Farewell to Friends

Here are a few of our goodbyes with some friends over the last week or so. I'm sure our farewell with our families will be more teary-eyed. In fact it may be down right ugly, so you may not see any pictures of it!
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This is my friend Annie and I. Even though we don't live in the same town now, we still get to see each other when she comes to Woodward to see her family. I am really going to miss her. We have been the best of friends since 5th grade. We've been pregnant together twice. Our first daughters are 3 weeks apart and this time with our third we are just a week apart.

Here is Hollace with Lily. They always have a good time together.
Here are the boys, Rhett and Cooper. I was about a year behind with this pregnancy.

This is Hollace and her "boyfriend" Nash Hunter. He came by to bring her a going away gift.

Here are Hollace and her best friend Brynn. She is very sad about moving away from Brynn. They have been friends since they were babies. Her mom, Margo, and I are great friends and work together. She is my former "running partner" and my "look-alike". We are REALLY going to miss the Carpenters!!

This is the kids with Wanda and Donnie Thomas. They are long-time family friends of the Hubbards. They live next door to Brent's parents and lived there when Brent was growing up. The kids really like to see them and we got to have dinner and spend some time with them before we leave.

Last, but not least, here is a silly picture from our Sunday School class's scavenger hunt a couple of weeks ago. This is just a few of us, but we all had a great time and they had a little farewell for us at the end of the evening. They are all great people that we have truly enjoyed getting to know and we are going to miss them. Thanks guys for your support and friendship!

**Moving Update:**

We finally have a "plan" for the actual move. The movers arrived this am and gave us an estimate for how long it would take to pack and load and when they would be leaving. The plan, as of now, is to leave sometime Wed. afternoon and stop somewhere along the way that night and get up and drive the rest of the way on Thursday. I think Brent's brother is going to drive a vehicle and stay there with us a few days to help us get somewhat settled. This will really help since I won't be a whole lot of help 35+ weeks pregnant and trying to keep the kids entertained and out of the way.

Also, we have a contract on our house here in Woodward. We had an offer on it after about 2 weeks on the market. That was a huge blessing! Just pray that everything goes smoothly for the planned closing by the first of Feb.

This may be the last you hear from me until we are in TN. I'm sure by tomorrow this computer will be in a box on a truck. Everyone have a great New Year's and I'll catch up when I can!

Christmas '08

How quickly Christmas comes and goes each year. With so much going on here it seemed to come and go even quicker than usual. We had a great time and tried to make it special for the kids and make sure they remembered our Savior in all the hustle and bulstle. We celebrated Christmas with my sister, her husband and our parents last week. On Christmas Eve we went to Mooreland's FBC service with Brent's family. We then came home and opened a few presents here and got ready for Santa. We baked cookies, tracked Santa on-line, and read the Christmas story. On Christmas morning we had some time at home as a family then went back to Mooreland for Brent's mom's Christmas breakfast. It is always so yummy-and fun. There are lots of people there. My parents even come. Later that day we exchanged gifts with Brent's family. Like most, we all ate way too much and can't believe the number of gifts we accumulated over the holidays. Here are some pics from the last week.

Christmas at Nana and Papa Brown's

Christmas Eve at home

Christmas morninng at home

There was a definite Cars theme with Rhett's gifts. He even loved the sippy cups from his stocking

The long awaited Hannah Montana wig

Christmas at Grammy and Papa Hubbard's

Rhett's new 4-wheeler from both sets of grandparents

Christmas Card Notice

Just in case there is anyone who is thinking "How rude, I didn't get a card from the Hubbards!"---Nobody did. This is the first time since we've had kids that I haven't sent out cards. There are two reasons. 1). I just didn't get it done and 2) I am planning on sending out a sort of New Years card. By the time I get it out we'll have our new address and maybe a new baby. If I'm feeling really motivated in all my spare time, I may write one of those letter cards. (Am I the only one that loves to get and read those?)

Anyway, thank you to everyone who has sent us a card. I truly enjoy getting them. You will be getting a card-of some kind at some point. But in the mean time, MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone!! I hope you all have a blessed holiday!!

Christmas Tag and Decorations (or lack there of)

Here is the ONE picture of my Christmas decorations. It is my Willow Tree Nativity that I love. I actually do have a tree up. It took quite a lot of motivation, knowing it was all just more to pack up immediately after Christmas. How can you NOT put up a tree though, especially with kids. So, the tree and this nativity is about all I did this year. I couldn't NOT put this out either. I just love it and it reminds us of what we are really celebrating at Christmas.

And......I was tagged by Kristen with this little Christmas game, so here it is:

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Spiced apple cider. Ok, hot chocolate if I had to choose.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Mostly unwrapped under the tree.

3. Colored lights on house/tree or white lights? White.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I have some fake mistletoe I usually put out.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I love all the yummy holiday food, but I guess I don't have a favorite.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Probably just Christmas Eve, getting ready for Santa, etc.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What do you mean, truth about Santa??

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? My parents always got us Christmas pajamas, an ornament and one or two small things from them on Christmas Eve, so we have done that with our kids, too.

10. How do you decorate your tree? Clear lights, silver and burgundy bulbs and all the random ornaments from over the years. I want to get a second tree, so I can have one really pretty one with certain colors, and one just for the "random" ornaments. Maybe next year.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it, but I probably would get tired of it it we got it a whole lot.

12. Can you ice skate? I've never tried.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I really don't remember one favorite.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Remembering what we are REALLY celebrating.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? I'd have to think about that.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Just being with family, I guess.

17. What tops your Christmas tree? A star

18. Which do you prefer-giving or receiving? Giving, especially with the kids, but who doesn't love to receive, too?

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? "O Holy Night"

20. Candy Canes-yum or yuck? Yuck. I'm not a peppermint fan.

21. What do you want for Christmas? There isn't anything I just really want. I usually like to get clothes, but not this year.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? Yes, several. This year we've been to our Sunday School party, Brent's work/going away party, and a party at Yulonda's. I've actually missed 3 others already this year, because we were in Nashville or something.

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs? PJs first, then get dressed (but not really dressed up) to go to families.

24. Do you own a Santa hat? No.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? Both of our families. We are lucky they live close together.

I tag my mom and Sydnie, who have seriously been neglecting their blogs, and anyone else who hasn't participated yet.

Fun at Grammy and Papa's

A couple of weeks ago when we went to Nashville, the kids spent a couple of days at my mom and dad's and a couple of days at Grammy and Papa Hubbard's. Terri took these pics. It looks like they had lots of fun. They got to play in the leaves, pester Uncle Colby and spend some time with their cousin, Gunnar.

6 Random Things

I know I'm kind of behind on this little game, but Leslie tagged me so here are 6 Random Things about myself that you may or may not find interesting, but random non the less:

1. I could easily be a vegetarian. I really would not miss meat, especially red meat. I like it ok and eat it often, but if I couldn't it wouldn't really bother me. If given the choice, like at a restaurant, I usually pick things with no meat or at least not meat as the main thing. If anything maybe fish or chicken. I have ordered steak at a restaurant one time in my life and it was in the past year.

2. I have really low blood pressure. So low that when I have it taken anywhere I sometimes have to inform the person that it is normal for me, because they sometimes become concerned. In my early pregnancy (when a woman's blood pressures is sometimes lower than usual), I have passed out a few times, because mine is SO low.

3. I brush my teeth usually a minimum of 3-4 times every day. I brush them every time I leave the house, even if I haven't eaten since I brushed them last. I even have a toothbrush and paste in my purse. I got this habit from my mother. I still get cavities, by the way.-and have very sensitive teeth, probably from brushing too much.

4. Speaking of teeth, I have a really bad sweet tooth. I love sweets and always crave something sweet after a meal. I have to have something, if even just a bite of something sweet after I eat.

5. I hardly ever watch tv. The one and only show I make an attempt to watch regularly is Grey's Anatomy, and this only happens about half the time. I'm not sure what I do instead of watching tv, I just don't. When I do, it's usually Discovery Health Channel or some true mystery story like Dateline or 20/20 or something. (Does this mean I'm a nerd?) I do really like to watch movies. Brent and I usually watch one every weekend.

6. I love lists. Any kind of list. I have made a list before of the lists I need to make. Ha. It makes me feel organized and productive when I can cross things off my lists!

We're So Proud of Scott!!

Friday night we went to OKC to attend a ceremony honoring Brent's brother, Scott. He has finished orthodontic school. It was sort of a graduation ceremony, but being that there are only 5 people in his class, it was not your typical "walk across the stage" graduation. It was a VERY nice reception and dinner at the Petroleum Club in downtown OKC followed by some speakers from the staff of the school and a slide show of the class. The slide show was prepared by the 2nd year students and was really very good. Then each of the 5 spoke and then got their certificates.

I had originally planned on taking the kids, before I really knew what type of program it was. Terri informed me that probably wouldn't be a good idea. I'm glad she did. We were there from about 6:30, to close to 11:00pm. It was very nice, but long. It would not have gone well with the kids there! Anyway, we stayed the night and used the next day to get a lot of Christmas shopping done.

Here are a few pics from the ceremony. We are all very proud of Scott! He has worked very hard! He is coming back to Woodward, where he practiced general dentistry for 2 years. So, if anyone is in need of some teeth straightening, give him a call. I think he plans on starting in early February. This will be great for Woodward, as many kids (including myself) for many years have had to travel several times a year to see an orthodontist somewhere.

Nashville News

For anyone of you who might be wondering, here is a brief update on our latest moving news:

*We went last week to look for a house-and found one. It was a busy 3 days.
*We have a contract on it and are suppose to close by the end of the month.
*Brent's first day there is going to be Jan. 5th.
*I don't think I said last time, but Brent's position will be Associate Administrator at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.
*We decided to live in Hendersonville, instead of actually living in Nashville. It is a northern suburb and is about 20-25 miles from downtown Nashville where Brent will work.
*We plan on leaving right after Christmas, but don't have an exact date set with the movers.
*I had an appointment with an OB Dr while we were there. I really liked her and feel much better with that little issue taken care of. (I didn't want to be one of those women who show up in the ER in labor with no dr. and "Oh, by the way I have this little complication called a......).
*Our house is on the market and we have had it shown already a few times, but I will be very stressed until it sells!! They say this is the slowest time of the year in the real estate business.
*I am not going to work in TN, for awhile anyway. It would be just too much to start off working right away. I am excited to stay home with the kids all the time, but it will be weird. I have not NOT had a job since I was about 14!

This was kind of a boring post, but I thought a few of you might be interested in an update. I didn't even have any pictures to post. I have been too busy to upload any lately. I will get some Christmas deco. pics up and my tag blog soon.

BIG NEWS!!!

We have some REALLY BIG news!!!!!!!

No, I am not pregnant. Oh wait, yes I am, but you already knew that.

We are moving...............to Nashville, TN!!!!!

This is really big for us, since we have lived here for about 7 years now and have always lived here since we had kids. Both of our parents are here, we go to the same church I went to from the time I was born, etc, etc.......Anyway it is a big thing to us, and not an easy decision.

Brent got a great job offer with HCA, a big hospital company. It is actually a position within their CEO development program. I have to brag on him a little and say that the program had over 600 applicants this time and only 2 got positions. It is a great opportunity!

It is, of course, going to be stressful and a big adjustment. Brent turned in his 30 day notice at the end of last week, so we will probably be leaving right after Christmas- Yes, I will be 34 weeks pregnant when we move over 800 miles away, to a place where we know NO ONE, a place I have yet to even visit. However, we have prayed a lot about this whole thing and know that God has a plan for us and trust him with this.

We are going this week, leaving tomorrow, to attempt to find somewhere to live. I also have an appointment with an OB doctor, so that when we arrive 4 weeks from now I will have someone to call if I have any problems right away.

SO, that is the news. I'm sure I will have more to post after this weeks trip. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, this week as we travel and in the next several weeks. You might also say a little prayer for our parents. This is really big for them too. I know they are proud of Brent and happy for us, but I know they will also miss our kids (I mean US, ha!) a LOT!!!

Future Nurse?

Last week the surgery dept. did a neat thing for Peri-Operative Nurses Week. We invited a first grade class to come to a "Bear Hospital". They got to bring their "sick or injured" bears, dolls, or other stuffed toys to the hospital and go back into the OR while we worked on them. We put the "patients" to sleep and then casted, sewed and patched them up. The staff got to bring up our own kids and grandkids beforehand to go through. Hollace took her American Girl doll, Angelina, who had a "broken arm". They all had lots of fun-and who knows maybe one or two of them will grow up to be nurses. Maybe even Hollace, even if right now she says when she grows up she is going to work at Sonic and Mega Movies.....

Future Fireman?

Last Saturday our Sunday School class took breakfast to the firemen on duty at the fire station, to show our appreciation for their service. They took the kids downstairs to see the trucks and even let them sit in the firetrucks, turned the lights on, and gave them each their own chief hat and badge sticker. They were all very impressed. Rhett really likes firetrucks, not as much as "Cars", but a lot. If you are wondering why Hollace isn't in any of the pictures, she stayed the night with her Nana the night before. When I called to get them up and tell them we were on our way, she told my mom she didn't want to go, so when we got there to pick her up she was sitting there in her pajamas. She immediately jumped up and said she changed her mind, and wanted to go. I told her we didn't have time to wait on her now and she'd have to miss it. She cried and cried and we had to have a talk later about the decisions we make and their consequences. Hope she learned a lesson.....Anyway here are some pics of my little fireman.

Name That Cousin

My nephew has a name: Gunnar Thomas Tackett- and Hollace actually picked his name! A few weeks ago, they still hadn't decided on a name. Hollace said "Well, if you're not going to name him, I will. I pick Gunnar." She said she chose this because "Uncle Colby loves guns" (he is a big hunter). I think at first they just thought it was funny that she chose this because of the "guns", but it kind of grew on them. The second day in the hospital they finally decided to go with Gunnar. Hollace was so proud. I really like it! Here are a couple of pics from the hospital. This was the kids' first time to see him up close and sort of "hold him". This was still Halloween day. (I do not normally dress my kids as super-heroes) We went back late after all the festivities were over.

Now I have to get back to nervously watching the election results come in. Say a prayer!!

It's a bird, It's a plane......

No, It's Super-Man and Super-Woman!!!

We had a great Halloween. We went to KidFest at our church. There were big blow up toys, a slide, hay-ride, hay-maze, Biblical skits to watch, games, a big swing, lots of fun and candy. We actually never really go trick-or-treating, because we just go to this every year. They always have a great time!

Here are my little super-heroes.

This is Rhett saying "cheeese". I have a lot of pics of him lately with this same face.

Hollace really got into character.

They really enjoyed the hay maze.

This is the big swing that hangs from the ceiling inside the gym. It is a hit every year. This was Rhett's first year to do it. He really liked it. (It made me just a little nervous.)

Here is Hollace playing some of the inside games

Rhett loved the inflatable bouncy toy (whatever those are called).

**Thanks, Sally, for letting us borrow the great wonder woman costume!

Unexpected Halloween News!!

I figured I would be posting Halloween costume/ Kid Fest pictures today, but I have something more exciting and unexpected to share. Brent's sister, Juana, and her husband Colby had their baby yesterday-on Halloween. She wasn't due until Nov. 18th, so we were a little surprised, but very excited. She did great, but ended up having a c-section yesterday late afternoon. The baby was just not coming down like he should to deliver. I actually got to go in with her, since I have connections, so that was really neat. The baby, who has yet to be named, weighed 6 lbs., 2 oz. and was18 and something inches long. He and Mommy are doing great. We had to leave the hospital, while Juana was still in the recovery room and Baby Tackett was still in the nursery, to go get ready for KidFest. Brent had to be there early because he played Jesus in one of the skits, but that is another post. We went back to the hospital afterwards so the we could check on Aunt Juana and the baby- my kids' first cousin and my first nephew! I'll post actual Halloween pics and more of the new baby later.

Isn't he just adorable??

The proud new Daddy and cousins!