'Tis The Season

Christmas is fast approaching. All my decorations were put up this past week and it is starting to feel a little more 'Christmasy' at the Myrick house. Our outside lights are up, which I have to say are my favorite of all our decorations, and our tree is up, decorated and well...slightly odd looking. It's not the best looking tree there ever was but it is ours so I love it. It leans slightly so we will not be putting Payton any where near it but again...it's ours.

I love everything about this time of year...yes, even the cold & snow. It makes me want to cuddle up in a blanket, light an apple cinnamon Yankee candle and watch Christmas movies.

This year is going to be extra fun for Bryan & I. Even though we are only going to get Payton one or two things this year we are both SO excited to go shopping for her. She, on the other hand, already gave (and continues to give) us our gift. The gift of giggles. She let us capture a 'burst' on video the other day so when I figure out how to download it I will be sure to post it!

Our big boy - Chester

Chester LOVES winter too. It is fun to watch him in the snow because he thinks it's the greatest thing ever. He's only 1 & 1/2 so he is still a puppy at heart and he definitely still plays in the snow like a puppy. He even chases after falling snow and snowballs...so funny!

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is the day I remember to do what I should be doing every day...thanking God for the endless blessings he's giving me & my family. I have been blessed this year for sure. I mean, God is has allowed me to be Payton' mom! What could be better?! It is hard to believe that last thanksgiving I didn't even know about the tiny gift living close to my heart & now here she is smiling & giggling & bring Bryan and I so much joy. What a great God I have that He loves me enough to give me such a blessing.
There are so many other things that I could list. There is Bryan...he is an amazing husband but even a more amazing dad. Watching him with P makes my heart overflow with love & pride. My family...My parents do so much for me. I can't even begin to say how much it means to me to have them in my life. My siblings are not only my family but they are great friends & I know I can count on them to be there for me if I need them. Then there are my nieces & nephew...they make me smile each time I see them because of the innocence they project & their sweet personalities. My Friends...Bryan & I are blessed to have many different 'groups' of friends. Each 'group' brings something different to our lives. It is sometimes hard seeing everyone as often as we would like but what a great problem to have in my option. My Girls...There are a few women in my life that I refer to as 'the girls' & they are all amazing people who are great friends. We, again, may not see each other as much as we would like but when we do we definitely make up for all the times we don't get to.
I am going to stop with that but there is so much more!

Birthday

Today is my 27th birthday. I don't feel 27. Twenty-Seven used to be old. I don't feel that old. I went to the HCHS football game on Friday night & to be honest...I still feel 18 some days.
Life is good though. I have been extremely blessed in my 27 years. God has given me good health, a great family and wonderful friends. There have been some tough times but they are greatly out weighted by the great times. Here are a few of my favs...in no particular order. :) (there are a ton more but it's late & I'm tired so this is what you get)
Night before the last day of high school - Almost our entire senior class went & had a bon fire. We stayed up all night just hanging out. It was completely innocent but a lot of fun.
My 14th B-day party - Nothing fancy but I went with a group of girls & some guys to the Maze Craze in GR. I just remember it being really fun.
Glen Lake - This was a family vacation that went on for almost 15 years. The Vermuelen's, Slenk's (Michelle's Fam), Slenk's (Becky's Fam), and us all were there at the same time at the end of July beginning of Aug. There are just certian smells that will bring me instantly back to this place.
There was a night spent with Sam, Kate & Al lison that was crazy. It involved a video camara, bean bag filler & Peter's car...I'll never forget it. Enough said. :)
That first REAL kiss...I'll keep the details of that one to myself. :)
My Wedding day - God knew 27 years ago who I would marry & I am so thankful to Him for who He made for me.
Payton's Birthday - It is truly amazing how much love can come in such a small package. Being a mom is one of the greatest gifts.

One Week Down...Way Too Many to Go!

Thank you everyone for your thoughts & prayers over the past week. I have definitely felt them. That is not to say it hasn't been a tough week because it has. I missed my Pookie Bear at TON!! But things are getting a little easier.
One of the hardest parts is that when I get home after work I feel like I still don't get to spend any time with her. By the time I get home it's 5:30/quarter to 6 then I feed her, let her play while I make dinner, I eat, I clean up, if I'm lucky we have time for a bath which I love, feed her again, and then put her to bed. I HATE that. Half the time I end up not eating until after 9 o'clock when she is in bed because I feel guilty. Am I alone in this?
So I guess my point is...I'm still looking for that two or three day a week job with benefits. :)

Transition of Power...?

My cousin Traci posted this on her blog & I thought it was a great reminder so, I too am posting it on my blog. (See, we are sharing the wealth already :)
Although the election didn't turn out the way we wanted, here are 10 top things that still are true, no matter who is president!
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL?!!!

It's a Jungle Out There

Happy Halloween! Payton was a giraffe for her first Halloween. She was ADORABLE! I really think she enjoyed it too because she was very happy for the most part.

I had to get a picture of her backside because it was just too cute.

My Happy Giraffe.We went over to Jen's and took some pictures with Kennedy the poodle, Josi the elephant & Payton the giraffe.

Then we went to Papa & Amma's to get pictures of the cousins. Ava the dragonfly, Bat Girl Hannah, Noah is someone from Star Wars...I don't know who, and Payton.

Lovin' Leaves

Here at the Myrick house in the fall we have a great source of endless fun...tons of leaves! Parker, Lily, and Ava all came over with their dads to enjoy the big pile of leaves in our back yard.