December, Christmas Photos & A New Haircut...

Happy December Everyone! I haven't blogged as much as I would have liked this year, but I at least am able to give you guys a great December entry full of Christmas photos of my family! (YAY!)

First I want to say that my Thanksgiving went alright. Esther (My Mother in Law) and Chris had to work at Michaels that night, so they didn't get home until about 8:30pm. We shared the dinner with Nicole, Bryan, William, and Bryan's Mom :)

Nicole and William also came down this past weekend to get their tree and decorations. We've already put up our Christmas tree (but Esther still has to put decorations on hers. Might be finished by Christmas ;) )

We bought our annual Christmas ornaments that have our names on them, and we bought some other ornaments (which I actually have to put up.)

And now on to photos! :)

We had our Christmas photos this year taken by Christina, with Christina Alcorn Photography (which you can click on the name, and it will lead you to her Photography Website). She is a wonderful friend & an amazing photographer! Enjoy! :)

Chris, Me and Little Man

Little Man Loved The Christmas Ornaments

Little Man & Myself

Probably one of my favorite Christmas Photos This year! He loved the fake Snow!

Family

I love how his eyes "POP" in this picture

This photo of Chris and Little Man speaks a thousand words. 

My second favorite photo! 

He's Captured Us! <3

Too Much Cuteness for one Photo!

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!

They came out so great this year! Every year getting Christmas photos done, is like my Christmas present. I start planning out Christmas photos in January,and finalize them in November. I hope those that are receiving Christmas Cards from me this year enjoy them! :)

My other Christmas present happened today! :)

I couldn't donate my hair because it was too layered, but I did get about 8 inches or more chopped off, and I had a slight high light done :) I love it, and it has taken a great weight off of me. My hair is very thick & gives me headaches when it gets too long. So I will enjoy this until it grows back out again and needs to be cut.

Merry Christmas!


-Melissa

Hello October, Vacations, Work, Little Man & Life Lately....

Hello Everyone! Even though October is almost through, I figured I would write an entry before we got into November. 

My blog this year has not really gotten far, and I was really hoping that I would be keeping up with it more than I would. I should be able to find things to write about and to share every day, but the truth is sometimes words evade me.

I do have plenty of things that happen in my life. Maybe there is too many to name. Too many activities going on in these past few months to really write about? 

I don't like super long blog entries. Maybe that is it? Maybe I'm just trying to sum up everything all into one, so that it is easier on the eyes to read? hmmm.....

VACATION

We finally got our vacation! :) 

We traveled to New York on October 3rd! Boy was that a long ride. We left South Carolina at 4am and didn't get to New York until about 7pm. Truth is we have a 4 year old who is still potty training, so we kept stopping so that he could go potty :)

We spent about 4 days with my papa! We had a big cook-out with all the family (I mean family that Chris just now met (after 8 years of being together) )

And I also got to see my father (I haven't seen him in 8 years either)

We spent a day at Chris's grandparents Lake House on Deruyter Lake. That was fun and little man had a blast! It was a little chilly, so we really didn't get to fish. (We really didn't have the proper clothing either)

We then spent about 4 days at Chris's dads house in Hopewell Junction (about 3 1/2 hours away from Deruyter Lake)

We went to this pretty cool, local, small music store where I finally got a violin! I have been practicing almost every day since :) (I haven't played since I was 10)

We left New York on Monday (the 13th) and we didn't get back to South Carolina until 7pm on Wednesday. 

We broke down (needed a new alternator) and ended up having to stay 2 nights at a Best Western. 

We had to borrow money from Esther in order to get home (we needed $150 more dollars... ugh)

But we finally made it back home and we miss New York horribly.

I have already been looking for houses up there, because I know that we'll be moving up there in the future. I no longer have family in South Carolina, I have a brother I don't talk to that lives in Florida, and I have a sister in North Carolina who I would see more in New York than I do here in South Carolina (even though she is only an hour and a half away)

WORK

My etsy shop has been doing so well. I enjoy making stickers and doing this. It provides an extra income for my family and it helps pay the bills every month!

Chris of course is still at Michaels. I'm unsure when the new store is supposed to be opening. I think Chris said sometime this coming Spring or Summer. 

LITTLE MAN

Little man of course is growing like a weed and his vocabulary is getting better everyday.There are some SUPER FUNNY things that he likes to say! He also is in love with all things music, and he sings with me everyday (and night when I sing a special lullaby) 

He is 40" tall!

Well this is all for now. 

Williams birthday party is on Saturday and it is still hard to believe that he is turning 3. Esther and Kevin want to go to the Renaissance Festival on Sunday. We may or may not go, depending on if Chris works or not. We really need the money right now, and can't be spending it. As it is we still owe Esther $150, plus $400 rent (for the month of September and October)

I still have yet to get my back pay and we are really relying on that to come.

I also need another Dr. Appt and an MRI appt (still trying to get in to get one)

Hopefully I write one more time this month. If not...

Till November :)

Melissa

Fall Is In The Air....

Here we are. Another month has gone by & September is now upon us. Fall Is In The Air!!!! It is getting slightly cooler outside (thankfully) but rain rain rain...

UPDATES ON LIFE

Little Man is still on the wait list for Head Start :/ I think we waited for him too long for him to get in, so we don't think he will even be able to go this year.

He tests for 4K in February.

And speaking of the number 4....

Christopher blowing out is candles! 

My baby boy is now 4!

We had a great birthday party for him on the 6th. Nicole (Chris's sister) made that awesome cake! We had a few friends over & there were a few children! :)

He has his 4 year check-up tomorrow (September 11th)

DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS

I have a Dr. Appt tomorrow! :)

We won my court case & are now able to go to the Dr. of my choice. Dr. Guy is an amazing doctor who works closely with our USC Football Team & was also on the Medical Team for the Beijing Olympics!

PATRIOT DAY

Tomorrow is Patriot Day. A day I will never forget & I will always remember.

Take a moment tomorrow to reflect. to remember. and if you Pray... say a silent prayer. 

Here's to hoping I can keep up with this blog better! :)

-Melissa

August & Head Start... Time Flies By...

Welcome to a brand new month! July wasn't super eventful... but I am looking forward to this month! Little man will be starting Head Start, our car will finally be running, & in 2 weeks I FINALLY get the okay to see my knee doctor! :)

Here's some pictures of my little guy and I today! :)

I have been doing well with my etsy shop (creativedesigncorner.etsy.com in case you guys want to check it out) & I have been having fun promoting it & it helps me make a little extra money on the side :)

Tomorrow we have a SUPER busy day! We have to go to Walmart (for Chris's socks & a new toilet seat cover), The nail place so that I can get my nails done, Lowes to hopefully find another light for the gameroom (our bedroom/living room) so that I can see better! I hate not being able to really see downstairs when I really need to. I'm hoping that they can fix the outlet with the networking so that I can put my cricut machines downstairs and actually run them.

Also we have to go all the way down to the DHEC office in Columbia just so that I can get my sons birth certificate. (NO... they did not give us one when Christopher was born). Then we are going to Head Start so that we can tour the facility and see the classrooms. They have school all year round, so there will probably be children there learning. I'm hoping that Christopher likes it and I think if he see's it he will want to go. He will be going there 5 days a week 7:30-2:30! :) I'm excited that he will be going to school and it will get him ready for when we test him in February for 4K. He wasn't able to go this year because of his age. He doesn't turn 4 until September 9th and the cut off date is September 1st.
We also will be picking up a backpack & some "school supplies" that he may need (crayons, a pencil, maybe some construction paper, paper towels, and probably glue)

Well...

This is all for now and I will try to be a little better about blog posts this month! :)


-Melissa

July has come & almost gone....

I have been gone far too long! It is July, and I cannot even remember the last time I blogged! I thought this year would be different and I would blog almost daily... and even though I am on my computer all the time... I'm super busy with my etsy business & promoting it via social media. But I'm taking a breather... so I can let you guys in to my life :)

ETSY:
So my business has been going really well & I'm having fun creating stickers and stationary that make the world a happier place :)
Here is my latest stickers: Aren't they adorable?

Some new Fall themed stickers will be hitting my shop soon as well :)

http://creativedesigncorner.etsy.com (In case you have yet to check it out)










LITTLE MAN:
Starts Head Start in AUGUST!!! :( I think I may cry! He's getting better with his words & we like using abcmouse.com to help him!

Chris and I haven't really been up to much other than work or me staying home with Christopher. Little man has been going to Kids Club every Thursday at a local church so we usually can spend some time together if he isn't working. Tomorrow I'll be meeting up with him at Michaels after Christopher is dropped off at the church.

I'm hoping to write in here a little more! I'm sorry it has been so long & that life is getting busy :)


-Melissa

Where has the time gone? Summer has now arrived....

Oh. My. Goodness.

It is now June 21 2014, and I have yet to finish my Disney Princess Blog Challenge, and I never did a "JUNE" entry yet. Where has the time gone?

I still have to do a Vacation series for ya'll as well! AHHH!!!!

I guess life sometimes gets in the way, but for someone who is on their computer literally 16/7 (because I do sleep) you would think I would have some time to pop in a few words for a blog entry!
But life has gotten "busy". At least for me.

We had our vacation (which was a lot of fun), but now it is back to the grind. Chris has been working lots of extra hours so that we can get our car working & save up for another vacation this year! Yes!!! Another Vacation! We'll be going to New York for 2 WEEKS! It is so hard to believe we'll be gone that long, but when both of our families like up there, sometimes we have to make sacrifices. We'll be driving our car up, so we have to make sure first that everything is in working order & in driving condition (IE: Oil Change, Tires, Brakes) and we also have to set aside atleast $350+ just incase (knock on wood) that anything happens to the car in our travels. I'm still not sure yet when we're going up there. I'm trying to make sure that it is either in the beginning of October or in the beginning of November.

I have also been extremely busy with my etsy shop (http://creativedesigncorner.etsy.com) and have constant orders going in and out of our home. I am always busy creating new things & that's always super fun to do! Not only that, but I get to share them with others that love them as well! :)

Christopher is doing very well. We have started him on ABCmouse.com to get him started before we sign him up for Pre-K next year. (It's hard to believe that my baby will be 4 in 3 months time). We still have to get him potty trained, but we're trying very hard. He is not easy to break :(
Right now he is in Kids Club (Something a local church does for a few hours on Thursdays while parents can have "me" time) He enjoys being with other kids....but mostly likes playing with "different" toys.

I am sorry about the delay--- but there is an update about my "now" busy and hectic life ;)


-Melissa

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 13: 2 Princesses You Think Destest Eachother...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 12 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: HERE

Day 13

2 Princesses you think Detest Eachother

I could not find  a picture but I'm thinking Merida and Belle. Merida and Belle are both headstrong ladies; however I think Merida's love for the outdoors and Belle's love for books kind of clash. 

I would hope that none of them detest eachother though. They're princesses ;)

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 12: 2 Princesses You Think Are Best Friends...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 11 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: HERE

Day 12

2 Princesses you think are Best Friends

Pocahontas & Mulan

These ladies are so strong & courageous. Pocahontas stood up to her father & so did Mulan. They both did what they needed to for their families. Best Buds For Life!

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 11: The Voice You Wish You Had...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 10 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: HERE

Day 11

The Voice You Wish You Had

Merida

As far as speaking voices go I'm pretty sure (at least in my opinion) hers takes the cake! Every time I watch the movie I try to copy her so little man gets a giggle :)

Ariel

And as far as singing voices go Ariel's is my favorite! The purity in it still gives me goosebumps and when she sings "Part of Your World" I still try to do the "rock pose" with the couch. heehee.

20 Day Princess Blog Challenge: Day 10: The Dress You Wish You Owned...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 9 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: HERE

Day 10

The Dress You Wish You Owned

Aurora

Aurora's Pink dress has to be one of my favorites! GORGEOUS dress!!! 

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 9: The Town You Wish You Lived In...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 8 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: HERE

Day 9

The Town You Wish You Lived In

The Town In Tangled

To be honest, I don't know the name of this "city" or "town" from 'Tangled'. All I know is they all get together to celebrate the life of Rapunzel and try to find her. I love how they light the lanterns on her birthday hoping to bring her home

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 8: The Castle You Wish You Lived In...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 7 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge HERE

Day 8

The Castle You Wish You Lived In

Prince Adam's Castle

Not only is this Castle BEYOND gorgeous, but the exterior is as righteous as the interior. But the reason why I love this castle the most is:

I remember watching this movie as a child and gasping when I saw he opened her eyes to this beautiful library. I still get goosebumps when watching this part of the movie. I think this is one of the most romantic, and thoughtful gifts he gives her. (At least in my nerdy opinion)

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 7: The Parents You Wish Raised You...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 6 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge HERE

Day 7

The Parents You Wish Raised You

King Fergus & Queen Elinor

Merida's Parents in brave are very badass, Although there is a falling out between Mother & Daughter (when isn't there) These parents are there to teach their daughter to be brave & to kick anyone's ass that get in her way. 

Her father is so carefree & loveable, but yet strong.

Her mother is strong, protective, yet helps King Fergus lead.

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 6: The Prince You Wish Loved You...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 5 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: HERE

Day 6

The Prince You Wish Loved You

Prince Adam (Or Beast)

Although his people skills lack work, Belle brought out the best in him and that really is what true love means. Bringing out the best in eachother. 

He let her go to save her father, even if that meant he could possibly give up his chance to be human again.

He really learned to love & grow.

So Beast would be the Prince I would choose (I already have my Prince though ;))

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 5: The Best Friend You Want To Hang Out With...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 4 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: HERE

Day 5

The Best Friend You Want To Hang Out With

Ariel

She is one of my favorites! In fact it was a three way tie for my favorite disney princess: Aurora, Ariel, And Belle!

She lives near the ocean & personally I love flounder <3

She would be a great friend to hang out with at the beach & in the water! (And yes, I totally used a "Dinglehopper" on my hair after seeing this movie when I was little)

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 4: The Side Kick You Wish You Had...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 3 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: HERE

Day 4

The Side Kick You Wish You Had

Mulan

Mulan is such a bad ass! Anyone would want her as a side kick! Her loyalty & devotion make her one of my favorite Disney Princesses! :)

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: : Day 3: The Princess You Relate To Most...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 2 of the 20 day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: HERE

Day 3

 The Princess You Relate To Most

Belle

 I relate to Belle the most, just by her looks alone. Also because I am a serious book worm & love to read. That library I hope to one day have!

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 2: The Princess You Like Least...

Hello Everyone! You can check out Day 1 of the 20 Day Disney Princess Challenge HERE

Day 2

The Princess You Like Least

Cinderella

 I love all the Disney Princesses, but I suppose Cinderella is the one I like the least. I don't really have a reasone why but maybe it is perhaps I cannot relate to her story? I'm not sure. I love Gus Gus though!

20 Day Disney Princess Blog Challenge: Day 1: The Princess You Adore Most...

Hello Everyone! :)

Another blog challenge I am going to be apart of this month & probably will be one of my favorites :)

A Disney Princess Blog Challenge!!!

We will start now! yay!

DAY 1

The Princess You Adore Most

Aurora: Sleeping Beauty

I have loved this movie since I was a child & I loved the fairies & the dragon. :)