Caroline vs Clemson

 Andy took Caroline to her first Clemson vs. Carolina football game.  They went knowing that the odds were definitely against us but also hoping for a miracle. :-)  We didn't get the miracle but they had a great day together!!  Thankful for their time together!  Mags and I had a Mommy/Daughter day...she has told me several times today how much she enjoyed our day and that she thought it was amazing!  It's truly a gift for us to get to spend one on one time with each of our girls.

Looking back

As I look around at some many of our Christmas decorations, I am so thankful that they are a reminder of those who are no longer with us.  Mr. Andy always had a thing for the little Christmas name ornaments.  Mema let Caroline pick an ornament from her tree one year while we were helping her decorate.  Caroline picked the old elves and asked if she could get the other elf for Maggie.  We found the ceramic Christmas tree in Delores closet when we were cleaning it out.  The beautiful Christmas placemats remind me of my Dad and my grandmother Etoile.  What we wouldn't give to have those folks with us this Christmas...instead we will enjoy and cherish the ones we do have...as long as we have them!

Thanksgiving with Andy's Family

This evening, we celebrated Thanksgiving with Andy's family.  It was a sweet time.  We gathered early to prepare and to be together.  We had several friends and family join us.  Delores' sweet friend Tricia and her family joined us.  Tookie and John and Teresa were also there.  Tomi Jean set up enough places for us all to gather in her dining room.  Andy prayed over our delicious meal and reminded us to be thankful for those gathered around the table tonight as well as those who had already gone before us.  As we gathered in the 'diamond room' as Grace use to call it, it was a sweet gift to look at all the Lord has given us in friendship and family.  We laughed as we recalled some silly stories especially of Sweet Delores.  We got teary eyed as we thought of how proud Mema would have been of our set up.  I smiled as I thought about Mr. Andy going back for seconds of my pineapple casserole.  I sat in awe of the many gifts the Lord has given us...gifts that are priceless!

Caroline took over my camera this year.  I was pretty impressed as I sat down to look at the pictures.  I might have a photographer in the family! :-)

Every year after the meal, Uncle Greg lights the large Christmas tree out back.  I think I might look forward to this more so than even the children.  It's one of my absolute favorites traditions!!  To me, it symbolizes the start of Christmas.

Turkey Trot

 For the past 6 years, we have volunteered to help with our local turkey trot.  The money that we "receive" as payment is sent straight to our friends Jeremy and Courtney to help fund their ministry in Africa.  It's a fun morning and we always enjoy being with our friends from First Pres.  This year, our older girls decided they wanted to participate in the run instead of help on the course.  They had a blast.  Maggie was a wonderful cheerleader and assistant.  Caroline said "3 miles is a LONG way!" :-) It's gonna be a gorgeous day!

Caroline made dinner!!

My family was picking on me because I wasn't sure what I wanted to make for dinner.  Caroline said "No worries, I'm cooking."  She looked in the fridge and kindly told me to leave the kitchen.  About 45 minutes later she called us in.  She made grits and had sausage, bacon and cheese for toppings.  She also cut up grapes and strawberries.  It was absolutely delicious!!  Our sweet girl is growing up and is such a gift to us!!  She apologized because the bacon was a little burnt...I told her there were adults who couldn't cook as well as she did!  I am so proud of her for trying!!

Grateful and Thankful Heart

We have good days, we have bad days and we have just regular old ordinary days.  Today was an extra special day!  Both girls were up before 6 am on our first day of Thanksgiving Break.  I was already up and enjoying a quiet morning to myself.  We enjoyed a slow start.  After Andy left for work, the girls and I got to work on a Breakfast Bundrt Cake.  It reminded me a lot of a casserole but was made in a bundt pan.  The girls did most of the work while I supervised and worked on other stuff.  While it was cooking, they decided to play in the yard and rake leaves.  They came in long enough to eat and went back out.  They played outside for over 3 hours, entertaining themselves while I worked on laundry and ironing.

The Carolina Cottage

 They came in for lunch and to watch a movie.  Once the movie was off, they headed back outside for several more hours.  Caroline raked the entire back yard and made a huge leaf pile for them to play in.  I'll have to get pictures tomorrow...

Today I am so very thankful for a quiet day with absolutely nothing on our agenda!  I never changed out of my pj's.  Neither did Caroline!  We laughed a lot today.  We worked as a team.  Most of all, we just had fun.  I really can't put into words what a sweet day it was.  I am thankful that even though the girls fight often, they do love each other and enjoy one another's company.  I am thankful that I have a job that allows me to spend these ordinary days with the girls.  These are years we will never get back and I truly want to soak them up.  Sadly life and schedules often get in the way...but not today...today is a day I will remember and cherish!

Jordan and Brooke's Goodbye Brunch

Maggie was a tiny, tiny little baby.  A friend who helped us in our early adoption with Caroline contacted me.  She has a young lady, who was new to town, in her CBS group.  This young lady and her husband were thinking about adoption and wanted to talk.  Kim felt like I might be a better option since we had recently gone through it.  So I texted this young lady and told her to call me when she had time.  My phone rang shortly after that...I will never forget.  I was sitting outside rocking Maggie while Caroline played on the swing set.  

A few days later, Brooke brought Jimmy John's subs over and we discussed our process.  She asked to hold our sweet girl.  She has told me several times since that day that holding Maggie brought peace to her life...to their situation.  Brooke followed up with our attorney and before too long, they had a precious baby of their own.  Since that day, the Lord has blessed their family with two additional girls.

In September, Brooke came to me to tell me they were moving.  Jordan had accepted a job closer to their family and they would be moving at the end of the year.  We both cried and hugged for a really long time.  We don't see each other outside of church but there is a sweet bond and connection to their family.  We will miss watching their girls grow up but we truly do wish them the best.  Our church family gathered together on Saturday to celebrate them and pray for them as they move on.  Best wishes sweet friends!!   

Decorating for Christmas

 We had a semi free weekend and decided we would put up our Christmas tree.  Last night we got it out of the attic, fluffed it and got the ribbon and top hat on.  Today after lunch, we put the ornaments on it.  Y'all I will never forget our first Christmas in our first house.  We bought a tiny tree from Wal-Mart for $19.99 and dollar tree silver and garnet ornaments.  It was pitiful but we loved it.  Then the first year in our current house we bought a HUGE tree and hardly had any ornaments for it.  This year, we really had to search for an open spot towards the end.  I told Andy and the girls, we needed to find a spot for another tree for next year.  :0)  I love our tree and I LOVE that every ornament provokes a memory for me.  I will say that it made me extremely nervous that Maggie was so excited to help this year.  I know that the ornaments are material things and can be replaced but the meaning behind each one is what makes it so special.

Thanksgiving At Maggie's School

Today we had our Thanksgiving program at school.  I can't believe this is the last time I have a kid in the Thanksgiving play...here is the link to Caroline's last Thanksgiving play.  It is absolutely precious to watch!!  The kids did so well.  Maggie loved every minute on the stage and knew every single song...I guess that is what happens when you have sang these songs for 5 years. :-)

Mrs. Baker needed a room mom and since I have NEVER had a chance to serve as one, I told her I would do it!  I am thankful for this fun little position but then I remembered I was responsible for decorating a table for special events.  If you know me, decorating is NOT my thing.  Thanks to Mrs. Baker's help, I think it turned out nicely.

While Andy, Caroline and myself did NOT make the placemat of things Maggie was thankful for, she did have some sweet things listed.  Jesus and Mrs. Baker...yes, our entire family is thankful for Mrs. Baker!!

Caroline's School Math Night

Caroline's school hosted a math night at a local grocery store.  The kids had to compare the cost of items, look at health labels and estimate.  I loved the simplicity of the night but that it was also real life learning.

Maggie's Thanksgiving Field Trip

Mrs. Baker plans the sweetest trips for her class.  Today the kids dressed in their Native American costumes and sang Thanksgiving songs at a local nursing home.  Then they headed to a local park to play Thanksgiving games.  It was so much fun!  The kids loved the free play and games.  It's a reminder that they really do enjoy the simple things in life.  Maggie told Mrs. Baker she already knew who to shoot a "bone and arrow."  She didn't but she did really well on her first try. :-)

Operation Christmas Child Collection

Tonight our church came together to help pack Operation Christmas Child boxes at the OCC collection site.  It was a lot of fun and such a blessing to my heart to see our youth work so hard and so well together!

Keeping Christ in Christmas

Last night I got to attend "Keeping Christ in Christmas" with some of my favorite ladies from work.  It's a fun evening  where ladies in the church each decorate a gorgeous table!  We enjoy a yummy dinner, singing and a speaker.  It's always a sweet night to prepare our hearts for the upcoming Christmas season.

The Gingerbread Man

Maggie's class got to see the play "The Gingerbread Man" today.  I was thankful that my schedule allowed me to go with her.  It was a cute play!!

Battle of the Books

This year Caroline is participating in BOB, aka Battle of the Books.  The students have to read certain books and be prepared to answer questions about them.  The kids are on a team with other classmates from their homeroom.  I was impressed, Caroline was the only girl on her team.  Her team did extremely well but lost by 1 point.  They are finished with this series of books but will start on the next set soon.  Their challenge will be sometime in January or February I believe.

Congratulations Jared and Joy

It's wedding day and we had one excited little girl!  From the moment she put her dress on, she was ALL smiles!!  She loved every minute of being a part of Jared and Joy's special day!!

 Once it was time for us to be seated, Jenna took over.  She loved being with the big girls.  I captured this sweet picture of them heading to the church.

After the wedding, the wedding party had to hang out in the back room until the church emptied get the last of the pictures.  Jenna didn't see Maggie grab a fireball from the candy dish until they were sitting back on the pew.  Jenna was like "YIKES!  NO hand it to me."  Mags takes it out and puts it in Jenna's hand...such a nice treat...a RED, wet, fireball! :-)  Thankfully she only got a little speck on the front of her dress...it could have been a LOT worse...did I mention it was before pictures???? :-)

 Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Strong!!!

Y'all I had so many emotions tonight...this sweet, handsome groom was the first baby in my life.  He spent so many weekends of my childhood at our house.  My Daddy ADORED this boy!!  He made everything right in my Daddy's world!  I can only imagine how proud my Daddy is of him.  I can promise you NOBODY would have been as excited as my Daddy about this wedding.  Momma gave Jared one of Daddy's handkerchiefs at the rehearsal dinner but he didn't need it.  He was cool, calm and collective all day long!

We were waiting for the meal and Maggie was bouncing all over the place.  I told her to find a spot and stay there.  She replied "My SPOT is on the dance floor!"  And I can promise you that is where she stayed.  She twirled and twirled and twirled some more!  I was waiting for her to lose her lunch at any moment!  The photographer fell in love with her and tried to capture the moment.  I can't wait to see the pictures!

I loved watching Andy and his girls on the dance floor.  It was so sweet to watch.  I pray that we have many more nights like tonight!

Jared and Joy, we are so excited for you!  We can't wait to watch the two of you grow together as one.  Your wedding was a beautiful celebration of you both and a sweet worship service to the Lord!  May you always keep Christ FIRST in all that you do!