Tis the Season for Random Acts of Kindness

(I started this post on December 19th and am just now getting around to finishing...it was one of several really neat things that happened over Christmas!! More Christmas pics and updates to follow!!)

We had the coolest thing happen to us a couple of days of go at the drive-thru of a local fast food restaurant. It was a busy day and the line in front of us was fairly long, so we placed our order and then eventually got up to the window for our turn to pay and get the food. When we pulled up the woman that was working the window said "The person that was in front of you said to tell you Merry Christmas and they paid for your lunch." I was speechless (that in and of itself was unbelievable!!). I saw the back of the van in front of us as they pulled away and it didn't belong to anyone that we know, so it was must have been a stranger, performing a random act of kindness.



It made such a big impression on us all. The kids were really struck by the fact that someone would do something so unselfish...something for which they would not even receive any recognition or thank you.



You know, this time of year we get so busy with accomplishing the Christmas tasks...baking, shopping, decorating, celebrating. My prayer for myself and for others is that in the midst of it all we don't lose sight of what is most important!!

Bethlehem Gulch

This past Sunday our church presented a children's Christmas musical called Bethlehem Gulch. It was so cute and every child that participated in it did an amazing job. How brave they are to get up in front of all those people and sing and act!! We are very appreciative of the adults who take their time and talents to work with the kids.

It was a big night for our kids for two reasons....it was J3's first time participating in the children's program and A had a solo in the finale. I was such a proud mama!! They were awesome!!

Does Anyone know a Good Dentist?

Hee, hee, hee! J3 and his fake teeth!

Water Balloons in December?

Here are the balloons and us

Hello everyone, This is A + J3.

The weather here can be very strange. Sometimes it's hot in December and we almost never get snow. Well today was one of those days. It got up to 75 degrees!!!!!!! We had some water balloons and since it was so hot, J3 thought that it would be fun to play with them . We had a great time playing water balloon basketball, throwing them at the trash can, and just hitting things. J3 said to tell you that it was very fun and that he enjoyed the water balloons so much that he hopes its hot again tomorrow so we can play again!!!!!! It was a great day.

Elf Your Self

Need a good laugh? Check out Elf Yourself and see what our clan has been doing to pass the time during this most wonderful time of the year!! (hee, hee, hee!!) It might take a couple of minutes to load...

Picking the Perfect Tree

I am a tad bit "OCD" about my Christmas tree, a trait that I picked up from my dear friend KDK. It takes me a while to find just the right one and whoever has to go with me to get it receives a real lesson in patience. The kids and I ventured out yesterday afternoon and on the recommendation of another dear friend,L, we found a great tree lot. The tree we bought was fresh and beautifully shaped, and an added bonus was the price was just right! We met the two nicest older men at the lot...one who actually owned the tree farm and his friend who has worked the lot for the past 18 years. They were so friendly, helpful and had a great sense of humor. What a great reminder of how just being kind and cheerful can add so much to someone else's day! Something to remember as we all enter this hectic and sometimes stressful time of year.

We were the only ones there and the kids had a ball running through the trees looking for the one that we would take home. A and J3 decided to name some of the trees and the final winner was "Bob". J3 was disappointed that his favorite finalist, "Fred" wasn't the chosen one (I am sure J can sympathize!!), but in order to compromise we ended up naming the tree we bought "Robert Fredrick".

It's the Simple Things

J3 buried A in the leaves
Yipee!!
Is this how you do the wave?
The past two weeks have been like this for us...go, go, go, go, go and go some more! Today is the first day in a while that we have been home most of the day without anything major going on. I decided it was time to reclaim the house (it truly looked as though someone had turned it upside down and shook it!!) and wanted the kids to play outside because it is a beautiful day. One of the things the kids decided to do to pass the time was to play in a pile of leaves in the front yard. There really is nothing better than watching your kids have a great time together enjoying the simple things of life!

Missing in Action

No, I am not a blogger dropout already!! We have just had an exceptionally busy week!!(More details on that another time!) On top of that my camera batteries went dead and I just now have gotten them charged - so I should be back on top of my blogging game soon! Don't give up on us yet!

I love having a BIG family!!!

Growing up, I had two first cousins. Growing up, J had two first cousins. Our two kids, A and J3 have 17 first cousins - 15 boys and 2 girls. What great times they have together!! We are so blessed to have such a great big, fun family. This Thanksgiving we were in Tennessee and had a wonderful time.

The kids did a Thanksgiving play, a talent show, built domino trains, played army guys and decorated gingerbread houses. We went to see The Bee Movie with my sister- in -law and her five boys. (Yes, she and J's younger brother have five boys ages 11,9,7,5 and 3 and they are adorable kids!! We had a lot of fun with them this week!) There was lots of playing and even a game of football. J3 was in heaven having all those boys to play with and A does a great job hanging with the group. Bebe and Pop always welcome us so graciously into their home and make us feel right at home. It really is awesome having a BIG family!!

Why couldn't I have thought of that?

In case you don't have young kids (or you live in a cave!!)one of the most popular toys around is called Webkinz. First, you buy a Webkinz stuffed animal, and with it you receive a code that gives you access to a website with games, activities, "play money" and shopping. You care for your pet by doing things on the website like buying food and feeding it. You can even play with other kids who are online at different locations by "inviting" them over. You get to make up rooms, which you can fill with furniture, electronics and more. All these things you buy require points, which you can earn by playing games or BUYING MORE WEBKINZ!! Every time the kids acquire their favorite one, a new one is released which quickly becomes the new favorite. I have thought at times that we should give their allowance straight to the Hallmark store where we buy them, because lately that is where all their "spendable" allowance money has gone!! I don't blame them at all for enjoying them so much...I have been caught on more than one occasion playing the games (using the excuse that I was just helping them get points!!) So, if you have a kid on your list that you are wondering what to get...you can't go wrong with a Webkinz!

Dancing with the Stars

Our kids love music and dancing!! They even love to put on their own version of Dancing with the Stars...a show that our family has grown to really like(should I admit that?!?!)

Happy Veteran's Day

Let's all be sure to take time to thank our veterans who have served our nation with honor, as well as though who are serving in active duty. What a sacrifice they make for our benefit!!

This is a picture of my favorite veteran, and his wonderful wife. My dad served in the military for 20 years (and 1 day!) and my mom faithfully stood by his side through it all. 26 moves in 21 years, 2 tours in Vietnam, military quarters and base living...all done with a servant's heart. I am thankful for the home they provided for us and the example they set.

Yum!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello, this is A and J. Yesterday mom went to work and we wanted to do something special for her. She always works and cleans and cooks, so we made her a fancy dinner complete with candles and shrimp noodles. It was a great night.

Time Flies...

That was then...








This is now....

I have been reminded many times this week of the preciousness of each moment and of the fact that time flies!! I have been in the path of women this week who are facing the serious illness of parents, grandparents and children. I have heard the news of a long time co-worker and friend who is having to deal with the nightmare of her child's death. Another woman, whom I have just met shared of an unexpected loss within her own family and the fact that her own grieving mother died of a broken heart. In the sadness of it all, I am so thankful for a Savior who guarantees me that this is not the end...that far better things are in store for those who will just believe in Him and have faith. I am also so thankful for the gift of each day, each moment with those that I love. I am so blessed and hope that God will forgive me for every precious moment that I take for granted.

I was looking through pictures and found these from a trip to Disney in 2000. I was expecting J3 (and by the way, if you are thinking about a trip to Disney when you are experiencing morning sickness, I wouldn't recommended it!) and A was 3. The most profound changes since then though, have occurred with my oldest nephews and nieces...whom I just love to pieces. They were between the ages of 12 and 16. Now they are between the ages of 19-23. And, for the record, they truly are the most amazing young adults. I am incredibly proud of them. You can see by the second set of pictures that they are all grown up now.

Can't help myself!

The unopened bag
Soon, the damage is done (all by me within minutes)

If you haven't tried Hershey's Cherry Cordial Kisses, I would highly recommend them...as you can see!!! They are absolutely to die for!! Kind of reminds me of chocolate covered cherries without the cherries and (a comment only my family would get) without the closet.

Jackie O

From Left to Right - Martin Van Burren, Lady Byrd Johnson, Rosalind Carter, Abigail Adams, "Lemonade" Lucy Hayes, Jackie Kennedy, Harry Truman, Andrew Jackson and George Washington
Lemondade Lucy and their awesome teacher
Jackie O and their awesome teacher

Today, A did an excellent job at co-op with her presentation and report on First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis. She put a lot of hard work into it and learned many interesting facts about the first lady. J and I were very proud of her!! Way to go, A!!

A Low-Country Boil

This past weekend, we had the pleasure of spending the afternoon and evening of a perfect fall day at a low-country boil and bon fire. It was a great time with friends and the food was delicious. I think J3 summed it all up when he called the annual get together his "favorite time of the year". Thanks so much to our very dear friends who do so much to put it all together and open their home to us!!!

Oh yes not to be forgotten...the annual father's sack race. Last year, J cheerfully, but reluctantly participated in a sack race that included only dads. Imagine putting a 6'5" man with a size 13 shoe in a 3-4 ft burlap sack and asking him to hold it up and hop down the field. Not a recipe for victory to say the least!! Well, J came in a very respectable last place. However, J3 took it VERY hard. We found him after the race sitting under a tree with tears streaming, trying to accept the fact that his dad was a sack race loser!! Well, this year after hours and hours of practice (just kidding!!) J didn't finish in last place!!! Way to go, honey...we are so proud! Next year's game...three on three basketball!

Our dog, Mia

New Christmas tree lights bought after Mia chewed the cord - $8.00

New hoses bought because Mia chewed them in two - $24.00

New safety net for trampoline needed because Mia ripped it up - $57.85

New carpet for Den bought because Mia chewed three blue craft paint containers and made blue spots on the carpet - $800

Unconditional love of our wiggly,furry friend and the joy she adds to our home - priceless

A's article

Hello everyone this is A. My mother is the sweetest most wonderful person that I've ever met. She is so generous and kind and a very good teacher. She even made this blog for me and my little brother. I love her!

One little, two little, three little indians...

A few years back, we felt God's leading to make a major change in our lives and began to homeschool our children. Really, when we started only A was school aged and J3 was just toddler. My, how time flies! Four years later, we are still homeschooling and are learning so much through it all!!

We are extremely blessed to have a great group of families who share the same calling and are homeschooling as well. This has provided our kids with many friendships and great learning and "social" opportunities. (So much for us being "unsocialized homeschoolers"!!) One such opportunity occurs on Thursday afternoons at our church's family life center. DV, a very gifted teacher, teaches a history class to a group of 2nd - 7th graders, around 21 in all. J3 has been really excited that this year the mom's have started a history class for our K5-1st graders. They are studying Pilgrims and Indians at the moment and have learned some facinating things...for example, did you know that the first thing the women pilgrim's did when they reached land was wash clothes. I guess somethings never change!! This past week, A's class created their Indian project where they studied a particular tribe and then had to make a model of their home to show the group. The kids showed such great creativity and worked so well together. It was awesome!! Two weeks from now they are having a Thanksgiving feast with the older kids being the pilgrims and the younger ones being the indians.

My first blog

Okay A and J3 this is dedicated to you!!

Well, for a while my family and I have been great admirers of the whole blog set up. A,our daughter often signs on and keeps me up to date on what is going on with our dear friends J, K and Little E via their blog. I admit sometimes I have even enjoyed reading blogs of people linked to K's site that I don't even know!! I have been in awe at the way that K produces her blog and know that mine will never be up to that level (hope you aren't too disappointed, A), but I thought I would give it a try.

So here goes...

This past weekend our church held its annual fall festival. This is a time that our church provides games, food, blow-ups ( the kind you jump on- not the explosive kind!!), etc.. for the kids of our church and for the kids in the community. What a great time it was! I am so appreciative of our church and its staff and all they do to serve the members and the community! J3 was the toughest, best looking Spiderman imaginable, with all the moves to go with and and A was a part of a precious group of girls that were High School Musical Wildcats. They were so much fun!! The funniest part was that while at Wilson's getting the girl's costume supplies, the girls talked the moms into dressing up as "Cheer Moms". By the end of the night ,we were all pleased that we had mastered the official cheer face!! At one point, J3 had gotten hot and returned to regular clothes. Just he and I were walking around and I wondered how many people noticed us, the mom who was dressed in costume with the child who was not.


I am so thankful that God has blessed me with two kids that I enjoy so much, amazing friends to have fun with and a husband who loves me, even when I act like a little bit of a nut (or even a lot of bit!!)