The Birthday Celebration continued throughout the month of January. Cara had received some gift cards to American Girl store which were burning in her pocket. She could not wait to go to the AG store. Cara also had saved quite a bit of her own money as well.

So after a dilemma of choosing which dolls should attend with us on our journey, we were off.

Cara had stayed up the night before pricing items in her catalog trying to make decisions.

There were some items she knew for certain that she wanted to purchase...others took a little contemplation.

We arrived for lunch and even the dolls had their own seat and menu. Cara went to the restroom and returned to exclaim "They have a place to hold your doll".. so after lunch we went to check out the restrooms. This was not our first visit to the AG store, but I guess the first to the ladies room.

Cara then had to decide if she wanted her dolls hair styled at the hair salon. She decided against that idea and to use her money elsewhere. She finally decided upon another AG doll- she chose a Just Like You doll.. Although this doll does not have red hair and fair complexion. She rather chose a Just like I'd rather be doll... tanned skin with dark hair. Cara also picked up some outfits.

It was a fun day, but I was glad to be home with three dolls (granddaughters) and their mother.

Great Wolf Lodge

Now that we are in the last week of January, I have finally found a little time to blog about this month full of fun!

On January 2nd, Cara celebrated her 11th birthday at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. Cara had been to birthday parties there before, but it was our first time to go as a family.. with her friends of course.

The first event was Magiquest. This will wear anyone out. You go through the hotel using your magic wand to unlock different quests. I finally began waiting in between floors as the girls went up and down the stairs for over 2 hours.

Everything was wonderful. The water park was a blast and Caleb had a ton of fun.

The girls all received a mongrammed towel as our party favor. Thanks to my friend Amy at

www.littlesewnsews.com

Can't believe that 11 years have already come and gone!

December Blessings

Blessings in December 2008



Cara and I went one Saturday to work at Mission Arlington. We worked together to help those who are less fortunate shop. They could pick out 1 large toy/item and 2 small items per child.
This was definitely an eye opener for Cara. I hope that this will be the start of something bigger in our lives.

Each morning, Caleb could not wait for you to turn on the lights of the tree and to play the different ornaments that hung on the tree. It was so wonderful to see the excitement in his eyes each day. It was like we had just put the tree there. It was also a wonderful blessing that he did not bother any of the ornaments.

We went as a family to see The Journey to Bethlehem. This event is sponsored by Memorial Baptist church in Grapevine. I would encourage everyone to attend if they have not in the past.

Although, I have known the Christmas story all of my life. To be a part of it was truly an eye opener. I had not ever taken the time to realize how the Jews were treated during those days. The Roman Soldiers riding on horseback.. showed us how it must have felt. It was truly a blessing to be a part of this event.

My oldest and dearest friends gathered for our annual Christmas gathering. I am so grateful to God for placing these girls in my life many of them from the time I was in cradle roll at church..a few I met in Kindergarten and one came along in 7th grade. What a treasure! It is my prayer that my children will also have tried and true friends. Each of these girls are true blessings in my life!

Christmas wouldn't be the same without Cara's Christmas programs. This will be the last time for an Elementary school program for Cara. However, she shined and we were so proud of her!

The other wonderful blessing to me each day was the cards I received in the mail. I love getting mail, but at Christmas it is such a treat. One particular day, tears streamed down my face as I read the wonderful news of some dear friends. They lost their baby boy as an infant. There daughter is 10 just like our Cara... and God has blessed them with a miracle pregnancy. I am continually blown away at how God loves us and he wants to fulfill the deepest desires of our hearts....

God is soooo Good!

Blessings....

From baby to boy in 20 minutes...

We took Caleb to get his first hair cut at the beginning of December. We took him to Cool Cuts.

The lady did a fabulous job. And Caleb did great as well! I was amazed to see how Caleb went from baby to little boy in just about 20 minutes. He is growing up way too fast for me!