A CONCERT FOR CHRISTMAS!

Did you ever wish for something for Christmas knowing that you would'nt get it? Even so, we still wish and hope, thinking that somehow we will wake up and there it is. Well, Phil wished for tickets to see Trans Siberian Orchestra for Christmas. You see, they were coming to Birmingham and he really wanted to go! He looked on line and saw that the cheap tickets were still pretty expensive and being the good and unselfish parents that we are, knew it was not an option, but still, worthy of the wish.

But wait, there's more! I was driving home from work one evening, commuting from Huntsville to Decatur, when upon the radio I did hear a shout out for "Flash Back Trivia!" I knew the answer! I had to call and get through, because the prize was for tickets to what! . . . Trans Siberian Orchestra! I called and they answered! I was on the radio, and yes, I WON!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! I never get through! We were so excited!

We went to the concert on December 20. It was FANTASTIC! I don't care about the kids anymore, I am going to BUY tickets next time it was that good! I hardly had a voice the next day and we didn't get home until after midnight so we HAD to make sure to be to church on time the next day! It was worth it! I think we will wish this wish again! AWESOME!

Thanksgiving 2008

Did I really
eat all that!

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but the memories still linger. We had a great day traveling to Birmingham to have the "Big Day" with the Willis family! We ended up at the church eating with about 40 people! It was great fun and we really enjoyed it! We never get enough time to visit!

The holidays are upon us and we are getting ready with gusto. Our 4th Annual Cookies and Cocoa is coming on December 8, and we cannot wait! Christmas decorations are coming out and excitement is in the air! Let the Holidays begin!!

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS . . . .

This is great! He did this all by himself! All of us were busting a gut!

This was at the Excalibur hotel in Vegas. We thought these hats were so funny and decided to put them on. Phil spotted the knight so we had to make this picture! The girls were laughing so hard and were shocked that their parents would do something this silly!

AND WE CARRY ON . . . .

My "baby" turned 18 on Friday! Where has the time gone! I can't believe how this makes me feel. I actually shed a tear or two on Friday and was very meloncholy for a time. Phil and I talked about all the things that the kids have done over the years and we had a pretty good walk down memory lane. Some of the memories are painful, but what would growth be without some pains from time to time. I do get excited thinking about the future and what choices will the kids make, how will their lives turn out, how much of an influence have we as parents been on them, and most importantly, will they always remember who they are and where they have come from. Not just here on earth, but in the whole scheme of things! Will they remember that motto they repeated every sunday for 6 years in YM/YW? Will they remember those Family Home Evenings where "we were going to get spiritual dang it and like every minute of it!!!" Will they remember all those great family reunions where they realized that this family is forever?

I remember all those things from my youth and have truly come to appreciate them more as time goes by.

Well, enough of that. We can't change what is and what will be, but we can do our part and endure to the end well.

The Bathroom Finale'

The bathroom has reached the completion stage. We are so excited! I know Phil is! Here is the final product. We changed the light fixtures. We will eventually change the faucet. We textured the walls and painted. We beat up the old tile and put down new. Have started changing out the old drawer pulls. (you might can see the silver one. that is the new one) I scrubbed the cabinets with Restore-a-Finish which really brought the lustre of the cabinets back! Whew!!! The picture just does not do it justice! By the way, I still need to hang the picture! That's me sneaking around the corner taking the picture.

HOMECOMING!!

Sara was invited to go to Austin High School's 2008 Homecoming. Chris Ferris is the young man she is going with. He is really a nice guy. Notice the very LARGE corsage on her dress! This is the thing here in Decatur (Idon't know about anywhere else!) I had a doosey of a time trying to get that thing on her dress!!! As I was pinning it on her she reminded me that the guy is supposed to pin the flower on the girl. I said, "Well, Chris cannot put his hand where I am putting mine." He said that his dad said he should'nt do it. We kind of got a kick out of that! As the report goes, they had a very good time!

My Temple

I ran across this Mormonad while I was helping Sara put together a YW project. This is the temple Phil and I were sealed in! I will always love this temple. Not to mention, this is the temple that Grandma and Grandpa McCain served while living in St. George. Ahhh, good memories!

I Know Someone, Who Knows Someone . . . .

One of my best friends, Julianne Lowman, knew Govenor Palin when. . . . I think that is exciting. As you can tell, I have really become interested in this year's presidential campaign. You can guess who I am voting for!

Take a look at this site. It shows Julianne with Sarah Palin. What a small world! http://www.al.com/huntsvilletimes/pageone/wednesday.pdf

Eric Is A Cowboy!!

Eric sent this picture from the rodeo in Salina, Utah. He is on the "help" crew and loves every minute of it! We wish we could see him in action. Can you pick him out!

The Poor Pet Dog

Poor Patchy! He is the cutest, most fun, and sweetest little boy! We had to take him to the vet first thing this morning because he was having a seizure! We had to leave him for a while, and they will call us when he is ready to come home! Darn, I wish these animals had insurance! "OH Where OH Where has my little dog gone!"

It Could Be Worse!

Last nite, our worst fears came to fruition! Jessica and Sara got in a car wreck coming home from Huntsville. The comment made by all was, "It could be worse!" No one was hurt, except our auto deductible!

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

What have we gotten ourselves into?!!

Yes, we started another home improvement project. I always get the bright idea to do something. I become the deconstruction crew and the decorator/organizer, along with being the annoying LET'S GET IT DONE NOW!! crew.

I started taking up the tile in the front bathromm. Couldn't stand looking at the old anymore. If I had been smart, I would have taken a before picture so that we could compare the after. But, I am not that smart!!

So, here are a couple of pitures of the actual work in progress. Bless Phil's heart!! He did a great job!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHIL!

Phil with Jared and Sheila!

Phil's Birthday!

We had a great time celebrating Phil's birthday. We invited over Jared and Sheila McLaughlin from our ward at church. Jared and Phil teach the 7 turning 8 in Primary together. We had a good time. We grilled out, (Phil's favorite!) and had cake and ice cream. We are easily entertained and love it when friends come over!.

HOW CAN WE SLOW DOWN!

My days seem to be so full of EVERYTHING! I wonder if I remember how to slow down? I am going to try this next week to really cut out those things that don't HAVE to be done! I feel like a Zombie on the days that I don't have to go to work. Those are the days that I should be productive, instead, all I want to do is lay down and check out! Good news though, I am going to Utah in April to visit my best friend and will be able to have a little down time then! I can't wait!

This is where I would really like to be right about now. Here we live in the south and we are still having very cold weather. Snow today! I can't believe it! I think the beach would be a great place to relax and renew! Oh well, Hello April and Utah! In the mean time, I will just try to slow down and make the best of it!

Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Homeschool Party! It was a blast!

Andrew Messervey, Jonathon Jensen and Nathan Maloney playing air hockey! I wonder who won! They couldn't wait to get to it!


Katie Messervey and Sariah Maloney decorating their Valentine cookie. For such little girls they have enormous personalities!

Jonathon and Nathan comparing Valentines!

We all decided that we needed to do this more often! Not only is it fun for the kids, but the parents get a little social time in, too!

We played games, decorated cookies, shared Valentines and ate pizza and fruit salad! Hopefully the fruit zeroed out the sugar!

Later that nite we fed the full time missionaries! We had a very full day and I have been in recovery for the weekend! I think this next week will be just as busy as the last!

Super Bowl Sunday

Today is Super Bowl XLII! Phil is in heaven watching this game with his girls! Really, I think they are just waiting for the new commercials! There have been a few shouts and hollers coming from the family room! I have enjoyed thier excitement!

Mostly on Super Bowl Sunday, I remember laying in the Labor and Delivery room waiting for someone to notice the pregnant lady in the bed trying to deliver a touchdown of her own! What a long day! Phil was really excited that day, too! I don't know if it was the baby or the game! Wow! What a memory!

This has been a long weekend! President Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints passed away this week and his funeral was televised this weekend on KBYU TV. We were able to watch it via satellite in our home. What a blessing technology is! And what a blessing to have a Prophet on earth today! Praise to the man!!! President Hinckley will be missed!