the true meaning of Christmas.......

Mae: mom, what I really want for Christmas, Santa can't bring. Jane: me too. Me: what's that? Mae: dad to be better. Me: (crickets) Jane: but it is Jesus' birthday and he can bring that. Me: and that is the true meaning of Christmas.

I am sure that emily post and my mother are cringing at the fact that I have done a generic thank you to everyone that has blessed us over the last 6 months but this is as good as it is going to get.  Those who are appalled should try to be a caregiver, work full time and keep a "normal" routine for 2 girls.  Then come on back and lets discuss hand written thank yous!  

Snuggie girls!

Coziness is monogrammed snuggies after bath time!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Visit with Santa 2010

Mary Austin (7) & Jane Harris (5)

Every year we go to see the same Santa with Jane's godparents.  I have known Chris Anne since we were in diapers.  Her mother and my mother have been friends since the 6th grade.  She is basically a sister to me and she is family.  She is married to Brian and they are waiting to be blessed with a baby of their own.  They are adopting domestically and I know they are going to be FANTASTIC parents!  I had the honor of writing one of their reference letters.  It took me a good while to write because how do you covey in words how wonderful someone is?  Next Christmas, my prayer is for there to be one more little one with us when we visit Santa!

Hard Work

does indeed pay off! 

In January, Mary Austin was placed on the Level 3 Compulsory team for her gym.  I was hesitant to say the least since she had just turned 6 but she really wanted to "win some medals" so we let her do it.  Since then she has spent 4 hours a week in the gym working hard to learn her routines.  We have spent lots of time on the road to and from practice and traveling to meets around the state. 

Today was the state meet and she rocked!

First in bars and vault & second in floor and beam making her the

Level 3 state all around champion

 in her age group!

Mae, we are so proud of your hard work and you are always a champion to us!