Hello World!

Well, it has been a long time since I posted. Christmas was fantastic (except Kim, Addi, Levi, and Lila missed Christmas with the family). We're glad they got well though! The New Year has been fun and busy. Daniel updated my blog with some input from me. We're neither fully satisified with the finished product but are still working on it. I like it ALOT though! I got a camera for Christmas, but haven't loaded a single picture yet. I should do that. Daniel, PLEASE!?! (I don't know where any cords are since we moved in November!) The house is still for sale (Would you like to buy it!?) Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and I agree with Addi, it's my second favorite holiday too. Christmas is first though! Tipin is doing well and spoiled ROTTEN these days. I'll have to post just on her and her funny ways of letting us know what she wants.

I mostly wanted to take this time to post and let our family and friends know how much we love and enjoy them. We have been blessed to spend time with them lately more than we did when we lived in Gadsden. So, thanks to all of you and we love you each so very much. Thank you for sharing your kids (Kim, Paul, Katie, and Josh) and your love (David, Susan, Mary, Billy, Alex, and Jaz) with us. Words cannot express how we cherish the time we spend with you. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives.

Not a Complete Blogover

But we will call it a face lift!

Daniel's New Blog is Here: dcsden.blogspot.com

Christmas Wishes and Post to come!

I haven't updated much lately, and for that I apologize. My digital camera was *cough* DROPPED on a youth trip a few months ago and not fixed since. Therefore, I have no pictures to share, which makes blogging rather dull. However, I think this problem will be corrected with Christmas fast approaching. I've heavily hinted that I want a camera for Christmas!! I'll go as far to say sale ads for digital cameras laying around whenver I find ad ad! So, Dan... consider this your final 'hint' if you haven't yet caught on to this pattern. Only kidding..

I am working on a post that I hope will be much of a delight with a few creative craft ideas and some of my favorite things. Therefore, keep an eye out, and much love to everyone!

Not too much to say..

Life has been rather boring around my house unless you consider organizing closets, putting stuff in cabinets, and cleaning the house fun. We are in official unpack mode. The reason I'm blogging is..

I want to let Mary, Katie, and Jazz know how thankful I am that they are well. You each mean so much to me. I truly have something to be thankful for this year as we celebrate Thanksgiving and that's your health and happiness.

On a personal note, sorry I haven't posted in a while. I really have NOTHING to write about. The house is coming along. We LOVE being in Trussville. Church is absolutely amazing. I guess when everythings going smooth and life is boring, that's the GOOD times. So, I'm definitely not complaining.

One fun thing we did at church last week was a Creating Casseroles cooking class where you create casseroles to freeze and cook later. It's so neat! For 22 dollars I made 4 dishes: Shepard's Pie, Lasagna, Breakfast Burritos, and Pizza Loaves.

I have 2 more class sessions and class will be done for my ABC certificate!! Can you believe it!?!? Yay.

DirecTV will be installed tomorrow!!! No more watching Jon and Kate at school (yay!).

I'm out of school next week for Thanksgiving! WooHoo!

Daniel is off Thursday and Friday next week.

Jerry is getting married this Friday. They're soo cute together.

That's all. Good-bye!

We're moved!

Hello.. well, we are offically (mostly) moved. We've been residing in Trussville since Thursday of last week. It's so convient! I'm not NEAR as tired anymore... whoohoo!! Moving has been an event. That's a post in and of itself. We will be getting cable and internet next week, and I plan to most the entire story then. So, until then, take care!

Today's the day...

We close on our house at 1 PM today. We did a final walk through yesterday and everything was great! My good friend, Jennifer, went to see the house with me. I even got Dad's approval. (That's a big deal! He even thought we got a good price. Whoa!) So, if all goes well, we'll have possession of the house in the next seven days. They hadn't moved out as of yesterday, so I doubt we'll get possession today. We are truely blessed!

Well, they say I'm boring...

...and it could be true. The kids at school asked me the other day, "Do you smoke, drink, or cuss?" I was delighted when they asked the question because I was able to respond proudly with a big, fat.. NO. Well, I politely said,"No I sure don't." My eighth graders were thrilled by the idea and encouraged. However, the older kids replied with, "YOUR BORING!!!" I replied this time with a big grin and a thank you! To me, I'll take that as a compliment (from a tenth or eleventh grader any day.) I say that to say, I've had absolutely nothing to post about. Perhaps, I really am boring.

We close on our house on Friday. I haven't started packing thing. (No, Daniel hasn't either, and I don't believe it's in my near future.) I guess I should get busy on that. *Sigh*

Today is Kim's birthday, and I'd like to tell her Happy Birthday. I don't get the opportunity to visit or talk to her (or Katie) often. However, I truly care for them and would do anything for them. I hope they know this. When I do get to visit with them, I strive to chase kiddos around so that maybe (for a few brief seconds), they can sit down and relax without having a worry in the world. And.... If you ask me, the kids are quite fun to chase around! There are many days while I'm at work when I think, I wish I were able to go see the kids rather than eating cafeteria food or teaching integers. (Not that I don't love my job...) I say that to say, I think of you (Katie and Kim) everyday. Thank you for the nieces and nephew (I wouldn't have any without you two!).

I'm taking a class at JSU on Tuesday nights. It's an education class (the one where you write like seven page lesson plans) ugh!! But, surprisingly I l love the class. It's ALMOST like therapy. (Very close to a Dr. Marc class for those who had him at Freed just an educational perspective instead of sociology/social work class) Nonetheless, I've not been able to attend some of Roebuck's youth events due to my class. That's where Daniel is tonight. He's actually waiting on someone who ran out of gas at the moment. The joys of youth ministry. The job is going great, and we love everything so far! It's been a true blessing.

I hope Mary's biopsy went well today. I haven't heard anything, but I assume we will hear something when it's public knowledge. In the meantime, I am in constant prayer for her wellbeing. Mary, we miss you and pray for you daily. Please take care of yourself and don't work too hard. We love you dearly!

Well, to have "nothing" to post about, I sure have rambled on and on. So, I hope all is well with you and your family. We love you each so much. Please be careful. Love, Mandi