Christmas Blessings!

These past 2 weeks have been packed full of Christmas programs, ornament swaps, dinners with friends, shopping, sweets, and, most importantly, sweet times worshipping our dear Savior and sharing his love!  This weekend we got to visit with our friends at Changed Lives Christian Center and what a blessing it was!!! These men never cease to remind us of the hope, forgiveness and mercy that our sweet Savior extends to everyone of us.  They are full of smiles and encouraging words and we always leave with much fuller hearts than we came with.  One man in particular, Mr. Tom, has a special place in our hearts.  Every time we visit, he has some type of treat for the girls.  This time it was a My Little Pony for each of them.  He has nothing, yet He gives and gives and gives.  Thank you, Mr. Tom!

Tillie and Mr. Tom

I hate that I didn't get more pictures of the girls with all of the men there.  Guess we just have to go back....

Here are a few more pics from all the fun festivities last week!

Amelia's Christmas Program at All Saint's

So excited Pops surprised her! 

Happy Tillie

Nativity Performance at Ballet

She was rather nervous...couldn't keep her hands off her face!  Nervous picking!

My sweet wisman! 

Merry Christmas!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

So...November came and went without a post.  My plan (key word...plan) is for December to look quite different!
To kick off this most joyous month, I thought I would share with you what is bringing our family the most joy these days...my precious, new niece, Sutton!

 Isn't she just a doll?  We got to spend the past weekend with her in Nashville and it was merry and bright in every way!  Saturday we celebrated my brother's birthday with lots of family and food and Sunday we showered Sutton with lots of love and gifts!  Amelia even got to go to "Sutton's party" (as she called it) and what a help she was... I think she officially unwrapped every present!  Danna was so sweet to let her share in the fun and make her feel like the special big cousin!

Tillie came with the boys at the end to pack up the gifts and even managed to squeeze in a bottle for Sutton....literally!

 This is how that turned out.....

Sutton joined our family officially the day before Thanksgiving and we've been giving thanks ever since.  Her birth parents gave my brother and his wife the greatest gift imaginable and showed us the true depth of selfless love.  To say she is special is an understatement!  As most children are, she is an answer to prayer...many, many prayers sent from many, many places.  Her little life has already impacted so many people and I just know God's plan for her is beautiful!

I love you 4 beyond words!!!

Alli

Fall Fun

What a fun October we've had!  We started out the month at the beach in bathing suits and ended it in Birmingham with a stack full of fire wood and the most beautiful leaves I've ever seen.  I mean seriously, have they ever been this pretty??? Can't tell you how many wrecks I've almost had while gazing off the road.  I'm convinced few places are more beautiful than Birmingham in October.  Come see!

Here is a sneak peak of our October happenings...

Pumpkin patch with the dearest of friends!

Two of Amelia's besties...the Mary's!
Mary Alton and Mary Drew

This is the best shot I got of the girls in the patch...Looks like they are hatching a pumpkin!

Couldn't help but include this one...almost obscene!

Tillie loves her Molly!

Happy Halloween!

THIS, my friends, is the 3-year olds version of "Cheesseeeesseee!"

Can't wait to see what November has in store !

You are BEAUTIFUL!

Life's A Beach

The girls and I recently spent 10 days on the coast.  We started off in Orange Beach with Hunt and the Treadwell clan.  Seven kids, two grandmothers and six thirty-somethings sure made for a full house condo...three to be exact.  We packed in boat rides, crabbing, Lulu's and, of course, some nachos and dancing at Tacky Jack's!  What sweet memories!

Bottoms up!
Virginia, Amelia, Henry, Charlie, Gunnar

Crabbing with the big boys!

Our sweet V!  Couldn't Tillie pass as her little sis?

Tillie and Frannie...the littlest babes

Come Monday, the girls and I headed East to 30A to spend the week with my family.  The weather was 85 and sunny and the water was crystal clear.  Perfection!  We soaked up as much beach time as we could, did a little shopping and, of course, did what we do best...dined!  How can you not down there....WAY TOO MANY options!  Thank goodness the beach was sparse and I packed a plethora of cover-ups!  My sweet parents were so dear to include us and went way out of their way to make it as relaxing as possible for momma...even sat inside during nap time so I could relax on the beach sans bebes!  It was such a blessing to have a break from planning weekly menus, packing  lunches and bathing bottoms...not that I would trade any of those for the world...it's just nice to have a chance to miss those motherly duties:)!  THANK YOU, Mom and Dad...and Aunt Frannie!

One of those sweet, helpful moments...glad dad had his phone handy.

One happy little girl!  Thank you, George!

Wouldn't be the beach without a little Lilly!

Before I wrap things up, I wanted to share my first failed attempt at Christmas card pictures....  Cute in theory but things went downhill as soon as I pulled the plug out of Tillie's mouth.  She just couldn't get it together after that!

You're BEAUTIFUL!

The Big Six!

September 24, 2005.....

September 24, 2011...six wonderful years later!

"A man so strong that he can afford to be tender is able to give his wife deep knowledge of her own preciousness."    Bryan Chapell

 Luckily, our anniversary fell on Saturday this year.  And so, to properly celebrate Treadwell style, we set off on a little road trip.  What I thought was going to be a quick escape to Atlanta for the night soon became a surprise as Hunt veered to the left heading up I59....towards Gadsden.  Smirkingly, he glanced at me and said "I'm just the driver... no questions, please!"  Immediately, my mind started racing and I must admit, my heart sank a bit as I started to envision what Gadsden, AL might have in store for us.... Gadsden, really?  Well, I soon realized that Chattanooga was on this path and so I began hoping that Chatty was our final destination.  Nope....not this time.  About 1.5 hours after leaving, we exited and I saw that wonderful 7 letter word...Mentone.  Hunt and I had talked many a time since we moved to AL about exploring that quaint little mountain town but other destinations always took precedence when it came down to it.  Now, six years later, we were finally there and celebrate we did!  My amazingly sweet husband had apparently put on his "romantic hat" that morning and had packed a bottle of wine along with some cheese and grapes and, upon arriving, he found just the perfect spot to stop on the brow of Lookout Mountain to watch the sun set Napa style. At this moment in time, the world stood still and I felt like we had time traveled back to the beginning of our dating days!  I had a smile from ear to ear and was beyond touched that Hunt had not only planned this little getaway but had also planned every detail for the next 24 hours.

A while later, we left our special spot and ventured to the Mentone Springs Hotel...a lovely, historic Bed and Breakfast built in 1884 and nestled right in the center of downtown Mentone.  What a little gem this place is!  Clad with beautiful antiques and age-old charm, we quickly settled in and soaked up our time here.  For dinner, we walked across the street to Wildflower Cafe which has been written up in Southern Living and we soon discovered why.  This shabby little cottage served up not only the best local, gourmet food we have had in a long time but it also came complete with live, blue-grass music and serenade.  A perfect end to a perfect day!

We spent Sunday meandering around DeSoto Falls and Little River Canyon.  We even hiked across the damn and down to the bottom of the waterfall.  Boy, 6 years has taken it's toll!  This was our view...

DeSoto Falls

Little River Canyon

What a lucky girl I am to get to spend my life with this guy!  A true gent he certainly is but His heart is what sealed the deal for me!  He leads through service, through selfless love.  He places our family's interest above his own and he never utters a negative word.  He is uplifting and happy.  He is humble, patient and wise.  He is the first to help without ever mumbling or groaning.  He is kind and caring and the most giving person I know.  He loves the Lord and loves with a heart that is from Him....completely unconditional, pure and undeserving.

Hunt, you are a fine example of a husband and of a man!  I love you!

You are Beautiful!

Flowers

Like most women, few things put a smile on my face as quickly as fresh flowers.  Whether it be a simple bud vase by my sink, a fully bloomed Hydrangea bush, or a hand-picked bouquet of dandelions from one of my girls, flowers instantly lift my spirit!  I just love everything about them (with the exception of mums:))...their scent, their shapes, their unique colors.... You can't help but be inspired by and in awe of their designer!  Sure wish I had an eye like Him!!!

Conveniently enough, I happen to be very close to someone who runs a pretty close second when it comes to color, creativity and design.  My beautiful mother (more so on the inside but definitely a pleasure to look at as well) sure has a  knack for that!  In fact, one of my favorite reminders of her gift hangs right above Amelia's head every night!  Take a look...

A picture just doesn't do this objet d' art justice but it's origin sure does.  Mom made this just before graduating from The University of Alabama's school of Design.  I don't remember the whole design premise but up close you can see all the different types of stitches (done without a pattern) and it sure makes for an interesting and happy piece of work.  It hung in my grandmother's house before she passed and now (with the help of a new matte and frame), it hangs above Amelia's bed.  I just love greeting it each morning along with the beautiful blonde snuggled in below it.  Both brighten my day and make me blissfully aware of the beauty  found in relationships and creation!

Love bugs!

Morning romp around sissy's bed!  Amazing thing the picture still hangs on the wall....

**Disclaimer** Yes, you will see mums on my porch.  I just suck it up and bring 'em on when the options dwindle...  White pumpkins can make anything look better, right?

You are beautiful!