Thanksgiving Week Activities

Wow, what a week of activity! The three day work/daycare week was so nice...well at least for me. For Kevin it was a TWO day work week. This was our year to have Thanksgiving with Kevin's mom (Mimi). She is an excellent cook and cooks enough to feed the entire neighborhood. We spent the majority of Thursday at her house eating and lounging around. Here are Anna & Mason rocking in their daddy's childhood rocking chair.

Ignore the Christmas tree on the table. Mimi had her small tree and big tree up and decorated. She works in retail and has to put up the tree when she "has time". After eating Thanksgiving lunch and moving into the livingroom to relax, Anna asked "when are we going to open presents?" With the Christmas tree and gifts, she forgot which holiday we were celebrating.

Friday morning Anna woke up with pink eye. We guess she got it from Mason (he had it Sunday). We decorated the Christmas tree that morning. It's our tradition to put it up the day after Thanksgiving. This was a tradition that my mom and I started when I was young. Anna loves to help decorate the tree. It's really cute because she can only reach the lower portion so the bottom has more ornaments than the top. We bought a new tree after Christmas last year and weren't sure what it would look like. Prior to decorating it we thought we'd be buying another one after Christmas this year. But after all the decorating it looked pretty good. It works well for the small space we have to put it.

My little helper.

My other "helper"...trying to remove an ornament!

After the job was done, I found Anna laying under the tree. Of course Mason had to get in on the action too.

Friday evening Mimi watched Anna while Kevin, Mason and I ran to Wal-Mart to grab a few sale items. I'm not the type to get up and hit the stores at 4:00 a.m. and fight a huge crowd! I enjoy my sleep!

Saturday was Thanksgiving celebration with my family. Rather than having another traditional Thanksgiving meal we decided to eat out. We went to Strawberries BBQ and had a delicious lunch. I think I prefer BBQ ribs to turkey! After lunch everyone went to my parent's house (Grammy & Papaw) for desserts and visiting. Anna was riding her tricycle around the house and Mason decided to ride too...
He had so much fun riding with Anna. If she stopped he would get mad.

Today was a rainy/snowy day. Yes, I said snow! This afternoon we saw a few flakes of snow coming down. Anna can't wait for it to come a big snow and build a snowman. Also, Mason's little buddy, Nathan, is in the hospital. Please pray that he continues to get better and gets to go home tomorrow. Hospitals are no fun for an active little guy (or Mommy & Daddy)!

Last Monday was Anna & my Girls' Day for her 5th Birthday. We had a wonderful day together. We played Barbies, danced to music, went to Jonesboro, had lunch with Kevin and ran with him to pick up a trailer, shopped and played on the mall playground.

Friday Anna's class at daycare and another class had a Thanksgiving Feast for the parents. Anna's class dressed in Indian headdresses that they had made. The other class dressed as pilgrims. They were all so cute and the food was delicious...turkey, corn, green beans, mashed 'tators, dressing, rolls, pies...the whole spread!! Here is Anna and her friend Zoey as little Indians.

Friday night we ate at Dixie Cafe. Anna wanted them to clap and sing for her birthday. While we were gone to the restroom Kevin let the waitress know it had been her birthday. Later on they brought her a dish of icecream and clapped and sang to her. She loved it! (Mason also enjoyed the show.)

Saturday Kevin, Anna and I attended a wedding. Our friends, Harlon & Susan, oldest daughter got married. Stephanie made a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful bride. Justin cleaned up well too. The wedding and reception were lots of fun. Seeing Steph get married really made me feel old! I remember when she was about 10 years old! Thanks to Ed, Becky & Sean for keeping Mason while we attended the wedding.

Today Mason woke up with pink eye (again!). This afternoon Anna went to a friend's birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese. Paige turned 5 years old four days after Anna. They have been in the same class at daycare since 2006. Here they are playing a fun game of Air Hockey...

I'm thankful the short work-week that we will have this week. I'm also thankful for the time we will get to spend with family. From our family to your family, HAVE A HAPPY & DELICIOUS THANKSGIVING!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday Anna!

How can five years be gone in the blink of an eye? Our baby girl has transformed into a beautiful little girl right before our eyes! I can still remember the day she was born, the day she came home from the hospital, and all the milestones along the way. I remember how her reflux about drove us crazy until the gastroenterologist in Little Rock got her on a super high dose of Prevacid. I recall my anxiousness that she wasn't talking as soon as I thought she should. Well, that concern is resolved...our sweet girl's got plenty to say now! If she's having a quite morning or afternoon in the truck I may ask "Are you okay? You're not saying much." Anna will reply "I don't have any questions." Although at times throughout the last five years there were moments that seemed to creep by, looking back the time has gone by at record speed. From what I'm told, the next 13 years will go by even faster.

Our lives changed forever on

November 17, 2003 at 2:22 p.m.

A look at Anna through the years...

Anna's arrival- November 17, 2003

December 2003

1st Easter- April 2004

August 2004

October 2005

3rd Birthday- November 2006

April 2007- Becoming a Big Sister

Beautiful on the inside and outside!- November 2008

The following is a poem that my mom gave to me around the time of Anna's birth. It is so fitting of our life with Anna.

That's My Little Girl

Little girls are always special to their Mom and Dad;
None of them are ugly,
And none of them are bad.
They are made to blosssom with God's sunlight from above;
They are made to brighten Daddy's corner,
They are made for Mom to love.
They ask a lot of questions
About life and what it brings-
Will I be as pretty as you, Mom?
Will you help me with my dreams?
Will I be beautiful and healthy?
Will you teach me to love and pray?
Can I have your sense of humor to help me along the way?
Can I have some children just like you and Dad-
And how can I teach them never to be bad?
Can I be a Christian lady so that heaven I might see?
And if I happen to stumble, will you still stand by me?
But out of the millions of little girls, one is above the rest-
A sweet and loving daughter who simply is the best.
No matter where life takes her,
O' er valleys or hills or streams,
Her dad will always love her for fulfilling all his dreams.
And when the crowd has gathered,
The largest in the world-
We'll proudly point a finger
And say "That's my little girl!"

Henry Clifton Jarrell, Sr.

The past five years have been a blessing (with trying moments from time to time). I'm certain the next thirteen years (and more) will be the same way. As we transition from baby dolls and stuffed animals to Hannah Montana and big girl interests, it will be fun, trying, happy, sad, and all emotions rolled up together. But no matter what, we will ALWAYS love you, Anna!

Anna's 5th Birthday Party & More Fun Times

Anna's 5th Birthday Party was the big event of the past week but we had other fun too. Friday afternoon we took cupcakes for her class to have in celebration of her birthday. Her birthday is Monday but she isn't going to school that day. (I realized that this will be her last year to have her birthday off from school unless it falls on the weekend. I asked if she wanted to go to school or stay home with me. Her reply was "girls' day!" So a girls' day is what we'll have if everything goes as planned.) Two years ago I took Anna a balloon for her birthday party at daycare. Last year prior to her birthday she asked if I'd bring her a balloon again. So this year I carried on the tradition with another balloon.

You can see part of the special plate the kids get to use when it's their birthday.

Friday night Santa made his arrival at the mall. We joined the crowd of children, parents and grandparents waiting for the Jolly One's entrance. Anna ran into Kyla, a friend from daycare, and they sat together on the front row. Kevin and Mimi took turns staying close as possible to Anna while the three of us took turns entertaining Mason. The pre-show (music, dancing, a play) didn't interest him at all. But once Santa made it on stage then he got interested. He was waving at Santa and Mrs. Claus. (If only I hadn't left my camera in the truck.) We didn't stay for pictures because the line was really, really, really long. After Santa went off stage, we started getting coats on to leave. Anna asked "Why'd we only get to see Santa for a few minutes?" I guess she thought that as long as we waited for Santa to arrive that we should have seen him for more than 3 minutes!

Build-A-Bear was giving away reindeer antlers so both kids got a pair. At home I was trying to take their pictures and it was difficult. The antlers didn't want to stick out and Mason didn't want to wear his antlers. These are the best pictures I could get and they are bad! I finally got Anna's antlers to stand out and then she was biting her lower lip. As you can see Mason really wasn't happy about his antlers!

(Another picture that one day he'll wish I didn't have!)

Saturday was Anna's "Pumpin' Up the Party" at Pump-it-Up. Several of her friends from Bible Class and daycare came to the big event. Anna had an awesome time and all the other kids seemed to as well. They spent an hour and half playing in the arena and then went to the party room for cake, and of course, presents. Anna received lots of great gifts and has been playing with them every chance she gets. She loves it all! My camera does not take good pictures in the arena. I've tried before and they never turn out well. So I've got a few decent ones to share.

This picture just shows a little of what the party was like. From the left: Kevin, Gradyn climbing into the obstacle course, Brianna's mom, a staff member, Brianna's dad, Brianna coming off the slide, Emilee, Tyler's dad and mom (in pink), Tyler, Avery & Anna coming down the slide (which is a no-no. Only one person at a time!), Grayson's mom, Grayson (half of him) and Mimi in the background.

Mason had it made. A staff member propped his feet up and pushed him around!

How many kids can fit through the opening to the bouncer at one time?

Ready to enter the party room for cake and gift opening! (Anna, Brianna, Katelyn , Cydney (back to picture), Zoey, Spencer, Avery and Tyler (front with hand over mouth).

Anna blew out all 5 candles on the first try!

The party gang!

Anna and her two best pals, Brianna & Katelyn.

Thanks to everyone that came to Anna's birthday party and made the day so memorable for her. Katelyn, Brianna, Gradyn, Emilee, Avery, Zoey, Cydney, Tyler, Spencer, Grayson, Macie, Nathan, and all their parents along with Mason, Papaw, Grammy, Mimi, Aun'tee and Unc made this a special day. This was a party that she will never forget!

A Fast Week

Another week has gone by so fast! It's hard to believe that mid-November is a week away. This was a good week for our family. Friday night we took Anna and Mason to see Madagascar 2. It was a cute movie (or at least the parts I saw in between wrestling with Mason). Both kids were zonked by the time we made it home.

A late Friday night

Saturday we did some shopping. I intended to buy a few Christmas gifts but didn't get that done. I did show Kevin some things I want for Christmas. :o) Anna showed us plenty that she wants too. The playground at the mall was so crowded that we didn't even stop. Guess it will be this way until Christmas is over.

This week will be a busy one. Anna is so excited about her birthday party next Saturday. Time must seem to be dragging by to her. She is so excited about turning 5. But at lunch today she asked "when will I be 6?" Whoa!!! Lets get to five before we worry about six!

Halloween & Fall Fun

The highlight of the past week was Halloween. Anna was Hannah Montana and Mason was a pony. Friday was the Fall Carnival at Anna's "school". Kevin and I were blessed to be able to attend the carnival. The classes rotated through each classroom in two buildings and played games in every classroom (and collected candy in each room!). The highlight for Anna was walking into "school" Friday morning and being dressed the same as her special friend, Brianna. They squealed and laughed! I didn't have my camera at that moment and they were never together during the carnival. I could kick myself for not capturing the moment! (Guess mom can't do everything!) Mason's class didn't dress up in costume due to the pottying issue. (I wouldn't want to be responsible for changing diapers/pottying of 10 or more kids under the age of 2 in costumes!!) But they did go room to room and collect candy...like he needs candy. :o)

Anna & her teacher, Mrs. Renea

Friday night we attended the Trunk or Treat at our church parking lot. It was fun as always. The kids got to collect candy from people we know and trust. They had a good time with their friends from Bible Class. The only downfall of the evening was Mason falling on the pavement, not once but twice! He has a knot and bruise on his forehead. (Poor guy!) Then we went to Timmy & Debby's for our annual Halloween visit. Anna loves to go to their house and help hand out candy to the Trick or Treaters. (We don't get Trick or Treaters at our house.)

Pony & Hannah Montana

Saturday morning the kids and I went to the mall to shop for a bit. Later that afternoon all four of us took a 4-wheeler ride. This week the leaves have gotten so beautiful. I took the camera and made fall pictures of the kids. It's really hard to get a good pose of both of them in the same picture. But we ended up with several good pictures.

Today Anna and I went to a local playground that she has been begging to go to. She hasn't been to this particular one in about two years. Kevin kept Mason so Anna & I could go play. We took her bike and she had such a good time. I did too. It's been a while since I swung, slid and acted like a kid on a playground. It was a beautiful day!

Playing high

In the spirit of November, I created a list of things I'm thankful for in my life from the word "Thanksgiving". Here it is...

T- Time with family and friends
H- Healthy family & Health insurance
A- Anna & Mason
N- Naps
K- Kevin
S- Savior Jesus Christ
G- Godly parents
I- Invitations to be with friends
V- Voicemail
I- Internet
N- Nature
G- God's Love


I have so much to be thankful for in my life. Sometimes I lose track of the blessings that I have and focus on the negatives. I'm trying to do better at counting my blessings!