This is what it is ALL about....

Just Dance...

Tonight was parents night at Addison's dance class

she did WONDERFUL, I cannot wait to see her up on that stage in May

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 28, 29, and 30

Okay I realize that I am little behind on completing my 30 day blog challenge! I wanted to take a few mins and do my last three posts in one.

- Day 28 - Something that stresses me out -

Currently I am a tad bit stressed about student teaching in January. I am overly excited about starting my new career but I am a little stressed about not being employed! Shawn and I have been planning ahead for this day but it is still stressful going from a two income family to one income. I do trust in The Lord and I pray that He will be with us as we go through this season in our lives. I also ask you all to pray for Shawn as he is going through the interview process for a new job within his company - if he were to get this new position my stress about student teaching would be greatly reduced.

- Day 29 - 3 Wishes

1. - To have unlimited wishes

(ha, didn't you hate when people would say that when we were kids??)

1. To Win The Lottery

2. To be able to meet George W. Bush

3. To become an amazing educator!!

- Day 30 - A Picture

Hahahahhahaha......silly silly girl

It's In the Cards...

I have been a Shutterfly fan for over 5 years now, I started using their site when Addison was born and continue to use it today. One thing that I absolutely love about their site is the fact that even if my computer where to crash all of my photos that I have uploaded to their site will be saved! I sure hope I did not just curse myself by mentioning a computer crash - please, please laptop do not fail me now!

It is that time of year when I start getting Addison and Jena's picture made for the family Christmas card and this year Shutterfly has some fabulous card choices! I was browsing their website earlier this week and found several styles that I thought were super cute.

I have always been a fan of the collage photo cards, I like being able to put a variety of shots on a card to share with all my family and friends.

Here is another classic card with the multiple picture option.

Several other collage options can be found by clicking here

The next two cards were my absolute favorite and I am going to have a hard time choosing which one should be The Banks Family card for 2010. I always try to add something on our Christmas card about the birth of Jesus, sometimes a Bible verse or just a simple saying to share what the meaning of Christmas is all about.

You can check out all of the Christian themed cards here

So not only do I have to decide which card I am going to send this year, Shutterfly also has some precious address labels to match the various Christmas cards.

Click HERE for all the cute address labels.

Shutterfly really has out done themselves this year, as if the cards and address labels were not enough, you can even give them your list of card recipients and they will mail the cards for you!!

So check out Shutterfly and all the wonderful products they have to offer not only at Christmas but all year long, I assure you that you will be pleased with your purchases! Once you check out the site come back and tell me which cards were your favorite!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 27

-Day 27 - Pets

We have a crazy, yet loving black cat named Nala. We adopted her as kitten from the Bartlett Animal Shelter after Addison had a slight traumatic experience with a guinea pig. To make a long story short, I thought it would be a fabulous idea to get Addison a guinea pig which ended up being a very bad, bad idea. Addison was only 3 when the guinea pig came to live with us and Addison just did not understand the concept of the guinea pig living in the cage. After about 12 hours of Addison crying wanting the guinea pig to "play" with her; Shawn and I decided that it was time for the guinea pig to live with another family. We found a local pet store who actually took the "Lenny" and a few days later we adopted Nala.

Nala had grown to be a lap cat and love Shawn more than she does anyone else in the family!! HA - she knows who normally puts her food down for her!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 26

-Day 26 - My Family -

This picture of Shawn and the girls was taken at the Memphis Zoo in 2009. One thing that I have learned doing this 30 day blog challenge is that I need to take some MORE pictures!! All of my shots seem to be either of Addison or Jena and not many of them together. My goal in 2011 is to take more pictures of the girls and myself - it seems that I am the one always taking the pictures and never in them.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 25

- Day 25 - iPod Shuffle

I could not WAIT to read everyone's posts today!! I am such a lover of music and could not wait to see what tunes showed up on other bloggers lists. The directions were to put my iPod on shuffle and post the first 10 songs that came up. Here they are...

1. Don't Close Your Eyes - Kellie Pickler

2. I Will Be Right Here - Kevin and Bethany Paige

3. Busy Child - The Crystal Method

4. Bella's Lullaby (Twilight Soundtrack Original Score)

5. Light On - David Cook

6. I Get Excited - Rick Springfield

7. Might As Well Be Making Love - Jessica Simpson

8. SOS - Rihanna

9. Calling All Girls - Rick Springfield

10. Leave Out All the Rest - Linkin Park

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 24

- Day 24 - Something that I have learned -

Something that I have learned over the past 5 years is that I am a stronger person than I EVER give myself credit for, and with Christ I can do anything. I learned this lesson loud and clear when I was pregnant with Addison and Avery, and then again with Avery's passing, and yet again as I watched Addison lay so sick in the NICU for 90 days. Even though those days were some of the hardest in my life, I always felt my Savior right beside me.

I was then diagnosed with thyroid cancer in August of 2008, again I was completely overwhelmed and did not know which way to turn. Yet again, He was with me the whole way and has blessed me with a wonderful friend who had been diagnosed a few years prior. This friend has been such a support and resource for me and if you are reading you know exactly who you are!! :) All the while I have continued going to school at night even when I have felt like totally giving up, HE has given me the strength and that energy I needed to push through.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 23

-Day 23 -

Favorite Vacation -

My favorite vacation would have to be in August of 2004 when I traveled to Anna Maria Island in Florida.

On August 9, 2004 - I married my husband on the beach in Longboat Key and we spent our Honeymoon in Sarasota, FL. It was a wonderful trip and my favorite for so many reasons! I cannot wait to go back one day soon!! I am bummed that I do not have any of our wedding pictures on my computer - I need to add that to my "to do list", our beach wedding was gorgeous, if I do say so myself!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 22

- Day 22 - Favorite City -

One of my favorite cities is Nashville, Tennessee!!

One of my passions is music so of course one of my favorite places is going to be "music city"!

I also love that Nashville is just a short drive from home so it is a great weekend getaway kind of place! Now, if I can JUST find some "weekend getaway" time that would be fabulous!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 21

- Day 21 - A Picture of ME -

Kinda keeping with the Halloween theme here and posting this picture of me from Halloween 2009. Funny story about this picture, it was taken in the dark in the women's bathroom at work!! That is the only place that we could get the flash to reflect off my "sparkles" cause you know, the BEST vamps always sparkle!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 20

- Day 20 - Nicknames -

Nothing to exciting here, only nickname that I have ever had has been Steph or Stephie.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 19

- Day 19 - Something that I miss -

Many of you know that my daughter Addison was a twin and that Avery Grace went to be with Jesus shortly after she was born. I think of Avery Grace every day, but since the girls were twins, I get to see Avery Grace each time I lay my eyes on Addison.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 18

- Day 18 - Something that I regret -

This is a tough one for me because I believe that life has no regrets, only lessons learned. If I had to go back and do something over again it would be that I would have finished college the FIRST time around. I attended college straight out of high school but my life took another road and I never graduated. Flash forward TEN YEARS later and now I am almost a college graduate who has applied myself this go around. I do regret that I did not finish earlier because I would be teaching in the classroom right now, but I also believe that God has a plan for my life and I am along for the ride!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 17

- Day 17 - Something I am looking forward to -

I am looking forward to student teaching in January!! I have been working and going to school at night since Oct. of 2007. I am very excited about getting in the classroom and applying all of the knowledge that I have learned in my classes these past few months.

I have felt a case of the "nerves" creep up on me here and there the past few weeks because I honestly cannot believe that I am about to become a teacher!! I have wanted this for ten years and I have FINALLY completed that goal!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 16

- Day 16 - Dream House -

The Cullen Residence

(along with The Cullen's inside would be amazing!!)

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 15

- Day 15 - Bible Verse -

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 14

- Day 14 - A Picture That I Love -

I took this at Addison's first trip to the Children's Museum of Memphis. I just love the pigtails and the smile on her face!! I am so ready to kiss that face - she has been out of town with my parents this week and I am missing her something TERRIBLE!!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 12

- Day 12 - What I Believe -

I believe that....

- with Christ NOTHING is impossible

- miracles do happen

- I can do anything that I really put my mind too

- mascara is one of the best inventions ever

- teaching is going to be such a rewarding profession

- my husband is one of the best men around

- I will see my daughter Avery Grace again one day

- God's grace is sufficient

- it is extremely important to find comfortable shoes!

- vampires are mysterious

- I am blessed with an amazing family

- that life is not about waiting for storms to pass, it is about dancing in the rain!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 11

- Day 11 - My Favorite T.V. Shows -

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 10

- Day 10 - Something That I Am Afraid Of -

This is will be a VERY short post - I am very very scared of ventriloquist dummies!! I remember walking in on my Mom and my Aunt watching the movie, "Magic" when I was a kid and I have been terrified of them ever since!!

CREEPY CREEPY CREEPY!!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 9

How ridiculous is it that I am almost THREE days behind on my 30 day blog challenge!! When ya get up at 6am and do not get home til 10pm, some days its just impossible to blog! However, I said I was going to do this challenge and well, I am NOT a quitter! :)

- Day 9 - My Friends -

I am blessed with so many close friends - I am going to try to give a quick "shout out" to all of them real quick.

Malorie - Where do I start? Your friendship is such a God send! You know how to make me laugh when I need it and have been such a support this past year as we complete our college degrees!! Classes would NOT have been the same without you and I look forward to growing together as we start our teaching careers!! I love you so!!

Marlana and Tina - My life has become so busy that we do not get to see each other that much, but thank goodness for texting!! I love you both and you will ALWAYS be two of my best friends!! P.S. - Tina, do NOT answer any phone calls about flip flops!!

CloseTRAK girls and Mel (you will always be a CloseTRAK girl) - You girls ROCK, I love that we are not only co-workers but we have become such close friends that we can talk to, laugh with and occasionally cry with. I love having such a support system with you girls and the encouragement you have all given me as I was finishing up school. I thank you all for your kind words but most of all, I thank you for making me smile each day!

Karen - Thank you for your listening ear!! I love that if I ever have a question that I can call you for your advice. You were my angel when Addison was in the NICU - such an awesome support, I love that God has allowed us to be such close, close friends over all these years!

Angela - Thank YOU for allowing me to be a part of your journey with baby Grace. I hate that you had to go through the stress and the trauma of such a rocky pregnancy but I love that God put you back in my life after almost 20 years. I look forward to watching Grace grow and see the amazing things that God is going to do in her life. I love you so!

My RICK girls - Can you believe that it has been TEN years since we have started this amazing ride?? What memories we have shared!! The sleepless nights, the concerts, the road trips, the pictures, and THE Rockgod!! :) You girls have been such a BRIGHT spot in my life - stories that I will tell for years and years. I love that I have a group of girls who share my crazy adoration for Rick Springfield.

MOPS girls - I am so blessed to have a group like you at church. I love the friendships that have started to bloom and look forward to getting to know all of you and your families as we all conquer this journey of Motherhood!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 8

- Day 8 - A place I have traveled -

I have to tell everyone that I am so envious of everyone's old pictures of themselves at various travel destinations. I have so many film pics that I need to put onto discs so that I can share them on my blog. I did not really go "digital" until we had Addison and even then I still printed all my pics and did not store them on a computer. Since then I have learned my lesson and I now have over 5000 pictures on my laptop!! Sadly, once we had Addison we stopped traveling and just took our FIRST family vacation in 5 years this past summer!!

Don't get me wrong though, I have been able to visit some wonderful places in my life. Here are my top favorites that I would love to visit again someday!

New York City

Las Vegas

Atlantic City

** I do NOT enjoy gambling but I have seen some amazing shows in Vegas and Atlantic City**

Belize

The Grand Canyon

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 7

- Day 7: Favorite Movies -

I have really enjoyed this blog challenge - I love having the set topics to blog about each day!! I have also had such a good time reading the other bloggers posts who are participating in the challenge. I could post my top ten favorite movies, but I will spare you and just post my top five.

(These are not in any particular order.)

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 6

- Day 6 - A picture that makes me happy -

A picture of my miracle Addison who weighed 1 lb. and 11 oz. at birth.

She is now a perfectly healthy five year old and lights up our lives every single day!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 - My Siblings

I do have a younger brother named Kirk, he and his wife live in North Carolina. Kirk is an extremely talented artist who creates beautiful pictures on canvas, you can check out his website HERE. Unfortunately, our busy lives have gotten in the way and we do not talk as much as I would like for us too. When we were kids we were into some of the same pop culture kinda things and were always laughing about the latest comedy movie that was out on the silver screen. Kirk has always been one who could quote line for line an entire movie and will keep you constantly laughing. I miss my brother and his wife and hopefully we can all reconnect soon!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 - My Parents

I do not know if I have words in me to express how much I love and admire my parents. They are both not only my mom and dad but two of my best friends. I make it a point to talk to them each and every day - I love that the older I get the closer my parents and I become. I hope and pray that my girls feel the same way about Shawn and I as I do about my parents.

When I was growing up my dad was an avid fisherman but a few years ago he sold the boat and bought a Harley! He and Mom take off riding almost every weekend, I love that they still spend good quality time with each other even after many years of marriage.

Mom and Dad - thank you for being such Godly parents and I appreciate you both more than you will ever know! XOXO

30 day Blog Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - First LOVE

My first love is and will always be my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

However, my earthly first love is my husband Shawn. We were married six years this past August and he is my rock. We have had our ups and downs, but what marriage hasn't? He knows when to make me laugh, knows how to comfort me when I am down and most of all he loves me for who I am!! Shawn, if you are reading this I love you with all of my heart and I do not tell you enough how much I appreciate all that you do for the girls and I.

Now - we ALL know that I have had my "first love" celebs too...

1. - Rick Springfield I have loved and adored since 1981!!

2. Davy Jones from The Monkees - when I was in high school The Monkees TV show was on Nick at Night, needless to say I taped every episode and watched them many many times!!

3. New Kids On The Block