Happy New Year!

For the past five years or so, it has become tradition to ring in the New Year at our home with our church family. This year was no different! After Bible study, everyone came out, and we had a great night of fun, food and fellowship. Lots of us played different games while some just enjoyed visiting with one another. Those who were brave enough went out and watched some fireworks...... it was soooo cold out there! Several chose to head home a little early, but surprisingly the majority stayed and welcomed 2009 here with us! I am wishing you all a very peaceful and prosperous 2009! May God bless you and yours this year!

Stephen, Kelly, John, Ray, Scott & Carrie Ann

Becky, Amanda, Beth & Bennett, Leslie & Lisa

Leigh & Annie

Barbara

Roan, Julie & Sam


Annie & Emily

Jim, Scott, Johnathan, Manny & Bennett

Jerry, Stephen, Johnathan & John

Christmas!

Christmas has come and gone again, but not without lots of fun memories made and a few new traditions adopted! We enjoyed our time spent with both our families! In the past we have spent Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with Kelly's. We changed things up a bit this time. We celebrated with my side on the Saturday before Christmas and with Kelly's side on the Sunday before. That totally freed up Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to relax and enjoy ourselves in a much less time crunched way! After services Wednesday night, we came home and Kelly read the kids a story about the candy cane, we tried to recite "Twas the Night Before Christmas" from memory, and then the kids opened their Christmas PJ's. They already know what they are before opening, but they still get excited about them each year!

They happily and eagerly got ready for bed, they knew they had to be fast asleep for Santa to come! Santa came, and he did not disappoint- all the children were thrilled with their gifts! We all sat down for the traditional breakfast casserole and then spent most of the day playing, cleaning, assembling Legos, cleaning, trying out new board games, cleaning, eating almost all the contents of the stockings, and did I mention cleaning -where does it all come from!

Jared testing his new race track

Carson assembling Legos

Avery serving tea with her new set

John Parker & more Lego assembly

Watching the Polar Express

My parents, Stephen, Lesley and John Ashford came over for a delicious steak lunch! Kelly and I then took the kids to see Marley and Me. I am sorry to say that it was a terrible disappointment to me due to some of the content! We still had a fun time and will probably continue this tradition in the years to come! This is a Christmas that will always be remembered! It was a joy to have Jared here with us and share with our family during this wonderful holiday season!

John Ashford

Hunter & Jake sitting in the window wanting badly to join the fun inside!

'Tis the Season.....

"Tis the season to be jolly... fa la la la la ....!!!" Can you believe that Christmas is here once again?! The Mims' crew are all ready, eagerly anticipating and counting down the days! Our home has been a flurry of activity for the past couple of weeks! Last week we caroled at Cedars Nursing Home, which was a wonderful experience for both the kids and myself.

Notice Jared in both pictures looking up at John Parker and Carson trying to figure out the words to the songs! I have to say that when visiting and talking with the residents, he was so precious! He would go right up and hug them, hold their hands, and talk to them like he had known them his whole life!

We also did lots of baking and candy making! I am sure that I have already put on 5 extra pounds just sneaking a piece here and there! We made fudge, dipped pretzels, Reindeer food, peanut butter balls, pecan crispies, pralines (which were a flop, but still tasted yummy!), cheese balls and one of the cutest goodies were the Rudolph cookies!

Yesterday, we went to the Johnson's for an ornament swap. It was lots of fun!

Jared, Clay, Carson, John Parker & Matthew taking a moment to pose!

Everyone enjoyed visiting with friends and eating some great food!

The girls patiently waiting for their number to be called!

Checking out their ornaments!

Today Avery attended a cookie party at her friend Lilly Grace's house! The girls all enjoyed lunch, cookie decorating, and even made some super cute crafts!

Isn't this cake adorable?! Lilly Grace's Mimi made it!

Leigh was kind enough to take pictures for me during the party!

Here they are posing for a picture for their picture frame.

Having fun!

So cute!

Hard at work! Santa's little elves!

Thanks so much for hosting this fun party for the girls! And double thanks for allowing me to do my grocery shopping during the party! Avery had a great time and can't wait till next year!

Tomorrow we will be staying home to clean and get ready for my family's Christmas gathering here on Saturday evening. Hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season! Fa la la la la!!!!

Happy 36th to Me!

Tomorrow is my official birthday, but tonight I celebrated with my family. Kelly picked up Pizza Hut Pasta Bakes, bread sticks and a delicious cake from Creative Cakes for our dinner. My family all enjoyed the meal, and I enjoyed not having to cook it! Kelly and the kids gave me a Wii Fit, and it is the coolest thing ever! Technology is amazing. You start by creating your own profile by choosing a Mii, entering your height and age information, and do a few quick tests. There is a BMI check, this is done by entering your height then standing on the Wii Balance Board to let it read your weight. After you've checked your BMI, you'll do a basic balance test and find out your current Wii Fit Age. This balance test measures how well you can control your left and right balance. Based on the results, you'll be assigned a Wii Fit Age. Mine was not too good! At least I have a goal! LOL! It tracks your progress with daily workouts. As you spend time exercising, you can earn Fit Credits that unlock additional exercises. There are more than 40 activities and exercises, including strength training, aerobics, yoga and balance games. After embarrassing myself in front of everyone doing the step aerobics, we discovered that we had the balance board backwards!!! That explained why I was so lousy, but it was great fun for my audience! I wanted to call everyone to tell them that I wasn't so terribly uncoordinated after all! The boys love it as much as I do! We are going to add it to our schedule next semester as a 30 minute block of P.E. I am sure this will be their favorite subject! What a great night, at home with my family, enjoying all my many blessings! I am so thankful that God has given me 36 wonderful years here on his beautiful Earth, it is far more than I ever deserve or am worthy!

Mommy of Five

Okay, all you mommies of 5 or more out there - I always knew you had to be extra gifted, but I now have new found respect for your balancing act. How do you do it and remain sane? Whew, it's a tough job! I thought what's one or two more?! Kelly is loving it, he thinks this will fix my desire for more children! I don't think so...LOL! I am not complaining, really the week has gone really well, just busier and at times very chaotic! A few more mouths to feed, couple of more loads of laundry to wash, a dozen or so arguments to settle, several more boo-boos to kiss and tears to wipe, but the best part is lots more hugs and kisses to give and receive! Addi, my niece, is the sweetest thing, and she has been such a joy to have in our home. All the children have been so helpful with her! Saturday, I will again be just the mama of four!

Holiday Fun!

We officially finished our first semester of school today. I can't tell you who is happier the children or me!! We are going to spend the next few weeks enjoying our time off with lots of baking and hopefully some cute crafts. We have plans to make goodies for our Bible class teachers, shut-ins from our church and some of our neighbors. We will be making cookies, fudge, chocolate dipped pretzels, pralines (if I can find an easy no fail recipe-any suggestions?), peanut butter balls and muddy buddy mix! I love this part of the holiday, spending stress free time with my children in the kitchen! I must be honest in saying that this "stress free" time does come with some mental preparation! I just try to remember that it is only a huge,disastrous mess for a short time, but the memories made with my children are forever! Tomorrow, my niece is coming to stay a week with us while her parents go on a trip. I will have an entire week to experience mothering five! I will have a 2,4,5,7 & 9 year old. It is sure to be an interesting time! I may have to spend the next week recovering, but if I do, I will and it will be okay!!

Smoothing the Edges

Our first week with Jared has gone surprisingly well. The first part of the week was a little frustrating, only because the routine was interrupted a few times. On Tuesday, I had to wake him at 4:30 for a doctor's appointment in Memphis and he had a visit with his mother on Wednesday. This was the first time I experienced any sort of defiance from Jared. I waited until about 2 hours before his scheduled visit with his mom to tell him, I didn't want to get his hopes up and then something happen and the visit not take place. As soon as I told him, he blurted out "I don't want to go visit my mom!" I asked him why and all he would say is I don't want to go! I told him that his mama would be sad if he didn't go to see her, that it would be just a few hours, and that I would take him and pick him up if he wanted me to. Thankfully, he got showered, dressed and I took him to meet his case worker. After his visit, I expected him to be upset, but he happily bounced into the van! He was completely fine! My heart melted Wednesday night while out eating before Bible study, he asked that now since he was living with us could he call me mom and Kelly dad! Honestly, it took my breath away, and I really didn't know how to respond. I did tell him it would be okay, if that is what he wanted. I know he is so confused, bless his sweet heart. He told Carson one day that he was living here forever! I am so afraid to even think about if and when he has to leave! Parker and Carson have been extremely helpful in showing Jared the ropes. Parker is really enjoying his role as the oldest, I have seen some maturity out of him this week that I didn't know existed. He is growing up way too fast! The first few days Carson and Jared bonded the most, Carson played every single thing that Jared's heart desired. Unfortunately, that only lasted a short time, until Carson started teaching him how to take turns with certain toys and choice of activity. Carson is my very obsessive and literal child, he has been very consistent in reminding Jared to say please, thank-you, you're welcome, yes ma'am, talk quieter, etc..... Jared doesn't respond as well to him as he does Kelly and me. Avery and Jared have a ball. They play and play, giggling and laughing together, such a sweet sound to my ears! Thanksgiving, our families were able to meet Jared, again he just fit right it. He has no trouble adapting, which has been a wonderful blessing for us! Honestly, I don't know how I would have handled it if he didn't! This is our last week of school and then we will be off until the first week in January. The children are getting so excited about Christmas, I am sure it will be one etched in all of our hearts and minds forever.
On Thanksgiving, Kelly took the boys down to the railroad tracks behind his parents' house. They had a great time collecting rocks and exploring the woods.
Avery and Jared sliding and posing in front of the tree! So cute!