Closing 2012

The last two weeks of 2012 have raced by at lightening speed. We have been on the go at a non-stop pace. What a blessing to have so many tasks to accomplish, friends to hang out with and family to visit. I don't really remember everything that we have been up to these last two weeks, but I did find a few photos on my phone. So here is my best effort to reflect on the closing of 2012.

Stroker went to dinner at Crawdaddy's with a couple of his old friends. From what I hear, they had a great time.

Brookelynn took all of her teachers a Christmas gift on the last day of school. I love the personal note that she attached.

Devin's stomache testing went fairly well. He ended up laying on the table for 2 hours before all the radio-active particles passed through his digestive track.

We celebrated Christmas at Daddy's. Zander had the flu, so Brad's family didn't get to attend this year.

Brookelynn loves anything lotiony, smelly or girly.

Daddy passed out his traditional gifts of cash.

Brooke, Darlene and I were in charge of photos, we managed to get a couple of ourselves.

Got a quick snapshot of me and daddy.
We also went to celebrate Christmas at moms. Zander was better by then, but Brad had to go to work that day.
Christmas morning, Brookelynn baked a Birthday cake for Jesus all by herself.

By 1pm on Christmas, we were all at Mildreds enjoying our fourth round of holiday gatherings with family.

Devin received both PS3 games that he had on his list. He has stood in front of his TV ever since.

Good thing I had my phone to snap random pictures these last two weeks. It all happened so fast, if I would have blinked I would have missed it.

26 Total

Tragedy struck today in a place called Newtown CT. Our nation along with other nations are mourning the loss of 20 elementary school students and 6 of their teachers. A man named Adam Lanza forced his way inside Sandy Hook Elementary School and began his mission.
I wonder at what point in his life did he leave the door open and the devil slipped in. I wonder if he even put up a fight or just let the devil consume him. News reports say that his mother took him with her to the shooting range for target practice. I have never heard reporters say if she took him to church or if she went to church herself.
We are all left wondering why someone would do such a horrific thing. So many questions will go unanswered.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Of course I am stressed out, busy, running around hastily trying to make prepartations and maintain my sanity all at the same time; but there are certain things about this time of year that make everything feel  warm and fuzzy.

12/12/12

I guess you could call it a celebration of 12/12/12.

The weather finally took a turn this week and got cold enough to require hot cocoa.  We had purchased all the ingredients of a hot cocoa party a couple of weeks back, but it was a matter of waiting on winter to arrive. These last few nights have been in the 20’s and 30’s so Brookelynn invited a few friends over for a hot cocoa bar and some Christmas ornament crafts.  I bought some clear glass ornaments and we crafted snowman ornaments and glitter ornaments with each girls initial. Stroker brought in McDonalds for dinner and we concluded the party with hot cocoa and cupcakes. Fun was had by all and thank goodness no one broke an ornament. I was a little nervous about that.

After the party, all the girls joined us at church.

It's a "Dirt"y Job

Monday morning started out a little rough. Nobody really wanted to get out of bed. Probably because we had been so busy that no-one felt like they had seen the weekend yet. After scurrying around to get ourselves dressed and ready for the day, we managed to all arrive at our destinations on time. Some of us handle stressful morning better than others.

The afternoon seemed to go a bit better for everyone. On the way home, Devin noticed the train was in town and asked if we could park while he checked it out. He walked along side of it for several minutes before it started up and pulled away.

Brookelynn got out of the car too and walked with Devin for a bit until she got too cold. She really has no interest in trains. I think she likes to be with her brother.

Tuesday evening we arrived home and found a pile of dirt that Chuck (Stroker’s friend) had donated to us. The downfall was that it was wet and heavy…and the temperature outside was 37 degrees. Not the kind of weather Stroker wants to be spreading dirt in.

It’s nice to see that winter has arrived. These lower temps make it feel like it is time for HOT CHOCOLATE!

The 2012 Lists are In

The kids gave us their Christmas lists this week. Let the festivities begin :)

Sunday Schedules

One of the things that I like about winter is having the opportunity to snuggle. I have been looking forward to snuggling weather, but it sure has taken it’s time getting here this winter.
Sunday morning arrived and we were back on our feet preparing for another busy day.
Stroker’s dad joined us for church. I think Stroker really enjoyed the morning.

After church, we headed straight to the interstate. We met up with the Brooke’s for our annual Red Robin Christmas lunch and gift exchange. Schedules are so busy these days, it’s getting harder and harder to fit in all the activities around the holidays. Everything always feels so rushed this time of year. It seems like the more organized we get the more we try to accomplish.

Our schedules didn’t allow for much time to chitchat because the agenda had more for Sunday. When we arrived back in Cookeville, I finished preparing my BBQ smokies and out the door I went to the Women of FAITH Christmas party. We had a fun time of fellowship. We ate, shared stories of Christmas traditions, gave praise to Him, and had prayer for the trials in each our lives. It’s nice to have a support group and a church family. For all those years I never even knew what I was missing. On the way home, I sang to Jesus and thanked Him for His plan, His patience with me and everything in my life.

Too Much Partying

I decided to attempt a craft project that I seen on Pinterest. It is a quote that feels personal to me.

I purchased some paint and canvas and began my project. Here is what it looked like after the first hour.

Brookelynn decided to spend the night at Cassidy's house Friday night, so I took the opportunity to wrap some Christmas presents. Devin was home, but didn't realize that I had all the gifts out in the bedroom so he never noticed that his gifts were out.

What a wonderful feeling it is to be at home on a Friday night with family. I am so thankful for the wonderful family God has blessed me with. I remember when I was in my early 20's, I thought I needed to go out with with friends and find the fun spot.  I wouldn't trade a Friday and Saturday night with my family now for all the riches in the world. 
After a cozy Friday night, Stroker and I got up Saturday morning and had a nice quiet breakfast for two at Cracker Barrel. Devin had set up half the night on the PlayStation so he was asleep for half the day. He got up in time to head to Sparta for Braxton's second birthday party. He turned two and celebrated with an owl party. He had been sick this week but recovered just in time to celebrate.

Braxton's party ended just in time for us to head to Cane Creek for Jaiden's birthday party. She celebrated turning 10. Friends and family came to celebrate her hitting double digits. Two very important family members didn't get to join her this year. For the first time, Kelly could not be there. Kelly's mom stayed with Kelly at Centennial Hospital while Matt came down to be with Jaiden for her party. It is sad to see Kelly's health decline so quickly. This is her second stroke this year. Both have left significant damage and a lot of irreversible harm . We're all praying for Kelly, Matt, Jaiden and the rest of the family. I know how heartbroken Kelly must have felt to be stuck in the hospital while her little girl celebrated a milestone birthday. I pray that Kelly can attend next year.

After a long day of birthday parties, we finished up the night by relaxing at home. Rain began to set in today and it has dropped the temperature enough that it's beginning to feel a bit more like Christmas.

Movie Night

We went to see the movie Lincoln and both kids fell asleep. At one point, I looked over and I thought Stroker was on the verge of falling asleep himself. He originally thought it was going to be a good movie but changed his mind not long after the movie got startee. The last 30 minutes was good. It's just the first two hours that drags on and on.

Wednesday night was Chic-fil-a receipt night so we went for dinner before heading to church. The place was so busy that we had to park at the restaurant next door. Once inside, the service was faster than we expected. The best part is that we get to present our receipt next month and get all of our meals again for FREE. :)

Thursday consisted of the  usual gymnastics meet, but not before we all went to Cheddars for dinner. When we got to gymnastics, Brookelynn said she felt too full to tumble and flip.

12 Days of Christmas (Preparations)

1. We got out our Christmas tree Friday night. Brookelynn couldn't wait any longer to start decorating the house. We got the tree assembled and she placed all the ornaments herself.

2. Saturday morning we worked on the garland, got the stockings hung and all the other whatnots.

3. Stroker got on the roof Saturday, but it wasn't to string the lights. The weather was so warm (67 degrees) that he felt it was the perfect day to clean out the gutters. Truth be known, he just can't sit still. He is always doing something productive. 
After the gutters were clean, he trimmed the tree branches off of the house that the pesky little squirrel always uses as an express lane to avoid Cletus.
Every morning, I hear that squirrel jump off a limb onto the back of our house; then I hear his little squirrel feet scurry across the whole roof to get to the front where he grabs the branch that touches our front porch. Down the tree and across the street he bolts before Cletus ever has the chance to pounce.
Oh how I wish that I could see his puzzled little squirrel face in the morning when he gets to the front and finds that his handy little trail has been destroyed.

4. Brookelynn, Darlene, Stacia and I went to see the Rockettes Saturday. The Nativity scene at the end was my favorite part. Very moving.  There was also a 3D movie midway through the show that was really good.

5. We hung around a few minutes after the show and Brookelynn had a "meet and greet" with one of the Rockettes.

6. Christmas shopping commenced immediately after we left the Grand Ole Opry house.

7. "The Hanging of the Greens" took place at church Sunday morning. Devin and Brookelynn both participated. We also lit the first candle for Advent. I wish I had photos to share, but I don't.

8. After church we drove down to Centennial Hospital to visit Kelly. It is the first opportunity we have had to visit with her since her Stroke on Tuesday. Her hip had slipped out of socket Saturday and they had put it back in place Sunday morning. We spent a few hours with her, but she was on a lot of medicine for pain so she was only coherent about five minutes while we were there. We also learned that she turned 30 this year on her birthday; we were thinking she was still 29.

9. We stopped off in Mt. Juliet for me to pick up a Christmas gift for Brooke.

10.  Took mom Christmas shopping and had lunch at Cracker Barrel Monday. She was so excited over chicken and Dumplings.

11. Apparently "Santa" conversations took place at school on Monday. Brookelynn started up a crazy text conversation. Looks like Santa won't be stopping by the Hayes House anymore.

12. Watched the Christmas Parade with friends and family. (Me, Stroker, Devin, Brookelynn, Heather Rippetoe, Stacia, Jett, Dash, Bucket, Jennifer, Libby, Keith, Aysiah, Heather Farley, Sherry Rooks, Camari, Cyrus, and Jaiden). Nineteen of us.