Christmas-Woohoo

So Christmas just isn't Christmas unless at least one child and or adult is sick. Our original plans were to go to Memphis and wake up Christmas morning with my folks and my brother's family. Well, I got a call Monday at work saying that Linley was sick so I picked her up and we headed to the Dr. I assumed she had an ear infection and I wanted to go ahead and get some medicine before we left on our trip. We got to the dr. and found out she had RSV-YUCK. So we immediately called off plans to go to Memphis, I cried, I got over it-and then decided we would just make do with what we had for our first Christmas at home. By Wednesday, you could not tell that my daughter was even sick, but everyone had already changed plans and my parents were headed to Nashville for Christmas Eve and then to Atlanta for Christmas Day. It was very fun to have our family at our home on Christmas morning and even more fun to cook in my new kitchen! Thanks Sweetie for my great double ovens:)

I realize it looks like Darrell is cooking in this next picture, but don't worry-he isn't.

A kid is never too old to sit in his mommy's lap. Of course when you get this old your neice wants to join you. We were glad to have Darrell's mom and brother with us for Italian Christmas meal. My aunt Pat was also there, but somehow she avoided all pictures.

I realize there is a bright light on Linley's forhead but the picture was just too cute not to put on here.

So Darrell and Paul disappeared for a while and found out later that they were playing with Jackson's new race car track.

This was Jackson's new bicycle game that he loves, but Linley had to give it a try too.

so after all the paper flew, we decided that since Linley was doing better we would head to Atlanta to finish the weekend with my brother's family. It was very fun and I ate soooooooooo many yummy treats. I think the sugar coma I was in was the reason why I lost so badly at Liverpool Rummy.

Cousins

In honor of my side of the families' big Christmas dinner this weekend I thought I would post a few pics of Jackson and Linley with cousins. Growing up I had a million first cousins (no that is not an exaggeration) and remember all the holidays and even Sunday afternoons being very fun. So far Jackson and Linley only have one ;) first cousin, but hope they have more very soon.I realize this is not a real picture of a cousin, but Linley thinks she needs to be able to fit that wide rear into everything, including this toy wagon.I think this was Leighton's first time on the carousel, of course Jackson was able to tell her the names of all of the animals.James crawled up next to Jackson to watch a movie and decided to lay exactly like him. It was adorable!

Our Big Night Awake

*Warning:This post may not be suitable for young children* The subjects in this post had been sleep deprived. No stylists or makeup artists were used in the making of these pictures so view at your own risk***
That being said, mom and I decided to document our big night awake with Linley. A little background may be needed. We were having a sleep deprived EEG done for linley on Wednesday morning and the nurse kindly told me that were to keep her awake from Midnight until 8am when the test would be performed. I laughed at her and said, "Are you kidding me?" So I called mom crying and she packed up and headed to Nashville (once again presenting "Mom of the Year Award" to Gail Thornton). It didn't occur to us that we should start taking pictures until about 3:00 am. So that is where our little picture journey begins
Here we are at 3:00 am making a "tent" with Linley. She loved this, but after awhile it became too comfortable and like all things we had to move on.

Next move was the bathroom-there is lots of fun stuff to do in there, like sit in the sink and pretend to put on lipstick. She actually looks like a natural putting this on.

Then we were on to toilet paper. I am afraid I have created a monster with this one.

By 4:00 am we had run out of exciting things to keep her awake so we packed up and headed to Walmart. We were the ONLY people there, but it was fun. Walmart proved to be our saving grace. YEs, we are sitting on the floor of Walmart. Yes, it was disgusting. No, we didn't care-we were way too tired.

Here we are as Linley was trying to fall asleep sitting up. Our cue to move to the next department.

Crying, because I made her stay awake

I was so excited that I found bubbles in the diaper bag: Then I dropped and spilled them all over the floor. "Clean up in aisle 13"

The best part of Walmart was the singing Christmas stuff. This kept us occupied for a good 20 minutes. Linley was dancing like crazy in this area. It was adorable

We couldn't leave Walmart without a few purchases: the favorite of which was this giant stuffed dog.

Here is Linley in the car ride home after the test. She wouldn't let the nurse take the things off of her head so we just left them there until a happier time. Isn't she adorable. Here she is as happy as a lark eating food, still all gooed up. This quick meal was followed by a bath and a looonnng nap.

The Little Moments

Have I ever blogged about how amazing my parents are? Really I should write it every day. This past weekend they came in and helped us pack up the house-uggh and THEN played with the kidddos so Darrell and I could go out and have fun. Thanks mom and dad!
So we went to SOL this weekend with Potts, Sue and Brent and had a great meal-except the tortillas I had to saw with a knife. Ms. Ricci gave Jackson this cookie decorating kit- he loved it!

Not a super picture of Linley, but just look at those curls-Uncle Paul we are catching up to you!

So several years ago some of my favorite people started the trend of bringing Jackson a hat from the country they visited. So far he has China, Morocco, Spain and France. Can't you just see him fitting in with the Griswold's?

Birthday Help

So I need cake help. Since I made Linley's carousel cake, Jackson thinks his mommy can bake any kind of cake. I appreciate his confidence in me, except for the fact that he wants a haunted house cake for his birthday. I realize that his birthday is exactly two months away, but considering I will need to find all things halloween I think I need to get started.

So I need a really good picture of a Haunted House Cake. That means that all of you googlers need to waste your work time and start looking for pictures for me-oh and if you have any leftover halloween candy or stuff that might make good decorations for it-save them for us!!!!!!!!Here is the best cake I have found so far, but don't think it will make the cut.

Last time I made Darrell a Martha Stewart cake it took three of us and we didn't finish the cake until after midnight and I ended up in tears and huge belly laughs-yes both of them (thanks mom for smooshing our Italian Merengue Icing!!!!!!)

A Sweet Saint in a Restored Body

I have been reminded again that God's promise to us "I am with you to deliver you,' says the LORD" (Jeremiah 1:8), means that wherever he sends us, He will guard our lives. Our possessions and property should be a matter of indifference and we should not cling tightly to them.

My sweet sweet friend Lorena Jackson returned to her place near God yesterday and I am thrilled that she is in a restored body next to her Savior.

I love Mrs. Jackson, she has been my friend for 4 years now and at 92 years old had great wisdom, kind words and funny jokes to share with me and my family.

After every doctor's appointment when I was pregnant with Samuel, I would go to her apartment and cry with her and leave knowing that no matter what, Samuel was not mine, but God's.

As I prayed with Mrs. Jackson on Monday night, for a peaceful last few days and for her desire to return Home quickly I knew that she was God's child and I love her for that.

New President?

Believe it or not I am not talking about the United States here, but our future. Today Jackson's class talked about Election Day and then they voted for the President they would choose from their class. Our sweet little Jackson won by a landslide. He was voted in because he was "so nice to everyone." When Darrell asked him what he would do as President Jackson said, "umm, share my food."

How sweet is that! Somehow I am guessing that in 4 years I won't be writing this about our beautiful but slightly less sweet Linley.

Never Iron Around Small Children

It has been a busy few days and just the beginning of a wonderful holiday season. Those that know me well know that I don't like to fill my time with lots of "things" to do so the past five days with something planned every single one of them is not exactly my idea of normal. I will say that this was the most fun Halloween ever! The title of ironing reflects are slightly hectic and crazy weekend. As I was ironing Linley decided to join me. I was very sure to keep her away from the cord: so sure that I pulled the iron to my bare belly (thankfully there are no pictures to document this) and burned myself! Anyway here are pictures from our SUPER weekend and they are in no particular order. Oh yeah and if you read this before Tuesday say an extra prayer for our nation and voting tomorrow. For the first time since I was born I have really been prayerful for this country and our leaders. (sorry for the political side note)

So this is Jackson headed from house to house-Even from the back he makes a great Ghost!

We went to J's buddy's house and trick or treated with his best friends. This was definitely the way to do it. The kids had a blast comparing candy and the adults had a great time too!
Linley was not interested in trick or treating or her costume. I got one quick pic with the head thingy on, but only because I distracted her with her first sucker. She had on her PJ's with her cute fairy outfit aunt Cake got her!

Wasn't Jackson Scary?

The daycare had a Trunt or Treat on Halloween that the kids loved- here is Linley with Miss Michelle her teacher.

Eating some candy after Trunk or Treat

After all of the Halloween Candy subsided I did get to celebrate with some great friends by going to baby showers. First we celebrated with Joanna and her two daughters on the way. On Sunday we had a shower for Claire and her baby(I am guessing son) coming in January. Can't wait to meet all 3!

Lots of fall pictures

So it has been fun to be in town for the past couple of weekends. It is also nice to not get a call from one of the pastors asking us why we werent at church. Here are some pictures from home, the Gentry Farm, and our church fall fest.

I told Linley to smile for this picture so Jackson decided to help her out. Believe it or not she thought it was pretty funny. No blog posting is quite complete without a before and after of one of Linley's seemingly pointless outbursts. Thanks Aunt Kate for the cute shirt.

We went to the Gentry Farm with one of Jackson's best buds and their family. These two kids have a blast and then argue like brothers.

The whole crew on a hayless hay ride.
The family's sweet younger daughter always takes care of Linley and Linley seems to enjoy it-most of the time.
Uncle Paul met us at church for the fall fest and entertained the kids while we waited for it to start. If you know me well you know that I am pretty much early for EVERYTHING. This day took the cake. we arrived at church around 4:00-and of course it didn't start until 5:00. I promise this time I really thought it started at 4. I am hopeless. If I am ever late send out the police because something is wrong.

Cookie decorating-Give a kid a cup full of icing and sprinkles and they won't go away unhappy.
Here was my pseudo family for the fall fest. Look at Potts' hollywood hair!