Happy New Year!

Changes!

I've been wanting to update the lights and the faucets in the guest bathroom since we moved in. I don't want anything much different than what's in there - just updated mainly. I sometimes think that you can make a huge different with small changes. I'm hoping that we can get these replaced over the New Year's weekend, but as our life goes - I'm not holding my breath. Here is what is currently in there:

I hate light fixtures like this!

Our faucets aren't quite this shiny, but they have the white ends that make them look so out-dated.

This is what I'm planning to go with for replacements: The installation of these fixtures should be easy because it's really similar to what's up there, but it's traditional and updated and I don't think that it will be outdated in 5-10 years. Whoever is in this house after us, can enjoy them as well.

I love how well this faucet matches the light fixture, and it's not even the same brand. I like the traditional look and the fact that it comes in brushed nickel because I don't like the look of stainless in the bathroom. Another thing that I'm wanting to do is frame the bathroom mirror. I think that's a small, inexpensive change that has a huge impact on the way your bathroom looks. Remodelaholic has a guest post and Southern Hospitality posted about framing bathroom mirrors and even posted tutorials about how easy it was. Surely, I can do it too! PS: These pictures are courtesy of Home Depot's website!

Wordless Wednesday

Tell Me About It Tuesday - My New Year's Resolution

I could sit here and say that my New Year's Resolution is to start going to the gym and watch what I eat and lose weight and while all of those are goals of mine, I'm not going to put that kind of pressure on me. Lord knows that pretty much everyone that sets that goal at the beginning of the year is already a loser by the end of January. And I don't mean losing weight! I'm going to keep those goals to myself, and I'll share something else that I'm hoping to get better at... taking pictures. Well, and sending cards. I used to be really good at both but as we get older and life gets busier, I've become a slacker on both accounts. I am going through the (few) pictures that I have of 2010 and I can't find any of D and I together. For the WHOLE year. How did that happen? I have some of Coco and NONE of us. That's just pathetic! So, I'm going to break out my camera more! Then, I want to send more cute cards for holidays. I used to send cards for everything - even Sweetest Day! Most people don't even know that's a holiday, much less when it is. I didn't even get all of my Christmas cards out this year. How sad is that? I went to Shutterfly and found all kinds of adorable cards! Take a look at some of them...

I really want to send out a New Year's card but a friend of mine thinks I'm crazy. What do y'all think? Is there pressure to have them out BEFORE the New Year or is the first or second week in January ok?

Valentine's Day

St. Patrick's Day - D is Irish afterall!

Easter

Halloween

Thanksgiving

Christmas Doesn't Shutterfly have some of the cutest little cards? I love their selection (and their price). Now I need another opinion of yours (honestly) - do you think it's stupid to send out these kinds of cards when we don't have children or do you think that's something I should wait for?

Can't wait to hear what you think!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

Christmas

I didn't get a picture of Clay in his new outfit, because it didn't make it in time. Which makes me very mad, since I paid for expedited shipping. I told Bridgett that she would have to put him in it and pretend that it was Christmas, and take a picture so that we would have it. That outfit is too cute to go to waste!

Although we decided not to exchange gifts, we did purchase a special edition Keurig single cup coffee/tea/cocoa maker for the house. I'm horrible about not using gift cards that people give me. I looked in my wallet the other day and realized that I had $125 in Bed Bath and Beyond gift cards that I haven't used. So, with my trusty 20% off coupon and the gift cards, D and I both picked out travel mugs, he got a box of coffee and I got a box of cocoa and we paid about $20 for our "Christmas" gift. Can't beat that because that machine is $139.99! Coco was really spoiled this Christmas! She got doggie treats and a dog bone shaped cookie cutter on Christmas Eve and then on Christmas day - she loaded up! She received two stockings full of toys (each stocking had 6 Christmas toys), then she got 2 more toys under the tree, some homemade dog treats, some gourmet dog cookies, a bag of treats, a Christmas card full of treats and a new Christmas collar with little wreaths and rhinestones. Needless to say, she is one spoiled pooch!

This is last night, right before bed time - making sure all of her toys were ok.

She couldn't decide which one she wanted to play with.

So she took turns playing with them all! Someone is going to be occupied for awhile!

Christmas Outfit

I saw the cutest little outfit the other day and just had to order it for Clayton! It's a little red long sleeve onesie with a reindeer that says "Baby's First Christmas", with a little hat to match and red and white striped pants.

Is this not the cutest thing?

I'm going to try to get some pictures of him in it - I'll post those later.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and your family. May the spirit of the season be in your hearts and we hope that you share the real reason for the season with those around you. May God Bless you and yours during the holidays and always! Merry Christmas! Love, The Fountains

The True Meaning of Christmas

I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise int he front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas Tree. He placed a finger over his mouth, so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?", I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw that he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know and love. Then, he answered me with a simple statement: "Teach The Children". I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my questions and with one quick movement, brought forth a minature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten." Santa then reached into his bag and pulled out a fir tree and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting everlasting hope for all mankind. All the needles point Heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward Heaven".

Then he reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant star. "Teach the children that the star was the Heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a savior for the world and the star was the sign of fulfillment of this promise".

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a cancle. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness"

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a wreath and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself and hung it on the tree beside the wreath. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and goodwill we feel furing the month of December."

He then pulled out a holly leaf. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red berries represent the blood shed by him."

Next, he pulled from his bag a gift and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that he who believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift."

"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented him with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men."

Santa then reached into his bag and pulled out a candy cane and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the Shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is a symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an Angel. "Teach the children that it was the Angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The Angels sang Glory To God in the Highest, on Earth Peave and Goodwill toward Men."

Lastly, he pulled out a bell. "Teach the children that as lost sheep are found by sound, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased. "Remember to teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center for I am but an humble servant of the one that is. Worship Him! Worship God!"

Wordless Wednesday

Tell Me About It Tuesday - My Favorite Christmas Carol

I'm not really in the Christmas spirit this year, as much as I hate to say it. I have enjoyed watching a couple of Christmas movies and I have enjoyed getting Christmas cards and looking at all the wonderful holiday decor that Pottery Barn has in their catalog. Other than that - I've been kind of bah humbug this year! The only thing that I make sure that I do every year is listen to some Christmas music! A local radio station (Sunny 99.1) starts playing Christmas music on Thanksgiving night and plays it 24/7 until Christmas (or New Years, I can't remember). Unfortunately, it hasn't really helped with my Christmas spirit but I have enjoyed listening to some Christmas carols and singing along to some of them.

This makes me think of my favorite Christmas song... Christmas Even Sarajevo 12/24

Have you heard it? It's done by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. I have never been able to see them in concert, but would LOVE to.

This is the very first album that I ever bought of theirs. Christmas Eve Sarajevo is number 8!

This is some of the sheet music.

I couldn't upload the video, but if you click on this link, you should be able to watch it! What's your favorite Christmas song?

Weekend Recap

We had a great weekend. D and I were so lazy on Saturday! It had been such a long time since we had any kind of down time that we completely took advantage of it! I stayed in my pjs all day long and D ran out and picked up some lunch and we watched the end of last season of 90210 and the beginning of this season that I had been recording and never had time to watch.

I think I got him addicted!

Sunday we got up and ran errands and did some Christmas shopping! Both of our families decided to draw names and exchange gifts that way so we really only have 2 people a piece that we have to buy for. But then we always by for our nephew and now we have a new nephew, so we had a few more stops to make.

We managed to get all of my baking supplies, wrapping paper, the kids done, and 2 of the 4 gifts that we needed to get, Coco's gift and stocking stuffers, everyone (except each other's stocking stuffers). By that time, we were tired and hungry and it was getting cold outside so we just headed home. All in all, I think we were pretty productive.

Now, we just have a few more things to pick up and a few more days to get it done. Wish us luck!

How is your Christmas shopping going?

Squash Casserole

Today, we're having a Christmas Potluck at work. I'll be roasting a turkey (provided by the office) and everyone will be responsible for bringing all of the sides and desserts.

It's a lot of fun in our office because everyone participates and we've got a lot of really great people in the office, so it's a joy to sit around the table with everyone and laugh and cut up.

This year, I have decided to bring Squash Casserole. Now, this doesn't sound that tasty to some, but fear not dear friends - you won't be turned off by this buttery, cheesey casserole. It's devine!

Squash Casserole

• 5 yellow squash
• 5 zucchini
• 1 medium onion (yellow or white)
• 2 sleeves of Saltine crackers
• 1 large Velveeta block

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, fill a large pot with salted water and place on the stove over high heat. Wash the squash and zucchini and then cut into slices. Chop the onion and then put all of the squash, zucchini and onion into the water. Boil until everything is tender and falling apart.

Drain the squash and then mash with a potato masher. Break up the crackers until you have cracker crumbs. You can either put them in a ziploc (and then put them in another ziploc) and beat them on the counter, etc. or you can put them in a food proccessor and pulse.

Add the cracker crumbs to the squash. Then, cut half a block of the velveeta into small cubes and add to the cracker/squash mixture. Stir around until all of the cheese is melted. Pour into a greased 13 x 9 baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes.

Oh, and if you like hot/spicy things... You can seed a couple of jalapenos and dice them up and add to the mixture before you bake.

Enjoy!

I promise you - you'll love it!

Clayton Has Arrived!

As you might have been able to tell from my Wordless Wednesday a couple of weeks ago, my nephew is here! Clayton Robert Cockrell was born on Wednesday, December 1st at 5:00pm. He weighed 6 pounds, 15.8 ounces and was 19½" long.

Here he is, getting weighed.

Hanging out in the nursery.

Being born is exhausting!

Sleeping in Mom's room.

The day he got to go home!

Clayton at about a week old! He turned two weeks old just a couple of days ago. I can't believe how fast time flies. We'll be celebrating his birthday before we know it!