Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Spreading the Spirit of Christmas.

Hello Everyone.
I hope that everyone is enjoying the Christmas holiday season
and remembering what this time of year is all about.
For our family
the meaning is centered around
the greatest gift man has ever received...
the birth of a miracle...
a small baby boy,,,
who came to change and save the world.

It is also about finding some way to give to others.
Last year, we rang the bells for the Salvation Army at Walmart,
and this year, well, we are trying to help out a little closer to home.
I received an email yesterday and immediately knew that this was
the thing for us to do this year.
I have sent out an email to my list of friends and family
and I thought that those of you who follow my blog
may be looking as well for a way to give of yourself this year.

A week ago
a man named Tommy...
who was once a part of my extended family...
someone who helped build the home we live in now...
lost his life after falling from a home he was working on.
I only saw Tommy every blue moon,
usually at some function supporting his granddaughter
who is the same age as Alexandra,
but it didn't matter how long it had been
he still had a smile when he saw us...
and a kind word to say.
After hearing the news of his death,
my mind went to his family and
what they would face this holiday season.
Like many,
I wanted to do something but didn't know what.
Then I was forwarded an email yesterday
originated by one of his friends
telling me that his family is struggling.
Not only mentally, but financially to cover funeral costs.
Friends are trying to come up with ways
to raise money for his family to help out with this.
They have come up with a plan to sell Krispy Kreme donuts
like many of the schools do for fundraisers; however,
they are open to help or donations of anykind.
I plan to buy a few boxes of donuts and
give a donation to Nave's Funeral Home in Erin, Tn.
This money will go towards Tommy's funeral costs
and hopefully help ease a little of the burden for his family.

Times are tough...
if you are like us,
you may not have much to give
but we will find a way to do what we can.
I can give my kids no greater gift this Christmas
than to teach them how to care for others
and how important it is to give to those who are in need.

If you would like to join me in doing something this Christmas
to make a difference in this family's life...
just send me an email and I will fill you in on all the information.

Thank You
&
Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2008

Here's a ton on photos from our
Thanksgiving.
Most of the day was spent with
Jimmy's family.
The kids seem to steal the show this year
and it was mostly the little ones.
My big kids were so-o not into l
letting me take their photos this year.
Anyway,
not a lot of say here...
just a lot of photos.



These two games kept them occupied...
at least for a short while!






Blake was all into the football game.



You DON'T want to know what this is about!
Just another mom and daughter moment
thanks to
Kathy & Mollie



Grandma's $3.00 find
was a hit...
thank goodness for hardwood floors.






Kathy and some of her girls.



and then there was the food...



Kathy was so excited...as usual!



Carson waited patiently
while Aunt Kathy clowned around.



Dayton and his Goddy (Grandpa),
otherwise known as Michael, Jimmy's brother.



Blake means business when it comes to turkey.



Not much comes between Carson and his food...



but he did take time out to show
Aunt Kathy some love.



Oooh. yeah.
Now, that's what I'm talking about!
(She'll kill me for that one.)



Sebastian,
I took him by surprise.



Time for a little ball
Dayton was just learning
and once he got started...



he didn't want to put it down.












Sebastian finally got a few swings in.






























and then...
it was football time in Tennessee.















Alex had to deal with being the only girl there...
so she resorted to sitting indoors and finding something good to read.



Everyone seemed to enjoy
spending the day together.






Blake enjoyed aggravating Mollie...
imagine that!



Grandma and Mollie



Before leaving,
Jimmy's mom wanted me to take a photo
of all the kids together.
That went well....
NOT!









As you can see...
Alex was really into it...
NOT!






After all the fun was over there...



we went by to check on my wonderful Aunt Gay
who is recooperating from knee surgery.






Carson showing us his new crossing the eyes trick...
Funny at first
but then I remembered the comments I used to hear
when I did it as a child...
you know about the whole eyes getting stuck thing.
Yes, I turned into my mother
and uttered the words...
"Oh don't do that, your eyes will get stuck like that!"



Uncle Frank found the whole thing amusing.



Aunt Gay doing what Aunt Gay does best...
shower us with love.



Teresa doing what Teresa does best...
finding a bargain.
Which I needed when I headed out to start
Christmas shopping at 10:30p.m.
the night of Thanksgiving.
Yes, you heard me right.
My crazy cousin,
Misty,
convinced me to go to Opry Mills to shop
when they opened at midnight.
I thought, just like you are,
that I had lost my mind.
After arriving at the mall,
and seeing crazy people camping outside...
while others dragged their young children around
the mall at 2:00 in the morning...
I realized that I wasn't the crazy one at all.

All in all,
I had a wonderfully delirious time
and got lots done...
all without getting run over
or giving anyone a black eye.

So, here's to being thankful for all
of my many blessings...
those from above...
those from family...
and
those from the mall!!