Holiday Express

On New Year's Eve, our family went to the University of Tennessee Gardens to visit the Holiday Express. Inside a large tent is a train garden with a quarter-mile track filled with 10 model trains, waterfalls, real grass, trees, and city scenes.  As soon as Parker saw the Railroad Crossing sign he was so excited!  If you look real close you will see him to the right of the sign!

We all loved the Holiday Express.  We spent almost 2 hours there just mesmerized by all of the trains, and especially the intricate detail!

 They had a mini carnival scene with a Thomas train!

And a Ladybug train too!

 Parker just watched and watched as the trains went by.

 He was so good not to touch, even though it was very tempting!

I love this sign that they had on display!

 My sweeties on the bridge looking over:

A UT orange train!

 Uh oh...a train went off the track while we were there!  It added to the excitement!

Parker had so much fun and did NOT want to leave!

If you haven't been to the Holiday Express, I highly recommend that you visit next Christmas season!  The man who designed this model train exhibit has used the gifts that the LORD has given him and put it on display for everyone to enjoy.  It was a wonderful experience for the whole family. 

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.  If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.  If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:6-8

Christmas 2010

Christmas morning is always so exciting!  Here are some of my favorite pictures:
My sweeties first waking up and coming downstairs...

Our Christmas tree with 3 gifts for each child, just like Jesus received on His Birthday!

Have yourself...an American Girl Christmas! 

Lily and Julie!

Maddy and Lanie!

Katy and her Bitty Baby with "chocolate eyes!"

Parker asked for one thing this year...

Stinky the Garbage Truck!

 Stockings are my favorite!  They are filled with little things that are special to each person. 

Lily was so excited to see her digital booklight!

Maddy and her yellow flower clip:

 Katy and her Tangled books:

 Parker and his Thomas DVD:

My Mom and Dad couldn't be with us this year and we missed them terribly!  They left gifts for the kids when they were in for Thanksgiving.  Parker was excited about his Basketball hoop that they got him!

And the girls loved getting an Easy Bake Oven.  We can't wait to use it.  It was one of my favorites as a little girl.  We love you, Grandma and Grandpa!

Jonathan's family came over and had Christmas Brunch with us.  I'm so happy that my nephew, Alex, could be with us! 

We had a wonderful Christmas and are blessed beyond measure! 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ”In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ’But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel’.”Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you have found him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2:1-12

Family is One of the Best Gifts of All

We spent Christmas Eve at the home of Jonathan's Grandparents, Mimi and Daddy Bill.  I really wanted to take some time this Christmas to get pictures of our family.  God has blessed me with so much.  First and foremost is my incredibly wonderful husband, Jonathan, of 9 1/2 years!  I love him now more than ever! 

Next is my precious family.  It is one of the best gifts that God has given me!

All of the cousins were able to be together this year!  Here are my girls with my nieces, Haley, and Anna.  They are beautiful both inside and out!  Their love for the LORD is very evident in their lives and I am so proud of them! 

Here is Parker with my nephews Adam, Alex, and Jake.  They are all so unique and I know that God is going to use each of their personalities and strengths for His glory! 

This next picture is my favorite of the night.  It shows true genuine happiness in my favorite boys in the whole world!  Parker got a CARS camping set from his Uncle Tony and Aunt Kandy.  I can't tell which of my boys is more excited! 

Aunt Jonnelle always picks out the best gifts for us.  She gave each of my girls monogrammed Minnie Mouse necklaces in each of their favorite colors!  What a wonderful way to remember our special time at Disney World and their Aunt Jonnelle!

Here are all of my favorite girls with their new necklaces! 

Parker loved his time with cousin, Alex, who came in from Minnesota.  My prayer is that he is able to move closer very soon so they can grow up together and be buddies! 

When we got home, everyone got into their Christmas PJ's.

Lily:

Maddy:

Katy:

Parker:

Thank you, LORD, for my precious blessings! 

Through the recent loss of our fifth child, the LORD has reminded me how very precious life is and to treasure each and every moment with my children.  I am thanking Him everyday for the gift of family and I hope that you will do the same! 

Brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunts,

Grandmommies and granddaddies too--

Pray a prayer for your family,

And thank God for giving them to you!

(from God's promises for girls)

Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.  You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. 

Job 22:26-27

Santa's Little Helper

It is the 6th day of the new year and I'm already behind on my blogging!  That's okay though, because I have been spending lots of time getting everything ready for Buhl Academy to open on January 10th!   More details on our exciting news to come soon!
On Monday, December 20th, Parker and I went to Katy's Preschool to celebrate Christmas with her and her sweet friends.  My friend, Angela Taylor, made Katy another cute ruffle outfit to wear.  It was sparkly blue, her favorite color!

She also made her a matching hairbow, which was Katy's favorite part of the outfit:

Since my sweet, loving husband insisted that I follow Dr.'s orders and rest all weekend after my surgery, I wasn't able to bring anything homemade to Katy's party.  But, I was so excited to have an excuse to go to Krispy Kreme and buy the snowman donuts that they kept showing on TV!  They are even cuter in person!

Right before the kids ate their snowman donuts, Katy announced to the class, "Hey guys...my mom MADE these donuts for us!"  It was so precious!  Oh, to have the innocence of a child! 

Katy and her friends decorated santa hats with their names...

and glittery shapes...

Here is one of  Santa's little helpers!

Katy is enjoying her Preschool class so much and can't wait to return tomorrow after a long break.  Thank you Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Skvara for all you do!  We are so blessed to have you teach and love our precious Katybug! 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1Chronicles 16:34