Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Carlye's Birthday Day
I've been trying to download video for the last 24 hours and I can't get it to work, so here are the pictures:
Carlye's very first birthday present was snow!
Breakfast time! Since we do not have a kitchen we were unable to make our traditional birthday muffins (we always have muffins and put in candles and sing Happy Birthday at breakfast when it's someones birthday), so we went out to eat. Carlye picked a local diner, and enjoyed a cheese omelet, grits and apple juice.
Afterwards we headed to SA to go ice skating. For those of you who know my family, it will go without saying that what came next was two hours of complete and total hilarity on the part of Carl and I. You see, our children - okay, our entire family - is challenged in the area of balance. Add ice skates, and Carl and I laughed so hard we almost hurt ourselves. One of these days you will have the privilege of seeing these snippets of joy for yourself. Until then, just know that Noah couldn't make it more than a foot or two without falling - and trying to eat the ice off of his hands. When Carlye fell, it was with all of the drama of her being, including giant spins with flailing arms. Nathanael, however, was by the far the scariest. He was determined to learn to skate, and forced himself out there with arms flailing and skates spinning and thrashing. While he fell very rarely, many others fell victim to his 'technique.'
Picture with Mommy at the ice skating rink:
Picture with Daddy at the ice skating rink:
Warming up with Apple Cider and Hot Chocolate at Barnes and Noble after we left the ice skating rink. Carlye's clothes were so wet we had to actually stop and buy her some new clothes!:
Carlye's Birthday Dinner at Red Lobster - snow crab and a baked potato!:
Carlye's very first birthday present was snow!
Breakfast time! Since we do not have a kitchen we were unable to make our traditional birthday muffins (we always have muffins and put in candles and sing Happy Birthday at breakfast when it's someones birthday), so we went out to eat. Carlye picked a local diner, and enjoyed a cheese omelet, grits and apple juice.
Afterwards we headed to SA to go ice skating. For those of you who know my family, it will go without saying that what came next was two hours of complete and total hilarity on the part of Carl and I. You see, our children - okay, our entire family - is challenged in the area of balance. Add ice skates, and Carl and I laughed so hard we almost hurt ourselves. One of these days you will have the privilege of seeing these snippets of joy for yourself. Until then, just know that Noah couldn't make it more than a foot or two without falling - and trying to eat the ice off of his hands. When Carlye fell, it was with all of the drama of her being, including giant spins with flailing arms. Nathanael, however, was by the far the scariest. He was determined to learn to skate, and forced himself out there with arms flailing and skates spinning and thrashing. While he fell very rarely, many others fell victim to his 'technique.'
Picture with Mommy at the ice skating rink:
Picture with Daddy at the ice skating rink:
Warming up with Apple Cider and Hot Chocolate at Barnes and Noble after we left the ice skating rink. Carlye's clothes were so wet we had to actually stop and buy her some new clothes!:
Carlye's Birthday Dinner at Red Lobster - snow crab and a baked potato!:
Monday, December 28, 2009
Happy Birthday, Carlye!
Today my angel is nine years old, and we have many adventures planned. For now, however, I found this beautiful poem to share with her:
The Mother Moon
by Louisa May Alcott
The moon upon the wide sea
Placidly looks down,
Smiling with her mild face,
Though the ocean frown.
Clouds may dim her brightness,
But soon they pass away,
And she shines out, unaltered,
O'er the little waves at play.
So 'mid the storm or sunshine,
Wherever she may go,
Led on by her hidden power
The wild see must plow.
As the tranquil evening moon
Looks on that restless sea,
So a mother's gentle face,
Little child, is watching thee.
Then banish every tempest,
Chase all your clouds away,
That smoothly and brightly
Your quiet heart may play.
Let cheerful looks and actions
Like shining ripples flow,
Following the mother's voice,
Singing as they go.
The Mother Moon
by Louisa May Alcott
The moon upon the wide sea
Placidly looks down,
Smiling with her mild face,
Though the ocean frown.
Clouds may dim her brightness,
But soon they pass away,
And she shines out, unaltered,
O'er the little waves at play.
So 'mid the storm or sunshine,
Wherever she may go,
Led on by her hidden power
The wild see must plow.
As the tranquil evening moon
Looks on that restless sea,
So a mother's gentle face,
Little child, is watching thee.
Then banish every tempest,
Chase all your clouds away,
That smoothly and brightly
Your quiet heart may play.
Let cheerful looks and actions
Like shining ripples flow,
Following the mother's voice,
Singing as they go.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Song
Song
C.S. Lewis
Faeries must be in the woods
Or the satyrs' laughing broods -
Tritons in the summer sea,
Else how could the dead things be
Half so lovely as they are?
How could wealth of star on star
Dusted o'er the frosty night
Fill thy spirit with delight
And lead thee from this care of thin
Up among the dreams divine,
Were it not that each and all
Of them that walk the heavenly hall
Is in truth a happy isle,
Where eternal meadows smile,
And golden globes of fruit are seen
Twinkling through the orchards green;
Were the Other People go
On the bright sward to and fro?
Atoms dead could never thus
Stir the human heart of us
Unless the beauty that we see
The veil of endless beauty be,
Filled full of spirits that have trod
Far hence along the heavenly sod
And see the bright footprints of God.
C.S. Lewis
Faeries must be in the woods
Or the satyrs' laughing broods -
Tritons in the summer sea,
Else how could the dead things be
Half so lovely as they are?
How could wealth of star on star
Dusted o'er the frosty night
Fill thy spirit with delight
And lead thee from this care of thin
Up among the dreams divine,
Were it not that each and all
Of them that walk the heavenly hall
Is in truth a happy isle,
Where eternal meadows smile,
And golden globes of fruit are seen
Twinkling through the orchards green;
Were the Other People go
On the bright sward to and fro?
Atoms dead could never thus
Stir the human heart of us
Unless the beauty that we see
The veil of endless beauty be,
Filled full of spirits that have trod
Far hence along the heavenly sod
And see the bright footprints of God.
Christmas Eve Pictures
I always have mixed feelings when Christmas is over. Part of me - a very BIG part of me - wants to put everything away immediately and move onto my daughters birthday party and the beginning of the year. The other part of me wants to hold on for a while, because I know that I will never have another Christmas like this one. So, while I struggle with my conundrum I thought that I would spend the next few days sharing a few of our Christmas pictures with you.
Eating yummy Aebelskivers:
Setting out cookies for Santa:
Christmas Cuddles:
Family Picture:
Eating yummy Aebelskivers:
Setting out cookies for Santa:
Christmas Cuddles:
Family Picture:
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Heather is Awesome!
My little sister, Heather, designed me this absolutely and beautifully awesome blog background. Isn't it the best?!?! Thank you, sister, I LOVE IT!
Don't forget to check out my other blog of the day, right below this one.
Don't forget to check out my other blog of the day, right below this one.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Public Service Announcement
If you live in the area, please consider this a warning. Should you choose to be in the vicinity when one of my children is operating a 2 wheeled vehicle, I am not to be held responsible.
PS - Our kids were given bikes for Christmas. Aren't helmets great inventions? Now we just need to invest in some special gloves to avoid the whole skinned hand thing. Oh, and pray that they avoid any cactus that they see - right Heather?
PS - Our kids were given bikes for Christmas. Aren't helmets great inventions? Now we just need to invest in some special gloves to avoid the whole skinned hand thing. Oh, and pray that they avoid any cactus that they see - right Heather?
Merry Christmas!
It's early here, and my house is still asleep. I am up and hoping that others wake up soon. But meanwhile, what a wonderful time to sit and think of the real meaning of Christmas, and how thankful I am that my Savior came as a baby to show me the way back to the Father. This year is truly a blessed and amazing Christmas, and my prayer is that yours will be as well. May the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be yours this season, and may you know true joy and peace. All my love....
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas Eve!
I am sitting here right now gazing at my beautiful Christmas tree, and feeling all of the joy and bubbly that you get at Christmas time. I am thinking of my many blessings, and so thankful for such abundant friends and family to spend Christmas and Christmas Eve with. I have 3 sisters, 3 sister-in-laws, 6 brother-in-laws, 9 nieces and nephews, 3 children, 2 moms and 2 dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and an amazing husband. And we are ALL close. And we ALL love each other. And I am SO thankful for all of them.
On Christmas Eve we have some special traditions that we do every year. Here are some of the fun ones:
* We eat Aebelskivers. We used to do this on Christmas morning, but we've run out of time because my kids - who never sleep late - ALWAYS SLEEP LATE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING (very frustrating to me, who wants them to wake up at like 5), and we have to be at Carl's mom's around 9, so it works better to do it on Christmas Eve
* We can only watch Christmas movies or TV shows - if there's no Christmas in it, we can't watch it (we did this when I was little!)
* We bake (usually) a Happy Birthday Jesus cake. This year we'll use mom's pear cake 'cause I don't have an oven (I do have a beautiful kitchen, though!)
* We get together with Carl's dad (usually at our house, but again remodel, so not here this year)
* We read and do What God Wants For Christmas (very cool - I highly recommend it)
* All of the grandchildren get to open 1 gift (it's always pajamas, and the girls match the girls and the boys match the boys, and they all match each other!)
* We read the Christmas story and sing all of the Christmas songs that go with it. Carl's mom has done this with him and his sisters since they were tiny, and we still read the very same book, with all of us gathered together around her fire, husbands and wives and children.
* We light the last Advent candle
* We set out cookies and milk for Santa on a totally awesome plate and mug set that "Dear Santa we hope you will join us and say, Happy Birthday to Jesus on this Christmas Day!"
* The kids roll into bed super late because they are completely wound up and have had way to many cookies
* Carl and I fall asleep exhausted and then I wake up at 3:00 in the morning, and every 20 to 30 minutes thereafter because I am so excited about seeing my children's faces on Christmas morning and Carl yells at me to please quit moving and go to sleep because the morning will come soon enough and then I'll be tired and grumpy so I need to sleep
And that, my friends, is how we spend Christmas Eve,
On Christmas Eve we have some special traditions that we do every year. Here are some of the fun ones:
* We eat Aebelskivers. We used to do this on Christmas morning, but we've run out of time because my kids - who never sleep late - ALWAYS SLEEP LATE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING (very frustrating to me, who wants them to wake up at like 5), and we have to be at Carl's mom's around 9, so it works better to do it on Christmas Eve
* We can only watch Christmas movies or TV shows - if there's no Christmas in it, we can't watch it (we did this when I was little!)
* We bake (usually) a Happy Birthday Jesus cake. This year we'll use mom's pear cake 'cause I don't have an oven (I do have a beautiful kitchen, though!)
* We get together with Carl's dad (usually at our house, but again remodel, so not here this year)
* We read and do What God Wants For Christmas (very cool - I highly recommend it)
* All of the grandchildren get to open 1 gift (it's always pajamas, and the girls match the girls and the boys match the boys, and they all match each other!)
* We read the Christmas story and sing all of the Christmas songs that go with it. Carl's mom has done this with him and his sisters since they were tiny, and we still read the very same book, with all of us gathered together around her fire, husbands and wives and children.
* We light the last Advent candle
* We set out cookies and milk for Santa on a totally awesome plate and mug set that "Dear Santa we hope you will join us and say, Happy Birthday to Jesus on this Christmas Day!"
* The kids roll into bed super late because they are completely wound up and have had way to many cookies
* Carl and I fall asleep exhausted and then I wake up at 3:00 in the morning, and every 20 to 30 minutes thereafter because I am so excited about seeing my children's faces on Christmas morning and Carl yells at me to please quit moving and go to sleep because the morning will come soon enough and then I'll be tired and grumpy so I need to sleep
And that, my friends, is how we spend Christmas Eve,
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A tile backsplash
On TopOfMyGraniteOnMyCabinetsOfHickory.
Ahh, Christmas. The most wonderful time of year. A time for children to get so hopped up on sugar cookies, wassail and adrenaline that they forget all about the sweet, kind, angelic children that they were before the holidays.
At this present moment I am sitting on my couch praying that my head does NOT blow up, while listening to all three of my children and two of their cousins screaming their heads off from one of the bedrooms. There is even screaming and crying. Oh, well, survival of the fittest is what I always say. I just hope that the air mattress that is in that room survives, we need that long term, you know.
I've been thinking about some of my favorite Christmas memories, and decided to share some of them with you. Aren't you glad? In no particular order:
* I remember when all of us girls and our cousins were given our homemade Cabbage Patch Dolls (I still have mine). We loved them! Aunt Marianne taught us how to make slings out of dishtowels and we ran all around Grandma and Popi's house with our babies tied to us.
* Aebelskivers every Christmas. My favorite memory is when Grandma and Popi were still in San Antonio and Grandma, Mom and Aunt Marianne were in the kitchen making aebelskivers, Daddy, Popi and Uncle Frank were in the formal living room talking, and all of us were playing with our toys and running around the house like crazy people.
* I remember riding in the back of the station wagon on the way to Grandma's house, with as many Christmas toys as we could grab stuffed in with us
* I remember waking up really excited and climbing into bed with Heidi.
* I remember taking turns sneaking down the hallway to see what was in our stockings.
* I remember the year we each were given My Child dolls
* I remember being big pregnant with Carlye and wishing she were already here (she came 4 days later)
* I remember her first Christmas when EVERYONE spoiled her rotten
* I remember Noah's first Christmas and Nathanael's black eye
* I remember Advent at our house, with all of our friends and family that lived close by coming over
* I remember pizelles
Somebody just got hurt - whacked in the head with a Tennis Racket to be precise. That's what happens when you play with tennis rackets inside, I guess. I am now going to curl up on the couch and read and hope that I feel better soon.
A tile backsplash
On TopOfMyGraniteOnMyCabinetsOfHickory.
Ahh, Christmas. The most wonderful time of year. A time for children to get so hopped up on sugar cookies, wassail and adrenaline that they forget all about the sweet, kind, angelic children that they were before the holidays.
At this present moment I am sitting on my couch praying that my head does NOT blow up, while listening to all three of my children and two of their cousins screaming their heads off from one of the bedrooms. There is even screaming and crying. Oh, well, survival of the fittest is what I always say. I just hope that the air mattress that is in that room survives, we need that long term, you know.
I've been thinking about some of my favorite Christmas memories, and decided to share some of them with you. Aren't you glad? In no particular order:
* I remember when all of us girls and our cousins were given our homemade Cabbage Patch Dolls (I still have mine). We loved them! Aunt Marianne taught us how to make slings out of dishtowels and we ran all around Grandma and Popi's house with our babies tied to us.
* Aebelskivers every Christmas. My favorite memory is when Grandma and Popi were still in San Antonio and Grandma, Mom and Aunt Marianne were in the kitchen making aebelskivers, Daddy, Popi and Uncle Frank were in the formal living room talking, and all of us were playing with our toys and running around the house like crazy people.
* I remember riding in the back of the station wagon on the way to Grandma's house, with as many Christmas toys as we could grab stuffed in with us
* I remember waking up really excited and climbing into bed with Heidi.
* I remember taking turns sneaking down the hallway to see what was in our stockings.
* I remember the year we each were given My Child dolls
* I remember being big pregnant with Carlye and wishing she were already here (she came 4 days later)
* I remember her first Christmas when EVERYONE spoiled her rotten
* I remember Noah's first Christmas and Nathanael's black eye
* I remember Advent at our house, with all of our friends and family that lived close by coming over
* I remember pizelles
Somebody just got hurt - whacked in the head with a Tennis Racket to be precise. That's what happens when you play with tennis rackets inside, I guess. I am now going to curl up on the couch and read and hope that I feel better soon.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Granite on my
Cabinets of Hickory.
I am sick today. So is mom. It is not fun. I have so much to write about, and I just am too tired right now. Hopefully tomorrow.
Granite on my
Cabinets of Hickory.
I am sick today. So is mom. It is not fun. I have so much to write about, and I just am too tired right now. Hopefully tomorrow.
Monday, December 21, 2009
On the Tenth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A front porch
Made of old trees.
Okay - it's just lumber, but that doesn't rhyme, now does it?
Meanwhile, my children have lost their minds. They have COMPLETELY forgotten how to behave themselves, and are acting like wild and crazy hooligans.
Yes, hooligans.
They are fighting and screaming and tattling and hitting and pinching (for the first time ever) and spitting (which is disgusting) and overall making incredibly bad choices.
So, tomorrow, we are staying home ALL day and having Christmas boot camp.
Only, it won't be very Christmassy cause it won't be very fun.
Well, it may be a little fun for me.
Them, not so much.
Oh, and her is one of my favorite pictures from the wedding:
A front porch
Made of old trees.
Okay - it's just lumber, but that doesn't rhyme, now does it?
Meanwhile, my children have lost their minds. They have COMPLETELY forgotten how to behave themselves, and are acting like wild and crazy hooligans.
Yes, hooligans.
They are fighting and screaming and tattling and hitting and pinching (for the first time ever) and spitting (which is disgusting) and overall making incredibly bad choices.
So, tomorrow, we are staying home ALL day and having Christmas boot camp.
Only, it won't be very Christmassy cause it won't be very fun.
Well, it may be a little fun for me.
Them, not so much.
Oh, and her is one of my favorite pictures from the wedding:
Sunday, December 20, 2009
On the Ninth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
An evening with
Extended family.
Today Aunt Marianne, Uncle Frank, Annemarie and Christina are coming to spend the night with us! It will be such a fun evening! Here are the pictures of Julianna's wedding. Look at how beautiful her dress was! Aunt Marianne made it with lace taken from old wedding dresses purchased at the DI. Julianna was one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen, as Sara was before her. Annie did all of the flowers, and they were breathtakingly beautiful. I hope that the pictures do them justice. Enjoy!
An evening with
Extended family.
Today Aunt Marianne, Uncle Frank, Annemarie and Christina are coming to spend the night with us! It will be such a fun evening! Here are the pictures of Julianna's wedding. Look at how beautiful her dress was! Aunt Marianne made it with lace taken from old wedding dresses purchased at the DI. Julianna was one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen, as Sara was before her. Annie did all of the flowers, and they were breathtakingly beautiful. I hope that the pictures do them justice. Enjoy!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
On the 8th Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A trip to my
Cousins Wedding.
My cousin Julianna was married today, and it was beautiful! She's asked me to post pictures, so I'll put those up tomorrow afternoon (I'm so tired right now!). Noah doesn't really like Jared (her now husband), and asked me more than once why you can't marry your cousin. I was so excited to see so many friends and family, so it was really neat for me. Carl tolerated it well, and so did the kids. Now, we are home and ready to CRASH! Aunt Marianne made Julianna's dress and it was AMAZING! Really, you won't believe it when you see the pictures. It was beautiful. More tomorrow........
A trip to my
Cousins Wedding.
My cousin Julianna was married today, and it was beautiful! She's asked me to post pictures, so I'll put those up tomorrow afternoon (I'm so tired right now!). Noah doesn't really like Jared (her now husband), and asked me more than once why you can't marry your cousin. I was so excited to see so many friends and family, so it was really neat for me. Carl tolerated it well, and so did the kids. Now, we are home and ready to CRASH! Aunt Marianne made Julianna's dress and it was AMAZING! Really, you won't believe it when you see the pictures. It was beautiful. More tomorrow........
Friday, December 18, 2009
On the 7th day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A night at home
With no activity!
Christmas parties are over, and they were both a smashing success. Thankfully, I was only 'in charge' of one, and it was a lot of fun. The one I wasn't 'in charge' of was a lot more fun, as I got to sit and eat cookies while the other mom who was 'in charge' struggled to prevent another mom from taking over. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Now, I can sit at home, watch Christmas movies and completely destress. I am so excited. Seriously. I have NOTHING to do tonight. My mom even made dinner!
And on that note, living without a stove isn't as difficult as I thought that it would be. I have happily discovered that there are quite a few crock pot and microwave foods out there for the kitchen deprived family.
Hot pocket anyone?
A night at home
With no activity!
Christmas parties are over, and they were both a smashing success. Thankfully, I was only 'in charge' of one, and it was a lot of fun. The one I wasn't 'in charge' of was a lot more fun, as I got to sit and eat cookies while the other mom who was 'in charge' struggled to prevent another mom from taking over. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Now, I can sit at home, watch Christmas movies and completely destress. I am so excited. Seriously. I have NOTHING to do tonight. My mom even made dinner!
And on that note, living without a stove isn't as difficult as I thought that it would be. I have happily discovered that there are quite a few crock pot and microwave foods out there for the kitchen deprived family.
Hot pocket anyone?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
On the Sixth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Rockbox tickets
For the family.
Woo-hoo! We're going to the Rockbox again tonight, but this time we get to take the kids and my parents. It should be a lot of fun.
Today we received a fun Christmas package from my little sister, with our very own Elf to sit on our shelf. His name is Zappy Buddy, and he is currently residing very happily on our TV. Sadly, as my children have been incredibly naughty today he will not have good things to report, but hey - he sure is cute!
Rockbox tickets
For the family.
Woo-hoo! We're going to the Rockbox again tonight, but this time we get to take the kids and my parents. It should be a lot of fun.
Today we received a fun Christmas package from my little sister, with our very own Elf to sit on our shelf. His name is Zappy Buddy, and he is currently residing very happily on our TV. Sadly, as my children have been incredibly naughty today he will not have good things to report, but hey - he sure is cute!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
On the Fifth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
An airplane carrying my family.
Okay, so he didn't give me the airplane, but my mom and dad are here. So the next few days will be a lot of fun. The boys also both had their hair cut today, and look absolutely adorable. Noey's is still kinda long (like Troy Bolton, of course) and Nathanael is practically bald. Two more days of school and one school party to be in charge of, and VACATION!!! I can't wait.
An airplane carrying my family.
Okay, so he didn't give me the airplane, but my mom and dad are here. So the next few days will be a lot of fun. The boys also both had their hair cut today, and look absolutely adorable. Noey's is still kinda long (like Troy Bolton, of course) and Nathanael is practically bald. Two more days of school and one school party to be in charge of, and VACATION!!! I can't wait.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
On the Fourth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
An oak floor
That is so pretty.
Today Noah had a pajama party (mom, do I have to wear underwear today since it's pajama day?) and book exchange at school, and that kid is so confident he could totally rock his Star Wars Pajamas and UT slippers in public. He didn't care one bit when I took him into the store and to get his hair cut. Sadly, when we arrived at the hair salon our normal 'stylist' was gone, so we have to wait until tomorrow morning to get Noah's hair cut. Have I mentioned before that he doesn't like getting his hair cut? As a matter of fact, when he found out that he wasn't getting one today he walked out of the salon, fell on his knees on the sidewalk right in front of the door, and immediately began to pray, thanking his Heavenly Father for making the 'hair cut girl' not be there.
Have I also mentioned that he's not shy?
In other news, my best friend and I have decided to trade my oldest for her youngest.
Straight up - no refunds or returns.
I'll let you know how it goes.
An oak floor
That is so pretty.
Today Noah had a pajama party (mom, do I have to wear underwear today since it's pajama day?) and book exchange at school, and that kid is so confident he could totally rock his Star Wars Pajamas and UT slippers in public. He didn't care one bit when I took him into the store and to get his hair cut. Sadly, when we arrived at the hair salon our normal 'stylist' was gone, so we have to wait until tomorrow morning to get Noah's hair cut. Have I mentioned before that he doesn't like getting his hair cut? As a matter of fact, when he found out that he wasn't getting one today he walked out of the salon, fell on his knees on the sidewalk right in front of the door, and immediately began to pray, thanking his Heavenly Father for making the 'hair cut girl' not be there.
Have I also mentioned that he's not shy?
In other news, my best friend and I have decided to trade my oldest for her youngest.
Straight up - no refunds or returns.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Monday, December 14, 2009
On the Third Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Cabinets made of
Hickory.
I've been thinking, and I have decided that the people who invented childrens soaps, bubble bath, sponges and shower gel for Christmas gifts do not actually have children. You see, my youngest was the lucky winner of a Bakugan bath set at a white elephant gift exchange. Now, I don't know much about the show, but I do know that 2 sponges, 2 bottles of shower gel and 2 bottles of bubble bath - while mixed with 3 children - can desecrate a bathroom more quickly than a gang of vandals. Slippery soap, sticky bubbles, and a lot of water do not for a happy mommy make. The plus side is that there is now very little of said bath set left, so only a minimal amount of damage can be done in the future.
I am thankful for Delsym, kitchens, loving husbands, massages and Christmas movies.
Cabinets made of
Hickory.
I've been thinking, and I have decided that the people who invented childrens soaps, bubble bath, sponges and shower gel for Christmas gifts do not actually have children. You see, my youngest was the lucky winner of a Bakugan bath set at a white elephant gift exchange. Now, I don't know much about the show, but I do know that 2 sponges, 2 bottles of shower gel and 2 bottles of bubble bath - while mixed with 3 children - can desecrate a bathroom more quickly than a gang of vandals. Slippery soap, sticky bubbles, and a lot of water do not for a happy mommy make. The plus side is that there is now very little of said bath set left, so only a minimal amount of damage can be done in the future.
I am thankful for Delsym, kitchens, loving husbands, massages and Christmas movies.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
On the Second Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A giant tray of
Christmas Cookies!
Today all the grandkids are going to be decorating Christmas cookies at Nani's. It's a fun Christmas tradition, and they always have so much fun! I'll post pictures when I get them.
A giant tray of
Christmas Cookies!
Today all the grandkids are going to be decorating Christmas cookies at Nani's. It's a fun Christmas tradition, and they always have so much fun! I'll post pictures when I get them.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
On the First Day of Christmas.....
My true love gave to me,
A can of paint
That's really heavy.
Today, on day #4 or 5 of our remodel (they are all running together in one giant blur) we are painting the kitchen. A really boring color, but that's okay. It'll mostly be hidden behind the cabinets and backsplash anyway. While we paint, the kids are going to watch Christmas shows and movies (Freckles is sick), so at least I get to listen to fun stuff while paint. I am learning some very valuable things, though, during this remodel.
1) Washing dishes in the bathroom sink can be difficult, and will more than likely involve you getting wet. Very wet.
2) Cooking without a stove doesn't work so well. And driving your food back and forth from your mother-in-laws house to yours isn't the easiest solution.
3) I have no guilt whatsoever that we are eating out EVERY SINGLE MEAL because of our lack of stove/sink/counter space. Seriously, no guilt.
4) Paper plates, plastic forks and styrofoam cups were invented by a mom who was remodeling her kitchen and had 3 young children. I'm sure of it.
In a completely unrelated topic, Noah asked me to buy him a Santa hat from Victoria's Secret the other day. I went with no.
Oh, and at a recent White Elephant Gift Exchange I came away with the COOLEST shirt ever.
I know - you're jealous! Wait til you see it on me - I can totally rock it!
A can of paint
That's really heavy.
Today, on day #4 or 5 of our remodel (they are all running together in one giant blur) we are painting the kitchen. A really boring color, but that's okay. It'll mostly be hidden behind the cabinets and backsplash anyway. While we paint, the kids are going to watch Christmas shows and movies (Freckles is sick), so at least I get to listen to fun stuff while paint. I am learning some very valuable things, though, during this remodel.
1) Washing dishes in the bathroom sink can be difficult, and will more than likely involve you getting wet. Very wet.
2) Cooking without a stove doesn't work so well. And driving your food back and forth from your mother-in-laws house to yours isn't the easiest solution.
3) I have no guilt whatsoever that we are eating out EVERY SINGLE MEAL because of our lack of stove/sink/counter space. Seriously, no guilt.
4) Paper plates, plastic forks and styrofoam cups were invented by a mom who was remodeling her kitchen and had 3 young children. I'm sure of it.
In a completely unrelated topic, Noah asked me to buy him a Santa hat from Victoria's Secret the other day. I went with no.
Oh, and at a recent White Elephant Gift Exchange I came away with the COOLEST shirt ever.
I know - you're jealous! Wait til you see it on me - I can totally rock it!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Really?
My day yesterday was fraught with adventure. Yes, I said fraught. It started out with me running out of gas while on my way to drop off the kids at school. It took several good samaritans and my daughter manning the brake for us to get to a pump, but we finally did it (and hey, all those people did a good deed for the day, so they felt better about themselves!). A few hours later I was pulled over by a really rude DPS officer because my registration had expired (third time to be pulled over for this, by the way). After he yelled at me and lectured me I drove straight over with my hubby and took care of my registration (and my ticket).
But here's what I wanna know -
Really, it costs $500 just to fix my gas gauge, Really? I could test it myself for that much money! Really.
Really, Mr. DPS officer, you're going to tell me that you'll pull me over and ticket me every time you see me - even if it's in 20 minutes? Really?
And you think that allowing your registration to expire is a case of extreme negligence on my part, Really?
Well, the day is over. It ended with the Rockbox, and it made the whole day all better. Really.
But here's what I wanna know -
Really, it costs $500 just to fix my gas gauge, Really? I could test it myself for that much money! Really.
Really, Mr. DPS officer, you're going to tell me that you'll pull me over and ticket me every time you see me - even if it's in 20 minutes? Really?
And you think that allowing your registration to expire is a case of extreme negligence on my part, Really?
Well, the day is over. It ended with the Rockbox, and it made the whole day all better. Really.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Rockbox Theatre
Tonight Carl and I took his mom and a friend of ours to the Rockbox Theatre here in the area, and it was AWESOME! They are doing their Christmas performance right now, and I loved it (Carl thought it was too Christmassy, but still enjoyed it). They sang "Merry Christmas, Darling" by the Carpenters, Sonny and Cher made an appearance, and the pianist played Christmas Time Is Here. There were some classics, too. But the BEST part was the Doehemian Rhapsody, based on the Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. I posted it here for all to enjoy, there is some advertising, but overall you get the point of how talented this group is. I can't wait to take my parents and the kids next week! Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Invisibility
I don't have depression - I actually love my life. But occasionally I feel invisible. Lost in all of the things that are going on and being done. I know I'm not. I'm loved by many people. But feelings don't have brains, and so therefore cannot be reasoned with. They are what they are - we choose to indulge in them or move on. But, unquestionably, they are there.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Ha-ha! and Boo-hoo!
I am done. Today, I officially completed all of my Christmas shopping.
Unless I forgot something.
You may all applaud.
Thank you.
Remodel Day #1 - My house is naked. I no longer have any porches or rock work on my house, and you can see the beautiful shade of baby blue that we painted our house originally (it was only that way for about a week). It makes me thankful for where we are, and sad that we are going to sell this house when it is finished - so much blood, sweat and tears has been poured into it for so long. We laid the wood floors together, Nathanael's handprint is in the texture on the wall in their room, Carlye painted the closet when she was 2 years old, Ryan, David and Carl hung the ceiling. So many projects, so many friends, so many years. And now, 13 years later, it looks like we are going to actually finish our home. Amazing.
Unless I forgot something.
You may all applaud.
Thank you.
Remodel Day #1 - My house is naked. I no longer have any porches or rock work on my house, and you can see the beautiful shade of baby blue that we painted our house originally (it was only that way for about a week). It makes me thankful for where we are, and sad that we are going to sell this house when it is finished - so much blood, sweat and tears has been poured into it for so long. We laid the wood floors together, Nathanael's handprint is in the texture on the wall in their room, Carlye painted the closet when she was 2 years old, Ryan, David and Carl hung the ceiling. So many projects, so many friends, so many years. And now, 13 years later, it looks like we are going to actually finish our home. Amazing.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Super Fun Day
Today I had a super fun day. I know you will all be jealous.
First, I got to go the doctor and have them stick 3 different needles full of burning pain into my knee (the Dr called it numbing medicine).
Then, he shot more painful stuff called dye into my 'numbed' knee. It was not numb. I was thrilled.
After twisting me knee into positions I'm not overly fond of I learned 3 things:
1) My meniscus is torn, but not dangling.
2) I have broken pieces of cartilage floating around in my knee
3) They don't know what's causing the swelling.
Yippee! My reward for the afternoon was to NOT know what's going on or how to fix it.
I know, you're green with envy.
Oh - and for some psycho crazy reason we have decided to remodel our house before the end of the year. This should be relaxing.
First, I got to go the doctor and have them stick 3 different needles full of burning pain into my knee (the Dr called it numbing medicine).
Then, he shot more painful stuff called dye into my 'numbed' knee. It was not numb. I was thrilled.
After twisting me knee into positions I'm not overly fond of I learned 3 things:
1) My meniscus is torn, but not dangling.
2) I have broken pieces of cartilage floating around in my knee
3) They don't know what's causing the swelling.
Yippee! My reward for the afternoon was to NOT know what's going on or how to fix it.
I know, you're green with envy.
Oh - and for some psycho crazy reason we have decided to remodel our house before the end of the year. This should be relaxing.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tis the season....
Yesterday I had a little Christmas party. In preparation I made sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies that we hand decorated, chocolate covered butter snaps, pretzel sticks covered with chocolate snowmen, snowflakes and Santas, peppermint almond bark, wassail and home made hot chocolate (we had a hot chocolate "bar" with all different types of toppings - marshmallows, whip cream, choc chips, white choc chips, Andes mint pieces, Heath bar pieces, and peppermint sticks to stir with). My final contribution was going to be Christmas spritz cookies. Little did I know, I was NOT meant to make these. As I was preparing the dough - 30 minutes before I needed to leave for the Christmas party - my $6 hand blender blew up. It had a good life. Then, because he loves me, my husband came and rigged it and finished beating the dough for me. Then, sadly, while I was pressing the cookies, my cookie press exploded! I am not kidding. My Wilton cookie press burst into tiny plastic pieces around the top where you screw on the press. Sadly, we were only able to make 1 batch of Christmas spritz cookies (but they were yummy!) before the second electronic death of the night.
All of this to say - I AM A GENIUS!!!
Yes, I am. The one and only Christmas party that I had to have anything to do with is over, and I can now go about enjoying the month of December.
Life is so good.
All of this to say - I AM A GENIUS!!!
Yes, I am. The one and only Christmas party that I had to have anything to do with is over, and I can now go about enjoying the month of December.
Life is so good.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Snow
It snowed today. And it was beautiful. None of it stuck, but it was a beautiful, thick snow while it was falling - and it was REAL snow, not the crazy ice balls that we usually get here in Texas. Soft, fluffy, beautiful snow flakes that you could catch on your tongue, while standing in the middle of hundreds of other snowflakes that fell to the ground.
I am so thankful for snow.
I am so thankful for snow.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
FYI
In regards to my post from earlier today, I do NOT believe that it is okay to discipline children in anger, and very rarely do so (I wish I could say never, but, sadly, I am as of yet not entirely perfect).
That is all. You may now go about your day.
That is all. You may now go about your day.
My eldest child
Something is severely wrong with my eldest child. Frankly, I think that she has completely lost her mind. She forgets things, is disrespectful, and doesn't like the same things 2 days in a row. Carl thinks its funny. Me, not so much.
For example, today I told her that she could wear her hair down if she wore a headband to keep it out of her face. I even reminded her three times. Halfway to school I notice there is no headband. Hey, I have 3 kids, it takes me a while to notice things sometimes! I don't care what her hair looks like - I really don't, but this forgetful disobeying stuff is really getting to me. When I asked her why she disobeyed me she said, "I didn't disobey you mom, I just forgot." "Is there a headband in your hair?" I asked.
"No"
"Did I tell you to put a head band in your hair?"
"Yes"
"Then you disobeyed me."
For some reason this mood made her angry, and attitude sprung forth out of her soul.
So, I disciplined her in anger.
How? you may ask. I'll tell you.
She has to have her hair fixed every day for the next week.
This almost made her cry.
Some children need spankings or to be grounded. The best discipline for MY girl is to fix her hair. Such a sad world!
For example, today I told her that she could wear her hair down if she wore a headband to keep it out of her face. I even reminded her three times. Halfway to school I notice there is no headband. Hey, I have 3 kids, it takes me a while to notice things sometimes! I don't care what her hair looks like - I really don't, but this forgetful disobeying stuff is really getting to me. When I asked her why she disobeyed me she said, "I didn't disobey you mom, I just forgot." "Is there a headband in your hair?" I asked.
"No"
"Did I tell you to put a head band in your hair?"
"Yes"
"Then you disobeyed me."
For some reason this mood made her angry, and attitude sprung forth out of her soul.
So, I disciplined her in anger.
How? you may ask. I'll tell you.
She has to have her hair fixed every day for the next week.
This almost made her cry.
Some children need spankings or to be grounded. The best discipline for MY girl is to fix her hair. Such a sad world!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
A very bad day
I may have to have knee surgery. I am not happy about this.
I just found out (several months late) that I am the room mom for my oldest sons class. I am not happy about this.
As a result of being unable to run, I cannot eat whatever I want anymore. I am not happy about this.
My week has been messed up because of drs appts, therapist appts and such stuff. I am not happy about this.
My husband and his best friend just finished my upstairs and the loft. I am very happy about this.
I just found out (several months late) that I am the room mom for my oldest sons class. I am not happy about this.
As a result of being unable to run, I cannot eat whatever I want anymore. I am not happy about this.
My week has been messed up because of drs appts, therapist appts and such stuff. I am not happy about this.
My husband and his best friend just finished my upstairs and the loft. I am very happy about this.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Happy Birthday, Heidi Noel Bailey Bahlmann!
Happy Birthday, little sister! I love you so much, and I hope that you have bestest day ever. One of my favorite memories of us all together is when we use to all jump and cuddle in your bed on Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning, taking turns sneaking into the living room to see what was in our stockings. You were always the brave, strong one, and big sister loved cuddling with you. I wish that we could celebrate your special day together, but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers all day. I love you!
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