Maddox loves reading this book that her Gamma, Gampa, and uncle Blayne got her for Christmas. I just love how her little mind is soaking up the world around her.

Maddox is nine months old! She’s weighing in at 18 pounds and she’s 28 inches long. But don’t let size fool you folks, because big things come in small packages! She has four teeth, and it looks like two more will make their debut this month too. She isn’t much (ok at all) for sitting still.I think she would go days without eating or drinking if I would just let her explore the world around her.

Her determination is amazing. She is starting to have so much personality, and we are having tons of fun every day! She loves to be chased, play with our dogs, and get into everything that isn’t hers. She is the most independent little fireball I’ve ever seen. Maddox is by no stretch of the means a cuddler, and this makes my heart a little sad, but she just doesn’t have time for that nonsense. I mean, there are things to do and learn!

She is a social butterfly much to my embarrassment at a times. She understands that she has the ability to get the attention of others, even strangers, and is not afraid to make lots of noise in efforts to do so! She makes friends very easily and will talk and play with anyone who will give her the time of day, which usually is not a problem!

Little bit is learning sign language and has picked up on it like a champ. She does the sign for dad (which she uses for the both of us), milk, and dog!

Our lives will never be the same, and for that I am grateful. I truly can’t imagine doing anything other than being her momma each day.

I pray that God would help us to shape her into the little girl He desires her to be, that she will come to know and serve the Lord with all of that determination in that sweet little heart of hers.

If you are anything like me, the hardest thing to put away at Christmas time is the smiling faces of friends and loved ones. I love checking the mail box each December day to see who has joined our home for a visit. But, this year, I just couldn’t say goodbye! For some reason each card looked straight out of a magazine, no bias here…

So, if you are having a hard time saying goodbye, might I make a suggestion? Cut out the pictures, both big and small and display them somewhere in your home. I had this memo board that wasn’t being used stashed in my closet just waiting for such a day.

The Mr. and I recently celebrated five years of marriage. It was such a fun evening and will forever hold a special place in my heart. We don’t normally “do things up big” but for this one, Chad went all out.

We had dinner at a fancy smancy, and toured the town looking at Christmas lights. Then Chad pulled this quaint little B&B out from his sleeve. The place was absolutely perfect. It had me written all over it!

The owner and I spent some time talking about all of her adventures in restoring every piece of furniture in the house. She bought the home in shambles and restored to its original features. She was an amazing hostess and her cooking = phenomenal. I could go on and on about the raspberry jalapeño jam for days!

It was a fabulous evening spent with a fine gentleman! I love you Mr. Brown and I am blessed to be your wife. Thank you for being a husband who honors and cherishes his wife. Thank you for being such a strong leader, my prayer partner, my best friend, an amazing papadaddy, provider, challenger, and for putting up with all my shenanigans.