Party Time

Christmas means LOTS OF PARTIES! Most of the ones we attend are with our church family. Here's the proof!

First, there's the annual Dirty Santa party with our small group....the viking helmet and heart shaped plastic fly swatter made another appearance. Both items were randomly selected by the Fell family. Sorry, Alison and Nathan!

Chad delights in his stocking full of chocolate candy. He didn't keep it for long - Ira loves candy.

I gave my gift to my daughter - a Webkinz puppy that she named WORLEY.


The favorite and most stolen gift item of the night: A 6 pack of Blue Moon. The pastor opened it first but it was then stolen by Chad. Finally, Kelsey stole it one last time and was a happy man (and his wife was his biggest cheerleader).


Sometimes, we gather to have more mature parties, like this one. Our entire church family ate dinner together this past Sunday evening - it was delicious and the conversations were even sweeter.

Yeah, that's right....Ira was first in line. Every church meal, we always wait for him to start before forming a line.

I just thought this picture was funny - I looked over my shoulder and saw the Bundy-Fell jubilee!

This should make you feel better, Mitch.

Happy 5th birthday, Luke!

LUKE....

The only baby with which I got to experience my water breaking on it's own.

My second child but first c-section....unplanned! Glad the epidural was already in place!

The cord was around your neck three times.....hence the c-section.

Early on in life, you began talking to me.



Then, your Daddy told you about Georgia Tech and their need for fans. You quickly became one.





To this day, you still get your groove on. If there's a beat on the stereo, you're shakin' your body.



Often, I have to ask you to sing softly rather than the usual loud volume that is heard as you run around the house as a wild man.



Today, you are five years old, Luke! Your low key personality would have never let the world know that this was the day that we celebrate the life God has given you - so, I'm doing it for you here on my blog. Not once today have you mentioned to anyone that this was a day you wanted the spotlight or deserved anything. I pray your heart remains humble.

Luke, you are such a joy......a blessing. I pray the Lord will capture your heart so you can know of the great love he has for you. Then, you'd understand why your mama could spend hours just hanging out with you. You always ask for a puckered "fish kiss" when I tuck you in. CUTE! I know one day you won't ask for a kiss anymore but I plan on taking every moment with you and treasuring it in my heart!

Our break dancers

Give them some music and they'll show you their moves.

Why don't we steal away?

Mitch and I got away for the weekend for a belated 11 year wedding anniversary. We had so much fun just hanging out together. Gosh, I love that man! Upon leaving late one morning (yeah, we got to sleep in two days in a row!), the concierge asked if he could help us plan our day. We replied, "Nope. Absolutely not...but thanks. We don't want an agenda. We just want to "wing it" and not have to think about time."

Can't make a trip to Atlanta without going to IKEA and getting a snack.


While there, we only made one purchase ($10) for a new duvet cover for our down comforter.


There's been a lot of controversy about BODIES: THE EXHIBITION, but we decided to see it. It was VERY interesting and very scientific.


We ate lunch at The Tin Drum & The Varsity, shopped at the GATech bookstore to buy a birthday gift for our little yellow jacket fan, ate dinner at The Fox Grill....


...and got stuck in much of the famous Atlanta traffic.


While sitting still, we posed for the camera.


Although we can only browse when at Lenox Square Mall, we spent a bit of time playing in the APPLE store. Later, in such a large city, we still managed to bump into my brother's mother-in-law who was also spending some time in LSM. That was freaky.....bumping into her, that is. YOU'RE COOL, CONNIE!


Finally, our hotel. Ahhhhh.....

Mitch, I love you.
Thank you for being the best friend ever.

S'Mores & shakin' that groove thang

Yeah, you can't go to the mountains and not roast marshmallows with graham crackers and Hershey's chocolate!

Crafting at the kitchen table was a hit. Paint, Cray-Pa's, tape, markers...they enjoyed all sitting down TOGETHER and it was a hoot to listen to their conversations (ages 3-9).

When you're with Mitch's crazy (yet absolutely wonderful) sister, you have to dance and shake your booty. We were thrilled to learn that Valerie brought the Wii along with her to our Thanksgiving vacation. She and Mitch has a "dance-off"....Valerie won, but not by much!

Wordless Wednesday

Babyland General

Once again, during our mountain stay in north Georgia over Thanksgiving, we took the kids out to spend some time seeing the typical FREE local tourist attractions. One such place is the mansion also known as Babyland General Hospital. Massive....that's all I have to say. 650 acres (not all developed) and a gorgeous backdrop of the Appalachian mountains.

Today, I'm not doll crazy but it was an experience that I hope my kids enjoyed. Abigail was fascinated with the dolls and took great care of the ones she chose to hold. We even got to watch three "babies" be born that morning during our visit.



I remember getting one of these dolls when I was a young girl. I was super excited when I opened the packaging on Christmas morning and saw that I had an Xavier Roberts' creation in my possession. I've still got that sweet doll (safe in my cedar chest)...thanks, Mom.


Yes, I think this concept is a bit ridiculous. I had a sad thought as I walked through the mansion....these dolls that sat with fake smiles and tummies full of stuffing had better housing than the souls of those living in tragedy stricken regions such as Haiti.

Tallulah Gorge

We made another trip to the gorge. This time, we took the kids. They loved being up high on the bridge over the waterfalls and rocky cliffs. They didn't like, however, the 345 steps down to the bridge and then back again. My quads and calves were so sore the next day!

There's hope

It's a busy time of year and my head is full of constant lists. I'm not so sure I like it that way. Being busy is a part of my personality but sometimes I feel like I'm just living for the next huge "thing" to be out of the way so I can move on to whatever lies ahead.

It's easier to be quiet.
It's easier to let things pass.
It's easier to pacify.
It's easier to be lazy.

I pray that I will take the narrow road.....a constant battle in this sinful heart of mine.

There's distraction buzzing in my head
saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
but I've heard rumors of true reality
whispers of a well-lit way

A well-lit way.....THE GOSPEL!

There's hope.

Jesus.

One of my favorite artists, Brooke Fraser

Click below to download one of her newest songs for free. You'll love it.

OK, this is just gross.....

Saw these pics today on Abraham's blog.

They are truly disgusting.....in an appropriate kind of way.

Wait....

Wordless Wednesday