"Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Rock"

On Saturday, Brian and I bought are first fake Christmas Tree. It was sad and exciting all at the same time. One tradition ending and one beginning... Last year, our tree made all of us sick so we decided to go the fake tree route. After looking at several stores, we found one for a decent price. We are probably out of the loop, but we thought it was the coolest thing when it came in just three pieces. On Sunday the girls and I decorated the tree. Kids really make the season that much brighter. They lit up like a Christmas tree when we turned the lights on. Ella caught on quickly as to how to put the ornaments on the tree. She stuck with it almost to the end with a few breaks for dancing to the Christmas music playing in the background! Ava's fine motor skill just haven't quite reached the hanging ornament phase so she lost interest real fast, but she loved dancing with her sister to the music. We are remodeling our basement and our furniture has not come in yet. The girls had the whole room to run and dance and they sure used it. It was such a nice memory of decorating for Christmas. We just wished Brian was there to share in the memory too.

My mom came and suprised us on Sunday! The girls had a blast. We went to Target and Ella and Ava got to pick out an ornament. Ella picked out a Tinkerbell ball and Ava picked a bright pink star! They had so much fun. Then we went and looked at some of the Christmas lights that were up. The girls just squealed with delight whenever they would see a house all lit up. It was wonderful!

The Never Ending Story Ended...but lives on!

I really had good intentions of keeping a blog and actually using it and update it regularly. However, priorities change and as life gets busy, blogging falls on the bottom of my list. I am going to attempt to start over and keep the blog updated but I am not promising anything:o)

I am going to start from the most recent events and then back track from there. Brian left today for his last and final residency period and UT. YAY! The next time I see him, he will be a graduate. I will finally have him back in the evenings since there will be no school assignments to complete. Although it has been a tough year, the Lord has had his hand over us daily even when we didn't deserve it. He has brought us closer as a family through good times and not so good. He constantly reminds me that He has complete control over our minor and major events going on in my busy life.

It makes me grateful to have an incredibly large and blessed family. Of course we have the Lord on our side! That is stating the obvious. We have had family and friends help us get through a trying year. For that I thank you and am so grateful for. Sometimes I think we get so caught up in all the details, that we (I know I do) forget the many blessings that the Lord has for us. It is a way Satan distracts us from what our purpose is for our life. Thanksgiving was a wonderful reminder of God's love for each of us. He has covered me and our family from things that could be potentially dangerous for us but he blankets us and hides us under His wing.

Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving celebration.

Here is my twin.

Maddie was Ella's best friend on Thanksgiving.

Breaking the bread, a tradition done for years and years.

Our entertainment for the night!

All the kids wanted to help sing Happy Birthday and blow out Gramma Teri's cake!