I Now Know How To Use This

For the last post of 2009 I will leave you with this... A very large tree fell at the lake and thankfully it fell the opposite way of the house. Matt and I headed up to help mom and dad get it cut up. Now, on my list of "Things I want to learn to use" just happens to be a chain saw. What a great opportunity... So here I go! A quick smile after matt says please please be careful. This is coming from the guy who did cut his leg with a chain saw about 8 years ago... still has the scar to prove it.

And of course he is giving me a tutorial as I am trying to saw. I successfully cut this piece of wood and another! Woohoo for me!!

PS--it was freezing that day, don't you love our attire?!

Our Savior Is Born

I hope you had a blessed Christmas day with your family. The older I get the more I realize how wrapped up you can get in the presents, the decorations, the festivities... and forget that there would be no death on the cross for our sins, without the day of our Savior being born. Think about this scripture:

...but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:10-11
The scripture goes on in verse 34 to say...."This child will be rejected by many in Israel...but He will be the greatest joy to many others." I pray you have that joy this day. Nothing else (no presents, children, friends, family) can give us the joy that Christ can!!

We finally decided to use our fireplace. Matt has been itching to make a fire since the first hint of winter. It's got the 'worn in' look now. Awesome fire Matt!!

We were blessed to have the opportunity to visit Matt's family in Oxford on Christmas Eve. When I say family I mean family!! For being an only child this kiddo has a ton of family. Lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, and babies!! It was great to visit with all of them.

And Christmas morning with my family!! All smiles and ready to open gifts!

A few gift opening pictures. Sister gave mom and I cute houndstooth bags. And then mom gave sister and I fun market totes. I have been wanting one of these!! Bottom right was Matt's gift from me. He has been dying to start collecting AL prints to put in our "Alabama Room" as he calls it. We were actually at this game.. so that makes it fun!!

And then it was off to Grandma's house for a visit with her. She really enjoyed us coming over and we were so thankful to be able to see her. It was a great Christmas spent with family!!

Happy Birthday Pops!!

Today is my favorite dad's birthday... we won't say how old he is... but he is getting closer and closer to getting that senior citizen discount :) We had a fun dinner at Full Moon BBQ (dad's choice) and then to our house for cake and presents!! Mom and Dad posing for a quick picture before the gift opening.

And sister and Steven for another photo op.

Sister got dad this sweet headstone for Domino's grave.... he loved it!

And we hooked him up with some AL gear since these 2 boogers just informed the rest of the fam they are definitely heading to Pasadena in a few short weeks... I am so jealous!!

And one last picture before a rousing game of Family Feud on the Wii!! Hope you had a great birthday pops!!

Some Visitors

Here are some things that happened the week of Thanksgiving, but I never got around to posting... but these are very important things. We had a few visitors that week that I failed to mention.

I walk outside on the front porch to do something and I feel like I have stepped on something... and out of the corner of my eye it doesn't seem like it's a leaf or anything. I look down and look what I was standing on. No exaggeration here.... I am standing on this snake. I scream (very loudly) and since sometimes I am prone to be a little dramatic I didn't think hubby would come running real quick... I didn't want to open the door because this precious little amphibian was on the mat (very close to the house). So I reach over and bang on the door for him to come... and to the rescue matt comes and takes care of the little fellow. This here is what you call a teenager snake... wouldn't classify it as an adult or a baby... somewhere in the middle--like a teenager. Whatever it is, it wasn't welcome here!!
Now on to more happy visitors. Our dear precious friends, Matt and Celeste, have moved to St. Louis (formerly living in New Orleans) and were passing through town on their way back home. We were so excited to get to see them for a brief, but fun visit!! This precious couple is dear to us and will be having a baby boy in the Spring. Aunt Kristen and Uncle Matt are so excited for them!!!

And here are the two Matts...they have been friends since high school and I am so glad we have stayed in touch with them...through all their moves and ours!

Early Christmas With Family

As I said earlier, this weekend we had Christmas with my mom's side of the family. We started the Saturday off with an exciting trip to Belk, Wal-Mart and good ole Chick-fil-A (see cow below). We don't want to overexcite ourselves. We had a delicious meal Saturday night (that I appreciate so much more now that I have done this by myself) complete with crackers. This is a bit of a tradition for our family to pop these "English Crackers" before eating and you wear your paper crown as you eat. Well, somehow the crackers were forgotten this year... but no fear mom can improvise for anything. Mom and dad made their own version of these!! I was impressed.

And the ladies had our annual ornament swap and a little gift opening later... the men all had their new ties from mema. It was a great weekend getting to fellowship with family and we enjoyed spending time with everyone. Fun times with the fam!!

Moo Moo

This weekend as we were celebrating Christmas at Smith Lake with the Bouchillons, our family from South Carolina, we had to make a run to the Chick-fil-A. This wasn't just any ole Saturday at this fine establishment. It was karaoke Christmas caroles day... and take your picture with the cow dressed as Santa day. Too bad there are no photos of the 2 lovely girls with pink hair that serenaded us with Jingle Bells... but we did get a quick photo with the cow. Who doesn't love a good picture with the Chick-fil-A cow?!

Do You Like Our Outfits?

Friday night we had our small group Christmas party where the theme was "Tacky Christmas Sweaters." Now anytime you give matt a theme... he goes all the way!! I went on the search for us some good outfits and let me tell you... America's Thrift Store doesn't have much men's Christmas attire. Matt was thrilled when I came home with a ladies vest for him to wear!! A few shots from the party. Most everyone participated and even a few got crafty and made their own outfits. We had a secret ballot for best dressed and in the end matt won with the most votes! Makes me proud!!

SEC and The Foundry

Last night we headed to our friends Jerry and Wanda's house to watch the game with some other couples. Poor Jerry is a Florida fan and was a little out numbered with the Bama fans! It was a good time with friends and a farewell to Jerry and Wanda as they relocate to Houston for Jerry's job! I guess the best part was watching "Tearbow" boohoo after their loss... ROLL TIDE!! Sunday night the whole family prepared and served dinner at The Foundry. The Foundry is a Christ-centered rescue and recovery center for men and women addicted to drugs and alcohol. At Christmas you can sponsor a table to provide a Christmas dinner to 10 residents. The fam all joined in and we cooked a delicious dinner and mom did a great job decorating their table. It was an honor to serve these men and be a blessing to others!!

State Champs!

Last night we headed to Tuscaloosa...not for an Alabama game... but for the 6A State Championship. We faced Prattville...again... and were hoping to come out with the victory this time. After a long, hard, exhausting season for the player and coaches... Hoover pulled out a win 28-23. They did the "Walk of Champions" like AL does each week. Look at that stud in his suit!!

And the fam made it for the festivities. It was absolutely freezing!! And it didn't help that after halftime it started raining. This is Matt's first championship of any kind and he was on top of the world last night. I am so proud of him!! He has worked so hard this season and we give God the glory for all of this!! Go Bucs!!