Simply Thankful

No pictures for this post or updates about other holiday activities we have been doing at the Cordrey home. Instead, I felt like I just needed to write, for myself, a post about simply being thankful. I am so thankful for my wonderful family, my home, and especially the blessing of being Ella's mom.
As I write this, I think about the two families in our community that have recently experienced loss. Last night, one of my students called and told me another sweet boy from the high school was killed in a car accident. I know this isn't an isolated case and there are young people killed often in auto accidents, but it is different when you know the person and family. My heart aches for the family, especially so close to the holidays. He was a wonderful young man.
Today, I also heard that a good friend from high school lost his little boy this weekend. He had cancer and they knew to expect it, but they were hoping to have one more Christmas with him. He was only 5 years old and brought so much love and joy to his parents. I can't imagine what they must be feeling.
So I write this to ask you to pray for the Riley and Kerr families. I also write this for myself - to reflect on simply being thankful for the non-tangible blessings that are in my life, most importantly, the people I am blessed to have in my life.

Cousins Christmas

We had this great plan to take all the cousins to the bed and breakfast here by the golf course for holiday pictures. It was a wild hour and a half, full of crying, tantrums, and few smiles. The older kids, were of course wonderful, but it was the toddlers who didn't want to be too cooperative. After much prodding, we were able to coax a few smiles.

Trying to avoid the "hustle and bustle"

I feel like I wake up daily and think, "OK, today let's try and slow down a little bit and actually enjoy the holiday season for what it means." We have been trying to do different holiday activities with Ella during the month. We try to read the Christmas story by the tree and talk about the true meaning of Christmas.

Well, about a week ago, we also had the brillant idea that, "Sure, she's probably old enough to do and enjoy a gingerbread house." The enjoy part was right on - the finished product was a huge pile of icing and half eaten or licked toppings as decorations. She definitely had a great time, though!

We also had a kid's party at our house to decorate cookies with some of the little ones from church. They all seemed to have a great time, but I think I am still finding sprinkles along every nook and crevice. Mocha likes to help in that department, too!

It's December!

Our tree is up, house is decorated, and presents are wrapped! I am just trying to enjoy the days and not rush through the holidays so fast this year. It seems to pass quicker and quicker every year. Ella loves the ornaments, lights, and most especially - the gum chain! (Thanks Waynetta and Kristin!)

We had our Murray Girls weekend this past weekend. Every year, afterwards, reminds me how blessed I am to have such wonderful friendships with those girls.

Random Pictures

I realized it had been a little while since I posted, so I thought I would add some new pictues. A few weekends ago, my mom's side of the family had a get together. We don't get to do this very often (actually, this was the first time Ronnie had ever met my cousin, if that tells you how often), so we had a good time. Notice the picture of Ronnie with my grandparents. We caught the shot at the perfect moment. He is being silly and my grandmother doesn't quite know what to think about him!

Ronnie was able to go to NYC a few weeks ago to visit his best friend, Brian. While he was out of town, Ella managed to fall up a flight of stairs (I know, her mom's coordination) and gave herself a black eye. I doubt that will be the first one of those we ever see!

More information needed

I probably should have mentioned that Ella's cousin, Owen, is the lion. The two cowboys are her cousins, Zach and Clayton. The beautiful nurse is her cousin Hannah. The crazy "Elvis" impersonator is her uncle Chris! Notice no festive pictures of mom and dad made the list. We planned the trunk or treat event at Caneyville, so we were overwhelmed and didn't get to the costumes!!

Halloween

Halloween wasn't just a "single" night event for the Cordrey family. Holidays seem to never be that brief!:) It started a few weeks before, with the zoo halloween party. The pumpkin costume fit fine. (Luckily, though, because it was a purchase after last year's costumes had been clearanced out online!!)

The weekend before Halloween, Northeast church in Louisville had their Trunk or Treat. Ella was pretty tired after about 10 minutes of that event because of a short nap, but pepped up long enough to enjoy some of her candy. That evening, I realized the pumpkin costume seemed a little tight on her head - translation - she couldn't see! So, we found a monkey costume. This was the costume of choice for our church's trunk or treat, as well as the 2 stops we made on actual Halloween. I had a business trip for school the next day, which meant an early flight. So we pretty much spent the evening of Halloween at

my parents house. Ella has more candy than she could eat in her lifetime, though, so her father is graciously helping her out with that!!! I am trying not to . . . :)

On a serious note, I recently learned that a friend from high school just learned some tragic news. Their little boy, who is 5, was diagnosed with cancer before he turned 2. They recently found out it has returned and the Dr.s literally told them to enjoy the time left. It breaks my heart to think about it. We know that God can do anything, so please pray for the healing of little Bryce.