Christmas 2014 and One Big Surprise!

Well another Christmas in the books and I'm sad to see it go.

I always get the "Christmas Blues" as my mom calls it - when you get sad when it's over.

I love every little thing about Christmas and it always goes by so quickly, but on to a New Year and time to decorate our home with pinks, reds and whites for Valentine's. I do truly enjoy Valentine's decor. It's so sweet and Cadence adores it.

I truly have the World's Best Boss because I get a whole lot of time off for Christmas.

I worked a few hours on Tuesday and didn't have to come back into work until today, again, only for a few hours then I'm off until next Monday for the New Year's holiday. Essentially it's like having two weeks off and you will find no complaints here! I've enjoyed the time spent home with Cadence. We went to Savannah one day and Beaufort yesterday and she loves having what she calls "girl day". Not girls day out, just girl day. Love her! 

Onto Christmas...

Christmas Eve we woke up to find Olly had left us a scavenger hunt for his last day in South Carolina. All the clues left for one last gift for Cadence and she had so much fun finding the next clue. It was a special time at 6 in the morning :) She's definitely an early riser!

He didn't take a Selfie - he took an Elfie 

This picture cracks me up every single time - Rosie was sleeping and Cadence wasn't having it.

Olly brought Cadence these Christmas jammies for her to wear on Christmas Eve as well as some Elsa and Anna coloring posters. She loved them.

Leaving cookies & milk for Santa!

Christmas Eve day my parents told us to come over to their house. We didn't know what was going on so we ran over and there was my 13 year old gun that I haven't seen since. Long story short. When I was 13, that Christmas, my parents gave me my very first gun. I wanted it painted camouflage so dad took it to the guy and we haven't seen it since. Between mis-communication, timing and a lot of other stuff the guy totally forgot he had it and as time passed so did we. Well dad remembered after all these years and got my gun back, finally painted. We joked that it was a 13 year paint job but I'll tell you it was the most sentimental gift I could have ever received from them and I couldn't believe it. I was so happy that he took all that time to be persistent and call the guy non-stop to finally get my gun back. 

After I admired my "new" gun we went back home and made a lot of treats, some for family, some for Santa and admired our Christmas tree one last time while sipping on some hot chocolate.

(I always take our tree down on Christmas Day - I am a little OCD about holiday decorations being up after the holiday has passed. There's always time between Tarl's parents Christmas and my parents Christmas so while we're relaxing at home I take it down then.)

After we fell asleep, Santa came and boy did he bring a lot of toys!

She was very excited to see this big ole stack of wrapped presents.

She was very grateful for everything that she received on Christmas, but her most favorite was definitely her Elsa dress and her Beados set. Surprisingly those Beados are a lot of fun to make and actually work. Her Easy Bake Oven was another huge hit and we've already made a batch of Red Velvet Cupcakes and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I got Tarl a lot of hunting equipment that he had been wanting and a few sentimental gifts that I knew he would like but he definitely outdid himself this year with my gift and to say I was surprised couldn't be more true!

I opened my first gift which was a beanie/scarf set that I had asked for. Then I opened my next gift which was a neck pillow. I looked at him like "what in the hell?" but was still grateful...just wasn't sure what I needed a neck pillow for. He then let me open the big box which was a Keurig. We both had been wanting one and I was happy that we finally had a one cup coffee maker.

The last gift was a tiny little box with some handmade art...

It took me a minute but I finally figured it out - JetBlue & Times Square. My sweet husband booked us a trip to New York. After all these years of talking about it and dreaming about it and pinning away hundreds of things on Pinterest he is finally taking me. He booked our trip for the end of March to give it some time to warm up a little and we're going for four days. We're staying in Times Square and I cannot wait! I was beyond happy and tears were streaming down my face. Tarl, although very sweet and kind, isn't the best at doing surprises so this was just unbelievable!

After we spent time with his parents we headed on over to my parents and another big surprise was waiting from my dad, another gun that I've been wanting for a long time. 

My dad has this same exact gun and I shoot it all the time. He decided it was time for me to finally have my own and I was ecstatic.

My siblings and the spouses draw names and this year my brothers girlfriend (who is practically my sister-in-law) drew my name and got me such a beautiful door hanger.

We all got some great gifts this year, but Christmas isn't about presents underneath the tree. It's about Jesus and time spent with family which was wonderful. 

Since I have the rest of the week off, like always I will be taking a blogging break to spend that time with family not worrying about being in front of a computer. 

I hope that each of you had a wonderful Christmas and has a blessed New Year. 

See you on Monday!

Merry Christmas!

I am so happy that today is my last day of work for the next 6 days. I'm even more happy that today is Christmas Eve Eve and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Let us never forget the true reason for the Christmas season, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Him, this life of ours wouldn't be worth living and he truly blesses us with every single thing we have. 

I wish each and every one of you a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

Monday Before Christmas

I can't believe we are only three days until Christmas.

Christmas week is finally here, y'all!

If only the "yuck" would leave my house.

We were all feeling better, for a good nine days. No fevers. No sneezing. No stomach bugs in sight and wouldn't you know Friday around midnight I started throwing up and it didn't stop until around 2am Sunday morning Sunday at around 10am I woke up feeling brand new. I took a shower, straightened up the house and spent time cuddling with my family. That evening Cadence started coughing, congestion in her nose and woke up this morning with a tummy ache. 

Fortunately there is still no fever and I pray it's nothing more then a little head cold/congestion that will go away before Christmas. Tis' the season for germs too I suppose but I will sure be glad when they are gone from our house. 

Olly has still been up to his silliness.

Unfortunately with me being sick I missed my family's annual Christmas party. I've only missed two in 28 years so I guess that's not too bad a ratio, but I still am sorry that I missed it. Tarl and Cadence still went and they both had a blast. I'm so blessed in the fact that my family and Tarl are unlike some marriages where you hear the in-laws and spouses don't get a long. I'm so happy that he loves my family and my family loves him like their own. Enough to where he is comfortable to go to a party, without me, with 30+ family members of mine.

Cadence made out with a lot of great, new toys so she was a happy little girl when she came home. Sick or not she told me all about it and I was so happy she had a great time. 

On a random note I thought this was hilarious...

I mean, it is true :)

Sorry not much to post. Between work, Christmas shopping, wrapping, crafts, movies and sicknesses we've been busy. On a happier note tomorrow is my last day of work until Tuesday of next week - holla! Per usual I will not be posting while on my Christmas break. 

Talk to y'all tomorrow!

Merry Monday before Christmas!

Twas the Friday before Christmas and...

...all through the land,

warm coffee was toasting the palms of my hand. 

As I typed on my keyboard

with cheery thoughts on my mind.

Ready for quitting time

to relax and unwind.

With s'mores on the agenda

for this evening's activity.

Tarl and Cadence,

Sawyer, Rosie and me.

We'll spend time together

laughing and singing,

"We wish you a Merry Christmas",

our ears will be ringing.

Christmas parties tomorrow

with family and friends.

It's hard to believe

Christmas is almost at an end.

I'll miss wrapping the presents

and topping them with bows.

Oh, how I love Christmas,

from the top of my head to the tip of my toes!

Let's not forget, however, the main reason,

Jesus is what it's all about this season.

He was sent to us for all women and men,

to forgive each and every single sin.

He was born 

on this most special day.

Snuggled in a manger,

 as a baby he lay.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

We love you so!

Make sure y'all pray this Christmas

whether family, friend or foe.

Merry Christmas!

-Miranda | Life in the Lowcountry

Happy Friday Friends. 

I hope you liked my little poem that I pulled off the top of my head. 

Something different to read on this Friday morning.

I am so very happy it's Friday and I'm so blessed to be sitting here typing this out. I have my health, as does my family. A roof over my head and food in my stomach. The things we take for granted daily, a lot of people don't have. Let's remember those people as we say our prayers. Let's remember to pray for our friends, family and yes even our enemies as sometimes they are the ones who need the most praying for. 

I'm so excited that I only have a few hours left of work today and only two days next week!

I hope each of you have a safe and blessed weekend!

Life in the Lowcountry in 2014

January

In January we officially planned our Disney trip by booking it and putting down the deposit. I remember the day I pushed the "reserve" button. I was so ecstatic because it was the first big vacation the three of us, as an entire family was going on. We have done weekend trips but never a week long getaway. It was so much fun booking and planning the trip. Seeing what we originally had planned verses what we ended up doing is fun to look back on. You can read my original post here.

To be 100% honest, I'm in the process of planning our next trip to Disney. We all had a blast and it's one of those trips that you can keep going back and still not see or do everything. Granted plans can change drastically in over a years time, but God willing every thing goes well, this is what we have planned for Fall 2016 (643 Days to go...)

Disney Trip 2016

Arrive Friday Evening

Check Into Port Orleans - Riverside

Dinner @ Narcoossee’s (Grand Floridian) Around 8:30 - to watch fireworks

Saturday – Epcot

Breakfast/Early Lunch @ Akershus Around 10

Dinner @ Garden Grill Around 7:30

Illuminations @ 9

Sunday – Magic Kingdom

Quick Service Lunch @ Be Our Guest

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Around 3:00 - Cadence's Princess Makeover

Dinner @ Cinderella’s Royal Table Around 5:30

Halloween Party @ 7

Monday – Open Day

Quick Service Lunch

Dinner @ Chef Mickey’s Around 8:30 – to watch fireworks

Tuesday – Animal Kingdom

Quick Service Lunch

Dinner @ Whispering Canyon Café Around 6 (Wilderness Lodge)

Wednesday – Hollywood Studios

Quick Service Lunch

Dinner @ Ohanas Around 8 - to watch fireworks

Thursday – Open Day

      Quick Service Lunch

Dinner @ Captains Grille Around 6 (Beach/Yacht Club)

Friday – Magic Kingdom

Quick Service Lunch @ Pecos Bills

Quick Service Dinner

Check Out Saturday Morning

Quick Service Breakfast Before Leaving

I wanted to make sure that we incorporated our most favorite places as well as doing new things as well. We always like to try one of Disney's Signature Restaurants which is basically slang for upscale and overpriced, but the experience and food is well worth what you pay, plus if you get the dining plan like we do it's covered. Holla! I chose Narcoosee's which is located in the Grand Floridian. I figured it would be the perfect restaurant once we got there to wind down after unpacking and checking in and enjoying the fireworks in Magic Kingdom while we eat dinner. We'll also have a view of the lighted boat parade as well.Garden Grill is also a new choice as well as Whispering Canyon, Captains Grille and our resort choice of Port Orleans Riverside.

February

In February we enjoyed a lot of outside. South Carolina has it's chilly days and it's unseasonably mild days in February so we take full advantage of both. No sweating and no freezing. We spent a lot of time outdoors with gorgeous river views and I started jogging (it didn't last long).

I still can't get over how well that picture turned out with my iPhone - still one of my faves to this day! #nofilterneeded

March

In March we celebrate our anniversary by going to Universal Studios and spending some quality time together. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to see what our anniversary holds this year.

You can read the entire recap here, but here are a few of my favorite pictures...

We also went to a petting zoo in March and Cadence loved it!

Who can forget the countless hours on our farm and bubble blowing. Priceless!

A huge milestone also started for our family - Cadence's first sport, T-Ball!

April

In April SC started warming up and we took full advantage!

We also celebrated one of the most important holidays, Easter. The day our Christ was resurrected!

Tarl did real good this Easter! I'm still toting around my Kate Spade!

Cadence loved all her monogrammed goodness and all the other goodies the Easter Bunny brought her, most noticeably, a bike!

Our sweet Rosie became a part of our family.

May

Mom and I ventured off to Jacksonville in May to visit with my aunt. We had such a fun time spent together gossiping and listening to old stories all the while making new memories.

We had a lot of pool days

We celebrated Mother's Day

And officially welcomed Summer in South Carolina!

June

We spent a lot of our days in shorts and tank tops trying our best to stay cool in the hot June months!

We also traveled to Destin, Florida where the water was perfectly clear!

We also hit the 6 month mark until Christmas!

Hah - I posted this June 25th, now only 6 days until Christmas - wow!

Tarl and I squeezed a few date nights in while Cadence was at Bible School - love this guy!

July

Happy Birthday America!

Lots of days in downtown Savannah

I also tried my very first beignet!

Yum!

August

I got a really good tan and highlights in my hair - I was pretty excited about it, can't you tell?

I spent my days and nights with these two

More days at the pool (no complaints here!)

Another huge milestone - Cadence started her very first day of school!

September

Football officially started in our little neck of the woods so we went to several home games this season cheering on our home team.

We also headed to Greenville, SC for a weekend taking in the beautiful sights and even went on a hike to see a waterfall. It was great time spent together!



We were all ready for September to pass by because we left for Disney the end of September!

October

Our Disney trip arrived and we had such a good time, you can recap our trip

here
here
here
here
here
here

Our town had it's local festival when we got back.



Family from Boston and Florida came into town. We had such a fun time together!





We also kept to our annual tradition and visited the Great Pumpkin Patch!









Happy Halloween!



November

We started off November with our first red cups of the season in one of our favorite places, downtown Savannah!







Sweet girl also won her schools pageant!



Fire weather was officially in tow



I still can't get enough of sitting around a fire. Our months are so hot for such a long time that I soak up every bit of cold weather that I can.

We also spent one beautiful afternoon in Charleston





Happy Thanksgiving!



And here we are in December! I still can't believe how quickly this year has gone by. I know it's such a cliche thing to say but it's so true! I can't wait to soak up these last few days of Christmas with my family.