Old St. Nick

Guess who we saw last week??

I met my mom and MIL at the Southern Christmas show one day last week to shop. So much fun!
I left the kids with a babysitter, but went back to get them late in the afternoon so that they could see Santa and all the cool things at the show, like the extensive and detailed model train, a fire truck from 1886, tons of decorated Christmas trees, decorations, etc.
I took them last year and they had a blast. This year was even better!!

Amelia Jayne did great with Santa Claus. Xander even asked her before we got there, "Are you going to cry when you see Santa this year, Amelia Jayne?" She said no, and stuck to her word.
She had a look of concern when she first sat with him, but quickly warmed up. He was very nice and warm. And I think it helped that Xander was excited and very talkative with the jolly guy. :)

 

 

Pumpkin patch with my punkin

Pumpkins!

Sheep!

Bunnies!

Chickens!

Friends!

 

Halloween

Xander went back and forth as to who he wanted to be for Halloween. It came down to the Hulk and Iron Man. He finally chose Iron Man.

Amelia Jayne has lots of costumes, accessories and pieces of costumes that have been given to her over the last several months, so I couldn't really justify buying her a new costume. She was the cutest little fairy princess I've ever seen, even if her costume was kind of thrown together.

 

 

Our friends Crystal and Patrick brought their little monster over to trick-or-treat with us. Keira was an adorable monster!

 

Xander's Iron Man light helped light the way when it got too dark. Bonus!

The kids were such troopers. I think all of us parents were ready to go in long before they were. We were out for over 2 hours, though by the end AJ was dragging her bucket on the ground behind her and Xander had tripped at least twice (due to the mask).
Our new neighborhood is so much fun and all the neighbors were generous, kind and friendly. Most of the houses were decorated and the kids were out in force. It was great!

 

Current Events

I'm behind on updates. Expect a few picture from the last couple of months and the events that happened, e.g., Halloween and AJ's birthday.

 

Here's a teaser until I can get the rest posted. :)

 

 

Flying with Granddaddy

My Dad came down a couple of months ago to take the kids flying. They had a blast!
I found these on my phone recently and realized I hadn't posted them.
Xander loves planes and flying. He talks about it a lot.
Being a pilot is one of the many things Xander wants to be when he grows up.

Church pics

My mom got Amelia Jayne some of the cutest little dresses for her birthday.

 

If you're wanting to compare AJ's hair from before and after her cut - the pics above were taken at church last week and the pic below was taken yesterday.

Little chefs

My babies love to cook.
Here they're assisting Daddy in making chocolate chip pancakes.

First haircut

Amelia Jayne got her first haircut last week. I had been debating on whether or not to cut her hair. I would love it to be long, but I couldn't stand the wispy, mullet-like look that she had going on. I decided to have it cut in a bob so that when it does grow out it will be more even.
These are before pics. Of course my phone died after only three pictures. I did get an "after" picture from the hair salon that I'm putting in her book.

Wine anyone?

Please, please, please go to this website!
Check out what type of wine you are according to your Meyers-Briggs profile.
I am an ESFP which makes me...

SANGRIA!!!



I love it!

I think I know what I'm having tonight... :)

Merger

My dad is a pilot for US Airways.
I hope it all works out for the best!
What are your thoughts?

Interesting Articles, Random facts and music

Did you know there's an art to asking questions? Check it out if you work with or have young children. Interesting stuff. Here's another site that goes along with that.

In the same vein as above, check out this interesting article about praising the process and not the child.

I really like this guy's writings. Such an interesting post. Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Are you left- or right-brained? Take the test to find out.
I'm 75% right-brained.

Awesome video. EVERY mom should watch this video. It was done here in Charlotte!!

Have you listened to the song Wake Me Up by Avicii? Check out these lyrics. They're incredibly moving.
Here's the video.

My favorite brothers have a new album out called Magpie and the Dandelion. And in other news, David and I will be seeing them on New Year's Eve!!! This will be our third New Year's Eve spent at one of their concerts. :)

The Lord is my portion.

 

Lamentations 3

¹⁹ I remember my affliction and my wandering,
    the bitterness and the gall.
²⁰ I well remember them,
    and my soul is downcast within me.
²¹ Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.
²⁷ It is good for a man to bear the yoke
    while he is young.

²⁸ Let him sit alone in silence,
    for the Lord has laid it on him.
²⁹ Let him bury his face in the dust—
    there may yet be hope.
³⁰ Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
    and let him be filled with disgrace.

³¹ For no one is cast off
    by the Lord forever.
³² Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.
³³ For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to anyone.

 

These verses are resonating with me today. I look back on the last month and I see how far I've come. How far the Lord has brought me.

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed"

I still go through moments of depression and I want to turn back to my old ways.

But I can remember that "the Lord is my portion" and my attitude suddenly changes.

How thankful I am that this season is over.

Not that I don't still struggle, but that I have better coping mechanisms.

And His name is Jesus. :)

 

 

Eight months ago

Can you believe this picture? It was taken only 8 months ago. All four of these beautiful children have grown and changed over the last few months. I found this picture and just had to share it. I cannot believe how much they've grown. Truly amazing.

My babies

When did they grow up so much?!?! Don't they look incredibly tall?

I feel like I say it way too much, but

Be Still My Heart.