Operation Christmas Child

It's that time of year when everyone is buying their items for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox project. I decided to do my shopping Monday while Ty was at school. I figured it might be a little easier without someone behind me picking up every toy and wanting to know what it was and what it's supposed to do. I love Christmas shopping and I always enjoy picking out items for the children that are much less fortunate than we are that will receive our boxes. Last year we decided to do two boxes for little boys that are Ty's age. So, again this year, we chose to buy for two little boys. I browsed every shelf trying to find all the age appropriate toys. I can't help but get excited just thinking about how these little boys will react when they receive their boxes.

Later that day when Ty saw all of our toys, he was so excited. He has examined and reexamined each toy about a bagillion times. He seems to keep getting into the boxes after I've arranged everything in them. He just can't stay out of them. I noticed a chunk out of the bar of soap and I could see teeth marks. When I asked him about it, he said, "Mommy, I think it just got that way." After we talked several minutes about it not being that way when I put it in the box, he admitted trying to taste it to see what it was. We got a good honesty lesson out of the shoeboxes project too.

Ty has had to show everyone that comes to our house everything we have bought. He's been so excited about everything in the boxes. Today, I told him that we could just tell Santa to bring him a shoebox full of goodies. He said, "That sounds like a good idea to me." I looked at Ben, Ben looked at me, and we both shared the same look on our face. Boy, wouldn't that make Christmas shopping a whole lot easier. Really and truly, we could spend alot less on our children and they would be just fine.



I think this is such a great missions project to share God's love with those that are less fortunate than we are, and it hopefully teaches our own children to be very appreciative of what they have. We hope & pray that God will use our little shoeboxes to reach others for Him!


On a side note: I can't say that I've ever done much shopping in the way of clothes at Dollar General. I can now! I found some really cute Christmas sleepers and onesies for Andrew that I just couldn't pass up. I'm all for a good buy, and for just $2.50 who could pass these cute little things up. I think they'll hold up just fine for no longer than we'll need to wear them.






Mr. Andrew getting a head start on spreading a little Christmas cheer in yet another DG outfit.


Just a cute little face.

Veteran's Day Parade

It was a beautiful day to honor our veterans at the parade and then at the Veteran's Memorial today. Ben and Ty rode on the float honoring Operation Iraqi Freedom vets. Since little Andrew has a cold, my mother kept him at home. We're hoping his congestion clears up SOON!

10 Weeks/Coterie Fun Run

Andrew was 10 weeks old Sunday! How do I even begin to describe my feelings for this sweet baby boy! When you have one child, you just wonder how in the world is it possible to love another baby as much as that first-born baby. Oh my goodness! This little bundle of joy will melt your heart in a hurry. Holding him in my arms is like therapy for my soul. And that little smile.....well, it's just so darn cute. I am certainly not looking forward to Dec. 1st. {The day I go back to school.} I know that too shall pass.

span >**I had to post some pictures of Andrew's curls to show Christy Watts. I couldn't get over how much Audrey and Andrew's hair was alike.

Andrew laughing at his crazy daddy

Andrew's new trick is sticking his tongue out at us.
Sheer joy!
Look at all those curls!

Mama, I've had enough of the picture-taking.

The Coterie 5K was Saturday. Ben decided to run and won 1st place in his category! Yeah!! I'm just afraid now he's gonna think he can do a triathalon. Anyway, Ty and I were at the finish line waiting for him to come through. He actually hurt something right at the last turn of the race. By the way he was running, I could tell something wasn't just right. He didn't look to be in the best of shape, as a matter of fact, he looked like he couldn't hardly go another step. In spite of his pulled muscle, he still won in his division and brought home the gold!!!!

Ty ran in the Tot Trot (the street in front of the courthouse). He was so cute running. Ben had told him not to get tripped up on his or anyone else's feet, so he looked down at his feet the whole time he ran. He didn't do bad. Didn't get first, but I was just glad he was out there. {By the way, they don't have winners in the Tot Trot, they just let them all get out there and run.) As a very competitive person, this mama is definitely going to have to learn control when it comes to sports activities involving my children. I was having a ball cheering Ty on during the Tot Trot even though there were no winners. I think I'm going to have a competitive little boy, too. As soon as he finished running, he asked, "Do I get my award now?" All the little kids did get a medal for racing, but I don't think he was satisfied with just a medal. He asked on the way home, "Mama, why didn't they call my name out?" I had to then explain that none of the little ones got their name called out. Anyway, it was a great day for a run. Maybe I can join them next year.

Here are a few pictures. My batteries went out on my camera right before Ty ran, so I'll post some of him later.

Right before the big race!

Polar Express??

Just wondering if anyone has ever taken The Polar Express train ride in the Smoky Mtns. We love the movie and (Ty loves trains, too) thought it would be fun to take him on it while we are in the mountains. I did some checking and found a few not-so great reviews. But, they were from several years ago. I was hoping someone had actually done this little tourist attraction and could tell me about it. It's only an hour and 15 min. roundtrip. I thought that sounded pretty good. I don't really think anything much longer than this would be a good idea with a 3 year old and a 2 month old. Anyway, if anyone has done this or knows of anyone that's done this, please let me know how it was. I read that there is one in Bryson City, N.C., Chattanooga, and Calera. We would most likely do the one in Bryson City. Thanks so much!

This is the day....

As we watched the election results roll in last night, I couldn't help but feel sick to my stomach. Ben & I sat there and wondered what changes are in store for us, our children, and one day our grandchildren. I'm afraid many Obama supporters will endure much change that they aren't even aware of. I just hope they're ready for it. As I held Andrew, all I could think about was, 'This man believes in killing babies, and he's just been elected as our next president.' What is wrong with the American people? Where are our morals? Do these people at Grant Park celebrating even realize this issue, along with many others, is not of God? Even in his celebratory speech, he named different groups, including gays and straights. This is not right in God's sight.

We finally couldn't take it anymore. We'd seen all the whooping and hollering and crying that we could stand for one night. All Ben could say is, "We've just got to pray. We know who's in control." And we do. We, as Christians, have got to pray for our leaders. We can all pray that their hearts will be turned to God and they will seek His guidance in every decision that's made.

After going to bed with heavy hearts, we woke up to a sweet, precious baby (who slept through the night, for the first time~ WooHoo!!) in a very happy mood. As I was feeding Andrew, I could hear Ty singing while he was eating his breakfast, "This is the day, this is the day that the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord hath made." Wow! I think that was what I needed to hear to start my day. As I heard him singing, I thought, 'That's right, this is a new day, and our God is still in control, no matter who is president.'

On a much lighter note:

Don't Forget to Vote!

Get this Vote Mccain Myspace Comment from UGotBling.com

Election '08

'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!

I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys

They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink

He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!

' On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!

So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!