Who Started Christmas?

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

-- Author Unknown

SNOW!

We woke and got dressed quick to play in the snow from 6:30 - 7:00 am before we left TN.
As we drove, snow flurries turned into SNOW and yes we stopped and played in a parking lot!

Last Day - :-{

After Laura left around lunch time we went to Murphy NC to see Bolt at the movies.  The theater was established in 1934!  The movie was good and the theater was cool!

AND the movie ticket was ONLY $4.00 a piece! 

Grandma and her Grandbabies!

Laura and her neices and nephews!

We had a great to time with family this week!

Just enough busy-ness and just enough downtime!  Thank You Lord!

Light Up Blue Ridge - FUN!

Today we went to Blue Ridge, GA to their Light UP Blue Ridge. It was a great event with quite a few fun activities for the kids. Upon arriving, we saw Santa driving the train! He waved at Sammy as the train drove away!

A huge CHAIR was a great photo spot!

We found a Gingerbread Man wandering around and HAD to get a picture...of course Sammy didn't think so!

Then we found a train for Kirsten, Sammy and Aunt Laura to ride. Oh yeah, Katy is there too..hiding behind Sammy!
We have had a wonderful day and look forward to ONE MORE day of vacation!

Christmas Morning and S'Mores

The kids woke up this morning to packages under the Christmas Tree! Yep, Santa Grandma came last night and delivered gifts for the kids. I know its early, but Gail just loves to see the kids open thier gifts! In the picture above, she is in the pose she takes every gift opening opportunity -camera in hand! Sammy recieved remote control Dune Buggy's, Katy a cool sweatshirt with guitars on it and Kirsten a cute pair of pants and matching jacket with Hannah Montana on it. All were very happy!

We ended the evening by making s'mores over an open fire and drinking hot chocolate ! Yummy!
Aunt Laura gave us instruction on how to make AND eat the perfectly roasted marshmellow!  Thank you Laura!  We still haven't found any snow - but that made tonight more enjoyable and NOT too cold.

Hot Dogs for Thanksgiving - No!

Could it be a new tradition? Steve put together Gail's fire pit and took it out back - which spurred an idea... how about we cook hot dogs and brat wurst over the fire! It was nice to get out of the kitchen and quite tasty! Sammy, of course, joined us but didn't stand still long enough to get his picture taken.

Next the girls practiced their instruments - Kirsten practiced on Steve's MIDI keyboard! While I peeled potatoes, Kirsten and I were plugged in! It definitely made peeling potatoes much more enjoyable! Katy LOVED playing guitar out on the front porch! They each practiced for a good while BUT all practicing stopped the MINUTE Aunt Laura showed up!

Turkey came out, potatoes mashed, gravy made and then we feasted! Yum!
Sorry no pictures!

See Rock City

Todays adventures for the Craggs consisted of three words - See Rock City.
Steve loaded up Katy, Kirsten, Sammy AND Daisy and went through the paths of Rock City - up and down and all around!
They came home late tonight worn out and full of stories!

The group of people in the background are standing on Lover's Leap where you can see seven states at one time!

Steven and Daisy crossed the swinging bridge.

While the kids were away, Gail and I (mostly Gail) prepared stuffing from scratch, cleaned the turkey, made broccoli casserole, celery stuffing, peach pie, apple pie, apple crisp and pumpkin pie. I am also working on my 'talk' for saturday at the Ladies Christmas Brunch.

Looking forward to Macy's Day Parade, yummy Turkey Dinner, and Aunt Laura coming!

It Started with a Prayer

I'm blogging this for my sis.....
Jennifer has wanted a dog for a long time... being a single, full-time working mom of three young kids, it seemed an impossible task.

She prayed about it and waited.

Then she found out a family needed to find a new home for a sweet dog due to the owner's health declining.
The dog a apricot colored minature poodle, 3 years old....
What about messes on the new carpet?
House trained!
What about having to work all day?
Used to being alone during the day!
What about 3 rowdy kids?
Loves Kids!
It couldn't be a better match and then get this her name.. Penny.
She is now one fifth of the Nichols Family. God does have a sense of humor!
Oh yeah.. and the cost - FREE!

Looking for Snow - Found Fun!

We traveled very windy roads to Gatlinburg looking for snow. We found NONE! But we did find lots of things to entertain US!



First we had lunch at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. It was delicious and there were great one liners all over the store.
"Me and Jenny and I are like peas and carrots."
"Life is like a box of chocolates"
Next we went to Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum. Katy has been talking about going there since our friends have gone. We saw some VERY weird things! And some just plain bizarre things... Katy's favorite was the 4 legged duck. Kirsten's favorite was ...everything. She didn't like the "punishment room" where they showed examples of how people were caged, trapped etc.

Then we went to the skylift to the top of the mountain. Because we were dressed for playing in the snow, the weather didn't bother us much. At the top of the mountain, the kids posed for a picture.

When we got home, Katy and Grandma still had energy to do a craft! So together they made a windsock!
Katy probably loved this part the MOST!

Thanks for checking in!
PS Please pray for my friend Suzanne - she had dental surgery today and is in A LOT of pain!

Turkeys, Mr. Ed and Christmas Cold

When my parents talked of moving closer to Tampa, every event I attended with our home school group, I thought ... next year my parents might be here! Well, we had our 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Feast last Friday and mom and dad attended it. Not only did they attend it, mom helped plan the crafts and dad carved the turkey! AND we have this great picture of us!

 

 

We met Katy's favorite Mr. Ed at a Cracker Barrell in Calhoun, GA. It was a precious time and plans were made for a trip to Haiti in May 2009. We think Steve, Katy and I will travel together. Ed is so excited about Katy being there. He said she is like a celebrity because all the kids know that she raised money for their notebooks and pencils!

 

 

Gail had her tree up when we arrived so the kids helped her (for about 10 minutes) decorate it. She also had yummy warm jackets, hats and gloves for the kids. They will help in our quest for snow tomorrow. Katy is planning a BIG snowball fight with Steve and Gail bought little sleds for the kids. SO.. if we dont freeze to death we should have a BALL!

The Ripple Effect

In Summer of 2007, Katy was inspired to make muffins for Mr. Ed, missionary in Haiti. Mr. Ed visited Terrace Palms 2 or 3 times and each time Katy was more and more intrigued by him and his ministry - the kids of Haiti! Mr. Ed's testimony is simple - he went on a short term mission trip to share Christ with the kids. He then realized that they needed more than Christ - they needed food. He spends his time, pouring his life into kids and their families so they can know Christ!

So Katy made and sold muffins - every Sunday morning for about 4 months. She was very determined and not easily swayed to take a break. She even had a name "Sweets to Help Mr. Ed Beat the Heat!" After her hard work, she had raised over $200.00. She counted it over and over and couldn't wait to give it to Mr. Ed for the kids for Christmas was her hope. One Sunday in December 2007, Mr. Ed showed up. Katy and I ran home (I don't know who was more excited me or Katy) to get his money. Mind you it was in a gallon ziploc bag - a few dollars and lots of change. Her face when she handed it over was priceless! His face was shock. He made mention that he would be extra careful that Katy's donation would go directly to the kids.

Well today, Mr. Ed, emailed... this picture! How priceless! For those of you who ate muffins on Katy's behalf for Mr. Ed. Thank you...

Mr. Ed visited, Katy inspired, TPCC supported, Kids of Hait Blessed, and now you can see their smiles and be blessed... the Ripple Effect.

VOTE - Home School Style

 

 

 

The air here in the Cragg household is ELECTRIC! The atmosphere walking up to the polls was invigorating! The excitement this election has stirred up is amazing! I am so glad I have the priviledge to vote for the next President of the United States.

The girls and I walked up to the church to vote. (Katie L. came over after she voted to watch Sammy - Thanks Katie) We waited in a short line - the entire time I was bulleted with questions from the girls. Some great questions...some just goofy. But I answered them all! The girls stood by my side as I bubbled in my choices. I cant believe that Katy will be voting for a president in just 8 years! During our walk we talked about why I was voting for McCain. It was an awesome responsibility to tell them how I made my choice - to explain my convictions!

Then came the craziness - after I voted, I was running Katie home and we were inspired by the enthusiasm of sign holders. The intersection near our home had a ton of supporters holding signs. So as we drove by, we honked and yelled. What Fun! We decided to grab the kids and drive around encouraging McCain supporters. We grabbed our yard sign and buckled up. We honked, yelled McCain/Palin chants, sang the "National Anthem" and "My Country Tis of Thee" and prayed and then honked and chanted some more.

We prayed for our nation and we talked about who was really in charge of the elections. "Some trust in chariots, some in horses,[some trust in the presidential elections] but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

Now that's what I call true HOME SCHOOLING!

Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch and LOTS of fun!

 

 

 

 

The cousins (as they call themselves) and the moms (Jen and I) dashed after church to Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival! We had a GREAT time! (Except when we lost Sammy - that was bad! Then we found him - that was VERY good)

I am thankful that "the cousins" are making memories together! Thank you Lord!