We're Home!

It's good to be home! In the past month, we've only spent 2 nights in our house. As much as I love visiting family and going places, it's always good to come home to your own bed. Although, I confess that it was hard to give up the super soft pillow top mattress at the Marriott. Anyone from All Staff Conference knows what I'm talking about. I think I'm going to have to put one of those on my Christmas list for next year (hint hint). Speaking of Christmas, it was really special getting to celebrate with our little girl this year. Not only was it so fun to watch her play in all the boxes, paper, and bows as her toys were tossed to the side, but it was a gift to us to celebrate the birth of Jesus with a little more insight as to how Mary and Joseph must have felt. It's one thing for Joel and I to look at Mary Kate and be filled with joy, but it must have been something else for Mary and Joseph to look into the eyes of their baby that would save the world.
This Christmas was also special because Anna and Dalton got to come home. Mary Kate was so excited to actually meet her aunt and uncle face-to-face instead of just looking at their picture. We really enjoyed getting to spend some time with them and will miss them as they head back to New Zealand on the 17th.

While I was home, I finally got to meet Maddie. Maddie's mommy, Mollie, and I have been friends ever since the 7th grade.

After spending Christmas in Columbus, we left for Mississippi to spend some time with my family. My Grandmother never imagined that she'd be dragging all the old toys out for her great-grandchildren to play with. The fact that they were playing with a corn-popper from the 1950s didn't seem to bother Mary Kate and Lucy (my cousin's daughter). My Grandaddy, who has a nickname for everyone, has named MK "Happy Jack", which suits her perfectly. I, on the other hand, have never been happy with my name of "Trouble the Bubble the Fat Back Bubble." I guess I was a chunky trouble maker. We took a FIVE generational picture with Nana, Granna, Me, Mary Kate, and Mags (the cabbage patch doll).

Next, we had the Young Life Leader weekend at Sharp Top Cove. It was so exciting to have a whole weekend to hang out with the leaders and get to know them better. It was also a treat to see our friends from Griffin. Joel and I are looking forward to starting up Bible Studies/Accountability groups for the guy and girl leaders. I am super excited about getting the fellowship with the girls and having the opportunity to encourage their walk with the Lord and their high school friends.

After Leader Weekend, we headed to Disney World for the Young Life All Staff Conference. We were blessed by some amazing speakers, talented musicians and funny entertainment from Jeff Foxworthy to Jack Hanna. The new Young Life logo was also unveiled, which was quite a shock to people like me that don't like change, but I just had to remind myself that it's not about logos, but"Young Life is about Jesus and that's all it's about" (Jim Rayburn, YL Founder). Joel celebrated his 29th birthday while we were in Orlando. He never likes it when he has to wear shorts on his birthday. I got to see my best friend from college, Sarah, and meet her new baby, Abel, while we were there. We were able to have one day at the Magic Kingdom. The fun thing about my mom being on YL staff is that she was there as well. Granna bought MK her first Mickey Mouse while we were there. Mary Kate was able to ride all of the rides with us, which was a blast. She loved all of the singing and characters of "It's a Small World", but she slept through "The Pirates of the Caribbean". We had to work extra hard to keep her happy in "The Scary Adventures of Snow White" and "The Haunted Mansion." Joel's favorite part of the whole break was having Mary Kate fall asleep in his arms while standing in line, riding Pirates, and watching the parade. Now, we just have to take her back one day when she actually has a clue as to what she's doing! Aunt Stephanie will have to join us next time since Disney World is one of her favorite places.

Now, we are home getting back into the routine. Joel's had a busy week after being gone for so long. We're looking forward to the things that the Lord will do in 2008. If you want to see more pics from our break, click on the picture below.