Christmas Dance Program

My beautiful dancers

Vera was a snowflake

Cora Jane danced to a Spanish number

Isn't she beautiful


Saturday the girls had their annual Christmas Dance Program. It was so much fun...once we got there! Getting two little girls ready for a recital is a nightmare! Neither of them care to have their hair messed with, like to wear tights, and should I dare mention listen to me!

Thank goodness my Momma and Daddy were here to help out. Cory had to work and met us at the theater for their program. So bless his heart he couldn't help out too much.

Needless to say, we all made it there and it was WONDERFUL! The place was PACKED! There were so many people there I don't think any of our bunch got to sit. Thank goodness they don't mind.

Vera Kate was a snowflake and performed beautifully! She was smiling and so graceful...she looked like an angel up there....she took my breath away!

Cora Jane's group performed a Spanish number. She was FANTASTIC! Her dance was so fast I couldn't hardly get a good pic of her face. She was beautiful in her costume...she is getting so big. I couldn't believe that she was my little girl up there. She loves everyone and makes a point to let everyone know what a good job they did on stage. She has a gift for being so loving and encouraging. I am so proud of her.

We were so blessed to have ALL their Grandparents there. And so thankful that Cory's schedule doesn't interfere with his attending their events. Whitman had a great time too! I didn't get to see him, but everyone said he was dancin' away to all the music! He learns from his sisters!!

What a great weekend we all had! Merry Christmas!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season,

Farm Bureau Convetion 2009

Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer Achievement Winners

Cory and I before going to the ceremony

Proud parents

Cory, me, Nancie, and Charlie Sanders (our competition and friends)

Nancie also won the Discussion Meet and will be going to Seattle with us

The girls were super excited

Grandma and her gals

So yes, "we are the champions...my friend"!! haha!! We won and will going to Seattle in January for the American Farm Bureau Convention.

Last Saturday, Cory and I ventured off to Jekyll Island for the GA FB Convention. We left the kids with Mr. Johnny and Mrs. Gwen....it was so hard! I knew that we would see them the next day at the awards presentation, but this was going to be my first night away from Whitman! I knew that he was left in WONDERFUL hands....I couldn't have asked for better in-laws but just leaving them was so hard.

So we got to the convention and had some stuff to do for the YF State Committee. I got to see one of my best friends from college, Mandy Moon, and her husband. We hadn't seen each other since this summer at our get together so I was SUPER excited that we got to have sometime to visit. Meanwhile, Cory's brother Phil was competing in the YF Discussion Meet. He did a GREAT job! Cory and I never got to watch him but ALL our friends said he was FANTASTIC! And of course, he was 1st runner up! Everyone is planning on his return for next year! Thanks Phil for representing Bacon County...you made us all very proud.

The next day, Cory and I anticipated the arrival of our family. They were coming for the awards ceremony that night. My parents, Henry, and JJ came from Florida while the Tyre's were bringing the kids to us.

That night we were all there and guess what???? We all started smelling smoke...???...then the evacuated the building! So we were to all go back to our rooms and we would resume in the morning. Well that definitely threw a kinker in my plans! The kids stayed with us, the Tyre's went home, Momma and the gang went to their room, and it was complete chaos!

The next morning we find out that the awards won't be until that evening. So my family had to go on back home. The Tyre's came and entertained my children ALL day while Cory and I had YF obligations. Finally, that night we were presented with the award! We were all so happy and so relieved at the same time. It was time to go home!! Before leaving, we got to enjoy John Berry perform his Christmas Concert...WOW! He is so good! I can't wait to see who the convention gets next year!

We are so blessed to have had a safe and rewarding trip! Not to mention that our families are wonderful and we don't know what we would do without them.

Seattle here we come!

Merry Christmas,

Kids Christmas Party 2009

My BEAUTIFUL babies with Santa

We were trying' to stay warm

Santa Clause is here!

My beautiful cousin, Jill, and my stunning Momma

Gracie was making sure Santa got list right!


Uncle Bubba LOVES her gals!

My good friend Rikki and her Ry-man


My cousin Lacy's two precious boys all bundled up waiting on Santa

Avery, Vera Kate, and Gracie never skipped a beat! It was like they see each other all the time!

The Party

Me and my Whit-man



Well what started out as just a small get together has turned into an annual party!

For five years now, my Momma and Daddy give a party for the kids!

Cora Jane, Vera Kate, and Whitman get be little hostess and have ALL their Florida buddies around!

It has turned out to be so much fun! This is a wonderful opportunity for our family to visit with my friends and their families. I hardly get to see them throughout the year and Christmas offers a great opportunity to see all those whom we miss!

Its amazing how much changes from year to year! New babies, new friends, friends gone, babies gone, parents passing. All of us have encountered changes over the years and its such a blessing to have each other. Knowing that they will be here, at this event and always, is so comforting. Seeing them is always so much fun!

Not to mention Santa Claus makes his debut riding up on the tractor! The kids LOVE that one!

All the kids LOVED Santa, of course! It was freezing cold but we weren't letting that stop us!

We did cancel the hay ride but only because we didn't want sick babies!

To all of our Florida peeps...we love you all and can't wait for us to get together again...soon!

Merry Christmas!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season,

Thanksgiving 2009

The family
My future sister-n-law, Amanda, and her brother and Mom

Amanda and PJ

Papa and his little buddy

Nana and Cora Jane

Justine, Cora Jane, and JJ

JJ and the Whit-man



Aunt Amanda and little man

My man fryin' some turkey



Uncle Bubba and his side-kick...these two are trouble!

Me and my sweet Momma

This year I have been terrible and didn't get pics of all of our family. I will do better for Christmas!

Thanksgiving is always a week long event for us. The Sunday before Thanksgiving we celebrated with Cory's family. Even though we all live in the same town it is so hard for us to get together! But we managed. Cory's Daddy and brother, Phil, always do an amazing job fryin' a turkey and this year was no exception! Mrs. Gwen made ALL the trimmings and it was ALL GOOD! We enjoyed the kids playing and fellowship with each other too!

I have the best in-laws and I am so THANKFUL for all of them!

On Thanksgiving Day, we ventured down to my Granny Rubye's house in Florida. I LOVE going down there! Its so laid back and its the only chance we get to see this side of the family! We all try really hard to make an effort and be there because we know its the only time we get together! For a lot of my family, it was their first time seeing Whit and so for that I am very THANKFUL!

For Thanksgiving supper we went back to Momma and Daddy's. We enjoyed a great meal, wonderful fellowship, and LOTS of laughs! This year we were joined by my SIL's family, my adopted brother JJ and his girlfriend Justine! I LOVE big families!!!!!!

God is so gracious to have given our family so much! We are truly THANKFUL for our ALL of our families and the opportunity to see each of them on this special day!

Hope you all were surrounded by those you love on this day....I am very THANKFUL for ALL of my surroundings...Thank you Lord!

Thanksgiving 2009 at ACA

Uncle Phil and Whitman

Cora Jane with her teacher Mrs. Deen and the gals in her class



The last day before Thanksgiving break, Cory and I went to a Thanksgiving lunch with Cora Jane at her school. The cafeteria provided a delicious meal for all of the students and their families.

It was so nice to visit with the parents of Cora Jane's classmates...just about the only time we ever see each other is during drop off and pick up lines. So it was really nice to enjoy their company and fellowship.

Cory and I are so thankful for ACA! We have always wanted this type of environment and education for our children....even before we got married we had always talked about it. God continues to bless our little household and this is just one of the many blessings He has bestowed upon us.

We pray that we can always give the kids this opportunity and that God will continue to work in us and through us.

I am very THANKFUL for Appling Christian Academy!

God is good, ALL the time,

I love Faith Hill and I received her Christmas CD last year as a gift!

I love it!!

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs and she does a fantastic job!

I start crying everytime I hear it. What a testimony this little boy has! And what an example this little boy has set for the rest of us.

Sometimes I think of how proud his parents must have been. To have been there and witnessed such a beautiful site!

This is one of those songs that you will find me bellowing to in my car...very loudly..haha! I love it and I hope you like it too!

Computer Problems

Ok, so the last time I blogged was before Thanksgiving! WOW! There has been so much going on its not even funny!

We went to Florida for Thanksgiving and had the best time with family and friends. I got to see LOTS of family that I hadn't seen in almost two years! Spent LOTS of time with the family and just hanging out!

Saturday, after Thanksgiving, Momma and Daddy had their annual Kid's Christmas party. We have been doing this for five years now. I will fill you in on all that very soon.

So when we got home...my computer wouldn't recognize my camera...ugh! This is the third time since October. I am getting very frustrated but Lord willing I won't have to buy a new computer! I am praying that Mr. Danny, our computer doctor, can fix her!! I won't know until Tuesday though...;-(

So things are staying pretty busy with the girls dance, Christmas play practice at church, and we have our Farm Bureau convention this weekend....lots and lots of fun Christmas times! I pray that next week I can finally show you all the pics from the our fun times!

Have a great weekend!

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." -
-- Isaiah 40:31

Let go and Let GOD,