The Christmas Spirit

I am embarrassed to admit it, but this year I am having a REALLY hard time getting into it all.

I cannot wait to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But...the rest of it, not so much.

This is quite the shocking disclosure folks.

Brace yourselves...

MY TREE IS NOT UP YET!!!

This is quite shocking, truly it is.

What makes it worse is that I HAVE had the opportunity to put it up and I have CHOSEN not to.

Say what????

I am normally Mrs. Christmas, not that I am trying to take the title away from Mrs. Claus, but seriously people, we may be facing a national crisis.

I even listened to Josh Groban's Noel and it didn't work.

This is what made me realize that I have a problem.

JB always gets me ready for some fa la la la la.

So, I am calling on you my friends.

Please help me!

What is your favorite Christmas song?

You know, your very favorite one.

The one that instantly gets you in the Christmas spirit.

Please share and help me kick this funk!

Thanksgiving take 2

As I said before out Thanksgiving plans were temporarily rearranged.

Everyone was healthy and feeling better so we headed over this weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with K's family.

The festivities began on Saturday afternoon.

We had the yummiest food!

Smoked turkey, a peppery pork dish, mashed potatoes, broccoli, sweet potatoes and oh the list continues!

A pic of my honey and myself

We also attempted to get a family picture.

As shown below, none of them turned out.

Grrr!

(There were four cameras going, hence me looking at the wrong camera the whole time.!)

After we get our tree up we are going to take another one.

Speaking of said tree, it is still not up!

It has to happen by the end of the week.

I am hoping for tonight but we will have to see how tired K is from work.

I will keep you posted.

Okay friends, it was fun.
I will chat with you on the flip side.
(Hopefully with pics and a post about our tree!)

Quick update

Hello all!

I hope that everyone had a fantastic weekend!

We had a wonderful time.

We visited K's family for a be-lated Thanksgiving.

It was so nice spending time with family, talking, laughing and watching the kiddos run around together.

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I had a migraine that refused to go away.

Abby has a slight fever tonight...teething????

I will update tomorrow and I should have some pics.

I hope you had a blessed day!

See ya tomorrow!

I had pie for breakfast

I did.

I had a slice of warm pecan pie WITH whipped cream on it for breakfast.

It was glorious!

I decided to be a fun mom and let my kiddos have some pumpkin pie with their breakfast.

Of course they had a nutritional breakfast before, think of it as dessert after eating their breakfast.

We have had a glorious day.

Other than the fact that I have done approximately 7 loads of laundry since yesterday.

That is less than a week's worth.

Yikes!

The girls and I have hung out, played and watched some cartoons.

And folded laundry, me not them.

I might also be considering eating another piece of pie.

It is simply too good to not eat.

Happy Friday everyone!

What are your weekend plans?

Mine apparently involve eating copious quantities of pecan pie, yum!

Oh, and the tree will be going up soon!

I am determined.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so very thankful for these four people.

My wonderful hubby and these thee little princesses.

I am thankful for my Lord.

For my fantastic family and friends.

I am also thankful for all of you!

Ainsley's list: Daddy, Mommy and Grandpa

 Adison's turkey

Adison's list.

It says: for Ainsley and Abby of corse they are my sisters!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I survived

Playing through my mind while picking out the title was this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBR2G-iI3-I

Last night when K got home he informed me that our Thanksgiving plans had changed.

His mom and dad had come down with some sort of flu bug.

Needless to say, Thanksgiving food still needed to be purchased.

I naively thought that I would take the kids and go get everything that we needed, piece.of.cake.

WRONG WRONG WRONG

The day before Thanksgiving shopping.

It was CHAOS!!!

The kids, they did great.

I did not even think about how many people would be out today.

I don't know if I have ever seen that many people in Walmart in my entire life.

After I had told the kids that was the last store we had to go to, I was wrong.

We had another store to visit.

I may or may not have bought them some Snickerdoodle cookies to make up for the misinformation.

Needless to say, after getting the kiddos down for a nap, I slept for over an hour!

We are now ready to cook some yummy Thanksgiving food.

Woo hoo!

Happy Turkey Day everyone!

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Making anything super yummy and care to share a recipe?

Rubber Duckies

Today during bath time, Ainsley asked me to get all of the rubber ducks.

I was digging through the drawers and found 8!!!

That is excluding the duck bath mirror and the duck bath toy holder.

 I realize there are only 6 pictured here, Abby was holding the other two and I didn't want to upset her.

See below.

We might need to stage an intervention.

I fell and fell hard

Literally.

I am not known from my grace.

I am more known for being klutzy.

If a person can possibly fall or somehow get hurt, I am your woman.

Yep, see me here, raising my hand.
For years my Dad used to make me crawl up the stairs since I was so prone to falling.

I was the kid while playing volleyball that had some sort of brace or support on every possible joint.

It was such a fashionable look.

The first real doozy that comes to mind is when I went jogging with a friend in high school.

We run running through our neighborhood when out of nowhere I found myself on the ground and bleeding.

A lot.

I had fallen on a stone driveway and ripped the skin off of my knee.

There was blood pouring down my leg.

Would you like to know what I was most upset about?

Probably not, but I will share anyways, it's just the type of person I am.

I was most upset about getting blood all over my brand new socks.

It really is all about priorities.

It was so bad that he had to carry me back home.

*****

The next one I actually have photographic evidence of.

This is your WARNING, it is BAD.

As my friend Sarah said when seeing the picture, it makes her butt hurt.

This picture was taken a few days after the incident, it was SO much worse at first!

Now for the story.

I was getting Ainsley, who was then a 6 month old baby up from her nap when I slipped on the stairs.

To this day I have no idea what I slipped on.

I simply remember falling, hitting my leg on the edge of the step and being certain that I had just broken my leg.

I also bruised my right arm.

The baby though was perfectly fine.

By the grace of God, in my falling state of mind I thought to protect her.

*****

My third and final experience that I will share with you had to do with being arrogant or prideful.

Hubby and I were visiting his family.

His parents have a steep enough driveway that when it ices or snows a lot you are in trouble.

On this day, his dad was on the way back from the store and couldn't get up the driveway.

He called us inside and asked if we would help push the car up the drive.

Sure, no problem.

It was slick folks, really slick.

Hubby slips a couple of times and I start thinking how great for once I am doing.

Ha!

While I am mentally patting myself on the back, I start to slip.

Think Scooby Doo style slipping.

I fell flat on my behind and promptly burst into laughter.

It was hysterical!!

Note to self: Don't ever, EVER get arrogant.

You will promptly fall on your back side and get really wet.

This post was written using one of the prompts at: Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. Check it out, so much fun!

Why yes, yes I do have a three year old

In the last two days, Ainsley has:

colored on our television with a crayon,

ripped the curtains and rod off of the wall,

colored on the baby doll crib that was mine as a child and

used my Burt's Bees chap stick to color the toilet.

(I am noticing a trend of coloring...note to self, hide all crayons!)

Do you know what though?

As trying as it can sometimes be, I wouldn't have it any other way!



Lazy Saturday

Today we had a beautifully lazy day.

I did some housework and hung out with the kiddos.

K went to the shooting range for a couple of hours with one of his friends.

Tonight we had church.

It was AMAZING!

Our pastor talked about Jesus being the Good Shepherd.

We focused on John 10.

Tomorrow looks to be a busy, fun-filled day.

I hope everyone had a super Saturday.

LOVE!!!



Crazy Friday

Hello all!

We have had a crazy, busy day today.

Abby had her 1 year check up.

She hasn't gained enough weight and actually lost some.

That plus a couple of other things have us all scratching our heads.

So we are going to wait and check again at her 15 month appointment.

She also 3 vaccines and Ainsley got her flu vaccine.

Needless to say, things were loud!

I jokingly told our nurses that it is always a circus when our girls come in.

They just laughed and nodded their heads.

We also watched my niece.

It was so fun and she is such a sweet little girl.

It was fun watching all the girls play together.

I leave you with a pic of our balancing beauty.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Friday!

Look at who is being sneaky

I was trying to get some pics today when I noticed Abby had a piece of paper in her hands.

She finds and picks up so much more than the other two kiddos did, you have to constantly be on alert with Abby.

So when I said her name, she scooted off as fast her little hands and knees would carry her.

When I got over to her, this is what I found.

Our little cutie had swiped one of Adison's Pokemon cards.

She wanted it all for herself!

Abby demolished her birthday cake!

Abby is officially one.

Well, yesterday.

Today she is 1 1/365.

Yes, apparently I like to be VERY specific.

Just kidding.

Anyways, last night we had a small get together to celebrate our baby girl's birthday.

We had so much fun!

The kids all had a blast.

Today I thought I would share some pics of the sequence of her cake destruction.

The cake was THOROUGHLY destroyed!

I love the last pic.

I can almost hear her saying something like:

"Ha! How do you like that!"

or

"Can you believe I just ate that entire thing!!!"

That picture STILL cracks me up.

She has cake down her dress, up her nose, caked in her hair (no pun intended), it was even in her ears!

I am so glad that I bathed her BEFORE the party!

Oh, and that I vacuumed BEFORE the party!

You would think that I would have this figured out by now, oh well!

Seriously though, we had a wonderful time.

It was a great way to celebrate her first year of life.

I even managed to not cry, woo hoo!

A letter to Abby on her birthday

Dear Abby,

I can hardly believe that you are a year old!

It seems as though you have always been here.

An integral member of our family of five.

When you came into our lives, it felt like you were the final piece of the puzzle that we were not even aware was missing.

You complete us.

The joy that I feel is immeasurable.

You are just an amazing child.

I could sing to the mountains of your amazing qualities.

You are just the sweetest girl!

You melt me like butter.

At times, I feel like it cannot be possible for someone to feel this much.

I am constantly telling your Daddy how amazed I am by you.

Speaking of your Daddy.

He loves to play with you.

He tickles you and you love to climb all over him.

When he leaves a room, you crane your little neck so you can watch him.

You love your big sisters too!

Adison LOVES to read you books.

You love to snuggle with her.

Ainsley LOVES to play with you.

You love to follow her around.
I have the feeling that you two will get into some mischief!

We are so very grateful to God for blessing us with you.

He knew what a perfect fit you would be to this family and we are so very happy.

You are such a gift!

You love to laugh and be held.

You love to smile and talk too.

You have already shown us that you have quite the stubborn streak and throw MASSIVE temper tantrums.

Daddy and I have to try not to laugh.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

We love you so very much!

15 things on the 15th, a thankful list

I borrowed this idea from Laura, thank you!

Plus, this goes along with my post from last week.

Isn't it nice when things work out this way?

1. My faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is my reason for everything.
2. My hubby, he is a hard working, laugh inducing, smile maker, hugger and all around top-notch guy. He makes my heart go pitter patter.
3. My three little munchkins. They are constantly amazing me. They are funny, sweet, loving, compassionate people. They have such a love for one another, what I dreamt of.
4. My amazing family. They are such wonderful support and can make me laugh like no other!
5. Wonderful friends. Those people that when they stop by don't mind seeing dirty dishes in your sink and a mess on the floor. They love my kids and cherish each moment like we do.
6. Adison's teacher at school. Her teacher is AMAZING! She appreciates Adison for who she is and doesn't try to make her something that she isn't. She has taken the time to figure out what makes Adison tick.
7. Ainsley is loving "school" at home. She is so excited to learn that she wants to keep at it all day.
8. Abby's birthday is tomorrow! My baby will be one!
9. Our L3 journal, I am learning so much and digging deep in the Word.
10. Health and contentment.
11. A warm house that we can make memories in.
12. Our small group or what we like to call our wee-group. It has been such a blessing in so many ways.
13. That K and I got to celebrate our anniversary early. We went to see TobyMac, Third Day, Michael W. Smith and Max Lucado, it was AMAZING!
14. For a wonderful lesson learned in a very loving way.
15. For having this outlet to express myself and loving to meet and converse with old and new friends.

The pretty tree in our front yard, the picture does not do it justice.

Sunday on the...

couch.

I thought it was time to bring back the "Sunday in/on the..."

I have fun with it.

Anyways...Abby has not been sleeping well.

So, when she sleeps, I sleep.

Therefore, Sunday on the couch.

It was divine, I woke up feeling ready to conquer the world or at least my part of it.

Not much going on otherwise.

Just mentally preparing myself for the fact that Abby will be 1 in two days!!

Yikes!

I just can't resist this face!

Okay folks, I hope that everyone is having a blessed Sunday.

I am off to get things ready for small group.

Love ya!

I changed my header

I changed my header for Christmas.

It is last year's picture, I will update it when we take a new pic!

Hope you like it and that everyone is having a wonderful Saturday!

Stuck in a rut (with some cute pictures of Abby)

Do you ever get stuck in a rut?
I am currently forging my way out of one.

My most common and annoying rut is my relationship with my house.

I get caught in cleaning ruts.

I do really well with keeping it sparkling and then I just don't have it in me to maintain sometimes.

So for a few days here and there, things just get a bit lax.

Please please please tell me that I am not the only one who does this, please!

This morning as I fought my way through the chaos and folding clothes, Abby discovered a baby doll.

She was just too cute to not snap a few photos of.

"Ooooooo!"

"Hmmm, I wonder what this tastes like?"

"Tickle tickle!"

"Hey look Mom, she has an umbilical hernia like I do!"

"Kisses for the baby!"

By the way, why is it that the dolls never seem to have their clothes?

After Abby had so much fun playing with this baby, I hunted down some more for her to play with .

Lo and behold, none of them had on a complete outfit.

I am thinking that a certain 3 year old has been playing dress up with the babies...

First memories

While out doing something fun with the family I often find myself wondering if this will be the kids' first memory.

Will it be:

the circus

the pumpkin patch

the park

the movie theater

etc.

etc.

etc.

Or will it be of something of the everyday sort:

saying grace before dinner

playing with their sisters

eating dinner together

cuddling on the couch.

I so want that first memory to be magical.

I want it to be something from their childhood that when they look back seems all glowing and warm.

I want it to be worthy of a "first memory."

As far back as I can remember, my first memory is of my brother's birth.

It isn't a solid memory, more like a vignette of moments:

My Dad coming home from the hospital, making mac & cheese and us eating in the kitchen.

Going up to see my brother for the first time and the nurse placing a little plastic Care Bear in his bassinet.

My mom and brother coming home and I got to hold my brother on our brown plaid couch.

(Yes I did totally age myself, I was a product of the '80s.)

This memory for me does have that golden, glowy quality to it that I want for my kids.

What is your first memory?



Laughing in your sleep?

Two times in less than a month I have awakened myself because I am laughing in my sleep.

When I first wake up I remember what was so funny and then continue to chuckle a few times before drifting off again.

Then, like most dreams, I forget what it was about completely!

I also have a tendency to talk in my sleep.

K thinks it is really funny to remind me of the things that I say later.

He will not let me live down a sleep talking incident that occurred shortly after we were married.

I was having a dream about washing my car.

I kept insisting that I needed to turn on the water or something like that.

Today while waking Ainsley up from her nap, she immediately said, "It is over there. It is over there."

I am very curious to know what she was dreaming about but when I asked her she had no idea.

Do you talk or laugh in your sleep?

I complain (but not in the post)

Silly picture of me from forever and a day ago.

I complain.

I do.

Am I proud of it, no.

I also have a flair for the dramatics and I tend to be sarcastic too.

Whew, I feel better now.

One of the perks for me with writing this blog is that sometimes I feel as though the Lord is revealing things to me through it.

This morning, I was trying to think of what to write about today and it hit me.

Not literally, figuratively.

Write about gratitude.

Last night after K and I got the kids to bed, I was complaining to him about the HUGE mess that the kids had made.

Normally the mess doesn't bother me.

It happens.

We have kids.

But yesterday I wasn't feeling well and just didn't feel like dealing with the mess.

Two seconds after I said this to him I had an epiphany.

At least we have three kids.

At least we have a house.

At least I am able to pick up the mess myself.

How often do I complain about something when I really should be grateful to have it.

So what if my kids made a mess, I have three thriving, intelligent, funny, sweet, healthy, lovely children.

So what if my house is messy, at least I have a house.

At least my children have toys that they can make a mess with.

At least my children choose to play together with the toys that they have.

How often do I find myself complaining about money or health or whatever???

At least we have enough to provide for our children and we always have a meal and snacks and whatever else we need and sometimes want.

Or I complain about getting sick.

I am complaining about a COLD!!!!

How many other people out there are really sick.

Or their children are.

How many other people are really faced with life and death decisions and my biggest complaint is a sore throat or whatever it is.

I am not trying to be down on myself.

I am human.

I am flawed.

Shocking isn't it!

Sorry, the sarcasm and drama came back again.

What I am really trying to say is that I am going to work on changing my heart.

I am going to focus on what we have and we have a lot and are oh so very blessed.

I am going to focus on the positive and work on the gratitude.



Sickies, talking and hair

How is that for a title?

Abby hamming it up for me.  

Hugging her horse.

Please excuse the mess in the pictures :)

++++++++++

Ugh, I am feeling a case of the sickies coming on.

All three girls have had it and I feel as though I am coming down with it too.

I am supposed to go jogging tonight but just don't think I could make it.

Maybe tomorrow???

Hopefully, fingers crossed!

Please pray that K does not get sick.

Sickness and asthma do not go well together, AT ALL!

++++++++++

On a positive note, Abby started saying, "Ma ma"!!!

Since she had failed so many hearing tests as a newborn, we were so unsure as to what her language development might look like.

Abby is so very proud of herself and I just clap and squeal when she says it.

I have celebrated this milestone so much as I just didn't know if/when it would happen.

Such a cause for celebration!

Plus, she sounds so cute saying it!

++++++++++

When K walked in the door last night, he looked at me funny and asked what had happened to my hair!?!

I quickly informed him that is something that no wife wants to hear when she has made a change to her hair.

He then informed me that he really likes it but that it surprised him.

So the verdict is in, he likes it. Yippee!

++++++++++

I am off to lay on the couch and watch a movie with my little sweeties.

Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday.



I didn't...but I did

I didn't get my tree up this weekend.

Maybe next weekend?

I plan on having it done before Thanksgiving.

I know, what a rebel.

I did get me some bangs.

It was time for a change.

Now that the humidity is not 1000% and my hair doesn't look as though I have been electrocuted I thought that would be fun.

I don't know why they are parted like that. Just pretend they aren't.

What do you think?

My kids didn't know what to think.

Adison and Abby just kind of looked at me funny.

Ainsley stared at me then said, "You have that hair."

Not sure what that means, but she smiled and said she liked it.

I wonder what K will say.

Hope you are having an amazing Monday!