Christmas in MO. with the Meyer Family

Christmas morning, Santa brought more Wii games and accessories. Molly was looking for something for her. I think Santa forgot about her or maybe she is on the naughty list. lol

Isabel, Ruth, Karl, Karly and Madison in front of the Meyer Christmas tree. Our first family Christmas in the new house in MO.

The Meyer's with their grandchildren. Madie is so tall you can't see her Nana but she is back there.

Little Miss Catie!! What a sweet doll. This is Cindy's youngest.

Molly and Madie!!

Did not get many pictures my camera was messing up the whole time we were in MO.

We left for home after we did Santa and made a big Christmas breakfast.

Christmas in Ar with the Michau's

Karly and Mommy she still loves me....(that is Isabel in the background). When she gets tired she still wants her mommy and it was getting late.
Nick, Karly, Autumn, Beth, Emily and Madie stocking time from Grandma.

Daddy and Madie, yes she is sucking her thumb STILL!

Caleb the oldest grandchild read Luke 2 from his phone. Technology!! It was funny and sweet. He is such a great kid. He is 18 now and graduates from high school this year and goes off to college. So it was a little emotional for all of us to watch him read it.

Caleb and the girls, they all love him.

Aaron and Tyler I have no pictures of them. I hate that!!! Teenagers.

We got to Hot Springs Friday night the 19th and left on the 23rd to head to Mo. We did not get to stop in Little Rock and see Deborah or the Halls. I was so disappointed but it was icy and we needed to get to the Meyer's house. That morning we got stuck at Rick and Paula's house (my brother) and they made me an amazing birthday breakfast!!! It was as if they new we were going to get iced in, of course Paula said she requested ice so she could make me a birthday breakfast. lol

Our movie this year was "The tale of Desperado". It was not very good but Karly had read the book and wanted to see it. Of course she said the book was better.

My vacation read was Twilight and New moon, oh and I went to see Twilight with my friend Kari. Very good!

Christmas @ Meyermanor 08

The girl's tree upstairs!
The living room tree.

Snuggling with my Karly.

Opening the Wii! Oh you should have heard the screams!!

Frosty and Madie on 12/12/08

We got snow for our Christmas this year. We had to do our Christmas very early due to traveling on the 19th to Ar. So Friday the 12th was our Christmas Eve and it was also a snow day. It was perfect. We opened stocking on Friday night, Karl read our Christmas with a Purpose daily and then Karly read Luke 2, we watch the Grinch and of course we ate, and ate. The girls slept in the living room by the tree so that they could wake up to open presents. They actually slept til almost 8. Which was fine by us. We had a great morning opening presents and playing with the Wii and the other things they got. All three of the girls were excited about the Wii and so were we. They got lots of other little stuff to go along with it. One of my favorite things was the cross that Bel drew for me. I will post a picture of it soon. The girls got boots and purses, Littlest Pet shop VIP, books, lotion, etc.... It was a good morning.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving with Terry Walls (College Friend) and Isabel. This was her first Thanksgiving. She loved it. She likes to eat, watch Christmas movies and play games oh and we put together a big puzzle it was a very relaxing long weekend. Terry and Karl eating.
Madie yummy! No tummy ache this year so she got to enjoy all her favorites. We made a pumpkin pie together even the crust. It was delicious. She loves to cook.

Karly not happy about getting her picture taken of course.

Isabel enjoying her first Thanksgiving.

The gang before we ate.

My favorite part is going around the table and listen to everyone say what they are thankful for. We are not a very serious bunch but we do it and it always gets to me. Terry was thankful for his good report from the doctor and to have a job in this economy. Karl was thankful for family, job, friends, Isabel and the food. Karly was thankful for her home and bed and every thing we have.

Isabel was thankful to have two families now. Madie always says for "mommy" it is the joke but this year she giggled and said mommy but added so much more. Which was very special to hear my girls say how thankful they are for what they know comes from God. I was last so mine was just a repeat of what everyone had said. I am going first next year. lol

Off to sleep. Look for my smashing pumpkin pictures and Decking the halls pictures to come. Goodnight!

HOMESICKNESS

Meyer kids, some of... My Parents, My Brothers and all my nieces and nephews, on the Michau side that is.

Feeling homesick tonight. I just got off the phone with my sister in law, text my nephew last night after his ball game, been chatting with my niece lately. I love Tennessee but feel like I am missing out on so much back home. My nephew is a senior this year, he is a star basketball player and we have never been to one game, not one. My kids have stuff all the time and no one is in the audience cheering them on except us. My heart is in Arkansas!

Addie, Madie and Karly

How cute are they? Addie went with me to pick up the girls from school one day. I had told my girls that morning that I would have a surprise for them when I picked them up, it was Addie.
They screamed when they opened the door and saw Addie. It was precious. Karly said "oh Addie you are a great surprise". She is so easy to love!

Proud to be an American

My exchange student, Bel asked me if I wanted to live in another country because the election did not go the way I voted. Now I have not said one bad thing about our new president elect in front of her but she asked me that this morning. Of course I said "NO, I am still proud to be an American". I am so disappointed when I hear people talk so bad about him in front of their kids or anyone. Before the election you say your opinion after the election you pray and support. You look at the positive. I want my kids to respect whoever is the president period. Now when he disappoints me with decisions he makes I will discuss that with them but still. It is important to me that my kids are supportive and proud to live in a democratic society. As for his color, I could careless what color he is. I may someday have a child by adoption that is that colored. Color had nothing to do with my voting. So I am still proud to be an America!
Oh, I have to add this, the other night they were discussing his abortion stand and Karly looked at me and said "Mom what is an abortion?". Oh it was so sad to have to tell her what that means. The look on her face was of pure shock. She just couldn't understand why someone would ever do that. It was one of those moments as a parent that you hate to see them growing up and learning about sin. OH it broke my heart. It opened up a great discussion on making wise choices.