We are Moving

.....just a few more days and we will be completely moved out of our house.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Still Moving

Just wanted to check in and let you know that we are still moving. It is a slow process, but we have gotten a good amount done.

We have cleaned out the shed and playhouse (which were both big projects!) along with most of the things in the closets. Next week, we will start moving beds, dressers, and other furniture.

I am so thankful that Scot has had so much time off. He has worked like crazy taking load after load to storage and the rental house! I am so thankful to have a husband who works so hard!

So what is in your attic?

Look what we found in the attic.....


This 6 ft beauty was won at the fair by my cousin and given to E when she was 3 or 4 years old.
At the time, she loved watching cooking shows and decided to name her new neon green sting ray, Rachel Ray.


She use to play with her all the time. We finally had to put her in the attic because who really has room for a 6ft stuffed animal?? Since RR has made her debut this week, the little kids have loved playing with her all over again....I fear that I am now stuck with a 6 ft neon green sting ray for life!!!!

The First Load

In between rain drops, we took the first load to the rental house. Here is a picture of the kids at the door of the rental. It was raining and freezing outside!!!



We were only able to take a few things over at a time, in case we were not able to have it all unloaded before the next wave of rain pours came down.



This is only the first of many loads that we will be doing the next 2 weeks..... and for those wondering, yes, huge rain drops fell from my eyes too! It is becoming a reality that we are actually moving and the emotions lay close to the surface!

Christmas Carolers

S, M, and B got out of bed the other night and went knocked on E's door. I asked them what they were doing out of bed? About that time, they started singing "Joy to the World".

S whispered, "Mom, we are Christmas Caroling to E." They stood there for a few minutes singing Christmas carols, then they trotted off to their beds.

I am not sure who thought of the idea to go caroling IN our house, but it sure did bring a smile to our faces and created a special memory of the silliness of our kids.

Under Contract

The negotiations have been completed, the inspection has been done, the details have been worked out, and now the house is......

We officially signed the contract yesterday! Yippee!

We got the keys to the rental on Wednesday and have told the landlord that we start moving our things in on Saturday. So the craziness of moving will begin then! I am excited... and sad. I am hoping that being busy will keep my mind off of it for a little while longer.

Happy Birthday, Scot!

Today is my sweet husband's birthday!

I am so blessed to have such a godly husband who loves and adores me. I am so thankful it is him that I get to wake up beside every morning. He is not only my husband, my leader, my protector, he is my best friend! I enjoy being with him and spending my life with him - the fun and the stressful times! Whatever we do or go through, it is so wonderful that I get to do or go through it with him! I am one blessed girl!

Our children have a really special daddy! He loves and adores them. He spends time with them both playing with and teaching them. He is just incredible! They are blessed to have someone who is an earthly example of what are heavenly father is to us.

Happy Birthday, my love!

The Mantel

Scot and I are fortunate enough to have a fireplace in our bedroom. It is something that you can be sure we will be having one in our room at the new house too! We just love it!

Instead of putting a tree in our room, I decorate the mantel.

I hung brown glass bead garland.

I place tree trimmings on the mantel along with white lights. Then I nestled brown ornaments through out. To give it a little height, I added some twigs in a amber colored glass and then hung a few ornaments from the twigs.

I am so happy with the way the mantel turned out this year! What do you think?

Peppermint Mocha

If you haven't tried Peppermint Mocha creamer yet, you need to! It is so delicious!

You can even go here and print yourself a coupon.

The Ornaments

I admit that I have a sentimental addiction to ornaments.

I just love ornaments.

I love getting ornaments from places we visit or things we do.

I love that we get the kids ornaments each year that mean something to them or represent something about them during that year.

I love, when we decorate our tree, to relive the memories of years past through our Christmas ornaments.

E's first Christmas ornament to her daddy

We have all kinds of ornaments...hallmark keepsakes, playful ones, handmade ones, etc. Each one is bought specifically as a reminder of our children at that age whether it is an activity they were into or just something that they love at that time.

Nana got B this on his first Christmas

I write a little message on the box telling why we choose the ornament that year along with their name and the year. So when we pass out the ornaments to hang on the tree, I read the message or say "oh, remember how you did so-and-so". It is such sweet memories and so much fun for everyone!

1996 - our first Christmas - a starfish Santa because we lived in Pensacola, FL

I thought I would share a FEW of the ones we have collected over the years. Trust me when I say we have lots of ornaments and these are just a few....

E loves to collect the snowball and tuxedo ornaments. This one was of them sharing coffee. When I saw which one it was for last year, I told her it was fitting that she get it because she would always steal my coffee....of course, she says it is hot cocoa so it doesn't count...*smile*

This one is one S got a few years ago when she learned to ice skate for the first time. Oh, we have such fun and sweet memories of that day!

This one was for B when he was 3 and was SO into planes and rockets and anything else that flies!

This is one that we gave M in 2007 (she was 1) because she was obsessed with penguins. It all started because at our local Christmas parade, one of the floats threw her a stuffed penguin. She carried that thing EVERYWHERE..for months!

A funny story about this next one. I got it for S when she was 4 because she loves to draw, color, paint, etc. When I gave it to her, she said "but I don't like mice!" She thought I got it for her because she likes mice not because of the crayola box. I wrote this story on the side of the box and I am so glad I did. Now each year, we can smile and laugh at the "other" story behind the ornament.

What about you? Do you give ornaments each year? Does your tree tell the story of your family through the years?

Jammy Feet

....that is what Scot calls M when she has on her cute little winter PJ's.

Rental House

After a few phone calls, we were able to go and look at the rental house. (If you have not heard the story, click on the link..it is amazing!)



It is a cute little house with just the right amount of space we need. It even has a room that we could use for homeschooling which is more than we expected. GOD IS GOOD.

We are thrilled that it is just block and half away from our house. We just wanted something in the same town, but God gave us something so close that it will make moving a lot easier! GOD IS GOOD.

Scot had said that he hoped to get a rental house for a specific price. I thought we would never get a house to fit a family of 6 for that price, but would you believe it is exactly what he wanted and what we were praying for? Of course you would, because GOD IS GOOD.


We don't have to sign a year long contract, they are willing to let us rent as long as it takes to build.

So many of the things that we had questions and concerns about were answered and not even an issue or problem!

GOD IS SO GOOD!

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us

~Ephesians 3:20

AMAZING

I am completely amazed at how God has worked over the last few weeks. I always knew God would take care of all the details that come with moving, but I am just amazed at the way He is doing it! All I can do is stand in awe at how God orchestrates our lives down to the smallest details!


Here is the latest incredible story.

We have been looking for a rental in our little town since we sold our house. I called every realty place in the area and even drove all around town, both inside and outside the city limits, trying to find something--anything for rent! There is just not anything right now.

We decided we may have to move to "the city" as our last resort. (The reason it would be a last resort is that it would cost us more and we would be farther from where we are building our house.)

I was getting a little discouraged because that was not what we wanted to do, but I kept saying that God has not brought us this far to abandon us now....how true that has proven to be!

Well, early Friday morning, while standing in line waiting to go into a store on Black Friday, I started talking to some people around me in line. One of them mentioned something about my town and I asked if they lived here. One of the girls said yes and I told her I did too and that I lived on our street's name. She that said her husband's grandmother lived on my street too. Come to find out the grandmother is my neighbor across the street!

I mentioned we had just sold our house and were looking for a place to rent while we build our new house. She said that her cousin just moved to another part of the state and she thinks that she is putting her house up for rent this weekend.

I asked a few more questions and then I realized I knew the cousin through a friend of mine! Isn't that crazy???

So I told the girl that I would call my friend and get in touch with her cousin, who was in town for the weekend.

Now do you see why I say it is amazing the way God works???

To think I was in line on Black Friday at 5 am, freezing to death, making conversation with other shoppers...who, come to find out live in my small town... and their grandmother is a neighbor...and they have a cousin who is here getting ready this very weekend to put their house up for rent!!!

That is not a "happenstance" that is GOD! He allowed our paths to cross and our conversation to turn to this!

I stood in line at this store hoping to get an incredible deal on a Christmas gift and ended up getting a lead on a rental house!

AMAZING!

Oh and by the way, I got the "deal" I went for too!

First Meeting with the Builder

We met with the builder on the 19th. It was so much fun!

This is something that we have dreamed of for a very long time and I have been saving ideas just waiting for the time to come...and now it has!!!



I am not sure he was expecting me to bring so many pictures and files and plans, but he was gracious and patiently listened. We talked through everything and he even gave some great suggestions and money saving ideas!

We will be meeting with him again next week. I can't wait to see what he has come up with for our dream house!

The Results

For all those who have asked, the inspection went well. We will sit down with the buyer after Thanksgiving to work out the final details. It is getting closer....

The Inspection

I am busy getting ready for the inspection that is taking place tomorrow afternoon. I have so much that still needs to be done, but hopefully after tomorrow, we will know more as to when we will close on the house, etc.

Thank you for your words of encouragement and, more importantly, for helping us pray as we navigate through this transition.

Pumpkin Dump Cake

This is one of the yummy dishes I will bringing to Thanksgiving this year!


2 (15 oz) cans of pumpkin
2 cans evaporated milk
4 eggs
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups sugar

1 yellow cake mix
1 stick of butter
1 cup chopped nuts

Mix together pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, and spices. Pour into a greased and floured 9x13 pan.
Sprinkle with cake mix. Drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.

Bake 350 for 1 hour and 20 minutes

New Family Game

For B's birthday, Nana gave him a new game that the family is getting to enjoy too.


Have you heard of it? It is so much fun...and even a little addicting! It really takes keen eyes to win!

It really is family fun for all ages!

E's Garage Sale Find

At a garage sale on Saturday, E found this cool chair from PB Teen. The one she got was lime green to match her new room and she only paid $5.00!

We looked up the price online and it sells for 99.00! (Can you believe someone would pay that for a chair???) Anyway, it is in great condition and the best part is that she got it for a steal!

I will have to show you some pictures soon of the progress we are making with her new room. It is really starting to come together!

The Offer

We got an offer on our house today. I cannot tell you how excited we have been. I know God's timing is perfect, but it has been a long year!



We have started negotiations.....I will let you know as soon as we get the official word!


I still can't believe that we may be about 30 days away from starting construction of our dream house!!!!

Pecan Pie Muffins

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and we, like a lot of you, are getting our menu together. This is something that E and S made last year. It was a huge hit. They are planning to make them again this year.

If you love pecan pie, you will love these muffins. They are great for those who want "just a taste of pecan pie."



1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup plain flour
2/3 cup butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten

Combine brown sugar, pecans, and flour in a bowl and set aside. Combine butter and eggs. Mix well and stir into flour mixture. Fill greased mini muffin tins about 2/3 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes.

Remove from muffin tins immediately and cool on wire racks.

Makes 2 dozen


For more fall recipe ideas, check out our family recipe blog.

Out of the mouth of Babes

B had a question in lanuguage where he had to choose the best answer.

"I have ___ shoes on my feet."

He said mom I can't find ZERO! Don't they know homeschoolers don't wear shoes to school :)

Parade 2009

We love all the family traditions that come along with this time of year. Picking up peanuts before the parade begins is no exception!

Our family gets together to watch the parade as it goes down Main Street. This year some friends joined us too. It was such a fun morning!

Fair...Take Two

Guess who went to the fair?

S has been battling strep throat this week. She was sick on Tuesday when we went to the fair as a family, so I brought her tonight.

We met up with my sister so she could haver her cousins to ride with. We had a great time!

Look no hands! She was so funny. She would say that on all the rides!

Although I did not like not being able to enjoy the fair together as a family, S and I did have a great together just the two of us!

She was so happy to be able to drive the bumper cars!

My cousin Billy came with us. Aren't they cute???

Here they are at the pony ride. Billy spoiled her all night long!

Of course, we had to end the night with the traditional peanut picture!