Guess what happened here? (or Freaky Friday for sure!!!)

After much prayer and petition by the children of SC God answered and look!!!




And yep, we still have Christmas decorations outside!  (that’s my husband’s domain (smile))
JULIE


Recovering from knee surgery

Friday afternoon I had outpatient knee surgery.  I’m recovering well and have had lots of help.  I’m hobbling around, using the crutches some and resting whenever possible.  I appreciate any prayers for a quick recovery.  Four children makes recovery a necessity!!!
IN HIM,
Julie


Peanut Butter Brain

I know we all have those days when we feel like there is peanut butter in between our ears instead of brains.  Today is that day for me.  So I’m reciting over and over "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  Thankfully it’s all him today and none of me. 
Is that the way I’m always supposed to be?
Hmmm…..
I think, yes.
So does he allow my peanut butter brain so I will press into him more? 
Again, I think yes.
When my decision making isn’t clear, when nothing makes sense to me it all makes sense to him. 
I’m really glad I belong to him. 
He’s a pretty cool guy to depend on.  Sees all, hears all, knows all.
Sometimes I wonder why I don’t depend upon him more often.

Something to ponder in my peanut butter brain today….

IN HIM,
julie


One Dollar Adoption

Hey! Go check out the story on Nancy’s website and consider donating just a dollar to help those who are adopting children.  The One Dollar Adoption website can be found by clicking here.
IN HIM,
julie


It's really 2008

Christmas was great here.  Since we had bought the boys (and girl) a trampoline there was only a few "specialized" things we bought for the kids for Christmas so it was quiet around here.  Then we left for a visit at my mom’s house.  That was fun.  We then headed back home for New Years Eve (which I promptly slept through) while my hubbie, children and friends watched Auburn thump Clemson is a New Years Bowl Game.  My hubbie’s birthday is New Year’s Day so I asked the Lord all night for a win for him.
Thank you God that Auburn won!
My oldest son turned 9 on Christmas Day so on top of celebrating Jesus’ Birthday we also celebrated two more.
There have been a couple changes around here.  We lost a cat over the holidays, had two family birthdays, one Savior’s birthday and bought a new truck.  Whew!!
So here are a few pictures from our festive activities over the holidays.

All the cousins gathered for a photo at mom’s.  Yep, we constitute over 1/2 of the bunch!

I got a HUGE bag from Land’s End (or LL Bean), I can’t remember.  It was big enough for my 9 year old!

Does she look like trouble or what?  She is!!!

Here I am with my nephew Bailey.  He’s gotten SO big!

This was my daughter’s "special" gift Christmas morning!  We put all her smaller prizes inside for her to unwrap.  Three of my four kids love Slim Jims so that is what she is chewing on for breakfast.  I think they take after their Uncle Will.  He always loved those things!

Here’s my 6 year old before we went to visit at mom and dad’s house.  I love that sleepy, happy look.  Yep, he got a bike.

And here are my almost 8 year old and my 6 year old AFTER visiting my sister’s salon while we were in NC.  My youngest son decided the shaved look was in for the new year.  He’s a brave one, that guy.  Look how long his hair was in the photo above.

Happy New Year!
(now off to do lesson plans…….)
JULIE


It really is!!!

Some of you may think I made this up but a tripod, self-timer and a nutty bunch produced this for our Christmas card this year.  A much calmer photo went out to some but this graced the cover of many-a-Christmas cards from our house this year.


A Gift from heaven

First let me tell you that we have been blessed with 70 degree weather all week.  Christmas or not I prefer this to 30s any day of the week.  My kids and I have had the best time making sure we spend the days outside.  School work has been kept to a minimum and we’ve soaked up all the vitamin D possible in the lovely sunny warm weather.

I’ll post pictures later today.

My husband and I had our last date night for a while last night.  Our sitter is a college student and will be going home for Christmas.  So we won’t see her again until mid January.  But on our date last night we went to see Noelle.  It was such a good movie.  I had someone one send me the trailer and found it in one of the theaters close by.  It is a bold yet sweet story of what it looks like when we give our faith feet to love others.

Check it out and see if it is playing near you.  You’re sure to love this movie!
IN HIM,
julie


A celebration…

Earlier in the week I posted about how little I enjoy Christmas decorating.  Try as I might to "just relax and enjoy it", I haven’t.  I don’t.  Not sure I will.  I like the house all decorated but the process???  Nope, not me!

We took a nice break last night from all the decorating to celebrate my son’s 9th birthday.  His birthday is on Christmas Day so we normally celebrate a week or two early.  This year he decided on dinner, bowling and a night’s stay at a local hotel with his dad and two of his friends.  Now before you think we’re unloading lots of "squidola" (our term for money in college) on the ole birthday just know that the hotel was free.  Yippee!!!  Did I say free?? 

Well, off we went with 6 kids in tow to our local Zaxby’s.  And the master money manipulator here fed 6 kids and one adult on 23.00.  Yep, I was proud.

Then off to the bowling alley for two games of smokey, rolling fun.  (The bowling alleys aren’t smoke free here yet.)  I wish they were because I really like bowling with my family.  Our youngest son won the first game with a 100 score and then one of the friends won the second with a 108. 

Then back to the hotel for some running around in the dark.  The hotel is on a local golf course so it was the perfect was to get rid of that last little bit of energy before popcorn and a movie in the room.  So I dumped my hubbie off with three boys in tow, a forlorn look and me and the rest of the kids headed to Dunkin Donuts.  (But we won’t tell anyone!)

Happy Saturday!
Julie


Slowly but Surely

Slowly but surely the house is getting decorated for Christmas.  I don’t know how anyone does it all!  I guess part of my problem is that I don’t like decorating now that I have kids.  I like decorating in quiet, no questions being asked, with my favorite music playing in the background.

That’s not the way it is around here.  Question after question, if I can keep them out of the attic long enough to get just one box unpacked then I’m doing well.  They want to open everything in the most disorderly fashion.  Ugh. 

Is this really supposed to be fun?

Julie (Grinch)


Guess who came to a tea party?

"Cowboy" was the guest of honor at a tea party this morning.  Grandma brought the tea set with her when she visited so tea is now a regular part of our mornings.
(And Tony Carter….no comments about the shirt from the peanut gallery!)




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