Santa present

Santa brought Jamie a horse named Chestnut. She is in love! Just what she wanted!

Jewelry box

Wow

Here are some of the colorful spinning things from the State Fair. Gifts from Aunt Lori

Reality blog / Christmas Eve already?

I always try to pull out the one or two positive things I can find in our busy days to share with others. This month has been tough though. We all get a little depressed and this year was no exception. Mom had 2 eye surgeries a week apart. My sister Lori came to the rescue. She said her goal this year is to be more positive and praise God for our healings. She was the one who needed to be with mom this time. I would not have been able to split myself in two or be that encouraging.

We had a bad experience with head lice that lasted for weeks (which I did not want to share with mom or anyone.) It has humbled me. Also put hours of hair washing and combing as a top priority. Our hair has never looked so shiny and smooth! I did a ton on laundry and the stuffed animals are just now allowed to come out of quarantine. It has been exhausting. Somehow I still managed to get the basics done in time for the holidays.

The majority of my family had Friday off so Lori, Jamie and I went to Richmond to celebrate with the cousins and Aunt Marti. We had the grand unveiling. Marti and Michelle had decided to get Sha a very large jewelry box of her own (just like Aunt Marti's). Marti also found a small one for Jamie (need to get organized next). Lori bought us all lovely colorful spinning things from the state fair. I took tons of pictures to update my blog and then left my camera in Richmond today. My sister called me as soon as I got home to make sure we have a camera for Christmas. Yes - we have more than one now! Thank goodness or I would be running to the store. Can't live without it! Will take more pictures tomorrow of the gifts we have here from the family to put on the blog later this week. I was disappointed not to have the cool pictures I took this weekend but it will have to wait until January when Lori comes back to visit.

I ended up staying all weekend in Richmond. Not much sleep but lots of interesting memories and surprises. We finally took Lori to Maymont to see the Swan bedroom decorated for Christmas. Last night after dinner (around 7:30 pm when we usually get ready for bed back home), Lori shared with me that Marti wants a black and white tree that she saw at Target but we cannot buy it - they donate it to charity. But we can use the idea! So we went to 5 stores gathering decorations and lights and finally a tree! We were up very late and finally got it done by 12:30 when she walked in the door from work! She was very surprised. Will post a picture later!

We went to church with my sisters this morning and it was very uplifting. Marti let Jamie borrow her tambourine for the singing and dancing times. It was a shock for this conservative Baptist to see the Bible wave going on just like at a football game but Jamie loved it! She didn't have to be quiet and sit still the whole time. My sisters said today was mild because of the holidays! We enjoyed seeing the children dance and wave the colorful flags and banners. We are still praying for my nieces' salvation!

We made it back in time to attend our church's candlelight communion service and I'm glad. I usually try to take Jamie to it each year. Her first Christmas we were in Texas and went to midnight mass with James' family. Jamie read his family "The Gingerbread Baby" on speaker phone tonight. When Aunt Christine visited us this summer, Jamie asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she had replied a story read by Jamie. It turned out everyone was there and they sang to us when Jamie was finished reading. We have tried to light the Advent wreath every Sunday; last year I lit it every night and we read Scriptures and did fun preparations.

James made cannelloni (his mother's recipe) for Christmas Eve dinner. He finally realized he better do some shopping or no food for Christmas. Well gotta go get ready for Christmas! Is is Christmas Eve already?

Jamie's first ride in a limo - last week

Picture of a picture - Jamie's first ride in a limo from school to Cici's Pizza. This was the prize for the fundraiser - selling 35 items or more. James should have been able to go since he helped sell it! ha ha

Ideas for 12 days of gym class

12 days of gym class

I was the PE teacher today. And they taught me the 12 days of gym class song. I watched a lot of snowman dodgeball. Always busy helping at school! We stuffed stockings and the pinata for the party day tomorrow. It's almost here.

Goodbye 2006 Hello 2007

Two wishes at a time

The Wishing Well

Dee Dee saved all a cup full of pennies and change for the wishing well. Jamie made lots of wishes and practiced her aim.

The Big Eyes

Will he wake up in time? ha ha

Winter Wonderland

On Saturday, Lori, Jamie and I went to see my favorite "Sleeping Santa" from the Coleman's Nursery exhibit now at the Winter Wonderland - Courthouse Galleries in downtown Portsmouth. Brings back lots of memories / family traditions.

Cheer clinic on Saturday

Jamie went to an all day cheerleading clinic on Saturday. She had fun overall but it took all her energy. She learned lots of songs and dances. She was always a step behind because she was watching her "leader". She would do jumps different from all the other girls - one forward leap vs. a two legged hop. She marches to a different drummer. Her friend MacKenzie won a pom pom for the best jump. I think MacKenzie has done this before. GO BRAVES! I love the colors - shades of blue and white!

Friday night party

Friday night we went to the Lukes house and spent time with our Sunday School friends. Tracy, Jessica and Preston all dressed in red pose for the camera.

Don't forget the sting rays

Do I have to touch it? ha ha
She finally did "pet" them.

The kids found a polar bear outfit in a tent at the front of the museum and they had fun dressing up and reading Christmas stories.

Chaperone

I was a chaperone today going to the VA Aquarium. I had these 4 lovely ladies. We had fun running around to see stingrays, sea turtles, sea horses and sharks. We love that place. The bus driver drove all the way to the beach to let the kids see the water on our way there.

During Brownies the kids made Santa boxes and Ms. Wanda filled them with treats!

Chuck

One of our PTA fundraiser places is Chuck E Cheese. Jamie loves going there. Yesterday we saw him out front on our way. And I just happened to have my camera! Then of course she begged to go even for 15 minutes to play her free tokens. Then we had to do homework and make brownies. Then off to Girl Scouts Christmas potluck dinner last night.

Answer to Prayer

I have had a rough week emotionally. While getting dressed for Jamie's holiday breakfast, I realized I didn't have anything festive to wear this holiday season. I said a prayer and asked God to find me a dress somehow. That very night after the church banquet, a lady approached me and asked me if I would like a dress she was passing on (and shoes to match). I cried - God cares about me and will always take care of the little things (the desires of my heart - as my sister put it) as well as the big things. God is good - all the time!

2nd grade show

Light the World and Boogie Woogie Reindeer were some of the songs we heard last night.

Holiday Show

MacKenzie and Jamie said the Pledge of Allegiance before the show. They had fun!

Holiday Breakfast

Jamie in her "new" holiday dress. Holiday Breakfast of pancakes at Georgetown Primay School. The kids made hands and the art teacher created all kinds of fun pictures with them - like this snowman. Jamie didn't get to make a hand but she liked the snowman!

Believe

Train Conductor

We loved the Polar Express train conductor at the train show this year. My friend had a slide show of it on her blog www.chesapeakegreens.blogspot.com and we went right over to see. We Believe!

Live Nativity

After all our adventures today, when we were driving a friend home, Jamie saw the youth group outside church getting ready for the live nativity. After cleaning up from the party, we went back to church. Jamie got to pet the sheep. Several of our friends' teenage kids were a part of the program "The Cradle to the Cross". I think it's been about 2 years since we've last seen it. It makes me cry every time and refocus on the holiday's real meaning.

Movie "Night"

Angel's "boys" - Ashton and Gavin came over as well as Tommy, and JW to watch the movie and Josh made it home in time to play football with us. The girls (except Jamie) either played with dolls or took a nap during the movie. It was hard for them to keep still that long. Everyone loved the snacks! Picnic indoors - popcorn, cheezits and brownies! The Yoohoos were a hit.

Veggie Tale party at our house

We tried something new. We had a Veggie Tale movie/football party at our house. I had 10 kids (including Jamie) in my little house. Some of the kids didn't want to watch the whole movie but everyone played outdoors for awhile - football or cheering. It was wild.

GAs bake sale

Jessica and Jillian spent Friday night with us and then we went to the church this morning to make goodies for the bake sale on Sunday. It has been a busy day.