Recap.... ringing in the new year.....

Well, it seems like just yesterday I was ready to kick 2009 out the door and welcome 2010 in with open arms. Here it is-- the end of another year, and I'm afraid to say I hate to see this one go.

A lot of changes for the good and not-so-good have taken place, but I'll take the good with the bad and continue to wish for the power to stop time in this season of our lives. Brennan started first grade this year and it made me really sad. But, he's adjusted to first grade well and has great teachers and a good class. His reading has really taken off and he loves doing anything with art. Ethan turned 2 in September and he gives a whole new meaning to the term "terrible two's". I swear, he would have been an only child if he had been our firstborn. I love that kid and he's as cute as they come, but he is a holy terror.

Chad started a new job at the beginning of the summer. It was a HUGE step for him. I almost thought he would get cold feet and back out of accepting the job after an entire YEAR of praying over it and being excited about the job prospect. But, after being there since June 2, he loves it and really looks forward to going to work and being around his coworkers. It's A LOT more laid back than working for a C.P.A. firm. And this will be the first time in years that I will not be a tax season "widow". He will actually be HOME on Saturdays from January until April. Hallelujah. But, he does plan on doing some tax returns on the side because he loves doing that sort of thing (after all, he is a certified bean-counter). So if you need help with tax returns, give us a shout. He doesn't plan on charging an arm and a leg like most of the tax service chains. Good friends get good deals.

Brennan was baptized in November. That speaks for itself. He is such a sweet child with a special gift. I hope that God uses him in a strong way as he grows and when he is an adult. I also pray for Ethan because that kid could use A LOT of Jesus.....

I went to Nicaragua for my second year. I am still amazed at the experiences I had, and I can't wait to return. I love every moment I spend there and I love the people that I get to serve. If I'm not pregnant this summer, I plan on returning with a very glad heart.

Which brings me to pregnancy. After consulting with the doctor a few months ago for chronic pain, she recommended getting pregnant and having a hysterectomy after wards. My endometriosis is returning after 4 years post surgery and it's making some days very difficult for me. So, Chad and I have decided to try for our 3rd and see where God will take us in this. My pain comes and goes and some days I want to sit and cry.

As good as this year has been, it's definitely had it's share of heartache. Just like last year, there has been a lot of loss. In February my good friend, Randi, lost her brother, Matthew. Randi was my best friend in high school and her brother was such a sweet, special guy. It's been a long road for her family, and will continue to be, but Randi has really done well considering. I know she finds comfort in the fact that he no longer has to deal with this evil world and he is not suffering any longer. God was ready to bring him home.

This past summer we lost a dear family friend, Mr. Eddie Beck. He had succumbed to the C-word-- cancer. He had been sick for only 9 months. It was hard to watch someone so healthy and full of life to be taken over so quickly by such a terrible disease.

Then just 2 weeks ago (almost 2 weeks ago) I found out that a high school classmate had unexpectedly passed away. He left behind a baby girl. It was one week before Christmas and one week before his 30th birthday. So sad and so heartbreaking. Life is short and we have very little control over a lot of it. And like Matthew, there is comfort in knowing he no longer has to suffer in the turmoil and evil in this world.

God has really opened my eyes this year and has shown me how blessed I really am. This year has been so much fun with my children and I was really sad to see Christmas come and go-- even though I was so EXHAUSTED! Brennan and Ethan are at that perfect age to really enjoy Christmas and I loved seeing their faces on Christmas morning. We put emphasis on Baby Jesus as much, if not more than Santa. The Sunday before last, the children's department at church had a HUGE birthday cake for Jesus and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. So sweet. We also made a birthday cake at home and Brennan said, "Mama, how can Jesus eat any of His birthday cake if He's up in Heaven?" So funny.

Anyway, I don't normally make New Year's Resolutions because, who am I kidding? I have no intentions of ever sticking with them. I don't make them unless I have 100% of my heart into it and I know without a doubt that I will try my darndest to make it happen. So, with that being said, here are my resolutions that I really plan on trying to stick with:

#1. Be organized. Be organized. Be organized. I don't like a messy house, and try to keep my house neat and clean all the time, but I have NO organizational skills whatsoever. You should see my purse, van, and closet. They are each a big, hot mess.

#2. Drink more water. And out of the tap, not the bottle.

#3. Be more laid back about my house. Instead of worrying about what it looks like with kid's toys strewn everywhere and the fact that not everything will always be put back in it's place at all times. I'm really going to try hard with this. This will almost be like taking crack away from a crack addict cold turkey. I may not be organized, but I don't like things being out of their places, or for my living room to look like Toys "R Us exploded. I really am going to try my hardest on this one. This may be the hardest resolution. The words "laid back" do not fit into my vocabulary unless you hear me describing my husband. His is the epitome of laid-back.

#4. Be more conscious about what I eat. Less fried, more baked or grilled. And a lot more salads. And just because I get my kids a cheeseburger from McDonald's does not mean I have to get one too.

And there you have it. Hope everyone has a blessed, prosperous new year. Enjoy the last couple of days of 2010.

These are the days I want to last forever and ever....

Brennan's Christmas present to Chad and me. He was SO excited for us to open it, he couldn't wait until Christmas day.

And that is just the wrapping paper in the above picture.

And there is his masterpiece that he is SO proud of!

Ethan is rockin' out with his new guitar from MiMi and Papaw.

My middle brother, Clayton.

Still rockin' out.

My new purse/bag. I love this! My friend, Bonnie, has the smaller purse, so I had requested one like it. I LOVE it!!!!

Yes, these are Chad's new boots. Him and both boys got some John Deere boots from my parents.

Brennan is decorating the birthday cake for Jesus.

Christmas Eve: Time to open presents at Chad's parents.

Chad's grandmother and Ethan.

Yes, Chad and his mother have on the same shirt.

I love this picture.

Our niece, Brooklyn, and Chad's youngest sister, Lindsey.

Bayleigh and Brennan.

Brooklyn and her mom, Lauren.

The 3 of the 4 grandchildren.

Memaw, Lindsey, and Alex.

Opening presents!

This was hanging on Brooklyn's tree, and when I told her I collected birds, she went and took it off her tree and wrapped it up for me. So sweet!

Memaw got this for Brennan. This was also the first verse Brennan learned when he was four years old.

Chad got his dad a little grill. The inmates at Parchmen make them in all sizes, and Chad's company sells them. We thought it was the perfect size for the two of his parents.

They don't make 'em like this over there in China!!! It's true quality and craftsmanship.

Mother and daughter.

Home from the Miller's and now feeding the reindeer.

Sprinkling the reindeer food all across the yard. And brrrrrrr! it was cold.

Chad and Alex made this cross last year. You can't tell from the picture but it glows very brightly. Very cool!

Santa Claus has come!

Um, yes, my 6 year old asked for a kitchen set. Chad about had a cow, but finally gave in. I do believe Brennan is secure enough in his boyhood to be okay with having a kitchen set and not having any long-term consequences. Once again, it's Brennan's creativity coming out.

My bird hanging on my tree.

Santa even came to see Dixie and brought her a new blanket and bed. She needs it after all the excitement the past few days.

And the kids are awake! I think they were the only kids in America that had to be woken up on Christmas morning. They were exhausted.

Oh boy!!!

Ethan's big gift, a Mickey Mouse 4-wheeler.

Brennan's Christmas present to Chad. He picked it out at the school store all by himself!

Brennan's present to me! A painted bottle cap that is also a necklace. Very pretty.

My new robe.

Ethan's Ole Miss baseball bat and ball.

Yep, I got me some cowboy boots. I have wanted them for a long time, but didn't have the money to spend on them. Chad picked these out all by himself.

Elvis was in my stocking.

That's my child under the tree. Don't ask me what he was doing.

His new building blocks.

Dixie is so tired!

My Uncle James and Ethan playing with Brennan's guitar he got for Christmas.

My grandmother (my dad's mom) and my grandfather (my mom's dad).

MiMi loved her painting. Brennan's teacher painted it.

At the end of a long, tiring day Ethan and I curled up and watched "A Christmas Story".

Christmas was a TOTAL blast this year. My boys were so much fun and I hated to see yesterday end. But, I was so tired after all the fun!

Next up is New Year's. I'm trying to talk Chad into taking me to Graceland again, but I doubt that's going to happen. Oh well, a girl can dream.

Hope you all had a great Christmas!!!!