Our December Events!

OK, so I haven't been keeping up with our family blog as much as I had hoped. I do have an excuse...the holidays have been busy but fun. ONE of my new years resolutions will be to keep our family blog updated at least twice a month. I last posted the weekend after Thanksgiving, which has just been over a month ago and a lot has happened in our family.

Posted are pictures of the Brookhaven Christmas Parade that Maddie and Sara were in with their competitive gymnastics team. I am so proud of their accomplishments and how far they have come in gymnastics from the beginning of the season. Their gym coach said they are now ready for their first competition, which is the last weekend in January. I am so excited and so are they. So if I am able to keep one of my new years resolutions, then you can look for pictures of their gym meet sometime the first of February.
Posted are pictures of Sara at the Nutcracker. I tried to take Maddie but she said that was not her thing (she is not girly at all!). My sister in law and niece also went with us. We had a great time. We attended the 2:00 matinee and then we went out for an early dinner to Bonsai, which Sara loved, and then shopping followed by a late night dessert stop for the girls. We arrived back in Brookhaven around 11:00 that night...what a fun day!
Next was the decorating of the Christmas tree, and that was also the night we took our Christmas card pictures and that was also the weekend of the Nutcracker. We tried to bake Christmas cookies that weekend but I think we got one or two batches in but they were not decorated (better luck next year).

Also, I have pictures posted from the girls performance in the children's church choir, Christmas at Granny's house and Christmas at our house, oh yeah and our second snow day of the year! So, our December has been busy with a little of everything including an out of town trip to go shopping on the coast, parties at work, performances at school, and just the ordinary drama of raising four girls!

Sometime in January I will get around to posting a blog about what we have coming up next year and New Years Eve, which I think is just going to be family night with games, cooking, and a little fireworks. I am contemplating joining the Team in Training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma organization (LLS). I am not sure if I can make that kind of a commitment right now, as I already have a lot on my plate. For those of you who don't know, my mom passed away 3 and a half years ago from Leukemia. The Team in Training also known as TNT - TNT is the world's first, best and largest charity sports training program. Through this program you train with a team to participate in a LLS sanctioned marathon or triathlon while raising money for the cause. The program requires about a four to six month commitment...so I will just see ,who know but keep checking back and I will update on my decision along with our family life. If you are interested in learning more, I have posted the links to LLS and TNT - http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls http://www.teamintraining.org/

A Time to be Thankful and Reflect

As I sit in our home Sunday morning around 12:30 am thinking about the end of the Thanksgiving holidays and the beginning of the Christmas season, I realize how much I have to be thankful for in my life.

These past few days have been filled with family, food, fun, and shopping. I am blessed to have the opportunity to partake in all of these activities. I am thankful for the following: My Husband – for always supporting me in whatever I choose to do in life and for never questioning but always believing in me and always always making me laugh even in the most difficult times, My Daughters – for them being who they are and giving me the ability to see life through a child’s eyes and for also teaching me the real meaning of unconditional love, My Family – for their love and support, My Friends – for keeping me grounded and reminding me that I have a life of my own, My Church – for reminding me of what is always the most important and helping me keep my focus and faith. While our life may not always be perfect, I am very happy with the here and now, what I have, and also for what I don’t have, because that means I have something to look forward to achieving.

For me, another part of this season is also a time for reflection. I can’t let this season begin or pass without taking the time to think about family members that are no longer here to celebrate this wonderful time of year with us. I especially miss my mom this time of year. This was her favorite time and I can’t help but to think of how much fun she would’ve had celebrated with my four daughters and her other granddaughter and grandson. But as I decorate our home with her Christmas decorations and other beloved items, I feel her presents and know she is here with us.

Well, I guess it is time to begin the holiday season. Keep checking our blog. I will have lots to post about in the coming weeks including, cookie and decoration day with Kyle and the girls, our local parade which Maddie and Sara will be in, I am taking the two oldest girls to the Nutcracker (planning to anyway), Christmas parties, and whatever else might come about in the next couple of weeks, and trust me with four girls and lots going on, that could be a lot. The only problem is me make or finding the time to post, that is probably why I am posting at 12:45 in the morning. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!