Milk Day

"What's 'milk day' and why are we out of school for it?"  That's what Noah asked when he looked at his school calendar and saw "No School MLK Day."  We had a good laugh.  He has since been told about Martin Luther King Jr. and about the significant role he played in our nation's history.  I just thought that little funny was worth sharing!

January is turning out to be a very busy month.  This is mostly due to my second job as renovation planner/designer/purchaser for Chad's new office.  His Dad's retirement presented the perfect timing and opportunity to realize his dream as we are transforming the dental office into a law office.  The contractors' work is underway, and I am really anxious to get to the part I really enjoy…the decorating!!!

We did get a little break from all the work this weekend while attending the TN Bar Association Leadership Conference.  Two nights at The Hermitage Hotel in Downtown Nashville was a real treat!  The hospitality was truly remarkable, and the hotel was fabulous.  http://www.thehermitagehotel.com/homepage.aspx

Chad snapped a picture of me enjoying my hot apple cider in the lobby.

The agenda:

Friday night - dinner and live music at BB King's

Saturday night - dinner at the TN Sports Hall of Fame and hockey (Predators won 4-2)

We had fun both nights hanging out and sharing laughs with the other couples we met.

During the day, I rejuvenated while Chad attended his meetings.  Then, we shopped for lights for the office.  I found just what I was looking for at the Hermitage Lighting Gallery.

Although we enjoyed our little getaway, we were ready to get back home to the kids.

Out With The Old...In With The New

Oh my, I sure have some catching up to do.  It got kind of crazy around here getting ready for Christmas. Then, I enjoyed some much needed time off work with the family.  I'm gonna back up a few weeks before moving into the New Year.  One of my reasons for doing this blog is so that I can later print and keep it as sort of a journal/scrapbook.  So, I want to post the pictures from when I finished decorating for Christmas.  I hope I forget how long it took to put up all these trees and all the trouble I had with lights or I may only have one little tree next year!

A few weekends before Christmas, I went to see Lady Antebellum with Mom and Josh.  The Saturday before, Chad told me we were going boot shopping for part of my Christmas.  So, I now own my first ever pair of cowgirl boots.  I guess I'm sort of picky, because we ended up driving all the way to Cowboy Corner in Southhaven, MS!  But, alas, I had happy feet ready to go to the concert!

A few other highlights from December:

The Christmas parade...

School Christmas parties...

And Santa came (even though I was sure Noah was on the naughty list)...

Of course, with Grandparents like these kids have, who needs Santa?  XBox, American Girl, Northface, Cowboy boots, clothes...geez!  Can we say spoiled?  I sure think so!

We rang in the New Year by putting away Christmas decorations and playing XBox with the kids.  We are such party animals!

We cooked the traditional New Year's "Good Luck" meal and had an overnight visit from Nanny & Papaw.  They had also dropped in to fix us dinner a few nights before, which was quite a treat!  They had lots of help in the kitchen though.

Then, it was back to work.

I want to thank God for all the wonderful blessings on this family in 2011.

Making a list...checking it twice...

Santa's not the only one making and checking his list this time of year.  There's just so much to do!  But, I want to take a few minutes to capture a few of the latest happenings in my world...

Noah lost his first tooth on Tuesday!  I wasn't expecting that to happen so soon.  Alex didn't lose hers until 1st grade.  He was eating breakfast and said "Daddy, my tooth is kind of wiggly and it hurts."  It was REALLY loose.  He didn't want me to pull it though.  Alex told him that Mommy hurts when she does it so Daddy got the honors.  When he finally let him touch the tooth, it just popped right out.  The tooth fairy brought him $5, which he immediately tucked away in his pirate treasure chest.  That boy holds on to his money (quite the opposite of his sis). 

Now, backing up to the weekend's events, there was Breakfast with Santa and my annual Christmas lunch with my college buddies.  Breakfast with Santa was at the high school this year, and we had an amazing turnout.  I can't wait to see how much money we raised to help the precious children of our community.  It was such a blessing to see the kids having fun while playing games, seeing Santa, eating breakfast, and making crafts.  I did notice that my kids are too quickly outgrowing Santa's lap!

At this year's Christmas lunch we got to meet Lesley's precious baby girl, Lily.  She was such a good baby while we visited.  I forgot how sweet it is to hold such a little one!  We missed Glenna being with us, and we continue to pray for their family.  After visiting for a while at Lesley's house, we went to lunch at Bronte and just sat and talked for hours. 

So, I guess I'll get back to those "to-do" lists now (I may have to remind myself 'tis the season to be jolly'). 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

As busy and hectic as this time of year can be, I must say that I do enjoy all that it brings. 

First, we love to go to the Holiday Mart.  Alex and I had a great time shopping with Mom and Aunt Shirley.  Alex was a smart shopper and really stretched her $13 budget :)  She got an exquisite new ring ;)

She also bought a friendship bracelet and cowgirl boots for her American Girl dolls to share.  Here she is posing for a picture as we wrapped up our shopping for the day.

I love our Thanksgiving meals with our families...

 

Thanksgiving has passed (although we have one more dinner to go) and now we look forward to the Christmas season.  Alex and Noah have been practicing for the church Christmas program for weeks now, and they are so excited about the big night.

I've been working on Christmas decorations a little each day this week.  Here are the bedroom trees.  I will post the living room and dining room trees when finished.

I've been longing  for the colored lights of my childhood, so I put these by the front door...

I had to take a break from the decorating to do some Black Friday shopping with Mom today.  I got a few names checked off the list, but I still have many more to go.  I also couldn't resist a little gift for myself today when I found out about Pandora's limited edition Black Friday charm.  It's very pretty!

I think Alex wants a little pity.  She saw I was posting and asked if I had told about her dental work.  Bless her heart...she had 2 teeth pulled and a bumper put in the day before Thanksgiving! 

Noah didn't make these pictures because, well, as the shirt he is wearing says "A Bad Day Hunting with Dad Beats a Good Day Shopping with Mom."  Although, when Alex came home with so much "girly" stuff the other day, he did ask me when we were going to do some boy shopping.  I'm pretty sure I can satisfy him with one trip to Game Stop.

Next up, one more Thanksgiving get together, Breakfast with Santa, and then a Sunday Christmas lunch with my college girlfriends.  So excited!

I should be in bed...

I should be in bed right now, and I'll be frustrated with myself in the morning for being up too late...but, that's often the way I roll.  After the typical nightly routine (dinner, homework, baths, nagging the kids to pick up their dirty clothes--some day they will do it without being told, right?, and multiple kisses good night), I started productively checking things off my "to-do" list.  The productivity was short-lived, though.  After ordering a Christmas present online, I then lost myself for hours in the world of social media.  Now, I am the type of person who is constantly asking myself "what do I need to be doing right now?"  The answer is typically something like:

• laundry
• emptying/loading dishwasher
• reading my Bible
• picking out clothes for tomorrow
• making "to do" list for the next day
• spending QT with husband and/or kids
• organizing

You probably get the picture.  But as I began surfing tonight, I quickly realized that there was a purpose in what I was doing.  I was drawn to Galatians 6:2 - Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  My heart aches for the many trials and tribulations being faced by family members, friends, acquaintances, and people I don't even know.  Why does it take other people's burdens to make us see the everyday things that we take for granted?  

Honoring Our Veterans

Caywood Elementary honored Veterans tonight with a special musical program and tribute.

Alex and 3 of her cousins participated.

As I was listening to the music and to those who spoke, I (and I'm sure many others) couldn't help but get teary-eyed thinking about those who have served our country and the sacrifices that they have made so that we can enjoy the freedom that we have today.  I can't even begin to understand what it is like to leave family, friends, and the comforts of home to serve our country in a foreign land.  I'm proud and thankful that my Daddy and both Granddaddies have served our country.  I am sadly reminded of a friend from UT Martin, Brent Morel, who gave his life in 2004 serving our country with the Marine Corps in Iraq.  My prayer tonight is that God will continue to bless our country and our veterans and that Americans will serve God above all.  And, if you know a veteran, don't forget to simply say "thank you."

S'more Fun on a School Night

Fun times aren't had only on weekends in this family.  The fall weather has been so great; we decided dinner last night should be prepared on the grill followed by a campfire on the patio and s'mores for dessert.  

I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy a s'more so much...

Alex wanted to have some coloring fun.  Noah had a lot to talk about with Alex while she colored.  The hubbie and I just enjoyed watching them.

I hope the kids remember nights like these as they get older.