A Huge Blessing and Some Time Away

So I haven't had a blog post in FOREVER! Last month, I decided that I would start blogging more regularly, but I guess life has just happened so much lately and it's been really, really hard to find the time to devote to sitting down and writing. So...I would like to say that starting today, I'm going to blog everyday and be really consistent with....but I can't....because I won't. But, I will say that'll I'll do my best to post more often. I really do think about it A LOT, it's the sitting down and actually doing it part that I never get to. I really do want to make it more of a regular thing though, and I want to post about life and everyday things so that one day, I can look back and smile at all the happenings surrounding our crazy busy life! :)

This month has been crazy amazing! At the end of December, our church family totally surprised us with a check for $1000 for Steven and I to take a trip to a Youth Pastor's Retreat at Generation Church with Judah Smith and Elijah Waters. We were totally surprised and very obviously excited beyond words. Steven had been wanting to get up there to the retreat for a few months but we were unable to come up with the money to go. He really didn't mention it to anyone other than me (and our babysitter) and he actually made the statement that if we went, it would be God providing the way for us. And guess what, He did! He always does, doesn't he?!?!?! He makes the way where there seems to be no way! Long story short, our awesome sitter rallied together all of our closest friends and family to raise the money to send us to Seattle, Washington!

On January 20th, Steven and I boarded our plane at the Orlando Airport and headed to the Pacific Northwest. My amazing Mother-In-Law did a fantastic job of keeping our kids happy and entertained for the next four days while we were off enjoying some much, much, needed time away! We arrived in Seattle at about 4:30 that Thursday afternoon. When we finally got on the road, it was already dark and rainy but that didn't stop us. We were so excited to be away that no rain could stop us. We arrived at the Renaissance Marriott Seattle at 5:30 and had to be downstairs for the first service by 7:00 pm. Throughout the weekend we attended 4 more services to attend and seriously enjoyed every single one of them! We toured downtown Seattle during our down time and ate lots of yummy, yummy foods. It was the most refreshing time we've had in a very long time. I feel so blessed to have such great friends that care about us so much to have done this for us and also blessed to be able to spend this weekend ALONE with my husband in this beautiful city.

I took lots of photos while in Seattle and hope to get them uploaded soon and posted here to document our stops and fun times! Be on the look out!

14 Days until Christmas!!

Where has the year gone, ya'll? Good Gravy, it's almost Christmas! Loving the season we are in right now. Cool weather, kind hearts, family traditions, and the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I can't contain the joy that has filled my heart!

Camdyn Decorating the Tree

Levi kept saying he was "Super Hero boy"

Zachary was getting into Everything!

The finished product - It's a little blurry but it's the Best I got!!

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

Just in Case You Were Wondering....

Holy coldness, ya'll! It's a good thing I live in Florida because I don't think I'd be able to handle cold weather all winter long. I'm sure this snap will only last a few days and I'll be glad when I don't have to put a coat on to go outside again, but this chilly weather has got me thinking about Christmas and I'm excited! I am making gifts for a few people and I am anxious to see how my kids react to a few of the things we have gotten for them. Since it's almost here, I might as well share......Here are a few things that are on my Christmas Wishlist this year:

A TV Stand! We got a new TV and it is sitting on the floor...I'm not kidding.....

A Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I wonder what yummy goodness I could create with this....

A Flip HD Mini Camcorder. I hate taking video on my camera because it takes up so much space on my memory card. The solution to my problem.....

A Sewing Machine. I cannot tell you how many times I have wanted to start a craft that required a sewing machine. I have been asking for one of these at Christmas for the last couple of years now. I don't think anyone takes me seriously. What's wrong with you people?!?!?!?!

Lastly, a cute pair of boots to wear with my new skinnies! Loving both of these!

A new Wireless printer was on the list too, but I'm pretty sure my dad and stepmom already got it for me! Yay! :)

What's on your Christmas List this year?

Seven years down, A hundred more to go....

The hubster and I just celebrated our 7-year Wedding Anniversary on November 8th. CRAZY! It seems like just yesterday he was the cute new kid in my junior year History class that I politely invited to sit next to me (not because he was a cutie, but because I didn't want the new guy feeling awkward on his first day in public school, ever, in his whole life). I can't exactly pinpoint where, but I have heard it said that most married couples won't make it to 7 years. Really? I mean, I just don't get it. Well, actually I do, because marriage is not easy. Steven and I dated for three years before we got married at the ripe ol' age of 20 and man did we still have a lot to learn about each other. Our marriage has taken work...hard work! But, I can honestly say that seven years ago, when I said, "Till death do us part", I meant it! And he better not go and die before I do, or I will be one angry bride, but that's another story! It's just my opinion, but I really don't think people take marriage as seriously as they did in our great grandparents days. Back then, the big "D" was almost unheard of. I feel like adults these days change their partners as often as they change their underwear! They go into marriage with the idea that if it doesn't make them completely happy all the time, they'll just get out. They give up too easily. Steven and I have talked about it, and we agree, it's not even an option for us, never will be, end of story. We've had rough times, I mean, very, very, hard times, but we love each other through them and I think our relationship has been made stronger because of them. My sister's Facebook Status update today read: "Marriage is not 50/50, it's 100/100, both individual's giving 100% to the cause. If you're not giving it your all, it will not succeed." I like it and it's so true. I just have to say that if the past 7 years are any indication of what next One-hundred hold, we are in good shape!

On our Wedding Day......

Seven Years later and still looking Good!!!

What do you know mom?

So today, as we were driving home from Wal-Mart (in the pouring down rain, I might add), Camdyn and I somehow got into a conversation over Aprons. The story behind the story: She was painting in her class at church tonight and her teacher put aprons on the children to keep their clothes from getting messy. Also, my younger sister Marissa works as a grocery bagger at Publix and wore her apron home this afternoon while we were visiting my moms house. Anyhow, back to my original reason for posting this, Camdyn insisted that she was wearing an April and that Marissa said it was April and so that is what it was. I casually corrected her and let her know that it was actually called an A-pron not an A-pril. At this point, little miss sassy pants decided she was going to argue with mommy, and to be honest I don't know why I gave in to arguing with my 3-year old, but I did. It's not an April, it's an Apron. She asked me how I knew what it was called and I told her because mommies are very smart and know lots of things. Do you know what her reply was?!?!? "Well, Marissa TOLD me it is a April and your not very smart, mommy...your very, very, very, very a LOSER!" WHAT?!?!?!?!? That's right, my child just called me a loser! Granted, I know that she has no idea what that means and is just saying because she has heard it from the quite older young people that she is around so very often, but, OH MY WORD, she just called me a loser! I almost cracked up but because I don't want her to keep calling others losers, I had to correct her. I explained that Loser was not a nice name to call others and that she shouldn't say it because it hurts peoples feelings. Her reply? "Well, Kelcie says loser to me!" Who is Kelcie, you might ask. Our babysitter. Looks like we'll be having a talk this week about the words you do and don't use around 3-year olds!

Our (not so) New Addition!

Wow! Zachary Ethan Brickhouse joined our family on January 2, 2010 and I'm just now getting around to posting about it. Good thing that most of the people who read this see us on a regular basis and have already met him. For the few of you who haven't, here are few photos of our sweet baby boy and he is oh so very sweet.

He is about 2 months old in both of these photos.

Camdyn Turns Three!

I'm a little late with this but two saturdays ago, we celebrated my baby girl's THIRD Birthday! Although, I don't think any of us could've waited any longer for it to get here, it makes me sad to see her growing up so fast! In the weeks leading up to her actual Birthday and Party, she received cards in the mail and other Happy Birthday wishes from other people, she watched me preparing the invitations and she even went through the bags of party supplies. She was so funny, by the time her Birthday arrived on October 3rd, she thought it had already passed. One thing she actually mentioned was that she already had her birthday because she got a card and gift in the mail from Publix Pre-school Pals. TOO FUNNY! If I had only known it were that easy to please a two almost three year old! We ended up throwing (with lots of help from Grandma, Grandpa, Nona, Poppa, and Aunt Alysha) her a Tinkerbell themed party at her Grandma and Grandpa's house on Saturday and she had a blast. Friends and Family joined us for the event and it was a hit. By the end of the day though, she was exhausted!! She crashed hard right in daddy's lap on the couch! I love it that she had so much fun and has been so into her Birthday Party and turning three. She is at such a fun age, one full of energy, curiousity, and just plain fun! My baby girl is growing up!