It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

One of our favorite things to do over the Thanksgiving break is to put up our Christmas decorations. Now I am not one of "those people" who put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving... that's just wrong. You cannot celebrate two holidays at the same time. However, the moment the leftover turkey is in the fridge, I make Justin climb up into the attic and drag down all of the Christmas decor. We really look forward to it, and have made it a Thanksgiving evening tradition pretty much since we've been married. The girls are beginning to accumulate quite a collection of ornaments between those made at school, the ones stitched by Granny, and the ones from Aunt Nancy. Therefore, last year as we were taking the ornaments off the tree, I bought each one of them a plastic tub and used my handy dandy label maker to label each one with their names. Then this year when we brought down ornaments, they each had their own box with their own personal ornaments in them. They got such a kick out of opening their boxes and hanging their special treasures on the Christmas tree!

Also, last year was the dreaded year when Abby finally asked if we could have Chrismas lights on our house. So, we took the girls to Wal-Mart and let them pick out which kind they wanted. Mistake #1. Of course they picked out the rainbow colored icicle lights that Justin and I always used to think were so ugly and tacky on everyone else's house. I mean, have you ever seen rainbow colored icicles? Well, being the good parents we are, we let them have the rainbow colored icicle lights. The year before we had purchased a giant inflatable Mickey Mouse for the front yard. Every year around Thanksgiving, the girls ask when we are going to "blow up Mickey Mouse". Not soon enough.


Brave daddy on the roof hanging lights!

Mickey Mouse blowed up! This picture was taken by Lilly. He must look enormous to her!

Sorting through the ornament boxes..

Hallie showing us her favorite ornament. It changes every hour.

Stockings for Jesus, Daddy, Mommy, Roger (our dog), Abby, Hallie, and Lilly

We put money in Jesus' stocking throughout the month, and then at the end of December, it is given to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering at church. The girls hit up anybody who comes to our house over Christmas for money! Last year at Justin's team party, Abby did cartwheels and the girls paid her money to put in Jesus' stocking. :)

Finally, our Christmas photo session.

Thanksgiving Part 2

If you read yesterday's blog, then you know that Justin and I decided we would attempt our very own Thanksgiving meal this year. What fun we had! We made turkey, dressing (acutally, the dressing was made by Meme and was taken from freezer and cooked in oven), corn, green bean casserole (my favorite), sweet potato casserole (Justin's fav.), "MeMe's beautiful bread", pecan pie (homemade), and Hershey's Sundae pie. It was all delicious if I do say so myself! The girls really got a kick out of it too. They started the day by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Abby made placecards for everyone. Since our little family would not eat all that food, we invited Granny and Papa Don over to share with us! After lunch we visited for a while, watched a movie, and this evening we put up our Christmas tree which we always do on Thanksgiving evening. We also started one other very special Thanksgiving evening tradition which is a family secret! (Don't worry, it isn't anything illegal.) Finally, tonight we caught the tail-end of "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving", put on pajamas and put the girls to bed!

God has blessed me in so many ways, if I tried to name them "one by one" I could never finish. Here is my top ten list, in no particular order, of the things I am most thankful.

#1 I am thankful for my best friend and the love of my life, Justin. He is such a blessing to me. God knew what He was doing when He put us together. Words can't even describe how precious Justin is to me. He is an amazing daddy, husband, and coach. He is wise beyond his years, and with him what you see is what you get. He is also so sweet to me. Although he wouldn't want many people to know this, he gave me a Valentine's gift last year that was a box full of a Years Worth of Valentines. Every morning since last February 14, I have gotten to read something encouraging, sweet, funny, etc. that he has written to me. What an amazing man. I love you Justin!

#2 I am thankful for my mom and dad. I was so blessed to be raised by such godly parents who truly taught me to love God #1 and everything else would fall into place. My mom taught me that "You can't outgive the Lord", and she is so right! Their love, support, and most importantly, their prayers are the main reason why my life is blessed today. I love you both so very much!

#3 I am thankful for my firstborn, Abby. What a smart, beautiful, and mature little girl you are for six and a half years old! You have had to take on a lot of responsibility in helping with your little sisters, but you do an amazing job! Your curiosity, desire to learn, ability to learn quickly, and your love for the Lord is inspiring! I know God has awesome plans for your life! I don't love you more than your sisters, but there is just something about that first child that is extra special. You are the one I get to experience all the "firsts" with first! You set a high standard and I am always so proud of you! You live up to your name's meaning, "Source of JOY!"

#4 I am thankful for my middle child, Hallie! You helped humble us when we thought parenting would be easy. Your smile is the light of my life! No one else can brighten up a room like you! Your energy is exhausting! Your tenderheart is so sweet. You are my best child at sharing and showing compassion to your sisters. I have been so proud to see how unselfish and kindhearted you are! I wish you could have been my baby just a little bit longer, because I know you had to grow up a little too fast, but even though you are my middle child, you will never be forgotten... I PROMISE you that! I love you so very much!

#5 I am thankful for my baby girl, Lilly Kate! I feel bad to admit that I wasn't exactly thrilled when I found out we were expecting you. I mean, I had a 2 1/2 year old and a 5 month old at the time. But I wouldn't trade you for anything. Of all you girls, you are the one who loves mommy the most! You are also growing into our little comedian... how you make us all laugh with the quick wit that you are developing! You also are my little helper... always wanting to be right by my side! I love you "dish many and dash a lot!".

#6 I am thankful for my job. I know I could be doing something else that would make more money, but I doubt I could find anything more fulfilling. I get to stay home two days a week with Lilly and the other days I get to be right where my other girls are. I get to see a part of their lives that otherwise I would be missing. And God provides in unbelieveable ways which goes to show I am where I need to be.

#7 I am thankful for my sisters. Don't take this the wrong way, but you have both been more like second moms to me than sisters. You have watched out for me, given to me, and loved me like I was your own child... or your baby sister! I won't have the memories that the two of you have of growing up together, but the memories we share are precious. Nancy, you have always been there to help me with anything I needed and have loved my girls so much! I have always felt very protected by you! My first trip to Disney World was a gift from you! You are so good to babysit the little girls and do extra sweet things for them! Couldn't ask for a greater big sister. Jennifer, I wish you didn't live so far away because I miss you! We always have fun when we are together. I will remember the times when I would spend the night with you and Wade in Walnut Ridge, or spend the summer with you all in Childress, or come visit you in Hope! You were also the one who introduced me to the greatest Christian singer of all time, Steven Curtis Chapman! I love both of by big sisters so very much! P.S. Andrea I consider you a sister every bit as much as Nancy and Jennifer. I think God sent you to your mom partially so I wouldn't have to grow up totally as an "only child". Sometimes I even forget that you are my niece! Thank you for all of the fun memories! I am so blessed to get to work with you everyday, even though I know I most of the time I take that for granted. I love seeing your face come into the office! You are an amazing young lady that God is truly working in! I love you!

#8 I am thankful for friends. I don't really have a "best" girl friend anymore, and sometimes that really bothers me because I had so much really good friends in high school. I don't facebook, so I don't know where half of them are today. If any of you read this blog, you'd better let me know! But God has always blessed me with awesome friends, in high school, college, and now with friends that I work with, go to church with, and those that are the parents of my daughter's friends. Also, before mentioned, God as given me my Best friend in Justin. No one else knows me better and loves me anyway.

#9 I am thankful for my church, my pastor, and my Sunday School class. What a blessing you all are to me and to my family!

#10 I am most thankful that God loved me enough to send His one and only son, Jesus, to die on the cross for me. I know I will never be worthy of what He did. And I am thankful that Jesus rose from the dead, so that one day I and all the people I love here on Earth will be able to spend eternity with Him in Heaven! That truly is the only blessing anyone needs. Everything else is just extra! What a generous God we serve!

There are so many other things and people for which I am thankful, my in-laws, especially for all that you do and are! I love you, too!


Now, some picture from our day.

The before picture...



The after picture!



Yummy!

The "grown-up table"..

The "kid table"..

Putting up the Christmas tree!

What an exhausting day! Time to go to bed!

Thanksgiving part 1

Last night we had Thanksgiving over at Justin's parents house. Here are a few pictures of our time. What special memories our kids will have of spending holidays with their "Arkansas" cousins. (P.S. "Texas" cousins, if you are reading this, we always, always, always wish you were here with us, too. You are terribly missed!) That is one thing I don't have... memories of ANY times with my cousins. My sisters have those great memories, but I was so much younger than them, that by the time I was old enough to remember things, we had started the tradition of just having Thanksgiving with my mom, dad, and sisters. Most of my cousins are old enough to be my parents or at least are as old as my sisters. Not that I don't have great memories of Thanksgiving because I do. I wouldn't trade those for anything. Since my parents are in Texas this year with my middle sister and her family, Justin and I decided it was time we attempted to do our own Thanksgiving meal with all the fixin's. I'll let you know how it all turns out tomorrow!

Christmas Dresses

I don't do the whole matching thing much anymore with the girls. It seems like they overall might be getting too old for it, not to mention it can be difficult to find and expensive to buy. I have bought them matching Easter dresses in the past, but did not do so this year. Instead they each wore the dress of their choosing. However, we were at the mall today, and I found these beautiful, sparkly red dresses on sale and in all their sizes! I couldn't resist buying them for their Christmas dresses. What do you think? Yay or nay? I love them, but don't want it to be "too much" if you know what I mean. I guess at this point though it would be wrong to say, "You know that beautiful red dress I bought you and you tried on and loved?.... I'm taking them back.". That would be plain mean! Oh well, I'm just going to have fun with it! Afterall, how much longer will they let me dress them like my little dolls?

My Stairsteps:

Harvest Parties

Thursday and Friday were Harvest Parties for the girls. Lilly's class had their party on Thursday and then sang a few Thanksgiving songs in the sanctuary. She sang songs that I remember both Abby and Hallie singing at their Thanksgiving programs. Makes me a little sad that this is my last Mother's Day Out Thanksgiving program to attend. Next year Lilly will be a big girl! :)


My little pilgrim girl.


Daddy and Lilly.

Then Friday were the Harvest parties for Abby and Hallie. The 4K had their annual Thanksgiving feast complete with chicken nuggets, corn, green beans, tator tots, rolls, Capri Suns, and dessert. When Abby was in 4K she was an indian; Hallie was a pilgrim... think you got that backwards, Mrs. West!


Hallie & Jordyn.. little pilgrim girls.



4K pilgrims & indians sharing their feast! I always think it is so funny that all us parents just stand their watching them eat. It's like they are celebrities with all the picture taking and video taping of them eating their food!





Hallie and her indian friend, Katie Beth.


Mommy & Hallie.

Then finally it was on to Abby's Harvest party. If you are wondering what is on her head, those are turkey legs. Funny hats!





Abby did well in the corn-shucking competition. Papa Sam, you would have been proud!

Jessica, Abby, and Aly!

I am so thankful I was able to attend these events with my girls. Such sweet memories & I feel so blessed to have been there.

Future Lady Owls

These pictures were taken by our friend, John Carrell, at the game last night between Conway St. Joseph and ALS. As you can see, Lilly and Hallie were enjoying their popsicles during the game. The Lady Owls played a close game with St. Joseph, losing on a three pointer made with, get this... .6 seconds left. Not 6 seconds left but .6 seconds left. What a heart breaker!! Not only was it frustrating to lose like that, but the senior high girls have never beaten St. Joseph and it looked like we were about to do it! St. Joseph's girls are considered to be one of the top, if not the top girls team in 2A. They were state runners up last year and have been undefeated so far this year. I was just sad for Justin because I know how much beating them would have meant to him and his team! But they have nothing to hang their heads about... they played an awesome game right up to the end. Last night shows that they can hang with and beat anyone. I am so proud of Justin and every one of the girls on his team!




Lilly and Hallie checking out the scoreboard.


How do I push this thing up?


Just wait till I'm out there. Watch out Lady Bulldogs!

Hip-Hop Dancing Moseley Elves

If the title of this post doesn't get your attention, nothing will! For your viewing pleasure... the Hip Hopping, Moseley Elves. (Don't forget to pause our playlist music before you hit start on the video!)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Hallie & The Pumpkin Patch

The 4K classes at our school had their annual field trip to the pumpkin patch today. It was actually supposed to be last Thursday, but it got rescheduled due to all the rain. We lucked out this year and only had to go to the pumpkin patch once. Lilly was supposed to go with her class, but it got rained out... twice, and we chose not to go with the church this year. Today was a beautiful day to go to the pumpkin patch, and Hallie had a great time having mommy and daddy all to herself.


Hallie and her buddy, Bryce, on this bus trip there. By the way, daddy was the bus driver!



Daddy and Hallie on the hayride.




We brought carrots to feed the bunnies...

Searching for the perfect pumpkin..

Found it!

Mommy and her "B-Bop"...

Emma & Hallie

Jordyn & Hallie (Jordyn's mommy and Hallie's daddy graduated together! Isn't that cool?)

Hallie loves her teacher!!

Mrs. West's class...

They're not Mo's Sno, but they sure are yummy (and they turn our tongues red)!

We played in the sandbox...

We played on the swingsets...

We had a great day with our precious middle child!! You are so special to us Hallie! We love you, and we are so glad we got to spend this day with you!