Hermie is Back

After seeing Santa this week,

I told EK I was pretty sure Hermie would be coming soon.

Can you believe he grabbed a ride in

Savannah's back seat?

The girls thought it was SO funny!

He was quick to choose a spot so he could watch the girls.

I'm pretty sure he was able to give Santa

a good report when he flew there last night.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!

Santa Visit

Yesterday we went for bridesmaids and flower girl

dress fittings~ then to see Santa and a little shopping.

We stopped in a new store~ Charming Charlie

and SJ found a cute lip gloss that she loved.

I usually let her carry something around

and put it back at the last minute.

As we were walking through the mall,

I noticed she was putting lip gloss on~

Oh no... we forgot to put it back

so went back later and paid for it.

We made it to see Santa~

EK was still very shy with him

but SJ went right to him and wasn't scared at all.

He did most of the talking and they just nodded.

We shot a few sweet pics.

And when the visit was complete,

both girls walked away...

SJ turned around to look at Santa one more time

then went back for a hug. :)

The little girls wanted to ride the carousel

while the big girls shopped.

EK rides the black horse EVERY time~

she loves it.

SJ just rides the closest one to EK. ;)

They would have ridden 10 times if we had let them.

We ended the night with a yummy meal @ PF Changs

and looking forward to our next visit with Santa.

Christmas Cards

About three weeks ago,

we took the girls to a friend's house

and shot pictures for our Christmas card.

I LOVE sending out cards

but LOVE LOVE LOVE getting them in the mail even more.

EK and I made it daily adventure

to walk to the mailbox each day and open our cards together.

Once opened,

they are hung on our Christmas card tree. :)

Each time I pass that tree in a day,

I pray for the many families represented~

that they might have a very blessed Christmas season!

Last year, I ordered our Christmas cards from Shutterfly

and plan on doing the same this year.

I love Shutterfly,

because it is easy, user-friendly

and they have the largest selection of cards I've ever seen.

One of my favorite features is the "preview" feature

so I am able to see what our cards will look like

before actually placing my order.

They have three different types of cards to choose from.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Another of my favorite Shutterfly products is the Photo Books!

They are one of the best ways to preserve memories

for you or a gift.

You can actually choose between

a Simple Path or Custom Path book.

Preserving and cherishing memories couldn't be simpler

or more beautiful than in a Shutterfly Photo book.

I'm excited to drop my photos into a card

so I can place my order! It will be a tough decision!

{Legal Disclaimer: All opinions are mine, but I was offered 50 free cards from Shutterfly in exchange for this review. If you would like more information about this promotion, click here.}

My Christmas Cheer

My favorite Christmas things that bring Cheer

to our house this time of year. :)

1~ Family Tree: all the things the girls have made

and the ornaments we have given them

2~ Snowman Tree: Being a teacher for so long

allows you to collect MANY ornaments

3~ Christmas Card Tree: I hang all the photo cards

we receive on this tree.

4~ Santa Tree~ all Santa ornaments

5~ Frame Tree: Little frames with photos

of family through the years~

especially their first Santa visit. :)

My Willow Tree Nativity is my FAVORITE thing

I put out and have ordered the Shepherds and Wise Men.

My Santa collection

and a little tree that has ornaments that I cross stitched

the Christmas before we went to get EK.

I used my waiting time to make something beautiful!

I also started buying a new Christmas frame each year

to put our Christmas card photo in

and they are sprinkled around the house. :)

And now a sweet story about SJ~

Most every night since we got her

we have said the blessing as a family

modeling for her being thankful.

"God is great, God is good..."

And every time we asked her to say it with us

or bow her head, she just shook her head.

That was fine with us~

I loved peeking at her and she was always watching us all

so seriously... taking it all in.

BUT last night as we all began to pray...

we heard the sweetest voice speaking over us all~

with all her heart and her eyes closed...

she said the blessing, speaking every single word,

and we all gave the biggest cheer for her and to Jesus!!!

I had her pose for this precious photo~ look at those sweet eye lashes.

Another sweet moment not long after we got home

as I was singing Jesus Loves Me to her

while getting her to sleep,

she reached over and put her finger over my lips

and sang the whole verse and chorus by herself.

My most earnest prayer for all my children

has been to know Jesus and His love for them...

encouraging them to pour out that love on others!

I think SJ is beginning to get it. PTL!!!

Thank you Jesus for this precious gift

this wonderful Christmas season!!!

OH and just in case you think everything here is all

Christmas goodies and happy cheer...

SJ just bit the fire out of EK because she was trying to wipe her nose~ personal space I guess.

Ummmm... let me go and figure out how to handle this one.

Happy Friday!!!

PS... Another big thank you to Cyrise who helped make all this beauty happen this year!!!

It's Beginning to LOOK a lot like Christmas

Halloween to New Years is my favorite time of the year.

I can't wait to decorate each year

and generally do so early because I put out so much.

This year I debated about how much and when to do it.

My friends have been SO supportive~ I would say...

"I really want to put up my tree"

one would say~ Do it!

SO Sunday when all the girls and Josh were home,

we pulled out the big tree and had a ball

decorating our it~

SJ's first Christmas Tree and she LOVED it!!!

Can you tell a couple of littles were really tired?

SJ's first Christmas tree!

And then I would say...

"Not sure I am going to do everything this year"

Another friend steps in to DO IT with me!!!

My sweet friend Cyrise offered and came over today

to help me (and the girls) decorate.

She came prepared...

sitckers and coloring books for the girls. :)

We had so much fun talking,

decorating trees, putting out all my Santas,

and nativity scenes.

Thanks Cyrise!!!

I love having everything out for SJ's first Christmas!!!

Now it's time to enjoy

The REASON for the Season!!!

Luke 2:7 NIV

She gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

Christmas 2009

Everyone gave me a hard time when I put my decorations up the first of November but now here we are after Christmas... and didn't it fly by? That's why I do it all so early- time to enjoy and not be rushed during the best time of the year! And the BEST it was... they get better every year.

It was so wonderful to have everyone home for the holidays. Marcia and kids came Tuesday and my mom had cataract surgery Wednesday (she has done very well!). We all spent tons of time together, eating our meals together, going to the movies, playing the Wii, drinking coffee, and just hanging out. Mill and Jake went on the their first real date Wed and I could barely breath as they drove away. They went to dinner and a movie. They had a great time!!!



Christmas morning was so great! Scott and I set our clock so we would be up before our little rooster (EK). We made coffee and it wasn't long before we heard her getting up. We sent her upstairs to wake her sisters and they all made their way downstairs for the reveal. Everyone loved their gifts from us and Santa. Lots of surprises. I think EK loved her easel the most. That is until Josh brought her the walking horse. Boy was she so excited and then there were the girls in their zebra snuggies- just look at that big laugh from Mill. We ate a delicious meal with all the fixings right down to the delicious yummies Amy brought over and the wonderful red velvet cake Jessie brought!!!






Jason and Amy said this was the best Christmas ever with Max... he LOVED all his new toys, especially his tractor.



Time with family was just the best! We LOVED having everyone over for food, gifts, and just plain fun! Sad it's all over but thankful to have everything cleaned up and put away!!! Looking forward to our next get together... hmmm I think someone is turning 45 in a month or so. Just saying...

Blessings,

Early Christmas Get Together

Susan and Tony invited our family over for dinner and gifts last evening.



Scott's sister, Jan and her husband Ray, daughter Jennifer, and 2 grandchildren all came in from NC for a visit so it was the perfect time for us all to get together. EK and her 2 cousins Carson and Robert didn't take long to warm up to each other and were the best of friends. After a delicious dinner of potato soup and chili, we all shared gifts for each other. EK could barely come home and go to bed she was so excited about her new gifts. Needless to say, she was up first thing playing with her new toys! It was a sweet time with family!!!



Blessings,

Harkness Ornament Party

EK and I enjoyed a wonderful time at the Harkness' home on Sunday. They always host a fun mother/daughter ornament exchange party. We were surrounded by so many sweet friends in the adoption community. Both of us came home with very cute ornaments and plenty of Christmas spirit!!! Take a look at all the dolls that were there!!!



Blessings,

through the eyes of our children

Friday night we were able to enjoy our local Christmas parade with EK and Max. They LOVED it! Max kept screaming with delight and EK just watched mesmerized! I think Max liked the lights the best and EK definitely loved the ONE white horse the best. Even in the cold, we were able to make a wonderful holiday memory.







Blessings,

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was so wonderful. We got up slowly and I prepared all the food I would be serving on Christmas Day for our family. We all got dressed and went to Anderson for lunch and a movie. No one really wanted to see a movie, except EK so we bought her one and came home. Our church had a beautiful Christmas Eve service with the Lord's Supper and candlelight. Very special for our family because we have always gone to church on Christmas Eve. We came home to make cheese toast for dinner and all the girls opened new pjs to sleep in. So cute!!!

Well if you ask my family if I like surprises or presents, they would say no... I can't stand to have a gift under the tree- the suspense is TOO much for me. It is best if I don't even know I am getting a gift OR just let me get it and start using it as soon as I buy it. So... Scott really didn't ask me what I might want or even hint he had gotten me anything. The girls actually let it slip that my present had been sent to a friend's house and after they had wrapped it, hid it from me. That is a good thing considering that one time long ago, Scott had placed a gift under our tree for me and I actually opened it while he was at work and wrapped it back up. I couldn't stand it!!! All that to say, they let me open my gift on Christmas Eve since I might need it the next day... hmmm... what would I need the next day? I got a new lens for my camera... 100mm. Sweet!!!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was great! The big girls waited for EllaKate to wake up and then we all came into the family room to see what Santa had left. EK gasped as she saw all the gifts- so sweet. We opened all the presents and ate a delicious breakfast. The girls spent the morning enjoying all their gifts and hanging out. I cooked and Scott went to the barn. Josh came up to eat with us and brought everyone great gifts. Momma, Daddy, Susan and Tony ate with us too.

Here is EK opening her third gift from Josh... Thanks Josh for all the great gifts and time spent with our family!!!

Like I said, it was one of the best!!! Thank you Jesus for coming to earth to be born as our Savior and the King of our Christmas. Can't wait until next year!!!