Christmas 2010....

Signs of Christmas....

Snow.....

The beauty..... The serene view out our Master bedroom

Christmas Party....

One of the best things about the holiday season....Christmas parties and the opportunity to see friends. It is always such a delight to spend time with them.

To My Son on His Birthday....

Hatcher,

My sweet pea, my stinky, my sweet potato pie, my buddy, my cotton-headed-ninny-muggins. I cannot believe it has been a year since your arrival into our lives. I can remember every detail of the day you were born and I truly feel as though you just arrived. The fact that a year and your infancy has passed leaves me feeling overwhelmed. Though I joyfully await all your new discoveries and so many more milestones to come, I can not help but feel saddened by the fact that you are growing up. So many special memories and moments have already been made in this first year of your life and a part of me hurts a little to know that such important moments are gone. I want to cling to them and to you my precious boy. To your smallness, your cuddlelyness, your dependence on me, your innocents, your pureness, our bond.

I know that there are so many more wonderful things to come and I anxiuosly await them. Seeing you learn new things and gain confidence in yourself has been one of the greatest joys and I know you are just getting started. You still have so much more to accomplish. So much to learn. So much excitement to be had.

I look forward to many new first but will always treasure the special days from your first year of life. It has been a pure blessing. Every feeding (even when they were 1 hour long and every 2 hours), every diaper change, every cry, hurt, or need were special moments for us to grow closer and build our trust and our love. You have given Daddy and me so many wonderful memories and have been the greatest accomplishment in our lives. You make every day better. No matter what my mood, no matter how tired, no matter how much dread for the task of the day ahead....there is no greater moment than when I open my door in the morning and am greeted by your smile. Grin on face and socks in hand. It makes me the happiest person and it is the best part of my day.

Your birth has been the biggest and most important thing in my life. It has changed me forever. It has left me wanting to be and do better every day. I have already fallen short of many of my plans and goals of how I wanted to do things. But I promise I will always try my best for you. I am not perfect but I don't think that I want to be. I want to be real and I want to teach you what is real and important. As you continue to grow I hope that I can succeed in showing and teaching you unconditional and unwavering love, kindness and generosity of spirit, laughter, fun, and happiness,trust, truth, and respect. I love you my dear sweet baby. The love is consuming and never ending.

Happy Birthday

I'm ONE.....

My first cake.....


A big thanks to everyone who showed up for my birthday celebration

Christmas at CEMC.....

Recently I got to participate in a tradition that dates back to the 60's when we decorated the radio tower that stands behind my office. Each year we take down the 9 strands of lights and replace the 1200 standards size light bulbs and light it the day after Thanksgiving.


Thanks to a couple of linemen who spent nearly 5 hours climbing the 240ft tower we were able to give the local radio station and school children what that came to see.....


This picture doesn't do justice to how well the tower looks at night.


I also rang the bell for The Salvation Army this week which turned out to be some of the best people watching I could have ever imagined. Three months have gone by so fast at my new job and though sad to leave my friends at SDS the move to CEMC has been the right decision.

The Meaning of Christmas.....

We LOVE CHRISTMAS in our home. Andy and I wait with great anticipation each fall for the day after Thanksgiving (I refuse to celebrate until Thanksgiving is honored). We joyfully look through the Black Friday sales papers and venture out on that afternoon to choose a beautiful tree. We cannot wait to get home to put in a Christmas movie and begin the total transformation of our home into a Christmas Wonderland. This has been our tradition for 7 years and I am certain will be our tradition for 70 more. And that is what Christmas is to us....TRADITION.

It is a time when we can so easily remember what it felt like to be a kid. To remember how easy childhood was...no responsibilities, no worries. Christmas was such a fun time. A break from school, chores, and routines. It was a time to connect with and enjoy your family. For me, it was watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas songs, and making cookies with my mom. It was eagerly awaiting Christmas morning to see what kind of surprises were in store. It was special because it was a true surprise (even if it was something I had asked for). Somehow in the delivery of the gifts on Christmas morning it all seemed magical.

I realize I may sound like a Hallmark Christmas movie but there is something special and magcial about Christmas and that is why in our house, we treasure it so. There is a special spirit in the air and if you let it, it will inhabit you. There is a good reason to let this spirit overtake you. The season is responsible for a giving nature in others and an overwhelming feeling to be kinder and more patient. To cherish your family and friends more. To be thankful and happy.

Yes there are negative sides to Christmas. Money, commercialism, wants, list, crowds, and long lines can make this festive season ugly. Pressure to get just the right gift can stress you out. But don't let it. Look for the good. Feel the spirit in the air. Make this a time of year to go out of your way to be optimistic. The gift does not matter....the giving spirit is the true gift.

I will gleefully enjoy everyday for the next 27 days. Andy and I will watch a Christmas movie every night. I will listen to only Christmas music. I will watch my son in awe as he experiences the joy of Christmas and the increasing excitement that will come with this Christmas and so many to follow. I will wrap beautiful packages for people I love and appreciate. I will make cookies with my Mama, brother, sister, and husband. I will attend a candle light service and will remember the greatest reason for this season. The uplifting spirit that comes with Christmas....Christ. I will honor his birth, his life, his death, his resurrection, and ultimately our eternal life.

May you all find the Christmas Spirit within.

Happy Thanksgiving.....

This year as every year I have so much to be thankful for. A family that is always there when they are needed, great friends whom I rarely see but dearly love, a lovely little home, secure income, a growing business, and above all a wonderfully patient and kind husband, a beautiful and joyful son, and a loving and forgiving Lord. Thank you for the blessings in our lives.


Everyone pitched in to make a wonderful meal


Hatcher and Grandma enjoying a cup of coffee with dessert

A Difference of Opinion.....

Hatcher has taken to getting in Sidda's bed and taking a break from running around the house (Sidda doesn't care for it).

The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.....

Pigpen, Charlie Brown, and Lucy

Hatcher Visits the Pumpkin Patch.....

Trying to escape.....






I just woke up from my nap and my dad needed a nap.


About the only time I smiled was in the last five minutes on the way off the farm.

10-10-10-10.....

1o Months old on Oct. 10 2010

Hello October.....