-Christmas 2016-

I'm not sure why Christmas just didn't feel like Christmas this year. The entire month of December went by so fast, we were so busy that we didn't have time to just stop and enjoy the season. I hate that! I hate how busy and hectic life gets sometimes. Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I found myself in a bad mood more often than a good one this year. However; I will say that this is the first Christmas ever that I have literally not cared to receive one gift. You might think that sounds awful because Jesus is ultimately the perfect gift that any of us have received and that's all that matters. You're right, He is. Children and even some adults have a difficult time realizing that it is not about the gifts. I wanted to start our own traditions with Olivia after she was born. I wanted to bake cookies for Santa, read a Christmas book every night in the month of December, take her to see the lights, and other traditions. Once again the month was so busy that none of that happened this year and that makes me so so sad. I feel like Bradley and I are working ALL the time and she's always at Preschool. We're either at basketball games or getting home late because of work hours. Have I mentioned that I hate this? I want to be present! In my life, in my child's life, in our marriage, with our family, at church. I want to be present! Christmas will never ever be like it was this year. I won't let it. We will take the time to enjoy one another and if that means letting some things go, that's what we will do. On Christmas morning we woke up early so Liv could open her gifts and we could get ready for church. She loved being in the comfort of our own home after a long trip to my parents. She was excited to open gifts with Mama and Daddy and she kept going up to the video camera and telling it all about her new toys. She has outgrown almost all of her clothes and shoes. I didn't know if we would make it until Christmas for her to get new clothes. I had to break out one pair of boots a week before because her little feet were so cramped in the ones she had. She grows so stinkin fast. The girl loves clothes and shoes. This might be the only Christmas that she will appreciate socks and clothes but hey! they're necessities. She loved everything she got and the look of surprise with every gift she opened was priceless. We then went to church and she was so exhausted. We had a great lesson on the significance of the manger that baby Jesus was laid in. I love learning about Jesus and the history of His birth. It was so great to have service on Christmas morning.

-Thanksgiving 2016-

We had a really great Thanksgiving. We spent time with Bradley's family and it was such a low key day which made it that much better. This was Liv's first year being able to eat Thanksgiving dinner and she loved it. She's not a big meat eater, like me, but she loved turkey! We always spend Thanksgiving with Bradley's side because my family does Christmas really big. Like a whole week type of deal which I love! This was the first year spending it without his uncle there. He passed away this past September and it has been extremely hard on everyone. His presence will forever be missed. He was a one of a kind guy who was always laughing and joking. From the day he met me he accepted me and never once failed to ask me how my entire family was doing every time he saw me. The holidays are always so hard when you've lost loved ones. I lost my Nenny 6 years ago the week before Thanksgiving and it never gets any easier. We are forever thankful for the years and times that we did get to spend with them. I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving.

-Letters to Liv- {15 months}

15 months?! How? How are you 15 months old?? I have spent the majority of my nights lately looking through old pictures and videos on my phone of you. Watching you develop and grow throw them all over again. Time goes by so so fast and even though I felt like I soaked up every minute when you were little, it's so easy to forget the little things. You are the most independent little thing. You don't want anything done for you, you have to do it yourself. We're already semi- hitting those toddler twos. You are so smart and beautiful, my love. I still can't believe that God chose us to have you. You have the sweetest little soul. When we pick you up you hug us so tight and pat our backs. You have become SO obsessed with your daddy. You always want him around and you cry so hard when he leaves you. He loves that so much! I have watched y'alls relationship grow into something that will never be broken. The way he looks at you with so much joy and protection melts me every time. You are literally running everywhere and jabbering all the time! You have around ten consistent words right now and you understand wayyyy more than what you can say. You have the intonation down for "what's that? and there it is!" You still eat pretty well. You don't eat near as many veggies as you did when you were younger but, you wipe us out of fruit. And don't let you see a french fry. You would snack all day long if I would let you. Just like your mama.We recently took your pacifier away. We had been trying to only give it to you at nap and night times, but you knew it was still around during the day and if you saw it you were wanting it. So after school on Tuesday I decided to just snip the nipple off of it. You freaked out for a solid hour because it hurt your feelings so bad. You moved it all around your mouth trying to figure out a way to suck it and finally just gave up and threw it. You went to sleep easy that night, but had a fussy next day at school. Other than that you have surprisingly done really well without it. You can identify nose, eyes, mouth, ears, and feet on yourself and on us. You still love books more than anything and your newest thing is giving us a surprised look with your mouth open so wide when you see new things. We put our Christmas tree and decorations up the day after Thanksgiving you LOVE it all. When you woke up from your nap that day you were so excited to see the tree. Now, everyday when we get home from school you go around helping me plug all the Christmas lights in. This Christmas is going to be so fun. I can't wait to start our own little traditions. Love, Mama. **Word list** dog cat mama dada ew! eye eat shoe hot what's that? there it is!