Logan turns 11!

Okay, he turned 11 almost three months ago now. So, I'm a little behind in the blog world. I cannot believe I have an eleven year old! Two more years, and OMG---teenager----eeeekkkk.. Don't know if I'm ready for that or not. But, trust me, he's giving me lots of practice already! Ha.
Logan is 5 foot 3 inches and about 130 lbs. We are eye level and it just makes me sad. Sometimes, I just want to see him as that toddler bouncing around in his cutesy little kelly's kids outfit that has his name across his chest. That's all been traded in for Abercrombie.... and holes in jeans and tee shirts!
I am so proud to have Logan as my son, he has a heart of gold and loves his family. He is so amazing with young children and they just love him.
His birthday party was at the Tupelo City Pool and it was heated and covered for the swim teams to use in the winter! It was so awesome for all the kids to get to swim in January.
He got over $400 in cash, and against my better judgement he bought an ipod touch with it! It is his money, though right?
On his actual birthday we, of course, went to where else? Mi Peublo! Nothing like wearing the sombrero (sp?) and getting the pie in your face while having the Spanish birthday song sung to you.
Happy Birthday, Logan! LOVE YOU BUNCHES!!

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas again this year. Such a blessing to have our family and our health to enjoy time together. Christmas Eve, we had lunch with Mike's dad. We then went back to our home and opened our gifts with the kids. The kids really enjoyed their gifts, but by far their favorites was Logan's new cell phone and Madison's new iPod!! To see the excitement on their faces makes it all worth it. We then had a candlelight Christmas Eve service at our church. This is a special time spent with our church family and a time for us to reflect on the reason why we all celebrate this great season. At the end of the service our pastor called all the children up front and read to them the Christmas story from the Bible.
Christmas morning started VERY early at our house, as our kids were awake at 1:15am to see what Santa had brought. We were pretty sure that he must have JUST left it because Logan said he heard something outside and our dogs were barking! We had to make them go back to bed around 2:30am; and lo and behold they were back up around 7am! (We are so making it a rule next year that no one will get out of bed until
6:30am!)Logan got a Wii, and Madison got the Molly American doll along with other things. Mammaw and Pappaw always come by early and check out the loot that Santa left for the kids.
We always go to my mom's at lunch Christmas Day and to Mike's mom's that evening.
We had a wonderful day with our families and actually got to enjoy some sunlight afer a solid week of rain!
At my mom's I got a picture of ALL 29 of us who were there.
I am very grateful for each and every blessing that God has blessed us with.
Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Nashville

Okay, I'm really behind on this blogging thing! We went for a long weekend in Nashville the weekend before Thanksgiving. We have not been anywhere this year on vacation after building a new house, and a swimming pool. I just felt like I had to get away just for a couple of days. We had a great time. Got there Friday night and ate at the Rainforest Cafe, which I love. The last time we had eaten at one was at Disney World and Madison was 3. She was absolutely terrified of the "thunderstorms". This trip however, no worries. The kids had money to spend and spent some of it in the Rainforest Store.
Saturday morning, we had breakfast with the Grinch. Two other families from our church, The Bishops and The McClellans, were also in Nashville and we spent the day together. We all had a great time. Mike even went back to the room to watch the Ole Miss game while we stayed at the mall and shopped. We made lots of pictures in the Opryland Hotel, which was what I used for my Christmas card pictures.
The kids were amazed by the lights outside the Hotel, and the beautiful Nativity Scene outside.
Sunday, we met up again with everybody and went to see the ICE! exhibit. This was How the Grinch stole Christmas story carved out in ice sculptures. It was incredible. It was 9 degrees inside. While we were in line, we were given parkas to wear inside! Oh, and there were also two slides made completely out of ice inside. The kids (and Mike) loved this! I stayed below to make pictures! ha
Monday I had to go back to work, while Mike was off for the week and my kids were out of school for Thanksgiving break! (So not fair!)
It was nice to just get a way!!!

Heartfelt Thank you to our Veterans!

It's Veteran's Day! I know that most of us take what our veterans have done for us for granted, they are the reason we enjoy the freedom that we have in our country and are still fighting for us to this day.
Logan's 5th grade class presented a musical, patriotic program today called "Voices of Freedom" in honor of our veterans. There were many veterans present today for this, some from WW2 to Iraq. I saw some moved to tears. When I see a grown man cry, it really moves me. The last song that was performed was "Taps", we were all asked to stand for this and I saw several of the veterans saluting those who lost their lives for us. Really touching. I do think it was great for these school children to see actual faces of the people who fought for our country.
There was a slide show presentation shown to the music of God Bless America. Some of the most beautiful sites in our great country from the planes to snow capped mountains. If Earth is this beautiful, can you imagine how beautiful Heaven will really be?
Here is a picture of Logan and my parents after the program, and also my dad's name during the presentation of veteran's names.

Election Day

Well, I have officially cast my ballot for the Presidential Election. I am trying not to feel anxious about it; I am not watching the news.....yet.
I know that we are not to be anxious about anything; but we are humans and that is a hard thing to to. I know that God is in control no matter who wins tonight, it is all in His plan. I know that my family will continue to keep our faith in God. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1). I know that He is going to take care of his people, and I take comfort in that. "For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord, plans to prosper you and give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 My prayer is that God WILL Bless America!!!!!!

~~~Halloween Party~~~

We went to a Halloween/Costume Party Saturday night and had the best time. All the adults costumes were so great. We brought our kids in costumes and they had a blast.
Spent the evening around a fire sitting around and talking with friends.
I think it may be the first time that I have dressed up for Halloween in my adult life! We decided it would be an annual event. This was with our Sunday School class, we have such great friends who are just a blast to be around.
The BEST costume hands down was of our friend Jackie, who dressed up as Joe the Plumber. I laughed all night--and still can laugh hysterically when I look at the pictures of him. I posted the pics from the party on my facebook page.
I will have to post the picture of Joe the Plumber, Sara Palin and John McCain; especially since election day is tomorrow!!! Here are just a few of the pics that I made, there were too many to post them all. My friend, Hope was the best Snow White and her husband was Prince Charming. Jessie and Kelby were awesome pirates; and here's me and 'Stef the Ref'.

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween has been very eventful so far. Started out my day with my daughter's class for breakfast, they were having "Muffins for Moms" day. Madison always enjoys me coming to school when I have the chance, and of course I do too!! There were lots of Moms there, but I would say close to half of her class didn't have Moms there. I always feel sad for those kids whose parent's can't make it.
I later picked up pizza for Logan's class party and spent an hour or so with his class. Then, went back by Madison's class for a short time while they were having their class party for Halloween. Enjoyed my day at school!
Later, we went trick or treating with my friend Jessie and her two boys Adin and Andrew. Weather was great, made a lot of stops, and the kids had a great time.