Goodbye 2009

What a difference a year can make. This time last year, I was pregnant, dangerously sick, and miserable wondering if I would make it through my pregnancy.

Now, I am chasing around a 10 month old who is walking and "talking." My house is now filled with the sounds of baby jibberish, knees smacking the floor as they crawl at breakneck speed, breaking objects, and puffs crunching underfoot. I thank God every morning for saving my soul, giving me a terrific husband, parents, and friends, as well as a wonderful job and home. He has provided for all of my needs, and then some. He not only gives you what you NEED, but cares enough for the EXTRAS. That, my friend, is the frosting on the cake. Extra sweet...

I just realized that I have not posted any pictures of Christmas Day fun, so in honor of this wonderful year and all I've experienced, here are the things I have learned. I hope to remember these lessons and apply them for 2010!

Music heals the heart and touches the soul.
Just sitting down at the piano is very therapeutic.

Life can throw some crazy surprises at you. It's how you react that matters.

Eat more fiber. And then when you're done, eat some more.

Time spent with those you love is never wasted. Take time to love on your family.

Never underestimate the power of a nap. NAPS rule.

Don't jump to conclusions. Take the time to look over situations carefully.
You might be surprised what you discover.

Enjoy the simple things in life, like a free balloon from a fast food joint.

Life's too short to be a grump.
For Pete's sakes...SMILE!
It just might make you feel better.

Girls Day Out

Sydney and I went to Lufkin yesterday to have lunch with my good buddy Angela and her two boys Matthew and Daniel. We ate some yummy Tex-Mex at Del Rio's. Sydney loves noisy restaurants and watches everyone that goes by. She thought the boys were especially entertaining. Angela is like the sister I never had. She and I think so much alike, it is scary! The best thing about her is her bubbly personality and her passion for teaching children with reading problems. She is an inspiration to me. She's a down home girl and loves the simple things in life.

We then skeedaddled over to Hobby Lobby to find some picture frames and possibly a new lamp for the living room. I am a BARGAIN HUNTER deluxe and will not pay full price for anything if I can help it. Found this super cute 3-way lamp for $17 (it was marked down from $60) and several great frames. (frames were 50% off as well!)


From there, we went to Target and picked up some cute leggings to keep Sydney's legs warm this winter. I found some black ones with black polka dots to go with her birthday dress...that just happened to be in the mail when we got home! Yippee! Can you tell what theme we are going with for the party?

We got home from Lufkin and played in the living room with all of her new toys. The weather has been so cold and yucky lately. I am just loving this polka dot fleece outfit that her Aunt Fran gave her for Christmas. Keeps her warm and snug. PRECIOUS!

An Off Day

Ever have one of those days when you just feel unmotivated to do anything? Today was one of those days. I can never explain why I wake up one morning and have zero giddyup in my getalong, but every once in a while it happens. Am I alone out there? And on a Sunday, no less! I love Sundays. I love going to church. I love worshipping the Lord and being with His people. It's the highlight of my week. But today, I was just not feeling on target. I guess I could blame hormones, or the hustle bustle of the holidays, or lack of sleep, but in reality, there really isn't a good reason.

Aren't you glad that God doesn't have off days? Aren't you thrilled that he doesn't wake up you in the morning and say, "Good luck today, honey, 'cause I'm just not feeling up to being your comforter, counselor, Prince of peace, and all sufficient one today." God doesn't get physically tired and he doesn't stop loving me. Thank you Jesus!

It is on those off days that I have to be so careful with my attitude and emotions 'cause they are not truly reflecting who I am. I have to put my feelings aside, no matter how "off" I feel, and do what I need to do. I think it brings God joy when we serve Him regardless of how we feel. Its not about how we feel, it's about our eternal purpose. Our eternal purpose is to walk in His will.

So, goodbye Off Day, I'm going to bed and tomorrow is a new day. Another opportunity to bless someone and give all the glory to God. Thank goodness for Lamentations 3:23. God's mercies are NEW EVERY MORNING and Sweeter Everyday!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

When I was still at home, we had a few Christmas traditions. One of my favorite memories of Christmas Eve was listening to my dad play Christmas carols on his acoustic guitar. To this day, there is no other sound in the world that is as comforting as hearing him play. He also read the REAL Christmas story in Luke to us on Christmas Eve.

Here are a few other Christmas Traditions in the Bishop Family:

1. All presents are opened on Christmas Day, not Christmas Eve or any day prior. Christmas DAY!

2. Christmas decor is taken down, packed carefully, and put away on the afternoon of Christmas Day. Yes, Christmas Day! I was one day late this year and my Christmas didn't get put away till the day after. I'm slacking, I know.

3. It is perfectly acceptable to buy Christmas presents for any/all family pets, but only if they have been VERY good.

4. Ham is served at Christmas dinner.

5. Stockings are optional and just 'cause you hang one up doesn't mean it will magically fill up with anything!

Since we have our own little family now, I decided to start a Christmas tradition of our own. I have several friends that open up one gift on Christmas Eve and this gift contains new Christmas PJ's for having sugar plum dreams on Christmas Eve. I really liked that idea so Sydney opened up her Christmas PJ's Thursday night. She was befuddled because we had been saying, "No, Sydney" for weeks now when she approached a wrapped gift. She loved the paper and wasn't terribly enthused with the PJ's but she seemed to like the fact that she got to rip something up before bed!
I hope to include more traditions to our family as she grows older and begins to understand what Christmas is all about.

What a Day!

Sydney playing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

It's hard to believe that Christmas Day has come and gone. As I sit here in my cozy living room, curled up on the couch with my hubby, I reflect on how wonderful our day has been.

It started last night with the opening of Christmas jammies. She was too cute in her "Santa's Little Helper" p.j.s!

And this morning...Sydney was overwhelmed with presents, wrapping paper and ribbons. She eventually got the paper off and found it to be very delicious. We are surrounded by new toys and empty packaging. And while we're on the subject of packaging, whoever evented the obnoxious wires, bolts, and chains that hold baby toys hostage in their packaging is insane! It took us longer to break these poor toys out of their jail cells that it did for Sydney to rip off the paper, shred by shred. Sheesh!

I have lots and lots of pics to share over the next several days, but now, I am too blissfully tired to upload them into the computer, edit them, and upload....After all, I need something to do for the next few days.

Merry, merry Christmas!

We need a little Christmas right this very minute!

Sydney opened up her very first Christmas present last night from Uncle James and Aunt Trish. They came over to visit and we enjoyed watching her tear into her gift. It was hilarious to see how enthralled she was with the wrapping paper. She tasted every shred that was torn off! I guess this is a glimpse of what is to come tomorrow! Can't wait!

Best Gift of All

Talk about a blast! Chris and I went Christmas shopping for our little sweet pea, and we bought a few too many things, so we put a few things in the closet to save for her birthday which is right around the corner. Several of Sydney's nearest and dearest have already brought her gifts for the tree, so we didn't want to over do it! At this rate, she will be opening all day.

We have waited for such a long time to go Christmas shopping for our very own child. I love to shop for little ones...so many choices...so many wonderful things to pick from...and so many phenomenal stores that carry nothing but aisles and aisles of packaged delight. Picking out a few items for Sydney was something I will never forget. Chris and I went to dinner, went shopping, and just spent time together talking about the amazing year we have experienced. Shopping for my baby's first Christmas...I thought it would never happen.



What a joyous season! The birth of our Lord, the greatest gift of all, is what makes me the happiest. I heard a sweet song on the radio yesterday that touched my heart.

"The first Christmas gift came from above, Wrapped in star light, tied in love
Given with joy, a sweet baby boy, A gift for you and me."

In all of your family togetherness, gift giving, and fellowship, remember that Christmas is about celebrating the greatest gift of all. Be thankful this season for the child who was born to die for you.

10 Months

Woah. Ten Months... Hardly seems possible! In honor of your 10 month birthday, here are 10 new things that you are doing these days.

1. You are directing your comments to Daddy and me. We don't know what you are saying, but you are definitely saying it with much intensity and directly at us!
2. You choose books to read from the book basket. Your current favorite is "Quack, Quack" a touch and feel baby book. You like to eat the duck's "feathers."
3. You are officially walking! You will take up to 4 steps as you travel from one piece of furniture to the next.

4. You are crawling into very tiny spaces...under end tables, into tight corners, under coffee tables...all places that are very difficult for me to reach under and pull you out. You bump your head a lot!

5. You have finally decided that you will use a sippy cup, occasionally, on your terms. This is better than the outright rejection the poor sippy has endured for 4 long months.

6. You are eating table foods. You love pasta, pancakes, cheese, and other soft foods. You used to love avocados, but aren't too hip on them now. Same goes for peas...which makes mama very sad! Since you have only 2 teeth, we are still eating mostly baby food, though.

7. You are discovering your beautiful hair! You have a lot of it and like to pull it and run your fingers through it. It's so cute, it just about kills me. It looks like you are primping. You love to have Daddy brush you hair!

8. You are climbing EVERYTHING. If you can get a toe-hold, however small, you are going to climb the object. You have given me several scares. You love to climb up on top of the cases of water...yikes!

9. You and Simmy have become good buds. You love to "pet" him until he playfully nips your hand.

10. You are saying 1 syllable sounds, such as: da, da, ba, ba, ma, ma, na, na etc. Sounds really funny when you string them all together! Can't wait to hear, "Daddy" and "Mama!"

We love you, sugar dumplin'!

Drop it, Leave it, Let it Go

If you're like me, you get a LOT of email. My friends send me all kinds of funny jokes, mini-movies, inspirational stories, and amazing tall tales...(that I always verify with Snopes.com or truthorfiction.com before passing on) I very rarely get an email with an actual message that says, "Hi, how are ya?" or "Let's get together sometime," and that's okay.

But let me be honest, when I see an email that takes 4 or 5 scrolls of the mouse to see the entire text, I usually click that little "X" that is next to the trash can. I just don't have time to read stuff that is that long...unless it looks VERY interesting. Also, if there are about 16 FW: in the subject, I delete those too. I'm one of these people that 'cleans up' emails before I forward them on because I am secretly annoyed with looking at every living being in the text of the email that it was ever sent to, but I greatly digress!

I said all of that to say this: I am so glad I did not delete an email I received the other day. I ALMOST deleted it, but ever since I have read this email, my life has changed! I felt like this prose was written directly to me since it applies to my current circumstances. Really! I am including it below. I hope it gives you peace of mind and supernatural renewal that it gave me. Enjoy!

"Let It Go"
By T. D. Jakes

There are people who can walk away from you.

And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.

Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.

Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains............LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and
see your worth.....LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you....LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents...LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude.....LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him........LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship......LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves......LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed..................LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to.....LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2010!

LET IT GO!!!

Get Right or Get Left ... think about it, and then.

LET IT GO!!!

'The Battle is the Lord's!'

O Christmas Tree

I am practical, yet creative. I am festive, yet controlled. I am indulgent, but not excessive.

Keep those thoughts in mind as I make a confession...

I have not put up a Christmas tree in 8 years. Let me pause for a moment as my Christmas Crazy friends pick themselves up off the floor and collect themselves. Yes, you know who you are...you folks that throw up Christmas in every room of your house, including linen closets, bathrooms, and closets. You know I love you, you decorating divas! Just jealous that I don't possess the HGTV sense of style that I admire so much in other people's homes.

Chris and I have not realized the need to put up a tree since we were never at home for Christmas day and there were no kids to enjoy its festive lights and ornaments. I do HAVE a tree and it is very nice, and I do HAVE ornaments and lights, but it just didn't happen. We have lived in some rather small spaces since we've been married and really didn't have room for a tree to start with, so, those are my excuses, however paltry.

BUT, this year is different. This year we have a precious baby. So....drumroll please...here is our tree!

It is not the regular sized tree that I have stored in the attic, but a 4 foot beauty that I picked up for a heck of a deal at a discount store. With a lot of love, it turned out pretty nicely. It has worked out having it elevated on an end table since Sydney has not stopped trying to snatch off the ornaments and adore it from a very close perspective.
Here are a few of the ornaments I have received in the last 8 years that are experiencing their first Christmas tree exhibition. Love 'em!

No tree is complete without the jolly fat man on a Harley.

Ducky in the Tub

Sydney's Aunt Pammie got her the most precious personalized ornament for her first Christmas. It is absolutely perfect! We have it proudly displayed on our tree and I know we will treasure it for years to come. I just love ornaments that are unique and have that special touch.

Haven't a clue where she got the bath tub and rubber ducky idea...

Toofies

November was teething month at the Chambers household. Sleeping all night was a thing of the past and we went through our fair share of baby oragel, teething tablets, and the magic Tei Fu oil for relief. But, now we have 2 beautiful teeth to show for our pain and suffering. Most babies I know of that are Sydney's age already have a mouth full of teeth, but Miss Syd is only sporting her 2 bottom chompers. I guess all she wanted for Christmas was 2 bottom teeth! Now, I guess my mom can slip her more table food when I'm not looking.

Birthday Bash

!Ashley and Paige
Paige's outfit was ADORABLE!

Aren't these the cutest cakes? Love the candy theme!

My friends Ashley and Casey have been blessed with twins, Cash and Paige. They are turning 1 year old this month and Sydney received her first birthday invitation. I took Sydney to the party Saturday and I think the pics tell the rest of the story.

When we first got there, things went pretty smoothly. She started playing with the toys, looking around, getting familiar with everything. Not many folks were there at this point.

Sydney was quite impressed with Paige's vocal talent. She can really wail!
It sounds like she's singing a really intense song!

Sydney start looking for me and realizing, "There's a lot people here now and who the heck are all these kids?"

This is when things started going downhill.

This was an extremely exciting party with lots and lots of kids, adults, balloons, bright colors, toys, and noise. I just think she couldn't handle it! We stayed for a little over and hour, but then decided to slip out after she fell and hit her head. I guess she's not ready for such big gatherings. She does great at church and in the nursery with other children, but we will take it all in stride. I hope she doesn't wig out at her own birthday party in a couple of months. I guess I learned that her shindig needs to be low key for now. Kids are so interesting. Just when you think you've got them figured out, they teach you something else! Live and learn