Wordless Wednesday (Ready for School in one Popular Outfit)

I have to add just a few words. While reading Sweet Ella Grace and Banana Pants, I noticed that their little ones have the exact same outfit as Mattie's! These girls know fashion!

Cardboard Testimonies

Today our church celebrated its 10 years serving Christ! We had an awesome service that was quite emotional. Every person has a story. The road isn't always smooth. We hit bumps along the way and even sometimes feel like we are falling off a cliff. But one thing stands true. God will never leave us ~ We may walk away from Him but He is always there. Today our church had cardboard testimonials. I wish I had a video of ours. It was so touching. Here are a few pictures I took.....sorry they are not the best. I also included a video below of another church that did the same thing. I encourage you to take the time to watch it.

Matt's Testimony

It says...."Saved @ 12 ~ runaway @ 18........But He never ranaway from me!"

An Apple A Day...

If it is true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then Miss Mattie will have very few visits to the doctor. The other day I went into the fridge, when as usual Mattie was right there to see what she could get into. Her new fun is opening and closing drawers so it wasn't surprising to see her open the fruit drawer. As soon as she did, she grabbed the apple, took a bite, and ran off to her sister's room. She was giggling and grinning the whole way. She thought she was something eating that apple like a big girl. Well ever since that day, this girl loves an apple. She will eat the whole thing! I was quite surpised to see that she even eats the peel. I actually core the apple and have bought softer kinds of apples. I was worried she may choke if she bit off a big piece of a hard apple. Her therapist actually said it was a very good workout out for her oral muscles.

She looks like a little angel in this picture.

The Reason Why My Mommy Rarely Posts......

"Help! I'm stuck!" My mommy has to rescue me from tight spots quite often.

Don't leave the chair out~I love to climb!


"Don't worry~My mom and dad caught me doing this for the first time. Now that they've learned my new trick, I can't ever get on the table. That's ok. I keep them busy All the time~ I can always find a new adventure!"

A touching Letter

Dear Blogger friends I have missed reading all your wonderful blogs. I just can't seem to manage the time to do everything this Christmas season so my blogging has been put on hold. I just can't do it all I guess. Hopefully I'll get to catch up soon. I hope everyone is having a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas. I know my family has especially enjoyed our time together this year.

I wanted to share this letter that was given to my teacher assistant who drives a bus. She has given me permission to share it. It is a letter written to her by an 8 year old girl that rides on her bus. She is writing in reference to the other children on her bus. I was so touched by this letter. Please take the time to read it. The top of the letter reads "Believe the Spirit".

The last line wouldn't copy all the way but says "I miss people being good."

Happy Birthday Abby!

My oldest turned the big 13 today! It just doesn't seem right. She is an official teenager. I'm sure we are in for a lot of fun days ahead. Let the fun begin!

I've finally took a little time to post some of our TN pictures.

Mattie loved exploring Grandma's house. She got a lot of walking practice!

Mattie sneaking into her sister's make-up case.

This is one of the horses in the field across from Grandma & Granddaddy's house. They have a beautiful view. The girls loved feeding her apples.

Mattie did not care for the horse at all.

Bristol Speedway Light show. We were freezing! The only heated place were the bathrooms. It is sad when you are happy hanging out in the bathroom!

Tis the Season.....

for being very busy! I guess it isn't going to slow down either. Our family went to Tennessee for Thanksgiving. We had a really nice visit with Matt's family. It was Mattie's first time leaving our state. We went to Bristol Motor Speedway for their Christmas lights show. Matt is very excited to say he actually got to drive on the race track...even if it was only 5 miles an hour. (Pictures to come later I hope.)

Mattie has been quite busy herself. She is getting to be such a big girl. She now walks from her daycare class to the car while holding my hand. It may take us an hour to get there but she loves it. She is climbing on anything that she can reach. She also has found the love of cabinets and drawers. Let's say there is no rest for the weary anymore! I've also found that along with all this new found freedom has come the ability to whine when things don't go her way. Mattie has always been happy go lucky so it is strange hearing her fuss. It usually only last a couple seconds before she is distracted but I'm sure we will be in for longer episodes as she gets older.

Our next hurdle: Mattie, Christmas tree, and wrapped presents. This should be interesting!