{Real Me...Inside My Purse}

I mean, really...who doesn't want to know what's inside my purse?? Ok, so actually this question was posed to someone else and I just borrowed it because I didn't have much to blog about today....so...for those inquiring minds (or those who have nothing better to read)...here is what is inside my purse;

*my wallet
*thank you tag from Mallorye's wedding cookies
*rhinestone barrettes that I purchased for Mallorye's wedding...but didn't wear
*orange highlighter x2
*yellow highlighter
*pens x7 (in red, blue, & black)
*bobby pins
*ponytail holder....a girl never knows
*cell phone charger
*Victoria Secrets Beauty Rush Juiced Berry lotion (ok...so I borrowed this from Mal)
*paper clip
*kleenex
*insurance receipt of payment
*deposit receipts x3
*Bath & Body Warm Vanilla Sugar lotion
*antibacterial hand gel x2 (I'm really not a germ freak, so not sure why I have 2)
*Victoria Secrets Beauty Rush lip gloss (ok...I absolutely LOVE this stuff)
*carmex (it's winter...enough said)
*Pizza Inn coupons
*calculator
*Advil

I really carry a small purse, so I was amazed that all this stuff was in there!! So, what random things are in your purse??

{10 Days}

Oh my!! Has anyone else realized that it's only 10 days until Christmas morning?!

I am sooooooo behind...I have two presents bought...count 'em...two. One for Mallorye and one for Blake. Every year I vow to be finished by November 1st and every year it gets later and later before I'm finished...and this year, before I even began.

I would love to say that I have a plan.

But...I don't.

I have no idea what I'm getting anyone. Heck, I don't even really know who I'm buying for this year. All I know is that I'm paring down significantly this year.

I haven't sent a single Christmas card and at this point, I'm thinking that it's pointless. And...too much stress. I thought about a New Year letter, but decided that I'm just going to let it go.

I do have a tree up...thanks to my kiddos. They put the tree up the weekend Quentin & I were at Kansas City for the Chiefs vs. Bronco's game. It is literally the only hint of Christmas in my entire house. For those that know me, you know this is an oddity. This is my favorite season, but with the end of the deployment and the wedding and all the things in between...I just have not had time.

I do, however, feel very blessed and the spirit of Christmas has not been lost in the chaos.

So...there is less presents...less decorations...less stress...

but...

there is more Christ...and that's what it's all about!

{Meet The Wesleys}

This past Saturday was a bittersweet day for me....I thought I was ready, but I bawled like a big baby as I watched my baby girl emerge in a gown of white and transform into a beautiful woman...a bride...a wife. In spite of the freezing temps outside and the rain falling from the clouds, the day was beautiful as this amazing young couple vowed their love and commitment to one another and began their life journey...together.

One of my favorite bridal pictures of Mallorye...stunning!

I love this picture....so sweet and pure.

Introducing.... Mr. & Mrs. Matt Wesley

Mallorye had the absolute best bridesmaids...these girls always had a smile on their face...even through some pretty tough circumstances at times...and they made everyone feel special. This is one of the ring bearers, my nephew, Caleb...being kissed by Hailey and Adrienne, while Chelsea and Kathryn look on.

Chelsea and Kathryn's turn to kiss a ring bearer...Brendan...wonder if they think it will bring them good luck?? Hmmmm....

Mallorye dancing with her daddy for the last time as Mallorye Bales....yes, I totally lost it at this point, but it was definitely worth the tears. A rare tender moment shared by those two.

Cutting of the cake with a portion of their Dr. Suess vows inscribed on a layer...this was definitely not your typical wedding. The exchange of rings was probably the only traditional element. Thier vows were Dr. Suess and hilarious...much needed after that daddy/daughter dance and Mallorye came in to Butterfly Kisses. It was a unique wedding infused with their personality...the way it should be.

So...now we begin a new chapter of our lives. Mallorye as a wife. A son-in-law. Two families intertwined with a lifetime of love.

{December 1st}

Wow...there are so many thoughts swirling around in my head.

Thoughts of ....

...my daughter is getting married in 10 days. I need to finish the wedding programs. I need to finish paying for the cake and flowers. For Heaven's sake...I need shoes and Blake needs pants!

...my husband has been home for almost a month! In some ways it feels like he never left and we've settled into our pattern...in others, it feels like we'll never bridge the gap of time elapsed.

...Christmas is in 24 days!! I have two presents bought. TWO. AND...my tree isn't up, nor is it even out of storage. Oh my....

...although I have a ton going on and my stress level is pretty much peaked out...my husband and I are going out of town this weekend....lol. Yes. You can laugh. We're going to Kansas City to watch the Broncos vs. Chiefs game :) {Yes, Meredith..I'm cheering on the Broncos} We're going with another couple from our church and I'm sure it will be just the thing I need to relax before the last week before the wedding.

Ok...enough blogging. Time to get back to my ever growing "to do" list!

10 on the 10th

I haven't done this in a while, but seeing as it's the last one for a while hosted by Meredith...I thought I'd join in :)

10 Things I Really Must Do This Week

1. Declutter my blogroll (this has been bugging me for a while)
2. Finish writing my AWM article (it's due Friday)
3. Mail some Thank You's that are way overdue!
4. Finish reading "God Strong" (we're supposed to wrap up this week)
5. Wrap Mallorye's Christmas Shower gifts (the shower is Saturday)
6. Make Christmas Letter list (I'm scaling down this year...way down)
7. Write our Christmas Letter
8. Update my Dayplanner
9. Update Matt & Mal's scrapbook (really need this done by the shower)
10. Catch up Project Life (who knew taking a photo a day would be so complicated)

Ok...looking at my list, I realize I'm a little ambitious, but it's good to have a goal...right?

All Is Right In The World Again

Saturday, November 6th. The day I have been holding my breath for...the day I have been anticipating for the past year. My soldier finally came home!

Me, Blake, & Mallorye braving the very cold temps while we patiently wait for the buses to roll in. They brought four buses carrying our soldiers to the Arkansas State University Football Stadium where a crowd of nearly 500 people awaited them. The streets were lined with people waving flags and banners and yellow ribbons were tied to street signs, light poles, and doors.

Me, Melissa Brown, & Jamie Clark...a few of the Army wives that made the past year a little more fun and a whole lot more bearable. I couldn't have made it through without my support system.

Matt & Mallorye....this was Matt's first experience with deployment and I'm so glad that Mal has had him to lean on this past year.

At this point, the guys have been on Caraway for over 10 minutes...I can hear the sirens of the police that are escorting them, but I still can't see the buses. I'm holding back tears, which everyone finds amusing and getting more anxious by the second.

The First Kiss

There is nothing that can describe that feeling of having your soldiers arms around you and embracing for that long awaited first kiss. This man completes me...is a part of me...and when he's not here a huge part of me is missing. ...and yea...at this point the tears are flowing and I don't care. My soldier is home and all is right in my world.

Thank you! To everyone who prayed for my husband and my family over the past year!!

{breathing}

...finally

......I can breathe a huge sigh of relief

..I can quit sleeping with my cell phone under my pillow

.....or racing to the phone every time it rings

My soldier is back on US soil and it does this heart good!

{1037th RCC Welcome Home Ceremony at Camp Shelby, MS}

...just a few more days until the REAL Welcome Home in Arkansas with family & friends & huge hugs & sloppy kisses & of course laughter followed by crocodile tears.

{and yes, my soldier is in that sea of ACU's somewhere}