Birthday and Christmas 2011......

Back tracking.......between the constant going of my birthday, Christmas, Baby J fatigue, and the "Rowen Mood" (the depressing mood Payton and I sometimes struggle to snap out of because of our baby boy being stuck in Haiti), blogging and really anything else has taken the back seat.

BUT last Wednesday, we celebrated my birthday and my precious husband could not have made it anymore special. I was woken up with breakfast in bed........

followed by a scheduled massage, haircut, and time to pack for our mini one night get away.....

We headed to Florence for the night to stay at their Marriot. I kept calling it and telling people it was Ross Bridge, because it was super similar.......but to my correction, it was the Marriot at Muscle Shoals. Sorry to those I misled. However, we enjoyed a great dinner at a recommended Italian restaurant and ate dessert at the rotating 360 Restaurant outside of the hotel.

Little man also turned 15 months........

Every day I miss him more and more. And the holidays were harder than I ever imagined without him here. The picture below was sent to us on Christmas Day. I am so thankful we were able to see his precious face, even if his head is full of braids. The fro isn't the trend in Haiti, so the Haitian women braid that hair as fast as they can get their hands on it. However, on January 14 the fro will be back! Because this momma gets to spend another ten days with her baby! SO excited to get my hands back on that baby boy.

Back to the holidays.....after spending the day in Florence on Thursday, we headed to Birmingham for a day of my annual Christmas parties on Friday.......

This was our 13th year to continue the tradition of our high school girls get together. We started this tradition when we were in the eighth grade and have managed to stay connected with the desire to spend this time together every Christmas. Some of our girls were missing due to work, babies, and just life. But to cover their absence.....heres the whole crew from Christmas 2010......

Later that night we had our 11th annual "Christmas with Christy"........

We consider Christy our mentor. She walked into the four of our lives when we were Sophomores in high school and has been a constant role model and prayer warrior over the past 11 years. I praise God for these unique and special relationships.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent with the Junkins......

And Christmas Day on the 26th was spent with the Millingtons......

My little brother (who NEVER shops) went out and bought Rowen a car seat........he thought of the idea and picked it out all himself. If you know Miah at all, you know this is quite, actually, VERY impressive. We're one down and one more to go :). Its already strapped in the car and ready for our little man!

It was so hard not being with my family on Christmas Day, but with the addition of two kids next year; we decided to go ahead and start the tradition of staying home all of Christmas Day. We're on the road so much on a consistent basis, that spending time on the road Christmas Day did not excite us the least bit this year. It did, however, allow Payton to get in some good practice at playing Santa.......

This time next year will look slightly different, and we're beyond READY! Hope everyone had a blessed and memorable Christmas.