Visit with Santa

This year we made our visit to see Santa a little early. The kids were so excited for an evening out. We got to the mall and there was no wait to see Santa. Anna Grace would not sit on his lap. She sat with Sissy. Santa tried his best to hold her. He even stood beside her for a photo-I love the one of him kissing her shoulder. We were all shocked when he told Anna Grace that he remembered her visit last year after she had gotten home from China-he even knew her name! WOW! Hayne was thrilled to see Santa. He was so excited. It was precious as he hugged Santa. His joy is so amazing. We got a really sweet picture that the mall took of them together. I need to get it scanned in. We had such a good evening together as a family.

Build A Bear Fun

After we went to see Santa, we made a special trip to Build A Bear. Ashton & Anna Grace enjoyed making Hal & Holly Moose-Anna Grace would have no part of holiday clothes, she had to have a Princess Aurora. Hayne made himself a penguin with Christmas jammies and Adam got a Clemson Tiger! They had so much fun. We had such a special evening. The best part was ALL of the coupons I had saved during the year-it hardly cost us anything :) Go mommy!

Thanksgiving Blessings

What a special day we had for Thanksgiving. Hal prepared a special treat for us. He made a special breakfast of French Toast and read a story about Thanksgiving. He goes to so much trouble to help us create special memories. We all enjoyed watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The kids made ornaments while Anna Grace ate suckers. Hayne and Adam especially enjoyed helping me make desserts to take to Nana's. I hope noone minded that the beaters got licked several times during the process :) We had so much fun with our family at Nana and Bop Bop's. Ashton and I spent the night with Nana so we could leave at 3:30 am to start our Black Friday Shopping.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this year. I am thankful that I have all 4 of my children here with me-happy, healthy and together. I am so grateful for a husband who loves me and takes such good care of our family. I am grateful for parents who we love so much and enjoying being with. I am thankful for wonderful friends-those who we have known for years and those who we met through the wonderful world of adoption. I am so very thankful that my brother is home safely from Afghanistan. I am grateful that little Miss Lillie is home with her family this year-last year was spent rushing paperwork and waiting-now she is home with her sister and they share a bond that will never be broken. I am thankful that Pappy(Jodi's dad) is doing so much better and recovering with physical therapy. I am thankful that God is blessing our business and I have the chance to help Hal at work. I am very grateful to live in a country where we can worship freely and give thanks to God who has blessed us with so much more than I could ever deserve.

What about you? What are you thankful for?

Thank you!

My brother, Johnny proudly served our country in the National Guard during Operation Enduring Freedom. There are no words to express how proud I am of him and all that he has done for our country. So today, I say Thank you-to him and to all of the soldiers who proudly serve our country at home and abroad. To those who have sacrificed, we thank you. Praise God for the wonderful country we live in and to the men and women who give of themselves so that we can live freely each day. Mere words are not enough. May God bless and protect our soldiers and their families.

Prayers 4 Pappy

Please take a moment in the next couple of days and say a prayer for Jodi's daddy. Joe is such a special man and those who love him most(his grandchildren especially) call him Pappy. He is having open heart surgery on Wednesday morning. Please pray for God to guide the hands of the surgeon and for Pappy to recover quickly. This has all been quite sudden and no one is prepared. He is in great health but in need of a heart healing. Pappy is the most precious, happy man and he would do anything for anyone. He loves his daughter, wife and grandchildren so much. Please remember them all as they journey this road-pray for peace and comfort as they wait through the 7 hour surgery. I can already see Pappy walking himself from CCU telling jokes and making everyone laugh. Thanks for your prayers. We love you Pappy(and MeeMee)

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"
Joshua 24:15