Maahmm! She's looking at me again!

This is Naomi's imitation of Brooke blinking because of her dry eyes. It's kind of funny that she is already picking on her sister.

She done stomped on my heart

This is Jo's Stomp (or Stump, as her very talented cuban instructor says) concert. She is sitting in front of the drum kit on the far right. There were kids from elementary age up to high school.

All I want for Christmas is...

Wish I could say I was in the holiday but spirit but anyone that knows me, knows that I spent too many years in retail to actually enjoy Christmas. After a week hiatus from the internet, thinking that it was my computer, I discovered it was actually my internet service. I'm so glad it wasn't my puter! I think I have all my shopping done. I really don't have any holiday pressures but....sigh, I'm already over it. I'll be honest, you probably won't like me after I mention this but I'm just going to puke it up and get it out there for everybody to see. So here it is:
I get an email from a local business that is looking for help for providing a Christmas for a "needy" family. So here's part of their list - an ipod, make-up, a Wii, one of those fur-real ponies ($200)... does anyone else see the lack of "a need" here besides me? My hubby has a family that they all pitched in money at work to get gifts for, granted they sound like a nice family but I didn't see one pair of undies or a winter coat anywhere on the list. A game system, yep, a leap frog system, yep, a football, basketball, yep, yep...A back pack for school, nope, any books, nope, sweater, nope, you get the picture. Please someone explain to me what any of this has to do with Christmas? I admit, I'm sucked into it too. I had to buy presents, because what kind of parent would I be if I didn't?
Wow, I think I just figured out why I can't get into the holiday spirit. I feel cheated, shanghi-ed, and even bullied into participating in this retail buying frenzy. How could I actually feeling good about this or what has become of the human race? Oh, but shouldn't I feel good about giving the presents... sure, and I do. But I don't feel good about feeling pressured to do so or how our society thinks that people who don't get gifts are under-privileged. If they were, would they be asking for game systems and ipods? So once again, another year later, I dream of a warm tropical island that doesn't participate in this ridiculous tradition. One where I can lay out a blanket in the sand, crack open my bible and have a moment with my Creator. Now that would be Christmas!

I think I lost my head.

Ever have one of those weeks? Not sure where it went but not real interested in looking for it anywhere? Naomi has had a chronic runny nose and been real needy, thus the absence of an update to the blog. Jo had her Stomp concert, Jo, Mom/Grandma & I went to the Freedom Center Women's PJ Party and then Saturday was Fenton's JingleFest which included a concert with SevenGlory. The week was topped off with an email containing a virus that I couldn't seem to kick. 20 virus scans later...It all seems a blur.

Gobble! Gobble!

The Fellas of the South came up for turkey day with the Fellas of the North. All the way from Gulf Shores, Alabama. Nana and Papa have been braving the snowy weather to spend five days with us. We fried our turkey, which we have done once before. It turned out awesome. Then we tried something new and fried up some sweet potato fries, then sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar. Can you say, YUM? Of course no Thanksgiving is complete without the funeral beans a.k.a. green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and burn & serve rolls. We skipped the cranberries because no one really likes those, do they? We topped the meal off with Rachael Scott's famous (at least in my house) peanut butter pie and some apple streudel. We were going to make a pumpkin pie but the recipe we wanted was online and the internet was too jammed to get it so that'll come later in the visit because Jane says she's not leaving until she gets some.

We headed to Runyans Tree Farm in Clio on Friday to partake in our family tradition of cutting our Christmas Tree. We voted for a Balsam Fir and found ourselves the perfect 8 footer. We warmed up with hot chocolate and indulged in some gingerbread cookies afterwards.

Christmas before Turkey Day

Christmas came early with Grandad and Granda Linda this past week. We celebrated with Lasagna and Apple Cinnamon Streudel. Naomi took extreme interest in smelling the candles on coffee table and would only hang with Grandad when he fed her icecream. They will be heading for warmer climate the day after Thanksgiving.













It was a great opportunity to get a picture of the girls together

Dedication to Our Lord

Sunday was baby dedication day at church. We are so happy that this day has come. Of course it couldn't go without some kind of strange occurance. It just so happened that during that 10-15 minute span I felt a vibration from the phone I was babysitting for my friend Rachael in the choir because her sister was coming in from out of town and wasn't sure she knew the way. Knowing that she was probably in need of directions I tried to decreitly get Rachael's attention on the stage behind me so she could get the phone. Her husband, Pastor Ben, playing the keyboard, indicated I should try to slide it over to him... that didn't work out so well so JD, another band member, had to sneak over and pick up off the stage and give it to Rach. I'm not sure if Pastor Jim was completely oblivious to this drama as he prayed or just extremely patient. He knows me by now and probably expects such things. Either way I'm grateful for his kindness.