Christmas Caroling

Today we took the boys Christmas Caroling at a nursing home with a group of our friends' children. What a teachable moment!! It is so wonderful for them to be able to experience the giving of Christmas. They sang about four songs and behaved like such gentlemen. I was a bit nervous before we went in because Mason didn't have the happiest of hearts. But when the music came on he was ready. Afterward I asked the boys if they wanted to go wish the people a Merry Christmas and Nathan was in. He shook everyone's hand and said Merry Christmas. The first lady couldn't hear him so I said, "say it so she can hear". So he proceeded to yell "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!" Oops. I was so proud!! We get so caught up in the busy-ness of the holidays and I have enjoyed taking the time to slow down and teach my kids about the real reasons for celebrating.

On another note...we have a special prayer request to ask of you. I mentioned David's Grandfather (Rocktop) recently about how he was sick and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Well last week they released him from UAB without finding out an illness. At that time they tested him for "mad cow" disease which was to take a week to get the results back and they would not continue testing or treatment until those results were in. We all felt like that was the biggest waste of time. There have only been like 5 reported cases in the US. The test came back today and they are positive. The test has an 80% accuracy level and a brain biopsy will be done to confirm. They admitted him back to UAB tonight to get that done. We are praying for that 20% chance that it isn't mad cow because that is fatal. From what we have read the time between onset of symptoms until death can range from a few weeks to a couple of years, but the median is 4 months. We have already been dealing with it for a month. We have been praying for the doctors to figure out what was wrong so they could begin treatment, and would never have thought it was this. The picture I've posted is of Rocktop and Mama Gina after one of the Bama games this year. David have enjoyed going to the ballgames with them for about 12 years now. It is so hard to watch a man who was completely fine 2 months ago become a different man. He was at our house yesterday and I asked if they got their Christmas tree up yet and his response was "hmm, I don't know ask Regina". Please keep him and the family in your prayers during this time. And I'll continue to post on his condition.

December 1st -- and we're off!!

We officially kicked off the Christmas season by attending our annual local Christmas parade. David's Grandfather is in the hospital so our numbers were down this year. His Uncle Bobby and I took five of the kids by ourselves. Luckily, the kids are getting old enough to know not to run in front of the vehicles to get candy. As always we had a great time. The weather couldn't be more perfect.

Please keep "Rocktop" David's grandfather in your prayers he as been in the hospital for over a week. Something is affecting his brain functioning and the Doctors can't figure out what it is. The unknown is wearing on everyone, especially Mama Gina. Thanks for your prayers!!

Thanksgiving Weekend

This was our year to spend Thanksgiving in Tennessee. David refers to it as the year we wear our away jerseys. We had a wonderful visit with my family. My mom recently had a major surgery to remove part of her colon so we all tried to step in and help in the kitchen. David teased that the green beans would be his job, but he didn't even do that. He did, however, carve the turkeys and chicken. As always we had way too much food, but enjoyed the time together.

A highlight of the weekend was playing wii. If you haven't played before, it's great!!! The youngest to the oldest members of the family all play and have a blast.

Friday morning was shopping day. Darby, Penny, and I headed out at 5am and since the others were meeting us later we decided to stop at some stores outside the mall first. After six stores without any entries we headed to the mall (we knew it was open). It was worth getting up early for me. I purchases several "door busters". No big screen TVs or anything, but things I needed none-the-less.

One of my mom's Aunts died before Thanksgiving so most of the family left Friday night to go to the funeral on Saturday. It was good that there were early departures, because out of 12 adults, 8 ended up with a stomach bug by Monday. It was a great weekend with a not so great finale!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Last Wednesday was the boys Thanksgiving Feast at school. The fours invite their parents to lunch and sing a couple of songs. As you can see the boys were pilgrims. Mason was much more into eating than taking pictures. They are having such a wonderful year at school. Their teacher is wonderful. They have learned so much and are excited about going everyday. Now they are looking forward to the real Thanksgiving feast. Nathan's requirement is mashed potatoes and Mason's is pumpkin pie!! I hope each of you have a wonderful and safe holiday!!

Nemo on Ice

Nathan and Mason got to experience their first Disney on Ice yesterday when we took them to Finding Nemo. I didn't tell them about it until yesterday morning and when I did, thinking it was a great surprise, Mason's response was, "That's going to be boring. All we get to do is sit in seats and watch!!!" Not exactly what I was expecting. I told him he wasn't allowed to say that until after it was over. At that point he could either say, "Thanks that was great" or "That was boring". Of course they loved it. Boy do they milk you when you go to those things. It was $10 for a snow cone which included a souvenir cup and $10 for cotton candy which included a nemo hat!! I took our own lights so I wouldn't have to pay $20 a piece for those. Especially since we already have some! It was worth it, everyone had a good time. They are wanting to go to the circus now. Guess that will be our first adventure in 2008.

Ah, the things kids say!!!

I had to share a funny story. The other night the boys and I were riding in the car and the boys were in the back playing the "raise your hand if...game". You know the one, "raise your hand if your shirt is red", "raise your hand if your eyes are blue", and so on. After playing for quite some time, Nathan says, "raise your hand if you are big and fat". Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nathan then says, "hey mom, that's you!!!" Mason laughed like that was the funniest thing he had ever heard. I on the other hand didn't find it that amusing. I felt like I was in the car with a group of preteens, not four year olds. My, oh my, what my future holds!!!

Trick-or-Treat time

We had the most fun trick-or-treating last night with the boys. This was the first year that we haven't had to push around a stroller and deal with whiny, tired kids! They loved it. They knew just what to do. They even went to the scarier houses...anything for more candy!! Nathan started out the night in the costume you see, a sheep that Gigi and Nanny made for him. But it was too hot so he changed into a blue power ranger. Mason stuck with the spider all night. David said one day Mason was going to hate him for letting me put that hat on him!!! Nathan took a tumble at one point in the night. He got pretty scraped up, but Mason got his candy for him at that house and it was back to work. Nathan also got choosy by the end of the night. If the people weren't giving something he liked he just said no thank you and turned away!! I thought that was hilarious!! As soon as the night was over they started talking about Thanksgiving dinner. No rest for the weary.