Puritan Prayer

Years End
(a puritan prayer)

O Love beyond compare,

Thou art good when thou givest

When thou takest away,

When the sun shines upon me,

When night gathers over me.

Thou hast loved me before the foundations of the world,

And in love didst redeem my soul;

Thou didst love me still,

In spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.

Thy goodness has been with me during another year,

Leading me through a twisting wilderness,

In retreat helping me to advance,

When beaten back making sure headway.

Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead

I hoist sail and draw up anchor

With thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past...

Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial.

As a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

Another Year Gone By

2008. I can't believe it's over. I can clearly remember the last few days of 2007 and how I felt. I wrote a post on our last website about how glad I was that 2007 was about to be over. The year had not ended well. I was still grieving our miscarriage, had undergone 2 surgeries, and Ellie Kate got stitches on her beautiful forehead (at only 10 months old) on December 30, 2007. I knew 2008 had to be better. And for the most part is has been a year of immense blessings. God has been good to us especially in the gift of Abigail. She is a precious gem...a true miracle and testament to the Lord's power and love. I still feel wildly undeserving of her life. I just can't believe that I am the mother of 3 kids. Someone at our conference here in Atlanta said to me..."I feel like y'all introduce a new child every year." God has increased our family rapidly for sure! However, 2008 had it's share of heartache as well. I was pretty much blindsided when we were asked to move to Alabama and I would say that in some ways I went kicking and screaming. It was very hard to leave Athens and I do still miss it so much. And yet, God has truly been faithful in providing for us in T-town with a great church, a wonderful home, and new friends. Even though there are still hard days, I can feel confident that the Lord will continue to provide as we serve Him there.

As I look towards another new year...2009...I am hopeful. I don't know what the future holds and that is a good thing (even though my type A personality sometimes wishes I could) because my hope lies in the One who does. Whatever comes our way, He is in control and lovingly planning each day according to His glory. One thing is for sure...there will be surprises along the way (to us anyway). There will be good things and bad things...just as there are each year. Yet through them all, He is still God. He is still our Loving Creator and He is forever our King.

"I will give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever." Psalm 86:12

Christmas Morning

We had so much fun with the kids Christmas morning. Samuel got a scooter, a big army helicopter and men, an Alabama football uniform (can you guess who picked that out for him?) and some smaller stuff. Ellie Kate got princess shoes, a magna doodle, block sorter and clothes. Abigail got a book and some clothes that match Ellie Kate (I'm so excited to dress them alike)! We had breakfast and then started packing up to drive to my parents house to celebrate with them (pictures from that will be added later). The trip to Atlanta was probably the easiest we have ever had! All the kids slept and did great. Praise God!

Christmas Eve

We were at home by ourselves on Christmas Eve and we had all just gotten over the stomach virus, but we still dressed up and had dinner together (even though it was just stouffers chicken lasagna). Jeff read the kids the Night Before Christmas and passages from the Bible about Jesus being born. Then Samuel wrote a note to Santa and we left him some snacks. It was so fun to see how excited Samuel was...he was so ready to see what Santa would bring him in the morning.

Merry Christmas!

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

From our family to yours, we hope and pray that you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS as we celebrate the coming of our Savior.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:11-14

Family Christmas Celebrations

Jeff and I are so blessed to have such wonderful extended families! We still have 3 sets of grandparents living. We got to see 2 sets this past weekend, and we were able to see the others at Thanksgiving. It has been fun for all of them to meet Abigail for the first time.

Saturday we headed to Birmingham to celebrate Christmas with my dad's side of the family. It was also the first time for Uncle Ryan (my brother) and Aunt Erin to meet Abigail.

After celebrating with my dad's family, we headed to Jeff's hometown to spend some time with his family and celebrate Christmas with them. We decided to go ahead and open gifts when we got there. The kids opened theirs first and then we put them to bed. Samuel declared it the best Christmas ever! He was excited to get his very own camera and Star Wars sword. He also got a very cool remote control car from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Buddy. Ellie Kate quickly caught on to opening presents and she loved all the books she received as well as some really cute pink boots. The adults began opening their gifts and were having a great time until EK woke up because she had thrown up in the bed. We cleaned her and the bed up and got her back to bed. About 30 minutes later, she threw up again (and about 5 more times after that). All the while, Abigail is crying and fussy and won't go to sleep because she is overtired and overstimulated from not being on her normal schedule (she did end up eventually sleeping 8 hours straight that night though). Samuel also has gotten up several times because he is scared there might be a monster upstairs. To put it mildly, it was a crazy night! And it only got better over the next few days, as every single one of us came down with the stomach bug except Jeff , Abigail, and Uncle Buddy. We even gave it to Jeff's 95 and 92 year old grandparents. It was awful!!! I have never felt so bad in my life. It was definitely a Christmas to remember and I feel so bad that our time with Jeff's family was so tainted by yuckiness.

So, here are a few of the pictures we got from our time...

had to give EK a sucker to sit still and try to get a pic before opening presents

DeDe trying to settle Abigail down

Samuel trying out his new camera and EK saying "cheese"

Abigail meeting MeeMaw for the first time

2 of the sickies starting to feel better

Mother's Morning Out

Ellie Kate started attending a mothers morning out program at a church super close to our house this fall. She loves going to play with her friends and I love having some free time to run errands or just do things around the house. She brought her teachers a little gift last week and was so proud to give it to them!

about to leave for MMO

giving her gift to miss C.

she does a art project every time with these little stamps

Santa

We went to see Santa today. It was nice because there was not much of a line! We were prepared for Ellie Kate to be terrified and I have to say I love this pic even though she is screaming! Hopefully next year, she will not be so scared...but Abigail probably will be. This time, Abigail was sleeping soundly in her stroller...I think she was pretty startled when I placed her in Santa's lap. Samuel was worried about what to ask Santa to give him for Christmas...that boy is so funny. He sure looks cute in the picture though.

anxiously waiting to see the jolly fellow!

Samuel's Christmas Party

eating a yummy cupcake at his school party

christmas tree with homemade ornaments and gift cards for Samuel's teacher (you can see Samuel's ornament...it's the candy canes)

Samuel with some of his friends

Abigail was the star of the party...even though she wasn't the only sibling that came, she was the smallest, so all the kids wanted to see her. I tried to make them all wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before grabbing her hands.

Family Bassinet

Here is Abigail in the family bassinet. This has been in Jeff's family for many many years and he slept in it as a baby as well as Aunt Jenny and Ellie Kate. Such a fun thing to have in the family!

Ornaments

Each year, we get the kids an ornament. These are this year's collection.

Top row: Ellie Kate's says"Big Sister" and then there is our family ornament which actually came from an online friend who lives in San Deigo. I belong to a message board of women who live all over the country. We did an ornament exchange this year! I love my cyber friends. I digress....that is another post for another time.

Bottom row: Abigail's says "First Christmas", our angel baby that was due in April 2008 has an ornament given to me by Julia...it says "Safe in the Arms of Jesus", and Samuel's ornament is to commemorate his first year playing soccer!

Be sure to keep scrolling down...I went on a posting frenzy today!

Bathtime

Her umblical cord took about 3 weeks to fall off. We have been enjoying real baths since then! People with bald newborns...be thankful! It is very difficult to wash a newborn's head full of hair! Don't get me wrong...I love Abigail's hair, but as a result of her having so much, she doesn't get to many baths!

Say Cheese!

Both kids were being such hams last night!!! Aren't they the cutest?

Sisters

Abigail is on the top
Ellie Kate is on the bottom

I think their noses look identical in this picture! So fun to have girls that can share clothes!

I hope they grow up to be best friends!

I've Been Tagged!

I have been tagged by Emily at Bella Babies!!! These were kinda hard!!

8 TV shows I watch:
(I'm a little embarassed to admit some of these...and most of them are on DVR)
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
3. Imagination Movers (a new fav in our house)
4. Desperate Housewives
5. American Idol
6. Anything on HGTV
7. Jon and Kate plus 8 (when I remember)
8. ???

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Chic Fil A
2. Chili's
3. Macaroni Grill
4. Moe's
5. Mirko's (oh how I miss this Athens restaurant!!!)
6. Cypress Inn (their white bbq sauce is the best)
7. La Parilla (another fav in Athens that I miss)
8. Sonic (1/2 price drinks during happy hour...gotta love that)

8 Things that happened this week:
1. Saw an amazing group of women support an online friend in need
2. Found out 2 friends are pregnant (both who have been trying for awhile...am so excited for them)!!!!
3. Did way too much shopping online
4. Christmas Staff Party
5. Had someone pick Samuel up from school everyday so I didn't have too (woohoo)
6. Cheered on the TIDE in the SEC championship (so sad we lost)
7. Went out to lunch with all 3 kiddos after Church
8. Did lots and lots and lots of laundry...did I mention it was a lot?!

8 Things I look forward to:
1. Heaven
2. Abigail sleeping through the night
3. Losing weight and fitting into my "skinny" jeans
4. A vacation with my husband (haven't had one in over 3 years)
5. Spending time with our families over the holidays
6. Time out ALONE
7. Checking the mail for more Christmas Cards/Greetings
8. Spending the summer in Colorado again!

8 Things I wish for/pray for:
1. A vacation with my husband
2. To be more others focused
3. for the kids to come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ
4. a housekeeper (or more time and energy to do it myself)
5. for Abigail to sleep through the night soon
6. lots of patience
7. for Samuel to continue doing well in school
8. for students at University of Alabama to come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ

8 people I tag:
1. Leigh
3. Kellie
4. Deborah
5. Lindsey
6. Susie
7. Christina B.
8. Teresa

Ellie Kate

I took all these pictures last week when there was a day that was warm enough to go outside. Ellie Kate could live outdoors I think. This particular day she stayed out there for over 2 hours! She has so much fun just running around. She loves to look at the airplanes that pass over. She also loves to pick the berries that are in the monkey grass. She knows that it is not good to eat them, so that is exactly what she does, and then runs from me. It's all a game to her. You can see in the picure that she did finally spit out the berry.

Ellie Kate is at such a cute age right now (even though she can drive me crazy with her whining and crying when she doesn't get her way). She is talking up a storm, singing the ABC's, and can count to 10 (she forgets 9 though). At night, as we rock her to sleep, she loves to sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Holy, Holy, Holy." It's such a sweet time and makes a rough day worth it!

In other news, I think Abigail may have acid reflux just like her sister did. So frustrating! I am hoping to get her on some meds soon though so the pain won't get too bad.

4 Weeks Old

My Life Lately

NEW UPDATE AT THE END...

This week I am on my own fully for the first time! I know, I know, I have been spoiled. Jeff was able to take off the first week and then both mom's were here some and then it was the holidays so Jeff was home again! So, yesterday was the dreaded big day...and I survived!!! I also got these...

My sweet husband was thinking of me on my first day back! Love him! Tonight will be another test... on my own at bedtime with all 3 kiddos (Jeff has the weekly meeting).

Let's just say that I am thankful Samuel is back at school this week. Although I love his energy and fun personality, I don't know that I could have survived if he was here all day too. I don't know how some of you mom's do it with 3 or more little ones at home!

Abigail is still great. She has developed her fussy time and is very hard to settled down at night. In fact she usually doesn't go down until 11 or so at night. It's tough but really the rest of the day is easy breezy!!! She truly is so good....eating about every 3-4 hours during the day and every 4-5 hours at night.

Ellie Kate has become a bit clingy and I fear she is watching too much tv lately...but you gotta do what you gotta do to survive. During nursing times, we sit down and watch TIVO'd Mickey Mouse or Super Why. At least with Super Why she is learning her letters, right?! She really is trying so hard to sing the ABC's and she actually can identify a few letters. It's so cute!

I still can't believe Alabama finished 12-0. I guess we picked the right time to move back to T-town, huh?!!! Now, we just have to make some Gator Bait this weekend at the SEC championship!!!

Here are the girls ready to cheer on the TIDE last weekend ...

I just have to add a mantle pic. We just got this live garland to put up. It smells delicious!!!

Wow, this is probably the most random post ever! Oh, and I'll add one more thing. I have a bit of an emergency on my hands. I always love to check the mail, but this time of year, my love for that particular task reaches a new, and probably unhealthy, level. Each day, I am so excited to check the mail for Christmas cards! I love getting them and seeing pics of everyone's growing and changing families. Seriously, it's really kind of sad how giddy I get when I see the mailman pull up. That said, I also LOVE sending out our own cards. This year it is no different. I spent hours searching the net for the perfect card that was going to double as a birth announcement. I found one I liked on Etsy.com, still not perfect, but it will do. I paid for it through paypal. Well, I just realized it got sent to our old house in Georgia because I forgot to change the stupid shipping address! I am freaking out because I don't know if the people who bought our house kept the box which was delivered last Friday! They are hispanic and barely speak English. We have put in a call to our old neighbor and are hoping and praying he can get the box of cards and send them on to us. PRAY that I don't lose my mind over this. They are just cards, but I was really excited about them and wanting to get them out this week (which isn't going to happen now). I am blaming the mistake on my sleep deprived, mommy brain.

UPDATE....our sweet former neighbor was able to get the cards and has already sent them on to us today (Dec. 3)!!! HOORAY!!!

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Let us give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever."
We truly have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. God is good and has given us so many blessings! We pray you and your family have a great day celebrating all that you are thankful for!

p.s. Samuel made those oreo turkeys:)