Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

From all of us to all of you we wish you a very Happy New Year! We are a little late for Christmas wishes but I did want to share some Christmas photos. It has been a very busy season at the Lucas house. It started off with Thanksgiving where we spent the day with our friends Bill & Brenda. Of course that was after a trip to the ER with Cassidy who was having an asthma attack triggered by strep throat. Brenda set her up in a room all to herself where she was waited on hand and foot by mom and had total control over the tv and dvd player. She was a little bored but it really forced her to rest and relax more than she would have at home. Then there were concerts by both Josiah and Cassidy.(pictures to come) Our annual Christmas Cafe at church and our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Of course, lets not forget Christmas at our house. This year we had 34 people, mostly at different times. The most we had at one time was 25. It was lots of fun and we really enjoyed having everyone here. We got good use out of the sunroom Alan built. Glen & Wanda brought over the Wii and that was so much fun. I am already thinking about our tax refund!! We have got to get one of those!!

As I sit here tonight I think about 2007, what a year. It started off really rough with Alan being sick. Once springtime came and the days got a little longer (they are still shorter here than in Kentucky though) things got better for him and life started to even out. We bought a new SUV. We went home to Kentucky for spring break - where it snowed!! We had our first family camping trip with 30+ of our closest friends - what a blast! Beau joined our family as a Mother's Day gift. The sunroom was started. Marcia, Gary and Jenna visited for a few days. School started again. Another family & friends camping trip. The sunroom was finished.


Alan had a hard start to the year but is doing much better. He has been working on the never ending home improvement projects. Work keeps him busy selling to the government and military. He played softball again and did even manage to play golf one time this year. He is still playing trumpet in our church's worship team. He went to Louisville for a week in March where he trained and tested for his QSSP (Qualified Safety Sales Professional). He received the QSSP a couple weeks after returning. It is a pretty intensive course and test and he did a great job!


I (Dianna) spent the year just trying to keep up. Work has been very stressful and busy so I have made a very conscious effort to enjoy the time I am not there. :) I am working toward my Bachelors in Human Resources Management while being the Membership Chair on the PTSA at the middle school, working on the media team at church and trying to keep up with the kids. I have been spending a lot of time with my embroidery machine and trying to find as many cool and fun designs as I can. Alan got me a Cricut Expression for Christmas and I can already see that becoming a new addiction for me.


Cameron had a few job changes this year. He is now currently at Arby's and is a Shift Leader (?). He is doing fine and drops by at least once a week to make sure that the washer and dryer are still working and there is milk in the fridge. ;) He turned 21 in October.


Mikaela had a big year. Along with turning 18 she got her GED. We are very proud of her, it was a very hard test and she worked very hard to pass. She is currently working at a church after school program where she loves the kids. She refers to them as "my kids". She is very rarely home as she is still the social butterfly of the family.


Josiah is 13, he will be 14 in February. He is in the 8th grade. He loves video games, air-soft, and has become very active in Boy Scouts again. His troop does a lot of camping which is right up his alley. He loves to camp and do the outdoorsy things. He was supposed to be camping right now but after 2 days he got dehydrated and we had to go pick him up. He is already ready to go again. He is getting ready for his SC State robotics competition in February. There should be one in January too at the local level to qualify for state. He is still wanting to be an "Advanced Cyber Robotics Engineer", or maybe join the military. He is facinated with all things military. His favorite TV channel is the Military Channel.


Cassidy started middle school this year. We are so not ready for that!! She is 11 going on 22. We have even had to deal with boyfriends. She is all about being social and we are having to reign some of those social skills in. She likes monkeys and loves the Bobby Jack stuff. She has several good friends and likes to talk on the phone - a lot! She is playing the violin in the school orchestra and doing quite well.


Alexis is 9 and in the 4th grade. She just loves life! She is getting that 4th grade attitude though and can go from being sweet and loving to queen of the attitude. She loves dogs. She loves dogs a lot, a whole lot. Fortunately Shadow and Beau are very tolerant of her "love". She is very funny and smart. We have new "Lexi stories" about every other day. She has lots of friends too and like her sisters, loves to be on the phone.


Overall we have had a very blessed 2007. Though not everything has been easy and we have definitely had some very rough spots, by the grace of God we have made it through. We wish you all a very blessed 2008. Continue to pray for our leaders and support the men and women who give of themselves to guarantee our freedom and fight for the freedom of others. In 2008 we will elect another president. Pray now for God's guidance in your decisions of who to vote for. Take every moment and enjoy it. Don't waste time being angry. Love one another. Laugh together. Remember to praise God regardless of your circumstances. God is good - ALL the time.

Fall Festivals, Spiders and Violins

It has been a busy weekend as usual. Sunday we had our Fall Festival at church. It was great! We had a great turnout and everyone had a great time. The weather was perfect, it was just a little chilly in the morning but warmed up by the time for our service. We stayed until about 5:30 which I thought was 6:30 because we hadn't changed the clock in the truck.

Lexi looking too cute while sampling some of the breakfast breads. Alan playing the trumpet in the Worship Team.

Here we are with the worship team acting very serious. The hand thing was something one of the kids did in the children's musical last year and we just always do this.

Playing on the slide, Cassidy just got knocked off the slide.

Josiah is ready for that football to come at him any time now.

The Fall Festival really was fun!! I can't wait until the next event. :)

Spiders

I took this picture Monday night. If Josiah hadn't shown me this spider I would have probably walked right past it. The spider is huge!!! It is also right outside my front door. EWWWW!

Violins

Josiah had his Orchestra concert tonight at school. He is first chair violin. We are very proud of him. I tried to upload a video but it was taking forever. So we have to settle for a picture instead.

Trick or Treat!

It is Halloween in the Lowcountry. Trick or treat in 70 degree weather. Alan and I got home from work and the girls were already outside in their "costumes" and they were ready to go. Josiah volunteered to stay home and hand out candy. That lasted about 5 minutes. His friend, Dale, showed up and that was all it took. He was gone! We took the girls and the "boys" and headed down the street. At first it was still light outside, me made it to the first street and it started getting dark.

The girls' costumes were pretty unique. Cassidy was a "Precious Moments Doll". Hmm let's see, she was wearing pajama pants, flip-flops and a superman t-shirt. She was carrying her Build-A-Bear who was also wearing a Superman t-shirt. She also had a page from a Precious Moments coloring book that said "I am a Precious Moments doll".

Alexis was a puppy dog. Who could guess that? :) She was wearing the costume I made for her last year. She had her face painted up but she didn't do anything with her hair. Last year she had pigtails to look like floppy dog ears.

Both girls had fun! I think the dogs were a little freaked out by all the people. There is one dog in the neighborhood and Beau and him do NOT get along. We have ran into him before and it is a struggle to keep Beau and Shadow under control.

After we had gone a little bit, we were joined by Lori and her kids. It was the first time that her two youngest had ever gone trick or treating. They had a blast. Then after circling back to our house we headed to the one house in the neighborhood where all the kids wanted to go. It is all decorated up and they have a "grave yard" where the kids walk through. While you are walking through it some of the teenagers jump out in costumes with chainsaws. It was funny. Cars were lined up all up and down the street. This is the first time we have been home on Halloween so we were not aware of all the traffic that goes there. I tried to get pictures but it was way too dark. On the way back the older teens came out to trick or treat. Time to go home for us.

I wanted to put this picture in because it shows how big Beau has gotten. He is only 9 months and still has some growing to do. What a big guy!!

Busy Weekend

Where did the weekend go? Friday afternoon Mikaela left to go to Gafney with her friend, Jessica. I took off 2 hours early since we are not allowed overtime and I had too many hours. I spent most of that time wandering around Hancock Fabrics - all by my MYSELF! It was wonderful!! I had to take advantage of the sale on machine embroidery thread. I actually got out of there for less than $15.00. Friday night we went to Texas Roadhouse with our small group. We finished our study on Colossians last week so this week we took a little break and just went out with the adults. Cassidy went to a slumber party at her friend, Akira's, house. Josiah spent the night with his friend Dale. That just left Lexi. Candace came over and we thought they would be alright but they got scared so Candace's Papa came over and took them back to their house. We went to pick Lexi up and she and Candace were both out cold!! I didn't think we would ever get her woke up enough to get her to the truck.

Alan and I, along with Lexi, were up bright and early Saturday morning. Cassidy had to be picked up at 7 am. After some "navigational challenges" ;) we found the house and picked a very sleepy Cassidy up along with her friend, Kiley. We dropped Alan at Perkins for the Men's group meeting. From there we went through the drive thru at Arbys to see if Cameron was working and get me some COFFEE!! We got some breakfast and my coffee, talked to Cameron for a few minutes and headed home. By the time I got home I was so tired I couldn't eat my breakfast or even drink my coffee. I laid down for a little while...which turned into a few hours. While I was sleeping Alan decided to go get a battery for the van so it would run. After he installed the battery he took the van to our office where his car had been sitting since Wednesday. He then replaced the fuel pump on his car. When I woke up it was time to jump in the shower, drop Kiley off, stop at the store for chips and some quick cash and head to a birthday party for Alex. Alex turned 14 and wanted to have a picnic at the soccer field. It was fun. Alan met us there with Josiah, who he picked up at the movies on his way home with his car. (Josiah said that "Game Plan" is great!) After the party we dropped off Alan's car at church since it was close and drove back to West Ashley (our office) to pick up the van. We got back to the house and crashed! I got up and went to the store for the stuff to make chicken pot pies. I fixed 2 of those, heated up leftover chili for supper and then pretty much crashed for the evening. We watched some of the Fox Reality Marathon - the last 2 episodes of "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance". Then watched "Numb3rs" that I recorded the night before.

Sunday morning we went to church - we were even on time!! 8:30 am. We stayed after church for a small group leaders meeting. We are planning on starting our own small group here within the next few weeks. Then it was time for Awana. Josiah went to small group for the middle school boys. I am not sure exactly what they did. I am sure it involved video games and something like football or ultimate frisbee. :) The girls and I headed home to warm up the chicken pot pie that I made Saturday. Alan went and picked up Josiah. We didn't do much the rest of the night. I started some laundry and then worked on some essay questions for class.

This morning we overslept, Lexi missed the bus and we had to take her to school. I just want to know, where did the weekend go? I always start off with the best of intentions. It rarely happens. This coming weekend will be just as crazy. We are having our Fall Festival at church. We will start working on that beginning Friday night. It will be another busy weekend but so well worth it. I will take lots of pictures at the Fall Festival to post.

Birthdays, Scarecrows and Clean Houses

Today Cameron turns 21. Wow. I can't believe it has been 21 years since we brought this cute little 8 lb. 13 oz. baby home from the hospital now he is 6'2" and well, still cute. Time sure flies!! He didn't come over but called me a couple of times. Mikaela and I left him a happy birthday message on his phone this morning.

Today was cleaning day. The girls actually cleaned their room. Of course, I did have to do some bribing. I allowed some computer access and promised a trip to the "Town Square" to see the scarecrows. The great thing about Summerville is that it still has some of the small town feel. Every year local merchants, schools and individuals get space in the square and make scarecrows. Some are scary and some are silly. Well uploading the photos is not going to happen right now. I will have to do that tomorrow. Apparently the blogger photo upload thing is not working right now.

I did get some cleaning done. I am not even close to getting the laundry done, but I have got a few loads knocked out. I did lots of vacuuming and dusting and the den actually is cleaned out and is comfy now. I had to let go of my favorite recliner. Alan got it for me when Lexi was born but it has had it. Today I let it go. But my den looks so much better. I cleaned off my desk and dusted the living room and the den. Alan did some more work on the sunroom. We took a side trip to Home Depot, the kids were not thrilled about that. We got some trim and door knobs for the french doors going from the dining room to the sunroom. They look nice.

After dinner Mikaela, Alan and I watched "Wild Hogs". Very funny!!! I wouldn't recommend it for the kids (lots of language) but very funny. I can't wait to get "Evan Almighty" on DVD. What a great movie!!!

Tomorrow is church and Awana. Sundays are busy but we love them!! I will try to post the pictures tomorrow.

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em...

Since several of our friends are doing the blog thing I thought it would be a great way to share stories and pictures from our family with our friends and family who may not see us very often.

I guess I will start with what is happening lately. Alan is busy watching "Cops" with Josiah. Cassidy is watching tv and talking on the phone at the same time. Lexi is playing a game on the computer. Mikaela just came home from going to the store with some friends. She just started a new job working at an afterschool program at a local church. Cameron is probably working. I have been busy with work and school.

The weather here in Summerville has been absolutely perfect. I have been driving around with the windows down and the sunroof open enjoying the South Carolina "fall". :)

Alan has been really busy working on the newest home improvement project. Our sunroom!! It is ALMOST done!! We finally moved the table and chairs in on Saturday and have been having our meals in there. I posted some pictures below of his progress. I also posted some of the kids and Alan and my puppies!! The big huge one with Alan is Beau. Alan got him for me for Mother's day this year. He is about 9 months old. We rescued him from the SPCA. He is a Great Pyranese/Collie mix. Shadow is our other baby. He is a lab mix that we rescued as well. We got him for Christmas 2 years ago. He is about 3 now and is the sweetest dog you can imagine. Unless of course, you happen to be a cat...then watch out!! He does NOT like cats!!

Oh well, I have been playing long enough. It is time for me to go watch "The Unit" and get the kiddies off to bed!