Together

Merry Christmas from our family to yours...

We are enjoying some much needed and longed for family time.

We hope that you and yours have a wonderful, safe, Merry Christmas.

The Pickiest Tree Pickers Ever

Every year, my husband's entire family goes to the tree lot to find the very best Christmas tree for that year.



We look high



and we look low



opening up every single tree on the lot



Everyone else grows weary of the process, but every year Kendra (my sister-in-law) and I are determined. We are going to pick the prettiest Christmas tree on that lot for my mother-in-law's home!




and I can't wait to get back to my in-law's home soon to see that perfect tree decorated for Christmas!

You've Got Mail

We love getting mail... and several of you have asked where you can send Christmas cards this year. And if you haven't asked, this would be a hint... I love getting Christmas cards and would love to get one from YOU!

Email me or leave a comment if you need our current mailing address.

I am a little delayed in Christmas cards this year and have decided to do a New Year's Card instead. In the meantime, I am thinking of you and so thankful for the gift of you in my life this Christmas!

Beff-la-hem

I'm dreaming of a white toy-filled Christmas!


As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been trying to teach Austin the true meaning of Christmas this year. Every night, we add pictures to a nativity themed sticker books and talk about the people involved in each scene. We talk about Mary and Joseph, the innkeeper, the angels, the shepherds, even the donkey. There is nothing in the world like hearing my three year old say the word Beff-la-hem, for the city of Jesus' birth.

Last night, I wanted to show off for my brother and sister-in-law. I wanted them to hear the word as only Austin can say it... "Beff-la-hem."

"Austin!" I called from the other room. "Can you please come here and tell your Uncle Adam where Jesus was born?"

"Sure." He said.

And then looking very seriously at Uncle Adam he replied, "He was born right in my sticker book!"

Life is a ...

Well, life's like a road that you travel on
There's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind

There's a world outside every darkened door
Where Blues won't haunt you anymore
For the brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore



We won't hesitate
To break down the guarding gate
There's not much time left today, yeay

Life is a highway, I wanna ride it
All night long
If you're going my way, I wanna drive it
All night long



Through all these cities and all these towns
It's in my blood and it's all around
I love now like I loved you then
This is the road and these are the hands
From Mozambique to those Memphis nights
The Khyber Pass to Vancouver's lights

They knock me down
And back up again
You're in my blood
I'm not a lonely man
There's no load I can't hold
The road's so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors



Life is a highway, I wanna ride it
All night long
If your going my way, I wanna drive it
All night long

December is Here!

Austin has been thrilled about Christmas this year. THRILLED! Every morning he runs out of his bedroom to be the first one to turn on all of the Christmas tree lights. He says "Good morning" to all the characters in the manger scene on the foyer table before he is ready to start his day. And he has been singing. My, how he has been singing. As a mother, I must say that his rendition of "Jingle Bells" is the best version I have ever heard in my entire life. Austin doesn't remember the end of the song, so he starts singing the words "Jingle Bells" over and over again going up and down with his voice...

I am particularly grateful for two beautiful newborn nieces this holiday season. There is something about having a newborn around that makes you recognize Jesus' birth in a tangible way around the holidays.



Last night, I was even able to explain the story of John's birth a little easier to Austin. "Jesus had a cousin named John - Just like Avery and Megan are cousins and they are both newborns!" Oh, can't you just imagine all of Mary and Elizabeth's feelings of love for their two newborn babies!

A few weeks ago, I asked Austin why we celebrate Christmas.

SANTA! was his very eager and energetic reply. Oh, boy... I thought to myself.

Instead of the normal three books at bedtime (since he is three years old!) Austin and I have started doing our own Advent activities before bed. We open a door on our advent calendar, read a story leading up to the Christmas story (hence, the story about John's birth), and then talk about Jesus' birth.

Yesterday, we were riding in the car and I decided to ask again. "Austin, do you know why we celebrate Christmas?"

"It is to celebrate Jesus' birthday!" I heard him proudly declare from his car seat.

"That's right." I said, beaming with pride that my son understands the true meaning for the holiday.

And then... I heard it... almost in a voice too low for me to hear - as if talking only to himself.

"And because we love Santa..."

Oh well...

May your holidays be filled with sounds of Christmas and lots of talk about Jesus!

A Heritage

Dear Austin,

For the past four months, I have been reading through the Psalms... reading and meditating over one Psalm each day. Today's Psalm was 127.

It is so timely, precious boy... you truly are a heritage from the Lord.

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord." Psalm 127:3

You bring me so much joy... you are witty, clever, and so kind.

You make me laugh on a daily basis. You keep me on my toes with your constant questions.

I love being around you and already think that you hung the moon.

Love,

Mommy

No Place Like Home

It might be the end of November, but that has not kept us from our favorite place. This week we spent one very special day enjoying the sun...


(I am not sure why Austin is howling in this picture. Perhaps someone has mentioned the New Moon craze to him and he is trying to attract all the ladies?)

the sand...



and the water.

Typing with Tattoos

Our days recently have been busy...

traveling to Texas to put my house on the market

writing over 60 pages worth of papers to finish another semester of my PhD

rocking two beautiful new baby girls

busy, busy, busy...



(Austin writing a paper for me. BTW, his arms are covered in tattoos from his school's fall festival. As a teacher, I always passed out these temporary tattoos from the class treasure box. As a mom, I am forbidding temp tattoos from our house. What a mess!)

Where did October go?... to Infinitety and Beyond!

I hope that your weekend is amazing.

Around here, we are so excited about Fall Festivals, our two new baby nieces, and our own space hero.

Sweet Baby Girls!

As many of you already know, my precious niece Megan arrived on October 22, 2009.



I cannot get enough of these precious toes - which is wonderful because...

my other niece, Avery, is on her way! Please pray for my sister-in-law, Sharon, as she is in labor!

A Wonderful Walt Disney Weekend!

I have been waiting for the right moment. Ever since we found out we were having a child. I have been wondering when the time would be right.

I needed it. He loved it. One of my best friends made it possible.

And we went. My baby got to experience Disney World! It was everything I could have imagined for the weekend and more.

The day included constant smiles



and meeting Mickey and all of his friends!



I knew that Austin got the "message of Disney" today when he started singing...



"May all my dreams come twue!"

Oh, sweet boy, that is what I pray! That your dreams would match God's dreams for your life, and that all of your dreams would come true!

I had a DATE!

I cannot tell you how long it has been since I have been on a date. But, last night it happened.

I got to have a date night!

with the two cutest boys in the entire world...

So, it wasn't quite the date night I would normally ask for.

I had to do all the driving. (making a stop to find an extra car seat)

and all of the paying...

But, I cannot remember a night where I have had so much fun.

So, thank you to my sweet Austin and Andrew for making my Tuesday night a date night I will never soon forget. I love you both!

We started with dinner at every mom's dream spot...



But just look at the joy that chicken nuggets create for a three year old and four year old



This date didn't include much "after dinner conversation" but giggles galore as we explored the beach playground!





I couldn't resist taking the boys down to the water to stick our toes in...



We didn't walk hand in hand down the beach, but we did run into Captain Jack...



And while the boys wrestled in the sand, I got to sit and watch another beautiful sunset.

Happy Fall Continued.

Guess what we are up to this fall?



Our fun includes rolling out dough



measuring just the right amounts



spending time with extended family



and enjoying delicious homemade cookies at granny's house



(Austin was not thrilled about smiling for pictures! He had one thing on his mind...)



I hope you are enjoying the blessings of fall!

Orange and Blue

AJ and I are heading here this weekend



for homecoming festivities.

I am ONLY a gator fan by marriage. Well, and the fact that I have a crush on Tim Tebow...

but, let's be honest... even if you don't like orange and blue, this is about the cutest purse I have ever seen



and how can a tailgate be wrong, when even your bounce house matches your school spirit?



So, Granny and Grandaddy, get ready. We are coming for another Gator weekend!

My Life as a Child's Storybook

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Emily Elizabeth Carol.

Emily Elizabeth Carol had a big red dog named, Clifford Austin.



They loved each other.



And Clifford Austin, the big red dog, grew and grew and grew.



And their life often seemed just as magical as a child's storybook.

Fall is Here - or at least There

AJ and I spent the last week in Texas. The weather was cooler, and it felt like FALL!

I love fall!

So, we decided to add some decorations to make it really feel like fall!



I love putting wreaths in front of windows! I was thinking about hanging a banner on the middle window that says, "Happy Fall, Y'all!" Our home is in Texas after all!


The picture on the mantle is the first time my mom and I ever tried to take both boys to the pumpkin patch! A complete blog entry for another day!



It was a wonderful week. We wore sweaters every day and enjoyed the crisp fall air.

We arrived back in Florida today at 1:30 in the morning (plane delays!) As we taxied to our gate, the pilot said, "Welcome to Florida. The current temperature is 82 degrees!" I shoved our sweaters into our bags and went to hug my mom. I am wondering if it will begin to feel like October here anytime soon?

In the meantime, it doesn't matter if it is crisp and cool or muggy and hot...

Happy Fall, Y'all!