Sunrise

I read this devotional thought today and I thought I would pass it along.

Written byVan Walton
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete…" James 1:2-4 (NLT)
Have you ever risen early in the morning with one purpose, to watch the sun rise? I especially like to take time for sunrises, so I purposefully chose to rise early each day during my vacation.One morning I found myself sitting on the dock facing east, looking for the sun to rise up over the lake.
Another morning I sat on the long veranda of a century-old hotel gazing at the Ohio River, waiting for the golden glow that would announce the sun's arrival.
Days later, toward the end of my trip, I wrapped myself in a heavy blanket and curled up in the glider on the front porch of the cabin where I had spent the night. Peering over the Utah landscape, once again I searched the horizon.Soon a bright orange blaze appeared, forcing me to close my eyes because of its brilliance. In a few seconds, with wide-opened eyes, I continued my search for the morning's drama, only to see a half globe sitting on top of the mountains. I kept watching, not wanting to miss the spectacular sight. Then, in another blink of an eye, the sun lifted itself from the peaks, and hung there in the sky - a perfect golden circle.That was it. It went so quick. The sun had come up, creeping into the day, and now it simply dangled ��“ a yellow ball in the air, surrounded by blue, looking like a child's simple drawing.For a few minutes I pondered my disenchantment with this particular sunrise. Is there such a thing as an incomplete, imperfect sunrise? At that moment I believed there was. I had just experienced it. And, I remembered others like it, somewhat lackluster.Why had the sunrise not impressed me this day? Where was all the drama I had expected? Then I realized there is no drama in a sunrise without clouds.Clouds - they've been given a bum rap, but all along, these predictors of bad weather, these symbols of negativity, sadness, blues, and gloom really serve to expand light, reflect color, cast dazzling rays, and paint incredible scenes in the sky.A sunrise without clouds is like a life without trials and hardships. I do all I can to avoid challenges and difficulties, but the fact is the so called "clouds" in my life can cast me in a certain aura of God's splendor. A life free of complications and struggles can resemble a bland sunrise … little contrast, seemingly dull artistry, and little context in which I can reflect the Son.Truth is, the people I respect and admire most are those whose lives have been filled with "clouds" but they walk through any weather with God. These people walk in splendor, surrounded with a certain attractive and hard-to-capture beauty. They are people I seek out on a regular basis. I pursue them because I want to bask in their glow and confidence. They leave me in awe.One thing is sure. I'm never disappointed when I find myself in the company of those who have learned to rise up in the midst of clouds. They don't seek to avoid cloudy days; rather they stand up to walk in dignity, accepting the brilliant contrasts and magical rays God can create despite and through their adversity.It is in their presence I realize, a life free of clouds holds no attraction. Now I see cloudy days in a positive light. May I never shun them again, for I realize clouds build character, add color, and separate the bland from the brilliant.

Merry Christmas

We had a great Christmas. My mom and dad came to Georgia Christmas eve. The past few years they have been spending the night with us on Christmas eve. Chris' mom also comes over and spends the night. So we have a house full. It is fun to have them on Christmas morning and they enjoy seeing the kids reaction to what Santa brings.

Allie showing us some ornaments on the tree.

Avery doing the same

On Christmas eve, we had dinner and the girls put out reindeer food for Santa's reindeer. We usually go out the next morning and it is gone, but we forgot to even look this year.

We put out cookies for Santa. What happened to Santa's cookies?

I think I know

Yeah! Avery ate lots of Santa's cookies. So we had to put out more. Then, on Christmas morning, when she woke up I told her Santa had come. She said, "Can I eat his cookies?" I said, "Santa ate all his cookies?" Then she said "Can you make me more?" I guess she might have been perfectly happy for Santa to bring her cookies instead of presents.

I didn't get many good pictures on Christmas morning. The kids were not too interested in stopping for pictures. I can't imagine why. We went to my aunt and uncles house for lunch and had a great meal.

Maybe we should have another baby. It looks like Avery could handle the diaper changes for us.

Our big family Christmas was Saturday after Christmas. I don't have any pictures. Why? Because Chris and I didn't get to go. We were at home with a stomach virus!! I was so disappointed. We always have a good time. This year we had to bring a white elephant gift. There is a pair of Grinch boxer shorts that show up in someones gift every year for about the last five years. That was of course among the white elephant gifts. The funniest gift this year came from my cousin Andy. Andy is an Auburn fan (of course) and he married a Georgia fan (We really like her in spite of it.) Andy took some of her Georgia Bulldog stuff and some of her parents Bulldog stuff and wrapped it up without her knowing it. They said it was so funny her expression as she figured it out. See all the fun we missed. I can't wait til next year, she will have a whole year to plan on how to get back at him. My parents took the girls, so they didn't have to miss it. Then Allie stayed at my aunt Connie's house and Avery and my parents stayed at my aunt Donna's house. I was so happy that we didn't have to take care of them while we were sick. Overall we had a fun Christmas minus the sickness. I can't believe it is already over. On thing I'm glad to be done with is Christmas decorations. I took down all the Christmas stuff today. The house looks sort of bare. And I love it! All that Christmas stuff starts to get on my nerves after a while.

Christmas in Alabama

We went to Alabama this past weekend to see my parents and celebrate Christmas with my brothers and their families. We had a great time. The girls loved playing with their cousins and seeing grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Mom and Dad with all the grand kids

Allie, Avery and Anna

Avery is getting stacking up her presents. She loved opening the presents!!! After she finished with hers she started trying to open other peoples.

Allie with a big present. It turned out to be a Hannah Montana keyboard!!

Avery got a princess set. She lined them all up and then stood in line with them. I have no idea why she took her shirt off. It was hot, but princesses sure don't dress like that!!!

Allie, Anna, Alex, and Avery

Avery, Allie, and Charlotte ready for bed!

Alex, Avery, and Allie

CALLAWAY GARDENS

So last night we decided to go to Callaway Gardens. The Nobles, Ms. Charlotte, Ms. Sandra and Madison went with us, so Chris had the idea for us to take a school bus. We all loaded up and went. Here is a tip if you want to go to Callaway Gardens, buy your tickets the day before. If you try to buy them online the day you are going, you will not be able too. We had to buy them when we got down there. $$$$ Anyway we had a great time. The kids loved the lights and they loved the bus about as much. It was a little difficult to get the littlest ones to sit still when they are used to being in a car seat. While we were on the lights trail, Chris let the kids drive the bus. We had a good time.

All the kids in the village before we saw the lights.

Avery driving the bus

Allie driving the bus

Gingerbread Fun and other stuff

We have spent a lot of time at home this last week. Allie had a fever Thursday and Friday, so she was home from school. She really felt fine, so it was fun to have her home with us. The girls had a good time playing together. (Although I had to break up a few fights.) We made gingerbread cookies and a gingerbread house. Well, Allie and I made the gingerbread house. I put the icing on the house and gave the girls a bowl of candy to put on the house. Avery ate all the candy. Not even one piece got on the house.

We were going to go to Alabama this weekend to visit my parents and have Christmas with my brothers and their families, but my dad ended up having to go to the hospital. He has been having heart problems and we knew they were going to have to put a stent in, but we thought he could wait a few more weeks. He had a lot of chest pain on Wednesday, so they decided to go ahead and do the surgery. He had surgery on Friday in Nashville and everything went well. He is at home now and we will go visit him soon. We are so thankful that he is doing well and hope he will be feeling much better soon.

Here are a few pictures I took this week. Avery is in this phase now where she changes clothes all the time. In fact I had to move clothes so she couldn't reach them, because she would change clothes all day long. She still changes a few times a day and sometimes just takes her clothes off. She will absolutely not let you put the clothes on. She has to do it herself. So she made cookies in just a diaper. I know she has to be cold, its December, but I am not going to fight that battle. I guess if she gets cold enough she will put on some clothes.

cowgirl ballarina???

This snowman sings a Christmas song and dances. Avery loves to play it over and over and over again. Peggy Hamby gave it too us when Allie was about two. Thanks Peggy!!!!

Christmas Fun

This has been a very busy week for us. So this is a long post.

On Thursday, Allie had her Christmas program at school. It was called "Christmas at the OK Corral". Allie did really well. It was such a cute program. Here is our little cowgirl.

Grandma and Avery

Allie has been teaching Avery all the songs and the motions. Here she is putting on her own show after the performance.

Friday night, Allie got to cheer at half time of the girls varsity game at ACS. Then, Saturday morning we went to ACS for donuts with Santa. Avery loved Santa. She hugged him and waved to him. Allie on the other hand didn't want to talk or sit with him. They ate donuts and wrote a letter to Santa. They also got to shop at the Secret Santa shop. Saturday night Chris and I went to the church Christmas party, while the girls played with Grandma.

Here is Avery with Santa

Here is Allie not with Santa

Sunday, we had our children's Christmas party at church. Santa was there too!! He has been really busy in Atlanta this weekend. Allie still didn't want to sit with him, but she did stand by him so I could get another picture with Santa. The kids did a craft and decorated cookies. They had so much fun.

Chris helping Avery with her cookies.

The best part of decorating cookies.. eating them.

Allie and her cookie

Allie with her craft.

I usually like to have Christmas decorations up right after Thanksgiving, but not this year. I really don't get into lots of decorations so I really don't know why it took us this long to get it all up. We finally got the tree up and the girls started decorating it after church Sunday night. Allie brought in this stool so she could hang the decorations higher. I had a flashback to last year when the girls were playing by the tree and someone,we still don't know which kid, pulled the whole tree over. It didn't fall on anybody and nothing really broke. Maybe that won't happen this year. We still didn't finish the tree and the girls have small trees for their rooms that we haven't started yet. Maybe we will get it all done soon.

We also have a special house guest this year for the holidays. This is the first year we have had the elf on the shelf. He comes from the North Pole to watch the kids. He reports back to Santa every night on how they are behaving! Then the next morning he is in a different spot in the house and the kids have to find him. Sunday morning it was still dark when Allie got up. I came in the kitchen to find Allie looking for the elf. They really like finding him and hopefully we can get a few weeks of good behavior before he goes back to the North Pole. We named him Sam, but Avery keeps saying "Where is that shelf?"

The Pink Pig and Santa

It is that time of year again. Ever since Ethan was a baby, Mandy and I have taken the kids to see Santa and ride the Pink Pig. It is something we look forward to every year. We usually go during the day, but Allie had school this week. So, we picked Allie up from school and headed up to Phipps Plaza. Mrs. Charlotte was with us and that was so so helpful. It is not easy with four kids at the mall. It was great to have the extra help!! I told Mandy we needed one of those ropes preschool teachers use to keep the kids in a line. You know where the kids hold on to the rope and the teacher leads them. Except, I think we would have needed to tie our kids to the rope!

Here is my best attempt at a group picture of the kids.

My girls were both so excited about seeing Santa. I wondered how Avery would do but, she did great. I don't think she looked at him, but she did talk a little. Allie just wanted to take him the list. She kept asking if she had to talk to him, but when she got up there she did talk. She told him all about her list and told him about Avery's list too. Ethan and Nina were so cute. Ethan looked like he felt right at home talking to the big man. Nina cried at first and then she was laughing. She was so cute. Now that we had seen Santa, we tried to get pictures for our Christmas cards. What a disaster! Allie was trying to be good, because she knows it is just easier to smile and get it over with than to fight it. So, she stands there with a fake smile. Avery still fights it. She refuses to look at the camera. So after a while of trying to get a good picture we gave up and went to ride the Pink Pig.

The Girls with Santa

Allie is telling Santa that she is 5 years old.

Allie is making sure he understands the list!

Avery and Nina

The Pink Pig was fun. The kids were so excited about riding it and that we were not making them take pictures anymore. (Well, not many more.)

After a fun night, it was time to take four very tired kids home. It was going to be a long ride back to Newnan, so what did we do. The Varsity! Mandy had the idea to get the kids milkshakes on the way home. It made them happy and quiet. We will definitely add that to the tradition next year!

"Who wants milkshakes!"

Allie after a fun night. She fell asleep with her pink pig on her lap.