Yesterday, my husband and I took the kids up to the hopsital to see Grandma Sylvia. She had a stroke on Thanksgiving. While we were there Katey said that she had a penny for Grandma. She went to Grandmas bedside and said," Grandma, I found a lucky penny for you outside and I thought you might want to have it. It might help to get better faster." I just about cried, she was so sincere, so beautiful. Grandma took the penny and smiled, it was a very tender moment.

Happy Thanksgiving To All!

We have had a good Thanksgiving, yet again. The food was fantastic and the company even better. My mom, myself, and Jessica, and Julie all divided up the Thanksgiving menu and that made the load so much more manageable. There was The Peaslee's, The Kemble's, The O'Driscoll's, The Rennakers, and Kyle's parents Paul and Cordelia. There was so much food it was fantastic , there was sweet potatoes, two different kinds of turkey, ham, and 8 different kinds of pie! Jessica had her turkey smoked and Kyle made a cider and spice brine. He even caught the oven of fire with it! I got to use my Grandmothers fine china that she gave to me and that was fun. Really it could not be more perfect. Except that Grandma Sylvia had a stroke and is now in the hospital. So, naturally, we were deprived of my mom and dad's company. We are all very concerned for Grandma and quick recovery. We ask at this time to keep her in your prayers for her to return to good health and spirits.

Thank you & happy Holidays!

So all of you have been asking what we are going to name the baby, so here it goes. I like options so there are a lot. I also like to hear everyone's opinion so feel free to mix and match, leave comments, and I'll also have a poll of names we've put together as well.

However, we don't name the baby, officially until after he is born. So it'll be a surprise for everyone!

(Find a happy place...)

First Names (The reason the first name is really centered around Max is because Katey said she would like to name the baby Max. I would really like to do that for her, I also think the name is super cute.)
Maxx - Latin; the greatest
Maxamillion - Latin; the most, extreme, the greatest
Maddox - welsh; good, generous, good fortune, champion
Mattox
Maxten - indepent, ambitious
Maxton
Maxentius - creative generous
Maximian - spontaneous, happy
Maxfield - Latin; the greatest, responsible, kind
Maxwell - English ; capable, expressive

Middle Names
Jay - German; swift
Apollo - Greek; Sunshine, warmth, manly beauty
Atticus - Greek; Handsome boy. father like
Dane - Scandinavian; God is my judge
Charles - German; free man, strong, courageous
Merrill - English ; Falcon; German, Famous of the sea
Harley- English; the hare clearing, clever, serious
Zephyr - Greek; mild gentle breeze
Ezekiel - God will strengthen
Nozoh - Choctaw; bless
Mishen - Choctaw; happy
Mendozet - Choctaw; holy
Indet - Choctaw; heart
Metea - Pottawatomie Indian chief - Greek; gentle

Middle names my kids came up with
Everette
Tanker
Lane
Kamin
Isaiah
Tate
Mathrin (cause it rhymes with Kathryn)
Blake

My first surprise!

The last couple weeks after having moved have been good considering all the changes this family has gone through, but we still have to go through all the normal emotional turmoil. The boys have especially worked the turmoil angle, as they are both going through the terrible twos. Sammy is also a very messy baby. So this evening he found some Halloween candy and opened, picked apart, and smashed about 30 pieces of candy. I of course, yell and carry on about how they all have nothing better to do then to seek out and destroy, blah, blah, blah. So I swept it all up into a pile but had yet to throw it in the garbage. Then after brushing the kids' teeth I washed my face. While I was busy with that, the kids apparently agreed to sweep up the mess and throw it in the garbage. So when I came down it was all gone. Jack immediately told me all about it and Katey said,"I just wanted to do something cause it looked like you were having a hard time, mom." Well, I just about cried, it was my kids' first real surprise, just for me.