Photo Book- I finally finished Taylor's Christmas Present!

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Shutterfly baby photo books are the perfect way to preserve your baby's precious moments.

I had a really fun time designing this book for my BFFLAE! I wanted to giver her something extra special for Christmas this year and I hope she loves it! I am so grateful she is a part of my life!

A movie on Christmas Day!

This was a first for both of us and the perks of not having kids yet!! We went and saw Les Miserable on Christmas afternoon! We went in the afternoon so we wouldn't have to pay the night time price... I was definitely shocked when we got there the RAVE was packed and the theater we were in was sold out!! Good thing we got there early! I absolutely LOVED the movie! It was as INCREDIBLE! I think Anne Hathaway did an AMAZING job! I loved all the songs and I thought they really did the musical justice! I will definitely be buying it when it comes out! John didn't like it as much as me, but he said he loved it cause I loved it and it was one of my Christmas presents! After the movie, we swung by the giant Christmas Tree in town square to take a picture... there was no one around to take one of the both of us so we just took one of each other! He is such an AMAZING man! I love him so much! He is my entire world my everything! We had a great Christmas mostly because we got to spend then entire day together just the two of us!

The day the world should of ended!

I want to SHOUT and SCREAM! YaWHOOOOOOO!

For once in my life I can say, I got a 4.0! I pulled all A's no A- all A's, which I thought would never happen... It's always been a dream of mine! I am so proud of myself! I have been trying so hard this semester and I've learned working full time as a lead teacher this semester and being a student myself is not easy! But, I can proudly say I finished the semester strong! I only hope, moving forward, I can finish my Bachelors Degree and graduate with a 3.9... I don't know if I will be able to pull it off, but after this semester who knows?? It might be possible!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

This was my first time going back to the magical forest since I was a little girl! We had such a good time! It really helped my get into the christmas spirit,which shamefully I have been lacking this year! It's just so hard to make it feel like Christmas in the Desert! I would much rather be bundled up next to the fireplace watching my Christmas Tree glow and look outside my window and see snow! But, that will never happen, so I convinced John to take me to the next best thing! I think he really enjoyed it too!

The magical forest is exactly what I picture the North Pole would be like! Millions of lights! Hot cocoa onevery corner and Honey Roasted Cinnamon Glazed Almonds & Pecans! Yummmm! 

Plus, their was Ice tubing, Mini Golf, 

Reindeer, Elves Nutcrackers, Music, tons of smiling faces, Gingerbread Houses, the grinch, penguins, story books, Coca Cola, Christmas trees, and of course SANTA!

John absolutely Loves Penguins and I love that he does! So every time we see a penguin he always has to take a picture with it!

 Boy oh Boy, it's the grinch don't let him steal your presents HONEY! 

This was a giant train with a countdown to christmas! it said 6 days 4 hours and I can't remember the minutes! 

 Somebody got stuck in the Christmas Lights... It was really fun to see all of the character displays and decorated trees! At the end of the forest they had a giant christmas tree that changed colors and had flashing lights that turned on and off to the Christmas music.

I loved the twinkling lights! Since everything was outside, I was all bundled up to stay warm! I warned John before hand it would be very cold and to bring some gloves and stuff to bundle up, but of course did he listen to his wife? The picture below is proof... hahaha by the end of the evening I was kind enough to let him borrow one of my gloves so he would hold my hand! it's a good thing I love him!

Just us GIRLZ

I just love my IZZY! She is my baby girl! I do everything with her! Especially, when John is at work and it's just us GIRLZ! I love having Izzy around because she is always happy, playful, and loving! She truly is a girls best friend! Izzy is always glued to mine or John's side! See, even in the car she is on my shoulder! Can we say spoiled?

The start of something new...

 Thanks to my sister, Megan, we started a new family tradition this year! Decorating and designing gingerbread houses!! As a family, we decided to turn it into a FUN, emphasis on the fun, family-friendly contest! My clever father designed some SUPER cute family awards,  we all helped pick the categories, and then we had a silent vote! Who knew the Jackson's could be so creative?? It was so so so hard to pick who to vote for!

Yay! My honey one the very first BEST IDEA award! He made the gingerbread hospital! It was AWESOME! He designed the building as a hexagon with a flat roof on top for a helicopter landing pad. 

 I decided to create my house more colorful and realistic! I really loved the end result! I covered the entire plate with a variety of colorful candy, including: six-lets, licorice bites, marshmallows, chocolate covered raisins, sour patch kids, M&M's, skittles, licorice ropes, and I couldn't forget the gingerbread man!

 Austin won the first Best Overall Award! This made me feel really HAPPY since I helped him build his house! It was all his idea, but I glued it all together! 

My family! I love them to pieces! 

Mariah and her little white dress...

It was so great to be at Mariah's baby blessing! Marissa is a very dear friend of mine and I was so excited to meet her BEAUTIFUL daughter this weekend! John was being a goof and wouldn't let me take his picture! so this is what I got hahahaha! it's times like these that I will want to remember some day! To me the picture above is absolutely priceless! He couldn't stop laughing... Oh how I LOVE my hubby's laugh! I finally got a good one of us smiling! 

Mariah truly was a vision in white! I was so impressed... Marissa made her dress! It was stunning! She is such a doll! I loved every second I got to hold her and I loved all the faces she pulled! thanks for inviting us guys we had a great time and breakfast afterwards was delicious I've ALWAYS loved Paula's cooking!!

Town Square at Christmas...

I was babysitting Jake so his parents could go out for his mom's birthday and my friend told me they were going to town square to see Santa and the decorations and I asked if we could tag along! It was so much fun looking at the tree, playing in the maze, going to Santa's toy shop, making wishes in the stream, and taking pictures of course! Jake is a ball full of energy! I got a taste of what it will be like to chase an energetic 2 year old around for an afternoon, tantrums and all!! Let's just say as much work it is, I still can't wait till John and I have kids of our own! 

The Innocence of a Chid

Can I just say how much I love my job??! The kids I work with push my buttons, drive me crazy, frustrate me, push me to my limits, on occasions refuse to listen, and make extremely big messes, yet at the same time, they look up to me, love me, want to be like me, bring me presents/drawings, give me the best hugs and have a light and an innocence that is irresistible! Often times I wish I could be like them! I see the light in their eyes and the love they have for life and I wish I could see the world the way they do!

I took these pictures friday morning before I was aware of what happened in Connecticut. I had a parent come pick up their child early during lunch and I said, yay Caitlyn you get to have an early day. Her dad responded solemnly, yeah with all thats going on and watching the news I couldn't leave my girls in school. I felt so bad, I had no clue what he was talking about. I shook my head in agreement and then they left. After I got lunch cleaned up and the kids settled down for nap one of the school managers came in the room and told us about the shooting. I was very frustrated that they had not informed us sooner, all of the pieces fit together now. Why a lot of kids were not in attendance, why parents had been picking up their students early. During nap time that day I truly contemplated how special each of my students are to me and what I would do for them. Sadly, for once I truly appreciated my 30 squirming preschoolers refusing to go to bed! I appreciated my students presence in that moment  and it didn't matter what they had done previously, what they did that day,  or what they will do. I appreciate the opportunity I have had to be their teacher and the little moments that I truly cherish having spent my days with them. 

My heart goes out to the many families who lost their children on this tragic day. It's heartbreaking to know for some parents today this was the last day they got to see their beautiful child and hold them in their arms.  How unexpected and tragic, yet at the same time I am grateful to know they are now in the arms of our loving savior. I know they were welcomed home with open arms and one day they will be reunited with their families again. I was in shock this day as many others were, but I am amazed at the grace and heroic acts of many educators who gave their own lives that day. I heard many stories on the news that day and saw many pictures and posts on the social media and I decided to repost some here that stood out to me. 

First, this beautiful poem, written by Cameo Smith, that my friend reposted:

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven," declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at God's house."

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Second, my cousin posted this:

As sad as the massacre in CT is, there is a shiny little positive to it. They are in their Savior's arms right now. Lucky them.

The children in Connecticut...

Third, my friend Amanda shared this beautiful photo: 

I hope I can survive this week...

 It's cold and it's finals week! I'm torn between being happy and being extremely upset, bummed, frustrated and wanting this week to be over! You see, I absolutely love winter time! I love the weather, I love the clothes, I love my hats, gloves and scarves... and I love snuggling up in layers of blankets in the morning and not wanting to get out of bed, drinking hot chocolate, and not that it happens here, but when snow starts to fall! Yet, at the same time it's finals week and I'm stressed, frustrated, and so done with school! I cannot wait for this week to be over! 

 I had so much to do this week I've been finishing up on this 38 page project I have been working on that's worth half of my grade! Plus, a power point presentation and studying for my final. Since, I had so much to do I completely broke down emotionally and I could not handle the stress of finals week. I had to call out of work monday morning so I could work on my project all day long! John came and met me in the library and we went on a lunch date! Cafe Rio! yummy!! I felt bad not being at school to teach my kids! That's why I had to post pictures of their smiling faces! I love them to pieces... they brighten my day, challenge me, and I always want to do my best for them!

I finally finished my final Project! I printed all 38 pages Wednesday night... I tried to staple it, but it was way too thick! 

 I really have enjoyed going to UNLV, I wasn't hesitant at first, but after being at the school for a year and finishing up my third semester I have come to love campus and the people I have met in my Early Childhood classes. I have had a majority of my upper division classes with the same group of girls and I have a professor that calls us all the sisters! I really do feel like they are my sisters! We have become very close and grown so much as we encourage each other and challenge each other to do better! 

Cookie Party 2012

Merry Christmas 

It's my favorite time of year! I absolutely love the Carter Family Cookie Party Tradition! It wouldn't be Christmas without the cookie party! So many memories over the past 20 years. Decorating cookies, singing carols, exchanging gifts, and of course sitting on Santa's lap every year and telling him exactly what I want for Christmas! This year was extra special because it's Izzy's first Christmas! Of course I had to get a picture of her with Santa! 

I love how good Izzy does with all the little kids! She loves being the center of attention! She even does good around all of the adorable babies!

Ashley decorated me this cookie! I saw the adorable santa she made on her plate, so I asked her to make me one too! She is so creative! I think my cookies turned out pretty great this year and the little girls helped me make a plate for John too. He was unable to make it this year due to work; working retail during the holidays is rough, but every year he pushes through it! I'm so grateful to have a hard working husband who provides for our family, especially around this time of year. 

 I love these two little boys to pieces! I am going to miss them so much after the holidays, knowing them has truly changed my life for the better ( to quote wicked)!