MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Wishing Everyone a Joyous and Merry Christmas! 

Santa says "HO HO HO"

I am so proud of Riley!!! We have been talking and preparing Riley for Santa since before Thanksgiving. Since last years melt-down with him at Bass-Pro, we decided we weren't going to surprise Riley with a visit to Santa, we were going to let her tell us when the time was right... Every chance that we have had we purposely walked by Santa, waved to him, went up to talk to him and showed her pictures of other little boys and girls with Santa. So, as we were walking in the mall today, I pointed Santa out to Riley, stopped to wave to him and to my amazement, Riley wanted out of her stroller to say "Ho Ho Ho" to him. So with out missing a beat, I grabbed her up, walked her up to Santa and at the same time told the photographer to be "ready".  She walked up to him with a smile on her face, said "hohoho" and let him put her in his lap!  She talked to him, touched his beard, and gazed out into the mall. We never got her to smile, but that was fine by me!!! I am just happy she saw Santa and was able to tell him what she wanted for Christmas!!! 

2008

2006 Riley's First Christmas!

Oh, and might I add both Santa's were great, very sweet and great with kids!!! 

Who says the elves are only in the North Pole?

Busy, busy, busy.... we are having a handcrafted Christmas here at the Edwards' Household. I am normally not one to "show off" my creations, however, I am extremely excited about the holiday decor we have crafted this year. 

It was way overdue for a Tree makeover, so this was the year... we were given a tree last year as a gift, so what better time to buy new decorations and ornaments. I always loved the "fun" trees that were decorated with lime green, red, and glitter!!! So that was the theme we went for... Santa, glitter, lime green, red and Mr. Snowman!!! Along with the tree I decided that we needed new stockings, and a tree skirt... but I didn't want to pay the expensive price that goes along with new one's. So, I sewed them myself!!! Yes, you heard it- me- I did it!!! I am so proud of myself too, in the back of my head as I sewed, I thought "what am I going to do if it doesn't turn out the way I like, what if I have to try and find what I want" but to my astonishment it worked out. (with the help of my mother and mother-in-law) what would I do with out them!!!

So here are some pictures of the den all decorated for Santa!!! 

Like I said before, I normally don't like to "Toot" my own horn, but I am just so excited about what I have crafted I just had to share. I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season, it is a time for family, friends and most of all FAITH ! I will have a little more time on my hands now that all the decor crafting is over, however now it's time for Christmas Shopping.... Wish me luck! 

Curiosity....

I've always had this curiosity about Riley's hair, what I mean is, I've always wondered how long her hair would be if I straightened it, but I always told myself that when the time comes and Riley wants to see her hair straight I would help her in fixing it . So, I always knew my question wouldn't be answered until Riley was old enough to ask (a few years from now). Well.... the other morning as I was flat ironing my hair, my little Riley kept tugging at my pants for me to do the same thing to her hair. I looked into her little blue eyes and asked her if she wanted mommy to straighten a lock of her hair, thinking to myself- Yeah right, you never let me brush your hair, I don't think you'll let me straighten it. She proved me wrong!!!!! My little Angel sat on the floor, still as she could be and let me do it!!! I tested her with one strand and 20 minutes later she wasn't my blond CURLY headed baby anymore!! She was my LONG blond headed baby!!! WOW I could not believe how long, I did come to the conclusion though that God gave me a beautiful little girl with beautiful little curls and I am going to leave it like that for as long as I can! 

Riley in Destin this summer, her curly locks in there truest form!!!

After our 20 minute straightening session....

It's been a while since my last post and we have been doing a lot around the house... I guess you could call this my "Show and Tell"... I love this time of year, and there's nothing better than decorating for it. I've had a family project set aside for Thanksgiving for quite some time now, and when Joel was home from work one afternoon I decided it would be the perfect time to wipp it out! I call it my "Give Thanks " garland.... it was quite simple and only took a few things to make it with... card stock, crafting paint, and string. I had Joel paint his hand orange and stamp it on the paper, I proceeded with mine then I made Riley stamp her hand in various "Fall" colors... enough times to spell out "Give Thanks". After the paint dried I cut out the hand prints, drew the letters on the hands and strung them together - Ta-DA !!!  My own Family Give Thanks Garland!!! Something I will cherish for a very long time. 

Riley painting her hands, having fun!

Daddy helping, so cute!

Just what I imagined it would look like!

NYC, Halloween and Nonnie's Birthday!

So, I know, I've been procrastinating.... something I have been very good at here lately. I realized this, this morning... as I stumbled out of the bed at 6 am, I tripped over the pile of dirty towels that have been needing to be washed now for three days, I also realized that I haven't washed the sheets on the bed (something I do every Saturday). Along with a list that seems to be getting longer and longer the more I sit and think about it, I also haven't blogged in 2 whole weeks,alot has happened in those two weeks- my girls trip to NYC, my mother-in-laws 50th birthday and Halloween! (Might I add ALOT of pictures have been taken as well.)

I heart N.Y., but I love MS!!!

Lanthea and I haven't taken a trip together since 2005, we always found time in our busy working schedules to get together one or two weekends a year, where girls can be girls. Since the arrival of our beautiful little girls our priorities have been our families. So, when we met up one day for lunch to celebrate a mutual friends birthday, we both spoke about getting something together to have a girls weekend. That's when she surprised me with the trip to NYC!!! Her step-sister Stacy was turning 40 and invited Lanthea and I to celebrate with her and her good friend Sharon. It was all planned out... the hotel, the flights, and transportation. (And when I say transportation I mean Limo!!! )

We had such a great time, good friends are a blessing. We did all the fun things that everyone should do when traveling to the Big Apple. We traveled on the double-decker bus stopping at all the hot spots, we stood on top of the world - The Empire State Building, we saw Lady Liberty, we were humbled as we toured the World Trade Center, shopped in China Town (very scary), walked thru Central Park and saw the beautiful fall leaves, ate very well- however we walked a million miles so we never gained a pound, and we had our 5 seconds of fame on the TODAY SHOW! It was a great trip, one we will be making again with our sisters and mothers in tow.













Mrs. Cindy's 50 and Riley's a Kiss-

What a fun time of year, first Halloween then Thanksgiving and lastly our Saviors Birth- Christmas. We have always enjoyed this time of year, but now that we have a little one, it seems way more fun. This year I was totally stumped on Riley's Halloween costume. I was determined to sew it myself and like I stated before I procrastinated and I found myself the Monday before Trick or Treat without a costume. Have no fear- My mother-in-law was my fairy godmother- she stated that Cameron's old costumes were in the guest closet, and I should take a look. So I did and what did I find? The cutest hand made Hershey's Kiss outfit! Mrs. Cindy made it for Cameron when she was 3 (in case some of you aren't aware, Cameron is 11 years younger than Joel). So, I said a little prayer, hoping it would fit, and it did!!! Yaay!!! I was so excited, I went to Target, found some silver shoes, a white shirt and some silver tights! Her outfit was complete!

Halloween is not only a day for dress up, it's also a very special person's birthday-Mrs.Cindy's!

I've always said that if i could change the date of my birthday I would change it to Oct.31!~Mrs. Cindy has such a fun day to celebrate: with candy, Trick-or-Treating and dressing up! This year was no different, Riley, Joel and I ate lunch with her and her student's, outside listening to the school band , we then surprised her with a decorated car- with streamers, balloons and painted windows letting everyone know she was turning 50, and to top it all off we had her favorite cake waiting on her at home- Caramel Cake!!!  

Once Nonnie came home and we celebrated the big 50, we got Riley dressed in her costume and went to the First Baptist of Hattiesburg's Trunk-or-Treat ! Riley had a blast! Little did we know that the church was having a costume contest and Riley won 1st place!  It was a great day filled with family and friends. I truly love this time of year, it brings everyone together and yummy food!

Busy, Busy,Busy....

Wow, it has been a busy week ! This past week we have had so many fun things to do, and fun people to spend time with! Last Friday my dear friend Nikki and her daughter Lauren came down from Memphis to visit, and see her younger sister play softball . The game was held at Mississippi College on Saturday, so we loaded up the girls and had a blast! Lauren and Riley played behind the stands in the gorgeous weather! It was so fun to see them play together, girls are so sweet.


Here they are playing together with a riding toy a cute little boy shared with them.



On Sunday my mom came up from Hattiesburg to visit, we always enjoy Omie coming...she always cooks us something yummy! We decided to go the Nicholas-Boyd Pumpkin Patch in Brandon. Little did we know we would have the grouchiest little girl ever!!! Riley was such a sour-pus! I still don't know why, she must of woke up on the wrong side of the bed from her nap! I did manage to get a few pictures with out her yelling "NO" or looking off. But in my deepest of wants, I really wanted those fun family pictures that everyone else seems to get with smiles and laughs. It just wasn't meant to be for us... maybe next year.


A family photo! That she sat still for, (for a second)



She didn't know I was taking her picture!!



Omie smiling but Riley giving the "leave me alone look"!

Day in the country, relaxing in the city.

This weekend was just what the doctor ordered. Joel's parents -Nonnie and Big Joe, decided to have Riley down for the weekend, which gave Joel and I a relaxing time here at home. While I was soaking in the tub, giving myself a mani- and pedi-cure, watching some "girly" movies and having a night out with Joel, our little Riley was having a great time in the country feeding and petting horses, driving her Corvette and swinging on her swing set. It is such a blessing to have family near by (only an hours drive) and two wonderful Aunts who care so much about their little niece. Aunt Carley, who I think needs to start a career in  photography, took these wonderful pictures of our Riley feeding the horses. How I love the simple things.

Chicken Pox?!!!

I've always heard from my mom and mother-in-law how the chicken pox was one of those dreaded  illnesses, and I always thought to myself - "phew, glad Riley has had her vaccine!" Well little did I know that the vaccine works 85% of the time, and unfortunately Riley falls into the 15% who will get the illness regardless! 

Joel, Riley and I spent a wonderful Sunday afternoon doing some much needed clothes shopping. When we got home we had some yummy pot roast that had been in the crock pot all day simmering, we watched a movie "Milo and Otis" an oldie but goodie. I then proceeded to get Riley ready for bed, when I noticed a cluster of red bumps on her belly!!! I immediately thought Chicken Pox, but then calmed down because she had had her vaccine when she was one. So, Joel and I both got on the phone with our mothers(frantic) asking questions. Both concurred that it was probably the dreaded POX!!! After a doctor's visit the next morning it was confirmed- she had them, and on top of it, a pretty severe case! She is now on some antibiotics and benadryl, doing much better. Now I know why my mom and mother-in-law dreaded this illness, on top of the itchiness, she is grouchy and doesn't sleep very well. But as I remember back when I was young and sick, my mother would always fix me soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, so as I do the same for Riley I hope that she finds comfort in the potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches I fixed her.  

Birthday Fun!!!!

We have had an eventful past few weeks, a Birthday Celebration! Riley's , Joel's and mine.. all within a week!! Riley had a wonderful birthday party in Hattiesburg at her Nonnie and Big Joe's house, the weather was perfect and the food was yummy! Riley received way too many gifts, but when you're the only grandchild on either side of the family- what can you expect! Riley's aunt Carley and Cameron set the bar really high for first cars- Riley received a Red Corvette! (Joel and I are worried she might expect the same when she turns 16) As you'll see in the following pictures she also got an awesome swing set from Nonnie and Big Joe! (she won't ever want to leave when we go visit). We were so excited to have all our friends and family come to celebrate with us, - family is a wonderful blessing! 

Joel and I celebrated our birthday's differently however, we went to a Mexican restaurant and did some shopping- still in shock that this will be our last year in our twenties!!! Where has the time gone? 

So, now that it's October that means Fall!!! I love this time of year, cooler weather and the Canton Flea Market! What fun times lye ahead!

Looking back 2 years ago today - Riley's Birthday!!!

Wow! The time has flown by, it seems like it was just yesterday when Joel and I walked into the hospital ready to have our little Riley. Little did we know what was to come... after 9 hours of "natural" labor-yes I said NATURAL- and a little over an hour of pushing , Riley Ilise Edwards made her debut at 8lbs. 9ozs!!! My plan was to go in, be induced(SP??) have a wonderful epidural, push Riley out and we would have our bundle of joy, with no pain! But the Lord had other plans, and honestly I wouldn't have it any other way. I actually plan on having our next one naturally... but I will be prepared- meditation, Lamaze ect. The Birth day of my little Riley I will never forget, It is amazing!!! As we prepare for Riley's birthday party I took time out to look at photo's and watch home movies, what a blast we've had so far. I can't wait to see what's in store.... Here are some of my fav. photos.  

My Little Girl is Growing Up!!

Wow, this weekend was a busy one... first, Riley became a BIG girl, and we just added more stress to ourselves!!! Riley is officially in a toddler day bed!!! She loves it, we however, are just amazed at how time flies! Riley will turn two on the 25th of this month and it seems just like yesterday we were bringing her home. We took before and after pictures to remember the momentous occasion. Later that afternoon, Riley and I drove down to Hattiesburg. Saturday we meet up with Lanthea, Kayden, Krystle, and baby Ava for lunch and some good ol'girl talk.(much needed) Sunday morning we ate a delicious breakfast and then got ready for Carrie's baby shower. I just love those kind of showers, they're so much fun. Monday we woke up and came back to Clinton- and it seems as if the week is going to pass us by (let's hope so) I am on an official diet and also on the count down for my "Girls Trip to NYC"!!!!!! Can't wait only 46 more days. 

Hurricane Gustov Blow away!!!!!

AsHurricane Gustov blew outside, we were having a ROCKIN' time inside! Joel has a game called Rock Band that I am sure many of you are familiar with, and even though it's not what I would consider a very educational game for Riley, it sure did keep her occupied as the wind blew outside!!! 

Riley also decided to draw her first Micasa on our wall near our front door, she was very proud of it when she first showed me...however as I began to tell her that we don't color on the wall, she felt the need for some comfort from her "poppy'. All is well, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works very well on cleaning crayon off the wall.