White Christmas

Yes, we actually got a White Christmas, the first in like 100 years here in Georgia.

It has been fun, but I am WAY tired of washing and drying clothes.

Pete and his Dad.

We had a wonderful Christmas, celebrating with family and enjoying a visit from Santa!!  Pete and I were able to give our children a great Christmas again....even with all the job issues.  We are so grateful for our families, who made our Christmas so warm!!
 

Santa was good to the Yost Kids!!

Uncle Pete asking Lilah if Santa was coming

Noah trying on the Santa Hat

Morgan and Hannah

Pete's turn to open a present - the hat became a requirement

Words are not enough

I will help you Papa

Hopefully now that Christmas is over, some job opporunities will come through for me.  I am trying to enjoy the time I have to spend with the kids, but won't lie, I am really nervous about the money.  I am ready to be somewhere on a permanent basis and to start rebuilding our financial future. 

Tell me Good Night

Davis wrote what I suspect is his last letter to Santa in school yesterday.  This is what he wrote:

Dear Santa,


This year I'm in 3rd grade.  I have been a good boy.  I have had a great year.  How about you?  This year I am doing The Nutcracker.  I am going to work backstage in the show.


This year I want a Ripstick Scooter, a Nerf gun, and money.  That is all that I can think of for my Christmas list.  Thank you for my elf.  I've been taking good care of him.


I am excited about Christmas because it is Jesus' birthday.  I am excited for my presents.  I am very excited about the show.  I have your magic key on my front door.  Just come upstairs to my room, and tell me good night.


Love, 
  Davis

Oh sweet boy, I am sad that you will soon not hear the bells ringing.  I know it is coming, but I wish it could last just a little bit longer.  I am sure that Santa will not only tell you good night but will shower you with kisses!!

Health and Happiness

I got a fortune cookie today that said:

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

ARE COMING YOUR WAY

Oh how I pray that is true.

There have been some positive things happening in my life in the last couple of weeks - things I will share when I can.  

Please pray that I am entering my springtime....this winter has been long and hard.

Happy Veteren's Day

I wanted to send a very special thank you to all of those who have served our country.   I am the granddaughter to 2 WWII vets (Grandpa Havens and Granddad)....the niece to 3 vets (Tom, Frank and Pup)....the cousin to 4 veterans (David, Rob, Shawn and Mariah), the daughter-in-law to a Vietnam vet and am most proud to say that I am a Navy wife veteran.

Our elementary school puts on a fabulous Veteran's Day program that Pete looks forward to every year.  I was lucky enough to join him this year.  Each veteran is "adopted" by a class and the kids make them wonderful presents of cards and letters.  It is so wonderful to see what the kids write...they are amazingly gracious in the service of the veterans.  The veterans than have the option to visit with the class after the program....which is really Pete's favorite part!!  The kids are always asking about what kind of guns they used  (Call of Duty video games help that interest).

Here are a couple of pictures from the day.

This table was set for one as a remembrance for the POW/MIA.  There is salt to represent the tears shed, red rose for the blood shed, a slice of lemon to remind us of their bitter fate.

 My father-in-law receiving his flower for his service in the Army

 Pete receiving his flower for his service in the Navy.

 There is a wall of honor in the hallway.

 Davis' classroom after the program with 4 veterans.

Thank you so much Arnold Mill Elementary for giving such a wonderful tribute to these wonderful men and women.....I know one Persian Gulf war vet that is truly honored to be there!!!

Blue Blanket

Matt needed a baby picture for school today as they are studying how things grow.

Being that Matt was born in the digital era, I had to search through the pictures on the computer for something that would be a good representation of his size.

I decided on the following picture, he was in a wagon that had cookies in it and was about 2 months old.

I was surprised to see how much he still looks like this.

I was also surprised to see his head laying on his "blue blanket".  Anyone that knows Matt knows about his "blue blanket".  I made him this blanket before he was born....nothing special about it....but to Matt it is his BLUE BLANKET.  It has baby things on it....it has a gummy spot on it....a hole that he cut in it.  He pretty much always knows exactly where it is.  He knows he can't take it to school and sometimes he hugs it before he leaves in the morning....he finds it right when he gets home and holds it while doing his homework.  He has been known to wear it on his head like a hat.  Sometimes he puts it in the freezer (still haven't figured out that one). 

I have tried to get him a different blanket....even took him to the store and let him pick the fabric.  I cut it exactly the same size as the blue blanket and didn't embroider anything on it (because it is scratchy).  But nothing has replaced that blue blanket.

I know the day will come when that blue blanket will be left behind....but I am okay that he has something that makes him feel safe and happy.  When he is done with the Blue Blanket, I will stow it away and keep it safe until he needs it again.  I think everyone should have their own Blue Blanket.

Halloween 2010

We had a nice Halloween this year....it sure changes as the kids get older and Mom doesn't have as much input in the costumes. 

We were invited again this year to my parent's the weekend before Halloween for their annual Halloween get together.  It is a great opportunity to get to see my nieces and nephews in their costumes (my sister lives a little over a hour away from us).  It was a beautiful day and their was much time spent jumping rope.

Then the kids got dressed up and went "trick-or-treating" at Grandma and Papa's house.  They give the kids a bucket filled with lots of treats and jammies for each kid (except the big kids - they get $). 

Trick or Treat

Treat it is!!!

Davis just wants out!!

Matt?

Sweet Minnie Mouse Lilah

 

Batman (Landon) and Spider Man (Noah)

 Halloween was a little bit of a disappointment for me.  Hannah went to a friend's house because "no one was trick-or-treating in our neighborhood"....she wouldn't even let me help her with her costume. 

Davis decided he wasn't going to wear the costume I got for him...instead he wore his dirtbike gear.  I made chicken noodle soup that no one but me ate.  Pete and Davis ate across the street at the neighbor's.  The only one that hung with me was my Matty - he ate cereal.  So he is the only one I have a picture of.  Because the time had not changed yet, we ended up leaving before dark.  It was not my choice to leave so early, but I was outvoted!!!  The boys seemed to have a great time and got TONS of candy.  We did not get many trick-or-treater's at our house as we are in the very back of the neighborhood.

Aye Aye Matty!!

Maybe next year will be different....it will be my turn to stay at home, drink wine and give out candy!!

Metal-less Mouth

We Started with This

Spent 2 Years and 4 months as a Metal Mouth

 Definitely worth all the hard work!!!

Then we stopped by Daddy's work to show off her pretty wireless (almost) teeth.

Hannah now has two permanent retainers that are glued on the back of her teeth (which she said feels like when you eat a green banana) and also has a clear retainer that she will first wear all the time, then just at night.  We are so proud of how good she was with her braces....she didn't even break a single wire or bracket.  Hopefully she will thank us eventually for riding her so hard about it.  She really handled them very well....she had to have a lot of work done and rarely complained!!

Congratulations Hannah....I hope you have lots of opportunities to show off that pretty smile!!!