Farewell

When I started this blog almost four years ago, I needed an outlet for my thoughts. I was stuck at home with 3 small children, had a husband who traveled all the time and was in dire need of getting all that was in my head out so that I didn't go completely crazy. Blogs were becoming very popular and as more and more people joined the mom-blog bandwagon, I found myself becoming less and less enthralled with the idea that people from all over the world would be able to read what I wrote.

This blog has definitely served a purpose. I have loved sharing my life with you 10 faithful readers. I have loved having an outlet to express what's on my heart. I have loved sharing photos of my children. However, I feel my time in the blogosphere has come to an end. I'm a working mother of three who has just taken on a new part-time job as a Spinning instructor (if you've never heard of Spinning, you can check it out here. If you had told me 5 years ago that I would be a fitness instructor in any way, I would've told you you were crazy). And, in case you haven't noticed, I haven't been blogging much at all in the last year. That showed me that this blog thing isn't for me right now.

I have lofty expectations of having another blog some day, one where I can share more of my photos with you. I know the whole amateur photography thing is another bandwagon that so many have joined but I really do love it. Most of my subjects are my precious children but I do like taking pictures of other things, at least when I have the time. And that time is becoming more and more precious as the years go on. My children have grown so quickly, even though some days felt so long. My baby is about to be 4! I'll never tire of sharing the story of his miraculous birth. I'll always be thankful for the many L-isms over the years. She still says so many funny things. And K's dimples haven't changed one bit even though she is 8 going on 16.

With that, I say a fond farewell!

Day Three

For today's list, I thought I would get in the Christmas spirit this first week of December with a Christmas-themed list.

1. Watching the kids open presents on Christmas morning in our own house
2. Eating lots of dressing (and a little turkey) for Christmas dinner
3. A room aglow with the lights from the Christmas tree
4. My children's homemade ornaments
5. The smell of cinnamon and spice candles
6. Singing Silent Night acapella on Christmas Eve
7. Wine and cheese for Christmas Eve dinner
8. Listening to my children sing the now familiar Christmas hymns
9. All of our family gathering for Christmas dinner
10. The quiet of Christmas Night
    

Day Two

I have some thoughts about college football but I want to make sure I get it just right. (And no, it's not about Auburn.) So here's Day Two of being thankful:

1. K's dimples on her cheeks just below her hazel eyes
2. L-isms that continue to make me laugh
3. The way H winks when he asks a question
4. S's big, round blue eyes
5. Sunsets at the beach
6. When K reads to H
   
7. The legacy my parents are leaving my children
8. Movies and popcorn on a rainy day
9. The way H thinks that every football player wearing the number 2 jersey is Cam Newton
10. Watching L when she does gymnastics
    

In a Hurry

"Girls, hurry up! We're leaving in 10 minutes!" I holler this upstairs to my girls on a daily basis. I wake them up in plenty of time to get dressed for school and have breakfast. Yet, on many occasions, they aren't ready until just before it's time to go. Then there's a mad dash to put cereal in a bag so they'll have something in their stomachs to last until lunch.

I'm always rushing in the morning, whether it's making lunches that I neglected to make the night before or putting a bag together for the gym or cleaning up a last-minute mess H made.

Then there's instant gratification, the rush of information available at my fingertips. I admit I have an iPhone and I really do love it. Since I'm not often home and near a computer, I have the ability to be reached at any time for any reason (including today when, while at work, K calls me to ask if she can have a cough drop because she's coughing really bad. She wants to know if I brought any cough medicine for her. Let's not forget that I work at the school where she attends and am just downstairs in the kitchen and it's during her lunch time. Not sure why she felt the need to call. It's not like the campus is that big. The kitchen and her classroom are in the same building. It took her longer to walk to the office and tell the school secretary that she needed to call me in the first place). I like knowing things quickly, staying on top of things, current events, sports (especially how my Auburn Tigers are doing and what everyone is saying about them, good and bad), and even little stories about my hometown. All of this is available on one little device.

Even the games on the iPhone are meant to be played quickly. I read an article about video game designers (in a real paper magazine, not online) and how they've had to rethink the video game concept to fit users who play on their iPod-type devices. People want games they can play in 10 minutes, not several hours.

I have a Facebook account and can see what all my "friends" are doing at any given moment. The only thing I don't subscribe to is Twitter and I just can't seem to get on that bandwagon. But you get my point. We get on demand TV and movies, internet just about anywhere and are always available to talk, text, email, etc.

Yet two things have happened in the last two weeks that have forced me to step back and say, "What's the hurry?" I have two friends who are dealing with ill parents. These people are my age and their parents are the same age as my parents. This isn't just the flu or a cold, we're talking major illnesses and surgeries and life-changing choices here.

Then there's this sign I saw for several weeks as I took the kids to school and back home again. It read, "Thanksgiving wasn't meant to be shut up in one day." I don't usually pay attention to those kinds of signs, in fact I rather loathe them as they always seem to be catchy-type, on the surface sayings. Nothing that really makes me think.

This one was different. I really thought about that and they're right: Thanksgiving wasn't meant to be shut up in one day. We are to be thankful all the time. I am to be thankful all the time. Scripture even tells us to pray with thanksgiving when we make our requests (Philippians 4:6-7). And what follows our requests made with thanksgiving? The peace that surpasses all understanding. Who wouldn't want that? Who wouldn't want a peace to calm all that hurrying we do?

So as not to speed past Thanksgiving and straight on into Christmas, I am going to list 10 things every day for which I am thankful (yes, Mod Girl, I took this idea from you). I'll do this through the end of the year. I encourage you to do the same.

1. My Lord and Savior and His death on the cross
2. My husband
3. My children
4. My church family
5. My school family, including those I work with
6. Small town living (although it seems way too small at times)
7. My job
8. My husband's job that allows him to be home with us
9. My home
10. My parents and in-laws who are always willing to help where they can
    

It's Great to be an Auburn Tiger!

One more time in Auburn for me this football season. I was able to go to the AU/UGA game last Saturday, and boy was it fun. S and the kids stayed home while I spent the weekend with Sporty Mama and her family. I was completely exhausted when I got home but it was totally worth it. We won, in convincing fashion, and are headed to the SEC Championship. I have been so blessed this season to see three football games, something that hasn't happened since I was a student at AU.

And every time I walk in Jordan-Hare Stadium, I feel like I'm home again...

Homecoming

We were blessed to be able to go to The Loveliest Village again this football season. This time, we were able to bring the kids along. We had a wonderful time taking them to Tiger Walk (S's first time, too), the game, and then to Toomer's Corner to roll the trees.

That's Cam's head in the middle. I'm proud of his accomplishments this season no matter what is being said about him these days. And he's just as impressive off the field.

K and Sporty Mama
Me and my sweet girl

H at Toomer's Corner

They were done smiling for pictures

Sisters

My mom found this picture. I immediately thought of my girls and what a precious gift they have: each other.

(I take no credit for this painting. Just thought it was beautiful and needed to be shared)