Christmas at Disney!

This was our first time to be at Disney when the Christmas decorations were up! The whole castle was covered in icicle lights! It was so beautiful! There was Christmas music playing everywhere and they even had snow on Main Street in the evening...it really put us in the spirit!

Only 36 days!!!!???? This was the first time for Jake and Noah! They had a blast! There is no better time at Disney then your children's first time!

This whole street in Hollywood Studio's was covered in lights. They also had snow blowing down on the street!

This is a life size gingerbread house! It smelled just as good as it looked!

Halloween Party!

We had a small but very fun Halloween party at our house this year!

Tony, Greg and Ken

Me, Rachel and Paula

Labor Day at Camp: West Virginia

So many of you have heard me talk about going to "Camp". Well here it is. Deep in the mountains of WV, it takes about 1 hour to get from the bottom of the mountain to the house. Uncle Larry has 64 acres that we hike, fish and go 4-wheeling on.

Sam started "wittlin'" on every stick he could find. My dad gave him a knife and he LOVED it!

On one of our hikes, Caroline found some flowers. She was talking about ways that she could scetch them. Always in her "artist" mind.

Sam and Caroline thought they had found deer tracks! There is a bear that comes around.....thankfully it was not his prints!

Left to right...Trouble, Trouble, ....just kidding!! Jackson, Jake, Sam, Ryan, Noah and Caroline.

The Reasoning of a Child...Sam

Mom. I am going to ask Santa for an IPhone for Christmas.....

Sam, those are very expensive....

But he is Santa, he can make anything!

I do not even have an IPhone Sam.....

That is because you do not buy yourself one Mom!

Caroline lost her first tooth!! (Literally!)

Caroline's tooth had been loose for a while. Mom tried to pull it last week and it was not ready. As of Saturday, the tooth was just hanging there! She would not let me pull it! It blead while she ate banana pudding for goodness sake! So, just like every good parent, I tried reverse pshchology on her.

"Caroline if your tooth falls out in your sleep and you swallow it, the Tooth Fairy will not come! You will not have a tooth to give her. Then, you will not get any money."

"That's ok mommy, it will not fall out while I am asleep. Nanna can pull it tomorrow. I promise!"

So, Sunday morning, I woke Caroline up for church. I jokingly said, "Did your tooth fall out last night?" Oh my Lord.....it was gone! She reached up and began to panic!!!

"Now I won't get any money!!!" I looked all over for that tooth and could not find it anywhere! She swallowed it!

After rethinking ever using reverse psychology again....Caroline wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy explaining what happened. She asked her to please come back and bring her money for her "lost" tooth.

This morning there was $5.00 in her pillow! (That is the going rate for the first tooth only!) It's is only $1.00 after that! (Even the Tooth Fairy has a budget!)

Another one from Caroline...

Ken's dad is known as Granddaddy Bob. When we were outside the other day, Caroline saw a granddaddy long leg and screamed:

"Oh no it's a Granddaddy Bob!!!"

The Happenings....

Well, it has been a while since I last posted anything. We are busy around here! School is going well for the kids. We had our first progress report for Sam, he is graded this year. He has 99% in math (he is not my child) a 99% in Science (could be my child) and an 85% in reading. We are very proud of him! Caroline is doing great also! She gets check marks on everything, and her reading has greatly improved! I credit her teacher this year. Sam had her for Kindergarten and she had them reading by Christmas!
I have started a new adventure in my life. I am now a Southern Living at Home Consultant! I wanted to do something and still stay home with the kids, but also use the Interior Design degree that I am still paying for! I have my first 2 parties next week and am so excited!
Ken and I are teaching 9th and 10th graders in Sunday School now. Yesterday was the first day and Ken was on a plane to CA! I had to teach by myself! It was challenging, but I will surely enjoy it! Preschool has started back and my little 3 year olds are precious! My womens Bible Study is fantastic! We are doing Kay Arthur's Covenant. It really defines what it means to be in "covenant" with the Lord! My look at salvation will never be the same! Praise the Lord!!!

Things they say!

When do they learn geography?

Mom and Dad took Sam, Jake and Caroline to Cherokee this past weekend. Everyone was getting hungry so Mom said they were going to stop in Shelby to eat.....

Caroline: "Shelby, Idaho? Jake, give me that map! Nnnnoooowwwww, we are in North America, so we have to go to South America and we will get to Shelby, Idaho!"

Sam: ..."we are not going to Idaho! We are not going to South America..."

Sam and Gaddy shopping

Sam always knows how much money he has and how much he wants to keep it!

Sam: "Gaddy, how much is this knife? I really want it!
Gaddy: "It's $30.00, if you put down $20.00 I will pay $10.00."
Sam: " Well then I won't have any money left. I really want it." (insert tear)
Gaddy: "I will tell you what, you pay $10.00 and I will pay $20.00....." (insert Sam's evil laugh)

We are "Thankful" to go to Disney!

Well...we are off again! I just planned our Disney trip for this Thanksgiving! We usually do not go until the first week of February. However, with Sam in 3rd grade and having to take End of Grade tests, we decided to push our trip up this year. They are running such a good deal right now with free dining that Rachel and Tony decided to take the boys for their first trip. So of course, you know who jumped on board after that....? Mom and Dad! We are all going over the Thanksgiving break! This is the 4th time for our family....and this time I booked all 3 of our trips, from rooms to all dinners. I am truly thinking (and feeling) like a travel agent! I need to send Disney my resume!

Raising Boys

I never had brothers! Are all boys as difficult as mine? I love Sam more than anything....but why did God make him so much like me? I am seeing how dramatic, emotional and sensitive I am. It is like holding a mirror to my face. God is saying "I told "you" to have self-control...you would not listen...now here is a child that faces the same issues...raise him." We battle all day long. Truly it is like two 8 year olds. (I am being very transparent here!) I pray daily to get myself under control when these moments come, but I fall right into that pit with him. It is like the more I pray, the more challenges come....HHHMMM? Could that be God beating me over the head with the opportunity to change?? Why can I not get it through my head? or his? Ken is my blessing and solid ground in these situations. Thank the Lord he works from home! He steps in with that calm and peace that we both need. Boys need and love their mothers, but Dad is destiny! Sam once told Caroline that "Dad is EVERYTHING!" I so believe that! Sam and I love one another so much...there are going to be many days like these...and I thank the Lord for every one of them!!!!

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally...and it will be given to him." James 1:5

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:5

Sams New Video

Ken finished Sam's InStability video. It is at the top of my video bar. Check it out!

What did you say? Oh, you meant....

Caroline has her own way with words...

"Oh my foot is crimped!" = cramped

"I want to go to college at "Chapel Chill...I mean Apple Hill.... I mean Chapel...Oh what ever!"

"Do not ask Daddy that I said that!" = "tell" (she still at 6 does not get ask and tell right?)

"Are we going to have juice and crackers at church today?" = Communion

The first day of school.

Every mother knows the "pressure" of getting the right teacher for your kids. You remember as a child lying awake the night before school and wondering..."Who will I get? Will she be nice? Will my friends be in my class?" Well, we have been in that mode for the past week. Here in Unionville it is such a "big ordeal" that the principal waited until the night before school to let us come to open house and find out who our teachers were. Now, most schools had their open houses 3-4 days before. Nope, not here! There was even a message sent out by phone 2 days before....."There will be no student class changes." Like, do not even ask!!!

So, Sam was the most worried. His 2nd grade teacher was moved to 3rd...oh how he wanted her again! Young, blond and laid back. She even came to see him skate! There was one other, a middle choice, and then the "I do not want her! She never smiles and is mean!" Well, he got the "middle choice" and was happy. Until we go and see she had a baby the day before and is out for 6 weeks! If that was not disappointing enough, he has NONE of his friends in his class. I felt so bad when I picked him up yesterday...Sam is so social, but to make all new friends is so hard. I tried to encourage him, but I do not think it worked. To make matters even worse, Ken is out of town! When Sam is down, a phone call is just not the same as having daddy here! I am hoping that today goes better! I was talking to my oldest friend (32 years), we never got in the same class. There was 4 of us, they were always together and with the "best" teacher. I was always put in the class that no one wanted! So I can sympathize with Sam, but I am Mom and I know nothing!

On the flip side, Caroline is thrilled with her teacher and so am I. She got Mrs. Thompson, Sam's kindergarten teacher. She was moved to 1st grade this year. I know that Caroline will come out of her class sooo strong and ready for 2nd, no doubt!

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions not fail. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23

Sam won at the beach!

We took an overnight to the beach last Friday so Sam could compete in a competition there. I am proud to say that he won 1st place in his division!!! He still competes in the beginner category b/c of his age, but I am afraid that we may have to move him to intermediate soon. He was doing tricks and jumps that those kids were doing! We knew he had won when he transversed from a 6 ft ramp to a 5ft ramp and landed it. He was scared to do it at first and we kept encouraging him. I told him there are no points for not trying. So, he tried twice and fell both times. They announced time for one last trick....he went back and landed it! The whole place jumped up, even the other kids! It was GREAT! We are so proud of him! He won a $75.00 gift certificate and used it for shoes. I almost fell over when he brought me the SIZE 5's he is now wearing!!! He is only 8....is that a normal size...???? I am sure Ken will post a video as soon as he is back in town. Stay tuned!

A letter from Caroline

We went to the mountains for Memorial Day this year. My uncle has quite a bit of land and a beautiful house that we stay in. The kids really enjoyed going there and riding the 4-wheelers and fishing. When I was making Caroline's bed one day I found a letter under her pillow. I will try and type it exactly the way she wrote it....

Der MoM and DaD i Louv You Gis But I am Lost But i am in The woos sum wer
Louv CaroLine

The reason I am putting this on here now is that I just came across it in my calendar and think it is so precious! She was 6 and in kindergarten.

Sam skates at the beach.

Ken took Sam to Stability Skatepark while at the beach. Sam had a blast! He jumped a 7 foot gap, dropped into an 8 foot bowl and grinded the rails. We are going back next weekend for a competition there.
Sam posing "skater style".

This was after he skated the bowl.

Grinding the bench.

Grinding the rail.

This is a 7 foot gap that he actually landed on the other side.

Skating the bowl. Look how cut he is! We all need excerise like this!

Sam has sent a video into "Shred or Die..Gear 4 a Year". They are looking for 200 skaters to pick the best 10 for a competition. If you win you get sponsored and equipment for a year. Please go to shredordie.com and search Sam Ogden, watch his video and "shred" it!

Our Beach Vacation

We had a great time at the beach this year! We went for 4 days, which was just enough! Here are some pictures...I hope that you enjoy!

Caroline at Putt-Putt. Her face was about as pink as her ear rings!

Sam playing a ball game w/Tony.

Sam after he won Putt-Putt!

Caroline and Jake with their boogie boards.

All of the cousins!

Ken w/Sam and Caroline...she was against this picture being taken!

Caroline's first art class painting.

Caroline has always had a passion for drawing. She has claimed that she is an "artist" for a while now. Since she did not have dance this summer, I paid for 4 art classes at a studio in Matthews. She watched the teacher draw on the board in front of the room. Then she would draw her lines on her own paper. She then showed her how to use water colored pencils, and paints. The teacher was amazed at how Caroline already had an eye for shadowing and texture. Caroline has decided to quit dance and take art classes now. Her teacher has offered to give her private lessons from her home.

I have to say...we are very proud!!! God has gifted both of our children with great talents. I am so happy that they have discovered them at such a young age. I am excited to see where they will be in 10 years!

Deeper Still Conference

This past weekend I had the pleasure to attend the Deeper Still conference in Greensboro. I got to sit and listen to my "hero" Beth Moore. I have done several of her Bible studies and thank God for her ability to teach every time. However, I was introduced to 2 new (as in I had never heard them) Christian "powerhouses": Kay Arthur and Priscilla Shrier. God has truly blessed these women with the gift of teaching. I sat and listened so intently. Coming out of this, I remember one thing most....Kay Arthur spoke the first night out of Hebrews. It was on rest. Her definition of rest was; "When you marry the Word with faith, you get rest." This is extremely hard to do if you do not fully trust God. You get bad news, you remember the Word, you have faith and you rest IN God.

I am giving the worship it's own paragraph! Travis Cottrell! If you have not heard him, go get the CD! Or you can just listen to my play list! There is nothing more powerful than being in a coliseum with 10,00 other women all praising God! The power of the music, the beat of the drums, the moving of the Holy Spirit! Why can Sundays not be like this?.....Some of you know my delima over this......Anyway, I got my picture taken with Travis but my friend has not given it to me yet.

Thanks to Kay Arthur I now know what our fall Bible study will be: Covenant. The teachings of Gods promises. Oh how I can not wait!!!!

Our trip to DC!

Ken was flying to DC for business. At the last minute I decided to drive up with the kids. I figured with his room and food paid for by work, and all of the museums are free, there would never be a better time for us to see the sites! I was a little nervous about driving that far by myself...but I plugged in Pinky (my GPS that is pink) and started off to Rockville, MD. My friend Libby used to live there and the best advice she gave me was get there before 3:00 to avoid rush hour!! After rain for 4 hours of the trip and all of the stops we had to make, I turned into my hotel at exactly 3:01!!! My next undertaking was the Metro....I have only taken public transportation a few times...school bus, 1 cab, and the subway once w/Ken (and we went the wrong way!!). So, for me to get on the Metro w/Sam and Caroline was a little intimidating. However, everyone was very helpful and patient w/all of my tourist questions and we made it around DC w/no problems!!!! :)

Sam and Caroline waiting on the Metro!

Sam blending in on the Metro w/his iPod.

I put this picture of the Treasury Dept. on here b/c Sam said the funniest thing about it. When I told him the name of the building and that they dealt w/money he said, "Mom, do not say that very loud on the street. What if someone hears you and they try and get in there!" Sometimes I want to kill him and sometimes all I can do is hug him.....!

After watching the inauguration, the kids have been so fascinated w/ Abe. We went to the Portrait Gallery and it turned out to be one of their favorite museums. They had several rooms of Presidents portraits. It was very beautiful. We even go to view the picture of Obama that was used during his campaign. A very cool place!

The Capitol.

They Smithsonian was handing out maps of all the artifacts that were in the Night at the Museum movie. Here are the kids w/ "DumDum". Actually it is the Easter Island Statue.

Rexy.

Caroline is fascinated w/whales. This was a huge Right Whale named Pheonix.

Outside of the Museum of Natural History.

The Washington Monument.

The White House. (not as big or impressive as I thought)

We walked to the Lincoln Memorial. It was a beautiful site, it was night time when we went. They have it all lit up and it is breathtaking. It is so massive in size and is very ominous. After walking all the way to it (and I will tell you that nothing in DC is as close as it seems) we climbed the stairs and Ken went to take a picture....the camera was DEAD!!! I could have hit the person next to me...I was speechless yet could have cursed...but I did not. I broke out the video camera. Not as impressive as a picture, but I can say we were there!

Overall the trip was fantastic! The kids loved it and definitely want to go back. The only downside was Ken had to work the whole time and only went out with us the one night. If you ever get the chance to go, do it!

Happy Birthday Noah!

Sams attempt at a back flip!

This was Sams first attempt at doing a back flip off of the pier. It did not go well. However, he can now do one on the trampoline. I am sure he will be successful at the peir soon!

The 4th of July at the lake...

This year Ken was playing a show on the 4th. Rachel and Tony invited the kids and I to Tony's uncles house at Lake Tillery. We had a blast! Sam, Caroline, and Jake were so excited when they got to ride the intertube behind the boat. I was a little nervous but they had a great time!

Daddy's band plays in the park!

Ken has joined a Wedding/Variety band. They had a show at The Prominade at Providence. There is a grassy area with a fountain that they played. I can not believe how many families come out and bring thier chairs, coolers, frisbees and dogs! The kids were not so impressed, I guess Donna Summer, Smokey Robinson, and beach music just didn't strike up excitement for them. But as the night went on, the music spead up, and ice cream was eaten, they began to really have a good time. Noah even ended up in the fountain (he was not the only one though)!

Tony, Rachel and MawMaw (Tony's grandmother)

Not to impressed yet! The ice cream had not kicked in at this point.