Cutie Pie

I took this picture on Christmas Day. Doesn't she look cute? She looks so grown up, I can't believe that she will be starting school this summer.

Christmas Day

Madison got the growing dog for Christmas which was on the top of her list. She named her dog Aurora. Madison was so excited when the dog grew, it grows from a puppy to dog size in four days.

Madison made Daddy a Build-A-Bear for Christmas. She picked out the bear and the clothes and put a voice box in it with her saying "I love you, daddy." That way daddy can listen to her when he misses her. Funny how daddy and the bear both like to wear their Santa hats.

I got a photography/laptop backpack for Christmas now I can have all of my photography stuff in one bag!

Cookie From Santa

Madison signed her Christmas list and put out cookies and milk for Santa.

Christmas Packages

The first package to arrive was from Grandma Harriet and Chuck. Madison was so excited, mommy too. I opened the box, then I thought that we should take pictures of us opening the gifts. I had Paul run up stairs to get the card and Madison was waiting patiently. I now had the camera, hold on a second Maddie I need to get a picture first. Then we opened the presents.



It's Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. His nose lights up, cool!

.

I love Rudolph!!

Madison's gifts from Papa and Lorita. As she seen the pony she said

"How did Papa know I always wanted this pony!"

Christmas Party for Madison

Madison and I had a Christmas party for church tonight.

Madison made some crafts and watched a movie. On the way home we drove by the big Christmas tree at the country club.

Painting Ceramics

Madison and I went to the DayDreams Ceramic Cafe today to do some painting. I painted a Santa plate and Madison painted a small dog. I wanted to paint a plate for holiday cookies, they had a display plate in the front window and it was exactly what I had imaged. Madison has been wanted to paint something so we went to get a drink from Starbucks and had back to start painting. We finished our pieces today and they will be ready next week. I can't wait to see the finish product. I will post the pictures of them next week when they are done.

Santa Cow At Chick-fil-A

Madison and I went to Chick-fil-A and had our picture taken with Santa Cow. They turned out good thanks to Mr. Patrick. MOOOOy Christmas Everyone.

Bare Escentuals

I tried Bare Escentuals at Sephora today. I love the way it looks, it covered up all of the redness I have in my cheeks. Which is my main concern, I hate my cheeks looking red and blotchy all of the time. The powder made my skin look every even and I love that. They used a turquoise eyeliner which I think look OK but I am not sure I would do it on my own. I liked it so much I bought the started kit, I have been looking at it for months.

Elfyourself

A friend from church sent me an email where you can elfyourself. He had his family as elfs and it was really funny so I did it for my family, http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1195073315
Madison thinks it is really funny but she thinks you should be able to pick out new outfits and hats!

Bible Study

I have found a new church family and am involved in a woman's bible study group. I am glad the God has brought me to this group of woman and I will continue learn about God through them. Each woman brings something unique to the group. I like hearing stories of their lives and experiences.
The bible study is about success. What is my definition of success? When asked the question what is my definition of success the only thing that came to mind was being happy with what you have. According to dictionary.com the meaning of success is:
1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors
2. the attainment of wealth, posistion, honors, or the like.
3. a successful performance or achievement
4. a person or thing that is successful
5. obsolete. outcome.

Here are some quotes on success.
"The definition of success- To laugh much; to win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children; to earn the approbation fo honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give one's self' to leave the world a little better, wheather by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition.; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived- this is to have succeeded."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world a better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has looked for the best in others and given the best he had; whose life was and inspiration; whose memory is a benediction.
-Mrs. A. J. Stanley

Many of life's failutes are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.
-Thomas Edison

Try on to be a man of success, but rather to be a man of value.
-Albert Einstein

WHAT WOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO DO IF YOU KNEW YOU WOULD NOT FAIL?
-ROBERT SCHULLER

THINGS TO DO

I was thinking of things I want to do, here is my list.
*Donate blood on a regular basis
*Go on dates with my husband
*Create a photo wall in my house
*Visit Seattle, Washington
*Have dinner in the Space Needle
*Climb a rock wall
*Own my own house
*Renovate a old house, which I would live in
*Drive-thur a Sequoia Tree
*Drive Route 1
*Go Whale Watching
*Take a trip to Hawai'i
*Go Scuba Diving
*Take a Romantic Trip with my Husband
*Take a Painting class
*Volunteer my time to a good cause
*Shiny Convertible

Mountains by the Park

Pictures from the park yesterday. I still get excited when I see the mountains, it is not something I am used to seeing. The mountains are so beautiful. We will go back to the park on a nicer day it was actually sprinkling for part of the time we were there.

Thift Store Finds

Here are my thrift store finds. I checked out two thrift store and the second one was a lot better than the first. I found two vintage Christmas aprons, vintage Santa who rings bell (not sure if works), Christmas planner from Hallmark (new in wrapper), vintage Santa tin, four Santa glasses and one reindeer glass (reindeer glass is for Maddie), christmas idea book, and the best thing is the Santa Clause Bubbler from Gooseberry Patch and it works.

Rainbow

I was driving home from shopping downtown today and I seen a rainbow. I seen the rainbow and I a smile appeared on my face I was thinking "Thank you God I really needed that!" I said "Madison do you see the rainbow?" When she spotted it she said "I see it! It is God's Promise!" I told her that she was right. I seen someone walking on the sidewalk while we were at the stoplight looking at the rainbow, I wanted to roll my window down and say "Hey look at the rainbow!"

Of course I did not have my camera in the truck so I ran into the house when we got there. Madison and I ran down the road, down a hill and to the main road hopeing that the rainbow would still be there. It was but it was behind a big building, oh man. I seen a small part of the rainbow so click, I snapped the shot. We ran back home, jumped in the truck and went to the park to try and snap a better picture from there. There rainbow was gone when we got there and the sun was behind big clouds. Madison played for a while and the sun started shining. I looked and looked and prayed that the rainbow would come back out. It did and it was very faint, click. I got it! I was glad to have the picture. The sad thing was that no one else at the park even realized that the rainbow had appeared right there in plain sight.

I know it is hard to see the rainbow because it is so faint. It starts in the bottom right corner.

My Baby Girl

I found a tote and opened it up. The old camera that we have been looking for was in the tote so I took it out of the box. I thought there might be some pictures on the card so I put it in the download, here is what was on the card. My baby girl! I can't believe that my girl will be starting school in July. She is not a baby anymore, she is a big girl. I miss her being a little baby girl but I know she could not be a baby forever.