Christmas Celebrations

We had a wonderful Christmas!  We started celebrating on Thursday with Michael's family.

They got lots of stuff!  They both got beanbag chairs.  E got DS games, clothes, money and the most beautiful bag my niece made her.  M got a flying Buzz Lightyear, basketball goal for his room door, games, CD player and money.

We went to my parents on Christmas Eve for lunch with my aunt and uncle and my grandmother.  We enjoyed a wonderful lunch together.  I love spending time with them.

On Christmas Eve night, I'm not sure if me or the kids were more excited about Christmas.  We don't really buy much for the adults in our family. We just focus on the kids.  I couldn't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning.

On Christmas morning the kids got a Wii together and lots of other things.  M got his bow and arrow he wanted which he calls a "barrow" and E got Just Dance for the Wii.  Then we headed to my parents house for Christmas breakfast. As we were leaving to go, it started to SNOW!!  A White Christmas has never happened here is over 60 years!

Of course, M and E got plenty at mawmaw and pawpaw's.  M got a guitar and lots of other things.  They  got so much stuff I couldn't keep track of everything.  We loved watching their excitement and it was great being with everyone on Christmas morning.  We went home afterwards to play the Wii!!!  Michael has video of me dancing to "Cotton-Eye Joe" but we won't be sharing it. Ha!

It was a wonderful Christmas!  It was very relaxing with the snow.  We went out that night and played a little in the snow.

I love, love, love being with my family.  They are the greatest!

Congratulations Michael!

I am very proud of my hubby and wanted to brag on him a little.  He was just promoted in his job to Corporal on his shift.  I am very proud of him.  He works very hard and goes over and beyond the call of duty.  Congrats Michael!

Oh Christmas Tree!

This year I bought a new Christmas tree because our old one had seen better days.  I looked everywhere for the perfect tree within my budget.  I found one and we put it up on Thanksgiving Day.

It is very pretty.  I accidentally didn't notice on the box the tree had colored lights instead of clear.  I wasn't going back to exchange it after we had it up so we have colored lights.  See Mandy, it is pretty!!

M's Birthday Party!

Here are some pictures from M's birthday party!  I have dial up internet and it takes FOREVER to put pictures on my blog so while I am at my in-laws I thought I would download some pics.

M hitting the cowboy boot pinata.

The 1 gift he wanted most.  A watch!

We had a blast and it even snowed a little bit before the party started.  It was a great time with friends and family.

Happy 4th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little man!  I cannot believe you are already 4.  It just seems like yesterday that you were born.  You are so precious and you are my little snuggle-bug.  I love it that you want me to hold you before you go to sleep.  I know one day that will change but I will take our cuddle times as long as you will let me.  You are such a blessing to our family.  You absolutely crack me up at the things you say and do!  We never know what you are going to say next!  You are such a sweet little boy!  I hope you have a wonderful birthday.  We all love you so much!

Busy with a Capital B

Wow!  I haven't posted in over a week!  I have to say life is a little busy right now.  M's birthday is Sunday but we had his party last weekend. (will post pics soon)  This week has been busy too.  Between our crazy work schedules, kids activities and church activities we are going about 100 mph.  Last night we were coming home from Christmas play dress rehearsal and Michael said "We have got to slow down!"  He is right!  The holidays are always busy too with get togethers and Christmas parties but I don't want to be so busy that I miss the entire reason of Christmas.  I have felt very defeated by Satan lately and yesterday I felt almost overcome but thanks to some of the greatest friends in the world, they lead me back to Him.  Thank you for your words and I love you all!

So tonight me and the kids are at home.  We are going to clean the house but we are going to try to slow down.  I know there are things we have to do but our family isn't going to suffer and our holiday isn't going to fly by.  We are going to focus on Christ more.  As Michael told me last night, " Our kids are only small for a short time".   I don't want life to be so full of schedules, stress and frustration but full of memories together that will last a lifetime.

Home with my Little Man

M woke up this morning at 4am throwing up!  Michael was working and I am a germ freak when it comes to stuff like that so I was up washing, cleaning and disinfecting till it was time to take E to school.  I, of course, stayed home from work.   Fortunately, he only got sick that one time and I pray that is the only time and no one else will get sick. He has slept alot today though so his little body is fighting something away.  His class is passing around a stomach bug and I have been praying since yesterday when I found out, that God would keep our family healthy because we have a BIG birthday party this weekend!  M's birthday is next Sunday the 12th but because of Michael having to work that weekend and we have our Christmas play at church that weekend, we are having him a party this weekend.  This is actually his first big birthday party because his birthday kind of gets caught in the rush of Christmas and I promised him that this year he would have a party with other kids.  We are going to have a cowboy party!  Pray we all stay healthy!!!

In other news, some of you have emailed me about my mother-in-law's husband who is waiting on a kidney and pancreas transplant.  On Monday afternoon, they got a call from Duke.  They went to Duke and they were getting the organs from out of state so they had to wait for a while.  The doctors had them getting prepped and ready for the surgery when they got a call that the donor kidneys had failed and they couldn't do the transplant.  I know they were real discouraged but I know God's perfect timing is always perfect and He will make sure that the right donor organs will get to Aaron when the time is right.  I know the waiting is the hard thing.  Keep them in your prayers!