Happy New Year!

Oh wow. I have never been so glad to see a year end. Ever. In just 3 more hours and 6 minutes, the year 2007 will be over. It could not come fast enough.

I knew it was going to be a bad year only 4 days in. My best friend's husband was killed in a plane crash. That's the beginning. Since then, we've been through depression, ADHD, dropping out of school, being out of work for 4 months (again). That was just Hubs.

Cheese had 2 major surgeries (one unplanned and life-threatening), one trip to the ER, and a countless number of minor outpatient procedures.

B-rex had a slow year, he only started speech classes.

And me, I had to deal with all of that plus filling in for a missing Latin teacher at our school all fall.

In between all that, our family had some other upheavals. We left our church so that Hubs could pursue his dream. We moved, kind of, into a new house.

Hmm... I'm trying to think if there is anything else. I can't really remember if there was anything else. It has seemed like it was just one thing after another.

Through it all, and Hubs and I talked about this the other day, our faith has grown in ways that we can't really comprehend. I did 3 Bible studies this year, all written by Beth Moore. (If you haven't checked her out, you should!) Right now, I feel closer to God than ever. When you look at all we've been through, there were two choices we had.

One, blame God for everything. Be angry, because so much stuff was happening to us that we couldn't control. And after all, weren't we doing the Lord's work? How could He let this happen to us?

Two, turn to God. Love God. Give it all to Him and let Him figure it out. Know and trust that there is a plan and someday we'll know what this was all about. l

We chose number Two. I have no idea why we've had the year we had. At times, it has seemed like God was just sitting up there in his throne having a laugh at our expense. Really. But I know and trust that there was, and continues to be, some plan for us. We don't know what it is, but it's there.

I just hope His sense of humor changes for 2008. I don't know if I can handle another year like this one.

Happy New Year, y'all!

Check out my Slide Show!

Merry Christmas!

What an awesome day!

If you have not had a chance to hear some truly praise-full children's music, click here. My sister gave me the CD "The Kids Praise Album!" for Christmas. We used to sing along to all those songs when we were kids. I didn't even know they still made these. We used to listen to them all the time. And we had it on a cassette. Which was made from an album that skipped. So we're listening to it now and skipping all the parts that the original skipped. But all the words have come back. And it means so much to be able to pass all these memories and songs on to my own kids.

Thanks, Nikki!

We spent the day with family. Hubs' family came to Christmas Eve service with us, then spent the night at the parsonage with us. We got up a little after seven this morning and opened presents. Hubs and I cooked breakfast: bacon, eggs, and cinnamon rolls! The boys had such a great time! After that, we went to my mom's and had present time there. Cheese and B-rex were so cute! Cheese got his very own digital camera. Oh the excitement! B-rex got a kitchen set. Yes, a kitchen set. He loves to plays like he's cooking for the family! I'm glad he got that from his daddy. His love of cooking, that is.

All in all, it was a wonderful, awesome day. Thank you, Lord, for sending us your Son. And for giving us the gift of eternal life through Him. Thank you for our wonderful, loving family. And the gift of my precious boys. Happy birthday, Jesus!

An Elfin' Good Time

Take a moment and Elf Yourself. I did. It is funny! Be sure to pick a happy picture though. I didn't do a very good job with B-rex. He looks like a mad elf.

To see us elfed, just click here.

Holiday Open House 2007

I am posting a day early, because I know I can't do this at work tomorrow. And I have a few last minute gifts to go buy tomorrow night while Hubs is actually at home. And some more decorating to do. He gave me permission to go ALL OUT on Christmas decorations! I am so excited! I will be heading to my local Target to gather provisions. I am really excited! I may have to post again just so I can show the updated decor!

Anyway, I have had the pleasure this year of "decorating" two homes. The one we live in full-time and the one we live in on the weekends. Both need some work on the festive end, but they will do for now.

Our "Old" House, as Cheeseman calls it:

These Pooh Bears are ones I collected when I worked at the Disney Store in college. They are the first thing you see when you enter my home. Festive, no? Love my Santa too!
Our tree without and with children:
The mantle. You can't see the stocking hung with care, but they're there!
This is the lovely wreath that would hang on the front door if I could ever remember to buy a hanger-thing. A co-worker of mine made this. Isn't it beautiful?

Now, on to the "new" house:
Our tree, complete with candy canes that the children love.
Yes, the noel has moved houses. Doesn't it look lovely? My stepmom made this for us.

The couch in our new house. I like the $5 pillows from Dollar General.

The boys love to decorate a tree! They get that from me, of course.

That's it! The outsides are not done AT ALL! I'll be getting right on that.