Thank the LORD for Thanksgiving break! My sales job daily chips away at my sanity.
On any given day I'm squeezing violently smashing a stress ball, checking messages in a state of unadulterated panic, or dodging flying staplers from customers whose machines didn't deliver in a timely manner.
"Silence! I kill you!"
I was ecstatic about having a few days to unwind. One must pack lightly for a holiday weekend.
Even Ryan has caught the fever. Look how many clothes he took for just four days. Tsk tsk!
I couldn't help but wonder how we were going to fit Jay in the car. Perhaps he'd have to ride like this:
Next up was picking up Jay from the airport!!!
People are always in such a hurry at those places.
I was BEYOND excited to see Jay!!!
I had a countdown on my phone and everything.
On our miraculously smooth drive to Dillon we stopped twice to eat because:
A) I don't like Subway
B ) McDonald's has a limited amount of meatless food to satisfy Jay
Here we are during one of our stops.
Ryan told Jay he looked "metro"- whatever that means.
I asked them if they wanted Airheads as a snack on the way back.
They said they were already riding with one.
They said they were already riding with one.
"How rude!!!"
On Wednesday night I finally got to meet Joy's sweet little niece, Audrey, for the first time.
She is SO cute, but Heavens to Betsy I had no clue how bottle feeding works. I was holding it out waiting for her to grab it like a two year old.
I'm the queen, you must hold the bottle in my mouth yourself.
Sweet Layla and her Christmas tree hat.
Most people bring normal foods to Thanksgiving dinner. My contribution included cake pops. Halfway through the process I realized that I had failed to purchase lollipop sticks. Thus, cake truffles were born.
Here's a brief rundown of our Thanksgiving in a few photos.
Just SOME of the food coma spread at the Johnson's.
Two of my favorite cousins!
"They so silly"
Leopard is SO in for 2012. Good job, Hope and Faith (one twin not pictured!)
Next time Joe Johnson says a prayer at FBC I request that he wears this hat.
These boys are trouble all around!
Hamilton Christmas card outtakes.
The next day was Black Friday, which should be called "Black & White Friday" for the Carlsons.
After all, these are the colors my Dad and brother need to be wearing when my mother and I ride in the same car for an extended amount of time.
Just kidding, mother- I love you!
We played a series of annoying games on the way to Florence, including the "I went to the store and bought..." etc. I think we only got through the letter "n."
Most of the passengers were calm and collected.
It's this one that's the problem...
Where is the divider window when you need it?
As predicted, the store lines last Friday were most atrocious. I have waited in shorter lines for THIS ride than I did last weekend. Unacceptable.
Tower of terror
My name is Señor Slug, and I'll be your checkout assistant. I hope you're not in a hurry.
While many people are pushing others out of the way to buy 60" flat screens and iPads, leave it to my father to go shopping for a Bible on Black Friday.
I love it!!!
Want to know what the ever rational and logical Ann Carlson wants for Christmas? New transmission fluid.
As Jay said, "Fa la la la la."
New for the 2012 Christmas season...Advance Auto Parts stocking stuffers.
As soon as we got back the MOST exciting package arrived.
Behold the unbelievably incredible Wii U. There goes my Christmas!
Even Jay was excited about Super Mario Brothers!
No festive season would be complete without a crazy game night with these awesome folks!!!
Almost every year my family decorates the house the Saturday after Thanksgiving, much to everyone's dismay but mine.
On this one day each year I become President of the Fluffing Foundation. I monitor the other family members closely to ensure that each and every branch passes a rigorous inspection.
Perhaps the most blasphemous ornament on the tree...
Several arguments, light bulb conundrums, and a trip to Wal-Mart later, the Carlson Christmas tree was up!
Saturday evening I watched the Clemson Carolina game. During the second quarter I asked Ryan who was performing at halftime. This question was followed with a blank stare.
"Katharine, no one performs at halftime for college football."
What?!? What a total waste of an opportunity!
"No one told me there was an opening!'
Sunday afternoon we were scrambling around like the McAlister family trying to get Jay back to the airport on time.
This Tuesday Dorothy and I went to the Christmas Story concert. It was unbelievable!!! The performers, the orchestra, the videos, just EVERYTHING was phenomenal.
I have been SO, SO busy lately I can barely breathe, but by this Sunday afternoon at least some of the pressure will be off. Most of you know that I've been working on a new CD for several months now. I was already back in the studio for fun back in January of this year, but one day a dear friend told me that I should put out a new CD and have some of the proceeds go to the Carolina Family Planning Center. This friend had no idea that I was writing a song from the perspective of an unborn child whose mother was contemplating abortion.
Ok, God, I think I got the message!
There are fifteen songs on this CD, and I have spent many evenings, nights, and weekends in the studio working on it. We experimented with new sounds and technology from the first one, and I hope you enjoy the finished product as much as I enjoyed creating it.
My prayer is that He would use this project to further His kingdom and bring glory to His name. This Sunday, December 2nd, I'll be performing the song I wrote and releasing the new CD, Shine Like the Son, at First Baptist Church of Dillon's 10:30 am service. I would love for you to come, and you would be welcomed with open arms at my church!
If you have a spare moment I would really appreciate your prayers over this project. I pray that it would be used to touch lives, encourage people to follow and live for Him, and create a movement in a world where we so desperately need one.
God bless you,
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