Last post of twenty ten

Had to get in one last post before we ring in the New Year. Amazed at how far my little old blog has come. From my five readers to over 80+ readers a day in all sorts of countries. Amazing. It's been fun twenty ten but I have a feeling that twenty eleven is going to be even better. See y'all next year. Stay safe out there.
Love and hugs

Best day of the year

Christmas makes me feel like a kid again.

The excitement, anticipation and the joy.

When I was younger, Christmas used to be about me...my wants, my wishes

As I grow older I no longer think about myself. I don't create wish lists or dream about what is for me under the tree. It has a whole new meaning (the presents part) and that is what brings me the most joy. I absolutely love to check things off my loved ones lists and throw a couple surprises in too.

Christmas 2010 was the best one yet.

Just when you think a Christmas can't be outdone, it happens.

We enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Eve dinner at grandma & grandpas house

I can't tell you how thankful I am that we got to spend another Christmas Eve with grandma and grandpa in their home. We cherish it and thank the Lord for another year.

 It was impossible to get a good picture of Kate in her Christmas dress. The kid does not stand still!

After dinner we all headed back to mom and dads for a sleep over!

Everyone got cozy in their new jammies and we watched "The Christmas Story" and drank our drink of choice. It's a tradition that we all look forward to every year.

Christmas morning was wonderful. We lounged around and enjoyed a fabulous brunch with great company! Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Jamie, Uncle Steve and cousins!

There is something about Christmas morning that is so magical. 

maybe it's the tree...

Presents were amazing...everyone was so creative and thoughtful!

Kate had a sign made for papa that said "Papa's Garden"

Mom is stylin and ready to travel with all her new Louis Vuitton luggage and handbag. Santa Dad did good!

My man also spoiled me with a new louie...I love it!

Kate's wardrobe became even more amazing with boxes of new goodies from Nordstroms and Pumpkin Patch! We all got Disneyland passes! Chris got a ton of cool accessories for his new car! I could go on and on and on but I won't..

My little family of three.

Christmas afternoon and evening was spent at the Andrews! It was the perfect way to end our perfect day! We enjoyed an incredible dinner and dessert. Opened more beautiful presents and enjoyed every minute of this glorious day!

And look! Kate got her first tricycle!  

Our little pumpkin was worn out from all the celebrating. She was even too tired to pop her pacifier. This little beauty slept 13 hours last night! She didn't wake up until 10am. Amazing!

We had so much fun waking up and playing with all the new toys today. Well, at least this little one did.

I had fun cleaning out my closet to make room for the new wardrobe. Two Nordstrom bags later full of giveaways and all the new things fit! We got the Christmas tree down today and spent 4 hours cleaning the wood floors, cleaning all the window treatments, dusting, polishing...you name it. The house is sparkling clean and we're getting ready to ring in the new year. We love starting the year out with a clean and organized house. Something about a fresh start is so invigorating!

Hope y'all had yourselves a Merry little Christmas.

Happy cleaning and organizing!

Today is the day...

Over 2000 years ago our Savior was born in a stable & had a manger for a bed.

Mary has been on my mind constantly. I can't imagine what the birth of Jesus must have been like. No hospital, no bed, no doctor, no epidural! Nothing but an old stable. 

What a glorious day! A day that has changed the world and changed eternity.
 I am so excited to celebrate Christmas with my family.
It's by far my favorite day of the year.
Reflecting on the one and only meaning of Christmas and praising the Lord for sending His Son!
Happy Birthday Jesus.
Oh how I love you...

Bare with me..

Today was hard. It was really really hard. I went to visit my grandma Parker at the medical center she is being treated at for 10 bed sores and other issues. The last couple times I have gone to visit her she has been in a very deep sleep and I have not been able to talk to her which has been hard. I haven't had a conversation with her since last December. So, today when we got to her room and saw that she was awake I was encouraged. I was encouraged until I saw the shape she is in. She doesn't look like she should be alive. It's awful. I'll keep it at that.
My dad and the nurse tried to get her to sit up since she was laying with her head smashed against the bed rail and that is when I felt my heart literally shatter in pieces. The sounds that she made were the worst sounds I have ever heard. The agony she was in trying to move her was heart wrenching. There really are no words to explain the pain I felt for her. I stood in the hall outside her room praying as tears filled my eyes and a lump filled my throat. Tears are filling my eyes now just thinking about it and the pain she is in.
They got her to sit up in a chair and put her hair in a little pony tail and we walked back in. I kept staring at her wondering where my grandma went. She kept looking at me like she knew I was familiar but it didn't connect. She didn't realize that her first grand baby was there to see her and care for her. I just wanted to catch up with her and joke like we used to. She had no clue who Kate was, just said that she was really cute. She smiled at me and we had conversations that I couldn't even tell you what they were about. It was like talking with a small child who doesn't know what's going on. I fed her some lunch, held her hand and kissed her cheek and said goodbye.
Saying goodbye to her was so so so hard. I'm sure it was our last visit here on earth. As selfish as it sounds, there is no way I can go to see her again. I don't want to remember her like this. The only thing I can think of is the pain she is in and the sounds that come with it. My heart is in pieces tonight. To top it off, the place she is at now is the same place my Pops died. Just a hallway away from her bed...
There is nothing worse than seeing someone you love suffer. I went through this 3 years ago with my Pops. Watching him die killed a little part of me. And now I am doing it all over again with grandma. My mom hit it dead on today when she said, "there are worse things than dying". If that isn't the truth! I know the Lord is preparing us and I am praying that He comes and takes her home soon. Grandma knows Jesus. She never went to church or read the Bible much but she believes. I had many talks with her about Him when Pops was dying. I know where she is going and because of that my heart is at peace and I feel like I can let her go.

I am so thankful for precious memories. The ones where we would shop until we dropped, the ones of amazing Christmas dinners, the countless presents under the tree for sister and I, the you've never seen a girl so spoiled and the absolute love and joy that we all shared.

Grandma and Pops didn't have much but they had enough love to fill the United States and that is something I will never forget. I know that Grandma knows who I am deep down, I know that she loves me and I know that one day I will see her again and she will be healed and free. That fills my heart with joy and peace.

In the midst of my heartache there is hope, and that is in Christ alone.

Torture

Chris is wrapping my Christmas presents in the dining room and I'm in the office. I can hear the crinkle of the paper and and the curling of bows. Who does he think I am? A patient woman? I'm having to blog to hold me back from peeking my head out the door to spy! 5 more days!!!

Date night

Chris won tickets from our local jazz station a couple weeks ago to the Dave Koz and Friends Cozy Christmas concert at the Nokia Live theatre. We were stoked because A.) We are geeks awesome and love jazz music B.) We love Christmas music. It's been playing in our house since July and C.) We won free tickets! Woo!

I had never been to staples center or the Nokia theatre so I was excited to play around downtown. I usually try to avoid LA unless it's for a TV show, farmers market or the Grove...I always forget how close we are to the big city, 45 minutes.

It was so beautiful there last night. Decked out for Christmas with an ice skating rink to boot. How fun!

I totally embarrassed my husband by playing the role of a tourist last night.

I told him I was taking pictures for all my Midwest friends!

See! Aren't you glad I embarrassed him for those 5 seconds? So pretty!

So, our date went like this:

Got to dinner at the Yard House and enjoyed a fabulous dinner. We talked about Christmas and I almost spilled the beans like 5 times sitting there because I can hardly contain myself!! We talked about Kate and how hilarious she is. We chatted some more about business and other things. We talked about how freakin gooshie Kate is....yadda yadda.

We leave for one on one time and all we do is talk about the babe!

After dinner we walked all of 30 feet to the theatre and got checked in. Put our wristbands on (we had passes to the VIP lounge backstage)...mingled for a bit, got snacks, talked about Kate and then the show started...

It was AMAZING! I didn't really know what to expect but we were blown away! Our seats were in the Orchestra section, fabulous! Some of the songs brought me to tears. Remember I told you I have a very soft heart. It was the perfect date night and came at such a perfect time.

I am officially in the Christmas spirit and ready for the day to arrive!!!

Traditions

My family has lots of traditions, especially when it comes to Christmas. It seems like most of them are centered around food. That's just how we roll. We did one of my favorites this past weekend which was dinner at the R&D Kitchen, shopping at Fashion Island and more shopping and ooing and awwing at Rogers Garden in Newport Beach. It was a cold and rainy night but we still went out. We started at Rogers Garden. They have the most amazing trees along with garden center, ever. They also have very pretty price tags. Kate loved looking at all the "tees"....she goes back and forth calling them "rees" and "tees"...

After all the sparkles and such we went to Fashion Island to go see Auntie M at work. She works at our favorite place, Nordstrom. I love it! We all met at one of our favorite places to eat in Newport for dinner and had so much fun. Kate threw the biggest fit ever, that was until her grilled cheese and apple fries arrived. Thank God for food.

The gorgeous tree at Fashion Island. I may be wrong but I think it's one of the biggest live trees in the US.

Don't take my word for it though.

Ahhh, I love traditions...

and food!

You better watch out..

 You better not cry...

 You better not pout...

Merry Christmas from the Andrews!

*This was not what we had in mind for our Christmas card but our drama queen was not into all the picture taking. So, this is what we got and we're laughing because it is so our life right now and I LOVE it!

The greatest gift

What is the greatest gift you have ever received?
 Material wise I have two; my car from my parents and my engagement ring and wedding band. I adore them. But, I adore the man who gave it to me even more, My husband and my baby girl are the greatest personal gifts I have received. I love that God handpicked Chris for me. He has knit our hearts together so tight and has blessed us with a love that can only be from Him. I continue to be amazed by our Kate daily. I love that she does things like her mama and looks like her daddy. I'm still in awe that the Lord knit her together in my womb for 39 weeks. Those are my greatest gifts that I've been given here on earth (so far)....
The greatest gift that I have ever received will be celebrated in 9 short days. He was born in a stable in Bethlehem and was sent to save us all. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift I have ever received. I can still remember the day I asked Him into my heart when I was a youngin at Bible School. I re-dedicated my life to Him in high school and that is when my life changed. The gift that He has given me is absolutely priceless. His love, His mercy, His grace, His peace, His blessings....I could go on and on about my Jesus. As His day is approaching quickly I have been thinking about Christmas and the real meaning of that day. It's focused on gifts, food and love...all our favorite things. I can't even tell you how excited I am for Christmas day to arrive. I'm not sure that I can make it 9 more days without spilling the beans. I can hardly wait to give my loved ones their gifts. Things that were hand picked just for them. With my excitement and joy overflowing and about to explode I can't help but think about Jesus and how He feels when a child of His accepts His love and asks them into their life. The joy that must fill His heart! Jesus is the greatest gift anyone could ever receive and it's free! You don't have to work for it, or stand in long lines, or pay it off. Our debt has been PAID. How is that for the greatest gift of all? I love it and I am so excited to celebrate Him in 9 days! A new house, new car, a new pair of boots and Louis Vuitton purses are great and I love them but nothing will ever take the place of my Jesus.
After all, you can't spell Christmas without Christ...

U G L Y

Remember when I started this blog I told you it would be the good, the bad and the ugly.

Nothing but the honest truth here baby.

This is ugly.

There has been nothing pretty about this week, so far.

It's only Tuesday so there's still hope.

I'm not one to be down and droopy or negative

 BUT this week has sucked.



It's only been two days but this might be a long winded post so sit tight and grab a cup of cocoa..

Monday morning....

Kate was up at 6am and didn't go back to sleep.-bad- I'm used to her getting up for the day around 7:30 or so. We had a nice morning and got ready to head to Bible study to be with some of my favorite girls! Everything was great, we got packed up with our goodies and were on our way. By the time I pulled out of neighborhood and stopped at the stop sign my cat shut down. Bam! Dead!

This little cutie died on me!

I was trying to stay calm and tried and tried to get it going again but it wouldn't budge. So, I called my husband. I did what he said and sat with my foot on the gas for a couple minutes and put the car in reverse to try to get to the side of the road. That all worked except we ended up in the middle of the street and cars were coming right at us. I was hysterical, crying like a baby on the phone. Precious Kate sat in her car seat so calm with the sweetest look on her face. She was happy eating her cheerios while I was having a panic attack, sure we were going to get hit.

I finally got the car to go once again and at this point I was determined to get us to the car shop. We were cruising down the road and once we came to the signal my car once again shut down and died. This time we were on a very busy road and cars were coming left and right. I had my hazard lights on and kept waving people to pass us. What really upset me was how incredibly rude people were to me. They were honking and getting frustrated. Yeah, like I chose to have my car die right there! My main concern was Kate and our safety. I called my momma and she sped over to get us. I called AAA for a tow truck and that was the greatest blessing. The woman who picked up was the sweetest Christian lady. She was able to calm be down, asked if I wanted a police officer to come and keep Kate and I safe until the tow truck came. She put a rush on our order since I had our baby in the car. The tow truck was there in 15 minutes.

Momma came to get Kate out of the car and just as she started to pick her up she tweaked her back and threw it out big time.

(to make a long story a bit shorter....)

We got the Jeep to the shop and I took momma to the chiropractor. It didn't help, she is still in bed and can hardly move. I feel horrible.

Tuesday...

 I had to go back to the dentist this morning to have a temporary crown put on. I was just there last Wednesday for a root canal. Talk about painful! I got home and realized that the temporary they put on doesn't fit right. It's driving me crazy but I'm not about to go back to that office since I'm going again in two weeks for the crown. Yes, I'm stubborn. Thanks dad.

Tonight I was cooking dinner (post to come soon) and just as my husband walked in the door I noticed smoke coming from the stove. 5 seconds later our oven was up in flames. I am not kidding. The whole oven was on fire. I was sure our house was going to burn down. Dramatic? But seriously it was something I never want to experience again. I made home made french fries and the olive oil ran over and caught fire. BAD BAD BAD BAD! My calm husband came to the rescue again and we got it out. Our house is still standing, praise the Lord!

Oh! And then today, Kate decided to get herself tangled up in the end table with her foot somehow stuck under the couch. Yes, I had to stop and take a picture because at this point I was laughing.

The upside to our two days?

Going to look at Christmas lights tonight and coming home to drown my stress in ice cream.

I told you this was going to be a long and exciting post.

Looking back at all that has happened in the last 36 hours, I am exhausted but I am thankful.

It could have been a lot worse. We could have gotten hit, instead we just have a nice big bill to pay for repairs. I could have no teeth at all, instead I just have one with a minor problem. Our house could have caught fire, instead it just smells like burnt oil.

Out of all this ugliness, there is beauty and that is the reminder that the Lord is holding us in the palm of His hand. I am so grateful. With the bills adding up left and right and pain in my body and a list of things to do, my heart is at peace. I asked the Lord to stretch me and grow me..boy is He ever! Be careful what you ask for! He just might give it to you! It has been an ugly two days but I am right where I need to be.Learning God's mercy and Grace daily and continuing to trust in Him alone...

Three more days. I think I can make it!

It must be Christmas time...

It was just another 85 degree day with sunshine and blue skies here in Southern California. I'm finally starting to realize why property is so expensive down here. While half of the nation is covered in snow we are feeling like we're in paradise! As wonderful as today was, I wish we had a blanket of snow on the ground with snowflakes falling! I think everyone who lives here wishes we could have at least one snow day!
Needless to say, it was a perfect weekend and we did our best to make the most of it. Both of the cars got washed and detailed, the front garden got new flowers, we washed windows, finished Christmas shopping (I need to stop!), baked, went to dad's company Christmas party, napped and spent time with family. The sunshine wore us out. It felt good to get so much done but I'm ready for a rainy weekend on the couch with cookies!

Homemade english toffee crunch bars

 cake balls!

 Double peanut butter cookies

 my parents living room

 mimi and papa

 the three of us

The Griswolds, I mean Parker's house

 taken in our backyard this afternoon

 playing hide and seek with dad

 This big girl is using her spoons and forks now,

notice she is right handed

And we now have 14 teeth!!!!

We went to the boat parade tonight which is 3 minutes away from our house and had so much fun. It was a lot different than our usual walks around the lake. We're usually bundled up with hot cocoa in hand. Instead tonight, people were in tank tops and instead of hot cocoa and coffee we had cold water and tea!

East Lake Village Boat Parade

 SO fun!

 love this lake..

Nothing says Christmas like the air conditioner going, ice cream and skirts!

It's just another So Cal Christmas.

May all their days be merry and bright...

Christmas is two weeks away and the majority of us are busy with Christmas parties, baking, shopping, wrapping, over eating, laughing and enjoying everything that comes along with the season.
There are however, families and children who aren't attending parties, who can't shop and there is no laughter filling the air. My heart grieves for them.
Every year Chris and I do something to help a family, child, or person in need. I have been struggling with what to do this year. There is no angel tree at our church and I have not personally heard of someone who needs help. I called up the mama and told her what I was feeling and that's when she reminded me of Kate's crazy cool Christmas! Yes!
For those of you who have been following Keeping up with the Andrews for a while you have heard of a precious little girl who has captured our hearts, Kate McRae. She is a 6 year old beauty who is fighting brain cancer. Her family started "Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas" last year and it's amazing. They are accepting toys, gift cards, clothes...you name it and are making gift baskets and such for families who have children who are fighting cancer or recently lost their child to it.
You can check out  Kate and Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas ....
Our gift will be a simple Target gift card. We will be praying for the family that it goes to in hopes that it will bless them and know that they are being prayed for.
It's so easy to get caught up in our wish lists and the latest and greatest things that are out there. I am totally guilty of it. Tonight, I am throwing away my wants and and wishes and praying that God will use my little family to bless another family who is in desperate need of a miracle. We are so blessed. I can't even imagine what it would be like spending Christmas (or any day for that fact) in a hospital with my sick baby. I can't even fathom the pain, the fear and heartache that so many are experiencing at this very moment.
Take time this season to do unto others. It doesn't have to be a lot.
But do something...
May you help make someones day be merry and bright...

You better watch out...you better not cry!

Before I start Kate's date with Santa Clause tonight let's back up and look at their date from last year..Ok, so maybe she was only 2 months old but she liked the old guy..

She lounged on his belly and all was well...

Tonight we went to South Coast for dinner at Ruby's. It's a tradition.

 Every Christmas we go for burgers and fries, visit Santa and shop! Kate loved Rubys as always..

We waited in line at the North Pole only to find out that Santa had to go feed the reindeer

 (aka they were changing Santa's! haha)

Hanging out at the North Pole, what did you do tonight?

And then...Santa returned and it was our turn!

Kate watched him sit down in his big red chair and her pouty lip came just by looking at him

I placed her in his lap and this is what happened..

still does not like Santa..

Am I a bad mom for taking so many pictures of my child flipping out in Santa's lap??

Of course not! It was hilarious, plus everyone needs a screaming picture with Santa!

He gave her a candy cane and that solved her sadness for all of 5 seconds until she relived it again

and then again when we walked by the huge tree and she saw a fake Santa next to it..

Yeah, I don't think Santa is coming to our house this year.

I know the year is coming when she will sit on Santa's lap with her list of barbie dolls, purses and animals so this year we are going to enjoy the screaming and wanting nothing to do with the fat man in a red suit and no list.

Speaking of lists....we were close to bringing home this kitchen set from FAO. Kate was obsessed with it. She was baking cookies for her dada and papa and chewing on the spatula in between.

Good thing we don't have room for this in our little house.

She is so precious and has a face that is so hard to say no to.

Let's hope she never asks for a pony!



Poor Santa...maybe she'll like him next year!

14 months old

14 months!

Not sure why Kate looks cross-eyed in her 14 month picture! ha
14 months! (deep sigh!) SLOW DOWN!  Time is flying by way too fast around here. 14 months and we are more in love that we knew was ever possible. Our baby girl still amazes us everyday. Here are some of the highlights

• Kate is now 22 pounds
• She wears 18-24 month clothing, 24 month jammies and size 4 shoes
• She now has 12 teeth! 4 of her molars just came in and we didn't even know it!
• She sleeps 12 hours a night and still takes 2 naps a day
• Her words consist of; mama, dada, papa, buh by, hiii, ree, titty (kitty!!), doo doo (thank you), I'm sure there is one I'm missing but those are the ones coming to mine
• She loves to read, play outside, go on walks, shop and play hide and seek
• Kate is an amazing dancer! She knows how to shake her booty and clap her hands at the same time
• She loves other kids!
• There is no more walking, this kid is a runner!
• This kid looooves her food

I could go on about how wonderful she is and the amazing fits she throws that practically put us on the floor rolling with laughter but I'll save those for another time. Happy 14 months baby girl! We're on our way to the terrific 2's! :)

one of Kate's firsts...

Our precious little girl got her first bee sting tonight. I know what you're thinking. She got stung by a bee at night?? Yes! A bee flew in through our chimney and Kate's little foot happened to step on it. I was in the office and I heard Chris yelling for me along with Kate screaming her head off. I flew out of the chair and Kate was laying in her daddy's arms with a long stinger sticking out of her little foot.
Y'all will be proud of me, I stayed calm. I tried to flash back to my bee stings as a kid and what to do for them. Chris pulled the stinger out (which was not an easy task) and I put her in a warm bath. I knew I was missing something so I called the mama up and she reminded me to mix baking soda and water together and rub it on the sting. The poor girl screamed and screamed and screamed. I put her in a diaper and wrapped her up in a cozy blanket and snuggled on the couch for a bit with her. She realized her daddy was there and then all she wanted was him. They snuggled for 30 minutes, just long enough to watch an episode of 'Olivia". She is totally fine. We watched her like a hawk and gave her Benadryl just in case she had an allergic reaction to it. Oh and we also started the fire to kill any other bees that might have been flying around up there!

her wound

Good grief this child! She is breaking us in really quick!