For as long as Mariah Carey has sung it, I've loved it!  All I Want for Christmas is You!  Okay.  I've done my research now, and the Christmas hit was recorded in 1994.  Fast forward 12 years, and I never knew I would look at this song in such a way.  And I'm pretty sure Mariah Carey never meant for her song to be anything more than a fun holiday romance.  Ha!  In fact, the lyrics suggest that she doesn't care about the lights or the presents...she only wants to be reunited with her lover for Christmas.  But me...it meant something different.

Christmas after Christmas came and went, and I still had only one Christmas wish.  One real Christmas wish anyway.  I wanted to hang another stocking on our mantle.  All I wanted for Christmas was a child.

And here we are.  2012 will forever be our first Christmas as parents.  Our first Christmas to hang an extra stocking.  Our first Christmas to look at the lights and the decorations and the meaning in a whole new way.  The wonder of Christmas came to life more than ever this year!  Oh, the wonders of His love!

As we break out all Millie Janalee's Christmas outfits, we begin our first Christmas season as a Party of Three...plus Farley, of course!  This year, I got my only Christmas wish!  Of course, it would be very fun to say Santa gave us our gift early.  But, we know Who entrusted us with this precious gift.

Thanks be to God...in whom I place my hope and trust!  To God be the glory this year and every year!

It's Christmas y'all!  Our baby's FIRST Christmas!  Fa la la la la la la la la!

Thanksgiving Part 2

We coined the term..."Thanksgiving's not over until all the cute turkey outfits have been worn."  Ha!  Millie Janalee had one more turkey outfit to wear, and we had one more family gathering to attend.  It worked out perfectly!  Her mama went a little overboard with the turkeys.  In fact, this mama went a little overboard with excitement period when we found out about Millie Janalee.  And that's okay!

Sam, Millie Janalee, and Olivia

Saturday morning, Russ and I took Millie Janalee to have Thanksgiving with Russ's side of the family.  It was such fun seeing everyone and for everyone to visit with Millie Janalee.  Some of them hadn't really seen her since she was a bitty babe.  The kids loved taking turns holding her and playing with her.  Russ and I have gotten used to everyone passing us over with a polite "Hey" on their way to the real important person of the family...Millie Janalee!  Ha!

Sam, Julie (modeling one of Russ's sister's dresses from the 90's), Grace, Leah, and Millie Janalee

When we get together with Russ's family, each family brings food to contribute to the meal.  I'm usually flying in from a Thanksgiving celebration in Jackson, so I always offer to pick up something on my way into town.  However, this year we celebrated in town.  It was nice to have time to make some things for the post-Thanksgiving meal.

Everything smelled so good, and I knew we were in for a yummy lunch.  Russ had to leave for Jonesboro to work, so we planned a noon lunch.  Everyone was there but Jimmy.  He had to work. We missed him!  Russ's mom put some finishing touches on her food, while Aunt Jenny spent some snuggle time with her newest niece.

The food, as always, was delicious.  And we had PLENTY leftover...as always!  Roan fixed Jimmy a plate, but the rest was covered and stuffed in whatever refrigerator had space.  With such a large family, it's a find a seat if you can kinda meal.  Usually the big kids end up together, little kids together, and adults together.  Now that some of the bigger kids are nearing or at "adult" status, everyone was everywhere.  Ha!

Jeff, Seth, Olivia, Elle, and Will

After eating and spending time visiting, the sister-in-laws began cleaning the kitchen.  I rarely saw Millie Janalee, but I knew she was in good hands.  Grace was dying to hold her, but she seemed a little nervous.  She wanted Elle to sit right by her side. 

Elle, Millie Janalee, Grace, and Will

Sweet cousins

It is tradition that the grandchildren put up Granmomma and Pop's Christmas tree during our Thanksgiving gathering.  It seems some of our usual helpers hid so as not to get wrangled into the whole shabang, so Roan headed up the coalition.  She put in her time setting up and fluffing the tree...and left the decorating to the kids.  Will and Clay are always within eyesight, so they usually get caught when anything needs fixing!  Such good boys!

Fluffing

Sam making sure every part of the tree was decorated...even the underside!

Russ showing Millie Janalee the finished tree

Since the tree was going up and there were young bodies around to help, Granmomma pulled out all her decorations and began decking her halls!  Once again, Will and Clay were called upon for the outdoor decor while Granmomma took care of the inside.

Will and Clay putting the garland around the front door

Russ's mom ("Granmomma") putting the garland up the staircase

This was my absolute favorite part of the Johnson Christmas decorating festival...stockings tied on the treadmill.  "...and the stockings were hung on the treadmill with care..."  I love it!

In case you are wondering where all the other family members were hiding...

Elle and Julie spent some time loving on Millie Janalee.

Jenny, me, Roan, and Russ's dad spent some time visiting in the kitchen.

The younger girls enjoyed playing with Millie Janalee during playtime.

Once things really got wound up around this house full of relatives, it was time for Millie Janalee to break out her Thanksgiving bib.  Auntie Kristin actually bought this bib for Millie Janalee to wear at my family's Thanksgiving for obvious reasons.  But, since we forgot and there's a little bit of crazy on Russ's side too...we figured it was still appropriate!  Ha!

Are these people really my relatives?

I don't know why Millie Janalee wouldn't be proud to call us all her relatives.  Can you?  Hmmm...

The last hour or so of our visit was spent in the sun room where Pop let Millie Janalee watch a little football while the girls did some girl talk, shared Christmas gift ideas, and watched Millie Janalee.

Millie Janalee loves her Pop!

Elle and me

You know you LOVE those sweet cheeks!  Obsessed!

We had a wonderful time with Russ's family.  We always do.  Our favorite visits are those without tight schedules where everyone can sit around leisurely with no task at hand and talk, laugh, and play games.  No games were played this time, but Jimmy's family gave me an early birthday gift...Holiday Scrabble.  I will bring it back for our Christmas gathering. 

Millie Janalee donned her final turkey for the season, and she looked just as adorable as ever.  All these pictures look like her pants were too short, but I promise they weren't.  Not that it matters.  Russ left for Jonesboro, and Millie Janalee and I went back to my parents' house for the next couple of days...and for Millie Janalee's photo shoot of the day.

Millie Janalee and Farley...sweet brother and sister

"These bows taste so good, Mama!"

I'm just loving those cheeks!

Cousin Brodie loves Millie Janalee too!  He gives sweet kisses.

Saturday night, we all settled in for a night of football.  The Egg Bowl to be exact.  I had been a little nervous about this game all year.  Ole Miss was coming off a great game against LSU, and we were coming off a little slump.  My only hope was that Ole Miss was worn out from such a physical game last week.

Paw Paw and Millie Janalee discussing the spread on this game.

"Really, Paw Paw?  It's gonna be a close one?"

"I'm feeling good about it!  Let's goooooo Dawgs!"

"Paw Paw!  It wasn't even close!  They KILLED us!"

Yep.  I do not wish to discuss that game any further.  We lost.  The end.  Now, we are loyal Bulldogs through and through.  We've been through MUCH worse that this.  So, we'll try to hold our heads high as we make our way into the post season.  Our family has ordered 10 bowl game tickets to wherever we end up.  Gator Bowl? Music City Bowl?  Some random "off brand" bowl?  Wherever we go, we'll be there!  Cheering for our Dawgs!  And, yes, even trying to still believe!

I hope you all had a thanks-filled Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day!

Such a thankful baby girl...in her first pair of Keds!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Millie Janalee's first Thanksgiving was a very fun one!  And there is more fun to come as we celebrate with Russ's family Saturday.  I should first begin by talking about how excited Millie Janalee was about the turkey.  I know this because she woke up around 4 am ready to eat, play, and celebrate.  Susu took care of that one while this mama went back to bed.  Ha!

Once Russ and I woke to the sound of coos coming from the bassinet in my childhood bedroom, we got ready to make a very special Thanksgiving visit.  Russ's grandmother was ill when we planned for her to meet Millie Janalee, so she had not met our new angel yet.  Russ and I took Millie Janalee to Munu's house to meet her great-grandmother, and it was a wonderfully sweet visit.

After a short visit, we made our way to celebrate with my side of the family.  This was a very special Thanksgiving for us, since every single person on all sides of my family came to town to celebrate.  This has never happened that I can remember.  I am so so so sad that we never got a full family picture.  Seriously.  You know how sad I am.  The truth is...I ended up with a bad headache in bed before the night was over.  The thought never crossed my mind again...until this morning.  I'm hoping that we can all get together again soon!

Millie Janalee and Aunt Gail

Some of our family members had yet to meet Millie Janalee, so she was so happy to meet new people.  The funny part is that she met them naked.  Now, you know how hard I work to make sure Millie Janalee is dressed with a hairbow and combed hair most every day.  My mother thinks this is so funny that the one time I needed her to be looking cute to meet her Aunt Gail and a few others, she spits up all down the front of her precious smocked turkey bubble.  More than ever!  I ran to stick it in the quick wash so that she would be dressed for our visitors.  Except they came a little early.  Yep.  I was proud.  There laid my child naked in the floor sporting only a bib and diaper.  I know.  I know.  No one cared but me.  It was just one of those "real moments."  One of many more to come.

While the girls gathered around the children and the kitchen helping Kristin prepare the food, the guys enjoyed a little game of golf in the back yard.  a pretty competitive game, I understand.

Anna Claire, Millie Janalee, Amanda, Aunt Gail, and Maw Maw

Sweet cousins

Anna Claire had so much fun talking to "the baby."  She showed off her "bling" bracelet and petted her head and just stared at Millie Janalee while she did her baby things.  Amanda was the baby whisperer as we watched the rerun of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Millie Janalee fell fast asleep in her lap.

We enjoyed a full day and evening of visiting with family we haven't seen in a while.  Some we haven't seen in years.  We watched the kids play, watched some football, laughed, and talked about old times.  I led tours around Kristin and Lee's lovely home, while Kristin and Mama (and Russ) slaved away in the kitchen.

I should add that Kristin and Lee were the most wonderful hosts!  Their home was impeccably clean and beautifully decorated.  The food was well thought out with appetizers and finger foods served around 5 and supper served around 6:30 or 7.  Kristin did a great job of preparing as much as possible beforehand so that she could enjoy the afternoon and visit with us.  Mama took a couple casseroles to her house closer to supper time to stick them in her oven when Kristin filled hers up.  I'm thinking a double oven may be in Kristin's future as much as she cooks and entertains.  Russ helped Kristin make last minute cooking preparations, and the next thing I knew...a delicious cuisine was served!

Casey, Kelly Jo, Aunt Gail, Uncle Donald

Jack and Russ

Aunt Patsy and Clancy

Uncle Howard, Millie Janalee, and Aunt Patsy

Supper included chicken and dressing, ham, turkey, holiday peas, sweet potatoes, creamed corn, green bean bundles, twice baked potato casserole, and rolls.  I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but it was AMAZING!  We had leftovers for lunch today and relived the night.  I'm pretty sure we'll have more leftovers for supper too.  And that's great with me!

Aunt Gail and Maw Maw

Amanda, Jason, Uncle Donald, and Anna Claire

My cousin, Amanda, and her husband, Jason

My cousin, Casey, and his fiance, Kelly Jo

Dustin, Lee, Sheila, and Kristin

Daddy and Mama

Our first Thanksgiving as a "party of three" was very special!  We have so much to be thankful for this year.  But, we have much to be thankful for every year.  When trials and struggles arise, we know we have the One to thank daily.

"Thankfulness is not some sort of magic formula; it is the language of Love, which enables you to communicate intimately with Me.  A thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems.  Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations.  I am your refuge and strength, and ever-present and well-proved help in trouble." - Jesus Calling

From our family to yours...Happy Thanksgiving!