MERRY CHRISTMAS

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Pictures

My dear sweet friend Amy took these pictures for us while she was in the states. Amy, I love you dearly, you look stunning in your dress. I can't wait till I see you again.

Much Love!!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Fall Fun

I love fall. I think it has become my favorite season. I love seeing all the gorgeous colors. I know i'm truly spoiled living in the mountains. Every day on my way home from work I see the beautiful canvas of the mountains change from green, to yellows, reds, oranges, and browns. It is a magnificent site. It reminds me of the majesty of its creator. It almost like seeing God paint a picture before my eyes. It's truly breathtaking. These pictures don't even begin to give justice to the beauty of God's creation, but I just thought I'd share them with you.

AMY

This is for my dear friend Amy who I love so much!!! I am about to bust at the seams!!! I can't wait to see you!!!! I got my wedding album finally and I can't wait to show you. I have missed you soooo much. I'm sad for you that Claudio won't be coming, I was so looking forward to having the two of you come up to see our beautiful mountain home. I guess you'll just have to come and take pictures of it to take back and show him. Well I hope this was a long enough update for you Miss Amy Elise. I miss you so much, I can't wait to give you a great big hug.

Lots of Love!!!

How Great Thou Art!

I'm in the process of reading this book, In the Presence of my Enemies, which is the account of Martin and Gracia Burnham, 2 New Tribes Missionaries who were kidnapped while vacationing in the Philippines and were held hostage in the jungle for a year. Gracia Burnham tells a detailed story of the whole ordeal, but there was one part that I read recently that really struck me. Gracia told of a time during their capture where she reached a point of depression and anger against God for letting this happen to her. On the day when she finally reached a turning point and surrendered her circumstances to the Lord, and chose to believe that God still loved her despite what He was putting her through, the Lord brought the hymn "How Great Thou Art" to her mind. And there in the middle of the Phillipine Jungle with some of the other captors, they began singing these words:

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,

And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

I think often we take for granted these amazing hymns that were written hundreds of years ago. And to think that God knew that Gracia Burnham would need that song a hundred years later while she was sitting, starving in the middle of the Jungle. What an amazing all-knowing God we have, who promises never to leave us, or forsake us.

L is for Lemons and Limes

We started learning letter L today, so I decided to bring some Lemons and Limes for my kids. I think it's hillarious to see kids expressions when they try something sour. I made sure to have my camera on hand to capture these candid moments.

Nik actually liked them and asked for more, I think he ended up almost eating a whole lime.
Andy definitely didn't like them! He barely tasted them, and then would hardly touch them. : )

I love Bailee's face!!
Jalen decided to stuff both in his mouth.After we ate our lemons and limes it was time to write our L's

My Adorable Little Monsters

Andy
Lauren
Nik
Playing on the playground
Jalen
Olivia

She is actually one of the older ones, but she was one of my first when I started working at CUC It's amazing how fast they grow up. Nik - Isn't he just precious

I love the Beach

Perfect Little Angel - Yeah Right
Drew kicking butt at Mario Cart
No beach vacation is complete without a little Mario Cart action.
Me and Kelly - I think it takes a act of congress to make her smile.
"I'm a princess and don't you forget it!"

More Beach Fun

Drew playing in the pool sprinklers.
Stan, Kelly, and Drew hanging out by the pool.
Cutie, Kelly Sue, My sweet flower girl.
Kelly and I playing in the sand.
Our finished sand castle complete with shell embellishments. Idea courtesy of the Interior Designer

Isle of Palms

Sunday afternoon we met up with Sarah and her parents at Atlanta Bread Company. My little Sarah's all grown up and going to college!!
Our gorgeous $6.2 million beach house on the Isle of Palms. Thanks to our friend Rowdy who scored us this great place to stay. The house had 11 bedrooms 12 baths, a hugh kitchen, great room, balconies, pool... everything you could ever want for a stay at the beach.
The view from our room!
A view of the back of the house. Our room was the first one on the right on the top floor. It was great walking out on the balcony in the morning and watching the waves crash on the beach.
A view from the balcony. I love the beach!

Charleston Vacation

Our first night in Charleston we stated at the Embassy Suites
We had a beautiful suite thanks to Hilton Honors Points.
Doesn't he just look adorable. He's got the nautical look going on, very appropriate for Charleston
Ready for a night out on the town!
Looking down on the Courtyard from the 9th floor of Embassy Suites.