Aaron has started calling this my Sarah Palin hair. I wanted him to see that it is not like hers at all. Sure my bangs are swept over, but there is not much similarity even in that. Her do is much better. Maybe I will work on it.

I am in desperate need of a hair cut or something different right now!! Maybe a Sarah Palin do will do it. I wonder if I can get my hair that high? I am not a huge fan of hairspray though, so even if I did I wonder if I could get it to stay without being as hard as a rock.

Here are a few pics of the ladies' Christmas party that I had this past Saturday. The weather and roads outside were nasty--snowy and icey, but those of us who were able to make it had such fun! Of course, we had lots of yummy and delicious holiday food favorites. We exchanged secret sister gifts and revealed who we were. I invited Britan, a friend and the pastor's wife of TBC in Muncie, to come and give a devotion. She shared some encouraging thoughts and verses on the sweetness of Jesus. Then we played a great gift exchange game.

This year I took Chloe with me to the party. We wore our matching Christmas skirts (No mine doesn't have snowflakes all over it. Mine was solid plaid, but the same plaid as on hers. Abbie has one too. Emily got these for us last year:)

I intended on having this centerpiece below on my serving tables at the party. Well as I posted before I couldn't find my candle sticks. I searched all through the house. They have disappeared. So I went on a store search for some. Still no luck. I had to improvise.

This is what I came up with. I used goblet tea glasses turned upside down. I hid things underneath the cloth to give them different heights. Then I tucked a little holly inside each glass. I also used double sided tape to stick the ornaments on top. I am sure that this was already suggested somewhere, but I had to learn the hard way. I broke my really nice ones from Hobby Lobby by bumping the table. I watched the L roll to the ground and shatter. It was like slow motion when it happened. I couldn't grab it fast enough, and I knew what the end result was going to be. I had to grab these cheap ones at the family dollar (the only store in our town) in a last minute rush. All in all I was still pleased with the outcome. This year I asked different ladies to adopt a table and decorate it with the Christmas theme of their choice. We all enjoyed seeing the different ideas. The ladies who decorated loved doing it, and some who didn't want to do it next time. We will definately do this again!!

We had the party using only candles and Christmas lights. I also set up a Christmas village that glowed beautifully and decorated the other parts of the room. The night was so pretty. I don't have a picture of everything, so you will just have to trust me on this one.

Just Doing What We Do

Today is a day of just doing what we do around here. I am babysitting Lydia today. I only have one of my four,Justus, because the others are at school. Justus is being very loving and clingy today. He just wants to sit and cuddle with me. I love doing that, because my others don't stay very long before they are off to the next thing. That time of just sitting and cuddling with mommy passes too quickly. The bad thing is that I have a TON to get accomplished today at home and church. I am doing this post while I am holding him--two birds with one stone.



I am still doing laundry from the trip. I am also taking down and putting away all of the fall decorations. ---Yeah, they are still up!! I was gone!! I love having the house decorated for the seasons, but I will readily admit that I do not enjoy packing each one up and pulling out the next. Maybe I will get some Christmas ones put out today, but it also may not be until tomorrow. The house needs a good dusting from being gone for so many days. This old house quickly gets covered in the stuff.


Also, somewhere in this house I have bunches of candlesticks of different sizes and heights. I can't find them. I know exactly where I had them in our last house, but I don't know where I put them when we moved here. I thought I did , but they are not there. I have got to go digging around in the basement to find them in order to have this at my ladies Christmas party that is this Saturday. I have already decorated my ornaments.



After I get the kids from school I have got to get to the church and do some more setting up for the party and digging around for more candles and candle holders. I have a few more decorations to still make. Tonight Aaron is going to help me hang up the 100's of white Christmas lights I have in the fellowship hall. We are using only candles and Christmas lights for our lighting.

I had better go get busy. Justus just got down to play. Enjoy your day!!

Our Thanksgiving Trip

We are home from our Thanksgiving trip. We had a wonderful time. We spent Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning at my parent's house in Dandridge, TN. For Thanksgiving Day Mama cooked a huge and super delicious meal. We spent Thanksgiving day with Mama and Daddy; Bo, Amanda, Hunter, and LeeAnn; Granny and Papaw; and Ronnie and Donna (a couple from Mom and Dad's church). That morning Mama, Granny, and I did the last minute things for the meal. We ate a little after 12:00. After lunch the kids all played and rode horses with Papa. Aaron and Bo watched some of the football game and slept. Then we woke them up, and we adults played a game of dominoes. Aaron and I had never played before. It was fun. We will probably be buying a set for ourselves very soon. After dominoes we ate leftovers from lunch. The leftovers that night are my favorite part about the meal! I love to make a turkey sandwich on a yeast roll. The time at Mom and Dad's was too short, and I didn't get to stay long enough for more leftovers. Friday morning we had to leave and head for Mobile, Alabama, because Aaron was preaching at a church there on Sunday.

After a long day of driving and riding in the van, we arrived in Mobile Friday night. The temperature was 72 degrees there. We really enjoyed the break from the cold. Saturday morning we drove around and looked at the town for a little while. Then we went to the church for a lunch meeting. That night the church had a carry in dinner that we attended. Aaron preached Sunday morning and evening. Monday we headed to Birmingham to visit my family that lives there.

Monday evening Aunt Gloria fixed a delicious southern meal for us. I love butter beans and cornbread in the cast iron skillet! We got to see family that we hadn't seen since Asher was 6 months old. That was the last time I had been to Birmingham. Aaron hadn't been since our first year of marriage. The kids got to play with more cousins. We were so glad that we got to visit.

Yesterday we headed back home. We pulled into our driveway covered with snow last night about 7:00.

I took lots of pictures, but for some reason they won't all load to my computer. Aaron will have to figure it out for me later and I will put them on the blog. For now the pics below are all that I have to share. We spent a lot of time in the van, so these are all from the riding. Tuesday night and Wednesday we drove 430 miles to TN. Friday we drove 555 miles to Mobile. Monday we drove 250 miles to Birmingham. Yesterday we drove 580 miles back home.

Aaron- he rarely lets me take a normal picture of him.

Me- I am looking rough after all of the riding.
Chloe- She looks really sweet here, but she probably just finished annoying Abigail. Isn't that what sisters and long car rides are for?

Abigail- She was really getting sick of being stuck in the van. She was very good most of the time. The last day was not so good though.

Asher- He slept a lot of the trip.

Justus- He is trying to take his shoes and socks off. He loves to be bare footed.

Other pics to come soon!

Happy Thanksgiving

We are away in TN for the Thanksgiving holiday. Then we are off to Alabama for a few days. I wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and share these pictures of the kids dressed up for school.

My Little Pilgrim Girls

My Little Indian Boy

Asher is making his Indian call. Poor Asher isn't dressed up too much. I couldn't find my face paint to paint some marks on him. The feathers are all that he had. I made the outfits for the girls a few years ago with a lady from our church. I have got to work on an Indian vest for Asher for the future.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I'll be back to the blogging world next Wednesday.

Happy 6th Birthday Abigail

It was a cold, snowy morning six years ago...

when Abigail Geneva Smith quickly arrived. (Seriously my active labor was about 48 minutes. My mom barely made it into the room in time.)

She weighed 7lbs. 11oz. (my smallest baby).

She has demanded that her presence be known ever since!A few minutes old

A week old

6 months old (yes, she was sound asleep this way)

12 months old

18 months old

22 months old

early 2 years old

late 2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

This Morning: 6 Years Old!!

Yes, she is dressed as a pilgrim. It is Thanksgiving at school today and all of the kids dress up. I have pictures of that scheduled to post tomorrow. I don't want to take away from Abbie's big day.

We are heading to TN for Thanksgiving tonight after church. Then we are off to Alabama for a few days. We will be back next Tuesday night.

Just for Laughs

Aaron's Aunt Tonya sent this to us. I must admit that I laughed and laughed when I saw the picture at the bottom. I had to share it with you.

Tough Love vs. Spanking - Good Argument

Most of the American populace thinks it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.' One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.

Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, IPod, etc. Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. Eye to eye contact helps a lot too.

I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

Sincerely,Your Friend

This seems imaginable when your babies are little. But.... when they start to back talk, this may actually cross your mind, even to those of us who do still practice the old fashioned spanking. Of course, no, you wouldn't really do it, but I bet it would work.

Just Every Day Happenings

I have Lydia again today. She is a very good baby. She only cries when she is hungry. Justus has been quite jealous today. He was alright yesterday, but today he has been a troublemaker. I suppose one day of a different baby was okay for him, but showing up for another day he does not approve of. Afer I fed her today, he found her bottle and drank the rest of it. I am making a point to give him extra attention and kisses, so he knows that she is not taking his mommy.

After I get the kids from school. We will be heading over to the church to decorate the fellowship hall for our Thanksgiving dinner. Then we will be off to town to get the needed supplies like plates, silverware, cups, etc...

It is absolutely freezing here today, 32 degrees. The wind is the bad part; it cuts right through you. It is snowing again too. I love the snow, but could do without the bitter cold. Tomorrow our high is only 30 degrees with more snow forecasted. I am looking forward to curling up with my cup of peppermint hot chocolate tonight.

Enjoy your day! Stay warm!

Itty-Bitty Baby In The House

I am babysitting this beautiful baby girl (Lydia) on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday until Christmas time. Then her grandma gets to keep her. Until then, I am going to enjoy having her around the house. I watch her from 7:30 until 2:00. It is perfect timing. Daddy takes our kiddos to school at 7:30, and I leave to pick them up at 2:10. So, I have her while my older three are out. I am not sure yet how Justus is going to take having the extra baby around. He does enjoy being the baby. Lydia is only 8 weeks old, so she will be cutting in on his attention. She still eats a lot and of course has to be held to get her bottle. There are soooo many people around me having babies right now. Having Lydia around will help me satisfy that little baby itch that might come around in my head.

This is Lydia with her mommy and daddy in the hospital.

These two pics are of me with Lydia when she was first born.

This is Lydia today. Sound asleep in Justus' baby swing.

So far, this is how Justus has spent most of the morning.

I Just Found These

We went to dinner at a local Mexican restaraunt a few weeks ago. I forgot that I took a few pictures of the kids. They are not very good pics, but here they are. I have noticed that Chloe has this horse sweater on a lot on this blog. She loves horses, so she does wear a lot of horse stuff. This vest seems to get the most use.

Here is Abbie. Of course, she had to do something goofy for her picture. First, notice the baby doll. This is her baby Justus (She got him for her birthday last year and named him after our Justus). He goes everywhere with us. He even rides in a car seat. Second, notice our Justus peeking out around Abbie's cup. He didn't want to be left out.

Asher loves to eat chips and dip. Actually he loves any food that has a dip. It is fun to him.

Then last, but definately not least is Justus. He was having a wild hair day.

Outside My Window...It is officially here! It has snowed several times already, but today we woke up with a blanket of snow on all of the roof tops and on the ground. We are suppose to have snow falling today and tomorrow. It is so beautiful!

I am thinking...I am excited for the upcoming week and holiday!

I am thankful for...for the rest that I have been able to get, even though it had to come with the illnesses. I am feeling better today. My fever is gone. I am barely hurting.

From the kitchen...dishes to be washed breakfast- waffles, lunch- sandwiches, dinner- roast

I am wearing...butterfly pj's

I am creating...plans for Abbie's birthday

I am reading...nothing other than my Bible

I am hearing...music from the blog

I am hoping...that I can get a few things accomplished today and still feel good afterwards

Around the house...Laundry

One of my favorite things...peppermint bark candy- the kind that has dark and white chocolate with peppermint chunks on top. It is expensive, but well worth it. Plus, it only is around at holiday time, so I splurge once a year.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...more resting for recovery (I can't do too much too soon, even though I want to jump right back in.), on Wednesday I start baby sitting a beautiful 8 week old baby girl, mid week service at church, preparing the church for our Thanksgiving dinner and services

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Abbie will be turning 6 on the 25th, so I am sharing a picture of her. This was her birthday last year. She had fun sitting on the vent and watching her dress puff up.

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A MUST SEE CHRISTMAS MOVIE

I love holiday movies. This one made me cry and cry and cry and cry and cry. I am not kidding; my pillow is soaked. Maybe it is the medicine I am on or something; I don't know. I haven't cried at a movie this much in I don't know how long. It is an old one, but a good one. I give it a thumbs up for a holiday season rental. I think it is a great family movie! All moms have got to see it with a box of tissues close by; seriously, I just watched the you tube video and tears came to my eyes again!

It is called The Christmas Shoes. The music playing is from the movie. The above you tube video is of the song with clips from the movie. Thanks Jennie for helping me figure out how to post it. I couldn't find the right code by myself.

I am off of the couch today. My fever is gone!!!! I am not hurting very much today either. Praise the Lord; I am on the mends.

More About Me

I have signs of the infection starting to get out of there. The fever is now only reaching about 101.2, so that is a good thing. The pain is a little more under control. I can go a little longer now without really bad pain. I only woke up two times last night hurting badly. Of course, I am still on the couch, but things are improving. Aaron had to go to work today, so I have the boys. Asher stayed home to play with Justus. That helps me out. Then later on I will have the girls too for a little while by myself. Pray that they behave.

Me and My Body

I can't type much today, but I wanted to let you all know what is going on. I am just now returning from the hospital.

I thought that I was doing well enough to resume daily activities, so Monday I went to get the kids from school. I got so sick on the way and on the way home. I had to pull over and I threw up in the middle of the road. I finally made it home, and started getting so cold. My fever was up to 102.2. At first I thought it was just the flu. Then that night I started having severe pain. I went to the hospital and was admitted. After several lab tests and two ultrasounds they discovered that I have a severe infection in my kidneys and bladder. It is causing me so much pain that I am sick to my stomach. The infection is also continuing to cause me to have a high fever that spikes at about 103.9. I know when the fever is coming. I get so cold that I can't get enough blankets and my entire body shivers. I can't stop it. It is very irritating. Then I know when it breaks because I will be so sweaty and hot all over that I can't get the blankets off of me fast enough. Aaron is taking good care of me at home. Pray that we can get this keep this fever under control. If we can't, the doctor said that I have to return. I would much rather be at home. I am on several medications right now for the infection, the pain, and the fever.

The Simple Woman Daybook

Outside My Window...Brrrr! It's cccold! It literally snowed all day yesterday, but none of it stuck. Today looks like more of the same. I can't see the sky-only gray snow clouds.



I am thinking...my feet are really cold, about the many things God is presently doing for my family (also be sure to read our prayer request below)



I am thankful for...my husband who has been taking care of me after surgery and doing his best to take care of the kids and house-It doesn't come naturally for him. God's provision.



From the kitchen...nothing I haven't been able to really do any cooking yet- breakfast: cereal, lunch: ?, dinner: ?



I am wearing...my blue snowflake flannel pajamas


I am creating...a grocery list for Aaron- he has to do the grocery shopping for me today



I am going...to get the kids from school- Once again I am driving before I am suppose to, but I must. Aaron is out of town today. I promise I will go right there and come right back! Chloe is worried that her Mommy will have to pick her up in pj's. That is mostly what she has seen me wearing since my surgery. They are warm and comfortable. I told her that I will not embarrass her. I will get dressed first. I can't believe my 7 yr. old is already worried about being embarrassed by her mom! I thought I would have a few more years until that stage arrived. Maybe ---I am just that embarrassing! Just kidding--I think!



I am reading...Romans and all kinds of Christmas crafty stuff


I am hoping...to be back to 100% myself soon


Around the house...all kinds of stuff- I don't even know where to begin. I will tackle the laundry today. The rest I am not ready for yet.



One of my favorite things...cuddling on the couch with a warm cozy blanket, a cup of peppermint hot chocolate, and a good movie--my plans for this afternoon



A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...mid week service and catching up around the house



Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
This is one of those "everybody is doing there own thing" pics. So funny! I took this last October, right after Justus was born. These are all of the immediate cousins on Aaron's side. All of these grandkids came from only one brother and one sister. Aaron's sister has one more on the way. I wonder how many grandkids we will have?

Rachel"Help me!", Hannah and Julia"Oh I love my sister!", Chloe "She is falling on me!", Elizabeth "Boy! Am I gonna be cute in this pic.", Abbie and Justus "I get to hold my brother. Nah. Nah.", Asher"I want to be the baby!"

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