From the time our children were babies, I took them to have their pictures done at Sears every year. I loved their SmileSaver plan and most of the time was very pleased with the outcome. I also sank alot of money into the pictures too!! :) When we moved to FL, there was no Sears close by so I took them to Walmart. The pics were hit and miss, so the last 3 years I took them myself. Sure is a whole lot cheaper! :)

Well, since Danny just had a birthday and Tamara will in a little over 2 weeks, I decided it was soon time to be thinking about their yearly pics. This morning I woke up and noticed that the weather was supposed to be cloudy with rain only showing up late in the day. (Perfect picture taking weather) So I woke the children up and told them to get dressed for pictures!! ;) Actually, I didn't quite do it that quickly! :) But we had some other errands to run, too, so we got ready and were out of the house soon after 9.

We made one stop, took a number of pictures and then were done. I knew I had got some that I was pleased with and so I laid aside the temptation to stop other places, got our business done in town and went back home. :) Good me! :) (I think the kids were very happy as well!! ;))

So here are a few of the pictures we got..... which do you like best??

#1.

#2.
#3.
#4.
#5.
#6.
Tamara
#1.
#2.
#3.
#4.
#5.
#6.

I thought it should be easy to pick one, but then I edited some, so I had to decide which I liked best of each pose....sepia, black n white, glow, low saturation, etc. Why do I have to make it so hard?? :P

I got the kitchen all cleaned up after we got home, and then after lunch we started baking cookies. We made Peanut Butter Blossoms, shaped sugar cookies and choc. mint chip. Tomorrow we will make another 3-4 kinds! :) (Yesterday I made those little ones with the peanut butter cups in the middle...forget the name). I did take some pics, but just realized I didn't put them on the computer, so maybe after tomorrow I can post some of all the baking~

While I was baking today, I had Christmas music playing. One CD I pulled out was the Gospel Express "He is Lord" Christmas CD. It is a '95 album and boy did it bring back memories. For a little bit I found myself back in my parents home on Greenville Rd....in Mom's big kitchen....baking cookies at Christmas time. Wow, a wave of homesickness came over me!! :( But I am thankful for all the things that shaped my life and got me ready for where I am today!! I think I could say that one song on that CD is probably my most favorite "non-traditional" Christmas song. I tried to find the song online, but no luck, so I am going to type out the lyrics for you! Enjoy and be blessed!!

~~Salvations Story~~


God searched earth and heaven, for one to stand the test,
One without blemish, One on whom all sin would rest.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, and God knew it must be Him,
So begins Salvation's story in the town of Bethlehem.

And the angels were rejoicing on that day when Christ was born,
They hovered all around him, that early Christmas morn.
Mary layed Him in a manger, in a stable so serene,
And the angels closely watched the newborn King.

Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man,
He healed the sick and He raised the dead as He preached throughout the land.
But the priests and the Pharisees vowed that Jesus they would kill,
And bruised and battered, He carried a cross up Calvary's Hill.

And the angels were crying for they did not understand,
Why Jesus had to die there on the cross as other men.
They wanted to come and take Him home, but Jesus did not ask them to....
So He died there on the cross for me and you.

Don't despair and be not afraid, for this story is not through,
He conquered the grave, defeated death, and claimed the keys to hell too.
He arose triumphant, the Son of God and King of Kings
And He's coming back to take us home and there His praises EVER SING!!!!

And the angels were rejoicing on that day when Christ arose,
For now they understood just why Jesus was chose!
No one else could do what he has done, to give His life so willingly,
Oh What LOVE my Saviour has for you and me!!