Merry Christmas

What a December! I don't think I've ever been so busy.

She spent last weekend with my parents and enjoyed her first Winston Salem snow. She had a GREAT time which is why I'm glad I bought snow gear for Christmas. I'm hoping to take her tubing at some point so she will be set to enjoy it all.

We are having brunch with Santa this weekend, going to see the lights in McAdenville and to the Billy Graham Library for their Christmas celebration. Next weekend we are having 6 or 7 girls over to decorate Christmas cookies and maybe cupcakes. Of course, I will be posting a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

All of my shopping is done (I think) and now I just have to help Santa wrap a few things. No gift assembly in my Christmas Eve future. YES!!!!

We spent our 1st Thanksgiving together in Atlanta and had a great time. We went to the GA Aquarium for the first time. What an awesome place.

I hope that everyone has a great Christmas. If you have any fun traditions that you and your family have created throughout the years, please share them with me.

We have been very busy lately and from what I can tell, we will only get busier in the next few weeks.

We went to see MegaMinds this weekend and let me just say it should have been called MegaFlop in my opinion. Journey (the child who NEVER naps) asked me if she could go to sleep during the movie. She and several children around us kept asking if it was almost over and trust me, I couldn't wait until the answer to that question was yes!

We went to Old Salem this weekend and of course, I snapped a few pictures! She had a great time playing with Ella and we finished the evening at Mayberry's so you know she was a happy girl!

Journey and I went Christmas shopping on Saturday. This trip was for her to buy gifts for those on her shopping list. I explained that this wasn't a trip for her - that it was better to give than to receive. She was excited at first but we need a little more work for that concept to be embraced. She did a great job selecting items though. She can't wait to wrap them so this should be fun.

Nana bought us two beautiful Christmas night lights that are now up in our living room. I'm sure Christmas decorations will start making their way out of storage soon.

We'll be on our way to Atlanta soon and we are looking forward to spending some time with family. We'll be making a stop at the Atlanta Aquarium which will be a lot of fun!

I'm sure I'll post something again before Thanksgiving but if not....HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg!!!!

Happy Halloween & Fall

Journey and I had a fun October! I thought I'd share a video so you could see some of our activities.

We went to Trunk or Treat on Saturday at Fairview UMC and had a great time.

My Dorothy and Toto were exhausted but everyone had fun!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fun @ the Fair - Take Two

Yes, we went to the fair again this past Saturday! It was VERY crowded but fun so we can't complain. She had fun playing with Rebekah and Sarah.

She had a great weekend. She was able to spend the night with Nana and Papa and they always have fun together. They baked cookies, she ate ice cream and pancakes for dinner. I'm shocked she wanted to come home. :-)

She asked me last night if I'd ever been to Disney and said she'd like to go there next. Oh my, I think that will be a little more expensive than two trips to the fair. :-)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fun @ the Fair

We had a great time at the fair this weekend. The whole family was able to go together.

We went to the park on Sunday and she had a lot of fun. Overall, we had a fantastic weekend.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

She lost her 1st tooth

I guess the title of this entry says it all! She lost her 1st tooth at school yesterday and she said that she didn't even cry. Here's hoping they all go as smoothly.

She left a washcloth out for the tooth fairy b/c it was raining last night. The tooth fairy left her a nice note thanking her for the clean tooth and the washcloth.

She doesn't have a bad gap b/c her new tooth is already coming in. She's still very proud of it though.

We went to Columbia this weekend to visit Shannon, Jerry, Karli and Sara and had a great time. This was our first road trip (without Nana and Papa) and although she protested going without them, we had an easy trip just the same. DVD players for the car are an awesome thing. When I was a child all I had to entertain myself was a book and arguing over the "line" in the backseat that Kelly was not allowed to cross. :-)

Fishing with Jerry

Holding her bait

Playing with Karli and Sara

Hero Day!

Today is Hero Day at Journey's school. The first time I heard about it, it was called Character Day so she wanted to go as a Princess which was fine. Then I found out it was actually Hero Day. How was I going to convince her to go as something other than a Princess? Well, it was much easier than I thought it would be. I told her that she could go as a soldier and that Papa was a soldier and he would LOVE it if she was one too. Plus, she got a new belt and tights which didn't hurt.

Anyway, I've posted of a few pics of her as a soldier. I asked her as she was leaving - what she was going to tell the teacher that she was. She thought for a minute and said a Princess Soldier. I said, sounds good! That's what I call compromise! She did after all have on hot pink tennis shoes.

I found this poem online and thought I'd share.

The Cost of a Soldier

A true soldier is tough indeed

standing tall and strong when there is a need

A soldier also feels sadness, pain and sorrow

Somtimes not looking forward to the trials of tomorrow
When a soldier is wounded in battle

the nerves of his buddies it does rattle

When news reaches friends and family at home

How their worries and minds begin to roam

A wounded soldier feels inadequate at best

stopping him from much needed healing rest

A wounded soldier wonders will he ever be alright

trusting in God that he'll make it through the night.
When a soldier is wounded far beyond repair

the loss and pain felt can not compare

The cost of a solder is set so very high

they assure our freedom will always apply
To stand beside a soldier and walk through his pain

will humble a civilian , no longer to complain

Love, patience, trust and hope is what a soldier needs

to get him through some very treacherous deeds

Dear Lord, please watch over our Military today

as they work to keep our freedom everyday

For the wounded and the families of soldiers lost

Please bless them with abundant love, for we know not the cost.

The cost of a soldier is set very high

our support for them we should never deny.

Denise Girod

Say thank you to your hero today.....Police officers, firemen, soldiers, moms, dads, teachers, etc.

Thanks CSM Brooks aka Daddy aka Papa, we will never forget your sacrifice!