Christmas Eve

The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed
but Santa still knelt by the side of his bed

'Dear Father,' he prayed, "Be with me tonight,
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.

My sack will hold toys to grant all kid's wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.

I can do all these things, Lord, only through you.
I just need your blessing ,then it's easy to do.

I do this only to honor the birth of the one,
that was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends, lest your glory I rob,
please, Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

Lake Lanier Night of Lights

I went to Lake Lanier last night to see the Night of Lights. It was beautiful. It is said to be the world's largest animated light extravaganza. I have to admit that the Osborne Family Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios would give it a darn good run for that title...definitely my personal fave. But here in the ATL we have Lake Lanier....And the Night of Lights was spectacular! I couldn't resist Spongebob....But, hey, who can?

And being the Oz lover that I am this was pretty wicked too...
But, of course, the best part was the focus on the true meaning of Christmas...
At one point, we headed over to see the Live Nativity Scene which was lovely! Real donkeys, sheep, goats and, um.....camels....

Sheesh...talk about ruining the moment. But seriously, even God has a sense of humor, right?

At the end of the night we headed to the fair which was pretty much the hit of night. Simply because when me and my BFF Tori get together its like we are kids all over again. We have way too much fun together. This is us with our mama's...
It was a beautiful night and I am so glad that I went! I think I will make this a Christmas tradition for as long as I call Atlanta my home. Good show, Lake Lanier!

Oh Santa

"Ewww gross! Santa is picking his nose!"
-Aubrey Lynne

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....

Jingle Bells...
Aubie smells...
Daddy laid on egg...
Wait...what?

Stone Mountain Christmas

Yesterday, I went to Stone Mountain Park with the fabulous Beddingfield family. We had a blast! I grew up going to Stone Mountain in the summer time - climbing the mountain and watching the Laser Show at night. But I've never been in the winter before.

Despite the chilly weather, we had a beautiful day spent watching Christmas shows, riding the train around the mountain, seeing the 4-D Polar Express show, listening to Christmas carolers, and watching the Christmas parade. They even had fake snow over the town during the fireworks display that night! It was great!



We had many good laughs throughout the day, too. I just love this family.

Then Sings My Soul...

I don't usually write about these kinds of things on my blog, but lately I've been pretty down and out. I love my job, but I need to find something else with room to grow. I've looked and looked and it just seems like there is nothing else out there for me! That on top of other things have really been bringing me down. The lower I got, the more afraid I was that somehow God had forgotten about me. Then today something was said by someone that gave me so much peace and I immediately knew that God put that person in my life at that moment because He knew I needed that reassurance more than ever before. I am so glad that I am a child of God. I couldn't make it without Him.

How great Thou art.

Tattoos 4 Tiffany

I never thought I would get a tattoo. It was never on my list of things to do. But I also never thought I would loose my best friend to a freak accident when she was only 26 years old. Her sister Victoria and I had been best friends since we were 3 years old. When Tori moved to Florida when she was 19, Tiffany and I started hanging out and over the next 5 years we became the best of buds. When she died, I lost a friendship that was very dear to my heart. Tori lost not only her best friend but her only sibling.

So yesterday, we walked into Ink Wizard and got our tattoos for Tiffany.















The tattoo artist's name is Chris Huff and he had about 10 awards for Artist of The Year. He has done a couple of my brothers tattoos. He was a great guy and did an awesome job.

I got mine done on my ankle and, man, did it HURT! I only asked him to stop once - lol! I just needed a little break from the outlining. After that, I felt fine and when the shading started it really stopped hurting and just became pretty dang irritating! But never unbearable. It was so worth it!!!















Tori got hers on her back. She didn't even flinch! We got the same one - a scorpio with Tiffany's initials LTB (stands for Laura Tiffany Beddingfield). I was very proud of the both of us and I think Tiffany was, too.

We sure do miss her. But it's not just our skin she is burned into...it's our hearts. We love you, Tiff!

A day at the park...

26

Today is my 26th birthday. Don't ya just love it when your birthday falls on a weekend? =)

Going out to eat tonight with family to my favorite Chinese buffet (I love me the Chinese food).

My best friend and her family threw a surprise bday party for me last Thursday. It was great! We had hot wings and nachos and watched Tropic Thunder (I laughed until I couldn't breath) and Wall-E.

Tomorrow is Tiffany's birthday. She would be 28 years old. Tori and I are going to hang out and try to make the best of it. Next Friday, we are going to Ink Wizard to get our Tiffany tattoos. I'm nervous - it's my first one. But I'm also really excited and glad to be doing it.

Happy Birthday to me.

A "Girl Day"

Last Saturday, I kidnapped Ash-Baby, the Sidster and Linz so we could spend a Girl Day together. We did lunch at the mall and then hit the movies to see Madagascar 2. Then, of course, we stopped by Barnes & Noble/Starbucks so we could sip on our lattes, iced mochas, and hot chocolates while they caught me up on all the latest gossip - you know, like who Joe Jonas is dating and what Miley Cyrus is wearing and all that is happening in the "teen scene". We ended the day with a few pretty funny (and G-rated) prank calls while I drove them home. They are all absoultey adorable and I am so loving watching them grow up....seeing the young woman they are becoming. I am honored to be a part of their lives and I hope when they grow up they will have lots of good memories of times spent with their "Cole-Cole". I know I will cherish the memories I have made with them forever. Man, do I love being an aunt. =)

Rocky

The past couple of days, Aubrey has been playing with a rock she named - what else - Rocky. She colors it and cleans it and loves that stupid rock. Yesterday, she spent a good 10 minutes in the bathroom scrubbing some dirt off of "Rocky". When she was finally done she told her mom and I, "Look! I got that stuff off of Rocky!" "Oh cool, Aubz" we said and continued on with our conversation. Then she added excitedly "...with my toothbrush!" Uh-oh. Eeew. Looks like Aubrey will be getting a new toothbrush. Me thinks maybe she needs a REAL pet, too!

Election Day

I voted 2 weeks ago, and I am very anxious/eager to find out who our next president will be! I can only imagine how McCain and Obama must feel. May the best man (which I pray is McCain) win!

Halloween

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I didn't really celebrate that much during my teen years, other than a few trips to Six Flags for Freight Fest, but I sure have been enjoying going trick r treating with Aubrey and Savana for the past 4 years!

This year, Aubrey was a little angel and Savvy was a little devil! They were too cute!

Since the Halloween festivities have died-down a lot in my neighborhood during the past few years, we headed straight for my brother's neighborhood this year - which is only about 3 or 4 miles away from where I live. His large neighborhood really gets into it and there were children and families everywhere out trick r treating until way after dark. It was so much fun!
















When we weren't on foot, we were riding in the back of my brothers truck around the neighborhood. It's usually really nice here in Georgia on Halloween night, but this year we had to bundle up. Man, was it cold!


















The girls really got into Halloween this year and it was so cute to hear Savvy say "Twick or Tweet!" to everyone.


















































Every year, my best friends family throws a Halloween party. We have lots of Halloween treats and, of course, we watch It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! I look forward to this every year. So obviously when I spotted Snoopy on his pumpkin (you know - the one he flies to France on?) I had to get a picture...

















When we got home we raided the girls candy and had hot chocolate! Sugar overload! Halloween 2008 was great!

Pictures from Savvy's Birthday Party