The Blessing Box

I love linking up with Natalie for
The Blessing Box....

The snow was beautiful, but it is a blessing that it is melting, melting, melting!  I don't like cold weather, and I DON'T LIKE SNOW!!

I am blessed that even though my Davis family gathering didn't materialize on Sunday because of the weather, I was able to talk to everyone and reschedule it for this coming Sunday afternoon at 2:00.   I'm so excited about all five of us and our families getting together under one roof for the first time in about 18 years....

I am so thankful that my children are well-rounded and growing to be more independent every day.  They have so many talents and interests and stay busy all of the time with sports, hobbies, and friends.  I love them very much and am so proud to be their mama.

I am blessed beyond measure that God sent his only Son, Jesus, into this sinful world to save us all from our sins.  How wonderful it is to know that He lived and walked on this earth as a humble, yet great man, and has gone on to prepare a place where we can all go to live with Him eternally.  I look forward to meeting up with my Lord and Savior and all of my loved ones some day...what a glorious event that will be!

Top 2 Tuesday

Top 2 Tuesday: Top 2 New Year's Resolutions

I'm linking up with Taylor over at The Undomestic Momma for one of my weekly favorites, Top 2 Tuesday!

 

[one]
 I've got to get myself back together and drink more water, eat healthier (more fruits and veggies, smaller portions), and lose more weight.  I was pleasantly surprised when I last stepped on the scales....I'd only gained 2 pounds from the original 50 that I lost....but I still have such a long way to go!  With God's help, I can do this!

[two]
I am resolving to get this
 house more organized and less cluttered. 
This is going to be an on-going effort that will have to involve everyone in the family, and getting them on board is going to be a task in itself!  Again, with God's help, I can do this!!

[two and 1/2]
Improve my prayer life, and learn to depend on God for all of my needs. 
Let go and let God!

Miscellany Monday

I am linking up again this week with Carissa at lowercase letters

for this week's edition of

Miscellany Monday.

[one]

We got SNOW!!  For normally sunny SC, we got a lot!  The children had a ball playing outside yesterday, making a snowman and snowcream.  They've had so much FUN!

[two]

Because of the snow on Sunday, I had to postpone my family gathering.  I was really sad because I was so looking forward to seeing everyone, but we're going to try again next Sunday afternoon.  I can hardly wait to see everyone!

[three]

Josh brought MJ a puppy for Christmas.  She was a mixed breed, two month old precious baby....a big baby!  Definitely not what MJ had in mind.  She wanted a small breed dog.  Not to worry....the beautiful little girl was quickly adopted by Mickey and her family, and named Snooki!  MJ is very happy that the puppy has a good home close by so she can see her whenever she wants to.

[four]

HOORAY for me!  I got a GPS for Christmas.  It is just like Jenny's, so I'm happy!  Thank you Santa!  I must have been a good girl this year!

[five]

I've got to take time to look over my Day Zero Project (101 in 1001) list....I think I've accomplished a few items, or at least partially completed several goals.  Maybe I'll be able to take care of this project within the next few days!

 

[six]

OMG....I need VALIUM!!  I love my husband  but he is driving me crazy!  I've got to find a few minutes of peace and quiet....no one to constantly watch me and ask me questions!  He has had a cold with cough and congestion for the past week or two and cannot seem to do anything but sit on the couch and watch TV or sleep....please get well soon!  I don't know how much more of a "sick man" I can take....

Well, enough for this MONDAY....

See y'all tomorrow!

<3

Jo

Christmas is done for 2010....

Our family had a wonderful Christmas break.  Chuck and I finally got all of our shopping done and all of the gifts wrapped.  We even had a chance to take a side trip to Columbia to take the kids ice skating and to see the lights at the zoo.

Josh wouldn't dare to put on ice skates....he
just braved the cold and watched the girls skate!

 

Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia, SC

The Lights Before Christmas



We even saw a few animals at the zoo....

Llama snuggled down in the zoo's barn....

Moray Eel....

Josh, Lawren, and MJ at the zoo....



Christmas Eve was wonderful.  We went to the candlelight communion service at FUMC and then came home for our annual soup and sandwich supper with the family.  Everyone finally settled in around 11:00 for a good nights sleep.



Christmas morning started with Charles building a roaring fire in the fireplace and then the five of us gathered around the tree to open presents.  Everyone was pleased with their gifts.  We capped off the morning with our traditional breakfast casseroles.  Thanks to L and MJ for preparing them this year!  You girls are such a joy to me and your daddy.



Chuck slept most of Christmas afternoon while I worked on the turkey, dressing, and gravy for the Creech family gathering, which by the way, turned out great.  The food was delicious and all of the children were still excited and happy about Santa's earlier visit.  We ended our evening by going over to Vivian's to open gifts with them.  Too bad Warren and Emily were not able to be there with us....a nasty virus attacked their household... :(





We awoke Sunday morning to a peaceful white landscape.....snow everywhere!  It snowed for most of the day also.  Sunday school and church was cancelled, and my much anticipated Davis family gathering had to be postponed until next Sunday. 

The children had a great time playing outside, only coming in long enough to warm themselves by the fire and drink hot chocolate.   Lawren made snowcream and they built a life-size snowman in the front yard.  I'm sure this day will be one that will live in their memories for years to come.

Kasey, William, Lawren, and MJ with their snowman
Dec. 26, 2010

MJ with our three dogs, Lemon, Spanky, and Ricky Bobby

Meet Me on Monday

Questions:

1.  What are your New Year's Eve plans?  Probably just hanging out here at home with Chuck and the children...but what could possibly be better??

2.  How tall are you?  5'10"

3.  What is your favorite pudding flavor?  Strange as it may sound, I love canned vanilla pudding....the kind they have on salad bars or in the school lunchroom.

4.  What room of the house do you blog the most in?  the den....warm and cozy....

5.  What is your best physical feature?  Ummm....IDK...

Saturday 9: How's It Gonna Be

Saturday 9: How's It Gonna Be
1. How's it gonna be in 2011 for you?  It is hoped that 2011 will be the best year yet....for me and my whole family!!

2. What is your idea of a perfect romantic evening?  Just Chuck and I  out together for a quiet dinner.

3. What strategy would you implement to deal with drug abuse in today's world?  Hard, hard question....so many young people experiment with drugs and don't know to stop there.  Of course, it is my opinion that people should not even allow themselves to go there in the first place, but everyone is not strong enough to resist peer pressure.  It's a shame that so many people get caught up in the drug lifestyle and  ruin their lives.  The strength to deal with drug abuse has to come from within, education and a higher power..... 
 4. What thing about your family are you least proud of?  I'm not proud of the fact that I lose my cool with my children and my husband and say and do things that I should not....

5. What part of the holidays are you really looking forward to?  Dec. 26 when we have a Davis family get-together....hopefully all 5 of us and our families under one roof for the first time in about 20 years....

6. Who is the last person you high-fived? Why?  A week ago, and probably high-fived a first grader who was being good in class... :)

7. Have you ever made out at a drive-in?  Nope....

8. If you had only enough energy left in you for one last smile, who would you give it to?  My family....


9. Tell us about that time when you were the “life of the party”.  I'd rather not......

Filll in the Blank Friday

1.   Giving is   better than receiving....and the older I get, the more I know that this is true...

2.  Receiving is   necessary if you give.  I, personally, don't know of anything that I really need or want, so this Christmas will be all about the giving for me. .

3.  The best gift I ever received was       my children....they give me love, laughter, and pride every day, and those are the best gifts of all....

4.  The best gift I ever gave was    .....IDK....I hope all of the gifts that I give are special to the recipients....

5.  Something intangible that I wish I could receive is       the ability to play the piano :).

6.  Something intangible that I wish I could give is       peace, happiness and success to my children    .
 

7.  The one gift I always wanted as a child, but never got was      a moped....my best friend's daddy sold Vespa mopeds, and most of my friends had them...but not me....I don't think my not having one hurt me in the long run though...      

Merry Christmas friends....and Happy Friday!!