Christmas Festivities!!!!

After the wonderful trip to Big Cedar I was in the Christmas spirit. This year we did not overdue gifts for the kids. I wanted to teach Luke that it is a season of giving and doing for others. He chose some new toys to give to Arkansas Childrens Hospital. Miss A is still too young to really understand. I loved shopping for them. One of my favorite stories of this Christmas is my gift from the kids. I'd let Luke help me pick out a photo of him and Aniston to have put on a pair of boxers for Greg. So, Greg took them shopping for me. Luke picked out a cooking mama DS game. He was so excited for me to have it that he spilled the beans a few days early! I love it. I have saved the wrapping paper cause Luke wrapped it. We celebrated with Greg's family on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning my parents came for about an hour to watch the kids open gifts. Then, after they had time to play and take a nap- we went to my parents home. It was truely a wonderful Christmas. I am so very thankful for my family... my husband, beautiful children, and my wonderful parents. I am very blessed. On Christmas Eve night we read the Elfie story to Luke and he cried. I actually did too because Elfie is truely magic and brings us happiness. I told Luke we'd see him again in 2010!

A morning in the woods....

I have been wanting to go to the woods for awhile. My cousin talks about it all the time wondering why I haven't gone hunting. Daddy is off work this week and decided to take me. We picked up Papa and PawPaw. This is the time to hunt with your bow. My cousins also came along when they heard I was going into the woods. I got to go in one of their deer stands with Daddy. It was a good time even though we didn't kill "the big one". Afterwards, we were all hungry. We went to a restaurant called The Bucket List. It is a great, cheap little place in the country. All of us "men" like to eat there. It was a great day.

Happy Birthday Luke....

and Merry Christmas. I can't believe it has been 6 yrs since that special Christmas when Daddy and I became parents. You have brought us so much joy and love. We love you with all our hearts!

Big Cedar Day 2

We all got up in good moods and headed out for some cookie decorating. The kids were happy that Noni and Papa decided to tag along for this. We saw a couple beautifully decorated trees. We took the shuttle all over the property today and saw lots of neat things. After cookie decorating I wanted to snap some pics and we had perfect weather for that. Next we had some lunch and got ready to swim. The kids loved the indoor pool and the nice hot tub outside! It seemed kinda nuts to be sitting outside in such cold weather but it was beautiful and peaceful. We then headed back to the lodge for a nap. Miss A. woke up very cranky, but was an angel after a big dose of her reflux medicine. We ate a wonderful Dinner, did some shopping (she was good this time cause Bubba entertained her) and went to the Trail of Lights Display! It was one of our favorite parts of the trip. This was a busy and fun day! The kids were awesome we were so proud of them.

Big Cedar Lodge- Day 1

We told the kids last night that we had a surprise but Luke had already picked up on what we were doing. So, we headed out this morning for Branson. Day 1 was beautiful traveling weather. Kids were good in the car and that is always a good start! We checked in, ate lunch, and took a nap. Then we went off to do a little shopping. Miss A wasn't so good so that didn't last long. We picked up some Dinner and headed back to the Lodge for a good night sleep! But, first the kids had a surprise- a beautiful elf named Blitz showed up to read a story, play a game of hide n seek, and give out presents! It was a fun time for both of them and Miss A wasn't scared at all. L. loved it and warmed up to the elf right away. We will never forget it either.

Family Get-Together

Last night, Luke asked to spend the night with Papa. We met Papa at our meeting spot after church. They had a great time I am sure. We met up with family at my uncle's in Center Ridge. Luke actually had some boys to play with! The only kiddos on my side are my own kids- so this was a rare treat for him. I was happy to see him since he'd spent the night away but he could have cared less if I showed up or not. Miss A had lots of fun running around there too. One of my Houston cousins came to town for a vist and brought along his very beautiful fiance! She has 3 boys and two are semi-close to L's age. We had a traditional Italian Dinner!

Christmas Break

offically began at 1pm today! Luke came to the truck very excited that he has 16 whole days off. He is counting down the days till his 6th Birthday/Christmas! Let the festivities begin.

A Few of My Favorite Things

One of my blogging friends said she didn't know much about me and suggested I do a "My favorite Things" List. I had to really think on this one a bit. I guess my likes are related to make-up, baby products and PineSol this week. I hope you are happy!!!!

Make up my favs are Lancome Oscillation Mascara and Eye Quads in Innocense. I have used Estee Lauder Lip Gloss in Garnet for YEARS! In the Baby Dept. I love love love Baby Magic Lotion (sometimes hard to find around here), Pampers Cruisers, and Huggies Wipes! My latest fav perfume is Flora by Gucci but I also like 212 Sexy by Caroline Herrera.

A big day for LUKE!

Luke had his classroom birthday party today. Daddy helped out by taking cupcakes and juice boxes for the kids to enjoy. Mrs. Coney said they all had a blast. Each kid in his class contributed to Luke's "Birthday Book". This was the sweetest thing ever. I enjoyed it. They drew pictures and some wrote out what they wanted Luke to have for his birthday. I took pics to show you all.

Also, Luke received the Bulldog at their Best Award for the month. This is a big honor and he was chosen because he has shown exceptional Christ-like Behavior. I guess you could say we were a little proud of Luke. It is a commitment to send him to a private school. We have been needing a larger home for awhile and I must admit it would be easier to do that without the tuition thing. But, I know he is in the right place!

Random thoughts of Christmas

During this time of year, it is easy to get all caught up in the Christmas Hoop-La and stuff. I love this time of year more than ever. Of course, having my first born-born on Christmas gave it all new meaning. Shortly after L.'s birth a local news station came to visit us and my husband Greg said "from now on all our Christmas' will have a special meaning." How true that was. When I picked Luke up from school one day last week he said, "Mom I told my teacher that I was special because Noni told me so." Apparently he announced this as they were taking turns telling some random story. I gasped and said well all the kids in your class are special. He said well none of them share a birthday with Jesus. I have to admit that it brought a smile to my face! I remembered the morning his was born and was saddened a little to think that he is gonna be 6 years old in a few days.

Luke and his classmates have been preparing their hearts for Christmas. We have been talking about this during our times in the car. I told Luke a couple weeks ago that I was going to do the same thing. He asked what I was going to do and I said I was going to do one kind deed each day. He smiled and thought this was a great idea.

Early this past Friday morning I was in Wal-Mart doing my shopping with lil miss A. and of course lines were long. BTW there were only 2 checkouts for about 12 people. Anyway, I saw possibly the saddest thing I have ever seen and it has been on my mind since. The alarms went off, you know the shoplifter things and a woman was escorted aside. I noticed she had no Wal-Mart bags. I could see the situation unfold from where I was. A couple assoicates were talking with her and she said something to the effect of I did this and I am guilty. I quickly noticed she stolen 2 items. A bag of maxi pads and a small bottle of baby juice. I was glad miss A. was too young to ask questions. It has brought tears to my a couple times since thinking of the woman. I wished I'd bought them for her or something. I ask all of you to say a prayer for her right now....

We have some old but new toys in our closet and I am thinking I need to get those to the children at the hospital soon. I think Greg and I should take this opportunity to teach our kiddies the gift of giving.

Blogging.....

Well, the decision to start this blog has been in the works for some time. While I love blogging on two blogs from the the views of my kids- I am not so good at keeping them both up. Hopefully, I will do a better job if I just have one blog! I will still post from the perspective of the kids!

The links to the previous blogs are at the bottom of this new family blog!