Hope everyone had a terrific Christmas. Thanks to all of my family who traveled to come and spend this time with us. It was great seeing all of the kids together!

Merry Christmas!

Dear Friends and Family,

Well another year has almost come and gone. For the Williamson Family it has been a pretty good year. We of course, like many other hard working Americans have felt the hurt of the economy. Nevertheless, we are blessed beyond measure. Blessed to live in this wonderful country that is "free" to me, but definately bought with a price by many others. I hope all of our men and woman serving our country have a blessed christmas. I can't imagine being away from my family and children during this time. I am also blessed with the gift of salvation. Something that was also "free" to me, but bought with a heavy price! I thank God he sent His only Son to die for my sins, past, present and future. I hope everyone takes the time this week to step away from the "commercialized christmas" we have around us and truly take hold on what a miracle this season really is. Jesus truly is the reason for the season! Happy Birthday Jesus! May all of our friends and family have a wonderful Christmas. We love you all!!

The Williamson Family

Christmas Decorations and Party

Here is the tree. Since this picture I have added brown glass balls, glitter brown snowflakes and blue glass balls, all gifts from my sweet friend, Valerie! So all the "bare" spots are beautifully filled in now!

Here is one of the many ornaments I made for the tree this year. It was done it brown, blue, amber and gold!

This was the beverage jar Valerie let me borrow, I filled it with sweet tea, it was beautiful!


The table with all of the fabulous food!

Here are a few pics from the Christmas party I hosted at my house for the ladies of my church. We had so much fun and the food was incredible. The house really looked pretty and everyone looked fabulous in their UGLY christmas sweaters(which was the theme of the party). It is really cold here and I am really getting excited to have my family come for the week of Christmas. On a somber note, my pastor's wife, Mrs. Valerie, is going to be having surgery on Tuesday to remove the 2 masses in her colon. Please remember to pray for her and her family! God is still in control!

It Snowed!

December 1,2008....the first signs of snow. Tyler and Emma were so excited when they heard me holler, it's snowing. It was really coming down, but the wind was blowing so hard, nothing stuck. It went as fast as it came! It lasted a good 10-12 minutes. Nothing to brag, I know, but sure does put you in the holiday spirit!! Hope everyone has a great day today! Be Blessed!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Well, I have started decorating....a little! Here is a picture of my mantle. I got this idea from this great blog, The Happy Homebody, all of her stuff is so adorable. I am trying to use what I already have, but change it up a bit!

Thank you all who offered up your prayers for my pastor's wife. Good news, it is not cancer! Praise the Lord! Yet, still she is very sick and the Dr.'s aren't sure what to diagnose her with, therefore, can't treat her yet. She goes in for her 3rd colonoscopy(spelling) Wed. Keep her in your prayers still please, we need her back and healthy! She is a vital part of our church and a vital part to our church ladies.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Safe traveling and to my friend Caroline....go into labor!

Things I am thankful for:
1: My Salvation
2: My husband
3: My children
4: My family and friends
5: My church
6: My country and all of the men and women fighting for me.
7: My home and every need being met

This could be a very long post, so I think I will stop there...you get the point.....I am very thankful!!

Please Pray!

I have a very special prayer reguest I would like to mention. I would like for you all to pray for my pastor's wife, my sister-in-Christ, my dear friend Valerie. She is very sick and spent last week in the hospital. She gets some tests results in on Monday. Please pray that the Lord heal her body and that she is rid of pain. I would greatly appreciate you lifting up her name to the Lord. Thanks....

Well, I finally did it! I painted our family room. For those of you who haven't seen it, I have a huge family room that was....let's see....outdated(to say the least). I love the chocolate brown and basically any color that goes with it, so I decided to go with the brown and blue. It turned out really well. It is different, but totally transforms the room. Hopefully by Christmas, I will have it completed. I want to do one wall in Black and White pictures of all of my family and put some kind of family saying to go with it. Our brown leather sectional goes well. I still have to recover the cushion in the window seat and add some pillows.....so what do you think? Is it too much?

God is so good! God is so good to me! Does anyone know that little praise hymn? I am sure many of you do. How simple the words, but how profound the statement. I have had A LOT on my mind lately and have felt consumed, overwhelmed and at times even attacked by satan himself. No matter the heartache, the concern, the trial, or the valley.....there is always a healing, a redemption, a mountaintop. I have learned so many things over the years and I have come to know one truth that has remained constant in my life.....God is ALWAYS there, He always protects, provides and answers prayers, sometimes in a different form then we would expect or even like! Nevertheless...HE IS, HE WAS, and HE ALWAYS WILL BE!! Just wanted to give praise today for all the things the Lord allows in my life...good or bad!

Train up a child in the way he should go.....

Little Miss Independent!!! Emma is at that stage where SHE wants to do everything. She doesn't want help. She wants to pick out her own clothes, and I am usually pretty flexible on this if we are not going out in public. Yesterday, it was white panty hose with black scottie dogs up the side, pink shorts and a striped shirt that didn't match. Pair that up with purple plastic high heels and you have got Emma Williamson down to a tee! Well, like every morning, Emma went to pick out her clothes. I always know what she is up to when I am at the table with Tyler and she walks through to go to her room, naked! I quickly grabbed my handy -dandy camera and caught the poor girl "IRONING" her own clothes! Ain't it pitiful, I make my almost 3 year old earn her keep! Just Kidding! Her clothes actually match today and she did a great job getting all of the wrinkles out, there is only ONE problem......her panties are on inside out and her shirt is on backwards, but she is insisting to "leave it that way." THAT'S MY GIRL!!

My mess!

I knew the house was too quiet. I was finishing up school with Tyler, Emma had been playing in her room, when I realized how silent the house was. Silence in a home with children is never a good thing....you moms know what I am talking about! I snuck around the corner to see what Emma was doing. I couldn't beleive it, well, yes I could! She had pulled out EVERY article of clothing that she owns. She was playing dress-up. We tend to go through about 5-6 outfit changes a day and not b/c she is dirty......just because! I quickly went and grabbed my camera and caught her in action. Pretty funny, but what a mess to clean up!

I love you mommy!

The sweetest words a person can ever hear. Thank the Lord He has given me two beautiful children. I don't take for granted that I have such a special gifts. Yesterday, Emma and I were outside enjoying the beautiful fall weather. We were in our back yard swinging. All of a sudden Emma jumps off the swing and runs through the yard. I must admit, I couldn't hardly see her through the jungle we call our back yard. JK! Then she turns to me and has the biggest smile on her face and runs as fast as she can with a flower in her hand(I just happened to have my camera with me). She gets to me and she says in the sweetest voice ever.....i luv you mommy! I began to cry. I was overwhelmed at the fact that there is nothing in this world that I have done to deserve hearing those sweet little words. Both of my children are affectionate and now Emma does sweet things on her own. She asks me often, you good today mommy? Oh yes, baby...I am good!!

Photo Shoot with my kids!

I finally hog tied my kiddos down for a photo shoot....Emma was not interested in this. She is almost 3, she doesn't have time to take pictures. I really wanted to do something with natural light, so I posed Emma in front of the window and Tyler in front of the glass door. It is amazing to see how much the children are changing. Emma is loosing that toddler look and Tyler is transitioning into pre-teen hood too quickly! Just wanted to share a couple of pics!

Yesterday, I taught my first photography class for kids. It went really well. I have some very talented kids who really have an eye for it. It was exciting to see. This week, I have 4th grade to one or two 9th graders. Next week, I have almost all highschoolers. I love working with people, I have to admit, I was really nervous about it. You never know how kids are going to be these days. I think I am working with the cream of the crop. Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know how it was going. Last night, we went to Watkinsville to hear Dr. Jack Schaap. This was the 2nd time I had heard him(in person)....incredible! He spoke about humility. He speaks on things that are so relevant. We are going back tonight to hear him again. God is so good and I thank Him for placing my family exactly where He wants us. Hope everyone has a fantastic day!

What can you do with......

In the year 2008, what can you do with $4.40? Let's see..........

Buy 1....uno....one....gallon of gas. On Tuesday, I paid $3.27 for a gallon of gas. Today, Friday, as of 6:30pm, gas has gone up to $4.35 per gallon. Can you believe that? I don't understand how we are(as Americans) are going to make it. Who can continue to pay for gas and go to work? I am so frustrated!

What else can over $4.00 buy...let's see....one gallon of milk!

Okay, enough for now, I will let you know if it goes up anymore.

Our 2 year check up @ almost 3!!

Today, I finally took Emma to the doctor today for her "2nd" year checkup. Keep in mind, she is almost 3! My children have been so blessed not to have been sick this last year. I am usually so good about keeping up with the kids' checkups, shots and whatnot! I have to admit, I was torn between doing her shots and not doing them. I have heard so much controversy about vaccinations. I didn't know which way to turn. I kept wondering if I was doing something morally wrong if I gave her shots. Well, finally, after much prayer and research and some encouragement from my sister in law, Sarah, Brad and I decided to continue with her vaccinations. Today they wanted to do 5, but I asked them to only do 2 and they were super sweet about it and we discussed it and Sarah(who went with me) helped me to decide which ones to give her now. She cried the worst when I had to get her undressed. So, 2 shots and a finger prick later, we are good. She weighs 27 lbs. and is 36 inches long(tall). She has not had any fever, just complaining about her legs being sore. She was much braver than I was, I had to leave the room and let Aunt Sarah hold her down. Thanks Sarah for going with us!!! Stick around, in about 4 months, I may need you again!! Lots of love to everyone and have a terrific night!

School Days, School Days, these are golden rule days....

Well, we have officially started school. YIPPEE!!! Who said fourth grade isn't hard? I know one thing, there is a lot of writing to do. Tyler complains about his hand hurting. Seriously though, I do not take for granted one moment the freedom to be able to homeschool my children. I know one day that may all change, so for now, we are studying away. Hope everyone has a blessed day!

Wow, I can't believe this year is flying by so fast. I just wanted give everyone an update on our lives lately. It seems we stay so totally busy and so consumed, I will be glad to be able to breath again. I have 2 photography classes coming up that I will be teaching. I am super excited about it. I am hoping this will open up some doors for me. I have this burning desire inside of me to pursue photography full time like with a studio and all, but know that it is not the Lord's will right now and I am perfectly fine with that. I have a much a much higher calling right now as a mother and wife. I am also going to be teaching a class for the yearbook staff at a private school. Tyler starts school on the 2nd of Sept. I think we are ready to get back into the swing of things. All of his curriculum has come in, so there is nothing stopping us now! I think people have a misconception about stay at home moms that homeschool.........it is WORK!!!! It is not like we sit around all day eating bon-bons watching TV. It takes a lot of time and dedication. It is just as much dedication for me as it is Tyler. Tyler is becoming quite the young man. I can't believe he is almost 10 years old. He is smart and funny and just an all around good kid. I pray the Lord keeps him safe and puts an hedge about him! OKAY.....here is the BIG announcement ..... drumroll please.......EMMA is potty trained......YEAH!!! We are officially on our 3rd week in panties. I know what your thinking she's old enough to be potty trained, what 's the big deal? The big deal is, she is my last baby and it was hard for me to let go! My last baby that will be 3 in November. Hard to believe. She is smart and cute as a button and so, so funny. She has this personality that infects everyone around her. She loves to sing( I like to think she gets that from me). She absolutely adores her brother, her TyTy. She is a little pistol. This morning she woke up at 5am and I put her in the bed with us..I was not ready to get up. She was in the most loving mood. She rolled over and very sweetly said,"I love you daddy." It was so unbelievably sweet. I think Brad got a little choked up. I mean she says that a lot, but this moment was like no other!! Thank God for my children who are healthy. I do not take for granted one day that I have healthy children. God you are so good!! Brad and I are well. Like I said we stay so busy, but are loving our lives!!! Just wanted to update everyone. Love you all and miss you dearly!!

Too BIG for her britches!!

She is too much. Emma is such an entertainer and comedian. Tyler was my shy, softspoken child, Emma is COMPLETELY opposite. She now "poses" for pictures and she is always putting her hands on her hips. She will put her hands on her hips and punch one side of them out and give you this look like in this picture. She is sassy and so girly. I love it now, but wondering if she will give me trouble later. Her new word is beauty. She says, I like your necklace, it is so beauty. All of my friends, she asks,"Is that your daddy?" And she is referring to their husbands. She is really so cute. She cracks Tyler up all of the time. When she is mad at him, she calls him Tyler but usually she so sweetly calls him TyTy. She loves clothes, shoes and jewelry. What is she going to be like as a teenager? We are potty training right now.....i know she should've been trained a L O N G time ago, but I just haven't. She is my last and I want to keep her a baby forever, but I can save $40.00 a month on diapers!! Anyway, enough bragging about my priss-pot.

I so love my children. What a gift from GOD! I am so thankful for healthy, happy kiddos!

What a great time we had vacationing with the family!! We stayed at a camp ground in Milton, Fl. My parents had their camper and we stayed in a cabin. The weather was beautiful and we had such a fun time. Brad, Kevin, Sarah and Maren were not able to go with us. Maybe we can all get together next year. I did get to spend time with my brother Scott and his family. This was my first time getting to see Maggie. They live in Mississippi so I we don't see them often. Maggie is so precious and I got to spend a little one on one time with her and it really meant a lot to me. Jack is such a cutie pie. I so much enjoyed getting to spend time with all of them, oh how I miss them. Well, I miss my parents so much too, it was so nice spending a week with them. I wish I could share all of the pictures with you, but there were almost 400!! Here are a few!!

July 4th vacation!!

SURF'S UP!!!

The kids, except for our Maren who didn't get to vacation with us : (

Tyler trying to help teach his cousin Jack how to ride a bike with no training wheels, it was a really sweet moment!

Me and my sweet baby niece, Maggie Laine Piland

Emma, Tyler, Scott, Jack and PawPaw standing in front of a coast guard helicopter at the Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida

Uncle Scott(my brother) reliving his dream!

Tyler trying to catch fish!!

mom and the kids in the ocean

Panama Jack

Beach Project!

Well, we went to the Panama City beach with Brad's mom. I would like to say we had a blast, but unfortunately, we did not. I ended up getting sick with a stomach thing and spent Thursday and Friday, well.....sick!! Brad really did a good job taking care of the kids and letting them have a good time. I think I spent maybe a total of 3 hours on the beach, I know...terrible, isn't it? Drive all that way. Anyway, we have another beach trip planned to Pensacola next Monday with all of my family!! Let's hope no one gets sick or anything else. So here are the pictures from the beach!! The weather was so perfect. The kids did really well traveling!!

Momma said there'd be days like this, my momma said!

Well, this weekend has been........expensive!!! I have been so clumsy and just stupid!! Sunday, we our dear friends, the Capes, over and dinner started out wonderfully. I over cooked the rice and I didn't cook enough, so I made more. I put too much water in it and it had to be drained. Then, Margaret went to put my pampered chef roaster in the sink and poured soap in it.......which you don't do, it will ruin it, then I went to blow the candles out that were in the center of my new table,I couldn't reach them, so I went to pick them up and spilt the HOT wax all over my arm, my BRAND NEW shirt and my favorite skirt. I mean all down the front!!! Then on Monday, I went to mow the grass and the mower cut out on me about half way into the front, so my ever so nice neighbor came over and offered for me to finish with his mower. ( A big John Deere, really nice) I was just a mowing when I came to Tyler's baseball thingy. It is a 4x4 beam that stands vertical and has a ball you hit and practice. Well, I hit it!!! Busted the hood of the lawnmower and now have to replace it this week. Brad was aggravated at first and said, Did you not see it right there in the middle of the yard?" That's my point....what is it doing in the middle of the yard.....JUST KIDDING, I am totally at fault, but Brad is being really sweet about it, he went and talked to our neighbor for me and is going to pay for my mistake. Anyway, just wanted to share my weekend. How was yours???

Memorial Day!!

We spent Memorial day with our dear friends, Joel and Margaret and their 3 kids. They invited us to their family getaway/reunion at Amicolola Falls. We had such a great time, the weather was absolutley beautiful. We got there about 11 am and left about 7pm and then came to our house and played Dutch Blitz ( the best game ever) until about midnight! The kids played on the playground and Tyler and his friend Joel tried to see who could jump out off the swing the highest. What a fun day we spent together!!

At home!!

Here are a couple of pictures my mom just sent me from our visit home to Bainbridge. I can't believe how quickly my children are growing. It is so hard to believe Tyler will be 10 and Emma 3. God has really blessed my life inspite of me and all of my failures. The older I get the more I learn about myself, my strengths and weaknesses! If today were my last day on earth, I would die a very happy woman. "Life is not measured by days, but by moments.....cherish every precious moment you have."

Photo Shoot!!

I had a photo shoot the other day and I just wanted to share a few images. Nicole is such a beautiful girl and so natural in front of the camera! I had a blast with her and we turned it into a full day. I took over 200 pictures, and she looked amazing. I do love to take pictures. Sometimes, I really lose all confidence in myself and my ability to take pictures. I guess because I don't have a lot of equipment or time and money to invest in it, I loose sight of what I really love to do! One day, when my kids are grown, I can truly pursue my desire. Right now, though, I am enjoying being a mom and wife. I do cherish every opportunity to be able to take pictures and to create memories for people that they can cherish forever.

Scroll down to see a couple more pictures!

A trip to Cenntenial Park!

Yesterday, I had a photo shoot in downtown Atlanta, so we loaded up everyone and my sister in law watched the kids for me @ Centennial Park. I didn't know they would get in the water, but they did and they had a blast. They didn't want to leave. It was my first time there and I want to go back. We had lunch at the CNN center. It was a really nice day!!! There is so much here right under my nose, I really need to start taking advantage of all of the beauty that surrounds us!

Back home in Bainbridge

The kids and I went home for the week and enjoyed spending time with family. I still didn't have enough time to see everyone I wanted to see. We spent some time with "The Greats", Brad's grandparents, it is always good to see them. Just wanted to put up a few pictures from our trip.