Thanksgiving at the Prescotts

Oh, we had such a great time at the Prescotts for Thanksgiving! What a great trip! :D

We arrived late Tuesday night and we're immediately greeted by the whole Prescott family!



I should say that the Prescotts are related to us by way of Brett's sister, Dana...for those of you who aren't familiar with them. :)
As soon as we got there, Austin woke up and demanded a bottle. And Aunt Dana was more than happy to oblige. So, while she fed him, we all gathered 'round to chat and ooh and aah at how cute and cuddly Austin has gotten, and how much he's grown since the last time we were there.




Austin was even happy to show off for Uncle Keith how well he can stand up. ;)



But after chatting a little while, through yawns and eye rubs, we all reluctantly said our goodnights and went to bed.

The next morning was full of hustle and bustle. After Austin's 5am bottle, Dana and I went to pick up some last minute groceries at WalMart before the mad crowd arrived. Thankfully, the parking lot didn't really start filling up until we were headed out the door.
Arriving back home (the Prescotts') after an hour-long detour at Walgreens (seriously, the chick said it would be only 15 minutes), we began pulling everything together for the big meal!...but not without playing a little with Austin...





Soon after we got the food going, the Taylors arrived carrying with them the the fabulous Spice Rats! They had 3 adorable rats called Ginger, Nutmeg, & Pepper. (Side Note: Taylors are related by way of Stacey, Brett's older sister...she's the eldest of the 4 Kingrey sibs. - Not calling you old, Stace, just older than the other three.) ;)


Thursday, we made the rest of dinner and then dug in! What a meal! Turkey, ham, homemade mashed potatoes, gravy, fresh green beans, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, and a plethora of desserts. Mmm mmm mmm! Just the way I like it. I must say, though, that I do need to find a different dressing recipe. The one I made just wasn't up to par in my book.


Anyway, Friday Dana and I got up bright and early to hit the Black Friday sales! But instead of joining the insanity at Target, Walmart, or even Circuit City (huhuh), we headed for the mall, which was a lot less busy than we anticipated. We found some great deals at Macy's, Express & Gymboree. I got a $60 pair of jeans for $25 & Dana and I both got a free pair of pink lounge pants with our purchases! Gymboree was pretty busy. We probably shopped for 15 minutes and waited in line for 30. But that's what you expect when you shop on Black Friday. ;) We also wanted to check out Aeropostale, but the line looked an hour long. I'll brave Gymboree, but you can keep your Aeropostale. Haha!

So, after we got back home, we said Hello to Larry & Sharon who had just arrived and Farewell to the Taylors who were about to head out the door. But in the meantime, we played...





After the Taylors left, we watched my poor poor LSU Tigers lose to those aweful, wretched Razorbacks. (Big Sigh) I'm really hoping LSU finds a better QB for next year.


Saturday Sharon, Dana, and I went to see Twilight the movie...VIP style! I know the movie only got mediocre reviews, but I loved it. I can't wait until New Moon comes out! Ah!

After we got back from the movie I found these two dudes layed out on the sofa. How sweet!


Saturday evening brought an itch to decorate for Christmas, which put everyone in the Christmas spirit! We had Christmas music playing while we pulled out a new tree and boxes full of decorations.



Even Austin seemed to enjoy the new aura that filled the air...




Then Sunday we packed up and reluntantly headed home. We had such a great time at the Prescotts that we didn't want to leave. :) Maybe we can talk them into a New Years Eve party...hehehe.


Well, hope ya'll had a Happy Thanksgiving! And here's hoping you have a very Merry Christmas, too. :)

'Tis the season for giving Thanks!

I realize that everyone is blogging about what they're thankful for.  I almost didn't do this post because of that fact.  But I changed my mind because it's always good to write down (or type) what you're thankful for.  It makes you realize just how many blessings you take for granted everyday.  :)

So here is my list...

I am thankful for:

 - Brett and the wonderfully fun and eternal marriage we've been able to enjoy since August 9, 2001.   Ok, so it wasn't alway bliss, but the hard times were well worth it.

 - My beautiful, happy Austin who fills my soul with delight each and every day.  I have waited 27 years to become a mom.  He is my baby sweet.  He is my dream come true.

 - Trials that, even though we don't know why we've been given them, make us stronger and appreciate things and people so much more than we would have without them.

 - Austin's beautiful, graceful, happy, generous, noble Birthmother.  I love her more than I ever thought I would.  I will forever see her as a sister to me.

 - My Mama, who put up with my teenage antics, and loved me even when I ignored her for so long while she was inactive in the church...sorry, Mom.  I've always loved you, I have.

 - My Daddy, whom I have so much respect for.  He always took the time to teach me how important the scriptures are and how interesting the topic of the Second Coming is.  We share a fascination for it.  :)

 - My Big Sissy, who carried me on her hip everywhere we went together when I was little.

 - My Lil' Sissy, whom I love because she's my sister, no matter what she does.

 - My mutts, Clyde & Macy, who helped me cope with my infertility, who keep my spirits high, who love me unconditionally, who keep coming back home every time we let them out of the back yard for a "run," and who accepted Austin with open paws & slobbery puppy-dog kisses.  :)

 - Brett's family, who took me in and accepted me as their own  from the very beginning.  I love them as my own family.  :)

 - The Prescotts living so close.  I really hope Austin grows up getting to spend a lot of time with his cousins.  He seems to really fit in as one of the boys.  I like that.  :)

 - The temple and the opportunity to be a family forever.  I'm very much looking forward to December 20th!

 - Modern technology.  ;)  Without it I'd have no iPod, CRV, laptop, blogger, facebook, or ebay

 - Modern medicine such as Mucinex, Tylenol Severe Congestion, and Infant's Tylenol, which I'd be very miserable without right now

 - Friends in a town where I never expected to meet so many people my age

 - teething rings

 - cell phones

 - a warm cozy home on my own little piece of Heaven

 - big family Thanksgivings

 - pink and red Christmases with twinkling white lights

 - the ability to smell so many wonderful fragrances such as freshly cut grass, honeysuckles, turkey in the oven, banana bread, real christmas trees, and babies  :D

 - and finally, this life God has chosen for me.  Sure, I'd change a couple of things from my past, but not for all the wealth in the world would I change my present.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for these things and so much much more.

To Cabot We Go, We Go, We Go

Austin and I recently made a trip to Cabot to hang with my best friend, Dawn, whom I haven't seen since Austin was teeny tiny. We were definitely due for some time to catch up on things. We went down, just Austin and me. Brett was away on a camping trip with the boys.

When we got to Cabot we met up with a good friend of mine, Linda. For those of you who don't know, we used to be co-workers when I was designing kitchens and baths in Little Rock. We talked about everything under the sun, especially Austin. She was there when first found out about Austin. We became great friends. Shortly after I left Little Rock, she left the kitchen and bath showroom and went to work for a luxury horse trailer dealership. She also does bookkeeping for the ranch that the same guy who owns the dealership has. Anyway, every time I make my way down to Cabot, Austin and I try to go to lunch with her to catch up on things.

This trip she took us to the Ranch and gave us a quick tour. Austin got to see some show horses up close. (The rancher across the street from our house has show horses too, but we've never gotten this close to them.)

H&P Ranch

Linda, Austin, & a really big horse :)

About this time, Austin was getting a little fussy, but I just had to indulge. :) I love horses!

I don't think he knew what to think about the horses.

After lunch & a tour of the Ranch with Linda, we headed over to Dawn's house where we stayed for the next couple of days. Austin took quite a shine to Deserae. I think Des liked Austin too. :) She's gonna be a great mom, when her time comes.

Deserae with Austin

She held him for as long as Austin would take it. She's such a sport. :)


Des and I dressed alike on Saturday, so we had to get a picture. :)



Talin wanted a picture too. ;)

After we got home on Sunday, we relaxed and napped before repacking our bags to head to Little Rock with Brett for a Facilities Masters Conference he needed to attend.
I didn't get many pictures of the trip to Little Rock, but one that I did get was with an old high school friend of mine. Jessica and I were more acquaintances than friends in high school. But meeting back up with her in Little Rock (she actually lives in Cabot [isn't that funny?] but works at St. Vincent's) it made me regret not being better friends with her sooner. We're hoping to get together more often now. :) Funny how, when you mature, you see people in a different light. :)

Jessica & Austin (at Chic-fil-A)

We had a great time with family and friends last week. It was tiresome, traveling a lot, but nonetheless we had fun.

Now that we're all rested and back on schedule, its time to pack up our bags again to head to Tulsa for Thanksgiving. (Big sigh)...I mean, YAY! ;)

My Eternal Son

As I think about the coming holidays, I'm elated and happily overwhelmed. I have to take a deep breathe. Mmmm...the smell of fresh bread coming from my kitchen fills my nose and reminds me that winter is already here. And now I hear Austin stirring...

Ok, I'm back...with Austin watching me type. :)

So, back to the holidays. I'm very excited about Thanksgiving. We're going to Tulsa where my older sister-in-law, Stacey, will meet Austin for the first time. It'll be us, the Prescotts, and the Taylors gathered around to celebrate the season with turkey, ham, and dressing. Brett's mom and dad will be coming up the following day. Larry has to work on Thanksgiving Day, but we'll get to spend time with them on Friday and Saturday. I'm just excited about spending time with the family as I am about eating the scrumptious food...well maybe a little more about the family. ;) Thanksgiving will be great this year.

But the holiday I am most excited about coming up is Christmas. Not for the presents, not for the food, and not for the decorations, but for a very special event centered around my son. On Saturday, December 20th at 9am Brett and Austin and I will all be sealed together as a family for time and all eternity in the Dallas, Texas Temple. Austin will finally be ours, eternally. :D I was hoping that this would be able to come about a while ago...like, back in August. Little did I know how long finalizing an adoption would take here in the state of Arkansas. But the day is at last fast approaching and I can't imagine a greater gift for Christmas than an eternal family.

My mom originally made this adorable heirloom blessing/sealing outfit for Austin. Its a one-piece collared outfit with a vest attached and satin ribbon on the vest and down the side of the pant legs...so adorable! But we decided to make it in 0-3m size because we thought that finalizing would be quick and painless. Needless to say, Austin is no longer in 0-3m. So, my mom is currently working on a white baby tuxedo that looks similar to this cute little one...


He'll wear it for his blessing, too. We're so excited!

Pic I Last Posted...

I thought I'd add a few pictures that I posted last before the great destruction of my blog...sad, sad, sad.
Anyway, here they are...

Grrrr...

Its been a week since I deleted my blog...totally not on purpose. I'm STILL waiting (growing impatient) on Google to restore my old blog. So, I thought I'd set up another one, just to post pictures and videos in the meantime...