Christmas 2008

So I have been a little busy and pre-occupied as of late. Hopefully things will slow down just a little and I can also get my muttled brain to come together so that I can post more often! We visited Trystan as much as possible because the current chemo treatment kept him in the hospital during Christmas. Aunt Charla and Uncle Victor were visiting Grandmommie and Mom so they took a little time to come and visit at the hospital as well. We traveled to London to be with Tim's family for Christmas dinner. The kids always enjoy being around their only cousin on Tim's side of the family, Kailin! Hope you enjoy our families memories of Christmas 2008!

Family Night of Fun! Making Sugar cookies!

We had a blast making sugar cookies to share with our friends! It was really neat to see each of the children come up with a cookie creation to fit their personality! Although Dad had to to alot of the creating, the kids told him what they wanted him to make. Peighton and Tim are definitely the more artistic ones as of yet. Kami just had a blast playing in the dough, I think Coltin liked rolling in the flour, and Nolan bounced from one sibling to the next just having FUN! This is a tradition that we will continue over the years for sure!

Visit with Santa

We took advantage of the snow day the kids had last week and took them to visit Santa in the Mall! Even the older kids wanted to talk with him!

Gingerbread Boy Play

Kami had the opportunity to participate in a Christmas play at her school and portrayed a little chicken that the gingerbread boy ran away from! Tim and I had to come up with a costume and I have to admit, it was quite fun! Our 2 older kids have been in this same play in the years past because they have all had the same teacher for 2nd grade, but this is the first time that one actually wanted to be "in" the play. When Peighton was in it, she sang in the chorus, when Coltin's class did it, he helped with decorations,scenery, and invitations. This was a real treat for me to see one of my kiddos acting skills! LOL It was really cute and we had a great time!



Kami and the "Farmer" Cameron Garrett


Peighton really wanted to see the play to, so I picked her and a couple of her friends up from school so they could enjoy it as well! Aunt Shel brought Trystan, and Coltin and Keegan were also able to watch! She had a big audience for her acting debut!

DanceBlue Christmas party 2008

There is a wonderful organization at the University of Kentucky called DanceBlue. This organization ran by students, hosted yet another party for children with childhood cancer and their families. Our family went with Rashel, Trystan, and Keegan to the Christmas party and had a blast. There was sugar cookie decorating, gingergread house making, ornament creating and alot of wonderful food. Santa also made an appearance and the kids loved telling him about their wants! Not only does DanceBlue have these great parties throughout the year, every February, they hold a 24 hour, no sitting, so sleeping dance marathon to raise money for the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic. This was started in 2006 and in just 3 years, has raised over $750,000.00! That is amazing! Please keep your ears open for the next annual DanceBlue marathon on March 6-7 2009.




Trystan, Coltin, and Tim making a gingerbread house.

Kami, Keegan, and Nolan decorating cookies!

Out of the mouths of Babes...

This is a Christmas Cactus that my Grandmother gave me a few years back before she left to serve her mission. She asked that I take care of it and handle it with love so that it could flourish and grow bigger through the years and be a reminder of the love that she has for me. Well, I have to admit the 1st year it blossomed beautifully and was given lots of my attention. However, as our family continued to grow, my time for it seemed to lessen. It is a very hearty plant and therefore did manage to survive each year. I never could figure out though if it was indeed a Christmas Cactus or Thanksgiving one or just when it would bloom! It was always a topic of conversation between Tim, the kids, and I. It did not bloom last Christmas but instead bloomed in like Feb. or March??? So, I set out to love and nourish this little plant back to health so that I would have it to pass down to my grandchildren. Well, again, it has been talked about alot as of late. This week one morning, little Nolan headed downstairs before I did. All of a sudden there was an excited squeal followed by "mommie, mommie, your flower is opening, your flower is opening!" Somehow he to had caught the Christmas cactus bug, and was so delighted that it indeed was "opening" during this wonderful season!






In Isaiah it reads...And a child shall lead them. My youngest Nolan has brought this scripture reference to my thoughts many times as of late. There have been many times in the last couple of years that I would find myself depressed and sad. I suppose Heavenly Father has a way with dealing with my sadness through my children as there is not a day that goes by that they cannot make me smile:) Little Nolan has been doing that alot lately. We were sitting in sacrament last Sunday and I think he tired of drawing or looking at the Friend magazine because he came to me and put his arms up to sit in my lap. With him being the youngest, I try and make these moments last as long as he will allow. Anyway..he was quietly observing all around for a few moments and then he whispers "mom, what if I grow up?" Well, my 1st thought was, I will be really sad, but of course I didn't want to say that so instead I said, "well, will you still come and sit in my lap and snuggle with me and tell me you love me?" To which he replied with a great big smile, "A course mommie!" So I said, "then it will be ok". He then squeezed me tight and went on as if all was right in the world! In the span of 1 week, Nolan has inspired me several times to stop and thank my Heavenly Father for the many blessings I have. I am so thankful for his sweet little spirit and all that he teaches me on a daily basis! I love you my sweet son!