Family Home Evening

In addition to decorating our tree tonight, this is what we did for FHE. What a BLAST!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Day!

On Saturday, October 31st, I was able to attend the Orlando temple with my friend Jennifer. She has been a member of the church for a little over a year. It was such a sweet experience to be in the temple with good friends and family. (Travis and the girls had to stay in Thomasville because Travis had inventory at work that he couldn't miss.) I was able to reflect on my first trip to the temple--November 19, 1993. I cannot believe it's been almost 16 years! What a treasure it is to be able to attend the temple and partake of the blessings found there!

mom, dad, Jennifer, and me

the girls--Holly, me, Heather, Jennifer, Sally (mom)

I loved this picture of Jennifer!

What a beautiful, joyous day!

Honors

Shelby was once again on the straight-A honor roll, and was recognized for all of her hard work at an assembly. Travis and I are so proud of her! She is such a conscientious student, and we hear from all of her teachers about what a joy she is to teach. She really had to work hard this first nine weeks to reach her goal, but we have told her--and will continue to tell all of the girls--that as long as you do your best, that's all we can ask!

Shelby and mom

Papa, Shelby, and Grandma

Trunk-or-Treat 2009

It was another fun year at the ward Trunk-or-Treat activity last night! The girls looked really cute in their costumes, and collected plenty of candy! They also won some yummy homemade chocolate chip cookies in the cake walk! Mmmmmm!!!

After trying on several costumes, Shelby decided on this cute witch costume. Doesn't she look pretty?

(Actually, to be more truthful...after trying on several costumes that were completely trashy-looking, this cute witch costume was the only one that covered everything up. What's up with costume makers these days?!?)

Abby and Emily wanted to be cowgirls this year. I think they just wanted to get boots out of the deal, more than anything! :) It worked though!

Aren't they cute?

Howdy, partner!

All of our beauties! (We are so blessed!!!)

Abby hanging out at our decorated "trunk."

Abby wanted to take a picture of me and Dad. Even though it's a bit blurry, I really liked it! Not only am I blessed with the BEST kids, but I have the BEST parents (and BEST husband, too). Life is good!

Emily galloping around the parking lot.

Emily's Award

Emily was recognized in an awards ceremony in her class last week. She received the award for "most objectives met in Accelerated Math." I am so proud of her for her hard work in third grade this year. She is a fantastic student!

Emily with her homeroom, reading, and language teacher, Mrs. Dumas

mom and Emily

More Football...

We recently spent another Friday night cheering on the Thomas County Yellow Jackets. The middle school band was invited to play in the stands with the high school band that night, so that was another great reason to enjoy the game!

Shelby in the stands before the game

Emily, Logan, and Abby cheering on the team

blue lips and teeth from the Hawaii Snow and cotton candy :)

playing on the field after the victory

Shelby enjoying some free pizza (for the band) after the game

Another great night of family, friends, fun, and football!

Bee Happy

For the past several weeks, Abby has been wanting to learn how to cross stitch. One day I was at Jo-Ann's and came across these cute kits that contain everything you need. (I LOVE that store!!!) So, during fall break, Abby and I spent the day together on the couch cross stitching. It was such a fun thing to do together, and I am so proud of Abby for her willingness (and eagerness) to learn something new!



I got kits for the other girls, too. So now all we need is time to do them...maybe over Thanksgiving break!

Abby's Terrific!

Abby was chosen as the Terrific Kid for her class in September, and was recognized at an assembly earlier this month. She has been working so hard this year, and is making great progress. We are so proud of Abby for all of her accomplishments. We love her so much!!!

walking to accept her award

receiving the award from Mrs. Mitchell, the principal

a proud mom with Abby

Abby and her AWESOME teacher, Mrs. Barrow!

Shelby's Smile

After nearly two years, the day finally came for Shelby to have her braces taken off!!!

last picture as a "metal mouth" :)

a little nervous not knowing what to expect...

first look...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

retainers to keep them looking good!

Soooo worth the time, effort, and expense...don't you think?!?

Marching Band

Shelby has had the opportunity to be in the Thomas County Middle School Marching Band this year. The band is made up of the 7th and 8th grade students. They played at all of the 8th grade home football games, and at the 8th grade championship game last Saturday (we won)! She has enjoyed being with her friends and having fun. I am glad she enjoys band--I think it's a great program with nothing but positive benefits!

playing in the stands

The middle school band also got to open this year's Band Jamboree which was exciting for them! All of the other bands that performed were high school bands from around the area, and the Valdosta State University (VSU) Band.

Shelby is the second one back on the 50-yard line.

the middle school band

Fresh Paint

Labor Day weekend was spent painting Shelby and Abby's rooms. Of course, what was supposed to be a "weekend" project ended up taking a couple of weeks. Sickness, work, subbing, life in general...all of these conspired to drag the project on for a while.

Abby got new bedding for her birthday way back in April. She knew that she wanted a turquoise room (her favorite color) to match it. We had switched Shelby and Abby's rooms during the summer, and we finally got around to decorating them. Hopefully this will last them both for a while because the thought of a paintbrush right now is not a pleasant one!

Trav "cutting in" around the ceiling

The finished product with her bedding and poster of dolphins. I also got vinyl wall dots in lime green and brown that I put up--they are really cute!

her "dolphin" shelf

Shelby knew that she wanted a lime green room (her favorite color). We looked and looked for bedding that would coordinate, but most all the bedding we found either had too much green, not the right green, had pink or was too floral-y (things Shelby is NOT into). So, one day when we were searching online, we came across this black and white bedding, and we both knew it was a hit! She is really into peace signs now, so the pillow sealed the deal. The black and white help to tone down the green, and I think it looks really good. She loves it! (Which is really all that matters!)

I also did some vinyl dots in black and white around her room--in fact, I need to order more for around the vinyl peace sign we got for over her bed. We were really happy with the results!

P.S. Emily also got new bedding for her birthday, but in a pattern that compliments her current room color (lavender). She also got some wall dots put up, but I forgot to get a picture of those--I only did them last week. When she is a bit older, if she wants her room a different color, we'll paint hers. I only want to have to do it once, so we'll wait to see what she likes when she's a bit older. Just didn't want anyone to think she was being left out! :)

Football Season is Here!

One of the things I really love about Thomasville is how excited everyone gets about football season! Coming from a school district in Naples that currently has 8 high schools, there wasn't much unity around town concerning sports teams. But with only the one high school in our current district (but two others in town--one a private school, and one a city school), everyone it seems is a "Jackets" fan. Jackets, as in Yellow Jackets (like Georgia Tech).

Every Friday at school is blue and gold day. (I love that they have the same colors that my high school had!) The girls usually wear their Thomas County shirts, and they all have matching flip flops, too. The cheerleaders sell tattoos at school which the girls put on before heading out to the "Jacket's Nest"stadium. Abby and Emily wanted to trim the handles of their pom-poms to put into their ponytails, too.

Abby and Emily also made signs that they took with them to the game (and waved out the car windows as we headed through town). They were so cute!

Although the Jackets lost this particular night, we all still had a great time together as a family and as a community!

Mid-30s!

It's official...I'm mid-30s! I made the comment that I am half way to forty, and one of the girls corrected me saying, "Actually, Mom, you're halfway to seventy!" Thanks a lot!

It was a good birthday. I had been having pain in my abdomen for several days before my birthday, and so I ended up going to the doctor that morning for some x-rays and blood tests. (Everything came back fine...just took plenty of ibuprofen and used a heating pad for several days.) So, please excuse the lack-of-make-up in the pictures!

We had a great dinner over at mom and dad's house, and then I got to open my presents, and have birthday cake...YUM!

Here's me and my beautiful daughters...they got me a new itunes gift card! Just in time, too, because I was down to 2 dollars in my account! :)

Abby gave me a cute stuffed Panda Bear--it's so soft and cuddly! (Just like her!)

Some new Chanel No. 5 to keep me smelling good for my sweetie!

Fortunately there was only a row of 3 candles and a row of 5---no need to call the fire department!

Thanks to my amazing family for making my day so special!