HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

These are a few precious memories I captured tonight while ringing in the new year with my sisters family. My kids love fireworks more than.... food I think! That's BIG. They have such a great time with their cousins. Their birthdays are nine months apart, so they get along really well. Just wanted to share a little of my "Happiness" and wish all of my family and friends a BLESSED NEW YEAR!

What Makes You Happy?

This is a photo hanger I made for a class I taught at a crop in Natchez. I made myself a little "HAPPY" to hang on my mirror in my bathroom to remind me of what it's really all about. It is my prayer that each of you experience JOY and TRUE HAPPINESS in the upcoming new year!

GIVING

I hope that everyone has had an Awesome Christmas, full of traditions and moments that will forever be remembered. I guess my husband captured this moment and oh I am so glad he did! This is one of my holiday highlights. My mother took my girls to her workshop where she makes pottery and told the girls to pick out three things they thought I would like. A butterfly ornament, a snowflake, and a cross. They did a beautiful job. My neighbor, who is a second mother to me, gave the girls money for a Wal-Mart trip with her to pick something special for mom. Adeline picked a rain poncho and a PEACE ornament, because she said I needed a little "piece of quiet" and Lillian chose a set of Christmas hand towels. They were so excited for me to open their gifts. They kept it secret for several days surprisingly.
When I was flipping through my pics tonight I found this one and I LOVE it. It shows my sweet girls waiting in excited anticipation for me to see what they chose. I pray they are always so thoughtful and enjoy the "GIVING" part of this holiday. I am amazed everyday at the growth and changes my girls are going through. Andy and I seek God's guidance in our parenting, but never really know if what we are saying is soaking in. The other day Andy and I were talking about a friends blog who was disgruntled with the fact that people often intermingle Santa and the birth of Christ. For example, a Santa kneeling at the manger. We were questioning how one could possibly compare the two. I did not realize that my seven year old was listening in, but at that point she chimed in, " Mama, Jesus and Santa ARE alike. They are both men who give gifts without expecting to receive. That's how they are alike!" It took me a moment to put all of that together and I realized what she was saying. I hope that she understands what she said and the ultimate, awesome gift that GOD gave us, his SON. Without ever expecting anything in return. That was amazing to me. I pray they always remember that and never lose the joy of giving. Just look at their faces!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

What a busy wonderful time of year! I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has slowed down just a bit to enjoy this time with family and friends. We are making a gingerbread house, cookies and Martha Washington (the FAVE) today, then going to see the singing Christmas tree and Christmas carousel later this evening. I so wish it lasted just a bit longer and was not SO hurried. Eat lots, slow down, and CHERISH each moment!

Not Just Your Average Ordinary Afternoon...

Today has been another eventful day, to say the least. I started off the afternoon teaching my art class. We worked on a little project that was an adaptation of a class I taught at Scrapfest. I had to adjust it so that a seven year old could complete the project in about an hour. Here is the one my daughter, Adeline did. We are using it as an ornament on our tree, but it can also be used as a little plaque. It is a sheet of acrylic from a mini album that we spray painted red and gold. That color combination turned out to be somewhat rusty, which was great. One of our Christmas colors. Then we turned it over and stamped it and glittered the edges. Next, we misted the flowers, then add a little sparkle with Stickles. Last, we added a few ribbons and voila! A quick and easy art project! The girls enjoyed themselves and so did I!

After, we finished that, we headed to town, 25 to 30 minutes away to pick up Lillian at a friends house. Then we headed to Wendy's to grab a baked potato and LO and BEHOLD, I center a deer on my hood like a big Rudolph hood ornament. Now what makes this so crazy is that I LIVE IN THE WOODS! Do you hear me?!?! WHY... did I have to go to town to hit Bambi?? Who knows. I have no idea if he was hurt because it was dark and the highway was very busy. I was talking on the phone and a bit stunned. The only damage to my van seems to be a few pieces of hair stuck in the grill. All I can say is, those of you who know me and my vehicle history can totally believe it! We finished up the evening with My friend Jennifer and her mom, grandmother, and friends making wonderful candies. I cannot tell you how many different little goodies they had and we dipped and dipped and dipped. The reward was a plate full of YUM! Martha Washington is my absolute favorite. Now, the girls are snug in bed and i am headed that way. Another busy day tomorrow. Last day of school and our school party and performance. Maybe I can get some Christmas gifts now!! Sweet Dreams.......

A Little SPARKLE!

I take it back.... Here is a little sparkle and shine for ya! Lillian lighting up a room as usual. This time with a little help from a strand of Christmas lights!

Why? That's WHY!

Here are a couple of precious reasons for starting a BLOG! Wouldn't you agree? No, they are not Siamese twins, but they are very close. I hope to partly use this blog to document the lives of my two sweet girls and our everyday activities. I fought it for as long as I could. I never really wanted to make the commitment to a blog and I am definitely NOT a writer. With these two things in mind, I am officially opening my SPOT on the web. I cannot guarantee FLASHY, savvy posts but maybe a little entertainment for friends and family every now and then. Can't guarantee correct spelling and punctuation, but I can promise you that I will never sugar-coat the truth, only nitty gritty real life. I told myself a blog is not for me because I can't just make things up to write about or that no one cares what happens in my life, but I have come to realize that's not what it's about. So, from now on you get the good, the bad, and the not necessarily ugly. The days in the life of Anna Bess and family!

NOTICE!

STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION!! PATIENCE......

Hello Blogger World, LOOK OUT!

OK, Here Goes.... My entrance into the blogging thing. Yes, I am a little nervous as my one reader might be wondering. I hope it soon passes like a bad stomach bug. I am sure it will as I grow in comfort with this whole scene. I don't know just how involved I will get, but have found this to be the next step in many endeavors in my crazy life. Will keep you posted as they say in the blogging world!! HA!