The fire station

Our playgroup visited the fire station today. I thought the boy would love it after his fireman themed Christmas with Grannylou and Pop. He was all excited this morning as we talked about it, but once we got there he was "all done." The firemen did a great job showing off all the equipment and letting the kids explore the truck, but the boy was not interested in it one bit (as seen in the first picture of him by himself). His sister was a bit more intrigued and had fun playing with a couple of the other girls. The boy got fine once he got his fireman hat - which proceeded to accompany us into Wal-Mart.

Changes, changes

Changes are happening around here. What are we working on?

- Potty training. We've decided to get serious around here. We are taking small steps, but he's already got down what he's supposed to do when he sits on the potty. He won't ask to go, but he does tell me he needs to poop. Which he did for the first time in the potty yesterday!!! He does already know where the Skittles are and asks for them whenever we are in the bathroom. Smart kid - we just introduced Skittles Tuesday.

- Separating the kids. It will be official this weekend after beds are moved, but the girl has been in the pack 'n play in her new room since Monday. We (mainly me) finally admitted the kids sharing a room isn't what's best for our family. We are already seeing the benefits - and this will mean more toys out of the living room! I've gotten more sleep this week than I have in months - and that makes for a happier family all around.

- Squelching temper tantrums from both kids. Traveling for almost 2 weeks set us back in this area so we are trying new approaches while begging God for patience and creativity. Fortunately they mostly happen at home with just us - the kids are close to angelic when in public! Praise the Lord!

I've finally taken time to update the blog with our holiday fun. So, grab a Coke or a cup of coffee, sit back and stay a while. If you like chronological order, simply scroll down and read the posts in reverse order. Enjoy...I just thought I would share...

One last stop

After a week in Memphis (almost), we headed southeast to Hayden, AL to visit our best friends. We got to meet their new daughter, see their new stomping grounds, hear Jeremy preach, and let the boy play with his dear pal Emma. It was a refreshing visit for us although visiting them made us realize how much we miss them being around the corner. I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted, but it was a bit busy with two 2-year-olds (although Emma will let you know she'll be 3 in "Febrewary"), a 10-month-old, and an 8-week-old. The boy and Emma spent most of their time running back and forth pushing strollers between her room and the back living room. I think Clay is glad I didn't capture that memory. It was a joy to experience their church and be fed by one of the best preachers I know - twice in one day! We enjoyed visiting with Jodi's dad and brother who have gladly adopted us into the Anderson family. We also enjoyed spending time with others from Hayden who are loving on the Powells in our absence. Nothing rings in the New Year like football, food, Wii, rolling, and a paintball war. It was hard to say goodbye, but we know they are exactly where God wants them to be!

Here's our girl on New Year's cheering on the Tigers. While we normally root against the orange and blue, we're die hard SEC come bowl time. I must say she looks much better in maroon!






Being so close to Birmingham, we took one morning to head south to visit my extended family. My grandmother kindly opened her home and her kitchen to all of us. It was the best brunch I've had in a long time (thanks Mom and Kim!). It was so good to see everyone and meet the newest addition born November 16. Again, it was insanity so I only took two pictures - both of my cousin holding this new addition. It was quite insane - at one point there were 17 adults (I'm including my 13 year old cousin in this number) and 5 kids ages 3 and under!!! There was lots of laughter, and we were so glad everyone came to say hello.

A Memphis Christmas

We decided to spend Christmas morning in Memphis for one last year. We want our kids to experience Christmas morning at home, but we felt like we should give Clay's family one last Christmas morning at their home. It was a cold, wet week, but we had wonderful time. The kids did great during the Christmas Eve service - with the boy entertaining those around us. Every time someone would leave the stage he would say, "Bye, bye." He also clapped after almost every song. We were thankful those around us found joy in him. The normal hour long Christmas Eve/Christmas day photo shoots didn't happen as the kids weren't too keen on posing, but we got a picture or two. (Mimi, don't hate me for posting what I got!) We spent Christmas afternoon at Robert and Virginia's house catching up, eating fabulous food, and napping. It was great to celebrate one last Christmas with them in their home (along with Katy and Jack) - we'll miss them being in Memphis when we visit. It was good to see family and various friends and simply relax away from home. I don't have many pictures of the week because I leave most of the picture taking to Claire - and I don't have my copies yet (hint, hint)!

Kline Christmas part 2

After having Christmas morning at our house, we loaded up and headed to my sister's to enjoy some more family time and let the kids exchange gifts. They are at such fun ages and they play so well together. I think the best part was watching my parents become kids again as they played with (and sometimes without) the kids! The two boys are finally really playing together - especially enjoying going up and down the stairs. And our girl so wants to be big like her cousin - you can see it in her eyes! The best joy was having Eric with us as our brother in Christ.

"Christmas morning"

Santa came the Saturday before Christmas to our home since we were going to be in TN on the official holiday. Pop and Grannylou came to share in the fun and see the excitement on the kids' faces. They obviously don't really get it yet, but they did enjoy getting new toys.

Before opening gifts, Clay told the Christmas story with help from the Little People. I totally understood the verse that talks about Mary treasuring all these things in her heart. Hearing the boy sing "Away in a Manger" after listening to his dad tell the story of Jesus' birth was the best present. I know this year was just a small taste of what is to come in the years ahead.

Here are random pictures from the morning - I couldn't get the ones my mother took to upload so you don't get to see the great fireman's jacket she made the boy. I tried to get a good sampling instead of bombarding you with every adorable picture taken!

Prairie Lights 2007

Since the first year I wouldn't be with my birth family on Christmas morning, we've tried to have a special day to celebrate this special time together. We've done a myriad of things over the years, and it keeps changing as we add kids and their interests change. This year we gathered the weekend before Christmas and split our day together into a Friday night/Saturday morning. Friday night we visited Prairie Lights - an amazing display of over 3 million lights with a holiday village in the middle. We had to take 2 cars, but that didn't stop us from interacting while we drove through. All windows were down and we could hear the cousins echoing through the woods. The girl slept for most of it. The boy enjoyed the train, but had the most fun hollering for Dylan.
We stopped at the holiday village and enjoyed the fastest carousel any of us have ever seen. As soon as the boy's hiney hit the horse on the carousel, he started saying, "All done." You can see the look of terror on his face! I decided it might be best to sit on a bench. He tolerated it, but didn't enjoy it like we thought he might.
Then Clay decided he would take him on this bear ride resembling the teacups at DisneyWorld. Clay said the boy clung to him for life as they went round and round.
Mother wanted to make the most of this opportunity so we got a picture of all 10 of us with Santa. It was a wonderful way to kick off celebrating Christmas with family.

2007 reflection

I've been in quite a reflective mood since the beginning of this year so I found this "quiz" on a friend's blog enlightening. I know some of you would rather I take time to upload pictures, but this requires much less work so bear with me! I'd love to know your answers so feel free to email me or post it yourself and let me know...

Top Questions of 2007:

What was the hardest thing you had to do this year?
Learn how to balance being a wife and mother of two - especially of one who dealt with reflux and colic and is just naturally high-maintenance - and keep my sanity. I'm still working on this...

What was the most fun?
A day at the park with the family.
Going to the B&B for a night to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary - and get uninterrupted sleep!

What were the milestones?
Welcoming our daughter into our family.
Turning 30.
Celebrating 8 years of marriage.
The boy starting preschool.

What was your biggest accomplishment?
Relaxing some of my AR tendencies...it's a must with two small kids!

Something you wanted to do, but didn't?
Visit Starkville.
Sleep.

What was something you worried about, but don't anymore?
How the boy would react to the addition of his sister.
How my sister would make it raising her two kids alone - praise God for restoration - Kristi and Eric will get remarried January 18!!!

What made you proud?
Unprovoked kindness from my son - especially toward his sister.
The boy going tee-tee in the potty.
Finally sticking to our budget.
Clay getting a new job.
The girl crossing normal milestones for her first year.

What is something you want to remember?
The night at the B&B with Clay.
The boy singing praise songs.
The girl cuddling.
Basically, the small moments that make each day special.

Hello - it's January!

Apparently someone forgot to tell the bird singing outside the window and the weather that it's only January 7th...they are both a bit confused and acting like it's spring.

There is much to catch up on, but it will have to wait for another time...settling back in to life after being gone almost 2 weeks as well as tackling a project here at the house are top priority right now. I've got a bit of spring fever myself...