So many firsts....

This month has brought so many exciting "firsts" for our family. Riley is sitting up, and Joshua had his first Christmas performance. Both, equally precious. I didn't think I'd shed so many tears watching Joshua on stage. Although he knew every word to every song, when it came time to perform, he just stood quietly and didn't utter a peep. It was hilarious! Although George has no "firsts, " I still wanted to include a picture cause he's just a cool little kid.

Oh wait! George did decorate his first Christmas tree. Notice all the ornaments are hung at his eye level.

Joshy's teacher Mrs. Sutton

His shoe came off going up those stairs. Poor kid! His other teacher in the red santa hat helped him put it back on.

Take a look at how adorable he is"just standing there".

Im Yours

I have always complained (although NEVER seriously) that I wanted at least one of my children to resemble me. And not attitude or impatience, or any other yucky quality I have passed on. But either toes, ears, nose, giggle, dimples...something. And then today, as the whole fam sat at our picnic table eating mac n cheese, it happend. I began singing the ever catchy song Im Yours. And to my utter shock, George just starts singing along. If you know the song, you can appreciate how cool this is. I don't know why, it just is. Jamie, Joshua, Riley and I were grinning so big, as was George after he realized we were all so proud of him. Although I am no Beyonce', I love music, I love to sing, dance, and be affected by music. So Yeah! It seems George gets his love for singing, and music from me. Knowing this, I'll try to be sure he's exposed to something other than top 40 yuck!

More Holiday Moments

In picking out our tree, Jamie asks me to bring the camera. I comply only to be told to stop taking pictures. Jamie says he feels like Britney Spears. Looking at all the pictures, I can see why.

These are only a few. I took a lot more. I thought it was so cute how the boys were helping push the tree together on the cart. And George was so intrigued about the whole process.

George and Peter slicing ham.....yes, if you look closely, you can see the very sharp knife Papa Peter is holding. George looks scared.

The boys celebrating Papa Peter's birthday

After having dinner with my sister's family, we drove to Uncle Charlie's house in Richmond. The kids played in the leaves and enjoyed visiting with their Uncle. Ditto I'm sure!

A few moments shared at my sister's house in Northern Virgina.

Kourtney and Riley

Thanksgiving holiday

Even after his accident, he still can't resist the skateboard. I was yelling at him the whole time. My sister's house has this ditch in her backyard.

Pumpkin Pie Party

Joshua had a pumpkin pie party at preschool today. His school invited all the families and grandparents to a party hosted by the 4 year olds. They sang songs for us and served us pumpkin, apple, and pecan pie. It was Josh's first performance. They thanked God for all their many blessings and even recited the monthly bible verse. Surprisingly, Joshua participated. Jamie and I were so obviously proud. Standing there smiling and waving everytime Josh looked our way. We will definately hafta tone it down as he gets older.

Catching up

We've been making up for lost time by taking lots of pictures. Our new camera is really great.

As we get ready for this "thankful" season, we are extremly thankful for our family, our health, and our friends.

Josh's funny face.

We've been making up for lost time, and taking tons of pics.

LOTS OF FUN WITH DADDY!!!!

mowing the grass with daddy

painting rocks with daddy

Pictures,pictures,pictures!

Here are a few pictures of the kids growing up. Joshua has discovered attitude. Although it's more like pouting. George is officially potty-trained. And Riley has started solid foods and will be 6, yes 6 months old next week. Oh for the love.....

Farm fun

Joshua and I went on a school field trip to the farm this morning. I saw clearly God's glory looking how many different birds/animals there are. It was awesome. The peacock is so stinkin' cool. Josh rode a horse. Such a cool moment for me watch. Now we sit in silence after a long day, eating curly noodles and slurp up yogurt on the living room floor. What a totally fabulous day.

Growing so fast

I am reminded each day that passes without a camera, how quickly time is passing. Why? Because each time I look at my children, this week it's been Riley, and I'm drawn to take a picture, I realize another opportunity to capture a moment has passed. How many moments will I miss before she is all grown up. I am so moved when I think about my children growing up. Part of me mourns it, and then part of me.....no I just mourn it. I need a camera. Not that a camera slows time, or fixes my feelings of the stark reality that life seems to be a series of fleeting moments that I want to hold onto. I just want to capture our families memories so I can share with the kids how much fun we had/have.

We celebrated Joshua's fourth birthday tonight. Although there was a party last week, today I really felt the power of him turning four. I remember vividly cautiously placing him in his car seat and heading home for the first time. Having a four year old makes me feel old though. Pretty soon I'll have a school age kid. That is so big. He was cute tonight though. We asked him where he wanted to go to dinner, and ended up at On the Border. He danced the whole time to the Mexican music that plays in the background while he ate. It was awesome. I'd have taken a picture, but we lost our camera at his party last week. Nice hu? All the photos, video, gone. It's not even the camera we are upset about, its the memories.
On a more serious note, I need the prayer of all my friends and family. Jamie's sister (step) Lauren has been in and out of extensive surgeries to remove a cancerous brain tumor that was discovered a few months ago. We got news today that on top of all of the painful ups and downs she has been enduring while recovering, she has lost her eyesight. Permanently. To say the least, we are sad. Hopeful, but sad that she will never see again. My mind spins when I think of all the things she will miss out on. And then, Im so glad she is still alive, and know that there will be a light at the end of this tunnel. God is good. I believe He is good. Please pray for healing in Lauren. Thanks so much.

My first time.......

This is my first time blogging. Im hoping to actually use this space. Im so bad at stuff like this. I tried facebook and was terrible at that also. Eventually, I just quit. This seems a bit more fun. I like sharing.