The man who works in the office.

I found the boys some dress shoes today. Dade tried his on when he woke up from napping. He wanted to put his Christmas outfit on and take pictures to send Aunt SuSu.

( This one's for you, Donna.) We are trying to teach the boys to throw balls outside... it's just hard to stop when you've been doing it for 30 years.

Dade's photography.

Trying to win again...

Getting Ready.

I pulled my Christmas wreath down from the attic and updated the blog to start preparing for Christmas. The boys are already talking about going to pick and cut our tree -- hopefully we can go next Sunday. I LOVE the smell of a tree in our living room!

Tommy and I went to see Changeling last night -- it was very intense. I am surprised that I didn't shed a tear, but I was in shock and mad about the circumstances surrounding the story.

Audrey did fine for the sitter. Dade started feeling poorly yesterday but insisted that he was fine with us leaving and said he would take care of Audrey. He told us we didn't need to worry about him -- just broke my heart. When Tommy questioned him a little more Dade admitted he wanted Olivia to come... that he likes her; the boys colored her no less than five WordWorld pages. They were all sound asleep when we got home. We had a great night out!

A little bit of this & a little bit of that.

My sweet family.

I was trying shirts and coats on the boys yesterday for our Christmas pictures we are taking this coming week. When Dade got his on he said, "I look like a man who works in town."

Audrey played in the sandbox with the boys on Thursday. I didn't have my camera since it was a spur of the moment decision to go to the park. The sand was a little cold and damp, but she sat in it for a while (and tasted a little, too). She has started pulling/pushing herself up to STANDING!

Tommy and I are having our anniversary date tonight... we celebrate SIX years tomorrow. We are looking forward to a night out without the kids; I am praying Audrey does well for the sitter. She hasn't wanted to have much to do with anyone except me for a few weeks now.

If you are looking for a good read over the holidays:

Bring the Rain -- I stumbled upon this blog through a friend's blog. I kept a tab open in my browser for several days until I finished reading it from the beginning (January '08). I was in tears and yet encouraged and inspired. http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com

Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back -- Josh Hamilton. Tommy finished this book in less than two days... he could not put it down.

Audrey at the boys' game this morning.D&L waiting to bat.
Dade playing third base.

Luke at catcher.

I'm Impressed.

Dade wrote Luke's name for him on his coloring page at the library on Tuesday. What astonished me is that his mind could think to write it just the way you are seeing it... upside down and backwards from across the table.

More Love.

I didn't think it was possible to love Tommy any more and then...

he brought home this (not Audrey -- this dishwasher).

I've despised my old one for three years.
Dade brushing Audrey's hair after her bath.

Tommy working on the pergola.

He got all the 2x2s on -- the boys had to try it out.

Take me out to the ball game.

Dade and Luke had their first t-ball game yesterday. Gran & Big Daddy brought Tommy's truck back, so they were here with us this weekend (will post pics of Tommy's "new" truck later).

Tommy and the boys before the game. Dade warming upLuke getting ready

D&L

Dade running home -- look at the smile on his face!

He was so proud of himself.

Luke Audrey trying to stay warm

D&L put this toy on her head last night... it was really funny

With Gran & Big Daddy before they left today.

Fun Friday.

The boys started off today by playing cars and mailman (they put flash cards under their bedroom door to each other). We headed to gymnastics and finished the day working in the house and the yard.

LukeDadeDade - on far rightLuke - standing up on leftLittle Angel

Happy 12th Birthday, Carlos!

Carlos Alejandro Salas Cueva lives in Peru, is in sixth grade, enjoys soccer, art and listening to music. He is the child we sponsor through Compassion International.

A long line of Heros.

Tommy's Great Grandfather,

George N. Thomas

WWI Tommy's Grandfather,

Lester M. Thomas

WWII

Tommy's Dad,

Rodney Tyner Goforth

Vietnam

My grandfather, Gene White served in the National Guard.

Maraca

Dade diligently covered this cup that had crayons in it with Scotch tape. I asked him what he called his work of art...

"Maraca."

Pergola Progress & More.

Dade's Letter to Santa My three babies this morning

Celebrating 100 years.

Dade and Luke were coloring the back porch with chalk yesterday and today; they informed me that they were making it beautiful because they were celebrating their 100th birthdays. Time sure does fly!

I was talking to Dade the other day about him turning five in three months (I know, I can't believe it either)! "In three days I'll be five." I told him not in three days but three months, and that a week was seven days and a month was 30 days. Then I told him 30 days was more than seven. "So a month is more than a week," he said. SO smart!

I made these wool pants for Audrey from an old sweater.

Luke wrote his name all by himself today for the first time. You have to look closely: he drew the L then put a big circle around it, put a big U outside the circle, and put the K and E next to the L.

Tonight at dinner Dade prayed, "Thank you, God for our house that we all live in, and let Daddy do good at work to earn lots of money to buy a car and a truck and a pasture." Oh the innocence.

Senior Living.

Yesterday the kids and I went with my friend, Heather and her kids to a senior living facility. The kids passed out coloring pages they have made at church over the past few weeks. Dade and Luke were uncertain and uneasy about being there. Toward the end of our visit they started passing out their pages willingly. The men and women really seemed to enjoy seeing all the kids (Heather has three as well). I did not take my camera but have a picture of her middle daughter with Audrey from this past weekend (on Saturday we had a MOPS leadership family BBQ).

Audrey and SophieMOPS family BBQ:

the kids were trying to get the attention

of the "cool" older neighbor boy.