Amy and Ryan Christmas in Pictures

Amy and Ryan came to visit shortly after christmas. She took some adorable pictures and I stole them from Facebook to post on the blog! I sure hope this is okay with Amy! Here are pictures of their Christmas here. The rest of the families christmas will be posted today!! yay!

 ADORABLE. Isn't this precious??

Boyfriend and Girlfriend

This relationship is finally taking hold! Adorable Colin is probably 9 months or so older than London. He comes from a precious family. Powers and I love his mom and dad, so naturally, we arranged London and Colin's marriage immediately following London's birth. HOWEVER, we went through a spell where Colin was not so fired up about London. London was curious in him, but he did not like her stealing his toys. HOWEVER again, since Colin's return from California (where he lived for a few months) things are looking up! We have had a number of dates, they have seen each other at church a few times, and London talks about Colin ALL THE TIME! Anytime London sees a picture of a little boy, she calls him Colin. When we go to church she asks, 'Where's Colin'? All good signs, right??

Here are the cute couple playing a few weeks ago! They are darling together, right?

Buying time...

This was my first year to experience the end of year at  my job as office manager. I'll just say this. I finished all my 2011 calendar items Friday, then came to the office with 40 emails that have to be done today... so, I'm slowly, SLOWLY making progress on my Christmas 2011 posts! We took ALOT of pictures! The goal is to have it up by Wednesday. Sorry for the delay, but sometimes I just have to prioritize the fact that I don't draw a paycheck from the blog and have to push it to the back burner at times. Would change that in a heartbeat if I could!!

So to buy time here is... some stuff.
1. Caden went to a monster truck rally with his dad. I'm positive it was THE highlight of his life to date. He didn't say much to me about it when they came over to visit, but he did use London's shopping cart toy as a Monster Truck and ramped everything he saw while doing super loud 'VROOOOOOOOM' sounds! Barry said the only hiccup was that Caden was worried the fire breathing truck that came and destroyed all the other trucks at the end of the show was going to come into the stands and get them. Oh, my heart. I love that little boy!

2. What I tell London all the time: "I love you so much!'
Her response: "I love you too much!"
Me too, baby girl. Me too.

3. I was blow drying my hair yesterday and London came into the bathroom and said "mommy drow blying hair.' Yup! Sure am!

4. London's adorable. Here's proof. Her school picture from earlier this year. I didn't share it on ye ole family blog because I gave copies of this for christmas presents, but now, I can share!! Isn't she a doll? I know, I KNOW!! So cute.

5. My little brainiac: (is it a sin to brag relentlessly about your kids? If so, Ill ask for forgiveness as soon as I click 'publish'.) We can say our ABC's, count to 10, know all of our colors, and can sing around 10 songs from beginning to end! Still my favorite being 'Oh Praise Him' in which she closes her eyes really tight and shakes her head back and forth whilst singing! :) So, with her ability to memorize things quickly, Im going to try to start teaching her scripture. What better way to hide God's word in your heart?! I'm excited about this little adventure!

Okay, lots more coming soon...

I promised this a few posts ago... Here is proof that Elizabeth and Caden can both write their names! Yay! Great Job kido's!! So proud of you!!

 I love everything about this one!

 London and Daddy at their school Christmas party! She had a blast and it was awesome having dad there with us!

{Video} Lizzy reciting the Pledge of Allegiance sans the 'now a moment of silence' command! :)


{Video} Twinkle Twinkle Little Star


Next post, CHRIMATIME!!!! Woo hoo! So excited!

Can't stop watching this video

I can not stop watching this video! I think it is so funny! If you are an email subscriber, you're gonna have to visit the actual blog to see it! And do!! It's worth it!!

oh, if an ad pops up on the video, click the 'x' in the corner to close it.

Why I spent my 30's in tears

Yesterday was my 30th birthday. I cried all day.

Not because it was horrible. Because it was perfect.

Because my home is filled with so much love.

Because my mother cares enough to go out of her way to make sure my life, all of it,  is unforgettable.

Because of God's goodness and enormous amount of grace he freely gave to me.

Tears of joy came all day long. The surprise phone calls, messages, and emails literally stopped me in my tracks.

I woke to a precious card and gift from my main squeeze.

My baby, who always wakes up singing, flipped right over when I woke her up and started singing 'Happy birthday to you'. That was a total God thing.

Lunch with my incredible brother and his family. God thank you for my big brother.

My dad, with his gruff exterior, called and sang 'Happy Birthday' to my voicemail. It is one of the most wonderful thing my ears have ever heard. I love him so much.

My mother reminded around 100 of our closest friends and family that yesterday was my 30th birthday. I heard from all of them I believe.

A call from a friend who's voice was immediately recognizable.

Connections from friends I haven't heard from in years.

A phone call from India.

A email from our pastor.

A happy birthday wish from this guy:

It was amazing. I can't wait for my 30's. Yesterday was bar none one of the best days of my life. Thank you to all who contributed and made my day perfect. I will never forget my 30th bday. 

With all of my heart... that is filled to the brim..... I love you. 

Twitter Fun

A sweet, sweet friend babysat London for me this morning so I could go on a training run. While I was gone, she tweeted this:
There is something that feels so appropriate about feeding the new police officer's daughter donuts for breakfast

Hilarious!

Officer Powers Lane

I couldn't be more proud of my man! This past Friday, Powers graduated from Police Academy. It was long, it was hard... he was maced, he was tazed, he was gassed, but he persevered and made it through! And, he came out on top! Powers graduated 4th in his class! I must admit, there has been a lot of eye rolling on my part over the last 6 months... mostly for my annoyance that they had to buy so much gear to actually become a police office (note to anyone who's hubbs is thinking of signing up... SAVE UP!) but when I saw my man walk across the stage, I couldn't have been more proud! HE DID IT!!

And, he came with a wolf pack of support! His supporters: His folks, Renny, my mom, brother, and sis-n-law, Timmy (one of the world's greatest), the Lane's best friend Gail (all the way from Jxn), annnnnd hailing from ARIZONA..... LIZ!!! Family best friend and 2nd mom to Powers. She came all the way across country to be there for him! He is loved!

Here is a video of the ceremony. This is his graduating class entering, saying their class moto, then taking their vow of service.



Here are pictures from our day! Out of order because this thing never works how I want it to!

Police Chief AC Roper

Receiving his badge

 My man is FINE. 

 Powers and Liz

 Half of his ladies!

 Getting pinned by his Dad!

 Most of the entourage 

Home from his 1st day of work!

Well, were 4 days in and he's given out a number of traffic violations, arrested a few folks for domestic violence, found drugs, and been on the scene of a death (natural death, praise the Lord). So, pray for us. This sure got real really quickly! 

We're proud of you my mind! Thank you for enduring all that you went through for our family! We love you so!

Writer's Block- Santa Pictures Edition

So, Santa came to London's school. If you read this blog at all, you know London is psyched about Santa this year. Loves him so much. So, i was hoping for great things from her Santa pictures. I was hoping for either (a) grinning like a monkey.. that applies to any picture ever, not just santa pics or (b) screaming mad... because what picture of a kid wigging out in Santa's lap isn't funny?!?

Well, I guess in true London fashion, we got this:

Stoic and holding a naked baby doll. What am I supposed to do with this?? I have writer's block. Merry Christmas, from my most unmerry baby girl!

All kinds of adorable

- Lizzy has learned the pledge of allegiance. Somehow, she memorized 'and now a moment of silence' that she tacks onto the end of it, so you get this very precious recital of the pledge of allegiance from her, then a very serious, 'and now a moment of silence' at the end! Hilarious!
- London woke up this morning singing 'Tennis Balls, Tennis Balls'... it took me a few minutes, then I realized she was singing 'Jingle Bells'. :)
- One of London's favorite things is when I push my cheeks together to make a fat face and say the 'Hey, My name is Chubby'' gig. She will walk up to us, push our cheeks together and say 'Chummy, chummy!'
- Lizzy and Caden can both write their full names! Proof to come!
- All of this:

Check out those chubby legs! Eat them up!

-annnnnnd this: