Laser Surgery

I took my mom to the eye dr yesterday. She has to have laser surgery immediately on both eyes. He only does surgery on Thursdays. The right eye will be done on December 7th and the left eye will be done on December 14th. Please keep my mom in your prayers over the next few weeks. My sister Lori called me tonight and offered to stay with mom on the weekends. Lori is the flexible one. I'm the planner. Our weekends are booked with holiday events. We will do what we can.

Founder's Inn

We went with Angel and her kids to the celebration at the Founder's Inn on Saturday. They got their faces painted and visited with all the dressed up puppets including the sneezy tree. They enjoyed the puppet show. Then Jamie watched all the various dance groups. Angel took her kids to see Santa and Jamie kept watching. We gave the kids a snack outside. It was a little cold but we survived. Made a memory!

When my sisters arrived, the adults got their hands and faces painted (but they asked me not to put those pictures on the blog). At 6 pm the lights came on in the back around the lake. We left shortly after and went home to make a late dinner.

Spectrum Puppets

Face painting

Grand Illumination at Founder's Inn

The Tree

We spent all morning putting up a tree and decorating. We did it! Jamie was all smiles. What a big helper! She put every ornament we have on it. Usually spread out over a much taller tree.

Getting ready

Getting ready for Christmas . . .

James painted the front door and hung the wreath.

Jamie hung the Thomas Kinkade stockings from Aunt Teresa.

What are you thankful for?

I am thankful that I do not have to work on Friday after Thanksgiving this year nor put up 2 trees - one at work and one at home.

Jamie (and I) are thankful that I have a job at her school.
I am thankful that she is saved and that we can go to church.
I am thankful for my friends and family.
I love my blue bedroom and lace white curtains in my own little house.
I love my blue car and that I can drive where and when I want to.
I am thankful that I have a husband who helps me cook!

Thanksgiving

It rained so much here in VA; it flooded the streets in downtown Portsmouth. My mom's dr appt was cancelled so we came home and baked pumpkin pie on Wednesday after school and watched movies. She is resting today. All my family is working and then resting. James is working all day so we are planning to cook and eat on Friday night. We drove by Cox to deliver pumpkin pie and watch some of the parade with him on TV. Jamie and I are looking at sales papers - daydreaming.

I Believe in Santa

Santa teased Jamie about not having to ask her what she wanted; he could see she wanted her two front teeth for Christmas. Jamie asked for a horse. I tried to tell her that there is no room for a horse at our house. She still believes. This may be the year she is disappointed . . .

Thanksgiving Dinner at Lunchtime

Mrs. Carroll, MacKenzie's grandmother is a teacher's assistant at Jamie's school. We all sat in the art room for lunch and it was much quieter than the cafeteria. I spent the afternoon helping check ids for parents attending lunch with their kids. What a busy week! We just got home from Chuck E Cheese and the weather is terrible - rainy and dark tonight.

Big blast party

Jamie and her new friend MacKenzie had fun at the big blast party yesterday. They each sold at least 5 items for the fundraiser to attend. Jamie appreciates all family (and dad's coworkers) who bought items from us.

Yoder's Dairies

Genevieve and Jamie at the VA Beach Farmer's Market eating ice cream at Yoder Dairy. What a great end to our vacation.

Exploring VA Beach

We went to the Old Coast Guard Station at the beach with another girl scout.

Hot Tub

After braving the not so "heated" pool, Jamie would go to the hot tub every night. She misses it already.

Awesome ride . . .

Island Carosuel is a 2 decker ride. Jamie went 2 days in a row. We found it at Lynnhaven Mall. We went shopping at the Disney store too. On Monday we went to the movies to see Santa Clause 3 - the Escape Clause. We ate lots of buttered popcorn.

Cape Henry Lighthouses Nov 2006

Mom loves history and took Marti and Lori to the Cape Henry Lighthouses when they were little. I went to visit the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse with my girl scout troop. Now Jamie is exploring VA Beach and the lighthouses with the Aunts.

Christmas Attic

Aunt Lori and Jamie helping themselves to the cookie jar at the Christmas Attic. They got free ornaments too.

Upside down tree at the Christmas Attic. Marti said this would be a good tree for the girls with all the dogs.

Jamie and I have been listening to Mrs. Piggle Wiggle on CD and her upside house. This must be her tree.

We watched the sunrise on the beach every day. My sisters stayed one night and we saw dolphins swimming too. It was very relaxing.

Ramada

Jamie all tucked in with 4 pillows on her bed at the Ramada at the Oceanfront. The beginning of our beach vacation - cold outside but comfy inside. Happy 7 1/2 birthday Jamie!

Three Friends at Halloween

Melanie, Stephanie and Tracy - my fun friends from church who make things happen

Fall Festival at Woodland Heights Baptist Church 2006

Me and Queen Esther at Heros Unmasked. James took all the photos that night.

Little 4 year old Jamie as a Kiss in 2003

Found the original "kisses" in my scrapbook 2003

Melanie 1991; Jamie 2003

Fall at Georgetown Primary

Beautification committee is brightening things up at Jamie's school. Lots of mums were donated and planted. Thanks to Aunt Lori for some mums.