Monthly Archives: December 2015

5 Tips for Family Fun on New Year’s Eve

. Family, Holidays, Parenting . , , , , , , , , ,
Ammon & Carter usher in 2015

Ammon & Carter usher in 2015

 

5 Tips to Keep up a Youngster for New Year
1)Party! Party Hats & horns break out around 11:00 PM New Year’s Eve to keep our children engaged. We also watched the exciting sights and sounds of “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve”: A 40 year tradition for Sean and Haven.
2)Talk it up for several days beforehand. On New Year’s Eve morning of 2014, the first thing Carter said was, “Happy last day of 2014!” when he got out of bed.
3)Toast the New Year before bedtime just in case they fall asleep: Carter and Ammon knew the New Year was a special occasion when we broke out the chilled Champagne glasses and drank our Welch’s Sparkling White Grape Juice. Consider holding hands and praying for a safe and healthy New Year coming up. Your children will love toasting (they have to make at least one SERIOUS/GRATEFUL toast) each other even if they are silly toasts….believe me!!

To My "Old Lang Syne" departed loved ones, Ammon, Carter, Sean, and all of you all. Happy 2015

4)Late, lite snacks high in protein with caffeine: Ammon & Carter eat some peanut butter and crackers around 9:00 PM. Our soft drink of choice in this household is Coke Zero. Ammon & Carter drink quite a bit. Don’t worry, it was all “gone” from their systems by 12:30 AM 😉
5)Play some new,exciting game several hours before midnight. . Christmas of 2014 Ammon had received a Monster High Share or Scare game. All 4 of us played. We couldn’t believe that Carter enjoyed it too. We played for over an hour, and I think it got us to about 11:00 PM!

Not the best video to watch, but the audio is great. I’ve always loved “Auld Lang Syne”…The Good Old Days. Of course when it is sung slower, it is so melancholy and lonesome, but Mariah jazzes it up and gives it that happy, new, fresh feeling that the New Year deserves.

I wish there was a better title like “The Passed Loved Ones”, because that is really what it is about for me: Daddy, Nanny, Granddaddy, Mamaw Wimpy, and my dear, dear “Adopted” Grandmother, Remell Hall. Oh, how much I miss them, and “We’ll take a cup o’ kindness for old lang syne!”

Friends, loved-ones, and relatives, keep your eyes on Jesus every day in 2016. He is the way, the truth, and the life. If you already have a relationship with him and love him, maybe make a conscious effort to “fall in love” anew with Jesus the Christ every single day. I hope and pray that God blesses every one of you with your best, calendar year ever. With lots of love, Haven

The Little Drummer Boy: Josh Groban

. Christmas . , , ,
Groban-"Noel"

Groban

What a wonderful time of year to consider what we can give back to God! It should be a goal every day of our lives to lift up a prayer and ask, “How can you use me today, God?” However, if you are like me, we get lost in “What am I doing for myself today?”. We are also in trying to do for and please our spouses, children, parents, bosses and co-workers, teachers, and it goes on and on.

Returning to “How can you use me today, God?” I am so glad that this time of year, I am reminded of the Christmas song, “The Little Drummer Boy”. God has given us talents, and we should use them to His glory, “…so to honor Him.”

I absolutely love Josh Groban’s “The Little Drummer Boy”, and I am sharing it with you all. Enjoy!

Christmas 1971/Gene Autry/ & Daddy

. Christmas, Family . , , , , , , ,
Haven's 1971 Christmas

Haven’s 1971 Christmas

 

Christmas 1971

What a haul that year! I was 5 years old. I am forgetting quite a bit, but I got a Hot Wheels Track set, a cat clock that wagged its tail and blinked its eyes, a portable record player, and records just to name a few things. One of my records was the album you see today, Gene Autry: Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer And Other Christmas Favorites. Several days ago I heard Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry, and my heart sank a bit when a wave of childhood memories of my father and Christmas flooded my heart and soul.

My father, Oliver Haven Caylor, truly loved giving us presents and seeing us enjoy our Christmases during childhood. He loved cowboys, and he loved Christmas, so it was natural and a pleasure for him to buy me this album. My heart still misses him so much especially during Christmas. He passed on May 28, 1982: Three weeks after my 16th birthday.

It just so happened that Carter and Ammon heard Gene’s version with me, and I told them about my album and a few words about their Papa Caylor. He would have such fun with these two!

Educational Excitement

. Christmas Hawk . , , , , , , , , , ,
Barnes and Noble Book Signing

My Future Authors, Carter & Ammon

 

What a week: November 23-November 28, 2015!

From a story (Christmas Hawk) that was created by Carter, Ammon, and myself December 2013 as we walked in our field to the week of November 23, 2015, we made it to Chattanooga television and a book signing at Barnes and Noble!

My “babies” and I created, wrote, and published the book, but it was because Kelly Flemmings believes in us that we had such an exciting and educational week. Kelly is the Barnes and Noble store manager at Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He runs the best Barnes and Noble retail store I’ve ever set foot in and that includes the Barnes and Noble on 5th Avenue New York City. Thank you, Kelly.

My spiritual anchors for the book signing were Vicki Trapp, her sister, Susan, Sheila, Claire Randle, Leah McDonough, Janie Dempsey Watts, and Endia. They filled my spirit and made the event like a fellowship. I was so blessed, and I thank God for all those people and the opportunity I had to experience this life-changing event with my precious children, Ammon & Carter.

Haven reading "Christmas Hawk" to a Barnes and Noble crowd

Haven reading “Christmas Hawk” to a Barnes and Noble crowd

 

From WTVC News Channel 9 in Chattanooga I thank both Margie Scott and Brian Smith (Thin N That) for their kindness and support. From WRCB Channel 3 in Chattanooga I thank Julie Edwards for her support and awesome and engaging interview with Carter and Ammon.

 

Interviews 

WTVC – This N That 

http://bit.ly/thisnthat_Hawk

WTVC This N That

Getting Microphones placed for our interview with Brian Smith

 

WRCB- 3 + You

http://bit.ly/3plusyou_Hawk

 

WRCB 3 + You

Carter & Ammon Patiently wait for their interview with Julie Edwards