Christmas Pics!

As usual, the Christmas pics are pretty random. It's usually so chaotic that it's hard to get a good pic (not to mention it's usually too dark to get a great shot). But at any rate, here is a sampling of Christmas for us. Last year, I got a group shot of my dad's family, and this year we were able to get one of my mom's family. My only wish is that the out-of-staters could have been there for it!

A Star is Born!

Okay, so we all knew he was already a star! But his first real public performance was this weekend at the church during our Christmas music. The toddlers and preschoolers were supposed to ring the bells to "Jingle Bells" and wave streamers during "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy." Needless to say, it was a HOOT! (The second pic shows him in action). I was so proud, laughing and crying at the same time!!! Clayton started out strong on both songs, but by the end of the first verse of both songs, he was bored--just staring at everyone like "what the heck are we doing up here?!" He even tried to sing along a couple of times. Lots of people who never see him in action came up to me after church--they were so surprised he could do so much. I was glad he got to show a little of what he's good at . . . someday I know he'll be playing music for them!

ETA: Christmas pics coming soon . . .

Thursday

--Clayton doesn't feel good. Stuffy nose, runny nose, and I'm pretty sure sore throat because mine is raw as well. He does think his voice sounds cool though because he's just sitting around saying "OH." Like he's just listening to himself!

--Still not finished shopping!

--Got lots to do before this weekend and what I really want to do is just sit and scrap.

--Our Christmas music is Sunday night. Clayton is supposed to ring a bell and sing Jingle Bells with the toddlers/preschoolers. Should be very interesting! I'm supposed to sing, and I'm hoping my throat is much better by then.

--Dr. Berlinski gave us permission to start weaning Clayton from his oxygen more aggressively. Can't wait to see how he does! (But I think I'll wait until this cold passes though).

WOW!

Talk about a Random Act of Kindness! I opened the mail today only to find that an anonymous gift giver had sent us a very BIG gift card to Wal-Mart!! And everyone knows that Wal-Mart has everything, so we'll be putting it to good use! I don't know who you are, but Brian and I send a very BIG THANK YOU for blessing us this Christmas. We so appreciate you thinking of us and we will definitely be paying it forward.

Scrapbooking Your Faith

Here is the little flier I've prepared to advertise my upcoming Bible Study. You'll have to double click on it to enlarge it enough to read.

I left off my contact information for obvious reasons, but those of you who are close enough to attend know how to get in touch with me about signing up. Can't wait to hear from you!

Feeling Better

For the last three days I've been dealing with a constant stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, and super itchy eyes. I'm guessing it had to do with the fact that one day it was in the fourties, then the next day seventies (all the while being 100% humidity). Whatever it was, I couldn't concentrate on anything because I was distracted constantly by needing to breathe! I woke up this morning feeling much better. No sneezing at least. That's a relief! Must be that medicine my mom brought me last night! Her medicine is always better than my own! I'm still going to take it easy today because I was busy the whole time I was feeling bad and that made it even worse. At any rate, I can already tell I'm going to have a much better day today!

Monday

--I actually did a little Christmas shopping today. Don't know what got into me!

--Got to scrap a little last night. Nothing spectacular, but I was creative nonetheless.

--This weather is WACKY.

--Clayton is lovin' singing Christmas carols!

--Bible Study + scrapbooking: it's coming to my church, led by Yours Truly! (details to come soon)

--Helped Debbie strip wallpaper this weekend. Remind me to NEVER hang wallpaper in my future homes!

Thursday

--I am not a Christmas present shopper. I want to buy something the person will *LOVE* so searching for the perfect gift becomes a futile search

--I had lots of ideas for handmade presents this year. The trick is to actually get started on them

--It's chilly here today, but tomorrow it's supposed to be back up in the seventies. December in Arkansas.

--Our Pastor gave me an assignment and because I'm obsessive/compulsive I've been brainstorming constantly about it even though I have plenty of time to get a plan together. I was super tired last night and still couldn't sleep because I was making lists and outlines in my head. I seriously need help!

--haircut today, about two weeks too late!

--And on that note, I've gotta get out of here because Clayton is "READY TO GO, MOMMA!"

Went Bowling

Brian and I had a rare night without Clayton (THANKS MOM AND DAD!), and we took the chance to do something we wouldn't normally do with him. We went bowling with Stacey and Rod, and boy, are we ever horrible at bowling! Of course I knew I wasn't any good, but our whole group was pretty sad. So sad that we abandoned the bowling alley after just one game! (Off to eating, which is something we are very good at!) Here are some of the few good pics we got out of the night. I'm sure Stacey will love that I'm sharing the last one--I think she was attempting a celebratory toe touch or something to that effect, and I just happened to catch her mid-air!