Happy New Year...Well, it has been a very blessed year in the Elliott household with many new adventures, sadnesses, and celebrations. We started the year trying to sell our farm and taking a leap of faith to move to Long Beach, NY before it was actually sold. We left Marietta, OK on April 2 loaded down with a moving van, our car, 2 adults, and 2 kids. We drove across country seeing parts of the U.S. (Tennessee, Virginia, W. Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, NY) and finally crossing the Verrazano Bridge in NY around midnight on the 6th. Unfortunately, we learned on the way across country that my beloved Ma Honey had passed away so once we arrived in NY, I immediately jumped on a plane to Arkansas for her funeral. Thank the Lord for John and my mom, who had flown in to help, who held down the fort taking care of kids and moving us in to our apartment.

The next phase of the adventure began with exploring our new town, finding a GREAT church, becoming regular beach bums, and regulars at all the great parks and library within walking distance of our house. We had a great time visiting NYC, taking our first train ride, and getting to know many new friends and old acquaintances (Jayme from college and her family).

We also finally got word that Bill, John's dad, was continuing to improve health-wise. It had been a very long summer for them.

At the end of September, I got a part time job hostessing at a local restaurant. I really enjoy it and am able to add a couple of hundred bucks a money to the family income. Win-win for everyone.

With fall came our first experiences with public school as Jacob started kindergarten and Julia started a 2-day a week 3 yr old program at our church. We've had some victories and bumps but all-in-all a wonderful experience. We had a wonderful Halloween with Julia as Snow White and Jacob as Robin. We made a quick plane ride back to OK to see John's parents (Julia's first plane trip). And came back just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas quietly at home as a family. We are truly blessed and thank our Lord every day for all he has given us.

Happy New Year and I hope 2007 is as rich as 2006 was to us!

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends! May everyone be as blessed as us this special time of year. We are always amazed at all that God does to bless us and keep us safe, happy and healthy. And for the first time in 8 years, John is able to be home on Christmas day. Yea!

A Manhattan Christmas...After the kid's Christmas parties, we hopped on the train to head into Manhattan for the evening. We went out for great pizza at Mi Famglia and then on to Bryant Square Park. They had a beautiful lit Christmas tree and some great vendors for Julia and I to wander through while John took Jacob ice skating for the very FIRST time. He only fell twice and he just kept trying. He did a great job and was very proud of himself when all was said and done. He did great! Poor John had to squeeze his size 14 feet in size 13 ice skates. That definitely put a damper on how long they could ice skate. It was a good thing we quit skating when we did because John was called at 8:30pm to go fly that night. We had a great time but all were really pooped by the end of the night by a full day of parties, train rides, walking, and ice skating in Manhattan. Ho, Ho, Ho!!!

Class Christmas Parties...Jacob and Julia both had their class Christmas/New Year's parties at school yesterday. It was a really big day and a lot of fun. Jacob's class had snacks, danced the macarena, etc. It is so funny to see all the kids interact in their school environment. Pictures to come soon...

Count your blessings...We had a short visit today with Mike, our upstairs neighbor. His girlfriend, Heather, works as a 1st grade teacher in E. Brooklyn (one of the worst areas). I remember talking to her after school started about how discouraged she was since she can't discipline her class at all or even give them a time out or time in the corner. Kids in her class curse at her and all she can do is call their parents &/or send them to the principal's office. She is a 3rd year teacher and was not enjoying the experience at all. I asked Mike today if things had improved at all and he said no. How do you teach children that don't even have their basic needs met? He said through the luck of the draw she has really the worst of the worst in terms of their behavior and life situations. He said that MANY of the kids in her class go back to the homeless shelter at the end of the day. I can't imagine a life like that for myself or my children. Not many of us can. But when we all get caught up with what all we have to do in this holiday season, just remember how blessed we truly are. So MANY kids don't have that same opportunity.

Field Trip...Jacob finally made it back to school yesterday from being sick and just in the nick of time. They got to go on a field trip to the Long Beach Fire Dept. He had such a good time. They learned all kinds of fire safety tips and Jacob thought it would be so fun to ride on that big fire truck when he's a grown-up.

John made a big trip last night to finish up some Christmas shopping for the kids. What a big help!

Hallelujah!!!...I FINALLY finished my Christmas cards tonight and they are by-golly going in the mail tomorrow. It has been a long road.

This week will be so busy trying to get all the final Christmas preparations done including Jacob's Christmas party at school. Fun but busy!

Possible End in Sight...Ok, I don't want to jinx myself but it looks like everyone in my household is almost well. I am afraid to even speak that hope aloud. But I think Jacob will be ready to go back to school on Monday and so far no one else has picked up his latest virus. Yea!

I worked last night at Sutton Place and will again tonight. Then I am off for a few more days. I have been so limited in getting out of the house to shop or run errands with the kids being sick so I really have to finish up everything (esp. what goes in the mail) the first part of this week. I have Christmas card finalized...just have to make copies and stuff the envelopes. Hope to have them out by Monday.

Jacob only has 4 days of school this coming week. Monday he has a field trip to the LB Fire Dept and Thursday is the class Christmas/New Year Party. Then they are out of school until Jan 2. The countdown is officially on in our household for Christmas. Julia looks for Santa every day...even though she really doesn't get it yet. Don't know how we'll ring the bells this year since Jacob can now get in and out of his room on his own even with the safety door knob covers. We'll see...

Well, God bless you all and enjoy this special time of year!

Round Two...Well, just when I thought I got Jacob just about well and back at school, he woke up during the night with 102 degree fever and congestion. So, he is back at home again today. I just hate it that he is having to miss so much school.

He did have a great time at school yesterday, though. His whole class went to a local college and saw The Nutcracker. Jacob LOVED it! He told me all about it all the way home and then repeated it all for his dad last night. I'm thrilled he enjoyed the experience.

Christmas Cheer...Jacob and I just got finished wrapping some presents and making Christmas cookies. We both just love all the festivities of Christmas. Tomorrow I am going to get my Christmas toffee made to give out to a few friends. John and Brona, our neighbors, are going back to Ireland on the 16th so I want to make sure and get it them a few days prior to them leaving so they can actually enjoy it for a few days. Now it is just time to tackle the last minute shopping and get all the packages in the mail for all the family. Well, take time to remember Jesus in this blessed season and hum a little tune while you Christmas shop. It makes people very confused...ha!

True Christmas Spirit...Just have to tell you about our sweet boy, Jacob, and the sweet spirit God gave him. He has really gotten into help wrap presents this year (in fact, most of you will get presents he helped to wrap). Yesterday, Jacob decided to wrap his own presents for Daddy and Julia. He didn't seal them and when he went to take his nap, we took a peek. He had given his sister the toy he had gotten at Burger King the day before that he LOVED. But when he got home, his sister really liked it too and wanted to play with it all night. So, that sweet boy gave it to his sister for Christmas. And in John's box was Jacob's piggy bank. Jacob has tried on several occasions to give his daddy all his money so he wouldn't have to go to work. Since that hadn't worked, he was giving it to him for Christmas. He is such a giver and I am so proud of him. John and I were in tears. He is such a sweet boy.

Christmas in the Air...It is 22 degrees here this morning and VERY windy so this is our first taste of winter. COLD!!!

I worked last night and the restaurant was all decorated for Christmas. It looked very nice. I took a few pictures with my cell phone so they aren't very nice but you can get the idea of what the restaurant looks like and can see where I work. The upstairs is historic because it is the original Long Beach Library.

GO POKES!!!...John and I got to watch the OSU Cowboy basketball game we had recorded the other night. They beat Syracuse in the last few seconds of the game. It was the Jimmy V tournament playing at Madison Sq Garden in NYC. It was a very exciting game to watch! Go Cowboys!!!

Christmas in Long Beach...Well, I already posted some pictures of the inside of our house with Christmas decorations. These houses are our neighbors across the street. It is fun to look out the window at night and see such festivity.

December is here...Can't believe it is already December. We have been bracing ourselves getting ready for the storm that has swept across the country but so far there has been nothing but some high winds and a little rain yesterday. This morning it is sunny and 60 degrees.

Jacob has been out of school since Wednesday with a bad cold. Hoping he'll be ready to rock-n-roll again by Monday. Julia caught his cold (I think) since she started showing signs day before yesterday.

I worked at the restaurant again last night. It was good to get out of the house but looking forward to not working again until the 7th. I've got to make some progress on Christmas this week or there will be no HO-HO-HO!

We got good news this week that John's brother, Jared, and his wife will be having a girl baby. So, that is really exciting! It looks like the Elliott dry spell for baby girls is broken since out of John and all his brothers, there will now be 3 girls in this generation. Ha!