42

Michael turned 42 on January 2nd. We spent the day on the paintball field in a tradition we started 2 years ago. When Michael turned 40, I surprised him by getting together a group of friends for a game of paintball. We spent a couple of hours shooting each other and a serious addiction was born. We have since bought numerous guns, gear and sported a few serious wounds. We play almost every weekend during the winter on 2 fields we've established. One is a woods ball course, the other is set up with pallets and plays like a speed ball course. Here are a few pics to show you what the action is like.

National Champions

Could we ask for more as Alabama fans? An undefeated season, the SEC champions, the Heisman trophy winner, and the National Championship. The reason we are the most successful college football program is because we don't wish these things would happen, we expect them to happen.


Roll Tide

Happy 2010

We rang in 2010 by spending the night up at Lake Eufaula. Michael and I, along with three other couples watched ballgames, played battle of the sexes, munched on bbq sandwiches, mexican and spinach dips, popped fireworks and toasted champagne as the clocked struck 12:00. We had great fun acting young, dancing like we know how, laughing at things that wouldn't be funny if you weren't there and staying up too late.Here we are trying on each others boots. We did get up early the next morning to head into town for breakfast. We went to the Waffle House because there is nothing better than the last high calorie, buttery breakfast before its back to watching everything we eat.

Branson spent the night at Granmommies where they watched a Three Stooges marathon. He was all animated showing us how the Stooges act toward each other. He later said he never thought he would be into b/w movies but he thought they were pretty cool. We spent the remainder of the day napping, playing games, watching football, and eating. We wanted to get it right because you know they say whatever you do on the first day of the year, you'll be doin' all year long.

Merry Christmas to all

Well the Christmas holiday is over and things are returning to a normal pace here in the Helms' house. I can't say it's all organized but we did manage to fit everything in the house. The food was yummy, the tree was beautiful, the gifts were abundant, but most importantly the family was together.

We spent Christmas eve at my parents house as always. My brother, sister-in-law, and nephew were there as well as a short visit from Big. We helped Mother finish preparing the meal and sat down to ham, dressing, corn souffle', broccoli salad, mac-n-cheese and the famous carrot cake for dessert.

After dinner we worked off a few calories with my mom's new Wii. She happened to get it a little early because my brother thought it was for Branson and handed it over to be wrapped saying "Mom, here's the Wii". Much to his surprise, she said "what Wii?". She said the look on his face was priceless as he was mortified, no doubt. If only I could have been there to take in the moment because it is few and far between that Daniel does anything out of line.

We opened our presents in round table style as usual, each person taking a turn so that everyone else can see what was given. Papa, Branson and Charlie have a little trouble in the patience department and couldn't always wait for their turn. I guess it worked out good because Branson and Charlie had the biggest pile to open. Charlie really got into it this year and helped me keep the paper cleaned up too! Maybe wanting things to be clean and neat is what he inherited from Aunt Na Na.

We all got an extra present from Daniel and Melissa with news they are expecting. Daniel announced it as "we have some big news" and I knew instantly what was about to be said. We all clapped and cheered and I got tears like I usually do.

Snow?

We've been experiencing some really cold weather in the past few days. We had a slight chance of snow in the forecast but it doesn't look like it will make it this far down. Branson seemed disappointed so being the good mother I came up with a digital solution. I guess this is appropriate with the high tech life we are all living these days.

~my husband rocks~the gas pump

You know how we are rocking along in life taking almost everything for granted? Well, every now and then it dawns on me how lucky I am to have a husband like Michael. He is constantly doing things to make my life easier so I guess I'm just used to him taking care of me.

Here's the story...

On a whim Sunday night we headed to supper at Mellow Mushroom. We were headed home when a mile or so down the road Michael noticed my car was almost out of gas. He quickly turned the car and headed back towards town. Now it wasn't so close to empty that I couldn't have made it to work the following day, but he said "I don't want you to have to pump gas in the icy weather we are expecting this week." I just looked at him and thought "Wow, what an awesome, thoughtful man."

I am truly blessed. I thank God for allowing me to have this man in my life. I know a few of my girlfriends who aren't so lucky and their relationships really help me take inventory of my own marriage.