Jack's Creek Tree Farm

Last Friday, we went to the tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. We like to look at the leyland cypresses, but we always end up getting a pre-cut Frasier Fir since the limbs are just more stable. Anyway, we met Gege and Papa at the farm and all picked out our trees. Both kids took separate rides on the hayride to see the tunnel of lights. When we got home, we began decorating. We didn't get many ornaments hung Friday, so we had lots to do on Saturday. Rachel was by far the most enthusiastic decorator. She made exclamations about each ornament and picked out just the right spot for each one to hang. The majority of the ornaments she hung ended up on the same 2 or 3 branches. They were no longer sticking out, but sloping straight down. So, when she went to bed, I had to spread the ornaments around a little. But, her excitement was contagious and fun and definitely got me into the Christmas spirit. Bradley liked the ornaments, and tried to take off a few, but mostly just wanted to wrestle with the styrofoam snowman that sits around in the den. I think this will be that snowman's last year with us.

Not so good Anniversary Pictures

I was really disappointed in the Anniversary pictures we tried to take before going out to eat. I wanted to have us dressed decent and photographed, so we set up the old tripod. But, I don't like these at all. Oh well! Maybe our holiday pictures will be better!!

Rachel's Thanksgiving Feast

Rachel decided to get her hairnet (from when a vet came to visit

her school) to keep her hair out of each recipe.

Bradley had to wear a hair net to keep all that hair from getting into the food.

The cutest little indians!

Rachel and her friend, Mimi K

Today was Rachel's Thanksgiving feast at school. Nick and I met her for lunch and left Bradley with Gege. We knew we would be better able to enjoy ourselves if we weren't chasing Bradley around. The kids were either pilgrims or indians and they had made some adorable costumes to wear. The dinner was just good enough to make me really excited about eating a huge feast on Thanksgiving day with everyone. Rachel and I had to bring a dessert, so we made lemon squares and a peanut butter cream pie. Both were surprisingly simple to make and both turned out tasting really good. It was a fun time spent with our little girl!

Our fun anniversary evening!

We had a great time celebrating our anniversary, having some one-on-one time and enjoying a deliciously expensive meal at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. The drive was well worth the trouble because the food was so good. We came home and fell asleep early and had no little ones to bathe or put to bed. We also slept very soundly with no monitors or noisemakers and our own bodies woke us up on Saturday morning. It was so nice getting up and watching something besides cartoons and fixing something to eat when we felt like it. Of course, we missed Rachel and Bradley, but we definitely enjoyed and savored the break. We did some Christmas shopping on Saturday morning and then ate a nice peaceful lunch at a mexican restaurant. When we picked up the kids, Bradley was asleep due to his 4:30am wake up, but Rachel was very excited to see us. She was tired from all the excitement of spending the night with Gege and Papa too, so, once Bradley woke up, and was extremely grumpy and wanting me to hold him, Rachel turned on the tears too. It was melt-down central for awhile, but we loaded up the car, got them home and had a couple more melt downs before everyone was back to their old selves. The kids slept great last night and we all got up and went to church again this morning!

At church this morning, Rachel was a "pro" when it came to staying in her class. Bradley, however, knew what was coming, so he started crying when we got to his room. I sat with him for a little while and the workers who were in his room were trying very hard to get him interested in some of the toys. He just wasn't interested. So, after about 10 minutes, I realized I was going to have to leave him and see how he did, since I knew Bradley wasn't ever going to tell me to leave him. I told him I would see him in a little bit and smiled and walked out. Of course, he was crying and looking at me very sadly. So, I stood outside the door and listened and it only took him about 30 seconds before he stopped crying. I was amazed, but very glad!!! I peeked back into the classroom through the window and he was sitting in the teacher's lap. He didn't look happy, but at least he wasn't crying. So, I actually got to sit with Nick and hear a really good sermon. I am so proud of Bradley, because I know this is very new to him and he doesn't understand why he has to do this. It's not like I've provided him very many opportunities to get comfortable with strangers. But, I feel very encouraged and excited that he's doing so well and I'm very happy to be back in church! A funny thing at church...right before the last prayer and invitation, our pew made a large cracking sound and we felt a slight shift down as our pew fell about 1/2 an inch. Nick and I both thought it was hilarious and we felt a little self-conscious that we had made the pew break. I hope this is usually some very heavy baptist's seat and that he'd already put quite a strain on the pew. :)

A really funny misunderstanding...on our way home from our delicious anniversary meal, Nick and I were having a good talk about what we had learned about each other in the 8 years we've been married. It was really fun and sweet to reflect on, and not something we ever do. I won't share any of it, except this...I told Nick that it took me several years to learn that "his sighs don't mean anything" (he sighs alot and it always seems like they mean something negative). However, Nick heard, "his SIZE don't mean anything" to which he replied, "thanks alot!!" I realized that he had misunderstood and quickly explained myself. It was a funny moment and a good story to share.

Pre-K update

Rachel is still really enjoying her preschool. She loves her teachers and her friends. She really looks forward to school days and is learning so much! Here are a few funny things she's picked up from her friends:

"you're not my best friend anymore" - This is a huge deal with her friends when they say it to each other. Rachel has tried it on Bradley, but he doesn't seem to care one way or the other.

"grow up!" - Rachel has been yelling this at Bradley for several days when she doesn't like something he does, but again, he doesn't seem to care.

According to Rachel, the boys like to tell jokes during table time, and it's not that the jokes are a big deal, the noise level apparently gets too loud and the teachers get on to the boys. So, she told me that Miss. Jan was "frusarated" when the boys were telling jokes the other day.

The other night, after bath, Nick was getting Rachel dressed and she kept hitting herself on the stomach as hard as she could. Nick asked her what she was doing and told her to stop. Rachel explained that some of the boys in her class like to hit themselves as hard as they can because they're so strong. Nick explained that this was not something we wanted her to do and that boys do very silly things sometimes. But, I thought it was funny to see the difference between what girls think is cool and boys think is cool...why is hitting yourself so fascinating?? Maybe I'll understand when Bradley's 4!

Anyway, there's lots more and I'll do another update soon. Preschool is definitely quite fun and the stories are great!!

8 Years!

Yesterday, November 18th, was our 8th anniversary! It's hard to believe that we've already been married for 8 years! I know I'm very blessed that Nick chose me to be his wife so many years ago. He has been such a wonderful, caring, sweet, loving, husband to me and father to our children. We didn't do anything to celebrate yet...but are planning on a special dinner Friday night and a night alone...the kids will be at Gege and Papa's house. We're very excited about sleeping in like we did in the old days...before we had kids!

A new Start...again!

It seems like we do this every year at this time, but hopefully this is the last time. We went to church on Sunday. I know, shock, shock! We went to Rachel's school/church and had a great morning. Last week, Nick and I attended a christian school open house to see what it was about. And, while we were touring and meeting all these nice people and then listening to the presentation, I was so convicted that we are raising our children without church! So, we made the decision, went and had smooth sailing. Two of Rachel's friends were in her class, so she wasn't alone. Bradley walked in and waved and started playing, so after instructing the two older women about the importance of Bay, I left. They have the nursery system where they give you a number and then flash it on a small screen at the front of the sanctuary if your child needs you. I looked at the screen the entire morning, but thankfully, didn't see either number during the sermon. When I went to get Bradley after church, he was so glad to see me and came running toward me and kept looking back at the teachers with a sad look, like they had kept him there against his will. So, it was a successful beginning that I pray lasts!