Christmas and being back....

Well, I’m finally back! I decided to take a little longer break from blogging to catch up on rest and housework:) BUT I’m finally back! 

This is a LONG, overdue post on Christmas:)

We had a great Christmas in Chicago and Hartsville! Before we left for Chicago, we spent the night with Todd and Liz. We had to take a few pictures of Charlie and Annie Rice in there matching outfits:) We were in Chicago the 21-Christmas morning, flew back Christmas morning and went to my parents house. We enjoyed getting to see all of our families! I of course got sick yet again! It’s like my body knows whenever I go to Illinois to get sick:( Annie Rice enjoyed seeing everyone and playing with her cousin Matias! When opening presents, she loved the tissue paper and boxes better than anything:)

We visited Mr. Billy and Mr. AP while we were in Hartsville! They loved Annie and she smiled and giggled so much for them!

I couldn’t help thinking how blessed we are all of Christmas. It was a strange feeling knowing Annie was with another family last Christmas, but we sure enjoyed every second this Christmas! Kaz and I honestly didn’t really get her anything. We had in the closest still about 10 bigger toys from showers from friends and family so we wrapped a few of those! She didn’t know the difference and loved every toy! She’s growing up so fast! I can’t wait to share more about all the latest things she’s into right now! 

Once we got back after Christmas, we cleaned the house and my parents came down for a few days. Here are lots of pictures! I honestly didn’t take a ton...Surprising, I know...I can’t believe it myself! most of these are from our parents! 

Notice her face...She's starting early! She's probably thinking, "Charlie you better come back over here and sit by me!" HaHa

Annie Rice and Grandpa Cy

We attempted a picture with all the grandkids. Didn't go so well:(

Matias wanted to scoot like Annie Rice!

Her favorite thing. The tissue paper!

Sweet Mr. Billy. He told dad he wanted him to bring him 2 ears of COOKED corn! HaHa! Usually he ask for pumpkin bread:)

Mr. AP

PaPa and MeMe

All the cousins!

Aunt JaJa and Uncle Larry!

Worn out on our outing to Chicago!

So tired Christmas morning!

busy bee....

You’re probably wondering where I’ve been. I hardly wrote any last week...I have been SO BUSY! Here are a few random things going on in the Prikazsky household:)

Awhile back I mentioned we were going to put our house on the market...Well, after talking with the Realtor and seeing how much we would have to loose on the house, we decided to look at other options! So we refinanced, rented a storage unit, and re-arranged the rooms in our house! Our dinning room is now my office, Annie’s room and guest room is now just Annie’s room, and the old office is the guest bedroom! With all of these changes, have come some updates! Good updates! I’ve been working with most of my free time on these projects and finishing each room! There’s still more to do but I hope to show you lots of pictures after Christmas! I’ve pulled out my crafty and creative tools and it’s been a lot of fun:) I’ll give you a sneak peak on 2 things in Annie Rice’s room!

wall art that I made and some big green polka dots for the wall:) I’ll share more after Christmas when the rooms are finished:)

photo credit: Wall Pops

The Lord has been doing a lot in my heart lately, especially in the month of December. He’s been stirring in some big ways! I’ve been reminded everyday of just how much I want to really teach and model to Annie Rice what Christmas is all about. Our role as moms and parents are huge because these little ones learn so fast and pick up on everything we do! One thing we’ve wanted Annie Rice to learn is that everything we have comes from the Lord. We’ve been “trying” to teach her that Christmas is Jesus’s birthday and just as he gives us everything in life, we wanted to teach her about giving him a gift for His birthday. So back in November, we started putting all of our change in a piggy bank and letting her drop the coins in. Everytime we told her that was money for Jesus’s birthday. Last week, I emptied out the piggy bank and was blown away with what was in there. I deposited the money, wrote a check and wrapped it to let Annie Rice take it to church for the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. Today as I drove to the church, I prayed that the Lord would use that money for His glory. It was a very hard thing to do because it was over and above our tithe and there were all these ways that I could think about how we could use that money. But all month, I have been so excited every time I put money in that piggy bank. I’ve been planning it out and picturing Annie give that gift to the church staff as a gift to Jesus for His birthday. I didn’t expect how emotional I would be. It was a huge blessing and a very special time for me. The Lord has blessed us more than I can ever say and it’s an honor for me to be apart of His Kingdom and in molding and raising such a sweet little girl to know Him. 

With all the projects and daily life, we have been traveling a lot too! It seems like we’ve been more on the road the last 3 weeks than we have all year! And it’s not slowing down! We are leaving on Wed to go to Chicago for Christmas! I’m so excited:) This is my last post until after Christmas so from my family to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

my hearts...

My sweet friend Carissa recently took some pictures of us...She has been experimenting a ton with her camera and has an amazing eye for photography! So I took some pictures of her family and she took some of mine! I absolutely love them! Let's face it...I love pictures BUT ESPECIALLY of my family! Below are a few of my favorites!

My absolute favorite!

another favorite!

Her hair on a daily basis without a bow in it:)