Christmas Top 10

10. I had a live-in babysitter, who also happened to be my mom, for 8 days. I think I went somewhere almost everyday ALONE. It was nice and I will be going in to withdrawals next week.

9. My husband and I went on a date with our neighbors. Dinner AND a movie AND we rode with them. It was wonderful.

8. My mom and I painted at SipsNStrokes. Another fun night and something I had been wanting to do with her.

7. Our children are blessed to have 5 grandparents (and a few aunts & uncles) who love and adore them and get them way more than they could ever need or want. While it was definitely crazy and overwhelming, we are extremely thankful because we know there are lots of children who don't have one grandparent to spoil them.

6. I felt the baby move for the first time. We have an ultrasound appointment on the 20th (I'll be 19 weeks then). Hopefully, all will be healthy and we'll find out if we're adding another boy or girl to our family.

5. We had three deliciously divine meals on Christmas, the Saturday after Christmas with Steven's family, and New Year's Eve. Lots of turkey, ham, casseroles, bread and desserts. We even pulled out the fine china.

4. I received all of this as presents. Now I have no excuse for bad hair days.


3. We spent many an hour playing Mom and Maddie's new Wii. I was able to reduce my "Wii age" to 30. This was down from 70 the first time I played one last Christmas. We also had tremendous laughs watching our neighbor play and catapult the remote in to the fireplace at one point.

2. Watching the kids enjoy their family and their gifts and seeing Grady get more comfortable with people besides Mommy and Daddy. I think that was his resolution--to leave the separation anxiety in 2008.

1. We needed a Rescuer and He came. We could never reach up to Heaven, so Heaven reached down to us in the form of a baby. Immanuel, God With Us. The best reason to celebrate.


Wishing you all a Joyous New Year!

Last Minute Shopping

One red Christmas dress - check

Candy cane striped leggings - check

Silver sparkling shoes - check

Big brown coat - check

Purple sequin purse containing 3 quarters, Little People Mary & Donkey - check

Pink newsboy hat - check

She is making a "check" sign with her hand. We met Steven at Chick-fil-A for lunch yesterday, did a little Wal-Mart shopping, and took Grady to the doctor all the while in our Christmas Eve-Eve outfit. I think she has the makings of a fashion designer.

I did manage to get my homemade gifts done and am excited about them all. I made Elle a princess superhero cape and cross-stitched both kids an ornament. (Not to mention the 12 gift bags of goodies we put together for Steven's work?!) Hope everyone has a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

The Short on The Shack

I don't want to give too much away because it is just too intriguing of a book, but here's a short summary. Basically, this guy's 6 year old daughter is abducted during a family vacation and he struggles in his relationship with the Lord after. Four years later, he returns to the place where his daughter was lost and has a weekend encounter with God.

Here is one of my favorite quotes:

"Mackenzie, I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature. If I choose to appear to you as a man or a woman, it's because I love you. For me to appear to you as a women and suggest that you call me Papa is simply to mix metaphors, to help you keep from falling so easily back in to your religious conditioning.

She leaned forward as if to share a secret. "To reveal myself to you as a very large, white grandfather figure with flowing beard, like Gandalf, would simply reinforce your religious stereotypes, and this weekend is not about reinforcing your religious stereotypes."

Great Holiday Reading

Have any of you read this? I know it's been out for awhile, but mom just let me borrow it and I read it in one day. If you are a reader, or even if you're not for that matter, you should try this one. I'd love to know your thoughts. I'm not going to bore you with all of my thoughts about it, but I will say it was an incredible book.

I also wanted to give a plug for this book. My friend, Kristin, gave this to me last weekend. It has some wonderful information and ideas in it, especially for those who at times struggle with the Santa/Jesus thing at Christmas. You might hate it and you might love it, but it's worth checking out. "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." -Colossians 1:16-17

One more along those same lines. My friend, Stephanie, gave this to me for my birthday this past summer. Also has some great ideas for Christmas traditions. I found all of these online at Barnes & Noble.

Mini-Golden Birthday

Is there such a thing as a mini-golden birthday? If there is, then today is Grady's. He's 16 months old and today is the 16th. He is such a joy. He is trying to say so many words. One of my favorites that his father has taught him is "foosa" (from Madagascar). He definitely loves to throw himself on the floor for a few minutes and scream if he doesn't get his way. And forget about strapping him in to his car seat if he doesn't want to sit. I know we make for some good entertainment to people getting in their cars. Good luck changing his diaper. You're in for a few ninja kicks and somersaults before he will actually be still for a minute. He will drink milk, water, juice all day long but isn't much of an eater. And you can forget vegetables. He did eat a slice of cucumber tonight so there is hope. He likes to sit down with a good book in the rocker in his room. He loves to snuggle with you and wrestle, especially with Elle. She doesn't always like it. His hair is wild and you never know what it will look like in the morning. Trimming his nails is an incredible task. It's a miracle that his finger tips aren't permanently scarred. He loves his right thumb, but sometimes any finger will do. He has the most beautiful eyes. It really is hard to believe that it's been 16 months.

The Polar Express

Elle and I went all the way to the North Pole last night on the Polar Express. She had no idea we lived a short 20 minute train ride from the North Pole. On the way there, we listened as the story was read and then we sang Christmas carols until we saw the lights of the North Pole. Elves came aboard and gave each of us our very own jingle bell. Santa and Mrs. Claus showed up next, taking pictures with us all. When Santa and Mrs. Claus ventured on to the next car, the chefs boarded handing out chocolate milk and cookies. We sang more carols as we waited for Santa to visit with all the children on the train. The elves came back around with a souvenir ornament and then it was time to head home.



Our very good friends, the Goodes, journeyed with us. Kristin and I joined in the fun wearing our Christmas pajamas too. The Polar Express was one of my favorite Christmas stories growing up. I was probably more excited than Elle to be doing this with her this year. Although, you can tell from the video that she had a pretty good time too. Steven and Grady had their own special time at home.

Just Because

This one is for you Kellie.

8 TV shows I watch:

**I don't watch 8 shows, but here are the ones I do watch:

1. Heroes
2. The Office
3. LOST (can't WAIT for the new season!)
4. Extreme Makeover Home Edition
5. HGTV (every now and then)

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Chic-Fil-A
2. Olive Garden
3. Cracker Barrel (one of the few restaurants we have)
4. Outback
5. Most Mexican places
6. Panera Bread
7. Jim & Nick's
8. Ruth's Chris (only been twice)

8 Things that happened this week:

1. Took Grady to the doctor for an ear re-check and he has bronchiolitis (3 more medications)



2. Both children hysterically received the flu shot

3. Our bathroom got cleaned (finally!)

4. Washed, dried, folded and put away 6 loads of laundry

5. Stayed awake for THREE hours one night, not with my sick child, but because the other one just didn't want to sleep but wanted to cry about it

6. Ordered some maternity clothes as an early Christmas present from mom

7. Developed yet another fever blister on my face

8. Watched as one more pair of pants cannot be buttoned


8 Things I look forward to:

1. Heaven
2. Being able to read a good book
3. A nice roaring fire
4. The beach in the summer
5. A date with my husband
6. Traveling to new places
7. Becoming a family of five (although some days more than others:)
8. Christmas

8 Things I wish for/pray for:

1. To be content no matter my circumstances
2. A wonderful babysitter who lives close and works very cheaply
3. For my kids to know Jesus
4. For a church we can call home
5. A part time job that doesn't take me away from home much
6. Our country/economy/job losses
7. That I lived closer to family and friends
8. A healthy baby

**Here is the family picture from last weekend:


And if you really want to see the whole family picture from Thanksgiving, check out my cousin's blog here. (because nobody has sent me a group shot yet, hint, hint!)