Please Excuse The Delay...

I miss my blogging, but lately I have found something that occupies my free time more:  writing stories.

I am very thankful for the fact that my writer's block of 5+ years has gone away, and trying to take the opportunity to keep the writing flow going, in hopes to finish a story before it becomes another forgotten incomplete.

But I don't mean to be ignoring my blog, as it has been my friend for the last 4 years in keeping me doing something, and with intentions of having fun stories to share with Brylee as she grows, I want to get back on the wagon.

It's all a matter of balance.  Balancing a family, a clean home, getting into a eating/exercise routine balance, and now also with the reintroduction of balance with writing (currently 2 stories and a family blog).

So, with this, I guess I am also including my New Year's Resolution (which includes more timely responses) because today is the last day of 2011 and the beginning of new opportunity all around.

Thank you 2011 for being so full of adventure, love, and fun for the Jarvis/McFaddens!!!

(and to many, MANY updates coming your way!!!!)

Project 52: 51/52 Three

Taken with my NEW TOY!!!  (More on that to come)

Project 52: 50/52 Metal

This flashlight has been in the family for as long as I can remember...and as I was taking photos of it, I realized that it looks a bit like a light saber...

**Please excuse the lack of posting.  I have much to catch up on, but as of right now, I am celebrating Christmas with my beloved family in Dallas.  Stay tuned for tons of pictures and updates!!!

4 years ago today I married my best friend and love of my life.


Everyday, he has made me laughed, which in truth is no easy task. 

Every night, he holds me close as we fall asleep. 

Some mornings he even gets up and takes care of our little tot, one of the symbols of our love.

He loves me.

And I love him.

I thank God everyday for this man; my better half; my amazing gift.

Project 52: 49/52 Favorite Spot

This one  was another hard one for me.  How do I take a picture of my favorite spot, when I don't have one...or maybe I have too many?

Perhaps it at the Old Town Hall, where our playgroup is held:

 Or at Beth's Cafe, where there are delicious sandwiches:

 (photo courtesy of Cary)

Or perhaps, after this last week, going to LL Bean (open 24 hours a day!  A rarity in Maine!) and seeing the beautiful Christmas decor:

Or Pat's Pizza in Bethel, where delicious pizza is served:

Wherever that favorite spot may be, here or in Dallas, I will most certainly say that it is wherever my 2 favorite people are!

Or, the funny side of me just wanted to add:

This one, right here!

Christmas Photo Attempts

So many pictures I attempted to take, and while some of them are good, they were not chosen for one reason or another, being too blurry, can't see her pretty face, or maybe because Cary and I couldn't agree on the ones we liked. 

We had a sort of theme going at one point, and then I abandoned that idea to try to get a good photo some other way.  And the little one just decided not to cooperate anymore.  Needless to say, I started getting cuter photos once more after I went route #3 and submitted the order for the cards.

But at least these will be here for all to enjoy!

(No, she is not choking herself.  Jut holding a light up to her throat while staring into space...but love the huge eyes nonetheless!)

 

 

  

Funny thing is, now that I'm going through the pictures to edit this post, I'm seeing that some are not so bad...shame it's too late to change the order up!

Getting Ready For Jolly Saint Nick

Getting into the Christmas spirit has been a little harder for me this year, with Cary and I dropping my parents off at the bus station the same day we decided to decorate.  But since putting up the (live) tree and trying hard to get the perfect Brylee Christmas card picture, it has gotten a little bit more fun.  And not to mention, it is only 15 days away!!  10 until we go to Dallas!  And 7 until Cary and I celebrate 4 years of marriage.    So much going on in this month!

After dropping off my parents, Cary, Brylee and I went to Wal-Mart where we attempted to get a picture of Brylee with this Santa...this is the closest we got.  Poor kid (Santa).  A teenager of unknown age, stuffed with pillows to give him filling...and he couldn't even sit up properly!

When we got home, we found a box 'hidden' by my parents for us to open, and this is all that we found inside.  Great way to bring a smile to our faces on a sadder start to the day...

Despite all of our warnings not to touch the stockings, Brylee quickly learned that Snowmen, too, can crack...and even shatter a bit...

Daddy's little helper!

Our tree looked like this for a couple of days because we ran out of lights.  I got to make a special trip to Wal-Mart a couple of days later to get more, and took my time looking at all of the other decorating possibilities

 Our little Reindeer-In-Training

 Finally decorating the tree!  Brylee prefers the 'removal' method instead...

After Cary wrapped the tree with 6 strands of lights, I decided to check out and see if we wanted to try the 'blinking' look this year.  I hope we continue to like it because I most certainly don't want to go back and change them all again anytime soon!

Project 52: 48/52 Family

Brylee's Birthday

How does this certain little toddler celebrate her birthday?  All out, of course!

On Thursday night (the night before her birthday), I couldn't take it anymore, so Cary installed her forward facing car seats in the car, and we went out to N. Conway for dinner...Chinese!  The waitress was really sweet, and after we ate, brought Brylee out a flamingo straw, a colorful fan and a lei.  Apparently this Chinese place enjoys little kids!  As soon as she found out Brylee was turning 2 the next day, she brought out another lei...one spoiled girl!  And by a stranger, too!

On Friday, Brylee and I played with her (then mysterious) new sled and then went to the library for storytime.   The day was pretty much relaxing with playing outside on the patio.  When her daddy got home, we had dinner, dessert, and let Brylee open up a couple of her gifts:  Dr. Seuss Memory and Jake And The Neverland Pirates CD.  Oh the fun we had with the memory game that night!

 On Monday, I took some cupcakes to playgroup for Brylee and her friends, which were happily received.  She also received a little doll from her friend, Journey!

The 'big' party happened on the following Saturday (after Thanksgiving) when all of her grandparents were together.  Brenda made a delicious strawberry cake, and then the gift time began!

 

 

Included in her gifts was a cute outfit, a Minnie Mouse doll, a couple of books, an ABC puzzle game, Elefun, Winnie The Pooh movie, a kitchen set, a Megablocks car, a tricycle, and an easel...

I think we may have to start limiting how many gifts she gets because our house is now full of toys, and it's not even Christmas yet!

Here's to another great year with a great kid!