Happy New Year

We are spending the New Year with the grand children! They came over this afternoon and we loaded up their bikes and the wagon and headed to the park. It was a little chilly but it actually was wonderful to get out of the house after our buckets of rain we have had the last few days.

After about an hour we headed home as Nana had pizza dough rising and we were making our own pizza's for dinner.

Dawson was so ready to go to bed so we put him to bed and the other two are upstairs with Papa watching a movie. As I am posting this blog there are fireworks going off all over. The celebration of a New Year has started.

I am excited about what the New Year of 2008 is going to be.

The things I am thankful for:

My relationship with the Lord and my salvation. If he chooses to take me home with HIM I am ready.

My Audy....he is my best friend and my shining knight

My Katie who is an awesome mother and a godly wife and another best friend. And James who is such a good man and wonderful provider that allows Katie to stay home with her children.

My Skippy who I am so excited for his new experience coming up, being a daddy...I can't wait to see him fall in love with Molly. You are working so hard providing for your family and for Jessica to stay home with Molly This past year we have become even closer as a family and to the Lord. For Jessica who is such a special daughter whom I love so dearly. She has taken such good care of herself and she's going to be such a wonderful mommy.

My Stacey, who has been such a wonderful daughter all of these years. She has had some trials along the way but has shown her strength is in the Lord

My precious Bryson who has grown up so much. His head is to my breast....tall and handsome. He has such a tender and godly heart.

My precious Jessalyn who is so sweet and silly. Such a good sister to her brothers and loves to help mommy and nana.

My precious Dawson is growing up so fast. Full of love and loves to make me laugh.

My precious Molly Anna who is going to be a wonderful addition to our family. She has 3 anxious cousins waiting to cherish and spoil her not counting the aunts and uncles of best of all Papa and Nana;

My family and friends who we love dearly.

Happy New Year and know that we LOVE YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Well it has been a wonderful birthday day. Now I can't say that for the weather as it has been cold and rainy.

Audy bought me these beautiful flowers a few days ago and I just had to share them with you.

I am still happily full from a delicious lunch at Macaroni Grill. Katie and her family, Skip and Jess, Stacey and our dear friends, Dave and Rhonda celebrated my birthday with me. I got the cutest homemade card from Jessalyn (she is the crafty one) and it was also from Bryson and Dawson.

Skip and Jess brought me some good old comfort food, a Hershey Bar of chocolate. They know their mama! Thanks James and Katie for the wonderful treat of lunch.....

AFTER CHRISTMAS

I can't say I have my Christmas things put away "yet". I think this is the longest for me. I should be able to accomplish it today. Yesterday was raining and the bins are actually under the house so I was thankful Audy decided to wait until today. I didn't care to clean up tracked in grass and leaves.
Thursday I made the trip with Rhonda to Atlanta airport to get Matt's little family. They flew to her parents in Kansas for Christmas. And yes, they had a white Christmas....lucky guys.
Katie called that morning to see if I wanted to go with her and the kids to do a run of Meal on Wheels. Audy told her I was going to be gone but he would be glad to go with her. So she came by and picked him up and off they went. He said, they picked up 16 meals over behind Simpsonville's Hillcrest Hospital and directions to 16 homes. What an AWESOME experience for the kids. Even Dawson got to get out one time and go to the door with them.
You can just imagine the reactions of the shut in people's faces when there were 2 smiling children at their door! It was a good lesson for them knowing that there were people around them that are less fortunate then others. Katie also enjoyed sharing the experience with her dad.
Last night Skip and Jessica asked us to go to dinner with them at PF Changs. They wanted to treat me for my up coming birthday. The entrees were wonderful and we totally stuffed ourselves. Skip ordered chocolate cake to share and of course one piece was with a candle!! " Okay mom make a wish"! That wasn't too hard to do and blow out one candle. Thank You kids for the wonderful birthday dinner. Katie and James weren't able to join us so Sunday we are going to Macaroni Grill!!
Jessica had her doctors appointment on Thursday. The Doctor was really pleased with the fact she only gained 2 pounds over a two week stretch and over Christmas. I must say, she was pretty proud of herself too (wish I could say the same for myself). Across the board she had a good report. She is measuring out a little ahead of schedule so Miss Molly Anna may be arriving sooner than they expect....Her next appointment they are going to do an ultrasound to see how much she weighs and go from there.

Thank You Lord for our family and friends

All good things do have to come to an end.....just wanted to share with you how our Christmas Day went. When Audy and I got up this morning he started the cinn. rolls and I finished them and put them in the oven...such a heavenly smell. If I may brag, they came out sooooo good.
Skip and Jess were late getting over as Skip woke up early this morning with his throat feeling tight. He got the flashlight and had Jess look down his throat and saw that little flap at the back of his throat so swollen and hanging down the back of his throat....causing him to gag (he even gags when he brushes his teeth!). Anyways they called the doc and he said, that he had a reaction to something or some sort of allergy. He took some Advil and it slowly went down.
So anyways they got over here a little later than expected.
We exchanged gifts and etc....I am so happy they gave me a gift certificate to a good friend of theirs Salon with the "whole works" to be done. I am in real need of a hair cut!!! Probably wouldn't hurt to cover the gray while she's at it. Skip said, watch out mom, she likes to wax your eyebrows too!!! Man, it would be nice to have a little pamper!
We headed over to Katie's and the fun began....I will try and post some pic's tomorrow....
We had Navy Bean soup, Potato soup and lots and lots of finger foods and desserts galore!
The BEST part was just being with family and friends....
Then as we were leaving Audy says, It's sleeting!! I thought great we can pretend it's SNOW!
So we sort of had a white Christmas......

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Papa's little Princess.....

My precious little family (Kailyn is now 13 and doesn't quite fit with the little ones!) At the left is Justin, Bryson, Allie, Dawson, Jessalyn and Caroline. It was 3 years ago Justin came to live with the Elliots (Jenn's cousin) and they adopted him the following spring. God is so GOOD....We continue to pray for J.T. as he is in Afganistan. He will be home in May after 15 mo. tour.

Do you think Dawson liked his car track?

Oops....Jessalyn shut her eyes but she just loved her chair for her room.....

This is Papa Elf from LAST YEAR.....yep, it seems the Elf gained some weight and couldn't fit in his suit this year!!!!

Caroline and Jessalyn posing with their new pj's. It wouldn't suprise me if when they got home they exchanged pj's....they love sharing their favorite things.

It is a tradition with Katie's family that they get new PJ's for Christmas and that is the first thing they open after dinner

MERRY CHRISTMAS........

We had a wonderful candlelight service last night The special music was done by our special families including Ron Hamilton and special readings by Ron Pyle. At the end we lighted our candles and "sent the light".....my heart was very thankful yet heavy as I thought about different families missing their loved ones rather by death or at war. I still miss my parents.

We didn't stay around to visit as we had the prime rib in the oven....and oh the smells we came home to!

Sorry Hap, we were so hungry that after blessings we dived into our meal and I forgot to take pictures..

CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING

Here it is 10 a.m. and I just about have everything ready for tonight. Here is the menu and itinerary for tonight.

5 p.m. Candlelight services at our church
7 p.m. Prime Rib dinner
9 p.m. Christmas Story and "what I am thankful for time"
9:30 Papa changes into his "Elf" outfit and passes out presents.

MENU

Roasted Prime Rib
Green Beans with slivered almonds
Garlic Mash Potatoes
Tossed Salad
Rolls

Southern Ice Tea

On the dessert table I made my traditional Peppermint Cake into star cupcakes this year. The candy is a variety of homemade candy made by Audy's mom and the truffles are from Harry and David sent by Audy's mom and John. This she sent in two HEAVY boxes, in one was her homemade candy and the other a variety of Harry and David goodies. When the kids came over we would get Grandma Pat's box out and let the kids sample a piece of each homemade candy. While we were sampling Audy called her at work so she could hear 3 little THANK YOU'S. They are in agreement they love her "Fairy Food" the best. Audy was talking to his sister, Debby and she admitted NO ONE gets her "Fairy Food"....it's mine, mine mine.....
Let's see if the Fairy's visit her uh!?
CHRISTMAS DAY intinerary
9 a.m. Skip and Jessica are coming over for breakfast.....our traditional Cinn Rolls. They spent Christmas Eve with her family this year.
noon Head over to Katie's and see what the grand kids got at their house.
2p.m. Sims and Kohler's come over for an afternoon of food, food, and FUN....

PRETTY PLACE, NORTH CAROLINA

Skip and Jessica invited us for a "Sunday Drive" to the mountains. It started out as a drizzling day but we all wanted to go anyway. After a quick drive through Starbucks we were on our way. Pretty Place Chapel sits on the cliff line at the Greenville YMCA Camp and it is exactly what it's called, Pretty Place. On a clear day you can see all the way to Greenville but today we were in the vapors of the clouds which was just as pretty.



Jessica and I talked about having a baby dedication up there with family and friends in the spring and also do a picnic. That would be so special.

OFFICALLY UNEMPLOYED

Audy and I both are now officially unemployed! Yesterday we finished up the last "event" Books Are Fun for 2007. We all felt a sigh of relief as it has been a busy year. I am thankful not to look at the merchandise for awhile!! Audy has been going into work with me and has learned how to help with the packing up. And I know Keith and I appreciated his efforts greatly. For some of you, you are probably wondering what is Books Are Fun. It is a franchise owned by some friends of mine and they set up mobile gift stores. We sell anywhere from children's books, small gadget toys, bibles, cookbooks and etc....It use to be that most of this stuff was packed into big Rubbermaid bins but this last year we created a new packing system that is easier on the back! We usually have 7 or 8 carts about 6ft. high and 3ft. wide and on them is the different books. And the rest of the stuff is set up on tables. We usually set up in conference rooms or small foyers. So just picture a mini Barnes and Nobles. We go to several hospitals and factories all over the upstate. It is a fun way to meet new people and sometimes they remember you from the last time.
With that behind me until late February I hope to be starting a new part time job with American Greetings (greeting cards). The position is called a "retail merchandiser" and I will be going into a dept. store setting and restocking their products. I have my official interview on Friday and very excited. I should be able to do this and keep my job with Books Are Fun And my busy schedule with the grandchildren.
The unemployment office has assured us they will be cutting several checks this week. That would be nice BUT we have an awesome God who has supplied for all of our needs. And the neatest part is the cards and emails from dear friends all over praying for us and that means so much.
I am pretty much ready for the holidays. I do have a little baking left to do but can whip that up at a short notice. Our church is having only a morning service so we are spending the day with Skip and Jessica and going for a ride to the mountains. So look for pictures....

I have gotten some beautiful Christmas cards and newsy letters from family and friends. Please forgive me for not sending out cards this year. With the stamps up to 41 cents it seems foolish to spend that kind of money at this time. Please know we appreciate them so much.

We took the kids to Roper Mountain for our annual Christmas lights. They remember that from year to year. What it is is a large area on a "hill" they call Roper Mountain and has a Science and Observatory. During the holiday season different business donate time and money and setup beautiful Christmas lights. You pay $10.00 to drive around the little mountain and see Candy Land, hanging snowball lights, Santa and we can't forget the waving Snowman! See them at ropermountainlights.com Anyways their favorite part is they get to get out of their car seats and stand up through the sunroof on our car. Well this year we had a little bit of rain....BUT they put their hoods on and still stood to the tradition! That's kids for you! From there we always drive through Bob Jones University and see their lights. They have done some major construction over there so it was just beautiful. Back to the house we went warmed up with some hot chocolate. Memories continued.

Farewell Uncle Bill

This afternoon Audy's Uncle Bill went home to be with the Lord. The other day the doctors said, they had done all they could do for him. His statement to them and the family was, he knew where he was going, home and he was ready. He will be greatly missed by his children Amanda and Travis, grandchildren and siblings. He is the first sibling since Uncle George died in 1962 leaving now 7 surviving siblings.

Babies R Us SOLD OUT

Last night was such a fun time! We met up with Skip and Jessica at Babies R Us. Skip had said to me, "mom do you think we should go ahead and get the things that Molly needs"? They had some things to return and still had money in gift cards. With all that said, the fun begins. I was so shocked with the new things even since Katie had Bryson! We headed over to the pack and plays (porta cribs for you old timers). They are using this in their room in place of a cradle until she's ready for her crib. They gave me two choices to choose from among many others. They end up with one that had a REMOTE control that controlled the music and a night light!!! Then came the swings.....I was reminded about 33 years ago when my Uncle Rex and I had the greatest invention to them vinyl seated swings that hung on polls. We took coat hanger wire and used it as an extension for the seat to lay back!! We even strung some toys through a piece of rope for her to stare at! That was 1975.....arriving into 2007 the choices they have for swings was a piece of our vision!!! The choices were amazing!
Papa had the job of pushing the basket....well it didn't take us long to fill up that basket and Skip pushed the second one as we loaded up the necessities she needed. They had over 90.00 in coupons and their total was about 500.00 some dollars. The look on Jessica's face was priceless!! She says, "moma do you think Molly needs all of this"!!! I said to her, "honey it's just begun".

Crib night

You ask Dawson where is your crib at? He says, I dough no, bye bye". Then the next question you ask him, "who is going to sleep in your crib now?" He says, "Mawe"....

That was a big night for him helping them set up his crib for Molly and going home and sleeping in his big boy bed with truck flannel sheets. Mommy says, he's doing a good job with the change. When it's time for him to get up he yells.......mooooomy.

CELEBRATION WEEKEND

Saturday was Jessica's baby shower at Brick Street Cafe downtown Greenville and what a nice time and turnout we had. I am sorry folks, I didn't have time to take any pictures

It was nice to see her sister Allie who is expecting a baby boy in May (Edwin) and her mom was there as several of her aunts and cousins. Then there was some of Skip's childhood friends and parents and her co-workers as well. A good mixture of people who just love Jessica.

They showered Molly with many nice gifts as well. She decided to have all of us family and a few friends over after the shower and open the gifts at home because we were in a very nice restaurant and the time allotted for lunch didn't give her enough time to open the amount of gifts she had. It worked out well this away then Skip got to help her open her gifts too.

Katie and James had a Christmas party to go to with their Sunday School class. It was called a "Redneck Christmas". They had such fun. The kids had their own fun watching some shows I recorded for them....remember when cartoons were good old fashion cartoons like Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer and etc....Aunt Stacey was in charge of the remote to fast forward the commericals (sometimes not fit for their eyes or ears!)

On Friday Jessalyn's preschool had their Christmas program. It was short and sweet.....here she is singing a joyful noise for the Lord....

Jessalyn is the Pee Wee Patch Club on Sunday nights. Here they learn a lot of Patch the Pirate songs, memorize bible verses, and learn to play the bells. Well they had a little performance last night and they did such a good job. I am sure you can spot Jessalyn.....the little girl down below her (in brown) is Erica Wagoner. Some of you may remember Amanda Miller well this little girl along with her brother came to their home in April 2006 as foster children. It was such a sad home life they came out of and a godly home they gained! They have been given so much love from their families and extended families and now come the spring Lord willing they will be adopted permanently into the Wagoner Family. Since coming to their new family Jonathon who is now 8 has accepted the Lord and it won't be long until Erica will to. Isn't God wonderful.

UPDATE on Audy........nothing new this week. He has put in a lot of resumes and now the time is called waiting and praying for God's perfect will. He stays busy between going to work with me, catching up on things around the house and etc....keep praying for us....

CHECK OUT OUR TEMP!!

Okay my friends and family who are all bundled up deep in snow, sleet and rain. I just had to brag about our beautiful day and how we enjoyed it.

Audy has been racking up the leaves into two mountains in the front just waiting to tempt the children when they came over. Well today when they got here Bryson and Jessalyn headed to the front door and we looked behind and NO Dawson....he was in the mountain of leaves!

This is how we spent our day outside.

**notice Dawson's chocolate face...well he found a hershey kiss and neither of the other kids noticed it but I saw it on his face so I asked him, "Dawson did you have some candy?" He smiled and said, "no"...

Today marks two weeks since Audy was laid off. The update on that is: he is down at the unemployment office right now dropping off a form they needed from the doctor excusing him from a job that would require him to lift over 50#s.
I must admit I am claiming Phillipians 4 today! Lifting my prayers up to my heavenly Father.
We had the most wonderful Cantana last night. The music was divine and the best ever! I guess about every 2 years Ron Hamilton writes new Cantana music and our choir is always the "first" to perform it. The over all production was awesome.
I got the presents wrapped and under the tree. Dawson and Jessalyn made sure their mom knew which presents were theirs!
I know I am not the only one that hates changes but this year we are doing something different than we have done in 10 years. Every year with the Sims we always bring our families together on Christmas Eve and Rhonda makes some delicious Mexican food and we have such a fun night. We then come together on Christmas Day and pot luck soups and etc.... well this year we have a conflict of times with Evening services. Our church is having an evening service at 5p.m and Melissa's church is having a 10p.m. service. Makes it hard for our families to be back and forth on the road. So we will have separate Evening meals.
This year we are having the Elliot family from Fayetteville, North Carolina with us. J.T. and Jennifer are James best friends and have adopted us as family. J.T. is in Afganistian (can't spell that country!) so Jenn, Kailyn, Justin, Allie and Caroline will be with us (actually staying with Katie) through the holiday. Let's not forget our families that have love ones at war. Let's pray for them and show our support for our military.

DADDY PREPARING FOR MOLLY

I have to admit it is kind of weird thinking about Skip preparing to be a daddy. For so many years he was so adamant about not having any children. He loved Katie's kids but that was as far as it went. He just couldn't see himself being a father. I am so thankful God changed his heart. It was so funny how it all began. Last September when our family was all together at the beach Jessica took a real interest in helping Katie get the kids bathed and at that time Dawson was just a little over a year old. Skip was keeping an eye on the situation and wasn't too happy about her attention elsewhere. One night the boys were all playing a game in the other room and us girls were laughing and cutting up. Katie got this great idea to to the "pencil on a string" game. It's when you hold a pencil or a ring by a string over a woman's wrist and if it goes in circle it's a girl or if it goes straight back and forth it's a boy ( I may have the order wrong) anyways it said Jessica was having a girl and we were whooping and hollering and then it said, she was having a boy.....that did Skip in and he came to find out what all the racket was about. Needless to say, he wasn't as happy as we all were.......Well after they had gone to bed that night they had a long talk and agreed that in a couple of years they would start their family.

Well two weeks later we were all together for lunch and Skip made the family announcement that in the spring they would hope to be pregnant. Katie just about spit her water all over Sandra and Stacey (remember that?). She never thought that she woudl ever get to be Auntie, so here we are!!!

He is very excited about getting to know Molly. She is just now becoming real to him and as he put the baby furniture together he did it with much pride. He did all the painting, put in new window blinds, ceiling fan and had new carpet put down. It's coming together nicely.

I just love her bedding she has picked out with all the greens and pinks.

Katie is giving Molly her kids baby bed which makes it so special and that means Dawson goes into a big boy's bed next week.

BEST FRIENDS

Who is our "best friend" these days? I can't get that song out of my thoughts.....what a friend we have in Jesus. I am so thankful HE is my best friend.

Jessalyn and Kate have been two peas in a pod since nursery days. They have taken up a very sweet bonding. They are so different but yet so a like. Jessalyn is the dark haired one and very petite and Kate is the blond one and a little thick. They love the same things, playing with their baby dolls, dressing up, and their favorite color is PINK.

John and Jennifer went to Charleston for John to run a 26 mile race. It's the first time ever since they have had the kids that they have "gotten away". I am not sure who they farmed Ethan out on but Katie end up with Kate and Blake. Jennifer's kids are close to the same ages as Katie's so it makes it fun. Anyways, Katie recruited Papa and Nana to help with the 5 children. She dropped off the girls as they were going to Papa's Sunday School class Christmas party. These are the most wonderful people you could ever want to be around. They are 65 and older!!! And their favorite place for a party is, Perkins. So anyways, the girls were all dressed up and so excited about going out to eat with us. They made Papa and Nana very proud as they were very behaved. They ordered pancakes with blueberries, root beer and sprite and finished that off with a chocolate Eclair(you'll notice the chocolate smear on Jessalyns's face). Oh did I tell you they were going back to Katie's for the night!!!! They were still wound up tight when I left.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA HAP

All of us here in South Carolina are wishing you a very happy birthday Enjoy your dinner with your friends.

In case you are wondering who is Grandpa Hap? He is Audy's dad and lives in Washington State. We have had the privilege of having him back here for his birthday but he hasn't been able to come out for a visit for the last couple of years. When he came out in 2004 we took him to the Biltmore house in North Carolina. Most people know about that house but if you don't google it and see how beautiful it is. At Christmas there are over 100 trees decorated through out the house. Anyways, I think he really enjoyed that.

Yesterday made it a week since Audy was laid off. He spent the day with me helping me with the grandchildren. Then he got a call from Matt Sims that he was having trouble with his shower plumbing so off he went. I told him, what a blessing that he had an opportunity to help someone else. He said, Matt was with him every step of the way and will be able to it next time. Good job Matt!
We didn't get to work on our gingerbread house as the kids went different directions. I dropped Jessalyn off at the church to meet up with her best friend, Kate and they were going to a friends birthday party. They had so much fun as it was at a place called "The Young Chef". From what I understand the children get to make a meal and they made pizza. She brought some home for Nana. Ms. Jennifer came by after the party and picked up Bryson to go home with all of them and him and Jessalyn would have an afternoon of playtime with their friends. Such a sweet family and good friends.
After Katie got home we headed home and had dinner and then I made a dessert to take over to Skip and Jess's. Skip had got the furniture together and we wanted to see Molly's nest. It is coming together so cute. I will post pictures soon. Count down is getting shorter everyday.
UPDATE: on Audy's unemployment.
He got an email from the company that was doing his resume and his resume is completed so now it's been sent to 24 head hunters to search for a job. Keep holding us up in your prayers.
We did get the paperwork from the employment office and he should get his first check in a couple of weeks. We continue to see God's blessings and promises as he walks with us through this.

Happy Birthday Jessalyn

I can't believe that our little princess turned 5 years old today. I can remember every detail

about her birth. Katie wasn't due until about the 10th but because of an ultrasound they took at her last appointment they seemed to think there was something wrong. So she was induced on the Dec. 2. Katie has the best labor and deliveries!! With all 3 children she would be induced about 7:30 a.m. and they were all born around noon (Bryson was 1:37). Lucky girl!

Anyways, I remember when she came out of the womb she was screaming her head off. I looked at this sweet tiny baby girl and fell in love! They laid her in her little bed and I talked to her and rubbed her tummy and slowly her crying stopped. She knew her Nana from months of talking to her and patting "whatever" was there! And now 5 years later she is still tiny and petite and a sweet little girl.

She was so excited about her birthday present Papa and Nana got her. I bought her a jewelry box and put inside what she had been wanting for a long time, a locket. For the longest time I couldn't figure out why a locket? How does she know what a locket is for? Then one day her and I watched one of her American Girl movies, "Samantha" and the little girl had a locket on with her mommy and daddy's picture. She wore it today to church with pride.

We didn't end up going to Mickey D's after all (thank goodness). She wanted to go to our favorite restaurant, Lieu's. She loves their "Sesame Street Chicken" is what she calls it and her soup. We are good customers there and Papa told the owner, Frances it was her birthday and they brought out this huge piece of chocolate cake and it had Happy Birthday written on the plate. Her and her little friend Kate and her brother and Bryson pigged out real good.

Her bestfriend Kate was in the Simpsonville parade later in the afternoon so I took her and Bryson to the parade. They had a good time. Being at the start of the parade they made out good with lot's of candy!