Tis the Season to be Busy

Trying to keep the blog up is like trying to clean house with four kids and two cats following behind. I don't have time for either. 

If you're here because you were a lucky ;) receipent of our family Christmas card then welcome. 

I have all intentions of updating at least once a week. I'd like to think I would give you a week in review but for today you will have to settle for pictures. 

I do have a Bible and a book from Tommy Nelson to give away. Look for that post toward the end of the week. 

And now what you've all been waiting for...

Mom one of the girls drew on my face while I was asleep. Hmmm...not likely. You're a great artist. 

How many more can we stack before we fall? 0

                        Cousin love. 

Little practice. That poor truck bed liner. 

Day 3--30 Days of Gratitude

Thankful today for these goofballs! Look out you may see some of these on our Christmas cards.

Hide the Word & Seek the Lord Devotional -- Giveaway

Hide the Word and Seek the Lord Devotional is an awesome book for boys and girls who are just starting to read. Mollie has been reading this as part of her 30 minutes of reading each evening. She really likes it. It has a free download to help in learning Bible verses and there are 52 Bible stories included.

If you would like to see a sample you can check it out here Hide and Seek Devotional. If you would like to win a copy of your own for your sweet boy or girl. Leave a comment below and answer the following question:

How do your children learn best? Are they auditory or visual learners?

Mine are a mix of both and honestly I think it depends on the subject. But they all memorize really well when they hear it.

Don't forget leave a comment by midnight, Friday, August 31st and I will use random.org to choose  winner.

Disclaimer: As usually Tommy Nelson gave me a copy of this book to read and review. Tommy Nelson will mail the winner a copy too.

Priceless--Wordless Wednesday

Giveaway--God's Mighty Warrior Devotional Bible or God's Little Princess Devotional Bible

I am so excited to be able to giveaway these two great devotional Bible's for boys and girls ages four to seven.


God's Mighty Warrior Devotional Bible by Sheila Walsh is a great book for boys ages four to seven. While girls ages four to seven love God's Little Princess Devotional Bible.



All four of our kids love to read their devotional Bible's before bed.  It is in a storybook format that is easy to read and includes verses from the  International Children's Bible translation.

Many areas of Christian life are taught throughout these devotional books, such as morals, manners, generosity and Bible heroes to name a few.

Click on this link God's Mighty Warrior Devotional Bible to see a sample of this book for boys.

This link God's Little Princess Devotional Bible will get you a sample of the book for girls.

Both of these books will help you and your child as they learn to have their own quite time or as you use them in family devotions.

Tommy Nelson Kids and I would love to send this devotional Bible to the special boy or girl in your life.

Comment below with an answer to the following question for a chance to win. Don't forget to tell me if you want the boys version or the girls version.

Do you share your quite time with your kids? How could you use this book during that time?


Comment by midnight, Saturday, August 4th. Two winners will be chosen. One winner for each devotional Bible. Please comment which Bible you would like to win.

Disclaimer: As in the past, Thomas Nelson Books gave me a copy of the boys version (we already had the girls version) to review. Opinions are my own!

Happy Independence Day--Wordless Wednesday

Two summers ago. I don't have any recent pics of him in uniform.

Thank you to everyone past and present who serves so that we can be free!

Happy Independence Day!

Another Giveaway--BEEhaving is B-E-S-T-- Hermie video

The month is almost over and I have 2 more Thomas Nelson products to giveaway. The first is a video for the younger crowd, up to about age eight. 

The Max Lucado Hermie videos teach great lessons. BEEhaving is B-E-S-T  includes two movies for a total of 60 minutes. 

The first is Buzby, the Misbehaving Bee, Buzby bothers everyone in the garden before he learns that rules are important. The second video is Buzby and the Grumblebees, now Buzby knows that following the rules is best, he is off to visit his niece and nephew. Buzby, with the help of Hermie and friends, teaches BeeBee and Buddy that behaving is the only way to fly.

These are great videos to use in teaching your children about following the rules. If you would like to win a copy for your kids leave a comment below answering the following question.

Do you reward your kids for doing the right thing or following the rules? If so, how?

Leave your comment by midnight, June 30th. One lucky winner will receive a copy of BEEhaving is B-E-S-T

Don't forget about the 2 book giveaways on my blog this month. Comment on them in order to enter to win.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the video to review and giveaway from Thomas Nelson.

Hermie--God Listens When I Pray--Giveaway

Young readers often have trouble understanding what they are reading. They also have trouble understanding how God works in their lives. Max Lucado's, Hermie: God Listens When I Pray  is a great book to help them understand how God listens when we pray.

As the Mom of 4, I often forget that they all aren't on the same playing field in their walk with God. While we pray every morning on the way to school, and now during summer break at breakfast, they all pray for different things and people. Depending on which child is praying determines what and who they are praying for. 

Mollie who is 5 always prays for the dogs, ours and the neighbors, which then leads to the neighbors being prayed for too. Mattie usually prays for each of us and our day. Maggie typically prays for friends, classmates, family and other needs she has heard of. Michael always prays for safety, particularly when it's dark and rainy. Mikie and I pray for them as we put them to bed. 

No matter which child is praying, God is always listening. This book helps children learn more about praying. Encourage your children to read and pray with this book.

Want one of your own? Leave a comment below and tell me about your prayer routine. It's okay if you don't have a routine, we have really just started ours the last few months. 

Don't forget to leave your comment by midnight, Thursday, May 31st. I will use random.org to choose a winner. 

Disclaimer: Thomas Nelson sent me this book to review and allows me to give one away. 

Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord -- Giveaway

This month I have several books to giveaway from Thomas Nelson. The first book is for parents Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord is by Pastor and Author Dave Stone. I have been reading this book this week and I must say it is a great read. It is full of great insight and guidance.



The following is a release from Thomas Nelson books;
"No matter how perfect the family pictures look, every family struggles and is dependent upon God’s grace and mercy. As a father of three, Dave shows parents that they have more influence on their kids than any other factor in their lives. Brimming with warmth and humor, Stone gives parents creative examples of how to help kids develop their own faith with ideas such as praying at significant times, encouraging kids to display Scripture in special places around the home, and serving others alongside their parents."

We try to develop our faith in everything we do, but we don't always succeed. One thing that we do everyday is to pray together in the car on the way to school. Each one of the kids has an assigned day to pray first, it prevents arguments. I always pray last. It usually takes us at least 15 minutes for everyone to pray so the 25 minute trip to school is a great time. I've picked up some other ideas from this book that I want to use with our kids.

I would recommend this book for any parent. Leave me a comment below and let me know that you would like to win this book.

Share your own creative way you help your kids develop their faith. Leave your comment by midnight on May 13th, Mother's Day for a chance to win.

Disclaimer: Thomas Nelson gave me a copy of this book to review. One winner will receive a copy. I will pick one winner using random.org on May 13th. Happy Mother's Day!!

What Do Your Feet Look Like

"How beautiful the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:15 (NIV)

One of my favorite songs is How Beautiful by Twila Paris. I've sang it many times for Lord's Supper, weddings and Mikie's cousin Tiffany sang it our wedding while Mikie and I shared our first Lord's Supper as a married couple.

The focal line is Romans 10:15 "How beautiful the feet of those who bring good news!"

Our family has been talking a lot lately about where God wants us. We're pretty sure that school and job wise we are were we are supposed to be for the time being. But since going back to work I haven't been able to serve like I did as a SAHM.

Maggie got in the car today telling me of a little boy in her class that she is going to tell about God tomorrow on the playground. She is always telling us how she is going to be a missionary when she grows up and go serve somewhere over seas. She plans to be a large animal vet so she is sure God will send her to Africa, after all someone's got to take care of those elephants.

She was excited because this little boy has never heard of God. He doesn't know Him or anything about Him. As she talked I continued to remember the verses that came on the screen after the "Go Ye Therefore" Banquet the other night.

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)

Those verses hit me like a ton of bricks the other night. "How can my kids call on Christ and preach it to others," (my paraphrase) unless they see me do it.

We haven't been called to go sell our home and move to be missionaries as some of our friends have, but we have been called to be missionaries right where we are. I firmly believe that God moved my kids three weeks into the school year to another school for His purpose. I see it everyday.

I may not be able to serve in the same capacities that I used to but I can serve right where I am, even in the check out line at Wal-Mart.

Mattie and I wear sandals all year long and our feet are always dirty. But they are beautiful to Christ when we share the Good News.

I want to always have beautiful feet and more than anything I could ever want for my kids is for their feet to be beautiful too.

Have you looked at your feet lately? Are they dirty or beautiful?

Have you heard the Good News? If not I'd love to share it with you!

Week in Review -- April 22-28

As part of our daily post, Sunday will bring the "Week in Review" for a lack of a better title. This has been TCAP week at school and to be honest we are so worn out that we haven't done anything really exciting this week.

I finally broke down and bought a DSLR camera. A refurbished Canon 2ti. I am now looking for a cute, one of a kind camera bag to carry it in.

There have been several funny quotes from the week but Michael gets credit for the most memorable.

Michael, "Oh man, my zipper is unzipped."
Me, "Well zip it before you get out of the car and your barn animals get out."
Michael, "They've all escaped already, cept the chickens. All I got left is two eggs."

He is so funny and quick witted. He comes up with a lot of good ones. On Thursday he got his nose busted by another little boy over the ball bag at Extended School Program (ESP, after-school care). I threatened to get him one of those signs that says "______ number of days accident free." He was currently on eight, now he is back down to three.

Saturday the plan was to meet my four children from other mothers at one of our favorite places and spend the day. You will read more about the place in a few weeks, I don't want to give away why we were there quite yet.

We had a great time minus the boys, one of whom was competing in the State Bible Drill Competition and Michael who had gotten into trouble and wasn't allowed to go. This is his sad, "I do it cause I ain't got no brother," face.


We had a great time without the boys and even got to meet a new boy, actually he is someone's special someone.

Last evening, the Young Women's Mission group hosted the second annual, "Go Ye Therefore" Banquet. The banquet serves to raise money to provide scholarships for members of our church who are going on mission trips. The girls did an awesome job as was expected.

Below are some pics from our fun Saturday, as well as, from my new camera. Hope you enjoy.

What did you do last week, anything exciting. Let me know and enjoy this coming week!

Caught holding hands. Young Love!

Mollie loves piggy back rides.

Let's climb the ramp and see what town looks like from up there.

Program at each place setting

Go Ye Therefore Banquet

A Little More Active

This week I've decided I am going to be a lot more active with this blog. I have written a business plan, bought my domain name, imported everything to WordPress and am trying to figure out how to link it all to my own website. The WordPress site is the same for the time being as the site you are reading. I'm going to ask you to please be patient with me as I do all of this. While I'm setting it all up though I will still be blogging here at blogspot.

I have established a calendar for blogging that will be fully implemented by June 1st. It involves all of the kids and will mean that one of the five of us will be posting everyday except Saturdays. There will still be giveaways and other miscellaneous post too.

We would like your input into what you would like to see posted, as well as a little info about our readers. Yes, we personally know most of you, but would like to expand our readership.



Would you be so kind as to leave a comment below with the following information:

Age Range (20-29 etc...); Marital Status; Number of children; Why you read my blog; and suggestions if you have any.

As a thank you for answering my questions and following my blog, I will be giving away a $15.00 gift card to Cracker Barrel to one lucky reader. Please leave your comments by midnight May 15th. You can earn more entries by sharing on Facebook and Twitter and subscribing by email. Click on the links to the right then leave me a comment that you do or did these things.

Ballerina Bible Give Away

I have an adorably cute Bible to give away this month from Tommy Nelson Kids. 

The Ballerina Bible is perfect for any little girl whether she is a dancer or not. Our kids often carry their Bibles to school and extra curricular activities. This Bible is a great size to carry anytime. It has a presentation page for personalizing and full color maps and a dictionary/concordance. 

Want to win this Bible? Answer the following question in the comment section below in order to win.

What extra curricular activities do your kids participate in?

That's it easy peasy. Course I would love for you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter and you can get extra chances to win.

Contest ends midnight Monday, April 30th. 

Disclaimer: Tommy Nelson gave me a copy of the Ballerina Bible to review so that they can send one to one lucky winner. Opinions are my own!

Titanic Tribute Experience

Last night was the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. It was an honor to be part of this memorial celebration. Mikie had to work so the kids and I took Greta and went for our tour at 4 o'clock. Traffic was horrendous which is typical for Pigeon Forge especially on a Rod Run weekend.
Our family has toured the Titanic in Pigeon Forge before, but this was Greta's first time. She was so excited to be able to attend on this special occasion.

Waiting to board!

We received our boarding pass and listening devices and headed "onto" the ship. Each boarding pass tells the story of a passenger or crew member. We took our time and listened and read everything we saw. The kids were excited to find the people on their boarding passes throughout the museum. Maggie was really excited when she found out that Violet Jessop who was a member of the crew, survived and had written her memoirs, Titanic Survivor: The Memoirs of a Stewardess. 

Out of the six of us four survived only Mollie and I didn't make it that night. Once through the tour we shopped in the gift shop where I purchased our picture memorializing our trip on the Titanic on this fateful day.

Then we walked up the street to Salsarita's for dinner. We had never ate at one before and it was a new experience for us. The food was awesome. I was really glad there was no one behind us in line, because Michael had his usual "I don't know what I want," melt down at the counter. The walk through Pigeon Forge was a first for the kids. Yes, I know we used to park and walk all over Sevier County when we were young, but my kids have never experienced it. As I said earlier it was a Rod Run weekend, traffic was bumper to bumper, radio's blaring, people yelling out their windows, and of course the Rod Run must have burnouts right there in the middle of town. Michael was impressed with all the motorcycles. On our way back to the tribute we stopped for a picture.

 We had white tag VIP seats and it was first come seating, so we were six rows back which were really good seats for those of us who didn't have reserved seating. The kids were excited to see what was going to happen. They passed the time taking pictures and video as we waited. 

At 8 o'clock we literally jumped out of our seats as the Titanic blew it's horn and the announcer asked everyone to proceed to their seats. The cold chills were beginning. As dusk ensued, 8:30 approached and Captain EJ Smith began to tell us about that his final voyage as Captain. That trip was to be his last for he was to retire upon his return home. We met the families of many of those who were on the Titanic that night as they were introduced and seated on the front row. 

First Class Maid, Jaynee Peters was the host for the evening, members of the Grandfather Mountain Highlanders stood atop the ship and played their beautiful bagpipes and drums. The Circle Players presented scenes from Titanic the Musical and Sound Company Children's Choir was joined by a children's choir from Switzerland to sing. Allan Wolf author of  The Watch That Ends The Night:Voices from the TITANIC, read an excerpt from his book. Flares were set off as the stress signal was sounded that an iceberg had been struck. Clergy aboard the Titanic were also remembered by Father Joe Brando, Rev. Tom Sterbens who told of Baptist Pastor Robert Bateman and Rabbi Eric Carlson. 

 As the Eternal Flame was lit a young lady from North Carolina sang a beautiful rendition of My Heart Will Go On. A waterfall of fireworks fell from the deck of Titanic and the flame was lit below. The flame will burn 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

A moving tribute to celebrate the lives and death of those who were aboard the Titanic. We were moved, and honored to be able to attend. Maggie even said she hopes she will be able to attend the 200 year anniversary tribute. She would just be 108 then. Michael tried to put the number of years into perspective by reminding me of a special lady at my parent's church who was 2 years old when the Titanic sank. He said I know she wasn't there but do you think she remembers it? He hopes to see her soon so he can ask her.

We ended our evening with a 45 minute departure from the parking lot and a bathroom/snack break at McDonald's. The kids were in bed by midnight and I was not far behind. As I laid down I thought of what those passengers were going through at that particular time, as the panic was starting to set in. I thought of those who are descendants and the stories that have been passed down. I thought of how Easter had fallen on the Sunday before, just as it did this year. How Mikie and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary on April 11th the day the Titanic departed from Queensland, Ireland, and of the love of Isidor and Ida Strauss. Mrs. Strauss could have boarded a lifeboat but chose to stay at her husband's side, telling him, "We have lived together for many years, where you go I will go." What love, what true companionship and dedication to her marriage and husband. As I prayed for those who are still touched by this tragedy I began to drift off to sleep with a sadness in my heart that this event took place but happy to have been there.

Disclaimer: This post and opinions are my own. As a Mom Blogger, I was given tickets for the tour and VIP tickets for the tribute in exchange for sharing the Titanic with my readers. Thank you Titanic Museum Attraction!

"Giveaway: Win a Family Pass to the Titanic Museum Attraction during Titanic's 100th Year Anniversary"

I am so excited to be one of the Mom Bloggers for the Titanic Attraction in Pigeon Forge. Our family visited the Titanic last summer, check out my post about our visit here.

In honor of the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the Titanic Attraction in both Pigeon Forge and Branson are holding a special ceremony, on April 14th at 8:30 PM, to commemorate it's sinking.

As part of this tribute the Titanic Attraction is also giving away prizes everyday from now to April 14th on their Facebook Contest Page.

How would you like to visit the Titanic Attraction in Pigeon Forge? I have a family pass for 2 adults and 4 children to giveaway here on my blog.

Here's how to win:


Required Entry:
What intrigues you the most about the Titanic? (Post your comment below)

Additional Entries:

• Follow mommyto4mjs on Twitter (or let me know if you already do)
• Follow Titanic on Twitter (or let me know if you already do)
• Like mommy to 4 mjs on Facebook (or let me know if you already do)
• Like Titanic Attraction on Facebook  (or let me know if you already do)

Remember to comment for each of the 5 above items. You have 5 chances to win. The contest ends April 1st at Midnight and I will use random.org on Monday, April 2nd to choose a winner. The family pass is for 2 adults and up to 4 kids and is good through 8/31/2012. It is not good for the April 14th Tribute event.

Disclaimer: I have received a family pass for the April 14th Tribute Event at the Titanic Attraction in Pigeon Forge. 

Gigi, God's Little Princess DVD Set Giveaway

Up for Giveaway today, is a set of Gigi--God's Little Princess DVD's, by Sheila Walsh, from Tommy Nelson Kids. 


The first, Real Princesses Treat Everyone Like Royalty, includes the four episodes listed below.

• The Royal Tea Party
• The Pink Ballerina
• The Royal Circus
• The Pink Surprise

Sometimes it's hard for Princesses to show love to others, even though they know God loves everyone and they are all royalty in God's Court.

The second DVD, God Made Princesses in All Shapes and Sizes, includes these four episodes:

• The Princess Hair Do
• A Trip to the Zoo
• Gigi and the Purple Ponies
• Gigi's Ginormous Sneeze

Every girl is a princesses and sometimes we worry so much about how we look that we forget that true beauty comes from within.

These are favorites at our house!  Each DVD is 90 minutes in length.

Each episode teaches girls they are special and beautiful and how to love people, themselves and God. 

Although they are about Gigi, Michael enjoys watching them too.So you don't have to worry about brothers fussing when sister puts it in to watch. 

If you would like to win a copy of these DVD's from Tommy Nelson leave a comment to the following question below.

How can your daughter learn to be God's Princess from the Gigi stories?

On twitter tweet the following:

My daughter can be #JustLikeGigi thanks to @mommyto4mjs & @TommyNelson mommyto4mjs.blogspot.com

Alright there you go easy peasy. You have until Sunday, March 4th to enter. Tell all your friends.

Disclaimer: As usually Tommy Nelson Kids allowed our family to have a copy of these DVDs. Opinions are mine and I wasn't paid!

An "I Love You" Prayer--Giveaway

This is an adorable book, An "I Love You" Prayer written by Amy Parker and illustrated by Frank Endersby is about two friends, a cat and a puppy, who share the ways that God loves everyday. A mother bird feeds her babies, a turtle finds water, the puppy has a warm doghouse out of the rain, a rainbow and a blue sky appear and God's love is shown.

Teaching our young children about God's love is sometimes difficult for them to understand. This book An "I Love You" Prayer emphasizes the importance of love. It has a sweet rhyming prayer and beautiful illustrations.

Since the book is a board book it's great for even the smallest child, it's written for ages 1-5 years. Parents can start early sharing God's love and teaching their child how to love others.

Now for a chance to win this cute book.

How would your kids answer this question, "God's love is like__________________."

Comment on this post and let me know their answer. Tommy Nelson Kids has given me one of these great books to give away. Contest will end at midnight, February 29th.

Disclaimer: Tommy Nelson Kids gave me a book to share with my kids. The opinions in this post are mine.

Bible Islands Free Pass--Educational Christian Website for Kids

I'm so excited!! I have been selected to stay on as a "Tommy Mommy" with Tommy Nelson Kids. That means I get to give more books away to you my readers.

This month I have a giveaway for everyone. Tommy Nelson and the new faith based Bible Islands have teamed up to provide a website for children. The website characters teach the Bible, Math, Reading, Hebrew and other subjects using a Christian worldview through educational games.

My kids have been checking this website out the past few days and really like it. Now your kids can share in the fun. Click here Bible Islands Free Pass and sign up for your Free Pass. It's simple and fun for kids of any age. If you can get your computer away from your kids, come back and comment below and let me and Tommy Nelson Kids know what you and your kids think!

Look for another giveaway this week, for Tween girls!  

Have a great week!!

2012 Week 1

Welcome to those of you who are new to our family blog!


As the New Year has been around for 8 days now, I've procrastinated about updating the blog. Actually and honestly work and life has gotten in the way and I haven't had time. Anyhow, as it rains outside my dining room window, Mikie is at drill and the kids are in the basement watching a movie and taking naps, I decided to take a few minutes and check in. 

I am going to attempt to do better this year in succeeded at my goals. I don't make resolutions because I know I will break them. I set goals, that way I don't have to feel as guilty for not completing them. Not that I feel guilty over much of anything anyway. 


My goals for this year, 2012 are,
1. Blog at least once a week. Even if it's an update on our week.
2. Exercise everyday physically and spiritually. So far so good!
3. Send at least one card or letter each week. (I'll be sending 2 tomorrow :)
4. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify! Too much stuff gets in the way of serving God and others.
5. Keep the house company presentable at all times. (Yea, I know that lasts about 15 minutes with 4 kids.)


There they are and other than the cards I haven't failed yet.


So now for this weeks update. During Christmas break Mattie, Maggie and I had some doctors visits. 


Mattie's heart murmur was heard by the doctor again a few months ago. She had an echocardiogram and it was discovered that she does indeed have a small hole in between the 2 upper chambers of her heart. She has an appointment with the cardiologist at the end of the month and will most likely have a TEE--trans-esophageal echocardiogram sometime soon. Basically a scope down her throat to make sure there is nothing else going on. At that time will know what we need to do about it.


Maggie visited the allergist for a peanut butter tasting test and PASSED! No more food allergies in our house. Of course she still doesn't like the taste or texture but the pistachios fear her when they see her coming. 


I have an abnormally enlarged goiter which is pressing on my vocal cords. It has given me problems since the summer and I couldn't figure out what was causing me to be hoarse and not able to sing. I see the doctor next week to find out what we are going to do about it. Obviously my constant talking wasn't the cause. It was nice to know that my husband was WRONG for once, it's not all in my head. 


We've enjoyed time with family and friends throughout the holiday season and look forward to a wonderful year of fun.


Mattie and Maggie have participated in the Director's Writing Contest at school and have placed. Mattie placed third in the poems category and Maggie first in non-fiction. There writings will move on to the next level of competition. 


Rec-ball has started and Mattie and Maggie both are looking forward to getting to play this year. Michael and Mollie are justing hoping Paw comes to some games so they can buy some stuff at the concession stand. 


I am gearing up for nine weeks of drama. My afternoon school is doing Alladin Jr. My morning school is still in deliberations with me as to what we are going to do. We don't have an auditorium there so staging logistics for a full drama is hard. 


Mikie is working all the time either at the air guard or in the workshop or folding clothes. Usually folding clothes. :)

Kellie came over Saturday and played. The kids enjoyed a picnic in the rain in the backyard. It was a day of missing kids and runaways but all is well now. 


I'm sure there are really more interesting things I could tell you about our week, but I can't think of any right now. 


I'm glad you stopped by and will be praying that you have a fun and blessed 2012!

Christmas Picture Fun -- With a Giveaway!

Sometimes we need friends, sometimes we need mentors, sometimes we get both in one person.

Back last winter Maggie found herself with a new best friend, Kellie. Their friendship started in Girls in Action at church. By summer break they were inseparable, spending several days and nights a week at each other's houses. They are so funny together and love hosting tea parties, luncheons and teaching all kinds of things. Through their friendship God has blessed me with a friend and mentor her mother, Wendy.

While Kellie is Maggie's age, Wendy's oldest three are college age, so when I say friend and mentor she has been there done that once already and now we get to do it together. I love the idea of having a friend who has experienced things with her kids before and then we get to experience them together with these two spunky girls. I know where Kellie gets her caring, loving heart from. (Sorry Greg.) Both of these Gals are a blessing to our family.

Wendy has started her own photography business, Wendy Iven's Photography this past year and I am obsessed with her photography skills. She is an amazing photographer. Last Saturday evening she came over to the house to shoot our Christmas card pics. We had scheduled and rescheduled on both ends for several weeks and finally got an hour that we could do them. Kellie came along to help and spend the night and we were keeping Ty that night so we had extra hands to help with all the animals.

I decided this was an us picture night, nothing fancy, no matching outfits, just us and some fun. I had put greenery on the mantel and a cheesy Christmas tree. I had wanted to finish it but it didn't happen. Nonetheless, we shot. For an hour we laughed, we cried, we laughed, we were scratched, we laughed, we heard sounds from the cat we had never heard before, we laughed, we were licked by the dogs, we laughed, we chased the bunny, we laughed, forgot the fish, moved the furniture, did I mention we laughed? We had an awesome time!

As Mikie went out to bring our almost one year old dogs, Maximus a Great Dane, Blue Healer mix and Lou Lou an English Mastiff up for their part in the pictures, Wendy asked if Mikie was adventurous. Now if you know Mikie you know when he shoots you the smirky, wide eyed grin he is gonna take what you just said and embarrass you. He asked what she meant and she told him she had brought Christmas lights to tie us up in, before she could say anything else he just grinned really big. Then we both knew where that was going and Wendy quickly said the kids were going to tie us up, gag us and it would be a "silent night."

An aside to this picture: I called Wednesday night to check on Kellie and Wendy since they weren't at church and after 30 minutes of listening to Wendy laugh while trying to tell me about this picture she was working on it popped up on Facebook. I'm thinking if she laughs as hard while she works on them as she did while taking them I may send them out for New Years. :)
I'm joking because she is very punctual and quick with her clients pictures!!! Okay and I have to admit I absolutely love Michael's hilarious expression in this photo. He looks like a little mischievous man.

Back to the photo shoot, Mikie brings the dogs to the porch, Maggie catches the cat and Mattie starts to get the bunny out. When I opened the door the dogs bound in and straight to Maggie where Green Eyes begins to scratch her and jumps out of her arms. Somehow she manages to get her and lock her in the bedroom while we chase the dogs all over the house. Lou Lou dug her claws into the hardwood and Mikie's hollering quit pulling her she's scratching the floor. Maximus is trying to pull the trash out of the can, Ty was trying to get out of the way. All Wendy and I could do was laugh.
Mikie sat in the floor and we finally got Maximus and Lou Lou to sit. Wendy tried to put the santa hat on Maximus but Mikie ended up with it. After licks, laughs and Lou Lou kicking Maggie out of the picture this is the preview Wendy sent.

While we waited on Mikie to put the dogs in the basement and Maggie and Mattie to get the other animals Mollie, Michael and I took a break. Can I just say, "I LOVE this picture." I think it's Michael's only sweet face pic in the whole bunch!

Then it was time to take the pictures with Green Eyes the cat and Mia the bunny and the fish whose tank we cleaned and downsized but forgot to put in the pic. I don't have a preview for those, but they weren't the funniest shots either. After that we were gagged and tied. And the kids tried to figure out how to spell NOEL, and showed their signature expressions. Then there were the friends pictures with Kellie and Ty.





The creepiest picture of the night has to be one of the faves on Facebook and Pinterest. The "Grinch!"

After it was all over, Wendy started packing her camera gear up and Mollie asked her to take one more. Mollie doesn't like to have her pictures made so Wendy couldn't miss it! Obviously I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures and I know Wendy is busily working on ours and other families too. 

I know many of you haven't had your Christmas pictures taken yet. Now's your chance! I'm giving away a sitting fee for a one hour session with Wendy of Wendy Iven's Photography with a value of $50. This is good in the East Tennessee area, she is based in Jefferson County but will travel within a reasonable distance. You don't have to use it for Christmas pics, but it would be a great time to get them done. 

To win you need to do any or all of the following and come back to this blog post and comment that you did them:
1. Follow Wendy Iven's Photography blog.
2. Follow Wendy Iven's Photography on Facebook
3. Follow Mommy to 4 MJ's on Facebook
4. Follow my blog mommyto4mjs
5. Tell me what kind of pictures you want Wendy to take.

So you have 5 chances to win. You receive one entry for each of the above that you complete and comment about on this blog post. Facebook comments will not be considered.

Contest ends December 1st.

Have fun looking at Wendy's awesome pics and Good Luck!

Disclaimer: This post is my opinion.  Wendy Iven's of Wendy Iven's Photography did not provide me anything free only a really great time while she took our pictures. The pictures I receive I purchase and the sitting fee I am giving away is paid for out of my pocket. Wendy is a great friend and I want to see her business flourish so let's help her out.