it has been awhile

wow...I have been gone for a while.

So much has been going on I don't even know where to start
so I will just talk about one thing.

Norah started preschool!

She loves it!

Joe had to drop her off the first day because I had school {of course}
and she was so excited to get in there she did not even say good-bye.

It broke his heart.

Her teacher told us she does not have a shy bone in her body and I believe that.
Just the other day we were shopping for clothes and she picks up a shirt
marches right over to the first person she saw and asks if the shirt was on sale.
That person was another customer and the entire situation was hilarious!

She is a tiny woman...the tiniest person in her class, it is soo cute.
I always thought she was tall until I saw her with her other classmates.

Speaking of school, I am on a two week break from school and will begin
7th quarter in October. That is right...7th quarter.

Only two more to go...I am elated by the thought that I might actually make it through this school thing!

Hopefully more posts to come...I have been crafting!

...another great trip

Hilton Head is one of our favorite places on earth...
When we get home we always spend like a week daydreaming about moving there.

enjoy the pictures...

Norah Claire being a pirate...
arghhh!


everyone doing their thing!


this year we played bocce ball on the beach....a lot!

we like to travel all together!

the things people throw away

I am always amazing by the things I see laying on the side of the road on garbage night.

I hate the days I have to pass up an amazing looking desk or dresser
because my car is tooo small.

These two chairs were generously picked up by my parents
{my mom is always excited to bring me new furniture
and my dad always feels the need to apologize to Joe}

I decided to put them in our den so I spray painted them brown.
Joe asked why I always seem to paint white things brown and brown things white...
I have no idea why I do this, so I did not have an answer.

They turned out better than I ever anticipated...enjoy!

Hilton Head, S.C.

Things I love about Hilton Head family vacations

• The beach and the pool
• Riding bikes every morning to Starbucks {treat!}
• Hanging out with our ever growing family
• Shopping
• Long afternoon bike rides
• Long afternoon naps in a raft on the pool
• Dinner out
• Playing games at night
• Popping popcorn and watching movies
• Walks on the beach
• Playing with Norah in the sand
• Day trips to Savannah
• Looking at Real Estate and dreaming about buying a home
• Spending endless minutes with family!
  

We are praying hard for good weather...reports right now predict rain all week...booo!

Picture projects

Project 1: So I woke up 2 days before Mothers day and realized I did not have a single thing

for my mother-in-law or my mom. I panicked.

I started looking online and found somewhere {I don't know where}
this picture idea. So I quickly went out bought the frames and needed to take NC pictures.
Unfortunately it was raining...so Saturday morning at 7:00 the sun was up
{it was supposed to rain all day!}
So I decided to wake Norah up, throw a dress on her,
and take her outside to get these pictures taken!
I was desperate.

We got the pictures...had them printed off, and voila, we had gifts!
The moms loved it of course, complete success!

{sorry about the picture qualities}


Project 2: This wall of pictures has been a project in the works for months!
I bought the frames, picked out the pictures, and finally had them printed.

To make sure the frames were in the right place I got a big sheet of paper
outlined the frames, hung the paper on the wall, nailed through the paper, took the paper down then hung the frames {I saw that once of a tv show}
It worked like a dream!

I love this wall, and I love our den.
{again horrible picture quality}

I promise I will show you our office, den and upstairs bathroom someday!
We are getting a "new to us" couch in a few days and then I will get some pictures of the rooms!

Caio for now!

Norah Claire

Norah is full of surprises...

She is witty, dramatic, over the top crazy,
and countless times throughout the day breaks into song and dance
when something amazing is happening.

She is indecisive, loving, and did I say crazy.
One of her favorite things to say is

"mom...I love you very very much"

with her lips pursed and in a sad wimper voice
it is adorable
or

"that's cuuuuutttee"

in the same tone that my mom, sisters, and I use over and over again in the
Macys INC clothing department.

She loves to talk about rainbows and that God made rainbows.
She has an out of this world imagination.
She plays non-stop, everything between going potty and nighttime
is a made up adventure game to her
and she is usually the only person who knows the rules.

Don't get me wrong... not everything is blue skies and rainbows though.
She is in training...strict training.
She is stubborn and has attitude that brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.
Discipline is a regular occurrence in our house usually due to disobedience.
Like I said...she is in training.

But GOD!
Has given us grace in loving her and reminds me how much he loves me and that is why he disciplines me.

And that is why I discipline her...because I love her "very very much!"

Our church has been doing a parenting series and I would recommend if you have children,
think about having children, or know people with children to listen to the sermons.
It can be found at www.grace.org

On a different note...I am currently on break, just finished my 5th quarter in school
...I am moving on! whoohooo

Enjoy the pictures of Norah!

She will absolutely kill me for the first one when she sees that someday
and don't be fooled that wasn't one of those times she dresses herself, I picked that for her.
What was I thinking?



Fathers Day 2011

7th Anniversary

May 22, 2004
Our Wedding Day

I can hardly believe it has been 7 years.
{I do not have any pictures of our wedding day because digital widely used back in those days and facebook did not exist in my world}

...but here is one of our honeymoon!

Marriage is amazing.
After all of this time I am still a huge fan.

Joe is amazing.
He is gentle with me when my own sin is blinding me.
He is calm when I am crazy.
He gets me. He wants the best for me. He wants to see me win. He prays for me.

Since we got married a lot has happened in our lives.
1. I finished school {the first time...whoohoo speech comm. degree!}
2. We moved to Stanford, KY for almost 2 years
3. We had Norah
4. We bought a house...and renovated it
5. I started school {for a second time}
6. Many many trips {we love trips}

This year was the first year we actually went somewhere for our anniversary.
We wanted to go to Chicago or the beach but instead went to Cedar Point
{it was a good deal!}

We left on Friday afternoon
On the trip we decided to listen to Tina Fey's book "Bossypants"

It was REALLY funny
A little gross at times and she used words I never like to hear
But overall....FUNNY, Tina is pretty cool.
{side note: she actually read the audiobook so I would recommend borrowing it from us if you want to read it...it was so much better listening to her voice}

When we got there we walked the beach, check out our retro room, and went to dinner.
It was a pleasant evening.
One thing I love about hotels is cable TV...there is nothing better than getting to watch HGTV all night long...yes I am a nerd!

We woke up the next morning, hoping to sleep in, but both of us were awake by 6:50.

Got breakfast and headed to the park...it was a perfect warm sunny day...it was great!

Sunday we got up and drove home. It was short but fun. Fun to talk about the last 7 years...dream about the next 7, and really just enjoy being together!

It was fun but we just kept saying, "we wish Norah were here"
Next time we will take her...she is pretty cool!

Norah's big girl bed

for NC's birthday we decided she was ready for a big girl bed!

I cannot believe she is 3!
{pictures of her birthday party coming soon}

I had the dresser that I picked up a few years ago at a "free" sale
{the best kind of sale}
it had just sat in our basement because I couldn't decide what to do with it.

The bed my parents had in their basement
so we were set for furniture!

Introducing:
Norah's new room!



SURPRISE!!

She has slept great and took to her new bed like a champ!

Today is derby day and Norah keeps saying:
"is it time to go to the doobie party yet?"

She's awesome!

Happy Mother's day to all you mom's out there!
{Mother's day craft blog coming soon as well ;) }

Redeemed

-verb (used with object)

1. to buy or pay off; clear by payment

2. to buy back

3. to recover by payment or other satisfaction

4. to make up for; to make amends for

5. to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by placing a ransom

6. TO DELIVER FROM SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES BY MEANS OF A SACRIFICE OFFERED FOR THE SINNER

{dictionary.com}

where did April go?

I am sitting here in disbelief that it is April 30th...

Things are crazy in the McVicker household and will continue to be so for a while.

This time of year always seems to bring filled up weekends and lots of things happening

Things are fun but it is also hard to not get overwhelmed in the midst of busyness

-lately I have been stressed and soo soo tired-

And it is affecting relationships...

with Joe, with Norah, and with family.

Norah is so much fun lately but she also is wearing me out!

She says and does the funniest things.

One day she was trying on dresses and I told her to go to the middle of the room and spin

she went to the middle of the room and proceeded to spit...it was hilarious

I don't know where she learned to spit and what made her think I said that

but nevertheless...hilarious!

Joe and I struggle though with discipline.

Some days I feel like she is a constant state of time out.

-It is hard-

I was talking about this with a wise woman at church and she gave me some awesome advice I have to pass on...

She said in the midst of disciplining remind yourself that Norah has done nothing to me today

that I have not done to God.

And yet God continues to pour Grace upon Grace on me.

It gave me a softer heart for Norah.

We do desire to discipline her and not just punish-but it is hard.

Anyway...these things are laying on my heart this morning.

Have a great weekend!

p.s. there are so many things I hope to share soon like Norah's big girl bed and her party!

5th quarter is HERE!

Well...its over!
This 3 week break was just what the doctor ordered
I am rested and ready to jump back into the battle of nursing school...

here are some things that we did:

• Had lots of fun with Norah: many games of memory and don't break the ice were played. Norah and I also went to Totter's Otterville one day! We spent some great quality time together!
  
• I got a haircut!!
  
• we cleaned out the basement: it is great to get around down there now
  
• cleaned under the bed
• painted Norah's "big girl" bed and dresser: it turned out great, I cannot wait to post pictures
• finished a frame project I started months ago!
  
• got Norah's birthday invitations in the mail and starting planning the event!
• Had lunch with friends
• Cleared off the TiVo with Joe: we hadn't watched anything since my last break
• Went to weddings, hung out with friends, had great meals with family
• Stayed up late
  
• Slept in every morning until 8 AM
• Went to the gym often
• Read a book other than a Nursing book
• Celebrated Norah's birthday in bed because she had a stomach bug...then I got it 2 days later so I spent my last day of break in bed!
  

I am sure so much more was accomplished I just cannot think of anything right now

Some things that will have to wait:

• crafting with Niki: due to stomach bug
• cleaning all windows
• cleaning up landscaping {it was cold or wet most of this break!}
• finding sconces

All and all...it has been wonderful
Have a great day, thanks for reading!

one. two. three. break!

I am officially on break from school, a 3 week break to be exact!
I have 4 quarters down and 4 quarters to go.

This is the first break since starting a year ago that I have had some good time on my hands
and I want to use that time wisely.

I have a list of things I would love to get accomplished:

• Have lots of fun with Norah
  
• get a haircut {it has been since November!}
• clean out the basement
• clean under the bed
• paint Norah's "big girl" bed and dresser
• Do some crafts with a dear friend
• find sconces for our bedroom and fireplace and hang them
• trim and clean up the landscaping
• finish a frame project I started months ago
• clean all the windows and screens
• get Norah's birthday invitations in the mail and plan the party!

I know this list is huge and I am okay with not getting it all done-
I just like having a plan!

...I will let you know on the progress...

front porch curtains

{our house}

Last fall I started dreaming about sprucing up our front porch.
So far we have taken down our shutters
{I am trying to decide to whether to paint them black or leave them down}
and we painted the rod iron around the porch black.
We also got a black roof.
But I want it to look cuter...So I started thinking about putting up some curtains!


...Below are some inspirations...



here


here

here


here

I am now trying to decide what I want them to look at and what material is "outdoor" friendly!

Have a good Sunday!

Valentine's day

Oh Valentine's Day....this is a day people love or hate.
For me I was a hater...I never liked it.
{probably because I never had a "Valentine!}

Joe and I have always chosen to not celebrate Valentine's day
but for whatever reason this year I am getting into the spirit.

Today I have been thinking about how much God loves me!
{Rest on that moment...don't read past it too quick because it is something said all the time}

He LOVES us!
How is that the God of the Universe Loves me?
{rest again}

I love hearing from friends how God is transforming them.
I love hearing the way people rely on God because there is nothing else in life worth living for.
I love God and he Loves me and that is something to celebrate!

Now rest on the words on this song by Stuart Townend
found here

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom


Happy Valentine's Day!

vampire skin

Well February is here and it about this time every year I start talking myself out of walking RUNNING to the nearest tanning bed to get some color on my almost transparent skin.

You know the "vampire skin" I am talking about.
It is dry, crying out to be quenched by the sun kissed rays.
And every year I have to remind myself how bad those tanning beds are for my body
...yadda yadda and I never end up going.

Why does it have to be that your skin looks so much better with a little sun glow on it?
Everything seems to wear better with a tan;
Clothes, makeup, jewelry, hair...I could go on and on.


But as for today my skin will stay white as the snow
but luckily snow has to go away sometime!


{Just in case you were wondering-Joe is super cute tan!}

bye-bye blackberry!

SO...I have been a faithful Blackberry carrier for over 4 years.
It was good to me. I liked the way it kept my life organized with it's amazing calender
and I still charge the phone just so I can play BlasterBall...but I have a new love!

THE EVO!

There are so many reasons why I love this phone!

Here are some of the perks...
1. It is fun...the blackberry was business all the time but the Evo is a fun phone!
2. Joe and I can sync our calenders so whenever he updates his calender it appears on mine...it is a great way to keep our lives in sync.
3. Apps...2 weeks ago I never even knew what an "app" was...now I love them. My favorite ones are the apps that help me with school. Drug identification, disease descriptions, and lab values all at my fingertips!
4. The voice recorder is amazing! I can tape all my lectures now ( I was planning on buying a recorder that would have cost me the same price the phone cost!)
5. It has other fun games! (I only miss BlasterBall a little bit!)
6. On Sprint's family plan we are paying the same amount we were paying at T-Mobile
7. The best part of all is we have cell phone service in our house. With T-Mobile we lived in a dead zone!

So if you are searching for a new phone I would highly suggest the Evo!

A good laugh

Here are our family Christmas morning photos from 2010 and 2009

Can you find the differences?

Click on people's faces in the photo to tag them.

2010

2009

Obviously besides the growth on Norah...not much changed in a year
not even our taste in clothes.

more than just for eating

I think I may have found the next thing I want to start collecting...
::enjoy::

here

here

here

Here

Happy Sunday!

cruisin'

If you know anything about me, you know how I love vacations!

Maybe it is just the time of year but I find myself daydreaming once an day hour about cruises!

Over the years I have grown quite fond of taking cruises and I am ALWAYS searching for the next good cruise deal!

{I think my desire to cruise is even bigger because Andrea and Dave are going on a cruise next week and if I were not in school we would be going!}

So I thought I would compile a list of all of MUST DO's when it comes to cruises:

1. It is fun to go with family, good friends, or just your husband- I love cruising all of these ways!
2. You must research your port excursion options prior to departure!

My personal favorites are renting a car and driving around Cozumel
or swimming with the sting ray in Grand Cayman,
only do that there because it is on a sandbar
in the middle of the ocean and it is amazing!

3. Book an early dinner, the late dinners are too late and you always miss a show and that is a bummer!
4. Cheaper is better, rooms with no windows are the best...you can go in at 2 in the afternoon, pretend like it is 2 in the morning and take a fantastic nap!
5. Go to the planned activities! I love cruise directors and I love participating in the events. The best one's I have come across are trivia games, dance lessons, and free champagne at the Art Auctions.
6. Make your own BINGO cards and go play Bingo. This game is entirely too expensive to play on the ship but it is fun to make your own cards and go play anyway!
7. Order at least 2 lobster tails on the fancy dinner night!
8. Always order the Chocolate Lava cake for dessert {remember you can order as many as you want!}
9. Sorry Norah...but do not bring children. Vacations are really fun with Norah but I do not want to take her on a cruise. I always feel sorry for the people who are trying to push their strollers around tight spaces, and lets be honest, you don't want to be stuck in your room from 8 o'clock on because it is bedtime!

which brings me to my next point:

10. Get out of bed to go to a midnight buffet! Even if you are not hungry the table displays are amazing just to look at!
11. Remember you always have room for soft serve! Soft serve ice cream is so delicious and accessible 24 hours a day!
12. Grab a lounge chair and lay in the sun at the back of the boat! {it is amazing!}
13. Watch a sunset!
14. Explore the boat as soon as possible so you can understand the boat lay out so you are not stressed the entire trip about not knowing where things are.
15. Watch a sunrise!
16. Watch the free movies {everyday they play a different new release movie!-I think I watched The Proposal about 5 times on our last cruise!}
17. Become friends with your waiters and housekeeper staff..they are really fun and usually have fantastic personalities!
18. Don't get on the computers and do work, enjoy the fact you are in the MIDDLE of NOWHERE!
19. There is always something to do...so never be bored!
20. And last but not least...if you are not having fun it is probably your fault!

Good deals are the key to a cruise success so let me know if you need any tips!

What are you favorite things about cruising?

::parties::

Christmas is over...I miss it already.

{Don't judge me but I even caught myself singing Christmas carols today!}

I just love Christmas and this year was the year of parties!!

Every time I would tell Norah we were having/going to another party she would reply,
"Another one!"

One day we even hosted 3 different Holiday festivities at our house-crazy I know!

One of the parties that I loved the most was a Girls Christmas dinner that Andrea and I hosted at our house!

Preparing for the party was half the fun!
Making the menu {we had chicken cordon bleu}, grocery shopping, using the good china, and making little gifts was super fun!
I wish I had the time/money/energy to have dinner parties more often!

Getting the table ready
The bags I originally saw in "Women's Day Magazine" but you can also find them here.


The Desserts {Chocolate amaretto ganache in chocolate cups!}
The Table Set

The Pomegranate Sippers

...and the friends!