R-E-S-P-E-C-T...find out what it means to me!

So, I did something HUGE for myself the other day - I mean something that I rarely do.

I stood up for myself.

I know it may not seem that big, but let me tell you...it was big for me. I had an awful, I mean awful experience at my doctor's office with our miscarriage in August. After lots of tears, letters and phone calls, I decided to give them a second chance. Why? do you ask? Because I'm a sucker, and I always think that everyone will prove me wrong. Well, in a nutshell, they blew it. BIG. TIME.

And you know what? I let them know that they blew it, and I found a new doctor. An a-mazing doctor - excuse me, but the whole office is a-mazing! I mean, if four of my girlfriends go there and love it, then why shouldn't I? (you know who you are...) So, I have learned a valuable lesson early this year - I am NOT going to allow anyone else to walk all over me! Watch out, world!

I know it may seem like I am a mean, cruel person from reading this post, but believe me, I'm NOT! I'm just proud of myself :)

Happy Birthday, Tessa!

Happy 8th Birthday to my crazy cousin, Tessa! I can still remember when she was born - we were all so excited to have a new little one in our family! (We were even more excited to see what her name was going to be since it took FOREVER for my aunt and uncle to name her!) She was one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen, and she was probably one of the funniest toddlers/little girls ever! You should have heard some of the stuff that came out of this child's mouth! I am forever known as "Wena" in my family - thank goodness she moved on from "Weeny" - HA!

So, Happy Birthday to you, sweet girl! Love you!

Sleeping....er, I mean RINGING in the New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve/Day! Mine was spent sleeping - yes, sleeping! I have been having a lot of problems sleeping past 5 a.m. in the mornings, so I am usually out at about 7:30-8ish each night! Ha! I feel like such a loser! We had a low-key night at my parents' - my mom and I actually worked on a new project....needle-felting! I found a GREAT how-to book at our local Hancock's on needle-felting, and I have wanted to learn for some time now, and it was surprisingly easy! Very tedious, but easy!

So for my needle-felting project....I have an A-mazing agenda - it's called a MyAgenda (from the MomAgenda line) - I L.O.V.E it! It has plenty of space to write (which is great because I write big), and it has a lot of room to make lists. I usually have a "to-do" list and a "dinner" list on each week. Anyways, you are probably wondering what in the world does this have to do with needle-felting, so I will finally get to my point. I carry my agenda everywhere with me so it has a lot of wear and tear, so last night I decided to make a cover for it! And I think it turned out pretty cute for my first try (with lots of help from my momma)....

I am definitely very proud of it, and I can't wait to carry my agenda around with me! And of course, anything with birds makes my heart smile :)

Well, it's getting close to my bedtime (HA!) - hope you all continue to enjoy your holiday weekend!

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!