It's Christmas!!

2 Dancing Princesses

Katherine's two favorite things came to our house the other day. 12 dancing Prinesses and her bestest freind Mikayla.
They were so cute all day and only had two meltdowns. She even stayed the night and they actually went to sleep. This is partly due to the previous overnight experience where they got in deep trouble because they got out of bed and played(tore up the room) and were so quiet that they were not found until 10:30pm. We made Christmas cookies, played, danced, cleaned toys in the carport(it was 70degrees) and just had a blast. We lov eyou Mikayla!!

Christmas Parties

Aren't they just too cute-I love their Christmas outfits
What would a party be without singing!






Flying Monkeys were a hit for the boys!!!!!!!!!

Aunt Kathy gave Katherine her favorite-ISPY
I loved capturing this Mother Daughter Hug

We had a wonderful time last night at Aunt Carol and Uncle Rudy's clubhouse. Hugs, Laughs and of course dessert-YUM

New Babies are my favorite!!

I LOVE babies!!! Our friends had their baby girl at 3Am this morning and I went tonight to see the beautiful little girl. Her name is Elisha and I just had to put a pic up that I took tonight.

Christmas photos rough draft!!

My purple panty princess

My sweet girl stripped to her purple panties when she heard that her Aunt Dawn had sent her a princess outfit. She closed her eyes and with excitement, you could not pay a million dollars for, she glowed!!

Her Aunt Dawn heard the whole thing on speaker phone and humorously called her the purple panty princess. I will ask Larry if he thinks I can put those photos up.

Meditations this week

I am reading quite a few books right now and I felt it was time to quote a few that keep me occupied throughout the day.

"Mindlessly do the bells of secular celebrations jingle for Christmas. Meaninglessly do carols repeat their tinny joys in the malls of America. No richer than soda pop is every sentimentalized Christmas special on TV. Fearless is the world at play with godly things, because Godless is at its heart."
Walter Wangerin Jr.-Preparing For Jesus-Meditations on the Coming of Christ, Advent, Christmas and the Kingdom


"If I teach my son to keep his eye on the ball but fail to teach him to keep his eyes on Christ, I have failed as a father. We must refuse to allow trivial, temporal pursuits to interfere with the main thing. Making the team is a tremendous achievement; however, it must be put in it's proper perspective. No sports endeavor will ever be as important as becoming man or women of God."
Voddie T. Baucham Jr.- Family Driven Faith-Doing what it takes to raise sons and Daughters who walk with God

"You may have left much to follow Christ, dear reader; you may have believed on him, and worked for him, and loved Him, and yet you may not be like Him. Allegiance you know, and confidence you know, but not yet union. There are two wills, two interests, two lives. You have not yet lost your own life that you may live only in His. Unless we are Christ like in our thoughts and ways, we are not one with Him, no matter how we feel. Once it was I and not Christ; then it was I and Christ; perhaps now it is even Christ and I. But has it come yet to be Christ only and not I at all??"
Hannah Whitall Smith- The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life

The Pink Pig

I have our tickets is it time yet???
It was great to have Nana with us all day


Evan would have been just fine watching, NOT riding.

Every year at Macy's there is a ride to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. This is our first year taking the kids to see the Pink pig. It is a simple ride where you see life size Christmas cards. VERY simple but Katherine was really excited.

My 100th post

Kids in the toy box- I found them reading books together in the toy box and had to take a pic. I have ulterior motives though- one day I want to have proof that they love each other very much and used to have a great time together.

Before the Sun

Waking up before the sun has been one of the most freeing things that I NEVER thought would happen. After years of fighting the early wake up call gave in and told the Lord that if waking up early was going to help me be less stressed, more focused and ready to deal with my kids for the rest of the day then would He please wake me up because all of my efforts were not working. I am so pleased to say that every morning this week He has opened my eyes at 5:50am. One of those mornings I went back to sleep and I definitely saw how irritable I was by about 7am when my kids were up and ready for their drinks and b'fast.

I have been coming downstairs making hot tea, cozying up in my fleece blanket and meditating on the Word of God. I write in my journal, have soft music playing(sometimes) and blow my nose about a thousand times. Have I mentioned I have been sick for three weeks-sigh! By about 7am I put on my workout clothes and for 30minutes I get my body in shape with Denise Austin. The way I feel when I get done and my children start to stir is more then worth the time I could have been asleep. I hope this is not a short lived freedom. My mom has been doing this for years and I believe it is one of the main reasons our family has made it this far. My parents will celebrate their 30th anniversary this year and mom will turn 50! They still love one another and us five kids so much. Her steadiness throughout the years in her faith and marriage is attributed to the time she was quiet and prayerful in the morning.

My Friend Debbie

Debbie and I at her 50th B-day Surprise
Debbie and her sweet man Dante

She calls me today and responds to me like we are the bestest friends ever and she is overjoyed to speak with me. We immediately talk about how our days have been and share stories of things that have made us laugh and cry in the last week. She is always open, honest, and dying to tell you her latest story. She is a great storyteller and I have to to say that I believe a major reason why i tell stories the way I do today is because of her. She has been at most of the major events in my life-My first roles on the stage as -Annie Oakley and Joe form Little Women-The morning I knew I was going to marry Larry(7am)-My wedding-the births of both of my children-and times when I had lost all hope that God had really created me to be this exuberant, outgoing, passionate person that He could really use to touch peoples lives.
I have laughed, cried, worshipped, prayed and given birth with you(spiritually and physically) and I want you to know I love you and I am honored to be called your friend!!


Oh! and I have to say that another part of Debbie that is wonderful to have around is the fact that she can cut hair. I can't remember the last time I went to a hairdresser. And ladies you have to admit finding a good hairdresser is up there with meeting the Lord himself-HEHEHHE