Reflections... 2009

January was a busy month!  Ethan attended Teen Pact Leadership School and was elected representative for the first time.  Lauren, Megan, and I were in the thick of wedding planning.  We had a lovely "girl" day as we assisted Megan in and out of a rack full of white, lacy, billowing, wedding gowns!  It was a "mama" moment when I saw the look on my daughter's face as she smiled at her reflection in the mirror!!

February was filled to overflowing with wedding showers, bridal portraits, and shopping for all things "wedding".  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...bittersweet...the girls and I paused at times to soak in the moment!  We celebrated Luke's and Jonathan's birthday at the local bowling alley...it was a great day! 

March...the count down to the big day began!  A haze of busyness filled the first weeks of March...dress alterations, final fit on tuxes, decorations, flowers, food, and all the final preparations were winding down.  Before we knew it, the rehearsal night was upon us...and after bidding the wedding party good night, the work began!  We finally put the finishing touches on the church and reception hall in the wee hours of the night.  The ceremony was precious and our bride was absolutely glowing...she was a beautiful bride!  And we added one more son to the family.

April...We rested!    We did find the energy to attend a local tea party!!

May/June...Samuel's11th birthday was in May!!  He was so happy that Megan and Andrew came back for his birthday!  He finally got a paintball gun!  We took a family vacation at the end of the month and the first week of June to Virginia...a dream come true for a history lover like me!! I will never forget the feeling I had standing on the battleground at Yorktown.  Patriots gave their lives on this hallowed ground so that we could have freedom.  Sadness filled my heart at the thought of what is going on now in our country and how far we have drifted away from the source of that freedom, Jesus Christ.

It did feel quite odd without our Megan on the second row seat as we traveled...the kids wanted to go by and pick her up on the way!  We celebrated Paul's and Lauren's birthday on the road. We did stop by to visit Megan and Andrew on our way back home.   June also included a visit from my sister and her children...we had a great time chatting, sipping coffee, and generally catching up!

July began with the celebration of our country's birthday.  This was also the first birthday in which Megan celebrated in her new home.  I am sure that Andrew created a very special day for our birthday girl!

August was here before we knew it and Caleb turned a very big six years old!!  Megan made a special trip home to spend a few days with us...and help Caleb make his birthday cake:)   I cannot believe that my baby is six!! 

September...We paused to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11...we will never forget.  The gang spent a fun day hiking the trails and taking in the view to celebrate Andrew's and Ethan's birthday.  Lauren caught up with us for supper at the Texas Roadhouse and then we headed back home for cake and ice cream.

October...We enjoyed participating in a fund raiser for St. Jude Hospital.  The weather was wet and cool but the kids had a great time at the pumpkin patch.

November...Thanksgiving at Paul's mother's house.  We paused to reflect and give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon our family. Paul and I took a delayed anniversary trip to the Smoky Mountains.  It was a much needed romantic get-a-way.  Paul surprised me with a visit to the Biltmore Estate...I love that man!!

December...We remembered our Savior's birth...the event that has forever changed the world and our lives. 

Christmas 2009

The celebration of the birth of our Savior was the theme during the month of December in our home.  We love to read Luke's account of Jesus' birth aloud.  Christmas music resounds throughout the house and the aroma of cookies greet loved ones at the door.  Much thought is given to those special gifts selected for family and friends and then lovingly tucked under the tree.

A visit to our State Capitol is an annual event...it just isn't Christmas time until you see the huge tree and the hand-carved, life-size Nativity on the grounds of the State Capitol.  Laughter and delight filled the air as we enjoyed catching up with extended family and friends during the month of December.  One of the sweetest memories will be of a homemade gift package from my niece and her family which consisted of pictures of the kids, stickers, verses, and a donation to a worthy cause in our name!    

Paul and I felt blessed beyond measure to have all of our children, along with our new son-in-law, around the table for our Christmas meal.  We cherish these special times as a family and we look forward to the Lord's plan for the new year!

Chocolate Mess

Jonathan, Caleb, and I recently spent an afternoon attending appointments and running errands.  These two little guys have the idea that they are just as "big" as their older brothers!!  So as often as we can, we slip away and have a day of enjoying being the "little guys" and mom!!  I know that these sweet times are not going to last forever and so I delight in these days of "small things"!!

After a very good report from the dentist, we ran a couple of the errands on our list and then went to their favorite spot for lunch!!  We giggled and talked and colored the menu while we were waiting for our order.  I noticed that the two of them seemed to have a bit of a plan brewing.  I caught on pretty fast as I could see their eyes light up at the sight of a certain chocolate dessert passing by our table every few minutes.

"Mommy", they both said with big eyes, "Can we have that chocolate mess if we finish our lunch?"  Now we don't usually splurge on dessert when we go out as a family...but I have to say that I was a gonner when I looked at those toothless grins and twinkling eyes!!  I suggested that they might practice the art of sharing...and of course as they say, the rest is history!  And of all the messes these little guys can find themselves in...I say, it might as well be a chocolate mess!  What a day!  What a memory! :)

Window Shopping

The three younger boys and I have enjoyed various outings during the last few weeks and we have had a ball!  They provided me with endless hours of comedy, and they threw in a few thought-provoking questions, just to keep me on my feet.  

Decorations were being donned on the store fronts and my two youngest ones became so excited that they wanted to start shopping...for the name each had drawn...and for themselves!!  I had to take a few minutes to explain the concept of "window shopping".  They both looked very surprised and the older asked, "you mean people really just look at all this stuff but don't buy it?" 

It still brings a smile to my face!!  I did explain that people do indeed go window shopping...and we were going to do just that on this outing so that we could really think about what we wanted to buy that special sibling this year...and just to have fun!!  Samuel expressed consent as long as lunch would actually be enjoyed and not just admired!! :)

We looked at toys, games, electronics, computer games, sports equipment, music, and believe it or not...hamsters and creepy crawly animals (my term) and such...which was the best part of the day according to the boys!!