December's Recap: It's been crazy!

Well it's been a month since I last blogged.  I've been a tiny bit preoccupied with all the regular December events, parties, programs and oh,  did I mention we moved?  To say December 2016 has had me hopping is a bit of an understatement.

We started off the month by seeing Elf at the newly renovated Robinson Auditorium, it was really well done and a fun way to spend an evening with friends.

Lawson started off the Christmas program season with his solo performance in the second grade musical at his school.  In the days leading up to the performance he asked Adam and I to pray for him because, "Mom, its gonna be the biggest day of my life!"  How cute is he?  He stepped right up to the mic with no hesitation and sang really well.  We were so proud of him.

Just two days later Adam MC-ed the Arkansas Heart Hospitals Christmas program.  He did a great job if I do say so myself, and do I think everyone there had a good time.

I enjoyed spending the evening with these fun people!

We visited with Santa at the Christmas brunch.

And afterwards, this was the best picture we could get.

G-Dad, Gigi and the grands.

Peyton's fourth grade went to the Capitol to tell the story of Jesus' birth and sing a few Christmas carols too.  I was so proud of them as these young girls and boys quoted the entire chapter of Luke 2, recounting the birth of our Savior.   I had chill bumps hearing God's word spoken in unison with all the many voices!

And when I wasn't at a party or planning for one, I was literally up to my chin in boxes and packing paper as I wrapped up our entire home in a week and a half.  We found a house and made a non-contingent offer, but thankfully we did sell our house, and it was on the market and sold within three weeks, thanks to McLellan and Associates!  We had 2-3 showings almost every day during that time (it was so much work to keep it show ready at a minutes notice--I'm grateful it was only on the market three weeks) and we only had one open house that had more then thirty visitors come through; we were thankful for all the interest!   And though I had done a good bit of purging and organizing over the last year, I still had quite a bit of stuff to pack in those boxes, but I got 'er done!

We moved everything except the furniture, we had some movers do that heavy lifting.  Thankfully we had family who pitched in a ton, friends who carried boxes up and down stairs and for several days was had friends and new neighbors delivering breakfast, lunch and dinner which was so very kind and thoughtful!  These three little helpers were total champs, have I mentioned how much I love them?!

They took a little time out for some Chick-Fil-A sustenance when our friends brought it by.

And these two cuties found chocolate candy in the pantry and were having a big time in there.

This was one of the last pictures Adam snapped as we finished up moving things from our old home.  It was a great house with nice neighbors.  We have many memories from Stoneview Court and will treasure the time we had there.

Upon moving in, we had a few things go awry.  It was only the coldest days we have seen in Little Rock this winter season (as in 16 degrees at night) and of course, the flame sensor on the downstairs furnace went out.  We waited four days for the Home Warranty company to come out and take a gander at it, which I completely know is a first world problem.  In light of what some experience, four days without heat is a cake walk, but when I had to sleep in my North Face fleece plus fleecy robe with socks just to keep from shivering, I was ready for the Home Warranty company to show up and do their thing.  The same day that they finally came out, we also had an upstairs toilet over flow creating an unwanted water feature right smack dab in the middle of my kitchen.  Water poured down the wall for quite a while and dripped for hours after the water was turned off.  Oh and let me remind you, our heat was out....so lets just say, I had icicles forming on my crown molding....not exactly what I was hoping for the day all four kids class Christmas parties were occurring.  I ended up just dropping the items I was responsible for in each class and rushing back to the house to relieve Adam so he could get to a morning meeting.  It felt crazy and completely chaotic, but thankfully it all got fixed and there doesn't appear to be any water damage!  PHEW!

Since I was dealing with the water issue I completely missed each one of the kids class Christmas parties, but thanks to several mom friends I was able to get these cute pictures!  These two are becoming good friends in their pre-k 3 class, thanks to her Momma for these pictures.

Emerson's class caroled around the Elementary campus before their party started.  Oh how I love this little Santa helper.

Lawson and Kate have been friends half their lives, I'm so thankful they are in class together!

School let out and that was a welcomed reprieve that was for me.  Having no routine or place to be first thing in the morning was wonderful as we unpacked loads of boxes as I dawned warm gloves and my long down puffy parka, since my house was freezing!

Adam's dad has gotten Razorback basketball tickets to the Little Rock game the last several years so the big boys went with them and Uncle Johnny.

Lawson honed in on the foam finger selling guy, and Adam was hard pressed to not purchase said "gift".  From the looks of this picture, I'm thinking he was thrilled!

While the bigs did their thing, Ava Jane, Emerson and I went to eat pizza and watch Sing.  It was such a great movie, had fun on our little date.

We had made plans to go to Garvan Gardens with friends to see the annual, beautiful Christmas lights but the heating company came late that afternoon and I wasn't about to reschedule their appointment! So we punted and did dinner downtown at the Flying Fish.

Then we hung out and had dessert.

Christmas morning was fun as the kids opened their gifts and we celebrated Jesus' birthday.

Our church had a late morning service so we went and worshipped the birth of Jesus together.

My dear Aunt Debbi drove over from Nashville to spend some time with us.  I loved getting to catch up in person, she's such a thoughtful Aunt and I hope to be the same for my nieces and nephews!

December has been fast and furious, but I've loved the past few days of time spent with my people, settling into a new normal and just enjoying time together watching movies, eating good food, having dance parties and simply being together.  There's definitely been some sibling conflicts but for the most part, this Christmas break has really been sweet.  Hope you're holiday has held good times and wonderful memories made.  As 2017 sneaks up on us, I hope you're New Year is filled with blessings from the Lord and precious moments spent with friends and family.