Christmas (Part 3)

"I am dreaming of a White Christmas...". Well I was not exactly dreaming of one but that is what we got!! I am sure many of you had a beautiful white Christmas also! The snow even declares the glory of the Lord!! My kids were so excited about the snow, but I think they were just as excited that they thought Paw and Maw would get snowed in here with us. The grandparents were able to leave on Sunday morning. Anyway back to Christmas morning... the kids were so excited about their gifts and had so much fun opening them. Sarah had been asking for a new Bible so that was her favorite gift, she loved it!! Elijah got a scooter and has rode it all through the house, hoping not to run into anything or anyone. The scooter is now outside!!! Timothy's favorite thing was bath crayons. He would stay in the bathtub until he turned into a prune!! Isaac liked everything the most, he can't decide on a favorite!! Three out of 4 kids stayed in their PJ's most of the day and all the kids enjoyed playing with their new things! God was so good in providing for us to give gifts and for the gifts we received. I pray that God will help us to lead the children in not getting lost in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, but to never forget or loose the TRUE meaning of Christmas....Jesus' Birthday!! It is because of Him that we celebrate!! Thank you Jesus for coming and giving us the best gift of all!

Christmas (Part 2)

I am so thankful that my parents came up and spent Christmas with us! They came up on Christmas Eve morning and we opened gifts with them. They are always so generous and bless us with such nice gifts. The kids got books, toys and movies. Bryan's favorite thing from my parents was a picture of me on our wedding day. My favorite thing was a new crock pot, which was much needed! We had a wonderful time giving gifts to my folks also and I believe that they enjoyed the things they received! Usually when mom and dad come they only get to spend one night with us but this time they spent two nights and it was nice to have them here for awhile. The kids just loved them coming and getting to spend some time with their grandparents. I am sure we will not see my parents again til the new baby arrives so we tried to soak up some great times with them. We love you Dad and Mom and thank you for coming and spending Christmas with us!!

Christmas (Part 1)

My Mom and Elijah

Sarah and Gigi

Friends!

The Museum

A field trip.

Last weekend we went home to Alabama so we could celebrate Christmas with Bryan's immediate family. We decided at the last minute to go down on Thursday night and surprise my parents, boy were they surprised! We spent the night there and then the next morning we visited the museum in Anniston and the kids had a great time! After the museum we stopped by to visit some very dear friends of ours and the kids had so much fun playing and hanging out together. We then headed to Bryan's parents house for Christmas. We had a great time being with family and watching the kids open presents and play. Bryan's older brother is much better and was able to be there with us. We then spent the night with Bryan's mom and dad and enjoyed getting to spend some time with them on Saturday morning. Bryan made corn-hole boards for his brothers and dad so we got to play that with his mom and dad on Saturday before we left. The kids were so excited about going home and seeing family. We all really did have a great visit and loved being with everyone.

First Place!

Sarah's basketball is over! She did really well and she enjoyed it some but it is not her favorite. Sarah just enjoys being with others and having a good time! Two weeks ago was her final games and it was a tournament. She played one game and then if she won she would play a second game. Before we left that morning she asked me how many games she would have and I explained things to her. Sarah said that she hoped they lost. Well we went and guess what....her team won their first game which meant that we had time to eat lunch and head back to the gym for the final game. They won the second game and that put them as the #1 team!! I think Isaac was more excited than Sarah. It was so funny to see him run out there and hug her like he had taught her everything she knows. Ha-Ha!! She did really well that day, made a few points and played really hard! I just love that little girl of mine! She is growing so fast and will be growing even faster in the next few years! She is real excited about the new baby and I know she will be a great BIG sister just like she already is and a BIG helper for me.

Pregnancy update....

I wanted to post this the other day but we headed to Alabama for Christmas with Bryan's family...so things have been busy and I have been out of pocket. So here is my update...

On Thursday I went to the Dr. and all was well. I was 35 weeks and doesn't look like we will have a baby anytime soon, which is great!! I start my every week visits now, so I will go back this next week for another check-up. The baby is moving alot and is doing so well! I will start to get the nursery ready in the next couple of weeks and then get things washed up for our new bundle of joy! By the way, only a few more days left to vote on if you think the baby is a boy or girl. So far the girl votes are in the lead. I think I will be totally surprised either way! I believe we have gotten a boy name and a girl name, but still praying for God to confirm those names or to give us the perfect name for this little one. I am amazed that in right at a month we will have a new baby and know what the baby is.

Playing in the snow!!

Sarah and her friend that lives next door.

Bryan helping Timothy walk in the snow.

Isaac loved the snow!

This little boy was so glad to be outside!

Yesterday the kids were able to get out and play in the snow we got here. It was really pretty but oh so cold!! My hubby could not go in to work so he took the kids out and I was given strict orders not to come out. I think my hubby thinks I am 8 months pregnant or something...HaHa!! I did sneak out the door just a little to take a few pictures of my family enjoying the white snow. It had melted a little today so Bryan was able to head back to the office today. Tomorrow is suppose to be ucky again, we will see. We thought about how beautiful the snow was and how awesome God was to send it. Which reminds me of the scripture in Isaiah 1:18 that says...

"...Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow...."

The Lord says that our sins are like scarlet, but He will make them as white as snow!! Isn't that awesome? Not only are my sins like scarlet but they are against Him. I have sinned against an almighty and Holy God but He promises to make them clean and to give me a new heart! That is a reason to celebrate, that is the reason for Christmas. It is through God sending Jesus, who came at Christmas, who died on a cross for my sin and your sin to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to make our sins as white as snow. Has God made your sins as white as snow, has He given you a new heart?

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

Yesterday as we got to church it began to snow and it did not stop until this morning. Yes, it is very cold here!! The kids have been chomping at the bits to get out there this morning and play. Since Bryan couldn't get to work he has taken them out to enjoy the snow. I will post pictures of them in the snow later. For now I thought I would just post that we did have snow and it did stick! Hope you all stay warm and dry! We are going to have soup and grilled chesses for lunch....ummm, that just sounds like something to warm you up after playing in the snow!! :)

A Baby Shower!!

The sweet ladies in my Sunday School class gave me a baby shower and I was so encouraged! We had it at the home of one of the ladies so it was a very relaxed atmosphere. There was so many that came and just their being there was a big blessing. We received a ton of diapers and wipes, which is GREAT, and many other very nice things (blankets, baby wash, etc.). It was nice being with the ladies and having some time of fellowship. I am so thankful for each lady that came and for the blessings we received!! We have even received a few gifts from others at church, we feel so loved!

When mommy is away...

Daddy is in charge! I had to go somewhere the other day and Bryan was staying with the kids. He is such a great daddy and wonderful at helping me all the time with the kids!! This time though I believe Timothy got off without daddy knowing and found Sarah's markers. We are just thankful that it was washable and that he didn't decorate anything else, or maybe we just haven't found his artwork yet...Ha-Ha!! Even with marker on him he is so cute!!

Going on a "Mommy Date"

As many of you know Sarah is our only girl at this time and she is such a sweetheart! Today I had a Dr. visit and took her with me so we could have a "Mommy Date". My appointment was at 8:30 so that meant we had to get gone early!! But for Sarah that is not a problem, she is already an early bird. I had a great check up and all is well with Baby Camp #5!!! The heart beat is between 145-150 and strong. The baby moves all the time and I just love that feeling. I am 33 weeks and 2 days and did you notice the baby ticker on the side bar of our blog?....That is less than 50 days to go!!!! I will say it again...."This baby will be here before we know it!". I still am not going to try and guess the sex of the baby, but I will say this, after 3 boys and 1 girl I just can't see it being a girl. Bryan thinks it is a girl and we do have a girl's name, but NO boy name!!! My next visit will be in two weeks and then I will start every week visits, see isn't that unreal. After my visit to the Dr., Sarah and I went and got a dozen doughnuts to take home, we only ate one before we got home. Then we did a little shopping for Christmas. Our final stop was lunch and I let Sarah choose where to go, she chose Cracker Barrel. It was a very good lunch but I do have to say the company was even better! I could go on all day with the many ways Sarah blesses me, but if you know Sarah I don't have to say a word...you already know. I am so thankful that God has blessed us with a little girl and if He chooses to give us another little girl that would be great and if He chooses for Sarah to be the only girl in a house full of boys, that will be great too!! I love you Sarah and enjoyed my morning with you!

Thanksgiving Day!

Future Astronauts!

Timothy Loved this little slide!

Elijah coming off his first space shuttle ride!

Candice and I with our beautiful pregnant bellies!

This Gigi loves her grandkids!!!

Last week we headed to Alabama to spend Thanksgiving with Bryan's family. Yes, we got to see my parents but we actually spent Thanksgiving Day with Bryan's family. On the way down we stopped by the Space Center and let the kids play. This helped break up the trip and the kids enjoyed it. Bryan's mother's family comes over and there is a house full!! We always enjoy getting to see everyone and eat such delicious food. This year was a different because Bryan's older brother was in the hospital and him and his wife were not there. We were thankful that we did get to see our niece and nephew and that Isaac and Sarah got to spend time with them. I always try to be good at taking pictures but it gets harder because I either forget or I am having to keep up with the little ones. I did get a few pics and I have posted some of them. We are so thankful that Bryan's parents let us stay with them and they are so good to us. Thank you Pop and Gigi for opening up your home for us and for going above and beyond to make us feel at home.

I have posted a pic of my sister-n-law and me with our pregnant bellies! She is about 21 weeks and they are having a boy. They have one boy named Jameson, so this will make boy #2 for them. We are excited about this new baby for them.

On Thursday night I also got to visit with a very dear friend of mine, Wendy. She was headed home after visiting family and stopped by Bryan's parents house so we could see each other. Wendy is one of those friends that will go the extra mile. Wendy and I actually met almost 13 years ago.....can't believe it has actually been that long. She was a Senior in high school and was attending with her boyfriend the church Bryan's was pastoring. I was there when the Lord changed Wendy's heart, when she married that boyfriend (Ben), when she went off to college (and we kept in touch) and then I have gotten to see her become a mother and blossom into a wonderful wife and mother of 3!! Bottom line....I am so thankful to have a friend like Wendy and so glad that we still keep in touch and enjoy seeing each other. I love you Wendy!!

We did have a great Thanksgiving but we are so very thankful to be back home and in our own bed's and back to our daily routine.

Just the two of us!!

My dear hubby planned a two night trip for just the two of us! I love it that he planned it and it was his idea! We had wanted to do something special before the baby comes but just did not know what or how we could pull that off. Well, he did it!! We left Tuesday and headed to Alabama and dropped the kids off with my parents and we went to "Pilgrim's Rest" for two nights! It was so nice and the weather was just right. We stayed in this cute little cabin and enjoyed just being alone. It was so nice to talk and rest and be together. Bryan said that he would love for us to do this once a year...I would like that too! Of coarse my kids got spoiled and I know they were well taken care of. Thank you so much Paw and Maw for making those two nights possible. This is another thing to add to my thankful list, time with my hubby....alone! Bryan thank you so much for loving me and planning this time for us to be together, it was wonderful!! I love you dearly!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

WOW! I have so much to be thankful for and for time sake can't blog all of it. I did want to share with you something we did for homeschool on Monday. I let Isaac and Sarah make a list of things they were thankful for. This assignment was their writing for the day. I was so grateful that both of them put for their #1 thing was Jesus!!! I love it! Their #2 was family! My heart rejoices and I am so thankful that they are thankful for Jesus above all other things! I will share a few of the things I am thankful for, but remember I don't have the time or blog space to share them all....
#1) Jesus Christ who has changed my heart and has given me a NEW life!!
#2) A God who is real and loved me so much that He sent Jesus to die for me so that I could have a realationship with Him!!
#3) A Husband who loves me unconditionally after 14 years and he is so faithful and Loves the Lord!!
#4) Isaac, Sarah, Elijah, Timothy and the new baby who make me so glad to be a mommy!!
#5) Mine and Bryan's parents who are always there for us and would go the extra mile for us!
#6) Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church who has loved us and welcomed our entire family!
#7) The material blessings that God has provided for us...home, car, food, clothes, etc.
#8) Our health, we have been very blessed with our health and healthy children!
And the list goes on!!!

Hope you all have a great and safe Thanksgiving!

Prayer Request: Bryan's older brother is recovering from surgery after swollowing a pill wrong that tore his esophogus. The tear caused liquid and food to enter his body cavaity. He is doing well but the recovery will take a while. He will be in the hospital for a while. Thank you for your prayers!

Take it to the hoop!!

Sarah is playing basketball at the local elementary school. She is on an all girl team and she is enjoying it. Sarah is doing really well, matter of fact she played almost the whole game this past Saturday. I fall in love with her every time I see her! Sarah has this innocence about her that is so precious. When she is playing any sport she is the sweetest thing even to the other team. For instance this past Saturday she was talking and laughing with the girls she was suppose to be guarding. If someone gets hurt she is always there to check on them and is concerned for them. When she played t-ball in the spring she was tagging a girl out and knocked her down, the little girl did get a scraped knee and was just a crying, Sarah felt so bad that I really thought she would never tag anyone else out again. Her heart is so big and she has been such a blessing to me and to others. Yes, Sarah does have her moments and she does get in trouble but all her goods far out weigh those moments that we have to correct or discipline her. She has two more Saturday's of basketball games and then we are done with sports for awhile as we prepare and welcome the new baby into our family!! Hooray, football is FINALLY over!!!