Christmas Eve Blessings

It's Christmas Eve! I can't believe it's finally here. We are all so thrilled. During the holiday season I love to think about all of my many many blessings. This year being so far away from family makes me realize how truly blessed I am. It has brought things into focus. Here is a small list of things I'm most thankful for at this very moment:

*God, and the amazing way he loves me even though I don't deserve it.

*My husband and our wonderful relationship.

*My children. Enough said.

*My family. I have such a big one and for this I'm so thankful.

*My house.

*My car.

*The sunshine shining on the mountains I can see out my window.

*Airplanes that get my little family home to Tennessee.

*Friends. Oh, I have so many wonderful ones.

*The food waiting to be cooked in my refrigerator.

*The good health that we all are in.

*Christmas carols.

*My clean house all decorated for Christmas.

*My bags that are almost packed ready to come home.

Oh, I could go on and on. God has blessed me in so many ways. I hope that all of you are having a wonderful Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas!

Tennessee Here We Come!!!

We are packing our bags. We are almost ready. We can't wait!!! Santa is coming. Our stockings are hung. The Christmas Eve dinner is almost complete. We are having the neighbors over for a nice lunch and then we will go to church for a nice Christmas Eve celebration. Then it's off to bed to wait for good ol' saint nick. We will then leave Arizona for Tennessee!



Our plans are made. Our bags are almost packed. We can't wait. Tennessee here we come!!!

There's No Place Like Home For the Holidays!

*The Christmas Card that Wasn't*

We are all so excited around here. Christmas is in the air! We are ready for Santa, our bags are almost packed, and the kids are out of school. I don't really have any "big" thing left to do. I have to pick up one last item tomorrow, and that's it. I need to clean my house, and pack. We are ready, ready, ready. We are coming HOME!





I haven't been homesick in quite a while. We've all been so busy with school, soccer, holidays....well life I guess. Don't get my wrong, I'm absolutely ecstatic about visiting the south, but I've been just busy. I thought I was over it. I thought, "Hey, this is easy. Being away from all my friends and family isn't as bad as I thought. With the telephone, facebook, blogs....it's practically like I'm still there. Plus I've made all these cool new friends."





Well, let me tell you. I was WRONG...big fat wrong!





It all came to a head today as I was on my way back from the grocery store. Mae and I were singing along to the Christmas carols playing on the radio when "There's No Place Like Home For the Holidays" came on. I cried like a baby. That song is so right. I can't wait to see all my friends, hang out with my family, eat Bar-b-que (I mean REAL bbq...the pork kind), feel the humidity in the air, smell the good ol' southern cookin'....Oh, I could go on and on!!





Oh, Me!!! Ya'll I can't wait!





Only three more days! Can I stand it! Can you!

Holiday Humor

OK.... I'm totally stealing this from a blog that I just love, love, love. Even though I only have three children, their proximity in age has elicited many of these comments. I thought this was too funny not to share. Please enjoy this holiday humor!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaD8xat6VDw

Jingle Bells....Desert Style!!!

Here's a new Christmas song for ya'll! Mae is having a Christmas program at school tomorrow night. She was singing the songs that the kindergartners will be performing for me tonight. This one in particular is so cute I want to share it with ya'll!

Jingle bells!

Lizard tails!

Hot and sunny days!

Santa's here in desert town,

But he cannot stay

Hey!

Jingle bells!

Lizard tails!

Hot and sunny days!

Santa's here in desert town,

But he cannot stay.

Hey!

Most towns have white snow

But here we have hot sand

That won't stop old Santa Clause

Four Wheeling is his plan!

Hey!

Jingle bells!

Lizard tails!

Hot and sunny days!

Santa's here in desert town,

But he cannot stay.

Hey!

Don't you love it! I can't wait to see the entire program.

Yay!!

Yay! I'm up and running again. Thank you thank you, Rusty's friend Josh from work. I will no longer refer to you as a computer nerd! You are now a genius savior in my book! Yay, yay, and yay!

Farewell My Friend

You wouldn't believe what has happened! I knew it was coming. My dear old friend is sick,deathly sick. She probably can't be revived. My computer has finally bit the bullet. The poor old dusty thing was on her last leg. Although she was missing the letter "x" she was a dear, dear friend of mine. We have been through so much together. So many memories. So many e-mails. So many blogs. So many searches. Oh well.... I guess it was her time. Rusty thinks he can revive her. If he can't he's going to take her into work to the computer nerds to see if they can resesitate her. Who knows? Do I hold out hope? Of course. There's always hope, right?

Well.. He assures me he can retrieve my pictures. (The main thing I want out of her.) I'll pray for at least that. Maybe soon she'll be replaced for a new shinier model. I'll always remember her though. My heart will always have a place for her.

Listen to me.... I speak as if she's already gone. Maybe Rusty will be able to do some magic (or at least the nerds he works with will). Who knows.

In the meantime, I'll have to wait until the evenings when Rusty gets home with his computer and it's high RAM....whatever that means...(show-off) to check my e-mail, look at facebook, and to write my blogs. It will be a sad, sad time.

But, let's all hold out hope and pray for a miracle as Rusty and his nerd friends to work their magic on my dear old "x" missing friend.

Just in Time!

Today was a very eventful day. We had the big kids birthday party today. We were all so excited because the sun was shining. The rain held off! Well.... as we made our way to the park we noticed how windy it was. John Russel said, "Well, I prayed for no rain, but who prayed for wind?" Tumble weeds were blowing everywhere! When we got to the park the wind was practically whipping the hair off our heads. We could hardly make our way to the playground. I thought Will was going to blow off the play equipment. Literally. Oh No! What in the world were we going to do. The party was going to start in an hour. There was no way we could hang the decorations, much less eat cake off of flying plates! Rusty suggested we move the party to our house. Well, this would sound OK to a man, but as a woman I was thinking of the dust bunnies hiding in all my corners. "No Way!" I quickly replied, as I also thought of my house being torn to shreds by many kindergartners and 1st graders. We both then thought of the brand new McDonald's just down the street! Rusty tried to call, but the number hadn't even been published yet. So he got into the van and headed just down the street to ask the manager of the McDonald's if we could move the party there. The kids and I braved the wind while he was gone. My mind was contemplating all the alternatives the entire time he was away. He made it back shortly and told us the good news that we could move the party there. Thank the Lord! We loaded up and headed to Mickey D's. Rusty stayed at the park to direct the party goers towards our new location. We had a great turn out. Around 2o kids in attendance. They all had a blast playing on the new indoor play equipment. The people at McDonald's were so nice and accommodating.

We all had a good time. I wasn't even that stir crazy. (Well....maybe a little) It was a great day. The kids had fun. We have more toys than we know what to do with. All in all it was a great party.

All I can say is Thank you Lord for opening letting that Micky D's open up just in time!

Uh Oh!

*My little elves*

*Close up view....It says sorry*

*Those silly elves!*

Last night the elves didn't wake up! When I went to get John Russel and Mae up for school, John Russel informed me that they didn't "do" anything! Oh No!! When they got downstairs they found a note from the elves. They explained that they were so tired from running to the store the night before (they brought candy) that they just couldn't get up!

They must have felt pretty bad about it. Today when I went to get the big kids from school, the elves were up to their old antics. Just look what they did!

They must have felt terrible!

Mae Mae is Six!!

Today is the day. It's finally here. She's been waiting Oh so long. Today is Mae's birthday! I can't believe it. She is getting so big. I just bought her some new pants and they are almost too short! Her legs are so long. Last night she jumped in her bed, and she said, "Mama, look how high I jumped!" I said, "Yep! And you'll be able to jump even higher tomorrow because you'll be six!" She loved this. She feels so Big Girl!

I can't believe how fast time flies by. It seems like only yesterday when I held my sweet girl in my arms for the first time. I will never forget that precious moment. She looked up at me with those big blue eyes....and that was it. I had just seen the most beautiful girl in the world.

I try to slow down and savor every minute of her life. But, as time goes by I realize my fingers just can't hold onto all those moments that take my breath away. At the same time, I don't want to hold her back either. She continues to grow into the most remarkable person. It's hard to believe that I would find her more beautiful today than I did when I held that sweet infant in my arms. That's just the way with my sweet Mae Mae. She continues to take my breath away every single day.

Happy Birthday, my dear sweet girl!

It's Christmas Time in the Desert....

*OK...Nothing to do with the post, but isn't this a funny Picture?*

It's Christmas time! The tree is up, the lights are shining, the elves have come.....So what's missing? Well, let's see. I'm as crazy as ever. Birthday party next weekend. Christmas parties coming up. Christmas cards almost finished. Hmmmm? What is it?

I'll tell you what. I'm not at HOME!!

This Christmas season contains all the usual merriness, it's just plain weird having Christmas in the desert! I miss all the usual sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas at home. Making new traditions with my family is great, but being away from all that says Christmas to me is just a little bit different.

Oh well... It's not about me anyway...is it? The kids are having a blast. That's all that really matters to me.

And as Scarlet Ohara would say....After all, I'm coming home to Tara (I mean Memphis) soon!!!

Silly Elves!

*Silly elves checking out John Russel's birthday presents*

*Loving the Christmas Nick Nacks*

* OOO! Conner Playing John Russel's new DS*

*Jensen and Irma Lovin' Santa*

Our elves have come.

"Come?" you may ask.

Well, you see every child has their own elf at the north pole. All you have to do is write a letter to Santa and see if your elf is finished with their Christmas chores and they will be allowed to come stay with you until Christmas Eve, when they have to go back to the North Pole with Santa. They come with magic sprinkles that you put on them at night before bedtime. You leave them crackers and water to eat. They like this because crackers sound like crunching snow and the water is melted snow. The sprinkles make them come to life at night. They play around the house often doing naughty things. They sometimes leave small treats. They LOVE Jesus, so they love to remind you that this is the real reason for Christmas.

The children are so excited. Our elves, Conner (John Russel's elf), Irma (Mae's), and Jensen (Will's) have been with us since Thanksgiving night. They have been very mischievous during their stay this year. They have toilet papered the bathroom, rolled aluminum foil down the stairs making a slide, and they have hidden in the freezer. Last night, however, they stole MY camera and took all kinds of pictures of their shenanigans. How Dare They!!!

The kids were elated. They loved looking at the pictures again and again. Over breakfast Mae asked me if the elves looked the same when they came to life. "Hmmm. I don't know, Mae." I answered. "Well, they look like it in the Pictures," replied my little observant one, a little too forlornly. I then quickly replied, "I bet they only look that way because they were in a picture. I'm sure they turn into 'real live' elves when they are running around." She was happy with this explanation as she nodded her head in agreement.

Now....I wonder what those silly elves will be up to tonight!

Seven Years....

Seven years ago today I became a new person. God gave me this perfect little miraculous gift. He was pink and perfect. It was John Russel. Today is his seventh birthday! Today is his day. All about him. He woke with a perfect smile today as Rusty and I sang Happy Birthday to him. He was elated over the presents he got to open. He skipped giddily into school. Big Big Boy!

But.... I can't help make this day a little bit about me. You see, seven years ago God created a new person along with that precious newborn. He created a Mother. It's just as amazing as that newborn's first breath. It happened just that fast. My life changed forever. Thank you, thank you dear Lord for entrusting me with the awesome responsibility.

Happy Happy Birthday my sweet John Russel!!!!

Favorite Christmas Memories

Christmas is the time for memories, right? Oh, I have so, so many good ones. I can think back to when I was a child and remember the feeling of waiting for Santa to come. I think of the Christmas plays my nieces , nephews, and my own children have played in. Christmas in Kansas City come to mind with more cousins and the Nutcracker. Such good memories fill my mind this time of year.

But then it wouldn't be Christmas without those other memories, too. You know what I'm talking about. Taking the Christmas card photo, dealing with ALL the family at once, screaming over-tired sugar induced children, pictures with Santa......Wait!! Pictures with Santa.....Maybe some of those crazy memories are funnier than I realized.

Get comfortable, grab your cocoa and let me tell you one of my favorite Christmas memories.

Last year we met my sister and her family at a restaurant near her house. We were celebrating Mae's birthday with a birthday dinner. After dinner we all thought it would be so fun to go and see Santa. Why not! It's always fun, right? Well this mall had it's own store sight just for Santa and getting your picture made with him. Mrs. Claus was there as well. My sister and my niece Elizabeth and nephew Joseph joined us for the fun. Even though they were a little to old to sit on dear Santa's knee they wanted to see their cousins tell ol' Saint Nick what they wanted for Christmas. There was a small line that weaved in and out of those silly belt like divider things. Joseph, being 13, got rather bored while watching the kids wait in line. While I was looking over the ridiculous price lists for pictures he proceeded to play with one of the belts. Well, as Mrs. Claus was mingling with all her guests he slipped one of the belts off the pole it was attached to. The belt came reeling back with the speed of lightening making a horrible racket and causing Mrs. Claus to scream in shock! He was then directed by his mother out of the line to stand by the windows in the front of the store. Getting bored again, like any 13 year old would at this point, he decides to do a little drumming on the windows. The girl at the desk taking the million dollars that the pictures cost stated, "Is it raining already?" He was then directed over to the bench by a lovely reindeer made of pine. ( I know it sounds crazy, and I wish I had a picture, but imagine a Christmas tree reindeer complete with lights) We were finished with our Santa pic at this point and as we made our way to the door we thought it would make a wonderful picture to have all the kids sit on the bench with the reindeer tree thing. So as we tried to arrange all the kids on the bench Joseph simply touched one of the lights on our reindeer friend and POOF all of the lights went out! My sister wanted to wring his neck, and Rusty and I could hardly contain our laughter. I'm still laughing about it actually. I can hardly type this post!

Leave it the children in our life to bring us back to reality....and always with laughter!

This is what Christmas is all about!

Miracle Feet!

I wanted to share this wonderful discovery that I've found with all of you. Many of you may have already seen this because my friend Carrie told me about it after seeing it on Oprah.

If you have dry, scaly, crusty heels there is something simple that you can do to solve it! You take an acne pad (you know, the kind that you may have used as a teenager--I use Clearasil) and rub your feet with it. Then you put lotion on your feet like you normally would. The acid in the acne pad is supposed to eat away the dead skin on your feet. I've been trying this simple technique at night or before I go work out. I haven't done it every day. I also still use my pumice stone in the bath.

It's a miracle, y'all! My normally scaly, dry, crusty heels are now smooth!

Try it and let me know what you think!

Happy Thanksgiving From the Workman Five!

*Thanksgiving Desert Style*

*What a lovely dinner*

*MMMM. This looks good! *

*Fine China*

*Happy Thanksgiving From The Workman Five*

We had a great day today. The Thanksgiving dinner I prepared was lovely. We even ate off the fine China. Mae helped me set the table and get everything ready. Rusty and I are stuffed. Notice how I didn't include the kid's here. Thanksgiving food isn't their favorite. Oh well. We all had a good time and are so so thankful for all of our many many blessings.

Happy Thanksgving Ya'll!

New Traditions!

I've been cooking all day so far. I've made the asparagus casserole, the sweet potato casserole and most of the dressing. I've cooked my hen. She's ready to go. I'm on my way. I'll be pretty much finished up tonight. Corn pudding...finish the dressing.... then wait until tomorrow to do the green beans and heat everything up. Oh, and the rolls. I can't forget to do them. Thanks to Sister Schubert we will be having some nice homemade tasting rolls.

This is the first Thanksgiving the Workman Five will be without the extended family. How weird, a little sad, and a HUGE job! We are looking forward to just being with our little family, though. This is actually the second time I've spent Thanksgiving away. I was in England one year. Now, that was weird! Weird and sad because no one was celebrating. My students bought me a bottle of wine and a pecan danish (the only thing they could find with pecans---my favorite Thanksgiving treat) This was all so thoughtful, but I missed home. This year being "alone" for Thanksgiving won't really be "alone". I have my little family.

We are going to have a blast. I may even make everyone dress up. We may even eat at the dining room table. We may even break out the fine china. Come to think of it.... I've never actually eaten off of it.

What a time to start!

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Crazy!!

All of you who know me know how crazy this time of year is for me. With three people in my little family of five having birthdays in December plus Christmas plus Thanksgiving makes me a crazy person. I vow every year to try and scale down, to not get stressed out, and to just relax and enjoy the holidays.

Well... I'm not off to a good start. Every year at this time something happens to my brain. Call it information overload or whatever you want, but I seem to get overwhelmed to the point of forgetting things and becoming all panicky. Everything always, always works out. I just need to learn to relax.

This year we are having Thanksgiving on our own. Simple? Right? Well... Not really. Having Thanksgiving on our own means I (little Ol' me) has to cook the ENTIRE dinner on my OWN! Not only do I have to prepare all this food, but my little family doesn't even like half of the traditional Thanksgiving fare. Oh Well....too bad! I'm cooking it anyway. It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it. I guess I'll just have tons of delicious leftovers to feast on till, till....well, Christmas I guess!

Then there's the birthdays. John Russel, Mae, and Rusty are all a week apart. The two children each wanted their own parties this year. I was going to oblige, much to my dismay, but, thank goodness that the park we are going to have the parties in is totally booked the first weekend so too bad! One party it is. (Thank the Good Lord) We will have the kids' party on the 13th! (Choir sings)

We are also flying back to the south on Christmas day. I'm stewing over luggage and packing gifts and buying gifts that will fit in a suitcase. I'm also concerned about flying with three young children and all the gear that this entails, and worrying about layovers, and ears hurting, and..... I could go on, but I'll spare you my craziness!

We will make it. I will survive. Please pray that I hold it together and realize the real reason for this wonderful time of the year. I can't wait to see all my family. I can't wait to see all my friends. I can't wait to eat food that I don't have to cook. I can't wait to have a free BABY SITTER! I could go on and on.

The season is here. I meeting it heads on. Crazy or not, here I come!!!

Volunteering

I just got home from volunteering in Mae's class. They had a Fun Fall Day. Her class and three others took turns going from class to class to do fun Fall Projects. I helped in her classroom making fall wreaths. Will came also. He just played around the classroom very well. It was so fun. It reminded me of my teaching days. I enjoyed conversing with the other teachers. I enjoyed helping the children with their craft. I enjoyed seeing all the finished products. I enjoyed seeing all of their sweet happy faces.

You want to know what I enjoyed the most?

--Being able to come home with the realization that I don't have to go back tomorrow!

I loved being a teacher, but boy does it wear you out!!

Curse Words!

Will has a new curse word. I can't stand it. At first we tried to ignore it, but unfortunately that didn't make it go away. It's actually two words together. He says it when he gets mad. He says it around his brother and sister and their friends to be funny. He says it randomly to make me crazy. I think he learned it from a friend of the older kids, or it could have been anywhere actually. See.....some people don't think it's a bad word. Rusty and I constantly tell him, "We don't say that!" We try and be as serious and stern as we can. This is usually very ineffective because whoever is around us is falling out in laughter.

What is this horrible word....or set of words? I'll tell you, but you cannot repeat it. OK?

Baby Butt!

Now go wash your mouth out!

The Light

Last night I was watching my new favorite show, The Unit. It's this crazy military show about these guys who are special agents of some sort and their families that are having to live in the witness protection program. Anyway....last night's episode was a continuation of last week. One of the special agent's daughters was kidnapped. She is in the military as well. The show basically consisted of the agents rescuing this young woman. The mother of the young woman wanted to help, but couldn't because it could blow her cover. So, they sent this scientist woman to talk to her. She explained that some family members have this special bond that extends the physical realm. She compared it to the theory that some twins can actually feel each other's pain. So she asked the mom to go back through her memories of her daughter and find a time when they really connected, good or bad. She thought back to this time when the girl was young and the car broke down with just the mother and the little girl. They were in a bad neighborhood and a guy was trying to break the back window of the car. The Mom told the little girl that she was going to get out and talk to the man, then they were going to walk to the phone booth just down the street to call Daddy. She then told the little girl to lock the door and not to open it for anyone but her. The Mom then went to the back of the car, gave the man her purse and wedding ring, and then matter-of-factly told the man they were going to walk to the pay phone. The Mom then went to get the little girl out of the car and they both slowly walked to the pay phone. The Mom was confidently reminding her daughter that everything was going to be all right, just walk slowly to the light (of the phone booth), and to not look back. The young woman was rescued by her father and the agents and then the Mother got word immediately. She thanked the scientist woman and said she didn't know if it actually helped her daughter, but it helped her get her mind off the present situation. When the Mom was reunited with the daughter, the young woman said, "Mom I remembered what you always told me. I stayed strong and walked toward the light."

This crazy TV show reminded me of a time when I had to be super strong for my daughter when I didn't want to. I wanted someone else to take over and make things better, but only I could do it. Thank goodness with God's strength I was able to do it. When Mae was a baby my mother and I had to take her to see a doctor in another state. In order to get there in time we had to leave very early. It was still dark out and unbelievably foggy. The fog got thicker and denser the further we drove. I could not see a thing. We couldn't pull the car off the road because someone else could come along and hit us. I got so scared. All I wanted to do was curl up and let someone else take charge. Then we saw it. It was a faint small light. It was the tail light of an 18 wheeler up ahead. Mother and I prayed and followed that light. Those two tiny red tail lights were the only things we could see. God had given me the strength to go on by giving me a light to follow. The situation reminded me of all that I had to go through to get her help. I felt I had to be strong for her and to do anything in the world for her. I have told her this story and will again many times. I hope that she will remember it when she has to be strong for her own children one day.

Now, of course, I don't believe in these crazy powers, but I do believe that we give gifts to our children in our parenting and in our everyday life. God offers little miracles every day and if we share them they continue to give us and the ones we love around us the strength we need in those times when all we have to follow is a little light.

You've Got to Have Friends

I love friends. I like meeting new people and finding things in common with them. Living here in the Southwest is VERY different than the Southeast (as I've explained many times before) so, making new friends has been different. I wouldn't say difficult...just different. We met our neighbors the day we moved in. They had just moved in the week before. That was easy and fun. Carrie, my neighbor, has become my dear friend. Having someone you can count on right next door is priceless. I've also made some new friends through PTO and volunteering at John Russel and Mae's school. These moms and I have an instant bond. Our children. I've met people at our community club house. These are my "work out friends". These people I usually just say "Hi" to, but I see them almost daily and sometimes at random places like the grocery store or the park. There's this one little old man that is so sweet and always speaks to me and Will. We saw him at Wal-Mart (I know I go there WAY too much) and I think we made his day. So cute and sweet.


Then there's my old friends. These are the friends that I've known awhile. Some I think I've known since birth and no matter how long it's been we can pick right back up. I have so many friends that I can count on for just about anything. I love catching up with them and chatting on the phone. I also love to see what they've been up to thanks to Facebook! These friends are absolutely priceless. I love them all so much. Most of these friends are in the Southeast, and I can't wait to see most of them this Christmas.

Then there's my family. I'm so close to my sister,Selle and my sister-in-law, Nanci. I talk to these wonderful ladies all the time (by phone of course). I don't think I could get through the day without hearing from one of them. I have such unique relationships with so many of my family members, and I not only love them because they're my family. I love the friendships we share.

God has blessed me in so so many ways. I am so thankful that He has surrounded me with so many wonderful people to share my life with. No matter how small, each one has added something special to my life.

If you're reading this, I want to thank you for being my friend!

You're A Grand Old Flag!

Today the Sahuarita Primary Kindergarten classes had a program for veterans. They only sang a few songs. The Sahuarita High School Drum line came and played as well. The color guard displayed the flags. It was a very short and very sweet little program. I loved it.

I don't know why...call it being a mother...but I cry every time I hear my children sing. I always do it, and I always feel so embarassed. Here I am sitting on wooden bleachers boo hooing to "The Grand Old Flag".

Oh well....I'm sure I wasn't the only one sitting in those bleachers shedding a tear.

Happy Veteran's Day!!

Our New Baby

We have a new baby in the house. I know, I know. You thought this impossible, right? Well....Will has adopted (borrowed) a baby from next door. He sucks a pacifier (just like he does) AND he sings! He LOVES, loves, loves his new baby. He makes me wrap him up just like an infant from the hospital.

What's his name? Oh! How could I forget this most important bit of info.

Why....It's Baby Elmo.

Of course!

I Voted!

Today is election day, as you all know. Rusty went to vote this morning before work. An hour and 45 minutes later he was able to vote. I went to work out at our clubhouse and remembered it was a voting sight. That was fun working out with a line of people watching me run/walk/sweat to death on the treadmill. (I'm sure when these people recall this year's election they will think of a sweating woman trying to kill herself on the treadmill) My neighbor Carrie and I took turns watching the children so we could go vote in peace. We voted at a different location also in our neighborhood. The line went pretty fast, but voting actually took a while due to the length and type of ballot. It was a paper ballot that you filled in the little circles. (like those bubble in tests we used to take) The ballot was also two sided and contained some rather interesting propositions that took some reading. Needless to say, voting this year was rather intense for me. When Carrie went to cast her vote a kid pulled the fire alarm--twice. See....It's a good thing we didn't take our kids!



We'll see soon how it all turns out. Now, I'm off to Starbucks for my free coffee. (Did you know that you can get a fee cup with your I voted sticker?)

Halloween Happies

Trick or Treat!!

Donuts for Dads!!

Halloween Fun at the Grocery Store. (I know...but they had all kinds of fun and games.)

Here are a few pics from our Halloween adventures. Now it's on to Thanksgiving and BIRTHDAY SEASON!!!! If you didn't know John Russel, Mae and Rusty all have birthdays in December that are all a week a part. This year I'm going to tackle separate birthday parties for the big kids! Yikes!!!!

Pee-Yew!!

Last night John Russel came in my room around 1:00 in the morning wanting in my bed. Now, my kids don't ever sleep with us. They get in each other's beds, but not mine....thank goodness. So, when he asked I told him to go get in the bed with Mae. He told me he had had a bad dream and didn't want to go upstairs. Rusty somehow convinced him and off he went. Whew!!!

The next morning I got up and was doing my normal morning thing. I met Mae in the hallway. She was MA-AD! Her lip was poking out and her hands were clenched in fists by her side. She proclaimed in her best whiny voice, "John Russel is in MY bed!" I then tried to explain to her that he was just scared and he wanted to be with her. I reminded her of the many times, including a few this week, when she got in his bed. None of this seemed to help. She then began to cry, so I just stopped and held her. I told her that I knew it was hard having brothers (sorry William) while I patted her back. We then made our way towards the kid's rooms to get dressed. As we approached the stairs. She busted out with more tears and told me, "But Mama! He pooted in my bed!!" Oh, Mae Mae...I'm so sorry....is all I could say. When we made our way to her room John Russel was pretending to be asleep in her bed. I told him not to poot in Mae's bed anymore! "If you have to poot, please go to the bathroom." (this was more for Mae's benefit--I mean really?) I then went to pull out the clothes for the day. John Russel rounded the corner looking very forlorn. "Man," he said, " I'll never get any sleep!"

Later, Rusty asked what all the commotion was about. When I told him, he smiled and said, "Oh, really?" Then after a big laugh he stated matter-of -factly, "Well, she'll never stay married!"

Isn't that the truth!!!

Holy Toledo! Batman Went To Story Time!!

Will and I decided to head over to story time today. It was special because the kids got to dress up and go trick-or-treating through the library. We love story time. The one we attend is catered to toddlers, so it's just perfect. The little old people volunteer and it's very sweet. (OK, I know that it's not politically correct to call these sweet people old, but oh well!) They sing songs, read stories and do crafts.

Today Will transformed into Batman at home. He was so excited he wouldn't even take his mask off in the car. When we arrived he walked into the library and exclaimed at the top of his lungs, "HEY, I'M DATBAN!!!" It was so funny. He then proceeded to tell anyone who glanced his way that he was batman. He told the storytime ladies over and over. One cute lady said, "Hey, everyone... If you didn't know, Will's Batman!"

Halloween is almost here. We have two school parties, a carnival, a pumpkin to carve, and trick-or-treating to go. Whew!!!

Murder Mystery!!!

Saturday night Rusty and I had a date night. We went to the murder mystery dinner theater. It was so fun and hysterical. You eat dinner while a play is going on and then you get to try to solve the murder.

When we arrived we took our seats and we were served our salads and drinks. The play then began. It was very interactive. The actors and actresses pulled people up from the audience and walked around and messed with people. There was this one character named Trixie. She was a man dressed like a woman. When she came in she made her way around the audience and shook her boobs on Rusty's head! It was hysterical. When desert was served they came around and gave you cards so you could fill out "who done it". They then collected these in a hat. It was then time for the final scene. They asked for a volunteer from the audience. Then they came over and pulled me up on stage. That's right ME!!! The magician assistants folded two handkerchiefs together and told me to hold them on my chest. They counted to three and then pulled. A bra came out tied to the handkerchiefs. It was so funny. They then pulled out the "winner" who guessed "who done it." I read the card and then exclaimed, "Um....It's me!"

It was so funny. I thought it was planned, but they told me it wasn't. I guess it couldn't have been since we all put our guesses in a hat. I won a fantastic Sherlock Holmes hat and pipe.

We had the best time. It was really a fun and different night.

I knew all those murder mystery books I like to read would somehow pay off one day!!

Our Little John-o-Lantern

We have our own little jack-o-lantern...or as I like to call him John-o-lantern!!! His teeth are falling out like autumn leaves. I can't believe it. Can we say snaggle tooth!! He lost this one by eating a popcorn ball lovingly sent by Mimi. (Thanks Mimi)

OK...I know.... you're more amused by our pumpkin that John Russel is holding. I couldn't resist it. Cute, don't ya think? How could I live in the desert and NOT purchase this novelty from our local grocery store? I will cherish it long after we leave the desert as it will remind me of the sweltering Halloweens spent here!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, YA'LL!!!

Dishwasher

While I was unloading the dishwasher today I was struck with a thought. You see, this mundane task has always made me a little bit crazy. It grates on my nerves to have to constantly load and unload this machine that I would die if I didn't have. Placing the dishes in those wire drawers makes me cringe. Emptying the cups, silverware and plates unnerves me to the core. I always make a mess. Water is always lurking in my Tupperware. I try not to complain because as I said, I would die if I didn't have this modern convenience, but PLEASE! I think the thing that makes me the craziest are the sippy cups. Assembling them and disassembling them day after day is excruciating. Oh the insanity!! Ok... back to my thought. I was thinking (dreaming actually) of the day when I wouldn't have to load and unload this contraption sometimes more than once a day. I was thinking, "Soon there will be no more sippy cups to assemble." Ahhh one day! Then it hit me. ONE DAY I WON'T HAVE SIPPY CUPS TO ASSEMBLE!!! What was I thinking? Do I really want to rush my kids out the door? Soon I'll be dying to assemble sippy cups dripping from the dishwasher.

Isn't this the way of life. We fret and complain about all the mundane tasks in our lives and then fret and complain when they are gone. I need to stop, look around, and cherish each second of my little tasks and see them for what they are. A true gift. This is easier said than done. So if you will pray, for me as I pray for all of you that we will stop, look around, and cherish each moment God has given to us---no matter how mundane we may think it is.

Now....I need to copy this post, frame it, and place it on my bathroom wall.... right above Will's potty chair.

Fall Break is Over...Thank Goodness

Well, as you know fall break is finally over. I'm glad it's over. Back to our regular routine. No more, "Mommy, I'm bored!" No more thinking of fun crafty activities to fill our time. No more trips to fun places like the Children's Museum. No more. No more!

I'm horrible, I know it. I'm just so thankful to be back in our normal routine!

Why then am I so exhausted!!!

I can't explain it. I'm drained. I can't wait until bed time.

I guess it's the getting up early to get to school. Or it could be just the getting back into the old routine thing. Maybe it's just that Fall Break wore me out!!

And...to top it all off someone called at 5:00 this morning. It was the wrong number, but I couldn't go back to sleep afterward. CRAZY!!!

Oh well, I think I'll try to go to sleep early tonight.

It'll have to be after The Biggest Loser and I'm sure some other "can't miss show". Oh well...I guess I'll get back into the old routine again soon.

More Children's Museum Pics!

Fall Break Fun at Home and the Children's Museum!

Fall Break Fun at the Zoo!!

Bosums!!!

As you know the "big" kids have been home on Fall Break all week. We've tried to plan some fun activities to keep them busy. Yesterday we had to go into town to get John Russel's allergy shot. We all piled into the van and off we went. After getting his shot we have to wait in the waiting room for 20 minutes to see if he is going to have a reaction. We are all used to this. There are toys and kids books to keep everyone busy. So....we wait. There were three other people waiting in the waiting room with us. (All older) I decided to put on some chap stick while I wait because my lips felt rather parched. As I was applying my favorite shade of rhubarb by Burt's Bees Will took notice of my doings. He then proclaimed rather loudly, "I need some! I need some for my BOSOMS!!!!" What!? He did not just say that. He then said it again. "Mama, I need some for my BOSOMS!!!" The "big" kids thought this was hilarious and started laughing immediately. I looked around the waiting room. Not one person had looked up from their magazines. (I guess they had had enough of us) I then said, "OK, Will you can have some chap stick for your LIPS!!"

We then decided to meet Rusty for lunch. We had a pretty uneventful lunch and then headed back out to the van. As we were loading the kids in Will became very agitated with me. Who knows why. It could have been my slow approach or the fact that his favorite toy of the moment was lying on the floor out of reach. Anyway he started screaming and yelling. At the same time some very professional looking ladies were walking towards the restaurant which led them right by our van. As they got near our open door, Will hollered, "BOSOMS! BOSOMS! BOSOMS!"

Oh really, I thought! You've got to be kidding me. Do I even get embarrassed at this point.

On the ride back home I proceed to tell Will that we don't say that. I try not to make a big deal because that is what you're supposed to do. Right? Then I realize it's already a "big deal". My two other children have made this so by their repeated laughter and retelling of the story.

Well........ At least it was the word bosoms and not something else.

I guess!

BRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Ok....So I'm sitting on the couch catching up on some of my favorite blogs and finding new ones and you won't believe what I'm wearing. You want to know don't you? I'm telling you, you won't believe it. I mean....I live in the desert for goodness sakes. Ok....I'll tell you. Are you ready?

Here it is.

You won't believe it....


WOOL SOCKS!!!!

I'm freezing!!!!! Rusty opened all the windows because the high today was in the 70's. I don't know, but it feels like it's like 30 degrees here on the couch. I didn't think it could happen to me, but I think I'm turning slowly into a true southwesterner. These people break out the blue jeans and the sweatshirts when the temp dips below 90.

Since the weather was so nice we went to the zoo today. I'll post some cute pics later. As for now I'm going to grab the afghan and my sweatshirt and plead with Rusty to close the windows for goodness sakes!!!!

Not Another Sunny Day

I can't believe it. It actually rained today. The monsoons have subsided and the sun has gloriously shown for quite sometime now. So, the rain took us all by surprise. Of course it had to come right before John Russel's soccer game. It poured actually...just in time to get all the players soaking wet. (Thank goodness I had Mae and Will in the car.) To my surprise they decided to let the game commence. So....off we go carting all of our game gear in the rain to the field. We set up camp, complete with our beach chairs, camping chairs, cooler, and our handy dandy tent. (Thank goodness Rusty insisted on the tent) The game began and the rain seemed to diminish. It was overcast and a little chilly...hmmmm...not so bad after all. Then the storm clouds rolled in again and the bottom dropped out. The rain came down at a pretty good pace for a few minutes. Enough that the players got soaked and our tent became crowded with parents and children. It was so crazy. At one point I thought, "Really now...is 1st and 2nd grade soccer really this important?" You see that I "thought" this and didn't actually voice it because I think I may have been flogged by all the dads who think these little games are actually professional in type. So.....Here I sit wondering when the insanity will end....and then it does. The sun came out, and all that was left of the rain was some lingering humidity.

The boys (and Dads) enjoyed the game. (They did actually play very well, if I say so myself.) The kids didn't seem so drenched anymore. The sun seemed to take care of that as well. So I thought until we got home. We all removed our shoes in the garage because they were covered with grass and sand. (hey..we do live in the desert you know) John Russel walked inside in front of me. I looked down and I was thinking, "Who spilled something all over the floor? Oh, my it's everywhere!!!" Then I realized it was poor John Russel's socks. They were soaked!!!! I could have wrung a good cup out of each thick soccer sock. Poor Guy!

Oh well..... I didn't have to fret long. John Russel then turned around and said, "That was the best game ever!!!"

Fall Break

Well.... I haven't posted in a while. I've been reading a great book and just couldn't put it down in my free time. Sorry, but I'm back in action now!



The big kids are on Fall Break. It doesn't feel like fall. The nights and mornings are cooler, but it's still hot during the day. We don't have big plans. We are just going to hang out, go to the park, and maybe do some Halloween crafts.

Soooo anywho..... I hope ya'll all have a happy fall break!!!

Fall is Coming.... Maybe....

Ok...I can't believe it. I almost don't want to write this post because I'm afraid I'm going to make it not happen. Here it is.... The weather man last night on the news said that the high for Sunday is going to be....are you ready.....75!!!!! I can't believe it!!!! Although the weather has cooled off a little and the nights and mornings are wonderful, there hasn't been a day since maybe May when the high temperature of the day hasn't gone below 90. I'm so excited!!!! I can't wait. I might even break out a sweater!

But then he broke my heart. Monday's high is supposed to be back in the 90's. Oh well, I'll take whatever the good Lord gives me. For now, I'm dusting of my jeans getting ready for Sunday!!

All I Want For Christmas.......

Is my two front teeth!!!

Funny Funny Mae

Today we were sitting around the table eating lunch. The conversation was lively as usual. We were all dressed in our "play clothes". Rusty's shirt had a hole in his left arm pit. (I've been trying to get rid of it, but he insists on wearing it) Anyway, he gets up to get something from the refrigerator and Mae notices his hole. She then proceeds to tell us this story. It goes something like this:

You know, Dillon, my friend, had a hole in his shirt in his arm pit. We were doing exercises in our classroom and he lifted his hands up and there it was! (a few seconds of thought provoking silence) I guess he just blew it out. Or maybe his Mom busted it out with the hanger.

Now, you have to understand. Dillon is a little on the heavy side and has the cutest round face with huge blue eyes. Blond messy hair completes his appearance.

I thought this was sooo funny. I couldn't contain my laughter. Mae is my little observer and nothing gets by her. She's just plain funny, funny!!

Time of Your Life

There is a song that I just love by Green Day. Many of you have heard it a million times and know exactly which one I'm referring to. You probably will sing along with these lyrics I'm going to share. The name of the song is Good Riddance-The Time of Your Life. It goes like this.

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road

Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go

So make the best of this test, and don't ask why

It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.

I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind

Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time

Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial

For what it's worth it was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.

I hope you had the time of your life.

This song has meant so much to me over the years. While I worked with special needs children it reminded me of the parents of these children. What they planned and what they were dealt. While I was going through all the "stuff" with Mae when she was born it made me realize that there would be a silver lining one day. Now that we are far, far away from "home" and family, it makes me realize that this is exactly where we are supposed to be. We have been blessed by so many new things, and most importantly the closeness of our little family. God has a plan for us that only he can see. It's up to us how we deal with it.

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right. We are having the time of our lives!!!!

Works for me Wednesday

Some of the blogs I like to read do this little thing called Works for me Wednesday. They post a little tip that they have found "works for them". It's really fun and I enjoy reading them. So... Here's my Works for me Wednesday tip for you.

When shopping with a two year old dum dum suckers work wonders...miracles on some occasions. They are small enough to fit perfectly in a zip lock baggie which in turn fits nicely in a purse or diaper bag. They are small enough to provide not too much sugar. They are just the right size to produce little mess and trash. And... most importantly they make a two year old happy long enough to get your shopping done!!!

And that's my little Works for me Wednesday tip for you!! Hey...it works for me!

I Forgot To Tell You!!

We just had a wonderful visit with my Mother and Don. It was very fast. Too fast, if you ask me. There isn't enough time to really visit. I miss them already. Don and I celebrated our birthdays, we visited many of the local sights and we did our regular routine of soccer games and school. We all had a blast.


As soon as we picked them up from the airport we all were very excited. As soon as Will caught a glimpse of Mimi he was ecstatic. He immediately started saying, "I forgot to tell you!! I forgot to tell you, Mimi!" It was hilarious. This continued for the entire time they were here. As soon as he woke up in the morning he would run to Mimi and say, "I forgot to tell you!" When we would all pile in the car he would reply, "I forgot to tell you, Mimi!" As we sat down to watch TV he would climb up on the couch beside her and say, "Mimi, I forgot to tell you!" The last time Mimi visited was three months ago. Will's favorite thing to tell her during the last visit was,"Hi, Mimi, Hi, Mimi!" I guess his little vocabulary has grown, and he has suddenly remembered all the things he wanted to tell her for the last three months. It was very sweet.

We all enjoyed our visit very much. We miss our family and friends terribly, and it is very hard being so far away. Although we have made new friends and are very busy with our everyday lives, it is so nice to have a visit from family. Only a few more months and we will get to visit with family again. I wonder what Will will have to say about that!!

Will

Will is hilarious. His little vocabulary is growing everyday. Just the other day at soccer he said, "I want to go with you, Mommy!" I couldn't believe it. When he gets mad he points his finger, closes one eye, and stares at his finger with the opened eye while telling me, "NO!" I was getting him out of the car this morning after taking the kids to school and he said, "Stop copying me!" (This is something John Russel and Mae say to each other daily) He loves to ask, "What's this, Mommy?" Especially when he knows the answer. His favorite game is something we made up after the Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? book. We say Will, Will what do you see? Then he replies, "A----- looking at me. It could be a tree, a bus, or something imaginary like an elephant. Mae loves to ask him questions and talk to him. At this point I'm not sure who talks more, Mae or Will. They can talk to each other until their ears fall off. Oh well....thank goodness they have each other.

I never get tired of watching them grow and learn. Each child is so different and offers so much to those around them. I thank God everyday for all the wonderful blessings they bring to me.