Well, hello there, handsome!

A boy this handsome deserves a post all his own. 

...watching some football with his daddy.  No one can resist a comfy bean bag.  No one.

Ho Ho Ho its a House of Grits Christmas

Well, here I am again.  Months and a new baby later, and I'm still only 2 posts in.  My problem with blogging is "where do I start?" 

             Um, hello, I'm Kelly.  This is my blog??

Duh.  (insert me slapping myself in the forehead with the palm of my hand.)

That's EXACTLY how I'm going to roll. 

So, buckle up, folks.  Here we go. 

First things first, may I please introduce to you my new boyfriend (Don't worry, Mr. Ellison.  You're still my Hottie Hottie Hunka Lottie!)

    

Brantley Tyler Ellison, Jr was born on September 19, 2011 at 3:56 pm weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs 12 oz's.  Beautiful and healthy.  He was a lot of work for his poor mommy but I'd do it one million times more.  Instant love. 

Needless to say things around the House of Grits stay crazy, busy, and loud.  And we love it.  :)

It's just good. 

I love my babies, I love my husband, my doggies, and my messy house.  Yes, I said it.  My house is messy.  I don't care.  My kids are clean and fed.  :)

Annnywho, Christmas is in full swing at our crib so I thought I'd kick this thang off my sharing some Christmas cheer.

Last year, we welcomed Ben into our home.  Ben is one of Santa's elves direct from the North Pole.  He comes to live at our house right after Thanksgiving and stays until Christmas.  His mission?  To observe the kiddies and make sure they are doing what they need to do to stay on the Nice list.  Every night after everyone goes to bed, Ben flies on home to the North Pole and gives his report to The Man.  I guess while we're all sleeping Ben does some exploring around the House of Grits because he turns up in the strangest places.....

More on the adventures of Ben Ellison to come! Stay Tuned!

Thought I'd end this official first real post with a little Christmas cheer..

The Ellison Christmas Tree

....the stockings were hung by the chimney with care

I wanna share my favorite thing to unpack at Christmas time.  My Grandma Moore made this nativity scene for my mom...and my mom gave it to me the Christmas after Brant and I got married. I had always loved it but now that's its been handed down to me, it's even more special.  I think of my Grandma every time I look at it.  I miss her so much.  But I can only imagine the Christmas celebration that they are having in Heaven.  And I know in my heart she is with her Father and that she is good. 

I love Nativity scenes...I'm slowly getting a few around the house.

I love that a beautiful Nativity scene can help to keep us focused on the Reason for the Season, the birth of Jesus.. 

The other day I was looking at Baby Brantley and wondering to myself about what Mary must have thought when she looked at Jesus when he was a small baby Brantley's size.  It must have been so amazing to think that that tiny little baby was sent here to save us all. 

Thank you Lord for that precious baby in the manger.  Glory to the Newborn King!! 

Well, that's it.  That's my post.  Yeeeee-haw!

Hope you enjoyed your visit at the House of Grits.

Yall Come Back Now, Yah Hear?!!

-Kell

the sweetest 2 year old I know....

I can hardly believe she's two.  It's like I blinked and here we are.  It seems like I was just pacing the floor waiting to head over to Ocean Springs to be induced.  I was so nervous.  Not just about the pain, but also because I knew the next day I'd be somebody's mother.  I'd be responsible for her.  It'd be my job to raise her.  I was the one who was going to have to mold her into a good person.  I'd have to teach her to love, and forgive, and care.  I'd have to teach her right from wrong.  And how to be a friend.  She'd need me to help her learn to walk and how to sing her ABCs.  I'd have to be sure she knows how much God loves her.  Whoa.  And even though I knew there'd be lots of other people to help her Daddy and I, it was still scary.  Very scary. 

Now here we are 2 years later and I think we're doing okay.  She's super smart and already very kind.  She makes me laugh constantly.  She's had a couple colds and right now there's a strawberry on her knee.  She sings Amazing Grace perfectly.  Her favorite movie is Annie.  Right now she's sitting next to me on the floor "reading" a Dr. Seuss book in her Tinkerbell night gown.  She's beautiful.  She looks like her daddy.  I wonder if she'll ever know how much I love her.  And how much it means to me that I'm HER mommy.  My beautiful Taylor is 2 years old.  And soon she'll be a big sister. 

Happy Birthday, Baby Tay Tay.  You are my best thing in the whole wide world.  You are an amazing little girl and I know you're going to be an awesome big sister.  I'm so proud of you.  I love you more than you'll ever know. 

Welcome to the House of Grits

Why not begin with the cutest person who lives at the House of Grits....Miss Taylor.