Ruby's stunts

We had Copper Kettle dinner with some of the players (which is always a fun opportunity during the holidays) the other night. About 2 miles into the short trip home, Jay glanced back in the dark car to figure out if the unusually quiet Ruby was asleep. Willie then took notice and alerted us to get a better look at Ruby. She had somehow figured out a way to bare her shoulders while strapped in her car seat. Anytime she gets very quiet.....we get concerned. I guess squeezing her core through the neck of her shirt was all she could come up with while strapped in her seat.

Happy 2009!

We hope your Christmas season was sweet as ours. The children were delighted that Santa found us. He found our cookies and Rudolph found the reindeer food too! Willie awoke before us all but he didn't come wake us. Evidently, he ran to the den, saw the presents, then waited in the living room for someone else to get up. We got up a little after 7. Jay went to get the kids up when I heard him talking to Willie who was clearly wide awake. He had been waiting patiently on us for nearly 45 minutes without touching his gifts. That's serious restraint b/c as I recall Christmas mornings.....I don't think I could have done that. He was pleased that Santa delivered on the Sled. We're still just waiting for snow. Ruby, of course, followed Willie's lead and got into the excitment. Ruby was quite affectionate with her Elmo as you can see.

We've enjoyed our family time with the Walton's and Uncle Jeff came way out of his way for a surprise visit. Our trip to Mississippi was basically exhausting but it was laced with lots of memorable family moments, and we certainly would not have had it any other way. We enjoyed several days in the country, a very sweet visit with my Grandma which I am convinced she knew me, and then capped it off with a visit with the Strebeck's.

As for 2009....We still don't know exactly where we're living 10 days from now, but we have some solid leads. We'll be in temporary housing and we're hoping that the permament housing is close to a deal (although there's some significant renovations in store.) I really have had a deep peace about it all, but I'm eager for it all to start coming together.

Where, oh, where???

Where, oh, where are we going? So you may remember way back late summer I mentioned selling our house. Well, it wasn't for the fainthearted but we got it done... for a good price... in this market which was our strategy. Well, originally our strategy was to move into a 100 year old house which time and prayer changed our heart over. So then our strategy became sell at a good price and it will be the best time in history to buy something......So far so good. Interest rates are at a 50 year low we read today.

The only problem is we don't know where we're going. So we have the sadness of leaving our home which we love with no excitement to replace it. I'm kind of grateful though. It really has me thinking about our family in the context of nothing but our love for each other.

So please pray everything works out and we enjoy the journey of life b/c in the midst of scheduling movers, finding temp housing and then finding a permanent home, we're going to celebrate our Savior's birth, celebrate Willie's 5th birthday in January, Ruby's 2nd birthday in January, and celebrate some Atlantic Sun conference wins. We're going to host the Walton's for Christmas, visit the Wallace's in Mississippi, find ways to care for others, coach Fall Hamilton basketball and love each other!

Christmas Cheer

We've been making sweet Christmas memories with parties, cookie making, Santa visits etc. The children helped us shop for family and friends. Here are some pics to share from our events the last week or so!
Below we are with Santa at Woodmont Hills. Notice that Ruby was as close as she was going. She never did sit in his lap but he got an high five. Willie requested a sleigh from Santa, a map for his wall, and Kung Fu Panda. Willie actually means "a sled" which the chances of us needing it are likely slim, but I am just petrified it might snow on Christmas morning and he'd be heart broken. LL Bean had a good deal which reminds me that hasn't arrived yet so I hope it is on Santa's sleigh or sled. Ruby requested a dolly and milkie from Santa.

The pictures above with Mrs. Claus included are from Christmas at Allen Arena at the last Bison home game. Ruby ducked under the ropes to run up to see Santa this time. She easily sat in his lap but my favorite was how they eached hugged Mrs. Clause so thoughtfully.

Conversation With Willie About His Birthday Party

Steph:  We need to think about your birthday party Willie.  Have you thought about who you'd like to invite?

Willie:  How about everybody in Mrs. June's class? (Willie's class from last year at his old school)

Steph:  I was thinking about your friends from this year's class.  We can invite the whole class or we can just invite all the boys.

Willie:  I want to invite just the girls.

Steph:  I don't think we need to do that.

Willie:  But I LIKE girls.

Steph:  Let's just invite the whole class...and a few friends from church.

Willie:  Ruby won't be used to all my friends.  She won't know how to take it.  She'll just sit there lookin' at 'em.

Potty time

We're on the brink of no more diapers for Miss Ruby!

Survivor

So I'm a Survivor fan. It was only on TV for umpteen seasons but then I finally watched it on Demand one night with Jay and I was hooked...I so want to be on the that show....just to see how I'd survive.

Oh, I could never leave my kids for 40 days (at least at this point) considering I struggled for the weekend trip they eagerly jumped at to go home with Nana and Papa post Thanksgiving. Jay and I went on a couple of dates and picked the perfect Christmas tree. I did hike several miles that weekend and then decorated to my heart's content.

Then we started the hardest week we've had in a while yet it's Friday night so....I survived. I drove the kids all the way back from Jackson (7 hours) in the middle of the night. Willie was sick on the drive and has been all week. Jay headed for round of conference games in North Florida (which is generally 2 games in 4-5 day stretch) and I had to hit the Bham and Memphis markets too for some interim assessment meetings. The meetings hit on the wrong week for sure. So the village was called upon (& paid) and we did piece it together and survive.

Survival is relative though. I'm talking about surviving with a sick child (who is not terminally ill), surviving with hectic schedules (because of thriving careers), surviving the coordination of help (from an abundance of a loving village who make our family richer and better) and surving until we get Jay home again (who is the ultimate husband and dad). So, I'm not sure I'd really make it on the Survivor show because I'm just BLESSED to the point.....I don't know anything much about surviving.

By the way, Willie told Jay his antibiotic was disgusting and tasted like Christmas tree.

Ruby and Willie did have a spat this week too. The root cause was because Willie couldn't get Ruby to say "yes mam" (to him). I don't even try to get her to say yes mam to me....just use a kind words with kind tones when she is asserting her overly independent self. Oh, Lord......just help us survive and then realize we not only survived but were blessed every day!