Our school didn't begin its break this year until December 22nd so I was rushed to finish shopping and get all the last minute preparations for Christmas together. While it was a whirlwind few days, I think I like the break falling this way. When everyone else is going back this coming Monday we still have another week. I usually have the week before to run around and prepare then the week after to clean up but this year it really feels like I have so much time off. I am so thankful. I enjoyed my years at home with my kids and going back to work was so difficult to adjust to but I am so thankful that if I am going to work I have the same schedule they do..and I really do love teaching.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Unfortuatetly we didn't get to see my side of the family but we did get to see quite a bit of David's side so that was nice. My mother-in-love has Alzheimer's so we try to get together as much as possible while she can still remember a little bit.. My sister-in-love,Helene, is always so gracious to host the majority of family gatherings we have, she has plenty of space, is a wonderful cook and my mother-in-love feels comfortable in her home because it is somewhat familiar to her which makes it easier for everyone.


Our Christmas Card this year- of course I had over 50 to send out but only sent out 18--how does that happen you ask??? Well busy got in the way and I had done 18 so they went out so if any of my friends are reading this and didn't get one I am so sorry but here is the picture and Merry Christmas about 5 days late....ha!

Can't have Christmas without watching Rudolph
We are never guaranteed tomorrow, only today, so with my Mother-in-Love's Alzheimer's we try to get a group shot whenever the whole family is together- This is David, his parents, and his sisters, Pauline, Helene, & Diane
These are all of the grandkiddos and the only great-grand-daughter, Molly--she is soooo sweet!!!
Uncle John and John-Paul serenading us
Memere & Pepere-(french for grandmother & grandfather)
Christmas Eve- the boys sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, then ring bells so Santa knows exactly where we are
Every year "santa" leaves a clue in each of the kid's stockings. They have to search to find each clue, usually 3 or 4 of them and this will lead them to their "big" present. Here are all three of them reading their clues before the big hunt is on.. My 18 year old loves this so of course he still gets a clue in his stocking too--tons of fun!


Some of the haul--the rest already made it to the playroom

Have a great night!!
Blessings,

A glance at 2011

Wow!! One might think I walked off the face of the Earth by the lack of posts on my blog.. One might think that our lives are just plain boring and we just sit around with nothing to do so I quit posting... Nothing could be farther from the truth :) In fact walking off the face of the earth would have been much easier than this crazy busy year we have had but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my life and all of the busyness that goes along with it. In fact I heard a friend, a very young friend, once say, "Let's go!! We can all rest when we are dead!" I guess she is pretty much correct in that statement except I bet the busyness will be replaced with Awe and worship in the presence of my Savior..

So since February, our oldest, Chandler, graduated from High School which was exciting and bittersweet all wrapped into one. I traveled to Nashville for Cameron's first out of town soccer tournament, Sat at many baseball games, Carson broke his leg ending his baseball season a little short( I did not cry) Cameron finished his baseball season in first place, I finished my second year of teaching, Carson finished 3rd grade and Cameron finished 2nd grade both on all A honor roll for the year, We watched Chandler's high school team win state for the second year in a row and watched his club team, Tennessee Rush compete in their final games in regionals, We went to Hilton Head, South Carolina for vacation, visited my mom and dad's new home in Alabama( so excited to have them live somewhere we can drive to rather than on another continent), Saw my sister, Sandy's kids,we got a fish, celebrated birthdays, Chandler started his Freshman year of college where he plays soccer, Carson began 4th grade, Cameron began 2nd grade, I began my 3rd year of teaching, we traveled to Tulsa and Birmingham to watch Chandler's team play, Carson played football for his school, I traveled to Nashville for Carson's first out of town tournament, I watched countless soccer games between the three boys, and now am embarking on countless basketball games.... Talk about a run-on sentence!!! Wow that made me tired all over again...


A Glance at our year-- Christmas pictures to come later....( Aren't you holding your breath????) These are mainly to record for me and of course for my out of town family to see.



Chandler & Cathleen before prom
Cameron- baseball
our newest addition- Mayo
A school tradition for the parents to decorate their senior's car with the colors of their college

Chandler's last home soccer game with my family here for graduation the next day

Carson broke his foot the day before field day at school- boo hoo

Enjoying our backyard this summer
visiting a historical battlefield
Hilton Head
Some of the cousins at my parent's in Alabama
Chandler's first game in college
Cameron's birthday

Carson's 4th grade bug collection
Carson carrying the football to score for his school team...