O' Christmas Tree

I'm late, I'm late and Christmas is just 9 days away!! I'm behind this year, but I'm making progress. Our Christmas cards are made, but not addressed; shopping is still incomplete, although I did put a big dent in it this weekend; the dreaded Christmas card photo shoot took place this afternoon; I'm just about finished decorating; and the pecans for my Bourbon Balls are marinating as I type.

We FINALLY got our Christmas tree Friday night and decorated it on Saturday. So there IS light at the end of the tunnel. And the light in Oakley's eye's speaks volumes.

She is overjoyed with our tree and I think she's already memorized every ornament. She goes round and round the tree as she repeats, "Don't touch it .... just look." Last year we celebrated Christmas without Oakley, knowing that she was halfway around the world, without her family, and without knowing what a very special day it was. It was a difficult holiday for us, but we found comfort in knowing it would be the last Christmas she would ever spend alone. Words can't describe how wonderful it is to have her home with us this year.

I must admit that adding another child to the mix made our annual Christmas card photo shoot a little more interesting. Oakley was dressed and ready long before any of the boys, so I positioned her in front of the tree to get some solo shots. By the time her brothers were ready, she was done with the photo shoot and more than ready to move on to something else ... lunch, in particular.

Bless her heart, I bribed her with a sandwich and chips, and she managed to find a few more smiles. Amazingly, I was able to get a few photos with everyone's eyes open, and everyone smiling (albeit some of the smiles were obviously forced!)

I haven't decided which shot we'll use yet, but I need to get busy if I want to get them in the mail before Christmas!! Care to let me know your favorite?

Next year I vow to have a professional photographer take our Christmas card photo. I don't think I've used a professional photographer since Sullivan was just a baby! It's about time.

When Bad Hair Happens to Good People

We were preparing to head out to dinner and I asked Sawyer to go upstairs with Oakley and fetch a bow for her hair. They were gone for a while and this is how she looked when she returned.

Sawyer, of course, was all smiles. He's no stylist, but you've got to admit, he's got flare:).

Oakley LOVED her new look and was more than happy to pose for some photos.

Yup, Sawyer continues to be her hero!! When we pick him up from school each day, she greets him with a smile and a "Hello! You're my friend." And she never fails to ask him how his day was.

I love looking back in my rear view mirror to see them holding hands -- their mutual affection is so evident.

Ahhh ... it melts a Mother's heart!

Thankful

I'm a slacker. I can't believe I let an entire month escape me with no post!! I missed Thanksgiving and our 6-month GOTCHA anniversary. We've been crazy busy, but I apologize for not posting an update last month. I'd be remiss, however, if I didn't take time to share how THANKFUL we are to have our sweet girl home.

Thanksgiving took on a whole new meaning this year and it often overwhelms me just to look at Oakley. She is absolutely amazing in every way and as I experience each holiday and each event through her eyes, I count my blessings. She reminds me daily to remember what's really important -- the love of family, the grace of God, and the tenderness of a child's heart.

She's so appreciative of all the little things and she was beyond excited as I decorated the Thanksgiving table in anticipation of sharing a wonderful meal with our immediate and extended family members.


I LOVE Thanksgiving. I love our family traditions -- watching the Macy's Day Parade in our pajamas and cooking our favorite dishes with the sound of football games in the background. I love that Sullivan ventures out mid-morning to find the brightest red leaves to adorn our table, and I love spending time with family. It's low-pressure and lots of fun. And this year, Oakley's excitement was icing on the cake, or whipped cream on the pumpkin pie! Yes, she really loves all the hoopla surrounding each holiday, not to mention the food. The girl still REALLY loves to eat!

"Soooo pretty, Mama. It's gonna be FUN!" she exclaimed repeatedly as she helped me set the table.

And with Christmas just around the corner, you can only imagine how she reacts to all the Christmas lights, the holiday music, and the general hustle and bustle. She knows Jingle Bells by heart and sings it non-stop .... non-stop. Michael decorated the front of the house with wreaths on the windows and twinkly lights on the landscape shrubs. She tells him daily what a good job he did.

We visited the mall, and much to my amazement, she climbed right up on Santa's lap, gave him a big hug, and asked him for a baby doll. She was thrilled with the little coloring book he gave her. She talks about him like he's a long-lost friend. And I guess he is.

As we prepare this season to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, I thank Him for His presence in our lives, I thank Him for my wonderful husband, my beautiful boys, and my precious little girl.

Raggedy Ann says HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Raggedy Ann wishes you a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

To say that Oakley was thrilled with her costume is an understatement. She could barely contain her excitement last Friday as she prepared to attend her first Halloween Party/Birthday Boo Bash for Bella, one of her best friends from school.

Just look at how happy she is ... and this was before the sugar-high!

Big Brown Eyes and Little Brown Boots

We were getting ready to head out to the pumpkin patch last Saturday and Oakley was so thrilled with her new boots that I had to get some photos before we even left the house. She was ready to pose!

"CUUUTE boots," she exclaimed happily as she zipped up her boots. She had a little extra kick in her step as she sashayed through the house that morning.

Cute just happens to be one of her favorite adjectives right now and she uses it to describe her daddy's tie, her brother's artwork, my purse, and anything else that catches her fancy.

All day long she'd look down at her feet and let me know just how much she appreciated her new boots.

"I like a boots, Mama,".

I know, baby girl.

I'm so glad that a pair of little brown boots can light up your day.

Pony Tails and Panties

Funny story.

I normally take Oakley to school each morning on my way to work. A few weeks ago, I had an early morning (6:45 am) meeting, so Mike agreed to take Oakley in for me. I laid out an outfit for her to wear, complete with a coordinating bow, so at least I knew she'd be matching when I picked her up from school.

She's all about "poatie tails" right now, and even though her hair is still pretty short, she begs for one each morning. She looks a little like Pebbles from the Flinstones, because the only place I can get enough hair for a pony tail is right up front!

After my meeting, I called Michael to see how Oakley fared without me. He said she was a little on edge all morning and went from room to room calling for me. She was really upset at first, but he was able to calm her down and get her dressed.

His biggest struggle that morning seemed to be getting "that useless pony tail holder to stay in her hair. They're too small for normal fingers to maneuver." He tried his best to convince Oakley that she just needed a bow, but she wasn't going for it.

It's hard to resist an adorable three-year-old pleading for a "poatie tail."

When I picked her up that afternoon, that pitiful little pony tail was the first thing I noticed. Honestly, there were probably only 5-6 hairs in it and it laid straight down on her forehead. But something else was askew as well. Her cute little Hanna Andersson dress that I snatched off ebay for pocket change, didn't look quite right. Now admittedly, it was a little too big, and with her matching leggings, she looked a tad too Granny Clampett-ish.

But, why was the neck pulled up so high?

And, why did the back drape so much?

Why, oh, why? Because her dress was on BACKWARD, that's why! And she'd apparently worn it like that all day.

"Ummm ..." I questioned her teacher. "Is that how she came dressed to school this morning?"

"Yes," she answered meekly.

"Her dress is on backward," I noted.

"Yes," she agreed, nodding her head. "I thought maybe that's how her daddy wanted it."

Who can argue with that?

And Mike's response to my discovery .... "I thought the buttons always go in the back!" Well, honey, not always. Not when there's a big fat tag in the front.

Fast forward to last week.

I picked Oakley up from school and her teacher casually mentioned to me that after Oakley had gone potty that morning, she came out of the bathroom and asked where her panties were. The teacher thought maybe they were caught in her shorts, and she wasn't able to get them both up at the same time. After a quick but thorough search, they discovered there were no panties to be found.

YES, I sent my three-year-old daughter to preschool commando. Wearing a cute top, a pair of short shorts and no panties. But her pony tail looked fantastic.

Thank goodness there was a spare pair of panties in her cubby.

Paybacks are hell.

Number One Fan

All three of my boys play soccer, so Oakley spends a LOT of time at the soccer field. Seriously, we have soccer at least six days out of seven, and generally we're shuffling around to multiple games and practice sessions. Oakley doesn't seem to mind (yet) and she's certainly the boys' Number One Fan.

She cheers for them throughout the game, even during half-time, and even if they don't happen to actually be IN the game.

"Go, Sawyer!"

"Woo Hoo, Hagan!"

"Good Job, Sullivan!"

Her repertoire is somewhat limited, but very spirited and very heartfelt.

It's been 90 degrees plus at most every game, so she's generally a sweaty mess. She has a great time, however. Especially if the concession stand is open. And especially if there's pizza.





Sawyer plays varsity for his high school team and she knows most all of his teammates by name. They ALL know her; she's somewhat become the team mascot. And I will admit, she's already a little partial to the dark-headed boys and she calls out to them long after they're out of hearing range.The boys are all looking forward to the day that she puts on her own uniform and scores her first goal. They are ASSUMING she's going to play soccer. I've tried to tell them she may prefer dance or gymnastics. They're not going for it.