Hustle and Bustle

Merry Christmas to everyone! We've been so busy with all the hustle & bustle of the season, that I haven't had much time to add to the blog. All I can say is...it's a-comin! We have ONE MORE family get-together at my Grandad's house in Hartselle this weekend and then I'll get some pics posted. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed making memories for the coming year.

I WILL share one funny story...

A few nights ago Jake found some of his presents in our closet. I know - bad hiding spot. Anyway, it was the beloved "Handy Manny" that he asked Santa for. He asked why Daddy had a Handy Manny in his closet and I said, "What?? There's no Handy Manny in Daddy's closet, now get outta here!" Well...upon seeing HIS Handy Manny amongst the things Santa brought on Christmas morning he said, "Look, Daddy! It's a Handy Manny just like YOUR Handy Manny!!" We've gotta get better at this I guess...

Wacky Wednesday 12/17/08

Ally had her first tea party today!! Thanks to Uncle Wes, Aunt Jennifer, and the girls for the new tea set.

Christmas at Nannie and Papa's

Here are a few pics from our Christmas together with Mom & Dad and my brother (Wes) and sister's (Amy) families. We certainly enjoyed the RARE opportunity of us ALL being together!

Dermabond Shiner

Well, there's nothing like starting your day having your kid evaluated for stitches...then learning that your hubby might need them too!

Jake and I were at the gym and he rounded a corner and ran into a metal handrail w/his eye. Immediately, I was debating...ER or peds office? I took him to the dr. and they sealed it up w/some Dermabond. No biggie - he thinks it's cool. When I get him to stop long enough, I'll try to get a pic and post it. THEN Cory got home from hunting and is sporting a mondo cut on his forehead that he got from his gun. Oh my - will I survive life with boys?

St. Jude Race and Team Madelyn

Tomorrow lots of people will be participating in the St. Jude Run/Walk in downtown Memphis. Many of our friends are supporting "Team Madelyn," named for our friend Madelyn Beamon, who lost her 4 year long battle with Neuroblastoma and passed away at the age of 6 in February 2008. Our boys were friends with Maddie and the Beamons are some of our closest friends. Ben and I were supposed to participate as volunteers - cheering, passing out water, etc. but the stomach bug struck Ben, Cory, and me. We're better now, figuring it was only a 12 hour thing, but now I have no babysitter as I urged my mother NOT to come for fear that she might get it too. ANYWAY, we're sending our love to the Beamons that they will feel much love and support for them tomorrow from the Williams Family. Miss you ^Maddie^

Maddie will always be a HERO to us!

Wacky - WEIRD - Wednesday

Now, this is weird... I'm only missing ONE child and this house is amazingly quiet and clean! Jake spent the night with Cory's mother last night and is still hanging out over there. I should be enjoying it, but must admit I'm missing my Jakey. What to do?? Go shopping?? Take a nap?? Nah...just sittin' on the computer...story of my life!

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Around Thanksgiving, we always ask, "What are you thankful for?" I've decided that I'm just thankful for Thanksgiving. We have the opportunity to reflect on what we're appreciative of and we get much-needed time with family. I'm thankful for those opportunities...and for wonderful photo ops!

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY

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What am I thankful for?
...being a child of God
...my wonderful husband who encourages me, loves me, & kisses on me everyday
...my beautiful, healthy, fun-loving kiddos
...my whole family and the relationship that I have with each one of them
...my fantastic friends who love me, regardless of how much they know about me (ha)
and finally...
I'm thankful that when we woke up this morning and found that the new kitten had been inside all night, we didn't find any "evidence" of her being trapped inside, away from the litter box - YAY!

Happy Birthday, Ben

On November 21, 1999 we were so scared to learn that the pains I was feeling were, in fact, labor pains and that our little boy was coming to us 2 months early! We were so unsure of what was about to happen and thanked God when he arrived at 11:18 pm, weighing just 4 lbs, 2 oz!! The hardest thing ever was to leave him in the NICU and visit him for the 14 days he was there. We brought him home, weighing just 3 lbs 12 oz and have been blessed more by this little boy in the 9 years that he's been with us than we ever imagined. He's grown into a fun-loving and caring son, brother, and friend.

Happy 9th Birthday, Ben

We all love you - Mom, Dad, Jake, and Ally

Keiki, our new "baby"

Meet the newest member of the Williams Family. Her name is "Keiki," which is the Hawaiian word for "baby." We found an ad on Craig's List online and Cory decided to go check it out on his way home today and brought her home! She is amazingly docile and calm...the purrrrfect kitten for our kids. Ben and Ally were so excited when Cory walked thru the door with her that they cried. Jake just wants her to "pway wif him." Right now she's curled up in Ben's lap. We're all glad to have her join our crew.

My thoughts exactly...

This pretty well sums up my Monday....

Wacky Wednesday 11/12/08

Mason, Ben, Jake, and Ally at Nannie's - We were able to spend 2 days at Nannie & Papa's house (my parents) since the kids were out of school for Veterans' Day. This was a pic of us getting ready to go "into town." This is about as good as it got - even with 3 cameras pointed at them. We had fun and can't decide who will miss each other more...Mason missing my kids or my kids missing Mason. We'll see them Thanksgiving.

BREAKING NEWS!! Jake has learned to SNAP and will gladly show you if you just ask. He's supposed to snap when saying his 2 lines in the Christmas program at MDO, so he quickly learned! He is soooo proud!

Wacky Wednesday

Here's what happens when I TRY to skip Ally's morning nap.

Happy Wednesday!!

Trick or Treating with cousins

As is our Halloween tradition, we did our Trick-or-Treating with our cousins, Savannah, Simone, & Brody (who turned one the next day -- Happy Birthday, Bro-Bro!). In the back is Ben (as a vampire) and Savannah (as the "Queen of Hearts"). Then on the front are Simone (Tinkerbell), Brody (Piglet), Ally (Cutey Cowgirl), and Jake (Woody from Toy Story).

We LOOOOVE Fall!!!

SVCC Trunk & Treat - Ben was a vampire, Jake was "Woody" from "Toy Story" and Ally was the cutest lil cowgirl. Nannie & Papa joined us, too!

FALL PARTY AT THE FOSTERS - We had a fun fall get-together with our SV LifeGroup at Brodie Foster's parents' house in Oakland. We had a hayride & moon bounce and roasted marshmallows/hot dogs -- Thank you to the Fosters!!!

Wacky Wednesday

Nothing of major importance today, just wanted to ask this question: "How many questions can a 4 year old possibly ask in a 24 hour period????" Jake has become the MOST inquisitive child we've ever met! Yesterday, as we were driving down the road, he was begging me to look at some of the Halloween decorations in the yards we were passing. I said, "Jake, I have to watch where I'm driving or I might hit someone or something!" He must have accepted that as an answer, because he got quiet...momentarily. THEN, I pointed out some decorations I saw and he was quick to say, "Mommy, why you not looking? Did we hit someone?" Oh...I know I'll cherish these moments ONE DAY. Have a Wacky Wednesday!!!

More Beach Pics

Back to Life...Back to Reality

Well, the vacation is definitely over but it was absolutely worth the trip. Up to 9 hours in a vehicle with your closest family members...what a memory! The kids had an absolute blast with one another. I will try to post more pics once I'm finished editing, but this was the favorite of the trip. In the photo: Cory's parents (Ken & Wanda Williams), Cory's brother's family: (Kevin & Keresa Williams and Savannah, Simone, & Brody), and our family (Cory, me, Ben, Jake, & Ally).

Pensacola - Day 2!!

Day 2 at the beach and we're not looking forward to going home yet. Cory and Ben went out first thing (as soon as it warmed up) and boogie boarded - until they saw a jellyfish - Ben was completely freaked out and wanted nothing else to do with it. The kids were in and out of the pool and beach and having a great time with their cousins. We ate at a fun seafood place called Peg Leg Pete's - good food, fun atmosphere - it was great! Now, if someone could only tell my children that we're on vacation and you MUST sleep past 6am!