December is a busy and exciting time! Especially for little ones.  We had a fun day with Millie Janalee's little class taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas at our local mall.  The children did some shopping for the moms at Bath and Body Works, and they were so excited!

We all rode the carousel...

We visited with Santa.  We weren't allowed to take pictures ourselves for some reason, but they did allow the teacher to take pictures on her phone.  She sent us what she had.  Smith and Susu came with us for this field trip, and Smith even got to visit with Santa.  Although he wasn't real sure about it.

We all had a yummy lunch in the food court at Chik Fil A.  It made me giggle to watch the little ones in action.  At one point, I looked over and saw a little group of big red bows gathered in a giggly group.  I had to take a picture!

After lunch, we all walked down to Barnes and Noble for a little story time.  Watching the teachers (and parents) attempt to get 30 three year olds organized and sitting still for story time was quite funny.

One of Millie Janalee's little friends had his grandmother with us for the field trip.  Mrs. Bullard was also my first grade teacher.  So when Millie Janalee's teacher asked her to read to the children, it brought back some memories!  Ha!

Trying to pry Millie Janalee out of the bookstore to leave the mall was a whole other challenge!  She had a great time, and I always enjoy stepping into her little world and watching her interact with her friends.  They are just so funny at this age!

Lots to see, hear, and smell during our field trip to the mall!

First Book of Christmas

One of our favorite Christmas traditions we started after Millie Janalee was born is our 25 Books of Christmas.  Each year, I wrap up 25 Christmas books and keep them in a basket.  They are the same books every year, unless they get a new book as a gift or something.  This year we kept them under the tree.  Each night leading up to Christmas, the kids open one gift and we read the book together.  It is a sweet time.  This year we found out it is also a great lesson to teach a 3.5 year old that one gift is plenty to be thankful for. Ha!

Each year we always have gifts left unopened due to crazy holiday schedules and late nights out or traveling.  But as many nights as we are home and able, we open a book and Russ reads to the children.  They love it!  Smith was very into it!  He rarely sits still long enough to read a book, but he was interested for the most part.  And it is so sweet to watch their excitement.

Russ was also pretty excited about it each night.  When he worked nights, he would get ready early and ask me to have the kids in their pajamas and ready to read by 7:30 so he could read a book to them before he left.

I was pretty much a bystander.  And that's okay.  I loved my view...

Growing up, I have the most precious memories of Christmas traditions.  Many I still go home to enjoy.  It is very important to us to create a season of memories that our children smile back on.  And that bring them back home when they are older!  Most importantly, it is a time when we catch ourselves just being more intentional about spending time together.  And I soak it in every year.

Yes, Christmas is crazy.  This year was as busy as we have ever been during the holidays.  It was also our first Christmas AT HOME!  We didn't have lots of traveling and packing to do.  It felt good to exhale and enjoy our new life.  In our home.  With our family of four.

What traditions do you have at Christmastime?

A Different Kind of Christmas

2015 proved to be a difficult year for our family.  There were big changes, transitions, and goodbyes. 2015 also brought incredible blessings!  God has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY!  Rejoicing in ALL He has done.  Thankful for the experiences, people and things He put in our path this past year.

"I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart;
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice for He has made me glad."

Tonight, our hearts ache and we wipe the tears as they continue to fall. Our dear Maw Maw was called Home this afternoon. I know she RAN all the way in! Greeted by my Pawpaw (and probably Russ's dad too) and falling right into the arms of Jesus. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and I find it only appropriate that this year she's just in time to spend her first Christmas in Heaven. It hurts bad. But He is faithful. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of her life and her love!

December 6, 2015 the Lord called Maw Maw home, and that was my Facebook post that evening.  As unexpected as it seemed, I know her earthly body was worn.  She fought hard and long for her independence and the energy of her younger years. She had recently moved into an assisted living facility.  Until that point, she had been living alone.  It just made sense for her to have help with life.  The day after her move, she landed herself in the hospital with pneumonia.  She was sent back to assisted living and shortly after broke both her legs.  She had some struggles and complications here and there, but was otherwise very aware of her surroundings and her condition.  Russ and I visited with her on Saturday and watched the end of a football game while talking.  It was a fairly normal visit.  I was able to rub lotion on her dry arms and hands as we talked about Millie Janalee and Smith.  Then we left and said, "Love you!  See ya later."

The next day, she simply didn't take her next breath.  Peaceful.  And gone from this chaotic world.  Running with able body and spirit!  I rejoice for her.  Oh, but how I mourn our loss.  To laugh and watch her get her tickle box turned over at Christmas dinner one more time - I would give anything.  But I know she wouldn't wish to be back here.

When we were preparing to move Maw Maw out of her apartment and into assisted living, she shared lots of plans with us.  Including funeral plans.  She was very specific on some things.  I often reminded her that she was just moving locations.  She wasn't going far.  But on that list it read, "And I want Megan to read a poem because no one else will do it."  Ha!  And then below that it read, "Russ can do it if Megan won't."  We gave her a hard time that day about the poem reading.  As we always did joke and mess with her.  And she took it and stood firm with her wishes - as she usually did.  Daddy texted me on Monday to let me know that there was no poem to be found.  Maw Maw didn't leave a specific poem.  He told me I could just read scripture if I wanted.  And I said, "No way!  She told me she wanted me to read a poem and she was very clear."  So I set out to find a poem.

Growing up our family did Christmas BIG.  We still do.  Maw Maw and I have lots of things in common, and our love for this time of year and gift giving is one of them.  She always gave the best gifts!  We have even done our Christmas shopping together on QVC several times.  Ha!  I will miss her this Christmas more than she could have ever known.  But at the same time I rejoice with her as she celebrates her favorite time of year in Heaven.

Christmas in Heaven 

by Wanda Bunco 

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting in the snow
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away, we really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do
For I can't count the blessing or love he has for each of you
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

There will be an empty seat at our table this Christmas.  An empty chair in the living room when we open gifts.  We probably won't laugh as much since some of our laughter centered around Maw Maw's tickle box or something else she may have done or said.  But we will have joy.  The joy of knowing that this earth is not our home.  We are going to meet her, and what a reunion that will be!

It's a different kind of Christmas this year.  We will miss seeing Russ's dad in his recliner grinning that big smile as we open gifts and enjoy each other.  And we will miss Maw Maw.  We will miss her presence.  My heart aches just typing this post.  Sometimes life is just too much.  Thank you, Lord, that your mercies are new every morning!

There will be joy on the faces at Christmas and laughter all around.  It's just a different kind of Christmas this year.

I Am Thankful, Yes Sirree!

The week before Thanksgiving, Millie Janalee's little preschool put on a Thanksgiving program one night.  It is a big event.  I had been told how difficult it is to get a good seat unless you camp out.  Grandparents and relatives of each student were invited, and of course all the relatives love to see a 2, 3, 4, or 5 year old stand on stage and perform.  My parents were in Disney World with my sister and her family, and Russ was working in Starkville that day.  So it was all up to me.  Step one...find a babysitter for Smith!  There's no way he would be able to go early enough for a seat...plus I needed hands for my cameras since I wasn't sure when Russ would be able to fly in.

So, I found a sweet sitter to play with Smith for the night.  And Millie Janalee and I headed out for her preschool a little before 5:00.  The program was a 6:00.  I've watched my mom all these years.  Finding the best seats is her specialty, and she doesn't care how early she has to arrive.  Ha!  We made it to the school along with all the other overachievers and managed to find great seats!

Millie Janalee was so excited!  She asked before the program, "Where's Pawpaw? Is Pawpaw coming to my school?" I nearly cried.  Y'all know our family doesn't miss anything.  Ever.  So of course, we Facetimed Pawpaw and Susu in Disney World.  Ha!  That seemed to satisfy her.

As the program started, the children walked down the aisle to take their place on stage.  This was probably my favorite part.  There was a huge gap in the line, and I couldn't figure out what had happened.  Ummmm...it was Millie Janalee.  She looked lost.  She was looking around at every single person she passed and walking sooo slow.  Then when she found us - priceless!  I love that girl!

Each age group sang two songs, and all the students 2-5 sang one song at the beginning and at the end.  They did such a great job!  Although I really couldn't take my eyes off the little pilgrims.

She was sitting next to two of her favorite little friends, and we just giggled as we watched them show each other where their parents were.  Millie Janalee was such a nosey little pilgrim.  She pretty much turned around watching the other children perform most of the time she wasn't singing.  Her teacher had to pull her down to her step and turn her around several times.

This picture cracks me up!  Oh, to be a fly on the wall in their little classroom.  We can't figure out what in the world is happening in this picture, but I'm thinking it's right before the little boy next to Millie Janalee elbowed her to the ground.  Hahaha!  I can't blame him.  Millie Janalee was elbowing him first!  What precious little ones!  I can't wait to watch them all grow together.

We were so thankful for the family members who were able to make it to see our little pilgrim in her first school program.  Roan and Leah stopped by between two other engagements.  They were able to see Millie Janalee's class perform before stepping out.  It was so thoughtful of them to take time out of their day to celebrate with us.

And, of course, Elle didn't miss it either!  Grace rode with Elle, and Millie Janalee was so excited to see them.  She actually shouted, "Hey Elle!" from the stage.  I think she actually said, "Hey Grace!" too.  Ha!

I am so thankful for our sweet preschool.  The teachers, assistants, and all the other staff members have been SUCH a blessing to me as a new preschool mom.  And they just LOVE on Millie Janalee like nothing I could have imagined!  They all know her name, and they greet her with such enthusiasm.  God had his hand in this - I have no doubt.  He worked out the details all along the way as we prepared for this transition.

Thankful.  We are thankful, yes sirree!

Turkey Day

Hello there!  I hope every had a very Happy Thanksgiving!  We sure did.  As my sister-in-law says, "There is always always always something to be thankful for."  Nine years ago, Russ and I could never have imagined how abundantly God would have blessed us.  Thanksgiving morning, I looked up and saw two precious answered prayers playing in the floor, the fire going, Christmas decorations and lights, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in the background.  Happy Thanksgiving to us indeed!

Russ and I were thrilled to not be traveling on Thanksgiving weekend.  This has never happened.  In nearly all the 10 years we've been married...we have always traveled home for Thanksgiving.  This year, we were home.  We hosted my side of the family on Thanksgiving Day.  My mom came early that morning to fix brunch for us complete with fruit arranged like a turkey, muffins, cheese grits, and breakfast casserole.  It was delicious!

Smith napped through the whole thing, but our spunky three year old was ready and waiting for her muffins.  She's pretty picky, so muffins was a success in my book!

Closer to lunchtime, my dad and my sister arrived.  They stopped to visit my grandmother, who is recovering from TWO broken legs!  Bless her heart, y'all!  Russ and I may have been hosting Thanksgiving, but my sister (the gourmet chef of the family) prepared most everything for Thanksgiving dinner.  My parents were able to relax and enjoy family.  One of them may have even hid in Millie Janalee's room to take a nap.

Russ has not had many days off lately.  He's been working lots of weekends and had some night calls.  So he also enjoyed a day of relaxing and hanging out with family.  He served as our "lobby entertainment" at the Johnson Inn.  Ha!

I think everyone enjoyed a low key day watching football and spending time as a family.  The kids ran around and played together, napped, and fought (Ha!) while the adults ate and ate and rested.

Some lent a helping hand in the kitchen while Kristin slaved away on a delightful and traditional Thanksgiving meal...

We laughed a lot and tried to stretch out our full bellies from time to time.  We had to make room for more!

And at the end of the day, the main meal was served!  Kristin planned the menu and worked tirelessly all week helping me decorate for Christmas, making cookies, and then preparing most of this meal herself.  Thankful.

Russ and I broke in our dining room table for the first time.  It feels good to fill Nonnie's table with those we love most.  We even pulled out MawMaw's dining room table in the foyer.  We filled them both!  Such joy!

Russ and I have had a rough year.  But we have also had an amazingly blessed year.  We are forever thankful for so many people, experiences, and things in our life.  What a joy it is to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...

From our family to yours - Happy Thanksgiving!