Happy Birthday, John!

Happy Birthday!! I'm awed that you are 9 today. You are such a blessing to me and I hope one day you will know just how much you are loved. You bring me the most joy. Joy as you grow and learn and become the critical thinker that you are. Joy at the sensitivity I see developing in your concern and care of others. You are my love - my life. Have a wonderful Birthday!

K5, really?

I registered this little boy for K5 today. He asked if he got to go to kindergartin tomorrow since I was signing him up today. =) He's ready to go...plans to take his lion and blankie with him in his back pack.







I'm a little late on a few pictures and posts. My friends, Sarah and Liz graduated in December. Here's a couple of pictures.










Praying for those in Haiti.

Lori

Happy Birthday, Griffin

Today is Griffin's (my best friend Jennifer's little boy) 3rd bday. I can't believe it has been 3 years. He caught us by surprise and came 5 weeks early! I hope you had a wonderful bday!










Our attempt at a good picture of the boys at our annual Christmas dinner.

New Year's Opportunities

We talked about New Year's Resolutions in Sunday School last week. We talked about making them New Year's opportunities. Our family is going to have a focus verse for the New Year. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5 I trust and believe that if we follow this verse we will be shown many opportunities to serve in the New Year.

I leave you with a picture of Alex on Christmas Day. After getting up at 4am this is how he was by noon....


Happy New Year!

Lori

Tiny Town and making cookies

We took the boys to Tiny Town Sunday night. I have to say it seemed so much bigger and impressive when I was little. I think they enjoyed it but weren't overly impressed.





The boys and I make cookies every year. They had fun decorating them but they had the most fun eating them!

John's Christmas Program

Alex waiting to get the program started...








John, my sweet reindeer! He did a great job with all of his lines. So proud!

Nanny's Christmas Party

This is my grandmother and her 3 great grand boys! =) Nanny hasn't been doing too well the last week or so. Please say a prayer for her. She's almost 90. We would appreciate your prayers.

Merry Christmas, Nanny. We love you!

Updates...

Wow, time flies... it's a repeating theme on this blog. I have great news! I'm going to be an Aunt to a baby GIRL! Yes, you did read that correctly, Ashley is having a girl and I can't wait! I get to buy all those frilly, PINK and RED clothes now. She's gonna be SPOILED rotten. The BEST news of all is that everything looks good with her heart. One more appointment in January to be sure. *pray*

Alex is in full Christmas mode. He can't hardly wait to open his presents. He asks me almost daily if he can open them and if I bought them b/c he was good. He's completely fascinated and amazed to see all the lights on the houses, street lights, etc. The wonder of Christmas in a 4 year old is something special!

We had this discussion on the drive in this morning.
Alex: "Mommy, I can see your building from here. Why is it so tall?"
Me: "Students live there." "Are you gonna live there when you grow up and go to school?"
Alex: "NO, I'm gonna live with you until YOU die!" =)

Tonight was a great night! We decorated our Ginger Bread Train.







Then Alex had a piggy back ride from Mommy.



We had breakfast for supper...pancakes, yum! John lost another tooth in the middle of supper. That is number 3.

The night ended with The Polar Express - well for Alex anyway. He watched it so many times in the past that we can miss it. He LOVES it!

Well, I think that is about it for now. There will more to come as we enter this busy time of year. I've been talking to God and reflecting on some things and I feel lead to be a better encourager. I can send an email to thank someone, I can be nice that person that always seems to have a bad day. I can be more of a reflection of God's love by encouraging others, letting them know they are loved and appreciated.

Thankful...

Here is a list of what I am thankful for:
* My savior, Jesus Christ.
* My family.
* For John who has discovered that he loves to read and has begun the Chronicles of Narnia series this weekend. He's so excited. I love the excitement he shows as he begins new things.
* For Alex, who for the life of him can not understand why we can't open presents now.
* For the new Caramel Brulae Latee at Starbucks...Oh my...It will only be there for a limited time...
* For my patient, sensitive and kind husband who continues to attend high school football games with me b/c he knows I enjoy them.
*For my parents, who are now my friends.
*For my sister and her family. For the precious new life growing inside of her.

GOD IS SO GOOD. To be continued....

Happy Birthday, Trey!

4 years ago this precious little miracle entered my life. What a blessing he is to our family. I love you very much sweet boy. You are such a good little boy, even though you cheer for the Gamecocks! =) I know you are gonna be the best big brother ever!

Happy Birthday!

Santa is watching you...

At dinner Friday night Alex asked Shon and I "Does Santa sleep?" We said yes. He said, "Then I can be bad while he is asleep?" We both couldn't help but laugh. Shon recovered first and said no, he sleeps while you sleep and also has lots of helpers watching you at all times. That mischief is just waiting to spring out of him!

Seasons...

Alex's description of the season on the way to daycare today.
"Winter is when all the leaves are off the trees. Fall is when all the leaves are falling off the trees. Spring is when the leaves come back on the trees. And then comes the time when I don't have to wear shoes and socks!"

Here's a picture of John from this summer on our trip that I just love.

Praise the Lord!

Ernie got the best possible news today. He does have lymphoma but it is low grade and at this time because he has no symptoms there is no treatment. He will follow up with the oncologist every 3 months to watch for progression. At some time down the road he may need chemo but for now no treatment!

Thank you, Jesus!

Update on my Father In Law

We do know that Ernie does have lymphoma, Stage I. This is highly treatable. We will meet with the oncologist today to find out what course of treatment they recommend.

Please pray!

Lori

Happy Halloween

Here are my Star Wars boys




And here they are carving their pumpkins.

Better

Last week was rough. First Alex got sick, then John and then me. Shon was the sole lucky unsick party. Looks like we had the H1N1 - what an unfriendly little germ. I think we are all on the mend now praise the Lord.

The big C

John asked me tonight "How do you get Cancer?" One of those questions that really has no answer. I could tell him some theories... You see, someone he knows is having tests done to determine if they have cancer and it's rocked his world. Because, John is my worrier. He's quiet and holds things in. So, I'm just trying to be honest with and tell all the facts we know at this time. And praying...praying for my Father In Law, Papa Ernie that the tests will all come back normal. Praying that the time that John, Alex and all of us have left with Ernie is going to be very, very long.

Please pray. The biopsies begin tomorrow...

Alex playing soccer...

There is a Publix commercial where the Dad is more nervous about the upcoming soccer game than the little boy...in the end the little boy thinks he's awesome! It very much reminds me of Alex. Let's just say that Alex does not take himself too seriously as an athlete. He has a nack for enjoying life no matter what he's doing. It's very entertaining to watch!

EXCITING NEWS

GUESS WHAT?

This precious little boy is going to be a BIG brother!! So that means I get to be an Aunt again. I'm so excited!!! Congrats Ashley, Michael and Trey - we are so happy for you and can't wait for this new addition to join our family.

Movie Night #3 and GIRLS NIGHT!

Thought I would report on Movie night edition 3. We watched Evan Almighty as planned. This was Alex's choice. They watched this several times in the car on our trip to NY. I had not seen it until this week and it was very cute. John fell asleep at the end....

I forgot to post last week when I told you about Hannah Montana that John has a picture of Miley Cyrus on his wall. He got it last summer from a friend out of one of those tween magazines. He wouldn't want anyone to know about it I'm sure. =) I think it's cute. I used to love when my mom would by me those magazines.

Tonight is GIRLS NIGHT OUT! My best friend, Jenn and I are having dinner at Portofino's one of our favorite Italian places and then we are going to see the Time Traveler's Wife. Looking forward to this. The boys are headed to the Westminster Racetrack for a race.

Have a great weekend...
And here's a picture of us from DC on our summer trip...