Remember December?

I'm sorry that I never got around to posting much here during the month of December. We were a bit busy, as I'm sure you all were too! There was alot going on, but it was all good stuff and for that I am thankful. I hope you all had a joyous Christmas season and I wish you many blessings in 2009.
Our shower for Stacy and Baby Ashtyn... who Auntie Tanya can't wait to meet any day now!

After more than four years of nagging, guilt-tripping, and peer-pressuring, our dear dear DEAR Nicky-T finally came to visit us for a very fun-filled week.

Nic and I took two days off from being Mommy and Auntie to enjoy a road trip to Atlanta and got to spend time with our lifelong friends, Shelley and Shannon. Thanks girls for so much fun and so many belly laughs. (Frozen Monkey Toes and posessed closet lights!)

Jonah with some Preschool buddies at their 'Birthday Party for Jesus'.

On our way to the Preschool Christmas Program. The kids love riding in Daddy's new truck.

Jonah, however, does NOT love geting his picture taken. Maybe I've mentioned that...

Maya with her two fabulous teachers. We love them.

Jonah with his awesome teacher who we consider to be a great blessing to our family.

Maya, front and center. :) She really enjoyed singing in the Christmas Program and took it very seriously. I was so proud of her. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm ALWAYS proud of her!

Jonah, back right (making a funny face) loved the music. He was jammin' during the intro.

Our family Christmas dinner at Sandy's house. Luke was checking out all of Laney's cool toys.

My Loveable Little Lumberjack, Luke.

Never fear, Sir Jonah is here!

Our annual Magnolia Christmas lunch. This group of ladies means so much to me. Almost as dear as "work friends". ;-)

Christmas Eve at Omi & Opa's provided a quick photo op before church. I was able to wrestle Luke into holding still for 1.3seconds to take this picture. Have I mentioned that he is a wild man?
New robes on Christmas morning, as if they weren't already cuddley enough.

It looks like Obi Wan doesn't stand a chance against the scurvy pirates' sneak attack. (Stocking stuffers.)
My favorite present.

My favorite present.

My favorite present.

And I'll leave you with some bathtub fun, just because I think it's adorable and because I have to give my kids something to be upset with me about when they're older.

Well ok, just one more of our little Wild Child. He sure has been a handful lately, phew!

Let the giving begin!

Are you ready to be blessed by blessing others? You are, aren't you? I thought so. Here is a great opportunity to do just that and have a chance at winning some really cool prizes. Jump on over to MckMama's and check out the Rebel for a Cause Raffle-way.


Your giving supports String of Pearls, No Hands but Ours, and The Elison Project.

And if those of you in Nashville are looking for some good spending destinations this holiday season, instead of the mall, here are a few great local options for you The Nashville Rescue Mission (it costs less than $2 to give someone a meal), Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, The GEAR Foundation (providing jobs to disabled people) or Murphy's favorite HappyTales Humane .

The Fullness

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I hope you all had a very full day.
Ours was full of...

anticipation,

feasting,
family and friends.
There is so much fullness to give thanks for, and that's just what we did, together.

Chrissy fell in love with the newest family member, Palmer. He's Samantha and Jamie's baby.

Here are the boys meeting Palmer, or "Puffer" as Jonah calls him.

Sweet Lukie had an ear infection, went to bed early and missed most of the feasting. But don't worry, there were plent of leftovers to share in the next day. Especially...

...my portion of this poor bird who gave it's life for our feast.

Jonah and Laney being coached into becoming 'Kissing Cousins'.

"La La Tennessee Hills" as sung by Omi.

Little Laney getting her groove on. So sweet!

Birthday Bonanza

Autumn is a busy time for birthdays in our family. Here is a little re-cap of the most recent ones we've shared.
First there is Omi's birthday... (Here she is with her three favorite gifts.)

... followed by my birthday, the very next day. My Daddy always give me flowers. Thanks Dad! And I'm 33 now, if you're wondering. I'm happy about my age because I believe Dad's favorite saying.

Then our sweet baby Lukie had his special 1st birthday. Who doesn't like to start their day off right with a birthday sugar rush cinnamon roll?

If only everyone were so lucky to have a brother and sister who loves them this much...

...or a to have a birthday hat that is this cool!

And then our darling oldest 'baby' turned FIVE! Wow.

We celebrated at a pottery painting party with a cupcake theme.

Daddy and Jonah needed a break from all of the 'girl stuff' and decided to go rockin' instead.

Happy 51st birthday Maya and Luke... or, maybe, 5th and 1st!

Mr. Mac and Mini-Mac.

"Yes, I'm one and NO, I still do not like this hat!"

Almost Pumpkin Fest

I was just looking through some pictures and realized that when I mentioned the Pumpkin Fest/mall trip in this post I should've shared the pictures with you too. So here they are:

Here we are on our brief stroll down Main Street. Maya and Jonah were so sweet, just hanging on to either side of the stroller, very protective of their baby brother, who was actually pretty content, as long as Mommy kept moving. You see, Luke has never been what you might refer to as, 'complacent with confinement', I could tell you many carseat stories...

Little aviators.

"The food court is where?"

Oh, you were expecting to see pictures of Luke crawling in the 'germ infested play area'? But that never happened. Remember?

All I want for Christmas

Thinking

I've been thinking alot lately, about a great variety of things. Mostly our society. Why we do what we do and how. What is "normal" and is that where I want to be? The most important question I ask is "Is that what I really want for my children?" We are programmed in our world to 'fit in', to do what's expected, what's always been done. But why? For what... and who? Are we THINKING?!

I know I am speaking in broad terms, but that is because I am thinking about a wide variety of issues. A few are: schooling, nutrition, entertainment, finances, etc... I don't have all, or hardly any, of the answers (yet). I've been feeling bad about that. I guess in my disease of perfectionism if a question arises I feel I need an answer immediately. When I get an answer I want to do the 'right thing', right away. I'm praying for patience, discernment... and conviction.

Here is one thing that caught my attention (to say the least... actually, I was in tears) today. It's a video called "Meet your Meat". Although the phrase "ignorance is bliss" holds very true, I also believe "you are what you eat" is every bit as compelling.



I also just finished reading 'Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God' by Francis Chan. I recommend it to anyone who considers themself to be a Christian. Are you really walking with Christ, or just a fan of His? I'm not telling anyone what to do, or how to think. (I just said I don't have all the answers.) I just hope, in a society so focused on doing, we will all challenge ourselves to THINK as well. I am, and if you have questions, or answers, I'd love for you to share them in the comments.