couldn't ask for more, wouldn't settle for less: 2012

Ball Fight

Oh Christmas blog oh Christmas blog.....

Every year I sit down on December 26th and breathe! This year was different. Because Sunday accompanied Christmas Eve, our Christmas was spaced out, calm, slow, and LOVELY. Saturday we were blessed to spend time with our southern-most family, Chris, Marti, and Ivy.The kids romped, we talked about football and SNL skits, and savored every moment. We don't see each other often, so I tried to really take in this time.

On Sunday we visited my Mom's house. The kids racked up on M & M's and toys :) I have to share Charlie's line of the week. Brady ripped open the first gift of the day and Charlie narrated, "Oh no, he got pants." Followed by a very sad look. We laughed, I blushed. Thankfully, my mom is a Nanny that rolls with the punches and laughed the loudest. That night we had our Christmas program at church. I held my breath and almost cried as it began, but Charlie pulled through and did great. Brady even joined in on a few songs. It was wonderful, and it did my heart good.

That night we spent the night with my sister. The kids played, and played, and played, and played. Time together with my sister is always comfortable and nice. I was glad to be in the company of my very best friends. We laughed some, joked some, played some, and ultimately hit the hay early, all admitting our age. I drank too much coffee and lay awake saying an extra prayer for all I'd been given.

Monday started with an awesome breakfast, and baking, and game prep :) I jumped into my role as Ray Family Cheermiester, and spent the day making a "Family Feud" game in true procrastinator style. We had a special visit at Dad's that afternoon. A whole lotta cap guns were fired, but thankfully my Dad has the patience of no one I have ever seen before.

That night we all met at my Nana's, laughed, and really enjoyed each other.

My most favorite moments were Monday night, Jamie and I had a huge campout in Charlie's floor with the boys. Santa worked on the ball tent and Scooby Castle while I listened to cheesy Christmas music and baked. The next morning two very sleepy boys had two very special smiles. We sat on the floor and exchanged perfect gifts. The boys gave me pink shampoo, fuzzy socks, and Angry Birds bubble bath. Jamie and I are getting a couch, so we were able to enjoy the small gifts that the boys wanted to give.

Christmas lunch was spent at Jamie's parents' house. All of his brothers and sisters were there. His family is so big this doesn't happen often. The house was filled with large laughter and lots of sports talk. It was nice. We drove home slowly, enjoying the music on the radio and each other. When we got home we all took a nap, and ate leftovers. Lots and lots of playing commenced afterwards.

I know there are times I am sappy, and I know I cry too easily, but this year I truly appreciated the gifts I've been blessed with. We have all seen recently that life is much too fragile, and I know everyday I spend with those I love and those that love me back is nothing short of a perfect gift from God.

Matthew 1:21

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins."

Click here to go directly to video

Glow Stick Golfer

Brady woke up this morning and immediately grabbed a glow stick that my Mom had given him the night before and teed up. :) You'd never know he was suffering from the flu.

A day with the flu and the web cam

Wishes from Charlie

Line of the Day

Me: "Hey guys, what's going on in there? It's kinda quiet."

Charlie: "Nufin' Mama. I'm swimming away from this terrible preacher, and Hootie's just messing wif your control panel!"

preacher=creature in Charlie language
Hootie= Brady
control panel=??????

Pre- Christmas Preparations

I. am. so. behind. There is no excuse except being a busy Mama. Thanks be to Melissa Snyder for continually stalking my blog and reminding me how behind I have become. I have several blogs started, but none to post. I thought I needed to share the great happenings getting ready for Christmas. I have of course forced yuletide excitement onto my boys, and they are slowly learning the joys of preparing for Christmas. Together we loaded up and picked a Christmas tree from friends of ours. There wasn't a tree that lived up to "Charlie Perfection" so I picked on, and after lots of ornament rearrangement and light tangling, it looked perfect. The boys placed the star together. Like always. This morning my sister, Tiffany, hosted our annual "Ray Cookie/Candy Exchange" at her new BEE-YOU-TEE-FULL home. The kids made gingerbread houses while we drank coffee and admired he smorgasbord of sweets. Charlie, after ultrahype in the car, made a rocking gingerbread house with a spikey monster that lived in it. I was so proud to say the least. It was so great to watch the kids eat till they almost puked and still have a sweet creation afterwards.

I don't get caught up in shopping and gifts. Just never have enjoyed that so much. I do, however, thank the Lord for these special times with those I love so much. I am trying to treasure each day with my loved ones. We aren't guaranteed another, so I am soaking in each precious moment, each big smile, each old story, each big tale, and every warm hug. I love my life, I love my family, and I love Christmas Preparation Hooplah that includes them all.

Elves

The guys

I have so so much to share, but time is just short these days. One day soon I will update you on all of the precious and hilarious things that the boys have done, but until then.....enjoy this sweetness---->

100 years

Big Ol' Fall

Charlie was faking a fight at the top of the hill. By the looks of the actual fall, I think he lost. I loved the sounds. I laughed, so I thought I would share it :) Please, no DSS calls.

Click here to see the video if you can't see it :)

Last 2012 rant...well...maybe

So I know most of you are awaiting my horribly emotional and sometimes semi-violent political endorsement. Well, this year, you aren't getting it. This one is serious. No joke.

With two very precious children in my life now, I know that those little decisions, those little issues become so much bigger. Although I know how largely important Tuesday is to their future, I also know God's work is much larger than mine or ours. I have been praying this week that I gain peace from the election. No matter my opinion, I hope the Lord's will is done. That might not be what is best for the country, but it will be in His plan.

That being said let me tell those of you who don't know me so well, I'm not eating from a silver spoon, but that means nothing to me right now. I am so TIRED of this talk about economic relief, healthcare, even education reform. Can anyone possibly believe that America deserves any of these liberties when it has become a country that has turned its back on the Bible in almost every aspect. It doesn't matter what political party you support, I'm not going to argue platforms. I argue the Bible. In it there is no room for debate. It is straight forward, and if you have a heart that believes God's word you can't possibly believe our country's social policies aren't seared by political correctness.

On 9/11 America suffered great loss. Over 3,000 innocent men and women were killed. Today we still hurt, we still mourn, but did you know that today over 3,000 innocent babies lost their lives? While scanning your stock reports and bank notices, did that ever cross your mind? This week 110 Americans died in the tragedy brought by Hurricane Sandy, but did you know that 41% of all pregnancies in New York City end in murder? Planned Parenthood, funded by the current administration, kills over 300,000 babies every year.

Can you sleep well tonight if you cast your vote for a "man" that is comfortable with this? Are these children not worth a little more than electing a leader because he is a smooth talking, well groomed debater? Do you really sit down and measure the economic plans of each candidate to decide who you cast your vote for?

No man or woman with sincere morals and a Christian heart will not make it to the White House. I know this. A man who speaks the truth, and a man who stands in defense of these innocent ones will be weeded out long before America ever hears his voice. Our system is polluted and corrupt, I know this. I also know that my choices aren't good vs bad, my choices are moral potential vs calloused evil.

I will vote Tuesday with my children by my side. Our country was once great. Our children once had leaders that they dreamed of becoming. They had leaders they knew bled red, white, and blue. One administration can't bring us back, but it can take the needed steps to walk us back that way. I'm not just voting for my children, I'm voting for those children who were never given the chance to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Romans 4:12

Don't forget when you cast your ballot, it isn't simply a vote. You will be held accountable.

Here are our blessings, who were living, feeling, and growing blessings even before I held them.

EC

Around 5ish years ago I sat in a class at ASU filled with potential teachers all burned out from the idea of two last grueling semesters. Somehow our professor still led us all in a game of "Two Truths and a Lie." Everyone told 2 truths and a lie about themselves and the class had to decide which was the lie. One beautiful brunette had three very outstanding statements, one of which was "My brother just signed a recording contract in Nashville." Well, it was the truth. Kendra Church was a bubbling country girl from South Caldwell High. She was of course talking about her brother, Eric. I went through two semesters with Kendra. The entire class grew so close, and we followed every step of Eric's start. I remember driving into the driveway and hearing his song and turning it up for Jamie to hear, "How Bout You." Anyway.....

Jamie and I went with some friends to hear Eric and his band play on campus that year. We were right on top on the stage, and it was AWESOME. Eric was obviously overwhelmed as he talked about going to App and dreaming of playing there. We met him after the show and he signed a copied black and white flyer that I had stolen from campus. He was very humbled.

As the years went on Jamie and I became even larger fans, and we watch all those around us become fans too. We saw him play in Boone at Legends and the Convocation Center, Coyote Joes in Charlotte, some BBQ Fest in Morganton, and twice at Bobcats Arena. The most recent concert he headlined. He played with Brantley Gilbert. I stood there singing all the words to every song, and as the lights went dark and cell phones and lighters filled the arena, I was the one who was overwhelmed. Eric had gone from 150 people in a small Boone building to 20,000 screaming fans. His concert rocked as always, and last night Jamie and I watched the CMA's and saw his 5 nominations lead to an Album of the Year award. It was truly great to be able to say we watched him as he worked his way to fame.

He is an artist in every sense of the word. He writes all of his songs and, a country fan or not, he has talent. So I guess I am just looking back and loving the fact that I can say we are a few of the very foundation of his fan club. GO EC!