To My Birthday Kids!

Happy 17th Birthday ( Dec. 29th) Allyson She is at a youth rally in Tenn. She called last night and she is having a great time. She was pretty excited too see Toby Mac LIVE in concert. Happy 24th Birthday ( Dec 30th) to my son Jason. Jason came over and I fixed Prime Rib for his Birthday. He is great young -man and I am proud of him. Jason and Allyson

The Wrapping Paper has settle down!

Just a few pictures! Click on them to make them bigger Joshua ( nephew) Caroline and Elijah with their new Webkins Nephew Shane and his wife Cindy Bill ( Robert's brother ) and daughter Lacy yes the doggy niece Kristy and her boyfriend Brad sweet niece Brooke Allyson Ron ( Robert's brother)Niece Melissa and Teresa his wife Nanny and Papaw Morgan and Elijah Our baby boys! Robert with his Tom Tom June ( sister-in law) will hate this picture Allyson and my Dad My Parents and all their grandkids! My brother Scott and his sons Corey and William Caroline and her new American Girl doll

Merry Christmas Eve

Happy 50th Bill

Bill, June and Josh here is your Christmas Card for next year! Last night we met with Robert's family to celebrate his brother's 50th Birthday at a local Chinese restaurant. After dinner the family headed back to our house . June ( the wife) brought a cake that was big enough to feed our neighborhood. June knows how us Julian's like to eat! Of course having so many candles on the cake made me nervous since it was so close to our Christmas Tree. Good thing we have a local fireman that lives right across the street. OK enough of picking on my OLDER brother-in law. I am going to be 50 next year and I am sure pay back is coming. We had a great time and it has been awhile since I laughed so hard. The picture is of my handsome nephew, ( Josh) , his equally handsome older Dad ( Bill the 50th Birthday boy) and his beautiful blond Mom (June the younger wife of Bill who is 50.

Check the blog for more updates to our ever so fun time together. I love you Bill, June and Josh.

A Busy Day

I have been so busy all week at the kids school that I have not been able to deep clean the house. So today everyone pitched in and we clean the house spic and span. Do you know I have BEST family . No-one even complained and the house looks ready for Christmas and company . The wash is even done. Robert even took Morgan for some last minute Christmas shopping. Robert's brother Bill , our nephew Josh and Robert's Dad Barrett went to the Panthers game tonight . I am looking forwarded to tomorrow night because we will be getting together with the Julian family and celebrating Bill's 50th Birthday. I will try to get pictures of the celebration on our blog tomorrow. Do you know the real reason for the season... It is YOU! God chose to send his only Son to the world as a baby for YOU and be born in a stable, to live among sinners and to sacrifice himself for YOU in the most horrific way....... so that YOU could be saved and spend eternity with him….and all we have to do is believe and accept him!! John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Christmas is officially begin at the Julian's

Today was the last day of school until NEXT YEAR! We get extra days out being a private school and we don't go back until Jan 7th. Caroline was a hoot in the parking lot at school. She said Mom Christmas does not officially begin for me until I leave this school parking lot. As soon as we left she screamed I am out for Christmas and starting taking her school uniform off ( in the back seat of my van) and put her jeans on. Robert has also officially began his Christmas vacation today and will be with us until Jan 2nd. We both love this time together as a family. I posted some pictures of our morning. The pictures have gotten out of order and there was no way I was going to reload them!! In one picture Elijah is making gingerbread cookies. His teacher read the cutest book about gingerbread and brought in the supplies so they could make their own. The picture of Caroline holding her gift was from her secret friend in class. The kids drew names and exchange gifts. There is also a picture of Caroline and her teacher, Miss McVey. Miss McVey is a wonderful teacher. This is her first year of teaching and she teaches those kids like a veteran teacher. She told me she just loved Caroline because she is so full of personality. ( I think that is a compliment). After school I took the kids to their favorite place to eat Chick FiletWhen we got there I almost turned around because it looked like half of Mooresville was there! Don't let the picture of Elijah hugging the cow fool you that he was being sweet. As I was cleaning up our mess at the table the kids went to the indoor playground. I heard a lady laughing and saying look at what that little boy is doing to that cow. I turned around and he had pulled the back of the poor cows' shirt up and was looking up his shirt and pulling his tail at the same time. That poor cow was getting tenderize for supper by my son! Well keep checking back with US... It should be a fun week with lots of news....Merry Christmas!

Fun at School

Today was a half day at my kids school. All three go to a small private school and this week was exams for Allyson. This morning I went and helped Elijah's class make cupcakes. I just love five year old. They are so excited about everything, even when it was their turn to pour the water in the cupcake mix. I made gingerbread houses in Caroline's class. The houses turned out really cute and the kids were covered in icing before it was over with. Today it really hit me how incredible blessed we are to have our kids in a Christian Private School. After I dropped the kids off and I walked down the halls, I heard teachers praying with their class, pledging our flag, Bible and the Christian flag. . I went to Caroline's class at the end of the day and before we left Caroline's teacher praise God for another wonderful day and sent them home covered in prayer. For those who are reading my blog and do not know us, we are not wealthy people. We know that driving new cars or having "things" is what we want for our kids. Don't think the money just drops in our lap for sure!!! God continues to bless us financially so our kids can attend Southview. Well tonight I am headed out for coffee with my precious friend Lisa R. I am looking fowarded spending time with another MOM and a few laughs. The last half day is tomorrow . It will be PARTY morning for the kids. I am room Mom so I will be celebrating too. Sugar-Up! I take some pictures and post tomorrow!

Allyson and Santa

All I want is a BOYFRIEND! ( That is what she told Santa)

Picture of the Kids and Santa

Santa and a Day at the Mall

Here are the kids sitting on Santa's Lap. Caroline , Elijah, Allyson. Allyson wanted a picture for her MYSPACE! We went to lunch after Church. We thought Concord Mills would be packed but really the crowds were OK! Next year though we will go to Pro Bass Shop to visit their Santa. We found out he asked each Child now why do we celebrate Christmas? I was told by a friend that he is able to say that because he is not giving his opinion! Merry CHRISTmas. This will lead my views to Santa. Years ago I will confessed when my first two boys were younger and before I began my personal relationship with Jesus I was all about Santa. I did not even own a nativity...I remember saying you better be good or Santa will not come see you! As my relationship with Jesus has grown my views have changed of course! I feel it is okay for them to enjoy the fictional Santa Claus within reason:We don't treat treat Santa Claus as an entirely real person like I would treat the figure of Jesus Christ during this season. Caroline was six she noticed there was a Santa in every mall and every corner. I remember her telling me that she knew there was no way that one man could deliver gifts too all those kids on Christmas Eve. How could I ignore a comment like that. How could I say it is magic. ( We don't believe in magic or luck) This gave me the opportunity to share the true story of Santa. Some might think six is early but I really think because we did not put so much empathise on Santa but more on Christ that she started questioning who Santa really was even earlier. . Elijah this year has also started questioning Santa. I will admit that as a Julian family we are not perfect in keeping Christ the center. Robert and I both get caught up in the gift giving and the stress of it all. I really want to do a better job as a parent and as a Christian to focus more on Jesus. Not just at Christmas but year around. A friend Kim, just told me how her family does advent. The way they celebrate is so kid centered but still so Jesus focus that I plan to steal her idea next year! I will share next Christmas if you remind me. The MOST important fact is , If we can focus on the gift of Christ in the manager, YEAR around, we lay a foundation that their faith will be built on in future years.

I wish it would snow!

It finally turned cold outside. Last week it was 80 degrees. It sure was hard to sing Jingle Bells! I don't think I have ever had a White Christmas. Tonight we are going to our Sunday School Class Party. It will be adults only! Robert and I have not attended SS in a long time. We both serve in our Children's Ministry at the SS hour but we are still on the roll of a adult class. I am sure there are many new couples in our class, so we will have to reintroduce ourselves. I am taking our favorite Christmas Cookie. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/White-Chocolate-and-Cranberry-Cookies/Detail.aspx The recipe calls for Brandy but I use Apple Brandy. The flavor is not as strong. Yes I go in disguise and in another county when I need Brandy for my cookies and the flavor for my Fruitcake. I even take the recipe inside and explain the cashier why I am buying Brandy. LOL It takes about three years to use a whole bottle. Stay warm and have a blessed night. PS We are off to Santa after Church I will post pictures of the kids tomorrow and Santa

My First Post

Wow this is my First Post. I am sitting here thinking what should I write about. It should be important because it is my first post...RIGHT???? Well the most important thing I can think to say is Howdy! Ok so I got that out of the way. Today was fun day. Robert took off and we had some much needed husband and wife time. We did something that every husband and wife needs to do regularly. WE WENT SHOPPING! It was so nice to eat lunch with just Robert. I love being with the kids ,but it was nice not to have to clean-up, wipe mouths and say eat your food. I only had to wipe Robert's mouth one time :-) I am feeling better about Christmas now since I am almost finished with the gifts! Now that will be another post to come Christmas and Gifts! Make sure you save our link so you can keep up with US! Merry Christmas!