Thanksgiving in Stuckey, SC

About an hour and a half north of Charleston (up Hwy 41 and just left of Hemmingway), you'll venture into a town called Stuckey, SC. That is where we spent our Thanksgiving. Mama Sue opened up her home to all of us for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner in her new home. She had it all decorated for Christmas (tree & all) and even had place cards for us at the dinner table. Clay took advantage of a "Peace" craft that was out on a table by re-arranging the letters.
The food was terrific as always. She had made something called "pear salad' (made of lettuce, pears, mayo, cheese & cherries)...never heard of anything like it before...must be a Southern thing. I didn't try it, but I did take a picture of it.
The kids had a great time visiting with Heath & Willow. I realized after I got home, that I didn't take any pictures of the kids all together. Here are a few from what I did manage to get...I purposefully left out any pics of Abby throwing up before and after dinner (you're welcome!).

Christmas Tree ...Boom!

Our neighborhood tree keeps falling over from the strong winds at night. Its a sad sight to wake up and see it looking like this each morning. Cody has made it a priority to run over to our front door and look outside to see the tree each morning....he says, "the Christmas tree went BOOM!"

Topless Christmas Tree

Introducing...the Topless Christmas Tree!

We started to put our tree up last weekend and well...its still only half-way up. Clay says that he was going to have someone help with getting the top on. It is a massively huge 12' tree and I don't blame him for wanting someone to help him with it. So, in the meantime, we just have half of a tree....with no ornaments.

After looking at it, I don't really mind it too much. It actually looks more like a real tree this way, instead of the perfectly pointed fake tree. It does have a pole sticking out of the top right now, but I could just put an angel on it and call it a day.

I thought about saying it was a political statement. Something like: With the economy the way it is, we will only be having half as much this Christmas as we normally do...would that work?

So, here it is the topless tree with no ornaments. It works for me, the kids don't seem to care, and it's less stuff to put away later. Is that bad?

Christmas Tree Lighting

Our neighborhood hosted a Christmas Tree lighting on Saturday. The kids gathered 'round for a reading of 'Twas the Night before Christmas. As soon as the story was finished, a special visitor showed up...Santa! The kids took turns sitting on his lap and telling what they wanted for Christmas. Cody was a little hesitant at first, but managed to tell Santa that he wanted a really big spider. Later he changed his mind and made sure that Santa knew that he really wanted a really big firetruck! Abby wasn't scared to see Santa at all. She walked right up and said hello and pulled his beard. I think she was impressed to see him wearing the same outfit she had on. She was so cute!

After decorating the neighborhood Christmas tree, we went to the fire pits to roast marshmallows...yum! Mr. Kevin ended up getting a marshmallow stuck to his butt. BB had to pull it off for him...everyone got a good laugh out of it. Our dog, Miga, came over to join us and I think she must have had 30 marshmallos from the kids feeding her...yuck! It was a fun night.

Codystein!

Trip to the Fire Museum

Here are some fun pictures from last weekend. We went to the Fire Museum with Grandad, Mamaw & the cousins. I think Lee had more fun than the kids. They spent most of their time in the simulator....very cool place to go if you have an afternoon & you are in the North Charleston area. Afterward, we went to lunch at a wings/sports bar place near the outlets....I thought the napkin was pretty witty.

The Time Machine

Remember the “Choose Your Adventure” books where you skipped around different versions of the story? The comedy team of Chad, Matt, and Rob have created a video version! Watch as the three zip around the space/time continuum and you decide what happens next.

Christmas Gift Idea: Personalized Veggie Tales CD

Do you have little kids on your Christmas shopping list who love Veggie Tales songs?

My friend Gretchen makes these amazing CDs for kids...that inserts your child's name right into the songs. Kids are surprised to hear their name sang by the Veggie Tales characters!

Click here to listen to a sample.

She will only be selling Veggie Tales material (not Wiggles, Barney, Disney etc.) and she will mail materials anywhere, if you pay for shipping.

Interested? If so, email Gretchen Ramey today!

Sliding down gently...sort of

Happy Veteran's Day

Something pretty...something not so pretty

Abby nose update: her nose is healing up fine...it just seems to look worse. As most things go, it has to get worse to get better. Clay says she looks like Raggedy Ann. Since it looks so bad, I thought I'd balance it with a pretty picture of a Lowcountry sunset. Here is a picture of the sunset last night on my way into church. I took it while I was driving on I-526...probably not the safest thing to do, but it was a beautiful picture!

Drayton Elizabeth Kinney

I went to visit the Kinneys' newest addition to the family: Drayton Elizabeth Kinney. She was born on Thursday, November 6th at 2:01pm. Scott kept everyone updated through facebook, twitter and the blog...don't you just love technology! (You can see he was still going while I was visiting.)
After I got home, I realized that I didn't get one picture of Meghan, but she looked beautiful and rested as always. She is a real SUPER WOMAN!

Abby the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Abby took a spill on the playground at school on Friday. She was banged up pretty good on her nose and lip. It doesn't seem to bother her, but it hurts me to even look at it. Here are a couple of pictures...notice the blue on her tongue....its from the blue crayon she was eating (hope it was non-toxic).

It's that time of year again...

You can hear the sounds in the air, see the people in the stores, and you know that it's that time of year...."flu season" is here! You thought I was talking about Christmas, right? Be sure to get your flu shot and make sure you wash your hands. Here is a funny blog that is dedicated to signs that remind employees to wash their hands. Here are two of my favorite signs on the site.

Change is here!

I am not angry, upset, embarrassed, or ashamed of Obama's victory. If anything, I'm relieved that its over. Now we can change.

After clinching an historic victory, President-elect Barack Obama wakes up Wednesday morning to the task of uniting a divided country and laying the groundwork for an ambitious presidential agenda.

Obama will inherit on Jan. 20 the worst financial crisis in 70 years, as well as the task of winning the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Within minutes of taking the stage in Chicago Tuesday night to acknowledge becoming the first black president of the United States, Obama cautioned voters of the tough road ahead.

"Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there," Obama said in Grant Park.

And to those who did not back his candidacy, Obama said, "I will be your president, too," and noted the need to "heal the divides that have held back our progress." (Fox News 11/5/08)

When I go to church and see thousands of adults enter those doors week after week, when I see hundreds of little kids raising their hands in worship, when I see elementary students going to the cross with their prayers, when I hear of huge life-change happening in our student ministry, when I see new campuses opening to make room for more Christ-seekers.....I know there is change happening already....regardless of who is President.

(I'm paraphrasing Lanny here...) There is phenomenal evidence of God working in the lives of individuals, who have a lot…and who have nothing. What we all have is an opportunity to walk with and experience the character and wonder and grace of the Creator of this Universe. I have yet to see negativity, fear, cynicism (ok well i kinda like to be a cynic now and then) rudeness, blame,and a mean spirit, to take anyone down the road to the wonder of God.

I have seen people who are dissatisfied use their gifts and influence to make a difference in all of the lives around them.

The character of people of God has historically been used in times of doubt to take us to new and incredible places. Things are the way they are. God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, but of LOVE , and POWER and of a SOUND MIND.

My friend Kevin had a shirt on the other night that said "Be the Moon, Reflect the Son" I love that! The world needs us to reflect him more than ever before, no matter who may have won this election.

What do you say we decide to show the world now who God is….I am more convinced than ever that our benediction is based on a verse that we should adhere to with grace and humbleness….and strength. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

So, grow up and follow… and lead… and watch what God does.
This is our planet. Hold on to the one who made it and help to light it up!

Change is here!

Election Day - We Voted!

Clay and I hurried out the door this morning at 6:30am and got the kids to school, stopped by Starbucks (of course), and headed out to vote on Daniel Island. There are only 5,171 people in our precinct, so we were hoping for rather small lines. I was impressed with the turnout, but glad that it only took about 2 hours for the whole process. Here are some pics from this morning...