Happy Birthday Mumsie!

On January 3, we went to Robersonville and Williamston to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. We were able to attend church with her, my parents, and my aunt and uncle. After church, we went to Williamston to have lunch. I think about all that Mumsie has seen and heard in her 90 years. She is one of the most optimistic people I know and I love her so much.

Happy Birthday Mumsie!

A New Year

Happy New Year even if it is a little late. I started back to school this past week and it's not going back to school that I hate. It is getting back into the routine. It is tough for EVERYONE. All the kids have to relearn everything. Seriously....they forget all the rules and expectations during those 2 weeks we are out.

We are still technically at the beginning of winter, but you would think it was the middle considering how cold it has been. For the past week and a half, we have risen in the morning to see the thermometer reading, 17 or 19 degrees. And the wind, oh the wind will bite you. We did get a little bit of excitement this past week with a chance of snow that went BUST! Wait, it did snow about 25 flakes on Thursday night. Then it decided to warm up just enough so that it wouldn't snow.

I am helping two friends of mine, Katie and Lauren, conduct an auction for a very special little boy. Many of you may know him....Jonah Williams is his name. He will be one year old on February 27 and Katie came up with this great idea of holding this auction in his honor. Currently we are working on soliciting donations for the auction. We hope to have a variety of things including gift cards, handmade items, photo packages, autographed items. If you have something you would like to donate or know of someone who should be contacted, please let me, Katie, or Lauren know. The auction will be held the week leading up to Jonah's birthday, and it will be set up at a site all its own. You can reach the site by clicking on the auction button on the right. I forgot to mention that all proceeds will go to DEBRA. Thank you for all the support!

Christmas Day

Life has not slowed down since Christmas, hence the delay in sharing these pictures.

Seth looking at thank you note from Santa

A Cars game for the Leapster

A new ECU shirt

A "Where the Wild Things Are" shirt

A Cars Wall Clock

A Snuggie

New Pants

On Christmas Day, both sets of grandparents came over to check out Seth's loot. On Saturday, we went over to the Brights' for Mr. Paul's family Christmas, but ended up being late so we missed the family time. We spent time with the Barnetts instead, which was a great treat! On Sunday, we went to church and watched football that afternoon. On Monday, Seth and I went to see Princess and the Frog, which was great by the way! Monday night, I fixed chili to freeze. Whenever I have a day off from school, I try to prepare a meal I can freeze and eat later. So, Tuesday night, I made soup. I know, I am on a roll here...I plan on making spaghetti sauce either today or tomorrow. Busy, busy busy...I do plan on sleeping in tomorrow, or at least going back to sleep. Happy New Year everyone!

May Your Christmas Be Merry and Bright!

Pulling on the Reins

Aaaaahhhhhhh!!! Can I say it again? Aaaaaahhhhhhh! Christmas break is here! Maybe now I can have a weekend that doesn't seem like work (or at least a few weekdays)!

We missed our first opportunity for snow recently. It never fails. By the time the moisture gets here, it has warmed up, so we get very cold rain. I guess I shouldn't be too depressed, at least I can get in my car and go where I want, unlike my cousins in Virginia, who have 17 inches of snow in their yard. Oh well, winter is just beginning tomorrow, so maybe we will have a few more chances for snow.

We had the Bright family Christmas this past weekend. Rob's sister and her family were here from South Carolina and we had a Christmas breakfast and gifts over at his parents' on Saturday. Pictures to come! On Saturday night, we joined my mother-in-law's entire family for their annual Christmas get together. Needless to say, we were exhausted last night. Sunday was very low key for us--catching up on laundry, a trip to the grocery store, watching football and basketball.

For the next two weeks, I do plan on pulling the reins back. I want to take a couple of naps, visit some friends, see a few movies, spend time with loved ones. I want it to be like a vacation, but I know I will have to WORK at doing that.

JOY

Joy is defined as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. I experienced great joy today when I received a text from my friend Tammy saying that she did not have cancer in her bone marrow or her bones. She is no stranger to cancer, surviving a bout with Hodgkins' Disease in college. Tammy has been having some bad health problems for almost a year now. Her kidneys began to give her trouble back in March of this year. She has had to receive blood transfusions and she began dialysis in August. She has been in a lot of pain and has had to endure a lot of swelling. She has seen many doctors about her condition and I hesitate to say that there is a lot of theorizing going on. We pray for Tammy's health every day and we pray that her pain goes away. We ask God to provide her doctors with wisdom. We pray that she will be healed of this condition and be able to go back to one of the things she loves, teaching math.

We will embrace the joy. We will count our blessings and thank the Lord for all of our days. We love you Tammy very much. Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving and Seth's Birthday

Whew! I love my life, don't get me wrong, but I am so ready for a weekend that doesn't seem like work! Ever since the middle of November and up until the end of December, it seems there is something going on for us every weekend. I know, I know, it's a very busy time. Of course we decided to add insult to injury when we got married in November and had Seth in November. I am not complaining, but man am I worn out! Here are some highlights from Thanksgiving and Seth's birthday.

Caitlyn, Seth, and Carson

Enjoying their lunch

Stuffed Turkeys

Seth's 4th Birthday at Jumpin' Parties