Christmas #2...........Florida!

Monday when we returned from Arkansas, we were in a mad dash to do laundry and pack again before leaving for Florida at 6a.m.!! Not my ideal flight time but that was the cheapest so we took it. It was nice being there with all the family, although I had hoped for warmer weather. There was one day that the weather was perfect so we took Malachi to the beach so he could play in the sand and water. The water.......FREEEEEZING!!!! We didn't let him play to long in it or his toes would have probably broken off. He had a blast though playing in the sand. I can't wait until this summer when we go on vacation and he can play all day long in the water and sand.
Everyone was able to come home for Christmas. All the kids were there and that's just what Daddy Cowan wanted, all of his kids home for Christmas. We had such a great time hanging out with everyone, just sitting around chillin' and doing absolutely nothing. As you remember, Callie (my sister-in-law) is pregnant. So it was fun sitting around with her talking about the baby and the nursery and all that comes with it. Wednesday night we had a Mary Kay make-up party. Chrissy, my other sister-in-law, sells Mary Kay so she brought all the goods for us to play with. We had a great time hanging out with Callie's family and getting our faces all done up purty. :)
Saturday was CHRISTMAS!!! We had a wonderful day. Around 3p.m. we opened presents. Malachi got plenty to play with and books to read. After our gifts we feasted on Turkey and ham and all the fixin's. Mother Cowan did a wonderful job cooking...as always. That night we had the most fun. We played Guestures and Taboo. It was hilarious watching everyone act out. Right up until I kicked the counter and bruised the back of my heel. It hurt so so bad. I was trying to act out the word.....Winner. The word before that was hurt....go figure. But the best acting out by far was when Father Cowan acted out a ballerina and Mother Cowan acted out a belly dancer. You can see Mother's in the collage. I only wish I would have had the camera ready when Papa did his.
We had a wonderful visit. I miss seeing the family and being there but it's always good to be back in my own bed and my own house. We are looking forward to our visit with the Cowan's again. The next time we visit, we will have a new niece or nephew!!!

Christmas #1.....

It's a fact that I LOVE Christmas lights. Every year we go and look at them somewhere. The last 2 years we have went to the Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie. It's a great drive through with a wonderful little stop in the middle. They have food, a walk through light forrest, a couple of rides (that are free) and a music light show. Malachi was amazed by all the lights. However, I'm pretty sure his favorite part was getting to sit up front with us instead of in his carseat. He would prop his foot up on the dash and then he would look out the window. His little face was so delighted to see such a sight and not to be held down in the back seat. Friday after work we headed to Arkansas to have Christmas with my family. We were only able to stay a couple of days but it was a WONDERFUL Christmas. I love being with my family. You can always expect a lot of laughs when we're together. This year I was blessed with a new sister-in-law and two nephews. They fit perfectly with our family.
Saturday night we went to my niece and nephews Christmas program at their church. All the kids did an awesome job. Malachi loved sitting there watching all the different characters come down the isle. My niece was an angel and my nephews were wise men and a shepherd. I remember when I was little and we would put on a Christmas program every year. Such a good way to bring back the kid in you.
After the program, we came back to my mom and dad's (nana and pops) so we could open PRESENTS!!!! My brother and his wife picked up pizza so first we had a pizza party. Of course, all the kids scarfed down their pizza as fast as they could because they knew when everyone got through eating it was time to tear open some paper. Malachi finally got the "hang" of what it meant for someone to hand him something wrapped in this pretty paper. One time my dad handed him a gift and he said, "That's mine." lol So cute. It was an awesome time watching everyone, laughing, talking, and just being together.
Sunday, we all came back to mom's after church to have our Christmas dinner. Then, it was time for the big skeet shoot!!!! We all got out there and shot the 12 guage. Let it be known.............I HIT THE SKEET!!!!!! Yes, that's right...I hit it!! Woo hoo!!! :) My oldest nephew who is always entering skeet shooting contests, hit the most of course. (he's really good). Anyway, next year, we have all decided to bring our own box of shells and a box of skeet. 25 shells go way to fast.
We got back home tonight around 8. I'm doing laundry and packing again. Our flight leaves at 6a.m for FLORIDA!!! We can't wait to get there. I was so glad we were able to go to Arkansas. The older you get, the more you realize how much family means. I am so so BLESSED
to have such a wonderful loving family. Christmas #1 down.....only 2 more to go!!!!

Mini Vacay!

As I mentioned earlier, we have been in Galveston on a business trip for Nick. It was a great little getaway. Neither of us had ever been to Galveston but really enjoyed the time we had there. It's definitely a place we could live. (note: we are not moving there) Nick of course was in meetings all day long, so it was just me and Malachi out on the town.

The weather was terrible. By terrible I mean cold. We HATE cold weather. I was hoping for a little warmth while we were there so Malachi and I could get out and play but no such luck. I did get to take him to the beach for a intsy wintsy bit to snap a few pics. It was so windy and he already had a runny nose. So, needless to say, we didn't stay long outdoors anywhere.

One of my favorite things this week was spending all day with Malachi. We played in our room, watched tv, drew pictures, went on lunch dates (by far my favorite thing to do with him) and just hung out. Just me and him. No set agenda. Nothing. Just mommy and Malachi hanging out. Tuesday afternoon, Nick had a pretty long break so we were all able to go to the aquarium together. I LOVE going to the aquariums. And it seems that Malachi does too. We had a good time and I was glad Nick could enjoy it with us. I hated the drive home because I knew I had to go back to work and leave him again. I'm thankful for this week and it only makes me look forward to Christmas Break!!!

Hotels: I love them and I hate them......

It's not secret...I LOVE staying in hotels. Always have. I love when I get to stay long enough to take things out and put them in a drawer and hang things up. When I'm in a hotel no matter where it is, I feel like I'm on vacation. Even if it's just in Dallas, I still feel like it's vacation. I don't have to see anyone I know, talk to anyone, I can just be me. We are staying in Galveston right now at the Moody Gardens Resort (pictures and blog to follow). I love it. Just me and Malachi hanging all day long. Now here comes the hate part.
I hate thinking about how DIRTY it is. I am so paranoid. I don't know how nice the place would have to be before I could fully relax. I think the one place I have felt the most comfortable was on our honeymoon moon in Cozumel. But even still, I was afraid of this and that. When I get there, I lysol the place down. That's right.....I bring my LYSOL with me. I know that this doesn't kill and destroy every little living particle that's in the room, but it sure makes my mind feel a little more at ease. I lysol the beds, the pillows, the chairs, door handles, the toilet, bathtub, sink, I even sprayed the floor. When I'm getting in the bed, I inspect it from head to toe under the covers. Nick tells me, "just don't look. If you don't see it, you won't worry about it." He and I are very opposite when it comes to sleeping in a hotel. And the comforter....he will pull it up on him and use it as a blanket over the sheet. I will pull it up waist high, but I do not want that thing touching my face. I can't even begin to tell you how much it grosses me out to think about the shower curtain touching my body. Do you know how many bottoms have touched that? And well.........enough said. I'm sure when they clean the room they spray the thing down but still....GROSS! As a girl, having to use the toilet, I do it but my mind is always turning. I'm always hoping Nick will go in there first and then for some reason it makes it a little easier for me to go. I guess I'm thinking that he will have picked up the disease before me. lol Now that we have Malachi, it gives me a little anxiety being in a hotel. Not because he's wild and out of control, but because he wants to lay on the floor and play with his cars and trucks. If you've ever seen him play with them, he likes to lay on his side kind of, one arm up with half his face on it and the other arm pushing the car. I can't keep him up on the bed and confine him to such a small space. So........I just keep my eyes on the tv or whatever I'm doing and call him at random times so he will have to give up and his body can have a break from the particles in the floor. How about when he is jumping up on the bed and he puts his mouth on the comforter???? UUUGGHHH!!! Jesus take the wheel............
So that's it. I love staying in hotels but I hate the thought of all the dirt that my skin is touching. Do you ever feel this way or am I just really to the extreme???

Gonna party cause it's my birthday!!!

Malachi's birthday party was this past Saturday, Dec. 4th. We all had a great time. I'm always so glad when he gets to see all of his friends. All of the kids always have so much fun together.
What do you do for a party when the birthday boy doesn't eat cake? Well, I thought I would do cupcakes. Different form, not really like cake, at least that's the way Nick perceive's it because if I make a cake, Nick won't eat it. If I make cupcakes, they are gone in two days. Much to your surprise maybe, Malachi doesn't eat cupcakes either. So then what do you do? I also bought a cookie cake cake. He eats chocolate chip cookies all the time. Cookie cake? Not.So.Much. Therefore, the birthday boy didn't have any sweets for his birthday. What did he have? PIZZA!! This kid loves him some pizza. He usually out eats Nick and I both when it comes to pizza. I know, I know, I shouldn't complain that he doesn't eat a lot of sweets and I'm not. I just wanted him to have a birthday cupcake (that I slaved over). ;) I put a nice green one in front of him and well, he just looked at it and went on about his way. His friend Summer however, she LOVED her cupcake. I love this picture of her.
My camera stopped working but thankfully our friend Amanda brought hers and she took a multitude of pictures. Thank you Amanda!!! As soon as she gets them to me, I will put some more on here from his party. Malachi's buddy Tyler left before the group picture. Here is one attempt of it.

Happy 2nd Birthday Malachi!!!

Today is Malachi's birthday!!!! Two years ago, God blessed us with the most perfect gift. Malachi Joseph Cowan!!! Everyday we are amazed at the things he is learning and the way he is changing. He is talking more and you can understand him. ;) He's making short sentences and knows what he wants. He loves to sing his ABC's, Tinkle Tinkle ittle star, and Happy Birthday to you......I love to hear him sing. He likes reading 5 Little Monkeys....He knows exactly what's coming and it's fun to hear him say it. He LOVES watching Toy Story 2. We recently bought Toy Story 3 so hopefully he will soon love that one just as much. One of his favorite shows is The Fresh Beat Band. He can say and sing his ABC's, count to 10 forward and backward, knows most of his colors, and is learning his shapes. We are so proud of him and are just lovin' watching him grow.
Tonight we let him open his gifts from me and daddy and Papa and Gigi. Then we took him to Chick-fil-A for family night cause he wanted "chicken fries." When he got through eating we let him play in the playland for awhile. He thought he was so big climbing up and down with the "big" kids.
Mommy and daddy love you so much Malachi. We are thankful for your happy spirit and your healthy little body. We know God has his hand on you and we pray for you everyday. From the time you were born (and before) we have prayed over you and we still pray this prayer for you:
The Lord Bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26.

Crazy Thankful!

I have sooo much to be thankful for. I could make a list that would go on and on for days. A few of the things that I am most thankful for: 1. My family of course, immediate and extended. Without my family what would I do. My husband and son mean the most to me. I love them so much!
2. A job. I realize that even in the midst of me hating my job as much as I do, I still have a job. And that, I am thankful for.
3. Friends....I truly have some of the best friends anyone could ask for both far and near.
Like I said, I could start naming things like: sweet tea, kisses from Malachi, etc....but that list would go on and on. We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving break thus far. Nick's mom and dad flew in on Thanksgiving Day. We were so blessed to have them. So my big surprise??? I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for us all! My first turkey was a success. Turkey, green bean casserole, corn, rolls, yams, and mashed potatoes. And I topped it off with a pound cake made from scratch. I'm not a big pound cake eater, but they keep eating it so I guess it's alright. lol Thursday night, Nick and I got to Walmart at 10:30. We had never been Black Friday shopping before and therefore, could not believe people were already in line! Good grief. I have never seen anything like this in my life. However, it was sooo funny to me, I plan on doing it for years to come. I even almost missed one of my deals because I was so focused on watching the crazy people. We got what we wanted and were checked out by 12:15. Thank goodness cause that was INSANITY at its finest. I started at 9a.m. Saturday morning. Trying to find some more good deals and I did. I picked up the fam around 11 and we shopped until we dropped. We all had fun!
We didn't get the present for Malachi we had wanted, on sale that is, so we just had to pay full price and be done with it. I can't wait though. He is going to love it. He already loves it. Everytime we go in the store he goes crazy over it.
I am extremely blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. This Thanksgiving was our first Thanksgiving in our house and hopefully many more to come.
Time for the fam to watch Toy Story 3.
Waiting on Papa and Grammie aka GiGi at the airport.