Hello folks! It's been well over 2 weeks since I've blogged; but considering what's been going on in my life, I think that's understandable! We are finally here in Maryland trying to get settled into our new house...in our new community...in our new STATE!!! And it was quite a journey getting here I might add! We had always planned to go visit my family in Memphis for a few days in between the transition. However the original plan was to get our stuff up here before we went there. That didn't work out. So we just planned to go to Memphis...from Nov. 2nd - Nov. 6th....come back to Dayton...pack up our stuff...and be here in Oakland sometime that Tuesday (the 8th). Then life happened.
First off...my grandfather passed away. We knew he wasn't doing well at all; and we were actually surprised he made it as long as he did. But at around 3:30 AM Thursday (Nov. 3rd), he went home to be with the Lord after a long hard battle with alzheimer's. My heart aches for my grandmother (who also lost her dog that following Saturday). The funeral was Monday (going on 2 weeks ago). Let me side track for a minute to tell you about my grandfather. He was the sweetest man! He would do anything for anyone. But most of all; he was a godly man. My favorite thought about him was a memory my aunt shared about him at the funeral. She remembers as a little girl walking in while he was doing his quiet time in the early mornings. She said she would see him signing to the Lord in prayer (he was deaf). I just love to think about that....how he truly had a PERSONAL relationship with the Lord...how he talked with the Lord. It was sad to watch him at the end of his life. The alzheimer's really made him act different....he was not Papaw anymore. So in some ways...we are all so happy he is home. He has his mind...he can hear...and he is with my cousin Amber (who went to be with the Lord going on 4 years ago in January). So anyway...that is my Papaw...and he will be dearly missed.
So....after the funeral Monday we planned to leave to go back to Dayton. Long story short....we didn't leave til almost lunchtime Tuesday. We were exhausted. So we got almost packed up Wednesday and had planned to leave that afternoon and I got sick. (sidenote #2: a big thank you to the secretaries at FBC Dayton for the farewell lunch Wed. That was so sweet). So anyway....last Thursday at about 11:59pm we got into Oakland; and unloaded our Uhaul into our new house last Friday. So we've been here a week now. (It's snowed twice since we've been here btw). And as of today, we not only have internet, but WIRELESS internet. So here I am....blogging! Hopefully I'll get to keep up on here more now about our journeys in Maryland!
Lastly, I would like to take a little moment to thank all the members of our new church (Deep Creek Baptist Church). Thank you so much to all of you who stocked our pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. I cannot say enough how much of a blessing that was. Also, a huge thank you to all of you who worked so hard to make our house nice and clean for us to live in. I would also like to thank all of you who came to help us unload our Uhaul....and in the snow I might add!! And a big thank you to Pastor Ben for taking us around town; and to Mark and Debra for watching our kids one day and helping us get our fire going so we can have even more heat!! :) And to ALL the members of the church for such a warm welcome and making us feel so at home right away!! We are excited about ministering with you all.
Ok...that's all for now...more unpacking to do! Hopefully today will be it!! Whoop whoop!!
Ok, so maybe not the most beautiful....and maybe not even homemade....but none-the-less, they were good! Long story short....all I had at home was sugar cookie dough and red gel food coloring, so I sliced up the dough and dabbed a dot of red food coloring in the center and there you have it....Christmas cookies!! I love how kids get excited over simple things. Anyway...after putting on a few ornaments the boys kinda lost interest....but not Lily!
Here's the star Lily put on the top...
And this would be Daniel's definition of hanging ornaments on the tree...
Lily finally ran out of room on the bottom, so she talked her daddy into lifting her up to decorate the top...
And here you have it....the finished product at night with all the lights off...my favorite time to look at the Christmas tree.
Now today begins operation: decorate the rest of the house for Christmas. And, if I'm being totally honest...operation: re-arrange some of the ornaments on the tree to make them a little more even.... :). 
