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A Two Year Old

Today I officially have a two year old. Oh, I have had a two year old before, but today is different. My BABY has turned two - the baby that pretty much came along as a surprise and changed my whole world. She lit up my life in such a sad time I was going through...that our whole family was going through. When we found out she was coming, we chose to just celebrate life...all of it...the good and the bad. She has lived true to that theme, too. Never a time will you NOT see a smile on her face. She laughs constantly, talks All of the time, and gives hugs and kisses like nobody else could.
It makes me sad today that she turns two, because we feel she is our last baby, unless God answers our prayer to adopt one day. It's as though, with her, I look at her firsts as also the last time I'll ever go through that, and boy have I loved every second of it. But, the whole "turning two" part is sad because she wants SO badly to grow up and her Mama wants So badly to keep her a baby.

Today, we celebrate Quinn Olivia's birthday. She helps us celebrate life everyday and today we get to throw a little extra special love back her way. We love you, Quinn. Our prayer continues to be, first and foremost, that you will know and accept Jesus at a young age, and that He would use us as instruments in your life to bring that about. We pray for happiness and good health, as well as lots and lots more laughter. So today, you little lovey, we say "Happy Birthday" and "We love you so very much!"

Superstars!

Report cards were issued yesterday in our school district. I always break out in a cold sweat those days because my past starts to haunt me. "Have my girls inherited my 'just be average' gene? Please, Lord, help them be like their Daddy!" By this, I mean, I coulda used another year of school! Anybody relate? I was born in October in a time period where the cut off date for starting Kindergarten was November 1st. Had it been today, I would have started school in September, thus giving me a year to get smarter and start my life in school off on a better note. OK, this is my story and I'm sticking to it, cause we all know that my poor performance in school was not because of lack of motivation or discipline, right? Anyway, truth of the matter is, I was just really average when it came to school. I have tried hard to not instill bad habits in my girls. My middle name can, at times, be "Procrastinator." I mean, really, isn't that the reason I started this blog - to give me reason to put off doing something much more important? My husband pointed out in his message on Sunday that I'm the planner and he's the one that likes to fly by the seat of his pants. Well, folks, that is not entirely true. If we were getting stellar grades for who can procrastinate, aka "fly by the seat of their pants" better than anyone else, I win, I win!! I just had a knack for pulling it out in the end. Unfortunately, my pulling it out in the end still looked, well...AVERAGE! I convinced my teachers and professors that I had worked diligently, however, thus resulting in being well-liked by them because they thought I was one of the "good" students! Ha! I sure hope my girls don't read this!
My point in all of this is that coming home everyday and doing your homework and studying diligently actually DOES work. I am happy to report that all of my children...you know, the ones that share MY blood, my genes...came home with straight 'A' report cards yesterday! OK, well, Avery gets C's and S's because she is, after all, in first grade. C's mean "consistently demonstrates" and S's "somewhat demonstrates." Avery got C's! That'll be the only time we'll jump up and down about that! I am so very proud of them, though, and THAT is the real reason I have this blog...to brag on my babies and talk about just whatever I wanna talk about. What superstars they are! I am, in all honesty, slightly jealous, however. I can't say that straight A's were ever a reality for me, but I can live vicariously through my kids, right?
So, world (OK, all 10 of you that read my blog) my kids got straight A's (C's). What a happy day at the Hickman Home. Way to go girls!

Quinn's First Haircut

We took Quinn for her first haircut today. Yep, she's almost two, and we're just now getting her first haircut. She's had such cute curls up until things recently fizzled, or should I said "frizzled."
We were going for the bobbed look, but as things would have it, the curls popped back into place, so she got shaped up and cleaned up! She crawled up in the seat and acted like she had done it all her life. No tears, no screaming, no jerking around...Nothing! She just sat there and played with her friend, Elmo, while the stylist did her job. We went to Jelly Beans and they let you have your child's first haircut for a penny! Mama loves a deal! I took some pictures, but you know my story..."stinky camera, would love a new one, but these will have to do" kind of shots. My baby looks like a big girl now!You can't really get a great look at the finished product, but Mama also has to have a chance to play with it and fix it all nice and pretty. :)

Happy Birthday Bailey

Nine years ago today Jeff and I had just had all of his family for Christmas while living in Dillon. I was due to have a baby girl on January 7, but apparently all of that hostessing got to me and brought us a precious gift two weeks early! Yay, tax break! :)

Naw...really, I knew Bailey before I ever knew McKenna! Yep, I did! I knew that one day, beyond any doubt, I would have a baby girl named Bailey. I had taught a little Bailey in preschool, and she was my favorite (teacher's pet) and the cutest little freckle-faced girl you ever saw. Well, as God would have it, my sweet Bailey Claire is the cutest, freckle-faced girl you ever saw! She has always looked like an all American girl to me. She has always been my cuddle bug and the one whose heart is tender to all things! She will cry at the drop of a hat, and I do mean cry. She will cry if she even remotely thinks that you don't like her, if you hurt her feelings, if she PERCEIVES she's been mistreated, and yes...she'll even cry for good reasons, too! She is ultra sensitive and has been dubbed our Drama Queen. If you ask her about school, the answer is always about the social scene at school, but she is really a very good student, too, but she is all about the people!
Bailey was saved when she was six years old. I have to say that when God spoke to her heart, she answered emphatically, "YES," and has never looked back! She truly senses the Holy Spirit speaking to her heart, and has been such an outspoken witness to her friends. She is a prayer warrior and prays about things that I would never even think about. Her heart is tender and she truly cares about people.

On this day, I see Bailey as a little girl caught between wanting to stay young and wanting to grow up fast. I see someone that God is molding and shaping to be someone very unique for Him. I believe she'll be used greatly. I see a true friend...loyal to the end! She is beautiful both inside and out. She grew in my heart before she ever even grew in my tummy. She is a blessing to be around.

Bailey, as you grow up, always know your Mom and Dad love you with all of our hearts. There is nothing you can do to stop how proud we are of you. You keep reaching high for your goals and trusting God to take you places that will blow your mind. You are my sweet, sweet girl. Happy 9th Birthday to you!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Fun, Traditions and much, much more!

The Hickman house is taking on a new level of activity over the next few days. We are in a flurry (I'm using that "flurry" word right now because it's 75 degrees here today and a girl can dream, can't she?) of excitement all over the place! We have, just this week, attended Bailey's third grade Christmas play, celebrated our 14th anniversary, and participated in being a part of our church's Christmas "production" outreach by having our family videoed for something that will be shown during TREES at LifeSong. In the midst of that, we are enjoying time honored traditions in our home and having tons of fun making new ones.
We started off the month by having our annual Pastors and Pastor's wives Dinner Party. If you know me at all, you know that I thrive on throwing this Dinner Party every year. I love it! I am usually planning it in August. Everything turned out so wonderfully, but as you also know if you know me at all, I am renowned for some kind of snafu occurring. In the past it's been burning bread, not preparing enough green beans, dropping food on the floor, etc. This year, I took one picture and my camera DIED! So, I only have this one, and there's NONE of everyone that came, or of the food, so I'll just share what I served. We began with appetizers of cheese fondue with bread cubes and apples. Thanks to my friend Resia for sharing her recipe. Our main meal consisted of Spinach Cranberry Salad in White Balsamic Vinaigrette, Filet Mignon with Madeira Sauce, Twice Baked Potato Casserole and Wheat Rolls. For dessert we enjoyed Turtle Pecan Cheesecake. It was one of the best Dinner parties we have ever done...not because of the food, but we just really love our other Pastors and their wives so much. We LOVE hanging out and the evening was spent talking about their family traditions and enjoying lots and lots of laughter, as well as a sweet time of praying for them at dinner.

One of our favorite traditions is enjoying our Christmas cards. I feel almost like a hypocrite bringing this one up because I have not done a Christmas card yet this year. There's really no good reason, other than I don't have a great picture of the girls. I refuse to send one out without a picture, so unless I get on the ball, our plan is to send out a New Year's greeting instead, which I heard a friend say her friend does. I like the kind of unexpected feel of that because I get kind of depressed after Christmas when my mailbox is suddenly empty! So, anyway, we used to take these cards and stick them in an extra Christmas tree we kept in the kitchen, but this year we're not using that tree, but we have, for as long as I can remember, put our cards in a basket and kept them out for the year and prayed over each family that sent it as we gather around the dinner table. It's a good way to make good use of your cards and look at them year around, and you have a great honor of lifting them up to the Father during the year. No, I didn't come up with that idea. I stole it from a book by Emilie Barnes years ago when Jeff was in seminary.

This year, we wanted to start a tradition for the girls that they would enjoy. We already do ornaments for them each year, but that came from my Nanoo giving us all one each year, so after she passed away, I wanted to continue that blessing on for my girls. Let me just get off on a tangent here briefly and say that putting up the ornaments from my Nanoo each year is not something I do in haste. I take my time and think about what this incredible woman did to enrich everyone's life that knew her. She instilled the love of family and this love for tradition in me, so what a great honor to pass it on to my girls. So, back to the new tradition. We are hosting a Celebrate Christmas Break party for the girls and their girlfriends. They each got to choose three friends apiece and invite them over. We are doing it tonight and setting up the bonfire in our backyard. They'll enjoy hot dogs, chips, s'mores, hot chocolate and lots of FUN! I'm excited for them to have their own thing, too.

Monday night, Jeff, the girls and I are opening our home to our LifeSong family. We've invited the entire church over for a drop-in and an opportunity to hug each person and love on them. I know you are sitting there wondering, "Where are they going to park when your neighbors call the police on you for too many cars all the time!" Well, call us crazy (most do) but we are stealing an idea from the voting process and asking that families with the last names A-L come from 6-7 and the families with M-Z come from 7-8! Hopefully this will help, but we are inviting our neighbors, so maybe if they come, they'll LET people park in their driveway....NOT! :)
So, I'm planning away for light hors 'dourves and for a fun activity for any kids that might come.
For the kids, I, once again, stole an idea from a new favorite blog I read and we're making these.
Thanks to Vanessa for sharing! We can't wait to have our church family in our home. It's just our small way of saying, "Thanks for an incredible example you are to us of being missionaries where you live, work and play!" Anyway, if you are reading this and you know where we live, drop on by, but remember, if your last name starts with.... :)

We look forward to seeing many friends and family in the next few days. I'll be the first to admit that I don't enjoy traveling the least bit during the holidays, but I wouldn't replace the time spent with all of you in Slater/Marietta, Green Pond and Lyman for anything! I hope to be sharing pictures with you of our fun here at home and on our travels very soon.
OH, did I mention that my sweet Bailey also has a birthday on the 27th, so that's our favorite tradition of all!!!!

12/17/94

Fourteen years ago today, at precisely 2:00pm, I married the love of my life. I have always been one of these women that has her wedding day planned out by age 15 and dreamed at night of the man that would fulfill the plans of a "like none other" wedding day. Truth be told, I'm one of those that went to college for her Mrs. degree! :) Not really, but after getting my education, finding my soulmate was next in line. So, the day I met Jeffery Hickman, who knew my life would be all the better forever? This guy with a curly perm and snow white Duck Head Jeans, wearing a pink shirt, came into the room and right into my life. He befriended me instantly. He flirted instantly. He looked at me with those clear blue eyes and I was smitten...instantly! Within two months of meeting, we were "officially" dating, and a year and a half later, married.

Being married to Jeff has been the greatest gift I've been given, aside from my salvation. If you ask anyone that knows him, I know they would tell you he is the kind of man that you are all the better just for knowing. He loves people passionately. He is not afraid to take a risk. He doesn't feel the need to go with the flow. He's original and unique. Very intimidating....very tenderhearted. He is the same person behind closed doors that he is in public. He's a leader, but is willing to follow to give you a chance to soar, too. He's a visionary....he sees the big picture, says, "We CAN do this," and he goes after it! He LOVES God...he LOVES me....he LOVES his girls.
He puts us as a priority, even when it means sacrificing more time working...an extra dollar...kicking his feet up. We go to bed at night knowing we are the loves of his life. Being married to Jeff, to me, means a lifelong journey of hope, promise, laughter and SO NOT the la-dee- dah! It means commitment and covenant. It means a promise that when he fails, he doesn't give up. It's a life of "we're in this together"...we're a team. He does not degrade me, but he makes me soar in all I do. He is truly the LOVE of my LIFE. Words cannot describe my life with Jeff adequately. I know I'm blessed. God has united us to touch lives, but not before we touch each other's life. We work together, live life together, hurt together, doing NOTHING together, and do EVERYTHING together. We are best friends.
Today, my love, I commit more of me to you. I hope that next year, and the years to come, I will not be at the same place with you that I am now...it can ONLY get better. Walking hand in hand with you is the joy of my life. I am proud of you. I know you, and I want to know you more. I am in awe of who God created you to be.
Today is a milestone in our lives, but everyday with you is a celebration. I love you. Happy Anniversary!

Weekend Recap

This past weekend Jeff and I celebrated our 14th anniversary a few days early by taking a trip to Savannah, GA and Hilton Head, SC. We dropped the girls off in the POND (Green Pond...we didn't drown them...don't worry!) and we hit the road for Savannah first. Although it took us literally an hour to get there from Green Pond, Jeff had really never been to Savannah enough to know much about it, so it was really a new experience for the both of us. We loved that old city charm mixed with the artsy flair from being near SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design).
We ate downtown Savannah at Moon River. The atmosphere was great and we had a window seat view of the city. We chowed down on yummy Sundried Tomato dip with flatbread for an appetizer. I got crab cakes for my dinner and Jeff ate crab stuffed chicken. It was really a yummy place to eat and we got to eat there off a Restaurant.com certificate, so we saved money!!! We parked across the street from The Lady and Sons restaurant, aka Paula Deen's restaurant and we went in her store and looked around. Very cute and pretty inexpensive. It was pretty cold downtown that night, so we didn't walk around too much, but headed on back to our hotel and caught up on so much needed rest that having kids takes from ya! :) The next day we started off the morning with a great breakfast and then we walked around the main stretch of the city and shopped some local shops, ate some ice cream from the world famous Leopold's and we enjoyed some Christmas caroling in the Town Square from a local church. Visiting places with a lot of charm is right up our alley, so I feel certain Savannah will be on our list of places to go again.
We headed on to Hilton Head, which was just a 25 mile ride. We stayed at the Westin, which is a place we have stayed before and we loved. We spent the afternoon resting a little before heading out to an early dinner at Red Fish. It was sooooooo good!!!! We started off with Blue Crab dip with flatbread and I had Shrimp Asiago over tortellini and Jeff had the best steak Quesadilla. It was so fresh. You HAVE to go there if you are ever in the area. After dinner we took in a movie and then we went to Outback for some dessert. Can you say, "Thunder from Down Under?" ;)
We feel so blessed to be able to get away. It was, by far, one of the best trips we have taken. Our time together is priceless and I think we've come back better people and a better wife and husband. As always, though, it passes by too fast, so today I'm planning our NEXT trip! :) Where should I go.......

Catching Up!

We have had some very eventful days here lately, and while I haven't really captured everything in pictures, I thought I would share a few of our favorite moments of the last couple of weeks.Avery pulled a front tooth...the Tooth Fairy gave her $5! What???!!!

Our Beautiful Bailey girl! She'll be nine next month!

Quinn is begging her Daddy for coffee..."Pleeeeeeez."

Quinn loved visiting with Mema and Papa.

Couldn't get her to sit still with Papa!
Check out my Papa's hat...He proudly served our country in the Navy in WWII! Thank you, Papa!


Guess what Quinn has taken a fancy to eating! Ugh!

This Week in Pictures

Thought we would catch you up on our week through pictures. Here's some highlights of our week with family and friends

Quinn is "hamming" it up for the camera. She was saying "Cheeeeeese."

McKenna, Bailey and their friend, Taylor, put on an outdoor "show" for us. Here, McKenna is demonstrating her scooter skills!

Bailey is doing the "one-footed" move on the bike

Bailey, Quinn, McKenna and Taylor

Our house...we still have our ferns hanging, but we're getting ready to put out pumpkins and hay very soon!!!! Can't wait!

What little table decor I have

Avery stole my camera again!

Quinn was enjoying a Blueberry Toaster Strudel

My dear friend, Karen, home from Southeast Asia where she serves as missionary/teacher. She'll always "pose" for the camera. We love having her around so we can laugh!!

Finally, my aunt gave me my first blog award (see Autumn award on right sidebar), and I'm to pass it on to some of my favorite blogs, so hopefully you'll read this and just copy and paste the award on your blog!
I'm just forwarding it to a couple of you, but feel free to award yourself at my expense if you want!!
Tricia

Amy D.

Little Miss Lumbee, Drew!

Sheldon

The Greene's

Check back soon for a new fall recipe...maybe even today!
Have an awesome weekend!