Time for a change...

Dear Faithful Blog Reader -

For most of the last 3 1/2 years I've informed, entertained and shared my adventures in this amazing world with my interesting, sometimes odd, family. It's time for me to move on and let someone else's voice share the stories of life with you. I thought I would give Lucy a chance to share her thoughts and even Mama a chance every now and then. You won't miss hearing about me as I'm still a part of this crazy family - so just keep a look out for me in those pictures and be kind to my little sister - she's new at this.

Love, Samuel

With the start of a new year, new schedule, new goals and hopefully some new good habits - I wanted to change the way we do things on the blog. I start full-time Nursing school during the day and will be doing clinicals (time in hospitals) beginning this semester - I'm not sure what time I will have with the children - or my free computer time. I promise to keep you up to date but it may look a little different. I have enjoyed sharing with you our lives - it's nice to have an outlet (and a digital scrapbook) of our lives and experiences.

I started writing in Samuel's voice when he was several months old - in honesty because I thought my misspelling, incorrect grammar and simplistic way of sharing life would be easier for this sleep deprived mother - BUT as my little guy has grown and has become more opinionated, vocal and expressive I realize he doesn't need help expressing himself. Looking back over the our blog from the last 3 years I realized how much I love being a mom and how gracious the Lord is that Samuel might only have the memories stored here on this blog - those stories you remember from your childhood because your mama told you OR you saw a picture. I shared some of the day to day struggles with blog world but left out the really hard things that I hope our children don't remember (what a gracious gift from the LORD). Seeing the stories that have perservered is wonderful and reminds me of what is important in life and what will remain in the end. With trials, tough circumstances and plans that don't go as desired - it is what remains from the trials - the lessons learned, the character built, the peace that endures, the strength, the confidence in the Lord and the heavenly wisdom - that are of value (not always the details of the trials). I'm looking forward to this next phase of life - the experiences and what is cultivated and remains at the end of the journey!

Thanks to all you faithful blog followers - with Love,
Kelly

We love Mimi and Big Papa

Tonight Lucy started saying "mimi, jibber-jibber, papa" I missed Mimi and Big Papa too so we decided to send Mema and Papa our love! You are in our prayers - We love you!!

Cowgirl tea party

Mimi (AKA Mema) and Big Papa got Lucy a tea set for Christmas with a kitchen cabinet (THANK YOU!!!) - Mama has had more tea to drink in the last week than in her lifetime! And Lucy does tea with such a flair - here is Lucy with her baby doll, new boots and hat having tea!

More love to Mema and Papa!

Play Dough creations

Lucy's creation (though mama thinks the real creation will be when the play dough Lucy swallowed comes out - Mama should pay closer attention next time)
My map of the whole world

While Mama made dinner tonight Lucy and I played with our play dough. "All by ourselfs" as I like to say - Lucy made a pretty thing with her hands and I made a map and then told Mama all about it.
Quote "Mama, look I made a map of the whole world. Here is China, here is America, here is Africa and here is Madagascar!"

Mama was surprised that I thought of this and that my map kind of looked like a real map (atleast to mama eyes). I've been fascinated witih maps lately and like to draw maps of where we are going with my sidewalk chalk or my crayons. I wonder where I got my love of travel, maps and the world?

Catching up

Before the New year gets off and running and we leave Christmas memories behind I thought I would do a recap of the last month - the next few blogs are filled with pictures (maybe too many pictures for those who just need a quick recap so you can just read the first post - BUT for those who are in this for the long haul here are the highlights in pics). Mama doesn't have any of the pictures of our time in Florida with Big Mimi and Big Papa, Grandma and Papa, Uncle Casey, Aunt Erin (and Wyatt), the Ellis', The Kinsey's and the cows. We'll have to get some of those from Grandma (Mama thought she had them!) We had a great time in Florida but missed seeing Nana - maybe you can come up a visit soon Nana. AND Lucy and I can't wait to have another cousin - Wyatt to play with!!! I think he is anxious to get here too - Aunt Erin seems a little ready too (I think she must be hiding basketballs in her tummy for Wyatt to play with when he gets here - she's not hiding them very well because even I know there is something in her tummy!)

Thanks Grandma and Papa for everything - the cheesey grits, rides in the ranger, picnic with Aunt Erin and Wyatt, bike rides and swings and lots of kisses from General. We miss you allready.

Advent Happenings and a Whirlwind of Anticipation

Lucy and I had such a wonderful time this Christmas season. We celebrated all month with St. Nicholas day on December 6, cookie and gingerbread house making, reading an advent story every night, getting just the right tree, Veggie Tales Christmas and Rudolph movies, coloring and singing and playing with our nativity set (Lucy liked to take baby Jesus in her truck for rides with one of the wisemen) a visit to the Chirstmas train at the Mall of Georgia with cousin Thomas, and seeing live camels at a Living Nativity with our neighbors and Aunt Amanda. We were so exctied about the anticipation of it all - and there was no dissappointment at Christmas with time with family! Here are a few pictures to recap the whole process -
Tree Hunting was fun but hide and seek in the trees was even more fun...
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All Better

Except for some really bad breath, I'm all better now after my surgery - Thanks to all of you for your prayers. The bad breath should go away soon (after the scabs heal) but it doesn't "bother me at all". Mama is hoping ear infections and trouble breathing will not "bother me at all" in the next year! Mama says I'm sleeping so quietly now that she has worried a couple of times if I'm actually breathing - I've always been a noisy breather especially at night but now it is a silent night sleep.

Here is how I recovered - popsicle in one hand, sucker in the other watching movies...

Artsy - Craftsy

We had a great time making things - especially messes. We did make a few ornaments that Mama really liked - Lucy's hands show how much fun we had - No real works of art yet but lots of fun

Noonan Men

The Sunday after Grandpa Noonan's birthday I went with Daddy, Uncle Jonathan and Grandpa Noonan to the Children's museum in Atlanta and saw a Bob the Builder exhibit and other things. After the museum and lunch, Mr. Troy joined us and we went to my first basketball game - the Hawks and the Pistons. Here are the highlights - thanks guys for a great guy time.

The Force's

The Force's were like Daddy's second family growing up - we went and visited them over the break and had a great visit. Mrs. Cris is loving being a grandma to Mara and she was a great story reader to us on our visit. Thanks for the visit Mrs. Cris and Mr. Ed.

Christmas Eve

We stayed home for Christmas this year and had a great time. Christmas Eve we went to church to a participate in the 9 Lessons in Carols. Mama was so proud of Lucy and me for sitting through the whole thing and behaving - we even sang some of the song because we knew them. In the middle of the lessons we got to go forward and listen to a kid geared story about the candy cane and then we got a candy cane!!! What a great night and here are some pictures of us enjoying the time with our friends and pictures of Lucy and me all spiffied up.

More Christmas

Christmas Morning

Mama took Lucy and me to the thrift store to buy gifts for each other - look at this great knight outfit Lucy got for me - I love it!

Thanks SO much Uncle Pat, Aunt Ann, Madison and Samantha for our books, CD, bath toys and movie!!! We have enjoyed them allready - and Mama REALLY enjoyed her present. THANKS!!

The traditional monkey bread breakfast

Lucy must have eaten 20 of those reese's pieces - she was fast at unwrapping and shoving them in her mouth!

"Oh, Mama, I have always wanted The King - Oh, Thank you!" (the King is a car from the CARS movie for all of you Cars ignorant blog readers.)

Christmas with the Noonan's

Grandpa Noonan came Christmas morning and we had a great time riding my new bike and playing. Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Stephanie came too - we had a great time playing with their dog Elle and seeing them. Thanks Grandpa and Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Stephanie for coming and enjoying the day with us! It was a great Christmas Day!