Closing Out The Year

I'm closing out 2008. We were goofing off last night before bed with my new digital camera. It's nice, nothing too fancy, but I really needed a new one. I had $60 in gifts from preschool, and we took back some gifts, so we didn't have to put much toward one.

Now I am working on my 2009 goals. Here is what I have. I am not sure if this is completely done....if I'll add, tweak, etc.

1. Lose 10 pounds in a year

2. Start the three year read through the Bible with the family

3. Have someone over to the house for dessert or a meal every other month, or 6 times this year. (can you tell I am not good at hospitality?)

4. Do a household project every other month (only every other month to help keep expenses down). These are what I have so far:

a. Paint the boy's room

b. stain the deck

c. paint the shutters

d. paint the front porch

So what are your 2009 goals???????

Christmas Thoughts and Pictures

It has been one of those crazy weeks. Of course, I finally recovered from strep throat. I was just feeling better and then Jacob woke up Tuesday sick. I immediately got him to the doctor. Of course he tested positive for strep. I wasn't sure if he was sick on the stomach, so the doctor told me that he could get his medicine in a shot. It would be the entire 10 days of antibiotics in one shot, so I opted for that. That night he was a completely different child. Jack would have never known he was sick. Anyway, we all stayed well for Christmas and had a nice one. Here is Joshua reciting Luke 2:8-14, and Jenna playing with her new babies, and one of my brother and sister and myself.

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas.

Gone Awhile

I haven't posted for awhile. That's because I've been sick for the last three days. This thing has really whipped my tail. I don't usually get sick. I woke up with a sore throat Saturday, which isn't uncommon, but this time it came right back. I met Jack and the kids for lunch and was so cold. It hurt too bad for me to eat. So, I came home and stayed in bed for the day. I thought I was getting better Saturday night. I was getting ready to go to church Sunday and had to stop my shower because I started feeling to weak and dizzy, so I spent all day in bed battling a fever and sore throat. Today was no better, so I went to the clinic and found out I have strep (which I assumed). I am now on antibiotics and hope to be on the mend.

My thanks to my wonderful husband, who took over ALL the household duties Saturday and Sunday night. He took care of the kids, fed them, and did laundry and put it all away!! I am so grateful to God for such a wonderful husband. Thanks honey for taking care of me.

Thanks also to my special friend for bringing a surprise meal over tonight for me and the kids. It was more like a feast, but it makes me grateful to know I have friends who care!

So, that is why I have been "gone for awhile". I hope to be posting again soon.

What Jenna does when the boys are away

Poor Jenna is lost sometimes without the boys around. Here she is playing the game "guess who" (one of the kid's favorite games) with her baby doll! Only two more days and all of us are on a two week vacation!!!! I can hardly wait!!! No more rushing out in the mornings, making lunches, carpool line etc!!!!

Twins

I took this two weeks ago, but am just now getting to post it. Jenna and her friend Skye had matching outfits for church. They looked so cute!!!

Play

Joshua as the Angel of the Lord

My busy weekend (see last post) ended up with the Church Christmas Program. I only got two pictures because I was running the camcorder, and I didn't get to see Joshua's until I got home, but they all did a great job. I was very proud of all the kids. Now, we have one more program tonight and then we are done!!!

December Weekends

Once again, we had another busy December weekend. I'll try to split the weekend up into parts. Friday night we picked Travis up and he spent the night. Joshua was very excited to have him. I left and went to a ladies fellowship and had fun with my friends. Saturday the boys played in the morning and then we took Travis home. We went with Scott, Traci, and Travis along with Kim, Donny, Kennedy, Kelcey and Preston (all friends from our old church) and went to Apex Baptist Church for a wonderful Christmas play. The church was huge and the drama and music was incredible. After the play we went out to dinner at a mexican restaurant and then went to their neighborhood. This has become an annual tradition, but there is a man in their neighborhood that converts his garage into Santa's workshop. They can sit on Santa's lap and also get a small prize and candy cane. He also has this HUGE tree made into a Christmas tree and this cute sleigh with the reindeer. After that we went back to the Clayton's house for dessert. The boys loved playing with the girls. I think Jacob like Kelcey a lot, and Preston (almost 3) fell in love with Jenna. He kept telling Kim "I love Jenna". He gave her a kiss on the cheek too. The kids were totally exhausted after staying up late Friday night and a full day on Saturday. I'll post about Sunday tomorrow.

Oh, Jacob!!!.......

Jacob keeps me laughing and he doesn't even try too! Tuesday we were driving home from school and as calm as he could be he said "mommy, I think I lost a tooth". (we knew it was loose and we could see the new one pushing through). I turned around and looked and he did lose it. I asked him where it was and once again HE DID NOT KNOW WHERE IT WENT!!!! "Jacob, did it fall in the car?"
"I don't know"
"Did you swallow it"
"I don't know"
I don't know how the little guy has lost two teeth and has no clue where they went!! Once again he was worried about the tooth fairy, and frankly I was too. I had no cash on hand and I knew he would get very upset if nothing showed up SO......I borrowed money from Joshua to pay Jacob!!!!

Shop Till You Drop

Lydia, Monica and I have had December 6th on our calendar for about 4 months now. We ventured out to Concord Mills Mall! We got there at 9:35 and stayed until 5! Talk about shop till you drop! I was so tired!!! It was a ton of fun though and I only got a couple of things. Lydia gets the award for most spent!! I did good, and Jack should be proud! This is the only picture I got of our trip. It was in front of the fish tank of Bass Pro Shop. Same time next year, girls???

Mary

My weekend was very busy, but I'll start with Friday night. Jenna had her preschool program and she had the role of Mary. She did a great job singing her songs and playing the part (thankfully no one has speaking parts). I was worried she would get too scared and cry, but she did it. I was a very proud mom!!

All I Want For Christmas.....

Is my bottom front tooth....yes, Jacob lost his first tooth yesterday. The bad part is, he doesn't know where it went. I don't know if it went down the drain when he brushed, or if he swallowed it by accident earlier (he isn't even sure when it came out!!!). I knew from our last dentist visit that both bottom teeth were loose. In fact, the dentist showed me the new tooth already pushing through. At least the tooth fairy didn't forget to show up for his first big event!!!

Family Picture Outakes

I have been feeling the pressure of getting a picture done for our Christmas cards. There is nothing like waiting until the last minute!! Saturday we all dressed alike and headed outside. What I thought would take 10 minutes took more like an hour to accomplish. Something seemed to happen in every shot....Jack would set the tripod and get his head cut off, the kids would move, they'd make a weird face, etc etc etc. By the end, they were all getting grumpy and unbearable. I think we are able to use one of these for our cards.

Lights

So after my big Black Friday (see previous post) we went to Meadow to see the Christmas lights. We really enjoy doing this. For $2 each you can take a train ride through the lights. We also love visiting the candy store. I put the kids to bed and then put the tree up late Friday night. The kids woke up Saturday morning and put all the decorations on them.