oh, yea, baby, I am done!!!!! Time to relax!!!

This girl is done, finished.... christmas shopping!!!!!!! I have never ever ever finished my shopping this early. I am so psyched!!!!! But there is a reason. Starting tomorrow, i have one free night without anything going on. I am dead serious. It is crazy. All next week we will be doing something with Pathway of Light. Which if you are in the Madisonville area, please stop and walk through the life of Christ. It is amazing. Then we have programs, bunco, parties and on it goes. We are traveling to Dallas to spend the weekend at the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine. we are riding the Polar Express Train. and then off to Athens the next. But surprisingly we will be home for Santa on Christmas day. I have already ordered my christmas cards and hopefully will be in the mail this week. Usually I am stressing out about pictures and what the kids should wear but i knew i didn't have the time. Sweet Lacy Blakely took the best pictures of our family. So now it is off to wrap and bake and oh, go to wal-mart a thousand times to make sure i didn't forget anything.

This is just one of the great shots Lacey took of my kiddos. It sure gets me in the holiday mood.

Ah, the wonderful ritual of making the turkey.  Matt and I searched the internet, asked veteran turkey makers, and read several texts on making the perfect turkey.  First we brined the turkey.  Then we marinated the turkey with butter and fresh herbs. And last we got up at 5:30 to bake the blessed bird.  And I have to say, it was delish!!!!!  Clayton and Carson helped make the cranberry relish wednesday.  Yes, I gave them knives, but they were champs.  It was a great day and having most of our family there was wonderful.  My sis-in-law made the best salad from Southern living.  It had blue-cheese cakes crumbled into the salad.  I ate that first, before the stuffing.   I am now putting up my fall fun and getting down the christmas goodies.  I hope I can enjoy December.  It all seems to go so fast.  It is my wish that you all have a slow and enjoyable holiday season.  Remember to savor every moment.  

Thankful

When one takes their life most of us wonder how their could be no hope in that person's life.  

I have never felt hopeless.  Why, because I am so blessed to have a supporting family,

supportive friends, and a God that promises He will never leave or forsake me.  

Even in my darkest moments ( and believe me, there have been some ugly dark times) I know 

that there is someone who I can talk to.  

This is why having a church family is so important.  This is why having christian friends are vital.  

This is why having a christian husband is my most prized possesion.  

I never want anyone I know  to ever feel helpless or hopeless.  I hope through tragedy we can all learn to watch out for people who feel life is no longer worth it.   I ask for forgiveness that I didn't reach out. That I didn't show that God has a purpose for everyone.  God had blessed me and I know i don't deserve it.  But because I am a child of God I receive his blessings and here are some of them. My family holding hands before thanksgiving dinner. Each person telling what they are thankful for.  Truly a perfect moment.  

Oh, and pics of the turkey will come later!!!!