Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

2012 was a pretty mediocre year for us. It wasn't amazing and it was terrible. Lots of memories made and fun times. However, I am so ready for 2013! I think it will be a great year for us. I have a few goals and things that i really would love to accomplish. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself but I am pretty determined.

One thing that I want to get much better at is our consistency of going to church and tithing! I think this will lead to more friends at church and more relationships. I would also like to get involved in some groups there.

Another huge goal I have is for Origami Owl to be successful for me! I will be an active designer Thursday! Ah :) I would also like to get my bow business up and going with some embroidery and sewing in there, as well. I would love to be able to quit my job and just do Origami Owl and business bows. It's all in God's hands!

Happy new year everyone! Be safe out there. Welcome 2013. Bring it on!

Treacherous Two's

Before I became a mom I always heard people speak of the 'terrible two's'. Then, when we would go to the grocery store and see a child acting absolutely terrible we would blame the terrible twos. I always thought 'wow! They should correct their kids!' And 'holy cow. Just spank them and correct them' but now? I'm eating my words! Terrible twos are no joke and they certainly aren't for the faint of heart. Since our girl is 2 years and 10-ish days old they decided now would be a perfect time to show me what they got. Lexi is a very needy baby in general so, just like any other child she has daily tantrums. Yesterday, we went to Bass Pro and SAMs and oh my goodness, it was AWFUL! We were 'those' people- and we all know what people I am talking about. Lexi screamed and hollered and kicked and punched and hit and you name it. Nothing we did helped! Spanking her behind? Thank you cloth diapers for making that so ineffective, haha! Threatening, have you ever threatened a two year old? We even resorted to drastic measures- bribery. And that didn't even seem to work. By the time we left SAMs we were all exhausted. So now I am on a mission to find an effective way to correct and reason with my crazy two year old. Because I refuse to be one of 'those' parents every single trip somewhere. If all else fails? I'll hide out at my house until she turns eighteen! Even in our worst days, (this definitely wasn't) I am so very grateful for every single day with her. Praying for everyone involved with the Sandy Hook shootings- parents, children, officers, school officials, and Everyone else! My heart breaks for these people.

Advent Calendar

When we were growing up we always had an advent calendar! We used to get little gifts each day leading up to Christmas morning. I knew that was one tradition I wanted to carry on with Lexi. I was browsing Pinterest one day and saw this one
http://m.pinterest.com/pin/126523070753095891/
And I just knew that I had to make it! It took me much longer than it should have, but I am happy with how it turned out! Lexi is very spoiled and gifts is not the reason for the season, so I decides to do activities and crafts and family fun stuff. We are counting backwards to count down to Christmas, I know some people do the opposite.
One activity was to go visit Miracle on Fulton Street. It just so happened that there was a Krewe of Jingle parade going on, so we went to that too. When it got dark we went to Fulton street and took way too many pictures and had a great time! Then we walked around the French quarter. Another activity was to make salt ornaments. Lexi LOVED this! She kept pushing the cookie cutters down and putting them on the cookie sheet. It was precious! Then, another activity was to go through her toys and to choose some to give away to the less fortunate kids. She gave a whole trash bag full away! I was so proud of her. She helped me put them in the bag and chose more. It was so heart warming to see her sharing. I know she didn't really know what was going on, but I feel like one day when she sees pics she will be proud!

A Thankful Heart is A Happy Heart: Day 2-6

Day Three
Today, I am thankful for my beautiful baby girl! She has been such a blessing an joy in our lives. I can't believe how much she has changed our lives for the better. She is beautiful, petite, smart, spoiled, sassy, stubborn, and strong willed. She looks like her daddy and acts like her mommy! She is such a wonderful blessing. Praise God for her!
Day Four
I am thankful for my parents: mom, dad, milly, and Jeff. They are always there exactly when we need them. My parents are simply amazing! They did a great job raising my sister and I. I am forever grateful for them for being patient with us and never giving up. I am the person I am today because of them.
DAY FIVE
I am thankful for my baby sister, Angelina Ballerina! She is a beautiful, talented, strong, and independent young Lady. We haven't ever been close or even friends, but lately we have been getting much closer and she is definitely come of my best friends. I love that we have finally reached this place and i hope it only gets better from here on out.
DAY SIX
Today, I am thankful for Ashley! She was first a blog friend who I never met and now she is a true best friend! It is amazing how God works things out, isn't it? This girl keeps me sane most days, answers my random questions, helps me when I am stumped as a mom, deals with (and prays for) my serious fear of food poisoning and salmonella, is a serious rock star mom to two beautiful babies under two, wonderful wife, amazing Godly woman, and Pinterest friend! Praise God for her. I am thankful for you every single day girl. Thanks for all you do!! :)

A thankful heart is a happy heart!

Did that get the Veggie Tales song stuck in your head? That song is probably my absolute favorite Veggie Tales song ever!

I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
and this piece of Apple pie.

Form our home on the ground,
For his love all around,
That's why I say thanks everyday!


Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
That's an easy way to start!

For the love that He shares,
'Cause he listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks everyday!

Doesn't that song just make your heart smile? It does mine. Now that Halloween has passed we can get on to the good holidays! Call me a party pooper but I don't like Halloween at all. The month of November I want to make sure I am realizing how blessed I am. There are so many blessings in my life that I take advantage of on a daily basis! I want to focus on that this month. I can't promise it will be everyday, I will probably be combining 2 days at a time. (With the exception of next week when I am on vacay and have limited internet access) So, let's get started!

DAY ONE:
I am thankful for God! Let's be honest here- would any of this even be possible without him? He is amazing, indescribable, ever present, and did I mention amazing?!

DAY TWO:
Today (and everyday) I am thankful for my amazing husband! He has changed my life for the better! He is such an amazing man and I just love him to pieces. He is such a great father, leader, role model, and hard worker, I would be lost without him. I don't say it enough but thank you husband! You are the best :)

Fastest Family Fun in Town

A few weekends ago we went to Lexi's first race. It was at a dirt track around here, technically a little drive, Baker, LA. I wasn't looking forward to it at all! But I sucked it up because I knew how badly the hubs wanted to go. When we got there we bought Lexi the little ear muff guys to protect her ears. I also brought her ear plugs but she hates them. I got settled while Ryan took Lexi to get some snacks. While they were gone the ambulance pulled up just in case (I am TERRIFIED of ambulances- I get really bad anxiety when I see them).  Then, I was looking around and saw all these signs saying things like 'enter at your own risk' and 'this is a dangerous place, stay alert at all times, debris flies frequently'. And then the races started and my anxiety went through the roof! I was like what?! Why are we here with our baby? I was so scared! I eventually calmed down but it really threw me off how bad my anxiety was. Lexi LOVED IT! She had so much fun it was a little ridiculous. We stayed in the stands for a good while and every time that the cars would speed by she would crack up and wave. It was the sweetest thing ever. Then we went down and let her run around for a while. She had so much fun. The worst part? We have disposables hanging around that need to be used so I put them on her. She LEAKED THROUGH it!! That doesn't even happen to me in cloth! Then they didn't have a changing table, obviously, so I had to use my blanket on the ground to change her. When we wen to leave Ryan let her walk to the car and she got a good ways in front of us, turned around, and ran as fast as she could back to the track. Then, she cried when we left. She was very sad to leave.

Serve Like Crazy

Yesterday, our church did this really awesome event called 'Serve Like Crazy'. It was a really cool event. What happened was everyone met at the church at 9am for prayer and then dispersed from there to their projects. They had all sorts of projects going on. One was at the carwash- they paid for peoples' cars to get washed and gave them half a dozen donuts. Another one was they went to three different subdivisions to minister and invite people to visit while giving them half a dozen donuts, just because.top they had a few things at the church; Project Hope, Children's hospital packages, and Cooking for Christ. They also had a nursing home outreach and a Journey Kids outreach. At the church they had Project Hope in the sanctuary and This is the one I helped with. We packaged bags for Nicaragua and disaster relief. It was so awesome to be ale to help, even if it was in just a tiny way. I have never been on a mission trip but that video made me want to. Maybe one day. It really was a great and blessed day!
On another positive note, Lexi did great in nursery! We usually end up getting her because she can't make it through the whole service. (Big time mama girl) Yesterday, I stayed at the church because. Was worried about them needing me. Boy was I wrong! She did the best she ever has. I went to get her so we could do the donuts, and she told me 'no'. I was shocked! Apparently she started out in nursery but was crying and upset so they moved her to preschool room and she did fabulous! It made my heart so happy.

Fab Friday

Linking up with Laura again over at Between the Lines for Fab Friday! Aren't linkups so fun? I should do more.


*unexpected flowers from the hubs 'just because' so blessed! *reading another book in three days!  *continuing a devo with the Bestie, even when it is getting strange.. *fall weather and activities! *cookies!!!! Need I say more? Haha *pumpkin patch with Lexi and Ryan * a working husband all weekend long, so lots and lots of mother daughter bonding time
What was fabulous about your ? Go link up! 

Thursday Thoughts

*This week has been a great week! Not that either weeks aren't, but this one? Extra great! Ryan had off on Tuesday and Wednesday so that meant lots of true family time. It was the BEST and long overdue.
*IKEA! This store I hear oh so much about but have never been. Why must you fail me now? It really breaks my heart that I need these picture frames from you and they are $0.99 and I can't have them! Sad day. The closest one? Florida, Texas.
*Lexi has a yeast rash and I have no idea what to do to get rid of it But I really don't want to make a trip to the Dr just for that.
*So many shows on now!! I am ADDICTED to TV, it is bad. Currently? Gossip girl, 90210, Private Practice, Grey's Anatomy, Jersey Shore, and Hart of Dixie. Thank you Netflix and Hulu+ for letting me watch them in my time.
*Pumpkin patches are a blast. We had a ton of fun when we went this year.
*It has been a rough week around here with Lexi. Praying it gets easier, because I have no idea what is wrong. Love my baby girl so much! I think this lack of sleep is getting to me as well.

What are your Thursday Thoughts?

Pumpkin Patch 2012

Halloween Activities

We have been very festive around here lately. Lexi is getting to the age where she can do more now and it has been so fun! These were all Pinterest inspired, of course! (What did we do before Pinterest?) First on our list was the Halloween Sensory Box. I wanted to make it gun, but not scary. I think we succeeded :)

Our second Halloween activity was 'mumcakes' and boy Lexi loved eating them. We got our inspiration again from here, so thank you!! Hopefully we get to do a few more Halloween projects soon!

Fab Fridays

Today, I am linking up with Laura over at Between The Lines for Fan Fridays! I think it is a great idea and I am in :) 

+ a healthy and happy husband and baby girl!
+ a forgiving God
 + a new motivation/dedication to working out. Thank you Jillian Michaels!
+being able to say I tried yoga (even if I didn't care for it)
+ two fall activities with the baby (detailed post coming)
+ beautiful weather this week
+fall festivities this weekend :)
+a great devo to do with my best friend Ashley

All these things are fab and I am so very blessed! Thanks for the link up, Laura :)

A day in the Life

I haven't done a post like this before but I like the idea so I decided to do it. I think it will be fun to look back on when Lexi is a big girl!

6:15-7:15
Lexi typically wakes up between these times. On the rare occasion she wakes up a little earlier but it is usually like clockwork. As soon as she opens her eyes she begs for food and juice! She is such a food baby. She usually wakes up angry. I am not sure why though.

7:30 (or as soon as she wakes up)
Breakfast time! This usually consists of some type of fruit and a bowl of oatmeal. Girl could eat her weight in fruit especially blueberries. She usually eats while watching TV.

8:00-9:00
Watch TV, straighten up, baby K arrives and we feed her breakfast.

9:00-9:30
Free play in the nursery.

9:30
naptime for Baby K. Sometimes Lexi wants to go 'nigh nigh' but most days she just relaxes n her playpen or helps me straighten up.

11:00
Start making lunch for the girlies. Pub&j, Mac n cheese with Turkey dogs, or chicken nuggets with fruit are our usuals!

11:30-12:00
Lunch time and watching barney!

12:00-1:00
Free play in the nursery. We usually read books and do our craft/activity

1:00-3:00ish
Nap time!

3:00-4:00
Playtime! We play outside and eat our snack.

4:00-5:00
We cook dinner and straighten up the kitchen. Lexi usually watches TV and hangs out.

5:00-7:00
We hang out, eat dinner, play with daddy, grocery shop Some days.

7:00-8:30
Bath time and bedtime, depending on how tired cupcake baby is.

She sleeps in her play pen til around 12-2 and then comes in bed with us and goes right back to sleep. Then, it is wash, rinse, repeat :)

Grocery Shopping when hungry...

Lately, I have been on a little health kick! I tried Insanity with a friend of mine and she got me hooked. I want to make sure I stick with it before I fork out the money for insanity. Why are these things so expensive? I get it, totally do, but still! So last night while grocery shopping I went on a mission to find me a workout DVD for at home. I went with one by Jillian Michaels- Ripped In 30. We shall see how I like it. I will probably take before and after pics, for my record. Not sure if I will post them or not. Since I started working out Ryan has been saying I need to make sure I'm getting enough protein or it is going to hurt me more than help me. I don't like meat very much, so this is a challenge for me. I have tried many protein drinks And i can't handle them. They make we want to vomit. But 100 grams of protein a day is a ton for me!! I have been trying protein bars left and right (I have a review if them coming) and some of them taste pretty good. I have also been eating a lot of Greek yogurt because it has some serious protein in it. Thanks to Ashley I found some Carnation instant breakfast shakes premaxe and while they are a little pricey, they taste great and have 14g of protein ! I have been looking into shakeology shakes too. I love the idea of them, they are just so so so expensive! Ryan wants to replace dinner with them, but no dinner? That doesn't sound healthy at all. I am also worried how they taste and I couldn't find any samples. Anyone use shakeology?? Yesterday, I went grocery shopping and had to laugh at myself. This is what I had in my cart...

Which of these doesn't belong? The worst part? That was only some of the junk in my cart... fail!

It's beginning to look a lot like fall...

Did that get a certain Christmas song stuck in your head? If not, you have stronger will than me! Yesterday was October 1st and it was a perfect day for it! It actually felt like fall! I got to wear my jeans and a thin long sleeve shirt, because it was pretty chilly- in the 60's! Perfect weather to bring in the fall season! Why else was it a perfect day? Because a little cupcake baby I know decided 6:30 was an appropriate wake up time. So I made the most of it and got dressed in REAL clothes, did my make-up, and even put random curls in my hair. All by 8am! That is a mom win in my book. Then us girls just hung out. I am so excited to kick off the 'fall season'. The house has been decorated for weeks now (I need to lost pics) and the fall candles are burning. Christmas lists, birthday lists, and final birthday preparations are being made. This weekend we are going to the first pumpkin patch this year! Then making caramel apples. If the weather is chilly then we will have a bonfire with chili and smores. I am so ready for leggings, scarves, hot chocolate, boots, and sweater! Bring on fall :)

Italian cooking lesson

Another weekend has passed and it is back to the daily grind!! Saturday I went into New Orleans at my aunts to have a good ole Italian cooking lesson. I wanted to learn how to make my grandma's ever famous red spaghetti sauce. It was such a success! I am excited to try to make it on my own next time. I learned a bunch about cooking in general. My aunt always spoils me! I really look up to her and love her to death, she is like a second mom. She bought me some new knives, a cookbook, and gave me a bunch of my late grandmothers cooking dishes and such. Lexi had a blast playing. My grandpa has a porcelain deer and she kept putting kitchen towels on it saying 'he cold, mommy. He cold, mommy!' Then she took s preety bad spill and it was a downhill battle. Poor baby really hurt her mouth. Today we were lazy and just hung out and cleaned. I made Christmas lists and brainstormed birthday ideas for led. And then, I joined Origami Owl!! I am on the wait list to become a consultant but hopefully that is a quick thing :) I am really excited! It is my first direct sale experience but I have been wanting to try for a while. Prayng it goes well. There is a bunch of stuff I want from them. So keep an ear out for when I become official :)

Weekending

This was such a busy and fun weekend for us!! Friday night we stayed home and were extra lazy, just what the Dr ordered. Ryan actually built our chicken a little coup. I was very proud of him BC my hubs is absolutely a plumber, not a carpenter! This was his first project and it turned out pretty good. Then Saturday morning Ryan and Lexi went and got us donuts and chocolate milk for breakfast. After such a wonderful breakfast we got dressed and headed off to Sam's for our monthly trip. Then, came home, lunched, napped and headed out. First we headed to the outlet malls because Lexi needed some fall and winter clothes. (We literally had 2 long sleeve shirts and a cardi...) I also had some gift cards from my birthday to spend. It was a lot of fun and we got some great deals and almost all the necessary clothes for winter, I got new boots, a dress, and a pair of capris.

I think it was a win all the way around. Then we went too the hot air balloon festival. It was a lot of fun, but extremely hot. Of course, our fall weather left us the day before. Lexi really had a great time. I got tons of pics on my real camera, but I only got two on my phone. My in laws went on a very short ride up and were ecstatic.

Then it was time for Sunday family Fun day! We went to church and Lexi sent perfectly to nursery. I should have known something was up BC 20 minutes later I got oaged to go get her, then after church we headed to the mall for lunch and shopping. I got some goodies from Victoria Secret and candles from Bath and Body (thankss Milly and Jeff!) We had dinner plans that night with some new friends. That was a blast as well. It was such a great weekend!

Monday I trued Insanity for the first time and pulled out all our fall smelly stuff! we have just been keeping busy with day to day life.

And then there was one...

My husband is a very unique man if he wasn't, I probably wouldn't love his as much! Haha, jk :) he grew up on the Bayou in Crownpoint, LA. Apparently, his grandfather was a very hands on man. He had a gas station/convenience store on the water for boats, animals of all sorts, and planted a garden. That is a lot going on. So since my hubs grew up like that he wants to incorporate some of the stuff he loved into Lexi's life. So he had this brilliant idea (his words, not mine)! Do you know what that is??
WE BOUGHT TWO CHICKENS!!!!
For a country girl, this may be normal, but for this girl? I was extremely taken back by it! But I agreed and stood back and let him do his thing. we have a dog kennel that has no purpose in the backyard, so that is where they reside. He bought a tarp for over the top so they are protected from crows, possums, coons, etc. And the best part? Guess where they live??? The dog house!! It is pretty hysterical! Lexi was ecstatic about the chickens. She keeps saying 'my kikens!! My kikens! They are gone!' She always wants to visit them and feed them. Last night, she was in their kernel with them for a good 30-45 minutes.
Now, if you know anything about dogs and chickens you know how it is. Dogs are two ways when it comes to chickens. 1) they will protect them til their death or 2) they will try to use them as their entree every chance they get. Can you guess which one Maverick was? He tried to eat them!! Multiple times.. supposedly chickens get really scared really easily. So when he would have these barking fits it would really freak them out. For the last two days, once the little girl I watch leaves, we go see the chickens. Today, when I went out there one was on the ground in the house, not moving. Immediately, I knew it was a goner. The other chicken is the wild one an he was calm too! We waited on Ryan to confirm, and he did. I think Lexi is too young to understand but I rushed her inside very quickly, just in case!
Now? Lexi walked up to me and said 'I want cowwwwww!' I said okay, talk to your daddy. So we called daddy and he says they have to talk me into it BC he is all for it. She said 'I neeeeeed it!' Umm where do they learn these things?? I really think she is 21 mos going on 5 years! What a silly girl.

Lexi Lynn

Lexi you are 21 months old! I can barely believe you are so close to 2! That is bizarre but I am thankful for every month because thE next 5 minutes isn't a guarantee. This post isn't a monthly update or anything, Just wanted to update for myself. Got to have records of all the hilarious stuff you are doing these days. And all the progress you is making daily, especially speech wise.
You are around 22 lbs, wearing size 4-5 shoes, and all over the grid clothes wise (anywhere from 6-9 mos to some 12-18 month, and a rare 24 month or 2T)
Still fully cloth diapers with the exception of the pull ups we bought for the hurricane that need to be used.
Talking has increased dramatically. In about 6 weeks you went from speaking a few words to speaking full phrases and so many more words. I think you are still a little behind, but  catching up quickly.
New words: okay (in this adorable little southern accent, sounds like o-ky), yep, yes, meese(Please), tank you, sassie(she calls every dog we see Sassie or Sam and she has an aunt sassie), Sham( Sam), pie (paranh), pawpaw, Nana, yaya, choose choose, bed (bread), juice, cheese ( sometimes cheese, sometimes Mac n cheese), car, alright, and cookie. You say 'me want to coloy!' (Color), Mama new shoes, me go high high, bunk my noggin, i need help!, im o-ky/alrighty, etc.  You are repeating a lot more and saying more words than these, but i can't recall the others.
You love shoes and I mean LOVE shoes! You are a girly girl through and through. You love to wear bows and get dressed. Today you put you shoes on all by yourself when I wasn't looking!
You do this adorable little kick when daddy says 'smell it, smell it, now TAKE it' you kick on the take :) it is hilarious!
You are growing like a weed, more and more everyday. We are so blessed to have you in our lives! We are so thankful to be your parents :) love you cupcake baby!

Birthdays

Birthday- the one day extra special to you because you were born on that day (no matter how many years ago- the more, the sweeter!) {'This is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it' Psalm 118:24}
Birthday- the day of the year that people you rarely talk to wish you a 'happy birthday!' And it makes it that much sweeter
Birthday the day you get presents and cake and get to be a 'princess' for the day.
But most of all!!!
Birthday the day that strong, beautiful, wonderful, amazing mother of yours endured the most pain she has ever been In in her entire to life to give birth to you! The day the Lord blessed this earth with another one if His angels to share his Word. The day your parents, family, close friends, and loved ones will never forget!! Praise God for this day.

I feel like birthdays should also be about the moms- let's face it, they carried us for 10 months in most cases and went through labor to bring us into this world! So kudos to you, mom!! And thank you for bringing me into this world 22 Years ago, after 32 hours later and a few war wounds. Love you!

'I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well'
Psalm 139:14

Fall

Fall is my favorite season if the year! The weather, the yummy fall drinks and food, bonfires, boots and sweaters, fall bucket lists, pumpkin patches, all of it! Fall makes happy times and fun memories. I have already decorated my house for the festivities. It was a blast! Already bought my first 'fall' drink of the season. Already searching for the perfect boots and fall-y clothes. Some things that are on our lists this year are:
Pumpkin picking
Hayrides
Apple picking
Bonfire(s)
Fall drinks and food
Boots
Sweaters
Thanksgiving! Mmm
Leaf pile pics

And that is just the beginning! I am so excited. Bring on Fall, Y'all!

Fall centerpiece: Tutorial Style

Decorating for holidays is one of my absolute most favorite things!! I get very excited to decorate and fall and Christmas are by far my favorites! This year I have been scouring Pinterest and pinning all tr cute stuff. Then, I pulled out what I already have and went from there. I wanted to make a centerpiece of some sort and I really had my eye on the apothecary jars. Unfortunately Hobby lobby didn't have all the necessary supplies that was a first and a very sad day! So then I knew what to make instead! I was quick, easy, and cheap less than $20 to make. Here was my inspiration but I did my own way! This is my first tutorial, so I hope y'all enjoy it!

Materials:

Fall scrapbook paper

Scissors

Glue

6 glass jars (or as many as you need)

cricut or stencils

 Ribbon

Stuff for inside the jars

Doilies (optional)

Hot glue gun

Glue sticks

 I got all my materials (except the paper and cricut) from the Dollar Store! Can't beat that! 

First, I decided which paper I was going to use for each letter and cut them out using the cricut. (I cut mine to be 2 1/2 inches because that is what looked best on my jars.) 

These were the jars I used:

This is what my letters looked like once I had them cut out:

Once those were cut I had Rachel cut me the ribbon to wrap around the jars! Then, I hot glued them onto the jars to spice them up a bit.

Then, I hot glued the letters onto the ribbon.

Next is the fun part! Filling that jars. I used two types of potpourri, orange jewels, and pumpkin spice scent.

Then, I laid out 6 sunflower doilies and out the glasses on top of them. This was my final project!

The house is looking more ready for fall! Makes my heart happy. I am going to post the tutorial I used for the paper pumpkins soon, along with the rest of the fall decorations. How are y'all decorating?

Hurricane Isaac: Aftermath

Praise God this storm wasn't nearly as bad For us as it could have been! We are all safe and our house is perfect. We had a few trees down (one that would have totaled our car, had we been home) and our backyard flooded and lots of trees, leaves, and debris. But that is minor stuff compared to some peoples damage. The biggest loss we have is all the baby stuff in our storage container out back. We werent expecting that to flood, much less as bad as it flooded! Praying for all those who lost their homes or family members. Ryan's family is stuck in New Orleans right now but some will be joining us because they are expected to be out of power for a week. :(

As for my first hurricane experience? It wasn't as bad as I had thought. We ended up not evacuating to Texas but to Ryan's cousins. We didn't want to chance staying at home because we have a lot if trees around and were scared one would fall on the house. Praise God, they didn't! we bought a generator because being without electric as an adult isn't a pleasant experience son with a toddler? I can't even imagine! That pricey little guy saved our lives! We had the TV for the girls and to keep updated on the storm, we had internet, fans, fridge and freezer, and that's all we plugged in. Occasionally our phones would be plugged in too. We are trying to get back unto out normal routine today and then we are on vacation from the girls next week. We have opened our house to family and friends, so we shall see who comes. So far no one has. We must smell or something haha!
'I will praise you througH the storm and I will lift my hands' this is exactly what I did through the whole storm. I am so thankful we were safe, family is safe, and our home was spaced. God's good, isn't he? Here are a few pics of our house and the tress and debris.