As 2009 Ends

As 2009 comes to a close, I've really been thinking a great deal about what all has happened this year. As I think about it, I realize just how thankful I am for certain things. My family being the one thing I am MOST thankful for!!!

* I realized just how much God is involved in EVERYTHING and how much I am thankful for that.

* I am certainly thankful for having great friends to lean on regardless of the time of night or morning! I will forever be grateful to you!!!

* I'm thankful that I am able to stay home with my children and not leave them in day care each day for someone else to share in some of their most exciting moments. Thanks Alex for making that possible!!

* I have learned just how important reading my bible is to getting me through some difficult decisions. It seems like God always knows what I need to hear through whatever I am reading.

* I see just how fragile life is and how hard it can be to let go of those that you love.

* Women's Group: WOW! What can I say? I love this group and it has made a bigger impact on my life than anyone can understand! Thanks girls!!!!

* I am grateful to my sister (and BB too) for watching Ashton and Maddie for us while we took a much needed trip all alone!! We will owe you for a long time!

* I learned just how important it is to trust in God and allow him to guide you along life's paths.

* I have witnessed more of God's little miracles this year than I've ever noticed in the past and all I can say is God Is So Good!!!

I could probably go on forever, but those are just a few of the things that come to mind as I think about what all has happened over the course of 2009. I'm really looking forward to all the positive things happening around us and can't wait to do this again next year!

I wish you all a Happy New Year!

I'm taking the CHALLENGE!

A few days before Christmas, my dad asked me if I'd do the 1/2 marathon with him in April. I laughed and he kind of smiled and that was the end of it. However, I left there really thinking about it. I prayed about it and then decided that I could do it. When I told Alex, I expected him to laugh because quite honestly..... I'm NOT the exercising kind of gal. I don't enjoy it, I don't like to sweat and frankly I can find better things to do. However, I shouldn't be like that. God gave me this body and I should take better care of it than I do.

So, I'm speaking it here.... in 2010 I'm going to participate in the Music City 1/2 Marathon with my dad and hopefully Alex too. (Anyone want to watch the kids????) So, please keep me in your prayers because this will be a big endeavour for me. I happy to say that I have gotten a good start so far. I've ran/walked three days in a row, not had any dr. pepper in more than 2 days and Alex and I are both working on eating more healthy. :) Let's hope that I can keep it up!!!!

Christmas wrap up

Christmas has come and gone and we didn't sit still for much of it. We had a lot of gatherings and loved them all. The kids got more than they needed and seem to love it all. Neither one of them can really say just one thing that would be their favorite. :) We hope you all had a great holiday as well.

Visit with Granny & Pa

This morning, we attempted to conquer pictures with 5 children under the age of 6! It turned out to be quite an adventure, but we did end up with TWO pictures that were usable. :)

After the fun, it was off to visit Granny & Pa with my sister, Casey and her little girl, Addison, and Papa Monkey, my dad. The kids were excited to get to play with Addison for a bit and they got even more excited after opening presents because they had something new to play with.

Ashton got some cool cars and a big semi to carry them on and Maddie's favorite thing was her "new baby" and all her clothes on hangers. LOL. Why do kids get so excited about the most random thing? Clothes on HANGERS for a baby doll. :)

This is my grandparents, my dad and Ashton, Maddie and Addison.

Maddie loves her new baby.

Ashton and Pa

Maddie with Granny

Update on Baby Cooper

Today, Alex and I got to meet Cooper for the first time!!!! We were both so excited we couldn't stand it. He turned one month old today! He has gained some weight. He is right at 2 pounds and 6 ounces give or take a little. This is a picture I took while I was there. He is so stinking cute! I wanted to gobble him up!!!!

It has been a bit of a rough few days for Mom and Dad. Sunday afternoon, Baptist called them to say that Cooper couldn't hold off on his heart surgery any longer. He had a murmur and it had already been treated with medication, but it returned. The doctors decided to hold off on the surgery for as long as they could by taking Cooper's lead. Unfortunately on Sunday afternoon, Cooper decided enough was enough and so he was trasnferred to Vanderbilt to have it taken care of. He had a team of doctors evaulate him and it was decided that he was going to have surgery to close the valve on Tuesday morning. The surgery went great and Mom and Dad were breathing easier. Tuesday night was a bit of a rocky night, but today has gone much better. So much so, that Tiffany got one of the best presents ever.... she got to hold her baby boy for the FIRST time since he was born. I have tears in my eyes now just thinking about the excitement in her voice when she called to tell me just hours ago. Please continue to pray for Cooper as he now just has to get his breathing down and grow a little in order to be able to go home with his Mom and Dad.

Christmas Program

This morning, we had our Christmas service at church. Our kids ministry put on a little program and they sang a few songs. I wasn't sure how well it would turn out, because that is a LOT of people to get up in front of. However, the kiddos really did well. I was proud of them. Alex took some pictures of them and I put a few together above. Enjoy!

Charlie Brown Christmas

Wednesday night is my women's bible study night. Alex usually take the kids and has a night out with the kiddos. Last night was not any different. He, along with his mom, took Ashton, Maddie and Kaleb to the Charlie Brown Christmas on Ice.

Here is the kids all piled inside of Snoopy's house.

Alex, Ashton and Maddie with her eyes closed!

It is just amazing to me that they can do that with ice!!!

Ashton is all about some bunny ears these days! LOL

I asked them if they were cold when they got back and it was a definite yes!!

Maddie looks a little worn out at this point. :)

Christmas Parties at Tuesday/Wednesday School

Yesterday was the last day of school before Christmas break. The kids had their school parties and I was the pizza delivery mom. I got to take a few pictures and wanted to share.

Ashton was hanging out with his "best buds" at school. It was fun to watch them and listen to the conversations they were having, all the while not paying a bit of attention that I was sitting right there. :)

This is Ashton's whole class with their teacher, Miss Betty. We are all so sad that it was her last day. She will be missed by that class and the parents for sure!

Here is Miss Shannon aka Miss Miss, Maddie's teacher and her class. As you can tell, they are 3 year olds and wouldn't pose for the camera. LOL

This is Maddie and her VERY best friend, Jaden.

Maddie always has to ham it up with her SUPER BIG CHEESE!!!

Visit to Santa

Yesterday, Alex took Ashton and Maddie to visit Santa and his reindeer here in Lebanon. The kids were super excited to be going.

As you can see behind them, the reindeer seemed to not care too much about their visitors.

Maddie didn't want to sit in Santa's lap, but Ashton did. He got a sucker and told him what he wanted for Christmas. All of which, Alex and I have heard nothing about before yesterday! :)

I am TRULY Blessed

Today, I've been enjoying the peace and quiet while the boys sleep and Maddie plays quietly. It has given me some time to just think and all I could really think about is how blessed I am. I have a God that loves me, forgives me and never leaves me, a fantastic husband, adorable children, family that loves me and friends that I wouldn't trade for ANYTHING! How much better can it get?! It makes me realize that I shouldn't take that for granted for even one second because you never know when that can change. If I haven't told you lately, I love you all and couldn't be happier to have you in my life!!!!

-Courtney-