advent goings and doings

Good Saturday Morning to you, my few loyal readers! :) Since my last post, we have done all sorts of Christmassy things. Our Advent calendar has guided several opportunities to serve and do for others, as well as surprised the kiddos with fun plans.

Included in the goings and doings of the last few weeks... 

We have finished up our shopping, including picking out a nice dog bed and new collar for Mollie. It was really important to my babies, especially since losing Chloe, to have Christmas gifts for our sweet black dog. They had to test out the bed (on the floor in Walmart):

We have spent several afternoons popping popcorn (on the stove!) and watching movies. I have to tell you, now that I know how to do it the real way and it tastes so much better, I don't think I'll ever go back to the microwave. Love these faces:

We attended Christmas on the Square in downtown Sandersville. We've never been, as that is always the same night (first Thursday of December) as the district pastors' Christmas party. This year, Joe went solo to that, and I took Hannah and Joseph to participate in the children's parade. 

{Dinner at Waffle House afterwards...always a treat!}

We had some friends over for a last-minute get-together. Joe did custom pizzas and it was perfectly laid-back and fun.

Joseph was my big helper in tree decorating; we hung all the ornaments on the big playroom tree in no time. And only broke four or so. 

Hannah had a few Oratorical Club performances, one at a civic club and two at the school. She is doing well and enjoying that. We like that it gives her exposure to people of various ages and ups her confidence in public speaking. The students range from kindergarten to second grade and Hannah's teacher, who she adores, is one of the advisors.

We had snow. No, not snow. Sand. Lots of sand dumped and spread around our front and side yards to even them out. Ever since our new driveway was put in, we've had issues and need to backfill. There were also holes here and there from the massive trees that have been taken down in the last few years. Don't worry, you know I took a video for Joseph to see the Bobcat moving the sand all around. 

The kids liked how it looked like it snowed at our house and have had a great time playing in the sand... 

On one recent afternoon I looked out the kitchen window (while peeling a cutie for Joseph), to see something moving way up in the magnolia tree. It was my little monkey girl. It about freaked me out, but once I saw she was ok and having a grand old time, I grabbed my phone to take pictures.

{Granddaddy started her climbing on that tree when he was here for a visit earlier in the year. I knew she climbed on it when out in the backyard, but I had no idea how high she went up. That child is going to keep me on my toes...}

We squeezed in a super-short but fun trip last weekend, visiting with family and playing in Savannah. 

Going to see the Salvation Army House of Lights is a Christmas tradition in our family. We park the car and walk around a display that spans three houses.

{Unfortunately, Joseph got sick that night with what we thought was food poisoning but later realized was a stomach bug. I got it, too, and it was a hard one to shake.}

Saturday morning, after a family pancake breakfast out, we took Hannah ice skating for the very first time! Nobody fell and she loved it!

Then we picked up Joseph and headed out to Burnside Island where we played at Gran Gran and Poppy's and took full advantage of the beautiful weather by having lunch on the dock.

Between the dock and the garage door, Joseph had a ball! Neither child wanted to leave. But, we had made plans to meet Meme at the mall for mani/pedis and that was awesome! (I can't remember my last...a year ago, maybe?!)

We arrived in Savannah on Friday afternoon and left after 8 o'clock Saturday night. It was a short stay, but we packed in a lot of fun. Before leaving, Meme surprised me with a little early-birthday celebration. Hannah and Joseph were very excited about the cake and watching me unwrap some presents.

We also gave Stella her presents! 

I'm thankful Joe convinced me to go to Savannah. I really didn't want to give up a quiet weekend at home to wrap presents and be lazy, but I'm glad I did. The next morning was our Christmas Cantata at church. Both Joe and I joined the choir to sing. 

Then came this week, the last week of school. Joseph's class went on a field trip to the Milledgeville library to see Santa on Monday. I "stealed him away" and we went to run errands and have lunch with his friend, Weston and my friend, Rebecca, before heading back home. 

...Which brought even more excitement, because the demolition of Daddy's office was underway and we got to watch it!!

The construction superintendent gave them both bricks...highly treasured souvenirs from many memories spent at Joe's office for the last 4 1/2 years. 

Hannah had a Polar Express party at school, for which to attend she had to earn a "golden ticket" with good behavior. Joseph also had a Polar Express viewing and both had their class parties. While Joseph unwrapped a gift I brought for him, the big kids in kindergarten got to do a swap.

...Hannah even talked me into going on the playground with her class yesterday. (It was so cold!)

Yesterday afternoon in the Advent calendar there was a last-day-of-school surprise: a trip to Milledgeville to see the new Chipmunks movie. It was their first time going to the movies and they were thrilled! After we dropped Joe off to swim some laps, I drove the kids through one of those moving car washes. Also a first...they were excited, and hysterical:

The movie was entertaining and we all enjoyed it. Of course, we also loved the popcorn and candy.

And now it's the Saturday before Christmas! A true stay-home day. A chance for me, still in my pajamas, to write this update and do some things around the house. Tomorrow is a really busy day. 

thanksgiving in the mountains

We spent the week of Thanksgiving in the North Carolina mountains, arriving late Sunday night and staying until Friday afternoon. We were there last year, too, but for not quite as long. Highlands is a cute little town and we stayed at a dear friends' home there, having the (beautiful) place to ourselves.

It was wonderful. We slept, ate, played and in general, laid low. The fire kept us warm until the temperatures climbed later in the week. (And then we still turned on the fire some!) We bundled up and walked a little ways "downtown" and peeked in the shops, all decorated for Christmas. Hannah and Joseph played in the toy store. I walked around in my favorite home store there, Dutchman's.

I did some Christmas shopping online. I also caught up on this blog. I guess I need a long getaway to do that...

One of the best parts of the week for me was the extended time I got to spend with God in the mornings.

When I am at home and I've got kids to get to school, or my to-do list is staring me down, my quiet time is shortened. I try not to rush it, but some days it is, in fact, squeezed into the schedule. I tell myself that at least I am having a regular quiet time, but I know it pleases the Lord so much more when I make time to not just say my prayers and read my devotions, but to just sit quietly and listen.

Time spent just abiding in His presence.

I am grateful for the time away. We are thankful for Mrs. Gena's generosity and especially for the time we got to spend as a family. It was nice to slow down a bit.

The kids took bubble baths in the big tub. I finished one book and started another, reading several magazines in between. Joe played a lot of solitaire (with actual cards) because it was a relaxing game he could do while standing at the sideboard. ;) Remember, he doesn't do sitting well.

I packed puzzles, cards, games, art supplies, and our Fisher Price nativity set. The kids had plenty to do and, though we didn't go out much, were never bored. Heck, they like staying in pajamas all day. Joseph was busy enough playing with Mrs. Gena's Bissell floor sweeper and checking out all the light switches. {Side note: my favorite part of the condo's decor is the lighting. There are so many options! There are overheads, lamps, and sconces galore. And so tastefully done.}

We ordered pizza one night, and on another we went to a favorite place called Wild Thymes. The food was delectable! But Joseph was so tired, he fell asleep in my lap half way through the meal.

Meme came that night (Tuesday). She enjoyed the playing and the relaxing, too.

We watched Christmas movies (Home Alone being a favorite!) and the Macy's parade. Christmas music played continually on Pandora.

And we went on the Polar Express.

My mom bought the tickets a long time ago and it was a surprise. Hannah and Joseph found out the day before we went. Meme also gave them adorable Christmas pajamas for the occasion. We drove to Bryson City on Wednesday afternoon for our departure at five. At the train depot, there were kids (and a lot of adults) in pajamas, music from the movie playing and just excitement everywhere!

Joseph wasn't cooperating for the photo op beforehand... I don't know what his deal was; he just didn't want to take a picture. Monkey, with her Chloe Puppy-the-Monkey, was super excited (and cooperative)...

The tickets are divided by class, and you really can't go wrong. We chose the middle option, Crown class, and it was perfect. We were served a chocolate chip cookie and hot cocoa in a souvenir cup. We rode the train to the "North Pole" and back, taking us a little over an hour roundtrip. While on board, The Polar Express story is read and the attendants are dressed in white chefs attire and are young and playful.

Santa got on board and traveled back to the station, saying hello to each child along the way. Hannah and Joseph were speechless. Literally. Even when he asked what they would like for Christmas. Nothing. Think they were overwhelmed? I think so!

Santa gave us each a silver bell to take home. This was most definitely the highlight!

Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.

Back at the depot, we visited the Smoky Mountains Trains Museum. It was incredible. The model railroads were so neat!

After picking up a few souvenirs, we walked back to our car and headed home. Except for the drive there (and back), when my little girl got carsick, it was such a fun night!!

On Thursday, my brother Will, Crystal, and sweet little Stella came to play. They were staying further down the mountain with cousins in Sky Valley.

We had a nice time visiting and Hannah and Joseph loved playing with their little cousin.

Later that evening, Joe served a delicious Thanksgiving feast. Thankfully, it wasn't too labor-intensive as he prepared the squash and sweet potato casseroles prior to leaving home. We enjoyed every bite of it...perhaps gobbling it up a little too fast.

Our little turkeys headed off to bed, and Joe and I packed up a bit.

We left Highlands that Friday, stopping at the tubing slope in Scaly Mountain (NC). My aunt and cousins pretty much run the place, and though it was not cold enough for them to blow snow, there was enough there to slide around on.

Hannah enjoyed herself, and once we talked Joseph into getting in a tube, he did too! Joe took Hannah down the big slope, while Joseph stuck to the little kids' mound. Even Meme got in on the fun!

Back in Georgia, we switched cars with my mom in Greensboro. She took the kids to Sandersville and the hubby and I went to Lake Oconee where we spent the weekend. Joe was officiating the wedding of a church member and we were treated to a two-night stay at The Ritz Carlton Lodge. It was so wonderful! Pre-rehearsal dinner photo:

The property is just beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed the luxurious accommodations. On Saturday morning, we meandered around the hotel...and could not pass up the big swings. Had to take pictures for Hannah and Joseph to see.

All of the Christmas decorations were out and we could not stop ourselves from FaceTiming the kiddos when we saw the huge gingerbread house in the lobby! They were amazed.

We had lunch on Saturday at the outside restaurant, dining at the bar so we could watch the rivalry weekend games. {Not a great one for my Yellow Jackets or for Joe's Tigers, but that's ok. Not good seasons for either of those teams this year. But Navy did very well!}

The wedding was absolutely beautiful and elegant. My sweet hubby did a great job, and the couple was so happy and cute. We came back in time for Sunday School (we were leading the class).

It was a really great trip and a nice vacation. We were away for a full week and there was a lot of laundry and catching up to do. (Hence the delay in posting!) Thankfully, I started putting Christmas decorations up before we left, so it was mainly the trees that needed doing when we returned.

It is hard to believe Christmas is just a little over two weeks away!