Christmas 2008

Well I know that I am a little late on my recap of Christmas, but Christmas in this family is a week long event and I am just now getting to posting about it!!!

When I said that Christmas is a week long event in this family, well, that is just what I meant. We started it off with Christmas with my dad's side of the family at my grandmothers. Everyone was there except for a couple of cousins, but the most exciting part was the children that were there. You see there are 17 grandchildren in our family and well multiply that by two parents, a spouse, and maybe a child of their own and you have a large get together!!! Anywhoo, my cousins and I were sitting around watching the toddlers and the babies and realized that history had come full circle. We reminisced about the old times when we were around the little kids ages and had many laughs!!! It was truly a great time, no bickering, no argueing!!!! We were truly excited.



On to Christmas Eve.....You see Lauren and I were truly blessed this year!! We were able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Ray!!!! So we made this a huge deal!!! We started out at my parents house to open gifts with them. Lauren absoulutely enjoyed unwrapping everyone's gift. My sister said that all she is going to buy her next year is wrapping paper and tape because she had so much fun. It was truly a blessing to see all of us enjoying each other's company. Lauren was overwelmed and really didn't know what to play or open up first!!!! One gift that she absolutely loved was the coasters her Aunt Sammy made for her. Lauren, has a small obsession with coasters at everyone's house, so Aunt Sammy had some made for her. After a couple of hours, we went to my grandmother's for Christmas Eve dinner. We had a scrumptuous dinner; prime rib, baked potatoes, lobster claws, and boiled shrimp. Let us not forget the birthday cake for Jesus (we taught this to Lauren to let her know the real reason that we celebrate Christmas.) She was all about and enjoyed telling everyone that it was Jesus' birthday!!! We opened gifts and Sammy and I got the Wii. Yes I said Wii, and have played with it since!!!! It is so entertaining and you get such a workout. I also got the Wii Fit which I will be start January 1. That is whole another post!!! As we wrapped up opening gifts, we played Wii for a minute and then on to getting Lauren's things ready for Santa. Lauren wrote Santa his letter, and also put out reindeer food for the reindeer snacks. We also put out Oreo's on Santa's special plate that Lauren made at daycare this year. Once all of that was done, Lauren was off to bed and we were there to wait up to help Santa with Lauren's gifts.






Christmas Day, Ray had it all planned out. We were to get up at 5:50; set the video camera so we could get Lauren's first expressions of what Santa had left her. Well Lauren had her own plans!!! We were woken up at 4:45 to, "Mommy, Daddy, there is a baby in here!!!!" She was so beside herself!!! It was too cute and immediately went to playing with her new baby and new house. It was the beginning of a long day. You see, we do all of our Christmas on Christmas Day. We spend the whole day doing our own family traditions, which is playing with the new stuff we received for Christmas or catching up on some rest!!!!




After spending Christmas Day together, we headed to the Delta to have Christmas with Ray's side of the family. There we spent the whole weekend with the Delta family. Lauren was super excited when she received her bike and her big dog named "Biscuit". We feasted all weekend on foods and snacks. Once again she loved opening everyone else's gifts for the joy of ripping the paper and tape off. On Sunday we left a little early to get back home so we would have time to put the new gifts away and to give Lauren time to play with all of her new toys.




Well that is an end to our Christmas journey for 2008. It is amazing how we prepare for weeks for it to get here and then in a couple of days it is gone. We, the Daniels' family does have a perk, at least we can extend it and make it a week long event!!! I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful Christmas this year!!!

New Traditions Con't

Ray, Lauren and I tried something new this year, we decided to build a ginger bread house!!! It was definately a sight and we had a blast doing it!!! Ray had royal icing all over his hand and arms. Lauren had fun sticking the candy everywhere. We had a blast and Lauren kept trying to sneak a bite off of the cookies. I am sharing the pics below:

Christmas...A Time for Old Traditions and The Beginning of New Ones!!!

Well it is almost Christmas and our stockings are all hung by our chimney with care in hopes that Lauren's San Clause will soon be here!!! We finally have all of our gifts bought and now they are needing wrapped but that will soon be done!!!! I haven't posted in a while due to the business that has been buzzing around here at the Daniels' household. Between getting orders for Taste of Gourmet and trying to get the gifts bought I have been one little busy bee. But with that all being said and done, I want to take a minute just to take in what THIS Christmas is all about.

You see, Lauren and I get the ultimate gift of all this year. In the last two years Ray has had to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, meaning that we get a little time to spend with him and then he has to sleep and jet off to work. Well, this year is different. His shift fell on having both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off. I thank God everyday for this opportunity and cannot wait. We are going all out this year!! I am fixing an actual Christmas Dinner(yes Ray will have the firetrucks backed into the drive way!!!)and we will lay around the house watching Lauren play with all of her new toys.


Christmas time is my most favorite season, as you have read in former posts. Not just the gift giving, but the reason for this season. A time for family and friends, but most of all the reason why we celebrate it. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle and seem to forget the real reason. I got so aggravated today because I couldn't find that certain Christmas gift that I wanted to get Ray and he made me realize real quick that it didn't matter. All that mattered was he was getting to share the opportunity of being with Lauren and I on Christmas. We also have a tradition with the women in my family and we Lauren was able to pitch in this year. On an early Saturday in the month of December, we, as the women, gather and make Christmas candy and cookies.
It was definitely a sight with Lauren and the flour!!! We make the candy to take to our offices and also for the men to take to their work as well. Just our little way of spreading our Christmas cheer. Also, we made our trip to the City of Lights, to see just that, Christmas lights. Lauren enjoyed it the two trips that we went and enjoyed riding the caroseaul. We also took a horse and carriage ride around the square and drank hot cocoa. It was so simple and it was very enjoyable. I believe we have started a new tradition and isn't that what Christmas is about.....FAMILY!!!



I know that this is a long post but I did want to share the Daniels'/McCain Christmas cheer for everyone to enjoy. I will also have my pics of our family Christmas' soon as well. Merry Christmas to all and God Bless!!!!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

I am so glad that I was able to stay home today. See, I took today off to take Lauren to her Ear, Nose, and Throat check up. I had one more vacation day so I thought what the heck, I will take it off, take Lauren to the doctor and then back to daycare. WRONG!! Mother nature had her own plan, I got to take Lauren to the doctor but when I saw those HUGE and I say HUGE snowflakes falling this morning, I decided that Lauren and I would spend the day together. It all started about 7:45 this morning, I opened the front door and it was snowing. I told Lauren to come look and she was completely amazed. She looked at me and said, "Wow Mommy!!" I just loved the look on her face. I bundled her up and we went out to see the snow!! Needless to say, the snow didn't stay very long and we did have to go to the doctor. So I have included some pics, I hope that you enjoy!!!!

Getting all bundled up!!
Trying to figure out what all of this white stuff is floating around!!!
Trying to hit the
snow with my hand!!
The house after we got back from the doctors office about 11:30 a.m.
Ray playing with Daisy in the sleet!!

In Memory

Okay now on more of a serious note. Like I said before, this is my most favorite time of year, but it is also a time of year that my family takes time to remember two people that were near and dear to our hearts. These two people passed away exactly 10 years and a day between each other. So I would like to take the time to write about both of them.

The first that I would like to write about is my Papaw McCain. This man was an amazing son, brother, father and grandfather. He passed away when I was a Junior in highschool on Decemeber 8th. My papaw was like no other. He loved his family more than anything and was full of theories and philosphies on life. Well HIS theories and philosphies!!! Sorry got a little side tracked. We would sit and watch tv together, clean the yard together, or just sit and chat about the world and what was going on. I would have loved to have gotten in the kitchen and found out his famous spaghetti sauce recipe, but we weren't allowed in the kitchen. That was one of his rules and we abided by it. He was a strong spoken man and when he spoke we all listened, including the children!!Although he was strong spoken, he had a soft heart, and that is what I remember the most about him. I miss those talks and the time spent in the yard. Better yet, I miss the drive to Itta Bena, to an Uncle's house, and him having the heater in the car turned up so high, that I had to ask him if he was roasting peanuts!!! My grandmother and I still laugh about that today. I cannot wait for the day that Jesus calls his people to Heaven and I get to see him again.

This man is my other grandfather, Papaw Ken. This is my mother's stepdad, but there was no step we took him in as our own. You see, my Papaw Ken was a horse of a different color. He didn't think like a grandfather, he was more of an oversized kid if you asked me. He was very talented and very fun to be around. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with my grandfather because he used to live in California, but the time I did get to spend with him, we made the most of it. The thing that I regret the most is when him and my grandmother did make a permanent move to Mississippi, I didn't spend the time that I could have with him. This man was a loving man also, and also loved his family as well. There are a lot of memories that I could write about him, but there is one that will always stick out in my mind. I like to shop and I love to bargain shop, well I knew that anytime I wanted to go shopping, all I had to do is call my papaw Ken. This man would shop until YOU dropped, not him. I miss those days so much and long for the day I get to see him again as well. I know he is in heaven as we speak rearranging everything. He is also probably using his wonderful talent of painting and painting huge murals in Heaven.

I know that this is a very long post, but like I said before, these two men were very near and dear to my heart. They both served in the military. They loved their country and thier families. I wanted to take the time to celebrate thier lives and what they meant to me.

This IS WAR!!!

Okay a few days ago, I tagged some people to pick four favorite Christmas tree ornaments or four favorite Christmas memories. Well, my sister, GOD love her did oblige since she has already been tagged by me twice wrote her post. Well included in her post was this lovely picture of me sitting on Santa's knee in Greenville, MS. God only knows how long ago that pic was taken. Anywho, my sister and I have always joked around about certain videos or pictures may pop up so our significant other may see. Well, since my sister decided to include that pic for the whole world to see I thought that I would include some hilarious ones!!! Like she said it is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission!!! So here it goes......

The first picture will be a Christmas memory that I will share. I believe that the sister was about oh 4 months old and this was her first Christmas and the mom decided to take us to the local KMart, yes it is still open in Greenville, to have our Christmas picture made. Low and behold my mom did not realize that my sister was flipping the bird until after the Christmas cards with this picture went out, we still laugh about it today!!!!

Let us just call this one a bonus!!!!! My sister used to be a die hard Ninja Turtles fan!!! Not sure why but die hard....No BARBIE's she mohawked all of mine. Anywho, this picture was taken by my grandfather, God rest his soul and we laugh about her dedication to the Ninja Turtles to this day. As a matter of fact, if you read her blog you will see that it was one of her favorite ornaments.


This is all fun and games and God only knows what she will post next, stay tuned, this could get interesting!!!!

You are Tagged!!!!

Now it is my time to start a tag. Christmas is my most favorite time of the year and I want you to pick at least 4 ornaments from your tree that are your favorite or four of your most favorite memories of Christmas. I will go first:



#1 The ballerina shoes I never obtained. See I used to be big into dancing when I was younger. Tap, Ballet, Jazz, you name it. My ultimate dream was to get my toe shoes and it never happened. Bigger and better things came along like sports, friends, and oh yeah boys....What was I thinking??? I believe the shoes would have been better time spent don't you??

#2 My ballerina girl, like I said it was my dream to one day be a ballerina with my toe shoes.....

#3 My baby's first Christmas ornament. This was the first Christmas I spent as a mother. Couldn't have been more excited!!! It is a great feeling and would never want it to be any different. God love my little girl, I love to see her grow everyday.


#4 My baby's second Christmas. This Christmas was a little different. Lauren actually was able to enjoy opening gifts this year!! The pics were priceless!!! Can't wait to see what this Christmas has to bring!!!!


All in all I do want to take time to remember the reason for Christmas!!!! I thank God everyday for sending us Jesus to give us the ability to celebrate his life during this holiday. I cannot wait to sit down and explain to our little girl the real reason. I hope this finds everyone well and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I now tag Angela, Sammy, Allison, Lee and Caroline

I've been Tagged

I've Been Tagged

Allison says that I have to blog 6 things that are interesting about me so here I go.

#1 I love to scrapbook, although I don't have the time to do it as much as I would like to. With a two year old running around it is kind of hard to get around to doing a lot of things!!!

#2 I love to paint nursery art and things for my friends. It is my way of venting and getting things out!!! So if you know anyone who needs nursery art or children's art let me know!!

#3 I love working with flowers and decorating with them. I have been doing this since I began working in my mother in law's flower shop while in college. I love using my creative abilities to create different arrangements or different displays.

#4 Christmas is my most favorite holiday!!! Not just for gifts, but it all goes back to the decorating thing, but I love the smells, the lights, and the colors.

#5 There are several tv shows that are my favorite and you do not need to call or try to talk to me while they are on. First and foremost ER on Thursday nights but that is about to all come to an end considering that this is the last season. I have been picking up on Grey's Anatomy and I am liking it!!!!! On Monday nights during its season I am glued to the tv to watch the Hills. I know kind of highschoolish, but I like it!!! I have also gotten hooked to the new 90210, I loved the show with Brenda and Kelly, and the drama is even deeper now!!!!

#6 Being a mother is the most awesome thing that you can be. I love being a mother to little Lauren. Playing in the floor with her and laughing with her is the best feeling in the world!!!

I know tag Samantha, Lee, Caroline and Angela

Ahh Traditions, Traditions, Traditions.....

Hello, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know that I did. I got to spend it with my wonderful husband, in which I was thankful to spend Thanksgiving Day with this year; and my wonderful daughter. We went to the Delta to spend the holiday with Ray's parents considering that we haven't been able to in the past two years. We had a great time, filled up on Fried Turkey and all of the fixings to go with it!!! This is going to be a long post. I truly believe they need to make these holidays more that one day!!!

Well most of you all know that in the Delta, life is just at a little slower pace than here in the metro, well except on BLACK FRIDAY!!!! Now for those who are Black Friday virgins, going on this certain day for the first time can be a bit scary!! Since we were in Cleveland, I decided that I would get up and just go to Walmart and see if they had a couple of things that I spotted in the sales paper. Well Ray thought that it was best that he go with me so I wouldn't be by myself and his father decided to go as well. We get to Walmart about 10 after 5 this morning and it looked like angry lions ravishing a piece of meat. I told Ray we probably will not find what we want but we can give it a shot. We proceeded to make our way to the toy department and finally got to the back 20 mins later, yes I said 20 minutes. As we looked we decided that it wasn't worth it to fight the crowd and we would just wait until we got back to finish Christmas. I do have to say that we found my niece's gift at a steal, so I took my little deal to the cash register and checked out. Ray said I would never have to worry about him ever going on "BLACK FRIDAY" again. I just laughed. He also told me that I was crazy, but I look forward to next year once again to get the "BEST DEAL".


Once we got back home, I went to the two Walmarts here just hoping I might find the item that I was looking for early this morning. Nope, I was wrong and ended up walking out with CD-R's. I also went to my parents to spend some time with them. Well, my parents still continue the tradition that has been in place for I know 27 years, the decorating of the Christmas Tree. My mom bought a new tree this year and my dad wanted to go ahead an un pack it. I just think he was chomping at the bits just to see what kind of tree my mom had got. Anywho, we got the tree up and decorated.
It was really fun, because my parents have saved every and I mean every homemade ornament that my sister and I have made. We also had a tradition that we would buy and one ornament for that year!! It was amazing to see 27 years worth of ornaments on our tree. So much history and who knew!!!! With the way the economy is waying down on everything, it is wonderful to sit back and reminisce on how Christmas used to be without all of the hustle and bustle. Here are some pics of the tree decorating.

Hmmm What I would like to do!!

Okay, I believe I have completely gone nuts and so does everyone else or at least I think so. I have literally been tossing around the idea back and forth about going back to school. Wait......here are you ready for the reason, hmmm..........I want to go back and go to nursing school. Yeah wierd I know it. The one who changed her major from Pre Physical Therapy to Management because I knew that I would have to touch feet and here I am wanting to do one of the most hardest jobs ever. Well those who know me from back in the day would know that I did do two years of Votech while in highschool for Allied Health and really liked it, just thought that maybe the whole feet thing wasn't my cup of tea. Well after you have a child all of your major yuckiness in your life is pretty much gone. Especially after you have been crapped on, spit up on, and snot wiped on you!!!!

So am I really crazy for wanting to start a new chapter in my life. Something that I started so long ago and never really gave a chance. The girls at my old branch told me all the time I really missed my calling and should have went into the med field. Oh well, we will see what God has in store for me.

On a second note, the holidays are approaching just around the corner, well next week and we are headed to the Delta!!! So there probably will not be a post until after then, so I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I know that the Daniels' family is very thankful, because this is the first Thanksgiving that we get to spend with Ray in two years. YEAH!!!

Happy Birthday Lauren!!!!

Well, today at 2:56 pm two solid years ago, Lauren Elizabeth entered this world. Yes Lauren's turned two today and it has definitley been one heck of a ride!!! I would do it all over again if I had too. Needless to say, Lauren's "birthday" started back in September when we got Daisy dog; then in October, we took Lauren to see Elmo Live. This past Saturday, we had Lauren's birthday party at our house to celebrate with family and friends and then today we ended it with a small party at daycare.





Lauren had a wonderful time Saturday. We had a space jump, hamburgers and cupcakes!! Lauren was extatic. It was an Elmo theme this year, go figure!!!! I did all of the decorating for the party Friday night after she went to bed. She woke up Saturday morning telling me that Elmo was everywhere!!! She was too cute. Of course, she got an abundance of gifts. Enjoy the pics, I know we loved every minute of it!!!!

Oh yeah, we also reached a new milestone.....We are no longer in a crib, we are no in a big girl bed!!!


More pics to follow of the big day!!!

Buzzing like Bees!!

Just wanted to make a quick post. I haven't posted in a while, because we have been like my title "buzzing like bees" around here!!! Well being the typical person that I am, I waited until the last minute to get things ready for Lauren's birthday. I actually thought I had an extra weekend in there somewhere before the party and guess what, I didn't. Oh well, hopefully things will go well and no catastrophes!!! Well I will have pics posted soon of her party, hope all is well with everyone!!!!

Where do you people get your license??

Okay, this is a rant post. As I was driving to my daily destination of day care and then on to work, I notice that there is a police officer in front of me. No biggie, I am doing the speed limit and obeying every possible road law there is to follow. Well, apparently there are some people out there that didn't study the same drivers ed book that I studied. I was taught that if there is a police car, fire truck, state trooper, ambulance behind you, you are to move to the right lane. Whether they have their sirens on or not. Maybe it is because I have law enforcement running through every which way of my family tree, but that is one thing that irritates the crap out of me. You have no idea where they are going and it can be an emergency and you are holding them up because of your stupidity. There are times that they cannot run their lights for the safety of themselves and others. So
MOVE OVER people!!!!!!!!!

BOOOOOOOOO!

Happy Halloween fellow bloggers!! Lauren is at the age that she can actually go trick or treating, well this year we went "Trunk or Treating". In some areas yesterday was designated Halloween for trick or treating. We went to the Trunk and Treat yesterday in a local town. Lauren went as a monkey and was too cute!!! Ray and I are always calling her our little monkey so we thought it only appropriate for her to be one. Well, I had never been to a "trunk or treat" but I have to say who ever thought of the idea, was pretty smart!!! Local businesses met in a popular park and decorated thier company vehicles in halloween attire and sat out and gave out candy. Lauren was very happy to oblige in putting her what she calls, "punkin" out there to get a treat. Needless to say Lauren has enough candy for us and her to share, so on to next year!!!!

A Wonderful Weekend......

Okay well this is going to be a long post so sit back, get comfortable and start reading!! Well our Saturday started off with a trip to see Sesame Streets Elmo Live!!! I have to say that it was well written and well performed. We even ran into some friends in the parking lot while going into the show. While sitting there waiting for the show to start, Lauren was constantly saying, "Where did Elmo Go?" and "Where are you Elmo?" The announcer came upon the stage and started counting, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1; and you would have thought that Ray and I had given Lauren a million dollars. She was so beside herself when Elmo came out. I just smiled with joy just to see our little girl so excited. Below you will find some pics from that wonderful morning.....
Then my mom took Lauren to Hattiesburg to see my sister and then it was a night of freedom for Ray and I. We threw with some other friends of ours a couple baby shower. It definitely a night full of fun and relaxation. The hit of the night was the onesie that Eddy gave to Emily and Adrian. You will see the pic below. All in all we had a great time and time well spent with our friends.





This was definitely a busy weekend but wrapped up in a nutshell a great one. I wish that I was able to see Lauren that excited everyday. It definitely was a memory that I will never forget, her face when she saw Elmo!!! Also, being able to give a shower for friends to be able to relax was very uplifting as well. I told Ray now on to planning Lauren's birthday it is only 3 weeks away!!!!!