A Christmas Miracle!

I just know they are going to be fast friends!

Look they love each other already. It would be a shame to split them up!


Flash is so nice, he even shares his food!

Snoozing

Isn't it precious?

Just chilling out!

Anyone who knows me, knows I really wanted a puppy for Christmas. I told Tim that that was all I wanted. He kept saying that my daddy would kill him if he got me a dog. Truth be known, he was right. Daddy says I am not home enough to take care of it. So I tried to convince Tim's daddy to let me keep a puppy here with Flash. He was not going for that.

Christmas Eve I was transferring all my new things from Tim's truck to my car. It was late and cold, and I was trying to hurry. All of the sudden I hear Tim say look what Flash has. It was a puppy! A little white, furry, adorable puppy! I couldn't believe it! We don't know how it got in Flash's lot, but it was there running around! I was so excited. I told Tim it was a Christmas miracle and a gift from God. You can't give gifts from God back, he wouldn't like that! Tim wasn't convinced and the next day he let it out.

Today when I got to Tim's it was back! I don't know how it has gotten back in, but I am glad! Hopefully Tim will let me keep it, since it obviously wants to live here. Flash doesn't seem to mind it either! I can't tell if its a boy or girl since it won't let me close to it, but I will be happy either way!

(The real Christmas miracle will be if Tim lets me keep it)

Riding around in my automobile

Last night Tim and I went to the mountains. It had been a long time since I had went with him. We had a blast! It was extra muddy from the recent rain, and extra slick! Ha Ha! Here are some pictures from the trip. All of them were taken from inside the cab because of the mud.

The thought behind this photo is the door handle. A couple of weeks ago during that "snowstorm" we had, Tim was out in the Ranger. Well aparently it began to roll as he was getting out and he used the handle to slingshot himself back inside. In the process he kinda almost ripped the handle off completely! Honestly its hanging by a thread!

Finally, he was getting in the truck. I was almost tired of waiting! lol

That look on his face is priceless!

A VERY close up shot. Look at those wonderful green eyes!

At this point Tim had his door open, and half of his body hanging out of the truck. The Ranger doesn't have back-up lights so he was using a flashlight!




Tim made this. Don't ask me what it is, but its right in front of the passenger. I think it was the glove box at one time. Tim made this while he was in school. Its actually pretty snazzy! If he ever throws the brakes on, and I go flying toward the dash, I will end up with a FORD scar!

Here is the finished product.

Christmas at Murl's

I always love to go to my aunt murl's for Christmas. I can remember being little and being able to choose one toy from santa to take to her house. No matter how busy she was or what was boiling over on the stove, she would always stop to look at whatever I had brought. She does that now with her grandkids, and I think thats so cool!

Hurry up Tim, I NEED that baby!
Caitlyn didn't know what to think when Tim put that blanket over her face. She just stood there frozen!

Poor Cooper, he was worn out.

Awwww they love each other.

(They are only 11 days apart)

Cassie & Tim.

Isn't it funny he hates to have his picture taken with everyone, but Cassie?

I think Cassie took this picture. Tim was more interested in the gun!

Cooper being cooper! I love him!

Miss Caitlyn is a doll, and she loves dolls too! Tim couldn't get her new one open fast enough!

Check out Mr. Owen! This is his funny face! He is adorable!

Christmas with the girls

Christmas with the girls was our fourth stop of the day. Christmas day is more hectic for us than Christmas eve, but I like it that way. Hannah got a new puppy, snowball, that Cassie just went crazy over. He was tiny and still had that adorable puppy breath. Lily got her cell phone. I was glad she has been asking for her cell phone for months. It wasn't the green one that she wanted, but I told her she could get a cover. lol She is only 6 and has a phone! Shew I just can't believe how much they have grown.

I am sure snowball couldn't wait for us to leave!
Poor Tim! He was trying to nap, and I kept taking his picture!

Max

Me & Snowball

He had cute little puppy breath!

Max kept smelling of Tim. I think he smelled Peyton on him.

Cassie and Snowball. She really wants a little puppy like him, if you can't tell by now.

Lily and her Mr. Potato Head. She was so excited about it.

Cassie, Hannah and Snowball. I am surprised Cassie let him go!

m

O Christmas Tree

I wanted to take a picture of everyone's tree. Since I didn't get my camera until Christmas morning I missed a few from Christmas Eve, but here are the ones I did get.

Tim was being silly!

This one is Mamaw June's. Her's always has snow on it.

This one is Vickie's Tree. Check out Ronald's deer!

I hope everyone's Christmas was as great as mine. I am very blessed to have such a great family and wonderful friends. This Christmas was by far the best yet. Thank goodness it didn't snow so daddy could be home with us. I am not sure what everyone else's favorite gift was, but mine is my new camera. Mom and Dad got me a nikon d 40. I love it. Tim says I look like a professional! I took all these pictures with it. Check back for more posts.

Tiff & Papaw Thurman hanging out. They were waiting on the food! lol




Megan

Papaw was resting after a big dinner.

Presents, Parties & Problems!!!!!

Christmas is rapidly approaching and I don't think I will be able to blog again before it comes. I thought I would take this rare opportunity to update everyone. First, Christmas at church was yesterday. I had planned to get up super early since our play was at 10:00 a.m. I had presents, food and play stuff to take and then caroling clothes. I knew the day would be wild so I tried to get as much together as I could Saturday night.

Sometimes no matter how much we try or how good our intentions are, things just get overlooked. Even though I did all the cooking Saturday night, I still had to load it in the car Sunday morning and then into Tim's truck. I love to cook for church but, this is always an obstacle since the mountain is less than cooperative with tupperware. lol Anyway I also had gifts, and clothes to go caroling in to put in the truck. You should have seen it! Tim hates clutter in the truck and he was definately not liking this. I kept telling him it was temporary!

Well needless to say we arrived at Church at 9:58 a.m. Not exactly early, but we were there with all the needed items and in one piece. Luckily the play couldn't start without us! All went well and the church really liked the play and its message. Preacher Lee had a great message as always and dinner was really good too! When it came to presents we did dirty santa. The men went first and it was quite funny! I think nearly every man traded. The women were kinder, and less quick to take someone's gift. Tim ended up with some nice work gloves and I got a NICE crock pot! I was pretty excited, and I knew mom would be too since her's has seen better days. lol After dinner we opted out of the caroling. I was glad since the weather was less than desireable to be riding around in the back of the truck.

By the time we got home, Tim and I, were both worn out! After a nap and snack we headed to Oak Ridge Hospital. Tim's papaw is in a room now, and they say his lungs are clearing up. I can't believe he was on a vent just days ago, and now breathing on his own. I would love to see him home for Christmas, but I don't know if that is a possiblity.

By the time I got home, unloaded my car, brushed my teeth and said my prayers I was so ready to see the back of my eyelids. lol No seriously it was a really long and crazy day.

I am sure this will be my last blog until after the holidays are over so..............

Merry Christmas

&

Happy New Year!

Emergency Bags

The Children's Center of Campbell County and the Campbell County Girl Scout Troops are asking for help in collecting emergency bags for girls and boys.

Girls- Tote bags/ Boys- Duffle bags

These bags can include:

*Toothbrushes

*Toothpaste

*Floss

*Hair brush

*Bible

*Fleece Blanket

*Small Pillow

*Nightlight/Flashlight

*Pen & Notepad

Most of these items can be found at the Dollar Tree.

Feel free to include any extra item that you like.

If you have any questions please contact

Melissa Stiner @ 566-3847 or

Children's Center @ 562-4190

I've got a secret!!!

I love to bargain shop. Especially for Hannah and Lily. They are so hard on their clothes so I hate to spend a fortune on them. I hardly ever pay full price for anything anymore. Thats because I have found a new way to shop online! FREE ONLINE COUPON CODES! I have some great websites to share with you. These sites have online coupon codes that can save you as much as 70%! Each site is set up different, but each one is easy to use. Just look for your favorite stores and write down the codes you need. Then go shopping! Once you are done enter the code on the check out page.

I saw online that a girl planned her entire wedding using these codes. She only spent a grand total of $6,000! She told where she found free save the date cards, gifts for her bridesmaids and even her dress! I haven't found bargains like that yet, but I have found great deals on kids clothes, shoes and jewelry. Some popular stores are particpating on these sites like Polo, American Eagle, Gap, Gymboree, Old Navy and much more. Check them out!

Just watch for the expiration dates.

www.retailmenot.com

www.couponmom.com

www.couponcabin.com

www.fatwallet.com

Quick, Easy & Close to home

I just wanted to remind everyone about some Christmas gifts we have here at the bank. If you are looking for something a little different this year I have some ideas for you.

1. We have VISA gift cards. They can be used anywhere VISA is accepted including the internet. You can load them with as little as $5 or as much as $1000. These make great stocking stuffers, last minute gifts, or for that special someone you just don't know what to buy!

2. We also have savings bonds. I always buy these around the holidays. I buy them for the girls and Tim. Its the gift that just keeps giving. I just checked on a bond that I have, and its worth almost $500! Just remember in order to buy these as gifts you have to have the person's social security number.

These are quick, easy and close to home.

Come see us at First Volunteer!

Bah Humbug

LaFollette's annual Christmas parade was on Saturday. It was incredibly cold. The day started off with snow! All the kids were excited, but the rest of us knew that only meant we were going to be even colder that night. By 5:30 our float was all but iced over. I am pretty sure the kids had a great time. Lily told me that next year she is riding in the truck with Tim so she can throw candy to both sides! lol

Anyway I took pictures before the parade. I was really proud of myself for remembering the camera and extra batteries, but now I am reviewing the images, and cannot find them. They have been erased from my camera card. This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time was at the fair. I am dissapointed. Hopefully I can find some way to print them.

You can never go wrong when you do something right

Christmas means different things to different people. To children it means gifts even though we try to teach them better. To adults it means shopping, cleaning, cooking and going to a million places in two days. To me it means giving to someone who has it a little harder than me. I am very blessed to have the parents I do. Over the years they have made many sacrifices to make sure that Cassie and I not only had the neccessities, but extras too. Around Christmas I am reminded that not every parent can do that.

In today's economic crisis some are lucky to feed their families much less provide gifts. This year at the bank each branch adopted a family. As hard as I may have tried it didn't go as smooth as I wished, but we were able to gather the items these families ask for. I knew this would be a rewarding adventure for me, but I wasn't prepared for the saddness. I was shocked to see what was on these lists.

One mom just wanted a fan to circulate heat throughout their house. Another mom wanted a crockpot. Some of the children only wanted shoes. A dad asked for a gas card so he could just go to work. I can't remember a Christmas when I only had one gift. This project has taught me to be more appreciative for what I have, and to be thankful for my parents.

There are 20 days left until Christmas. I am asking that everyone try to help someone else. If you can't adopt a family try the angel tree. Do a food basket for REACHES. Donate gently used items to someone who needs them. Just help! I promise you won't go wrong when you do something right!

Jumping to conclusions

For everyone who has called, text or messaged me NO WE DID NOT GET ROBBED TODAY! Today is Wednesday and our beloved half day at work. Afterward I went to Charley's to eat with Tim and the guys. I had been there about 20 minutes when someone called Tim's phone to ask if First Volunteer was being robbed. When Tim asked me I thought it was someone joking. About 5 minutes later 3 different people sent me text messages asking the same thing. I knew Melissa was probably still there so I called her cell. She didn't answer so I immediately thought the worst. lol Anyway she finally called me back to say that the Jacksboro police department was there using our Christmas tree for their Christmas card. She said that people were calling her phone too. When I checked my myspace tonight I had 6 messages from people asking if I was alright. I am thankful people care (some were just being nosy), but needless to say it was a whole lot of drama for nothing. Moral of the story...............don't jump to conclusions without all the facts. lol

Hanging out

Check out those basketball shoes! I think she would wear them with every outfit if we would let her.

I took Lily to ball practice last night. She did such a great job, and actually could move up a team if not for her age. Last year she was too little, but this year she is looking like a lady vol! I am so proud of her. Her practice wasn't until 6:30 so we went to Tim's to play for a little while. She loves Tim's new apartment, and especially his water bed. She was perfectly content to sit and watch tv until practice. You can see from the pictures that whatever she was watching was pretty interesting. lol

Dashing through the snow

Don't miss the Christmas parade this weekend. It starts at 6 p.m. Look for First Volunteer's float!

Reflections

I can't believe its already December 1st! This year has flown by and while I haven't enjoyed every single moment........I have had some really great ones. The year started off pretty rocky, and I wasn't sure if I would make it through month one. I did though and the next one and the next one, then things started to get back on track. By April things were looking up and Relay for Life was right around the corner. May came and went with very little drama. June brought my birthday and warm weather! July supplied a week's vacation with much needed rest. Celebration was in order for August as Tim and I had our 3 year anniversary. Cassie and Josh had a fairy tale wedding in September! October was fairly mellow, and November sped by. Now we are to December. I don't know what this month will bring, but I hope its nothing but great things. We should enjoy each day like its our last. I may be 24 days early, but from my family to yours HAPPY HOLIDAYS!