Happy New Year

I am very ready to ring in 2009! Tonight we are going to order pizza, play board games and stay at home. Usually I attend an annual party that a friend of mine has, but it just doesn't feel right to leave my mom and Paige tonight. Besides, I cannot imagine two more amazing people to ring in the new year with.

I received a phone call yesterday (during my mani and pedi spa day with my girlfriends : ), to meet my mom and Paige at the eye doctor. It seems that Paige has some cloudiness on her cornea and they referred us to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital for some follow up. I have done research for the past 4 hours as to what it can be and have come to the conclusion that I am going to have to wait to see what the doctor says. Please say a prayer that it isn't anything serious. The eye doc. said she thought it might be congenital, but I find it odd that we've never noticed this cloud over her eye before. Anyway, she will be in great hands at Vanderbilt. She is just disappointed because her vision screening turned out awful : ( She is definitely going to have to wear glasses ... and per the docs words... "wear them all of the time". She was bummed, but I assured her that we could find her some stylish glasses and that seemed to pacify her.

Anyway, I sure have appreciated all of your friendship this past year and don't know how I could have gotten through so many things without you! Thanks for making 2008 a fun year to blog and I look forward to keeping old friendships and maybe even making new ones in 2009. I also look forward to the several "in real life" meetings that I have planned with some of you this year : )

Happy New Year to you and yours!!!

Our Christmas

Paige finished up dancing in the Nutcracker on the 21st, so we had a few days of relaxation prior to Christmas. On Christmas eve we went over to some of our friend's house. The kids played and got lots of energy out, the women snacked on appetizers and drank a little wine, and the men...well, they just tolerated us all : )

Olivia, Paige and Caroline on Christmas eve

Christmas morning was SO nice...honestly, probably one of THE most relaxing we have ever had. I dreaded Christmas, as I thought I would be so sad, but surprisingly enough I was at peace. I knew that the day was about celebrating all of our blessings and I have so many that I cannot even begin to count them all. Paige received an abundant amount of toys from Santa...she must have been an especially good girl this year : ) Pictured below is Paige with her two American Girl dolls. She received a doctor's kit for them and has been playing hospital tons. We also have been rockin' out to Rock Band for the Wii and have been playing a lot of Mariokart!

On Christmas night, my brother's girlfriend and my mom came up with a big surprise for my brother. My brother is an E.X.A. with Walgreens and they always have to work either Christmas eve or Christmas day. Greg had to work on Christmas day. He was SO bummed. We drove out to his place and met his girlfriend. We all parked our cars where he couldn't see them. We decorated his apartment with some festive lights and stockings (he lives with a fraternity brother...two guys equal no decorations : ), we cooked him dinner and when he walked in yelled, "Surprise". The look on his face was priceless. Prior to him coming in the door, he had text messaged me (while driving...I don't advise this), that he was so sad that he couldn't be with us on Christmas. It was really a great night...very small and intimate and I think it was just perfect. Here we are on Christmas night.

This is a picture of Greg, Laurie and Paige. Aren't Greg and Laurie precious? They have been dating for two years now and we are just crazy about her. Paige just adores her.

I haven't really felt much like blogging, as I have been having so much fun hanging out with my family. I never realized how much I enjoy hanging out and living in the moment. I always have that darn camera attached at my hip and I feel like sometimes I live my life while looking through a lens. While I adore taking pics and have no intentions of stopping, I do intend to live life more fully and in the moment. We'll see how long that resolution lasts : ) What do you guys give me, say...a week ??? : )

Prayer request

I have an urgent prayer request. A sweet, sweet bloggy buddy needs your prayers. I am not going to say right now who it is, because I don't have permission, but needless to say, the situation could be very serious.

PLEASE say an extra special prayer for "C" and her family. PLEASE!

I'll update on our Christmas when I come up for air, as we have been busy, busy, busy!!!

Keep "C" in your prayers! Thank you so much!!!

Merry Christmas!

Last night I was greatly reminded of the sacrifice God made so that we could have eternal life. I can't imagine ever being so selfless. We went to see the Rockettes and the Nativity Scene was the BEST I have ever seen. I cried and cried throughout the entire thing, because I cannot believe what a blessing has been bestowed to us.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Merry Christmas to all of my precious blogger friends!

8 years ago today...

Happy Forever Family Day Sweet Guo Changchun

Paige,

You are our dream come true!

On this day, eight years ago, you were carried into a hotel unaware of how your world was about to change. You were fast asleep, safe and sound in your loving foster mom's arms. You felt secure and loved. You might not have had all of the worldly "goods" that most 2.4 year olds had, but you were well cared for and happy.

On this day, at 3:15 pm in Changchun, Jilin province of the PRC at the Noble Hotel, your little world was turned upside down. You woke up and had two very unfamiliar people in your face. Mom and I were crying and happy and shaking and so excited and completely overwhelmed. You were so confused and scared. You clung to your foster mommy and had a grip on her sweater that was something fierce.

Your foster mommy whispered something to you and cried as she stroked your cheek and your hair. You listened so intently and looked her deep in her eyes. You were so very brave.

As one mommy walked away, another one stepped in. Mom was so in love with you, Paige, from the minute she saw you. She held you and sang to you and told you that it would be ok as you cried and cried for your ma ma ma ma. She stroked your cheek and your hair just like your foster mommy did. You didn't like it, but who could blame you.

I was so in love with you...instantaneously. I had never seen such beauty before. You took my breath away. You were perfect. I looked at your little hands and your cute little ears and your perfect button nose and KNEW that I would never be the same...life would never be the same.









In the eight years that you have been in our family, you have brought more joy to us than you could ever imagine. You are the absolute light of our lives. Mom and I were smitten kittens from day one and are still your biggest fans. We love you, just the way you are. You are so kind and caring and funny and smart and talented and creative and curious and sassy and independent and I could go on and on.










Dada loved you more than you will ever know. The moment we walked off the plane and I handed you to him, he lit up in a way that I had NEVER seen him do before. He pat your back and laughed and showed you off to all of the people who came to greet you. It was as if you were his very own show and tell : ) You two have always been such special buddies. I know that today he is looking down on you and smiling from the Heavens and is so proud of the young lady you are becoming. He will always be with you and protect you.




You are loved so much, Paige. We couldn't be any more proud of you. You have blessed us in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. I hope the next 8 years together are as special and rich as the past 8 have been. I love you to the moon and back my sweet sissy!

SUCCESS!!!

Yes! Sissy was able to come back stage and take photos of me getting ready for the Nutcracker. Can you say SWEET???

Here is my sign on my mirror, my mouse hat, the baby mice uniforms and the cavalier wigs!

I have really done a good job at applying make up. I even told my sissy that I can't wait to be old enough to wear it to school. Sissy said, "Uh, not for a LONG time".

I like to check myself out in the dressing room. I think I did a pretty good job with my make up tonight. My mom and sister think I am awfully cute.

This is my good friend, Katie Belle. She is a baby mouse, too. She is a lot of fun.

Here is Katie Belle and I just minutes before we put on our very heavy and hot hats. 10 minutes til curtain.

My sister sure does take a lot of pictures.

Here is my outfit, minus my hat. My friend, Joseph, is standing on the chair acting WILD. My mom and sister say that he is hard to handle. I think he is funny!

Do you like my ears? WHAT??? I have big ears, but I still can't hear you : )

These are my baby mice friends. We just performed and we ROCKED! I was excited tonight, because my teacher and her husband came to see me. I love her. My friends names are Rebecca, Katie Belle, Me and Ana Claire. They are so much FUN!

I have been having a lot of fun playing a baby mouse in the Nutcracker. My sissy and mommy say that I am a cute mouse. I was really excited because last night we performed a "Holiday Magic Show" and it was for unfortunate orphans. My mommy asked me who brought the orphans and I told her it was the orphan keeper. She and my sissy giggled at me, but I don't know what is so funny??? I was very touched to be able to make sweet kids who don't have a family for Christmas laugh and have a good holiday treat. My mom and sissy said they were sorry for giggling at me and told me how proud they were of me. I am having fun!

Have a "Mice"...I mean, Nice weekend!!!

Question of the day

So Paige and I are blog hopping and surf on over to Kim's blog at 3 peanuts. Kim posts a lovely tribute to her Jewish friends, wishing them a Happy Hanukah.

Paige is looking at the photos and says, "If they are celebrating Hanukah, are they Hanukins?"

LOL!

I need to get better at teaching Paige the proper terminology in life!!!

Quick update

My little mouse was wonderful last night!!! She was so dramatic and gave the audience a huge laugh as she shook her little mouse bottom : ) The set, costumes and choreography were out of this world. It far exceeded our expectations.

A funny side note: So, I knew taking pictures and video was strictly prohibited in the performance hall, but thought I'd sneak in my camera and take a few while no one was watching. I was SO proud of myself, because I turned off my flash and took TONS of great shots...they weren't blurry at all (usually I cannot shoot well with the flash off as the pics are always so blurry and you can't make out what it is).

Sooo, after the show we are getting up from our seats and I am proudly boasting to my mom and brother and his girlfriend how I got some amazing shots and we would blow them up and put them in her room, when all of a sudden, I hear "M'am, I need you to step over here". CRUD! I was cold busted! This lady, who could have been a prison warden by her demeanor and her gruff voice, stood over me and said firmly, "DELETE the pictures". I was so embarrassed. I wanted to beg her to keep just one, but she lectured me about how there was no photography or video at all at any TPAC event and that they shared that numerous times and how I could have had my camera confiscated.

Geesh, by the time I was finished deleting my pics I was nearly in tears and felt like a common criminal.

I have a plan, though! We are watching her performance on the 21st and I think I am going to try it one more time...hee hee! I am going to take two picture cards. I will take pics of Paige on one card and then replace the card and take some more on another card and delete those if I must.

I know, I know, I should not break the rules, but you see, I am not hurting anyone, right? Please tell me that I am not a bad person for wanting to have some sort of documentation of this big event in her life.

Ok, so maybe I am feeling a little guilty...

ok, FINE...I won't do it!

: )

It's the big day!

It's here! We are all SO excited. Do you think we got any sleep last night???? Well, my mom and the cats did : )

Let me explain why this is SUCH a big deal to Paige and I. You see, while we were waiting on her referral, I had visions of the things that I would do with my new little sister...I never had a sister before and I had a laundry list the size of, well, the Great Wall : ) On the top of that list was to get dressed up, go to the Nutcracker, get there early and let her pick out her favorite ornament and a Nutcracker doll for me to purchase, eat cookies and drink milk and then go watch the show.

Ok, so I am a romantic at heart, what can I say?

So, lil' miss P. joins our family and the first year home I proudly purchase tickets and off we go. While the first year didn't go quite as I had planned (she fell asleep before intermission, but hey, she was only 3), it was still a magical evening for me. I remember crying when I saw the dance of the sugar plum fairies....thinking how wonderful it was that Paige could actually be in a family that adored her and how blessed we were to have her to adore.

In the years to come, the tradition of the Nutcracker always held up to what I had envisioned. We have a TON of ballerina ornaments and overpriced Nutcrackers to prove it. : )

This will be our 8th year to go and see the Nutcracker. I can't believe the teeny tiny little girl who was curled up in a seat next to me when she was three years old, is now a big, beautiful, poised little dancer who is following her dreams.

I love you Paige! You are my world and I couldn't be prouder of you!!!

Break a leg!

Snow day equals lazy day

I was so excited last night to find out that my school system and Paige's was out today due to the snow. I was on the phone with one of my favorite blogger buddies : ) and Paige came in and started pointing to the TV with a look of pure delight. Do you remember being a little kid and wishing and hoping for a snow day? Well, your teachers were equally as excited, as I think I was more overjoyed than Paige.

We all slept in today and it was just great! Paige decided after a little bit of playtime on the computer ( this kid loves Club Penguin ), we both snuggled up with a good book and read. I realize that doesn't sound too exciting for some, probably just downright boring, but for me and my girl it was pure Heaven. I am reading Twighlight and she is on the 6th Harry Potter book. She is just so smart. I love that she has her sister's love of reading. I'll never forget her first grade teacher writing on one of her report card comments, "Paige is a READING MACHINE". To this day, when I tell Paige how I love that she is such a wonderful reader, she will respond with, "A reading machine, I am" : )

I hope you all have had a great day!

Keep my baby mouse in your thoughts as she debuts tomorrow evening at 7pm. She has a gaggle of fans coming to support her and that makes her terribly nervous. I am SO sad that I won't be getting any pictures, as flash photography is not allowed in the performance hall : ( Also, I thought we could take pictures on the night that we chaperone backstage, but we have to leave our cameras in the security area. I was told that we can take cell phones back there, so I will snap a few on my cell. (Lisa, we found it...it was in her dance bag ... whew!!!)

Have a great weekend!

Hi from Paige

hi my sister's readers .
I have been sick for days and now my sister made my sicker by singing and making me laugh and my stomach hurts EVEN MORE thanks sis.well im very happy because my first nutcracker proformance is this SATURDAY yay!!!!!Have a holly jolly christmas and a cool day .
HO HO HO merry christmas love paigey.
my cat says hi meow meow my sis here is playing with sambo hmmphh.

Get Ready Dance

Ok, Michelle, this is for you : ) I got your hints..LOL!

This was from last year's dance recital. Paige was second from the right in the green outfit. Tap isn't her favorite...hip hop and ballet are. This is not her best dance, but all I have on video. Enjoy : )

I just love this mouse!

I am trying to play with natural lighting and some new actions that I got for photoshop. This was the first shot that I got and I loved it. I just love this girl!

A little sneak peek

Paige had rehearsals today at the Performing Arts Center. I didn't go, as I have spent the past week SO sick : ( First I had a killer sinus infection, then last night I had a bout of Montezuma's revenge. Something is going around at our school and I couldn't keep anything down for hours.

Keep Paige in your prayers, as she is suffering from stage fright. She normally does so well in front of a crowd, as she has been dancing in recitals for years. This production is on such a larger scale and she is freaking out. They were told today that shows are nearing selling out. The seating capacity is close to 2500 people. Yikes!

This is a little synopsis of the making of the new production.

There is also a sneak peak at: www.nashvilleballet.com

We are SO excited!!!

Opryland Hotel FUN!!!

Paige and I went on our annual after Thanksgiving trip to the Opryland Hotel and it didn't disappoint. She was not too thrilled with the fact that I asked her to dress up today, but then I pulled out her boots...oh my, Miss Diva came out in full effect. I mean, afterall, don't all girls love black leather boots?

We always head out, with our Christmas music blaring, eager to see the beautiful lights and people watch. The hotel was packed to the guild today. I think everyone had the same idea today and decided to come out decked out in their holiday finest.

It never fails, year after year, we run into numerous families who have adopted from China. Today, we met a super sweet family with twin 12 year olds from Alabama. Paige and the girls really hit it off, as did their mom and I. We have exchanged email addresses and numbers and plan to get together over Christmas. It's a small world.

After we walked around and took pictures, we went to our favorite restaurant that is constantly moving. I enjoyed a good glass of bubbly and Paige enjoyed her Shirley Temple. While we were enjoying each other's company and our drinks, music started blaring. It was a live Rockabilly Christmas band and they were GREAT! Paige took my camera and video camera and took off. When she came back she charmed several tables nearby with her rendition of Elvis' Christmas classics. Below are some (uh hem, I mean a lot) of my favorites from the night...also a cute video of Miss P. We have visited Opryland every single year since she came home, so this made year number 8. I don't think I will ever tire of this holiday tradition with one of the most important little people I know.

She is SO shy...poor baby! NOT : )

Eeee scop ugus

The other day Paige had just gotten home from Nutcracker rehearsal and she kept asking me how to say "the thing your food goes down"... : ) She had some trouble, but eventually got it.

PS-Her hair usually isn't gelled back like this : ) It had been in a bun from rehearsal and we have to spray it SO much. They don't like any baby hairs in their face.

I just had to record this for her to look back on!

Product reviews and apologies

I shopped for about an hour today and gave up. It was TOO crowded. So, I came home and hopped online and found some things that Paige has mentioned that she would like for Christmas and wanted to see if your kids or anyone has any experience with:

1. Guitar Hero for the Wii
2. Rock Band for the Wii
3. MarioKart for the Wii
4. Mp3 player vs. an ipod (which is better?)

Also...I received a private email ( you know who you are, you turkey : ) and she scolded me for writing so much on this blog and not posting as many pictures. Point taken! : ) I promise to start becoming the "sistarazzi" again and will post more photos. We are going to Opryland Hotel tomorrow and it is a mecca for a photography crazed sister and her sweet, yet, not excited little sister! We are going to sweeten the deal by surprising her with her first horse and buggy ride. That should appease little Miss Priss : )

With gratitude

Wikipedia defines Gratitude as:

Gratitude, appreciation, or thankfulness is a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.

Today, I am grateful for:

• my precious family. We are one less strong this year and that is a hurt that I cannot even begin to explain. With that, we are hanging on to each other tighter than ever before.
• my mom. She is a little bitty woman with her 4ft. 11in. stature, but is a mighty woman. She is strong in her convictions and she would move mountains to protect her family. I am forever grateful for her strength. I look up to her more than she could ever know.
• my brother. He was such a turkey (pun intended) growing up. We fought like cats and dogs and I thought to myself, we'll never be close as adults. Thankfully, I came out of my fog and am so blessed to have a brother who is one of my best friends. He is so kind and funny and adorable and smart and witty and....
• my sister. I think it is fairly obvious by my blog, Paige is my whole world. She is the apple of my eye. The day she was given to us, she didn't want anything to do with me...anything. She wouldn't look my direction and if she did, she screamed and cried. I even had to get my own room, away from her and my mom so she would calm down. Fast forward to almost 8 years later, she waits for me by the door to get home from work. I am greeted with hugs and squeals of "Sissy, Sissy, Sissy...You're home!!!". She is genuine. What you see is what you get and I am grateful for her honesty. I am grateful that she has one of the biggest hearts of any person I know. I love her. Enough said : )
• my dad. While he isn't with us anymore, his legacy lives on. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful dad. I don't think I realized while he was alive how much I adored him. It is sad that it sometimes takes losing someone to realize how much they truly mean to you. I am so grateful that I got to watch my dad parent Paige, even if for only a short time. It taught me that love is greater than fear of the unknown. He used to tell my mom when she was nervous about the unknown of adopting a toddler..."all we have to do is love her. The rest will fall into place". He was so wise. I miss him today and everyday, but am grateful for our 34 years together.
• my friends. They know my deepest, darkest secrets and love me anyway. They are my sisters and I will always be grateful for their friendship.

On this day, a day of thanks and gratitude, take time to let your friends and family know just how much they mean to you!

Happy Thanksgiving to my blogger buddies! I count you all amongst my biggest blessings!

Thank you blogger buddies!!!

When Paige and I got home last night, my mom said that there were two packages laying on my bed. We went back there and opened them up, not knowing what they could be (all of my Matilda Jane orders are in : ) The first box had a bag of goodies and the sweetest card. Paige asked me if she could read the card to me. She got about three lines into it and I began to weep. Kerry was so thoughtful to remember us during the holidays. Kerry, I am so grateful for you! Your words were so tender and genuine and were exactly what I needed to hear at this time. I just love ya, girl! You are a precious friend. She also sent Paige a beautiful Nutcracker ornament, two American Girl books and a book of panda stickers. You made Paige's night! She started reading the Julie book last night : ) Thank you for your heart of gold!!! Love ya!

The other package was very strange. It had Paige's name, our address (duh : ), but on the return address it said Blogger Doe and didn't have a return address. WHO ARE YOU??? : ) Whoever you are, and you know who you are...THANK YOU for Paige's mouse hat!!! Oh my word, it is the cutest hat I have ever seen! She was so excited that she wore it to school this morning. She really cannot wait to be a mouse in the Nutcracker and you gave her a gift that made her beam! I wish you would email me and let me know who you are!!! We loved the gift so much!

Here is Paige this morning before school. She wanted me to take a picture with "Binky" her elf in the background. We have learned the hard way not to place Binky anywhere that she can see him when she first wakes up, as it startles her. This morning she found him perched up on her head board and he had a note attached with some of the other elves signatures. That was a BIG hit : )

Kerry, she LOVES the books and is all ready to get the tree up so she can hang her Nutcracker. Tell Grace and Maddie thank you, too : ) We love y'all!

Thank you secret blogger for the mouse hat! It is just the cutest little thing I have ever seen. We love it!!! She is wearing it today to rehearsals : )

During this holiday season, I would just like for Paige to know how thankful I am for her. She is such a loving, compassionate, spunky monkey of a child. She brings her jie jie more happiness than she will ever know! I am thankful for you, Paige!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

This and that...part deux

• Please say a prayer tonight for a fellow blogger buddy and her family (TongguMomma). She lost her FIL today.
• Through a chain of crazy events, I learned that my prom date my sophomore year is Paige's teacher's brother-in-law. Get that?
• Paige has reported that she WILL be in the Nutcracker again next year. She is LOVING this production. She is talking about wanting to be a Prima Ballerina. (This coming from a little girl who is a self proclaimed tomboy, who would rather wear cargo shorts and a football jersey than anything pink).
• I have a sinus infection the size of Texas and want some relief!!! Any suggestions or old home remedies??? I went to a walk in clinic and they didn't give me an antibiotic....aye yi yi!!!
• It snowed here in TN. today...only briefly, but yet there were flakes. Speaking of flakes, I bought some of my dear friends the cutest little Christmas dish towels today that say, "Some of my best friends are flakes" and they have little blingy snowflakes all over...cute, huh?
• Paige just sent me into an asthmatic fit because she is sitting here beside me on my bed, hair gelled back into a mullet ( had Nutcracker practice and this is the way it has settled after taking it out of her bun ), and she has her toes curled and she is intently eating pancakes. I looked over at her and she said, "Don't stare at me. Can't a girl eat her flap jacks in peace?)
• Life is great! Happy Weekend to YOU!

Elf Yourself!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Elf on the Shelf

I have had several questions about Elf on the Shelf, so I thought I would give ya the low down. Elf on the Shelf is a little elf that is accompanied by a book. The premise is that the elf watches you and then reports your behavior to Santa (whether or not you have been naughty or nice). Many people do elf on the shelf differently and for different reasons. A lot of my friends who have little children use it for the naughty or nice reason. For example, my friend Carol Ann has a five year old little boy, Lance. She told me today that last night Lance drew on his bedroom wall with a crayon. She wasn't going to pull out her elf until after Thanksgiving, but she thought it was in order seeing that she didn't want a budding artist in Lance (well, not on the walls anyway). So this morning, Lance awoke to his elf on his bedroom chest of drawers. A little funny...she said he started crying as soon as he woke up and apologized to the elf and begged him not to tell Santa : )

I am using Elf on the Shelf to keep the spirit of Santa alive in Miss Paige's little mind. Too many of her friends are not believers anymore and she is questioning Santa and all of the logistics.

Elf (Paige named him Binky) appeared tonight. He was on our mantle with a note written very sloppily ( I know, not a word, work with me here : )) The note said, "Hi Paige. I decided to make an early appearance so that I could keep a close eye on you and report to the Big Man. He is hoping that I have good reports to share, so be on your best behavior and help make my job easy. PS- I get awfully thirsty every night on my way to the Pole, so could you help a brother out and leave me some water and a saltine? Love, Binky"

We had already gone to www.elfontheshelf.com and registered Binky and printed off a certificate and then tonight he magically "appeared".

It has CRACKED me up, because she will walk through the den and will glance his way and then start "fast walking". I think he freaks her out a bit. Of course, the goal is NOT to scare the child, but to help them to believe or behave.

Most gift shops carry the Elf on the Shelf kit. In the kit, there is a little elf and then a copy of the book. It is about $30, but so worth it to create some extra magic.

She is now asleep, so I am going to nibble the cracker she left, drink the water and move Binky to a plant that is right near where she has left her backpack. You can move your elf every night or as much as you'd like.

Hope this all helps!

I have a feeling that this is the last year that my mom and I can play "you know who" : ( We are going to work it this year, so we create some lasting memories!

Now run out tomorrow and get your elf. If you get one, leave me a comment and share how it is going!

This and that

I just got home from buying The Elf on the Shelf and am SO hopeful that this will keep Santa Claus alive in Miss Paige's heart. She is 10 and hasn't said anything about not believing, but I think she has her doubts. Have any of you ever done the Elf on the Shelf? It is all the craze with my friends and their kids, so we shall see if it is magical.

Nutcracker is going well. As Paige says, "I am enjoying dancing with the Company now" : ) Ooh la la, huh? The first performance is less than a month away and we are all so excited. She has tons of friends and their families and my coworkers coming to see her. She has pics taken this weekend and I will try to scan those in, as we cannot photograph the performance. The hall that they are dancing in seats 2400 people and they say that is just too many people to be taking photos. Here is a link to the hall she will be dancing in:
Take a virtual tour at:
http://www.tpac.org/facilities/jacksonhall.asp

Some more exciting news is Paige and my mom just came home from rehearsal and said that Paige was invited to audition for the part of a munchkin in the Musical , Wizard of Oz. This will also be at the performing arts center.

I am SO proud of her and all the she accomplishes, but I am even more proud of the amazing little girl she is. She has a heart of gold. She walked in the door tonight and heard me coughing my head off, came running over to me, put the back of her hand to my forehead and said, "Poor sis, you don't have a fever. Can I get you anything? Bless your heart". : ) You know you are from the South if you end a sentence with "Bless your heart"!

Anyway, that is about all that has been going on with us. Busy, busy, busy! Lots to do in the next few weeks, so please understand if I don't get to visit your blogs as often as I'd like.

I'll be BAAA CCCKK!!!!

Sneak peeks

Parker, Jimmy, Dana and Caroline

Jimmy, Dana, Parker and Caroline

Sweet siblings, Parker and Caroline

Parker and Caroline

Parker and Caroline

Parker

Caroline

Olivia and Jackson

Jackson and Olivia

Olivia

Jackson


Today I had the great fortune to photograph several families for their Christmas cards. We had great weather here in TN. It was a bit cold and windy, but everyone did very well. I have only received permission to post sneak peeks from two families so far. Once I get permission from the others, I will post them here as well. The first family was so sweet and coordinated so well. I love their clothes choices! They have two beautiful children, Parker and Caroline. Jimmy and Dana, your kids are gorgeous and I hope that you enjoy your sneak peek. Talk to you soon.

The other family just wanted pictures of their kids and I completely understand that : ) I had such fun photographing Olivia and Jackson. These two kiddos have the most beautiful eyes and eyelashes ever! It was a fun day and I hope that you are happy with your images!