Last night I thought I had locked both sets of keys in the mini. I came in from a late night trip to return stuff to Old Navy, and my arm hit the lock button as I was getting out. I knew the spare was in my purse and I always leave the keys in the van.
SO, I come in and tell Jason I think I have messed up and locked the keys in the van. I then walked into the kitchen for a minute. When I come back in to sit down in the living room, Jason gets up, goes to the coat closet and gets my jacket. He proceeds to look in my pockets and pulls out my keys! I just laugh!
He knows me so well. Two things that I know make him cringe about me, his wife, is that I usually forget things at the store which he needs due to the fact that I do not make a list. He really is trying to encourage me in the list department. He even bought me a really cute Real SImple note organizer and I know he prays daily that I would use it!
The next thing about me that I know drives him crazy is my ability to misplace things! I usually find it, but there are times….
Thank you for putting up with me!

After a crazy week and a half of multiple children with sickness, we are better! Thanks for your prayers.
This past Thursday, I went to Mississippi with my mom and Parker. I am a Mississippi girl, but we moved to Tennessee when I was 4. All of my extended family lives in Mississippi. In fact, my parents are the only ones to have moved from the great state! My mom is from Laurel, which is in southern MS and my dad is from OVETT. It is about 20 minutes from Laurel.

This trip to Mississippi was special, sort of . My cousin, Haley, was competing in a preliminary pageant to get into Miss Mississippi for the Miss America pageant. This past summer she was 3rd runner up to the Miss Mississippi for Miss USA. My niece, Morgan, was going to be her attendant, so being the great aunt I am, I went to see her. Anyways, needless to say, it was an experience. I discovered a true southern tradition- the parading of girls across a stage in various degrees of clothing, looks and talent and the ability to speak well on stage!

Now, I consider myself a southerner, but I have learned that Tennessee may be a little less south than Mississippi. I have never seen, know of, been to or heard of a pageant in Tennessee.
But, I learned, while visiting the Pageant Dress Shop in Laurel, that it is a quite common thing in MS. Thus, the Pageant dress shop! While we were visiting the shop, there was a 7 year old picking out her pageant dress and a BOY came in to get his tux for the local Elementary School pageant. On Friday, one of the local high schools had their pageant and next weekend another one does! Their pageants are for the MOST BEAUTIFUL title.

So, the big night came, and my sweet, beautiful cousin, who is really just wanting the scholarship money, looks gorgeous. She sang a great song from Aida, the musical, looked stunning in her evening dress, did okay in the question part, and was a knock out in her swim suit. I wish I could describe all that struck me as stereotypical and funny, BUT I know myself well enough to know that I would cross the line and definately offend someone! It was some of the best entertainment for 10 bucks I have had in a while, though! I was sitting next to Kendall, my brother in law, which greatly added to the evening because he has some of the best one liners and never fails to crack me up!

The results were in and I feel Haley was robbed. She was first runner up. But, in my education of the pageant system in Mississippi, I learned that Miss Mississippi is a rite of passage. The girl who won the Miss Jones County title, who will go on to compete in the Miss Mississippi pageant, was first runner up last year! Who knows, maybe she’ll try again next year!

And if she does, I am going to be there with a cowbell!

Jason spoke at church on New Year’s Eve. It has been such a joy to me to watch him develop as a speaker through the years. He spoke on a principle that we have tried to wrap our lives around for a lot of years. His main point was, “It is both powerful and convincing when the body of Christ IS the body of Christ.” Many of us know people who were embraced, encouraged and loved by other believers and thus began to see their need for Christ. But, how many more do we know who have equated God with the actions of Christians and have thus turned away from the Church, but more importantly, from a life altering encounter with Jesus. I was convicted to think of how my actions have the power to turn people off from Christ, because I am His representative. Jason talked about all the “One Anothers” in Scripture, most of which Jesus taught. Love one another as I have loved you, do not forsake meeting with one another, be kind one to another, forgive one another… The list goes on.
SO, as we begin 2007, I am reminded that I have the privelege of letting Christ rule in my life, in my heart, and in my actions. His Words come through mine. His hands serve through mine. His love is shown through me. His forgiveness and grace is revealed in my ability to do those very things. His mercy is mine every morning to claim and offer to those around me. His glory is made known when I become less and He becomes More.
I am amazed and humbled by the task to become more like Christ. I have so far to go, but the journey is the prize of knowing Jesus daily, each hour, each minute. I don’t want to be so focused on my corner of the world, my life, my family, my growth that I don’t allow God’s Word to become who I am and thus change how I live. His command is not rocket science. He has given us the formula to show the World that we are changed by Christ. My prayer is that in this new year, my words may be less and my actions scream that I am forever changed and daily changing by Jesus.

Christmas is official at our house! Last night, Jason and I watched the movie White Christmas and wrapped presents. This began for him as a child, and for me, after we were married. We love to share this with friends, but since having children, it is usually just the two of us!
What is your favorite holiday movie?

I had an absolutely fabulous time with my mom and sis in Chattanooga. I would show you pictures but didn’t take the camera. I have decided that this is one of those family traditions that get passed down through the generations. Our christmas pictures growing up all look the exact same just one year later. We are sitting in our assigned christmas opening presents seats in the floor, except mom and dad are on the couch. We hold up the just opened gift, usually an item of clothing, and pose. Breathtaking photography. Truly Captivating. We just are not natural picture taking folks. Now, I have tried to become better since having children, but I still forget the camera on more than one occasion. Scrapbooking does not come naturally to me, either. I have preserved forever from birth to 3 months with Parker. Sad, I know.
I really like the idea of these online scrapbooks where you just paste the picture in the square and presto, a scrapbook. I love that idea!
Life is hectic here and my list to do seems to be getting longer and the time to do it shorter!
It is definately beginning to look a lot like Christmas….

Mom, my sister Kim and I are heading to Chattanooga, TN this weekend for a fun getaway! We are staying at the famed Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel which is the old train depot. Really fun! We plan on doing some shopping and having some pampering done! We are going to the Spa at the Chattanoogan Hotel. I have personally never had much more than a manicure and pedicure, but since it is my birthday, I am going to have a facial, massage and pedicure! Can I say, excited? Because truly, I am!
Jason is going to have the kiddos, so send up some prayers! He does a great job and I know they will have a great weekend.
On the birthday front, we are going to Chuck E. Cheese tonight for Parker’s birthday dinner. Her cousins and friend Evan are coming, as well as her honorary aunt and uncle, Chris and Dawn. She will love it! She also gets to go to the toy store with Nana to pick out her gift. This shared birthday thing has definately taught me about laying down my wants for someone else! I know she and I will have some fun birthdays together as she gets older and our tastes in restaurants are more in sync!

I received this in an email and thought it would be a good family devotional during the Christmas season. Nice to know the symbolism behind the traditions!

Candy Cane

The True Meaning of Christmas

The development of the candy cane took a few hundred years. Before the invention of the modern pacifier, parents used to give their babies unflavored white sugar sticks to suck on. During the 1670′s a German choirmaster had the sugar sticks bent into a shepherd’s staff and passed out to children attending the Christmas services. This holiday custom spread throughout Europe and fancy canes, decorated with roses, were used as Christmas decorations in many homes. About 1900 the white candy cane received its traditional red stripes and peppermint flavoring. At the same time the legend of the candy cane came into being. According to this legend, a candy maker in Indiana designed the candy cane to tell the true story of Christmas – a story about a virgin giving birth to a shepherd who would give up His life for the sheep.

The most obvious symbolism used in the candy cane is its shape. Turned one way, it looks like a “J” for Jesus. The newborn Lamb of God was named Jesus, meaning Savior, because He was destined to “save His people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). Turned the other way, candy canes remind us of the shepherd’s staff. The first people to hear of Christ’s birth were shepherds guarding their flocks at night (Lk 2:8-20). Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and the Bible frequently compares the actions of the Messiah to those of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, feeding them, gently leading them, and carrying them in his bosom (Ps 23; Jn 10:1-18; Is 40:11; Jer 31:10; Micah 5:4; Heb 13:20). The sweetness of the candy reminds us that we are fed on the sweet milk of the Gospel of our salvation and peace (Eph 1:13; 6:15).

The hardness of the candy reminds us that Jesus is our rock of refuge (Deu 32:4, 15, 18; 1 Sam 2:2; 2 Sam 22:32, 47; 23:3; Psa 18:2, 31; 28:1; 92:15; 94:22; 95:1; Is 44:8). In rocky lands like Israel, people often sought shelter from their enemies in the caves or rocky crags of cliffs. Rocks also remind us of the solidness of the promises of Christ who is a precious cornerstone and sure foundation to those who follow Him, but a “stone of stumbling and a rock of offense” to those who reject His gift of peace (1 Pet 2:6-8).

The whiteness of the candy brings to mind the Virgin Birth and the sinless life of Christ (Mt 1:23; Lk 1:34-35). We also are made as pure as the snow through the cleansing action of His blood (Rev 7:9, 14; Is 1:18).

The traditional candy cane has 3 small red stripes to remind us of the soldiers’ stripes by which we are healed and a larger stripe which represents the blood shed by Christ on Calvary’s tree (Is 53:5; Mt 27:32-50). Some people say that the 3 small stripes honor the Holy Trinity while the larger stripe reminds us of the one true God. Others claim that the small stripes represent our mini-passions or sufferings and the great stripe symbolizes Christ’s Passion. A green stripe is sometimes placed on candy canes to remind us that Jesus is God’s gift to us. (Green is the color of giving.)

The peppermint flavor of modern candy canes is said to be similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. During the first Passover celebrations, a bundle of hyssop was used to smear the blood of Passover lambs upon the doorposts of houses so that the Angel of Death would pass over their occupants (Ex 12:22). Bundles of hyssop were also used to sprinkle blood on worshipers and objects during Mosaic purification rituals (Ex 24:6-8; Lev 14:4, 49-52). After his affair with Bathsheba, King David appealed to God’s mercy crying, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps 51:7). Peppermint reminds us that Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7). His blood cleanses us from sin and destroys the power of death (Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor 15:54-57; Heb 2:14-15; Rev 20:6).

Except where otherwise indicated all scripture quotes are from the NKJV.

More information about candy canes is available at:

The Candy Cane

Welcome to Candy Cane Lane!!!

Emery, our middle child, has always been a force to be reckoned with! She has lately developed a love of all things related to dancing an singing. She constantly twirls, instead of walking, or jumps instead of running. She is so much fun! Well, she has added to her skills and now breaks into song at the drop of a hat. Now, you may think she is singing songs she has learned, but oh no, she is creating them inside her little brain. She will sing about me feeding Bradley, or brushing her hair of fixing dinner, whatever she is presently doing becomes the latest musical number! It is so funny to watch. She will also talk to herself all the time or as I prefer to think, she is talking to her angel, sharing life! Today, she told me a story about Cutie McShooty and Cutie Mctooty. She kept using potty words to rhyme with cutie and when she saw my face she would change their names. Now the Cuties are brothers, ages 5 and 6, who are students of Emery’s. She is their teacher and she drives the van to teach them how to do bad things. Now, in Emery world, as she explains, this means she is teaching to not do bad things! She is a masterful teacher! I loved watching her little brain mold this creative story. It was truly poetry in motion!
Tonight, she is playing the part of mom to her son, Ton, and Parker is her 11 year old daughter. Her husband is Jaston, a friend from church school. They have a cat, too! I’ll keep you posted!
Zephaniah 3:17 states, “He will take great delight in you..” I know He is more delighted by this sweet storyteller, than we are!

Today we wen t to see the allergist. Bradley has continued to have hives/red spots even though we have avoided wheat and eggs. He does not seem fazed by the breakouts, but we still need to know what is causing it! The Dr. ordered more blood work to check for all the foods he is eating and referred us to a dermatologist. He feels that he may have a skin condition on top of additional allergies due to the blood counts. All other major allergens have been tested for and he is not allergic to them. SO, now we are trying to figure out if it is food or contact or airborne allergens. Fun stuff at our house. I am also just going to feed him the same thing everyday for a few days to try to rule out some foods. I am also going to wash every item of clothing he has in hot water and white vinegar to aviod detergent. Anymore suggestions would be highly appreciated!
We had a great Thanksgiving. SHopping day was fruitful as well! I love being with my family and I am so thankful we get together. Please pray for Bradley as we seek to make wise choices for him and to determine what is causing his breakouts. I can deal with the food allergies, but I am struggling with not knowing. I trust that God will lead us to make the decisions needed and I know that His love for B is relentless. I can’t imagine life without Jesus. I can’t imagine not having Him to lean on and be led by in uncertain times. He is truly our Rock.

I am already feeling behind for the holidays! I love this time of year and all the fun activities that are associated with the holidays. I love parties and decorating, baking and shopping. We have the day after Thanksgiving shopping tradition in my family. Even my dad goes and then gets stuck carrying the shopping bags back to the car! He is a trooper and seems to enjoy hanging with the girls. Jason always watches the kids and does not even question what he is doing the day after Thanksgiving! He is so great about helping out!
I thought it would be fun to share any traditions you have with your family and what you plan to carry on with your kids. We don’t do Santa, but do buy the kids three gifts which are sitting out Christmas morning. We have really avoided the discussion of Santa with the girls. They will ask who is that if we pass him or a light up figure of him and we just say, “That is Santa.” We have not gotten the question of why does he not come to our house, yet. SO, we will continue to have the same policy of not explaining until we are forced, I mean , asked to by our children. We don’t necessarily have strong anti-Santa convictions, but rather just want to focus on the birth of Jesus. Also, we want the credit! Our children are still excited in the morning and I don’t feel they are deprived.
We do have Santa at my mom’s house and thus far, it has worked out great. My nieces have Santa, so we did not want to change the tradition because of our choice. We just don’t really talk about who is bringing the gifts!
We also have a birthday cake for Jesus. Usually, it is for Jesus and my dad because his birthday is December 26th. We have tried the fancy cake with three layers with all the symbolism, but we just like plain cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus. It has been a really tangible reminder to the kids of what and who we are celebrating.
I am starting the advent calendar this year, so if you have any good devotions or ideas please pass them along!
Blessings!