this weekend

Stevie and I spent the weekend in Suwanee visiting the family......primarily to see Jack play baseball. We had a great visit with stops at a wonderful yogurt joint called Yogli Mogli....if you have one near by, check it out! We went twice in two days!! The peach is DEE-VINE!

We also browsed the shops at Discover Mills while the boys went to a birthday party. All-in-all, a relaxing and fun weekend which was great! I miss not getting to see them more often, but I guess that makes my time with them all the more special.

Today, we came home through Augusta and had lunch and did a little shopping with Shea before finally arriving at our "final destination" (that's GPS-ease for Cassatt) around 5:30.

While it was a nice to be away,  unfortunately Steve had hurt his knee and had to go to urgent care to have it seen about. So, I kinda felt torn about being away.....he was in good hands, though, Luke took great care of him.

I also really enjoyed my one-on-one time with Stevie. We don't get to do that often enough, and it won't be long before she will fly the coop.....and we all know that once she starts flying, she might not stop for awhile. So, I better enjoy her company while I can.


Hope your weekend was wonderful too! What'd you do?

the BEST ever

We had the BEST Thanksgiving I think we've ever had. It started on Wednesday when Shea got to come and visit and spend the day. We enjoyed having her, and then.....she was off.

We decided to forgo the big meal this year, and instead just lounged until we got ready to leave for Atlanta. On the way there, we found a Cracker Barrel and along with many other folks we had a good meal, good fellowship with each other, and then....we were off.

We arrived in Suwanee and immediately began to discuss our Black Friday plans which actually started that night at 12:01 except for Billy whose idea of shopping is.... I'll watch the kids at home thankyouverymuch! Which works because, really, who wants to listen to whining the whole time (and here I'm talking about Billy, not the boys!). We worked out a plan, and then.....we were off.

To Wal-Mart. My idea was...let's get there, get everything we want, check out at 12:01 and not go back for the entire weekend. Do you think that worked out? Of course not! We went back there two more times on Friday, and then when we got home on Sat.! LOL That place casts a spell on people, I think. We were back up at 7 on Friday and off at 8 to the Mall of Georgia. Whew....now that place was crowded. It was funny, though. Some stores you couldn't get into and some were practically empty. I wanted to go in Aeropostale, but you literally couldn't get IN. So, I went next door to AE and didn't hardly have to wait in line. They had a great sale, too!

We shopped a large portion of the day until it was time for the Alabama/Auburn game ~ Alabama, you let us down : ( 

After the game, we were off again! This time to the movies with just the adults. Billy and Tracy hadn't seen the new HP, and Steve and I saw Unstoppable which is based on a true story and was pretty good. (Even if it hadn't been good, looking at Chris Pine for two hours is bound to make a person smile!)

The next day, we had to leave earlier than we would've liked, but responsibility called. Honestly, this was a wonderful weekend topped off with Georgia beating Georgia Tech.  I hope to make this our NEW tradition.

band

You guys know that when it comes to posting pictures, and especially videos that blogger hates me. So, I will instead direct you here to hear Luke's band at the Homecoming game--which wasn't much of a game, but the band was good!

our life

Our life has been super busy and complicated lately. Between my work schedule, Stevie's school schedule, Luke's band schedule, and Steve's multiple schedules I feel like we don't always have the time communicate. I certainly feel like I don't have time to adequately blog, so I thought....why not combine the two?

So, here's our update on our lives!

Steve: Started his Doctorate degree classes this week. He's taking three classes, and he thinks that he's going to like them. He has also been voted president of the newly formed band booster club. On top of all of that, he's been having to make many decisions...not all of them popular....at the church. A leader has to do what's right, not necessarily what's popular!

Stevie: Started back to college this semester taking four classes. She is riddled with homework, but we have been so proud of her commitment to her school work. She also babysits most Thursday nights which gives her a little spending money. Please, please, please pray that when she takes her driving test this month that she passes! This will make Steve's life a ton easier as he won't be tied to her schedule.

Luke: He is now playing the trumpet and the saxophone in the high school marching band. They go to most football games, have competitions on Saturdays, and practices every day except Wed. after school. On Wed., he continues his lessons with Mr. Jim whom he is learning a ton from! Luckily for him, his school schedule isn't too hard for him this semester. He has very little time for himself.

Me: Fortunately, I am the least busy. I am extremely busy at work, but I can only do so much with the hours they are willing to give me and I am having to learn to let it go! I cannot do anything about the situation, so I am settling in and getting it done. I still don't have an answer to my platelet problem, but I am trusting God to take care of me in that situation as well.

Satan has been attacking us this past week. There are a lot of great things happening in at our church, (like 100 or more in services), but Satan is not happy about it! He is trying his best to put a damper on our spirit, but as I wrote the other day, we are simply going to let God fight this battle for us. What else can we do, really?

So, all in all, things are good. Busy, but good.

christmas 2009

It's really not about the gifts, but here's some pics showing how much fun we had opening them! After this post, I promise not to bore you with any more.......time to get back to the serious stuff. We had a great time visiting with each other, playing cards, watching movies, and eating as well as the other stuff that didn't warrant picture-taking. It really was all about being together this year even though we haven't seen the nephews yet (suppose to see them in Feb. at Disney!).

mugging for the camera

christmas eve service

Our Christmas Eve service was as meaningful this year as last. Here are a few pictures of Steve giving Luke and Stevie communion and praying a blessing over them.

a christmas letter

For those of you who got our lame-o Christmas card this year and for those of you whose card never got mailed here is the first ever Leigh Christmas letter:

I wanted to write a letter this year, but time got away from me and Christmas arrived before I knew it! So much has happened in 2009, I can hardly believe it is almost over. We, of course, moved from GA to SC one year ago to a little church in a small town where the pace is slow, slow, slow. There's something to be said about slow, though, and that is that sometimes, it's good. We've enjoyed being away from the traffic of Atlanta to, and in a place where the most-happening place is the local IGA!

Steve had a very busy year getting back into the groove after taking a year away from ministry. Unfortunately, he's done 9 funerals this year (a record, for sure); but he also had the privilege of performing a couple of weddings as well. The church is growing and changing, and we have come to appreciate the people here so very much. He has finally decided on a doctorate program, and should a letter come out at the end of 2010, you'll get to hear how that is going. He was diagnosed back in Sept. with diabetes, but that has forced him to lose weight. He's already dropped about 40 pounds, and is back on track after a small (holiday) setback. He's looking good!

Patty is learning to enjoy the role of pastor's wife, and is embracing the journey that God has her on. She began a Master's program at Georgia Southern University in January, and is on track to graduate in May 2010. She is still looking for a job, but has liked being able to help care for and love on the people here. She visited New York City again this year with her friend, Julie, and had a wonderful time seeing plays and all of the sites.

Shea stayed in Atlanta this past year and worked while trying to decide the path that God wanted her on. After much prayer and thought, she is moving next week to Augusta to begin college anew and embark on a new adventure.

Stevie finished up high school and got her GED. She took art classes at the Fine Arts Center in Camden, did a semester at Trident Technical College (in film), and now plans to get a job while she awaits word on whether she will get into Berea College in KY. This is an art school, and all who are accepted get full scholarships. We're praying hard!! She has gained an interest in film as well as the graphic arts.

Luke is in the 8th grade. He is on the wrestling team. He continues to love to read and even had the most AR points in the school until recently when his friend upped him by 2 points! He had 364 points at Christmas break. He continues to enjoy playing the saxophone and received a guitar for his 14th birthday. He plans to begin taking guitar lessons next month.

We all took a couple of great trips this year. All but Shea went to Louisville, KY for the Southern Baptist Convention and vacationed in Myrtle Beach, SC as well. Shea had the opportunity to go to Disney and she jumped at the chance.

Overall, the Lord was really, really good to us this year. We are blessed beyond measure! We wish your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May the Lord be among you in each activity that you pursue, and may He who holds all of our futures in His hands watch over you in the coming year! Don't forget to keep Him the center of your Christmas!!