Christmas Parade

Last Saturday, we were all in the Fort Mill Christmas Parade with Victory Sports. It was fun! The Jonathon rode on a trailer pulled by a truck, I walked and gave out candy, Grace walked and cheered, and Les and Ella rode in the front of the truck.

Grace and Teal before the parade. Because we were #76 in the line up, we had to wait a while until we actually started moving.

Ella was not too enthused about the waiting part but she really enjoyed the parade. She waved and helped Les throw candy out the window.

This is all the kids. We also had 10 or 12 adults. It was a great turnout for our first year.

My 2 elves (Jonahton and Grace)- how cute!

We rode back to our car because it would have been a long walk. Check out Grace's hair and you can tell we are not going "parade" speed.

Great Pictures!

The day after Thanksgiving, I got a great deal on a new digital camera at Wal-Mart (Yes, I went to WM, but not the scary one!). I have been picture crazy ever since!

Grace

Ella

Jonathon and his new pocket knife Grandpa gave him.

Ella (I took this picture from 15 feet away!)

Ella and baby ready to go home.

The camera loves you, Babe!!

Every time we go home to visit family, my cousin Emilee has a bag of clothes for Grace to try on. This time was no exception. In the bag Grace found this hat and instantly fell in love with it! It so suits her! She had a great time with the camera, as you can see!

The Big Game!

Sunday, we went to the Panthers game with our friends, the Botts. It was Jonathon's first professional football game and he was so excited!

Waiting for the Botts to arrive so the adventure can begin!

Jonathon and Bradley outside the stadium ready for the big game.

This is so fun!!

Jonathon's favorite part of the game was at halftime when they had "Mascot Bowl". It was so funny!

I love this picture. It shows where their heart truly is.

Thanksgiving Pictures

We went home to visit family for Thanksgiving. We had a good time and it was really nice to see everyone. Here are some shots of our visit.

Jonathon, Grace, Ella and my nephew Isaac. Every time all 4 of them are together, my mom must have a picture. As you can tell, Ella wasn't really in to it.

Ella and Grandpa

Jonathon, Grace and my grandmother "Nana". She is who Ella is named after.

My grandparents, "Nana and Papa", with the kids.

Ella and Mommy

Starring Grace and Jonathon!

Last Sunday night, Jonathon and Grace both had performances at church. Grace and her class sang 3 songs on stage and then Jonathon and his group performed a musical called Cross Country. The children's musical are really impressive, because they are starred in by kids and the sets are created by kids. It is really cool to hear the kids spreading the message of Jesus in such a bold way.

"Oh! I hope I do a good job!"

Singing for Jesus!
Performing as part of the choir. Go Big Jon!

Saying his line about the love of Christ;

"Need some love to come your way? Follow Jesus. He's the way!"

Pictures!!

Here are some new shots of the kids.

Grace and Ella are usually ready for a photo shoot, but as you can see, Ella's face is dirty and their room is a mess. Oh well, real life caught on film!

Cool Breeze says "Cheese!"

Ella and her baby, she loves him soooo much!!

Jonathon and Grace getting ready to go to town. He is so tall!

Grace and Daisy- Daisy looks so enthused to be having her picture made! Check out Jonathon's big feet in the background!

Ella loves Daisy

On Halloween, Daisy hung out in the driveway to help give out candy. Ella thought she looked thirsty, so she brought her water bowl to her. Ella loves Daisy- a sweet little girl and a sweet old girl.

In a Frenzy!

Today, I did something I have never done before. After church, we went to Rock Hill for lunch and then went to Lowes to get more gardening supplies. After Lowes, Les wanted to stop at the BP to check the air in the tires. As we were driving to the air pump, he pulled up to the vacuum, and said "is it running?". I said yes and he told me to jump out and start vacuuming the van. So the vacuuming frenzy began! We vacuumed like two Merry Maids on speed!! It was hilarious! I know anyone who saw us must have thought we were insane. The funniest part was we actually got more than half the van vacuumed- for FREE!! Too funny!

Girl Fun

Saturday, I took care of my friend Shannon's girls (she has 3!) and here are some of the camera worthy moments!

Grace, Ella and Draye see how many girls can rock the cow at once while Charlie watches. Whee!!!

Ella and Baby "Almond" lounge on the giant stuffed dog. "Almond's" name is really Autumn, but when Ella says it, it sounds like Almond. Too cute!!

Daddy Time

Les was out of town this past weekend (actually it was Thursday morning until Sunday night, but who is counting) and the kids missed him something bad. Ever since he got back, they have been glued to his side. Tonight they all played video games together, too cute. By the way, Grace beat Dad, 1-0 in Backyard Baseball, but Dad beat Jonathon in Star Wars Battlefront.

Funny Comments

My kids say the funniest things! Last night, Jonathon realized he had forgotten to do one thing of his homework - a pretest for spelling. He said and I quote, "its still R controlled vowels, and honestly, I am getting tired of them." I just shook my head! Then today as we were leaving BSF (Bible study fellowship), Ella and I were walking across the parking lot and she turned to me, with a shocked look on her face and said with all seriousness, "where is MY van?" Once again, I just shook my head.

Mommy's little helper

Ella is going through a phase where she wants to help me with everything from the laundry to making beds. I think it is cute until I have to redo everything two or three times. Here she is setting the table- Ella style.

Birthday Blessings

Yesterday was my birthday- I know that explains a lot! I am a Halloween baby! Even though yesterday was hectic- it always is-, I still found some things to be truly thankful for!

Three things to be exact- Jonathon, Grace and Ella!

Trick or Treat!

We went on the hunt for candy in our neighborhood and had a great time. Les stayed in the driveway with the candy and Cindy and I set out with the 6 kids. They were all excited until at the 2nd house we saw a kid in a scary costume and then Ben and Josh were ready to quit, but thankfully they persevered. After one loop (1/2 mile), Cindy and I passed the older kids to Les and we took over candy duty. I am convinced he has the easier part of the bargain!

Jonathon- the football star!

Ella- the Hershey's kiss! Too cute!!

"Fair Lady Grace" ready for the masquerade ball.

Waiting for someone to answer the door!

Can you say relaxing?

This weekend I got to do something I have never done since having children (my oldest turned 10 in September!). I went away for the weekend with the girls. My friends Laura, Susan and I went to the beach for the weekend- no kids, no husbands. Between the 3 of us, we have 10 kids under 10. We had a great time! We shopped, ate, ordered room service, stayed up late, slept in, got pedicures and massages, and laughed. We laughed so much! We ate at restaurants with cloth napkins and multiple forks. I went to a store and did not have to take someone potty. I ate dinner and did not have to fight with a 2 year old. I woke up because I wanted to and not because someone needed some juice. I watch something on TV that did not involve cartoons or singing men from Australia. Did I mention that I needed this? Don't get me wrong, I love my family and I love taking care of them, but everyone needs to recharge. Some of the highlights were ordering 3 types of dessert from room service last night at 11pm and not caring that you shouldn't eat all that sugar before bed and going in a store and looking in your department for new clothes (I did buy the girls clothes and Jonathon a hat, hey! what do you expect, I am a MOM!). We went to Ben & Jerry's and I got an ice cream cone of Chocolate Therapy. OH MY! Everything good about chocolate was in that ice cream. So good!!! This morning I got a pedicure. I love pedicures, but due to a small budget, they are a rare treat. It felt so good and my toes look great! Thank you to Les for taking over while I was gone- he really did a good job- and encouraging me to go, because he loves me enough to know that I really needed it. As we were getting Susan's stuff out of the car, we decided we would probably make it until spring before we needed to go again- 5 months and counting!!

Can I speak to Grace?

Today we entered a new era in our home. The phone rang and it was a little girl and she asked for Grace. I thought it might be one of the girls in the neighborhood(there are tons!), but it was one of the girls in her class, Gabriella. Grace was adorable walking around the house talking on the phone! They talked twice for a total of 45 minutes! Grace told me after she was done that she would be saying things like, "Mom! I'm on the phone!" Sadly, I think it will be a lot sooner than I want.

A Hug

I am sitting in a playroom that is in total disarray looking at things on the computer when I should be cleaning the playroom and I hear a little voice. It is Ella singing Twinkle Twinkle to her baby doll. She sings off key and with a southern twang, but I have to say it is one of the sweetest sounds I have heard all day. After a hectic morning- running late as usual, and a fight with Les over the phone that ended with him hanging up on me, God knew I needed a hug and today He sent it in the form of a sweet 2 year old serenading her baby doll. He couldn't have picked anything better!

SOCCER!!!!

The Comets- Isaac "Hammer", Coach Amanda, Lizzie, Rylee, Christopher, Justin "Batman", and Mackey. We are missing a few in this picture- Amy and Lana.



Yesterday was the last day of soccer at Victory Sports. This season I head coached a 5K team (the Comets) and assisted coached a middle school girls team (Sweden). What a great season! The older girls improved so much! They also, more importantly, learned to work together as a team. My little guys were awesome. They tried their best every game and by the end of the season they were playing like pros! It totally blows me away that God uses 5 year olds to touch people! What an awesome group of kids! I will miss them, but I am sure I will see some familiar faces when basketball starts in December!

Happy Birthday, Ella!!!

Today, my Ella Bella turns 2! I can't believe it! This has been the fastest 2 years of our lives. Ella was a surprise, a true gift from God. But she has made our family complete. We love you, Ella! Happy Birthday!!

One year ago! My how you have grown!!

Ella was a little unsure about her hairdo. Too cute!!

Ella's favorite phrase is "Hold you!". Too bad she will grow out of that. :(

Such a joy to spend the day with!

Our big girl! We love you, Ella!!!

Telling the Truth

Yesterday, Jonathon had a school project where he had to do a commercial for a section of the library. His section was Religion. He was so excited and immediately knew what he wanted to do- share about Jesus! We worked on it little by little for a week and yesterday was the big day. He got up and talked using a microphone and speaker ( I know some of you are laughing because no child of mine would need a microphone to be heard :) and told his class about the Bible. He told them that it is God's word and it is TRUE! Can I get an Amen? He also told them that it was about the life of Jesus and it told us how to be Christians. He then proceeded to read them verses about being a Christian. He started with John 3:16 (For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him would not perish, but have eternal life.) Then he read John 14:6 (Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me."). His last verse was Romans 10:9 (If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved). He ended by asking if anyone had any questions and letting them know that they could talk to him anytime. I am so proud of his boldness for Jesus! It takes a lot of courage to present the Truth to your friends. He was a little discouraged that no one asked questions, but I told him to be ready, the questions may come weeks down the road. For him one of the coolest parts of the whole experience was all of the people that prayed for him. God is so good and it blows me away that He wants to let us be a part of something so big!! Jonathon taught me a big lesson about listening and obeying the Holy Spirit. We not only need to hear that little voice but we need to do what it is telling us.

Being Thankful

Over the last few days, things have been hard. My husband and I know that God is stretching us and that He has a plan, we just don't know all the details. But, going through things like this makes you realize what is important and what you have to be truly thankful for.

I came up with a Top Ten:

1. A husband that understands it is more important for me to be at home for the kids than to be working outside the home for more money.
2. A son who is a beam of light in a sometimes dingy world. Jonathon loves life and enjoys every minute of it. I guess Mom could learn a thing or two!
3. A daughter, Grace, who is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Today she wanted to take a walk so we could talk like me and Cindy do in the mornings.
4. A daughter, Ella, who needs me. She uses this phrase as an excuse to not do things, but I know she really needs me, and it touches my heart.
5. Friends who love me and know me well enough to see through the "everything is fine" face I put on. It is easier to talk about it if someone else starts.
6. A dad who always took my side and loves me so much that he understands why I have to live so many miles away.
7. A mom who has become one of my best friends. I never understood what being a mom meant until I became one and now I know how much mine loves me.
8. A house to raise my family in. God gave us our house. No question about it.
9. A church that is exactly where God wants us to be.
10. My Lord and Savior- He gave all for me, someone so unworthy!

Sleeping Beauty

Ella goes to Cindy's while I teach preschool and on this day, she decided to catch a few ZZZZZ's. Cindy said she climbed up in the chair with her "lankies" and went to sleep. Too cute!!