Now Its Time for Things To Calm Down A Bit!

When I started this blog I promised myself I wouldn't let a multitude of days pass without an entry. Obviously.....EPIC FAIL. Since my last entry was sometime near the first part of November I've got me some catching up to do. So here we go.

I got up the nerve to cut all my hair off and have it lightened. I had over 12 inches to donate! In honor of the Boss Queen, Mrs. Ellen McGowen herveryownself, a cancer patient now will get a wig of my hair! Susan Puryear at China Doll was gracious enough to do it the night before Thanksgiving. She did an awesome job. Can we say spur of the moment?

On Thanksgiving Day, our yellow lab Nala turned 2 years old. There was no way I was boarding her on her birthday (what kind of mother do you think I am?) so she traveled with us for Thanksgiving. She was perfect....as always!

Thanksgiving....get-together with Philip's family, get-together with my family. FAIL on photo remembrance on Gambrell gathering due to illness. SCORE on photo remembrance on Gillingham gathering due to feeling pretty darn good. Please see below for highlights!

Every picture I have of my sister is like this :)

While we were having our Gillingham Thanksgiving, I had the pleasure of doing my nephews 4 months baby pics. He's a cutie and such fun to shoot. Here are some of my favs.

The spit-up just adds something, dont you think?

The kids have begun basketball through Forest Hills. So far so good. We seem to have great coaches and great teams. We've got great colors to wear and we look smashing in our uniforms!

Decorating for Christmas has been completed! We picked out our tree at the farm last year and babied him throughout the months so that he would grow big and strong! He now stands bright and cheery in our living room glowing brightly and covered in ornaments! PJs train is ringed around the base and the stockings are hung by the chimney with care!

The kiddos worked hard on decorating a preconstructed gingerbread house. Preconstructed being the important word here. The last one we actually tried to build ourselves came crashing down to screams and tears galore. I swore we would never do that again and risk the trauma of a caved-in roof. Prefab is the way to go for the Gambrell household!

The children took part in the Recorder concert at school. EPIC FAIL on my part for missing the major evening performance due to the after effects of a stress test. Thank heavens they did a 2nd performance during school hours that I attended and was entertained by. I am so proud of my kiddos and the people they are growing up to be!

The Live Nativity at church just drew to a close last night. Some of the ladies and I were trying to figure out how many years it had been going on and we came up with this year being our 40th year! WOW! We always enjoy being a part of this. I think I made 462 cups of hot chocolate for people who came inside for snacks and to warm up and I was blessed by each and every one of them.

Note to self: Do not put camera down!

Yesterday after church we made our family photos....to much chagrine on the kids part. They fuss but we always have a good time doing it. And of course we have to include Nala. She is a major part of our family!

Apparently Avy and I didnt get the memo about making a funny face!

Today is mine and Philip's 12th Wedding Anniversary. Twelve years ago I married the man of my dreams! I told him this morning that I prayed that the next twelve were a little bit healthier than the past twelve. He just laughed : ) We sure have changed over the past twelve years. We've grown up and we've grown together. He was and continues to be my best friend, confidant, lover, provider, father of my children, shoulder to lean on, safe shelter, gift from my Heavenly Father, and I look forward to the next many years that we get to spend together.

Now, after so much go go go......finally we just get to slow down and look forward to some time as a family. Christmas time is here. The Saviour is coming. Its time to slow down and remember why we celebrate this season. Its not because the gifts we get or give or even getting together with family. Its not because the charities we help or the little red kettle stationed at every store entrance. My family celebrates this season because of the one gift that was given to us even before we were thought of or were created. We celebrate because our Saviour was born on this broken and sinful Earth. God sent his Son as the Ultimate Gift to everyone! past, present, and future! What a Gift.....homemade, wrapped in love and sealed with a kiss. Did I mention........FREE? You just have to receive it. How awesome is that?

I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Holiday season. I'll blog after the New Year.