Excuse?
Our computer is dying a slow death. It will only run in SAFE mode :-( and everything is SO slow! We have a mini laptop that is getting us through, but it isn't as nice as using a 24" screen! We're looking into buying a new one once we file taxes, etc. We're actually really looking at an iMac {gasp}... I've never owned a Mac, so I'm sure it will be something to get used to, but I'm up for the challenge :-)
Anyway... that's why I haven't been too good at keeping up with the blog. I will try to be better. Lots of things have happened since last I wrote.
Christmas {Merry Christmas -- I hope that it was great}
I failed. I failed to send Christmas cards out this year. I'm not really sure why, either. We had the pictures. Oh well... Merry Christmas anyway!
Tornado:
Luckily, we weren't at our house for this one. Only 1/4 mi away from us, houses were flattened. Thank God {literally, I thank God} that no one was seriously hurt. Since it was holiday leave for most of the military community, only 10 of the 25 families who lost their houses (completely) were here... and not all of them were in their houses at the time. Such a blessing. I even read a Chaplain's article that said it just shows us all to remember to believe in everyday miracles.
New Year's 2011:
We were in a hotel... because our street didn't have power, water or gas due to the tornado. Not our ideal way to spend New Year's, but we were together and it doesn't get much better than that!
Home again, home again, jiggety jig:
I love visiting family. I love watching my kids snuggle up close to their extended family like they've lived with them their whole lives. Everybody who knows me, knows that I love the Army life. I love the excitement of new moves and meeting new friends. But there's something that I miss. I miss being around my family. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing out on 'knowing' them. And I'm not talking about my sisters or parents. I talk with them. I'm talking about the cousins that I only (now) see once a year, if I'm lucky. But, I am thankful for today's technology. If it weren't for Facebook, I don't think I'd know what some of my family look like! And that's just sad.
So, having said I love visiting family, I must say, I like being home. I like having my space, with my rules and my stuff. I would just like my house to be nearer to home. {And that statement only makes sense if moving is a part of your yearly routine!}
Routine:
Kids are back in school. Check.
Two snow days already since being back from Christmas break. Check.
Christmas play - that was missed because of another snow day before Christmas. Check
Third grade music program. Check.
Promotion parties. Birthday parties. Music class. Dance class. All of these things go into my routine. Most days I love it. Most days...
I can't wait to see what happens today!
Here are lots and lots of pictures! Enjoy!
Can we say... girls fighting over their Grand-daddy's lap?!?
We know and love that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus's birth. We love spending the holiday with family. We are also happy to get to celebrate in this little princess's birthday celebration too! Happy 2nd, Holly-Bolly!
This picture has been altered to protect the manliness of the guilty... in about 10 years :-) Of COURSE boys can dress in their sister's princess dresses!
This branch of pine was brought into mom's house by my boys... who felt the need to SMELL pine!
Nothing better than a walk in the woods at Mamaw's house!
Christmas Eve craziness!
We kind of got 'stuck' in NC for an extra day thanks to a whole bunch of whiteness! There's no place I'd rather be stuck :-)
Mmmm... vanilla {and various other flavors, but who cares about any of the other flavors?!?} tooties filled stockings. It's like Santa knew they were my favorite :-)
After leaving NC, we made our way to GA for some more family time! Sam was in heaven with big girls who liked to play with him!
No other words required... I love you too Bubba {even with dirty chocolate milk mouth}!
Faithers also loved being around big girls who loved playing... and curling hair :-)
Gracie just loved being there! She loves all of her cousins... and wants to go back for a week this summer. Umm... yeah... probably not going to happen! I don't think I'm ready for that!
I think Bones is teething (molars)... he's chewing everything. He fell asleep chewing Mr Potato Head's arm!
