Joey's Off Week

It occured to Joey around the middle of November that he had not used many vacation days. We, together decided that he should definitely use them in December and give him some much needed time to rest. The thing is, after Gatlinburg we really didn't have anywhere to go so we had a "staycation". The kids and I still had school but daddy was around to do what we were doing--it was great and just what the doctor ordered for us all.

After school, Andrew and Joey put Christmas lights on the house. We love decorating for Christmas and the men always put the lights on the house. There is just something cool about standing on the roof.

I love that after doing manly light hanging, Andrew can come inside and cut cookies in the kitchen. He is a very well balanced dude! The kids love to help me cook!

Next, we were off to the Cub Scout Christmas Party. 50 crazy cubscouts packed together with mounds of sugar--can you say "A Happenin' Party"! Andrew had a great time hanging out with his newest friend Zarley. Zarley is one cool kid and we are excited about Andrew making some new friends at cub scouts Andrew was recognized by receiving his fitness pin, citizenship pin and his engineering pin. Way to Go, Andrew!!!


Santa Claus showed up at the Christmas party, and he was passing out pinewood derby cars! Andrew has never sat on Santa's lap in his entire life. He and his mother are deathly afraid and have always been afraid of the whole idea-- but he was passing out pinewood derby cars and we sacrificed this once for a derby car. He was a very nice little man in a Santa suit.

On Tuesday we were off to the church for some decoration time with our friends the Wheeler's. We had a great time making some things (which I will not mention now), and enjoyed some lunch together. Did you know Little Caesar's has $5.00 pizzas? Awesome! Apparently everybody knew this but me, and I am so thankful to be in the Little Caesar' loop! Cheap dinner, I'm there!

Look at these little crafty cuties!

Wednesday and Thursday were normal days, in which we had school and then worked around the house. but Friday turned out to be a nice surprise for me. After school, Joey took the kids Christmas shopping and told me to go and have a night out to myself. What an awesome husband I have! I headed out the door aiming to have a night out on the town and then remembered where I was. What in the world would I do? I decided to take back our overdue library books and then sat in line at Walmart to get gas for $1.45 a gallon--What a sad state of affairs! Finally, my friend Traci saved me from my boringness by agreeing to have dinner out with me! Three cheers for spontaneous girl night out! We had a fabulous time walking Target, eating mexican food and having great conversation--Thanks Traci! When I got home at about 9pm the kids were heading to bed until Joey told me there was supposed to be a meteor shower that night and then plans changed quickly. I love that my husband embraces my spontaneity and runs with it even if it is contrary to his nature.

We put on our meteor watching duds and headed out the door. (That is not a large snowball on the right, it is Andrew ready for meteor action in the frigid temps.) This family looks like they are having a great time don't they? We drove out away from the big city lights and parked out near a farm. We didn't see much and the fog was rolling in but it didn't matter. We were on an adventure! We returned home after having Joey maneuver many three and four point turns in our large SUV. I think it was more fun for Joey and I. I just think about how our kids are going to look back and say, "Remember the time our crazy parents..."

Saturday I had the opportunity to go and help out a sweet lady who needed some help in her home. What a blessing I received just from sitting and being able to talk to her. I was reminded of what a precious gift we have in our sweet silver saints and the wisdom and sweet stories that they pass down to us.

Sunday we took off for Muscel Shoals, Alabama to visit a church that we just love--Grace Life Community Church. We had an awesome time of worship there. It was nice for Joey to just sit and not be preaching for a change. The sermon was great and the people were so friendly-- it was a blessing to be there.
Sunday night we headed to our church, which we missed very much, and went Christmas caroling! We had an awesome time with about 30 others singing Christmas carols to our Silver Saints and shut ins. It was good to be home with our home folks again! When we returned it was time for soup dinner. What a great way to close out vacation week!