Dave's Ordination

This Sunday Dave was ordained as a Deacon at church.  The process began back in the Fall when he was notified that someone had nominated him to serve as a Deacon.  At that point we had no idea who nominated him or what the role even meant.  Throughout the following weeks Dave did a lot of research and decided to pursue this calling to serve at Carmel.  We attended an interview together and then the committee notified him that he had been selected!  So, Sunday was the big service (and pot luck lunch) where he was officially put into service.

We really had no idea what the service would be like, but it was such a sweet experience for our family.  The ordination service focused on how the role of Deacon is one of a servant and how they truly are additional ministers of the church, called by God to serve in this important role.  At the end the new deacons all sat in chairs in front of the church with their wives behind them while the pastors, elders and other deacons prayed over them.  This was so powerful!  To see so many men in the church that have known us forever surround and pray over Dave was such a blessing.  There were three other men from Sunday school who showed up just to support Dave too . . and his parents came from Georgia for the weekend as well.  

Our family is excited to see what God has planned as Dave steps into this new role.  We are praying that we get an adopted widow and that we are able to give back to the church that has loved us so well for so long!

Panthers Fun & American Girl Adventure

WEE school celebrating the Panthers!

This week both kids had Panther's spirit days at school.  On Friday WEE school went all out with providing hotdogs for lunch, giving every kid a football, and even a visit from Sir Purr!  Savannah just had to wear Panther's colors, but still the football spirit is in the air!  Go (stinky) Panthers!

Bright and early this morning we headed to Preston's basketball game.  Then afterwards Miss Kristin picked up Savannah for her first American Girl store experience.  She texted me shortly after their arrival and said the giggles had already started.  I love it!  But even more than that, I love this sweet family.  Three years was a long time to wait for their return, but we are very thankful they are back . . .sorry side note. :)

Savannah asked if she could take money out of her bank account to get Saige's hair done at the salon.  Since she just put all of her Christmas money in savings and only had $.50 here at home I said that would be a good way to spend her money.  She was SO excited to get Saige dressed and take her to the real AG salon.

Saige getting all styled up

Savannah & Saige

Kristin truly made this a fun event for the girls. They had smoothies at the mall afterwards and then went back to their house to play.  I had one happy girl when she got home!!  And now Grammy & Papa are here for the weekend.  Let the fun begin. :)

SeaLife Aquarium

The weather the past two days has been cold, rainy, and just all out dreary.  After a day at home (and a few errands) yesterday I told the kids we had to do something fun today!  So we headed to Concord to visit the new aquarium.

It only took us about 40 minutes to go through it all, but it was a fun adventure none-the-less.  Here's hoping the weather is better tomorrow . . .

Merry, Merry Christmas 2014!!

This year our tree was upstairs on the landing due to our floor situation downstairs . . so it was a bit different with not being able to gather around the tree for a family picture.  Anyway, everyone rolled with it and it was truly a Christmas to remember!

Kids first coming out of their rooms

Opening gifts from mommy and daddy

After all of the gifts under the tree were opened, we went downstairs to see what Santa left.  Full stockings, a basketball goal for Preston, and an iPad mini for Savannah!!

Someone was a bit excited . . 

Preston and Dave sporting their new Clemson hats

 And our "family" picture of stocking feet!  You can even see our Christmas jammies. :)

After a yummy breakfast and quick showers we packed up the car and headed to Burlington for Christmas with my family.

Cousins, missing Taylor

It was pretty much chaos, as usual, but super fun to celebrate Christmas all together.  I'm so blessed to have all of our family within driving distance making it easy to see everyone at the holidays.

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends!!  I pray your day was filled with as much laughter, fun, love, and memories as ours was . . . for the record this gathering Taylor knocked over the plant stand and poinsettia. :)

Our New Kitchen!!

I was beginning to think it would never be done, but thankfully as of today we are officially back in our house!  Woo hoo!!!  We still have to be really careful with the newly stained floors, it looks like a bomb exploded in our living room with everything still in boxes and our new furniture still hasn't arrived, but at least we are back in the house with full access. :)

These pictures do not do our amazing kitchen justice at all. It is truly my dream kitchen!!!

A Hotel in Charlotte, What an Odd feeling!

Once we arrived home from Christmas in SC, we still had to be out of our house for 2 more nights.  We decided to stay in a local hotel to make it easier on everyone . . . but boy was it an odd feeling!  Thankfully we were able to schedule a small Christmas outing to see the gingerbread creations at the Ballantyne Resort with our friends the Marions.

Aren't the big girls ALWAYS wondering what their little brothers are doing?

Sweet Friends!

 It was a fun morning followed by a trip to the library.  Then Kristin invited my kiddos over for an afternoon play date.  Honestly I'm not sure who was more excited, me or them!  I was able to use a board to get over the wet wood floors downstairs to work on a weeks worth of laundry and to finish up the wrapping upstairs.  Whew!  After I picked the kids up, it was back to the hotel for one more night.

Christmas In Simpsonville!

Due to our home renovations we celebrated Christmas with Dave's side of the family at Susan's house in Simpsonville this year.  When we arrived Alyssa wasn't feeling well and ended up at the doctor on Saturday morning with strep. :(  Thankfully the antibiotic kicked in quickly and she was almost back to normal by Sunday morning!  

Our annual family picture after all of the gift opening . . and boy was there some gift opening.  We were very blessed with not only all of the loot and delicious meal, but also for being able to celebrate together as a family.

Cousins with their new beach cup holders, thanks Susan!

Grammy & Papa with the grandkids

  And once the meal was over and the gifts were opened, this is how the kids spent the rest of the afternoon . . . big kids on the mini ipad

  . . and little kids playing in the doll house!

 Once things were cleaned up, we all went to the Greenville Santa Run.  It was quite chilly, but we made it!  Grammy kept the little kiddos while everyone else did the night run.  It was not marked very well and was quite a bit over a 5k, but hey, at least we got light up Santa hats. :)

After the race we headed to a local house to see the amazing light display.  I was soaking wet from the race so I opted to stay in the car, but the rest of the crew loved seeing the lights and having hot cocoa and popcorn that the homeowners were handing out.  Then it was back to Susan's for dessert!

What a fun weekend.  A huge thank you goes out to Susan for letting us stay at her house two nights while our floors were being finished . . . and for putting up with the mess of having so many people in your house at Christmas!