Life with the Bennetts: 2009

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Lanett Debut & Bennett Family Christmas

Since we welcomed Annie into our little family, we have been looking forward to taking her to Lanett, Alabama, to meet Brian's dad's family. Every time we have thought we would go something has happened that has kept us at home. On December 11 and Annie's 7 month birthday, we loaded up the old Dodge Grand Caravan (complete with a new set of tires) and head for the Valley.

We had a great time getting to visit with everyone. The one hitch in the whole plan was that it rained and rained and rained some more. Brian took Ellie out for a drive and to show her a manger scene in Valley. Ellie asked her Daddy why the Baby Jesus was floating. The water was up to the camel's belly. Yikes!

Despite being wet, we were incredibly grateful to get to be with Brian's family. The kids got a kick out of staying at the Round Up and getting to help Daddy drive the van to Carolyn and Rick's house. :) On Sunday night, we went to Rhonda's (Brian's cousin) house for the traditional Bennett Family Christmas. It always makes me a little sad because we all miss Arthur's mom, Mawmaw. Mawmaw went to be with Jesus the first of December 2003. We were especially grateful to get to be at Christmas this year and to get to be with Brian's aunt Sandy. She has been very sick and in and out of the hospital over the last year. We love Granny and were glad to see that she was holding her own.

The kids were so cute opening their gifts and trying to get the older cousins to run around with them. It's always so much fun to get to visit with everyone. Hopefully it won't be a year before we're able to go back!

Hey, Mama! Look at my toe. I did it again! :)

(Annie's latest trick is to somehow poke her big toe through her sleepers!)

Mollie had a blast playing with Claire. Their birthdays are two weeks apart.

Annie's first Bennett Christmas

Nannie and Annie

Mr. Arthur, Eddie (Arthur's nephew), Paul (Rhonda's hubbie), Jason, Brian and Trevor (Eddie's middle son) solving the problems in the Valley and with Auburn football.

Sandy & Carolyn - Mr. Arthur's sisters

I don't think they kids were into taking pictures with all those presents!

Claire, Mollie, Jack and Ellie finally all looked at the camera all at the same time!

Smiles!!!! Although Annie wasn't quite into it.

Christmas Chaos

Presents!

It hasn't been that long since Justin, Nick and Taylor weren't too big to make a big deal out of the Christmas presents.

B's aunt Sandy (aka Granny) liked the pjs we got her. I think she got a kick out of watching the kids have so much fun.

The adults enjoyed watching the wrapping paper fly from afar!

Brian's cousin Rhonda had a blast passing out packages and opening all the toys for the little ones. By the way, please note the Barbie make-up case. Thanks, Krista! E loves it!!!

Annie and I were buried in the mound of packages and had a hard time keeping up with what the big girls were getting.

TV celebrity

Ellie's class collected toys again this year for Stuff the Sleigh. Stuff the Sleigh is a program to collect toys for foster kids in Central Arkansas. Ellie's class, another K5 class, 2 K4 classes and the third graders loaded the bus on Friday, Dec. 11 and headed to Wal-Mart on Bowman Road to deliver their gifts. They also made an appearance on Today's THV. Tom Brannon (aka Santa) was doing live shots from Wal-Mart. The kids even wished viewers "Merry Christmas" and shouted "Go Eagles."

Ellie clutching the Tinker Bell figures and My Little Pony set she took to Stuff the Sleigh.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Merry Christmas from the Family

If ever there was a year for a Christmas letter, this would be it. However, considering my Christmas cards are sitting in the box by my bed, waiting to be addressed, a Christmas letter is totally out of the question. So, to all of my blog friends and family, this is my Christmas letter to you....

Merry Christmas 2009!

It's hard to believe that another year has passed. It's even harder to believe all that has gone on in our lives over the last year.

This time last year, Brian was an Alltel employee and his future at AT was in question as the Verizon purchase of Alltel was soon to be completed. A year later, Brian is happily employed by Verizon Wireless as an equipment engineer. Since June, Brian has gone to New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago, Indianapolis, Houston, Dallas, Omaha and Seattle. Some of these places he has been to multiple times. We are very thankful that God has so graciously protected us. Until last December, Brian was the interim youth pastor at our church. He is now teaching an adult Sunday school class and helping with small groups on Wednesday nights during youth.

This time last year, Brian and I had a little secret that we only told everyone about just before last Christmas. Elizabeth Ann Bennett came into our lives in May. She is the perfect addition to our family and completes us. Everyone who "meets" her tells us how sweet she is. We are so grateful that God gave her to us. We have heard so many stories over the last year of families who have struggled with infertility or who have had babies who Jesus called home. We are incredibly thankful that God gave her to us especially after my struggle with anemia. She is sitting up on her own and desperately trying to figure out how she can keep up with her sisters.

Ellie is halfway through K5. She is doing so great! It is amazing the difference a year makes. She is thriving and learning so much. Her confidence level is increasing daily. We have been amazed at the ways she has changed. She started school without any issues. Brian and I were the ones who were sad when she walked into her new class the first day of school. She did an excellent job in her school program and even smiled for her school pictures. She continues to amaze us.

Mollie is hilarious! My friend Karen says that what Mollie is lacking in stature she makes up for in personality. She is the perfect compliment to the other two girls. She has little fear and fits right in to any situation. She loves her friends and her school (mothers day out). She is growing up so quickly. Mollie is sleeping in a big girl bed and is very, very close to being potty trained. She is a great big sister and adores Ellie.

I am still serving as the WEE Care Director at LRFBC as well as doing web development for ABSS. I've been doing some web work for the church as well as doing bookkeeping and payroll for my dad. I love being a mom and taking care of our family. It's amazing how quickly the days pass and how there never seems to be enough time.

God has taught us so much over the last year. My mom's verse for the year is, "Be still and know that I am God." What a perfect verse for our year. It has been a year of ups and downs. We praise God for His protection and for providing for us. God is good!

We pray God will bless you in the coming year.

Thanks for keeping up with us.

Blessings!

The Bennetts

Monday, December 7, 2009

Prelude to a birthday

Our sweet Ellie is a few days from officially being 6 years old! I am kind of in shock. I'm not quite sure where the time has gone. Last year, we had to reschedule her party and alter our plans due to an ice storm. This year, I decided that I so didn't want to have to deal with the weather this year. We had Ellie's party December 1st at Jump Zone. (Jump Zone is one of those bouncy house places with several major inflatables.) We invited E's class, several friends from her class last year and her SS class at church. Noah and Mandy were able to come as were Brian's parents and my mom. Everyone seemed to have a great time! Her special request was for cupcakes made by the ladies in our church kitchen. They did an excellent job. When I picked them up, they were on a silver tray. E thought she had arrived!

Ellie on the birthday seat just before her party.

Our new friend Donna Trawick (her youngest Julia Faith was hanging out with us too), my sweet friend Lora Deaton and Brian's mom. All the moms had a great time visiting.

Noah had a blast!

Pawpaw videoed most of the party, but he had to check his phone some too.

Me and Annie - I had a terrible headache. Fortunately, the Excedrin kicked in just in time.

Ellie played hard!

Savannah, Ellie and Serenity

Noah was all about the slides.

Ellie and Mrs. Bricker (her teacher) - Ellie and Ali (Mrs. Bricker's daughter) are good friends.

Mollie took a break to finish her fries from McDonald's.

Ready for cake!

Elizabeth (friend from church), Ellie, Madelyn (from her class) and Savannah (friend from school)

Mollie had a blast.

We are so thankful Ellie has great friends.

Mandy and Noah

Ellie opening her first gift.

Kinley, Crosse and Ali

Ellie adores Kinley. We were so glad that she and Crosse were able to come (and Ali too!).

Ellie was very excited about her new DS game that Mollie got her. Plus, Kinley was a great present helper.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Thanksgiving Day (or weekend) is a happy day and we say thank you God!

My girls spent several days before Thanksgiving singing the little song, "Thanksgiving Day is a happy day...." It turned into a very happy day and weekend for us! It was definitely a family affair! My family has traditionally spent Thanksgiving Day at my grandparent's house. However, this is the first year that we were all at my parents. Our hope was that my grandma wouldn't get so worn out after all the festivities. We had a great time. I have to admit that it was different - but it was good! Mama had a very, very successful first Thanksgiving. :) Plus, my Papa's turkey was fabulous!! We ate together as a family - all four of us siblings, spouses or soon-to-be spouses - Friday and Saturday nights. It was so great to all be together. There's just something special about it. I am so thankful for such a great family!!

Annie's 1st Thanksgiving! We are so thankful that she is a part of our family! What a joy!

Mollie is all about Micah and Kelsey (aka Dunna).

Noah had a blast playing in Annie's car seat.

Mollie cheesin' it for the camera. I think Noah loved the seat he found.

Noah was a little disappointed that Uncle Brian was more interested in napping after Thanksgiving lunch than playing with him.

Dunna was the queen. Noah and Mollie had a great time looking at puzzle books with her.

Josh & Micah - I love having time with my brothers.

My mama bought a 1000 piece puzzle. Mandy gave it a valiant effort, but the puzzle finally won. Ellie tried, but it just wasn't her thing.

Noah was trying to help Scarlet (Stephanie's puppy) escape. He was not happy that she was locked up.

Miss Scarlet

Annie LOVES her Papa Jim.

Ellie, Noah and Mollie decided that the best way to spend the evening was to play the piano - together! Ah, cousins!

Annie didn't miss out on the cousin love - Thanks, Noah, you are the sweetest!

So, after I downloaded all of my pictures, I realized that I didn't take any pictures of Caleb and Stephanie or my mama. Oops!!! I promise they were all there. Caleb and Steph were able to come in on Wednesday and stay until Sunday morning. It was great to have them here. They'll get to come back this weekend for Caleb's tool shower.