Author: Blog-admin

I love this time of year because we get to decorate and celebrate.

Tatum of course loves the chocolate part of Advent.

And the first day? A chocolate stocking!

We won’t forget the Coopy…

I’ll take that!!

And our classic standard advent one….the angel is first! Announcing HIM!!!

We also started Advent Blocks… The first day is the Adam and Eve story and our fall and NEED for rescue.

May the season be a restful, joyful celebration of our Savior’s birth.

Back in the summer, I listened to a podcast on Focus on the Family about this organization. American Heritage Girls.

I was immediately intrigued! First week of school, I contacted our Headmaster, Sheryl Temple and ran the idea by her.

First, here is a bit about them: “American Heritage Girls (AHG) was founded by a group of parents wanting a faith-based, scout-type character development program for their daughters in 1995. The AHG Program is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. AHG girls across the nation and the globe participate in badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunities, and outdoor experiences, all with an emphasis on Christian values and family involvement. Today there are Troops in every state and in 15 countries around the world.

She was very excited to say the least and agreed to pay for the fees if I could get a group of parents to start with me. I set up a meeting with a few parents, and they all were so interested. It went gangbusters from there. We assembled the BOARD (five ladies) set up many meetings to get this rolled out, and BOOM! Our first meeting was December 6th.

We decided to start small with just 6-10 year olds (thru 4th grade), and then we’d go from there.

We had 30 girls!~

Kate Munroe is my Troop lead (She is also Noah’s mother) (Hearts aflutter)

My dear girl handed out the treats to the girls…servant!

January we’ll start earning badges and rolling this all out!

SO grateful to PVCP and all the moms!

He’s deserving of so much more.

We had small group the night of his bday, so I decided to surprise him with notes in his bag. He would open up one per hour. Here is my little stash:

And now…the seven!

and so….I did.

I also made him some of his favorites…lasagna! Well, it’s zucchini and hearts of palm sans the pasta part.

And so…Tot and I did our usual puppet show. This year…. Scaredy and Elephant introducing the NEW more youthful….doggie and cowy!

….Telling Daddy some funny jokes and making him answer what is his fountain of youth secret?

Yes, it’s his wife! HA!

Then the presents. Some cologne, pictures, and shoes. They sent the wrong size, but they fit Tot!

I love you so much honey.

Your are our hero.

Good morning, Tatum! Ready for church with your new do?

It’s the start of Advent this week at church, and we can’t wait!
Cooper is ready for us to leave with DOGTV. Yes…for doggies. He LOVES to watch the big box, but now, he has a reason. Tale-wagging. Motionless. Focused.

We put his little bed out (we’ll get a nicer one later) so he could be comfy cozy.

K, he’s in good hands.

Now, off we go. Later, Daddy worked on some turkey soup. The REAL thing, baby. He’s a master in the kitchen, ya know…but don’t tell him that or he’ll want my job! heehhee

He’s not only a whiz in the kitchen, but he also builds roaring fires! Perfect for our Hay Happens meeting and of course……fluffy toasted marshmallows!

Coopy wishes he was with us.

Tot and I love the warmth..

Ok, patiently, she waited. Our meetings can be a bit long when you are waiting for a treat! After discussion of our gratitudes, devotion, and plans for January, it’s time to roast! Wire hanger….check. Huge marshmallows…check. Strong lungs to blow out any marshmallow on fire? …check.

And so it was…toasty, creamy, and HOT! (and gone..in one bite I may add).

After dinner, there was a bit of a fire left, so she went out to do one more. Then…the wishbone!

Make a wish, Tot. Whomever has the biggest stick wins that wish.

Ahhh…what did you wish? Let’s just say it has something to do with Noah.

Happy Sunday!

Our Food for the Hungry girl, Sandrine wrote us a nice note! (Well, actually to Tot).

And Tot returns the love.

Before:

Tada!! Wow, he worked SOOOO hard on this! Doug did the whole thing sans help. NOBODY else on our block did this; they either hired someone, or put up an inflatable. So grateful, honey.

My favorite part:

I’m also getting ready inside with decorations. First. I love these kale flowers and little houses on our island.

Tot is ringing in the season with a new “DO!” I say DO DO DO!! I love it, Brandy!

Stay tuned for more decorating and celebrating!

The morning was filled with gratitude and a craft. Every year we try to do something artsy in the morning coupled with some type of gratitude. So I thought of a gratitude tree. We got to work and Coopy watched…

Here’s the outline of our tree…

Now we started to share after we colored.

Tot: Us…yes, but let me highlight..Noah, Pikachu, God’s creation…..art..love it!

We posted them in our bar area…never forget your gratitudes! We probably missed a bunch, but at least we focused on these.

Later, Tatum played for a bit while Daddy and I got to work in the kitchen. He worked on the turkey, gravy and stuffing, and I did the sides.

And Tatum helped me with the salad! Chopping and dicing. Perfect job, Taties!

We finally were set and ready for our guests, but first, Tot had the timer on for clean up!

Now…..we wait and anticipate!

Daddy …looks so handsome! WOO! A cook and a hot guy! What a combo.

And me…

Austin came first…what a cutie. We enjoyed chatting with him and hearing about the Black Friday potential buys. (I’ll be avoiding these at all costs unless I can do it from my seat at home..HA!) He is doing so well. I pray he can do the GCU electrician program! GO AUSTIN!

Tot and I played Cat and Mouth to pass the time. A basically brainless pinball game but fun!

We just took more fun pics until Rick, Lisa and Mama arrived. Meanwhile the turkey is almost done! WOOHOO! Daddy and Tot. XO

Love you lovebug!
Coopy is looking for a friend.

My Hay team!

I think I hear Rick! No, that is the turkey calling..”I’m COOKED!”

and the gravy! Oh, honey…delish!

Alright, Rick and Lisa showed and we were ready. Still waiting for Mama…OH YEAH! SHE IS HERE! XXOO!!

Thanks Lisa for taking my pic too..

The spread….salad, butternut squash, mashed potatoes, my cauli mash, green beans, stuffing, turkey and…..GRAVY!

What a grateful meal. We opened with a prayer, and Mama and Tot shared a hymn and another prayer. It was perfect… After the pie of course.

Tatum and I always end the evening with reading and Bible. Coopy was O.U.T! Too much excitement for him.

Hi TOT! He loves the wiggling and the loving.

Family blessings. Time together. Gratitude. We all just basked in this tonight. No frills…just simple joy. Thank you family for making it really special.