Run, run as fast as you can...

You can't catch us, we're the gingerbread fam! After Connor's incessant pleas to build a gingerbread house, I finally obliged. It wasn't that I didn't want to, but let's face it: we've got just a tad bit going on in our lives right now. In all, I'm really glad we did it. It was a lot of fun for all four of us, and it looks delicious!

Santa Claus

After our house hunting adventure, we stopped at Opry Mills on the way home so I could make an exchange on something I had ordered, and since the boys were both SO extremely well behaved, we stopped and let the boys see Santa Claus. It was a special treat for Connor who had been waiting to talk to him and share what he was hoping to get. Not only did Connor get to share his heart's desires, he also was sure to tell Santa how great his little brother is and he asked Santa to bring him something good too! You can see our Santa picture Here.

Later in the week we wrote a letter to S.C. as dictated by Connor. Once again he was sure to ask Santa to bring Tate presents and toys to play with. Imagine Connor's surprise to get this personalized message from him! He wanted to watch the video over and over again with Tate. Watching the joy and magic that lit up his face was priceless. Even Tate wanted to join in the fun of watching it!Stay tuned for more of our Christmas adventures!

Christmas Time Is Here

On Wednesday we attended Connor's Christmas Program at his preschool. He is always more than cooperative, and sings his heart out. This time was no different. The first thing he does is pan the audience to look for us, and without fail he always yells, "Hi Momma" whenever he locates us! (You'd think we were buried way in the back as opposed to the 2nd row!)

The 4 year old class sang Little Drummer Boy and each of the kids were able to play their own drums. It was completely and totally adorable and the kids had a great time. Daddy even left work for a couple of hours to attend. Connor was so excited!

It was hard walking out the doors of the Christian Preschool for the last time. His teacher of the past two years gave him a huge hug and bid us farewell. Mommy was admittedly sad. We've been very blessed in our experience there and it makes me so sad to think that after Christmas break he won't be attending school there any longer. It made me sadder to realize this was the first of many difficult goodbyes in the weeks to come.

Thanksgiving #2

We hosted Thanksgiving this year for our wonderful family. Josh & Mana (Gabe's younger brother and wife) joined us bringing their dog Ava. Ben, Gabe's youngest brother also brought his girlfriend Nicole. We extended invitations to some of Gabe's co-workers, though they were unable to attend. We were, however, thrilled to have Auntie Tarrah join us. Tarrah is the sister of Tate's Godparents. She has been a wonderful help to her sister and brother in law while he was deployed an since his return. She's also helped us with Connor more than once. All in all we had a house full, and it was a perfect day.

We cooked a 25lb turkey, 8lbs of potatoes, a huge green bean casserole- courtesy the Remick family recipe, a huge broccoli cheese casserole, a big pot of noodles, dressing, turkey gravy, rolls and 3 pies! We polished off a large portion of the food, but I know I wasn't the only one excited about our leftovers!

As is tradition, we followed our Thanksgiving meal with a trip down to tour the lights at Christmas on the Cumberland. While the entire group may not view the lights as something as special as Gabe and I do, they obliged us with a stroll along the river anyway. We came home and put up the tree, although the actual decorating had to be put on hold due to Connor's crashing on the couch!It was a great time, and now we're all just trying to get prepared for Christmas and our move that will follow just 3 short days following Christmas. Wow! December should be crazy.

Thanksgiving #1

Thanksgiving has come and went. I love the holiday. I love how it brings everyone together. I love how it is the ignition of the holiday season. I love how we all gather around to reflect on life's blessings.

Truth be told, I don't understand why we've been blessed as much as we have been. To some, I know our house is not much to look at, to us, it's our home. Our walls aren't covered in fancy tapestries, they are covered in photographs of memories we've made. We don't have all stainless appliances or a 10 range stove, we do have meals made of love daily. We've not got 15 bedrooms, rather 3 small bedrooms that house the beds we tuck our children into. We have a car we affectionately call Gimpy. Gimpy is 16 years old, and was my first car. She isn't much, but she gets us where we need to go when we need to go there.

I've got a laundry room with a mound of laundry that serves as a reminder of the clothing we've been blessed with. The messy kitchen means we have full bellies from the delicious meal we cooked and ate this evening. I paid the water bill yesterday because we've been blessed with indoor plumbing. We have two very healthy children. We have a marriage and relationship that I struggle to find words to describe.

We have so very much to be thankful for. What are you thankful for?