thanksgiving

monday, zoo, loretta lynn, parties, and more!

November 26, 2012 | posted by Jaima @ Ring Around the Rosies | Leave a Comment

Is it just me or have the last few weeks just flew by?!
Ours have been jam-packed with fun things. A little bit of work and a whole lot of play.
Last Sunday, on Veteran’s Day, our zoo was having free admission for vets and their families. Considering we hadn’t been there this year (shockingly) we took advantage of the beautiful day. So thankful we did.
We’ve been doing a little Christmas shopping, but I generally make most of our gifts – you’ll see some of them in here (I have to be careful about posting them, because I don’t want to spoil any surprises).
Thanksgiving was AMAZING this year. One of the best ones I can recall. I didn’t take any pictures that day because I was too busy soaking up the day. It was a quiet day, with my immediate family. After dinner, the men played with their new toys and the girls watched old home movies and went through the sales papers! That night, the men took the babies home, and I went out with my aunt and cousin. It’s a crazy tradition, but we always have so much fun and create so many memories.
Friday was Andrew’s birthday! I don’t care how old you are, you’re never too old for a birthday party in my book. Our family values every one so much more now. And we are all there to celebrate! Of all the meals I could have prepared, Andrew wanted a frozen pizza party (gross, huh?). I guess since we rarely eat already prepared food, or junk food for that matter, he thought he’d make a party of it… haha. I’m thankful for Amy’s organic gluten free pizzas!
Saturday, I cleaned out all day and worked on a school project (did you know I not only run a business and blog, but I’m in the midst of finally getting a degree) while Andrew went out with a friend. We rendezvoused for sushi later.
Sunday, was an at-home, self-declared family day!! Just the 3 of us. We put on the traditional Loretta Lynn Christmas album I grew up listening to and decorated for Christmas and put up the tree. Sipped hot chocolate (it’s cold here), and had left over Thanksgiving for dinner.
I wish you could have seen Elizabeth’s face when we cut the tree lights on. This Christmas is already fun! We could just skip all of the presents, because the magic and wonder in her eyes has already been more than I ever expected. It’s going to be a great season. She keeps walking around smiling and saying, “looooook, Mama!”. Love it.

And if you actually looked through all of those pictures, here’s my favorite Loretta Lynn Christmas song… Mama always said, “we’ll have a good ol’ country Christmas this year”, and we always have. This year is no exception!

Filed Under: Andrew, Christmas, Elizabeth, Holidays, Our Family, thanksgiving, This is Us

thankful

November 22, 2012 | posted by Jaima @ Ring Around the Rosies | Leave a Comment

I am thankful for so much. My heart is seriously full.

Things are definitely not perfect, we have our heartaches and hardships like any other family. Part of my resolutions this year was to rid my life and my home of anything negative. We are choosing to focus on the positives that we have, instead of the things that we don’t. And let me tell you the surreal peace and happiness that has come from that.

I am thankful for my family. I have been so richly blessed. I may not have my mom anymore, but I have aunts and cousins who take such good care of me and Elizabeth.

God gave me an amazing husband. He is the hardest working man I have ever known. He is annoyingly perfect at everything he does, and always goes waaaay beyond whatever the task at hand is. For instance, if he scores a 98 on a test and has a chance to retake it, he will – just to get those 2 extra points, even though he already has an A. He is a master carpenter, an IT guru, a SSG in the US Army, an amazing pianist, a former volunteer fire fighter, an expert marksman, He works full time, does Army on the weekends, takes 4 classes a semester (and maintains a 4.0), and still has time to be the best daddy and husband there is!

I am thankful for my perfect daughter, and God’s timing. She is overflowing in personality. She is healthy, and growing (slowly). She has such a kind heart and never lets us forget to say prayers before meals and bedtime. I am so glad God decided to give me the opportunity to be her Mommy!

I am thankful for Shaklee and my incredible team! I LOVE all of the girls on there so much. It’s hard to believe I didn’t know any of them 16 months ago, and now they’re among my best friends! I am thankful for the opportunity to make a full time income from home working during Elizabeth’s naptime.

I am thankful for this blog – my outlet – and the community that has formed here the past year. Y’all are incredible women. I love hearing your stories and getting to know you. I am thankful for the chance to share my own story and ideas, in hopes of helping even one of you.

I am thankful for this free country. Regardless of who is in office, I am thankful for the freedoms we still have, the rights we are guaranteed, and all of the men and women who have fought and continue to fight to ensure we are protected.

I am thankful for my health, my talents, my abilities, and all of the little things we so often take for granted such as our warm home we complain is too little, and the fridge we complain is too empty. I’m thankful for the vehicles we complain are too expensive to fill up, and for the clean roads we complain are too bumpy.

So what about you? What are you thankful for this holiday?