3rd Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,
Merry Christmas. I've been super good this year. I love you. I want a big hippo. Actually, I want a big reindeer. I love you. I want a new chocolate down coconut. I love you. I want a new pellet gun. I love my dog, get Emmaline a bone. I like you. I want to get Brooke a present of High School Musical. It's Jesus' birthday and I love Him.
Love,
Noah

PS - I want a brand new baby sister. And could I get some more tape because I ran out.

(Noah, 4 yrs old - third and last born child, second born son)

2nd Letter to Santa

Dear Santa Claus,
Thank you for my presents last year. Merry Christmas. What I want for Christmas is an art kit with paper, crayons, and a pencil - all kinds of art stuff. And I want a video game to play in the car and I would like a bike. A puzzle game and a light fish thingy like my sister has. And I want a chalkboard. And a bow and arrow like my dad's and a slingshot and I would like a pellet gun. And a chocolate bunny. Please bring my mommy and daddy that stuff that goes under their arms. Deoderen. They got some last year in their stockings and said you must think they stink. Bring Carlye a bracelet and Noah a fake gun and a bow and arrow and a necklace for Carlye. And more crayons for Carlye to color on her wall. (Yes, Carlye is allowed to draw on her wall) And a collar and bed for Emmaline. Thank you for all my presents. Have a great year.
From,
Nathanael
(My 6 yr old, oldest son and middle child)

And Happy Birthday to my nephew Caspian Luke! I miss you so much, and hope that yesterday was wonderful for you!!!! Hugs and kisses!

1st Letter to Santa Claus

I've posted twice today, so don't forget to look at my previous post. My kiddos wrote letters to Santa today, and I decided that I will post all three of them for your viewing pleasure. This is my beautiful little girls.

Dear Santa,
Thank you for my stuff last year. This year I mostley want a kit doll. And will you get my friend Grace a Ruthie doll. And get my brother Nathanel a bow and arrow. And I wan't a doll that opens and shuts her eyes please bring me a kit doll. Thank you for my presents last year. Your friend Carlye.

PS Get my pet Emmaline a new coler (collar). And my brother Noah a stuffed animal big and fat because when he found out he didn't have one he startet crying.

Your Friend
Carlye

Will you get me a guitar. please love Carlye.

The Nutcracker

Every year Nani takes her daughters and grand daughters to see the Nutcracker ballet at the Cailloux Center here. This year it was a little earlier then usual (the week BEFORE Thanksgiving), but we had a lot of fun. Mom, Tiffany and I took Carlye, Cassie and Victoria. We always go to Queen B's first for a tea party, to Wal-Mart to buy a Nutcracker (Carlye has one from every year) and then to the ballet itself. It was beautiful this year.



It was Victoria's first year to go, and she loved it. Carlye, of course, is so much like her momma and she thought that it was wonderful. I love having that special day with her to kick off the holiday season. Today we will be at Nani's setting up the Christmas tree and eating leftovers (she has the BEST stuffing/dressing recipe) and watching Christmas movies.



See, this is why we set up our Christmas tree early, so we can help mom! Just kidding, it's because I'm a hopeless Christmas fan and so are all of my children and so my poor husband is a good sport about all of it even though he thinks we're all crazy. Oh, and today we get to write letters to Santa - woohoo!

Nathanael and Noah

This has been a busy week - and I have sooo much to blog about - so stay tuned every day this week for new and exciting stories and pictures. Last week I went on my first field trip with Nathanael's kindergarten class, and then Monday celebrated the Thanksgiving Feast with them. Let me just say as a very unbiased mom that I have an incredibly exceptional little boy. And he has grown up so much. He is still bullied often (and I believe that I now know why), but he has the sweetest, gentlest, happiest attitude with everyone in his class. His teacher is very, very sick, and has been gone frequently, so he has become very loving and protective towards her - even more so then he was before. When you think of him, pray for Ms. McKinley. No one knows exactly what it is, just that it's very serious and treatments (I believe) start in January. She is an amazing women and I know will appreciate all the prayers she can get.

For the field trip we went to Bear Creek. It has a really neat, life size, realistic teepee on the property, and the owner is something of a Native American expert. It was really neat. Downside to living on a ranch - nature walks are not as exciting to a little boy who finds arrow heads on the ground at random in his own back yard. Ahh, well, trials and tribulations! He did know many of the answers, though, that our story teller would ask about habits and practices of the native americans who roamed the Texas plains. I was so proud of my little guy.



I've noticed that one of the little boys (the one who picks on Nathanael the most) has become pretty attached to me. He's made some comments about his mom that leads me to believe that life at home might not be the easiest - and he's always asking to come home with me. Wether it's real or perceived this little boy doesn't feel very loved, and it breaks my heart. Poor guy. There's always two sides to every story.



Nathanael complained about the Thanksgiving Feast because he said all they did was eat, and that's boring! Oh, and he informed me that buffalo have hair on their chins because they used to eat humans and it's their hair growing through their mouths. One of his friends told him so. That is so disgusting.

I took Carlye to the Nutcracker last Saturday, so the boys had a guy day with Daddy and Uncle David. They shot a deer (with a bow and arrow), gutted it, quartered it, and then cooked it over a fire in my drive way. I don't think they've ever had more fun. The next morning Nathanael came running into my room early with the story already pouring from his lips. No rest for the weary, I guess! But I love that they had so much fun.

Noah's Thanksgiving Feast was yesterday. His class did a little program, and I was able to video tape a portion of it. This is my favorite song - Nathanael performed it as well the last two years. Enjoy!

Thoughtful Thursdays

For some insane reason the things about you that annoy your spouse will be found incredibly funny by said person when found in your children.

Cell phones are horrible and annoying - unless you don't have one.

Apparently if you can catch a goose (aka:blackbird) in the parking lot at Wal-Mart you get to bring it home and keep it forever. Or so I've been told.

Husband Tag

What is your husbands name? Carl Edwin Pfiester (Edwin means prosperous one - pretty cool)



How long have you been married? 12 years 3 months and 23 days
How long did you date? Until engagement - 6 weeks; until wedding 7 months
How old is he? 31 years old



Who eats more sweets? Definitely him!
Who said "I love you" first? Carl did
Who is taller? There's no question - me
How tall is he? 6 ft 6 inches
Who is smarter? Book smart or common sense smart or survival outdoorsy smart? Me, Him, Him



Who can sing the best? My hubby - I just make a joyful noise (like my daughter)
Who does the laundry? No one - we have mountains of clothes around our home what are threatening a hostile takeover where we will be forced to live outside naked (aka:me)
Who does the dishes? Carl and I both - him maybe a teeny tiny bit more
Who pays the bills? Carl - I'm numerically challenged
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me - Carl sleeps on the wrong side of the bed



Who mows the lawn? Carl, the cattle and the deer all do their part. I've been scared of lawn mowers ever since my Aunt Norma almost cut off her toe
Who cooks dinner? I do - unless we want venison back strap, burgers or steak, then it's Daddy's turn
Who drives? Carl would say him - apparently what I do isn't classified as driving to him - he says it's more like "Let's scare everyone in the car and on the road as badly as possible without killing them"
Who kissed who first? We both kissed each other first



Who's the first to admit they are wrong? Neither one of us is really ever wrong - which can cause problems when he's wrong. Probably both of us admit and don't admit equally.
Who asked who out first? Carl asked me out - we went and saw Toy Story at the movie theatre
Who wears the pants? Carl - I've tried a few times but they don't fit me very well - unlike some women I enjoy wearing a "dress", I feel that it makes me a stronger women to embrace my femininity, enjoy my strengths and acknowledge my weaknesses - and Carl's strengths.


What are his hobbies? Spending time with the kids and I, hunting (bow and rifle), fishing, arrow head hunting, watching movies, checking the weather on the computer, watching the news, reading hunting books (and the Bible), watching Modern Marvels on the History channel, taking baths (oh, he's gonna be mad), watching the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys, eating good food, and making fun of our children.
Favorite Food? Sea food - snow crab and butter to be precise
Favorite Dessert? Pumpkin Roll w/ice cream
Favorite Movie? Dumb and Dumber
Favorite Kid? Just kidding!
Dream Vehicle? Eleanor (how do you spell it?)
Favorite Place to Visit? Alaska
Dream Hunt? - Hunting red stag in New Zealand
Dream Fishing Trip? Been there, done that and will do it again - fishing in Alaska

Hmmm, I tag Coleen, Heather (because it makes her mad, but I know she likes to brag about her hubby so she won't mind), and Mom. Love ya!

Did you know?

Did you know that Build a Bear clothes fit Yorkshire Terriers perfectly? Now that our children have discovered this our beautiful Emmy has a fabulous wardrobe (this is all Beverly Hills Chihuahua's fault!). Miss Emmaline has a beautiful pink hoody - as seen above - (with holes for her ears), a University of Utah shirt, a shirt with planets on it, and a Spurs shirt (of course). She and Carl watched the game together while the kids and I put up the Christmas tree. He said he's never been prouder.

Believe it or not, our neighbors put up their Christmas decorations almost 2 weeks ago, so the kids have been bugging us to do ours. I love Christmas, and any excuse to celebrate longer is great with me. Carl and I told the kids that if they could clean the entire house we would get out the Christmas decorations. They did, so we did. Wah-lah.

Thoughtful Thursdays

Okay, since everyone else in my family has a cool day where they do something I decided that I felt left out and wanted to join in on the fun. I will now have Thoughtful Thursdays, where I will share with you one thought that has been inspired by my beautiful children (or my husband - or pretty much anything.) Today's thought was inspired by Noah - and yes, this has happened - about a year ago, I think.

It is not a good idea to introduce your parakeet to your cats.

Tag#2 - Where was I?

My friend, Colleen, tagged met this time.

1 minute ago I was in bed wishing I didn't have to get up.

1 day ago I was making eggs in the kitchen for breakfast.

1 week ago I was at home cleaning the house with Noah.

1 month ago it was the day before Noah's 4th birthday (we were at Gracie's bday party).

3 yrs ago I was working at CDO and a first time school mom (Carlye was in kindergarten).

5 yrs ago I was working at CDO and doing in-home day care (Carlye was almost 3 and Nathanael was 16 mos old). Tamara and Greg had just moved to Kerrville, I was taking care of Cassie and mom and dad were getting a divorce.

7 years ago I didn't have an entire house, Carlye was sleeping in my bathroom, I was doing in home daycare, and I had just found out that I was pregnant with Nathanael.

10 years ago I had been married for almost 2 1/2 years. We were living in a little tiny apartment and building (by ourselves, and debt free) a portion of our house - we may have even moved in already, I don't remember. When we did move in there was no indoor plumbing. For a long time. I was working at Tivy Child Development Center, and Carl was working at Schreiner University.

I tag Heather, Heidi, Pam, Andy, Mom, Elise and Liz.

My tag

My little sister, Heidi, tagged me. This is my sixth picture in my sixth folder. It's Carlye and my niece Cassie last Easter dying eggs at Nani's house. Those little egg holders were AWESOME! They held the eggs still while the kids painted their eggs with q-tips and egg die.

Ponderings

This has been a difficult week for my family, for many reasons. This has caused me to sit and really ponder some things. Here is what I have realized. Many of us are willing to help each other - at least we say we are. And often - in the most serious of moments - people will say that they are willing to die for another. There are many, many people in this category in my life whom I would die for, and whom I believe would die for me. Which led to this thought. It's easy to say you will die for someone, the situation in which that would actually occur is rare to say the least, but should the opportunity present itself many of us would unflinchingly and unquestioningly sacrifice ourselves, especially for our children. However, how many of us are willing to live for each other? How many of us sacrifice of ourselves daily for the comfort, assistance and - yes - even the pleasure of others? This question isn't answered with as much vim and vigor, I believe because it is more difficult. How hard is it to actually place others before you? Let them pick the restaurant, defer to their opinion, hold your tongue, encourage them, GIVE them something, clean their house, smile, don't pick that fight, drop it - is it really THAT important? So many of the decisions that we make are based on our comfort and our happiness and our joy, and very rarely are they based on the other person. Carl's Opa died last week. We didn't get to say good-bye. His health deteriorated so rapidly that he passed away within 5 days of being placed in the nursing home. It wasn't because we couldn't get there, we were just so busy, and time was suddenly gone. Sure, we always saw them on holidays, and sometimes in between, but not as often as we could have. Our lives are definitely busy, but here is what I know. We could have gone by more - made time to visit with them. They were home, and often lonely. We are young and busy (and selfish) and tired and doing too much and really should slow down but always able to come up with an excuse (either sincere or contrived) as to why we were unable to stop by. While I would have willingly died for Opa, I didn't do a very good job living for Opa. I believe that EVERYTHING in life happens for a reason, and that EVERYTHING has a lesson. This one, however, was much more difficult to learn.

What inspires you?

Isn't it amazing the things that inspire us? Beautiful music, laughing children, a bouquet of flowers. My home is beautiful - we built it ourselves. But there were certain things that we had to "skimp" on when we did. Our carpet in the living room was one of those things, and you can tell. Our living room - as large as it is - is filled with a hodge podge of things that I would rather have in other rooms of the house (rooms that don't exist). Such as the elliptical (in my imaginary exercise room), Carl's desk (in his soon to be completed office), etc. I would love a piano, floor to ceiling book shelves, and furniture that I picked out on my own (not to say I don't LOVE what we have, I think it's absolutely beautiful). Often, because I am so aesthetically driven, I find myself struggling to clean my house. I know that no one ever wants to clean, but I've been wondering why I should clean. Go ahead and think me shallow right now, that's okay. It's just that when my house feels so blah I don't even feel like cleaning it will be that helpful anyway, so why bother. Then yesterday my husband brought me home a beautiful bouquet of flowers (I've cried a lot this week.)

It inspired me. They were so winsome and colorful. They sat in their little vase nodding away brightly, bringing joy to all who saw them. Because they were so beautiful I wanted to make everything around them beautiful as well. My house seemed so sad next to those brightly colored posies. I cleaned, vacuumed, opened all of the windows......the light came in, the dust and dirt and grime were banished, and everything felt so fresh and clean. Then I felt better, too, and so did everyone else who came into my home. Such small little blossoms, inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. But they brought with them joy, beauty and inspiration. When I grow up I hope I can be a "flower", too.

Wanna Laugh?

This is funny:

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead?

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they already know there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars; but have to check when you say the paint is still wet?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give
the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, 'It's all right?' Well,
it isn't all right, so why don't we say, 'That really hurt, why don't you watch where you're going?'

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

And my FAVORITE......
The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best
friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.


And seriously, check out the song link in my previous blog. It's worth it. I especially think that my brother in laws will enjoy it.

Fire Ants

Carl is cooking dinner tonight because he wants venison and I don't fry food. Noah is helping him, and while Carlye was going over her nurse shark facts with me she and I heard Carl and Noah singing this song from the kitchen. Carl sings "Eat you up now" and Noah sings "Fire, Fire, Fire." Personally, I think that this song is disturbing, but you might enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSAGPC7hGp0

This is why

I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I think for myself. And my self says that abortion - and specifically partial birth abortion - is wrong. Originally I liked Barak Obama (you can ask my husband). And as my President I will support him and pray for him. And I am amazingly proud that we as Americans have crossed all racial boundaries to elect him as President. However, when I was listening to Glen Beck on the radio he reported on this. Here is the transcript. Once I knew this I couldn't vote for the man if the devil himself were running against him. I would have stuck to my original plan and written in Romney. And yes, Palin is the only reason I didn't do that.

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/196/15318/

This is the stuff nightmares are made of. I have three unborn children whom I am waiting to see again. And it was not my choice for them to leave. Sometimes I still ache for them. And as a Church Children's Director my heart is for the children. Unborn and born, wanted and unwanted, perfect and imperfect, those who can defend themselves and specifically those who cannot. I have nothing more to say on the matter. At this point it doesn't matter anyway. Forward we go.

I am ashamed

*Please note that my love for others has never been based on works or circumstances. My feelings towards this election in no way affect that love that I have for my friends and family - even those who disagree with me.

For the first time in my life I am ashamed to be a part of a group. I am ashamed of the Christians in America, and angry at people who are unwilling to actually live what they claim to believe. I am ashamed of all of you who voted for Barak Obama - AND I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE! I don't believe that anyone who reads this has done this. I'm hoping that we are all moral enough to choose life. Our country - that claims to be filled with followers of Christ - has voted into office a man who has such little regard for the value of life that he LOUDLY supports partial birth abortion, and is AGAINST GIVING COMFORT CARE TO AN INFANT WHO HAS SURVIVED AN ABORTION UNTIL IT DIES. There is nothing more appalling, disgusting or horrible in my mind. I don't care if you don't believe me. If you did your research you would know undoubtedly that what I say is true. I am sad for our country. I am sad for the thousands of babies who will die - many in an excruciatingly painful way as they are ripped limb from limb - because of this man and those who elected him. I am sad that my husband who works hard for his money will now have to work twice as hard, maybe even three times as hard, to make ends meet if Obama's economic plan is put into effect. If you wanted us to support you I would rather that you asked us instead of voting a man into office who will endanger my children's opportunities to attend college, our financial security, and my families future in general. I am sad that a woman who is ashamed of our country will now be our first lady. And I am horribly ashamed that as Christians we have voted into office a man whom Christ himself would not vote for were He here on earth. Are we not to strive to be like Him? And yet we have allowed a murderer to become our Commander in Chief with a nearly filibuster proof control of the Senate and the House. Do you think I'm harsh? Maybe I am. But maybe if we had been a little more outspoken in the previous months we wouldn't be where we are now. Mark my words. You will be very disappointed when what you have done sinks in. If you paid close attention to President Obama's campaign then you know that some very painful changes are coming. Let us pray our economy can prevent the depression that he seems so intent on sending us into. John McCain was not my candidate. The person that I would have voted for didn't make it to the final race. It was difficult for me to choose. But if you believe the Bible to be true, and if you believe that there is life before an infant leaves its mothers body, the choice was clear. At least, it should have been. Yes, I am very ashamed.

Sometimes

Sometimes I just need to cry.

I've cried on birthdays, anniversaries and holidays
I've cried over accomplishments, failures and mediocrity
I've cried for joy.
And I've cried for pain.
Loneliness, sorrow, selfishness.
I've cried because of good-byes, hello's and silence
I've cried out,
And wept in silence.
Moments of weakness and strength.
Shame
Arrogance.
Beginnings.
And endings.

Sometimes, I just need to cry.

Miss Emm as Toto

It's the Incredible "Hoke"!

Dorothy, a Spider, and the "Hoke"

Dorothy and Toto (Miss Emmaline)

Nathanael in the Pumpkin Parade

Carlye in the Pumpkin Parade

Mary Lynn in her space suit with Gus, the school mascot (he's a scorpion who just went to the moon)

The Kindergarteners Pumpkins (Nathanael's is on the top row with the yellow bandanna)

The 2nd graders pumpkins (Carlye's is the caterpillar on the floor)

Carlye, Nathanael and Cassie before school on Friday

Happy Harvest!

We had so much fun yesterday! Carlye, Nathanael and my niece Cassie had their Pumpkin Parade, and they were so adorable. I think that their pumpkins were some of the best ones there, although there was a really cool alien, a funny little grandma made out of a giant green gourd, and a penguin pumpkin that were pretty neat, too. I have my doubts, though, as to wether or not these were done by the kids. The grandma especially looked as though someone's parents got a little too excited and took over the project. Mary Lynn was dressed up as an astronaut, and Gus (the school mascot - he's a scorpion) was in his bubble wrap space suit. He just returned from a trip in space.

Last night we had a costume party here at our house. All of the kids and adults dressed up. We took pictures, but, unfortunately, I cannot post them because even though my costume was adorable (I was a poodle skirt girl) Carl was Captain Underpants. I choose to preserve what little dignity I have by not posting those pictures. Ryan was Mr. Incredible, and April was his wife, David was Elvis, and Jodi was a Pink Lady. We played games, hung doughnuts from pink tape and had the kids eat them with their hands behind their backs (Sam won) and then we had a treasure hunt in the dark. All evening long Carl and David were planting stories in the older kids heads about some Indians who used to live here on our ranch, and how they had buried a treasure that no one had ever found. The daddies even went so far as to make a map that was all burned up and old looking, and then hide it in such a way that the kids would think they had discovered it while they were playing. The map held clues, which would then lead you to the next clue, and so on. So off our little adventurers go, in their costumes, holding their flashlights, with Carlye reading the map. We video taped most of it - please, Heidi, tell me how to download video!!!! - and took pictures as well. After they found the treasure (a wooden box full of candy, jewelry, fake teeth, pencils, snakes, stickers, etc.) they all sat down (by the creek, in the dark) for a story about the history of wolf creek. David told the story, and at just the right moment (okay, maybe a little late, but still) Carl came running out of the trees snarling and making a ton of noise, and April and I sprayed the kids with silly string while Jodi took pictures. They were petrified! April warned Gracie and Brooke so they wouldn't be afraid, but Gracie still shed a tear or two. And poor little Noah. I guess we forget he's only 4 yrs old because he acts so tough, but the poor little guy screamed, tried to climb my legs and cried his head off! Afterwards they all thought that it was awesome, though, and were so glad that we'd done it. This morning while I attempted to sleep late while my children played I could here them playing treasure hunt. It was so funny, I laughed and laughed. My camera connector thingy is misiing in action (maybe doubling as a rappelling rope?), so I'll post pictures as soon as it's been recovered.