My Most Treasured Gift!

How do I put into words to describe my feelings on getting my wonderful gift from Kim? She gave me the most perfect gift that I could have asked for this year. She gave me an album filled with pictures of Noah from the day he came to us until the day he left us. When I looked at each page I was filled with emotion....not only of love for my beautiful little boy but for my sister who spent many hours making this album perfect in everyway! I am so thankful for all of her hard work and for the contributions of my other family members as well...thank you David for scanning all of my pictures to give me a cd...thank you Libbi for the words which make everyone understand Noah so much more....thank you Jerry for allowing Kim all this time without complaint to put it together...and most of all thank you Kim....you will never know how very much it means to me...I have looked at it over and over again and I will show it off to everyone who comes over to my house! Thank you again...it truly is my most treasured possession!!!!

Noah's Album

Kim and Jean holding Noah's Album

CHRISTMAS DAY!

Sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words...enjoy a glimpse of our Christmas Day....

Jean enjoying her new laptop computer!

Michael duking it out on the Wii!


Jeff looking at some of his gifts!

Sarah Beth enjoying her recorder!

Libbi and Pete enjoying Christmas Dinner!

Pete waiting for the gift opening to begin!

Momma looking over her presents!

Everyone around the table, ready to eat!

Emily and Lauren bowling on the Wii!

Pugslie was wiped out after the festivities were over...too much running around after the kids..hehehe!

CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!

We had a great time at our Christmas Eve Party tonight! Libbi and her family came to join us again this year and it was so nice to have more family here! It was a very fun and spiritual night and we enjoyed all of our friends who came to share in our laughter, games, fun, and shared the wonderful spirit that was here. The testimony meeting at the end was wonderful and tears of love and tenderness were shared. We are grateful to everyone who came and shared our evening with us. We love doing our annual party and find great joy in sharing this night with others. I am fighting a cold this year but still managed to have a great time even with running a fever! My husband, kids, and mother stepped up to the plate to help me put on our party and they did most all of the work while I gave suggestions, helped in the baking, and sat around in my chair with a blanket over me most of the day! I love them for their service rendered to me and I am most grateful for this wonderful season! What a great night! I am actually typing this entry on my new laptop computer that my sweetheart gave me for Christmas. I will post pictures of Christmas gifts tomorrow!

Jeff getting ready for the party

Jean showing off her "holiday nails" that Lauren did for me!
Emily and Victoria at the party!
Our group of friends and family with Jeff!
Our group of friends and family with Jean!

Emily and Sarah Beth

Libbi

Jean and Callie

Mitchell, Brandon, Emily, & Victoria

Christmas Party

Jeff and I went to his work's Christmas Party at this place called Cafe Tiramisu. It was pretty good. We don't drink so it wasn't the kind of party I would normally attend but we had a nice conversation with some of the people we sat near and I got the chance to meet John's (Jeff's boss) wife. She is really really nice. I can see why Jeff likes working there because everyone is very friendly. Plus we got the chance to go out for a night and I got to dress up so it was fun! Emily took a picture of us before we left!

A Great Week-end!

We have had such a wonderful week-end that I just had to write about how grateful I am to have had a whole week-end of spiritual upliftment. It started on Saturday morning when we went to our Ward Christmas Breakfast. We did something completely different this year for our ward party and it was wonderful. We decided to do a breakfast and then a service project. We had a wonderful breakfast then we put together goody boxes and took them to an assisted living home (kinda like the one Ninna and Granddaddy stayed in Hartsville). We broke up in groups, delivered a box to each room and sang christmas carols. It was so wonderful to see the looks of gratitude and to hear them join us as we sang. It did our hearts good and I loved watching each of my children take a box to each elderly person and receive a hug from them. We all left with such a great feeling. Later last night we went to The Creche Exhibit put on by our stake each year. It was absolutely beautiful (I forgot my camera). There were 100's of nativity scenes from all over the world, a live nativity and one room had nothing but pictures of Christ. It was so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes as I looked at each one and felt the love of the Savior. Tonight we just finished watching the Christmas Devotional and my heart was again touched by the words that were offered and I feel a deep sense of gratitude to my Savior. I am thankful for a week-end that reminded me once again of the real reason we celebrate this wondeful season of the year! It was a great way to begin December!

Christmas Survey!

Okay...I love Christmas so here is my survey:


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like both, but bags are easier and I do like the lazy way!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real are the best but Emily is allergic so we get the artificial and ours is beautiful!

3. When do you put up the tree? 1st Monday in December!

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually after Christmas but before New Years Day!

5. Do you like eggnog? I don't think so.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Tons of rings that Ma-Maw game me...I had them on every finger!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Daddy

8. Easiest person to buy for? Momma

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. I have a lot!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Real mail is still great!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think I have one.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life!!!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day after Thanksgiving.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes I have...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Momma's peanut butter fudge!

16. Lights on the tree? I like colored and Jeff likes clear so we have clear on the big Christmas tree and colored on Noah's white tree...we both get what we like (and I think Noah would like the colored like his mommy!)

17. Favorite Christmas song? Do you hear what I hear?

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I like to stay home but I love seeing my family!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I think so!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have a very pretty star!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve, b/c Christmas morning Santa comes and we look in our stocking then...I am the same as Kim!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Anyone who does not celebrate Christmas....again, I feel the same way!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't do themes...I like everything about Christmas from Santa Claus to snowmen to reindeer to whatever is Chistmassy!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I like the traditional dinner and I like my steak and baked potato and I like it all...that's probably why I am fat!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I would love to be able to see beyond the veil but since I can't do that then I would like for Jerry to find a good job!

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Mikey

27. Who is least likely to respond to this? I'm not sure!

OK, everyone.....your turn!

Time to pause and remember....

Tonight our family spent some time together decorating our Christmas Tree and decorating our remembrance tree for Noah. We took a special moment to reflect on Noah's life and all that he has brought to ours. Each of the kids told us something that they loved the most about Noah and each one hung ornaments on his tree. As we hung each one, we were able to share laughter thru tears as they brought back sweet memories and we felt Noah near. It was a sweet opportunity together as a family to take some time out of our busy season and spend some time celebrating the life of our sweet Noah. We also were able to pause and remember what our Savior has done for each of us and realize that we celebrate this season only because of Him. We know that Noah is rejoicing with Him at this time. We feel closer as a family and are grateful for our eternal bonds. It has been a good night....a night to pause, a night to reflect, a night to remember!

Jeff adding the golfcart ornament to Noah's tree

Michael adding the ornament he got for Noah to his tree

Lauren adding her ornament she made Noah for his tree

Emily putting the ornament she bought for Noah on his tree

This ornament is so sweet and it says "Every life leaves something beautiful behind"...so true

Black Friday Fun!!!!!

Our day started at 3 am this morning! Emily and I got up, picked up Grandma and Gramps and headed to our first stop....WalMart! Okay...how do I describe that experience....chaotic??? I wanted one certain thing and stood in line for 45 minutes to get it, then was told that it was at the other end of the store...so I ran to the other end, not there, and was told that it was where I had originally been....AAAAAHHHHH! Anyway, long story short, I got it...I can push and shove with the best of them...hahaha! Our next stop was in Knightdale where everyone went in different directions...I went to Best Buy (the best store I went to yesterday...great employees) and everyone else scattered to all the different stores. We had cell phones handy and coordinated our efforts to make sure we got what we needed! We even braved going into Raleigh and went to Penneys..what a madhouse but what GREAT deals! We had breakfast at IHOP and had a great time the whole day! We finally made it back home around 1:30 in the afternoon exhausted and glad we were able to get the great door buster deals! My shopping is now OVER! I have gotten all my major gift buying done, except for some little things here and there that aren't that big of a deal! Between Black Friday deals and the internet, I can say that I am truly done! It feels great and now I can sit back and enjoy the holidays! Now it is just time for baking and having fun with my family and focusing on what really matters...the real reason, our Savior Jesus Christ! Let the holidays begin......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

We had a very good Thanksgiving Day! It was relaxing and peaceful! We slept in, had a big breakfast, watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, skimmed all the sales papers, planned for tomorrow, watched a movie and had a big Thanksgiving Feast! We are now all getting ready to get some sleep so that we can hit the stores bright and early tomorrow! We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are grateful for the blessings that this year has brought to them (and for some, try to find the silver linings in the challenges)! It has been a year of surprises in our family (some good and some not so good) but in all things we are thankful for the richest blessings in our life...our family! We still have each other and in the end, that is all that really matters! We hope everyone feels full and happy and blessed! Happy, Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving Feast!

Everyone around the table!

Momma waiting for one of the desserts!

Jeff's famous Sugar Free Apple Pie (looks to pretty to eat) but it is super yummy!

Poor Jeff spent the day resting...he has a really bad cold!!!

A fun Survey !

I got this from Libbi's blog so I thought I would do it as well!

1. Do you like blue cheese? Nope!
2. Have you ever drank? No!
3. Do you own a gun? No, but Daddy is going to give me one of his!
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? I don't really like Kool-Aid but if I had to choose it would be Black Cherry!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointment? Not usually!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I love them..esp. Nathans Hotdogs!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life...hands down!
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Milk
9. Can you do push ups? hahahahahahahahaha..NO!---same as Libbi!
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My Gold Locket with Noah's picture in it!
11. Favorite hobby? Reading!
12 . Do you have A.D.D.? I don't think so!
13. What's your weight and height ? 5'7" and my weight is going down!
14. Middle name? Carolyn
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? What I need to study for seminary tomorrow, what I need to buy for Thanksgiving, what I want to shop for on the day after Thanksgiving!
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, Milk, and Water!
17. Current worry? Making more money and make sure the kids are getting all they need in homeschool!
18. Current hate right now? I don't know that I hate anything right now...maybe the situation the country finds itself in but it is what it is...so, I don't think there is really anything that I HATE!
19. Favorite place to be? Myrtle Beach
20. How did you bring in the New Year? At home with Lauren and Michael (Jeff was at the church New Year's Eve Dance with Emily)
21. Where would you like to go? for New Year's eve? Actually, no where! I like staying home...am I getting old or what????
22. Name three people who will complete this? I don't know but I hope everyone!
23. Do you own slippers? Yes...I get some every year at Christmas and I love them!
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Fuschia
25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? I don't know...I never have!
26. Can you whistle? No...and I have tried a lot...I just can't!
27. favorite color? RED
28. Would you be a pirate? No...they are nasty and smelly!
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't usually sing in the shower...sometimes I hum if I am in a good mood!
30. Favorite girls name: Olivia...I know....I didn't name a girl that but if Noah had been a girl that would have been her name! I change all the time...I loved Emily, then I loved Lauren..you know how it goes...whatever was my favorite at the time, that is what my kids were named!
31. Favorite boy's name: I always loved Jonathan David growing up because I loved their friendship in the Old Testament but I never did name my boys that because Michael and Noah were the names that came to me and they were certainly right!
32.What's in your pocket right now? I don't have any pockets!
33.Last thing that made you laugh? Something Jeff said!
34. Best bed sheets as a child? NO CONTEST HERE...Ninna's hand starched, 1000 count linen sheets and they always felt and smelled soooooooo goooooood!!! AMEN, LIBBI, AMEN!!!!!
35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? Ummmmm...I have no idea!!!
36. Do you love where you live? Yes, yes, and yes!!!! I love my house, I love my town, and I love my neighborhood!
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 5...we love TV!
38. Who is your loudest friend? I am my loudest friend....hahaha...me too!
39. How many dogs do you have? One very spoiled puggle!
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Yes...and he has had a crush on me for the last 17 years...my sweetheart....ahh..just thinking of him makes me smile...still in love!
41. What is your favorite book? after the scriptures...I Believe in Santa Claus!
42. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate, Chocolate, and oh yeah, Chocolate!
43. Favorite Sports Team? Clemson because I grew up with them, my kids and my sweetheart all LOVE NC STATE WOLFPACK!!!!!
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? I Know that My Redeemer Lives.

There you have it....my survey...I hope everyone else does it so I can learn more stuff about everyone!

EMILY'S SWEET 16 PARTY!!!!!!!!

Emily is 16!

WOW!!! What a great party! At first we weren't sure it was going to be so wonderful...we planned a cookout and we woke up this morning to RAIN!!! We thought that it might let up but it kept coming down! Jeff, as always, came to the rescue...he got two canopies and put them right by the garage. Under one, he put the grills and under the other he put the fire pit that we were going to use to make smores! We cleaned out the garage, the rain let up and we thought all was well...until we came back inside and looked at the birthday cake...uh oh...Nero (our big fat black cat) decided to "taste" a corner of the cake! GREAT....again, Jeff came to the rescue...he cut off the corner of the cake and fixed it the best he could...we were so glad that Emily laughed about it! It could have proved disastrous! We just explained to everyone that we had a "little accident" with the cake...oh well! HOWEVER, the evening turned out to be a huge success! We put around 60 guests in the house...they were everywhere and Emily had a ball! She loved every minute of it from beginning to end. Jeff and I enjoyed visiting with everyone and all the kids loved the balloons and ran around and played and played! There was great food, music, tons of laughter and lots of love! It was the "perfect 16th birthday party" according to Emily. We could not have been happier that everything went smoothly and we were able to give Emily a birthday party she will never forget! She loved her book the most and all the comments brought several tears to her eyes! Thank you all for helping to make her birthday wonderful! We are so thankful for this bright, wonderful, and beautiful young woman whom we are so proud to have as our daughter! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY...and we hope you will enjoy many, many more!!!!! Below are some pictures of the evening...

The Cake after Jeff fixed it!!

Some of the kids milling around!

Lauren and Hudson

Emily and Michelle playing "Dance, Dance Revolution"

Emily and her friends outside around the fire!

Emily and her friends around the fire!

Lauren is now 14!!!!

My how the time has flown....from a cute, chubby little baby to a beautiful young woman! I am so blessed to have this wonderful little girl who has brought so much joy to my life! We celebrated Lauren's 14th birthday on Friday! We went out to her favorite restaurant which is Texas Steakhouse and instead of a cake she wanted Mom's homemade chocolate chip cookies so that is what she got! I am so grateful for the strong, independent minded, creative, wonderful, spiritual, and loving young woman she has become! She makes us all laugh, think, scream (well just Mom sometimes), and count our blessings everyday! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!

My last political thought!

Okay...this is my last political thought for this election year! While I am disappointed that almost EVERYONE I voted for lost, I am grateful for the opportunity I had to vote. Although I disagree with the policies of Obama and will watch closely these next 4 years to see how they unfold, I do believe in our 12th Article of Faith which states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, ruler, magistrates and in honoring, obeying and sustaining the law" so I feel at this time that I must abide by that and try to unite as an American and give President-Elect Obama a fair chance. It has always made me sad and incredibly disappointed at the way people have talked about President Bush (because I do still love him as a person, even though there have been things that I have disagreed with) so I will not do the same thing to Obama. I think that Heavenly Father expects me as a follower of Christ to show Christlike love and be respectful of the next President of the United States. I love being an American and having the freedom to vote. I am grateful for the scriptures which help to remind me that I should love everyone and treat everyone with kindness. I have not always followed that counsel but I am striving to do it better. As passionate as I am about my opinions, I am more passionate about my faith. I know that it is far more important for to me to be kinder than it is for me to be right. I hope over these next four years, come what may, that I can be respectful and in everything show by my actions that I am a disciple of Christ. I know the promises of the Lord are sure and I am grateful for the gospel. It gives me the courage to go forward with faith!

Michael's New Improved Room!

Jeff and I decided along with Michael that it was time to give his room a facelift of sorts so his dad got to work today and his room got all fixed up to represent him! He is so pleased with it and loves it. We are happy that Michael feels comfortable with his surroundings. Emily said she would like to have Mikey's room but...he gets that honor to himself. Below I have posted some pictures of his new room the way his dad did it. I am so glad that Jeff is handy because I do not know how to do anything when it comes to home improvements! Anyway...here are the pictures!

Tagged!!

Here is the survey that LaNelle tagged me for:

i am: lazy!
i know: a lot!
i want: to live in a better world!
i have: a very sore foot!
i hate: being fat!
i miss: my baby!
i feel: blessed!
i hear: complete silence (the girls are with Jeff at a youth activity, Mikey is playing a game and there is no TV on...it is so nice)
i smell: what I cooked for dinner (sauteed shrimp, chicken, and veggies...yumm!)
i crave: a big piece of Momma's peanutbutter fudge
i search: ponder and pray!
i love: Jeff
i care: about doing the right thing and setting a good example!
i always: tell my kids I love them
i believe: that we should always have dreams
i sing: to the radio and my cd's
i write: when I need to express my feelings and can't get them to come out!
i lose: everything I put down and these days my mind
i win: at losing...I hardly ever win anything!
i never: will get a puppy again...they are too much work!
i listen: to my kids all day long and am the only one that listens to me
i am scared: that I won't be worthy enough to have Noah back again
i need: a maid!
i am happy about: Chrismas coming...I love that time of year!
i tag: Emily, Lauren, Michael, and Jewel!

Pain in the Foot!

Okay...now I know that I am somewhat of a wimp when it comes to pain but lately I have had such severe pain in my left foot than I can hardly put any weight on it at all.  It hurts when I get out of bed first thing in the morning then it seems okay.  Then after Emily and I go to the gym and workout I have to come home and put my foot up because I can barely walk...what the heck????  It bothers me a little when I am walking on the treadmill or the eliptical machine (which by the way I can only do for 12 minutes at the lowest level otherwise I am dying!) but when we are done exercising the pain is horrible.  I can barely walk....it is so frustrating!   I know I sound like a wimp because I am one.  Jackie (the kid's nurse) told me that she think I have something called Planter Fasciitious!  I looked it up and it does sound like the kind of pain I have.  So now, I have to rest my feet, put ice on the foot that hurts for 15 minutes after exercise (I know I am not supposed to work thru the pain but I do think that if I can get some of this weight down that will help) and when the pain and swelling go down, do some exercises.  I may have to end up going to the doctor to see if I need a brace for my foot at night and I am going to get some special heel inserts in my shoes to see if that helps!  So much for my love of cheap shoes to go with every outfit....I hate getting old.  Everything starts breaking down...oh well!   I just don't like to have pain and no one likes to be around me when I do because I am such a WHINER!!!  I would say pray for me but I think everyone should pray for those that have to live with me...hahahaha!  One more thing I am learning to not like about aging!  I wouldn't mind it at all if I didn't have to have any aches and pains that come along with it because I would love to have the knowledge I have now when I was younger...I would have been so much better!  I guess we can't have it all!  So now I can tell everyone I have a royal pain in the foot!

Good hair? Bad Hair?

Today, Jackie brought over her spiral style curling iron to practice on Lauren's hair. She has all boys so she wanted to fix Lauren's hair. It turned out so cute! I love Lauren's hair with curls! Emily is going to a dance Friday night and they can dress up...she went to Wal-Mart today and bought some spray that colors her hair different colors! She thinks her dad will love it..hahahaha! So we have good hair and weird colored hair (?)! Anyway...thought ya'll would like to see it. We are trying to convince Emily to spiral curl her hair too....it would be so cute! I love curls! I told Emily with her hair that color she could go as a punk rocker...gotta love the 80's...hahahahaha!

Gotta love Sundays!

Sunday's are my favorite day of the week. I especially love them on Stake Conference week-ends. There are no meetings after church! Our stake conference was so good and the talks were uplifting and made me want to be a much better person. It is always nice to receive counsel and then look at myself and find areas where I need to improve. (There are a LOT of areas!) It is always nice to have this one day to spend with my family without any outside interruptions from the world. I appreciate the beauty of this one day when we can focus on our faith and our family. It is a nice break from the world and all the cares that go with it. So I just have to say that I am grateful for Sundays. What a refreshing way to start my week....which if you read my post from last Monday you will see why I enjoy Sundays so much! Tomorrow the hectic schedule will start again but for today I stop and realize how much my family means to me and how grateful I am for the gospel in my life. I am really blessed to have a strong faith that pulls me thru difficult times and bears me up when life gets hard and a wonderful family who bring so much richness and joy to my life. They are what makes me the most happy and I love them with all my heart. I can find more things that I am grateful for than I can find things that are hard. I do love Sundays!!!

Another Rally....more fun, and more SUN!

When I found out that Sarah Palin was coming back to NC this week I called Jewel to see if she wanted to go and she did. I also asked the kids if they wanted to go and they were excited as well. We decided to do our fieldtrip for school to the Sarah Palin rally at Elon College! We went and got the tickets then left our house at 7:30 a.m. (can you believe Lauren got up that early...now that is determination..for her!) and headed out! (Even Jackie came along...she was a great sport and a great help the whole day and we really enjoyed her company...thanks, Jackie..we love you!) We picked up Jewel and off we went. We stopped at McDonalds for breakfast, ate in the car and kept going so we could get there by 10:00 a.m. We knew the crowds would be big and we wanted to get there early! We had to park in a field about 2 miles from the baseball field! It was a nice walk during the morning....it wasn't too hot and we were all excited. We got pretty far up in line so we settled down for a long wait. Jewel had brought a camp chair with her that she knew she couldn't take in but she decided she would leave it and didn't care if she got it back. We talked to others in line and ended up standing under a shaded tree so it wasn't too bad. While we were standing in line, we found out that there were NO seats except for VIP's and we would all be standing on the baseball field. Okay..that was not what I wanted to hear but anyway they let us in around 11:30. We got so close to the stage that I was excited and so were the kids. The sun was really beating down though and after about 2 hours, with little water (we had to wade thru a HUGE crowd and wait in a line to get any) the kids were beginning to fade! Jackie doesn't like crowds so she opted to stay out of the arena under a shade tree but we all wanted to be close! I went to get some water for the kids (they had taken their cornstarch but we didn't have anymore water with us) and while I was gone, Jewel got worried! She checked the kids bloodsugars and they were good but the heat was too much. I got back, saw that they weren't going to make it. Emily said she felt like she was going to throw up (that time of the month) so I told the security gaurd we had to get out of the arena (we were packed in their like sardines). Jewel took her and Lauren out and after about 15 minutes I decided to take Michael out as well. The people around us were great and they held our places. Once the kids got to a shaded area, they got better IMMEDIATELY! Jewel and I decided to go back in since we were so close, we thought we could get the kids hats signed. We made our way back thru the crowd and then everyone closed in. It was BLAZING HOT in that crowd. Hank Williams, Jr. came out and sang a couple of songs then sang a song he wrote for the campaign called "McCain/Palin Tradition"! It was great and you have to go to Youtube and watch it! We cheered but I was so hot I thought I would pass out...I sat down in the crowd for a minute to try and cool off. Jewel was grabbing on to the rail we were standing by...finally Sarah Palin came out and we were so close to her we could see the beads of sweat on her forehead. It was great but by the time she finished speaking I was too hot to care! I tried to get the kids hats signed but I couldn't push up thru the crowd as everyone moved in really fast. I gave up when I felt like I was going to faint and Jewel and I made our way out of the huge packed in crowd. By the time we got back to the kids, I sat down, drank 3 cups of water and thought I couldn't go another step. My left foot (I have some kind of pulled muscle or something in it) was hurting so bad that any weight I put on it was so painful....of course we had been standing up in the hot sun for over 5 hours at this point! We began to make our way back to the car (a 2 mile walk)! It wasn't nearly as much fun going back....Lauren asked to stop once as she was really tired and I was happy to do so. I was hot and tired and in NO MOOD for those looney Obama supporters that were protesting so I just yelled back at them that we were voting for hope that's why we were voting for McCain. When we FINALLY made it back to the car, I was so happy for a good seat and AIR CONDITIONING! I would never have made it as a pioneer! We recovered fairly quickly though as we drove out of town. We stopped to eat on the way home and by the time we got home, we were tired but everyone was in tact! It was a good day with my kids, my sister in law, and my friend. We enjoyed each others company and loved seeing Sarah Palin. Michael had a "Country First" sign that he waved and said he was a good sign waver. Lauren got a pink McCain/Palin hat and they got to have first hand knowledge of what a rally is like with tons of people (although none of us like the blazing heat)! Michael came home and went to the computer to learn even more! I'm glad we got to experience it...I came away with a greater appreciation for our country, our freedoms, my home, my car, and for air conditioning...hahahaha! All in all it was a great day! Below are some pictures from our day!

Everyone waiting in line

Holding up my "Country First" towel

I took a picture of Mikey while he was sitting down in the hot sun

Jewel sitting in the crowd having a good time!

Emily & Lauren waiting as everyone was coming in!

Eating at Cracker Barrel at the end of our long, hot, fun day!