A 2009 Year in Review

Last year, I decided to stop printing tons of digital pictures. I print only my favorites and display them on our fridge. Don't get me wrong, it's nice having albums and albums full of photos. But, I rarely get them out and look through them. In fact, many of them are in my attic. I think Karson had at least six photo albums by the time she was three years old (and so on when the boys were born). I decided, instead, to create a yearly photo book from Snapfish. The books are small, compact, fairly inexpensive and don't take up any room on a coffee table. AND, I look at them all the time. Since I kept up with three different baby books, manage this blog, and buy Plano yearbooks, the photobooks are a nice touch to our photo enjoyment =). I titled the book "A 2009 Deaton Family Year in Review." This blog is somewhat similar to what was in the book.

Here is our 2009 Deaton family year in review:

Isaac celebrated his 4th birthday with family and friends with a Hulk theme at Chuck E. Cheese's in January. He's the life of the party and never has a bad day. He played baseball in the spring for the Sidewinders with his best bud Mason. Isaac never seemed interested in playing but when he received his trophy at the end of the year, he could hardly wait to play again next year. He started his 4 year old preschool year at Greenwood Park EEP with Ms. Denise as his teacher. I was ECSTATIC that Denise returned. She is such a fabulous person and excellent teacher. Isaac is lucky to have her. Isaac has also become a fish this year swimming all over the place. He also started going underwater with googles. We joke that he needs to be adopted by Save the Children because he's so doggone skinny. Food is the last thing on his mind, but boogers are a healthy meal replacement =). Some of his favorite things are: LEGOS, playing Wii games, arts/crafts of any kind, and puzzles.

Miles celebrated his 3rd birthday with family and friends at McDonald's in October. He wasn't the least bit interested in anything that day but made the most of it. He's the kind of kid that just rolls with the punches. I know it can't be easy always tagging along to the next "older sibling" activity, but he happily goes. He and his brother are two peas in a pod. They got bunk beds this year and are enjoying them. Miles love dressing up and equally loves being in his underwear. We call he and Isaac the underwear brothers. Miles also loves being outside and would never come in if given the choice. He blows bubbles, rides his jeep, plays with his army guys, jumps on the trampoline, etc., etc. I'm looking forward to seeing him at EEP next year and how he interacts with his own peer group.

Karson celebrated her 7th birthday at OpryMills with me, my mom, aunt Shannon and cousin Elizabeth. We took her to Build-a-Bear where she assembled Autumn Hugs bear. Afterwards, we went to Rain Forest Cafe and then to Claire's. Karson talks about that trip all the time and how she can't wait to go again next year. I'm guessing that will become a yearly event =). She began 1st grade at Plano with Ms. Kolzow as her teacher. She continues to excel and amaze her teachers. She again qualified for the Primary Talent Pool and is taking the highest level classes among her peers. (I know I'm sounding braggy, but I sure am proud of her) She was able to participate in WKU's Super Saturday fall classes for the gifted. She took a class titled "Molding Magic with Monsters". We would have enrolled her in the winter term but chose to play basketball instead. I am COACHING--ahhh. Our team is the Sparks, and our only goal is to have FUN!!! Karson is a great big sister and example for her brothers.

We gained a new sister-in-law in June. Laura Blackburn became part of our family marrying John. Karson was a flower girl and Isaac was a ring bearer. My sweet friend Angie loaned me a tuxedo for Miles. He failed his practice run at the rehearsal pelting Isaac in the head repeatedly with a pillow. However, he did find true love with Laura's niece Avery Buser.

We'll also be adding another sister-in-law next September. MacKenzie White will marry Andrew, and I get to be a bridesmaid. YEAH. It's been a long time since I've been in a wedding. I'm looking forward to getting all spiffed up.

Matt and I celebrated 10 years of marital bliss in June. I mean, seriously, has it been that long. I guess so, I have the stretch marks, saggy belly, and baggy eyes to prove it. Matt, on the other hand, looks as young and handsome as ever. We started dating in college and his youngest brother Ben was five years old. Ben's a high school graduate and celebrated his 18th birthday this summer. Time sure does go by fast. Matt's my best friend and I love sharing my life with him. We were able to get away for a five day trip to Gatlinburg. We stayed at Beyond Paradise Mountain Cabin, went to Ripley's Wax Museum, rode the sky lift, hiked the killer Rainbow Falls, shopped and did the Dixie Stampede. It was the perfect way to celebrate our 10th!

May was probably the biggest highlight of 2009. We took our first trip to Disney World. We stayed at the All-Star Music resort and went ALL OUT. We flew there, purchased the meal plan, visited all the parks, and survived the entire ordeal. When we returned to reality, I felt like I had a Disney hangover for two weeks. It was the most magical place, and we can't wait to go back some day.

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We were able to return to our favorite beach DESTIN in October. We love going there, especially in the fall. The weather is perfect, the beach is spectacular, and the crowd is slim. This was our first vacation sans extended family. Fortunately, some of our dear friends, the Owens's stayed at the same resort we did. It was nice having their company. AND, they were able to snap some great family photos to help us remember the trip!

That was our year in a very small nutshell. We're looking forward to making many more great memories in 2010. Love to all!!!

What Christmas Means to Me

Last Wednesday night in class we were asked "What does Christmas mean to you?"

For me, it's summed up in one word:

My mom started collecting Hallmark ornaments in the early 70's and has grown quite a collection through the years. I looked forward to decorating our Christmas tree each year and playing with those ornaments. I bet my dad superglued every one of them at some point. When Shannon and I got married, my mom divided up her Hallmark collection between us. However, I didn't receive my FAVORITE ornament (I'm not sure if mom knew it was my favorite or not?) which was a Santa Claus with chocolate chip cookies in his belly. Not sure why, but I just LOVED this ornament. I decided to research online and find out the title of the ornament which was called A Santa-Full and luckily found it on eBay.

Every year when I decorate my Christmas tree, it's covered in Hallmark. My kids enjoy the ornaments and floods of memories and stories fill my mind with each one. I love shopping the day after Christmas so I can get lots of Hallmarks for half-price. Each year, I try to buy a few that represent the year and ones that I want to give to my children one day. This year, I bought lots of Disney since it was our first trip there in the spring. I also bought a lawnmower for Miles, a budding artist for Isaac, princesses for Karson, and smooching fish for Andrew and MacKenzie's engagement. The kids also have mini-Christmas trees with mini-Hallmarks.

I didn't take to many photos this Christmas but Matt got a couple.

Christmas Eve morning with my side of the family at my mom and dad's house.

Karson (and Elizabeth) putting on a Puppet show with her new finger puppet theater.

I love our expanding Deaton family and by this I mean, adding sister-in-laws, not waistlines or babies (ah-ump Heather R.).

Christmas Eve night at Mamaw Deaton's.

Karson and her cousin Duncan. Karson asked Santa for a Nintendo DS this Christmas. Duncan had his DS on Christmas Eve and Karson just hovered over him watching the whole time.

Christmas morning at our house. It looked like our house threw up toys =).

Karson got a DSi and some new games. She also loved her "science" things. My little smart girl wants to be a vet when she grows up.Isaac got LEGO's. It's a toss up which toy I despise more, Polly Pocket or LEGO??? As FUN as these toys are, they have so many teeny tiny pieces that flood every square inch of the house. You know me, organized me, I have all the LEGO instruction booklets in ziplock freezer bags. Polly, on the other hand, has been banished to the attic. Isaac got four huge LEGO sets this Christmas. Our dining room table is covered with the LEGO city line.

Miles got a new bike. Toys R Us had some incredible sales this season, and I was able to get his bike for a steal of a deal =). Miles, however, repeatedly asked Santa for "guys", and by this he means, PowerRangers, GI Joes, super heroes, etc. So, Santa delivered a pack of PowerRangers with his bike. I don't think he even noticed his bike and has played with those Rangers a TON. Hopefully, he'll get some good use of his bike this spring =).

We spent Christmas afternoon with Matt's granny and grandad's family and Christmas evening at his parents house. We're very fortunate being able to celebrate with so many people. Our kids sure are lucky to be loved so much.

Hope everyone had an extra special Christmas!!!

Fumbly, Bumbly Angels

The kids at church performed our 2nd annual Christmas Pageant today at church. This year the play was titled "Fumbly, Bumbly Angels". Here are just a few pictures from the event:

Two of the cutest lil' cows at the stable where Jesus was born.

Two adorable lil' sparkling angels.

Angel Elizabeth and Shepherd Evan.

The kids and Ms. Windy.

Moooooooooooooo, Mooooooooooooooo

When I hear a song on the radio that I like, I have to listen to it over and over again. This is ESPECIALLY true when I hear a song that inspires me. I love listening to WAY FM. Music can truly influence the way you feel, and I want to feel God's love and peace daily. When I listen to WAY FM, I'm uplifted and find myself singing songs that I need to hear. My new favorite is by downhere called "How Many Kings". Read the lyrics and let them remind you this Christmas week of the Christ we serve.

DOWNHERE ~ "How Many Kings"

Follow the star to a place unexpected

Would you believe, after all we've projected,

A child in a manger?

Lowly and small, the weakest of all

Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl

-Just a child -

Is this who we've waited for?

'cause... How many kings step down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

And how many gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that is torn all apart

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior

All that we have, whether costly or meek

Because we believe.

Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure

And myrrh for the cross he will suffer

Do you believe?

Is this who we've waited for?

All for me... All for you...

Gingerbread Foreclosure

While shopping at my favorite store TARGET this week, I decided to pick up one of those Gingerbread House making kits. I don't know what it is about Target, but I have to make a weekly trip to this store??? Anyone else have that problem??? Target, however, failed to mention that the adorable Gingerbread House I was purchasing was in foreclosure. Isaac was chomping at the bit to put this house together (artsy things are his gig), and I told him MULTIPLE times throughout the day that we had to wait for Karson to get home. Note to self: next year keep the house in the van until Karson gets home. Once she arrived, we all put on our Extreme Home Edition shirts (HAH) and got to work. I immediately noticed that BOTH of the roof parts had cracks down the center (of all places). Major bummer. For a split second, I thought about taking the house back but simply could not do that to Isaac. He could've very well suffered from some sort of medical condition had I told him he had to wait any longer (seizure, aneurysm, convulsions).

So we pressed on and assembled our house. I guess with the poor economy, even this Gingerbread House needed some TLC. Speaking of houses needing TLC and on a completely different note, I am lovin' the new A&E show Hoarders. My sweet friend Karen mentioned it on facebook, and I've been DVRing it ever since. Being a minimalist, organized, type A kind of gal, this show makes my jaw drop much like the roof of our Gingerbread House.

Thank goodness our kids didn't seem to care one bit about the dilapidated home and kept decorating.

I had to divide all the candies out to each child.

Our finished product. I mean, really, what can you expect for $9.99. It's no mansion, but at least, it's edible.

And three of the happiest kids I know =)!

Programs are MY FAVORITE

I spent most of the morning helping to decorate for Isaac's Christmas program which was tonight at Greenwood Park. This program is especially tough for the teachers (believe me, I know from exPERience) because all the kids have speaking parts. When the speaking parts came home, I was thinking to myself..how on earth will I get Isaac to learn this? I then decided BRIBERY would most likely persuade him =). Isaac is obsessed with LEGO's so I told him he could have a new LEGO if he learned his part. He learned it that day, and said it perfectly tonight at his program. YEAH ISAAC!!!

I knew giving Isaac a bell would definitely be interesting. I like how he's staring at it in this picture...wonder what's going through that little noggin of his???

Thought 1: this bell makes the perfect monocle.

Thought 2: I can even wrap it around my nose.

Thought 3: look, it makes a great ornament for my ear.

I didn't get pictures of thoughts 4-20, but that bell certainly saw lots of action in those few minutes. Ms. Denise came up to me afterwards, and said, "What did Isaac have for dinner tonight?" I told her to go ask Matt. Matt decided it would be a good idea to give Isaac three powdered donuts around 4:00 this afternoon. Isaac has always been my HIGH energy child. He usually gets his 2nd wind around 4 p.m. each day, and I'm sure the powdered donut snack was just the boost he needed for the Christmas show tonight.

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Karson had her Christmas performance last Thursday night titled "A Place in the Christmas Choir". Long story short, it was about a dog who's howling/singing was so awful that he couldn't be in the Christmas choir and how all the animals and Ms. Claus rallied around him. It was super cute. Karson was a bluebird and sang her little heart out. Maybe you can spot her on the risers wearing a long blue sweater?

My beautiful bluebird!!!

A couple of hooligans they let in at Plano that night.

Christmas Pogue-Style

Jack Margaret Pogue, my sweet grandparents =).

I have a large family. My dad is the oldest of six kids which means I grew up with lots of lots of cousins. Growing up, we spent most of our weekend holidays at Nolin lake with the family, and our Thanksgiving and Christmas in Louisville. Our family is expanding by leaps and bounds YEARLY. Most of my cousins are married, and lots of them have children. Each year it gets harder and harder to get together.

This is just a handful of my cousins.

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About two years ago, the towel was thrown in all together~my grandparents have a place in Florida and had decided to spend the holidays there. I certainly didn't want Christmas to pass and not have a chance to see my beloved Pogues. A few of us put our heads together and decided to meet in Elizabethtown for Christmas. We celebrated in early December at Ryan's Steakhouse in E-town. From there, we decided to start rotating Christmas get togethers each year between the aunts and uncles.

(L-R); dad Lindle, Jackie, Linda, Beverly and David. When I was a junior at WKU, my uncle Mark passed away after battling a rare form of cancer =(. He was the "life of the party" kind of guy. I was fortunate enough to be in Louisville the summer prior to his passing. I had an internship with the Courier Journal and was able to spend lots of time with him and his family. We still miss him lots!!!

I love the fact that we still try to get together (even if it's early in December). My family is SO GOOD to my kids and always get them so many nice gifts. I mean REALLY, the more people who can love on your children, the better, right. Kids need lots and lots of LOVE. This year my Uncle Dave dressed up as Santa and delivered presents to all the children. Their little faces just LIT up when he arrived. It was such a nice party.

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Prior to our Christmas-ing with the Pogues, we had our first Sparks game at Cumberland Trace on Saturday. I have to admit I was nervous about coaching =). We've never practiced/played full court -or- with opposing team members. We only have 6 girls so defense is a little hard to teach. BUT, it all went fine, and the girls had a good time, which is the MOST important thing in my playbook.

Miles ran out onto the court TWICE to get to me. I had to quickly swoop him up so he didn't get trampled and run up and down the sidelines with a toddler in my arms. He also had to wear his Kentucky jersey so he could be like his big sister.

Me and my basketball player #4.