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!

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"...

What I am most thankful for....

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......

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!)

Christmas Card 2008

Disney 2008

We are back from our annual Disney trip with the Tinneys and came home tired and ready for a REAL vacation! The kids enjoyed their time with Mom and Dad as well as Miss Amber, (our sitter/ dates my cousin), who came with us. The highlight (or lowlight!) of our trip was Griffin's first haircut at the Main Street Barber Shop. He had just awakened from his nap and was quite disturbed at the strange lady cutting on his hair. I think he wanted to keep the surfer look! Ava had a ball visiting with all of the Princesses and with her cousin, Hendon. Here are some of our photos from our tourture, I mean, our trip....