Go Ducks!

We are on the countdown to the big game....Oregon vs Auburn. This will be a very interesting game since we live among many Auburn fans. For Christmas we all got Oregon sweatshirts, and you can bet that we are wearing them out. Noah likes to walk around and say "Quack Quack!" and "Go Ducks", so I think he is also ready for the big game.

Merry Christmas 2010

What a great Christmas we had this year! Noah enjoyed opening anything that was wrapped...so needless to say, none of us needed to bother with opening our gifts! He was pleased to see that he had gotten everything that he had asked for from Santa: A tractor, cars, a chair and a basket ball hoop! (Thanks to grandparents!) And to top off the Merry day, we were blessed with 3 inches of snow! Who would have thought we would get a white christmas here in Alabama! Noah enjoyed his time making a snowman with daddy and a snow angel with mommy. It was such a wonderful Christmas!

Calling off Christmas

I know I cannot be the only one who feels a little bit like a Who from who-ville, with the Grinch just peaking over his mountain top trying to taint the holiday spirit. Each year I feel the pressure of the material world crushing down on my holiday cheer. But this year, however, it is such an intense pressure. We decided to keep it simple this year and we were successful with that. But, I have found that no matter who you talk to everyone is feeling this "pressure". I guess it is the pressure to buy and give lots of gifts even during this recession, and the pressure to put on a happy face when things aren't quite going as planned or maybe it all the frowns I have seen around town. Though I didn't do much shopping this year, the interaction I have had has been very disgruntled. People just walking around doing their job with no Christmas cheer. I wonder to myself, why can't we just go back to baking and homemade gifts and remembering why we celebrate Christmas anyway. Why does it always have to be about how much you spend and what you give?
To add to all the holiday pressure, there are two other factors that I have seen. 1) Those of us that live with the Grinch's. I happen to have two of them this year. 2) The nasty illnesses that have decided to spread their Christmas cheer. I also have one very sick kid. In the past couple of days I have been in and out of the doctors office with my son, who is now on 5 medications. It is all enough to make one crazy! And, rob you of your Christmas cheer. So, today I am declaring that I am calling off Christmas in my home. We are going to refocus....we are going to celebrate Jesus' day and nothing more than that. Forget the material traditions and the pressure. After all, no matter what pressures are in your life during this season, who can be a Grinch when you are celebrating the greatest gift of all?! I pray that though there are a lot of pressures and stresses out there for everyone, that we all take a moment to pause and remember what Christmas really is. And, then, take a deep breath and look up.

Noah's Fort

Little does this little boy know his new fort is a product of a Christmas gift. (So glad they don't catch on to things this early!) Dave cut a few windows and a door in this box for Noah and he has been thrilled with it. Truly the cheapest gifts are the packaging!

Merry Christmas!

Noah trying on mommy's shoes

The holidays have snuck up on us so fast this year. I just realized that it has been almost a month since I have posted any updates and pictures! I just don't know where the time has gone. I hope that all of you have enjoyed family traditions and Christmas cheer. We have had fun enjoying trips to see Santa and watching a few snowflakes here and there. Noah has really been into Christmas this year, which is so exciting. He is infatuated with Santa and talks about him all the time. At our last visit with him at Dave's company party Noah spent the night sneaking treats from the table and feeding Santa. (He had quite the pile of goodies when we left!) He also has fun sneaking gifts from under the tree and trying to hide in the corner and open them. I am really looking forward to Christmas morning. He has told Santa that he wants a tractor, car, basketball hoop and train...can't wait to see what he gets! I hope you all enjoy the next seven days and may they be bright and cheery!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

It is that time of the year where we can take time to share how we are thankful for all of the blessings that we are so graciously given. Though we live in a society where things are practically handed to us and we hardly even know what a "want" is, it is sad to me that we need a holiday-and one with a turkey mascot- to remind us to stop and be thankful. This year, I vow to spend my days rejoicing in this lovely life full of many twists and turns of numerous blessings. For this Thanksgiving, I want to thank all of our family and friends for being such blessings in our lives. We are so grateful to have such wonderful people to support us, guide us and laugh with us. I hope that you all have a blessed day with your families, but most importantly, are able to take the time to look up and thank the one that has blessed us all!

My First Painting

My friend Erin and I took a painting class together the other night. It was a really neat experience. I have never painted before, so I was a bit nervous. To my surprise this class was very laid back with about 40 people snacking and chatting away while they created their masterpieces. I really have an appreciation for art and the many interpretations that it brings. So, I vow to keep trying this new painting thing out and see how my progress goes. But, for now, here is my first Masterpiece!