Perspective

With Christmas behind us, we loaded up the F-250 (the entire bed of the truck was filled with trash bags of gifts) and set off to Atlanta in the snowy weather. Our trip was going great until Paul pulled off to the side of the road on an exit ramp because the car was acting funny...minutes later the entire cab was filled with smoke.

One hour outside of Atlanta, I was frustrated (thankfully kept my cool) and started thinking that I wasn't going to be able to unpack all of the Christmas gifts, clean the house, etc. so I can start my week off right. I texted Elena, Jenn and Mary Heather to see if I could find ANYONE who would drive one hour north to pick up me and the girls...unfortunately, there aren't many tow trucks with a second row option for a family of four (with their two dogs).

My phone started blinking so I checked it for an answer. The text from Jenn read:

Hey girls, April wanted me to update you that Jack is in ICU. I should know more soon and will send updates. Let's pray.

Jack is April's 15 year old brother who is fighting brain cancer. He went into respiratory failure (unsure of if it was Christmas day or the day after) and is now about to go in for a MRI to see what is going on.

To me, this was God's little nudge to tell me that all of these "to do's" that I focus on and bend over backwards to get done really aren't important at all. The fact is, they will get done. All of the things that I get stressed about aren't really all that stressful. So we called a cab and I got to take the hour ride back to Atlanta with Bill and his dog Dino, along with my two healthy little girls and a new perspective on how to go about life in 2011.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

This year, we loaded up two kids, two dogs and TONS of presents and headed to Charlotte to spend time with the Chanon family. The girls just love being together and this year was no exception. We tried unsuccessfully to get a picture of all four of the princesses....I have a new appreciation for photographers. This sequence of pictures cracks me up.

And finally, this was the best we could come up with. Watch out Deana Levine....you have some competition!

Amanda's father always comes to Charlotte to visit for Christmas. One more Poppy for Railey and Maysie to love!

The "big" girls had fun doing everything together...from taking baths

To watching movies...

While the little girls, well they just sat around and looked cute

Finally, it was Christmas morning and we woke up to everything covered in snow!

Santa definitely came to visit the girls but the highlight of Railey's Christmas was her present from Grandmommy and Grandaddy....her own horse that she has now named "Unicorn Pony."

The girls couldn't wait to get outside and play in the snow

And they can be VERY persuasive when they want something. SO.....

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

We have all heard the stories from our parents...

"When I was growing up, we had to walk one mile in the snow to get to school."

My oh my, how times have changed. Apparently, when it comes to Railey, my story is going to be, "When I was growing up, we had to paint our own fingernails and toenails until we were old enough to support ourselves." Our little princess has decided that her favorite thing to do is get manicures and pedicures. Yes, you heard me right, at three years old she has already convinced me that this is a fun thing for us to do together.

Merry Christmas to Me!

Paul said that I can open my Christmas present early so I can use it over the holidays...A NEW CAMERA! Not much of a surprise since I picked it out but now I can take pictures and video from my Canon. Tried to snap a few pictures today but Railey had other plans in mind.

I am in so much trouble when she is a teenager...

Christmas Party Time!

Railey's classroom has its own Elf on the Shelf....he decided to hide right above Railey's ornament...



If only she had more enthusiasm.

First Day of Snow

Just after we put Railey down for her nap today, it started snowing! Paul and I rushed into her bedroom and she wanted to go outside and play and requested that I make hot chocolate for her. Done and done...




She wanted to make snow angels...maybe later in the season:)