Toddler Tree

This year we bought a bit of a smaller tree and only decorated it with a few more meaningful ornaments and tons of unbreakable glitter stars. I missed all of my beautiful glass animal ornaments but Christmas day, as we were cleaning up from the chaos, I realized that our tree really spoke about our family. There is the playful Muffy ornament crouched down ready for some fun.
The ornament that I made out of a picture of Beau the year before he died. I missed him a lot this year!

Another ornament that I made out of a picture from our wedding. We were so skinny and good looking! Parenthood is hard on your appearance... This Thanksgiving marked the 8th year that Lloyd and I have been together and this May we will celebrate our 4th year of marriage. I had such a great time at our wedding but our first dance was so right when it predicted that, "the best is yet to come..."

This sweet wooden ornament was a gift from our church. It symbolizes our mission this year that no one walks alone in our church. I love how simple it is and that it reminds me of all the important people in our lives because of our church. We know that we do not walk alone!

We bought this little horse for Ellen while we were in Crockett for Lloyd's sweet Grandmother's funeral. We didn't intend it as a way to remember her but I think I will always think about Barbara when I see it. She was such an amazingly kind woman who took care of so many people. We really miss her.

Our tree and lives just wouldn't be complete without this little peanut. Ellen made this ornament at school as a gift for Mommy and Daddy. See the reindeer antlers? I just can't imagine what life would be like without our Sweet Bee in our lives!

Oh, King... I have such mixed feelings about this sweet dog. He really has the best disposition of any dog I have ever met. However, he also thinks he is a lap dog and constantly trips me trying to be close, is scared of the rain and constantly trips me seeking comfort, and sheds like it is his job. I feel secure that he would protect us if need be but wish he didn't bark so loud at the UPS man (who loves to deliver at 9:00 PM).

This owl represents the new job I took this year. I am still in the midst of growing pains and adjusting to new co-workers and a new role. I miss my old co-workers and role so much but enjoy the decreased stress. I took this job to be more emotionally available to my family but constantly think about what it would have been like if I never left.

I love that our tree this year was so full of great memories and offered the space to reflect on who we are as a family. I tell Lloyd all the time that I love our life and I really do mean that! Love, The Little Bee and her Momma