See Ya

We are moving tomorrow. Moving is stressful. I'll be back sometime in January 2011. Happy New Year!

Christmas in Dothan

I'll never post if I wait for words, so here are some pictures from our Christmas celebrations in Dothan last weekend. I'll get around to actually writing again sometime, but we are moving to Dothan the first week of January. It's been a bit crazy around here with Christmas, family here, renting our house, finding one to rent, getting boxes, packing, Christmas, etc. We are excited and it has been another testimony of the Lord's goodness, kindness and provision for us. Merry Christmas to you all!

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." -Luke 2:10-11

Let it snow... a little.

We had some snow flurries today.

Reese just stood there frozen at first.

It didn't take long for him to warm to the idea.

The more experienced ones knew just what to do.


Sadly, it didn't last long and wasn't enough to stick.


But it was a magical day nonetheless.

Fires and S'mores

The Parade

Elle got to be in her first parade last Saturday. Her dance studio had a float in our town's Christmas parade and she happily volunteered to ride, wave and throw out candy. Because she was in the "5 and under" category, I also got to ride, wave and throw out candy. I'm quite sure if I had not been there to ration her bag of candy, the first person she saw would have gotten the whole bag dumped on them! She had a great time and was excited to be a part of it all.

The best part was that our float was sandwiched in between a "youth rock band" and the one and only Santa Claus and his reindeer float. We had screaming, amplifier feedback, non-holiday related tunes belted out in front of us while holly, jolly Christmas carols rang out behind us. It was quite hilarious. There was also a llama.

Now or Never

Last Tuesday, after a successful morning of oral surgery and a small bout with nausea and vomiting in the afternoon, we set off for a beautiful and fun-filled Thanksgiving at Lake Martin.

As the family trickled in Tuesday evening, we enjoyed the views and made ourselves at home.

It was a late night Tuesday, and some of us were a little rough around the edges Wednesday morning.

Nothing a little breakfast, hot water and soap and promise of fresh air couldn't fix. And though the drive-way almost got the best of us, we persevered.

It's taken me a week to get this far, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

We thoroughly enjoyed being with our family though several members were dearly missed (Mark, AK, Powell & Jessica!). I'm hoping the group only gets bigger in the years to come. I reminded several of my cousins that I was married by the time I was their ages. Don't worry aunts and uncles, I also threw in that I was finished with school before I got married:).

So I Can Remember...

The crazy, funny, sweet, hilarious things these children say.

In the car the other day:

Elle: "Mommy, will I see you in heaven?"

Me: "I think we'll probably be able to see our loved ones who are there."

Elle: (after a long pause, with a quiver in her voice) "Well, I know there won't be any more sadness in heaven, but I'll be sad if I don't see you."

Me: "Well, you will see me then."

Grady: "I don't wish for the Space Shuttle anymore. I wish for Zurg."

Elle: "Well, Grady, you already told Santa the space shuttle and he used a pen and not a pencil."

Elle talked about the Ten Commandments a few Sundays ago in Sunday school. We were having snack the week after and she said, "You shall not cut your neighbor's hair." After telling me that was one of the commandments, I said ,"Do you mean, 'Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife?'"

I get to have surgery on my mouth in the morning. Apparently, the seal on an old root canal on my front tooth has deteriorated and there is infection. But instead of going through the crowned tooth, they will cut through the gum under my top lip. Thanksgiving dinner anyone? I'm hoping this also explains the nose bleeds I've been having. It's not nice to wake up from a great sleep because your nose is bleeding. Multiple times.

If all goes well, we'll be heading down tomorrow afternoon to Lake Martin for the rest of the week with my mom's family. I was originally very excited about this trip and seeing most of my cousins, aunts, uncles and my grandma. I'm still very excited about seeing family, but not sure how the eating/pain thing is going to work out. Guess it's safe to say, I might not gain any holiday pounds:).

**I also just wanted to clarify that only those over 13 watched the Harry Potter movies last week. As anxious as I am for the kids to read the stories, I know they are too young. Although, there was a baby in the theater with us at the 8:40 show last night. My sweet husband got our sweet neighbor to come to our couch while the kids slept so we could see the newest Harry Potter. And I was not disappointed:).

Happy Thanksgiving Turkeys!