Happy New Year!

As I type, I'm setting on John's parent's couch reflecting on 2010. What a year! God certainly has provided and blessed. As we have put our total trust in Him he has certainly proven to be so faithful. So I pray for an awesome New Year. I know God is going to do great things! Bring on 2011!

So..tomorrow we are having Christmas with John's family. Livy is very excited to open gifts again. It will be good to see everyone.

In Anna news, John took her to the ER on Christmas day. She was coughing so hard the poor thing couldn't breathe and when the lips turn blue, that's a sure sign it's time to go! Thank the Lord Mark Connelly was there working that day or John and Anna would have waited longer to be seen. They were there for about two hours. She had severe bronchitis and was "backed up". Poor thing. Nothing that steroids and suppositories can't fix. She is doing much better. Her development is coming along slowly right now because her strength isn't great now. The coughing is hard on her. Winters will be like this for the next couple years. But ya know, she has come a long way. She is all smiles through it all and it's precious (hard on Momma and Daddy though..). I love that kiddo! I will take all the sweet grins I can get!

Christmas In Full Swing!

Over the past few days I have been busy making candy, wrapping gifts, and doing the other things to get ready for Christmas. Then while I was working on everything, in a quiet house (Anna was napping, and Livy was playing in her room..Trust me it wouldn't be quiet if it wasn't nap time.), and listening to Christmas music I felt God in his gentle way reminded me, "Lora, take time for me today. Be sure to focus on what this season is really about. Christ!" Busy, busy, busy! Everyone is so busy and the stores are so full. It's crazy really. We are really driving it home with Livy that Christmas is all about Jesus.


In other fun happenings around the house, Anna is loving the wrapped gifts under the tree. She scoots her way over to the tree and picks up the small presents. She thinks they are on the floor and under the tree for her benefit. She's a hoot! I caught her in the act the other day.

She also enjoys playing with wrapping paper too. (Do you notice her in the mess? Hey, people just try'n to keep it real! I don't worry about the mess until the end of the day.) Glad she felt like playing because she has had a cough, runny nose, and some fever. Praying she gets well for Christmas. She is feeling better everyday. No more fever or runny nose, but trying to get over that darn cough. Thank you Lord! I really everyone well for Christmas

Livy is super excited about Christmas! And of course with is as always is Buzz Lightyear. She loves that doll! She has a strong obsession with Toy Story. I love that kid!

Crafty Christmas

 My sister in law Buffy said she wanted me to make something for her girls to hang there bows on. Of course, Aunt Lora delivered! I started with a plain wooden frame and with some paint, ribbon, some bling, and of course a hot glue gun burn or two and....

WALA! I even made bows to put on them.

This one is Bethany's

I found the wooden accessory pieces at Michael's (wish Branson had a Hobby Lobby.) The bling makes it pop! So cute!

This one is Eden's

Had to give the butterfly some bling too.

I think I may have to make the girls one of these. They already have a bow hanger in there rooms but, they are running out of room.

A Delayed Post

This was so cute. John just now put it up on youtube. I LOVE IT! Livy is a hoot! FYI: Scroll down to the bottom to turn off the music.

I Needed That!

This weekend John and I left the kids with Grandpa and Grandma and went to Branson for our yearly tradition of anniversary celebration/Christmas shopping. First, yes, it was super cold. But we had the best time. John and I both needed the time away. We feel it's a good thing for married couples to have time together.

Started out of the day right! They have the best pastries and muffins!

 

Then, we had lunch at The Bleu Olive in downtown Branson. You must go! That's all I'll say about that. We were only supposed to meet my bro Jason and his wife Buffy and my sis Angela and her hubby Olin. We had a surpise Mom and Dad came too.They came into town to see a Branson show and hang out with Angela and Olin. Glad we got to see them. Missed my brother Brian though..

 The blacken tilapia will change your life.. Fancy shmancy huh! Prices weren't outrageous. Thank goodness for lunch menu. Cheaper.

We finished up Christmas shopping at Target, TJ Maxx, The Landing, and a Tanger store or two. So glad things like that are close!

We had our traditional dinner at Devil's pool restaurant on the grounds of Big Cedar Lodge. We have been going there for the past 8 years ever since our honeymoon. Well technically 9. Since our first Valentines day.. oh well..

John's sister Libby and her hubby Josh joined us. We had a good time!

Of course there was the traditional SDC trip. We did meet here after all so we must go back every year. I love traditions! Baby, it was COLD OUTSIDE. I must say I have never laughed so hard about it in my life!

Smiley

 A friend of mine came over to watch the girls for a bit while I went the eye doctor. She decided to take pics. Why can't I get pics this good. Oh wait, I'm not a photographer. P.S. Never mind the unfolded clothes in the floor. HA!

 Her "HEY" face..

Funny face..

 I'm cute face..

Posed face..

Can I quit smiling face...

Okay I'm done...

Poochy face or Pouty face..or VOGUE! Can't decide.

We LOVE Cookies!

 Fun to make. Even more fun to eat!

 Anna helped.

 The angels were Livy's favorite.

The Stockings Were Hung..

I would say "by the chimney with care", but we don't have a chimney or a fireplace. Sad.. One day. I bought this stockings on-line from J.C. Penny. Got a good deal! I have always wanted personalized stockings.

Top Ten Reasons I Married My Best Friend

10. He loves to eat! (good or bad I don't know..)
9.  We love to go on trips together.
8.  He loves ice cream too!
7.  He is always making up songs or saying stuff to make me laugh.
6.  We both love good hot wings! And NOT weenie wings either!
5.  We met at Silver Dollar City 8 years ago today and is one of our favorite places to play.
4.  We ate at Devil's Pool at Big Cedar Lodge on our honeymoon and it's one of our favorite places to eat (i    think I'm seeing a pattern here of food. hmmm.. oh well.)
3.  He is always very supportive and encourages me.
2.  He is extremely helpful around the house and with the kids. Did I score or what!
1.  He loves me unconditionally, deeply, and he is faithful to me and our children. God had made him into quite and amazing man. I love him just for being John.

8 years ago today I married my best friend John. It saddens me that people take marriage way to lightly these days. Truthfully it's a pet peeve of mine! The covenant I made with John I also made with God. Our marriage takes three God, John, and myself. We couldn't do make it daily without God's continual presence and work in our lives. We need him desperately!

Love you John! Looking forward to many more years together. Happy Anniversary!

Christmas Party

Our Sunday school class had our yearly Christmas party tonight. We had it up at the church with lots of yummy food and great fellowship. We did our white elephant gift swap in our NEW AND BIGGER room. We had been in a small room for a long time, which really hadn't been a problem until about a month or so ago. Our class began 2 years go with 4 core couples.

McCarn's

Lewis's

Long's

 Us

Then, more couples join us one year ago.

Salee's

Emily Sanders (Hubby Aaron couldn't be there..)

Davis's

Then more joined us a month ago!

Workman's

Pinn's

Dollar's

So least to say we can't be crammed into a small room anymore. I'm thanking God for many things. First, that He is growing our class. Second, for fellowships with more new friends. Finally, a bigger room! Everyone had a great time and the gift swap was hilarious! (Wish I had a picture of the dancing elf hat and electric plunger..LOL!)

Merry Early Christmas!

It was time to get a new camera. With our Fuji camera we took over 10,000 pictures! No kidding. I think that says enough.. Our new camera came in the mail yesterday. I wanted something that was small, easy to use, would take HD video, and take great pics (not asking much..). It is so great!! Would have been cool to get a "Rebel" but lets keep it real, those are way out of our budget. Like, a few HUNDRED dollars. The best part is we ordered it on black friday and paid $179 for it. How great is that! We'll have it for our anniversary and Christmas. Lots of pics going to be taken this month!

What I Have Been Waiting For

This was the second attempted. The first time she did it yesterday I cried like a baby! (no pun intended) Thanking God for seeing more developmental mile stones!

Away In A Manger

So Olivia has had a silver nativity set since she was a baby and I sit it out every year. I love the what she says when she plays...

Why do you all weep..
Okay little lamb lets go home. Let's go to the farm...
Jesus you weren't being good...
You all are making the angel cry..
Hi I'm an angel and I do ballet..
HOLY HOLY HOLY...

So hilarious! I love to here that kid play!

Livy just informed me that time is up! Get off the lap top!

Funny Bunny

My niece Eden has the chubbiest cheeks ever! It was her first Thanksgiving.
I really love that kiddo!

A Year of Thankfulness

 Our family has so much to be thankful for this year. This time last year we were at Children's Hospital. Anna was having seizures and the doctor had given her meds that would put her to sleep for a few days, so we decided to come home to be with Livy for a day. We spent Thanksgiving day with our friends the Longs and their family. It was so good to be with people that was encouraging. This year, we get to be with all our family and we are so we thankful for that! (I get to have my grandma's cornbread dressing!! I missed it last year!)

 Our miracle, Anna is super! Thank you God!

Then, my brother Jason coded on his living room floor the weekend of Easter. SO scary! But thanks be to God he woke up and amazed the doctors. He shouldn't of lived, but that's my God!

So very thankful that He is still will us. No one more thankful than Buffy I'm sure. Our God is so merciful and gracious.

I'm most thankful for my best friend and husband John. He is such a wonderful man. Thank you God for the privileged and blessing to be with him every day. Thank you for marriage!

My Olivia Grace. A source of constant joy. She says the funniest things and always makes me smile!

Thank you Lord for allowing us to be a family. We have have experienced some hard situations this year,  but we have drawn closer to Christ through those times. God was so gracious to give us some happy times too. Like my sister getting married. I have a new brother! And my cousin getting married. I have a new cousin! In the midst of the bad God does so much good too. He alone gets the glory for the outcomes. It's all about Him and his purpose. We are nothing without HIM in our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another  with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Hebrews 13:15

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.