Sweet Christmas program

This year our school Christmas program was short and sweet, so sweet.  I loved the beginning as the children sang in a processional as they entered the sanctuary and walked to their seats.  They then sang older Christmas hymns, less well-known, which were beautiful and rich.  The last song was a more modern and popular song, "Mary Did You Know?.  But the last verse was sang by a trio of ladies, one of which is a dear friend, who sound angelic together.  It was so beautiful.  Another addition that I loved was the violin and guitar students played songs as well.  It was a beautiful night, and such a lovely welcome to the Christmas season! I am so proud of my students and my children!

My three sweethearts

Joshua, 11 years old

Jackson, 13 years old

Lydia Joy with two of her best friends.  Beautiful girls from precious families!  Love them!

Lydia Joy, 7 years old

 "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!" 

Random fun from December

Uncle Rick's birthday dinner 

What a pride-and-joy look he's giving his youngest daughter.

A friend's choir performance

 

The Nutcracker

Beautiful dancers and sets

A couple of nerdy-birds imitating the soldiers

My nieces' fun Christmas program

 

Time for books and Starbucks

My precious students, with their beautiful crayon-resist Bethlehem skyline drawings in the background

I love these little souls so much.  I am so blessed to spend my mornings with them!

 Lydie and her best friend on "Christmas Spirit Day" at school

Lydie at her cousin, Anna's, gingergread birthday party

Fun!

Lydie and Mom

SEC championship football game with Hester in Atlanta

My brother gave me two free tickets to the SEC championship football game in Atlanta.  My sweet friend from school and I went together and had a great day!  I enjoyed so much the time with her and especially the exciting football game!  War Eagle!  Made me think about how pushing 40 doesn't mean we can't be spontaneous and fun!  Carpe diem!!

This day was such a blast!  Auburn won the SEC championship and we were there!

“Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again.”

George Whitefield 

Walk through Nativity

When we lived in Atlanta, one of my favorite Christmas traditions was a local church's recreation of Bethlehem.  We participated in "Walk through Bethlehem" several years.  I really missed that tradition when we were at the farm!  So I was thrilled to be able to go to something similar this year.  We walked around the parking lots of a big, local church and enjoyed actors, beautiful backdrops, and live animals recreate the story of the life of Christ.  Afterwards, the church served hot chocolate and cookies.  What a wonderful ministry this church has to organize such a large event for our community!  Joy to the World!

Our Birmingham house all ready for Christmas

The sitting room/library/coffee room was the perfect spot for our tree.  Still hanging on to the "live" tree tradition!

Coffee bar, decked out and ready for friends and family!

A little décor for the banister

The foyer.  I made the "JOY" letters this year.

Dining room

Kitchen

My baby boys, Christmas 2002

Lydie's 2 year old Christmas handprint

Family room

Ready for the countdown...

" O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant
Oh come ye O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him born the King of angels;
O come let us adore him Christ the Lord." 

Thanksgiving and the Iron Bowl

 

Praying at her class party

Her gratitude list

Celebrating an exciting victory over Alabama in the Iron Bowl!

Yes, it was an amazing win in the last second.

War Eagle!

This year was really strange.  My parents and brother's family took our children to Nashville to stay in the Opryland Hotel for Thanksgiving and a day or two more.  We stayed here while Andy was recovering.  The children enjoyed the trip so much and were enamored with the hotel and all they were able to see and do that week.  Andy and I were so thankful for the help!

While they were gone, I got all of my Christmas shopping done and spent good time with Andy.  I felt so ready for December this year, even with Andy's surgery and recovery, which was such a gift!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we went to Andy's parent's house for a traditional thanksgiving meal and to watch the Auburn/Alabama game together.  Andys' dad did most of the preparation, as his mom just had surgery, too.  It was more of a football night than a thanksgiving dinner.  We had so much fun!  It was a GREAT night to be an Auburn tiger and a fun day with family!