Friday, December 21, 2012

Where have I been?!?


It's Christmastime again! And once again, I am spending every free chance I have just making memories! It's so hard to get caught up in the whirlwind of activities that comes with this time of year, and while we've been plenty busy, I still find myself enjoying every minute of it! Here are just a few highlights! Enjoy! Oh, and if I don't come back before, Merry Christmas!
At the Christmas Tree Farm

Daddy had too helpers this year!

Went to the Christmas parade with Aunt Richie, Anthony, and some friends, Mike and Susan. We even saw Daddy and Noah on the firetruck!!!

Noah, prepared with his list (that's my boy!), got to talk it over with Santa!

Nicholas was not so prepared for Ho Ho! He was fine with him until I sat him down in Santa's lap!!!
Church Christmas Party where we each decorated a table.....mine was a Crimson Tide Christmas! We were happy to have my folks with us!

Then we went to MS to spend some time with Derrick's sister and her family! We went ahead and had Christmas with them!

Noah thought Aunt Gina had a good taste in presents!

That ball has all the NBA teams on it!

Nicholas fell asleep about 2 seconds after opening his presents! Hah!

He was so very cute!

Aunt T and Bubba even got sweet baby Cole a little something!

And don't leave Dad out!!!

We also celebrated my mother-n-law's ??th birthday. She made us all swear not tell anyone, which didn't stop my hubby from posting her age on Facebook! Once a rebel, always a rebel! Of course, when I get to be her age, I'll be braggin' myself!
She was so glad to have both of her children, and all of her grandchildren, there together for one big shin-dig!
We wish you many more!!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Noah's Homework

Every Wednesday, Noah is given a journal topic from his teacher to write at least five sentences about. Tonight's topic is "A Christmas Story." Without any help from anyone, this is what Noah wrote:

One day our King was born in Bethlehem. His name is Jesus. He never sinned. Every year at Christmas we have a manger scene. It is Jesus and His family. We celebrate Jesus's birthday at Christmas.
 
That boy has one proud mama and 2 proud Fathers!!!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Late night thoughts.....

Today, I had the honor of attending the funeral of a friend's mother. This is what I have to say:

1. I grew up with this friend. We went to school together, had sleepovers together, went to the movies together, registered for middle school together, went to the pool together, double-dated together, laughed together, and cried together. We sometimes had disagreements, and slight falling-outs, but overall, I'd say we remained pretty good friends.

2. Once while visiting church with her, I met the man she would eventually marry.....we had no idea then! Maybe she did, but I didn't! He was a cut-up for sure! I think he was the only person who really made her feel special a lot of times. Him and his family have been good to her, from what I have seen.

3. I met his parents at their firstborn's first birthday party. I probably met them that time I went to church with her, but I do not remember. I met his parents and his sisters. He has lots of sisters. Anyway, they all seemed oh so nice, and they really did seem to care a lot about his wife, my friend.

4. When telling my sweet Aunt Ruby one time years ago about who my friend had married , she realized quickly that he was the son of her friends, and they went way back. As Aunt Ruby would put it, "As a matter of fact, he went with me and Dennis on one of our first dates!" In Aunt Ruby's younger days, she met these folks, I'd have to say in the 70s, and she knew them until she passed. She told me that even though they were all wild in their younger years, that family was definitely a good family for my friend to marry into, she was blessed to be married to their son, according to Aunt Ruby.

5. Fast forward to today. My heart literally broke when I felt my friend's heart break. I know that this will definitely be hard for my friend to grasp, that she will not see her mother-n-law again on this earth, but I know that she is strong, and with lots of prayer, she will make it.

6. My friend's husband preached his mother's funeral. I never would've pictured him as a minister. Well, he's a fine one. I know that today, not only would he have made his mother so proud, but I know that he pleased Jesus as well. I was captivated by his words.

7. I have a new goal. When I am 112, I hope my sons can get up at my funeral and say things half as nice as my friend did for his mother today. It's made me think, what would people have to say about me at my funeral? That's kinda morbid, but hang in there. I mean, what legacy am I leaving? His mother left a legacy of love, she truly loved everyone. Even if I hadn't known her, I would've been convinced today simply by her son's words.

8. My friends have 2 children, who are both "buddies" with my Noah. Noah got to stay the night with them this summer, and he told me that he just loved being at their house. Everyone was so nice to him. Who ever would've known that someone I always had sleepovers with would have a son, and I would have one the same age, and they would stay the night with each other also?!?!? I keep forgetting I am old enough to have a son!!! Haha! Anyway, I told him last week that their grandmother is in Heaven now, and that sweet boy said, "Oh no mom, I have to pray for them. I know they are so sad." Perhaps I have already instilled a few good things in one of my sons like prayer and compassion.

9. Life is short. I've really always understood that. But, I do wonder why some people waste it so. I mean, not waste their lives, they live. But so many people do not live following the will of their Father. I know that I have imperfections and I know that God uses His ways to pull me closer to Him. I know that I have a whole Book, The Bible, God's Word, to use as an instruction manual, as comfort, and as inspiration. I know that it's who I am, it's Who's I am. I know that my God has never left me or forsaken me. I know that the Lord has plans for me. I know that I have never seen the righteous forsaken. I know that He is for me. I know that through His mercy and grace, I die daily to myself, and try my best to live wholly for Him. I know that Jesus lives and reigns. I know that I have been set free, and whom the Son has set free, is free indeed. And I am convinced that nothing will separate me from His love. I know all of this, do you?

10. Today, I have tons of emotions running through me. I cannot get my friends' grief off of my heart. My Pastor's Wife tells a story of how when she was sick in a hospital bed for 21 months, she would always pray for the morning to come, because joy comes in the morning. Then, in the morning,  she'd wake up with the same symptoms and plagues from yesterday, and she'd pray for nighttime. And why did she pray for nighttime? Because after the nighttime was over, it would be morning and joy would come in the morning. Then one day, after all of those months, her joy began to come back, she was being healed, and little by little, she made it back from her darkest night. I know that this is a dark time for my friends, but I do know that they too will have morning.

11. Today, it was said that while his mother was passing from this life into the next, he knows that she left a legacy in him, and his siblings, and his children, and theirs. And that she will live on in their hearts, and in eternity.

It has been my goal to live on in Heaven eternally as well. So to her I'd say, "Brenda, this is not 'goodbye'............this is simply 'see ya later'!"

Thursday, December 6, 2012

I cannot believe I did it!!!!

I totally thought I had already posted Days 29 and 30. I know I thought about doing them, I must've sat down to type them out, and got sidetracked (no, not me!).....so I am sorry!!! Better late than never....
 
Day 29- Friends. I have several friends, folks who I enjoy being around, and hanging out with. Then I have my true friends. Other than my husband, I have about a handful of true friends. I also know that the next opportunity I get, I must get good pictures of me and my friends!!! haha!
 
These are the ones like my neighbor. We share her daughter, and lots of laughs! She is constantly doing things for me, and my children. She cuts my hair, and rips up a check if I write her one. She takes Noah to school, just to save me the trip. She gets things on sale and gives them to my boys. Just because. She's even washed my dog before!!!  She's been a great friend.
At Noah's 5th birthday party
 
With Buddy Boy!!!

I have 1 million pictures with "our" daughter in them, but I like this one from this summer.


I have another friend who lives a few doors down. She is the one who has seen me in my jammies, and never judged! We've worked out together, we've laughed together, we go black friday shopping together, she even came to me the night my aunt passed away (which was around 12:30 am) and we cried together. She didn't leave me until Derrick got home (he was one of the firefighters on scene).
 
This is my baby shower with Nicholas. She's in the background, helping, without being asked, and not to be seen!!!
 
Here she is at her baby shower with her twin girls.....recognize that shirt?!?!
Carrying her beautiful twin girls....they joined a big brother at home!!!

 I have another friend around the corner who has helped several members of my family.....she is a Court Referral Officer!!! haha! She has loaned me maternity clothes, a cradle, given me baby clothes. Called just to say hey. Had Noah over to play with her son, and did all sorts of things with them. She's sat with me through award ceremony's at school, and we've been to 2 silent auctions together...lol.
Visiting baby Nicholas in the hospital
Our first born are besties too.....they share the exact same birthday!!!
Awards' Ceremony Feeding!!!
  I have others, but those three seem to be the real deal. And of course Jesus and Derrick! Hah! But, I too, try to be just as good of a friend to these ladies. I could never list all of the things these three do and have done for me, and for that I am thankful. I cannot describe how much they mean to me, and for that I am thankful!!! They expect nothing in return though, and for that, I am thankful!


 
Day 30- Life. I am thankful just for life. For some reason, God thought I needed to exist, and just because He had enough love in His heart to create me, I am thankful!
See my newest haircut from friend number 1?!?!