So Proud

It is amazing to me how quickly our kids grow up.  My first born is almost 10 and I am stunned every time I look at her and see the amazing, mature young lady she is becoming.  4th grade has been a big step up for her.  Not only does the school work become harder (double digit multiplication & division ya'll!!), but she is presented with lots more opportunities at school as well.  She was elected a Student Council Rep for her class which gives her lots of leadership opportunities in the school and decided to try out for a dancing part in the Holiday Choir.  She carries this enormous binder brimming with school work to & from school everyday and never complains at how full her calendar is with school responsibilities, Girl Scouts, Soccer, and homework.  And she does a much better job than I do remembering her schedule!!

Ok, so time for a little bragging - how can I not as her momma???

This past month she won the Texas Trailblazing award for her school:

She & her Girl Scout troop helped organize a Service Unit project collecting canned goods for the local food pantry:

They collected over 4000 cans!

She ran in her school 2K, raising money for the Williamson County Animal Shelter.

And played her heart out in soccer this fall:

At one game, she was picked to kick a penalty kick.

I was so nervous for her......

But she remained focus and determined.

Just shy of the goal..... bummer.

But she's still smiling.  They won the game after all.

That's my girl.  Smart, Caring, Talented, Responsible, Friendly, Adorable.  This momma's love overflows for her.  I am in awe of the young lady she is turning into and can't wait to see the woman God creates. But there's many more years of homework, soccer, and fun to come!!! (thank goodness!!)

Oh Yes! We Were Thankful!

Our family traveled this year at Thanksgiving.  To Oklahoma.  Now don't get too excited there.  The most I'd ever seen of Oklahoma was driving through the Eastern part on our way to & from Illinois.  And that was mostly at night.  To say I'd ever desired to stay in a major understatement.

Until this past week, I thought Oklahoma was a dust bowl.  I was sure wrong.

We spent our week on a beautiful 2000+ acre ranch in Southeastern Oklahoma.  It was beautiful.  It looked like we were in Colorado, not "where the wind comes dusting down the plains....".  The ranch had 3 cabins, a creek, a shooting range, a gazebo, and tons of quietness.  shhhhhh.  It was so quiet, our cell phones didn't work.  There was no tv, no newspaper, not even whisper-sync (my Kindle-lovers will understand this) to download MockingJay.  I could do with no tv and spotty facebook, but when I couldn't download book 3 of the Hunger Games series??? ARGH!!!

 Our Cozy Little Cabin

 The "Main House"

 Ian loved being outside, and managed to find every mud puddle he could.

 Thank goodness for his cute boots!

We tried a scavenger hunt with the kids - the clues were too easy - they finished it in 15 minutes!

It was one of the most relaxing Thanksgivings I have ever had.  Barring a few funny incidents (I'll recap those tomorrow), we needed this time away.  We came home relaxed and refreshed and ready for the holidays.

Does This Boy Need a Haircut?

Last week, my Bubba was called a "she" 3 times within a 2 hour period.  And he was wearing the cute cowboy tee below.  He has the most gorgeous blond hair that curls when it is humid out.  Unfortunately, with the dry, cold weather, it tends to go straight and look extremely messy.  Sissy had the same hair ~ she had beautiful curls that lasted until her first haircut.....and then they all disappeared.

I think it is precious and don't want scissors anywhere near his adorable little head.

Hubby is so done hinting that he needs a haircut and has threatened to cut it this week.

the wind helps illustrate how long it is....

What do you think?

Time for his cut?

Best Use for a Lolipop

A few weeks ago, we had some visitors here in Texas - Our cousins from Virginia came to celebrate Halloween with us!  I really wanted to get a picture of these cuties together, but knew that posing 3 under the age of 3 would be difficult....

Until we gave them a lolipop........

Happy Thanksgiving

Wow- it is already Thanksgiving?  Really?  Where does the time go?  I know so many who are already preparing for Christmas, but in this house, we like to take time to enjoy Thanksgiving before speeding right into Christmas.

So when I asked the kids this week what they were most thankful for this year, I got the typical answers:

Our Teachers

Our School

God

Legos

Candy

Littlest Pet Shop

M&Ms

Liverpool (for Dad)

Soccer

Mom (gee, thanks!)

Gotta love that shout out to their beloved candy.  I guess that's because we are still working on our Halloween candy.....

There are many material things we are thankful for.  My computer, my coffee maker, Stacy's Pita Chips, and Chuy's are some things I am thankful for.  But when it comes down the what you are truly thankful to have in your life, it's the people you surround yourself with. 

These past two weeks I have been encouraged and loved by sweet friends ~ running races together or celebrating life together ~ it makes you so thankful to have them in your lives.  And life would not be the same without them.

And family.  Ah family - Life has really been great in our family and even our extended family - this year we are celebrating new people joining our family!

As for me, God has placed 4 specific people in my life who I am so very thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to You! 
I hope it is a wonderful day filled with relaxation, laughter and great food!

Free Holiday Cards? WHAT?!?!?!

You had me a FREE.  What do I have to do?  Blog about one of my favorite things of the holiday season?  Christmas cards!!!!??  Easy-peasy.


or so I thought.


I love making holiday cards.  The hard part is trying to outdo the one from the previous year....each year.  Anyone else struggle with that?  I'll fess up.  Matt hates me when I am taking the kids picture for the Christmas card.  I take a bazillion.  Literally.  But it takes a bazillion to come up with this perfection:

yes, i'm biased. so what?

So I do get a little nervous when that time of year rolls around again.  What setting should I shoot their pictures against?  What should they wear?  Should I go for a classic card or more whimsical?  What is the baby doesn't cooperate????

When I came across this offer from Shutterfly (50 free cards when I post about Shutterfly's awesome cards), I immediately went to their site to see what they had to offer.  Ladies, this isn't your grandma's Shutterfly anymore!!  There is so much to choose from this year!!! Take a look at the cards they have this year. 

Look at these cute, whimsy ones:

Go here to link this one

Go here to link this one

Go here to link this one

And I love the fact that Shutterfly allows you to completely customize the inside, so if you want to write a blub or a dissertation about your family, you now can!  They more I looked at, the easier it became to see exactly what I wanted.  I love that I was able to narrow down a few cards before getting the pictures.  Now, I know what kind of shots of the kids to get for the cards I liked - should make it that much easier to take pictures this year.  ahem...we hope.

The more shopping I did on Shutterfly, the more fun stuff I found.

Ever decide to have a party because you found a cute invite?  Ya, me neither.....

we are so having a cookie party this year...

And they make photo playing cards??  How fun! 

Jan, if you get this for Christmas, act surprised, ok??

They also make incredible calendars for every family member on your list!

And to sweeten the deal even more, Shutterfly is offering a Cyber Deal right now - up to 50% off and free shipping...hurry cause that offer ends Dec 1!!


Go check out Shutterfly's fabulous photo holidays cards NOW!!

So, the card is picked out.  Now I just need the pictures...wish me luck!!

I just want to mention that Shutterfly is not paying me to discuss all of their fab products.  I really like Shutterfly and they did offer me a sweet deal on Chirstmas Cards in exchange for my post.  Who wouldn't jump on a sweet deal like this? Thanks Shutterfly!

A Christmas Winner!

Hello friends!  The Holiday Season has officially begun!  It seemed to have begun even earlier this year, as I read several of my friends on facebook had begun decorating over this past weekend!! And there is no time like the present to start thinking about those holiday greetings!!  This is where a Virtual Christmas Card comes in handy!! Let me do all the work in creating your "holiday letter"!

Virtual Holiday Card from Rebecca Darling on Vimeo.

Thank you all so much for the wonderful feedback on the Virtual Christmas Cards we are making over at Darling Memories.  With the wonderful help of Jen from Tatortots & Jello, we were able to reach many with our fun giveaway!  We had over 50 entires and I am very happy to announce the winner of a Virtual Christmas Card is.........

AndreaLeigh

Congratulations Andrea!!!  I am thrilled to make a Virtual Christmas Card for you!!

There is still time for all of you who would like to make a Virtual Christmas Card - I am offering a 10% discount for anyone who signs up by Wednesday!!  Simply email me at rebecca@darlingmemoriesdvd.com and say "I want a  Virtual Christmas Card!!" to lock in your special price!