Top Ten of 2008

Inspired by my sister-in-law here are my top ten events of 2008:

10. We began the year by doing some heavy soul-searching about schools for the kids. And oddly enough, we feel called to send our kids to private Christian schools. This has become one of the biggest leaps of faith we have encountered as a family, especially with times the way they are nowadays. But in this we've found God's glory being sung by seeing Josh blossom in his own faith, as young as he is.

9. We survived several small illnesses this year (pink eye, stomach bugs, colds colds and more colds). But what I find amazing is that usually it's an isolated event and it isn't passed on through the family. See, my maniacal hand washing is working!

8. It's hard to imagine it now, but Owen began walking early this year and just like most kids, he hasn't stopped since. My, how fast it goes.

7. We had a great trip to Atlanta this year around Easter time. Although it was for a sad reason, with the passing of the Hub's grandfather, it turned into this amazing time with family we don't see very often. The Aquarium was a huge hit with all of us and so was a trip up Stone Mountain.

6. When spring came we couldn't wait to get outside again. Owen discovered he was a big fan of the Bronco Rider and I didn't mind tagging along for the ride.

5. Owen turned one in April with much hoopla (naahh, not really, third child syndrome). He has been such a blessing to our family and it was wonderful to celebrate his big day with family.

4. Summer brought several things: T-ball, an attempt at gardening, afternoons in the sprinkler, trips to the park, and some great vacations.

3. We were blessed to have weeklong vacations with both sides of our family this year. A loooong (not a typo) trip to the Outer Banks was an amazing time at the beach. The weather was really wonderful and even the storm we had was a thing to behold. The second trip to a cozy cottage with the Hub's side was equally as fun. I found myself easily slipping into a routine of yummy breakfasts, lazy splashing in the lake, comfortable conversation and delicious dinners followed by movies and games. Ahhh.

2. School started this year with Josh going into first grade at a new school and Ellie in her first year at preschool. Both kids have jumped right into the school routine with eager anticipation. My teacher hearts sighs with happiness.

1. I'm pretty sure I'm missing a ton of things from big to small (like a terrific Thanksgiving, to giggly family nights), but looking at this year I see how blessed we are to have healthy, happy children, a marriage that is strong through the rough places, and a Savior that promises the "Peace that passes all understanding." With the plan to move our family one more time in this coming year I felt many emotions, but every time the still small voice of my Lord reminds me that He is in control and His plan is far greater than any that I have imagined.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas Meme

Ok. Time to get into the spirit of things. My sister-in-law sent me this email and I thought it would make a good get-to-know-you-at-Christmas-time post. Enjoy, and then try it yourself!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I LOVE to wrap gifts. When we were young, my mom would try to "hide" our gifts in plain sight by wrapping them in some sort of pattern (all the snowman paper had my gifts inside, etc.). Some day when the kids wise up, I'll do the same. For now I just love taking the time to make the packages special.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Definitely real.

3. When do you put up the tree? Soon after Thanksgiving.


4. When do you take the tree down? After the New Year, before school starts again.

5. Do you like eggnog? No.

6. Favorite gift received as a child or adult? (adult) Plane tickets to California to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. Of course, that was the same year I bought the Hubs a DVD player. So much for a budget that year.

7. Hardest person to buy for? The Hubs. He has this habit of buying gifts off his list while he's out shopping for others.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Josh.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No. We would love one that the kids could "play" with. (any suggestions?)

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail or hand out (save a stamp!)

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't think of one right now, but my dad gave my mom a housecoat/pajama robe one year that will live in infamy.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Polar Express, currently. I love watching kids watch it. Oh, and I really like all the old-time claymation ones!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October or November. It helps to spread out the cost.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, but they're usually cute things I've gotten from students in the past that someone else could really use.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's fudge.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, white only.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Micheal W. Smith's "Christmas Waltz."

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home, meet with family, unless we go to my sister-in-law's in Michigan to play in their snow!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Sure...now, how's that song go?.....

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve with my side, Christmas morning with our little family and with the Hubs' side we do it whenever we can all get together.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Dragging the poor kiddos around in the cold, because I still love to shop in stores instead of online.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Snowmen and felt handmade ornaments

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Appetizers after Christmas Eve service.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Practically?...A great kitchen knife. Emotionally?...peace of mind about moving sometime in the new year!

The Honeymoon is Over

Yep. And it lasted longer than I thought. It usually starts losing it's luster after the first long weekend. But in this case, he made it until Thanksgiving.

I'm talking about Josh. (what did you think? hehe)

The poor dude survives an unfortunately long afternoon bus ride after working hard all day at school, only to hop in the van and be greeted by his little sister who finds an odd joy in telling him all the "fun" things she got to do while he was at school. So, it caught up to him.

After an wonderful trip to "Aunt Tami's" (apparently the coolest place on earth...blog to follow), and several days off school, Josh succumbed to the end of his honeymoon relationship with first grade. Now, this is not to say that he doesn't enjoy school (he loves it! ahhh...my teacher's heart), but now his rose-colored glasses are clearing up a bit and he looks forward to the weekends more, wondering when the next day off will come. Secretly, I am comforted by the fact that he misses being with me, because I miss him some days, too. (The rest of the days?...I'm thinkin' "when do they go back to school?)

I'm pretty sure after the real chill of winter sets in, a cozy couple of weeks off at Christmas, and he's cooped up in his classroom for a while...

... he'll be asking first grade for a divorce.