Birthday Blessings

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..................................AFTER..............................................

Thank you Daddy, Mommy, Nana V, Nana and PawPaw. And thank you to all who called, emailed, mailed cards and posted on Facebook their well wishes. Eden had a wonderful day ;-)

The Cake...

We used to purchase a cake for their birthdays decorated with the specific theme of their party. This year, the girls decided to make their own cake and decorate it themselves.

Eden chose "Puppies" as her theme and she eagerly set off this morning to bake and decorate her cake...Glen and I both watched and fought off the urge to "help" her...She was hard at work for quite awhile...

She emerged from the kitchen with a chocolate cake with chocolate icing (which she says was representative of mud) and a white doggy bone plopped in the middle of the mud ;-) She did a wonderful job!!!

Happy Birthday, Eden!!

This morning, Eden began her day with breakfast in bed...Homemade blueberry pancakes with an M&M smile, butterscotch nose and eyes, and whip cream hair with red, pink, and green sprinkls...YUM-O

I cannot believe she is 9 years old!!! Seems like yesterday we were just bringing her home from the NICU weighing 3 pounds 12 ounces...And that was her weight after 2 months in NICU. Delivered almost 3 months early and she weighed 2 pounds and was 15 inches long...Praise the Lord for His sustaining our little bundle of joy!!

Tea Anyone???

This afternoon, I had the blessing of taking the girls to a Tea Party. The girls were invited to come dressed in their fancy dresses bringing with them their favorite baby doll. After church, the girls and I headed off for an afternoon full of fun, tea, and finger foods.

The hostesses taught the girls the proper tea etiquette and allowed them to practice their new skills during the Tea Party.

During the Tea Party, we were served tea and finger foods by these elegant young ladies. They were dressed in historical aprons and served us with such grace and poise.

Thank you to our gracious host...She gave the girls a wonderful memory and a lesson that will follow them for a lifetime.

Family Fun...

This morning began with pancakes and play. Friday night is our Family Slumber Party night, so we stay up late and get up late ;-)

While Daddy and the girls made all of us pancakes, Corbyn and Azaryah entertained themselves with Little People. Azaryah wanted ALL the Little People out so he could make a town...He is a very busy little man!!!

"It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"...

Thursday is our library day...Azaryah enjoys Storytime while the older three work on the computer and check out books for the week.

We have finally had a break from the cold weather...Today is sunny and gorgeous!!

After the library, the children and I took the opportunity to play, run and swing outside ;-)

Missin' An Old Friend...

Do you have a friend who knows exactly what to do to cheer you up when you are feelin' blue?!?! Funny story...Trisha and I walked through some very heated fires together that really broke our hearts. One day, I was feelin' blue and she asked what I thought would cheer me up...I said, "I think I want to walk around Wal-mart!!" Well, you can imagine how ridiculous she thought that was, but being the trooper she is, she and I walked around Wal-mart. A few months later, I was really depressed and had not been out of the house or out of my pjs in days. She arrived at my door one night and said, "Get up and get dressed, we are going to walk around Wal-mart!!!" I think I need a trip to Wal-mart today, Trisha!!! Do you think you can fly into town by this evening?!?!

Eden and Emilee

Eden is missing Emilee, her friend from Kentucky. This picture was taken when we were visiting our family in November. Eden and Emilee get to visit when we are in town. They are so cute together...Giggles all around!!

Girl's Day Out

Susan and I decided it would be a great time for our Girl's Day Out yesterday since we both were up and at the game at 8:00am...Our hubbies are the coaches for the boys. Robert, Susan, Tyler and Bryant are such a blessing to our family ;-) After the game, the men took the kiddos home and Susan and I headed for Starbucks, a movie, and a yummy lunch.

Basketball Season has Begun!!

Coach Jones and Coach House guided the boys through a series of warm-up moves to prepare for the game...

The fans were out bright and early for the game yesterday...The game began at 8:00am!! I do not think the birds were up on Saturday morning as we left home to travel 45 minutes to the game!! heehee

Before each game, both teams and their coaches kneel for prayer thanking God for their abilities and talents and focusing the teams on the purpose of the game - to bring honor and glory to the Lord God.

That's my boy!!! Guess who scored two baskets during the game yesterday?!?! And guess who was yellin' "GO BOO BOO!" heehee (He loves hearing his Mama cheer him on!!)

Back in the Swing of Things

Life has returned to "normal" in our household. Glen went back to work yesterday, but the children and I did not start our lessons until today. I spent yesterday getting things ready and organized for the new semester. This morning, school began bright and early and the children are adjusting well. Last night, as I was laying the lesson material out, Corbyn came into the school room and said, "Oh, Mommy, that is a SAD sight!!" heehee They will miss the relaxing days of playing Wii and visiting with Nana and Pawpaw...I miss them too.

Welcoming the New Year with Old Friends...

Last night, we had the blessing of welcoming in the New Year with old friends. Jim and Trisha came into town to visit family for Christmas and they spent last night with us!!

Aren't they cute?!?! Trisha brought the boys pjs so they could be comfy...I cracked up because they were the SAME pjs we gave our children for Christmas. Both our families have the same tradition of opening pjs on Christmas Eve...I guess that old saying is true, "Two great minds think alike!!" (I am not sure either Jim or Glen would say Trisha and I have "great" minds, but we like to think they would!! heehee)

This is our first picture of 2009...Can ya tell we're getting older?!?! We look a little worn out...Maybe because we're all up WAY past our regular bedtime!! heehee

Is that David Cook!?!?!

Glen and I tease Jim about looking like David Cook, the 2008 American Idol winner! heehee Glen and I have never watched an entire series of American Idol until last year. One night, we turned on the TV and found the first episode of American Idol. The moment that David Cook stepped on the stage, Glen and I both took a double take and Glen said, "Hey, that is Jim Brown!!" From that moment on, Glen and I were hooked!! Glen said we had to watch to see "his buddy" win!! Last night, Jim surprised Trisha and I with a David Cook CD...Of course, I had Jim autograph mine!!!