Wii moments

They other night Carlee was playing Wii sports boxing and cracking Greg and I up. She was determined to knock the man out she was up against. With every part of her body at work she did just that. She ran, jumped, swung at him with both arms, shook her head, stuck out her tongue, and got closer and closer to the tv while doing so. I have never laughed so hard in my life. She made it even cuter by what she was wearing. Her crown kept bouncing down in front of her face as she moved here and there. These moments are priceless and I'm so glad we have them.

Worship Leaders In Training

They love music, love to sing, love to dance and can keep ones attention. Maybe, just maybe they will follow in their mama's footsteps. I pray both of our kids will always love praising Jesus no matter if they are the leader, musician or singer. Who knows maybe they will sing together like me and my sister. We already know they will have some great harmonies. Thank you Lord for children who love to worship You. May they always lift Your Name on High in their generation.

Progress

I'm praising God for the progress Zachary is making at mealtime. He sat here eating breakfast all by himself on Thursday morning while I got ready for Bible Study. I only sat him here by himself because he had sat here the night before eating dinner exceptionally well. When I came to check on him, I wasn't sure what to expect but all I saw was two waffles bites on the floor and a clean table. Wow!! Hallelujah! Now that he knows how to use a fork and spoon properly he might show some more interest in eating during mealtime. Normally, he would only sit for 5 minutes and then demand out. He would throw his food, whine, jerk himself around and scream. It was hard and it wasn't until we gave him a toy to play with that he calmed down and ate his food. I'm amazed how the power of distraction works for him. I wish I could say that nights meal was blissful, but once again he turned over his bowl and made it spill all over the floor. I know it's all within time that he will accomplish such a hard task. Good Job Zachary! Mommy is so proud of you!!

Fancy Crafty Carlee

Ever since Christmas, Carlee has been all about crafts. She got lots of fun things from my mom and has been working on a project it seems like everyday. We have all our crafts supplies all organized and she knows exactly where to find what she needs. She colored this adorable frame and plans on putting this picture in it. She tried her hardest to stay in the lines and did a great job. I'm so glad she is into coloring, painting and cutting. It's such a blessing to be able to have things for her to do at home that she enjoys.

If you haven't heard of Fancy Nancy it is a little girls book perfect for teaching big vocabulary words. An example would be how beautiful can be extraordinary or exquisite or elegant. It's a great book and Carlee loves it. She always gets one of her fancy Nancy books out at least once during the day to put on the fancy sunglasses, the King's crown and the lace. Here she is sporting her Fancy Nancy accessories while riding around the cul-de-sac. You can only imagine our neighbors were looking at her smiling and giggling. Carlee always knows how to turn a few heads.

Thank you

for your prayers. Zachary is fever free and has been for two days now. He is cutting teeth and getting his last "I" tooth in. He screams every so often because of the pain, but he is on the mend. He has been really sensitive lately and clingy. The more I think about it, I probably need to apprectiate it while it last because he is normally go, go, go.

For the record, Children's Advil does not work for Zachary. We gave him some last night to bring his temp. down and he was up for 4 hours straight from 10:30pm to 2:30am. The night before was not any better. Greg and I have lost 8 hours sleep total the past two nights. I am not in the practice of waking up and being up half the night, so this is complete torture to me. I don't even know how Greg is able to go to work and be okay. Zachary's not even taking a good nap either so I can't say that I get to catch up on any sleep. Sorry for all the complaining. Sometimes, I just need to vent.
One thing I do know is God's grace is enough and He is in control and knows what I can handle and what I can't handle. This is not about me it's about me glorifying Him in the process of it all. I can complain and I may not like it, but He has the best in mind for me. He's for my good. He wants me to choose the right attitude and choose to love Him and obey Him despite how I feel. Lord help me today to honor you and worship you today. I love you and want to do the right thing. Amen!
For those of you that would like to pray for me and Zachary, we covet your prayers, Thanks!

Thanks Nana

We love the tutu! It doesn't get much cuter than this.... Carlee has been wearing this hot pink tutu regularly these days. Today she was riding her bike outside with it on. She also got the idea of having a ballerina butterfly birthday party. Then I thought we could give the tutu's away as gifts to her guests. How fun! It's definitely better than Spiderman (which is what kind of birthday Carlee wanted up until now, don't ask me why). We'll see what happens....

I can't believe Christmas is over...

Truly. I told Carlee last night that we were going to have to take down the tree this weekend. Of course her first response was with the saddest face ever, "but, why?" Oh it does break my heart to end the Christmas season. The memories have been so great this year.

I'll never forget:

• Carlee saying how "beauuutiful" all the Christmas lights were. She appreciated every one's effort and gazed at every house with such amazement. She also said that she was very impressed. (some big words for a almost four year old) I'm going to miss the lights!
• Carlee's first response when I woke her up Christmas morning was, "It's time to change the calendar!" (We've been marking the days down since Dec. 1st) Greg and I wish we had that on video.
• How fast the tree decorating went with four people helping.
• And how Carlee insisted on helping me take all of the ornaments off today and did it with such care. She still thinks the tree is permanent.
• Watching Zachary open his gifts with a wide opened mouth looking so surprised. It was priceless.
• How many times I have cried this season. I love the holidays and spending time with family.
• How much I loved watching my Miemaw cook her dressing and gravy and trying so hard to remember how she did it. It's so yummy!
• How quick the Hatton family can clear a table and get things cleaned up. My dad and I are a well oiled machine and we both love to have things picked up and looking back to normal so soon as possible. We even like to throw all trash away after each gift is opened. hahaha...
• Being able to be my moms hands and feet and realizing how much work goes into preparing our Christmas day meal.
• My mom and dad's house at Christmas is radiant. Everything is decorated so beautifully.
• The strawberry cheesecake my Uncle James brought for Christmas dessert. UMMMM good.
• Having both set of grandparents at my mom's house and all the camera flashes going off when Carlee and Zachary opened their gifts.
• Watching both sets of parents open up their photo collage we gave them and them loving it.
• Playing "Ticket To Ride" with Chew, Quint, and Randle four times and Greg winning almost every game.
• Decorating Jesus' Birthday cake and celebrating His birthday. Listening to Carlee sing Happy Birthday all by herself in her cute little voice the first time through.
• Appreciating the closeness between me and all my family members especially my mother-in-love (law). We never have to worry about what we say to each other and we are the best of friends.
• This is one of the first years I did not really care what I got for Christmas and totally appreciated the gift my children are to me.
• Getting Christmas pictures made and how sweet they turned out.
• How much candy Zachary had and how he can always smell it on your breath.
• How much hot chocolate Greg and I have had each night.
• All the time Greg had taken off and how much I have loved his help.

I will definitely miss it, but I will not miss the headache I have had because of all the business and craziness.

It's a New Year and now we look ahead and thank God for all that He is and all He is going to do. I thank Him in advance for the grace He will poor out on me and my family. I know it's only because of that grace that I can live and be used fully by Him. God Bless you and your family this New Year.