Blog tidbit and end of a year

Ever notice how everything seems to taste better by candle light? My friend made this beautiful arrangement for me. She's so talented. We are always at my in-laws for Christmas dinner so we never seem to light our Christmas centerpiece. She makes me one every year. I'm tired of never getting to use it. This year I decided to feed the kids by candle light a few days after Christmas and they actually ate better. This could be a trend.

This was the temperature in my neck of the woods on Sunday. Simply gorgeous day.
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In just a few more hours 2008 will be a sleepy memory. Oh but what a year it was.

2008 was the year my husband almost died from a very bad case of pneumonia. Standing in the cold investigating a homicide while recovering from the flu will make stuff like that reality.
God was gracious and blinded me to that whole death thing. I visited him in the hospital every day for 13 days, kept going to work, managed the house and kids (with much help from my mom), and rearranged every room on the upstairs floor of our home. It wasn't until 10 days in when they opened him up to scrape his lung and insert a drainage tube, and he squeezed my hand and would not let go, that I realized things were bad. I say thank you to God for shielding me from what could have been a time of worry and fear and pity. I thank Him even more for healing my husband.

2008 was the year my favorite first born son came back home. I was missing and worrying about that one. Now most nights I know he's home safe. He is also building a special bond with his siblings that he is taking great delight in.

This year, 2008, was also when I began a journey back to school. I'm still uncertain where that will lead me but I'm willing to take baby steps back to get an educated mind--did I just say that?

Its the year my last baby was finally potty trained and I realized the baby years are really over for me--until God blesses me with grandchildren--no hurry there.

I've got a good life. It's my life and it's unique and if I spend more time cultivating my relationships, being hospitable, and less time wondering how to BE like someone else I'll enjoy it a whole lot more.

It's in the ending of this year that I have reflected on all of the "stuff" I've held onto. Inside myself and around my home. It's time to purge the unnecessary and get to the heart of what is really important. Time to detox my house so I'm not spending all of my time picking up and putting away. Time to declutter.

Oh its also the year I started a blog and started meeting bloggy buddies--which has been awesome by the way.

Happy New Year to everyone. May it be blessed and joyous for you and your's.

We Interrupt This Program...

So, the cats are still here. Animal control was called Christmas Eve morning and I shed quite a few tears over that. It's the fastest I've seen my husband make a call. To anyone. But I guess since it's been almost two months since these cute fur balls arrived that isn't really quick.

Anyway, I did a little pitching yesterday, at my family Christmas gathering and I've been asked to post a few pictures. They may have homes, if I can post some pictures like RIGHT NOW! Wish these little cuties luck!!!

This one is a bit skeptical at first but enjoys a good petting. This one is my personal favorite just because of it's markings.
This little guy is the most playful so far. He was a bit shy at first but now likes to be held the most and play. This one is my daughter's favorite so she holds her (I'm pretty sure it's a her) a lot.

Here are the three fluff balls together. The gray one is a bit nervous but did not run away when I came out to spend time with them earlier this evening. As I neared the box it didn't even try to run. I got a few good pets in before the mama cat decided I was supposed to be petting her.





Here's pesky mama cat. She isn't really pesky at all but loving and patient. (I say that because ole stripey had her tail tonight biting and swatting and she didn't even correct him)
I really did try to get a better shot of her but she wouldn't let me get far enough away. She kept following me so I would pet her! Imagine that. :)

So good luck kitties. I hope your days of living on our front porch meet a GOOD fate. I'll stave off animal control as long as I can. I've grown quite attached to you.

Christmas

A snack for Santa all spread out.

Presents tucked under the tree, then lights out.
Christmas morning 10 minutes in...
Dora has shredded the contents within.

Lots of unwrapping, genuine glee...

Gathered 'round dolly waiting for her to pee.

Breakfast at Grandma's hanging out with local cousin...Christmas '08 memories by the dozen.

Here's hoping your Christmas was as joyous as our's. Blessings to you and your families now and forever.

Christmas Eve

The night is upon us. The wind, though not as cold as it has been the last two evening, is ever present. There is just something about a chill in the air at Christmas time that reminds me of just how inconvenient the time and place of Jesus' birth must have been for Him and his parents.

It must have been so cold on that night. Dusty, the ground cold and hard. I can't imagine giving birth in those conditions--much less being brought out of a warm and toasty womb to greet the world in such a frigid air. Only to be wrapped in swaddling by the way.

So on this eve of Christ's birth I think not of the happy faces and squeals of delight that I will experience in my children tomorrow morning, but of the totally awesomely crafted plan that God has laid out for His children. I would be lying if I said I did not allow myself to be consumed, at times, this season with plans to thrill my children on Christmas morning, and I will not feel guilty for that. I believe he allows us those parallels. Not so that we can be consumed in all things material but so we can relate, even if in just a small fraction, of the love our heavenly Father has for us.

So on this night. I say thank you to our God above for sending your son, in the precious form of a newborn babe. To grow among us, teach us, mold us, and use us, for your glory.

3 Days In A Nutshell

Saturday was not a day I wish to repeat anytime soon. I'm not sure what got into my youngest two but I was ready to turn in my motherhood hat. A fairly quick trip to Walmart was a breeze but things took a turn for the worst when we stopped for lunch. In short the future pilot--who went in hungry came out hungry. Why? Because I had to speak to him about his behavior. And honest. I just spoke. Calmly. He decided to go in to shutdown mode--and yes we've been down this road before. We left with a full plate of mac and cheese and half a cheese pizza. The pizza bit the dust soon after we got outside. My favorite little girl in the world was trying to hold onto it while I had a talk with the future pilot--who had decided he wanted to make up and a)cry his eyes out and b)to be held, and she tripped and even though she caught herself the pizza went flying.

The grocery store was next and they both acted like a couple of nuts. They weren't being bad really but just very silly and it was over the top because it was messing up my concentration--mostly because I got conned into one of those carts they can both sit in and well the steering is just not that great, so steering and shopping and thinking were too much for my brain.

By the time I got home I was ready to put them in boxes and ship them to another city. My favorite first born had begun working on some tasks I'd asked for help on while I was gone. He was ready for something else to do when I walked in. So, he organized and weeded out my plastics. Tell me, am I the only one who has whipped topping containers that seem to multiply like bunnies?

That kid is a wonder. He spent most of the afternoon moving Christmas boxes downstairs, folding towels, sorting plastics. Pretty much anything I asked for. I started on the vacuuming and paper sorting--another thing that mulitplies like bunnies.

Sunday the ice came and glazed over everything. I'm a chicken when it comes to ice so I skipped church. I like it when the trees are covered with ice and sun beams down on them. Of course I was too lazy to venture real far out on the deck because I was already cold.
My favorite little girl in the world was spending the night at my mom's house so it gave me some time with just the future pilot. I wrapped some presents and he helped me put just a few under the tree.

This was RC's favorite napping spot last year too. I think he was a disco cat in his formal life. I think being that close to hundreds of blinking lights would be anything but calming if I was trying to sleep.
The future pilot soon found a cockpit and entertained himself for quite some time. I was a bit concerned he might fall off the couch in his "Sopwith Camel", but he was having such a good time I took the risk.
Later that evening when my favorite little girl in the world came home I whisked her away for dinner and to pick out something for her brothers for Christmas. The future pilot pitched a fit but after Saturday's ordeal I was not ready to pull that gig again. So he stayed home with Daddy.

Sunday evening, as I was putting my favorite little girl in the world to bed, and the future pilot was standing behind me telling me to stand still stand still. I didn't have a clue as to why until I felt a bee sting in my backside.

Apparently he was trying to attach this to me...
and apparently he didn't have the concept that there might be a sort of "procedure" behind it to make sure you didn't stick someone in their hind parts thus making them screech in pain.

Monday I worked and worked out. Ya-ay me.

My favorite first born woke up at 430 this morning to take out the trash thinking I'd be getting ready to go to work. He figured he'd have less of a chance of waking anyone up. Of course our attack dog Dora...
barks to high heaven whenever he approaches.

I didn't mind. Everyone else went back to bed but my oldest and I stayed up. He kept me company while I tackled the play room.

I got everything sorted through and then I went to work with some really talented first graders as they made gingerbread houses. Well graham cracker houses might be more factual. Shouldn't everyone have one of these on display in their home?
Then lunch with my husband and the future pilot. After that it was home to tackle my favorite little girl in the world's room.
This is where I was at about 7pm...
Trust me, it was much worse. Much more "stuff" was over here...
And if you recall this area needs to be clean because this...
is going here...
(I hate to paint so I'm hoping it covers the wall marks.)

Of course while I was cleaning it had begun to snow. Now normally snow at Christmas excites me. But. Well. Um. THIS...
kind of snow NEVER excites me. What is it about styrofoam that screams to children, "SHRED ME, SHRED ME NOW!!!!"

So, I quickly restored order...
But something tells me that things will go awry again in the very near future...
I took a quick break and made dinner. The gingerbread latte I had a few hours earlier finally kicked in I guess because I went into to overdrive and got the room finished.
(and no it wasn't the ole cram in it the closet move. Mostly because the closet has been turned into a Christmas wonder.)
I have to afix a mirror to the vanity yet but all of the wrapping is done. I don't mind whirlwind days like this. I tend to eat less and like the feeling of accomplishment at day's end. It will also leave tomorrow free to bake cookies for Santa with the kids and attend Christmas Eve service. Ya-ay!

Lights...action

Thursday night my wonderful husband indulged me with my desire to take the kids to see a big light display we try to get to at least once a year. I had gone a couple of weeks ago with the kids and my mom but that was the day of the exhausting antiquing outing, so he fell asleep before we reached the location.

The future pilot was excited as we fled out the door and strapped into our seats. My husband and I had both worked that day so we stopped at deli and my favorite little girl in the world and I got sandwiches. When I got out of the car I looked back and the future pilot looked to be on the verge of tears. Now I'm not saying he's Mr. Emotions or anything but there are just some times when you know what might push him over the edge but none of us could figure out what had happened. Guiltily I stared my little girl down expecting her to give a hint of something she had done to annoy him. Lately he's prone to telling on her if she even looks at him funny so we really didn't think she'd done anything.

We continued on our journey wondering if the trip would be worth it if he was going to be as quiet as a mouse and mopey on top of it. We drove on.

When we got there it seems we weren't the only ones with the "let's go see the lights" idea. The future pilot was fading dismally. We finally struck a cord when he saw the first like and I seemed to recall a space shuttle or something. THAT perked him up. It was then that he announced...

"I forgot Max."

"Oh no, honey." I said.

"I wanted to show him the lights." He said.

"Oh, honey I know you did. I remember you asking." I said.

"But I forgot him. We should go BACK for him." He said.

"Oh no honey, maybe we can come back another time but it's too far to go all the way back right now." I said.

He seemed satisfied with that so we made our way through the line of cars. They really do a nice job on the display.

They must have been thinking of all of us bloggers when they designed this one.
"Oooooooooooooh Christmas tree ooooooooooooooooooooo Christmas treeeeeeeeee...how lovely ARE your branches!!!!"
ANCHORS AWEIGH MATEY!
Oh look a pearl. A refining refining refining...kind of like God does with us.
This was my mom's favorite. I know the 't's are supposed to be like what masts or mast poles whatever...but I think they look like the three crosses so that is why "I" like it.
These are just a sampling of the beautiful displays. We all enjoyed ourselves quite a lot.

Well, all except Max. But like I said maybe we'll try and bring him back some other time.

Because...

it would be a shame...

if...

Max...

missed it.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for my husband who after chasing bad guys all day still had energy to drive us to see "the lights". (More on that tomorrow)

I'm thankful that in just a few more days I'll get another pretty hefty break. Lil sis don't be mad. I figured since I won't be able to afford plane tickets next summer I'll have time to save up leave to come see you. I will come see you before you come home. I promise.

I'm thankful to be done all of my Christmas shopping so I can concentrate on things are so much more important than material things.

I'm thankful for the many blogging buddies I have met. I really enjoy keeping up with them and their precious lives.

I'm thankful that all of my kids will be waking up under the same roof this Christmas and for the bond they share even with the difference in their ages.

I'm thankful for abundances. Of joy, food, warmth, fellowship.

Settling in for a long winters nap

I am fairly certain I made my last Christmas shopping trip to the mall today. I mean I had one gift card to buy and a few little things for my oldest. Oh and I was under strict orders from the future pilot that the Transformer shoes I bought him last night MUST be returned because the other day at Wal-mart I was going to buy him Batman shoes but they didn't have his size. I promised we'd find him Batman shoes somewhere. So, I got blessed and found the shoes at Sears. Woohoo. Holy smokes, Batman! What a deal!

My other great find of the day was this...
To understand how simply perfect it was here's a bit of history. Every year, since I first found out I was pregnant with my oldest, I have bought my kids a new ornament each year. They are supposed to get them before the tree goes up so they can hang it when the tree goes up. I was late this year. My plan is that when they move on (sniff oh this hurts the heart to even imagine) to have their own tree they will have a good number of ornaments to carry on with hopefully a memory jogger or two or 18.

I usually have a theme. My oldest has a rocking horse ornament for every year of his life except when he got in his late teens and I moved to whatever he was into. One year it was a tiger carousel figure, the last two years it was a pink flamingo. This year his was the last ornament for me to find. How perfect that he absolutely LOVES the Eagles.

My first find was this one while I was perusing Amazon.com. This little gem (came in a pair actually) for the future pilot.
It's perfect that it came in a pack of two because though it said "shatterproof" I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean indestructible where the future pilot is concerned.

My daughter got this one. For obvious reasons. I mean she's seven and isn't EVERY seven year old into Hannah Montana?
So while every year the ornament has matched the child they have never been of the same material type. Kinda cool that they were all this hollow frosted glass.

Even cooler that the place I bought my favorite first born's ornament put his last name on the back--just like on a real jersey. He was blown away--but well, even if he wasn't I think he'd act like he was. He's just that kind of guy.

Now all that's left is wrapping I think. I'm trying to reduce the stress level this year and I'm hoping I have convinced my husband that we are NOT exchanging gifts. Every year he goes way overboard and makes my gifts to him look insignificant. It hurts. However, I still worry in the back of my mind he will buy anyway and I'll still end up looking like I didn't care. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Maybe Santa can do a rush job on delivery.

BoopBeep Beep Boop

If the Walmart was any indication today, there are still folks who are throwing caution to the wind and trying to puff the sales of the economy. Carts and moms and dads and children were out in full force. I was pretty proud of myself and the restraint I showed. I think the grocery section haunted me a bit but that is what happens when you go to the Super Walmart hungry.

Nonetheless the trip was reserved and I only bought for those on my list and not one thing popped into my cart that shouldn't have. Well, unless you count the bag of bbq Fritos. Ok, and the bag of Doritos. Don't judge. I was hungry. And so was the future pilot. For the record I have not opened the Fritos, and only had about 6 of the future pilots Doritos.

I picked this up for my neice. (Shhh don't tell her. It's a surprise.)
If you haven't seen one of these dolls let me tell you it's pretty cool. She comes with this little pacifier and bottle and when you insert them into her mouth she starts making baby noises and scrunching up her eyes and mouth likes a real baby. When I showed it to my mom she wanted to know what I was going to get my neice when I decided I couldn't part with it. Cute comment Mom but I've just finished with the diapering stage so I don't miss it yet. Much.

These two little curmudgeons could not keep there hands off her...It made me think maybe I should have gotten one for my favorite little girl in the world. But no. She wanted the one that poops on the potty. You know ...the one that they are saying won the ugliest doll of the year award because she looks just like Chuckie's sister. Wonderful. Luckily I've never seen the movie so I won't have to worry about any nightmares.

7 Days

Wow. That's how long it has been since my last post. It is a good thing I don't do this for money or I'd be starving now. I finished my final paper tonight and my final this past Monday. I'm breathing a bit easier now--even though I think I really messed up my final. Maybe it's the glass of wine in my left hand or maybe it's just the fact that I can't undo it that makes me choose not to worry. Either way it's over.

Just like I knew would happen I am contemplating next semester's course load. Shhh. Don't tell my husband. He's likely to NOT be too happy about that. Stuff kind of piles up around here and I don't like for that to happen because it drives me crazy. I've put a lot of things on hold. Like this...
I can't tell you how many times ol Dora dog has dropped this raggedy ol rope toy in front of me this week to try and distract me.

Oh and my kids have thought it quite funny to keep placing this where I might go next...

And when I say things have been piling up around the place this is what I mean...
That is the most tame area. Lord please don't let Social Services remove my kids. I promise I won't lose them in this heap.

And even though they seem to be extremely hyper lately and have made me want to wear this t-shirt every day this entire semester...
I know that these precious little ones...
have been pretty patient and enduring of my school work. So whatever is on the schedule for the next couple of weeks I plan not to allow stress to be one of the items. I simply want to enjoy the season and be able to truly reflect on the blessings God has given me and remember that whatever time I give to whatever project I have will never ever surpass what God has done for us. I hope you will be able to do the same.

Weekend in A Whirl

Silly title for a blog but after posting every day in November I'm really feeling pressed to try and keep that up. I still don't know how others do it.

Saturday I had my day planned out. Pay bills, do laundry, go to bank to pay more bills, hit Homegoods for some assorted things and then mail a package then come home to complete laundry, work on two final assignments, and study for my final exam--which is tomorrow. ACK!!!!

My husband decided we needed to take the kids here...
Because he's been telling me for weeks that the future pilot would love it.

I think he was right.
Afterwards he thought we needed to fill up on food so I'd be too tired to amount to anything when we got home. Well maybe he was just hungry and knew from me telling him that I hadn't yet eaten and it was nigh on 4pm that I needed to eat soon. Nonetheless eating a big meal rendered me sleepy.

When we got home the kids had to play in our first snow...
I am sure we got a whopping half inch!!! Goodness I do hope I don't lose the future pilot in it.
After that I really tried hard to get the kids occupied with re-enacting the Christ child's birth--even though I figured it would be much like that of Mr. Bean's.
I merely wanted them occupied so I could study and get some work done on my papers. It is times like these that I realize how much I'm missing out on. I wonder if I will try harder to be with them after school ends this semester. Whether I'm ready or not school will be over for the semester on Sunday. I plan to thank God a LOT on that day.

I was up until 1 last night. Got one paper down and sent it off today. I had nursery at church then had to shuttle my favorite little girl in the world and one of her friends to the Brownie unit Christmas pin swap. Then it was home to call England. The next paragraph is for my nephew. The birthday man.

I called you. I swear I did. Your number must have been pretty popular on your day. Both times it was busy. Then we had a crisis. Your cat was being tormented by my dog and the girls started chasing him and he wee wee'd on my floor and the girls stepped and knee'd in it and I was running around freaking out trying to figure out what I was going to send my favorite little girl in the world's friend home in because she is so teeny tiny next to your cousin. I was pushing it to try and call you at 9pm. It was the time I had available. I suck as an aunt. You can tell me too if you'd like. Can I JUST take the time to say if you STILL lived next door I swear I would visit you in person to tell you just how much you mean to me. Eat your heart out girls of Grace. He's growing into one fine young man and YOU can't have him. So how's that? Happy birthday man. It still IS officially your birthday in the country you were birthed so my track record should be better. As to your present again, if I send YOURs on time it makes me look bad to that blonde boy that shares a house with you. So it's coming. I promise.

That pretty much sums up my weekend. I am here beginning my last assignment and cramming for my final. After this week it's all downhill. Well unless my daughter keeps reminding me how few days there are left until Christmas. Then the panic will really begin.

I hope your weekend was joyous.