Merry Christmas! (a little late) We had a different Christmas. It all started with Payton getting sick last Monday with the stomach bug. It didn't last long, just your average 8-10 hour bug. Then in true brother/sister fashion Grant got it on Wednesday. His was horrible and did not go away completely until this past Tuesday. We were at the doctors office 3 times in those 6 days. I worried myself sick about him.  He only threw up once but had horrible diarrhea and did not get off the couch. He lost 6 pounds!  We finally got him better on Christmas Eve. Christmas day after lunch Payton decided she was going to get the stomach
bug again. This was Wednesday and today is Saturday and she is not totally over it. This
morning your's truly woke up with it. Everyone is at Granny Libby's for Christmas except me. I am feeling better, just weak. We have been dealing with this for almost 2 weeks! I am so ready for everyone to get back to normal!  Even with all the sickness it was a Merry Christmas. The Lord helped me through each day. Instead of praying over and over for everyone to get better I tried something new. I praised him. Even through the storm and worries, I praised him. I realized how much worse it could be.   

We were very fortunate to go to New York City over Thanksgiving. We had a great time! We only stayed Wednesday-Friday and it was SO cold! The Macy's parade was worth it all. It was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience!  Payton fell in love with the city, Grant not so much. He wasn't crazy about the crowds. He is my country boy! 

I am ready for a new year. I always enjoy "starting over" with exercising, eating right, and beginning new devotionals.  Hard to believe it will be 2014!!

Back to School

The kids have been back to school now for almost 3 weeks and it has flown by! The first week was so hard. No more late nights outside playing or late mornings sleeping in.  They started on a Monday this year and by Friday they were completely exhausted!

But we succeeded and now I feel like we are on a really good routine. That routine is school, football and church. This is pretty much what our lives consist of. And I love it, I truly do. I get a little excited for Friday to come so I can take a break from driving the bus. :)
 

Here are some more pics from over the summer...

What is with this weather...and sickness??

We are definitely in the middle of winter. It has snowed for the past 4 days and we have almost 9 inches on the ground right now. Last Wednesday we had a record flood (almost 5 inches in one hour).  Crazy weather!!!

Last Saturday Payton had the stomach bug, then Tuesday she had a horrible cold and cough. Grant got sick with an upset stomach and fever on Thursday and now it is my turn! I think I got it double. I have been on the couch since yesterday. Today is Super Bowl Sunday so Toby took the kids to Granny Libby's for a Super Bowl party. Praying that this sickness goes far, far away!!

Here is a recap of the last 7 months in pictures....

    
     Fifth Grade football season! This was Grant's 3rd year playing football.  We really saw some awesome improvements. He loves it and we love to watch him!

 

First day of KINDERGARTEN and FIFTH GRADE!!!

 

 

First field trip in Kindergarten to Apple Orchard in Wilkesboro, NC.

                          Payton started clogging in August. This was at her first performance
                                                                        at Valle Fair.

                                                    
                                                          Halloween 2012