The Good Life!

Guess what, folks!? We finally moved out of the tiny room we were living in at my father's and now live in our very own two bedroom apartment in beautiful Decatur, Alabama! We love it very much and while we don't have a lot of nice things, we are making do with what we've got. We DID buy a king size bed and some bedding stuff for both Kyra and ourselves and a few picture frames, but other than that we are keeping it simple, yet artsy.

I'd like to thank my mother and father for all the financial support they showed us starting off because our first six months would have been a great deal harder without them. Also, thanks to dad for helping us move out and a special 'THANKS' goes out to my cousin, Barbi and her friend for helping us getting moved out of the Athens Storage place. We got everything moved into our new place in only TWO DAYS!

We are both currently seeking employment in Decatur, but don't stress for us. We are painting a lot and plan on selling these larger paintings to whoever wants them if the price is right! Inspiration seems to be showing her face around these parts and I have to say, it's good to see her. If it's not acrylic paint on canvas, it's some other kind of art project we find ourselves doing. I love finding art in all aspects of life.

Most of all, praise and thanks go to God for all of these smiles we have nowadays. Without Him none of this would be possible. Well, that's all for now. Supper will be ready soon and I still have a bunch of projects to do before the night is over and I retire to bed. A brand new, comfortable bed, I might add!

Thanks for reading!!

Christmas Oh!9

Much to my very own surprise, I survived Christmas this year - not only with my family, but with my in-laws as well.

I've never been a fan of this season. I've felt this way for years, but I promised I would put forth an effort to have a good time for my new family's sake.
I actually had a really great time.
Christmas Eve at Barbara and Pete's house was absolutely wonderful. I got really anxious and wanted to run at one point because of all of the people, but I had a hand to hold, and those feelings were quickly put to rest.
I probably couldn't have hand-picked a better family to become a part of.
Words cannot describe how truly happy I have felt for the past few days.
(Barbara's ham gets 10 thumbs up, by the way.)

Christmas morning, Crisco and I had to wake Kyra up. It was probably the only day she's ever slept in on. Seeing her face when she realized Santa and his reindeer had eaten the snacks she left out for them AND written a personal note was priceless.
Honestly, I had to hold in tears countless times watching Kyra open her gifts.
I'm not quite sure if I have ever seen her that happy before, and Crisco's reactions to her surprise tugged at my heart, too. =)

All I keep re-thinking to myself is how truly blessed I am - not only for my beautiful daughter, but for my husband - who tried SO hard to show me what Christmas is really about, and who has loved Kyra and I through everything we've gone through together.
(It hasn't all been easy, and I haven't always had the best positive attitude.)
..and also for Crisco's family. They have been nothing but unconditional love and acceptance from the beginning, and that alone means more to me than I'll ever be able to share.

My own family was wonderful, too, and I am SO glad I got to see people I rarely see anymore. One of my favorite things was getting to spend time with my sister, and having her spend the night with Crisco and I.
Sorry about waking you up an hour late, by the way, Celeste. =)

Food, games, tons of laughs, and pictures to remember it all!..

I really couldn't have wished for what once used to be the most dreaded holiday for me, to go any better than it did. I can honestly say that I am truly happy, and that I will never take the time I get to spend with all of you for granted - it means far too much to me.
Thank you to everyone I have been around this season, every one of you helped make it everything I've ever thought it should be.

I am blessed to have two wonderful families that I absolutely adore and I, of all people, cannot WAIT for next Christmas. =)

*LZ

The First Zills Family Blog

Well, today is December 22nd. Only three more days till Christmas, but only TWO more days till Christmas at my mother's! Linda is starting to enjoy the holidays which is a big deal. She's never been a fan of Christmas. Kyra is super excited about Santa's visit. She's been trying to be a good girl, but she's been having slips, so I told her I talked to Santa and to make up for the slips, she's gotta make him something for Christmas, so she's trying to think up something creative to make him and we'll help her work on it tomorrow.
This is my first Christmas with a family of my own and I am VERY excited. Since we are living with my father for the time being, we tried to make the best of our limited space and we hung up Christmas lights around the room and put out Memaw's porcelain Christmas tree she used to always have on one of her living room tables. However, we like the Christmas lights so much, we may just keep them up until we move out lol.
We took Kyra to see Santa at the mall the other day. This was her first time ever to visit Santa! She was more excited and nervous than I have ever seen her!! It was great! She tends to scratch under her eye when she gets nervous, so she almost gave herself a black eye that night. It was so sweet. She was shaking with joy.

This is the photo she took with Santa. Now, maybe it's just me, but this Santa looks like he's either A) posing for a prison photo... B) drunk... or C) Drunk/High.

Either way, I wanted to punch him in the face for making this photo so ridiculous. Kyra was excited though, so I let it go. Still, I wish I had that money I spent on this in my pocket today.


I should have taken her to O'Charley's to get her pic made with THIS Santa. He was a jolly guy. Totally made my day, as you can see. I was PUMPED!

Well, that's all for this blog. Join us next time for more family fun!! Yeah, I don't really know how to end this thing.....so.....bye.