Merry Christmas!

We had a great time going to downtown Knoxville. There was live music, free hot chocolate, and cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus. Matthew is glowing because he is just so happy!

This is not a real Santa. He's just a dummy placed in front of the tree lot. HO! HO! HO!

Jessica gets a peacoat! This is something she has wanted for quite awhile. Ben plays his toy guitar, and Lauren models her scarf and hat.

What would Christmas Eve be without new pajamas! Brock gave me some beautiful black satin pj's. There was only one major problem. The size was XXL! Oops! It wasn't really his fault. The outside tag and hanger had a big M. I will just go exchange them with the huge crowd at Target!

Here are some cute shots of the kids. Where is Lauren? Well...she got sick at our family photo shoot. Seriously, she was just holding on while we took our family pictures. She lost her lunch on the other side of the fence. There was no way I was going to make her take an individual picture after that!

We attempted to take some family pictures. They didn't quite turn out the way we had hoped. However, I had Jessica take a shot of me and Brock. Matthew and Benjamin were so photogenic. These are rare moments!

Life is Busy

I have wanted to post so many times! I just don't have much time for sitting at the computer these days. I don't know how working moms do it. I am always behind. I have had to turn a blind eye to many of the things that matter to me, and go to work. One of the worst parts of working is that I seem to always come home tired and grumpy. I just want to have some silence and stay home. That's not too much to ask of four children and a husband is it? I really shouldn't complain. I am very blessed to be able to work. I prayed that I would have work every day and this past week, I did.

I worked at Microbac Laboratories, my real and consistent job, on Monday and Wednesday. Then on the other three days I was at Bluegrass Elementary substitute teaching. I have found that the more I say "yes" to the schools requests, the more they call me. I really found my place on Friday. I subbed for the music teacher. It was so fun! I had seven 5th grade classes. I worked on two Christmas songs, or I should say "Holiday" songs with them. I sang my heart out and was really hoarse by the end of the day. There was only one group of boys that I had to get very stern with. I hate having to do that. I like to be the fun and well liked substitute teacher. I have another sub job on this Tuesday. Who knows, the phone could ring at 6 a.m. for help on Thursday and Friday too. That's the tough part. I look so forward to having a day to clean my house and do laundry, then the phone call comes. I am grateful, but also tired and frustrated.

I sang with a group of talented musicians at our ward Christmas Party Friday night. It was so much fun. I sang Mary Did You Know, Mary's Lullaby, Tennessee Christmas, and Winter Wonderland. We will be performing again at my work Christmas Party. I get all stressed out and nervous, but in the end I am always so glad that I contributed. Brock and I went to Jessica's high school Christmas concert this past week too. It was so nice! Jess can't wait to audition for the elite group next year. Oh how I miss my ole' high school choir! Those were the days. I would love to someday sing in a really great choir again.

I know that I am blabbing on and on....I just wanted to let those of you who actually look at my blog know why I haven't been posting very much lately. I am running around like a chicken with it's head cut off! I'm sure that some of you can relate.