a year ago today....

A year ago today, we arrived at the hospital with
excitement and anticipation of meeting our little baby girl.
A year ago today, she entered our lives and changed it forever.
A year ago today, we started our family.

How was it already a year ago, today?

Evie's nursery

The day of her arrival:

Evangeline,

You entered this world at 11:37 am on Thursday, February 13th at 7 pounds 14 ounces and stole our hearts. I have never felt a love like this before. You made me a momma - you made us a family. It has been a wonderful year of learning about you and how to be the best mommy I can be for you. You are such a loving, sweet little girl. Your love of reading and music is a perfect mix of me and your dada. I am ecstatic that I get to share each and every day with you because every day I learn something new about you. I can't imagine any other place I'd rather be than by your side. Thank you for all that you are and all that you will become. Here's to many more birthdays, my precious baby bug!

I love you forever,

Momma

the 3 birthday girls...

We hosted the 3 birthday girls in our family - DeeDee, Mamaw, and Leslie. Can you believe they all share the exact same birthday? December 18th really kicks off the holiday season for us. Once this birthday occurs the days really start rolling and all of a sudden it is New Years! Luckily Tison had the day off work so he and Ali did most of the cooking. The menu: spinach dip, buffalo chicken dip, sausage meat balls, southwest eggrolls, mini pecan pies, Good Eats strawberry salad, and poppy seed ham sliders.

Leslie and Cuan arrived from Zimbabwe on the 17th - just in time to share in the birthday celebration. Also- can you believe how big Hudson and Andrew are getting? Although they are picky eaters, they love love love "dips" and bread. Even if you just call something a dip, they will try it. Right now Evie likes everything we give her, but I know that day is coming soon where she refuses what we serve her. Lauren has such amazing patience - I'm so happy she became a mom first so I can learn from her. Speaking of - Merrick baby #3 is due in April. THREE babies! Ahhh!

Family Time = Good Times

The red velvet cupcakes from Buttercups  served as individual birthday cakes so everyone could make their own wishes. We ended the night with a few gifts for our guests of honor; the grandkids helping out with present opening was priceless. Happy Birthday to all! Thanks for letting us host your special day.

Thanksgiving 2014 | Grateful

I often find myself making lists - lists of things I want to be when I "grow up." Poor Tison has seen and heard  the millions of ideas I have and the plans I have yet to start, but there is something about this time of year that makes you stop wishing for something you don't have and appreciate the things you do. When I look around at all the love that surrounds us- really, what more could I ask for?

I am grateful for:
- an encouraging and loving husband
- a kind spirited and healthy baby girl
- a mother who doubles as a best friend
- a dad who loves and cares for me everyday. 
- two beautiful sisters that just "get me"
- a loving set of in-laws who are wonderful grandparents
- my friends near and far that are supportive beacons of light
- a lovely home that we have started our family in
- and two precious (and stinky) mutts that have made it through the transition of the baby and still love us

I am loved. I am grateful. I am happy.

We had an early Thanksgiving with the Hudson-Merricks and also celebrated Lauren's birthday.  She's expecting a baby in April. Doesn't she look fantastic?

 Fr. Mike shared in the birthday/thanksgiving celebration too.

Friendsgiving is a tradition that began a few years ago. The night before Thanksgiving we would go out with friends to various bars. Well, with children things change. This year we thought we would kick it up a notch and have a whole meal at the house. It was potluck style and it really came together as a nice little dining experience with friends. We sat down at the dining room table and everything! It is always good to see everyone gathered together during the holidays especially those in from out of town.

On Thanksgiving day, we shared the day with the Tisons. Aunt Maria and Uncle Richard came up from Miami and Aunt Janice traveled from Marksville. It was a special day.

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season! Sending love to you. xoxo

{past Thanksgiving posts}

New Mall, New Store, New Look!

As a native of Shreveport, I have frequented Mall St. Vincent for most my life. The memories that have taken place in that one location abound.

I remember throwing pennies in the "wishing pond," asking for a quarter for the big gumball machine, getting my ears pierced at Claire's and making it a tradition by going back there with my little sisters when they were old enough to get theirs pierced.

In middle school I was dropped off at Mall St. Vincent to meet up with friends and go to the movies (back when it had a theater inside.) We would eat at Garfield's restaurant and have our parents pick us up. We thought we were so grown up.

I would use my allowance money to do my Christmas shopping at The Disney Store, Kirkland’s, and Hallmark and buy calendars in the center kiosks. Even Lewis Gifts moved there for a little bit! What about Bombay and Co.? Remember?

I recall shopping with my mom at The Limited and Express when our private school allowed a "free dress day." It was a huge deal when Abercrombie and Fitch moved in! (Are they still putting topless men on all their shopping bags?)

No high school dance photo was taken without first having a makeover from Dillard’s.

As the years have passed, stores moved out and reopened in outdoor shopping centers. The only place I would pop into on a semi-regular basis was Banana Republic for their jewelry or sales rack. It became a different place. Not the exciting mall experience of yesteryear.

Mall St. Vincent is taking a stand. They are undergoing multi-million dollar renovations that are nearly complete. They are bringing back the phrase "Let's go to the mall!" because really -- who says that anymore?

Today, the global brand H & M is holding their grand opening in MStV. My coworkers, Tara and Elizabeth, and I charged the doors when they opened at noon. With a DJ at the ready, fashion bloggers roaming with iPhones in hand, moms with strollers, cool college kids with an arm full of finds, we made our way through the racks. It felt like Christmas. The energy was electric, the staff was friendly, and obviously the clothes were not only fashion forward, but affordable. Tara, who recently moved here from Tuscaloosa, Ala.,  remarked that she is so excited to live in a city that has H & M. I am proud of our little Shreveport carrying such a big name.

Welcome to town H &M. Thanks for making us look good.

#HMLovesShreveport

Happy Halloween!

I think it is safe to say we like this holiday! I hope everyone has fun tonight - we have been dressing up all week :)

 St. Luke's Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Shine on Line

Coven Release Party for Hesson Haus

Book Club Family Night

'Trick or Treating' with cousins