2007 Highlights

Update: 10:15pm--still awake. :)

2007 has been a year full of blessings. Here are just a few of the highlights that come to mind:

January...last minute preparations for a new family member
February...Alexee arrived--what a blessing! Started learning about operating as a family of four
March...we celebrated Rhett's 3rd birthday with a bowling party and lunch at Purple Cow, Texas friends came to visit
April...Alexee's first Easter, started house hunting (a challenge with a 3 year old and a newborn)
May...Alexee's baby dedication on Mother's Day--had a family lunch at our house, went on a weekend retreat with our Community Group and had a wonderful time, my sister had her baby boy 5/31!
June...moved to a different house--exhausting and stressful (we still don't like to think about that process), our 6th wedding anniversary
July...4th of July lunch with my family at my sister's house, dinner with our Community Group at the Cheatwoods--a fun day!
August...Lane started a new chapter in his life--medical school! L's 34th b-day.
September...spent Labor Day in Hot Springs with L's family
October...had a cookout with my family at Woolly Hollow State Park--a great time together, pumpkin patch trip, 4th annual kids' costume party, a going-away party for a dear friend
November...Alexee started crawling, my 31st (cringe) b-day, my favorite holiday (Thanksgiving) in Flippin
December...lots of holiday fun--Community Group Christmas party, a playgroup cookie decorating party at our house, Lane survived semester #1 of med school, enjoyed time in Flippin & Hot Springs with family and friends, Alexee's first Christmas, Rhett got a scooter

Growing up, we'd make a big deal out of new year's eve...my cousin Carrie would spend the night, we'd plan how to celebrate, make buckets of confetti, decorate the house, wake my parents up at 11:58p to countdown and video us dancing around and acting silly at midnight. NY Eve is low-key these days. The kids went to bed at their usual time, and Lane & I sat on the couch in our PJs eating popcorn and cheese & crackers while watching Evan Almighty (it was funny & cute! I think I only fell asleep once). I also used to make official resolutions. As time has passed, I guess I've decided that there's nothing really magical about January 1st, but I'm constantly aware of my need to be a better Christian, mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, neighbor, etc. I know I need to eat healthier, exercise more, read the Bible more, pray more regularly, gripe less, be more understanding and proactive, etc. etc. Maybe I'll grow in some of those areas in 2008 with the Lord's help? We had a great sermon yesterday on "Hope Personified", the story of Simeon and Anna meeting baby Jesus face-to-face. Our pastor reminded us how critical it is to have hope, and how we live in a world that is dying without it. His closing point was "What about you? -Where is your hope? -How is God revealing Himself to you? and -How is God revealing Himself through you?" Great questions!

I wish you a safe and happy new year...and a blessed 2008 full of HOPE in Christ!

The aftermath

The Christmas Tour is a distant memory, and now we're trying to pack up, sweep up, box up, clean up, etc...

I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season. Farewell, 2007...welcome 2008!

Sunday Photos

Christmas comes to a close...

We returned from Hot Springs today, bringing our Christmas visits/celebrations to a close for 2007. We've had a wonderful holiday season. But now it's time to take down all the decorations and kick off a new year!

Take a look here for pictures from our time with L's family: Christmas in Hot Springs

Christmas, Part III

We are in HS visiting L's family, so I don't have new pictures of our visit here yet...I'll do that when I get home. Yesterday afternoon we opened gifts, then last night we went to eat at Outback. Today we had lunch at Dixie Cafe, then Lane & I went to tour the Southern Living Idea House in Red Oak Ridge. It is a beautiful home. It was featured in the August '07 Southern Living issue. I took some pictures of my favorite things, so I'll post those soon too. There was a sewing nook that I would LOVE to have...I think I would sew, paint and scrapbook a lot more if all my "stuff" wasn't packed into storage bins in the closet!

Christmas, Part II

Christmas morning has been fun at our house! See photos here.

'Twas the night before Christmas

Tonight we went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. The service was for the whole family (no nursery/childcare provided), so it was a workout for us because we were wrestling the kids the entire time. Alexee loved the music at first, but she got kind-of tired toward the end so we left a few minutes early. Tonight reminded me how thankful I am for the faithful nursery workers who give of their time each Sunday!

After church we had Christmas Eve dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in town. R loves to place his own order now...it's cute to hear him say, "I'd like two tacos, beef and cheese only, please." He does a great job most of the time...sometimes he surprises us, like the night he politely ordered "possum lips" at Mimi's Cafe.

And "Santa" just made his stop here. Hopefully R will be excited to find a scooter, robot, game, hooded snowman towel & toolbox & tools waiting for him by the fireplace in the morning. Since Alexee isn't old enough to really get excited about the contents of the package, Santa left her some practical things like sippy cups (almost time to make that transition), PJs, clothes, books and a ballerina puzzle.

God's Gift

A poem I liked from a Christmas card we received:

God's Gift
Little baby on the hay,
soon there'll be another day
when nails shall pierce
your hands and feet
as You provide our sin's defeat.
Risen Jesus on the throne,
we lift our praise to You alone--
for You're the gift that we receive
the moment that our hearts believe.
---Roy Lessin

Christmas, Part I

(Please see the Christmas photo album on our old website if you're interested in the whole holiday visit in pictures.)

We just returned from celebrating Christmas with my family. The kids and I went up on Thursday, then L came up Saturday morning (he had a test Friday...he's now finished with half of his first year of medical school! It's gone by fast.). We had a wonderful time. Thursday night Mom and I made unleavened bread for the Christmas Eve service at their church. We also finished decorating their tree. Friday we went to my Aunt Linda's to visit and Rhett & Alexee played with my cousin's little boy, Kirkland. Friday evening our friends David & Jenni Burris and their son came over, and Rhett & Jed had a great time playing together. They live in Atlanta, so we only get to see them once a year. My sister and her family arrived late Friday night. Saturday morning my Grandparents came over and we had a great breakfast then opened gifts. Rhett got a bug kit, ant farm, new suitcase (although he said he still likes his Spiderman suitcase that Mo & Granddad got him a few years ago better), a harmonica, and other great things! Alexee also got a suitcase, some adorable clothes, a necklace, a 25th anniversary CareBear (I can't believe they've been around for 25 years...I remember being so excited about getting one for Christmas when I was little!). Saturday night Mom's side of the family had Christmas dinner together at the river. Our family has grown a lot this year...there are 4 babies 10 months and younger! It was loud and crowded and crazy, but I loved it--I love having a big family. It was great to see everyone. This morning we went to church with Mom & Dad, which was wonderful too. We don't get to go with them very often, so that was a special part of the holiday visit. I was so happy to get to visit with several friends there that I had not seen in a long time (see Kelly's blog for more pictures!).

Merry Christmas to my Mom and Dad
We tried to take a family photo after church today...Rhett wasn't really in a photo-mood, but Alexee thought he was funny.Here is a picture of the great-grandkids on my Mom's side (back row, L to R:) Kiley, Jace, Lily, Maddi, Rhett, Marcee, Jaiden, Maylee, Bryce. (Front row, L to R): Jeryn, Adrianne & Alexee. Kirkland was there, but he escaped from the picture before I snapped this one. :)

Happy Birthdays

Two special 12/17 birthdays:

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Sandra! Sandra and I met at the airport in January 1997 when we were leaving for a semester study program in Salzburg, Austria. We became great friends that semester, and have continued to grow our friendship over the past decade! She is creative and fun, she's a great cook, photographer, writer, friend, wife & mother. She has small town roots, like me. (I've visited her home town, and it is such a neat place!) But she has traveled the world and lives overseas now--she has such an interesting life! S, I hope you have a wonderful day of celebration!!! Your friendship is such a blessing!

I also wanted to wish a Happy Birthday to my sweet father-in-law, Bob! I'm thankful to be a part of your family! Bob is so kind and giving. He worked for hours and hours to help us move last summer, when lightning ran in on our house last month he went to Home Depot with Lane to buy replacement items that we needed, he and my mother-in-law are always willing to keep the kids for us--he's taken Rhett on many walks in the stroller while Lane and I were out of town. He also makes great eggnog (well, I'm actually not sure if he makes it or just helps Lane's Mom make it) :) but either way, I'm looking forward to having a glass of it in a few days! We love you, Bobba.

Christmas Tour of Homes

I got this idea from a friend's blog...The Christmas Tour of Homes. So here is our place this Christmas season. It's our first Christmas in this home (we moved here in June)...welcome:Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ!
View from our front doorOne of my favorite additions this year--red and gold butterfliesA sweet addition...Alexee's "first Christmas" ornament.The mantle
Part of the Dickens' Village display. I just love to stand and look at it at night! When I first started collecting the pieces, Lane laughed at me because he overheard me say, "Goodnight, Village" one night when I was unplugging it! :) We still say that sometimes when we unplug it.

View from the hallway by the kitchen, toward the front door. I did this Santa painting a few years ago.
Pinecones that Mom, Rhett & I picked from the "farm buggy" when we were home not long ago.Guest bathroom. I like the cute Santa hand towels that L's parents gave us last year.The kids' tree in the playroom. Rhett & I made mitten garland out of felt and ribbon. The flowered mittens below are one of my favorites (they're all different.)
One of my all-time favorite ornaments..."Cold Hands, Warm Heart" snowman
I piled Christmas books that we've collected under the kids' tree. Some of these are mine from when I was a child. Rhett likes to look at them all.

May your Christmas be Merry & Bright!

Approaching Milestone

After the holidays, I'm going to start planning A's first birthday (2/2) party. Here are a few cake photos that I've found that I think are really cute (I'm looking for ideas to show the bakery)...does anyone know of any great websites for more ideas? No theme, I just want something really pretty & girlie.

Cookies Galore

Back in August, I started volunteering on the Common Grounds Cafe team at church, and I've enjoyed it so much! I've met some really nice people, and I love making all the drinks and brewing coffee. This morning we had a wonderful brunch (thank you, Becky!) and a cookie exchange.
Nancy & Becky--they are both so nice and fun to work with. I've enjoyed getting to know them.
(The table looked so pretty. The centerpiece was a vase of silver, glittery sticks with glittery ornaments hanging from the branches.)
Here's (part of) the plate of cookies that I took. I forgot to take a pic when it was full. I made sugar cookies and toffee bars (Kelly, this is the recipe you gave me--yum!)Martha Ann & me posing at the drink station--I think it's cute that Martha Ann pretended to put syrup in a cup just for the picture. She's a lot of fun too. I guess I should have tried to look like I was doing something productive for the photo. :)
Becky provided a package of English muffins with an ornament attached for each volunteer. It was a neat gift, and I thought the basket looked pretty.

Cute

This is A eating her lunch today. I love her FOUR teeth, and I love to watch her little fingers work to pick up her food. She will eat anything (notice the green peas).

Gingerbread Cookie Party

This morning we had our playgroup over for a cookie decorating party. We ordered pizza and I made cinnamon-sugar cupcakes. Everyone brought candy, icing or sprinkles to use for the project--it looked like the game Candy Land in our dining room. There were eight bigger kids to decorate cookies plus four babies & seven moms! My sister and a college/Bible study friend are two of the moms...the other four I met through the Pokeno group that a former neighbor invited me to join in summer '04. They have become some of my dearest friends, and I'm very thankful for them! All of their kids are special to me too...they are such a sweet (and cute!) group of little guys & girls.

Here are some pictures from the fun day: Gingerbread cookies in the making. I used a recipe from a Kids' Williams -Sonoma cookbook. R gave each of his friends a clay gingerbread man ornament. We placed them at each child's place at the decorating table.Here are the cinnamon sugar cupcakes--quick & easy thing to make: bake one yellow cake mix (cupcakes), then dip in melted butter and roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture (I don't really measure any of that). I think they're best warm.Stacy, Logan & Madelyn decorating cookies. Madelyn's outfit was so cute.
Olivia in a really cute Christmas dress.
The kids got bored with cookies and decided to go play...so the moms stepped up to the table to show their decorating skills.
Rhett taking pictures of his buddies.
Alexee liked to tackle the other babies--this is her cousin, Jeryn.
Alexee also liked to flirt with the older guys. Morgan, Lawson & Logan are going for a ride in the popular box toy.
Here are some of the kids working hard to create the perfect cookie!

My sister sent me this one of Jaiden...parties are fun but tiring! She's holding her bag of Christmas candy from Logan on their drive home! :)

Babysitting

Last night I kept my sister's sweet kids while she & Mario went to M's office Christmas dinner. The older two had so much fun playing, as you can tell from the picture above! It required a little extra planning (how to get up the stairs) carrying two babies and convincing R & J to follow me, but they all did great and we had a good time. It's cute how close R & J are...they look out for each other, and R is always sad when she has to go home. He was happy to find out last night that she would be back this morning for the cookie-decorating party!

Journey Into Space

Thank goodness we didn't throw away the "rocket ship" box a few months ago. Something made R think of it yesterday and he wanted to bring it back inside. A loved playing in it too (Bogart not-so-much). I thought they looked so cute in there together. I told Lane, "Who needs a Pack & Play when you have a large computer box around?". They played in this for probably 20 minutes this morning--enough time for me to actually put on make-up and straighten my hair! I don't bother straightening my hair most days, but I got it cut (quite a bit) yesterday so I was curious to see how short it looked when it was straight...I think I like it.

These pictures remind me of one of R's little books based on Psalm 139...we've read it hundreds of times...it's one of my favorites: "Where can I hide from You? If I journey into space You are there. If I sink to the bottom of the sea, You will find me there, too. That's because You are everywhere. Not even the darkness can hide me. To You, day time and night time are just the same..."

Christmas Card Photo

Christmas cards are one of my favorite things of the busy holiday season.  I finally dropped ours in the mail yesterday.  Here's the picture I used (thank goodness for digital photography...I took over 200 pictures to get ONE where they were both looking at the camera and smiling!):

My sweet little ones:  R, 3 1/2 and A, 10 months:

Merry Christmas!!!

A Happy Snowman

I did this painting for a Christmas gift this weekend. I thought he looked cheerful and could be displayed through January since it's not too Christmas-y. Rhett was helping with the modeling of it! :) I enjoy these painting projects (this is in acrylics, not oils like I really prefer, but oils are too time-consuming and messy for my life right now with small kids). I'd love to have a little home-based business...I keep telling myself I'll get it organized, but it never seems to get done.  If you're reading this and would ever like to "order" a painting, please e-mail me...that might give me the push I need to get something organized/started.  These are not fancy at all, but I think they're fun to decorate with, and it's a fun hobby for me.