NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS!

I always get so excited about starting a new year - I love to open my calendar to a NEW year and fill in all the blanks with new dates, and I LOVE to make New Year's Resolutions! I think there is something just so refreshing about starting fresh - and why not add some extra goals to it, too?!

So, here is my list of resolutions - I usually have a ton because I'm just a go-getter type! Ha!

1. Clean my house more often - yes, it is not a fun one, but a necessary one!

2. Write more - write more in my journal, write more thank you notes just because and write more on my blog!

3. Cook more - I need, I mean really need to do this one.

4. Study the Word more often - and not just study it, but make it more of a part of my everyday living!

5. Learn something new - and yes, I plan on using my knitting lessons to accomplish this one!

So, here's to a great 2010! 2009, you were a great year - no big complaints from this gal!

What are your resolutions????

Christmas after-thoughts from LeeLee...

So, Christmas is over - why is it that I always get so sad when Christmas is over? I have always been like that, ever since I was a little girl. I guess I just love the fact that I get to see so many of my family members, eat delicious food (and lots of it) and we get to celebrate the birth of our sweet Jesus. So, I ALWAYS make B keep the Christmas tree up until New Year's Day. Whenever I was little, my momma would whip that thing down as quick as the wrapping paper was thrown away! Oh, and did I mention that I make B take it down? Ha! I put it up, he takes it down.

Anyways, Christmas this year was a breeze - I made a point this year to actually enjoy it. I had most of my shopping done early on, and I made a budget for Christmas gifts, too! Dave Ramsey would be so proud! If you are an iPhone owner, I highly, I mean highly, recommend getting the "Giftbox" app - I was able to make my list of all the people I had to buy for, then put the gift idea (as well as budget for that person) under their name. The best part? I got to check things off! It was fabulous! So thank you, Giftbox app, for saving my sanity this Christmas. I have a lot to be thankful for this year - 2009 was a life-changing year in more ways than one. I have learned a lot - but isn't that the point of growing older? I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and that you have an even better New Year! Now it's time to enjoy all those wonderful gifts from Christmas - my favorite? Knitting lessons from B! Ha!

Here are a few photos from our festivities.....

My pride and joy during the Christmas season - my overloaded Christmas tree!

One of my favorite gifts - from my boss - a Happy Everything platter! I have wanted one of these for close to 3 years! The santa at the top is actually an attachment, and there is an assortment of others that you can change out!

Lastly, this little angel-baby is the BEST gift of 2009...my sweet nephew, Grant! And guess what he is trying to do???? WALK! I can already tell 2010 is going to be a GREAT year :)

(btw, don't i look like a proud aunt leelee?)

Help wanted....

LeeLee seeks IMMEDIATE help with updating her blog! Ha!

I am not doing a good job at all with this whole update-your-blog-once-in-a-blue-moon thing! I am really, I mean REALLY going to make an honest effort to update once or twice a month - maybe I will surprise myself and do more! I wanted to give all of my um, say 3 readers an update on the crazy life of LeeLee and B...so here is a picture timeline of the

past couple of months! Enjoy :)

I spent a lot of time at the local farmer's market - I even learned how to snap beans....

We played a LOT of Rook - here was our favorite spot on my parents' porch....

My mom helped me make new pillows for my couch - sure beats buying a new couch!

We went to a gorgeous wedding at Chateau Elan in Georgia -

here we are at the Rehearsal Dinner

And here we are all dressed up at the beautiful wedding!We even got to see our favorite team, the Braves! We had AMAZING seats, and B was even on TV!

We did a wedding flowers for a family friend, Riki Lynne! Loved all the purple!

B with me and my sister, Katy at the wedding....LOVE him!

My mom and I traveled to Knoxville to go to my precious friend (and sorority sister), Katelyn's baby shower! She just had Avery last week, and I was so glad that I got to celebrate with her before the big day! It was a Halloween themed shower, and of course, we had to pull out the <> diamonds <>!

B and I went to ANOTHER shower in Georgia - this one was in the mountains at a winery!

I got to see all my lovely ADPi sisters at Homecoming - here we are at our alumnae tailgate!

My sister helped me make my Halloween costume....I was a GOOD witch!

I passed out candy for our "Trick or Treat on the Square" - there were HUNDREDS of kids!

But the cutest of them all was my favorite little monkey man! I can't believe how big my nephew (Grant) is, and we are so excited about celebrating Christmas with him this year!

So, that's what has been going on in my life! I am super busy with Mattie Mae stuff, as we are preparing for the big Junior League's Hollyday Marketplace! And who else is just DYING to put out their Christmas tree? B is trying to make me wait, but the anticipation is KILLING me!?!!!!

Have a wonderful day - update me on YOUR life :)

Mattie Mae Designs...and other happenings

I absolutely cannot believe that it is September....excuse me, 2009, but WHERE do you think you are going so quickly?????

Oh well, with September comes cooler weather and adorable new sweaters, tights and coats....it always seems like right when I am started to get tired of the stick-to-your-chair heat and humidity, Mother Nature always blesses us with some nice cool breezes!

B and I have been busy, but what else did you expect? We are doing much better after the whirlwind of emotions we went through in August (see previous post). I have since then been back to the doctor for a follow-up, and I was told that I am pretty much "back to normal" now, so B and I can just keep trying for our precious little one. I can say for both B and myself that this whole experience has really taught us how precious children are - they are truly a gift from our Heavenly Father....and we need to thank God every, single day for that. I know when we do hold our sweet baby in our arms, we will never forget it.

But on a different note, some of you may know that I come from a creative, I mean creative mother. This time last year, my older sister announced that she was pregnant, so momma's creative wheel immediately started turning....and thus produced Mattie Mae Designs. It's our own little line of onesies, burps and bibs - each onesie is hand-appliqued. Say it with me, hand-appliqued. And made in the US of A, too! I have learned the art of sewing on the appliques, but don't expect to see too much of my stuff...I am more of the cut/iron/pin girl. But through all of our creation, I did manage to take a sewing class, and I do feel somewhat comfortable on a sewing machine - as long as my momma or sister are NOT close by....too much pressure! So without waiting any longer, here are a few of MY favorite creations from Mattie Mae Designs...and if you are curious to see more, please visit the Mattie Mae Blog!

Hoot owl onesie

Robot bib and burp cloth

Funky chicken gift set - onesie, bib and burp cloth

Bird on a branch onesie and bib

Love onesie

Flower Power and Bird in flight onesie

And because everyone knows my B is a huge Georgia Dawgs fan....

a precious Georgia onesie and burp cloth (I actually made this set, and it is reserved for our future little one - but we can do other teams, too!)

If you ever need a baby gift, or just want something for your own special little one, please do not hesitate to email us at mattiemaedesigns@ymail.com!

Blessings to y'all!

Brokenhearted.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has...sent Me to heal the brokenhearted."

- Luke 4:8

I have been reluctant to even write this post, but I feel that it will help with my grieving.


Until this past weekend, I was expecting a precious bundle of joy. B and I found out that we were expecting around 2 weeks ago, and we have been on cloud nine ever since. I had a feeling that I might be pregnant, and while B was out of town for work, I took a test. I will never, ever forget when I saw that second pink line start to form on the pregnancy test. I was completely and utterly surprised, but it was one of the happiest moments of my life, too!


B and I have been wanting to start a family for some time, but we did not expect to pregnant so easily - or so quickly. So, I was just so elated! We told our parents and close family, and everyone shared in our excitement.


I went to the doctor this past Thursday, and I found out that I was around 4 weeks pregnant - the urine test actually came back negative because I was so early, and then they had to take a blood test - which came back POSITIVE! They gave me my due date - April 18th, and I scheduled an appointment to come back in September. It was finally starting to sink in that we were going to have our very own baby.


That very same night, I started spotting and cramping. I called my doctor, and they said to monitor my bleeding, drink plenty of fluids and stay off my feet. I went back to the doctor this past Monday morning for another blood test to see where my hormone levels were - B and I had hit rock bottom this weekend, so we were prepared for the worst. They called that afternoon to let me know that I did, in fact, miscarry.

My emotions have been all over the place, but we are completely and totally leaning on God. A friend of mine that also had a miscarriage recommended a book to me called "I will hold you in Heaven." It has been a lifesaver to me - every word and scripture that is in this book just absolutely calms my heart. Throughout this experience, B and I have learned that children are an absolute precious gift straight from God. I know that God is going to bless us with children - in His time.

We would appreciate any prayers - we have totally felt our family and friends covering us in prayer during our sorrow. If any of you who read this blog have dealt with miscarriage, I would love to hear your story, too! My friend that I mentioned above said something to me that made perfect sense, "Our babies were just too perfect that they went straight to Heaven."

And how beautiful is that????

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward."

-Psalm 127:3

So, my brother plays Minor League baseball now....

You heard it right....my (LeeLee's) little brother is officially a BIG athlete! Nathan was drafted by the Colorado Rockies organization last Thursday, and we couldn't be happier....or more proud! He got on a plane Monday morning to travel all the way to the wild, wild west - Casper, Wyoming. And the team he's playing for???? None other than the Casper GHOSTS!!!! We have definitely had a couple of laughs at that one! HA!

Other than all of that excitement, we have been pretty busy with weddings, graduations and just enjoying the 150+ degree weather....and it isn't even officially summer yet!!!

Since my brother is a GAZILLION miles away, I convinced him to start a blog - which has gotten my whole family chattering about "the blog." And guess who is the newest member of the blog community? None other than my FABULOUS mother - she's really a great writer, and I know I will really enjoy reading about her crazy antics!

Sorry I have been absent from my blog, I HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO update this thing more frequently. You heard me...let's see how long I stick to it!

Busy week....

This week has been absolutely INSANE! B and I have barely seen each other all week, and it is killing me! I am ready for a low-key weekend, right?

I have recently started a sewing class - yes, I am actually going to attempt to sew. My momma and sister have always been the sewers in my family, and I am frankly just sick of always watching them! So, I started a beginner's sewing class on Tuesday night - it lasts for 3 weeks, but it is SO going to be worth it! We had the choice of making either a little girl's outfit or a boy's outfit. I asked B what he thought I should make, and he said "boy" of course, because he seems to think we are going to have all boys....Lord help me if that's true! I will try and post pictures of my progress, but you can't judge me!

I also started training to become an adult literacy tutor - which has been the most empowering and scary (at the same time!) experience I have had to date. I am very nervous about being a tutor, but I know that the training I will receive will help me along the way!

By the time I get home from my new activities, it is past 9 o'clock, and B and I are NOT night owls. B has been working overtime since it's a busy time with the bookstore, so we have our pillow talks and talks in the bathroom while getting ready, but it's just not the same.

I guess I just miss my hubby, and I can't wait until things calm down!

Oh, and our two year anniversary is coming up....I still can't believe it has already been TWO YEARS! Crazy!

Hope y'all have a beautiful weekend :)