Christmas Pictures: Part 1

Abigail got Jessie for Christmas but somehow Jackson is managing to sleep with her at night...He told me that Woody and Jessie needed their picture taken in the above picture.

The above picture is of cousin Zach. We are so blessed that they are only a couple month apart in age.

Jackson loved the Toy Story 3 toy solider's he got from Mimi . I think all the kids enjoyed playing with them.

Daddy and Abigail having a tea party with the "fake" food Mimi got her for Christmas.

Charlie's uncle (mother's brother). Don't yall think they look alike?

This year we celebrated Christmas in Columbia (we went to Spartanburg on Christmas day because of the snow), and went to Rock Hill Christmas Eve to see all of Charlie's family. Jackson was very excited to see Santa there at Geemaw's house! Jackson was also so excited to open his presents Christmas morning and kept on saying, "I love it, I love it! (about his big Buzz Lightyear).

Jackson's favorite gifts were: his Buzz Lightyear (we gave him), the Toy Story 3 movie (Pop Pop's and Mimi gave him), and his leapster explorer (Grand and Gigi got him). Santa got him Toy Story 3 zippty game. We are so blessed!

What was your Preschooler's favorite toy that they got for Christmas?

I Heart Bows: Where You Can Get My Favorite Hair Bows

I loved bows even before I had a baby girl. Bows are on my everyday China. So, when I had a baby girl, for the first year of her life I do not think I went anywhere without putting a bow on her head. Someone at church even told me that they had never seen her without a bow...

Abigail's hair is pretty fine, so I am having a hard time getting it to stay back. Love to hear any advice you have on dealing with fine hair!

Anyway, when we were back in Columbia last week, I stopped by the store attached to Lola to get Abigail a few bows, and found that they were closed (the one in Lexington next to Mcalister's deli). They had my absolute favorite bows. They were ones that did not poof up too much.

So yesterday, I decide to call Lola because the lady I use to talk to about these bows told me that she got them from a company based in California. The lady I talked called back and said that the company is Weeones. I found them online and the kind I like is the mini grosgrain hair bow and the tiny ones for babies under one (they are $5 each). She also said that The Willow's gift shop in this same shopping center is planning on starting to carry them soon. Just thought if you like bows at all you would like this resource.

Where do you get your hair bows?

Pictures of Abigail's First Time Playing in the Snow

Abigail and Jackson had the best time playing in the snow. Unfortunately, Abigail ended up tripping and failing face first in the snow and the picture above is taken after she fell. She now has a small cut under her eye, but was ready to go back out and play some more in the snow after she fell.

Kelly got Abigail some cool long underwear at Target (mommy could not find long underwear for 2t girls anywhere) in Atalanta.

It started snowing late on Christmas day in Spartanburg, so the above picture were taken the day after Christmas. It was a crazy Christmas with the snow, but it was so exciting for the kids!

Video of Charlie, Jackson, and Abigail Building a Snowman

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Video of Jackson's First Ever Performance!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We were so proud of Jackson singing in his first ever performance at his Preschool today (3 year old class)!

Christmas Pictures 2010

We had these pictures taken at Portrait Innovations in Spartanburg that just opened. It is very challenging to get an energetic four year old and two year old to look at the camera at the same time!

Christmas is definitely my favorite time of year. This year I am very thankful for Jackson's wonderful mission friend teacher and Sunday School teachers. Christmas can be very confusing time for a Preschooler. I think at the beginning of the season Jackson actually thought that Christmas was Santa's birthday, not Jesus' birthday. Santa gets the kids one or two gifts, but we give them the big gift (trying not to make a big deal out of Santa). We definitely do not tell that Santa is watching him. Lastly, we try not to get them more than three presents each (representing the three Wiseman gifts)

Do you have any other suggestions on keeping Jesus the focus of Christmas for a Preschooler?

(I plan on getting the Little People's Manger Scene for next year).

Update on our House: Having Faith

I talked to our Realtor yesterday and he informed me that our house is the last house in our new neighborhood for sale (which is good) by Realtor. When we were in Columbia last month, I laid hands on the house and prayed in Jesus' name that it would sale soon. Literally two minutes later, a couple was in our driveway and I showed our house to them. I have never had a prayer answered so quickly! This definitely increased my faith.

But, we never heard back from this couple, and a house in our neighborhood did sell in November. Yesterday we lowered the price again, to a Biblical number ending in 7 (this is only the second time we have lowered the price). I also put our house on Craigslist.The market in Columbia is down 40 percent from the year before, and the year before that is was down 40 percent as well. Please pray with me that our house will sell by March (in February house will have been on the market for a year)! Let me know if you have any other suggestions on selling our house. http://www.realestatebook.com/homes/listing/101-3000234304/209-Gardenwalk-Dr-West-Columbia-SC-29170/

This week in Bible Study a verse that really hit me hard was Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

I think many times I think the worse is going to happen to protect myself from getting hurt. This action, however, is NOT acting as a woman of faith and confidence in the Lord. I trust the Lord and know He has reasons for our house not selling yet. His reasons are for His glory and my good.

"See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this, How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another." Isaiah 28:10-11

Merry Christmas!

Below is last year's encounter with Santa. She is scared of the Chick Fil A cow too...
At least this year she would get near Santa...

Pictures from Celebrating Cousin Jake's Birthday!

We had a great time celebrating Jake's birthday Saturday at Monkey Joe's in Columbia. Jackson's favorite place on earth is probably Monkey Joe's, so I started telling him about this party last Monday. Jackson woke up early Saturday morning, and was VERY excited about getting to go celebrate Jake's birthday there. Abigail and Jake's birthdays are only two weeks apart so she got to open up her presents from them then. Jackson and Abigail are so blessed to have cousins so close in age (Zach and Abigail are only two months apart in age)!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my Sweet Baby Girl!

Dear Abigail,

I cannot believe you are already 2 years old. Time has really flown by with you! You are so sweet and loving. You hug me, pat me, and tell me it is going to be ok all the time. You love babies and love taking care of them. God has gifted you to be so smart. You talk in sentences now, and know your colors, and remember lots of people's name from the church. You are also very content little person, and whenever it is just me and you at the house, you are able to entertain yourself. You are a joy to be around. Things have come pretty easy for you, just like the day you were born. Delivering you was one of the best days of my life. I was not in labor for a long time, and only pushed two or three time and you were born, instant relief. I was a little concerned that you did not cry, and it really looked like to me and everyone else that you came out smiling. We are so blessed to have you as a daughter. Every day I thank God for you. Children really are the most precious gifts God could ever give to a person! I cannot wait to see you grow in the fear and wisdom of the Lord. You love your Bible and carry it around with you a lot. You are going to be such a great wife and mom, and I pray for your spouse every chance I get. I love you with Christ's love that cannot be measured.

Love,
Mommy

Thanksgiving Pictures

We had a great Thanksgiving in Spartanburg! It was the first time in forever that my cousin Wade and his family got to come. Aunt Sandi planned a surprise birthday party for Abigail and she loved it (her birthday is Dec. 5th)! She kept on saying my birthday party! Afterwards, the only present she could remember that she got was her pretty boots that Gigi got her. Abigail loves shoes and shopping (unlike her mother). We are so blessed that Abigail is talking in some sentences now, and tells me all the time that she is a big girl. We are so thankful for God giving us Abigail. God has gifted her to be so smart, and so sweet!