Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

The weather the past couple of days has been a mixture of ice, sleet, and snow. The snow part didn't actually happen until last night at about 8:00. It was beautiful and so bright outside. Over the past six months I have learned (and continue to learn) that you have to make the most of each day that God gives you. As I was getting ready to put Charley to bed last night, I looked outside and couldn't help but think that it would be so much fun to go outside and play in the snow. So, at 9:00 Charley and I put on our snow gear and headed out into the Winter Wonderland. This was the first time Charley had really had the opportunity to play in the snow. She loved it! We made snow angels, raced each other across the yard, and ended with a snowball fight! Charley thought it was great to get to go outside and play at bedtime! What a great memory!

Let It Snow!

Click on Album for more Pics!

Happy Belated New Year, and Yes...WE'RE STILL ALIVE!!

Well in case you're all wondering, the Wassons are alive and well.....PRAISE GOD!!! The past month things have been hectic, but in a good way! We had a wonderful Christmas spent with our family. This Christmas was extra special. I recently overcame my battle with breast cancer and to spend Christmas with my family and be healthy, was a true blessing. Charley received a plethora of princess toys. She is turning into quite the little princess herself. Now that our family is getting back into a routine that does not involve chemotherapy, surgery, or a multitude of Dr's. appointments, I am hoping to have more time to devote to this blog.

Here is an update of what is going on with the Wassons:

1. Last year we took Charley to see Elmo Live in Kansas City. Many of you might remember the YouTube video we posted of her. She was so excited! Elmo Live will be in Kansas City next week so we are taking Charley to see it again. We plan on spending two days there enjoying some much deserved time as a family.

2. Since being diagnosed with cancer last June, Ryan and I have not had any time to ourselves, with the exception of my chemotherapy treatments.....not exactly how I want to spend time with Ryan! So, as a gift to ourselves we are going to Las Vegas February 23rd - 26Th. I absolutely cannot wait for this trip. I have only been to Vegas once and I loved it. The shopping is incredible and I love taking a look at all the different casinos! For those of you that remember, my last trip to Vegas I won $2500 on a nickel machine. Hopefully I will be as lucky this next time!

3. In March I will be traveling to NY....alone! When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I created a blog that gave me the opportunity to share my journey with others. Through this blog I corresponded with many different women via email. I was overwhelmed with all the emails I received with words of encouragement. In July, I received an email from a woman named Mary. Mary had been diagnosed at almost the same time as I. After sharing our stories with one another, we learned that we would be having the same kind of chemotherapy, on the exact same days. The only difference was that I was in St. Louis and she was in NY. Since first emailing one another in July, we have developed an awesome friendship! In fact, if we don't hear from one another in any given day, we worry. Getting through my treatments was so much easier knowing that Mary was going through the same thing. We really counted on each other and were there to encourage one another when needed. So, on March 19Th I will be getting on a plane and flying to NY to meet Mary in person. We are going to spend several days in New York City painting the town pink! I cannot wait for this trip and feel so blessed that I will finally get to meet her!

2009 is going to be a great year for the Wasson family. I look forward to watching Charley grow and living life to the fullest. What better way to start 2009 than with a little bit of traveling. Hopefully there will more to come!

Allow Me To Introduce You To Bella

Yesterday, Ryan and I decided to add on to our family. We are SO HAPPY to announce that Charley has a new little sister. I personally think she favors Ryan. In case your thinking, "I didn't even know that Melody was pregnant," don't worry, this was not a well kept secret pregnancy. Our newest addition is a sweet little Shih Tzu named Bella. She is black and white and such a sweet natured puppy.

Ryan and I had been talking about getting a new puppy after the first of the year. We actually purchased a french bulldog puppy a little over a year ago but sold it a short time later because it was spastic. It screamed like a woman (I'm serious!) and was not very loving. After selling her, Ryan and I decided that we would wait to get another puppy until we found just the right one. We had done a lot of research on what kind of dog would be good for us and good with Charley and had made up our mind that we would eventually get a Shih Tzu. Ryan and I also knew several people who had Shih Tzu's and they all had great things to say about these dogs.

In all honesty, we had no intentions of purchasing a dog yesterday. However, on our way home, we saw a man selling Shih Tzu's. We stopped to take a look and knew instantly that we had found our puppy. Charley LOVES her and so does our other dog, Mandy. Mandy had needed a companion for quite some time and now she has a new baby to take care of. Meet Bella.

Attack Of The Birds

I have never cared for birds. Perhaps that is because when I was little I stepped on a baby bird and the mother bird freaked and flew at me viciously. While I was getting ready this morning, I heard a lot of "chirping" and looked outside to see hundreds (maybe even a thousand) birds in my yard. I was extremely worried that I would not be able to leave my house or in doing so I would be attacked. I did venture out to take some pics, but did not leave the porch. It was quite scary!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

The rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Fill out the questions below
3. Tag 5-7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag. Have FUN!!

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate. Just hearing the words egg nog makes me want to yack.

2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Hello...sits them under the tree! Do you really think he has time to wrap all those presents?

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? We have white lights on our tree and colored blinky lights on our house!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No! I would be out-running Ryan all the time if I did that.

5. When do you put your decorations up? The week of Thanksgiving...usually the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I enjoying all of the food but my favorite is actually a beverage made with red hots.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: I loved all the gifts but what I remember most is the excitement I had going to bed on Christmas Eve. I still get that same excitement!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I heard a rumor at school and then went home and asked my mom. She looked at me and told me told me the rumor was true!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes. We open gifts at my in-laws on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? We have a pre-lit tree with lots of ornaments, red ribbon, and silver bows.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love it when it is actually snowing. However, I don't like it when the snow turns black from being on the ground for weeks.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but I don't like it.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Hello...who wouldn't LOVE getting a barbie dream house?

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? COOKIES....any kind.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I have loved starting a new tradition by having Christmas morning at my house.

17. What tops your tree? A red bow.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving! I love watching the excitement (or sometimes disappointment) on my families face as they open the gift that I picked out especially for them.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Oh Holy Night!

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? The first one of the season is yummy, but after that, yuck!

21. What do you want for Christmas? I want many more years with my family.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party? We will attend one this year with our Life Group. =)

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs? PJ's! I love getting right out of bed and opening presents!

24. Do you own a santa hat? No. Why would I?

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? My family.

I Tag: Erica....I can't think of anyone else who hasn't already been tagged!