Double the reason to celebrate!

So this my friends...




happened 18 months ago.

Can I get a, "REALLY?!"

Yeah, really.

And this awesome niece of mine...

turned 12 today.


She's wearing my sweatshirt in the picture. Tear. Another tear. Oh there goes another one. Ok, ok. I'm crying about it! I'm just so proud of all of them. Alexis is one of a kind. She's been so precious to me. Since everyone loves lists (at least I know I do) without further ado...here's 12 things I love about Alexis Aubrey.

1. She plays the guitar AND sings. If that doesn't make her a mini bamf, I don't know what does. (Disclosure: If you do not know what bamf means, do NOT google it. I warned you.)

2. There's a story my sister told me and it went something like this: Melissa (sister) and Greg (BIL) were in bed. All the kids sleep with them in the same bed. (I don't recommend this but it works for them I guess.) Alexis was being very pensive that day and commenting on certain things. There was something that made Melissa and Greg argue over something little and it made Alexis very pointedly said, "I don't want to get married. I don't want to fight like you guys do." This statement made Melissa and Greg laugh because they are known to not necessarily fight over big issues but fight to the death over the most minuscule things. It's quite another thing to come from Alexis because when she says statements like this, its always true. The story goes on to say that directly after her fierce statement she said, "If I ever get married, I want to be like Amanda and Taylor." Let me just say, that earned her brownie points until she's 40.

3. She's known as the space cadet. Its quite remarkable how air-headed she can be. It makes us laugh really hard.

4. I get random phone calls from her just to say hi. And if my dad would allow it, she would text me all day long like Amy.

5. She's in the gate program. As far as I know that stands for Gifted and Talented Students. I say she's more gate than those other gate kids.

6. When Taylor and I were dating, she had a crush on him. It was adorable because although she doesn't now, she wants to marry someone just like him. Atta girl!

7. She loves Taylor Swift as much as I do.

8. She always calls us when she needs help with her difficult homework. Brownie points plus our own ego boost. Win win situation.

9. She never seems to get down about being sick. And believe me, she's always sick. I remember asking her when she was 7 what was wrong with her and she told me she had post nasal drip. Good grief. I don't think I knew what Tylenol was at 7 but she knew doctor terms. That's when I had to step up my game.

10. Her birthday was almost our wedding day. Coulda shoulda woulda, but it turned out fine.

11. Alexis means helper. I would say that name fits her perfectly.

12. Alexis is special to me in her own unique way. It was so strange the difference between her and Taylor Girl because TG wanted to be around me constantly when she was little. Alexis wanted nothing to do with me until she was about 5. From then on she's been a friend and little sister. She's been a beautiful gem that is just waiting to shine and I see so much potential in her. I will always want her to stay this age, but I know in her years of growing she will exceed my expectations of what it means to be a blessing in someone's life. I love you Alexis! Happy Birthday to a one of a kind girl.

Christmas Memories

Its Christmas time! Seriously, my favorite holiday. I like it more than my birthday.

Since this is our blog, we are claiming Jesus over our holiday. Oh yeah, that's right. My holiday is about Jesus, so get used you it you PC lovers. I am in no mood for your crap. None.

Anywho, MERRY FLIPPING CHRISTMAS!

That picture at the top of our lovely blog is of my parents' house 4 years ago. It wasn't the best time in my life but it was Christmas. All those presents belonged to my parents, my sister and BIL, their 4 kids, my brother, Taylor, and me. It was excessive to say the least. I have a video of it because at the time I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. I still do. Thank God my parents are wiser this year and have cut way back on things. I really believe in celebrating family on Christmas because that was the first thing to make this holiday special. Mary and Joseph welcomed their little baby boy into this world and became the most famous family of them all. Pretty freakin sweet.

By the time this picture was taken Taylor and I had done two Christmases prior. This year will be our seventh. Its been nice welcoming snow and the cold for the holidays but I can't wait to get some much needed sun back home. This blog will be random because that is how my brain works. To update you on my flying last trip, I did amazing. It was awesome. You would think after building up this crazy enemy in my head for a year and a half would make me start screaming but no. I was good. I was great. I wasn't wonderful because my heart did feel like it would beat out of my chest. But I did it. And I will do it again. Four times. Stopover in Dallas. One of my favorite airports.

I must say I've been a blogging slacker because I actually got a job. Nothing special. But something to keep me going strong. The gym helps with that too. So interesting the people you meet in retail. Hopefully we can take our Christmas pictures this weekend with the weather. We'll see. Just finished watching the finale for BL. So sad to see it go, but so excited for four weeks from now watching the beginning of the next season! Woot! And I was happy with the winners. I can't say who yet because I know way too many people in California that would kill me for saying too soon. Mouth zipped. Off to bed. Taylor's grading tests until 2am. I would pick him up but I've got work in the morning. Early. It's late already.

16 days left! Go Jesus, its your birthday.