The Most Wonderful TIme...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! It truly is the most wonderful time of year.  After some needed time off, I am beginning to feel reenergized as a wife & mama.  We have made many memories this Christmas break - singing Christmas carols at the nursing home, looking at Christmas lights & a live nativity scene with the RBC children, Christmas shopping, baking cookies, creating a gingerbread house, seeing friends....so many to even share.  As a mama, I have loved getting to see my boys in the morning, help get them dressed, eat breakfast together as a family, & spend lazy days together.   It will be hard to return to work, but I don't want to think about that yet...
Here are a few of my favorite snapshots of the Christmas break -

Making our family gingerbread house!

Christmas Eve Service is one of my favorite services all year!  The boys sat with me this year (& when your husband is in charge it was two against one)!  Thankfully, our family-friends sat with me.  It was a holy moment for me & another way to emphasize the TRUE meaning of Christmas to Peyton!

Christmas Eve Service at Royston Baptist 

Of course, I wanted Christmas pictures in front of the tree...do you see how successful I was at this adventure?

Trying to take a picture of a 3 & 1 year old....oh my!

Christmas morning was magical - seeing the excitement of the boys' faces as they opened their gifts & playing for hours on the den floor.  Each year becomes more & more fun with these boys!

Christmas morning! 

This year, we went to Destin, Florida to spend time with my in-laws.  It was wonderful - too much eating, too many presents, too many memories.  The best memory for me - NOLAN FINALLY WALKED!  It was a magical moment, & one request I've prayed for many months.   The pictures can say more than I can -

Cousins in pjs Nana made for them! 

Trying to take a picture with Aunt Amanda...not happening! 

I hope you & your family had a blessed Christmas season.  As I begin to pack up the Christmas, I will always hold these memories close to my heart.  May you have many Christmas memories that you can hold close to your heart.  

Merry Christmas from the Barlow Bunch! 

A Blessed & Thankful November

Where are you, November?  The days seemed to FLY by... we celebrated Derby's birthday, my Dad's birthday, & Jonathan's birthday.  As you can see from the picture, we celebrated Jonathan's at home - grilled steaks & homemade milk chocolate pound cake.  Jonathan & I used our date night to pick out a mattress! :) Our Christmas & birthday gifts for this year are mattresses (man...we are getting old!).  It was a sweet celebration with my boys.

Jonathan's Birthday - the boys want cake! 

I was counting down the days for Thanksgiving break - the students & I both needed a break!  We had the BEST time in Kentucky.  I got to see my college roommates, who continue to be the BEST of friends.  I have been in Georgia for NINE years & they still call, email, text, & make time for me when I come to visit!  I am so blessed.  It was so much fun to see the kids - as our group continues to grow (& some couldn't make it due to sickness & bad weather).  Jonathan asked, "What did we talk about?"...with 5 children under the age of 5 there's not much quality conversation...ha!

Sarah, Ella, Codye, Campbell, Barrett, & my boys 

BUT - I LOVED every minute with the sweet girls!  I am convinced we will be forever friends.

Sarah, Codye, & Me 

On Thanksgiving day, Phil, Jonathan, Anna & baby, & I ran the Thoroughbred Classic at Keeneland race track in 21 degree weather (& a wind chill of 9)!  Nancy had a feast when we returned & also hosted our growing group for Thanksgiving dinner.  We had all of my favorites, ate too much, & exchanged Christmas gifts.  We made many memories.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Look at these precious boys - Carter 2 1/2, Nolan 16 months, & Peyton 3 years

Carter, Nolan, & Peyton 

My sweet sisters & their unborn babies (Anna with a baby BOY & Nancy & unknown gender baby)!

Me (& NO baby), Anna & baby, Nancy & baby

We have much to be thankful for this year - a healthy-walking 3-year old, a cancer-free 16 month old, a teaching job for me, & a wonderful church who loves our family.  Don't you have much to be grateful for during this holiday season?  God is so good & I am reminded of that daily.  Happy belated Thanksgiving!