Truly Blessed...

So, as many of you know, Parrish and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary in '08! So far we don't have any big plans, although I would be happy to go snorkeling off the Florida coast, and just spend a day or two at the beach minus the other three loves in our lives...time will tell.

Anywhoo, we are still tirelessly transporting one another back and forth to work, church activities, and the like in our trusty 2001 Honda CR-V. Don't get me wrong, we love the Honda- I mean what's not to love about a car that 1.)was purchased "used" in '03, 2.)wrapped around a pole in a UM parking garage in '04 (and then unwrapped-I'm not sure what he was thinking when he put it in reverse), 3.)has added 100,000 miles to our purchase mileage as of this week, 4.)lost it's AC early in our first summer here in such a "moderate" climate, the cost of repair totalling a mere $1500 in pocket change that we are still trying to find in the couch cushions so we are yet to repair (and summer is coming soon- HERE), 5.)faithfully offers me back-and-forth trips to Fort Rucker three times a week- just so I can have the car to drive (mind you Fort Rucker is 30 minutes one way, so this little trip equates to two hours a day, three days a week spent driving Parrish to work- JUST so I can run earrands...Anywhoo...

Many people have "advised" us to get another car, but that is easier said than done- at least until tonight when Heavenly Father decided we were worthy of a miracle. Today happened to be one of the days that I drove Pears to work, went straight to work myself, went from work to getting Madelyn off the bus and taking her directly to gymnastics, driving from gymnastics to pick up Pears, and returning to Dothan to attend a relaxing, quiet bday party at Chuckie Cheese, from which we arrived home at 8:30pm. Mind you, my kids are usually in bed by 7:30.

Sorry-Back to the miracle. On our trip home from the party, my phone rings with a # I don't recognize, but answer anyway. It was our Bishop. He was doing his home teaching tonight, and the sister he was visiting asked him if anyone in the ward needed a reliable car- nothing fancy, she said, but it runs. He thought of us, as she continued..."My boyfriend has an "89 BMW that is in good condition, but is old, and he would like to donate it to someone." Yes, friends you read that right. He wants to DONATE it to someone. Bishop asked me if we wanted to take a look at it and make a decision...is he crazy?! We just want to know when we can pick it up! I keep thinking that surely I will wake up and this will be a dream, allbeit a wonderful one. And then the Spirit touches me, and I marvel once again at the Lord's mercy and love for me. And that too is a miracle. We are truly blessed.

We're back...

I was going to title this post, "Remember how this blog was supposed to help faraway friends keep up with our life, but I never update the blog because life is so crazy that I never sit down for more than five minutes at the computer unless it's with a baby in one arm and only one hand for typing?!" but that seemed a bit long and so I opted for the shorter title.

Anyway, Thanksgiving was short and sweet. Christmas was NOT white, but it was warm, wet, and wonderful!

Now for some details...Tksgvng- Was literally short lived because Dallin (at 5 wks) and I flew to DC the day after for a week spent with part of my family! My sister and her husband were sealed in the DC Temple, which was awesome, and was the primary reason for the trip, but touring DC with my parents and three younger sisters was a ton of fun!!! I didn't realize I was the least bit homesick for the North until I saw the leaves on our descent into Dulles- I cried!!! But I was happy to fly south for the winter after two days on a double-decker bus touring DC in the arctic wind!

Christmas WAS wonderful! Aside from some near misses with the oldest child and the magic of the season, we got through unscathed...and I'm pleased to announce: We still have three believers!!! Whew!

Christmas morning was cozy with our fire in the fireplace- wish the stockings had still been hung, but they were too full for the stocking hangers (Santa was pretty good to us this year!) Madelyn was excited to find not one, but four gymnastics leotards under the tree, as well as gymnastics lessons through the local Rec & Ed. Joshua was more than thrilled to receive a full set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, along with some dress up Ninja Turtle stuff- that included plastic weaponry (Thank you Santa- What were you thinking!?)

And Dallin, he enjoyed most of it...and then settled in for a long winters' nap! We did manage to catch the kids in their Christmas pjs later that night- and amazingly, got a picture of all three relatively happy at the same time!

Post Christmas- a.k.a. my birthday- was spent going out to dinner, viewing Alvin and the Chipmunks AND Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium at the drive in movies, and enjoying a day at the beach- one of our new Christmas traditions that I enjoy immensely!
New Year's has come in with a bang- I started working at Joshua's preschool this week, and Madelyn went back to school today! She made the honor roll again this 9 wks and surpasses all her grade-level goals for reading by four times the recommended words per minute! We are so proud of her! Joshua has learned to write his name, and loves to play games on the PBS kids website! Dallin giggled this morning, and seems to be settling in to longer periods without screaming or being held- we are all happy with this development! He does still sleep through the night, and this week has decided that he can put himself to bed- he just rubs his face on your shoulder instead of burping, and that's the cue..."Put me in my bed or I will thrash and scream until you do." We are quick to heed his warnings!

We are doing well, and have loved all the Christmas wishes- I'll consider myself successful if I copy this post and email it out! And Maren- at some point, I will take care of the "Tag" I got way before the holidays...but not tonight. ;-)