We had our traditional Christmas Day festivities with Nanny, Chris' mom, at her house and then we moved on to the Clark cabin on the creek. The cabin is getting smaller every year as the family keeps growing and more people visit!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Christmas with the Clarks
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Christmas with the Tinneys
Christmas with the Tinneys was interesting, as usual! The kids were great and we all had a wonderful time together but I think we have reached an interesting intersection with our Christmas celebrations together.
Chris and I decided that we would do Christmas Eve as usual with the Tinneys but drive back to B'ham after the Come and See service at FBC. We want our children to know that we value our alone time as a little family unit. Chris and I loved being with our children in our own home for Santa and play time.
Our typical meal for the Tinney Christmas Eve is steak, baked potatoes, salad, bread and a wide variety of desserts. I don't think I needed to eat for a week! Thanks Dad and Mom for the great meal- it was yummy!
Another side note to our Christmas Eve together is that during the Come and See service at FBC, Grayson was asking alot of questions about the communion which was being offered that night. We all explained that you are eligible for communion when you ask Jesus in your heart and believe in him 100%. He told Mom & Dad's pastor at the end of the service that he had asked Jesus into his heart and wanted to be baptized. We were all very touched, to say the least! He is a precious boy and I know will do great things for the Kingdom of God.
Christmas with the Albrights
We always enjoy heading to Valley, Alabama for our Albright family Christmas. Rog grilled us some steaks (from Clark brothers, of course!) and we let the kids run loose in the backyard since the weather was so nice. The funniest part of the night was when Jack Frost, their Jack Russell terrier, knocked Griffin down and stole his paci! Jack took off with it and it took all 3 girls (Ava, Casey & Jamey) along with Chris and Vicky to get it back. They were chasing him all over the yard. Griffin was in pieces!! We finally got it back and Vicky washed it VERY WELL before we gave it back to Griff. After we ate and opened presents, we went to the carousel at the Valley Community Center to enjoy their FREE rides. The kids loved it but Granny really got a big kick out of it. We had a great night!!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas Fun
I am going to post these in several sets....
Ava made Mommy & Daddy a card for our present!
My little girl is really growing up!
Waiting like a big boy!
Our little ballerina, Griffin!
Ava with her teacher, Mrs. Meter, and her friend, Collin.
Ava and Mommy at her class party
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas family night at Meadow Brook
Our church, Meadow Brook Baptist Church, had a Christmas family night where the children decorated ornaments, played games, ate snacks and listened to the Christmas story by a "fire". Griffin and Ava brought their pillows and blankets for this special time at church. Ava had fun with her friends and Griffin ran around the church exhausting both of his parents who tag-teamed with him. Fun, fun!
Tiny dancer
Our little ballerina at her Christmas "show" for the Moms and Dads (and Grammys!)
Ava and one of her little BFFs, Victoria, who happens to be a little country girl like Ava!Christmas at the Mansion
We travelled to Montgomery on December 13 to enjoy "Christmas at the Mansion" with Governor and Mrs. Bob Riley. Poppa & Grammy always love this event and this year they decided to take us with them. My uncle and aunt kept Griffin so we could enjoy the event. The Mansion was decorated so beautifully but it was very crowded! There must be so many VIPs in Alabama these days...... (ha-ha)
Poppa and Grammy with their two of their six favorite Alabama residents: Ava & Grayson
Grayson will be living here one day! Our future governor..... so cute!
Claire and Ava (and me!) were loving the chocolate fountain with fruit and marshmallows!
Ava was very cute enjoying her chocolate covered marshmallow!Wednesday, December 17, 2008
I'm a little behind....
My precious girl was an Indian maiden for her class Thanksgiving lunch. I thought these photos were too cute!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Prayers for my children
I lifted the following from Angie Smith, wife of Selah's Todd Smith. Angie and Todd lost their baby girl in April and her blog has been a great source of inspiration in my life. Here is her plan for praying for your children 7 x 7: 7 times a day, 7 days a week. I am going to commit myself to following her plan for seven days and seeing where it takes my little family. I know it will be somewhere special...
7 x 7:
1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)
2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)
3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)
4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)
5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)
6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)
7 x 7:
1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)
2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)
3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)
4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)
5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)
6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Oh Christmas Tree
Our Christmas tree adventure began at Home Depot. I know that it is not very "green" of the Albrights to support the mass cause but $$ dictates this economy-friendly choice. Ava was thrilled at the prospect of decorating hearth and home. She helped Melanie with their Main Street house for the tour of homes in Roanoke and she got the decor bug!
Griffin and Ava in front of my mantle which I am proud of but is still a "work in progress"...
Here is a shot of the tree at Home Depot...
The kids had fun with the hanging of the lights...
Ava did her ballet in front of the tree before church...
Griffin and Ava in front of my mantle which I am proud of but is still a "work in progress"...Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thanksgiving 2008
I am going to try with this post to be more in depth about my family and my feelings. I have been reading some really great blogs lately and I am surprised (in a good way) about how honest and forthright my friends can be with their blogging.
As a counselor, I was taught that listening is the key aspect to being successful at this job. I don't listen enough. I listen to my students and I listen to my Sunday School teacher and I listen to my boss but I don't think that I am truly listening to those I need to listen to the most: Chris, my kids, my parents, my extended family members, my government, myself. Life is too short to let circumstances weigh you down.
I have been on a kick recently about wanting a new house. How crazy is that?!? I don't NEED a new house. Sure, I would like more space for us to roam and closets for all my junk but do I really NEED a new house? Do I NEED to stress over an increase in our mortgage payment? Do I NEED to stress over selling our house now? Do I NEED to uproot the kids when they are perfectly content? No to all of the above. I want to be content. Content in my circumstances and in my life. I have so many blessings. I have healthy kids, a terrific husband, a wonderful church family, a job I love and most importantly, the love of a savior who died for me. What more could I want? Why do I let myself be ruled by "stuff" instead of just living life to the fullest?
I am going to make my resolution for the new year now: I will strive for contentment in my life. Thanksgiving is a great time to start because you are already humbled by what you have. Thanks to all my friends and family for supporting me as I begin this journey......
As a counselor, I was taught that listening is the key aspect to being successful at this job. I don't listen enough. I listen to my students and I listen to my Sunday School teacher and I listen to my boss but I don't think that I am truly listening to those I need to listen to the most: Chris, my kids, my parents, my extended family members, my government, myself. Life is too short to let circumstances weigh you down.
I have been on a kick recently about wanting a new house. How crazy is that?!? I don't NEED a new house. Sure, I would like more space for us to roam and closets for all my junk but do I really NEED a new house? Do I NEED to stress over an increase in our mortgage payment? Do I NEED to stress over selling our house now? Do I NEED to uproot the kids when they are perfectly content? No to all of the above. I want to be content. Content in my circumstances and in my life. I have so many blessings. I have healthy kids, a terrific husband, a wonderful church family, a job I love and most importantly, the love of a savior who died for me. What more could I want? Why do I let myself be ruled by "stuff" instead of just living life to the fullest?
I am going to make my resolution for the new year now: I will strive for contentment in my life. Thanksgiving is a great time to start because you are already humbled by what you have. Thanks to all my friends and family for supporting me as I begin this journey......
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Odds and Ends
Ava cracks us up with her "fashion" sense! She loves to put together her own outfits and coordinate bow and accessories with clothes I pick out. Chris and I thought we need to be photographing just in case she is a fashion designer one day!
Griffin loves to "help" Mommy cook and frost cupcakes. He has the best time!
I am so grateful for my mother and the time and effort she gives to our family. I complain alot because we have no family here in Birmingham but she has never said no when I ask her to come and HELP!! Thank you Grammy!
Halloween catch-up
I am so behind on Halloween photos! Ava was Jasmine and Griffin was Aladdin. They were precious! We enjoyed our church Fall Festival and then went trick or treating in our neighborhood on Halloween night. We also enjoyed some festivities at the Splawn's (some church friends). Griffin was also Santa for his school party (so we wouldn't get Aladdin dirty!)
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