Bailey Christmas 2010 Tour

Well, it's that time of the year: CHRISTmas! I do love to celebrate and decorate and make memories that my children will always be able to look back on. This year, I started decorating mid November and it took me almost 3 weeks to finish; I just couldn't get into gear! It was fun and the kiddos helped me a little bit, they wanted me to do it! They each have small trees in their rooms, and then we have three trees downstairs.

This is our living room; it's on the first floor. I put our family tree in here this year. This tree is full of love and memories. I have some childhood ornaments, ornaments the kids have made and the ornaments that they get every year are on this tree. We always have fun decorating the family tree because they love to see their ornaments and talk about each one...making memories!

This is my tree! It's in the front room, which we now call the piano room. As I have said before, this room holds a lot of treasures from Korea. The painting (which was painted by an artist in Korea) was my color inspiration for the tree. I got the tree at Wal Mart after Christmas last year, I couldn't wait to see these ornaments on a white tree, I knew they would pop!

My sweet friend, Michele gave this village set to me 10 years ago. I haven't used it in several years, so the kids didn't remember it. When I pulled this out, they were beyond thrilled to set it up. If fact, they really did most of it and they did a fine job!

This is our red and white tree, it's in the stairwell and I just love seeing it as we go up and down the stairs! It has a mix of ornaments that are red and white, new and old.

That's all for now! Merry Christmas from the Bailey home to your home!

Snow much FUN!

Yes, sir-ree! We've had our first snow; and, as Jannah pointed out, it's not even Winter, yet!!! After 30 minutes of preparation, we braved the cold wind that nearly knocked us all down and played for as long as we could stand it. With the wind chill, it felt like -6...that's what the weather channel said...and I believe it :)

We did have fun, even if it takes a lifetime to gear up! After our snow play, we warmed up with hot cocoa and then worked on a couple of puzzles that Jannah and Jordan have been working on. A perfect day for puzzles, hot cocoa and movies...it's nice to be snowed in for a day, or maybe two :)

Family Photo Shoot

I LOVE having family pictures taken. I probably love it more than anyone else in my family; but, they will all rise to the occasion and have family pictures taken (because they know mama will go c-r-a-z-y if they don't cooperate...I'm serious about that!) My friend Michelle Swierczek, took these. She does a great job and is patient with my crew! Thank you Michelle! If any O'Fallon peeps are interested in having a shoot with her, let me know.

So, there was one minor problem on the morning of this session- Jordan's sweater was way too big and I had to come up with another one. One out of his closet that would match us, because I only realized it was too big 15 minutes before we needed to be walking out of the door. Seriously, I could have avoided that fit I pitched if I would have just tried the sweater on him prior to the day of him needing to wear it...that only makes too much sense...huh?!?! On the way to have the pictures taken and after my fit was over (I know it's hard to imagine me having one of those, but I really did) I asked the kids what they remembered about me when it comes to taking pictures. I don't think ya'll want to know what they said! The older two just stared at me; the looks on their faces said it all. Jannah was the first one to speak up and say that I act crazy. It was a funny moment, we all laughed about it and I told myslelf I really needed to simmer down! Yes, I may act crazy and get a little uptight when things don't go perfect, and I might pitch a fit here and there, and I might threaten or bribe to get my three J's to cooperate for pictures. Is it worth it? I suppose so; especially when I am CRAZY about the finished product and especially when I look back on these pictures...20 or 30 years from now!

Christmas Festivities and Tradations

I'm so excited that Christmas is here! Well, almost! I'm excited throughout the whole month of December and love every festivity and tradition we share as a family. We had a great Thanksgiving, spent it with our friends, Steven & Angela and their family. I succeeded in not taking one single picture...hate it when I do that..oh well! I started Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving night with Angela; need I say that we had a blast?!?! After shopping all night, I happily went with my family to the Christmas parade in downtown Belleville. We had a good ole time, even if it was way, way cold! This gingerbread house, made of sand was in the middle of the town square...how cool?!?

Can I just say that we had on tons of layers...

This past weekend, we made our own gingerbread houses. My kids greatly anticipate this activity! I think they do so for two reasons: they get to eat a LOT of candy and they get to be creative!

Jamison mostly ate candy; in fact, I don't think he ever put a piece on the house :)

We went out to the base over the weekend for a children's Christmas party. Our little friends, Sophie and Anna Grace joined us.

Yep, Jordan is telling Santa that he wants a dirt bike for Christmas! What am I going to do with that boy? I don't have the nerves or guts for that!! Jordy is so cute this year; he's such a believer and just eats it all up...know what I mean?

Greg and I had a date...to his work Christmas party! I always like going on dates with him, even if I have to share him! I won a really cool prize at the party...

a KINDLE!!!! I was so excited, what a cool prize to win! I gave it to Greg; he's always thought he might want one for us. Doesn't he look like a proud new owner of this gadget?!?!

Jordan lost a...

Tooth...his FIRST one! Yep, he has now entered a new phase in life; a phase in which you believe in the tooth fairy, one in which you have a hole in your mouth and one in which you can brag about loosing something! Greg pulled it out (it was literally as loose as it could be) and Jordan was speechless about having a tooth in his hand! He was thrilled to put it under his pillow, he's seen the profit Jannah has made! He got his numbers a little confused and thought that you got $100 for your first tooth...I told him that was not so! But, he did get $10!!! We were all shocked about that...the tooth fairy realized a little too late that she didn't have any bills less than that and she was out of change. His gain, her loss. Actually, it turned out to be a gain for Christ! Here's the rest of the story (as Paul Harvey would say). Jordan's life group teacher has sort of adopted a family from our church that is serving as missionaries in Uganda (the Herron's); the class sends them cards and prays for them regularly. She decided to collect money for them and send it to them for Christmas, and encouraged the kids to do extra things around the house to earn money. Jordan has been doing that and we've been proud of his extra duties. On Sunday as we were talking about how much work he had done and how much he earned to give to the Herron's, Jannah told him he could give his money from the tooth fairy. In my heart, I thought, "no, that was a gift to Jordan, I really want him to have that money." Before I had a chance to speak, Jordan was thrilled and determined; he was ready to give that and the money he had earned while doing extra duties. He had such a great attitude about giving, and he wanted to give ALL he had. I was immediately touched by his spirit of love and kindness and selflessness. I was also sorry for my own selfish thoughts. Thank you Jordan, for reminding me of what is really important and thank you God, for a son like Jordan!

I am reminded of one thing and how timely it is during the holiday season, by that, I mean Thanksgiving and Christmas...we say Christmas around here!!!

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Here, There & Everywhere!

Here, there and everywhere is exactly where we've been :) October proved to be busy and full of fun times. I can NOT believe it's November and that Christmas is around the corner! Mama came out for a whole 10 days! The kiddos didn't know she was coming and they were p-r-e-t-t-y surprised when she and I picked them up from school. We had a whole lot of fun while she was here :) Come back soon, please?!?!

We enjoyed a day at Eckert's with Mama; that's our punkin' patch and place to go for fall festivities...love that place :)

We went to the zoo; by the way, Jordan said that Gamma looks most like an otter...haha!

Greg and I had a date night, free of charge-thanks to Gamma :)

Three days after Mama left, I left too! Greg was Mr. Mom for a whole 5 days!!! I headed out to Spokane Washington to visit my friend, Michele. We met 10 years ago when we were stationed at Fairchild AFB together; they still live there and it was my turn to go see her. She has come to me several times throughout the years; and finally, I had the opportunity to do a little traveling. I should give a huge "shout out" to my dearest for taking off work and taking care of our three J's! He did wonderful, as I knew he would! I really didn't know what to do with myself; it was a strange and unfamiliar thing to only take care of me. Don't worry, I did figure it out :) Michele took great care of me and we had so much fun together. Thank you Michele! We shopped, and ate, and shopped, and talked, and watched movies until the wee hours of the mornings, and talked and shopped and ate, and laughed and well, then we shopped some more. Are you getting the picture?!?!? It was grrreat!

We had Sunday brunch at Chaps (a restaraunt that was recently featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives). This might be my very newest fav place...it was very unique, shabby chic, eclectic and very good to the palette! You should give it a try, if you're in the Spokane area, anytime soon...

Lauren (Michele's daughter) and I at Chaps...miss you girls!