My New Favorite Movie

I have had two wonderful days. Yesterday, my mom, her cousin, Jackie, and I went out all day. We shopped at the Collierville mall, at lunch at P.J. Changs, and saw "P.S. I Love You." It was such a wonderful story. I love Hillary Swank, Kathy Bates (who is from Memphis), and Harry Connick, Jr. There were also a couple of actors that are a "tall drinks of water." Evidently they are famous but I did not know them. Molly Smith was a producer on this movie and her father is Fred Smith (the founder of FedEx which is headquartered in Memphis). She was on a local news show talking about the movie. Fred Smith owns the production company.

Tonight the kids are spending the night with my parents. Joel and I went to eat at a new Thai reastaurant in town. It was very very nice. The owner spoke with us for a while and brought out some curries for me to taste. I loved the red curry. Afterwards I drug Joel to "P.S. I Love You." He wasn't wild about the idea but I think he was glad he went. I cried for the second time.

P.S. I Love You made me appreciate Joel. I have been with him since I was 21 and sometimes (OK, a lot) take him for granted. He is a good man. Loves me. Loves our kids. He loves the Lord and wants to please Him. He is honest, caring, sincere, tender hearted, compassionate. He is laid back and has no worries. Life is bright for Joel and he loves every minute of his day. He is strong and athletic. He tries to take care of himself. He puts me and the kids first. He gives of his time to church. He works a camp in the summer for foster kids. He is a hard worker, self starter. Successful in his busines. My list can go on and on. I love him so much. I cannot imagine a life without him. I need him. He is apart of me like a limb or vital organ. Yes, we have our issues and problems but I don't want anyone else to share my life with. Joel, you are perfect for me and I am so glad that God put us together. What a WONDERFUL 2008 we are going to have. I can't wait!!!

Chrismas Programs

Will was in 3 this year! One at church (preschoolers rang bells) and two from the preschools that he attends. His Tues. and Thurs. school had their program early in Dec. The kids had matching sweatshirts that they painted their hand prints into trees. It was very organized and practiced.

Now, his MWF morning school was another story. Not sure if any of you have heard of "Irish Travelers" (sometimes called gypsies) but they live in Memphis near us. The Baptist school that William goes to has a slew of them. You have not lived until you attend a program with them in attendance. They doll up and I mean DOLL UP their kids. They are generally loud and unruly. The director was chasing around kids in the choir loft during the program. I didn't realize that there were that many in his school. We might not send him back. When he started school they were not registered yet. They travel until Oct/Nov. I think they are in Texas but not sure. Will's school will hold spots for them and I guess their Catholic school won't. They drop out of school early and their marriages are arranged. The girls are usually very young and the men are older. It is definitely a different world. They drip in diamonds, jewels, furs, etc. They drive spanking brand new vehicles - usually Lexus, Cadillac, Acura, Infiniti, etc. They live in house trailers and I have heard that they are decked out with even chandeliers. They pay for everything in cash and I have been told that they don't have social security cards. How can that be after 9/11?

How did I get off on this tangent? Anyway, I am proud of my kids and love seeing them on stage.

Kara was also in the one at church. The name of the program was "In the Country."

Merry Christmas

As it always is for everyone, Christmas was busy this year. We try very hard to keep the reason for the season evident. We read and do a little activity called "What God Wants For Christmas". The children open a different box every night to reveal the story of Christmas. On the last night the final box has a mirror in it, this is because God wants YOU for Christmas. We also read a Golden Book about Christ's birth.

This year we did something extra fun for Christmas. Joel and I want Kara and Will (and soon Seth) to understand that it is better to give then to receive. I read someone's blog and they gave me the idea. We bought plastic wise men from Walmart and attached a note to them. The note said:

"The wise men have begun their journey to Bethlehem: They are a little lost and are stopping at your house for the night.

Please enjoy their company. They will move on tomorrow.
OR
For a $10.00 donation we will tell them there is no room in the inn and remove them.
For another $15.00 donation we will drop them off at your friend's or family's house.
And for $5.00 more we will drop them off never to return.

All proceeds will go to help Kara and Will give a gift that GROWS INTO HOPE. Thank you for participating in the fun."

We attached a flyer that we printed off of the Holt Website. The money will go to help families in Southeast Asia stay together by buying thing things like livestock, sewing machines, and fruit stands.

Our friends and community were very generous. The wise men visited several homes that we did not even know. That was extra fun as we "snuck" the men into yards and plugged them up. After visiting around 14 homes we raised a total of $300. The kids loved it and I think they "got it". We plan on making our fundraiser a yearly tradition.

Saturday night my parents treated the entire family to the Broadway musical "White Christmas" at the Orpheum. We had a great time. My kids were on the verge of boredom with all of the dialogue but they loved the dancing and costumes. Will kept asking loudly "when's Frosty coming out"?

We almost didn't see it as Mom had the date wrong. Our tickets were actually for Friday night. The Orpheum was kind enough to find us good seats anyway. Nothing hurt, nothing lost. We just have more ammunition now to tease mom!!
Downtown is beautiful this time of year. Nothing like Christmas in Memphis with temperatures in the 70's.