I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas! I will post pics soon. It has been a GREAT Christmas! Hope you have had a happy day!

Did I loose my mind?

First of all, thank you for all the birthday wishes! I had a great birthday. Josh & Hannah gave me a digital picture frame. It was just what I wanted!

Today I decided that I was going to take Hannah to get her picture made with Santa. I thought if I could get there as soon as the mall opened, then it wouldn't be that bad. We got up this morning and I decided that I was going to make a pit stop at Goody's. David & Susan bought a gift card for my birthday and I was anxious to spend it. (Thanks David & Susan! I appreciate it more than you know!) Once we left Goody's, I went to put Hannah in her seat and realized that she had soaked her very cute outfit! I didn't think to bring another Christmas outfit. The only other clothes she had in the car was a sleeper. So we made another pit stop at Babies R' Us. She had a red shirt on, so all I had to do was find some blue jeans. I found some Valentine jeans that had red hearts on them, figured it would work, threw in a Santa hat, and we were back in business.

Off to the Galleria we went. Of course, by this time it was lunch time and it was crazy! The line had about 40 people in it and did not appear to be moving very fast. I decided that I would run in Children's Place to get the pj's I had spied out earlier for Billy & Mary's house. Big surprise - they were sold out! Not wanting to waste the trip over there, Hannah & I rode the carousel. Hannah was not sure about it at first but by the end she was giggling.

I then decided that I would run to the Summit to the Children's Place. It was crazy there, as well. Luckily they had the pj's and sweater I wanted to buy. Still haven't seen Santa, so off to Brookwood Village we went. The parking lot was crazy so I skipped the elevator parking and went with a few stairs. I figured I would just carry Hannah and pull her stroller. Then I would put her in it as soon as we got inside. That worked out great on the way in.

We saw Santa and Hannah screamed and cried. I am sure you have already looked at the picture. She was pitiful. The picture they took of her is not as sad as the one I took. Oh well, maybe next year she will not be scared. We grabbed something to eat and headed for the car.

Once we got back to the parking deck. I put everything I had in the little bag that is attached to Hannah's stroller. I put my cup in there to get Hannah out of the stroller. When I tried to pick the cup up, the top fell off. I tried and tried to pick it up but it just kept spilling. So I stuck my finger in the cup and picked it up. Good idea and it worked until a piece of the cup broke. It spilled on Hannah and me. Hannah said "Ohhh mommy!" It was cold! Then I couldn't get the stroller folded up. I am sure people were wondering why anyone left me alone with a child, but no one offered to help me either! I finally just drug the stroller behind me since I wasn't that far away from my car. A lady was waiting on my parking spot. I told her it would be a while. I finally got us both in the car. Of course the lady didn't leave me that much room to get out & traffic was backed up. As I am squeezing out of the parking place, my lap was filled with coke from the hole in the top of the cup. I reach for a napkin and realize that they are in the stroller bag in the trunk. It was raining hard and people were everywhere. So, when I got to the light, I poured some of the drink out and found Hannah's shopping cart cover to clean myself up! It was time to go home!!!

Isn't Christmas wonderful!? Can you believe that Hannah was so tired all day (think about all the places she had been) and she did not cry except for when she was sitting in Santa's lap! What a sweet little baby!

The Weekend Update

Christmas is in full swing around our house. Friday night we had the Sr. High party at our house. Josh teaches their class. I think they all had a good time. They sat around and talked, ate, and opened gifts. They also made cookies. I think they enjoyed it as much as the little kids. They seemed to have a good time. They are all such great "kids." They really aren't kids but I guess they are to me. I did feel a little old! LOL! (Sometimes I forget that I am 2 days away from being 28 and not 16 anymore!)

Saturday, I spent most of my day at my mom's house. We did a little shopping. Josh came home early from hunting because of the rain! There must have been a flood at the hunting property! :0) We spent Saturday night at home. It was nice to just be home.

Sunday, mom and dad came to church with us. Afterward we went to Red Lobster for my birthday! It was really good. Hannah greeted everyone with a "Hello" if they were being seated and a "bye-bye" to everyone leaving. She is such a sweet little hostess. She looked offended if they did not speak to her. We thought she was funny, which fueled the fire!

Sunday night was the annual church get together at the Courington's! It was a lot of fun! Of course, there was a lot of food, singing, and fellowship - three of my favorite things.

Today Hannah and I went to shop for Josh's present. I am still not finished with him, but he is the only one on my list that is not complete. I am tired of shopping and ready for everyone to open their gifts we have bought them. That is my favorite part of Christmas. I am so excited and counting down the days - only 8 more to go! Yippee! Hope everyone has a great week and happy shopping!

Saturday we had the 6th grade and under party for the kids at church. We let them play several games, make cookies, open presents, and eat lunch. I was exhausted after it was over, but the kids had a lot of fun! Below are some pictures from the day. Hannah had a great time! She ran around there like she was as big as the other kids!

Sunday night was interesting. I missed most of the lesson because Hannah was not being quiet. I took her to the nursery and was trying to make her sit in my lap. (It is my idea that I make her sit in my lap so she doesn't learn that going out means playtime and not your in trouble. Will it work? I have no clue. Any ideas from parents who have been there?) Anyway, I was trying to keep her in my lap and apparently I didn't put her diaper on very well. All of a sudden I felt warm. She had tee-teed all over me! So, we had to go home to change clothes. We were eating after services and by the time I got back almost everyone had their plates. Oh well, the joys of parenting. :0)

Monday, Hannah and I hung out around the house. She had an exciting day and used the potty!!! I just happen to catch her before she went in her diaper and I sat her on the potty. She thought it was funny and really had no clue what was going on. However, it is a start!

Update

So much has happened in just one week! We went last Thursday night and got our Christmas tree! I love having a real tree. It smells so good. Hannah ran around and had a great time. She was so excited when I was decorating the tree and tried so hard to help. I think it is beautiful. It is leaning a bit but I am hopeful it will stay upright! :)





Friday night we went to Addi's b'day party. She is now 5 years old! Wow, she is such a big girl! I hope she had a great birthday!

Saturday night we went to the Gill's for Christmas on the River. We were an hour late because we got lost! That was not a pleasant experience, but once we got there it was a lot of fun. Hannah ran around with two suckers in her hand the whole night. Santa made an appearance and Hannah was not impressed. She was scared and cried. I was surprised. I love her face in the first picture. It looks like she is thinking "if I ignore him he will go away."




Sunday night the girls or the "fabulous five" (I think Kim called us that in her blog and I LOVE it!) came over for dinner and we watched the movie Hairspray. We had a good time like we always do.

Monday I kept Addi and Levi so Kim could do some Christmas shopping. We had a good day. They are sweet kids and Hannah was so excited when she woke up and they were here.

Tuesday I woke up fine but around 8:30 I was sick! I guess I had a stomach bug. Gail had to come and get Bayley. I stayed on the couch all day long.

Wednesday I was much better and spent the day disinfecting the house! Last night was church.

I think that catches you up on what is going on in our house. We are just enjoying the Christmas season. Hannah loves all the lights and will say "look at that." She also says Santa, snowmen, and lights very well! I can't wait to see her reaction to Christmas morning! It is going to be fun!

One more thing I need to mention - please pray for Josh's grandparents. They are having health problems and both are in need of our prayers!