Christmas Day!

Santa has come, the presents have been opened, Richard has left for work and the boys are busy figuring out all of their new toys. Ah....time to breath, sit, relax and enjoy the spirit of the season. This has been the most different Christmas for us. Not in a bad way....just different. With the way the economy has been and my job being furloughed, and a commitment we made this year to become debt free - we decided to scale back in a big way. I think most people have had to make this decision in one way or another. I thought I would have a really hard time with not having my “normal” Christmas, but it has really been a blessing. I have been able to really focus on the spirit and true meaning of Christmas, focus on relationship with family and friends, and spend time reflecting on the past year.

All in all...it has been magical. Last night we went to see Richard's brother, Steve at the nursing home. We then came home and tracked Santa on the computer - who would have ever thought this would be possible! :) After bath the boys received new pjs to sleep in. Set the cookies and milk out for Santa (and a few carrots for the reindeer), a quick book and off to bed. Richard and I watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and then did our duty as the big man in red.

The boys seemed to be pleased with what Santa got them. One of Micah's gifts was a Batman mask and when he opened the package he exclaimed, "I have been waiting for years for one of these for my batman costume!" We laughed – he’s only four years old!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you are humbled by the thought of the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. What a great God we serve, who would come to earth as a baby, live among us, and agree to die so that we may have an “intimate” relationship with Him.


We love you all! Here are few pictures of our Christmas!

#13 Things that lift me up

Elf on a Shelf

Whoever invented Elf on a Shelf is a genius! We received this gift last year for Christmas. However, it wasn't until this Christmas we realized his full potential.


As we unpacked the boxes of Christmas decorations, I found the elf and his book "Elf on a Shelf". I pulled him out, sat him on the mantle above the fireplace and showed him to the boys. We then sat down on the couch and read about our new friend.


He came to our family to watch over us during the Christmas season. Each day he sits somewhere in the house and watches our behavior and at night while we are all asleep, he flys to the North Pole and reports to Santa. When he returns from the North Pole he will find a new place to sit and watch us. It is our job to find his new location every morning. We can talk to the Elf but he cannot talk back and we CANNOT touch him because he would lose his magic.

As we finished the book I heard Micah gasp and say, "He's gone". I looked up and saw that the elf was no longer on the mantle. I was a little shocked myself. After searching a few minutes, we found him perched on the living room curtain rod. The boys were amazed. MAGIC!!! We went about the task of decorating for the house for Christmas. Every once in awhile we would look and find that the elf had flown to another spot in the house. Micah thought it was the coolest thing ever!

That night as we tucked the boys in bed, Micah couldn't believe the elf decided to choose his room to spend some time before heading off to the North Pole. It had only been a couple of days before that Micah and Noah went from being roommates to having separate rooms. Both boys had come to find this change lonesome, especially at night. However, knowing that the elf was going to report back to Santa on how well Micah went to sleep, our night owl was dreaming of sugar plum fairies within five minutes of lights out! It was incredible! The elf has been in Micah's room every night since.

The first thing Micah does in the morning is find the elf's position in the house. At times we find him talking to the elf, "Tell Santa I want the ambulance Transformer" or "Make sure you tell Santa that Noah hit me today". A couple of days ago, Micah came into our room horrified because the elf had fallen off his look out. How in the world would he get back up there when none of us could touch him? (I guess he forgot that the elf could fly) :) We went to the kitchen and got the BBQ tongs, picked up the elf and set him back where he belonged.

Initially excited, the novelty of the elf has worn off on Noah. The other day Richard was telling Noah that the elf was going to tell Santa that Noah wouldn't pee pee in the potty. Noah replied, "I don't like that elf and I am going to tell Santa on that elf because he is mean". Maybe next year...it will have the same affect on Noah as it has on Micah.


Traditions are so important. There are certain Christmas traditions that I cherish and want to pass on to my children. The advent calendar, candle light service on Christmas eve, cream cheese breakfast bars on Christmas morning, sharing stories about special ornaments on the tree, time with family, Christmas cookies, the story of Jesus' birth...I could go on forever. Although I did not grow up with an Elf on the Shelf, it is definitely a Christmas tradition that we will be keeping and hope that the boys will pass on to their children.

Santa is almost here!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

#12 Things that lift me up

Having Tea with the ladies

My unit started a tradition a few years back of going to the Victorian Rose Tea Room for our annual Christmas lunch. It is so much fun! We order our favorite tea (mine is Valetine's tea - tasting of chocolate and strawberries - go figure), have a light lunch, and gossip. All of us bring a Christmas ornament to exchange in a "dirty santa" game. The best part is that we get to pick out accessories to wear and pretend to be "real ladies". What a great group of characters! If you are ever in Rome, the Victorian Tea Room is a MUST!!!

#11 Things that lift me up

My JOB!

Although work this week has been long and exhausting, I can truly say, "I love my job". As we are wrapping up 2008, getting presents ready for foster children, attending work Christmas parties, and setting goals for the new year I am just so overcome by pride and excitement for the job that I do and the people I work with.

I am proud of our agency. We have had a year of changes. A new computer system, a more family centered approach through Family Team meetings, WIGS (Wildly Important Goals), etc. Change is hard for people, especially when the changes disrupt "the way it has always been done". However, I am seeing such positive results from these changes. Our foster care department is fully staffed and fully trainined - something that has not been accomplished in the 7 years I have been employed there. This may seem trivial but not having turnover is essential in the support we give families. We are sending children to permanency in a more timely manner - whether that be going home to their family, a relative or through the adoption process. My unit finalized 34 adoptions this year - not that I am trying to brag....well, yes I am. They are incredibly hard working individuals who have a passion for helping children!

I have even noticed that there has been a bigger commitment and coming together of citizens in our community. We have around 350 children in foster care in our county, yet we were struggling to find foster homes for these children. We averaged 35-40 homes which meant many of our children had to not only leave their homes and families, but also leave their community, school, friends to be placed in foster care. This year the Resource Development workers have steadily raised our number of foster homes and hope to have 50 homes by the end of the year and even more next year.

During the Christmas season, the community has reached out in so many ways to show foster children, their biological families, and foster families how much they are cared for. Floyd County EMS held a Breakfast with Santa, at which every child got their picture taken with Santa, a gift, and breakfast provided by Chicfila. Another local business held a dinner exclusively for 3 or 4 foster families at which Santa made an appearance and brought toys for all of the children. The children were ecstatic. So were the foster parents, who rarely get to take their families to a sit down restaurant.

This morning Christmas presents were delivered to our office. A certain company in Atlanta and citizens from Rome sponsor all of our foster children, providing every gift they ask for on their list! Over the next week, the case managers will be transformed into Santa's little helpers -delivering presents to all of the children on their caseload.

As I reflect on being thankful for my job, as stressful as it can be at times, and stand in awe of the magic of the season, I send Santa my own wish list. All I want for Christmas...is to find forever families for these children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnRNP0Qipws

#10 Things that life me up

The fact that anyone who was reading #9 is now asking themselves, "what website link?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0v5oIVT1ZU&feature=related

#9 Things that lift me up

When God speaks to me through music

This morning I woke up emotionally and physically exhausted. I felt like I had been hit by a hurricane. After wrestling with the boys to get dressed, out the door, in the car and into daycare I got back in the car and sighed...Why God? What is the point of all this? I know you are in control but it just hurts so much.

I turned on the ignition and this is what I heard. (see website link)

I am so thankful that we have a God who hurts with us, who hears our cries, and who sends His peace to dwell within us.

Ruth 1: 16-17

Today was a very hard day for me. I stuffed my face with food, hoping that it would fill the void I felt. All day I felt like I was mourning the loss of someone who is still very much alive. Geographical distance has always been a struggle for me...but the emotional chasm that has been created is almost too much to bear. There are certain acts of deliberate kindness that we seriously take for granted. I guess I didn't realize how much sharing a simple "I love you" or "I miss you" or "How was your day?" affects our lives until the ability to do so is taken away.

This day has been on my calendar all year. Over the past several weeks I have thumbed through my day planner and as my attention is drawn to this particular day I think of all the ways I can convey my love - an e-card, an email, a loving thought, tears, a prayer.

My heart is aching....but I know yours is too. I pray God would heal that hurt. I love you.

A New Chapter...

Last night we took the crib down. This was very emotional for me as I saw it as a rite of passage. Richard thought I was silly for crying. He said taking the crib down was much less permanent than the doctors appointment he will have in the coming months. No more babies...It is sad. The crib now sits in the attic for twenty or so years until it is passed down to Micah for my grandchildren to use. That seems like an eternity away but I know the time will pass in a blink of an eye.

Noah has not been using the crib for some time now, except for an occasional nap and certain nights that the boys don't want to settle down and sleep. These nights have become more frequent over the past several months and I HAVE HAD IT!!! I figure I should not have to spend my whole night (until 10 or 11pm) trying to put my children to sleep (or just getting them to quit dancing naked in the middle of their room) - especially when we start the process at 8pm! It has become exhausting!

What a blessing it was (and perfect timing) to receive cousin Daniel's race car bed from Uncle Doug and Aunt Jo Jo. We just had to figure out how to fit it in the car, but given the fact that we are expert packers that wasn't a problem. We are so proud of Daniel for moving up to a big boy bed and thankful for his generosity in passing on his old bed.

So, the crib came down, as well as our guest bed (sorry folks, you have to sleep on the pull out couch!) and Micah and Noah now have separate bedrooms - something we should have done a long time ago.

Thus begins a new chapter in our lives...

Though, somehow I still ended up with a kid in my bed this morning!

Noah turns 3!

It does not seem possible that on the eve of Thanksgiving three years ago I sat on the couch at midnight, ready to explode - not from all of the turkey and fixin's I had eaten only hours before, but from the little life that was growing inside of me!



I had a C-section scheduled for December 4th. I was sitting on the couch thinking of all of things I needed to get done before maternity leave. Pain and tightness..."Man, I really did eat too much of momma's cornbread dressing this year." Pain and tightness... I called mom, Question - "What does a contraction feel like?" Answer - "Honey, it has been 20 plus years since I had a contraction - you just had Micah last year!"


I went into the bedroom and told Richard (who was already in bed), "I think I better go to the hospital. I might be having contractions but I think I just ate too much." Since Micah was also fast asleep I did what any sane pregnant woman who ate too much turkey would do....I drove myself to the hospital! Luckily we only live five minutes from the hospital.


I got into my hospital room, hooked up to all of the machines and the nurse came in to check me. Five centimeters dialated. She said, "sweetie you are having this baby tonight."


"But I can't! I have a scheduled C-section next week! I have another week of work! My husband isn't here!" The nurse said, "The baby may wait until morning but I think we are pushing it to ask for another week." Well, DUH!!!!


I called Richard to tell him the baby was coming. Unfortunately, we only had one vehicle at the time so I was freaking out about how he was going to get to the hospital. Lucky for me (and for him) he is the Director of Security at the hospital, so he called one of the officers to come up to my room, get the keys, take the car and pick him up. He dropped Micah off at his sister's house on the way to the hospital.


A few short hours later Noah Daniel Bryant was born weighing 9.9 oz. What a beautiful child!




Noah had a week of celebration. His birthday was on Tuesday (the same day as their Thanksgiving program) so we took cupcakes for his class to eat at snack time. Monday night before I made him a birthday cake for us to take to MawMaw's Tuesday night. I let him lick the beaters and bowl. Micah came in my room and said, "momma, Noah looks like Humpty Dumpty". I asked him what he meant and walked into the kitchen to discover Noah with the bowl of batter on his head!



Tuesday night he ate his birthday cake at MawMaw's house. He blew out a huge "3" birthday candle and was later found eating the candle - eeewww gross!


He celebrated with his northern family this past week while we were in Ohio and Michigan.

What a great way to celebrate three years of life - with the people who love you the most!

There are so many things that I love about Noah. His touchdown dance, his laugh, his carefree and laid back spirit, the fact that he loves to cuddle with me, his love of all sports (even though he likes Alabama - Roll Tide), his no fear of anything in life, the way he says "I love you momma"....and so much more. I cannot wait to see him grow up into the man God has designed him to be!

I AM THREE!!!