I gotta new attitude....

disclaimer - I'm going all long winded on ya. I guess I need to use the blog as another therapy session. Just wanted to warn ya.

Ok so I'm working on one anyway. New attitude, that is. I can feel it in there somewhere. Maybe it won't burst out of me until spring or something but I think I need it. There's been so much on my mind lately and I've sort of avoided the blog to some degree b/c I didn't know where or what to post. Last weekend was really hard. Alex and I had to say goodbye to a friend, Brad, and watch another friend, Karen, mourn her husband. It was tough being back in that kind of environment and way too soon. We did get to see an amazing amount of our friends from Tuscaloosa times and our Auburn days. Although we were there for a heartbreaking event, it was strangely comforting and emotionally exhausting. We saw people we haven't seen or talked to in close to 10 years. One of the positives is that we have reconnected with some old friends and we all made a promise to stay in touch. Our preacher from our time at University Church of Christ did part of the service and our Auburn college minister, Jim Brinkerhoff, did the remainder. It was an amazing service and definitely a celebration of his life. As I sat and listened to Jim speak and looked around at all the people from our past in the audience it was a surreal event for me. One moment it was like we were back in school listening to a devotional on Tuesday night and the next moment I was teared up and the next I was laughing. I can say that Karen's strength through it all was most encouraging and empowering. I can feel the pain welling up right now from my own loss but I guess I write all of this to say that one can't let the negative outweigh the positive. If so, then Satan wins. I have bad days of coarse, we all do but I have these moments that pass over me wanting to dance, play and let go. So, I do. I want to. I will and I plan to. Life is too short as I've come to realize more and more as the days go by.

I've heard many depressing and sad things this week in addition to the ones mentioned above, and there are a LOT of prayers needed at this very moment but I'm ready for good news. I want to feel good. I want to laugh. I need to. And you do too. It's a scary time we are living in and the future could be even scarier but I refuse to give in and let life take over my spirit and outlook. I have 3 little angel faced girls who watch my every move (believe me EVERY move) and they are learning about their world through my actions. I want them to appreciate life and the joys it brings. There are always times in life to be serious and concerned but over all I'm a positive person. I want to live that way. I want you to know me and see that in me. God wants me to look inside more than I do and re-evaluate where I am. It's time to take over my attitude and grow in the process.

I've mentioned before that music touches me greatly and well, it does. For some its poetry or reading or singing. For me it's listening to powerful lyrics sung by amazing people that God has gifted with such talent. There is a song that gives me strength every time I hear it. I've posted some of the lyrics for you below. However, I've also found strength through others. Some are friends and some I do not know. I've found blogs that belong to people who have such amazing strength and faith. One of those is linked on my page, Bring the Rain. It's worth checking out but get your Kleenex if you start at the beginning. I hope maybe my ranting and ramblings might have touched you too. If not then maybe I gave you a little something to think about. I love you all and hopefully I'll get back to the norm and have some funny or cute pictures to post soon of my girlies.

"Even though the journey's long

And I know the road is hard

Well, the One who's gone before me

He will help me carry on

After all that I've been through

Now I realize the truth

That I must go through the valley

To stand upon the mountain of God"

Third Day

J-E-L-L-O

This weekend will not be a fun one for us. We will be going to Tuscaloosa for the services of Brad Carpenter. It will be hard. Harder than I probably think it will. Anyway, to lighten the mood I thought I would delight you with another edition of Maggisms.

The other day Mags got mad at me b/c I would not make Jello at 7:30 in the morning. I know, I know, how could I be such a bad mommy!?! But I don't know about you but Jello is not my food of choice in the morning. Anyway, later on that day I did make the Jello for my girls. Well once it was finally ready Alex got Maggie a big bowl of it. I was downstairs, probably messing with this blog, and Maggie apparently told her daddy that "This is the best Jello in the whole world. Mommy should sell this its so good!!" So there you have it. I might not be able to make homemade pizza but I can knock out some Tropical Punch Jello!

PS-I love my girls all the same so I didn't want you to think I only post about Maggie but right now she is just the funniest!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Prayer Request

More sadness seems to have made it's way around here. Please put in your prayers the family of Brad Carpenter. Brad passed away last night from some kind of cardiac arrest or blood clot.

We went to Auburn with Brad and Karen (Caples) Carpenter and attended the Auburn Christian Student Center together. Also they ended up in Tuscaloosa while we were there and we attended church together. Brad was very close to our age and he and Karen have two precious little boys. This was (like my dad) totally unexpected and sudden. Some of you may know Brad and Karen and some of you may not but do know that his family is hurting tremendously right now. No one wants to lose anyone they love but it's especially so hard to explain and understand when some one has to leave us so suddenly and so young. Brad always seemed happy and always smiled, again like my dad. As I'm sure you might have figured out this has affected me greatly and has made those painful feelings from my dad's death more raw again. My heart aches for Karen. I know that pain and it's like the worst nightmare you can imagine but only while you are awake.

I have to say too, I can't tell you how many of our AU family I have talked to, heard from, gotten emails from about this. It's a family that only the lucky get to experience. We rally that's for sure.

Agian, please pray that Christ comforts her as much as possible!

Good Advice

Christmas Highlights

Here are just a few highlights from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

My dad made this doll house for me when I was little and so in honor of him we passed it down to my girls (with some needed updates)!!

My wish and hope for you all is to have a wonderful New Year's.

Please be safe whatever you do!

Here's to a new and better year for us all!! Love you guys!

CSI - Christmas Party

Our office Christmas party was at the Summit Club in Downtown B'ham this year. I just thought I'd post a few pictures from the night. It's not everyday, well not really ever, that we get all dressed up so I thought I might put on record that Al and I do clean up pretty well when need be.

Here I am with the lunch crew. From l-r: Linsey, Me, Candace, and Andrea. We had a nice night of good food and Dirty Santa. I ended up with a Care Bears movie!! At least the girls can enjoy it.

GNO - Girls Night Out

Well ok we didn't go out but we had fun. After Granny's that same evening we had a Girls Night at my house. No boys were allowed. I'm pretty sure none really cared to be there either. Kim Lawson actually planned it but when her mom got ill she didn't feel like she could make it. (Her mom is getting out of the hospital tomorrow so Yippee for them!!) Anyway, Rachel came and brought her girlies, Emily and Bailey. We also invited my neighbor Wendi b/c well she is surrounded by boys most of the time so we thought some girl time would be good for her. It was a great time to just relax, play, bake, talk, giggle, and just be girls. I really needed it and maybe I'll make it a quarterly thing. Sound good to you girls???

Here the girlies are playing with play dough in their jammies.

Baking and decorating sugar cookies. Ms. Wendi helping out with the sticky icing!

Making People Puppy Chow. Yeah, sounds funky but it's really good and made with chocolate and peanut butter. You actually shake it all together in a garbage bag. Yep, a real, true garbage bag, well a new one that is. The girls thought that was funny and enjoyed helping.
If ya want the recipe let me know. I'll have to get it from Rach.

Christmas at Granny's

Every year my Mom's family gets together at my Granny's house for a Christmas get together. There are a ton of us. And when I say that I mean it. There are at least 15 great grandchildren at this point and one on the way (NOT MINE)!! My Granny is the best. She is over 80 and gets around just fine. We always eat, a lot, and the kidos get to open presents. It was really nice to be with my family. Again, one person was missing and that was hard but being with family is comforting all the same!!

My Granny, Me and Mags!

Daddy and one of his little elves.

The girls waiting to open presents.

Aunt Charlotte (Red Charlie) brought silly string. Here the kids are loving it and spraying it on everything and everyone that got in their path!

Here's little Lawson man, my cousin Courtney's little boy. He's so cute and I thought this was a great pic of him.

Here is Red Charlie making jingle bell necklaces with the girls. Everyone got one and somehow we ended up with all the extras at our house. The girls loved playing with them and it kept them busy!! Thanks Aunt Charlotte for loving on my girls!

Here are the twins opening their gifts.

CP and Abby Claire going strong tearing into their loot.

And one more sweet hug full of Holiday Cheer.

More to come soon from our Christmas celebrations.

Merry Christmas!

From our House (along with our adorable neighbors) to Yours,

Merry Christmas to You!!

Christmas Parading 2008

As most of you know, PawPaw has a Train he gets out every Holiday Season for the Parade circuit. It's not up to the Macy's Day Parade level yet but watch out because the Hicks Family Express is on it's way. This year me and Al didn't actually get to ride b/c we had my office Christmas party to attend but Aunt Wendy and Meme did an excellent job corralling my girlies in their Parade expedition. Below are picture from the Adamsville parade and guess what?? PawPaw's train won 1st prize!! Yay!!

Aunt Wen and Gracie tryin to stay warm.

Meme and Mags. Maggie refused to wear her coat. Hmmm... imagine that, Maggie being stubborn about her clothing!!
Clara Paige and Mags. Love that Santa hat!!

Gracie in her Barbie toboggan. Thanks Wendy for making sure my babies were warm.

My CP gettin either in or out of the train. Wish I had a picture to post of the whole thing. It's really pretty at night with all the lights turned on. I'll work on that for next year. Well, hope you are all done with your shopping and can relax and enjoy your holiday. Be safe and warm and be with the ones you love. I will be!!

Christmas Cards!!!!!

Welcome to the 2008 edition of the Hicks Family Christmas Card Out-takes.

It's always been an adventure getting Christmas card pictures of all 3 of my girlies every year since the twins have been born. The first year we bribed CP with a sucker, the next year I don't remember, one year we went to Aldridge gardens but it was exhausting and last year was about as bad. It's like some kind of self abuse me and my mom put our selves through every year so we can spread our lovely girlies to our loved ones. Well this year mom decided to go it alone before I got home from work one day. God bless her. I will admit neither of us proclaim to be camera experts but we do what we can. We do always end up with some cute shots though. Anyway, here are a few of the shots that ended up on the cutting room floor. Enjoy!

The cage or jail scene! Cute inmates though.

The open mouth to check Maggie's tonsils shot!

The mischievous look shot! I think it's Maggie. Remember I wasn't there for the shoot.

The I'm posing for a magazine, I'm the cutie pie and the weird mouth shot! You gotta love it. I know some of you out there feel my pain. Don't deny it!!