365

Let me start off by saying we had an absolutely amazing Christmas (6 actually)! It has been so wonderful being off work at the same time as Jim Bob. The four of us have had such sweet, sweet family time. We were truly blessed to get to spend so much time with our extended family as well. I was also excited to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in way too long. Thank you Kori, Amber, Misti, and Robyn for making time for me.
I always get a little sad as the Christmas season comes to an end. We have to wait 365 days to get to do it all again. As I was taking down our Christmas tree this last morning of 2008, I spent a lot of time reflecting and thinking about the past 365 days and the future 365 days. You know, A LOT can happen in a year. I realized just a few things that can happen even as I was putting my Christmas card labels on this year. Being the organized person I am (Ha!), I planned on just using the labels saved on my computer from last year's cards. However, as I printed them out and began looking at them, I realized that I have many friends whose address has changed. Some have moved into their dream homes just across town, some to a new city because of a better job, some to a new state many miles away. I also realized that many families have grown in number due to sweet new babies being born. My heart was also broken as I realized that some families had broken apart within the last year. In the last year I have known people who had babies, people who lost precious loved ones, people who got married, people who got divorced, people who were diagnosed with illness, and people who were healed, just to name a few. As I said, a lot can happen in 365 days.
2008 has been a wonderful, amazing year for our family. We have been so blessed through Jim's new job as a Psychology Instructor at SPC. It has allowed our family to have so much more quality time together, and Jim absolutely loves his job now. This year, we became a part of a new church family at The Heights Fellowship. Jim has done an amazing job as the worship leader, and even though it was hard to "leave" our BHBC family, the wonderful folks at THF have embraced us and welcomed us with such love. My "baby" girl started Kindergarten and Grayson has turned into a non-stop, talking, preschooler. I also became an aunt to the sweetest little miracle, Camren.
What will the next 365 days hold for us, for our family, for our friends? In 365 days, my little girl will be 6 1/2 and my baby boy will almost be 4. I have many friends who will have new little ones for me to love on. My incredible husband and I will celebrate 10 years of blissful marriage. I, personally, can spend too much time playing the guessing game of the future. However, one thing I was reminded of this morning that I know without a shadow of a doubt is that my God is and will be Lord of Lords and King of Kings through each of the 365 days ahead. As Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I pray that you and your family will be blessed in many, many ways in 2009 and that you will know God's love and peace this new year.

Dear Santa

As I was sitting on my bed early this morning putting on my makeup, I heard a rustling outside my door by the Christmas tree. I figured Presley had gotten up early and was snooping around trying to find presents with her name on them. I tiptoed to the door and quietly opened it. Look what I found....A precious little girl with a paper and pencil, laying by the Christmas tree, writing a letter to Santa! How sweet!

All Aboard!

We had such a great time on the Polar Express last weekend! Thanks Mimi and G-Dad for taking the whole fam to the North Pole. It was so much fun to experience it through Presley and Grayson's eyes! They had a blast...even though Grayson told me he "actually just wanted to look at Santa Claus, not talk to him!" Jim and I also took the kids to the 34th Street parade on Saturday. We picked up a One Guy's Pizza and some Toys for Tots, backed into a parking space on 34th, climbed into the back of the expedition and snuggled until the parade started...It was a lot of fun! I also decided to take Presley to the Nutcracker. I think she really enjoyed it! There are also some pictures of Presley's class party and Christmas with my Memaw! It's beginning to FEEL a lot like Christmas! Only a two more days until school is out! I am already thanking God for the time I will have to relax and spend time with my family, and most importantly focus on Him.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas trees, lights on houses, Christmas specials on TV every night, shopping with a mission to find the perfect gift, stockings, the cold night air, the Christmas music, and most importantly anticipating the celebration of our Lord's birth! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! I really don't mind the hustle and bustle of the season. There are so many fun, exciting, wonderful family things to do...I want to do them all! Tonight the fam and I had a yummy dinner together(Thanks, sweetie for cooking us up some delish burgers), put on our p.j.s, made white-chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa, and snuggled on the couch while watching The Polar Express. It gives me the "warm-fuzzies" just thinking about it! This seems to be the weekend for lots of fun things. Some of the things I would love to do are:

***Take Presley to the Nutcracker (I think she would like it....anyone have any advice for me on that one? I've never seen the whole thing)

***Candlelight at the Ranch

***34th Street Parade

***Shane and Shane Christmas Concert

***Christmas Shoes at Trinity

***Santa Land

I'm sure there is even more going on that I don't know about! I am looking SOOO forward to our trip on the Polar Express on Friday, too! I know we won't be able to attend all these events listed above, if any, so if any of you find yourself at any of the above...I want DETAILS!!! That way, I can at least experience them through you! Below is a pic of my Santa Babies (Next week is Christmas hat week at my school, so I bought Presley and me Santa hats....apparently I have a rather large head because my hat did not fit, so Grayson gets to keep it...He looks much cuter in it than I do anyway!)