Her Hillbilly Highness: 2008

12.31.2008

A Look Back at 2008!

2008 has been a great year! Unlike some other years past, I'm not sure I am ready to let it go. But I will just so I can yell "Happy New Year" with my kids and sip some champagne! We have really been blessed this year. Alan got an exciting job in a new town, I got to meet my beautiful baby niece, I reconnected with old friends at my 20th High School Reunion- yes, I am THAT old!! Here's a handy little list to refer to about 2008!

10. Bonnie Hunt- I love her! I tivo her show each day and when I actually get a chance to watch her, I just love her sense of humor and her smart thinking. Such a refreshing show!

9. Sweet Cheeky Designs- I finally found something that I really like to do! I have met so many people and gotten to work on some great blogs. Each day I am striving to get better and learn different things. I can't wait to start on websites but for now, redesigning blogs are so much fun!

8. 20th High School Reunion- I helped plan it and we had a blast!! I set up a website and we really got a lot of people hooked into it. I saw so many people that I spent everyday with many years ago. Now I still get to talk to them with the invention of Facebook!

7. Facebook- LOVE it! I can see everyone's kids, learn little things about them, and reconnect with people I haven't seen in ages!! I can stay up all night and talk to people. Genius!!

6. NW Arkansas- We are really enjoying life here in NW Arkansas. Both of the kids are in school and doing great and Alan LOVES his job. Now if we could just sell our house in TX.....
I circled where we are on the map up at the top. Yep, just 5 minutes from Missouri.

5. Friends and Family- We have the best friends and family. I love going to McKinney and visiting Mom and Dad, and then getting to see friends from High School and church. I also love that Keith and Nancy are much closer to us. My kids so need their grandparents to be a part of their lives. We are so happy that Kylie has 2 older cousins here and 3 younger cousins in Dallas. Watching her light up when her cousins come over is the best!

4. Charlie- My first niece. She is adorable and perfect! I love looking at her and watching her study everything around her. Just look how cute she is! What a little blessing!

3. 2. and 1. My Family- Kylie is really blooming! She had to start a new school but she already has some great friends and a wonderful teacher. Her art work is getting better each day and she is a wonderful little pianist. I am so proud of her!

Riley is doing great and really expressing himself. Sometimes not in a good way, but most of the time he is loving on us and wanting to play with us. There are so many great programs at his school. I am really looking forward to Horses For Healing in January.

I just can't say enough great things about Alan. He is full of energy and gets home before 6 every night! I thank God that my mom introduced me to him 10+ years ago.

So, there is 2008 in a nutshell. I thank God for opening my eyes this year and helping me see all the goodness in my life rather than focusing on the not so good. Hopefully 2009 will bring great things, too. Like Keith finishing chemotherapy with good results. Or selling our house. Or meeting a new church family. All of these things would be the icing on the cake for me! :)

12.27.2008

4th Grade

A friend of mine just posted my 4th grade class on Facebook. I don't know why I never got this picture or we just didn't keep it but I am about to pee in my pants with excitement!

See if you can spot me. My teacher was Mrs. Malvern who has since passed. All I remember of her is the Tab drink and Fritos that she always had for lunch or snack. Oh yeah, I also remember falling behind in math from being out of school with the flu for a week, but that's another story. Good ole Mrs. Malvern!

12.26.2008

Our Merry Christmas in 2008

We had a very Merry Christmas! We saw friends and family that we haven't seen in a while and it was exhausting...but SO worth it. I have so much to blog about and so many pictures to show. Like, my mom being down in her back so I had to be my Mom this week. I never realized how MUCH work she did in preparing for Christmas Eve at her house. Good thing I had already finished all my Christmas shopping. I spent most of the time in the kitchen cooking. It was really fun but I really missed talking and laughing with my mom and being in the kitchen together. It was all worth it seeing her happy and not in pain on Christmas Eve. I was also glad that everyone was well and my uvula wasn't swollen anymore- that is another story in itself!

One of the best gifts was getting to see old friends tonight. We got to spend quality time with two couples that are living in London this year and were home for the holidays, and one couple that we think the world of and miss dearly. Kylie got to play with Ashlyn and Emma, and Riley watched some Mickey movie on Amy and Mike's bed with their two sweet boys. We had a wonderful time and miss spending time with the Smiths, Ownbys, and Brantleys.

Can you believe that my camera was in my purse and we didn't get a group picture!! I am just sick about it! :(

We are going home tomorrow, weather permitting- and I will have pictures to upload soon!

12.20.2008

Farewell Texas Stadium

As I sat here at my parent's house in North Texas watching the Cowboys stinking up the field tonight, I couldn't help but think about my memories of Texas Stadium. I will never forget walking into that stadium and just having the feeling of "Wow, this is something special!" I always loved how people said that the hole in the top of the stadium is there so, "God can watch his team!"

I just finished watching the closing ceremonies and it was bittersweet. Alot of the players from the 70's, 80's, and 90's were recognized and it was fun to see them jog out there in their Cowboy jerseys. Where was Troy Aikman? He couldn't clear his schedule for this memorable event? Whatever!

My first memory of Texas Stadium was when I was in 4th grade. Our McKinney High School football team played some playoff games there and even though we had to go with our mom's- all the coaches kids got to sit together- and we probably had pretty good seats. I think they kept us from storming the field after the game was over but my dad always came over to us and had the most proud look on his face. We won every game, even the state game in Houston. The best part was the big Texas Stadium road trip and being there in the freezing cold supporting our team.

My next memory was cheering in Texas Stadium. When I was a Varsity cheerleader, our football team was really good. We went to Texas Stadium every weekend for a playoff game and flipping over that star was the best feeling in the world!! I can't tell you how many pictures we got on that star but I can't seem to locate even one of them tonight. ha-ha We thought we were so special because we were ON the field! I went to a couple of playoff games after I got out of school and was in college but it never felt the same.

While I was teaching, a friend of mine had season passes and invited me to a couple of games with her. I definitely remember walking about 50 miles to the stadium but she had great seats once we actually got there. It's a great feeling when everyone is rooting for the Cowboys and they are actually winning games. I was really emotional when Emmitt Smith made history in the 90's and that banner came down declaring him the all time leading rusher! And I was really mad when Leon Lett dropped the ball in the snow one Thanksgiving. Poor Leon! :)

So, farewell Texas Stadium. We will miss you but fondly look back on all the memories and smile.

12.17.2008

Riley Says HI

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

except we won't be here for Christmas and the cold and snow will probably be long gone! This is our 3rd day with snow and ice and also the 3rd day that school has been ON! Yep, they don't cancel school round here. Get you some snow chains and a 4-Wheel drive and you will fit right in!

Alan wouldn't let me drive the kids to school on Monday because it was too slick in our neighborhood and also because he spun-out going to work. Yesterday, the roads were better so I bundled up the kids and practically threw them out the car while it was still running! Just kidding! I went and picked them up early and took them to the doctor. Riley has a little infection inside his nose that was just getting worse and I had Kylie re-tested for strep. Guess what? STREP THROAT AGAIN!!

Kylie was the only one that tested positive but Riles is taking the medicine, too. So, Alan took Riley to school this morning and I am staying here with Ky. She is a little upset because she is missing her Pajama Party that her class is having at school. I am going to make it really special for her here and we are going to watch movies together when she wakes up.

I took a pic of the front of the house this time, no neighbors house! Good thing I got these trusty snow boots last week or I wouldn't have gotten out there to do it! Daisy loved the snow!

And Time Magazine just announced their Person of the Year. Surprise, Surprise! It's President-Elect Barack Obama. Let's see what he does first before we shower him with awards, people! I'm kinda miffed so I'm not putting a link to Time Magazine.

12.14.2008

Getting Ready For Christmas

We haven't gone to see Santa yet. Or gone to the mall, looked at lights, or rode the train. We are actually saving that for next week when me and the kids go see my parents. But what we did have was a busy little weekend getting ready for Christmas. Here's a little sampling of what we did:

Kylie drove Riley around in the car and Alan put up the trampoline that Santa left early for the kids. These are both new additions to our backyard. Riley desperately needed some major jump action and we just found the battery to that car. It was a beautiful day. A little windy but otherwise really pretty. I feel sorry for Santa who is going to have to put up a swingset in the cold next week while we are gone. hee-hee

This is what Alan and I did this weekend. Alan worked on a 1000 piece puzzle with Kylie and I baked, and baked, and baked. This is really the first year for baking. I always intended to, but then just ended up buying stuff! Here are some things that I made:

Devils Food Cakeballs
Red Velvet Cakeballs with white chocolate and peppermint sprinkles
German Chocolate Cakeballs (I wouldn't recommend these!)
Peppermint Bark
Dateballs- Alan LOVED these!
Oatmeal Scotchies
Kathryn's cookies (They are never as good as Kathryn's & Katinas!!)

While I did the baking and Alan did the puzzling, our kids had their own thing going on.

Riley did his own puzzles. He has had this thing lately about bringing us a present every night to open. We are so glad that he is excited about presents and learning what Christmas is, but we are not celebrating Hanukkah here! So, I got a bunch of 24 piece puzzles for him to open this week and he- loves- them! He also put together a 100 piece Curious George puzzle with just a little help getting started. I love his little feet in this picture!

When Kylie got bored with Alan's puzzles and helping me bake, she did her own puzzles. She made a picture, cut it, and then made us put it back together. That girl!

Riley also helped me bake for the first time. My favorite is when he stood over the dish-water in the sink and stirred it for about 5 minutes!!

And then we rested.

12.10.2008

Alan's Post

Alan wanted me to post about 2 things that he is really proud of. I told him to get his own blog but he didn't think that was all that funny.

First off, he got a new truck. When his Grand Prix died on him in September, we had no idea about what to do. It was paid for and we were struggling! So, his parents offered up their Tahoe and that got us way out of a bind. Well, a couple of weeks ago Alan's parents found this snazzy truck and helped him buy it. He is so proud and loves his truck. We went to pick it up at Thanksgiving and Kylie said, "It's just what I've always wanted!" and gave it a big hug! Who knew she ever wanted a truck? Then almost in the same sentence she said, "I just wish it was red." Give that girl the moon and she will ask for the stars to go along with it, I swear.

Here's Alan's snazzy truck:

Here is Alan posing on it like for a high school picture. I almost peed in my pants taking this picture.

Kylie- loving the truck!

Riley- hating the truck!

The second thing that Alan wanted me to post about was this hawk. The lady who lived here before us told us that her hawk "is sometimes right out there in that tree". Yea, I know. Looney! Well, the other day we were looking out back and there was her hawk. He flew away when we opened the door but came back. He always comes back it seems. Alan is fascinated with it. I guess it's his hawk now!

12.09.2008

Christmas Around Our House

Here are some things that make Christmas special at our house. I get so excited when I can get the Christmas decorations out! And, yes, I will put them up pretty much the day after Christmas. Kylie helped out so much with the decorations this year. We try to have hot chocolate and Christmas cookies but I think we just watched Elf while we decorated this year. We also didn't have space for my Christmas Village this year- maybe next year!

Our Christmas Tree
As you can see, it's pretty much a hodge podge of ornaments that the kids have made or people have given us. This is the first year that I have had a formal dining room with a big window in the front of the house. I always wanted to put the tree there!

The Mantel

Another first. Our last mantle wouldn't hold greenery like this one. Last year after Christmas I found these stockings at a great deal! The Walt Disney ones were getting a little old. I also found the picture hangers at Hobby Lobby. Believe me, I had to go to about 27 of them in the area to find 5 of them!

Nativity Scene

My mom got this for me last year. I had never had one before. I just love to see Riley playing with it! He says, "Baby Jeshus" and knows Joseph, Mary, the cow, the sheep, and "Alice the Camel". Yeah, he sings a song called "Alice the Camel has 5 Humps" while being very careful. Kylie puts each one where they go after he is finished playing.

3 Elves

These have been passed down from my Mother. I remember these elves as a kid. She would tell us that the girl elf was me with the doll, Gary's had the book, and Jeff's had the sailboat. I love putting them out each year and hearing Kylie tell me the story about them.

Toilet Paper Roll Santa

This is a Santa that Alan's mom made with Alan and Essie when they were young. There are lots of these at their house and Nancy was kind enough to let us have one. Alan finds a special place each year for this little guy. It's right on the tv so Alan can see him when he does his favorite thing- watch tv or play video games on the tv!! The kids love this little Santa.

Razorback Santa

I bought this Santa for Alan one of the first years of our marriage. I knew Alan would love it since he is such a Razorback fan. Frankly, I am surprised that I found it in Sachse at a Hallmark-like store that has since closed. Razorback items were scarce in Texas. Now they are everywhere you look in this area. We told Kylie that she was the cheerleader on Santa's lap and she said, "Um..that's just not my style!"

Santa Candy Dish & Sleeping Santa

This candy dish was my Nanny's. She always loved Christmas and I was so excited to get this when I got my own house. She baked candies and cookies and anything that you could imagine during the holidays. I have some of her recipes but I can't do them justice. I remember this sleeping Santa from when I was a young girl. It always had something yummy in it. I had to fight my brothers for it and I'm glad I won. It was my favorite thing to look at during Christmas at Nanny and PawPaw's house.

Littlest Pet Shop Advent Calendar

Thanks to my friend Erica who just knew that Kylie would love this calendar. (she also was the inspiration for this post!) She does! She jumps up every cold morning and can't wait to see which accessory or pet shop she will get that day. So much for our monogrammed felt Christmas tree that gives you no treats!

The House

I don't know why I put a pic of the house since we didn't have time to put lights on this year. I didn't really even decorate the porch like I usually do. But, I'm really excited about these black light fixtures that I can put a wreath around. There are 2 more on the garage that need wreaths- I smell an After-Christmas Target trip!! My Mom gave me this Southern Living stocking but I have no idea what to put in it and haven't had time to research.

I would include the past Christmas clay ornaments that I buy personalized each year but I can't find them this year. I am really upset about it! I just know that I will find them the week after Christmas and it makes me sick!! Where would I have put them? I know I didn't put them in the garage or attic because they would melt. Where else would I have put them??

Hope you enjoyed the tour of the Rutledge house. We are really excited about Christmas this year. Riley has already opened one present!

12.08.2008

Congrats, Tigers!!

Our Bentonville Tigers won the 7A State Championship against Fort Smith, Southside at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock last Saturday. We didn't get a chance to go to any of the games this year but heard that they were something to see! Since I grew up the daughter of a high school football coach, I feel proud for these guys and know how hard they must have worked to win! Christmas was always a really nice time because that's when we got my Dad back! That's a full time job and a half!

Congratulations, Tigers!! Look how happy they are?

My Top Three

I guess I will never grow up. While looking at my Christmas List, the top three items are seemingly something that a high school kid would ask for. You may think I am kidding- but I'm not! :)

1. Wii Fit

I have heard really great things about the Wii Fit-.. if you do it. It looks fun and challenging at the same time. These are also really hard to find! Good thing I picked one up for Alan to get for me when I saw one at Walmart a couple of weeks ago. I'm still looking for one for someone else and they are scarce!

2. Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009

I can't wait for Jillian to kick my butt on this game! It's almost better than actually being on The Biggest Loser! She's a tough cookie and I expect to get really fit-....if I do it! My genius husband got this for me and hasn't wrapped it yet, so I found it. Can I have just ONE surprise for Christmas, ALAN??

3. Dreamweaver

I am REALLY wanting this software. It will help me put together websites in no time. You should have seen my face when someone told me that I could use this program instead of write the whole website using code! I am glad that I know most of the codes, though. I have tried to save up for it but something always comes up.

Alan and I already received one Christmas gift so far. Keith and Nancy got us this beautiful refrigerator with ice and water capability! No more Ozarka fountain in the kitchen. We love it so much! Notice the Razorback hanging on!

So, technology rules in my life, it's sad to say. I do want a cute garden bicycle, though. We have a HUGE garden and nothing in it yet.

I would love to know what's on my friend's Christmas Lists this year. Do tell......

12.06.2008

Santa Visits of Past

I finally scanned all the past Santa visits except last years. We dropped the ball last year and didn't take the kids to see Santa at the mall. I just knew that Riles wouldn't appreciate waiting in that line to see Santa and Santa wouldn't appreciate Riley hitting and clawing him just to get away. In my defense, I DID take Kylie to visit Santa at The Galleria when we went to The American Girl Store but the picture was SO bad that I didn't buy it. That silly smile emerged. I'm glad that's gone away! :)

Kylie is already asking when she's gonna see him this year, so look for that picture just around the corner. We were lucky that she found a Santa mailbox in the post office so we already mailed off her list. Whew!

First year with Santa

This was so much fun! My mom bought this snowflake outfit with hat for Kylie and my whole family went to Dave & Busters at Stonebriar Mall to celebrate Alan's birthday. We had NO idea that Santa would be there and there was NO line and NO one in the mall. We walked right up to Santa and he talked to us for a while. Well, we fell in love with him and vowed to only go to him each year.

Second year with Santa

Second year with Santa and all is well. There was a little bit of a wait but not too bad. I also loved this red and black outfit on Kylie. She looks great in hats! I sure feel sorry for all those parents with kids who cry and don't like Santa! Too bad for them.

Third year with Santa (Riley makes his debut)

We tried the Stonebriar Mall with our awesome Santa but couldn't stay in the long lines. Instead we went to Northpark Mall and just look what happened! Kylie just knew this wasn't the real Santa! Plus, this wasn't a great time in her life. She just figured out that she had to share the spotlight with someone else! Speaking of, where are his socks and why does he look sick?

Fourth year with Santa (Riley's 2nd)

We went back to the Real Santa and look at Kylie's face. No crying! Is that bow big enough? Poor little Riles. Will he ever love Santa like we do? Now we are those parents that you feel sorry for!

Fifth year with Santa (Riley's 3rd)

Collin Creek Mall was our last option this year since we waited so late. He was very nice and there was no line. Kylie really talked this Santa's ear off! She's also looking at her brother to see what kind of scene he was going to cause. Not much action from him this year. He just wanted down!!

I forgot that we went to see the real Santa this same year. Hello goofy smile and scared boy!

I guess we are going to have to mosey on over to Allen this year to visit with the real Santa. Just don't ask Stonebriar Mall where he is. They told Courtney that he was in Virginia!!

12.05.2008

Rock Band!!

Wii LOVE Alan's birthday present!!

The whole family is getting into Rock Band. Maybe we could be like The Partridge Family and go out on the road.

Kylie just asked if I was mad that she got out of bed to play the guitar some more. Before I could answer she said, "I know why we can stay up later tonight- because we don't have school tomorrow and we can be as cranky as we want!"