Christmas Blessings

Well, it's December 28th and another Christmas has come and gone. I've tried this year to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I admit that at times, I've been caught up in the gifts, the cooking, the busyness of the season. I am so blessed! God has given me the best family to share all my holidays with. We really did have a wonderful Christmas. I thought I would share just a few of the highlights of the season.

Christmas Eve we always go down to my mom & dad's where we celebrate with my two brothers and their families, my parents and my aunt. Of course, the crowd continues to grow, but their family room does not. :) We decided that there really isn't a place big enough for the number of people we cram into one room. Here is a picture of my three beautiful grandbabies taken at Granny's in Bippy's big comfy chair. I've tried for 5 1/2 months to get a decent picture of the 3 of them together. I actually got a couple good ones this time.

These little rascals continue to grow and change. Bryce is not so keen on getting his picture taken these days, unless it's his idea. I have quite a few pictures of him where he sticks his hand out, just as I'm shooting. :) He's a character, that's for sure. He's a very sweet boy though...I do love him so.Here's Jayme with Baby Collin. He was wearing the Santa Claus outfit and he was roasting when he woke up. So, he got to wear his cute little 1st Christmas bib. He's a very good baby. Always happy!

Here's Krista and Mia at my parents house too. David and Krista had to leave for awhile--they had Christmas Eve service at church, so we tried to get some family pictures of them before they left. However, once they left, we didn't do anymore of my family. It got pretty hectic. I'm not sure why Mia looks so sad here. Bryce and Uncle Josh are becoming really good buddies. Josh took him out on Tuesday for a special day. They got an apple juice slush at Sonic and some Tootsie Rolls at CVS. That's all Bryce wanted to do. Well, that and ride in Uncle Josh's red truck. That was fun!

Mia got a new pink tricycle from Granny & Bippy. She loved getting on and off of it by herself. (sorry about the red eyes--I didn't get them repaired on the computer upstairs and I'm having trouble with the laptop!). Mia really enjoyed Christmas this year. She loved opening presents and loved everything she got.

Christmas morning, we were invited over to Josh and Jayme's to watch the boys open what Santa brought. They had told Bryce not to get up until the clock said 8 something on it. We got there at 8:00 so we wouldn't miss him getting up. He got up about 45 minutes later, looking like this:

But, he came right into the living room and started opening presents!! He had a lot of fun and got some great things.

And, here is Collin with one of his new chewie toys. The poor guy is teething and just chews and drools all the time. I sure hope he has a tooth pop through soon!

Bryce got a talking United States map. He's quite fascinated with the different states. He started that right after Uncle Doug was here visiting. He couldn't believe that Papaw had a big brother who lived in Texas. So, he wanted to know where Texas was. This map tells the states and their capitals. Here is Uncle Josh trying it out--trying to see if he can guess the capitals, I think.

I'll close this entry with just one more picture. It's a picture of Bryce with his Christmas gift from his mommy and daddy. He has been asking for a kitten for a long time. So, they got him one for Christmas! Isn't he cute with it? He named it Lightning (as in McQueen), but today he told me that he was changing it's name to Monkey. Not sure why, but...well, he's 4. :) He said at lunch today that he just wanted to go home and see his toys for awhile. They have had so many Christmases to go to that he hasn't had a chance to enjoy all his things.
Thanks for looking at my pictures from Christmas. I pray that the coming year brings you joy and peace through the person of Jesus Christ. For, it's in Him and Him alone that we can have true Joy, true Peace and a Life in Him. My goal (not resolution) for 2009 is to become more like Jesus Christ--to fall more in love with Him through learning more about Him. I pray for my family as they serve Him and search for His will in each of their lives. So, Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year. May God bless each of you in the year to come.

Christmas Program #2

Last night was our church Christmas program. Grace P. did a great job organizing and putting together a program which included the youth groups and the choir. It was fun singing with the other ladies and learning new songs which spoke of the birth of Jesus Christ. I pray that someone there who may not know Him would have heard the good news of Jesus last night and seek Him as their Savior.


So, Bryce was a sheep again this year. He was happy to be a sheep until he learned that there were others who were going to be sheep too. He wanted to be the only sheep and he loved Nana--something he said when he cried during rehearsal last week. He was a sweet little sheep, as you can see from this picture.



Collin, being the only infant at the church right now, well, he got to play the Baby Jesus. He did such a good job. Of course, his mommy had put off feeding him and fixed a bottle and hid it next to the manger. So, Holly (who was Mary) had the bottle there to feed him as soon as they got up there. He was so good......and Holly was a great Mary. She loves holding Collin, so she was perfect for the job. Thanks Holly!


Here is a picture of the Holy Family and a shepherd and a sheep. The kids all did so well. They sang and were just plain cute. The sheep even crawled down the aisle, coming in from the back. Those of you who know our church, know that the aisle is a very long one, so they had a job doing that. :)

Here are a couple more pictures from the program. They don't really need explanation, so I'll just post them for you all to enjoy. God has certainly blessed me with the most precious grandchildren. He has blessed me even more, however, by sending His only Son to come to this world as a baby, coming to live a perfect life and then give Himself as a sacrifice for MY sin. This is the Christmas story. Not the trees, the shopping and all the things we stress ourselves out with, but to celebrate that Jesus, fully God and fully man came to Earth to save sinners. May you experience His love this holiday season and celebrate not only the Child, but the Savior. Merry Christmas to you all.

Christmas Program #1

Bryce's preschool Christmas program was on Friday. I was so honored that he invited me to come and watch him in it. It seems like only yesterday that my own kids were in their Christmas programs down at Temple Tots--they were in kindergarten, but it was still so melancholy to go down to watch as a "grandparent".

Here he is when they first went on the stage and lined up. He was holding tightly to Miss Stacy's hand before they came in and while they were going up. I think he was nervous. His eyes give it away in this picture--he's seeing all the people out there!

Oh, wait, he spotted Mommy, Daddy and Mamaw back there and gives them a little wave. Nana was sitting on the floor down in front. You do what you can for the photos, you know? He spotted me a couple minutes later and rewarded me with a big smile.

And, here is "Up on the housetop the reindeer pause...." (He's got the motions down, and he says he was singing really loud.

Out jumps good old Santa Clause................. One of the little boys next to him started to put his hand on top of Bryce's head during the performance. Bryce just gave one of his famous "looks" to the boy and then told us later that he didn't know who the boy was, but he was trying to mess up his hair!

Here he is after a great performance. He really did well, singing and doing the motions. Mamaw brought him a Laffy Taffy and Nana brought him a Reese's Peanut Butter Christmas tree for doing such a great job. Brilliant minds think alike--SUGAR!! :)

And, here's Collin and Mommy after the program. Aren't they cute? After the program, we took Bryce out to lunch and to Walmart. What a great day, huh? He's such a blessing and is getting so grown up. Today he went to an Ohio State basketball game with "the guys". That's something that only big boys get to do, you know.

Cute kids

Just a note....we took the kids last Saturday to get pictures taken--trying yet again to get one of the 3 of them together. Well, we'll see what she got, but Jaki's work is so amazing. I thought maybe someone might be interested in seeing a sneak preview of what she got. She's posted a picture of Bryce and a picture of Maleigha. Check them out at Jaki's flickr site. I think that they are both on page 2 now, so you'll have to scroll down and check them out. I can't wait to see the rest of them.

Have a great evening.

Tree Trimming

Yesterday, after a dental visit, Christmas shopping in Ashland for a few hours and having the kids over for dinner, we decorated the big "family" tree in the basement. We like to have our Christmas down there, where the kids can run free and all the "stuff" is down there. Bryce was very excited about helping with the tree. However, he was more excited about putting together the Thomas Christmas train. Well, he and Papaw got the track put together and got ready to put the train on the track. But, even with new batteries, Thomas wouldn't go. Poor Bryce had been looking forward to getting the train back out since last year. Here's what Thomas looks like right now. I think I'll be online this evening trying to find another set....a Christmas Thomas--with a snow plow, of course!!

That was the sad part of the evening, but then we headed downstairs to decorate the tree that Papaw, Bryce and Josh had put together and put the lights on. Bryce was excited about the ornaments until he saw the bead garland.....then he decided he wanted to play with them.

Here's Aunt Kiki putting some ornaments on. They enjoy looking at the old ornaments each year, finding the ones from their first Christmas, with their pictures in them. Poor Uncle Josh didn't get one with a picture--they didn't have them that year (that I could find anyway).

Here's what Baby Collin did while we decorated the tree. Well, he sat there for a little bit, then he played with Papaw and Daddy, who left the ornaments up to the rest of us. Collin is a little young for Christmas stuff this year, but by next year, I'm sure he'll be right there in the middle of it all with the other two.

After we got finished with the tree, I wanted to get a picture of the 3 of them in front of the tree. They had all brought their Santa hats, so we were set.......or so I thought. :) Here are a few of the attempts. Maybe someday I'll get one good picture of the 3 together.

Well....like I said, it was interesting. But, here's one that is not too bad, I guess. I'm a little out of focus a little, but they are all 3 there, and all three sitting, kind of.

Oh, wait.......Bryce has a funny look on his face. Well, we'll keep trying and keep loving these three kids. They are so much fun. So wonderful!!! Here's one final picture. Aunt Jayme and Mia, posing together for a sweet picture for Nana. Wow.....do I ever love my family--all of them!!!

Thanksgiving 2008

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone. There's a blog I follow in which the writer encouraged everyone to find something to thank God for that you find hard to be thankful for. I try to generally be a thankful person and had to think a little about this. However, I remembered back almost a year ago and a very hard time our family was forced to go through. I tried to be thankful for that time. And, believe it or not, I found that I was thankful for it. It drew me closer to a member of my family, it made me thankful that God drew that person to Himself and it made me thankful that the time is now over. So, what is hard at the time, can make us thankful later.


We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My mom cooked (with help from us all) for the family again. She likes to have everyone in and can still manage to cook a great meal for a big group, even after getting used to cooking for two. We were able to have some great food, some great fellowship and got some pretty good pictures. :)

I hate to admit it, but it took us about 10 tries to get a good picture of the Greenes. Not that they aren't photogenic as can be, but well, there was one of them that was way too excited about everything going on to stand still and get his picture taken. (Shame on you, Josh ;)...haha)


The Dunhams were a little easier--Mia is still pretty easily contained. She had a great time--after she warmed up to everyone. She played in the sale papers for about 40 minutes--like you would play in leaves. It was hilarious and she had a blast. :)

Uncle Josh with his best little girl. She loves for him to pick her up in the air like that. I think because he's so tall and strong. :) He's a great uncle to all the kids. Bryce loves to play with him and wrestle with him. Mia loves him because he picks her up like this and gives her the t.v. remote. She's not allowed to have it at home, but Uncle Josh is a softy. And, Collin loves to look at Uncle Josh and smile at him. Josh is feeling a little more comfortable holding Collin now too. He's better at controling his head. (Collin, I mean)


And, here are the three greatest gifts God ever gave me. I have loved this bunch all their lives--even before that. :) I knew I loved each of them the moment I saw them and have never quit loving them. It's fun being their mom now, but also being able to be their friend. I guess there are advantages to your kids growing up. I still get sentimental and weepy sometimes when I think about how quickly the time has gone since they were little. But, I do love them so....then and now.And, here are the Roes. My younger brother and his family. His daughter, Sharayah just got engaged a few weeks ago to Kevin (on the right). So, probably by next Thanksgiving, he'll officially be a memeber of the family. Although he already seems to be a part of the family.

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for each and every blessing in my life. I'm also thankful for the situations God brings into my life that cause me to see Him and seek Him. I guess now it's time to get busy on the Christmas preparations. :)

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!

It is he who made us, an we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

I decided to post one of my favorite pictures of each of my three grandchildren as a reminder of just a few of the many blessings God has given me.

Bryce, taken last April. I just think this picture is adorable of him.

Mia--taken last Thanksgiving when she and Krista came to visit. I love this picture of her.

Here's newborn Collin--he's only 4 months old now, but he's changed so much. I just think this is cute, and since the pictures of the other two were older, I thought I should post an "old" one of Collin.

God has certainly blessed me beyond belief. His mercies never cease to amaze me and His grace gives me the strength for each day and is so wonderful. I pray that in the year to come, I learn to share the grace and love of God with the world around me. May I see the needs of others and share His love with them.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone. God bless you all!!

Temple Tots Thanksgiving Feast

Today was the Thanksgiving Feast at Temple Tots, where Bryce goes to preschool. Because it was Neighbor-2-Neighbor day at church also, his daddy couldn't get off work to go, so he invited Nana to go along, as well as his mommy. His teacher, Miss Stacy said that he was excited all morning about Mommy coming to eat lunch with him. :)

The feast was really nice. The folks at Temple Baptist Church had gone all out with decorating, food, etc.

Collin got to go also, decked out in his Thanksgiving hat. I told Jayme that he looks like the Thanksgiving Butterball. :) He's a sweetie. He got to enjoy his lunch at the feast also. Then, it was a nap for him on the way home.

This was Bryce's placemat he made for the feast. We got a little bit of food on it, but it was so cute. He said Miss Stacy helped him draw his hand to make the turkey. :)

This is Bryce's plate of food. He did pretty well with it. Except his favorite part was the bowl of candy corn on the table. I did talk him into a bite of real corn and then a piece of candy corn. That worked for a few bites. He's got a sweet tooth, that's for sure. And, who knows where he would get that??? :)Here's Mommy, Bryce and Collin--all at the feast. Aren't they cute? Happy Thanksgiving--as you can see, I have MUCH to be thankful for....these 3 and much, much, more. Thank you God for my wonderful family.

Fall Carnival

So, I thought it would be fun to take Bryce and Mia to the Fall Carnival this year at Valley Elementary. I hadn't been for years--probably since my kids were in elementary school. Bryce had been watching a Boz video where they went to the carnival and he envisioned rides, huge games, etc. Well, it didn't quite measure up to that, but they both had a great time. Bryce was ready to go and excited when we went to pick him up. He had been counting down "sleeps" until he got to go. We stopped to pick Mia up and she just squealed and made her excited face. (Which is hard to describe, but she squeezes her fists and makes a little well, excited look!) She really got excited when she saw that she was going to get to ride in Nana's car and the DVD was already on!

Once we got there, Bryce was ready to GO! He wanted to just see what all there was. They had games set up in different rooms, many in the hallways and huge inflatables in the gym. Some of the games were above the two of them, like throwing real darts at balloons--yeah, we didn't go there!

Here is Bryce "fishing" for a prize. Mia is looking at the fish that looks like Nemo. She fished after Bryce did, although she preferred to just point at the fish and see the different ones on the board.

This was one of Mia's favorite games. The other favorite was also a pool, filled with water that had ducks floating in it. You were supposed to pick a duck, show the girl the number on the bottom of it and then you got a prize. However, Mia wanted the ducks that had the numbers on them. And, this game, she wanted the balls, not the prizes they had. She is a silly girl! :)

Bryce was trying to get the football through Brutus's hands. I don't know if you can see where it is, but he's pretty close for a 4 year old. Mia is cheering him on. She wanted the football after he finished. They were going to let her throw it, just for fun, but she didn't want to throw it--she wanted the football. I guess at 15 months, you don't really understand the concept of games, you just like the equipment!

So, as you can see, they both enjoyed the carnival a lot! Next year, Collin will have to go along with us too. I felt bad that we didn't take him, but I didn't figure he would enjoy it. And, someone would have had to carry him (which is a BIG task in and of itself). :)

After the carnival, we all went over to Granny's for dinner. Here is Collin, sitting on Bippy's lap. Jayme says she wants to get him a Santa suit to wear for Christmas--he already has the rosy cheeks!

What a blessing my family is to me! This was a great day--got to enjoy the kids for a few hours and then enjoy my extended family at my mom's house. God is SO good.

My Cute Grandkids

This past week has been a hectic one, to be sure. Hectic, but enjoyable. Thursday, I got to go over and stay with Mia while her mommy went to a doctor's appointment. Mia usually naps from noon until about 3:00 or so. However, that day, she went to sleep about 11:45 and then by the time I got there about 12:30, she was up! Personally, I think she knew Nana was coming and wanted to get to see me. We had so much fun. We went for a walk up the road then came back and played in the leaves for awhile and I pushed her in her little red car.

Here she is--posing for me. I'm not sure what the face is about. She's a funny girl! She's starting to have such a personality--so fun and so beautiful!

Fun in the leaves! I was throwing leaves up in the air and she was cracking up! I'm not sure what was so funny about it, but she loved it. :) She's a sweetie! Patronizing Nana!

On Thursday, after Krista got back and I visited with her for a few minutes, I went out to Elbrooke to help my hubby clean out his mom's stuff from her room. That was a task that none of us really wanted to do, but it had to be done. I was doing o.k. with it until I opened a plastic box that contained her "Grandma" sweatshirts. That made me pretty sad. It's funny how we all take people and things for granted until they are gone from our lives. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way.

After working out there for about 3 1/2 hours, I went and picked up the boys so that they could stay with us while their parents had Bible study at their house. We had a fun evening, although Baby Collin was a little fussy. He had gotten his 4 months shots that day--poor baby!

So, then comes Friday. We made a trip to Walmart, then about 4:30, the boys came over to spend the night with us!! Their mommy and daddy were taking the teens from church to a Big Daddy Weave concert. Thankfully, Uncle Josh came home on Friday too--he was a big help in playing with the boys, etc. Bryce and I (and Uncle Josh) baked some cookies on Friday evening. I decided we would make some sugar cookies and make them look like Ninja Turtles.

O.k., I know I'm not talented or artistic, but he was thrilled with them. He had a lot of fun dumping in the ingredients, using the mixer, and then putting the icing on the cookies. He put the green on and then I did the mask. He did lick his knife a few times. :) Surprising, huh?

Another shot of him showing off his cookie. He ate it and thought it was delicious. Actually, he ate part of it and then finished it for breakfast. He said that he sometimes asks Mommy if he can eat a cookie for breakfast and she says "Sure, you can eat cookies for breakfast". :)

The Little Guy was a little fussy again on Friday, but we enjoyed him anyway. He and Papaw hung out some while Nana and Bryce did the cookies. Here he is on Saturday morning, just an hour or so after he got up--went back to sleep. Isn't he beautiful and precious? I love the little rosy cheeks. :) (O.k., the chubby, rosy cheeks!!)

Saturday evening, I had the chance to go to Huntington to hear Dr. Bill Brown from Cedarville University at River Cities Community Church (where Josh is going). I also got to see the Duncans and was able to hug Jennifer! It was a great weekend. Hectic, but great. I love my family so much and enjoyed spending some time with the kids!