's house once more. We got to visit and play games last night, but today we get to....EAT BREAKFAST! I bet you thought I was going to say open gifts, right? Yeah, well...we do that too. But I love my mom's Christmas morning breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, biscuits and coffee. Yum.

Yes, we are here! Let the eatin' begin. Looks like I wasn't the only one excited about breakfast.

Mom, you awake? Kekey, I busted you eating already! Sit down and make yourself at home.

Okay, so we made the kids wait long enough. Time to open those presents! It's a mess, as you can see! I always have a hard time opening my gifts because I just love watching everyone open up their gifts.

My mom's gift from the girls was a DVR. She had no idea that she was getting it. So much fun!

Here was the card that AV made to explain the gift. I think Mom was excited and I know that she'll enjoy having it once she figures out how to use it.

Aaron's favorite gifts were a firetruck that squirted real water and these building blocks.
He really does love building them up, just to knock them back down.

Okay, Kelly. You asked for this one. When you pose for a picture like this, you have to know that it's going to be used. Thanks for being our human trash compactor.

Just a picture of AV and her hair, styled by yours truly. Andrea had to leave to go to David's house, and didn't want to have to dry her own hair. So, Merry Christmas Dree-Dree, I hope you like it.

And from our house to yours, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks for your gift of friendship. May God Bless You!

Oh Come All Ye Faithful...

One of MY favorite Christmas traditions is going to my mom's house for Christmas Eve dinner. It's a special time for me to hang out with all my family. My sisters and their families are usually there, along with my Grandmother Lee. My Uncle Buddy and Aunt Nancy typically come by after dinner...for some dessert and fellowship. And you never know from year to year who else will show up! This year my Grandmother Vise and Aunt Linda made the trek out to my parent's house. They DID manage to find the house (after getting lost). Just one more thing for us to chuckle about. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many family members, talking and just laughing a lot.

My mom LOVES to decorate for Christmas. I love love love her nativity and hope that one day I'll be able to find one similar. I remember just gazing at it when I was growing up...wondering what it would have been like...so many years ago, to be in that stable with Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus.

My dad just finished painting my Mom's kitchen cabinets white. They also added new hardware for a clean, updated look. I love the finished look...makes her kitchen look so bright. OH, and it must be a Christmas miracle...I got Granny Lee and Kekey to pose and smile for a picture.

Here's a cute one of Kate and Nanay. All the grandkids just LOVE their grandmother. There's something about Nanay that kids love--I think it's her willingness to get down on the floor and really play with them!

Me, AV & Granny Lee in front of my mom's new artificial tree. I never thought she would join the "fake" side, but alas, the temptation of not having to string up any more lights was just too great for her. It was a pretty tree...

Bryan taking a breather outside. It can get REALLY hot in my mom's house, especially when she is cooking something in her oven. Don't think I'm exaggerating one bit--most of us typically wear short sleeves (or at least bring a T-shirt with us) to her house. We KNOW what can happen when you get a bunch of hot bodied Vises together! Ha.

Dad takin' care of the steaks on the grill. We typically eat steak, baked potatoes, and salad for Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone brings appetizers and desserts to share.

The cousins, actually behaving and smiling. I think this was taken right before Dad, Bryan, Kate, Carrie, Ashley & I hit the road to attend the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Mom & Dad's church was holding this special service in their newly renovated sanctuary. Everything looked so nice and new. I think the girls really had a good time singing...especially at the end when they turned the lights down low and we got to hold lighted CANDLES, while singing "Silent Night, Holy Night". What a beautiful time together. I really wanted Kate to understand the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it each year.

Had to get a picture of Kate and Ashley in their matching Christmas gowns. Carrie had one too, but I think she found it too warm and too scratchy, so she took hers off.

And here's a picture of AV and David....wearing some cute, comfy pajamas. Yawn...it was time for the Sherman clan to pack up and head home. Christmas morning was going to be here before we knew it! And Santa still had to come for a visit...Nighty night!

Why Don't You Come With Me, Little Girl...

...on the MiniVan Express! Okay, not quite a carpet ride, but still magical. And I'll tell you a secret (shhhh), I had just as much fun as my kids. I guess there IS still a part of me that wants to be a kid (hallelujah!) and Christmas can spark up the nostalgia, huh?

So, what is the MiniVan Express? I found out about this cute little Christmas tradition from a fellow blogger, Sandy Toes. So, here's how The Sherman household did it:

I placed special "gold" tickets under the kids' sheets. We treated this night like any other night. We made the kids put their PJs on and brush their teeth. When it was time to get in the bed, the kids pulled down their covers to discover the tickets! They had NO IDEA what it was, but they were excited!

There was a small amount of prep work for this outing. Besides making the tickets in advance, I also made sure that I had popcorn popped, cookies made and hot chocolate poured into our travel mugs. I put the popcorn in these cute Christmas canisters and topped it off with a cookie for each child! The big can of popcorn is for the conductor (& his wife)!

Kate just found her ticket. She is THRILLED, but not quite sure what it all means yet. I tell her she better head downstairs if she wants to make the trip! The conductor is waiting!

Both Aaron and Kate run downstairs (with blankets in tow) and I lead them out to the garage. Bryan (a.k.a. Tom Hanks) is waiting to punch their tickets. Thanks for riding the MiniVan Express!

All comfy cozy and ready to go on our ride! What exactly are we in search of? CHRISTMAS SPIRIT! A.k.a. Christmas lights in our neighboring subdivisions. We put on some Christmas tunes and are off...

I liked the 3 angels in white...very pretty on the rock wall.

We didn't see many nativity scenes on our tour, but glad to see the few we came across...

Kate and Aaron liked the inflatables...there was Frosty the Snowman, Thomas the Train & even a Grinch or two!

Mommy liked the twinkling stars/snowflakes hanging from this tree.

While there were lots of cute decorations, I think our neighborhood still wins the award for most festive house (remember the other post picturing Dave's house?).

Well, I guess it's time to end the tour...one of our passengers has fallen asleep with
his popcorn tin still in his hand.

And of course, there is nothing like a display of sibling love to end the ride. Seriously though, we ALL had a great time and hope to make this a new tradition for the Shermans. Won't you join us next year?