Trudging right along.

I realize my posts have not been as frequent lately-and it is not because of any exciting reason, really, rather just the norm: we are busy people. The New Year is in full swing, and we are trying to keep up with it. Although there are no major plans on the near horizon, we are definitely IN the music business! Bray has been applying to several competitions, and we have some lined up within driving distance (Tennessee, Arkansas, etc) in the next few months. He is also singing with the Monroe Symphony Choir, and has solos for some Ralph Vaughan Williams and other gorgeous music, so I am looking forward to hearing them in late February! We are hoping to have his 1st professional website up and running within the next few months as well, and we are looking to bigger auditions for the next year.

I am still teaching music at the Episcopal School around the corner, and am accompanying like a madwoman at the University here. I absolutely LOVE all the playing, but it is a struggle for us to keep up with 4 jobs, singing stuff and 2 crazy kids. However, this is what we do, and should it not work out, we both agree that being a garbage man is a very lucrative and in-demand position. (everybody has garbage!) In all seriousness, though, we are both extremely thankful for this opportunity to have a steady income, kids near family and time to breathe, plan and prepare for what God may have for us in the next few years. We do pray it will be in opera, and leave that in His hands.

The kiddos, on the other hand, seem to have inherited our love/need for busyness, and manage to keep us running while at home. Hobbes has a fun, creative imagination and continues to show us just HOW good he is at building Lego creations, train track mazes and pretty much anything that can be turned into an airplane, boat, car...we're thinking a career in engineering?:) I am working on capital letters and numbers with him, and he is getting better at writing (a big achievement for a texture/structure kid!) He cracks us up with his dramatic stories (everyday there's a new monster or storm coming to get us) and is still the 2nd sweetest guy I know.
Madeline is too quick for her own good, and is our little helper, and greatest playmate ever to her brother. She memorizes something after just hearing it once (she saw Beauty & the BEast finally, and a few hours later was singing the Gaston song with nearly all the lyrics) and likes to try out any new words she hears right away. (during the sermon yesterday, the pastor mentioned the devastation in Egypt, and Madeline turned to me and said, " oh my! the DEVASTATION, Mom!") She loves to dance, dress-up and cook, and loves to see others succeed. Without these 2 monkeys, our lives would be pretty boring, I must say!
Well, that's all for now-I need to go practice some Bernstein and put 2 kids to bed! Blessings and love to you all!

More from Amara's visit...

Matching girls=double the fun!

we had tea parties...

and played dress-ups in our PJs...

we had movie/popcorn night...

and fun in the tub.

Altogether, the kiddos had a blast, and we can't wait till they're all together again!!!

love you Mara!

Scary Amara!

Girls and phones-what more do you need?

Guess who I have here?

That's right, Amara and Naphtali!!! So, I have lots of pics and posts, but for now, we have to go have fun! Today we have a tea party planned for Amara and Madeline...so more to come!

Christmas Day!

All the kiddos with their huge stockings from Gege, ready to dig in!

Matt and Megan!!

Self-portrait of me and the hubby.

no words.

sooo excited.

oh man. he got a Bama snuggie.

Opening the pictures of all her kids and grandkids.:)

Me and Charitay, with the new hats.

Hobbes, riding his new scooter!

showing Grandmommy her new fave presents: her doll and dog.

the table!

Megan's darling cupcakes.

Christmas Eve at our house.

2 cutest kids.

Pretty girl in red.

Talking to baby Tallis.

the table...I was busy getting stuff, so I neglected to take pics of all our fun decor, drinks etc. So this is just a snippet!

Christmas morning, by ourselves.

Stockings!

crazy stocking.

awake, and ready to open!

SO excited.

Wondergirl!

Wondergirl, dancing with her new dog, Hunley.

Keeping me at bay with the nerf gun...

Cranberry-upside down Coffee cake! A new, delicious tradition.

Days before Christmas...

Icing train cookies...

being silly with balloons.

chilling at a coffee date.

and being silly at a coffee date.

Watching Daddy warm up for the Santa Bowl-an Auburn Avenue tradition...

Pep talk before the Santa Bowl...

Hanging out at the Santa Bowl-before it started to POUR, and we had to leave.

Pepparakakkar...or Swedish gingerbread. A tradition from my mother.

Cutest kids I know.

Charity's graduation!!

Congrats to Charity, who graduated from Delta Community College, and is now off to do an internship at DisneyWorld!! We will miss you!!!

Divinity!!

This is 1 of my very favorite candies that I first tasted with my good friend, Shawna Casebolt when I was in elementary. Since then, I have tried and failed at making it, but last year, I made it with her and her mom, and discovered what I was doing wrong. So this year was my 1st solo attempt, and it turned out great! You can see the (backwards) evolution of the candy-making process. So thanks Shawna!!!

Ballet!!

Ready to go to her 1st ballet-Christmas in Neverland! It was SO much fun.

Enthralled.

Lovely little girl, all dressed up in her Scottish kilt from Aunt Carolyn!