Welcome, 2009!

On Eve's first new year I started a holiday tradition. Every new year I make some black and white photos of her in front of a mirror. It is neat to watch Eve inspect her expressions, look at her reflection and smile. As I look back on 2008 I, too, can reflect and smile. No, not all things have gone "according to plan" this year and we were not without heartache for ourselves and others in our life. But, we have arrived at the end of the year with far more than we deserve from God. Isn't it wonderful to be able to count your blessings and know that the good always out-weighs the bad? Despite anything that may have happened (or not happened) this year, I have a wonderful husband, a precious daughter and loving friends and family. Rather than make big resolutions that I am bound to break within a month, I think this year I will choose to take life day-by-day, continuously take stock in all the amazingly good things in my life and (most of all) give God the glory and praise for every single blessing. May you have a happy, healthy, prosperous and blessed 2009!

Santa came!!

Eve woke up yesterday morning to find that Santa had come! She was surprised and very perplexed that he actually ate his cookies and drank his milk. Even the reindeers' food was gone! It was lots of fun watching her open her gifts. Ironically, she was most excited about a $4 afterthought present in her stocking... just a reminder that 2-year-olds don't care how much you spend and are happy with the simple things... we should all be as sweet!

Mamaw, PawPaw, Grammy, Grandad, Micah, Kacey and Finley all came to see what Santa brought. Later in the day Aunt Sissy, Uncle Pip, Aunt Kayla and Uncle Andrew arrived. After Eve's naptime we opened MORE presents. Eve's favorite was her dress-up trunk from Mamaw. Eve's grandmothers certainly know her well... she is ALL GIRL!Christmas is a good time to take stock of all with which God has blessed us. This Christmas especially we are reallizing how truly fortunate we are to have Eve. She is the greatest gift we have ever recieved!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Today was "Stark Family Christmas" day! This morning we headed to Grammy and Grandad's house for good food, family fun, and presents!! We were all very blessed with piles of gifts. Eve's favorites were her handmade tu-tu from Aunt Kacey, her princess dress-up trunk from Grammy and her princess baking outfit from Aunt Emily. Eve, Zak and Finley played all morning long together before opening presents and then settling down for naps. We had yummy snacks to "graze" on all day and a delicious dinner cooked by Grammy that we shared with Uncle Ed, Aunt Sandra and Whitney. We posed the cousins together in their pajamas for our annual p.j. photo at the end of the night.Once home, Eve watched "Frosty the Snowman" and played some of the new games she got from Grammy and Grandad. She picked out two cookies for Santa (we hear he loves cookies from the Cake Lady) and decided he would like chocolate milk instead of white (Mommy agreed). Eve also sprinkled some "reindeer food" on the grass for Santa's big arrival. She fell asleep quickly, anxious to see what Santa would leave her... all she says she wants from Santa is "presents." When you ask her what kind of presents she always simply answers, "blue." We will find out in the morning if Santa met her request!!

Snow Day Fun

We were surprised with a snow day today! Well, actually an "ice day" if you want to get technical. Eve and I took the time together to bake and decorate Christmas sugar cookies. She helped every step of the way and did a really great job! We had relatively little mess to clean up and the cookies turned out well.Of course no day at home would be complete without a little mischief. While Mommy and Daddy weren't watching her very closely Eve pulled the gift tags off of most of the presents under the tree and completely unwrapped one for Finley. I was more than frustrated at the time so I didn't take a photo... but I am sure you can imagine how it went!

Busy, Busy!

Last weekend was a busy one! On Friday night we went to the Lady Tigers game. Eve was the most precious girl there with her Murray cheerleader outfit! Grammy made it just for her! The Tigers beat Lone Oak and Eve had a great time!On Saturday morning Eve and I braved the bitter cold along with Grammy and Grandad (Daddy was at basketball) to watch the Christmas Parade. We bundled up, but were still freezing! Eve collected lots of candy and enjoyed watching the marching bands. Her best friend from church was even there to watch with her!!It looks as though this weekend will be just as busy since we are heading to Lone Oak for a basketball tournament on Saturday and are then hosting our annual cookie exchange on Sunday night. Tis the season for hustle and bustle, I guess!!

Too funny...

This is too funny not to blog about immediately!!
Eve and I are watching "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" while we get ready for the Lady Tigers' Baskeball game later. (A blog entry about that after the game...)
The narrator on the cartoon has the voice of Andy Griffith and he was just singing, "Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland." After a verse or two Eve joined in the singing with a rousing, "Walkin' inna water underwear!!" :)

Sharing Traditions

This is really the first year that Eve has been able to understand a little about Christmas and get excited about the holiday season. It is so fun! She loves to see Christmas lights. We have been taking the long way home from evening church services in order to see them and she always asks, "Just one more road, please?" Tonight we watched "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" on TV. She snuggled up with her "softy" blanket and pillow and enjoyed the show.It is so amazing to be able to pass along favorite traditions and memories from my childhood!