Merry Christmas!

We have had a wonderful time this Christmas! Church was beautiful, children were precious, family was treasured and gifts were fabulous. Merry Christmas!

We've Had Fun...

The past few days have been so much fun! Jason and I have greatly enjoyed being home with John and Elizabeth...we've finished a little last minute shopping, enjoyed looking at Christmas lights, visited with family and friends, eaten too much good food, and spent a lot of time loving on our babies (and a LOT of time in our pjs!) Here's a few photos from this week... This is the Aquadoodle that Jason's aunt and uncle gave John. However, it came with one marker, which resulted in WW III after this picture was taken. The Aquadoodle has been put away until Santa brings us an additional marker! I think Elizabeth maybe thought it was a Twister mat??? John created a Shrinky Dink ornament! We made some in my classroom; these are so fun, and I recommend making some if you have small children and never have-we will definitely do it again next year! He colored it, then we baked it at 325 for three minutes. It went from this to... this! The ornaments shrink down to be really small, and my class at school was so into it. I think John will really think they're cool next year! John would like to wish everyone Feliz Navidad!!! We are looking forward to another fun day at Darden today with Jason's family, Christmas Eve tomorrow and then Christmas day. Check back for a post in a few days. Merry Christmas!

Christmas with the Pannell Family

This afternoon we celebrated Christmas at Darden with the Pannell family. It was so much fun, as always...and Dirty Santa for the adults was pretty dirty! The children loved exchanging their gifts, and John had a blast helping decorate the coolest reusable gingerbread house (thanks, Lisa!) while eating many of the decorations. Elizabeth gobbled up an entire Twizzler before we realized it...tis the season! Caught ya! > The whole gang with the gingerbread house.

December Fun!

We have had so much fun since December began! We started the month off with Sarah's 3rd birthday party and the Christmas parade...
Decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking, and celebrating have been on our plate the past few weeks...school is out for two weeks, and we are looking forward to time together. We are celebrating with Jason's family tomorrow, and we'll be back to Darden on Friday. We'll be home Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...check back after that to see what a ball we've had! Merry Christmas!

Day 30

Today is the last day to post about 30 Days of Thankfulness...and today I am thankful I took the challenge and was inspired to rediscover something every day that I am thankful for. We are blessed beyond measure, and taking the time to write about it each day is a blessing in itself.

Day 29

I am thankful today for the basic necessities I have been given, but that so many others do not have. Not only have I been blessed with food, clothing and shelter, our other blessings, materialistic and otherwise are too many to count. This comes from discussion today about taking care of some of our families at my school who don't have what they need, especially during this holiday season. I try to be mindful every day of how much I have been blessed and how much I truly have to be thankful for.

Day 28

Today I am thankful that my children (especially John so far) LOVE books. Childhood literacy is a passion very close to my heart...it drives what I do at each day in Pre-K and I can't wait to begin my Masters in literacy next year. Tonight I caught John after supper reading and studying the words and pictures in a sweet book we checked out from the church library yesterday. It was so precious to see him taking it all in. So many children are not read to, or just talked to, how they should be. They just want us to love them and take time with them-reading with a child is such a joy.

Day 27

Today I am thankful for good meds and rest when not feeling well. John and Elizabeth started with "the crud" (as we have named it around here) about a month ago, and since then we've had lots of coughing, runny noses, sore throats, medicine and breathing treatments. I KNOW good health is on its way to all of us, but I started feeling the yuck creep in yesterday...not as bad as Jason and Mom have been, but not 100% either. However, I'm hoping with a good night's sleep and good medicine I'll be feeling better soon!

One more thing-we enjoyed a wonderful night together as a family at church during Advent Family Night. We ate supper together and created a piece of artwork, a cross on a canvas. We left ours at the church to dry, but I will post a photo of it when we bring it home in the next day or so.

Day 26

Today I am thankful for Christmas decorations that bring me smiles and memories. I am an organized pack rat. I don't part with a lot, but I know what I've got-and I love looking at different ornaments and decorations and remembering who they belonged to and where they came from once upon a time. I look forward to passing many of the down one day to John and Elizabeth when they have their own families.

Day 25

Today I am thankful for a wonderful evening spent with more family, not to mention a great meal, too! We had a fabulous time at Darden with Jason's aunts and cousins, and enjoyed spending a little time visiting Big Daddy, too, before heading home.

I am also thankful for a husband willing to put up with my holiday decorating ideas...headed to bed to begin decorating bright and early in the morning! Photos to come...

Oh, and I am very thankful I avoided Black Friday shopping. I know those who do it must love it, but there is no deal I have seen yet that warrants me venturing out at midnight, camping out or fighting over an item. And how about the lady (in California, I think) who mased a crowd of people to get a leg up in line?-Crazy! I think she's in some major need of Christmas spirit!

Day 24

Today I am thankful for tradition. Although some things change year after year, it is comforting to have certain traditions we return to. Although these differ for each family, we all have them. They are what tie the past to the present, and keep memories alive.

I hope each of you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We enjoyed a beautiful day at the Baker's. Lots of good food, family and fun-the 3 Fs which make tradition so special!
Couldn't quite get the whole gang together for a photo, so here's a couple of the kiddos.

We enjoyed watching the Peanuts Thanksgiving special tonight before bedtime...I love how J and E's Christmas pj's turned out! :)

It was a beautiful day...we are so blessed.

I also included a few photos from our recent trip to Memphis. Not only did we enjoy great family time and some fun shopping, we took John and Elizabeth to the Enchanted Forest at the Pink Palace. No lines, no wait=perfect visit with Santa. I know John and Elizabeth look thrilled here, but they really did have a good time!
John could have watched the train in the Gingerbread Village all day.
And Elizabeth loved the Gingerbread Disco House.
We had to do a little non-traditional time with Santa to convince John he was ok to talk to! Elizabeth loved him from the beginning, though.
Both babies are actually looking in the real photo-the staff did good!

Days 20-23

I really did not fall off the thankfulness bandwagon. I knew I would likely not post Sunday-Tuesday because we were in Memphis. We had a wonderful time, and today is spent preparing for a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow. To catch up, I am thankful for...


-A safe trip to and from while traveling the past few days.

-Extended family who doesn't feel extended at all.

-LOTS of fabulous bargins-we hit sales at some great children's shops in Memphis! It doesn't get any better than that! And some wonderful hand-me-downs, too!

-The ability to purchase what we need in order to cook for Thanksgiving.

Day 19

I am thankful that potty training has truly begun at for John. We have toyed around with it since he turned 2 in July, but we are really focusing on it this week while we're out of school. He is getting to where we hates wearing diapers, and having his diaper changed. He is communicating and talking more and more every day, so we know it's time. He had some success today and just a few misses, but we're on our way! His grandmother bought him some mighty cute underoos! :)

Day 18

I am thankful for soooo much today...movie night in, yummy smelling candles, Zyrtec and Benadryl for babies with runny noses, a husband who understands what it takes to be a teacher (and is staying home tomorrow so I can have a work day at school,) upcoming fun with family, decorating for Christmas soon and NINE DAYS OFF FROM SCHOOL!!!

Day 17-One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians...

It was more like 18, 19, 20 little Indians tonight at John's precious Thanksgiving program at church! We had the best time watching these sweet two year olds sing, clap, stomp and dance on stage. Their precious music teacher (and our sweet babysitter) Lauren did a great job teaching them their songs for the program. Each class had a different Thanksgiving theme, and this tribe of two year olds were wonderful! Enjoy the photos and video below. Today I am thankful for John's sweet group of friends!


The young twos and older twos. (Are the decorations not too cute?!)
DONE with this headband!
Eating ice with Mrs. Lauren afterwards at the reception.

Turkey Treats

I sent these to John's sweet class on Tuesday. We are thankful for his precious teachers and little friends!

Happy Birthday, Reeves!

I somehow missed posting about the great time we had at Reeves Kinney's birthday party a few weeks ago! It was a riding party in the church gym. John took his Cozy Coupe, but really loved the bouncy house they had set up. Elizabeth zoomed all over the gym with the push toy lion-she has taken just a couple of steps on her own, and we are waiting for her to take off any day! Thanks for a fun day, Reeves!
John and the sweet birthday boy, Reeves
Zooming around on somebody's bike! Maybe for our birthday???
John loooveed the bouncy house!
Baby girl

Day 16-Teacher Friendships

I have made many friends since I started teaching...I talk often with some of those I've known for years, and there are others I hear from occasionally, but all are important and hold a special place and memories.

I started at ECEC last year, and have grown to truly love it. I am blessed by the new friends I have made there, and the friendships that are continuing to grow. I am thankful to spend time with such special ladies!

Day 15-Kenmore

I am so thankful for my washer and dryer-I know other moms out there know exactly what I mean! When we moved into our house a few years ago, we bought new ones, and it's a good thing; they go almost 24/7. Both John and Elizabeth loved watching the clothes dry in the dryer (we'd turn the light on inside and they watched through the window on the front.) They are a blessing!(Image borrowed from Google.)

Day 14-Technology

I am thankful for the many, many forms of technology we have. At the same time, I try to be very mindful to not let it be a majorly visible part of our lives-I don't want John and Elizabeth to be overrun with it, with so much technology in the world around us. I do love seeing them enjoy a tv show, and actually learning from some of them. John is a whiz on my IPad, and he loves to pretend he's working on the computer, too. They both love a phone as well. I'm most thankful for the way technology helps us stay in touch with friends and family who aren't nearby. When used carefully, technology is a blessing!

Day 13-Beautiful Fall Days

Fall is my favorite season for so many reasons, one of them being the beautiful, last warm days that seems to hang on until they can't any longer. We certainly did enjoy this one-we are thankful for such a beautiful day!

Day 12-Talented Friends and Family

I am thankful to have such great talent in our family and among friends! Painting, sewing, photography, baking-I am thankful for those who do it all so well. We all love a new canvas, or great photographs-but they're even better when created by someone you know. Thankful for creativity!

Day 11-Veterans

I think it goes without saying that today we should all be most grateful to our country's veterans for the many sacrifices they have made for our freedom. Although we may not all agree on aspects of the military and war, we should, regardless, be thankful there are those who will fight for our country, its people and our freedom. Thank you, veterans; I am thankful for you!

Day 10

Shallow, shallow, shallow today...I am thankful for my Snuggie. Yes, you read that right. I am extremely cold natured and at about 9:00 each night, I wrap up in it to attempt to watch a little TV before bedtime. In my opinion, it is a great little invention, and I am thankful to have one!

Day 9-FUM Preschool Teachers

As I baked brownies tonight for the teacher appreciation luncheon at church preschool tomorrow, I am reminded of how thankful we are for the precious ladies who love and teach John and Elizabeth. They both go to preschool at church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-2. John started last September when he was 14 months old and Elizabeth started this September, then week she turned one. They have learned and grown so much-we love our preschool teachers and are thankful for them! Mrs. Debbie
Mrs. Nichole (who is on maternity leave right now. I hate I don't have a picture of Mrs. Kelly, her sub., who is great!) Mrs. Joan and Mrs. Jennifer

We don't have a photo of Mrs. Leigh McGregor, the Preschool Director, but she is FABULOUS! What a blessing and ministry our church preschool is to us and many other families as well.

Day 8-Freedom

Today is election day. There are a lot of races and issues on the ballot in Mississippi...and a LOT of emotions that accompany them. Although we may not all agree, I am thankful for the right to vote, and truly thrilled when citizens care enough to have an opinion and complete their civic duty. I am thankful to live in a great state in a wonderful country-yes, we have our issues and messes, but who doesn't? It is a good feeling to know that my vote counts and my voice was heard-for that I am thankful.

Day 7-My Van

I know this may seem super shallow-but y'all, I am SO thankful for my van. Yes, I would be fine without it. No, a vehicle does not make or break you. However, there will be some days during this month I mention things that are, well, THINGS-my fabulous van being one of them. If someone told me 10 years ago I would drive, much less, LOVE, a Honda Oddyssey as much as I do ours, I would have laughed. Hard. But it took one test drive in May 2010 and I was hooked. It is made for us, and for that, I am thankful.

(Although I love our van, I do not have any photos of it-this one was taken from Google.)

Remembering...

Today is All Saints' Sunday when we remember those who have left earth during the past year. It is one of my favorite services at church, but we are home today, trying to get over all of the coughing and runny noses we've had lately. I've been thinking this morning about Big Mama, who went to heaven in August. She was definitely one of the saints on earth, and now gets to be one in heaven. I am so thankful that John and Elizabeth both got to meet her and that she was ours for so long. We are grateful for the legacy of love she left for our family!
(The top photo is the first time John went to visit Big Mama and the second one is when Elizabeth met her the first time. Both babies were eight weeks old in the photos-how time flies!)

Day 6-Bo and Big Daddy

We are so thankful for Bo and Big Daddy! They are wonderful parents and grandparents to all of us. Their home is always open, and they never complain when there are tons of adults and children all over the cabin-not to mention all of our stuff that travels with us, too! We love when they are in Tupelo and stop by to see us. What wonderful parents and grandparents we have!