Snow Day

So when we woke up last Tuesday, I was so excited about our snow day. Jeff informed me that he would be working from home and that it was NOT a snow day for him! lol! But we all had fun.... We have been keeping busy, enjoying our family and friends. Jeff and Brennan went with their friends Matt and Jacob to an NC State basketball game and to see Monster trucks. The Steelers are in the superbowl, it snowed in NC, I mean what more can I say??? But really, I started my item writing again, so that will keep me busy for sure.

Changing times

So much to share, so little time..... With travelling and the holidays, we have been busy just like everyone else I am sure! Brennan had a fever yesterday and today and with that comes watching tons of tv. and we were very excited b/c there was a new Thomas episode where the trains eyes and mouths FINALLY move. This is huge, I can actually watch an entire show without falling asleep! We had a wonderful December, I will catch this up a little. We had several birthday parties which were lots of fun for children ( & us). We also rode the Santa train in New Hll and it was COLD that day, almost felt like Pennsylvania. But we had the best time together. We drove around with friends and looked at Christmas lights which was lots of fun as well. We both watched Brennan "dance" in a little Christmas celebration at church, I am attaching clip for your viewing pleasure :)
We managed to have a family night out as well as a date night this Christmas season. We celebrated Christmas Eve the night before Christmas Eve with my sister, David and Marissa. We all had a great time! We had a wonderful Christmas day, it was such a simple day of pajamas and playing. We had great food and easy clean up. We went up to PA for a week after that. We already planned to make the trip up this year, even before Brian fell..... we knew this would most likely be our last trip up around Christmas. We were able to see lots of family and we really enjoyed our visit. Our best gift of course was that we got to see Brian in his house. He came home Dec 23rd and is now doing 5 days of outpatient therapy. We sure do love our family but we have really made our "home" in NC. We are looking forward to an exciting 2009. I just signed Brennan up for T-ball and soccer. He is going to continue with his computer bug class and we will still be doing "preschool lessons" at home. Jenna is enjoying singing and dancing to the go fish guys with Brennan. She is starting to communicate much better. Can you believe that she is communicating in the ways that she does that she wants to use the potty...... AHH, I was not ready for this. We will see how that goes.
We are continuing our dinner club and we hope to make a trip to sea world and possibly another trip to see Thomas.  After careful and prayerful consideration, I am not going to do MOPS anymore..... it is again "bittersweet" just like when I stopped watching Landon and Vanessa....but too many God stops occurred in a span of three days and I knew it was the right thing to do. I will miss it, but am encouraged to free up my calendar a little in 2009. :) Here is our December Snapfish Link.....too many cute pictures to choose what to put on here!
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=263488983/a=8944876_8944876/fromupload=true/imagecount=191/videocount=0/t_=8944876

Countdown to Christmas

What a wonderful season! Jeff just smiles when I share with him our December calendar. As most people, it is the busiest month of the year. We want to make as much time to see friends and family plus do some fun holiday activities just the four of us. We had a little stomach bug for a few days over Thanksgiving, but we are over it now! Brennan and I went to our good friends the Weeks' house for a delicious meal on Thanksgiving and Jeff stayed home with Jenna. (she was the first to get sick.) It was so nice to have a family Thanksgiving meal with our friends. Then Friday, CiCi (my sis), David, Ryan, and Marissa came over and that was a great time eating and playing games. We actually put our Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving (never have done that) and also we used an artificial tree this year; but it looks great. Brennan looked forward to putting the star on top from the moment the tree came down from the attic. Brennan and Jenna frequently put on their Santa hats and march around the house! Also, Jenna can eat cheerios cereal by herself without spilling...... so different than Brennan. She may not talk like he did at that age but she has mad skills, at only 16 months old. Brennan can't wait to move the candy cane over each morning on the Advent calendar. He really thinks it is going to snow on Christmas...... I do to, just maybe not here in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. lol

Thanksgiving Request

Feeling "Thanks" is truly in the "giving". Today give time to ready Kristi's story and give time to pray for her and her family. You will truly feel "thanks" for giving your time for another. (someone most of you don't know)

I don't often share this sort of thing on my blog, as most people that check my blog are from out of town. But this needs to be shared today. Kristi Walker was a teacher at Apex Middle School before staying home with her children (like my story). She just had her third baby boy, but is now fighting for her life. Please read her story if you have time and PRAY today.

Here is a website for Kristi Walker
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/kristiwalker

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Time Flies

It has been a while since I have updated the blog and I really cannot believe Thanksgiving is next week. Usually when I say that, I just mean that time flies....but this year, I really cannot believe it! I thought I had one more week! AHH! We just had a wonderful trip up north and visited Brian. He is a miracle; regaining more of his memory daily as well as getting his personality traits back. He knows and adores his wife Ashley and she has seen the truth in Brian's old room number 316, the numbers of hope. Brennan was SO happy to see Uncle Brian as was Uncle Brian to see Brennan! I will share some pic's of Brian at the rehab center a few days ago. We are a bit tired from the traveling and with life's work seemingly more demanding on our family, but we are doing great......still making time for what matters most!

Bittersweet

Wow, it has been a while since I have updated the blog! We had a great second half of October. Jeff and Brennan followed the book "Pumpkin Patch Parable" and carved a pumpkin just like the farmer did! Brennan also picked a baby pumpkin for Tulie. (Jenna's nickname) We had good times going over to friends houses and watching Steelers games. We also went up to PA and Morgantown to visit Brian. He is really doing great. He is progressing quickly and we anxiously await our next visit next week. While we were up there, Brennan was able to go to the garage with Pappy one day. And Bren, Jen, Mom and I had a nice day shopping and going to lunch. Granny came to visit as well. Grandma and Pop Pop Grubbs took the kids on Friday to Chuck E Cheese, so they had a blast on the trip up north. We came back and before we knew it was Halloween and our Big Ben and Cheerleader were out collecting their candy. Our neighbor had a wagon attached to his tractor so Brennan was in his glory parading around the neighborhood on that! :) Then we finished the month with great friends and a fire pit night, with Smores for everyone! Ok, almost forgot, back to the title of the blog, today was the last day I will be providing childcare for Vanessa and Landon. It is completely bittersweet. It was a hard day, b/c they are wonderful children and we had a great time with them.......but with us making a trip up north each month-6 weeks, I knew I had to let go of some of my responsibilities. I quit my bunco group and cancelled a few trips, but something else had to go and I was afraid it was going to be my MOPS group.... but to find out, it was the kids. This does allow more flexibility in our schedule when we can make our trips, and it does take some responsiblity off my plate which is good for my family right now. Bittersweet........

Go Fish

We had a wonderful weekend! Jeff and I enjoyed driving to Charlotte on Saturday and actually having time to talk to each other! :) We went to visit a best friend from college that I have lost touch with in recent years. Jessica was the first friend I met at college. College was a very hard time of my life, even though I didn't realize that while I was going through it. It was great to see her and catch up! She has a baby son Collin (8 months) and she was so hospitable with gifts and food. Her home was very warm and inviting; we wished we could have stayed longer to visit. We had to head out to the "Go Fish" concert. Brennan could not wait to see the concert. This is one of Brennan's favorite bands. (He is really into music)