Happy New Year!!!

You know I've been busy if I haven't read a book since October.
I just had a few minutes to think and reflect on all that has gone on the past few months. As busy as we've been with everyday activities (just as everyone else), we've been so blessed, in so many different ways. With Jay resting, the girls watching Enchanted, and church in a couple hours, I'm taking just a few more minutes to myself.

Starting with the most recent blessings, I can't believe I'm the mother of a nine year old. Rebecca had her birthday a few weeks ago. Being with her day in and day out, you don't necessarily see all the wonderful changes in her without reflecting. She's this great little girl who is maturing and growing in grace. She's always been a delight and very obedient but like all of us, has her faults. She thinks of others and looks for ways to help. She's become more thoughtful and wants to please those around her, especially those in authority. She wants to succeed in all that she does. She tries new things now, whether it be a new activity or food. She's come out of her shell more and wants to befriend everyone. She's a great witness and has a walk with God that can put many adults to shame. I could gush on and on about this fantastic nine year old that God has blessed us with!

Another blessing that I've had just this week is being able to spend precious time with my sister, Jamie. Everything about the whole situation is a direct result from years and years of prayer. If there is something important to you, don't give up on praying about it. God does everything in His timing. We may become impatient and want to give up but those who pray diligently and faithfully will some day see the fruits of those prayers. I'll post pictures of our time together later after I find the time to upload them.

Jay has been working nonstop these past few weeks. In today's economy, I have heard of so many getting laid off. With him being the sole breadwinner, we count on his salary for everything. I am not complaining one bit of the long hours he has put in with no extra payment because I'm so thankful that he has his job. Any extra time he has had lately has been spent sleeping and recouping from the long hours being put in. I say this as I hear him snoring on the other couch.

Everything else, all our Christmas gifts, materialistic blessings, upcoming Disney vacation/ cruise, new furniture, etc. pales in comparison to the things God has given us that money cannot buy. I'm glad that I get to spend New Years Eve with my family and that together we can ring in 2009.
I need to get ready for church but will post more, including pictures, when I get the free time.
Have a fun and safe New Years Eve to all of my friends out there.

Quick update

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas. I have plenty of pictures to upload and share. I have something special going on this week so I probably won't be spending too much time on the computer. Check back after the first of the year!

Have a fantastic New Years!

Jay relives his youth... HAHA

The teens put on a Christmas play this past Wednesday evening. Jay made his debut with them. The play was great and each person did a fantastic job. It had a very powerful message behind it and was one of the best I've ever seen. Here's a group shot of the teens (and Jay).

Heaven's Little Angels

Each year Mrs. Melissa, Mrs. Thersea, and Mrs. Susan put together a children's Christmas play. Practice starts in October and lots of time is put into getting a production ready for the children of the church to preform.

This year, Mrs. Melissa wrote and put together the play for this year. Most of the children had a speaking part. They were dressed as angels and told of the Christmas story. It was beautiful. I have two 10 minute videos of it and will put it on here when I have the time to upload it to Youtube.

For now, you can just enjoy the pictures.

Many of them were taken from Angie. Thanks for letting me copy them!

Underwater Pictures

Emily

I changed the settings on the following pics. Note to self-- change them back!

Emily

Rebecca

As you can see, I have more of Emily than Becca. She was off riding rides with her Daddy and Emily hung out with me in the wave pool while I had my camera.
Emily



Rebecca

Great Wolf Lodge

The girls new we would eat at Pierce's. It was a given. We love the food there and it well worth the hour drive to get to it. The place is always packed no matter what time of day it is.
She couldn't stop smiling and laughing.


I still have more pictures to post but we are on our way to go skating so I need to get ready to go.

Jay and Rebecca's birthday vacation

Ever since coming home from Florida, Jay was nonstop on taking another trip in Dec.

I'd love to see the Christmas decorations at Disney World but knew that we couldn't take 2 grand trips almost back to back.

I received an email about the Great Wolf Lodge and knew that would be a wonderful place for Jay and Rebecca to spend their birthdays. We kept it a surprise and wow was it worth it!

Since we have annual passes to Colonial Williamsburg, I thought it would be nice to spend the morning there. Little did I know that we would have a heat wave. It was around 70 degrees! What a great blessing!

So, we went to Colonial Williamsburg and Rebecca thought "this" was her grand present. Haha, little did she know what was to come.

hidden Mickey in Colonial Williamsburg's Welcome Center
One thing Rebecca has desired to do each time we have been to Colonial Williamsburg is to ride in a carriage. So, for her birthday, Jay let her pick the carriage and we rode around in the Governor's carriage.
The girls competed to see who could get the most people to wave at them.

Emily had approx. 35 wavers whereas Rebecca had a whopping 50 different people wave back at them.

They had a blast!

We took a 45 minute tour of the Randolph house.

Gotta throw some education in there too.

Here they are standing in front of the gigantic front door.

grinding corn

interesting tree

The best is yet to come.

I'll post more tomorrow on the unbelievable fun we had the rest of the week.

more pictures from the Botanical Gardens

Check out these gas prices! Amazing, huh?