Merry Christmas

Our Family on Christmas Day

Kelsey making her grand entrance Christmas morning.

My sister, Laurie, and her fiance, Mark. They were engaged December 23, 2009.

Lizzie's 1st Christmas!

Kelsey with Riley, my sister's dog

Roasted oysters and Low Country Boil for Christmas dinner! Guess who was first in line? Austin, Kelsey & Coby!

Aunt Jackie singing karaoke with Kelsey!


Walterboro family Christmas
Top row: Wyman and Jan Abstance (the parents); Middle row: Ricky, Niki, Laurie, Mark; Bottom row: Coby, Kelsey, Austin

Jumomma with Lala Bishop

Kelsey's silly shopping

OK, so let me explain. Kelsey was getting a little frustrated on our shopping day with the girls (Megan, Sue, Lindsay, and me) and she could not understand why I would not buy her anything. I mean, it's only 20 days before Christmas! So, we asked her to try on some hats at the ski shop to distract her for a while. I think she liked it! And Mom got in on the fun too.

Christmas is coming

What a sight to see as we're driving down the highway from Greenville! It's SANTA in his very own sleigh!
Lizzie is so excited about the holidays!

Hollywild

Our AWANA kids went to Hollywild for our Christmas party. We drove 10 vehicles to carry all the kids and chaperones. I was a driver and had 3 boys including Coby, plus Austin, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Hazel as helpers. First, we drove through the light displays and onto the feeding frenzy from our vehicle. There were deer, buffalo, zebra, zonkey, emu, and many more that we fed from our car. Then, we progressed to the parking area and walked around feeding animals and drinking hot chocolate.

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we decided to help serve the community where Ricky & I grew up - Denmark, SC. We joined together with Denmark FBC, the Class of 1983, and other area churches to cook and serve a Thanksgiving meal for those in need.

the ladies cooking
me getting ready to pick up a hot pot

going to pour the tea into another pot

deboning the turkey

the serving line (I am on the opposite end so you can't see me, but that's my dad on the right helping this little guy choose a drink)

everyone had a job...this is my cousin, Sue, refilling the tea

our guests

After serving lunch, we went back to my Mom's house for Thanksgiving lunch. Here's my Mom doing her FAVORITE job - washing dishes (and I'm not joking)! That's my Jumoma (grandmother) in the background.

And this is what happens to everyone after dinner! Riley is enjoying her nap.

That evening we went to Ricky's parents for another Thanksgiving celebration. It was a full day (no pun intended)!

The Good Life

Lizzie is actually asleep on the couch with her paws on the arm rest. Those are some big paws!
Napping with my granddaddy!

Half Time

I just finished reading the book "Half Time" by Bob Buford. The book was actually given to Ricky by a good friend, but I picked it up one day and could not stop reading it. It's basically about changing your game plan from success to significance, and many things have made me stop and think. One particular section of the book I would like to share here with my readers.

Bob is reflecting on a very difficult time in his life when he was forced to lean on God for comfort. He mentions a simple Quaker prayer about giving and receiving. Because the Quakers use their hands as a type of religious symbol, the first part of the prayer is done with your palms up, visualizing yourself receiving all that you need from God. The second part is prayed with your palms down, visualizing all your cares and concerns being left in the lap of a benevolent and loving God.

"God, you have given my life into my hands. I give it back to you. My time, my property, my life itself...knowing it is only an instant compared to my life with you in eternity."
With palms down..."Father, to you I release the cares and concerns of this world, knowing you loved me enough to give your only Son in my behalf. I'm a sinner in need of a Savior and, once again, I accept what you have for me as sufficient. In Jesus' name. Amen."

Then, this morning as I was doing my quiet time, my devotion was centered around Ephesians 3:20-21 which says, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

If you have a chance to read "Half Time," you will not be disappointed!

Random Pics

Death Valley during the week.

Lizzie asleep with ball in her mouth.

Kids with Milton Jennings at Clemson Basketball Exhibition Game.

Kids with Bobo - 7 foot 2 inches

Kelsey & Coby's Swim Team (Coby not pictured)

Happy Halloween

Halloween morning we were up early getting ready for the Homecoming game at Clemson. We arrived early (9:45am) and got into our spot fairly easy.

Ricky's brothers and their families joined us as we celebrated Mr. Ben's 75th birthday. Ricky cooked BBQ and I made 3 different types of chex mix for my taste testers. I think everyone liked the one made with sweetened condensed milk!

Kelsey with her bib while eating her BBQ!

Ricky tasting the chex mix!

Doesn't he look like he loves me?

OK, so we didn't make Mr. Ben blow out 75 candles, but he sure did a good job taking care of the ones we did put on his cake.

After the game it was time to get dressed up for Trick or Treating in our neighborhood. Coby could not decide what he wanted to dress up as, so as a last minute decision he asked Ricky to paint his face from a design he found on the web. Kelsey had a leopard mask, but she wanted her face painted as well, so I ended up free-handing a design I found off the internet.
This blog post was edited by the one and only Lizzie the Labradoodle.