Weekend Fun

Chad's sister and her husband took their church's youth group to Dollywood on Saturday.  To help out, Chad's parents decided to take Charlee, my niece, up too.  They asked if Hunter could come with them.  As it worked out, Chad, Ashton, and Hunter all got to take a trip up to Dollywood with Grandma, Papa Hub, and Charlee.

They had a really good time.  When I saw the boys Sunday morning, they told me all about it including the fact that they didn't get to see Santa... haha.

I gave Chad the camera and told him take some pictures... I think Sandee took these when she  met up with them for a bit.

The VeggieTale roller coaster

If you zoom in real close on this picture, you can see Ashton's hands up too. 

 

Grandma and Charlee

 

Papa Hub and Ashton

 

Daddy and Hunter

 

Ashton "fishing"... they both came away with stuffed animals.

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So, what did Shep and I do?  Uncle Nolan put him to work... washing cars.  We spent the day at mom's house fixing furniture that my brother's "AC" (you probably dont want to know what that is short for) roommates messed up and watching "The Proposal". It was a super laid-back day.



Sunday afternoon, mom and dad and Nol picked Hunter up for his out to eat and go to Toys R Us birthday fun.  He picked Fatz for his place to eat and then picked out a batman car at Toys R Us. 

Thank you to both sets of grandparents for all the fun this past weekend.

4 Parties

We have been quite busy with "school" parties.

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Party #1- Wednesday

We went by Hunter's school to celebrate his birthday.

Hunter chose Pizza Hut pizza for dinner and then opened presents and ate cake.

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Party #2- Thursday

Ashton's school had a mini Christmas program Thursday.  There was limited space but the kids were so cute in their little Christmas sweatshirts.

The kids at Ash's MMO/ Preschool.  If Shep went, he would have been with the kids sitting on the floor.

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Party #3- Friday

Hunter's school also a Christmas party that is best described as chaotic.  Hunter goes to a really big elementary school and they walk them all to a church that is close by.  

Waiting on the kindergarten's turn

 Can you find Hunter for the 1 song they sang?

How about in this picture?  Whoever came up with the idea of wearing the hideous halos that blocks all the children's faces should re-thing that decision.

Hunter is top row, about 4 kids from the right

 These are Hunter's teachers.  He is in a multi-age class so he has some dealings with 1st grade teacher.  I have been so happy with these ladies, they are wonderful and Hunter seems to really enjoy school!

Mrs G (1st grade), Mrs. D (Hunter's K5 teacher), and Mrs. S (K5 aid)

 

 The principal, Mrs D and Santa

 Later in the afternoon, Hunter's class had their Christmas party.  Hunt's class

 

 My boys eating their snack

 

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Party #4- Friday night

Chad and I had a "school" party Saturday night.  It was for our Sunday School class and it was a lot of fun.  We went to Hollywild (without the kids) and then out to eat.  We piled 8 adults into our van and another couple brought a pick-up truck.  We stopped right in front of Hollywild and all jumped into the back of the pickup to look at the lights and the animal.  

I guess the funniest part was that it started raining.

"Boo", the dog, getting a huge cow kiss

The zebra was not too happy to be about of the celebration with all the obnoxious gawkers.

Ridiculous amount of deer

Chad tried to get a picture but we will all so covered up with blankets trying to protect ourselves from the rain

The back of pickup (Chad and Matt rode in the front and stayed nice and dry)

So though the past few days have been super busy, I dont foresee it slowing down for the next week or so.  'Tis the season...

Hunter, Let Me Hold You Longer

"Long ago, you came to me, a miracle of firsts.  Firsts smile, and teeth, and baby steps a sunbeam on the burst.  But one day, you will go away and leave to me your past and I will be left thinking of a liftetime of your lasts."  ~ Let Me Hold You Longer

This is the beginning of my favorite childrens book- one that I have read to you since I brought you home from the hospital and one that I still have a hard time finishing without choking up.  Baby books are filled with first moments, we are so anxious for the firsts, but those last moments can be wished away before we blink our eyes.

I have definitely seen you grow up a lot this past year.  I guess entering the world of school has something to do with it.  As we ate lunch with you today at school, I look around and see all these 5 and 6 year olds, just like you, fending for themselves and I just want to protect you.  I want to protect you from this cruel, mean, unfair world.  And then I realize, that though my calling is to protect you, I think my bigger job is to prepare you.  To prepare you to stand up and to fight the good fight! (2 Tim: 4:7)

As with most fights, you will get hurt.  Period.  Especially as a follower of Jesus, the world will hate you, but remember the world hated Jesus first.
John 15:18-19 says, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

Hunter, your path has already been laid out for you, I find great comfort in knowing that God's plan for you will be accomplished.  Child, he has chosen you.  Don't ever take that for granted.  At your young age of 6, I have already seen His hand on you... preparing you for His service.  

Hunter, don't be so focused on the future that you miss those precious last moments and likewise, don't be so focused on the past that you miss the first moments.  Planning for the future is great and remembering the past is great, but focus on the present.

Where is God going to use you NOW? 
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And, on a lighter note, here are a couple of your 6 year old pics.

Some of you Current "Things"
As of now, you are able to sound out a lot of words.  I guess I can say you are reading, it is still a slow process but I can see that it will not be much longer before you will be able to sit down with a book and read it without my help.

You are about to lose your 2nd tooth.

As much as you love your brothers, you love to have some alone time to pretend and play on your own.

You have been a momma's boy since the day you were born, but this past year, you and daddy have started having more in common.  You love to wrestle with daddy and then come love on me.  I guess that is the way it is supposed to be.

You still are an AWFUL eater!  I struggle almost nightly with getting you to eat something besides bread.  Forget any veggies or fruits, we are still trying to get you to eat a decent amount of potatoes or rice.  You are starting to eat meats a bit better, but we still have battles.  The good thing is that you are not just picky about good food- though you do eat chocolate (and occasionally ice cream), you dont eat a lot of the nasty junk food (icing, hard candy, or gummy type candy).

You are seriously one of the sweetest people I know.  You have such a kind heart.  I love you more than you will ever know!

Happy Birthday Hunter bug!

The Tree

Just realized that I have put a picture of our tree on here yet... I talked about picking out the "perfect" tree here over Thanksgiving.

Last year, Chad's mom gave me a bunch of leftover wedding stuff from Chad's sister' wedding.  I have always been more of a maroon (or red) with touches of gold type Christmas decorating girl.  But, when Patsy gave me all this silver/ snow looking decor, I knew that I was going to have to change it up a bit.  So, I hit some clearance sales after Christmas last year and picked up more blue/ green tones. 

And here is the finished product.  Glitzy, sparkles, and a bit modern.  And I love it.

I had looked into flocking the tree, but didnt want something that white.  So, I bought some faux snow and gave her a good dusting.  And though you cant see it well, it has a bunch of white/ sparkly twiggy things in it, especially at the top.  And of course layers of ribbon.  I bought a couple yards of poly satin to drape around for a tree skirt and she is done.

And I  must admit, I love it.  It just makes me smile.

 

A whole strand of lights went out on the bottom after everything was already on, I didnt have the desire or patience to fix it.  I dont think it is too noticeable especially since it is so shiny even without lights. :)

I kept the mantle a bit more traditional because of the look of the stockings, but I still tried to add some of the glitz.

We are counting down the days until Christmas.. so thankful for God's providential hand on our family.

I am getting close to having the boy's room finished... probably after Christmas everything should be done.  This is night 3 of all 3 boys in the same room.  It has been a pretty smooth transition... if only I could get Shep to not hum himself to sleep at night and not talk in his bed when he gets up in the morning then we would be set. Baby steps though, baby steps.

Yakkity Yak

Stay away from our house!  My goodness, it has been a long time since a stomach bug has hit our house... at least 3 or 4 years.

But, that streak is over.  

Tuesday, mom and I had the best day shopping.  We went to the outlets, mall, out to eat.  It was a girl day and it was great.

And then Tuesday night hit.  First, my brother called me and said that my grandpaGordie was back in the hospital.  He was having a hard time breathing.   (He is still in the hospital but should hopefully be out by the weekend).

Then, around midnight, I woke up and knew that I was in trouble.  I will not get into the details, lets just say that both ends were suffering. 

By early afternoon on Wednesday, I was coming out of it.  However, Chad was starting on the adventure.  I slept so hard last night, I didnt hear him get up a gazillion times.  At 4 in the morning, Hunter joined in on the fun.  Ashton was next at about 5:30.  Shepherd, at this point, is still ok, but I cant imagine how he is going to avoid it.

So it is a movie kinda day.  Chad and Hunter are napping, Ash is playing, and Shep is eating (hopefully will not see it again.)  And, I feel great despite getting less than 6 hours of sleep.

Movie time on the pull out couch.

 This is just a cute pic of Shep covering Molly up yesterday. 

 

If nothing else, this has reminded me how I dont want to pregnant right now.  I am not ready to go through the 6+ weeks of nasty yak (Sandee, I really sympathize with you)

Just say a quick prayer for us that there are no relapses and we pull out of this thing soon!

UPDATE:  In an unprecedented occurance, 3 hours later, they are all sleeping (except Chad who is taking his 2nd hotbath of the day) 

@ 3:45 pm still sleeping

 

Finished watching "The Smurfs" and just went to his room and shut the door.

 

Even Ash gave up during the movie and crashed on the couch.  He woke up after about an hour and I rubbed his back and then he was back asleep.

 

Now, pray that they all go to bed at a decent hour tonight because I am letting them sleep until they feel they need to get up.

4A Upper State Coach of the Year

... was my husband.  What an amazing year for football in our neck of the woods.  Chad, his coaches, and his players did an amazing job this year.  I am quite proud of all the he has accomplished since taking over this program 2 years ago.  He took a team that had only won 1 game in two years to a team that went 9-4 last year and then 11-2 this year.  The two losses this year came from the same team (who plays in the state championship game tomorrow).  Not bad!

Chad and the other players/ coaches of the year were honored last night at a nice banquet.

Our school brought 13 people, including Chad's parents, some of his coaches, and a couple of the player's parents. The pics are not that great... I didnt want to stand up and get all professional like snapping pictures.  So have a sense of humor when looking at them.

Chad, his parents, and his athletic director

 

Four of his coaches that came to support him

 

And some of the parents of the players that drove to attend.  I was amazed that player's parents would drive an hour and a half for this ceremony... shows how much they love him.

 

The Awards

The Backs- 

if you watch college football, you will probably watch some of these boys in the next few years.

 Specialty Players (kickers,etc)

 

The Lineman

These were some MASSIVE young men... massive!

The Coach Awards

 

One of Chad's coaches from his staff last year (Kyle) took a head coaching job at a smaller area high school. He had a great season and was named 2A Upper State Coach of the Year.

Chadlick, I know I dont tell you enough... but I am proud of you and all you do for your school and community.  Your players are very lucky to have you as their coach and I suppose you are a pretty good husband too ;)

Congrats on another great year!

Love ya

**** Unrelated, if you read my last post about the tooth fairy, I had some substantial edits to the post... might need/ want to re-read it!