1. {Thanksgiving art}  Millie Janalee and I worked on some fun turkey toes and turkey hands this week, and I LOVE how it turned out!  Before you go saying what I've already heard..."This would be a disaster with my child!" or "I can't imagine trying this with mine!"...please know that we did this project over the course of three days.  Millie Janalee really loves sticking her hand in the paint, and she also started helping me put her hand in place.  Which you can imagine isn't all that "helpful", but I love that she enjoys it.  Am I a glutton for punishment if I want to try actual fingerpainting soon?  She's getting some for Christmas.  I really cannot believe that Thanksgiving is next week.  Can you?

2. {God Gave Us Love}  I'm so glad you all have enjoyed our adoption series.  I have too!  This week's adoption testimony came from the perspective of foster parents.  You will want to read it and see how God can surprise you even in the midst of uncertainty!  Click here to read Amy's story.  If you want to catch up on all the posts in the series, you can find them here.

3. {Daddy's girl}  Lately Millie Janalee has become pretty attached, and it's quite tragic when she sees one of us gathering our things to leave.  Farley freaks out too, which makes for a fun exit most days.  Ha!  Last week, Russ was taking Farley out for a walk.  It was too cold for her to join him in her pajamas (or maybe it was raining...I can't remember).  Anyway, she stood at the door crying her little heart out for her Daddy.  I tried my best to distract her, but it didn't last long.  Bless her!

4. {Our family pictures arrived!}  Our sweet friends, Matt and Leah, took our family pictures a few weeks ago, and they are wonderful!  We got our CD in the mail yesterday, and I pretty much can't decide which are my favorites.  I'll show you more soon.

5. {THIS happened!}  Ahem.  [insert music] Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Chik-fil-a FINALLY started serving my favorite Peppermint and Chocolate Chip Milkshake!  The day they debuted, I had two Facebook friends message me and share the ad with me.  This was helpful so I didn't have to make another weekly call asking if they were in yet.  So I went.  That very day.  And it was worth it!  So good!  I think I'll go get another one today.

How was your week?

Friday Five

1. {God Gave Us Love} This week's adoption testimony was from a waiting heart.  Katie shared her heart for adoption and why she and her husband chose to pursue adoption...and why we should all pray about it.  Take some time to read her post, watch her video, and maybe even hear a good word from her hubby.  It will touch your heart!

2. {Date Night}  Millie Janalee spent a few days with her grandparents this week.  My parents kept her while I loaded up our Christmas boxes from storage, decorated, and stored all the empty boxes back in storage.  In the meantime, Russ and I went out for our first date night alone since before Millie Janalee was born!  Before you go feeling sorry for us, let me say that we have been out without her.  Just not alone.  The times we have gotten others to watch her, it has been for an event.  And we had never been at home without her.  Once the shock and sadness wore off, we did enjoy a couple nights relaxing and a night out.  But, OH, how we are happy to have our girl home!

3. {'Tis the Season...almost}  Like I mentioned above, I did put our inside Christmas decorations out.  I know there are a lot of "no Christmas before Thanksgiving" people out there.  Sorry.  I'm not one of them.  To me, Thanksgiving and Christmas are both about giving thanks and are just such a joyful time for me.  They go hand in hand for me.  Putting my Christmas decorations out early and taking care of my shopping and wrapping allow me more time during Thanksgiving and Christmas to literally sit and enjoy time with my family and friends soaking in the memories.  We did cheat a little when we brought Millie Janalee home on Wednesday...watching Polar Express as a family by the light of the tree.  Oops.  I've already been watching Hallmark Christmas movies too.  'Tis the season...almost!

4. {Bitty Baby Clothes}  While going through storage to load Christmas boxes, I also rummaged through some of Millie Janalee's baby clothes looking for something for Clancy.  I found myself with tears in my eyes as I remembered every single day Millie Janalee wore each outfit.  I could sit and tell you what we did each day.  I wanted to hold every piece of clothing and smell that baby smell on them.  I found a few gender neutral items to pass down to baby Hughes too.  This growing up stuff is hard!  Maybe sooner than later we can pull some of these bitty baby clothes back out for another Baby J.

5. {MSU vs. Alabama} Tomorrow is the day we play Alabama.  That's pretty much all I have to say...as of now.  We will be there with bells on!  Or at least with bells in hand.  Ha!  Go Dawgs!

How was your week?

Friday Five

1. {God Gave Us Love - A Birthfamily's Story}   

"Wow. Just wow."

"Moving..."

"...tears of love..."

"Crying in the carpool line."

"It is so beautiful to see the truth that EVERY situation does not have a cookie-cutter path but a Divine way that when sought and followed becomes a story of God's great goodness, faithfulness and love."

"What a beautiful, selfless act of love and faith."
----

These are some of the words used to describe today's adoption testimony.  If you have not read this week's post, take a few minutes to read the words across this birth grandmother's heart. You will be touched, I promise.

2. {Sweet Slumber}  This happened this week while we were watching The Voice and it's so sweet!  Moments like these kill me.  We were able to brush her teeth and change her diaper without her waking up.  Such a gift!

3. {Christmas Plan} Have you started?  I know I might make some of you gag, but I am trying to finish my list.  My plan is to have all gifts wrapped and delivered for Thanksgiving.  Russ got off early yesterday, and we were able to sit down and round out ideas for the guys left in his family.  I've even started wrapping a few.  Even some for my new nephew on his way...

4.{Feeling Better} Millie Janalee has been under the weather for the last week.  Wednesday before Halloween she began getting a runny nose.  This week she ran a low-grade fever for a few days, but she felt fine.  Thankfully, we are on the  mend!  This girl brings sunshine to my days, y'all!  Even the sickly ones.

5. {What about a bottle?} Okay.  Let me try to collect myself.  Millie Janalee has gone to bed the last three nights without her bedtime bottle.  It happened on accident first (the night she fell asleep with Russ on the couch) and we just kept it going to see how she would do.  Did not miss a beat!  Has been sleeping through the night and waking up as happy as always.  Who needs a bottle?  Not this girl!

How was you week?

The Friday Five

1. {Month of Thanksgiving}  It's November, y'all!  Where has the time gone?  Thanksgiving should be a daily state of mind, but in November we tend to put extra emphasis on our blessings with the celebration of Thanksgiving near.  I usually gear my blog posts toward thankfulness, and I will do the same this year.  Join me as I focus on all I have to give thanks for.  Or simply grab my button on the sidebar to add to your own.  Throughout the month of November, I will focus on blessings.  For we have ALL been given one blessing after another.  My sister-in-law has always told me, "There is always always always something to be thankful for!"  Let's give thanks.

2. {It's a...}  My sister and brother-in-law found out the gender of their baby on Halloween morning.  The day before, she took votes on what we thought they were having.  I decided to let Millie Janalee cast her vote too.  After trying my hardest to convince her she could not take both, I allowed it.  Then she threw the groom behind the chair.  I guess her vote was GIRL.  Ha!  Gender reveal pics coming soon!

3. {One Year Old Prints} When Millie Janalee was born, my mom's two very best friends gave us both a gift certificate to Midnight Pottery in Tupelo to have Millie Janalee's handprints and footprints done in pottery.  After her first birthday, we finally made our way there!  My mom picked up our pottery last week, and I am in love!  These baby prints are displayed beautifully in our kitchen!

4. {God Gave Us Love}  Have you seen Karen's post yet?  If not, go do that now.  I'll wait.  Wasn't it great!?  I have had so many people come up to me or message me about her post.  It has touched hearts...including mine.  Karen was our adoption worker throughout Millie Janalee's adoption journey.  She is literally our "angel" in adoption.  What a testimony her life is!

5. {Maybe She Just Needs Me}  If you are in the midst of late nights, midnight wake-ups, or sleep training...or even if you have already passed that milestone...take a moment to read this article going around on Facebook.  I cried in the middle of Sonic parking lot as I imagined a four-year-old little girl with curly hair lying in bed wanting her Mama.  I teared up thinking about me whispering into her ear, "You are a delight."  Because she is.  Then, I came home and Russ and I worked together to finish bathtime and bedtime.  While I was preparing her bottle, I looked down the hallway and then looked up at Russ and said, "This is a moment I want to remember.  Please try to capture it."

And he did.

Following me to her room for her bedtime bottle.  Little lovey dragging the floor as I hear the sucking on her pacifier behind me. 

Then we rocked.  And stared at each other.  Until those little lids were heavy and closed.  If she just needs me, I want to be there.

How was your week?  Give me the high and low of the week.  And join me as we count our blessings during November.

The Friday Five

1. {Boards are OVER!}  As of yesterday afternoon, Russ was finished with his boards!  Hallelujah!  The rest of his afternoon was spent with friends taking in the Chicago experience.  We look forward to his arrival home in a couple hours.  Millie Janalee and I missed him, and we look forward to saying "Goodbye" to the books for awhile!  I see lots of family fall fun in the coming weeks.

2. {Malinda's Story}  I am absolutely loving the God Gave Us Love adoption series on Wednesdays!  If you have not already started following these amazing and touching stories, start now.  This week, Malinda shared her story.  It's a difficult one to digest, but I am touched by their willingness to let God build their family.  Even when it hurts.

3. {Toddler Time}  In case you wondered, we still follow my "toddler time curriculum" very loosely and as we have time.  I mean...she is only one.  Our favorite part of toddler time is the books we are reading together and art projects.  The girl seriously brings me books to read to her all day long, and I have to make myself only bring out the new books when it is time.  (One new book a week.)  I open my hands and she thrusts herself into my lap...chest first and head back with a giant smile.  It's the best ever!  She is really enjoying the painting too.  Today, I let her eat Cheerios with one hand while we played in the paint with the other to make our fall tree.  It turned out so cute, and she loved watching her hands as they turned colors.  I may or may not have let her eat a Cheerio with paint on it and dug a Cheerio out of a green leaf when we finished.  I'm pretty sure it was non-toxic since it was washable kids paint.  It may even be Crayola.  I can't remember at the moment.  Regardless, she's fine.  All is well.  I think I'm going to take her to the local library soon to just enjoy watching her choose books and reading as many as her little heart desires.  Maybe I can find a story time schedule too.

4. {Back in the Habit} If you've been around long enough, you know Russ bought me a sewing machine when we lived with his parents for a few months.  His mom and sister are master seamstresses (and his dad can sew too!), so I was trained while Russ commuted to and from Memphis.  Since Millie Janalee was born, I haven't brought it out of the closet at all.  Until this week!  I finally began working on the Christmas countdown calendar my mom gave me the Christmas before Millie Janalee was born.  Anyway, it is exactly like the one we had growing up...only I had to quilt it and put it together.  I am almost completely finished.  All that is left is sawing off the end of the dowel rod, making another bow, and adding the Velcro.  It looks good, don't you think!?

5. {Her order shipped.}  Millie Janalee's Zulily order has arrived.  It is a nice set of Eric Carle wooden magnets for our refrigerator.  It turns out she actually ordered them on my mom's credit card since she was the last one to order off my account.  So, Susu will take these home and give them to Millie Janalee for Christmas.  I'm sure she is thankful for Millie Janalee's assistance to begin her shopping.

That pretty much covers the top five moments of my week that I haven't already shared.  How was your week?  Link up with us and share! 

The Friday Five

It's time for our Friday Five!  See what's been going on around here this week.

1.  {Foodie Friday Link-up}  Today, over at Mississippi Women Bloggers we are hosting a link-up full of tailgating and "homegating" recipes and tablescapes.  Do you have something fun to share?  Go ahead and link up!  Make sure to register with us while you are there!  Here's my go-to tailgating recipe (outside of those break and bake cookies) - Greek Pasta Salad.  (Thanks to Roan for sharing her recipe with me years ago!)

Greek Pasta Salad

1 box angel hair pasta, cooked and drained

1 large jar chopped pimentos

1/3 can chopped black olives

1 small jar chopped mushrooms, drained

2 Tbs. Cavendar's Greek seasoning

3 Tbs. mayonaise

3 Tbs. lemon juice

3/4 cup olive oil

6 oz. feta cheese crumbled finely

Mix everything without pasta first.  Then, toss it with pasta.  Tastes best refrigerated several hours or overnight.

2.  {God Gave Us Love - Jamie's Story}  If you have not been following these amazing adoption stories, you can click here to catch up.  Jamie shared from the perspective of the adoptee, and it was amazing.  Touching.  Uplifting.  I needed Kleenex.  Stick with us on Wednesdays through November...maybe even December if stories continue rolling in!

3.  {Like Mother, Like Daughter}  And I'm not talking about having to dig the dog food out of her mouth twice this week.  Although I used to eat it too.  I am referring to the day Millie Janalee ordered something off Zulily when playing with my phone.  I might mention that I am, once again, taking a break from Zulily (advised by my husband).  However, Millie Janalee took it upon herself to get into my Zulily app and make a purchase.  Thankfully, it was less than $15, cute, and something I can hold back until Christmas.  Maybe her daddy won't be too mad since she's the one who did it.

4. {3 Blind Mice...or Just One?}  Let's discuss my anxiety this week that caused me to text my mom to let her know "I am DYING!"  Of course the panic button set in as she wanted to know "WHY?"  Russ and I were in bed Tuesday night when I heard something around my window (right beside my head!).  This scaredy cat got Russ to get up and check outside.  Then we heard something behind our dresser.  Russ dismissed it as some kind of bug.  I swore it sounded huge.  At 4 am, we woke to the sound of something rustling around the Walmart sacks of clothes at the foot of our bed.  Don't judge.  I had not unpacked since our last roadtrip.  We both sat straight up, unpacked everything, searched high and low, and found nothing.  Around 5 am, we were back in bed.  The next morning, we found mouse poop while cleaning.  In THREE different placed, y'all!  I panicked!  I've never had a mouse before, and I would just DIE if I saw one.  Or worse...if Millie Janalee found one!  Thankfully, no poop was found in her room.  But, I loaded Millie Janalee up and we headed to Lowe's and purchased 6 mouse traps and 4 glue pads for our 1,000 square foot apartment.  I was determined to catch the thing.  And we did.  Note to all mice that may still be lingering...there are many more traps out there.  Beware!  We don't play 'round here.

5. {Toddler Time}  Millie Janalee and I have been having fun adding a little something fun to each day.  This toddler time thing is incredibly laid back.  You can see Day 1 here.  Like the day I went in search for the mouse...we only did one activity on my list, because I was so distracted and cleaning and moving things and putting traps out.  We have managed some cute art this week though...

Well, that sums up the week that you haven't seen yet.  What about you?  How was your week?

The Friday Five

It's time for our Friday Five!

1. {God Gave Us Love blog series} If you have not hopped over to read Abbey's story, do it now.  Seriously.  Stop reading this and click on the link.  I'll wait.  Aren't you glad you did?  Abbey has an amazing heart and a house full of fun!  I am so excited about the upcoming stories we will share on Wednesdays through November.  Make sure you stop by every Wednesday and be blessed.  You will hear from all sides of adoption.  And I can assure you that each story has been prayed over and shared from the heart.  Don't miss it!

2. {MSWB Instagram Photo Challenge}  Have I mentioned that you need to register with Mississippi Women Bloggers?  Ha!  Just a few times, I know.  Anyway, one of the many fun things we have going on is the Instagram Photo a Day Challenge.  I don't usually EVER participate in things like this, but since I love MSWB so much I did.  And I must really love our little community to post a selfie.

3. {Car Shopping}  Well, Russ is in the market for a new vehicle.  The old faithful Oldsmobile Alero that my parents gave me when I was a junior in high school has over 250,000 miles on it.  It also needs new tires that cost more than the car is worth.  It's been a faithful old car for us, and I'll be sad to see it go.  I drove across the apartment complex in it the other day, and I truly thought at any minute it would fall apart around me...leaving me sitting on the pavement with nothing but a steering wheel in my hand.  It's time.  So...while Russ was car shopping last week, Millie Janalee entertained herself and those in the waiting area with a classic game of peek-a-boo.

4. {Maroon Friday}  It's Maroon Friday, and the princess and I are sporting our school colors.  We play Auburn tomorrow, and I can guarantee if I have anything to do with it...I'll be watching the game!

5. {Online Shopping}  It's an addiction.  I admit.  I rarely, if ever, shop for Millie Janalee in a store or shop.  Unless it's Target for pajamas.  I waited until the last minute to order fall and winter clothes, because I'm scared to death I'm gonna get the size wrong.  She's a tall skinny thing.  So my mailbox looks like I'm a shopaholic, and I'm having a difficult time explaining it to Russ.  Oops!

So, there's my week in five points.  How was yours?

The Friday Five

1. {Singing Scripture} While researching fun ideas and teaching scripture to toddlers for our "toddler time," I came across this wonderful collection of scripture songs to go with the alphabet.  I love it!  The scriptures are very short and easy to understand...for toddlers and bigger kids...and put to music.  There was a companion album for numbers.  Of course I downloaded it too!  Millie Janalee loves music.  She loves when I sing.  And she loves to dance!  So I know she's going to enjoy these songs.  It's never too early for little ones to hide the Word in their hearts.

2. {Laundry Helper} Anyone else have a cute little helper when doing laundry?  Her favorite thing to do when I get clothes out of the dryer is to pull them off the chair...one by one until they cover the entire floor.  Wednesday I found her looking for the last lonely sock in the dryer.  Funny girl!

3. {One Year Pics} Okay y'all!  I know you have heard just about enough about my sweet photographer friends.  But, I am slowly getting sneak peeks of her one year pictures here and there...and I LOVE THEM!  There are still so many I haven't seen, and I know I'll want to print them all.

4. {Quizzing the Doc} Lord, please help me survive the next 25 days.  Russ takes his boards October 2nd and 3rd.  For the last several months, he has been MIA.  If not physically...then mentally.  And bless his heart!  He's been looking at words that I don't understand or know how to pronounce.  On our road trips, I have one job.  Quizzing the doc.  And it looks like this...

5. {Labor Day Fun} Last weekend, Russ and I took Millie Janalee to enjoy what is probably our last boat ride until next summer.  Dustin and Sheila took a boat out for his birthday, and they were kind enough to invite the family!  Once the rain subsided, we enjoyed a sunny and adventurous day on the water!  When I say "adventurous" think tidal wave proportions.  Seriously.

So, what has your week looked like?  Why don't you link up with us over at The Sowell Life, and tell us!?