Family Friday's

Noah Layton

big brown eyes, loves to snuggle,

laughs a lot, eats in the middle of the night a lot,

very active, terrific student, loyal,

caring, thoughtful, good listener,

can do anything he tries,

loves his animals,

sincere, great big brother,

loves sleeping in Kain's bed,

loves reading, writes neat,

excited to learn more about God,

goofy, fun loving, carefree, dare devil,

very athletic, great friend,
gets upset if mama isn't there at night,

will eat anything or at least try it,

always asks for pants for Christmas ( have no idea why),

middle child, amazing son!

Pickle anyone?

He loves animals

He loves Guitar Hero

Key West

This is the mischievous look!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I was wanting to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Hopefully you all will be surrounded by family and getting way too much eat. Hey, it's a holiday it's OK to get that extra piece of pie.

Hopefully we are on the front row watching the parade right now. I will be a little upset if we are not. Since we got here at 6 or at least I hope we did. But if not I'm sure it will still be great. My husband will just have a broken neck from holding the kids.

Not sure what we are going to eat. Probably something from a street vendor. But that's New York for ya!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday... My nephew Aidan

**** GIVEAWAY***

Most of you know I am going to New York for Thanksgiving. So I thought I would do I little giveaway. I will be giving away a prize that I will buy in New York. I'm not sure yet what it will be but I promise you'll like it . There's this nice market at Bryant Park that has all kinds of things so I might get it there.It most likely will be Christmas related. But anyways leave a comment telling me what you will be doing for Thanksgiving or what your gonna miss about it. You can even leave the comment anonymously just when you write your comment include your name. I know I have a few readers that do not have blogs.When I get back I will draw a winner. Good Luck and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I am going to miss shopping on Black Friday :( This is a yearly tradition for me and my friends. We go to my MIL's and drop the kids off. Then at 10 pm Thanksgiving night we start. We first head to Gaffney to the Yellow Mall. We stay for a little while. Depends on the sales. Then head to the Waffle House. After that we go to Wal-Mart. My Wal-Mart ( not really mine but the one near the house) lets you go ahead and put most of the sale items in your buggy. You just can't check out till 5 am. I also take all my sale papers because they will match the prices. That way I can skip a few stores. Then we're off for some more shopping. Last year we went to Target, The Academy, Walgreen's, Westgate Mall, Goody's,Toys R Us, and a few more places . I ended up getting home at 4 pm the next day. My car was completely full that's why we had to come home. Oh well I'll have to wait till next year! Hope everyone finds some good deals!!!

I'm waiting...

So I am all packed and just waiting on 5 pm to get here.

I have to get some sleep while the kids are at school.

I will be driving all night (well at least half of it).

Just because I will be gone doesn't mean you won't hear from me...lol!

I have scheduled some posts ( just a couple).

And there will be an exciting one tonight so check back!!!

You might just get something special!!!!

But you will have to wait....

Ten Things Tuesday

With Thanksgiving being this week we( I ) have a lot to be thankful for. I'm participating in the Ten Thankful Things Tuesday. So if you would like to read what others are thankful for head on over.

1. I am thankful that I don't have to be perfect to have a relationship with my Lord and Savior. He accepts me for who I am and knows all my faults.

2. I am so thankful to have a wonderful family. God truly has blessed me in that part of my life.

3. I am thankful that we are fortunate enough to be able to go to New York. I know a lot of people are struggling right now.

4. I am thankful for having delicious food to nourish our bodies. Many people will not have a turkey and all the fixings.

5. I am thankful for the opportunity to help children learn about God. They are all so eager to hear about God. I wish more people could have their enthusiasm.

6. I am thankful that I get to be a SAHM. Some days it is a challenge but I love seeing all the little things. I see the happiness in the kids eyes when I'm able to come to their school. I hope I will always get to be there to celebrate the great accomplishments.

7. I am thankful for Corey's family. They accepted me straight in to the family 11 years ago. And have always treated me like I was there daughter. They are always there when we need them.

8. I am thankful that Noah is feeling better. He was sick Friday ( maybe from eating a whole box of FROZEN Toaster Strudels).

9. I am thankful that we got to spend time with family Saturday. We had our Thanksgiving feast early ( since we will be out of town). The food was tasty ( I cooked) and we enjoyed each others company.

10. I am thankful that a little baby boy was born in Bethlehem on Christmas. That we would know him as Jesus and he would save us all.

What they are thankful for....

Zoe's Thankful Turkey

Above: The front of Noah's card
Below: the inside, I'm not sure why Noah questioned if his Daddy was going with us.
Corey always goes on vacation with us. I guess it's because he works so much.

Kain's class did not do a Thanksgiving thing. I guess 4th grade is too old for that cute stuff!

Not ME! Monday

Yep it's that time again !
If you have never gotten the chance to participate in this hilarious carnival.
Click on the post title and head on over to MckMama's.
I love reading her blog and she takes awesome pictures too.
I'm sure you'll get a great laugh out of reading everyones Not Me's!

This week was not very eventful but I still thought I would give it a try.

I am not going to New York to see the Macy's parade. I would be crazy to take 4 kids to the city... right? Nope there is no craziness going on here.

I have not lost my camcorder. Nope I'm a very organized person and never lose anything. I know it is some where in this house. It doesn't have legs and can't walk out by its self.

I have not slacked on doing the laundry. Just because I have to wash everything in the morning is no big deal. It's not like I have to pack or anything.

I will not be going through withdraws. I do not have to check my blog every day. I will not be thinking about it at all. It will not be the first thing I look at when I get home.

Yes I know this was a very weak Not Me . But that should be a good thing...right?

You thought I wasn't looking...

I received this from a friend and wanted to share it with everyone!

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didnʼt feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

My first Blogger Award!

I want to say thank You to my friend Liz for giving me my first blogger award!!!

She is also the one that fixed my blog after I had messed it up.

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

So now I am awarding this wonderful award to...

1. Slice of ( Real) Life

2. A window into Our World

3. Baseballs and Tutus

4. Mommy Hold You

5. Our Journey through Infertility

6. My Crazy Life with 4 Boys

7. Davisix

8. Our Daily Blessing...Life

9. Our Little Gift from God

Just click on the names and it will let you get a look at these wonderful blogs!!

( Yes I know it said 8 but I wanted to do 9.)

Monkeying Around

Thursday we went to Monkey Joe's for the first time ever. Zoe was invited to a birthday party there. She had a ball. A lot of her friends were there too. It was a really great place. I'm sure everyone else has been before. I don't know why we never have. But now I will have to take the boys. Thanks Haley for a wonderful time!!

Now if Zoe gets a chance to dance she's gonna take it.

Small Fryday Contest

MckMama is having a Fryday contest. So just click on MckMama to get to her page. Check out her wonderful family. I love reading her blog. So hurry up and go check it out!!!! And after you read it I'm sure you will be hooked!!! Her story is truly a miracle from God. So for a little inspiration or to see some adorable pictures of her *MSC check it out!!

* Many Small Children

Christmas cards

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. Even if you don't send out cards, please send one to this address.If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get? When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue,

NW Washington , D.C.20307-5001

Family Friday's

Kain Nathanial

lovable, shy, sensitive, loves learning,

plays sport, always gives his best, great big brother,

good listener, singer, treasure hunter, oldest child,

4th grader, almost 10, red headed,

is his Daddy's mini me, child of God, artistic,

honor roll student, great friend, growing inches by the day ( thank goodness),

worrier, doesn't like thunderstorms,

loves learning his bible verses for Awana,

people pleaser , very helpful, picky eater,

animal lover,

he doesn't like to do homework,

He loves watching and playing football,

his favorite teams are the Clemson Tigers

and the Carolina Panthers

freckle faced, joy of our lives

,

Allergic reactions...

I found out last night that Zoe had an allergic reaction to something. You'll never guess what. Zoe let me know about this last night on the way home from church.

Zoe: "Mama I'm allergic"

Me :" No your not"

Zoe: "Yes I am mama. I'm allergic"

Me: "OK Zoe what are you allergic too?"

Zoe: "knots"

Me:" Knots? What are you taking about?"

Zoe: " Knots in my hair mama. They make me cry. So I'm allergic to them."

Yes I know this is Zoe were talking about. So now every time I brush her hair she reminds me that she's allergic!

Wordless Wednesday - Warm Fuzzy Heads

If you want to see more Wordless Wednesday click on the post title.

I give up...

***UPDATE***- So after writing what I was thankful about (post above this one) it started working again. Umm maybe I should express what I'm thankful for more often! Thanks to everyone that has tried to help. Especially Liz from RI. She's been so patient with me. Since I know nothing about computers!!!

Just look to the left of the screen. What do you see? Nothing again! It's all under the posts at the bottom. So until I can figure out how to fix it( which will probably be never). This is how it will be.

Ballet Part 2

So tonight was another parent preview. Yes, I know we are a lucky group of moms. This time I had the boys with me. Since the boys were there Zoe wanted to act a little bit funnier than usual. Noah on the other hand has found a new ..how should I put it ...passion? No, I'm just kidding ( I think and his daddy hopes).He did seem to really enjoy the class. They had audience participation this time. Noah was lucky enough to be chosen by Zoe ( Kain was so disappointed...NOT) to skip around with her. By the end of class he was saying "sign me up!". Umm, I don't think daddy would like that. Maybe I'm wrong but something tells me I'm not.

Leigh was lucky enough to be picked by her beautiful daughter Olivia. So she got to join in on the fun. I so wanted to bounce around the room with all those people watching. Yeah right! I guess it will be awhile before we get to "look" again.

*** I am not to happy with the color of these pictures. But I'm still learning how to use my camera. Yeah, they're still cute.***

Zoe knows how to move the hips.

Leigh and Olivia
I can fly!!

Noah and Zoe skipping around

HELP

Update: Okay so I got it to change to one of the blog spot templates. But I really don't like it. But when I try other ones its not working. But for now I will leave it alone. But I still think we need some classes...I'm not kidding either!

I have done it some how. I've messed my blog up. This morning I was looking and couldn't find my stuff on the left side(profile info,labels,older post...etc). See how blank it is on the side?I scrolled down to the bottom and it's under the posts. I went to edit layout and but all the things were in the right place. I've tried everything I know (which isn't much). I'm computer illiterate and in a bad need of help. Then when I try to pick a new template it pops up saying Internet Explorer can not open the Internet Site...operation aborted( that can't be good). Some one needs to give a class showing us non computer geniuses how to work the blogger stuff. Any volunteers???

Not ME! Monday

Yes it's time for another edition of Not Me! Monday brought to you by MckMama. Her story is wonderful if you haven't read it. God preformed a miracle in her life and we got to watch it (well read)unfold right before our eyes. So just click on the post title to be sent over to her page. I always get a good laugh out of reading other peoples Not Me's!

Not matter what anyone says I did not....

I have not or will not act like a silly little kid waiting to open one of her Christmas presents.

I am not driving my husband crazy talking about my gift or our Thanksgiving vacation. Nope, I have a lot of patience and never do that.

I did not forget to do laundry this week resulting in having no clean towels. I mean really who forgets that. Just because I fell over the pile of clothes in the floor(twice) is no indication .

I did not start writing my Not Me's on Wednesday. I have a great memory and wouldn't... what was I saying I forgot.

I did not start my Christmas cards and I most definitely did not start decorating my house. Nope, Christmas is not my favorite holiday!

I did not stay in my pajamas all day Thursday, even when I took the kids to school. I always get up and fully dressed each day.


I did not act a little crazy to the UPS people when they "missorted" my package(camera). Instead of it being air over nighted it would be 3 days later. I did not have a fit on the phone until they told me where it was. I did not drive to Greenville to get it. I do not LOVE it !!!!


Then that same day I did not almost get into it with the cashier at McDonald's. I did not order a plain cheeseburger then they did not mess it up. When I asked nicely( I was, I promise)to fix it. She did not tell me that I was wrong and to pay for another one. I did not pay for another one while biting my lip. I know $1.00 is very petty but the point is don't argue with the customers!

What did you not do this week?

Fabulous Fun Fall Day

After church we decided to take advantage of this beautiful fall day! And I wanted to take some outdoor photos with my fabulous camera. So we went to the park near our house. The kids(minus Zoe because her tires were flat) rode their bikes over and we had a fantastic time. I just love fall. The Lord has blessed us with such glorious fall colors. I'm always amazed at the beauty of the leaves. The colors are so bold. The air is nice and crisp and life is wonderful.