How was your Thanksgiving?

We are finally home sweet home..I say that bitter sweetly, as I love visiting home, especially for the holidays, but I also love to get home...to our home! I do hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of turkey and love! We are so blessed and have such special friends and family to share it with. I don't know if anyone else is this way, but I tend to get stressed and experience an overwhelming amount of anxiety around the holidays, because I feel so rushed at times. Kenny and I have so many "spots" to hit and that is what I feel like we do, just "hit" them..Seriously, we really need a about 5 Thanksgiving Days and 5 Christmas' to spend with our family! I wouldn't be so stressed..and I would feel like we have been fair. I attribute much of it to the fact we don't live at home..we always try to see everyone, which just creates havoc. I do not mean to complain, and I know it sounds I am..we are so blessed and are so thankful for ALL of our family..and I sound ungrateful..please forgive me..if we didn't get to see you this time, because paths didn't cross, we will try our best next time! I know there are a few things I am going to make a point to do when I come home for Christmas..here are a few:

* Visit with my BFF Kerry and Sawyer (he's growing too fast)
* Have lunch with ISI Lisa (We say we are going to do this..and never do..it's on like a chicken bone next visit!)
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. ~ Proverbs 27:17 Lisa is a dear friend of whom I thank God for bringing in my life..all the time..she is such a strong Christian and has so much wisdom to share..although we have not always agreed on everything..our disagreements are in love and out of respect for each other..does that make sense?? And you want to know the crazy thing..we have only met in person one time! Yep..one time..everything we do and say reflects each other..and we know we were born sisters at birth! LOL..seriously, we have so much in common..and share many of the same beliefs...I believe and know that God calls us to choose our friends wisely..(Proverbs 12:26), and she my friend is a woman after God's own heart who desires to do His will and serve Him in all she does..great friend! Sorry, side note, but in my thankfulness attitude lately, she is a top!

Ok..back to things to do...
*Eat some chicken salad from Unclaimed Baggage...
*Shop at the Bag for some great deals!
*Shop around the square..Hammer's in particular.

That's just a few things I hope to accomplish as I get back to the Boro! I was fortunate this visit to enjoy a fun-filled relaxing weekend with my momma...my daddy had to work..boohoo..got to see him for a bit, but just wasn't the same..my momma and us had a great time though..and she was a super, much needed break for Brylee..there is nothing that child can't do around her. Brylee also got to meet for the first time her new puppy, Flippy

and her new cousin Jaden (who is an absolute angel doll).

We enjoyed some basketball, chat with my good friend Leigh, and ate a Pikeville Burger..Yummy! Our Thanksgiving meal turned out wonderful as usual!

Thanks to Kenny's precious aunts..headed to Kenny's mom's on Saturday and back home today.


Brylee got to help cook with Reba..and made some very CHEESY eggs..poor thing..I took a bite and about choked..Reba made me some more that were a little less velveetaey! LOL

We are gearing up for the Christmas holiday..do you have any traditions you would like to share??? I have wanted to begin one with our family..and have several like decorating the tree..reminiscing over the ornaments..and talking about Jesus' birthday to Brylee...we go to Kenny's mom's for Christmas Eve, my parents for the morning, Kenny's aunts for a late breakfast and my grandparent's for the evening..it always a special time..and I remember growing up actually seeing snow on some Christmas' mornings..wonder if that will ever happen in Brylee's lifetime? Doubt it..at least not in south AL..I am buying the Elf on the Shelf..have you heard of this??? He is an elf who comes to your house in early December to report back to Santa how you are doing..neat things you can do with him..like he can get into things over night..etc...and he watches you until Christmas..love the idea..just wondering if I can get an Elf for all year long???? Will let you know how this goes..I am going to get him today..I think Brylee will like him when he shows up at our house..several teachers do it with their classes each year and it is a hoot! I also am getting my Great-Grandmother's nativity scene collection this year. It will be such an honor to display it and have it for Brylee to care for and watch Baby Jesus in the manger. Such a special time of year and I do not want to take one second for granted on teaching Brylee the important things in life..till my next time...just a moment in the life of a Hill!!!!

How to Stay SANE!

I received the following in an email from my partner in crime..Chrisite T...we keep eachother in check! LOL..she knew I needed this good laugh when she sent it..and I just had to post it..if I emailed it to you, sorry..read it again..I promise you will laugh again!

How to maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity


1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice!

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions,
Switch to Espresso.

5. In the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Marijuana'

6. Skip down the hall Rather Than Walk and see how many looks you get.

7. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

8. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'.

9. Sing Along At The Opera.

10. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You have a headache..

11. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'

12. When Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the Parking lot, Yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'

13. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity

14.PICK UP A BOX OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY, GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WHERE THE FITTING ROOM IS.

Songful Saturday

You know I have mentioned before how much we LOVE our church..and one of the best parts is our choir..they are on it and bless us each week. Yes, I used to be apart and have had some dear people ask me to get back in, but with Kenny's basketball season, it is hard for me to make practice, and I am one of those that if you are going to sing in it, you should make it to the practices, and I absolutely love sitting with Kenny during services....so maybe when Brylee is a little older I can get back into it, or if I can convince Kenny to join too :0)..here is a video for my Songful Saturday..The guy doing the solo is our new music minister Bro. Darin, his sweet wife is on the keyboard, and our Assistant Pastor is leading with his wife on the piano..they were the couple who were going to be Brylee's grandparents if my parents couldn't make it to grandparents day! Such SWEET people!!!!

Turkey Shirt, NKOTB, Christmas..kinda random :)

Brylee and I got creative Sunday evening..after a little inspiration from our friends Kristin and Kamryn..We made us a turkey shirt and she wore it to school today..she loved it! It turned out cute..and I think we will make a Christmas tree too! I remember having sweatshirts with the paint on them..and at one time, they were in style! probably as much as my New Kids on the Block jacket huh???
Seriously, do you know how much money I could get for that thing??? That was one of my most fave Christmas mornings! Too bad after the New Year when I returned to school..they weren't so cool anymore!

Got my Christmas cards in this week..and they are so cute! I will recommend my photographer/artist anytime! She is a full time teacher and does this on the side..pretty good, she is! Gotta run..got a FBA/BIP to prepare for tomorrow night! Have a good one ya'll!

Did manage to get a few shots of Brylee this morning after church..this is her Thanksgiving outfit from last year, but it still fits..so better believe we will be sporting it! It was cold this morning..which makes me smile..means Christmas is around the corner..just wanted to share these pics...Also, got to go to dinner with some girls from work the other night..we enjoyed a meal with a girl who worked with us for 2 years..she is getting married in January..I am keeping her book..;) Go me..well, I am keeping her metal frame that people will sketch their name in..neat I idea..if I can figure it out! She is beside me in the pic..and I work with the other sweet ladies! We had a hoot that night! Thanks Girls!

MIA

So sorry to my 2 blog readers who have let me know they miss me! LOL..I have to admit..my blogs will be hit and miss these days due to basketball starting..with Kenny practicing or playing everyday..my parental responsibilities have been stepped up. Doesn't leave much "puter" time as Brylee calls it. We had a pretty uneventful week..Monday we had a good family night of playing in the living room and 9th grade basketball. We went from the 9th grade game to a different gym for the 8th grade game. Brylee loved every minute of it and especially enjoyed seeing her favorite cheerleader Ryan..who took her backstage for a snack during half time..thanks Ryan! She loves you! On Tuesday, Kenny practiced and Brylee and I stayed in our PJ's all day! It was pure blissful! On Wednesday, I had to go to the dentist to get an unknown procedure completed..I say unknown, b/c when Kenny and I first moved here, I went to the dentist and had a cleaning. Yes, that was the last cleaning I had..I HATE THE DENTIST. I don't like the flossing, scraping, drill, drill sound, brushing, shots, and yes I don't even like the squeaky clean feeling afterwards. So I avoid the dentist at all accounts. When we went (back then) I remember him saying we'll have to watch that tooth..looks like a cavity trying to form. (My ticket to not go back unless I had to). Well, after 2 weeks of pain..I had to go on Wednesday..and was scared of the outcome..filling? crown? root canal????? And like a dummy I youtubed and watched a root canal..and from watching it, I was hoping that wasn't the "unknown". I even quit chewing on that side..and it got better..almost cancelled my appointment. I prayed before I went and had several friends pray..seriously..the dentist is one of my biggest fears..my kids at school were ragging me hard about it. So I got the strength and headed out the door..as I get there and sign in..I am really worried about the anxiety that will build up as I ususally have to wait to see them. I decided I need to pee..went into the bathroom..looked in the mirror and gave myself this whole spill about grow up Brooke..you are a big girl..put your big girl panties on and do this! I went to the waiting room and they called my name..humm..that was fast..long story short, the dentist was great and eased my fears..with a little happy gas to go along with it..I had broken off some of my previous filling and food was getting down in the tooth. He took that filling out and put a new filling in. I kept feeling it and he kept giving me shots. I think he gave a bout 15..no seriously he gave so many that I couldn't feel my tounge until 9 oclock that night. And the procedure was at 1...I survived..and felt calm the whole time..I know God gave that peace..I've joked about the happy gas having that effect..but honestly, there isn't enough gas in the tank to calm my fears!

Thursday and Friday were a bit more normal. On Tuesday night, we heard that a former stuedent of Kenny's from Daphne was missing..and we began to pray for her safe return. Unfortunately I hate to report, but she was found Friday evening murdered. Daphne is such a quaint place, and we truly loved living there. It breaks my heart to know that something that horrid could take place there..but it makes you realize it can and does happen everywhere. One of the most heartbreaking facts about it is that her parents were in the search team that found her. Her story can be found on www.wkrg.com and you can also leave the family comments and words of encouragement. I held Brylee a little closer Friday night as you can imagine!

Today..practice again..and then just relaxing the day away. Church tomorrow, and then it is Monday..hope you are all having a great weekend!

Pray for your Babies!!

My "Motivation for Moms's" quote for today goes with my Pray 7x7 button to the right. It is "Pray over your children while they are sleeping. With a heart like Hannah, give them over to God." One of my favorite blogs to read is Angie Smith's blog.And she had the suggestion of praying 7 times over your children a day. I began yesterday..and Brylee sat quiet and patient as I did. I was rushed this morning..and sadly didn't get to do the beginning ones..but will make up for it this afternoon...I challenge you to do the same for your children...prayer is so important and something they really need for us to do!

~Songful Saturdays~

Since Saturdays are usually a hard time to post..I thought I would do a "Songful Saturday"...just to share a few of my favorite songs that have got me through in life. For my first "Songful Saturday"...I chose this song a lady at my church used to sing many years at church...she had been through many things in her life and this song served as her testimony. I have often thought back to it and remembered later in years that, "God is the same in the valley as when we are on the mountains"

31 Years ago today, my sweet husband was birthed into this world! I have enjoyed the many stories his mother has told me throughout the years about Kenny and have enjoyed watching home videos of him growing up! We both grew up in the same town, but didn't know eachother until high school. Kenny and I had very different, but same lives growing up. I mean that in so many ways. He had parents who divorced, mine stayed together (which makes them different), but we both had parents who LOVED us more than life itself. Something that I see passed on as we raise our child together. Kenny was your all time athlete that was always the "cool" guy! Everyone loved him and even this morning..he recieved texts from guys from high school wishing him a Happy Birthday...I couldn't believe they remembered..but I guess he has that impression on some people! LOL Kenny had a friend write him the other day and told him what a good friend he considered him to be. Apparantely in college, the guy didn't have any money and Kenny offered to buy his books for him for that particular class. The guy was going through a tough time and he remembered that Kenny did that when his other "so called" friends never offered to even buy him something to eat. He thanked him for that and wanted him to know he still remembers it to this day and cherishes his friendship. Kenny has always been this way. Kenny has been the inspiration and rock of this family during hard times. He has a sense of humor that keeps Brylee and I going and ALWAYS on our toes!He continues to amaze me everyday with his love for the Lord and his love for his family. His students love him, his friends love him, his family loves him, his child loves him and his wife loves him! I think too often I take him for granted..and on this day wanted to give a place on my blog! We love you baby and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

**Update..didn't get to finish this until Saturday..how did we celebrate you ask??? We had a wonderful dinner at McDonalds, and then rounded the evening out watching Madagascar 2 with Brylee! Another example of what a good father he is!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I must give my friend Lisa props for me doing this..she did it today and said her friend "Brooke" does these and it inspired her, well, guess what, her friend Brooke has been slacking. And I was just realizing how much I have to be thankful for today. Thanks Lisa for reminding me of the importance of my blog!

1. I am so thankful to serve a risen Lord who is on the throne and who I know is going to take care of me and my family!

2. I am thankful that I realized today just how wrong I was about a situation. I am thankful God opened my eyes and allowed me to apologize to that person and let them know they owe me no apology! They answer to God, not to me or anyone else! Glad for my notes from a previous sermon that made me think about that!

3. I am thankful for my wonderful hubby who will have a birthday tomorrow! Expect a great post about him!

4. I am thankful for a healthy daughter! She is so amazing and brings SO much joy to our lives! I see parents who struggle everyday with children with disabilities and it just breaks me and makes me realize and thank the One who allows Brylee to be healthy!

5. I am thankful that my grandmother is still here today. It is her 75th birthday today and I am so thankful to have here in my life. I love to call and just chat with her..she is so funny..my aunt did a blog about her b/c of her birthday and it is also my Aunt's bday..go give her some love..anyways..she was talking about my grandmother pulling pranks..just a few minutes ago, I called to wish her happy birthday..she didn't answer..so I thought I would call and chat with my dad. I call his phone and she answers and acts like I called her! She is so silly!

6. I am thankful for 2 Christian,God loving, still married Parents!

7. I am thankful for my job and the children at it I love so much!

~WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?~

MCK Miracle

In case you haven't followed this blog, it is in my sidebar for you to click..Proof that God is still in the miracle business!!!

Halloween Memories

While I am DEFINITELY glad Halloween has come and gone..I got to laughing while reading a friend's post about how she was embarrassed to give out tootsie rolls, (which would have been a favorite of mine). And how she didn't have many people come to her house..I think the reason is probably that not many trick-or-treat with strangers anymore, I know we are usually at a church function or go to people's house we know..but nonetheless, it reminded me of mine and Kenny's 1st Halloween in our house in Daphne. I had bought a bag of candy well ahead of time and could not find it for the life of me..so the doorbell started ringing..what was I going to do, I went into the garage to look for some ideas..and there they were staring me in the face..flavored juice popsicles, but they weren't frozen. We had went to Sam's and had a massive amount of them...so I started handing those babies out! And the kids went wild..I heard some as they were walking away, "Hey that house on the corner is giving out popsicles"...so that turned out to be a great idea. Just wanted to share that funny!

3 Costumes..and Halloween is Over!

Well, I have to say I am super glad that Halloween has come and gone..Brylee is not much on dressing up, doesn't like things on her face or head..and is a very indecisive child. Since we began talking about a costume, she wanted to be a butterfly (did NOT specify a color)..We were in Target and she fell in love with a Ladybug and a mermaid..well, the mermaid was a little showy and not very modest at all..something we are trying to teach her as we go, so I said are you sure about the ladybug, well, she put it on one time, didn't even get a pic of it..and it "hurt" her arms. I start searching for the perfect butterfly..and found it, well this is what Brylee thought of it...

Seriously, she said it itched her and she didn't want to wear it. I didn't want her to be uncomfortable in it, since she would spend the majority of the day in it, due to her school festival, so we headed to Walmart at about 9:30 Thursday night and the only one they had left that would fit her was a pirate princess..she wouldn't wear the hat at school, but did while she trick or treated. I have included a few pics from the day/night. She ended up going home to "hand out candy"..when a kid would come up, she would say, "What do you say"..then she would give them candy..too cute!