CHRISTmas decorating!!

I wish I could say that I love to decorate for Christmas, but I don't; I LOVE the result of decorating for Christmas. 

I LOVE sitting in the living room by the flickering tree while listening to Christmas music and drinking hot coco (I hate drinking/smelling coffee).  Especially while the children (& other adults) are sleeping soundly.  It is ME time!!!

I am sort of in a rut this year though, I have so much beautiful stuff that people have made for us but can't put it out for one reason or another.  This makes me sad....

I NEVER forget why we celebrate though...Jesus, he is the reason for the season!! His birth is why we have life.  He lived, taught, died, & rose again just for us-sinners that are so unworthy & He willingly died a shameful death for us!!  Could you..., would you do that for a world that mostly doesn't love you?!  What an amazing Father we have to send His son to die for us!

Sorry for the little sermon!!  Have your Christmas gatherings started yet?!

My Oldest "baby's" Birthday Party

Yep, it is true...we celebrated the birth of David yesterday with a little party of friends and family at Chuck E Cheese's.  And YES, we are SO thankful to those friends & family for braving the dreaded fun place so that our eldest would be soo very happy, and he was :)

He wanted to have his party at the YMCA like his little "Brudder" but his Mommy failed to ask them in time so he had to come up with a "plan B" real quick like.  His theme...Mario of course!  If anyone knows my boy than they know that he has brought Mario back!  He L-O-V-E-S Mario games and can humm most of the tunes on the games!

Happily there were about 6 families that came to say happy birthday & brave the madness that is C.E.C. and that made David oh so happy!!

Again thanks for coming out & joining us for David's 11th birthday!!  Happy Birthday DAVID!!!!
You can read about the day of David's birth here and here .

The Annual TableScapes

The women's ministry at our church holds an annual Tablescapes in November.  The theme... tables decorated beautifully; & a guest speaker that (in my two, or so,years going) usually will knock your socks off.

This year I got to sit at a fellow choir, Sunday School, friend's table (last year we sort of strolled around together until we finally sat down at another church members beautiful table) & I must say she did a fabulous job at decorating it.  What do you think?!

I honestly did not want to go when it came time too.  I had a terrible headache that just pounded away all thru the night but still  I am SO glad that I went.  I was very blessed by Mary Kay Beard and her testimony and I got to see some people that I haven't seen in quite a while.  

I mingled some, but with the pounder that I did have that night, most people were just asking if I was OK.  

What an awesome time I had with some great friends!! 

Thankful Jar-Family

I found a Thanksgiving Thankful Countdown by Valerie Lee on the web sometime last year (of course it was after Thanksgiving) and thought that I could incorporate it into our lifestyle....


So here is our first Thanksgiving Thankful Countdown outing...

I am THANKFUL for my Family!

So yes, I did sort of pick it out & not pulled it out of a jar, but...I had seen it picked it out & then our plans just sort of fell into place- GOD inspired for sure!!

Our family and our family-by-marriage adopted family met at a local (as in about 10 minutes from our homes) Nature Preserve. 

We ran on the rocks

Took family photos

Checked out the beautiful scenery

& hiked on the Boy Scout Trail

It was absolutely beautiful, serene, and we loved being there.

Thank You LORD for your beautiful masterpiece in the fall.  All the oranges, golds, greens, yellows, reds shined out and the water...just refreshing. 

AGAIN, THANK YOU LORD for your GLORIOUS BEAUTY!!!

Silent Sunday

Serenity.....

Our Veteran's Day

Many people who know me knows that I do not home school my kids, but I do believe that when they are at home from school on a school day that we can still have fun & learn new things all at once.

So I took the boys to Linn Park by the Jefferson County Courthouse so they could see the statues of those who risked their lives to help us be free today. 

We read all the plaques, talked about what a Veteran is, how they helped America and Americans, & about those who are overseas right now. 

They were in awe but the excitement of Linn Park was too much for them & they did not want to stay for the parade-which was OK because my tummy started to scream by the time the parade started. 

I showed them The Birmingham Museum of Fine Art (it was closed, but they saw it & wanted to go in it [field trip anyone!!]), The Jefferson County Criminal Court where I went to listen to some court cases when I was VERY prego with Big D, and The Jefferson County Jail.  They liked hearing the stories about each of the places I showed them and wanted to know more.

We then tried to go to Morris Ave for a pre Christmas card photo shoot but it was closed for road work :(.  So we went to McDonald's so they could play in the play dome & to eat lunch and then we came home to clean up some.

This squirrel asked  me to photograph him, so here is the picture of a SQUIRREL!!
What was your Veteran's Day like?

Homecoming Parade

So what can be better than going to a homecoming parade? #1 Going to Auburn's homecoming parade/game (if you are an Auburn fan that is) So....what can be the next best thing?!  Going to an UAB homecoming parade with my hubby when he is off (instead of meeting him downtown to go watch it with him) and having an actual adult only lunch!!  I know...!!!!

We were able to go to the parade and gather up items for our children and ahem ourselves go have lunch and find out somethings that are coming up in 2 areas of my life :) (I'm excited can't ya tell!!!!) 

So anyhow, I'm gonna let the pictures speak for themselves:

The Blazerettes, Majorettes, & the UAB Band

Mr. & Ms. Dorm Housing & a cool Dragon & dude showing school spirit!!

Ramsey High School

So did you go to any parades for homecoming this past weekend?

GUESS WHAT!?!?!?!

Five post ago, I repeat FIVE posts ago I hit the 200 mark!!!

I was SO excited when I saw it, but thought I would wait when I really didn't have too much to talk about. ;)

YAY for 200+ post!!!

Have a great day worshipping the KING OF KINGS!!!!!

                                           ALL ABOUT PIX & PARTIES
So, Kelly from Kelly's Korner is having a blog carnival about What you make.  This post is a post that I wrote for that, but unfortunately I don't think our business counts this time :(.  I AM posting it though so people will know about our business & leave my blog "open" for  while.  Happy Reading!!!

A friend and myself are in the works of building a catering/photographing business.  We make delicious cakes, entrees, drinks, & beautiful dishes on the catering part & on the photography part we make beautiful memories for any event your heart desires!

If you live in the Central Birmingham, AL area and you have an event coming up than feel free to contact us @ allaboutpixandparties@hotmail.com to see what we can do for you!  We are very budget friendly and we want you to have the event of your dreams.  You can also "like" us on Facebook or look at some of our events we have done in the past (we are adding pictures every day).   

Thanks for reading and hopefully we will be hearing from you soon :)!!

Losing Weight

Over the past 6 or so months, I have been working out.  It started with me walking on the treadmill for 3 days a week but I noticed that I would end up not feeling great afterwards.  So I began to walk around a track (whether it be outside at a park, or around a hospital) for at least 2 laps (most of the time though it is more). 

taken in Jan 2010

Around the time I quit doing Zumba at home & at the YMCA, I picked up doing weight training.  I have seen some great results in just 6 months & I have felt great doing just the walking and weight training. 

taken in March 2010

I have only lost about 5 pounds, but I have lost quite a bit in my inches around my waist.  Our oldest child came to give me a hug & said, "Mom! I can wrap my arms completly around you now!"  It was a great feeling.  I am ok with not loosing fast, I just hope that I keep up the good work.

taken in July 2010

Oh if you are wondering I really haven't changed my eating habits too much.  I have tried to stop drinking so much sodas and we have stopped eating out so much (not really because of the weight thing but more for having no money).  I have found out that Sierra M*st is a great alternative to soda and I have been trying to drink more water.

taken in Sept 2010

taken on Halloween 2010

I don't think you can SEE the difference but I certainly can tell it!  If you want to track my progress than you can go here .  How about you, how do you try to lose weight?

 

5th Grade Scholars

I am one proud Momma!

My Big D was awarded the Superintends 5th Scholar award this week!  Joey, Mimi, Pop, Nana, the rest of our families, & I are so proud of him.  We went to Northpark Baptist to the ceremony (& oh.my.goodness)& it was packed with proud parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc.

The JeffCoEd Board went thru the ceremony quickly it had singing, a speaker from Shades Valley, & student recognition from about 10 schools.  

Afterwards we celebrated with a supper trip to Milo's before they closed-in all it was a great night :)

Happy Halloween!!

Well, it is late, but HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Evening church was canceled on Halloween due to a sudden death of our church family so they wanted to give everyone a chance to go to the view & love on the grieving family ( we however already had other plans & had made arrangements not to go before hand). 

We had been invited to a bridal shower turned into a costume party & so we headed towards the hosting home- which is very beautiful, but a very.long.way.away to go paarrrtttaayyy!! 

First let me introduce to the players:

Scary Frosty the Snowman

Mario

Luigi

Tutu Cute Lady

So, anyhow, this home was decked out to the max with beautiful fall (& Halloween) decor.

  It was also decked out with some great eats, yum!

Oh, let me introduce you to the bride & groom to be:

Yep it is Frankenstein & Bride of Frankenstein (isn't that cute?)



Thanks to the hosting family for a great & fun time!  We loved meeting all of our new friends, fellowshipping with you & we love the soon to be Bride & Groom too!  Best wishes to you both!!!