Why do I begin??

So much has happened since my last blog. We have been so busy. On December 13th we took the kids to Georgia to the Wild Animal Safari and to Fantasy In Lights at Callaway Gardens. We had a wonderful time. If you have never been to the Wild Animal Safari I suggest in taking the time to go and to take the kids, it is wondeful. Cole's favorite movie is Jurassic Park (all of them) and we actually got to ride in a van (not as nice as the trolley on Jurassic Park) but it was fun. We got to see so many animals and feed them. The kids were a little scared at first but by the middle of the tour they had their own bag of food feeding the animals.

Then we went to see the lights, it was so cold, but we loved it. Next time I would like to do it earlier. There was so many people and it was really crowded. A little different then I imagined but it was great. It was really nice the way they would tell a story with each section of lights and it really put you in the spirit. The kids really loved it.

We have had a lot of Christmas gatherings and shopping to do. We had a GREAT Christmas. The boys got a lot of great things: Cole got an XBox 360, several games, clothes, a Northface jacket, movies, board games; Myles got an Nintendo DS, several games, clothes, golf clubs, movies; they both got Rock Band to share (going pretty good so far). So I have to say it was really great and enjoyable UNTIL Cole got a stomach virus Christmas night, that has not been fun because we all have had it.

Friday I took down all Christmas decor and cleaned (really cleaned) my house. Saturday Cole was feeling a lot better so he went hunting with his daddy and killed his FIRST deer!!! How did I raise a little deer hunter?? How could both of MY children love it so much??

Yesterday was a good day, actually very relaxing and we were able to get a lot done. Had some really good food, spent time with family and was able to put all the Christmas stuff out. All the guys played a little football while all the girls set around the table and looked at the sells papers and talked about what the kids would get for Christmas.

Family tree

Cole's tree

Myles' tree

I have so much to be thankful for, here is a short list:

my husband who is wonderful and a great father

my 2 beautiful and healthy boys

my family

my home

my true friends

my job

Cole at 4:30 a.m.

Myles did not get to go this morning because he is sick, so he is bear hunting in the bedroom..

Cole went hunting with his daddy today, he was up bright and early!!

music

Let me start off by saying, I love Jeremy Camp. Those of you who don't know, he is a very good Christian singer!!! I have bought several of his CD's and I usually don't buy CD's. Every song he has just really hits home with me. The new song he has out is "There will be a day." I cry everything I hear it. I have tried several times to get it on a playlist so you could hear. But I guess the lyrics will tell it all..

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

(Chorus)
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more,
we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you’re walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone

(Chorus)

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting

I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will wipe away the
sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why this is
why I sing

The really analazed this song some time last week on my way home. I was really tired, I had worked over and knowing that I still had to go home, wash clothes, spend valuable time with my boys, and try to fit some time in there for Brandon and I absoluately lost it. Sometimes we get lost in all of our "downs" of this world, and "poor me" but to know that there will come a day when it's not going to matter. Does it do us any good to worry (I know I need to be talking to myself) about the things that we have no control over.

That everything that makes us upset and worried, the car we drive, the job we have, the house we live in AND does any of it matter. Does it make us who we are?? Does any of that take away from who we really are?? I sometimes feel that all this material stuff gets in the way of who we are. Why can't we be happy with what God has blessed us with and why can't we be happy for those who have more than us?

I know that we all go through trials and there is a lesson learned in each of them,, But to think ONE DAY there will be no more tears, or fears, or pain. And to know that, that is what we have to look forward to. Isn't that great.

Hope you all have a great week!!!

it's been a while

There really hasn't been that much to talk about lately so I thought I would write about our weekend.

1. Saturday I went to Christmas Village with a friend. We had a lot of fun and let me say that it is so good that I don't have a girl, RIGHT NOW. But I did get to buy for Brantlee. They had some of the cutest clothes for little girls.

2. Then we watched the Alabama game, ROLL TIDE!!!! What an exciting game..

3. Me and Myles baked Brent a birthday cake for his party that night. Myles loves to be in the kitchen, even to make his own mac-n-cheese.

4. Somer gave Brent a little birthday get together with family and friends.

5. That night when we got home, which anyone who lives in Vincent will know, our power was turned off for them to work on the lines.

So with all the excitement just from Saturday I had a migraine all day Sunday and Monday.

Going to Christmas Village really got me in the mood for Christmas. I'm sooo ready to get my tree up. I'm just waiting on Lowe's to put them out. We have gone there for the past 4 years to get a real tree. I love the douglas fur trees, they are so pretty. Every year we buy 2-3 new ornaments for our tree. So far I have bought 6 new ornaments. I could not help myself. I went into Hobby Lobby to pick the boys up a new one for their tree (yes they both have one, b/c we can not share) but instead I picked me up a few also. Then I went to Magnolia's on friday and got a few more. They had the cutest snowman ornaments.

Hopefully I will a have a picture to post soon of our Christmas tree!!

LUCKY

Last year around Christmas time, we had taken the boys to Liberty Park to take some pictures for Christmas cards. After we were done, we had to make a trip to the Summit to find Cole a robe for the Christmas play that was that night. I know, always waiting to the last minute. They were taken Santa pictures outside of Belk. We had the kids picture taken with Santa which turned out to be pretty good. But you could register for a free portrait setting at Aldregde Gardens, and guess what??? I won. I never win anything... So that is what we did today. The boys were very good so I hope we have a lot to choose from. But for anyone who has never been to Aldredge Gardens, it is beautiful and so relaxing. I wish we could have been there just to enjoy the day. Hope I have some pictures to post soon. Hope you all have a good week!!!

Hunting???

Well, it looks like Christmas eve in my living room floor. All three boys: Brandon, Cole & Myles are going thru hunting clothes. It is like they have all received a present even though it is all the same stuff as last year. Oh well, they're happy. But yes it is that time again. It is kinda sad, this is what they will do every Saturday and I will be at home all alone. Maybe I need a girl, if it was that simple, but I'm sure Brandon would have her in the woods too.

Everyone is sick??

Does the sickness ever end?? Last week, Cole was sick with a high fever and terrible headache. It only lasted a few days but took up most of our weekend. Brandon had also bought Cole a ticket for his first Nascar race but he was not well enough to go. Now Brandon and Myles are sick. Myles has been really bad, running a fever and now sinus infection. So needless to say, I have been taken care of everybody for the last 2 weeks. Why can't they all be sick at one time (if we really have to be sick) instead of spreading it out. I hope they all get well soon!!!