Happy 2011

I absolutely do not know where to begin. My blogging time is so short these days that when I do have a few moments to type I don't know where to start. Christmas was wonderful. We loved sharing it with T. Olivia and I had a ball playing Santa. T got lots of gifts and her words on Christmas morning were, "I won, I won!!" Many of her gifts were donated by the DSS office which was a huge blessing to us. Back in October I was asked to turn in a wish list for her. I was amazed at the generosity of donors who shopped for her. A great big thank you to the Spartanburg County Department of Social Services for how well this program works. It really makes it easy on foster families. T and I made a nativity together and that was so much fun. When I told her the story of Jesus' birth she asked, "how do you know that?" I told her I read it in the Bible and then I shared it with her. What joy!!!

Speaking of fostering we are loving it. A great calling and a blessing to us. Please prayerfully consider it if you have a heart for helping others. Little T is growing in leaps and bounds (literally). She is so happy about how tall she is getting. We expect to have her until March. I am shifting gears and talking about her home more often to help prepare her. She is excited about going home and enjoys the visits we currently have with her mom. I am so thankful that this is a case where I am "ok" with her going home. I truly feel like she will be fine. I have been praying for her mom for months and will continue.

Olivia and I took two weeks off from home school while little T was out on Christmas break. We started back this week and I can't praise her enough for working so hard. Olivia is an excellent student!!! She makes straight A's and is super smart. Yesterday we talked about her science fair project ( I think she is going to do two:). She won a blue ribbon in 4th grade for her Science Fair project. She loves science.

Chris didn't have the best hunting season ... He gave it his all, but no deer were to be found. I don't know where all the deer have gone. Maybe next year he can find better property to hunt on. He is such a good man. He and I will be married 15 years this May. We are already talking about where to go to celebrate. We usually don't do anything big, but we are ready. 15 years is a big deal !!! I love Chris and thank the Lord for him and his sweet heart.

We are still teaching 5 year old Sunday school so between preparing those lessons, home school lessons, taking care of the house, kids, pets and extended family I am pretty busy. My main trips away are to Ingles, church, school for T, DSS visits for T, nursing home and to see my mom (and that is rare). If you never get a phone call from me, I'm sorry. I never pick it, but if you call me I'll talk :) If I am busy with home school or helping T with homework I'll let my machine answer the phone for me, but I'll call you back. I am now on a texting plan so I do text... never thought I would, but I do and I am pretty good at it ( if I say so myself:). You have to text when you have a preteen :) Yes, Olivia will be 12 in April. The years are flying. She keeps me young.

Well, that's all the time I have now. Teaching is my job and school is important. Take care and maybe I'll get to post again soon. Oh, Happy New Year!!!


Go be a blessing ...