catching up, catching my breath

So, November 8th? That's the last time I sat down to document the goings on of our lives. It seems like every time I've done that since summer, I begin with a "Whew, this has been a busy time…" or some sentiment similar to it. That's the truth, mind you. Still, I wish I had a better excuse.

I'm going to try and catch up here while catching my breath before 2014 swoops in. Surely I can do that, right? I'm not terribly optimistic but I'm going to give it my best effort. I've missed getting all of the details down and have really missed checking in on some of you.

I thought the best thing may be to just peruse my FB posts from the last few months. That seems like a good place to start seeing as it's so darn easy to throw something quick up there when it happens.

NOVEMBER

November 8

The Little Prince is sleeping off his anesthesia.  Things went well. Reconstruction should begin in January. Thx for praying!

November 20 via mobile

Happy 40th birthday to my favorite person in the whole wide world! I love you, Jason! 

November 30 via mobile

Happy 17th anniversary to the love of my life! Jason, I don't know how you've managed to love me so faithfully all these years. You model Jesus to me every single day and encourage me to know Him more. I don't deserve either of you! Thank you for this beautiful life we share. XOXO

DECEMBER

December 4

She was our early Christmas gift 11 years ago today...Nearly 7 weeks before she was due! Our sweet and sassy Sydney Baby has brought us so much joy...and a million laughs! Happy birthday, Syd! We love you so much!

December 4 via iOS

The birthday girl is all smiles and ready to enjoy her favorite (and mine)...lemonade cake. ️ My late grandma made this cake for me each year on my birthday too. Syd really is all mine...a December birthday like her mama, a love for lemonade cake and she kinda favors me a tiny bit! Lol ️

I turned 39 on the 12th…Gasp!

Jason 

December 11

Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife! I am a blessed man. I hope She has an awesome day tomorrow! I love you babe! — with Kam.

Kam 

December 11 via mobile · Edited

I usually only post funny stuff about our kids and not really the proud moments because let's face it...for every selfless thing they do, there are ten self seeking ones! But indulge me this time. Sydney, our sweet and sassy newly turned 11 year old, is participating in a secret Santa exchange with her classmates each day until the break. Today, she walked out of the house and completely forgot to take the little gift. Realizing it at school, 20 minutes from home, I told her that I had a bazillion quarters in my purse and that she could just go grab something out of the vending machines. What 5th grader doesn't love a candy bar and Coke? Later, at lunch, I was sitting with several other moms whose kids are in Syd's class. One told me that Sydney was feeling rather "generous" this morning handing out money for Cokes to other kids. I could just picture her yelling, " who needs a dollar!?!" I started laughing and told my friends that I was gonna string up my little thief daughter! (Not really but you know, a woman's purse is sacred! And our kids can't just be grabbing money out willy nilly!) So I pull her aside and ask her about giving out money. She affirmed that indeed she had treated her classmates to Cokes. The kicker though, and what made her dad and I a little weepy tonight? She used her birthday money from Mamaw and Papaw McNabb (Freda) to do it. Not my roll of quarters. Generosity has been modeled by so many people in her life...but none more than her grandparents. Well played, Sydney Baby. It is more blessed to give than receive. — with Kim Wages and 3 others.

Kam 

December 12 via iOS

They brought me a doughnut with 39 candles!  bahahahaha

Kam 

December 19 via iOS

The most adorable camel EVER! ️️

Tara

December 19 near Woodstock, GA

Baking cookies with my girls and some of our favorite friends...one of the best days of the year every year! Katie, Kennedy, Kam, Allison 

Kam 

December 24 via mobile 

Christmas music, a cup of joe, and driving around looking at lights with our babies! ️️ — with Kennedy  and Jason.

Kam

December 24 via iOS

All those who plan to drive anywhere tomorrow, beware! A certain Little Prince has no idea, but he'll be "hitting the streets" himself too

So there you have it, kinda! We had a fast and furious two months. A wonderful Thanksgiving with Jase's family here at our house, TONS of deals Black Friday/Gray Thursday shopping with my mom and sisters, three birthdays, an anniversary, and Christmas! Oh, and a SERIOUS stomach bug that made its way through five of us {Gabe escaped it somehow!} during a two week period. It was ugly!

I barely even touched my Canon during December. But more posts will follow where I actually did. These are just some of the highlights that I didn't want to forget. :)

*{the formatting is always caddywampus when you copy and past from FB!}