Christmas letter time

I cannot believe it is time to write our annual Christmas letter. I tried to do a better job this year of actually keeping tabs of what was going on in our lives...but, I haven't begun the letter yet so we will see if my note-taking and calendaring actually helped!

I feel like we've definitely had some clear valleys and mountaintops this year, several things we are still seeing unfold before us.
Regardless,

the. Lord. has. been. good.

I love getting Christmas cards and letters and photo cards. Maybe I'll take a jump this year and include a photo...we'll see!

I have our tree up, most gifts purchased. My game plan is to get to wrapping Friday night. Hmmm...maybe with a movie! And I am SO in the baking, sweet-stuff-making mood. I could eat a TON of Christmas goodies! YUM-O! And hopefully on Saturday we'll have a visit with Santa, but, as always, plans with children are always subject to change! (Definitely something I've learned: don't tell them about adventures planned until it is time to go! That way if plans change there are no broken hearts!!)

Off to dream of sugarplums!

New 'Do

I have been wanting to learn to braid Ella Grace's hair. I get so, so tired of ponytails and simple braids. One night I came across this blog with little videos that are so helpful. So, with my first attempt at braiding her hair on Friday, here is how it turned out! The link to the site is below, as well.

I think I did a great job!

http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/

Happy 'do-ing!

Love, Black Friday

Yesterday was a l-o-n-g day. In planning what exactly what the game plan would be, Ella Grace said she was going, emphatically, she even remembered "I went last year!" and she knew she could endure all that was Black Friday. Mom, Lori, Ella Grace, Major & myself stayed at Granny's house Thursday night. Lori, Mom and I looked through the sale papers and made our plan - so exciting!

We slept for a few hours and just before it was time for the alarm to go off I hear bom, bom, bom, bom in Granny's house. (Lori and I slept on the fold out couch in the back den so we wouldn't wake everyone getting ready.) Then it was "Momma? Lo-Lo? Are you still here?" Ella Grace was so concerned that she would get left she came running through the house to find us! She laid in bed with me for a few minutes, then she was ready to go. Nana came in to check on her because Nana was afraid Ella Grace would be brokenhearted if we had already left.

Ella Grace was the first ready to go, clothes on, teeth brushed, she was pumped! We made our first stop at Wal-Mart (Lori found some movies and a few other things, I picked up training wheels, a couple of movies); next stop was Target, then JC Penney. Before we headed to the mall we stopped out my favorite - Chick-fil-a (of course, Ella Grace opted for just chicken nuggets this early). Our next stops were Old Navy (pjs), then Staples. While Lori was inside, Ella Grace and I made a call to check on Nana and Major. Ella Grace told Major we were going to Toys R Us next and "Guess what they have? Toys!". I picked up a few things there and ran around the corner to LifeWay - Ella Grace wrote to Santa and told him she wanted a Bible. The mall was next.

I loved the fact when I went to Gymboree and Crazy 8's that the coupons they had sent me several weeks back were usable on Black Friday on top of the in-store offers! Score! So, my purchases there were 30% off (in-store) and 20% off with my coupons! Whoo-hoo!!

Ella Grace fell asleep on the way back to Gran's and we took turns going in to grab our things. When she woke up she asked where Nana was, then Major. Then she decided "I didn't want to go to the stores with you; I wanted to ride with Nana!" oh, my!

We were on the interstate headed to Nana's before kick-off.

Ella Grace fell asleep on my on the couch around 7:00pm and Major fell asleep on Pop around 8:00pm. They were both carried up to bed and slept all night. It was wonderful.

Well, Black Friday, until next year...

But, I guess I'll have to come up with a new game plan.

I'm Thankful For...

The love of a Savior that stays the same day-to-day, the gift of eternal life that I don't deserve;

A beautiful little girl and rambunctious little guy; the energy and curiosity and innocence of these two children;
Our families - their support and love, especially through this past year;
Two jobs that support us;

A place to live, clothes for our bodies and food for our tummies;

A church family that we can fellowship with, who we share in each other's joy & pain;
I have a thankful heart; so much to be thankful for this year.

What a steal!

I have made a commitment to not hide much from my kids. There are lots of "why" questions and I try to answer them truthfully and with little fluff. How would I have smart kids if I just told them pieces of the truth and never got back to answering all those questions when I felt they were old enough for all the details.

For example, a few months back they saw a picture of my late grandfather at my grandmother's house and began to ask where he was. Well, I told them. He passed away, sometimes our bodies are sick and they are tired and Jesus helps us feel better by passing away; we have talked about coffins (boxes), cemeteries, etc. I feel this makes this smarter and, hopefully, have a better understanding of life and its processes.

The other night we were heading home and a police officer had someone pulled over, then back-up arrived. They were patting the guy down and getting ready to cuff him. They asked why...well, he could have done something bad. So, I brought up stealing as an example. I explained that stealing was like if he went to a store and took something that didn't belong to him and he didn't pay for.

Major obviously thought that was a great example and ran with it. Not exactly in Major's words, but he thought the guy probably went to the store and looked around, and then he looked and found the silly string and he took it and stole it.

Silly string.

Of all the items someone would steal, I don't think silly string would be on their list. What do you think?

All FIRED Up!

Tonight was GNO with some of the ladies from my Sunday school group. We had a pretty good turnout for a cold Tuesday night. SECOND time I didn't take my camera in! ugh! I hurried to get the kiddos from school, grabbed a couple of pizzas and headed home. Ms. Analeigh came to keep Ella Grace & Major and I headed out.
I was so indecisive about what to make. I had never been before. My friend Jamie had made a super-cute turkey platter and I was leaning towards that, then changed my mind. I settled on making a Christmas platter. I painted it green with red dots and our last name across the top. I have just a few more things to do and I hope I can get that during my lunch hour tomorrow. And then I'll take a picture to share!

Jamie, Tiff, Kristy, Jessica, Amber, Jessica and Shanna - great spending time with y'all tonight!

(and thanks Analeigh!)

A Week Recap

Last week went by W-A-A-A-A-Y too fast for us! So, let's do a quick recap, shall we?

We took off work on Friday and and had some fun family time. We began the morning with a delicious breakfast. Y'all if you EVER come to Tuscaloosa, you HAVE to stop in at the Waysider for breakfast. Yum-O!

Even, Coach was there!

Then, we hit up the science museum. Guys, I must say that was the worst trip I have ever had there. There were SO many field trips taking place. The school kids were awful, walking up the middle of the stairs, taking toys away from my kids, not taking turns on things...I did have to "remind" them on a couple of occasions they needed to be mindful of others and share. I am NOT going to let other kids run over my own. Someone may disagree, but I think it is important for me to speak up (politely), it's an example to my kids that it is okay to do that as long as you have the right attitude.

This was a video screen (you can see Major looking at it). The boys were actually "playing" soccer.

Afterward, we drove north and had a Chick-fil-a milkshake and Major had a brownie. I bought some fabric at Hobby Lobby for the kids' Christmas outfits. Then, off to Grandaddy and Grandmother's house we went. The kids played and had a good time "monkey-piling" with Uncle Chris. They are so in love with him! We watched the game on Saturday and then Sunday morning we got up early and headed back home and made it in time to go to our church.

Monday and Tuesday were much needed family nights at home. Wednesday we had a "regular" workday, and church that night.

Thursday Jeremy made us a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner so we could celebrate as a little family. He did a great job - his cornbread dressing is WONDERFUL!

Friday we had family movie night - we watched Peter Pan and it was so much fun! Major was very familiar with the movie, seems he has watched it at school once or twice!

Saturday was a super busy day! We got up and headed out pretty quickly. Daddy treated us to some yum-o Chick-fil-a for breakfast - my favorite! Toys 'r Us was having a sale and I wanted to get one item in particular - a Leap Frog text & learn (yeah, I want my iPhone back from these kids!!). Can you believe they were sold out? Even online at Toys 'r Us. I did find some, though, and they will be en route soon! I also wanted to see which size bicycle would fit the kids (PLEASE no one spill the beans!). After finding what we wanted, and trying a second option on a boys, they did not have the ones we wanted in a box! How can you sneak and get a bike that is not in a box? Oh, well. Got those online, too! Toys 'r Us did not profit from us this weekend! After that, and the shoe stores not open yet, we came back and got the kids an early nap. Then, back out we went. We did a little tailgating, a little visiting, we missed some good friends, and then off to watch the Bama v State game. Roll Tide! We took Ella Grace & Major to their first college football game. They both loved it!

Got our game-faces on and we are ready to roll!

The big BAMA spell-out

What an awesome family experience! I hope the kids can remember this!

Major made it through about half of the 3rd quarter and was o-u-t. Ella Grace, though, was the first to fall asleep on the way home.

Yesterday was a fun, lazy, Sunday. We got up and got the kids bathed before church. We had to wake those sleep-heads up! (that never happens!) Off to church we went...when we got home we had a quick lunch and kids to bed. Jeremy & I even squeezed in a nap (that never happens!) Then, we had a yummy, yummy Taco Casa supper and back to church. The kids were SO tired. Even Major's Monday school note said he was tired! Poor little guy!

Today is hopefully the beginning of the end of one chapter...long story, we'll save it for another day.

I got friends!

Don't know about everyone else, but I want Ella Grace & Major to always remember their first friends. We spent some time with our friends Mrs. Amber, Gavin and baby Kurt tonight, and then Mrs. Laurie, Ellie and Sadie Kate dropped by for a hot minute. We had fun catching up, which we haven't done in quite some time. The kids had a great time playing, but were definitely pooped when we got home. I love nights when they go to bed easily!

Ella Grace and Gavin holding baby Kurt while Sadie Kate watches!

A couch full of munchkins! Major, Ella Grace, Gavin, Sadie Kate and Ellie

A couch full of silly munchkins!

Ella Grace was just enamored with baby Kurt!

Thank you, God, for good friends, thank you God!!

Wednesday Randoms

Not much going on here today...

We are very much looking forward to the weekend; maybe a trip to the science museum and to visit family...I understand Grandmother is making Major (and my) favorite - "chicklin" and dumplins - whoo! hoo!

UA dedicated Foster Auditorium today. This is where Governor George Wallace stood in the doorway to prevent African-American students from enrolling at The University of Alabama. Back then class registration took place in Foster (which was a gym). Foster is now going to be home to women's volleyball and basketball. The renovations are/were amazing. Unfortunately, I didn't get to view the dedication but it is online.
http://www.ua.edu/features/foster.html

Elections yesterday! Wow! Alabama surely saw lots of Republicans get voted in to office. Another city went wet in north Alabama after trying for 26 years.

Holidays are coming fast, basketball season's getting started...where has 2010 gone? This is CrAzY!!

Night y'all!

A lesson learned

Geez! I found this draft from May 8 I didn't realize I did not post. So, here it is...

The kids' breakfasts lately haven't been anything spectacular. I've been giving them what they request - crackers (either the "square kind, saltines, or the "round ones", Ritz crackers) and if they eat their crackers they get...drum roll, please...some peanuts! Ha! Anyway, Thursday morning they were having their "breakfast of champions" and Major decided he was finished. So, I picked up his three Ritz crackers and was about to toss them in the trash when Ella Grace said "Mama! Don't throw those away, that's being wasteful!"

Oh.

I. GOT. BUSTED. That is SO what I tell them, and I give them a hard time about changing their minds when they have already told me what they want and I have already gotten it ready for them.

Here are a few pictures that we took today on campus. We were just enjoying the sunshine and some time outside.

Hiding & laughing

I could not resist putting the pictures above & below on here. They are doing their "own thing" in both of these, Ella Grace with her arms in the air, and Major appears to be doing some chin-ups.

And here, she is trying to pose and Major acts like his head is stuck (it truly was not, though).

This was my favorite.

Sorry this was just 5 months late!

Oh, what a night!

This Halloween was the most fun I have been able to experience with the kids. This snapshot pretty much sums it up - Major laughing and Ella Grace being extra silly!

He was a little football player and she was a cheerleader. I hollered at them the entire night "Wait!", "Slow down!", "Slow feet!"; they were definitely having a good time. I did have to get on to them for looking inside when no one came to the door, or didn't come quick enough!

And "Why?" you wonder, are they standing so far from the door here? Well, they rang the bell and then a dog barked from inside and AWAY they ran! Check out Major's expression!
These cupcake cuties live down the road & I work with their grandmother - Audrey, Emma & Caroline.
And when we called it a night the kids had SO much fun giving candy out. Our neighborhood is pretty big and I had heard there were lots and lots of trick or treaters. I told Ella Grace just to give 3-4 pieces of candy to each person. She opened the door and I heard her say "Do you want 4 or 5, I mean 4 or 3?" Ha! Let's give them a choice! Then Major chimed in with "Don't forget what you're supposed to say!"
This is Carter from next door. Ella Grace & Major absolutely LOVE playing with him.
Major dancing in the driveway while waiting on more trick-or-treaters!!
One house nearby gave away glow bracelets - isn't that a neat idea? Ella Grace was wanting one earlier in the day so we ran to the store, but found no glow bracelets. Instead we brought home some silly string! Ella Grace & Major just loved their glow bracelets. I took this snapshot after Ella Grace fell asleep. Her room was dark with a little purple glow.
Happy Halloween!