More Snow

We've had a winter storm alright! We started the weekend with reports that Sunday night was going to bring a winter storm to Georgia and we sat around waiting to see if school would be canceled. We waited and waited because every time we looked outside we had NOTHING yet so we really weren't sure what was going to happen. It feels like the minute the news said our county was canceling all classes we looked outside and it was literally a DOWNPOUR of snow. We went from none at all to completely covered in about 30 minutes. We had six inches of snow within two hours. It was crazy how fast and turbulent the weather was. I have no recollection of seeing this much snow at once, though my Dad assures me that I've lived through a blizzard before. So, we got a white christmas and a winter storm here in Georgia within three weeks of each other.

The last thirty minutes of wetness came down as sleet, so this snow wasn't as much to play in. We definitely did have fun using our make shift sled again but the snow was so tall that Charlotte could barely walk in it. It comes all the way up to the top of her wellies!

Fresh out of bed, still in her PJs, she just HAD to go see the snow!


Wow, it is really deep!


Dressed nice and warm now, but not really sure how to move in all this! See how tall?!


I measured the snow on the top of this table and it was over 6 inches.


Checking out the cul de sac, an ice rink now!

I'm not sure why, but Charlotte was obsessed with eating the snow. Every time I turned around she had more in her hands and mouth and was begging for a popsicle when we got back in.

It's electric!

Bryce was having some fun with Charlotte by wrapping her up in a blanket and making her find her own way out.....the results were electrifying!

Ballerina Princess

Amber got Charlotte some princess clothes for Christmas, and I am not sure if I will ever see my child dressed in a normal outfit again! As soon as we come home it is a strip of whatever she can get off by herself and a run to her "princess chest" usually followed by the words "I must be a ballerina princess!".








Of course, no ballerina princess is complete without her shoes!

Looking Back

I was just looking back at my blog from last year, and decided I was so nostalgic for 2010 that I needed a re-cap. Time is flying by so fast! So, here are some of my favorite pictures from the year:

January 2010:

"Who, me?!"


"I hate snow!"


February 2010:


So serious

Valentine's Day


Being Silly

March 2010:

She was SO happy to be back outside in the sunshine after a long, cold winter inside


Meeting Ms. Kaymen for the first time. What a blessing.


Gorgeous. That's all I can say.

April 2010, a good month:


Pants off, planting flowers. She was so happy!


Now who's being silly?!


Petting the bunnies at Yellow River Game Ranch


Quacking at the ducks


Too cool for school


Loving on Baxter

May 2010:


Underwater with the instructor at Swim Atlanta


Shaking her booty outside


Oh, the infamous Popsicles


Facing forward in the car for the first time

June 2010:


Loving life in the pool


Life of the party


First taste of a "beach", Lake Lanier Islands


Take my breath away beautiful. In Blue Ridge.

July 2010:





The sweetest smile I've ever seen


Turning point for me. She's really not a little baby any more.

August 2010:


Full on toddler. Ready to take on the world.


Amazing.


God, how I love that laugh.

September 2010:


Our first picture at the Zoo on her birthday. Pure excitement.


Enjoying every minute of her birthday present.


Me and my baby. A special moment because she was playing and I went to sit in the shade and she insisted on sitting with me.

October 2010:


Professional photos with Trina Riggott. I can feel the love.


Our hot visit to Burts, but she loved it.


A girl on a mission for some candy.

November 2010:



Being sweet at my Mom's

December 2010:

The official cross over. I don't even feel like she is a toddler now. She is officially a pre-schooler.


Hanging out under the Christmas tree.


When I compare this to the little girl we started out with in January, I am shocked.

With my new year's resolution in mind, I did notice that most of my favorite pictures are moments as they were happening. Not posed pictures, but life being enjoyed.

Happy 2011

Ah, the first day of the new year. So full of promise for all to come. So full of memories from the year just passed. I am a big believer in resolutions. Not necessarily at the beginning of a new year, though I think the start of a new year is a good reminder, but making time to better yourself. My new years resolution this year is to be present in every day moments. To find at least one thing every day that makes my ears prick up and my mind focus on God's grace and blessings in those every day moments. I know I have to make it a habit first and to begin I have to train myself to be present with my mind and heart open. Not just flipping through a magazine while Charlotte watches TV, or saying "Uh huh" and doing the dishes while Bryce is telling me a story. Instead, being focused. Clearing my mind and giving my full attention to the subtle ways that God is reaching out to me. I think that once I can de-clutter my brain I will recognize God's work all over the place, but for now it is one step at a time. I think the trick for me is going to be balance. How do I balance being present and still carve out "me" time?
So for today, even though my fingers were itching to pick up my book or do some dishes while Charlotte colored at the table, I picked up a crayon and colored with her. For thirty whole minutes we sat together coloring and putting stickers on our art work. And when we were done Charlotte said "Thank you for coloring with me, Mommy". It felt good.


Grandma Mickie and Grandpa Dave being silly in their "semi-formal" New Years Day attire!


Charlotte pounding out some tunes on Grandma Monk's piano


Resting after our annual "collards, black eyed peas, and cornbread" new years dinner


She has a bit of a stuffed animal obsession. At least this one is small....