Where does the time go?

Okay, I'm getting all sentimental and weepy...time to go to bed!

A baby, a bike and roller skates!

This is all sweet Anna Claire has asked for, for Christmas, since the beginning of November: a baby (color changing daily), a bike and roller skates. What two year old asks for roller skates?!? But Santa doesn't disappoint right? And I did take her "skating" this summer so maybe that is where the idea spurred from? Anyway, this year was the best by far as far as her age and excitement toward Christmas go! She was so into the spirit of it all! We have been singing all of the carols, reading a Christmas story every night and I even let her decorate a little tree in her room. She LOVES all of the AMAZING lights and decorations everywhere we go. She looks out the window of the car and says "Wow" and "Amazing!" at every display. Every Christmas in the past I would feel beat down by the hustle and bustle, list of "to-do's and by all of grumpy people, but not this year with my sweet Anna Claire and her positive outlook! She is truly my greatest gift. So, here is a little slide show of her Christmas morning. We hope yours was just as wonderful!

Candlelight Service

Almost every Christmas Eve since I can remember, my family attended the Memorial Baptist Church Candlelight service. This year we had two services and I was asked to sing in both so, Anna Claire sat with my parents during the first service. I looked out to see this adorable face sitting next to two of her dearest friend's, Kindal and Katlyn, and waiving her glo-stick proudly. That's right...a glo-stick...in lew of a candle. (I was relieved because I had been burned in a very embarrassing moment as a child by a candle in front of a lot of people. Another story for another day.) Anyway, it was a creative idea and it reminded me of a Star Wars battle scene with all of the little kids waiving there mini light sabers back and forth! HA! Here are some precious pictures afterwards of Anna Claire and friends.

New Look Part Two

The new look is courtesy of

Shabby Princess Designs

(well of course for a small fee)

New Look!

I decided since the new year is just around the corner, we needed a fresh look for our blog. What do you think? It will be this design through February :) More posts and Christmas photos coming very soon!

Love to you all - Jill and Anna Claire

What a week!

We have had a marathon week as I am sure you have too! On Thursday the 13th - I was sick with an upper respiratory infection and stayed home from school, and learned that my sweet Mamaw passed away. Friday the 14th - I stayed home with my family, wrapped presents and continued to try to get well, and Matt and Lindsey flew in around 9pm. Saturday morning the 15th - we woke up, had breakfast, opened Christmas presents, ate some more, checked out our stockings, got dressed, picked up a birthday cake, headed to El Fenix, celebrated my Mom's 50th birthday with friends and family, went to Starbucks with Aunt Paula, Mom and Lindsey. Sunday - wake up, pack, take family Christmas card picture, load the car, head to Burkburnett,Texas, check in hotel, get dressed, go to the funeral home, 8pm - eat dinner and then go to sleep. Sunday - wake up, get dressed, go to funeral, eat lunch, drive home, get dressed, say bye to Matt and Lindsey, head to DBU for a grad school info session! On Tuesday - back to a class who has had a substitute for 3 days. If you have ever taught you know how tragic that is! So after school I took Anna Claire to the doctor for a horrible cough and was told to take her to x-ray for pneumonia. It wasn't, just an upper respiratory like me! Christmas party with my team, with my kids at school, CDO, etc. All in one week! WHEW! We are tired!! Nanny and Pappy's here we come :) Food, fun, family and RELAXATION.

Santa 2007

Merry Christmas from Anna Claire!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This is our first professional photo together ever! I can't believe that. It turned out pretty great I think considering Anna Claire was NUTS! She was hopping all over me and I couldn't believe we were able to get anything good.

We love you all and hope that your season is Merry and Bright!

Let the Christmas fun Begin!

We (my Mom and I) took Anna Claire to the Grapevine Christmas parade downtown last night. She loved watching all of the floats, choirs, dancers and bands. It was a great experience for her and I hope to do it every year. :) I know...I know...no anti-passie comments please!

The Many Faces of Anna Claire

One thing that makes a two year old so intriguing is there many moods and the amazing ability to change them so quickly! I love my sweet "Claire-bear's" face more than anything and found this collection of photos to be quite hilarious! I hope you think so too!

Hug Your Daddy...

I didn't really know her in high school all that well...we were acquaintances...she was precious...a cheerleader...a PAL...a WONDERFUL person and well liked by everyone! Everyone wanted to date her, be her friend, and have just a piece of the happiness she seemed to possess. Not only was Hannah Webber an amazing person and light for Christ, but she had this fairytale like family. 3 sisters and one brother, all with Bible names :), a Mom and Dad that seemed to be the most supportive parents at all of the games and events. Her Dad was a Chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He was also very active with Athletes in Action alongside his wife. He also spoke to us for our Baccalaureate before graduation. John Webber passed away last week and it made me realize that I am not in this protected bubble where that could not happen to my parents.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=FDD79E03-FA37-DDE3-40F0ED075BC45326

We are not guaranteed one more minute, hour or day. Christ came so that we may have life more abundantly and I would definitely say that John Webber lived his life to honor Christ and spread his message to others. Do I do that? Do I tell the people that I care about the most how much I love them and how much God loves them? If my Dad were to pass away today, would he know that I love him more than anything and I that I am so proud of the example he sets as well? It leaves a lot to think about...go hug your Daddy and tell those around you how much Christ loves them!

Pumpkin Day!

We had so much fun on Halloween! Anna Claire was a beautiful butterfly and really loved all the glitter. Here are a couple of pictures and more will be added soon! What did you do on Halloween???

Anna Claire's first REAL haircut!!!

My Mom has always trimmed Anna Claire's hair, and has really done a FABULOUS job!

However, I was beginning to realize that her hair was becoming an issue for me daily! I was constantly gripping that it was too scraggly (is that a word?), tangled, mullet-ish, fuzzy, and just plain - OUT OF CONTROL! I didn't want it to be an issue anymore and it wasn't really growing, so I decided to take her to Sweet and Sassy to have her first REAL haircut! She LOVED it! She watched Toy Story and got glitter spray in her hair when it was over, and a glitter star on her face and a flower sucker! She was in heaven, and on top of that the haircut was PRECIOUS!!!

We had a GREAT Summer!!!

First Day of Dance...

I picked Anna Claire up from Mrs. Heather's house to find a very excited ballerina! We went for the first class and met 6 other 2-3 year olds for a toe tappin', tip toe dancin' good time! She however was INSANE!!! All over the place, not listening to Mrs. Janie, running from me (it is a Mommy and Me class), gazing at herself in the mirrors, hanging off of the bars, etc. I thought "Oh dear Lord what have I done?!?!?" I found out later, she had had NO NAP!!! So when I finally got to a camera after the dance class was over, here was the photo shoot :) We are enjoying the class now, and LOVE Mrs. Janie! I will have happy dance pics very soon!

Because I am LAZY......

Why haven't I blogged? It just falls last on my list!!!! Lesson plans, check...pack lunches, check...Anna Claire clothes laid out, check...my clothes laid out, check...pack her school bag and mine, check...read stories, check...say prayers, check...Mommy shower, check...BLOG or go to SLEEP...go to sleep always wins! I am sorry ya'll, I will try to be better.

Love you all!

Where have we been?!?!

TEACHER + AUGUST = ENOUGH SAID!!!

More posts coming soon!!!! Love you all!

Her Big Girl Room Completed...

Before we moved here with my parents, Anna Claire had an adorable room. It was pink and black with a French Poodle/Paris theme...I LOVED it! When we moved here I wanted something fresh and new and one of Anna Claire's first words was "butter-by" (butterfly) so we went with a pastel/butterfly/flower theme.

We found a quilt in the back of Marshalls that was a close look to Pottery Barn for way less! After the quilt and a couple of other decorations, the decorating came to a halt and was never complete.

My Mom bought Anna Claire some more items to decorate her room for her birthday and I purchased a fun butterfly mobile from Pier 1 Kids. It was coming together...Until I took the crib down.

I realized that there was going to be a huge empty space and that Anna Claire really didn't have anything fun to play in her room, besides reading books. So, I told Anna Claire that since we gave her crib to a baby that needed it, she gets to choose a play kitchen for her room. We went to Toys R Us that day and brought one home. SHE LOVES IT! She cooks for "Grandma" and sick "Grandpa" all the time. I don't know who these people are, but she is having fun. I also purchased a few cube organization units from Target and a little table and chairs. I think it has finally come together!

Is she still an infant?!?

I had probably the worst night that I have had sleep wise since Anna Claire was an infant!!! She has transitioned very well to her "big girl crib" for almost two weeks now, but yesterday morning it happened...she knows she can climb down off of the bed!!! She came in my room at least 6 times between 10 pm and 2 am. I finally spanked her and she said "I was just worried about you Mommy!". Oh good grief that breaks my heart! She fell asleep at 2am and so did I and then at 6am I heard a soft sucking sound (her pacifier) and realized she was back. So instead of spanking again and standing my ground, what did the weak parent do??? Put her back in bed with me to sleep until 8:30am! Wonderful parenting Jill. Oh well! I will do better tonight. :)

Our lovely visitor...

I have posted before on how Anna Claire LOVES being outside! I am learning to love it, and I do appreciate the need for rain, but I absolutely HATE this weather we have been having! Not only does it spoil the outside summer fun, but all of the damp ground around us is causing my favorite creatures to breed at a rapid rate...MOSQUITOES! I can be sitting in a group of people and not one person will get a bite at all, but I will be slapping myself like a crazy person and end up with at least 10! Unfortunately Anna Claire has inherited the mosquitoes' love and look what happened to her... From 10? 5? NO! 1 mosquito! And this worst part is it was in the house! I saw it before her nap and tried to catch it, but then I couldn't see it anymore. When she woke up she didn't have any bites! I sat her down at her table for a snack and sat in the living room while she ate it. When I came back to clean her up this is what her leg looked like! Oh my goodness! I counted and she had 15 bites! How is that possible? Needless to say I have felt the need to explain to everyone I see that she doesn't have a disease, but that it is from mosquito bites. Then they ask me if I ever use OFF? What?!? That is my daily summer perfume :) I just didn't know I had to spray my child down in the HOUSE!!!

Her actual 2nd Birthday...

Anna Claire though her birthday lasted for 2 weeks because we celebrated several different ways! We had the big party with her friends early so Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Matt could attend and she had a little party at her Mimi and Papa's house -

planting flowers and all!

On May 11th, her actual birthday, she celebrated in her classroom at school,

posed for a few shots with Mommy

and went to Chik-fil-a with her Dad. She loves that place!

She still sings happy birthday to herself on a regular basis and thinks any large gathering is a party for her. I love that about her. Who doesn't love a good party!!??

Anna Claire's 2nd Birthday Party - Strawberry STYLE!

A couple of months ago...We had such a great time at Anna Claire's 2nd birthday party! It was at our house and she chose a Strawberry Shortcake theme, whom she learned to adore from cousin JULIA :)! We had about 7 kids under the age of 4 over for playing, coloring, tattoos, cake and ice cream! WOW! It was so much fun for her and she was quite thrilled that it was an event that revolved around her. After the party Anna Claire received a battery operated car from me that was handed down from a co-workers daughter! It is in excellent condition and Anna Claire LOVED it! I can't believe it has been two years since she was born! I have never had so much fun in my life! Enjoy the pictures - FINALLY!

Big Girl...crib?

Well I've done it! I have let go and allowed Anna Claire to accomplish another very "grown up" milestone. For most people moving your child to a "big girl bed" from their crib is not a big deal. For me it was letting go of my "baby". I have to get over this. I mean it is ridiculous! I know she will always be my baby, but she is growing everyday becoming a very independent toddler. Sure she likes to snuggle and talk in this weird new baby talk and say

"I'm a wittle baby!" but it's not the same.

I remember the snugly, pink little bundle I used to lay in the crib at night...precious.

But as they say "out of the mouths of babes!"...I was tucking her in on her first night without her crib and she said "Mommy, where did my crib go?" I thought Oh no! I traumatized her because I removed it while she was at her Dad's for the weekend. "Well sweetheart we had to give it to another baby who needs it because you are a big girl now." "OK, thank you for my big girl crib!" Yes! Okay I can cope! This is not a "big girl bed" but a " big girl crib"! How sad that I am relying on my toddler's coping skills to deal with this myself.

Needless to say, the first night went very well and she only woke up 2 times, I think just to check and see what was going on! I however woke up, well let's see, at 3 AM I lost count. Paranoid?!? Not me! Just being safe ;) She woke up very proud of herself and I was proud of her too! We are now on night #4 and she has only fallen out once...on a pillow of course! HA!

Charlie is an Eagle Scout!!!

A couple of months ago, I attended an Eagle Scout ceremony for my cousin Charlie. He is my only boy first cousin on my Mother's side. Growing up I wasn't sure how well I knew him, but over the past several years I have learned this...he is loyal, determined, well liked by his peers, smart, musically talented, a great: son, brother, cousin, and grandson, he has a great sense of humor, he likes games ( and to win!), he has a calm and quiet spirit, is great with children, he works so hard at everything he does and most of all he finished one of the most prestigious honors in America - his Eagle Scout badge! Sitting through his ceremony I heard amazing statistics about how past Eagle Scouts have gone on to do amazing things in their lives and I know Charlie will as well. He has worked very hard and deserves this amazing honor. He is headed off to Texas Tech in the fall as a freshman and I couldn't be more proud for him. We love you Charles! :)