The Holidays at Home

Growing up it was always a tradition to decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving.  Now our tradition is to go help Mom and Dad decorate that day.  Lindsey and I had a great time yesterday helping get their home ready for the spirit of the season.

The Nativity is something that the kids love to help set up.  Lindsey had the honor this year and  thought it was great!  She loved being able to set up the figures surrounding Mary and Joseph.  The best part was being able to play with them and move them around.

Trimming the tree was fun...Mom and Dad have a "memory tree".  All the ornaments have been made by someone (many by my Grandma) or given as a gift.  They all have a story.  At first all the ornaments were at Lindsey's level, then she found the stool.  She thought she was big stuff being able to reach up higher.

Lindsey is loving the holiday season this year, especially the anticipation of Christmas.  She had a great time getting Grandma and Grandpa ready for Christmas and can't wait to decorate our home.  We are looking forward to having a great time with her this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  We hope you had a wonderful day with family and friends.  We have had a very busy day and are thankful to be home again.

My day began with a prayer of "thanks only" to my Heavenly Father for the MANY BLESSINGS he has given me in my life.  Here are a few of the many things...

• First and foremost is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  He suffered for me that I may be forgiven of my shortcomings.  There are no words that can express the gratitude I feel for this sacrifice.
• The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ that I too may be resurrected and live with he and my Father forever.
• With that is also the blessing of temples and the fact that they bind things here on earth with things in heaven.  I love the thought of being with my family FOREVER, and look forward to the day that all the trials and pain of earth will be gone and we will live in happiness together through the eternities.
• My family...my wonderful husband (more on that one), my precious miracle gift of a daughter, my parents (mine and Jeremy's), my siblings (mine and Jeremy's) and all of our grandparents and aunts and uncles.  I have am amazing family!
• A wonderful husband who does SO much for me.  He knows me very well and loves me in spite of ALL my quirks.  He is very loving and very helpful.
• My precious daughter who is a miracle gift from my her birthmother and my Father in Heaven.  I could go on about her forever (and sometimes do...I am so sorry to those of you who get tired of me talking about her).
• The beauty of the earth around us, including the changing of seasons.
• Our home to shelter us from the cold and protect us from things of the world.
• Jeremy's employment and support which enables me to accomplish a lifetime dream of being a stay at home mom.
• My wonderful friends who Heavenly Father has placed in my path.  I am so blessed to have many great examples in my life.
• The Holy Ghost and the scriptures that provide guidance for me in life.

There were more, but that's all I'll list right now.  I want to be reminded in the future of where I am right now in my life.  It is a great place to be, and I am so grateful!

Next came the preparations.  (My wonderful husband was right by my side helping the whole time.)  We were preparing to go to eat at Melissa's at noon, and just needed to take a few things.  We made deviled eggs, green bean casserole and my first chocolate pie.  It tasted great!

We had a great time visiting with family.  Papaw had a great time being with his grand-daughters.  Too bad Britni was a little too big to get in on this...

The girls had a great time getting pushed around my Papaw.

Two Cousins

They had a great time chasing Jack, the cat, then getting chased in return. There is nothing sweeter than the laughter of children.  Mel and I had a great time listening to them from the kitchen.  Oh, how sweet!

While at Mel's I got to talk to my brother, Ray, on the phone.  It's been awhile since we've talked and it was great hearing his voice.  I have a great love for him and appreciate the fact that he took the time to call.  It meant more to me than he'll ever know.

We left Mel's to travel to visit with my family in Greensburg.  Our first stop was at the hospital to visit my Grandma.  Unfortunately, she was admitted into the hospital yesterday morning, so she wasn't able to participate in the family festivities today.  (Grandma was diagnosed some time ago with congestive heart failure.  As the water collects on her heart she is taken to the hospital to have it drained.  We are grateful every time she gets to return home to spend more time with us...although, today during my visit she expressed her misunderstanding as to why she is still her.  She has been ready for some time to depart this life, but it just isn't time yet.  My hope is that when the time comes she will be able to depart peacefully and respectfully.)  After visiting with Grandma we traveled to Aunt Karen's house and were able to visit with my family.  We had a great visit and were grateful that so much family is within a short driving distance. 

Now that we've returned home I am once again grateful for the warmth it brings, especially on a cold rainy day like today.  I am looking forward to tomorrow when we can begin preparation for the Christmas holiday season, which I must admit is my FAVORITE!!!  I just love the feeling it brings, but today I wanted to express the gratitude I feel, not only today, but everyday!

Adoption Awareness Month

November is Adoption Awareness Month so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to include something here.  Adoption is a very special topic for me (that is putting it mildly).  Honestly, it makes me very emotional.  Unfortunately it is something that had taken on a negative feeling in the eyes of the world, however, those involved know It Is All About Love.  Love from both the birthparents (and sometimes extended family) and the adoptive parents (and their extended family).  A birthmother never "gives up" her child.  It is never an easy decision to make and it is usually the last option a birthmother wants to choose.  Jeremy and I enjoy attending adoption training, especially to hear from and visit with birthmothers.  The faith and sacrifice of these women is amazing.  It is very inspiring to hear their stories and learn of their faith.

We have been very blessed by adoption.  Our Lindsey is a very wonderful gift from her birthmother...a gift I think about often.  Lindsey's birthmother wanted a closed adoption and we respected her wishes.  The thing that makes me so sad about this is that we can't express our love and gratitude for her openly, although, believe me we do plenty through our prayers to a loving Heavenly Father who knows her, and we pray that he is blessing her for her sacrifice on our behalf.  It is very hard to find the words to express the gratitude we feel for this special daughter of God whom we've never even met.

Stay tuned...another day this month I'll share the story of how we were united with Lindsey, a story I love to share.

Trip to Wisconsin

First of all...on October 26, 2009, I became an aunt again...Bella Felicity was born.  She is a beautiful little red-headed girl.  I can't wait to see her grow and her personality develop.

A few weeks later Joe had to go out of town, so Shawna asked Lindsey and I to come and help with the kids.  We love to go visit (and this gave us an easy excuse), so Lindsey and I had a little road trip to Wisconsin.  We drove 8 hours, which Lindsey did amazingly well (I was nervous about going to the restroom, but I'm pleased to say we made it dry).  We had a great visit mostly just hanging out at the house. 

One evening we had popcorn and a movie.  The kids loved hanging out on our air matress.

The girls enjoyed playing together.  This picture captures their lovely dress up clothes in action as they danced to Molly's favorite CD.

Shawna and Joe recently moved into a new home and have a huge yard with lots of trees...trees that apparently had a lot of leaves on them at one time.  The weather was beautfiul, so on Saturday we spent a lot of time outside.  I got these really cute pictures of the cousins playing.  I have to admit that I even jumped in.  The pile was HUGE!  We had a great time!

I spy 4 kids...do you?

Lucas

Emma

Lindsey

Molly

We hated to leave, but were ready to get back home to Daddy (and he was ready for us to come home too).  It's too bad we're so far apart, but we're grateful that Lindsey and I have the blessing of being home together and can go visit occassionally.  We had a great time!  We love you guys!

Incredible Video

This is a powerful video I borrowed from a friend's blog.  I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Halloween!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween at our home is completely non-traditional.  We live in a location where we have zero trick-or-treaters, and since we attend the Trunk or Treat at church, we don't really see a need to acquire more candy for Lindsey.  (Yes, we are enjoying the fact that she is young and doesn't completely understand it all yet.)  So we use the evening to travel around the county to visit with family, so yes, she does get a little bit of candy on the actual Halloween.  We visited with Mamaw and Papaw Thompson, Uncle Jason, Aunt Mel and Maddie, Uncle Josh and Aunt Manda, Papa Thompson, and Grandma and Grandpa Hooten.  It was a great time going around and spending time together.  We've done this the past two years...who knows, maybe it will be a tradition.  Lindsey was Snow White again, and Maddie was an adorable little Lady Bug.

Cute Girls

Lady Bug and Snow White

I couldn't resist getting a full shot of Maddie.  She

made me think of Lindsey last year when she was a fluffy

pumpkin who waddled when she walked.  So cute!

Trunk or Treat

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

It's become a tradition to hold a Trunk or Treat at church the week of Halloween.  All the kids, and even some adults, come decked out in their costume and enjoy an evening of food and fun with friends.  Jeremy was out of town this year, but Lindsey and I didn't want to miss the fun.  Lindsey is into princesses and dress up this year, so it was easy for her to pick her costume...well, kind of.  I think she changed her mind three or four times.  She finally decided with Snow White.  I must admit she looked cute (but I think she looks cute in almost anything).

(Sorry.  I must have shook the camera a little.)

Lindsey in action.

Lindsey had a great time going car and car getting candy.  I wish had asked her to lift up her dress a little for a photo...she is wearing "glass slippers" (this is what Lindsey calls the plastic high heel shoes that all little girls love) under her dress.  She wore them the entire evening, and most of the day at home.  The funniest thing happened about 5 cars from the end.  Lindsey stopped and said, "Mom, I don't need any more candy.  I have enough".  I honestly laughed out loud.  How many kids will actually say something like that.  It was great.  We went back to our car and finished handing out our candy (which I just had to leave in a bowl for people to help themselves) and Lindsey began enjoying her goods.  We had a great time!

Lindsey's Special Blanket

Lindsey is a child who loves her blanket.  It is purple and keeps her "very warm and snuggly" (Lindsey's words).  It was a baby gift from her Aunt Joyce and cousin, Jaimee...but now it barely covers her up.  I have tried really hard to replace it by making her a very special Care Bear blanket (I even let her pick out the fabric), but the new blanket just isn't the same.  She finally let me cover her up at night with her new longer blanket, but she insists on continuing to snuggle with her purple one.  So, I've finally decided to let it go.  It will someday have to be retired because it has been loved so much that it will be rags (it already has a hole around the binding), but for now...I've decided it is not a fight that I need to fight.  I thought it would be appropriate to get some pictures of she and her blankie since it so special to her.

The Beautiful Colors of Fall

I absolutely love the setting of our home.  We have a huge "backyard" and I always look forward to fall.  I captured this one morning as the sun was rising.  It looked beautiful.  I am grateful for the beauty of the earth.

Happy Birthday Dad!

October 19, 2009

My Dad:

For as long as I can remember I have always been a Daddy's girl (I love you lots too, Mom).  My Dad will forever hold a special place in my heart.  Of all my childhood memories, I mostly remember the fact that he gave me his time.  I loved all the time we spent working in the garden and yard when I was younger.  He was also very supportive of me in all the activities I was a part of.  He wasn't just supportive...he was always there.  I remember some silly things too -- like when I would dream up something I just had to have from the store...he would take me to the store, then wait however long it took me to make up my mind (which as you know could take awhile).  Then there was the weekly grocery trip.  Mom would shop ALL the grocery ads, then she and I would travel all over town to each store (remember, gas was much cheaper) to get the specials.  Then once we got home Dad would help carry it in the house and we would unload it all on the table.  Then Dad would sit and listen to Mom and me tell him about all the great deals we got.  Then we dated everything and carried it to the basement to be stored away.  He is probably one of the most patient people I know, which I really appreciate.  He is also very neat and organized.  He has always been very "handy" too.  One of my most meaningfuly gifts was a doll house he made for me.  In fact, I still have it and Lindsey has already gotten many hours of fun out of it.  As I've grown older, my love for my Dad has deepened.  It is something that makes me very emotional and I just can't seem to put my love and gratitude into words.  I am who I am today because my Father in Heaven chose to send me to my wonderful parents who were a part of my life.  Thanks for everything!

The Birthday Celebration

Dad put up a good fight to not celebrate his birthday this year.  We finally won by telling him at this age the party is more for the granddaughters than him.  So we had a little party at our home with Mom and Dad, Joyce and Jaimee, and Jeremy, Lindsey and I.  It was simple and fun.  Jaimee even made her first cake.  She is so loving to Lindsey that she brought the goods and she and Lindsey decorated it together.

Dad with two of his granddaughters.

We had a great time just being together and

celebrating another year with Dad.  I Love You, Dad!