FullerTown

If you know anything about LifeWay VBS, you know that the music is always phenomenal. For 14 years now, a man named Jeff Slaughter has been contracting with LifeWay to write all of the music for VBS. When we were at the VBS Preview a few weeks ago, we were going down to the auditorium to see the VBS musical. The little Fullers were running down the ice-covered hill singing "Yes to VBS" as loud as they could. I noticed a man up ahead of us also walking to the auditorium. I yelled at the little Fullers, "Red Light!" The man turned around toward me and laughed at my signal for them to stop. I recognized his voice and turned to Patrick, "That is Jeff Slaughter!" We met at the bottom of the hill and talked for a quick minute. He expressed how proud he was to hear these little voices singing a song he wrote about Jesus. We reciprocated with praise for him using his gifts to write songs that children love to sing about Jesus. We met him the next day to have our p...

On Friday afternoon, we traveled to Charlotte, NC for the Spirit of Hope Cheerleading Competition. The girls are always excited about doing the routine. Except that it is 6:45 in the AM when we have to be ready! This is the first stunt that the team does. Then they divide and do two of these. Anna Brooke is on the bottom and Sarah Belle helps C stand up! Then, this is the dance portion of the routine. This is the very last stunt. Sarah Belle stands in the hands of Anna Brooke and K. She then waves at the judges. This is Day 2 of the competition. The girls are ready to go to the warm up room! The whole team on the stage waiting for the Awards Ceremony to begin. The girls were so happy to win 4th place. This was huge considering this was such a large competition. We are so proud of Anna Brooke and Sarah Belle!!!

We are so excited about VBS this year! A few weekends ago we attended a Preview event at Ridgecrest. We learned all about how to decorate, teach the lessons and the motions to the songs. While we were there it was snowing and the little Fullers were very excited! Of course, the Mayor and Town Manager of FullerTown are pretty excited too!

We arrived at Hideaway Farms about midnight the evening of December 26th. The next night, Monday, December 27, we opened gifts. Aunt Ida is the 'Santa Claus' that passes out the gifts. All the little Fullers are Ready! Luke was so excited to get his first BB gun! He had no idea he was getting this but was thrilled. (Yes, we approved before it was purchased.) Anna Brooke was so cute opening her gifts. She wants to go to every adult and show them what she received. Paul sat in his Daddy's lap the whole time. He fits perfectly and is very comfortable there. Sarah Belle gets so very excited about every gift! Look! Pajamas! Christmas at Hideaway Farms is always a blast. The children love being where they can roam, run and play without an adult telling them to stay away from the street. And, we all love being where it gets totally dark at night.

This is what our house looked like around noon on Christmas Day... Can you see the snowflakes falling?? And, this is what our house looked like 9 hours later... This is what some excited little Fullers look like.

On Christmas afternoon it started snowing here in FullerTown. We headed to Moulton (Patrick's parents house) anyway. When we got there we opened our gifts and grazed from all the yummy snacks Nana had prepared. Then, we realized we had better get back to Greensboro before the snow was too bad. We were only there for three hours! I am glad we came back earlier because the roads were pretty rough the last 20 miles.

Luke was so happy to get his Duke blue music player that he wanted. He also received an air hockey table and some other things. Anna Brooke always loves digging into her stocking. Sarah Belle was not expecting a Barbie scooter, but she loved it! Paul loved his train table and train bedding. He has been playing with it every day! We always have a special Christmas breakfast of egg, cheese and bacon casserole, muffins, orange juice and grits.

A few days before Christ, my Mom sent this book to the little Fullers. It is her voice reading the children the story, Twas the Night Before Christmas . They LOVED hearing her voice read them a story. (Do you like my new floors?) Then, the little Fullers posed for the ceremonious photo of them in the Christmas pajamas. Then, they all sat with Daddy to listen to him read the Christmas Story from Luke 2. (This photo was no small feat. Just saying!) Then, this photo was snapped. And, I like it. Then, all the little Fullers went to bed.

On Christmas Eve, we have a Candlelight Service at church. It ends with everyone lighting their candle with the help of their neighbor's light and singing Silent Night . It was such a meaningful service; I look forward to it every year. The little Fullers were excited to be a part of the Service as well. Afterwards, we invited some friends over for snacks and singing. The children walked around in circles until I felt sick to my stomach! They thought it was so much fun! It was a fun night of remembering the real meaning of Christmas.