Thanksgiving...

Calvin at the playground

Sliding

Carter LOVED his first time on the swing

Ellerie had fun too..

Ellerie and cousin Emily talking it up at lunch

Emily and PCat with Carter

Emmie, Caroline and Ellerie

Emmie and Coleman did a piano performance for Ms. Fran

Ms. Fran reading to Ellerie...Ms. Fran is our buddy!

Mimi and Ellerie at lunch

Mac and Carter

I thought I would post some pics of Thanksgiving week before Christmas - wow - just in the nick of time! This poor little blog has been so neglected lately, but maybe after the new year I'll turn over a new leaf...

We spent the week down in Georgia and the weather was amazing! It was good to get away from work for a week and relax! We were able to spend some time with Ms. Fran, a precious older woman who is like family to us. John and his girls were able to visit for a short time but we look forward to seeing them more next week!!

Catching Up

Well, so I didn't finish all the days of Thanksgiving but I did give it a try! It was nice to focus on the many, many things that I have to be thankful for!

The pictures above are of sweet baby Carter! He just look so precious in that little hospital gown - I couldn't resist taking a picture. Plus the nurses gave him that cute little bear - and he loved chewing on it.

Carter was wearing that gown yesterday because he had to have his circumcision. My ob was out-of-town during my early delivery (nerve of him going on a mission trip and missing my delivery) and the on-call ob didn't think she could do the circ because he was little. My pediatrician thought he was perfectly fine for the procedure but encouraged us to do it later with a urologist. She was right. You don't want someone cutting on something like that if they're unsure about it!

So we had to wait until he was bigger since they put him under for the procedure. He was such a trooper and did great. He was a little agitated and disoriented while waking up from the anesthesia but it didn't take long for him to return to being his happy self! So far, he is healing great but the wound care makes me a little queasy! Good thing Dad has been around to help with that!

The funniest part of yesterday was when the surgeon was talking with us beforehand. He actually used the word 'talleywacker'! Should I have said that on my blog? Anyway, that was funny!!

Thankful it's over and the he's doing great!

Thankful... Day 26

Today I am thankful that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with some of our family and that no on got sick at all this year! This is probably the first time in several years that we haven't contracted some sort of virus around this holiday. I probably shouldn't have even typed that ...

Brian and I were talking today and we are both thankful that our children are able to know both sets of grandparents! All of our parents bring such joy to our children and it is a blessing to see these relationships happen. I pray for them to have many more years with Mimi, Daddy Mac, PawPaw and Granny! Thanks to all of you for loving us and our babies so well. We are blessed by all of you!

Thankful ... day 25

I don't live close to my brothers so our families don't often get to see one another. Today I am thankful that we got to spend time with my younger brother and his family. We were able to spend time together last night and today through lunch. It has been almost a year since we've seen them - way too long. But they finally got to meet sweet baby Carter and all of the kids had a blast (a loud blast) playing together! We're looking forward to being able to spend time with them again after Christmas and then we will also get to see my older brother and his family!

Today I am also thankful for that amazing 1 hour and 20 minute nap I got!!!

Thankful ... day 24

Today I am thankful that my brother-in-law (Brian's sister's husband) had a successful surgery today. Praying for a quick recovery for him. We are so thankful for all of our family!

Thankful ... Day 23

Today I am thankful for my new hair!  It's not a dramatic difference but it was a treat to get a cut and color that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.  Linda has cut my hair since I was a little girl and she knows how to cut curly hair!!  And she also made me a bow for my Christmas wreath!!  Can't wait to get home and put it up!

Thankful ... Day 22

I am thankful today for a special Sunday with family.  We were able to sleep in a little and all get ready for church together.  (OK, we actually slept a little too much since we ended up getting to church late, but oh well).  

Then we ate lunch at a country buffet - all-you-can-eat artery-clogging Southern food!!

I am thankful for special days with the family!

Thankful ... Day 21

Thankful that today we are heading to south GA and warm temperatures for Thanksgiving week! Now I need to go to bed and get a little sleep before we start our vacation week. Dreaming of cornbread dressing, broccoli casserole, etc!! YUM!

Thankful ... Day 20

Carter! Such a blessing to us. He has brought so much joy to all of us! All of the kids think he is 'their' baby! There is always someone to talk to him, play with him and entertain him. I am thankful that he has been such a good baby and that he lets me get plenty of rest. I love waking up to his big smile every morning!!

Thankful ... Day 19

Ellerie - the sweetest spirit. She was such a good baby - so easy going, so sweet. She still is! She always brings a smile to us every day. I just love to hear her talk - and she does that all the time. And I am so proud of her for basically potty-training herself this past month! Yeah Ellerie - we love you baby girl!

Thanksgiving ... Day 18

Calvin - so thankful for this boy! He definitely keeps me on my toes but all of the hugs, kisses, and cuddles make up for that. He has such a sweetness about him and we are so proud of the progress that he is making this year. Our family would not be the same without him!

Thankful ... Day 17

Emmie - sweet Emmie - our first girl. We are so thankful for the smile she brings to our hearts each day. She is so thoughtful and loving with everyone. She has been such a huge help at home with her newest little brother! We pray that she grows into a woman who loves the Lord with all her heart.

Thankful ... Day 16

So thankful for this sweet boy!! He has such a tender heart and a strong spirit. We are thankful for the continuous joy he brings us each day. He is such a good big brother to all his siblings. I can't believe how fast he is growing. I pray for his heart to always be tender and sensitive to God's leading...

Thankful ... Day 15

I am thankful that we are going on vacation next week ... so need it!!

Thankful ... Day 14

So, I forgot to post this yesterday... I am thankful today that I ran in the 8K race. I was able to complete the race without stopping and with a decent time - for someone who has only been running a couple of months and had a baby 8 months ago.

After Ellerie, I started running some and really enjoyed it, or well I enjoyed how I felt when I was done. But then I got pregnant with Carter and the running stopped! So I started up again a couple of months ago and hope to continue it for a while.

Thankful ... Day 13

Today I am thankful for the way Brian loves the LORD! He can only love me and the children the way that he does because of his love for the Lord. He has a deep passion to know God more and to see others grow in the same way. Thank you Brian for being an example to me in you passion for God!

Thankful ... Day 12

Today I am thankful for the way Brian loves me! He has such a kind and loving heart and is my best friend. He cares deeply about me and my walk with the Lord. He takes initiative in pointing me towards Christ. He extends me mercy and grace to me when I often fall short. I am thankful to be walking through life with him as we seek to honor the Lord together!

Thankful ... Day 11

Daddy and Coleman - 2001

Daddy and Emmie - 2002

Daddy and Calvin - 2004

Daddy and Ellerie - 2007

Daddy and Carter - 2009

Today I am thankful for the way Brian loves our children. He comes each day and jumps right in with them: playing, laughing, caring. I love to watch him love our children. I remember the first time he held our first-born - it looked so natural for him to have a baby in his arms. From that day on, he has been an incredible example to me in caring for our children. Thank you Brian!

Thankful ... Day 10

Random things:

yellow leaves
the smell of pumpkin spice
a bit of chill in the air
new recipes
my home
running in cooler weather
fudgy brownies fresh out of the oven

Thankful ... Day 9

Today I am thankful for a 70 degree day in November! We skipped some school this afternoon and played outside!

Thankful ... Day 8

Today I am thankful for our church! It was one year ago today that we visited Grace Bible for the first time ... and we've been there ever since. GBC has been such an incredible blessing to us this past year in so many ways. God has used this body to help us heal as well as to grow. I am thankful for the Pastor who reached out to Brian when we first came, providing such wisdom and encouragement during a hard time.

One of the hardest parts of leaving our former church was watching Brian walk away from serving. He has such a heart to serve the Lord in the body. A heart that loves to teach others and point them to Christ. So my heart is full today as I see him being able to serve in that way again.

Thank You God! And all for Your Glory!

Thankful ... Day 7

Yesterday ... I was thankful for Chick-fil-A's chocolate chip peppermint milkshake. Really ... it is soooo much better than it sounds!!

Thanksgiving ... Day 6

Tonight I am thankful for Saturday mornings! Sleep in (a little) - pancakes by Dad - family time! Love it!

Thankful ... Day 5

Today I am thankful for laughter. I have a husband who loves to make me laugh, even when I don't feel like it. My children also make me laugh continually. Often I get busy and caught up in all the things I feel like I have to get done, usually living in the get-it-done mode. I am thankful for my family that surround me and provides opportunity for laughter.

Thankful ... Day 4

I am thankful for fall! And the fact that I live in a place where we experience all 4 seasons! Love it!

Thankful ... Day 3

Today I am reminded to be thankful for my parents and parents-in-law. I am thankful that I grew up in a home that loved the Lord. I am thankful that my parents continually showed me their love for God and family.

I am blessed that I married a man who has incredible parents as well. They love the Lord and love their family. It's also amazing that both sets of our parents have been married for a long time. My parents just celebrated their 45th anniversary and Brian's parents have been married almost as long.

My prayer in this time of thanks is that my marriage will leave such a legacy. May our love for one another always be evident and may our love for Jesus shine even more!

Thankful....

Rebecca, at 'Rebecca Writes', has once again declared November as month of Thanksgiving. So, along with Kim and Leslie, I hope to daily post things for which I am thankful. (Maybe this will get me back into the blogging groove)!

1. Let me go ahead and make up for yesterday. One year ago yesterday was the last day we were at the church plant we had been involved with for 3 years. It was the last time I heard Brian preach. It was the last time we worshiped with people who had been like family. It was an emotionally draining day. Many things had transpired over time (many things that I wanted to blog about but I didn't and now I am grateful that God held my tongue, or the keyboard, or whatever) which led us to realize that we needed to move on to a healthy church body. After many prayers were prayed and tears were cried, we left that body. It was a hard decision and I often wanted to defend ourselves and the misconceptions that were painted about us. But we left that in God's hands and did our best to glorify him in every situation. Brian was such a rock and an example to me during that time. So, the 1st thing I am thankful for this November is the grace, strength, and humility that my husband showed through all of those trials one year ago.

2. Today I am thankful that I can stay home and teach my children. This year that has truly been a joy so far!

What's Been Going on Here...

Carter's first cereal...

I think he liked it!

Just a cute pic of the girls matching one Sunday...

We had VBS at our church last week. Brian did the music each night and this is what happened by the end of the week! It was a fun and encouraging week - but I think it wiped us all out!

Calvin loved the parachute! (And he had the BEST teacher!)

Emmie and her cousins at snack time!

Crafts

The boy cousins...