Merry Christmas!

I was most excited for Christmas day this year, because I couldn't wait to watch Isabella open her gifts. I usually enjoy the giving of gifts, but this year was different. The joy and excitement on her face was worth the late night of putting toys together (and actually that was kind of fun since I did it with John.) We had family over for breakfast and we all enjoyed watching Isabella being overwhelmed with new toys. We went to lunch at my grandmother's house and then collapsed for the rest of the evening.

We've been so blessed with a wonderful family and lots of joy this year. I hope that everyone else had a wonderful Christmas this year also!

the favorite toy this year is the Little Tykes car

Isabella playing tea with Mimi at her new table

Isabella also really liked her new Pooh and magna doodle

Cody, Lauren, me, John, and Isabella

our family

Meeting Mickey Mouse

John and I have been trying to go to Disney World for over 2 years, but continue to put it off. This year, we promised each other we'd go at Christmas. He has a month off from class, so this may be our last big break before the bar and job interviews. So, we made our way down to Orlando for a week. The weather was wonderful, 85 degrees and sunny! We actually considered going to a water park!! John also decided that if it was this warm in December, the Hensleys would not be taking on Disney World in the summer. I guess we'll see. We had such a great time, we came home planning our next trip.

We drove down on a Saturday in my dad's motor home; my dad and John's mom went with us. We stayed in Fort Wilderness, the campground on Disney property, where I've stayed almost every visit I've ever been. I have wonderful childhood memories of Fort Wilderness, and hopefully just began some great ones for Isabella as well.

I worried a little before we left that Isabella might get scared on the rides or hate seeing the characters dressed up in their big costumes. I thought she'd scream through pictures with Mickey Mouse or get way overtired. Let me just say, she LOVED it. She loved the rides, the characters, everything. The biggest tantrums we faced were over not wanting to ride in the stroller. She wanted to walk or be carried, and she's 22 lbs. now, so that got old. She won many battles though since we'd have to get her in and then right back out. So, the stoller served to be a great bag/camera/snack carrier.

I think Isabella most loved going to the Animal Kingdom and seeing the characters. And most loved of all, is Winnie the Pooh. We waited in line to see Pooh, Eyore, and Tigger and she danced around trying to get as close as I'd let her while standing in line. When it was finally her turn, she ran to Pooh, arms wide open and gave him a huge hug. She kissed his face and talked to him. It was the cutest thing. When we finally made her move on to Eyore, she kept pointing

at Pooh. Then we went to see Tigger and she started hugging him, but Pooh went on break and walked right past her. She immediately turned to follow him. We got her to come back, but as we were walking away, Pooh returned from his break. Her mouth fell open and her arms opened up and she ran for Pooh and gave him a huge hug. If you could have seen her, you'd have thought the best possible thing had just happened to her. Her expression made the whole trip worthwhile.

Meeting Mickey Mouse

Big hugs for Pooh

Giving Tigger a kiss

Isabella playing in Pooh's treehouse

Taking a break in Pooh's corner

Isabella helped with the drive

Playing the drums

On the boat to the Magic Kingdom

me and John at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party

Giving mommy kisses

Making silly faces with daddy

Exhausted from shopping

Dumbo was my favorite ride when I was little! I love sharing it with Isabella now.

Isabella acting silly in the motorhome

Isabella got to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus this year!

Parties everywhere

What a busy weekend! Friday night Isabella and I went to a family party. (John had an exam to study for.) Saturday, John took his exam while I helped to host a baby shower for my sister. We went to see a movie and then watched the SEC championship that night. Then Sunday, Lauren and I hosted a surprise 60th birthday party for my dad! So, whew... we were so tired after all that. I collapsed afterwards! Here are a few pictures.

our family Christmas party

me, Lauren, Kasey, and Amber (my cousins' wives)

Lauren's baby shower

Happy 60th Dad!

I think we wore Isabella out!

Auburn v. Alabama

As usual, the battle of Auburn vs. Alabama begins in our house hold, this year, with rival donuts! And what a great start it was... Isabella took both Tigger and Horton to my aunt's house to play, because John went to the game and I had to work until 1:00. We both had a great day. John, of course, loved the game or the ending anyway. I loved the game (really the first half) and was proud to see Auburn play such a great game. WAR EAGLE!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving, and ate way too much! Here are a few shots of us with John's family and mine. I especially love that Isabella sat at the kids' table like a big girl and didn't need me to feed her! It's strange getting a little independence back! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, as well. We have so much to be thankful for.

Mimi and Aunt Kathy

Isabella talking to her cousin Macie

Happy Veteran's Day!

I was just spending some time today remembering John's military experience, in particular the deployment to Afghanistan. He served in his last drill this past weekend and is officially being discharged from the army at the end of November. I'm so thankful that he was able to make it back safely from his deployment. I worried about so many possible outcomeswhile he was away, had many bad dreams and a few scary moments, but he made it home. We're so blessed and thankful. I'm also very thankful for all the men and women that have served and are currently serving in our military. Thank you so much for the sacrifices you've made. We are a blessed nation. Here we are the day John returned from Afghanistan. I will never forget the joy of that day, the cold rain, the band playing. It was beautiful. One of the best days.

It's been two years

This is the two year anniversary of my mom's passing. I went to see her grave yesterday and sat down to talk to her. I didn't have much to say outside of how much I miss her and how much we all need her here. I kept reading her gravestone, which says her favorite quote, "Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." It's inspiring really. I aspire to be a person that embodies that quote, who remembers that what we see in the people we meet is only the surface. She was such a special woman. I miss you, Mom.

As a side note for anyone dealing with a similar loss in their life, I've been reading a book that my good friend, Tarrah recommended to me. It's called "Motherless Mothers" by Hope Edelman. It's helping me put some emotions in perspective. I recommend it for anyone dealing with the emotions of becoming a mom, especially following the loss of their own.

On the playground

Isabella has no fear. She's fallen before but she doesn't seem to think it could happen again. Or maybe she's just really confident in her abilities. Either way, she loves the playground. She's growing up so fast! I would have thought this playground was still "too big" for her. She couldn't get enough.

I mentioned in a previous blog post that Isabella climbs everything. Here she is trying to climb the slide and if you look to the right of the picture at the plastic rock formation, well, she climbed that without looking back. There are no pictures because I'm nervously guarding her from behind and then running to the other side to keep her from falling through the hold where the sliding pole is. It was fun for her, but a lot of work for me!

Happy Halloween!

My day started with a wonderful surprise from John... donuts from Donut Joe's. They are SO good, and John is quickly making this a tradition for Saturday mornings. Donuts and coffee, mmmmm! And how cute is this donut?!

John met his family for lunch while Isabella napped and then, we went for family portraits (which I will share later.) And we headed to my uncle Lonny's house for a chili dinner and a hayride. Isabella really enjoyed herself! Halloween was wonderful. She loves all her candy. She doesn't eat any yet, but she enjoys taking the candies out of her pumpkin bag and putting them back in again. She loves the Skittles and M &M's the best because when she shakes them, they make noise!

Here's the little bumble bee ready to go for the night! Isabella looks like she's tired of trick-or-treating, doesn't she?!

And here are some pictures of the kids in her class having their Halloween party at school (daycare.) They are too cute!