I'd so like to go to China after tonight!

It was a very exciting trip tonight to Top O' the River! This is probably the best and most popular restaurant in town. People come from all over the place to eat here.

If you saw us tonight, you may have noticed that there were three children that didn't look like the rest of us. They were adopted from China and were so precious! We went with Ernie and Michele Willis, Jason and Lauren Ayres and Marty and Felicia Smith. Sweet sweet families.

My parents have always told us that they thought we'd adopt and we always giggled and said, no, probably not. Sometimes I think about it and think that maybe, just maybe we will but most days, I think no, probably not. Tonight was a night where I definitely thought that we have room for a few more to love in this house;).

Michele and MJ on left, Lauren and Davidson Ayres on right.

Me and Davidson Ayres

Mabrey and Ming Yu Ayres

Ensley and Maggie Ayres

Rebecca Ayres and MJ Willis

The very crazy, crowded Top O'

Me and my handsome date.

 

 

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You Are My Sunshine Serenade

Well, it's been quite the week. I've had some crazy cravings lately of fingernail polish remover, Kaboom shower cleaner, and even diesel fuel. I know.....weird. It was definitely time for a little looksy from the doc. After 3 units of blood, a bag of iron, and a good shot of b-12, I feel so much better. I only had to stay one night in the local hospital. Good thing, because I'm not really the star patient. Last time we did this, I had 8 blowouts on my IV. 8!!!!!! So......this time I was a little bossy. I told my nurse (who looked so much like Flo from Mel's Diner) that she had one chance to get the IV in and correct. If not, we'd have to call someone to start numbing. Gotta do what I gotta do. I think I really embarrassed Scott. I couldn't help it. I become a bit of a Commander between those walls. She got it and it ended up being a great stay.

On to happier better things to talk about......So, yesterday, I mentioned that we were going on a Homeschool field trip to the Birmingham Children's Theatre to see Young Abe Lincoln. Let me just say that it was fantastic!!!! There were five different actors playing many different characters. So fascinating. I don't see how they kept up with everything. I wanted to give a standing ovation at the end but peer pressure kept me sitting down politely clapping. Oh well.

Ensley and Jackson Gables playing her iPod before the play.

Jaden Gables and Anna Grace Silvey ready for the play to start.

Mabrey and Faith Gables. They've been friends since birth, well...since Mabrey's birth;)

Afterward, we went to Johnny Rockets to treat ourselves to some 50s style yummy goodness. We'll have to take some extra time at the gym to work it off but it was so delish!

After a day in Birmingham, ballet practice, and taking Mabrey to the gym, we came home to the coolest surprise!!! Check it out!

Wasn't that precious? This is the Southern family. They are such sweet friends and we love them so much.

The picture they were holding is so great! It's recycled from their boys' room. That's my favorite kind of gift and it says "You Are My Sunshine"!!! I love it!! It's tea-stained with a beautiful black frame. I can't wait to put it in our new farmhouse. I think it'll be perfect.

Not only did they bring a picture, they brought SUPPER!!!! What a huge blessing. I told them we couldn't accept it unless they stayed and ate with us. They did and we had a fantabulous time!!

I cook some mean green beans but these were better than mine. (Insert mouth watering here)

Scott, Ensley, and their little Alexander. He is such a delight!

Roxane Walker from church brought a chocolate pie from church. It was wonderful. I can't get over all these cool blessings!!

Afterward, we had a little time for Just Dance. It was a blast! Go Brad! Go Brad!!

I just LOVE Random Acts of Kindness and it was so much fun to be a recipient of so many this week. I felt a tremendous amount of love.

 

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Ice storm, Abe Lincoln, and sweet friends!!

Today started very early. The alarm clock went off at 4:00 am for Scott to get up. If he's up, I like to be up. Well, not necessarily up but definitely awake. He left today for about a week to Arkansas to help restore power for their ice storm. I'm a little sad. I like it when he's here because he's my best friend. I do think its cool that he may be near the Duggars' home. I asked him to please take a picture of their home if he's anywhere near the vicinity of Tontitown. We'll see. He doesn't get as excited about them as I do;)

Last night was really nice. After we found out that he would be leaving, he asked his three girls on a date. We were so excited. I don't think we've been out to eat in a month together. I had Chicken and Dumplings cooked but it was no problem at all to turn off the eye and put those in the fridge. Off we went to Logan's. It was delish! Our waitress was so awesome too! Ensley talked so much that when we were all finished eating (and had been for some time) she was just beginning. I know she's quite the talker but for some reason yesterday she was really cranked up. We had a gift card from the Ballew family. It was such a treat and we are so thankful.

Today, we are off to see Young Abe Lincoln at the Birmingham Children's Theatre. We love these days. All the homeschool group is going: Silveys, Gables, and the Morrisons. I really enjoy everyone's company and so do the girls.

Afterward, we have planned to eat Chick-Fil-A with everyone. It definitely will be a wonderful day!!

Tonight, I'm really thankful to have the Southern family come over for dinner. They called and wanted to bring dinner. How sweet is that?? I told them only if they'd stay and eat it with me. I'm so excited!

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Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!!

Today was wonderful! It was just one of those "everything is awesome" kind of days. You have to read my previous post to really understand today. Mabrey's facial party went so well! She was definitely surprised! My sis, Devan did a great job rounding up the troops and leading them to the door without Mabrey knowing that they were even here. I heard they even hid out in the camper until it was time to come in at 8:30 am this morning!

The hardest part was making sure that she was dressed with her teeth brushed and room clean. She usually does a lot of this after breakfast. Tricky people we are! Not normal at all for Mamma to have her jewelry and some makeup on before breakfast;).

SURPRISE!!!!

Prayer time with friends!

Mabrey is so blessed to have these buddies in her life!

Great breakfast and then devotion on Inner Beauty.

Here are my notes~~. (seriously go to that link, you'll have to type it in and watch it! So cool!!)

Time for our Facials! Mabrey gets to start wearing makeup today (light, very very light makeup)!!! Thanks so so much to Rebecca Easterwood who came and did their Mary Kay facials!!! She was FABULOUS!!!! Took so much time with each of the girls to get it just right!

I have been so nervous about when they could start wearing makeup and I just love for their natural beauty to show. I wasn't ready for much but today showed me that she can start wearing just a little and it's O.K. I was so impressed with what Rebecca taught us about skin care and little tricks for our faces. So awesome!!!

Super cool pic of Devin Morrison!!

Time for Momma's UGLY but oh so delicious cake!!

We even had time for some crafts. When girls get together, you just have to be ready to craft. That's just how we roll!

8:30-11:30 am

Such a sweet birthday party for a sweet girl! Even if we did plan it the day before!!!

I got this text later. Maybe I shouldn't dread them growing up so much. They seem to be doing it beautifully and turning out just fine!

Good night!

 

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Shhhhhh!!!!

 

 

It's 5:46 am and I'm so excited that I can't stand it!!!! Today is Mabrey's 12th birthday!! She has no idea that in three hours, our house will be packed with excitement!! Yep-- We're throwing her a small surprise breakfast birthday party!

Have I lost my mind???

Woo! Hoo! I love surprises! I love birthdays!

Just hope she does! She loves people but with her Meloncholic Phlegmatic personality, I know she'd want everything just soso for a big day as this and it's so not there with our house this morning;)! Oh I know she'll be pumped. Just hope she's not too suspicious when I have makeup and jewelry on at 8:00 am on our day off!

I made the breakfast casserole last night in the crockpot--Pinterest of course. I also made the yellow cake before an went to bed and this morning, homemade chocolate-peanut butter fudge icing! Oh My! I can't even take it! I'm about to make a cinnamon roll casserole (easy with canned cinnamon rolls) and Scott's making some breakfast burritos. --Mabrey's request.

I know you may be wondering, will she be suspicious with all this food. Nah!!!!! We love to cook, it's Christmas and the cake is hidden.

Here's the deal. There are NO decorations, no plates or napkins (Amber said she'd bring some from next door that are cute), no major cleaning job done (oh well) because I didn't want her to even start to guess.

We are surprising and eating at 8:30, our sweet friend, Rebecca Easterwood is coming to do facials at 9:00, nails with Ensley and Devin Morrison at 10:00, devotion and games at 10:30 and cake at 11:00! Easy peasy!!!

Just hope we can pull it off this morning!!! Pictures will come later today!

Please don't let me stick my finger in that cake before she wakes up. It looks too good!

 

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Trying so hard to be a good Keeper at Home.

So I've been reading this book, as you already know if you read my FB, called Created to be his Help Meet by Debi Pearl. It's totally kicking my b-u-t-t! But I have been trying out lots that I'm learning. Debi says that when our hubbies come home from work, we should pay very close attention to him and have a clean, happy, supper on the table type of atmosphere when he arrives. Tonight, I had supper ready, the house neat as a pin and when Scott came home and went to the door to greet him with a kiss. Get this ladies----IT WORKED!!! It made him feel so special, as he is! Thanks Debi for the great tips and I'll be reading more about what I need to do to be his help meet.

After supper, we wanted to watch The Nativity Story and tore our DVD stash apart looking for it. Add it to the list of things we've already moved to Hokes Bluff. Hope RedBox has it this year because we HAVE to watch it every year.

We settled on Christmas Vacation. Not exactly The Nativity Story but a funny classic. I forgot how many bad words were in that movie but thanks goodness Scott remembered so he could be handy dandy on that remote control. We laughed until our cheeks hurt.

Now is my favorite time. Girls are bedded down reading. It's quiet, it's clean. Candles are lit. Hot tea is poured. Scott and I have settled down to the kitchen table to relax. Well, he's studying his Sunday School lesson and I'm reading my favorite blogs.

Not exactly MORNING but my favorite cup from my sister, Holly. Makes me just happy!

I love to hear the quick typing of these keys as Scott works on his Sunday School lesson.

Check out this cinnamon candle to create a great Christmasy atmosphere. Yummy. Target I think.

There's just something about hard working looking hands studying that makes me so thankful!

Nothing better than a clean kitchen after dinner. (never mind the wax paper)

Debi Pearl has taught me so much this week. (I struggle daily with all of this). I truly want to be a good help meet and a good keeper at home. Its up to me to have a calm, orderly, haven for my family in the evenings. I want him to want to come home and enjoy our plot of earth. I want my kids to remember their home when they are all grown as a peaceful, beautiful, happy place with lots of laughter and where they look forward to bringing their families one day. Tonight was a good start and I hope to be more mindful of this on a daily basis.

Basketball tomorrow so I'm excited about that.

Toodles!!

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A day to hold my girls tight!!

I'm laying across the bed typing and listening to the sweetest sounds ever, my girls and their friends squealing, laughing and playing the piano without a care in the world. Music to my ears.

 

Today has been a day of tragedy. A crazy man walked into an elementary school today in Connecticut and killed many people, even children. I can't get it off my mind. If we had cable, I'd be glued to the TV right now. Its so devastating and what is breaking my heart is the phone calls that must have been made to the parents. What could anyone have said to these parents to let them know of the most horrible thing in the world?

Today is a day I'm very thankful to be a homeschool mom. I just held my girls all afternoon. We did math and reading on the bed cuddled up.

There was also news today of shootings in Gadsden and Homewood. I think we'll just stay in tonight and hold each other close.