Thankful

I want to take a moment to acknowledge my thankfulness for an answered prayer. To the rest of the world, this is not a big deal and part of growing up, but it means so much to me. So far, the Nelsons have been healthy for a long time. Carley had her tonsils & adenoids out this Summer and so far she has not had one serious cough or cold of any kind! She has had minor seasonal allergies, no strep or anything like that! I am not boasting or bragging at all! I am just acknowledging God has answered our prayer for healthier kids! The only thing going on with her little body are a couple of UTI's this year and we are working on that. Also she has been going to the dermatologist since October because she had 6 planters warts on her foot. They have been nasty but 2 weeks ago, they cleared up! It seriously is another answered prayer!

Corey spent last January sick almost the entire time. So far he has not had any ear infections or throat infections since October. Last night he ran fever for about 2 hours and it was the first time in forever. He has a cough that has turned nasty. Hopefully we can treat it with stuff we have here. Either way, this is the healthiest this little guy has been maybe his entire life. Once again, I am not jinxing anything or boasting, I am just so thankful that God has answered our prayers for a healthier winter!

We have friends and friends of friends who have very sick family members. Whether it is a sick baby or a sick parent, it is sad to watch and we are fervently praying to the Great Healer on their behalf.

I received my printed blog book for 2011 a couple of weeks ago and it reminded me again why I love to blog. It also is such evidence of God's hand moving and working in our family. The best posts are the ones where you can see God answered a prayer. I would be ungrateful not to acknowledge what He has done on our behalf again and again!

On the Move!

Grammy and Pawpaw Spann bought Corey a Mickey Mouse motorized scooter for Christmas. This little guy loves it. He loves to go. He is great at pushing the pedals and not good at all at steering, which keeps mom busy when he rides. He is so cute on it and feels so big. How am I supposed to be serious with this little tough guy?

Sweet Carley Moment

on Sunday night, Carley was playing in the yard of the home we attend for Growth Group kind of off on her own. It was dark and she was looking at the stars. On the way home she said she needed to tell me something. She said she God talked to her. I asked her what He said and she said he just put his voice in her heart and He told her, "You are the only you and I love you. Obey your parents. Trust in Me all the time." She said it so seriously and so innocently. She said it was an important moment. Those were her words. That night she picked two bible books to read and she said her good night prayer and it brought tears to my eyes. It went something like this, " Dear God, Thank you for talking to my heart. I love you too and I will follow you forever. I will always be yours. I trust and hope in your power. Thank you for Jesus. In his name I pray, Amen".

I am not sure what all went on that night, but I am so thankful that Carley's faith is becoming real and she understands prayer is a two way conversation.

Lord, please grow faith in our Carley. Help Cody and I to parent her in the way you want her to grow and in ways that let your love bloom inside of her. Help her words tonight to be true and let her always follow you. It is humbly in your son's name I pray, Amen

These Two

..melt my heart. Carley loves to read the Bible to Corey. These two can fight and scream at each other, but most of the time, they are so sweet and loving. I hope this friendship lasts a lifetime!

Nana

Last Wednesday night I was bathing the kids and Cody was at the station. My mom called and surprised me by offering to come spend the night and get the kids ready for bed and school. I cannot tell you how thankful I was. Mom showed up, got kids in pjs, and started rocking. My kids just LOVED it. They really cannot get enough of my parents. I cleaned up the kitchen and read books with Corey. After we was asleep, I found mom and Carley in Carley's twin bed. Carley had talked Nana in to sleeping with her. My sweet mom completely agreed. I was asleep by 9:15 and rested so well knowing Nana was here. Thanks again mom for coming even when I don't ask. We love you!

January is off and running!

I started back to work on January 2nd which was a VERY early start. The first week was good. We are off and running. Carley was so excited to go back to Kinder! She had a great couple of days getting some private attention though. One day she stayed with Cody and he took her shooting for the first time. He said she loves it and is a good shot. It sure scares me! Not my thing, but I am trying to be super supportive. The next day she spent the day getting all the attention from Nana. I am glad she had those days to get some love before another semester was underway.

Corey is busy, busy, busy, but cute, cute, cute. He loves school, his class, and his teacher. I am so thankful for our daycare.

I thought the kids looked especially cute this morning at church.

Carley and her match, Ashley-Rose. Corey in his fire engine gear. he did decide to throw a fit before we left and I got that captured below. Love my sweet babies!

Books I read over the break

I read 4 books over the last 2 weeks and loved each one.

- The Next Always by Nora Roberts - I always enjoy her books so much and this trilogy had me hooked the first book. Can't wait for the other two!

- Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner - This was an interesting book about a family whose lives changes when the father, who is a senator, has had an affair. It is a really good read. It is sad in parts, but also very realistic I thought. I am glad I read it.

- Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks - This book gets really intense. It is not a sappy love story like some of his others. I thought it was a really good read and a good mystery in some ways.

-Longing by Karen Kingsbury - this is the 3rd in the 4th of the Bailey Flannagan series and I was really surprised by this book. It was not predictable like some of her others. I don't mean that bad, but usually you can guess what is coming and I was wrong several times in this one. I have really enjoyed the Bailey Flannagan series.

What are you reading?

Who?

Who pooped in the potty for the first time?

Who tells me no 100 times before 7:00 am?

Who could watch the Wiggles 24-7?

Who sings songs all day long?

Who loves to cuddle with his Mommy?

Who is becoming a picky eater?

Who is a mess?

Who is the most ticklish, loving 2 year old on the planet?

Who wears his mommy out?

This little fireball

Mud Room Birthday Party

To celebrate her 6th Birthday, Carley had a birthday party at The Mud Room. She and 7 of her friends had fun painting pottery signs. The girls were so cute and so proud of their products! We are so thankful for her new little school friends and the good semester she has had in Kinder. We are also super thankful that our best buds and cousins could stay for the party.

Family Birthday Party

Carley had a super fun time at Chuck E Cheese with most of the Spanns, the Cores, and the O'Rear oldest girls as well as our Nelson family. She loved celebrating with people she loves and being celebrated by people she loves!

Grammy gave her a new doll, Ashley Rose. Tim's family and Jason's family gave her the carrier. Aaron's family gave her a new outfit and headband. Mom and Dad gave her a purse and journal (with locks). She was in hog heaven. Here are some of my favorite faces from the evening.

SIX!!

Carley turned SIX! WOW! That number takes 2 hands to hold up!

Here is Carley's interview about herself.

What are your nicknames: Pumpkin ( I have never heard anyone call her this, but whatever), Sparkle (my nickname for her), Sissy (Corey's), Carley-girl (Cody's nickname for her)

What is your favorite food: Macaroni and Cheese, Hot Dogs, Quesadillas, Cheese Pizza

What are your favorite drinks: Water and Milk and sometimes juice

What are you favorite things to do: hang out with my entire family, cuddle with Elly, and play with my Barbies, draw, play on computer, and read

Who are your best friends at church: Addison, Landon, Jones, Nehemiah,

Who are your best friends at school: Elise, Hannah, Addisyn, Annabelle

What is your favorite thing about Kindergarten: PE or Gym Time, ABC's, and Fun work

What is your favorite think about Mrs. Kauffman, your teacher: She is very nice and she makes sure that everybody is paying attention at Phonics Time

What do you like to do with your Mom: Go Swimming, Cook (definitely), and sleep with you

What do you like to do with your Dad: Go shooting, practice being a fire fighter, and color

What do you like to do with Corey: play with him and cuddle with him

What do you want to be when you grow up: A rockstar or a firefighter

Carley-girl- There really are no words to tell you how much we love you, how proud we are of you, and what joy you bring to our lives. You have grown up so much this year before our eyes and we delight in it and it breaks our heart to see how fast time is going. This year you have become less shy around strangers, blossomed at school, rolled with the punches better than we could ever have thought, moved forward academically, and developed a sweet, sincere, and heart-felt way of praying that takes my breath away. You are growing in your faith so much and it makes my heart sing. You are still imaginative, creative, expressive, and emotional, but you are also becoming reflective and thoughtful. We just love you to pieces and love the great work God is doing in you. Happy 6th birthday, baby. We love you.

Christmas Week

Since Cody had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Santa came early to the Nelsons. Corey and Carley were super excited to receive the Buzz and Woody dolls and the Barbie Floor Art Pads that they wanted. Magic is so special at these ages. Carley wrote Santa the sweetest letter, telling him how much she appreciated him coming to her house on the 23rd. Papa and Nana were able to come over and spend Christmas Eve with us and then come back for our Christmas morning festivities.

Then on Christmas Eve we had a great Christmas with the Spanns. Grammy and Pawpaw were generous to a fault and we loved spending time with them and all the other families. We are so blessed.

That night Cody went to the station and I sang at the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at church. Christmas morning was just me and the kids and I definitely missed Cody. We were glad to be reunited with him on Christmas night. Then Monday, the 26th the O'Rear's came for our Christmas. It was great being together. We got lots of gifts and had fun sharing with everyone. The kids love eachother SO much....sometimes TOO much! :) It was a wonderful week with family and friends celebrating the birth of Christ. We are so thankful.

Carley's Christmas Dance and SANTALAND

We had a fun Monday night. We went to watch Carley do her Christmas Dance. She is looking very grown up to me these days. After that we went to Santa Land. We had a really great time and we were super thankful Nana was able to come to both!

Few things make me smile as much as Corey in a bear jacket

Corey hopped right up and talked to Mr. and Mrs. Clause like they were his best friends. It was really cute. Carley as sweet and whispered to Santa when she talked to him. They both were in awe.

LOVE my hubby SO much!