Making the Rounds

Well, our trip to see our out of town family is concluding. We have officially made the rounds. I love seeing all my extended family and Jeremy's, but sometimes I would like to just spend time with my parents and have no where to go. It takes time and really tires you out going to see everyone. Jeremy and I did get to go out by ourselves Saturday night for a little while. It was nice to get to really talk to each other. I have really liked being with him this weekend. He has seemed more relaxed and has even gotten along with my mother.
The girls are bringing even more holiday loot home. They still will get our gifts tomorrow night on New Years Eve. Miriam got enough money that we ordered her an American Girl doll she has been saving for. She chose to get Molly, because I got lucky and found her movie for sale and bought it for Miriam a few weeks ago. So Miriam will have the movie, the doll, and a costume for the doll. She is very excited since she has wanted one for several months now and she is paying for it with her own money.
On a sad note, a friend of ours father died. It is a coincidence that this family helped us out a lot when Jeremy's father died 2 months ago. I pray that I can be as big a comfort to them as they were to us.

Thankfulness

There are times in your life when you are truly thankful. I am talking about beyond being thankful for what God has blessed us with such as our clothes, food, shelter, etc. Yesterday, we had such a moment. We were driving to Smyrna to see some of Jeremy's family and then on to Columbia to see my family. It was a rainy day and went between drizzles and harder rain the whole drive. I was already very alert while I was driving because I always am more careful in the rain, plus I had my most precious cargo with me. We were just starting to go up Monteagle Mountain. I was behind a little Honda S2000 and we had kinda gotten ahead of the last group of cars and were going at a decent speed (really about the speed limit, but everyone was going slower). All the sudden, the Honda veered off to the left, spun, struck the rocks jutting out on the passenger side and spun back into the middle lane facing the right way. I immediately saw what was happening and slowed down and was able to go past the car to the left, unharmed. I pulled over, Jeremy jumped out of the van to go help whoever was in the car and I called 911. Another guy stopped to help and he and Jeremy tried to open the door to the Honda, but it was jammed. A truck driver stopped and used a crow bar to open it and they were able to get the elderly man out. The whole time I'm talking to 911 telling them what's going on. Jeremy told me there was just one person and he seemed okay- just a little confused so the operator said they were sending an ambulance. Jeremy stayed with the man and help our umbrella over him. I stayed in the car with the girls. Once the ambulance was there and had the man (they were taking him in because he had a huge bump on his head, was confused and had a pacemaker), the police came to me to write a statement. Apparently, I was the only one who actually saw the wreck. Jeremy was reading a book while I was driving. He heard me saying Oh- Oh- Oh! and looked up in time to see the car sliding back across the interstate. We went on our way about 45 minute later.
Here is what I am thankful for- I was able to avoid the car, I was not a little closer to the car in front of me, there was not another car near us that he could have hit when he came back on the interstate, that we and a few others stopped to help (sometimes no one stops), that there was not a passenger in the car, that the man is going to be okay. The reason I say I am thankful there was not a passenger in the car, is because it hit the rocks on that side and there was not much of that side of the car left. A passenger would not have survived. There are times when you really see God at work. Some people would say that everyone was lucky, I do not believe that. I had asked God for us to get to Columbia safely, especially since it was raining. I am thankful to God for all these things. I can really see his hand in it- for us and the man who had the wreck.
Now, since everyone was okay, I can say these few things. I have never seen a wreck that bad before (I've seen and been in smaller wrecks) and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. It was amazing how quickly it happened- it was over in like 2 seconds. I am amazed at how much damage was done. I am amazed that no one was hurt worse- (the man was wearing his seat belt and the airbag went off). I am amazed I stayed so calm. I am proud of my husband. And lastly, it is really a shame that the car was totaled. It was a beautiful little silver Honda S2000 convertible. Maybe the man will get a big old Cadillac after this?

Two Friends and a Bird

Last night we had some friends over for dinner. This is one of my friends that I see about every 6 months and we are both fine with it. She got married back in July (which was the last time I saw her) so it was about time for our bi-annual get together. We had a really good time and even pulled out the cards. We played Uno for 2 hands and then got out the good stuff- Rook. We had to teach them to play so it wasn't an entirely fair game, but now we have a challenge for a rematch at their house one day soon. If you've never played Rook, it is the best card game out there. I grew up playing it and have quite a passion for it. Unfortunately, I think I do go a little overboard on what I say and do during a game. I hate to lose. Nothing really bad, but I get embarrassed when I look back and see how cocky I was.
My girls were both shy at first with them, but by then end of the night were swinging on their arms. I really enjoy having people over especially my friends. I do so much for just my girls that I don't get that social interaction I need. Our house is such a wreck all the time that we don't get to have company. We did a quick Spring cleaning yesterday and my house looks okay right now. We'll have to see about next week. In a very short period of time, my girls can pull out more than I can pick up in a day. I look really forward to our next get together in June when I will have a clean house again!!

After Holiday Chocolate Fix

I always love the sales after any holiday. I go check out the 50% off and 75% selection. I usually get my chocolate fix at these sales. When you buy a box of 9 chocolates half off and it is still $9, you see why I wait. It tastes so much better when you know you got a deal. I used to not be this way, but now I am obsessed with getting a deal. I love to pay less for things than everyone else is paying. I love yard sales. We have gotten so many good deals and so many more toys! I am really missing yard sales right now. It is almost a withdrawal. It is the thrill of telling someone about that great thing that would have cost $30 in a store and you got it for a dollar. Or when you go to the grocery store and after you present you bonus card and your coupons, the price comes down 20-30 dollars. Of course, as many say, I'm not saving money, but spending it. Especially when I come home with $100 receipt, like today. But, man, I got some good deals and some chocolate!

The Beginning

Okay, so I'm going to try this blogging thing out. I try to keep a journal, but manage to write in it only once a month so I thought I would try this instead. I spend time each day on the computer so maybe this will be a better chronicle of my life. Here you will find a little of everything. From what's going on in my life to my passions such as birth.
Since today is Christmas, I will share a few things about my family and what we do. While I am up early (9am is early for me), the girls are not up, there are no presents under the tree, we don't have a tree, and Santa did not come to my house last night. Were we all on the Naughty List? No, we have chosen not to celebrate Christmas. I know, it is very shocking. This was just a personal family decision we made for a few different reasons. 1) Christmas has been come so materialistic. People act so crazy this time of year- they curse and honk at you on the roads, spend way too much money, and aren't happy with what they get. We just don't want to be a prt of this. 2) We have chosen to commemorate Christ's death as commanded in the Bible and not his birth. We take the Lord's supper every Sunday in rememberance of him. We try to live daily as Christ did and he is always a part of our life. We do not need a special day to celebrate his birth. I don't mean to offend anyone and I do not believe that celebrating Christmas is wrong. Again, this is just our personal decisions and beliefs.
That said, my girls still get "Christmas" since all the rest of our family celebrates and we end up with too many new toys like everyone else. I grew up celebrating and I still feel the Holiday Spirit at this time of year. I certainly like getting gifts as much as everyone else!!
I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday however you celebrate it!!!