Christmas Blunders

Last Thursday was a comedy of errors: Got our Christmas cards in the mail, and all 100 of them say "MARRY Christmas," had to interrupt Turner's haircut half way through to get Parker at school (it was SLOW going, and yes, she had to sport half short and half long hair for a few hours !) AND I accidentally had her ONE BIG Santa gift shipped to Mt. Pleasant, where it was MIA for half the pm.

YIKES! Do over, please!

What Happens When You Have A Big Sissy!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Parker!

Peachtree City Fire Station
Future Firefighter!
Parker's new BIG truck from Uncle Ted
Turner helping make Parker's RED cupcakes!

The PARTY table!

Dear Sweet Parker,

It is so hard to believe you are two! Where did the time go?

You have taught me so much about boys! And if you are any indication, they are sweet, sweet, sweet! And love their mamas. I pray you will always love your mama!

There is so much I love about you, baby boy…

I love the way you use plural nouns, by adding an –ses to everything. “Mommy, TRUCK-ses!” or “Mommy, COW-ses!” or “Mommy, Pap-ses!”

I love the way you look at your Sissy. With total adoration and trust. (Ok, and a little wary resignation!)

I love the way you have been taking off all your clothes and waking up naked, saying, “Mommy…SOOOO cold,” with a big grin on your face.

I love the way you have grown and become more independent. You are happy to go to school each day now and pray nightly for your “class.”

I have loved having some special one-on-one time with you on Mondays and Wednesdays. Our music class has been a joy. You fake like you hate it, but I know how much you love it…

I love the way you pray! It is so amazing to hear your little thoughts and realize you “get” it and want to talk to your creator. Just tonight you prayed for “Daddy. Home. Safe.” Our God HEARS your prayers and has been faithful to answer them. You and He have always had a special connection, I believe…even in my tummy.

I love the way you provide the comic relief in the family when we are taking ourselves too seriously. You are a clown! And a teaser. Today on the phone, you teased me saying one of our favorite inside jokes that always makes me laugh, “Mommy. Cow-ses. Get you.”

I love the way you ask me to “rock, rock” at night and your accompanying open mouth slobber kisses. Mmmmmm…

I love the way you can manage to wear pink beaded necklaces and heart bracelets but still hold a Tonka truck and look TOUGH.

I love the way you LOVE your family and friends. Every one of them. You are not too fond of strangers, but you sure know who you belong to!

I love the way you say, “Hold you, Mommy.” Melts my heart.

I love your caution. You check things out, make sure you have the lay of the land, and THEN go for it. You like to figure things out, and it doesn’t take you long to master them.

I love that Christmas is “Halloween,” that pumpkins are “apples,” that birds are “ducks,” that Santa is “Baby Jesus,” all cars are “trucks” and that you have your own little words for everything. (And you even know it!).

I love that you always ask me to bring your “stuff.” You like to take a ton of “stuff” everywhere we go. Trucks, paps, blankie, etc. I sometimes think you are my very own Linus!

I love that you have the sweetest manners. Even if they are used to try and get out of things, like baths or going to bed. “No THANKS, Mommy! No THANKS!”

Parker, there is so much to love about you! I am deeply grateful God gave me the opportunity to watch your personality unfold, discover who you are and help you see all your special gifts that make you a PERFECT you!

Love Always,
Mommy

Angel Tunes

Turner had her school Christmas program and party last week, and I am happy to report, she did not have "bleacher fright!" (Her words, because she was "not standing on a stage!")

Here are two of my favorites! Just click the arrow!

Brunch with Santa!

We were invited to join some friends at their county club today to brunch with Santa! It was wonderful, and Santa was REALLY credible! :) (Sadly, Parker has been sick for several days and was unable to join us. Daddy hung out with him!)

The Christmas Shop

This weekend was the Christmas Shop at our church! It was a wonderful day, and nearly 70 families (representing almost 175 children) shopped for gifts for their children. There were many neat stories from the day!

For those who don't know, the Christmas Shop is a place where families in our community who need assistance, can shop for their children, pay for the gifts (at greatly reduced rates), have the gifts wrapped, enjoy a little snack and entertainment from our children's' choirs...and do this all with great dignity. Afterwards, all the money we raise goes directly into our "Local Children's Missions" budget to serve these same families throughout the year.

I feel truly blessed to have been a part of this amazing outreach. Although it has made for a busy December, it really centered our family on what was important. Turner and several of her friends helped price items in the shop, and that was a joy, too.

Below is a video showing some of the "stuff" (and amazing generosity of our congregation) in the Christmas Shop!

God is so good and His love endures forever!

The Angel Choir

Here is some of Turner's Christmas pageant at church! Hang in there with the video -- it is shaky at first, but it gets better! :)

In the Beginning was The Word...

Our Sunday morning theology discussion today:

Turner pulled out the Bible verse from her advent calendar, which was John 1: "In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."

I said, "Turner, do you know who 'The Word' is, who was with God when the world was created?"

She said, "Jesus, right?"

"Yes! Great job!"

"But, Mom, how was Jesus WITH God in the beginning of everything...when he was JUST born?"

(And this was all BEFORE caffeine and church!)

Husband?

"Mom, Parker's almost like my HUSBAND!"

"How is that, honey?"

"Well, we share a bathroom, like you and Daddy!"

Mind Picture

Have you ever had those special life moments you wish you could capture? And you can't really, so you settle for a "mind picture?"

Well, we had one of those moments the other night. We were having family movie night and had made a pallet on the living room floor. Turner and Parker were both really into it and watching intently. A while into the movie, I looked over and saw that they had moved their heads together and were holding hands. They watched the entire last half of the movie that way. Totally adorable, totally unsolicited love. It was beautiful.

Then, today, I DID happen to capture some fun sibling bonding on film...

Turner and Parker were playing, and I heard her call to him to come into the bathroom. She proceeded to help him take off his pants and diaper, set up his potty and try to get him to go potty in it! Maybe I won't have to worry about potty training him -- since I have a dedicated assistant! Precious!

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Long Hair!

Every year, we have a tradition of building a new and creative gingerbread house! This year, Turner decided we were going to make Rapunzel's tower. It was a super fun challenge and turned out really cute.

Who Is It We Serve?

I had to speak in church today, in front of both services. Needless to say, I felt a little nervous. As usual, though, my little angel reminded me of what was important...

"Mom, are you scared to talk in big church today?"

"Yeah, I'm a little nervous. Do you get nervous when you sing in big church?"

"No, Mom. I just like to sing and use my gifts for God."

What a reminder! Everything I do is for God's glory. Not my own. So, why be nervous at all? He accepts me just as I am.

Turner's Thanksgiving Feast

Turner had a really sweet Thanksgiving feast at her school this year. She has a LOT to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving 2010

We had an amazing Thanksgiving this year and are filled with deep gratitude for all God's blessings on our family and extended family! We are grateful for good friends, good health, sweet children, steady work, for dreams and the freedom to dream, for those who came before us and all they sacrificed and for a wonderful country to call home.

Our week started with a road trip to Sumter to spend the night with Aunt Niki and Uncle Clete and pick up Grandy. From there, we were able to spend time in Awendaw, visit with friends, enjoy time with Nana and Grandad and our cousins, catch up with Mimi, play with the Norris family and then wind up in the NC mountains. It was a fun-filled week, and the kids did a pretty good job rolling with all the comings and goings.

Giving Thanks

We have been trying to prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving this week. I already feel like it is a "rush" to the holidays, and I am intent on savoring the many blessings we have and not sprinting to Christmas.

Anyway, Turner and I worked on a Thanksgiving tree during rest time the other day, and it's hanging on our window by the kitchen table. We are so, so blessed to have such a loving family that she ran out of room. She did manage to fit her grandparents (including their pets) and us on there!

We love you all! xox

The Golden Girls Hit ATL

The Golden Girls -- Mrs. Kizer, Nana, Mrs. O'Brien and Mrs. Timmerman
One Happy Little Girl -- After all, she has FOUR grandmothers to boss around!

Monkey!
Parker with his women

The seesaw got a good workout!
Merry-go-round (Mrs. Kizer got on, too! Brave woman!)
Dora Bingo Tournament. Amazingly, Turner won EVERY time! :) Which meant lots of Oreo "prizes." Oh, and the GGs went home with a full working knowledge of all the Dora characters!

Mrs. Timmerman next to the "Down" sign we created, so she wouldn't keep walking into closets!

Nana reading "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to the troops.

We had a super fun weekend with the "notorious" Golden Girls this past weekend! Nana and her three close friends came to visit and play with us in Atlanta. It was a treat to have them, and I am pretty sure we broke some local ordinances by laughing too much. We ate lots, played lots and enjoyed having a full house.

Turner and Parker could get used to having FOUR women (plus mom) waiting on their every need! :)

To Market, To Market...

Some early morning reading fun with Bro-Bro!

(Turner knows every word to this book and pretends to read it to Parker. He is a willing and happy participant!)

Front Flips!!!

Turner asked me to make "movies" of her front flips for our biggest fans! She is thrilled that she can hoist herself up and do this BY HERSELF now. :) Happy watching...

Welcome Home, Brett!

Several months ago, I shared about Parker's teacher, Ms. Gail, and her son, Brett, who had been deployed to Afghanistan. We had mailed him a care package and have been praying for his safety over the past months.

Thanks be to God, he is back on US soil and will be coming home to see Ms. Gail on Friday of this week. Turner wanted to welcome him home, and she made this awesome banner for him! She did everything BY HERSELF and was so proud and happy to give it to Ms. Gail this past Sunday. It will hang in their family room for his return!

Family Funtimes - HEE HAW!

Our first fire of the season was SO BRIGHT, Parker had to get his glasses! :)
The A-Team building the first fire of winter!

Horsin' Around

The horse and rider are almost the same size!

We had a nice family Friday night last night! The kids were squealing and playing well together, and the weather was perfect for building a warm fire. Good times!