Ugh. I am so dang tired today and am about to head off to bed (yes, it's only 8PM but Jackson had night terrors last night so, late night!) but wanted to post a few things before I turn in. Kendal and I are so blessed to have a wonderful group of friends here in Arkadelphia. From the very first days we began setting up our home here, we met people who have become some of our dearest friends. It's amazing to share the day-to-day family-moments and I'm-covered-with-a-kid's-snot (and worse)-moments and anxious-moments and God-moments and laugh-until-you-cry moments with these friends. It feels like they are some of our first "grown-up" friends as I edge ever closer to the big 3-1 (Kendal's already hit it, haha).

Right now, Kendal is with a group of our guy friends at their monthly "Theology on Tap" gathering where they discuss God over brew. Sounds crazy, but it's pretty deep. Tomorrow, the girls and I have our bi-weekly Bible study and I can't wait to spend some time in discussion and prayer with them. We've also been so lucky to have several new women join our group lately and it's been so much fun learning about their lives.

From Fall 08

Front: Mary Elizabeth, Amanda, Laura, Meghan
Back: Me, Leslie, Michelle, Karen
@ Amanda's "Baby's On the Way!" Celebration Dinner

It's also been such a blessing to have Kendal's parents (and whole family!) just two hours away. We realize this more and more as the kids are growing. Nana and Papa have been a HUGE help when we've needed help with the kids and an overall sanity check :) Nana came up last weekend to help watch the kids and even helped put up the tree! Carlisle and Jackson Camper only knocked it down twice before Kendal got smart and tacked it to the wall with fishing wire... It's secure now! (NOTE: Kendal corrected me this morning and said it was actually "tree-putter-upper-error" on my end and NOT the kids who knocked the tree down twice. J&C - sorry for calling you out :)



On Sunday, the kids participated in the annual Christmon Tree celebration during church. All of the kids in the church line up and bring special ornaments (or "christmons") to the front of the church. Of course, I was worried about how the twins would do. Carlisle was amazing - our babysitter and literal Godsend Meaghan walked Carli down and she walked down slowly, stopping at each row to check out the folks in the pew. Such a lady! Jackson Camper... not really his thing. He and I paced the church lobby before he "went on" to run out some of his energy, but no such luck. I carried him down and he squirmed the whole way, but we made it! Below are some photos I took of the kids before church started. Their bestest buddy and "third twin" Will is in the photos - we are in so much trouble with these crazy (and cute!) three! If you can't see the twins outfits, we managed to find matching nativity outfits for them - many thanks to eBay and a persistent GanGan for finding these perfect togs! It's not easy finding something with the nativity on it... at Christmas... seriously!

From Collages

We also got to enjoy some early Christmas presents! My parents and sis are coming up for Christmas this year (we can't wait 'til they get here!!) and - to tide us over - GanGan and Big Daddy (my parents) sent us a big box of Christmas goodies: crafts, kids books and a beautiful mantle decoration. We wondered how long it would take the kids to find the box of peanuts...

From Fall 08

From Fall 08

From Fall 08