Joy

Galatians 5:22-23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

When I look at this picture of baby Collin, all I see is joy. Love it.

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas season our family had a lot of fun, especially with adding another little boy to all the madness. I loved making Christmas crafts with them, including thumbprint reindeer and a huge hand print Christmas tree. We read a lot of Christmas books and watched a lot of Christmas movies too, including our favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Some of this season's more comical highlights:
McLain: "Mom, Santa is like a stalker. But better."
Keaton: "Mama? You wet me out of dis buggy? If you don't, you go on da NAUGHTY list!"

Both of our families went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. We were very proud of Clay and his version of a modern day, redneck shepherd. Please view the attached link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozt6lNIIa1g&feature=share

We had a very relaxing Christmas day. We spent the morning at home in our pajamas and the evening with both of our families at my parents' house. I love that we all enjoy being together. Can't wait to do it again next year!

Thankful 30... Last One!

Day Thirty!

Today, I am most grateful for my Jesus. I know that I am undeserving of all the blessings I've written about this month, but I'm so thankful for a heavenly Father who loves me enough to bless me with them anyway. Thank you Lord for your sacrifice, your love, and your blessings on my family and myself.

Thankful 30...

Day Twenty-Nine

Today, I am thankful for my friends, the ones I've known for most of my life as well more recent ones. I cannot imagine my life without girl friends to vent to or to share crazy children stories with. Thank you Lord for my besties!

Thankful 30...

Day Twenty-Eight

Today, I am thankful for pictures. Yes, that's a little random, but it's SO true. I love looking at pictures of my boys and having pictures of my family all over my house. Nothing cracks me up more than old pictures, especially the scary ones from middle school. Sometimes , I wouldn't mind losing a few of them... :) I'm very grateful that Clay got me a new camera for Christmas last year, so that I'd have lots of good pictures of baby Collin. Thank you Lord for pictures and the memories they preserve! I'm posting a few of my favorites.

Thankful 30...

Day Twenty-Seven

Today, I am thankful for my in-laws, all four of them. I have the best. Period. I've been fortunate to watch my sister-in-laws grow up over the years. My first memory of meeting them was when they were three and five. When I went to pick up Clay for our first date (no, he was not old enough to drive!), Courtney opened the door, wearing only her underpants. I didn't know then that she was going to grow up to be my sister-in-law and my Keaton's anti-clothes wearing soul mate! When they were older, I baby-sat the girls. I remember filling up water balloons and helping Ashley stuff her bra with them. I'll be nice and not post a picture of that day! Thank you Lord for the only kind of sisters I have!

I love my mother-in-law, because she has burned more bread than any other person I know. A meal just doesn't seem right at her house if the bread isn't at least a little crispy. Plus, I think Mimi loves my boys more than I do if that's possible. I have to adore my father-in-law, because he is more sensitive than any girl I know and owns his weepiness without shame. Pop-Pop also plays air guitar every Sunday at church, which cracks me up, and he is a fierce fisherman who has passed his passion along to McLain. They are both great people with big hearts. Thank you Lord for my in-laws who raised the man I love so well!

Thankful 30...

Day Twenty-Six

Today, I'm thankful for my most favorite Christmas tradition. At least seven or eight times during the Christmas season, I pack up my boys and we search for neighborhoods filled with houses covered in lights, the more bright colored lights and tacky, inflatable displays the better! (The insanely decorated house on Brookwood Drive is our ABSOLUTE favorite.) We always listen to Christmas music and drink hot chocolate along the way. Tonight, we included baby Collin in this tradition for the first time. His reaction was to fall asleep. :) Thank you Lord for this fun, light-filled season with my boys!