Bring on 2009!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We did, however, as usual, I forgot to bring the ol' camera to almost every single Christmas event we attended! Yup, my camera was absent during the following festivities: Christmas parties (all three girls), Girl Scouts, a fun family Sunday at Stone Mountain's Christmas Village, Christmas Eve, and GASP! Christmas morning! Sweet Hubby did get video of most of the above, thank goodness! So...no lovely after-Christmas post with sweet pictures in front of the tree, or pictures of my girls giggling with delight Christmas morning with their treasures from Santa (although, they did really giggle with delight!)...so a Happy New Year post is in order here!

I have now moved on to taking deco's down, the tree (it was so dry) is gone, etc...I have had to sweep my hardwood floors a gazillion times since the tree left us...where are all of those old tree needles coming from??

I am so ready for 2009! Jason & I probably won't make it until midnight tonight, as usual, we will enjoy our New Years kiss tomorrow morning! Sleep is too important! Out with all of the craziness of 2008! No more bailouts (yea right!), election is over, hoping for a better economy, less crime, etc...ya know, the typical wishes we make every year for our Country!

2008 was a great year for our family! I feel so blessed with each years passing, to have my beautiful girls, my amazing Husband, my incredible family, our health & happiness!

I am just ready to start a new year fresh & enjoy watching my girls grow & learn, enjoy my marriage, travel & see new places (sorry Disney, we are seeking a new vacay spot this Summer!), catch up with old friends (I say I will do this every year!), continue mentoring, volunteering, more lunches with my Mom (just for you Mom, LOL!), more family time...

I hope you & yours have a very Happy New Year & that 2009 brings only the best!

Here is the one & only (very blurry) pic taken from my Blackberry while visiting Santa! Might as well share, as it is the only pic I have :)

Merry Christmas to all...

Wishes from the Wise family for a very Merry Christmas & a healthy, happy New Year!

Jingle all the way...

The following tune is Shelby's favorite! She belted this little ditty out for 30 minutes while sitting in mall traffic the other night in the car...so funny!

(Insert twangy, southern accent here):
"Jingle Bowel, Jingle Bowel, Jingle all da waaayyy!"
"Oh, what fun it is to horse in open slei-gh, Jingle Bowels, Jingle Bowels...did I say dashing tru da snow yet Mommy?" "No, not yet sweetie" She continues: "Laughing all da waaayyy, ha ha ha ha ha!" "Is dat where I put da ha ha ha ha ha Mommy?" "Yes, that is where it goes, I tell her." Jingle Bowels, Jingle Bowels, & on & on & on...

Whew, that was a long ride for me, my sweet Shelby is as tone deaf as I am! We are brushing up on our Christmas carols tonight! Our family singing all together...aahh, music to my ears :)

Where did all the chocolate go?

Tale of the Wise girls annual Advent calenders (lovingly bought by me, every year for my girls to enjoy!) Remember these cute calenders? You open a little paper door each day from 12/1 - 12/24 & find a sweet chocolate treat inside! I loved these as a child, my Mom always bought them for us...
All previous Advent calender traditions have gone off without a hitch, each of my darling children only enjoying one chocolate per day until Christmas...following the Advent "rules"! NOT this year!

Chloe (9 yrs) - Very carefully eats only one piece per day, delicately closes each paper door back into place, then scolds her Sisters for the way that they handle their Advent calenders...

Hannah (6, almost 7 yrs) - Forgets to eat her chocolate treat most days, as she is our latest sleeper...usually gets into the car for school half asleep! Will catch up on chocolate eating as soon as school lets out this Friday...

Shelby (5 yrs) - All of her chocolate was gone by 12/6! The picture above is of her calender...It seems Shelby's self control was null, that's ok...She says she "won" as she finished her calender first...I guess she thought this was more of a "race" than a tradition...She is still learning days of the week & what an actual "time frame" is...Everyday asking me from 12/1 - 12/6, "Can I eat next years piece now, Mommy?", translate: Can I eat the entire calender today, Mommy?

You better watch out...you better not cry

Every year I buy these super cute "Letters to Santa" at our local boutique...I know, nice touch right? Well, Jason sits the girls down this past weekend to write out their wishes to send to the "big guy" that lives at the North Pole! I think he imagined the girls drinking hot cocoa, happily writing down their secret wishes, lovingly looking up at him with a hopeful look in their eyes...they would ask him "do you think I have been good this year Daddy? He would respond "yes sweetheart, you have been good". I think he was smacked back into reality when Hannah looked at her letter & the space provided for her wishes & exclaimed..."8 lines on this letter to write my wish list, what a crock"...
I guess it's time to go back over "the reason for the season" lecture with sweet Hannah!

Ahh yes, Christmas at my house, you can't make this stuff up! Thank you Hannah for keeping us in stitches...daily!

They grow up way too fast!

My sweet angel Chloe will be 9 on Tuesday!! I remember the moment she was born, my first born, like it was yesterday! I had the nursery finished at 3 months preggo, as I myself wanted to be a "Mommy" since I was a young girl! She was my dream come true...and still is! I am so lucky to have her at my side every single day, she is a blessing, as all of my girls are! She is polite, incredibly smart, beautiful, loving, a wonderful Sister (even though she tells me occasionally she wishes she was an "only child", LOL!), kind & considerate. I adore her...I love you sweet Chloe...Happy Birthday sweetheart!

**Sorry for the picture overload, I get extra emotional during the Holiday :)

O Holy Night...

The above is absolutely my favorite Christmas song! We have several radio stations here in Atlanta that play all Christmas music from Thanksgiving until Christmas day! Driving my little elves to school today, O Holy Night came on and it always, always gives me chills! Goosebumps galore & my eyes always well up at the end of the song...

O Holy Night...
Fall on Your Knees...
Hear the Angels Voices...
O Night...O Night Divine
O Night...That Christ was Born

I don't know what it is...the fact that the night Christ was born is something so lovely to think about, that my faith sustains me daily, that Christmas is after all a celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ...

That song just gets me every time! My favorite version...by Josh Groban...is so moving!


May your Holiday be divine!

Oh yes...I am so thankful!

What could be better than living in the most amazing country God has ever created, loving my Husband, my partner for life & knowing he loves & adores me back, three beautiful, healthy little girls (I always wanted all girls)! As I look at the big picture, all of my dreams have come true! Wonderful friends & their families, even my own crazy family members (come on...we all have at least one!!), I am so blessed, & incredibly lucky! I am so thankful...not just this weekend, but daily. I know this all sounds really rosy & perfect...however, I have days when the girls are fussing with each other or running circles around me & TONS to do; I literally want to pull my hair out (mostly the gray ones that pop up between highlights!), I am a normal Mama, but I love normal (crazy busy)! It starts after Halloween, the inevitable stress of the season! School programs, gifts for everyone (we always deliver homemade cookies to the fire & police stations in our area, because they always work so hard!), Girl Scouts, Pre-k functions for Shelby, wrapping, baking, picking up take-out for dinner (did you actually think I was going to say "cooking"?), the list goes on & on as all of you fellow Mama's know!! But don't we all secretly enjoy the craziness...even if just a bit?? I promise myself that I will slow down every single year...haven't done it yet!! The hustle & bustle does provide an extra excitement during the holiday season running around shopping, etc...Those visions in my head of Hubs & I sitting together fireside on our couch (ya know, on the SAME couch, he is usually in the overstuffed chair, LOL)! We would listen to Christmas music & just enjoy each others company...that vision is so fleeting, but a nice thought!

So, I am thankful in so many ways, to so many people in my life, & look forward to my favorite time of the year with my family, no matter how busy we are! I hope you enjoy yours too! I also welcome any funny holiday stories that you might want to post in the comments section; I can always use a good laugh!! I am sure I will have a few to share before Christmas!

Got Leaves?

Well, if you don't...I have plenty!! Any takers? Who in the world is going to rake 2 of our 15 acres...all full of lovely, dead Fall leaves? Probably not me & Hubby, LOL! We promise ourselves, every year that we will rake & make our yard beautiful for Winter...we never do it! God bless the person who invented the leaf blower!



I was ready to take my shower the other day & pulled the curtain back to find this!!!! Yikes!!



After Hubby heard me scream...& he finished laughing, he admitted he forgot to tell me when he & Shelby made a recent trip to the Garden store, that Shelby picked this out to take home...it's still too scary for a garden if you ask me! She wanted to play "alligator" in the bathtub while I wasn't home & clearly Hubby hung him up to "drip dry"! Shelby very simply told me "Mama, that is just Chompers, he won't bite you, he's pretend!"

Some cute customs have come our way over the last few weeks!

Shelby in maddie*kate (thanks Kandy & Kacey)...my darling loves puppies, so much so that she refused to take a pic without her beloved, "Mr. Biscuit"!





And a darling knit Fall set! Sweet knit hoodie by Jenn (little*red*wagon) & the amazing jeans by Laurie (kandy*Kisses*)



I know this post is totally random, but I feel like I have neglected my blog lately...more Holiday happenings from the Wise family to come!

Black Friday Fun!

Want to have some fun the day after Thanksgiving? The busiest shopping day of the year! All while staying in your pj's! Could this get any better? YES, it does! Laurie of Kandy*Kisses (ebay id), is having a fabulous Black Friday event on her blog! You can check it out here: Kandy Kisses Blog
Tons of fun givaways...just grab a number! Check it out!
Laurie does AMAZING custom work...you can see her designs on ebay & on etsy!

Saving Marielle...

I have gotten to know the most wonderful lady, Lisa of Domestic Diva fame, & her fabulous boys line..."Downtown Joey". Just eyeing her customs for boys makes me want to have one! She is just fantastic! Even though I have not known her for very long (we met on Twitter), I could instantly tell she was one of those women who all of us Mommies strive to be, she is incredibly caring & just amazes me with all that she does! Her energy level is just awesome!
Well, Lisa has a beautiful Daughter, Marielle. She is so lovely & I can't begin to describe how amazing Lisa is with Marielle! You see, Marielle's kidneys are failing & Lisa has been in a frantic search for a donor kidney...to save her Daughters life! Just writing those words takes my breath away, as I can't imagine being up against this challange...the challange that she & Marielle face together...Lisa keeps us updated on Twitter & lots of Hugs & prayers have been sent her way. I wanted to post here, so anyone who reads my blog could get the word out! Lisa & her family are still looking for a kidney match, all the while Marielle is in & out of the hospital. This illness must call on Lisa & sweet Marielle's strength every moment of everyday.
If you think you would like to fill out an application to be a donor or would like to pass along her info...here is a link to Lisa's Domestic Diva blog with all of the details...
God bless you Lisa, Marielle & family, we are praying everyday for you all!

Freedom is never free...

Today, we honor all of the millions of men & women who have valiantly served our great country! Veterans Day...for all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for OUR Freedom! Just the tought gives me such a patriotic feeling in the pit of my stomach...sadness for those families who have lost a loved one to war, pride...the greatest sense of pride to be a part of the amazing nation & to be so proud of our military! I have the upmost respect for the members of our military & today is special, it gives us a moment to reflect on the sacrifice, the pride & the absolute pleasure we should take in each day we are granted freedom!
I started off the day taking a walk in our small town, past the small memorial set up for Veterans Day. Tall, bold white crosses to symbolize all of those that have been lost...flowers, flags...family member & citizens of the community gathered around in prayer & sharing their own memories, what an amazing, sobering site. I feel so incredibly lucky & know that my job as a Mommy is to teach my girls how important our freedom is, what patriotism feels like, pride in our country...
I then came home & donated to these two sites...Wounded Warriors & Operation Gratitude...both wonderful organizations that help our soldiers & their families...
I keep thinking of my Father & Grandfather who served in Vietnam & WWII respectively, of my friends whose Husbands & Wives are overseas & of their children, what a selfless sacrifice they have all made for us! If you feel inclined, take a moment & honor our Veterans, both present & of generations past, for the service to this wonderful country!

Ok...so now go VOTE!

I don't mean to sound bossy with my title of this post! And, no I will not go on & on about my political leanings (you can see that on my facebook, lol!)...this very LONG election is finally coming to an end...so now we need to vote! I do think that voting is our right, but more so our responsibility! I happily took my three girls to the polls & was so proud that they got to see their Mommy participate in an historic election, whichever side wins! I felt pride, excitement, and such a deep patriotic feeling this morning! I am so proud to be an American, today and everyday!

Is it time already?

Oh my! Only 53 days left until Santa comes to visit! I love this time of year...time off with family, shopping, drinking warm peppermint/chocolate concoctions at Starbucks, people in good moods, tons of good cheer, warm sweaters, cute jeans & boots to wear, the wonderment in my children's eyes as "the big day" draws near! I love Christmas! Even though it was almost 75 degrees here yesterday, I decided to take the girls "on location" to get some cute pics for our annual Christmas pics this year! As many of you know, we live very close to the University of Georgia! We have these super cute artsy bulldogs (UGA's mascot) all over town, this "Dawg" in particular stays dressed for Christmas all year long! I thought it would be a cute prop for our pics this year! The girls had so much fun & actually cooperated as Jason sat back with delight, as our picturing taking sessions are usually horrendous, LOL!

Lot's more pics to come I am sure, as I have some cute customs that my wonderful designer friends have created for Shelby!

I knew Christmas was soon upon us as first thing, Saturday morning, I heard a Christmas commercial on the radio on my way to the grocery store, which already had the Halloween candy thrown in a cart with a 50% off sign attached! Goodbye Halloween, hello Thanksgiving & Christmas! My hope this year, as it is every year, is that I slow down enough to really soak in the season & enjoy it!

BOO!

We had such a fun Halloween & hope you did too! The girls had a fabulous time dressing up!

A spooky "Spider Witch"



A sweet 1950's "Poodle Skirt Girl" (in Hannah's own words, LOL!) (She wore a little tank top under her "dress" & it got a little "bunched up"! She cracks me up! She looks like a "grown-up" 1950's "poodle skirt girl"!! ROFL!!!



A super cute "Girly Pirate" ARGGH!!

10 years!

Wow! I can't believe I have been married for 10 years (Hubs & I celebrated our Anniversary on 10/24)! It has gone by so fast, of course it would being married to my best friend in the world, the Father of my sweet girls! We have so enjoyed our lives together! I can't wait for 50 more! I couldn't be happier or feel more blessed! Thank you Jason for the very best decade of my life! I love you!

Shelby is 5!

I knew this day would eventually come...the day my last "baby", Shelby would turn 5! It came last Friday, October 10th. I woke up feeling nostalgic & did all day long. S was so excited to turn 5, as it is such a turning point in a little girls life in my opinion! This starts the next little phase for her, losing teeth, attending "big girl" school in Kindergarten, learning to ride her bike w/o training wheels & so many other things!
She is such a petite little thing, that I have such a hard time thinking of her as a big grown-up girl, lol! Alas, she is no longer a toddler in any sense of the word! I stuffed my nostalgia & my sadness that I will never have a toddler running around the house again & we all celebrated & we celebrated BIG!!
She had a fun cupcake get together at preschool on her "real" Birthday, then the next day, Saturday was her party at "Pump It Up"!
What is Pump It Up you ask?? It is a Birthday party hosting facility filled to the brim with inflatables! You know, those fun bounce houses & inflatable slides & obstacle courses! She had a BLAST with her friends & totally enjoyed sitting in the Birthday Princess chair to open her gifts...yup, the chair was also inflatable, LOL! Here are a few (well, a ton, lol!)pics of my sweet, angel who is now 5 (sniff, sniff!). We love you Shelby!
Oh, notice her darling "5" applique tee & fun polka dot twirl skirt by Jenn of Takeabow! Thanks Jenn, Shelby loved twirling on her Birthday!











Shelby's Birthday would NOT have been complete without a pink & purple puppy cake!

Brilliant Idea!

As I made my way into my local grocery store, for what seemed like my 500th trip this week, I headed over to the frozen desert aisle for some popsicles for S, she has been sick this week :(
I go to the grocery so much, I am like a robot as I go up & down each aisle & I know where every single item that I need is located...back to the story! I grab the box of popsicles I want & close the freezer door & much to my surprise hanging from a product display are these FABULOUS popsicle holders!!!! I had one of those "why didn't I think of this" moments & grabbed three packages & happily threw them in my cart! Woohoo! Certainly a Mother had to have come up with this brilliant idea! I have tried paper towels with a small hole poked through for the stick, a paper plate to "lay" the popsicle on while it wasn't dripping from the girls mouths...but each of my ideas always seemed to bring a few drips of juicy, colored liquid sugar that would fall onto my kitchen floor...without fail, every time!! So you can imagine my excitement when finding these!! I will for sure have "product testers" as soon as school lets out today! S still isn't feeling well enough to test these out, maybe this afternoon!

They are offered in a variety of fun colors & are resonibly priced! $3 for a package of 2 holders! They are officially called: Clean-N-Pop. If you don't have my fave grocery store near you, you may be able to find them online!

October tradition...

Ahhh, what a gorgeous fall weekend we had here in the classic city! A family tradition, every October was taken advantage of along with the lovely weather! The Wise fam travels to Washington Farms to their huge pumpkin patch to enjoy Farm rides & games & of course pick out our pumpkins (one for each of us, pet fish included!). We had a blast! My sweet C went on an outing with a friend, so we actually have to do this "tradition" all over again in a few weeks, as it wasn't the same without her!
Here are a few pics of the girls!





Did I mention there were farm animals too?! Get the hand sanitizer ready!


And...the fruits (or are they veggies?) of our labor...

Monday, Monday...

I am upon another very busy week! Imagine that, LOL! We had the house re-painted, the roof re-done & now the kitchen is being remodeled! I promised myself that I would blog each home improvement in stages w/ pics...but, I was so busy last week, I didn't even take the lens cap off of the camera!
So, I think I will just blog the final results...more to come by the end of the week!

I will also have a wonderful "no sew" pillow cover method that I stumbled upon in this month's Family Circle mag! Perfect for those of us who have trouble even threading a needle! I even have an idea of the fabric I want to use! Remember this gorgeous pillow?



Patty of Modkidboutique has just released her lovely Andalucia fabric line for Michael Miller Fabrics!!! Her reds & browns are THE perfect colors for my living room!

I am going to enjoy our beautiful, sparkling Southern Fall weather as I run around like a crazy person this week with the kids! The leaves are already starting to change!

Have a super week!

I also have some Holiday resells this week on eBay! Click here to find them!

We love a good party!

As I mentioned here, it was Jason's 39th Birthday last weekend & boy did we celebrate! C, H & S LOVE Birthdays, Holidays, any reason to have a party & celebrate! So...this year, they asked me if THEY could plan a surprise party for their Daddy on his special day, how could I resist?

Off we went to the party supply store, the bakery & one of Daddy's fav stores to find some fun gifts for him to open! I bought him the Garmin Nuvi GPS for his car as he has wanted/needed one for sooo long! Will be great for him as he tools around the Southeast for his company! His navigation using his cell, well the screen is so tiny, it was getting hard for him to see as he was driving, are we getting old or what, LOL!!?? So this one, has a much bigger screen!



Back to the Birthday bash...the girls set everything up (I have 3 party planners on my hands, I know!), he walked in from work last Friday & was so surprised: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!! It was so much fun & a time to treasure for us as a family as we were the only attendees! We had a bigger party with friends & family last Saturday, but the girls party was so special! S wrapped up her hairbrush to give J for his Birthday...her hairbrush??? Cracked me up & was so endearing!