Happy Birthday Ella!!!

Today is Ella's 2nd birthday - I cannot believe she is two. She came to us as this little bitty baby who was in the hospital for weeks and now she has grown into this cute two year old. She has added so much to our family the past two years. She is mischievous, she is smart, she is beautiful and loved to pieces!

2 things I love about Ella (I have to keep with my tradition of the age):

1. She makes the funniest faces when she gets in trouble or is being bad
2. She loves talking on the phone

Happy Birthday Nicole!

Today is my sister Nicole's 21st birthday - I cannot believe she is 21...

21 things I love about Nicole:

1. She is my roommate on all vacations


2. She is fun to shop with


3. She loves to play Phase 10 as much as I do and usually beats me


4. She works hard at everything she does and for everything she has


5. She is Brandon's favorite aunt and no one can change that (no matter how hard we try :) )


6. She loves her dog Daisy like its a child


7. She is going to have a beautiful wedding in May


8. She is marrying a sweet guy


9. She loves her mom so much she fights to sit by her at dinner


10. She can eat anything and never gain a pound


11. She is a good listener


12. She loves her family and comes home every chance she gets


13. She is a great gift giver


14. She plays a mean game of Trouble


15. She likes taking silly photos


16. She has a very tender heart


17. She helps do anything she is asked to do


18. She loves the beach


19. She is has grown up to be a beautiful person inside and out


20. She will fight for you


21. She is a great sister

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!

My mom's birthday was in January - yes I am late (it is the busiest time of the year for me) and I have already given her present to her - don't worry - I am not that bad a daughter! But, one thing I have not done yet is post things I love about my mom. My goal is to do that for my close family members this year. So, better late than never....

56 things I love about my mom:

1. I get my middle name from her - Lee


2. I look like her


3. She is the easiest person to buy gifts for


4. She was always there for me growing up and still is


5. She is a great writer


6. She cares deeply about people


7. She forgives people who hurt her deeply over and over again


8. She makes the best spaghetti


9. She has the patience of Job


10. My friends always love her


11. She always had an open door for my friends growing up


12. She is easy to talk to


13. She is a great singer


14. She is so proud of me and Tracy - constantly bragging about us to anyone who will listen


15. She is such a giver - even when she can't afford it


16. She works hard for everything she has


17. She is known for her cornbread


18. She is not ashamed of her faith


19. She loves her family who technically isn't her family anymore


20. She went back to school as an adult


21. She dresses up every Halloween


22. She makes the best Monkey Bread


23. She loves making websites that help other people


24. She loves to travel


25. She loves movies and has hundreds of DVD's that she watches over and over again


26. If her family likes something she does her best to like it too and doesn't complain about it


27. She loves Brandon and Ella to the depths of her soul and has since they came into our life


28. She supports us in our dreams - even if she doesn't always agree


29. She makes the best Dump Cake


30. She calls all of her cars "Nellie"


31. She was a great teacher at school - I wish she could teach again - the kids loved her


32. The way she helps Tracy with the kids even when she can't afford the gas to get there


33. The way she took care of her mom and dad until the day they died


34. Her stories of growing up with mawmaw, pawpaw and Gary


35. She loves motorcycles


36. She was a great roller skater growing up (funny I never learned how)


37. She loves buttercups


38. She calls Ella 'little bit' just like mawmaw called Tracy that growing up


39. She always asks about her friends and the people we care about


40. We have a chili for Thanksgiving every year


41. The way she calls going to the movies - going to the show


42. She is Nanny Janny to Jada and Leslie's kids too


43. The way she moves her neck when she dances


44. She was a tomboy growing up


45. She prays for everyone that asks her to and asks us to as well


46. She doesn't know what a great person she is


47. The way she still takes care of us when we are sick


48. She makes great sweet tea


49. The way she laughs


50. She has the kindest heart I know


51. She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it


52. She is writing a book and I hope it gets published one day


53. She has a beautiful smile


54. She loves taking pictures


55. She is a good listener


56. She never gives up when life throws her curve balls

Happy (Belated) Birthday Mom - I am proud to have you as my mom. I love you!

Southeastern Student Conference

SDEA had a great Southeastern Student Conference. We were in Pigeon Forge right before New Years with over 1300 students and adults. Over 50 decisions were made for Christ! We had a fun time with wonderful students, youth pastors, artists and volunteers!

Our theme was Finish the Fight

We had the best team of volunteers!
Catherine, Brittany, Scottie & Hope - are just a few of them

Mark Hall from Casting Crowns spoke

Skillet was in concert...loud!

The Hill kids having fun in the Zorb ball

Kristian Stanfill and his band led incredible worship

Brent Crowe from Student Leadership University spoke

Mark Hall surprised the crowd with 2 songs

Scott presented the Gospel
Praying with students after the invitation

Brittany counseling some girls who made decisions

DecembeRadio was in concert

Jared Herd spoke on the last morningWe are an award winning conference team!
Jonathan, me, Trey and Bubba

Attention!!

Go buy this - you won't be disappointed! Kristian Stanfill led worship at both of our student conferences this year and did a phenomenal job! Love not only their music - but their hearts! Great CD, Great Guys, Great Purchase!

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=301972547&s=143441

Christmas photos...finally!

Sorry for the delay - life has been so busy with conferences - I have just now had a chance to slow down and catch my breath.

I finally took the photos off my camera...and realized there weren't that many...I think most of mine were videos...oh well - enjoy!

Cookies are ready for Santa!

Santa came to town!!

Ella and Papa Joe

Mom opening her gifts

Ella liked her new chair

they even got Candice and Nicole in their new clubhouse

I'm Still Alive!

I am not dead, not depressed about Christmas being over and have not quit my blog - I have just been super busy with work. I know I am behind on Christmas photos and Conference photos...they are coming soon! I am busy planning another conference for next weekend! Hope all is well with you - Happy 2009!!!