We Are Choosing Forever: Closing Out 2016!

So, let's see what the end of our year was like! Quick Re-Cap of all things October-November-December!

October was pretty normal, live in the groove of things, so that's good!
We did have a relaxing evening near the end of the month with Damion's mom and brother, hanging out in Ragley where they live. We set up a little fire and roasted some hotdogs and marshmallows.

In November, I changed up my work schedule and moved into a different classroom. I'm still working with babies, but they're a little younger and my shifts are all in the morning now. I really like this room! The babies are sweet and I love watching them learn so many "firsts" with us! My co-teacher and I work well together, and we've had a good time getting to know each other! (sorry, no school photos! :o))

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Damion's family. Everything was super delicious! We had a fun time playing games together, as always! This is the only photo I have of the day for some reason. LOL! <3 you, Dylan!

Exciting news for me was that I grew my business so much that I was able to hit a new rank! I'm REALLY proud of this accomplishment!! I am so grateful for such awesome leadership and all their help and support! I even got a ruby pin from the company. Woot!

Here's a quick shot of an Executive Leader call that we do each month.

Ha! SO FUN!

December is always such a crazy busy month! Christmas parties, shopping, traveling.. Here's a photo tour of our time! Those are always more fun than my rambles!

Damion's brother spent time last year working as a Volunteer Firefighter. We were invited to their Christmas Party - our first one of the year! I got brave and wore my new boots. This might not seem like much to most folks, but I haven't work any kind of heel in 4 and 1/2 years since my leg injury! Falling and breaking your leg in 7 places + surgery = flat shoes 4 lyfe! :o) I made it home safely, though.. so I guess I'll keep the boots. LOL

My Mother-In-Law, Molinda and Damion's Brother, Dustin

The guys before dinner

Hubby and I always go drive around and look at Christmas lights. I love those drives! Here are some of the fun lights from Lake Charles.

Next up - Christmas with family!
First, we spent the weekend with his family. Back-to-back days of gifts, yummy food, and fun games!

Elaina enjoying opening her gifts

So much yummy food!

Gotta have that gumbo! Two kinds!

Mmhmm...

I learned how to play dominoes... and I lost really badly! HA!

Next up, Christmas at Mawmaw's!

Molinda with her "sister" Sophie. LOL

Dustin's turn to pick his White Elephant gift!

When will it be OUR turn??

All the ladies! :D <3

Three days later, we were off on our journey to North Carolina to visit my family!
He's so good to me to drive all that way! We did decide to make it a two-day drive this time (both ways) because it's just easier on us, and our vehicles!

Family Pics first:

Sweet Reagan with her pet bunny!

Daddy and Mama with their gifts

Reece beginning to tear into his pile

Oohhh... she got some boots! ;o)

Santa knew to make his delivery in NC. ;o)

And more goodies for Christmas morning.

Killer, the newest member of the family

Me and my cousin, Coleby!

I got to show Damion the Forest City lights <3

Game time with the kiddos!

We got to see some friends, too! YAY! (Some in Hickory, Raleigh, Virgilina.. we forgot to take pictures in all the places we went. :o( .. here are a few, though!)

So excited that we got an opportunity to see the Omondi Family!
We both happened to be in Hickory, so we snagged a few minutes to hug and do a quick catch-up!
<3 <3 <3

Dinner with my college besties. We've all been friends for 20 years!

Sweet Rhylee! My friend Dawn's daughter.

Lunch with Carmine! One of my besties from my old job.

Breakfast with another bestie, Hallie, in Pensacola on our way home!

We also got to have a quick visit with Kathleen when she cut all my hair off for me!, Alicia and Alex (and Luca!). We had to cancel some dinner plans with more friends because of illness, but that's okay! There will be other opportunities!

I also got to take him to see South Mountain Baptist Camp. This place is SO SPECIAL to me! I don't even know how to explain it. I started going to this camp the summer after 2nd grade. My church took us for a week every summer, and when I got older, I went as a leader with our church girls, then worked there in college. Such an amazing experience... and I hope I always have ties to that place! Here's some photos from that visit! (Thank you Al and Mischia!)