Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas:)

I tried to get cute pictures of the kids for a Christmas picture but they just weren't cooperating. This one is pretty cute and is still in the running:) We had so much fun with putting up all of our decorations and listening to Christmas music! I love this time of year. If you ask me, Christmas just brings a certain amount of magic with it. It's almost like the pulling out of winter coats and sweaters and the decoration of an evergreen tree just magically brings an extra ounce of happiness to everyone's step.

We got all bundled up on Friday night to see the big tree lighting at our local university and then again on Saturday to go to the Christmas parade. The kids enjoyed every minute, and it was a great way to kick off the Christmas season! I have been wrapping presents and buying gifts like crazy and cannot wait for Christmas morning!

Finally...an update:)

Well, blog friends, it has been a long while since a good update. I must admit...I have had writers block. I just could not put together a good 'blog' post for the life of me! However, after this most wonderful Thanksgiving, I have lots to be thankful for which provides much to write about. First and foremost, I am so thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has brought this family through a lot this year and is continuing to do so. He is my ever present Comforter when things seem overwhelming. I am also very thankful for my family. I have been under serious stress lately, and they have stuck by me through thick and thin. My gracious husband deserves a 'husband of the year' award for sure! I just love that we all work together to make each day special! I am also VERY thankful for my house and for two running cars. God is AWESOME!

Despite the stresses of life, my family is gearing up for a fantastic Christmas. Thanksgiving was a great kickoff to our fun filled holidays! Black Friday shopping was great, and I got a whole bunch of stuff crossed of my list. Just a few more things, and the Splan Clan will be ready for the big day! I keep getting 'oh yes...I forgot', 'oh, they need that too', 'oooooh, she needs this for Christmas','oooooooooh he needs that too', 'Im done..no I'm not...yes I am' thoughts that are causing me to come up with a million more ways to spend money this Christmas:) I love spoiling my loved ones and really cannot wait to see their smiling faces when they open gifts. We are very careful to keep the real meaning of Christmas at the forefront of out minds and hearts, but I love the tradition of gift giving. I really don't want to buy for myself...just for EVERYONE I love! It is definitely keeping me busy! Don't get me wrong, I don't spend a lot of money...I just put a lot of thought into each thing and try to spend a few dollars on everyone.

I'm loving the new look of my blog and hope you do too! Enjoy your pre-Christmas days and don't forget the real reason for the season!

Its official....:(

So the final word came today. Josh's newest employer will NOT give us any time to go home and see our families for Christmas. We have been down her for 5 years and have managed to get home every year. Somehow, this company's policy of only allowing 1 unpaid vacation a year managed to slip past us until after our 4th of July trip home. As fun as that was.....I would have traded it for Christmas:( I keep getting little thought bubbles of Scrooge yelling at my husband that he cannot take more than half a day on Christmas....What has happened to the world? I am still praying for a miracle but am also trying to prepare my heart for a MUCH different Christmas this year. The fact still remains that God is good all the time. I will have to remember this as the big day approaches.

The Time Has Once Again Come!

Well the blog stealer is at work again. What can I say, it has become my tradition to do this. :) Today the Splan Clan is decorating their Christmas tree. I do have to say that their tree has been up for a week, but do to a hectic schedule they are just getting the time to decorate it. I am enjoying sitting here listening to Christmas music watching the tree become beautiful. There are two little munchkins here who are so very excited about the changes taking place. I do have to say that for once I am also excited to see this taking place. I am usually so against it before thanksgiving, but this year since our parents cannot come, because of our mom's hip replacement surgery I am so ready for the whole holiday season to get started. :) I know that this year may be different, but I am praying that we all still get to go to Michigan for the wonderful Christmas Holiday.
The lights are on, and Josh is putting up the garland. JJ is jumping up and down with all the energy that he has. Miracle and Holly are sitting watching, waiting for him to finish so they can join in on the fun. Miracle is really hoping for snow, but I think she will have to wait for snow in the great SC for a while. Although I know that she is not the only one hoping that SC will have a BIG snow this year. :)  The ornaments are starting their trek to their home on the tree. The kids have great excitement as they help take ornaments to the tree. I do have to say that I love the magic of this year. Yes, I understand the whole meaning of Christmas is Christ coming for our sins, but it is also that time of the year when everyone seems kinder and happier. I love the anticipation and joy that all can share no matter where you are. Yes, the stores will be crazier, but that is all part of the experience. I hope that you all take time this year to enjoy what Christ has done and the special time with your family. Take time to be thankful for all those wonderful memories that you are getting to make this year.  Have a happy Thanksgiving and A VERY Merry Christmas!

Sick Day and Pumpkin Carving

My baby girl woke up with Strep throat this morning. She started complaining of a headache yesterday, and I heard the swelling of glands in her voice but hoped for the best anyway. Sure enough...this morning around 3am she came in my room complaining of a bad throat ache. I checked her temp and grimaced...probably Strep for sure. Being that it was Sunday and our pediatrician is only open from 1-3 pm for emergency appointments, I decided to take her to the ER because we could go earlier and it would be faster. Believe it or not we were in and out in 30 minutes with a positive strep diagnosis and some bubble gum medicine. This little girl is RARELY sick so she felt pretty special being the center of attention this morning. I was not feeling the greatest either with a terrible sinus headache so we came home and laid low the rest of the day....lots of cartoons and lots of liquids with a few naps in between. Hopefully, we will be feeling better in the morning!

Feeling pretty special in her spot on the 'sick' couch:)

While mom and sissy were feeling yucky, Daddy and JJ were carving pumpkins. Actually, daddy was carving the pumpkins because JJ would not touch the slimy stuff inside. He was all excited until he saw what he had to do....and he graciously decided to watch and let daddy do the work:)

Still in PJ's and carving pumpkins!

This is how they all turned out! My hubby is quite the artist when it comes to pumpkin carving!

Mommy's Favorite One

Happy Haunting

Our Happy Witch

Casper the Ghost in his friendly Pumpkin

All lit up on our front porch!

 The kids love the end result and will definitely enjoy seeing them as we come and go over the next few days! Halloween is such a fun time of year! My kids enjoy the picking out costumes and the fun pumpkins! We totally ignore all of the bad connotations that come with the holiday and just enjoy a good old 'scary-fun' time!

Happy 4th Birthday, JJ!

I'm this many!

Happy Birthday, JJ! We love you!



Today is a big day. Four years ago on this day, I was laying in a hospital bed and wondering if I would ever get to eat again...and I had NO idea what kind of changes were about to take place in our lives. This little man finally came by emergency c-section at 4pm. He has been such a blessing to us!

This morning, I decided to put a little birthday tablecloth on his little table for when he ate breakfast. As soon as he saw it, he said "Thank you for making my table beautiful for me!" He has a big heart and his sister is his best friend. I hope that they continue to remain close as they grow! I think his sister is just as excited about his party today as he is!

I leave you with a picture of a monumental moment in our kids' lives.



As I child, my mother was determined to make us be a close family. She wanted us to value our relationships with our siblings. Now that I am an adult, I do love my siblings. They are very important to me. I want the same for JJ and Miracle. The other day they were picking at each other and I had to pull out an old punishment that my mom use to use on me and my sister quite a lot. They had to hold hands and look at each other. After a few minutes of this absolute torture they had to hug and tell each other they loved them. It was so cute, and it really does work. While they were holding hands, I gave the 'Your sister is your friend...Your brother is your friend. We are family and you two should love and respect each other' lecture. They were both laughing and giggling together again after it was over. I'm saving this picture for blackmailing purposes in the future!

Check it out...Miracle's new fall style

I new that adopting this little girl would give me some challenges as far as her hair was concerned. It did not matter though. I loved her from the moment I first saw her. God is so good to have allowed me to be her mother! I am proud to post yet another beautiful hair do! I hate to make her sit this long (with lots of breaks of course) but every minute is worth the smile on her face when she looks in the mirror!

Just look at my new hair!

a closeup...it took about 4.5 hours to do

She could not be happier! (She is shiny from a recent facial moisturizer:)

She is a beautiful girl...even if I am a bit biased!