Christmas time!

Hello again!!  Christmas is nearly over and it was a great christmas this year.  It was Jaelyn's third christmas and Finlee's first christmas... Very exciting!!.   They both had a good christmas but what was really special to me was Jaelyn going around everywhere saying, " Santa Clause is coming", "Happy Birthday Jesus!", and also, " shhh. I hear Santa's Bells."   She is beginning to understand a little bit and that is pretty neat to see her grow like that.  I have not blogged in a while so in case you didn't know, Texas is doing very well in sports right now.   Thier football team is playing in the national Championship, thier basketball team is ranked #2 and just beat both teams from last years national championship game.  This team looks to be the best team Texas has had in a really long time.  The longhorn volleyball team is also ranked #2 and the preseason baseball rankings have Texas at #1.  All of this makes me very excited for Longhorns sports because I am such an avid fan.  Hopefully this spring I can make it to a baseball game to see them play in Manhattan or Lawrence.  Speaking of sports... I recently got a dvd of my high school football hilight reel from senior year in the mail.  I was pretty excited to watch it and relive those awesome memories.  Tanna was not too thrilled though because she knew I would watch it over and over and over.  I was watching it yesterday and Tanna asked me what I would give to play one more year.  As much as I would love to... I would not trade anything for another year in football. I am so thankful for everything that I have in my life and would not change it a bit.  But still, it brings back good memories and I could still remember almost every play on the dvd.(just ask Tanna)   I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and a safe one as well.    Until next time.... Hook 'em Horns!!

Matthew Pollock

Jaelyn and Finlee

The girls are growing up so fast. Finlee is standing up and Jaelyn talks more and more everyday. I love watching them grow and change and I love watching their personalities blossom, but it's all happening too fast for me. They love playing together, laughing at each other, and they even share a room now-and they love it. Here is a recent picture of them playing together. Enjoy!

Xoxo,
Tanna

Sledding

During one of the first snows of Winter, we took Jaelyn sledding for the first time. She had a blast. She loves being out side and she absolutely loved sliding down the snowy hills. In this picture, she is all dressed and ready for sledding! Enjoy!

Xoxo,
Tanna

Green Sheep Photography Giveaway!

Some of you know that my most favorite hobby is photography. Even though I haven't been keeping up with it during this busy holiday season, I even have a store where I sell my photo's. http://www.greensheephotography.etsy.com/.
On February 1st, GSP will be giving away a stationary set, of my photo's, to one of our blog followers. So if you want to enter for a chance to win, just comment on this blog post. I will be drawing a name on Feb. 1st, so make sure you are signed up before then!

And in a month or so, check out http://www.greensheephotography.etsy.com/, after I get it updated!

Xoxo,
Tanna 

My Bucket List...Continued

I thought I would share with you a few more items from "My Bucket List". It's so fun to look into the future and set goals or dreams for yourself, you should try it!

I want to win the lottery. I'm perfectly happy with the life that I lead, the people in it, my marriage, my family, and mostly everything in my life but, wouldn't it be cool to say that you won the lottery? I think so. I don't want the baggage that comes with fortune, or the fame and I don't care how much money it is, I just want to say that I've "won the lottery".

I want to order a cake from Charm City Cakes. I love the show, Ace of Cakes. Every Thursday, I sit in my chair, turn the TV to the Food Network, and watch Duff, Geoff, Mary Alice, and the gang, decorate their cakes. It's possibly one of the shows that I laugh the most at. And someday, when I'm in Baltimore, I plan to order a cake from them and pick it up, just so I can meet them, at Charm City Cakes.


...More to come later!

Xoxo,
Tanna

Inspirational

As some of you know, I'm in love with the show Friday Night Lights. Below is a speech used in the show. I love it. It's very inspirational to me and includes many of the goals and changes that I want to accomplish myself. I want to capture some of these same thoughts and ideas too. I just thought I would share. Enjoy!

Xoxo,
Tanna


I use to be afraid of wanting anything. I figured wanting would lead to trying and trying would lead to failure. But now I find I can't stop wanting. I want to fly somewhere on first class. I want to travel to Europe on a business trip. I want to get invited to the White House. I want to learn about the world. I want to surprise myself. I want to be important. I want to be the best person I can be. I want to define myself instead of having others define me. I want to win and have people be happy for me. I want to lose and get over it. I want to not be afraid of the unknown. I want to grow up and be generous and big hearted, the way people have been with me. I want an interesting and surprising life. It's not that I think I'm going to get all these things, I just want the possibility of getting them. The possibility that things are going to change.

Comments

Hello all,
I didn't realize that my settings only allowed users to comment. I fixed it now...sorry about that! We love to hear your feedback and your comments.

Xoxo,
Tanna

My Bucket List

If there's a few things that I could mention about what I learned from my daddy, it would be to dream big, never give up, and that I can get what I want. :) As I think about my dreams and what I want to do with my life from this point (with my family in tow), I come up with a list of a few things to be called My Bucket List; the things I want to do before I die (or "kick the bucket"). I'm not going to share all, just a few on my list. (Maybe I'll share more in the future, if you're lucky.)

I want to travel the world. I want to go to foreign countries like Spain, France, and New Zealand. I want to see the 7 Wonders of the World. I want to travel to every state in the USA. (..which I've almost accomplished.) I want to explore more of God's beautiful artwork. Most of my favorite memories from growing up, are from traveling so much with my family. I love to travel and explore new places.

I want to become a famous photographer. I want to be known for famous photographs. I want to open a photography studio (called GreenSheepPhotography). While I'm exploring the world, I want to return with beautiful photographs. I want to be the person that shines through my work and who's work glorifies God's handiwork. I love taking photo's and love what I'm able to capture.

I want to open a home for pregnant teens. I want a safe, healthy place for pregnant teens and their babies to live and I want to create it. I want them to gain self-esteem, life lessons, and friendships. I love helping people and I love babies. I consider this a passion of mine. I want to provide this place for teens so they know that they aren't alone and are loved. I want God to shine through in this home. Maybe it's because I had children so young, I don't know, but I dream of the day that I can help others and I pray that this is the way to do so.

There's sure to be more of "My Bucket List" to come but for now, that's enough! Have you ever thought about what's on your bucket list?


Xoxo,
Tanna

California Dreamin' (Pasadena, California to be exact!)

I love watching Matt as he watches "his" longhorns play. He loves football. He loves it so much, he has me loving it. (He will be so proud that I blogged about football!) I love seeing him so happy watching something he once (and still does) had a huge passion to play. You may have heard that the longhorns won against Nebraska (barely), to win the Big 12 Championship!
On January 7th, they will be headed to Pasadena, California to play in the BCS Championship. Matt is so excited to watch them, from the comfort of his own couch! So today I was thinking how cool it would be to get Matt there to watch them, but it would definitely take the grace of God. (Considering tickets start at $800 a ticket-just for the game.) I love being able to share in something that Matt loves so much, even if I'm not as educated about it as he is. But I have to admit, I'm pretty good, thanks to him. So this week, we're dreaming of being in Pasadena on the 7th to cheer on "our" longhorns, even if we wake up sitting on our couch!
Hook 'em horns!

Xoxo,
Tanna

Oh, Christmas Time!

My favorite holiday is by far, Christmas! I love the snow (when I'm inside to enjoy it), the hot cocoa, the yummy sweets, sitting by the fireplace, the decorations, the Christmas movies, and the shopping! It really does seem like a magical time of year, if you sit back and enjoy it.

When I was little, I remember waiting for dark to come so we could load up in my Grandpa's car and drive around to see all of the beautiful Christmas lights. I would always get to sit in the front, because I was the youngest and smallest. My grandpa would drive and drive until he made sure we seen every house in town. Not only that, but he would wait until one particular song came on the radio. "Grandma got ran over by a reindeer...", I can still hear us all singing it as my Grandma sat in disbelief. What a sweet memory that I will always remember! As I got older, my Dad would take us in his plane to fly over the Christmas lights. It was always an amazing experience.

We recently decorated our house for Christmas. It gets more fun every year as Jaelyn gets older. She loves to help! It's very bittersweet as each Christmas passes. This will already be Jaelyn's third Christmas, and Finlee's first. Unbelievable! They really do grow up fast. Here's a few pictures of our little helper!

Last night, Matt and I went with a few friends to see "It's a Wonderful Life", the play. It use to be a classic Christmas movie. It was truly a wonderful play. I think it truly is a wonderful life as long as you have friends and family.

Christmas is a great way to gather with family and friends but somtimes we just have to sit back, relax and really enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. To celebrate the birth of Jesus! Such an amazing time of year!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Xoxo,

Tanna

Flashback

Recently, I was looking back on the blogs that I had created for the girls. It was a lot of fun looking at pictures, stories, and information about them, from when they were just babies. It was a fun trip down memory lane. I thought I would remind you of their blog addresses just in case you wanted to share in the memories as well. Enjoy!
http://www.jaelynlerae.blogspot.com/
http://www.babypollock.blogspot.com/

Xoxo,
Tanna

Just remember that this is our main blog and I no longer update those anymore!

Finlee Grace

Finlee turns 9 months old today! Where has the time gone? She's been celebrating her first holiday's and will soon have her first Christmas, then her first birthday. She is changing fast and we are enjoying every minute with her. She loves playing with her big sister and can't wait to be running around with her! She's always ready to greet you with a smile and you can even sense some oneryness in her! I think we'll keep her, though!

Xoxo,

Tanna

Jaelyn's New Bike

My baby girl is growing up so fast. Fast enough that she is already ready to start learning how to ride a bike. For Christmas, all of Matt's siblings bought her a Barbie bike with a helmet and elbow pads. She absolutely loves it! She hasn't quite got the pedaling down yet, but she is learning. Here's a picture of her with her bike. Enjoy!

Xoxo,

Tanna

A few of my favorite things......

Wow! Finally, after all of this time, I have been able to blog on here.  I have been so busy and I have been putting this off.  This is the first time I have ever "blogged"  so bear with me on this.  Tanna told me I could "write whatever I want", but I know she'll read this right after I post this and find something to say about it (good or bad).  This time of year for me seems to be the most hectic, but yet I still feel like I've had the chance to spend alot of free time with my girls, which is the most important.  Finals are right around the corner so I have been busy finishing up papers and getting ready to study for all of the upcoming tests.  Between all of that time I have had the awesome opportunity to watch alot of college football.  Most of you who know me know that I am in love with college football and my beloved TEXAS LONGHORNS!  I have really been proud of Tanna because she has found a new love for longhorns football, much to the disliking of her grandpa. :)  He is an Oklahoma Sooners fan, so it gives it a little family rivalry there.(but very friendly)  I even have Jaelyn in on the act.  She is learning to  say "Hook 'em Horns" and she can do the horns hand signal too.  She still needs a little work on it but with time, she be as big of a fan as her daddy. (I'll be very proud.)  Speaking of my Longhorns,  they have the chance to play for a national championship this year with a win next week over Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game.  I had the opportunity in 2005 to watch them win the National Championship with Vince Young and I would give anything to see Colt McCoy, the current quarterback win one.  He undoubtedly deserves it. I admire him and he is one of my biggest heroes.(perhaps why our dog is named after him.)  Not only is he an amazing athlete that I dream of playing catch with someday, but he is a devout christian that proclaims his faith every week on national television during post game interviews on the field.  It is awesome to hear him thank God for his abilities and his opportunity to play. That is why I truly look up to him.  I tell Tanna sometimes that we are going to move to Austin some day to be closer to my longhorns.  Well, hopefully everybody who reads this does not get lost in my football lingo or gets bored because of it.  I will hopefully be back soon to update you on my beautiful girls( all three) and my 'horns. 

Hook 'em Horns!

Matthew Pollock

Holiday Madness

Well, as of tomorrow, November is over. Our family has sucessfully celebrated Thanksgiving.
This year for Thanksgiving we headed to Western Kansas to my Granparent's house. We had a lot of fun eating, visiting, and relaxing with family! Even family that we hardly get to see such as my dad and my Texas family.
After the long drive home, we spent the weekend with Matt's family. His sister's and I stayed up all night to go shopping on Black Friday! It was so fun but after 36 hours of no sleep, we were all ready for bed the following night. To kill two birds with one stone, we celebrated Christmas with his family this weekend as well. I'm sad that it's over but I'm looking forward to our upcoming New Years Eve celebration with them!

It's always so hard to face reality after a great week with family and friends. Matt and I are back to our last week of school (for the semester) before finals. I'm so glad that we are both that much closer to being finished.

Now it's onto Christmas with the rest of our family. I'm ready to celebrate with my two favorite little girls this year. It's Finlee's first Christmas and Jaelyn's third. I can't believe how fast they are growing up!

Happy Holidays!

Xoxo,
Tanna

Thanksgiving Time

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Psalm 100:4

Thanksgiving; a time to be grateful, thankful, and a time to count your blessings, right? All too often, I believe we forget to thank the whole reason we have those blessings and  reasons to be thankful. So, here's what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful that I have a GOD who loves me always, who's with me all the time, who provides for me, and who has given me LIFE. I'm thankful that He sent His son to sacrafice himself for US so we don't have to. There's so much more that He does for us on a daily basis that words probably can't even express how awesome He is!

I'm thankful for my family. My God-given family. For my husband who leads this family in the best way he knows how. Matt lives for his girls, works hard for us, and loves us, and for that I'm very grateful. I'm thankful for my two little blessings, Jaelyn and Finlee. Life wouldn't be the same without them. They always have a smile ready to greet you in the morning, whether you're ready for it or not. I'm thankful that God would allow me to raise His children and to teach them to follow Him. I'm thankful for my parents, my grandparents, my brothers, my sisters, and grateful that I can share my life with them.

I'm thankful for my friends. I'm blessed with a few great friends and I love the memories we share. I'm thankful that I can live life with them, face challenges with them, and have fun with them.

I'm thankful for the roof over my head, the food on my table, and the clothes that I have. SO many people don't realize the smallest things that we all take for granted so this year, I am very thankful the the "little things in life".

This doesn't even come close to everything that I have to be thankful for but it's a good example. I am very blessed and spoiled by Him and I hope after you read this, you too can count your blessings this Thanksgiving!

Xoxo,
Tanna

Fall Family Photo's

A few weekends ago, I took family pictures for Matt's family so I decided to do ours as well. I think they turned out great! Enjoy!

Xoxo,

Tanna

Our Family Blog

Hello Family and Friends,
Alas, our new family blog has been created! Check here to check in on us and view pictures of our growing family! We'll update it as we go along and as time allows! Enjoy!

Xoxo,
Tanna

http://www.pollockfamilyfour.blogspot.com/