Farewell 2009

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance . . .

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4

A year ago I never could have imagined what the year ahead would hold for our family. We've rejoiced and celebrated God's amazing gifts with the birth of Preston and in watching Savannah grow and develop into a beautiful, smart little lady. However, we've also experienced our saddest days watching my mom die. This side of heaven I'll probably never understand what we've been through and why it happened as it did, but I do know that it was all part of God's perfect plan for us. Although I am anxious to leave this year behind and begin a brand new one, I think it's important to remember the lessons learned, the friends who have walked with us, and above all how faithful the Lord has been to us. We've made more decisions that I care to recall, from surgery options while pregnant to when to go visit mom at Hospice, but each time He led the way. He has truly led us through the fiery furnace. Now here I sit with a healthy, happy family ready to begin a new year, a new decade even . . . and oh how ready we are to laugh and dance through some happier seasons of life!

To our family and friends who've journeyed with us, we couldn't have made it without you. We are forever grateful for your love, support, and encouragement through 2009.

Happy New Year!!

Savannah's Artwork

I just had to share Savannah's latest art pictures. Normally coloring for her lasts about 2 minutes and it's nothing but scribble ALL over the page. However, today she received a super cool gift from one of my nearest and dearest friends and let me tell you I couldn't drag her away from coloring! She chose to color instead of having lunch and that is saying something for this princess. Anyway, when she finished I sat in amazement at how much her coloring has improved. I guess when she's really into something she puts forth a lot of effort because for the most part she actually colored in the lines! In the pink picture she even thought to color Tinkerbell's hair yellow. I sure am proud of my little girl!

Merry Christmas 2009

We started our Christmas festivities early this year and will end them later than normal too. What fun to be able to celebrate Christ's birth for almost two weeks!! Here is a little peek into our fun so far:

Tuesday 12/22: Jamen and his parents came for a visit. It was fun visiting with them, opening gifts, and having lunch out at Chick fil A. I didn't even think to take a picture, but I assure you with Earl (Jamen's dad) here there wasn't a dull moment!

Wednesday 12/23: Denny, Madison, and Dillon came to visit for the morning. Kristin had to work and we missed having her here for sure. It was fun seeing Savannah play with her cousins. They have SO much fun together . . . which makes me sad that they don't get to see each other more often. Anyway, we exchanged gifts and headed to Chick fil A for lunch again. (Now I guess it makes sense why Savannah says "my pleasure" instead of you're welcome)

Me with Maddie, Savannah, and Dillon

Thursday 12/24: This year we had our Christmas with my side of the family here in Charlotte. It was SO nice not to have to pack up two kids and all of their equipment along with the gifts and head out of town. We enjoyed having grandma, dad, Deborah, Mark and Carol here for a late lunch. The food was plentiful and so were the gifts! After Dad and Deborah get through giving gifts, there really is nothing left for Santa to bring. Even Savannah agreed that Santa didn't need to come! What fun it is to experience Christmas through the eyes of a child!

Matching Christmas sweaters!

Preston loves his new sock monkey . . . and Pawpaw too!

Savannah, the rock star!

A family shot (Preston was sleeping)

Pawpaw helping Savannah learn to play her pink Dora guitar. "Now I can be in a big parade!"

Pure joy! She got this hair cut set from Grandma!

Pawpaw, our crazy kids, and Deborah

Friday 12/25: Our little family celebrated Christmas here, in our own house! It was quite a bit different not waking up in mom's house with the smell of a delicious breakfast, but we did it. After opening Santa's gifts I attempted to make mom's french toast (it didn't even come close to hers) and we exchanged our presents. We stayed in our pajamas most of the day and just enjoyed being with our family here at home.

Savannah and Preston with their emptied stockings

Savannah with her new hair cut station! Enough pictures mom, let me play!!

The annual stocking picture

Preston enjoying a gift from Pawpaw and Deborah

We are excited about celebrating Christmas with Dave's side of the family this coming weekend. Now if I can just get all of these toys put away in time! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed precious time with family and friends. If there's one thing I've learned over the past year it's to NEVER EVER take a second with family for granted. It sure was different without mom, but what an incredible Christmas she must have had celebrating Jesus' birth with Him!! She probably even helped bake him a cake and some of her famous maple cream candies. :)

Growing Fast

WOW! It seem like just a few days ago I was updating the blog about Preston's 4 month appointment and here we are at 6 months already! He was a trooper this morning and got a good "check out" as Savannah's calls it. He's still in the 75th percentile weighing 18 pounds, 4 ounces and is 27 inches long! I checked Savannah's baby book and 7 months was a huge development month for her so I'm expecting a similar pattern with Preston this month. We'll see, but I'm hoping he starts saying a word or two and steadys the sitting up. We're enjoying each day with him now, especially since he's spitting a little less and laughing a lot more! What a sweet, happy baby he is most of the time . . . if only he'd sleep a little more. :)

Sleigh Ride

Just about every time we pass the Arboretum Savannah has asked about when we could go on the horse sleigh ride. So, being that time was running out, we decided to bundle up and head over there after dinner tonight. I'm not sure what happened to my brain, but when we arrived at the Arboretum we quickly realized that I had forgotten Savannah's coat (got it out, just left it on the table at home), my mittens, and Dave's gloves. At least Preston was fully clothed and warm. I did have an extra blanket that we tried to wrap around Savannah but she refused so I gave her my coat. Anyway, it was a fun night and a new experience! I'm starting to gear up for the holiday this week . . . the cards are all sent, shopping and wrapping is all done, and the meals are planned. Woo hoo! I can't wait!!!!

Chick fil A

You know you've been to Chick fil A one too many times when your child responds to a thank you with "my pleasure" instead of you're welcome!! Gotta love the mind of a toddler!

Joy and a Prayer Request

Today my heart has been just plain filled with JOY! It's been a looooong time since I could say that, but honestly today I was able to let some of the mess go and just enjoy my kiddos. Now we still had a few errands to run and of course there were the usual meltdowns from not getting to watch TV all day (Savannah) and having to take a nap (Preston), but overall it was a great day. I just couldn't get enough hugs and kisses from those two and savored each minute I held the little one today. Oh what a gift they really are!

Now onto the prayer request . . . my friend Donna's husband works for Billy Graham Association and travels A LOT! I think he was making yet another trip to hand out shoe boxes to the children this week and became really sick. He has been in the hospital for a few days having tests run and they aren't releasing him to fly home because some numbers associated with his gallbladder are elevated. If the numbers are not down by tomorrow, he will have to have surgery there and possibly spend the holidays in Poland. Donna is set to fly there tomorrow morning if indeed they will have to do surgery on her husband. Please pray that his numbers are down and he can safely fly home instead of having surgery there! Donna has been a true woman of faith this week truly leaving things in the Lords hands, but please pray for her too!

Savannah's First Ballet Recital

This morning we all got up bright and early and headed to Savannah's first dance recital. She was SO excited and looked just adorable in her tutu! Dave and I were quite impressed how well she did after only 3 months of a half hour class on Saturdays. Most of the kids didn't know what to do once on stage, but not our Savannah. She loved it!

Crazy or Just Plain Lazy?

Okay, so I'm wondering whether people out there shopping on eBay are crazy or just plain lazy. I bought a really good game at Target (okay, so I bought 4 of them) a few weeks ago thinking I would give them as gifts. I bought them all on sale and used coupons, ending up paying only $3.11 each, including tax. The game retails for around $16 with tax so I really got a good deal. However, after piling up everything I bought for presents I realized I had way too many and decided to list them on eBay. One just sold today and someone paid $27.45 for this game! So, are they just lazy not wanting to go to Target (or any other mass retailer) or just crazy?? Either way, it works for me! :)

Determined and Curious

Today I set Preston in the floor to have a little tummy time and before I knew it he caught a glimpse of the Christmas tree and Savannah's nativity set. Once he saw them he was determined to reach them . . . and after many rolls at various angles, he achieved his goal. The first casualty was Savannah's perfectly aligned nativity. He was most intrigued with the fuzzy sheep. Once he had that and of course had tasted it, he continued towards the packages under the tree. He was about to taste them too before I pulled him away.

A Big Parade

Savannah has asked for two things for Christmas, "a hair cut thing and a pink guitar". I guess the first request is a way for mom to be a part of Christmas since she was a hairdresser. It's funny how Savannah has never been interested in cutting hair until she saw the "hair cut thing" in the Toys R Us big toy book and now it's all she talks about. I'm sure mom is smiling down from heaven seeing her granddaughter wanting to be a hairdresser. :) The second request I thought was a result of the letter "G" show and tell week at WEE school. Savannah's friend Gavin brought in a guitar and ever since she has talked about wanting a guitar, only she wants a pink one. However, yesterday I was on the computer and she asked for me to play her favorite song, Mighty to Save. So I pulled up Youtube and got the song going. She sat and stared at the computer through the entire video and half way through says to me "Mom, when I get my pink guitar I'm going to be in a big parade. You and dad can come too, and dad can play his guitar." (I'm thinking good luck with that one, but anyway . . .) Trying to clarify I asked her if she meant that she wanted to play a guitar in a band and she says "yeah, and you guys can come too." So now I think she is just really into music and wants to play in a band someday.