Saturday, December 13, 2008

A Saturday with the cousins

Kadyn and Dylan came to play this morning after spending the night with Grannylou. It is always fun to see the kids continue to grow in how they play together. The boys and Kadyn were wrestling, playing some kind of keep-away game, and laughed a lot. Grannylou worked hard keeping all the kids moving on the swing set while we enjoyed the unseasonably warm temperatures.

Tonight we headed to Prairie Lights - a mile or so long drive through Christmas lights with a stop in the holiday village where Santa and some great rides are! The kids really enjoyed watching the lights and riding the rides, but weren't so crazy about Santa. The boy just kept running circles around us, both kids enjoyed the Dizzy Dragon ride and the carousel (no pics because we were all riding at warp speed). It was a great night that has become quite the family tradition.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Making memories

We had a few firsts tonight: we made our first pizza and baked & decorated cookies. The kids really enjoyed most of it, but had a hard time waiting for their creations to cook. It wasn't the best pizza we've had, but it was a lot of fun watching the kids spread the crust, sprinkle the cheese, and place the pepperoni and Canadian bacon.

After supper, we made some sugar cookies while Clay made chocolate chip ones. The boy preferred to eat the dough over rolling cookies (like his mama), and the girl just liked placing it the dough on the pan. Once decorating began, the girl took great care in decorating her cookies just so. The boy preferred to eat the toppings over putting them on a cookie, and then he would just scrape the icing off. Here are a few pictures of our fun and the finished products.


While not a roaring success, we had a great time. Our biggest news of the day - the girl seems to be catching on to the potty thing. (No, the boy is still miles behind with little interest.) She turned a corner a couple of days ago, and tonight she even asked to go! She was dry and then used the potty!!!! Much rejoicing occurred - and I haven't had to change a poopy diaper for her in 3 days. I just want one of them out of diapers, and I really don't care which one.

I got an honesty award?



Last week my friend, Rachel, gave me an Honest Award. Say what? I am quite humbled by Rachel's selection of me and her remarks. God was gracious to cross our paths for a couple of years thanks to her sharing her high school years with Clay. She was the one that introduced to our first church in this city - a church that became our home and provided an amazing family of friends. Life has taken her to various parts of the country, but we reconnected again through challenges our eldest children experience (I know, that's a detail I haven't written about much here, but will soon.). While we mostly keep up through our blogs, I know she is there if I ever need an ear about what life is throwing my way.

Here are the instructions:
"When you receive the prize, you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in their content or design. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing that they were prized with 'Honest Weblog'. List [if you can and/or dare] at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!"

Well, here goes:
1. I am not the clean freak everyone thinks I am. I like things to be clean, but I hate to clean so it often doesn't get done. I am a master of deception in this area by picking up/hiding the clutter so everyone always seems to think my house is always clean.

2. I have become quite lazy since becoming a stay-at-home mom. I am an amazing procrastinator and waste way too much time on the internet.

3. I am now gray enough that I color my hair (started back in May). It's not a fun color like my friend Abby (who can't love peanut butter chocolate?), but it does pull out the natural red. I like it.

4. I shave my legs every time I shower/bathe - even in the dead of winter. I can't stand the feeling of stubble rubbing against the sheets. Gives my legs a "headache" as my mom calls it.

5. I think my husband looks best with a full beard. I love the winter because out it comes. He looks so sharp. And I don't mind kissing him with it one bit.

6. There are parts of motherhood I really don't like. Having waited almost 3 years to get pregnant with our son, I said I would never take anything for granted or complain. I've had to eat a lot of crow for those words. Motherhood is not what I expected it to be on so many levels, and there are days I would prefer not to have the responsibility. I love my kids, and they bring me great joy; but, some days I really don't want to have to worry about anybody else.

7. I often wish I was more of a girly girl, but not enough to really work on it. I would love to always be stylish, but I really like my jeans and t-shirts. I wish I had a cute hairdo, but I really like being able to pull it up. I wish my house was better decorated, but I just don't have the eye or the patience to learn about it. I like the finished products of crafts and scrapbooks and such, but I don't like the process of creating it. I can be sentimental, but not usually in the traditional way.

8. I'm a pretty picky eater, but my tastes have expanded since meeting Clay. Mainly because he pushes me to try things, and sometimes I actually like them! I still don't really like my food to touch though.

9. I am saddened that I have let my love of the written word wane. I used to write a lot in high school. I let life and my own insecurities slow my passion, and now the words don't flow as freely.

10. I wish I hadn't stopped learning to play the guitar and piano. I would love to be able to play for my kids, and worship God in that way.

Now, I'm going to pass on tagging 7 others because it's hard to choose. Instead of listing most everyone listed to the right, I'm just going to share that they are listed because I enjoy keeping up with each one for various reasons. (I know, I'm cheating...) If you feel so led to share 10 honest things about yourself, I challenge you to do so on your own blog or in the comments.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was full of fun this year. Granddaddy, Mimi, and Aunt Claire came to visit. We joined my entire family (minus Dad who was with his mother who celebrated her birthday the day after Thanksgiving) for a grand meal on Thursday. Friday we went to the bounce house and a few went to the shooting range. That night we enjoyed Madagascar - and they were amazed at how much popcorn the kids eat! Saturday we toured the zoo -showing off one of our favorite places. It was a great time, and I think most moments were captured by Mimi and Aunt Claire. I've chosen a few of my favorites from the hundred or so pictures I had to sift through. There were a lot of great animal shots, but I'll let Claire post those. The animals did give quite a show - the elephant danced, the otters were being fed, and the lion cubs were playful. They did catch some great shots of the kids' personalities! The weekend was a great way to celebrate all the blessings God has given us. Enjoy it in pictures...

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Top 8s

I know - I haven't posted about Thanksgiving yet, but that takes time to upload all the pictures (and I have about 100 to sift through thanks to Claire & Brenda). I got tagged by a friend, and I thought doing this was a wonderful way to postpone doing one more chore!

8 TV Shows I love to watch: (in no particular order except what day they come on!)
The Amazing Race; The Unit; Dancing with the Stars; The Big Bang Theory; The Mentalist; Knight Rider; CSI: NY; Survivor


8 Favorite Restaurants:
Saltgrass; Corkys; Outback; Chili's; Rio Mambo; Texas de Brazil; Sonic; WNFM @ our church (Teresa is an AMAZING cook!)


8 Things that happened today: (mind you it's only 1:45 p.m.)
Took the boy to school; went to Wal-Mart; picked up friend's sick son from school; laundry; cleaned bathroom counters & toilets; dusted; changed dentist appointments; ate Lucky Charms


8 Things I'm looking forward to:
The boy to be potty trained; seeing my best friend & other family after Christmas; standing face to face with God; Sunday worship; Clay having almost 3 weeks off for the holidays; celebrating Christmas (specifically Christmas Eve service); having my Christmas tree up; what God is going to do in 2009


8 Things on my wishlist:
The boy to be potty trained; to actually finish de-cluttering and organizing our home; to actually finish a few of the numerous projects I've started; stronger walk with God; healing for some loved ones; more time to read; a vacation just for me and Clay; consistency in my parenting


8 People I tag:
Abby; Brooks; Claire; Haley; Jodi; Karen; Kristi; Meghan

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

My Thanksgiving song

For Your endless love
For the life You gave
For the second chance
For Your priceless grace
For Your healing hands
For the gift of peace
For the blessed hope
For the faith to believe


For these reasons I praise You
For these reasons I worship You
For these reasons I live to tell of Your love to all the world


(by Lincoln Brewster)