Sometimes I wish.......

I was driving home from errands today....listening to music and realizing how much a song can change your mood. It made me start thinking about how fun it would be if real life was one big....musical.

We could just break out into song when we are happy....or sad...or even mad.  I know, I'm a bit odd with this thought. But seriously....picture it in your head. I bet people would be a lot friendlier to each other.

So this made me start thinking about other things....so I give you.....

Sometimes I wish.......

......that when I went to the grocery store....I would come home with what was on my list..instead of more lip gloss....or chocolate cream pie.

......that someone would come over and help me truly de-clutter. I tend to just re-organize the stuff I should be getting rid of. Actually.....we did pack up 5 giant bags of clothes and gave them away. Now I'm working on the drawers and closets.

.....that I could see you all face to face. Give you a big 'ol real life hug.....and let you know how much I appreciate you. Because I do.

Christmas 2009

Just a glimpse of our Christmas eve and day. Like our Thanksgiving, I kept the picture taking to a minimum.......my hands were usually too busy holding some sort of tasty food or beverage... or hugging someone.

In fact, our Christmas eve started with Grandpa's hands busy tickling 2 little someones....a good start to our celebration (ignore the unsightly cords under that black table-thank you)

Oh, how I love big veggie trays. I bet if I kept a tray of veggies on my counter...I would eat more. I just love having them all cut up and ready to eat....sorry, little tangent there...back to Christmas.

It seems we have started a tradition in our home....skunks for Christmas. Last year it was a remote control skunk, complete with working tail and sprayer. This year, I found a couple of skunk hand puppets. I ordered them a few days before Christmas and was so excited when they showed up on our doorstep on Christmas Eve.

                                   The boys were excited to introduce their new skunk friends.

We played our annual game of Scrambled States of America. The game brought lots of laughs....especially when Sam decided to emcee the game.

It was so much fun watching the boys take items out of their stockings. Each time they would pull out a candy cane...(organic and natural-I was so excited to find those)...they would cheer ....."a.candy.cane!....another candy cane!....3 candy canes?!!". I've never heard or seen anyone get so excited over candy canes....it was very sweet(literally).

                                                              Two very excited boys.

I surprised G and had my blog made into a book.....if you blog, I highly recommend doing this.

                          My mom and dad had their whole house decorated.....it was very festive.

This table held lots of delicious food (you outdid yourself mom).....it also held family from near and far.

The cousins patiently waited for the presents to be handed out....we had a plan and we stuck to it. It worked great....a very calm and orderly unwrapping system.

The dessert table was a popular spot.

                                    Of course, Mr and Mrs Claus were there to enjoy all of it.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas ....Twin Style

One of our favorite Christmas songs is Feliz Navidad. During the Christmas season it has become a tradition in our home to sing and dance along to this song.....wherever we may be. The boys broke out in dance...I'm sharing it. Hope it brings you a smile this Christmas week!

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Mini Hair Adventure and The Gingerbread House That Wasn't

It all started with the best of intentions. Grandma came over for a gingerbread house making afternoon with the boys. The kit made it look so easy.....6 easy steps...to be exact. We had all the supplies and went right to it....as if we were building an actual house. We were serious....and had high hopes.

The boys were having so much fun....they started singing a Christmas song together. Not really.....they were actually chewing on some of the gummy candy. They remind me of little birds in that picture.

The house was coming along so beautifully....it was almost too easy.....we were all so proud of our creation.

Until the walls decided to cave in.......and we had enough with all this creative Christmas fun. We tried.....that's all you can do, right?

So moving on.......I went to my hair appointment over the weekend....with my usual stylist. We are comfortable with each other.....she just sits me down and gets to work. But on that particular day.....I said....I'm done growing it out. I need some sass back.....go ahead and snip away. So she did. Anyway.....I grow it, I cut it, I grow it....you know how it goes. In this particular picture.....I meant to focus on the hair, but I can't take my eyes off of a white head on my nose.....that will.not.go.away. .....thus the pensive look on my face. Makeup would have been a good idea, too.

I hope everyone is well.....and not feeling too rushed. I've not been online much this week.....I miss catching up with everyone. Thinking of you all and praying for a happy, healthy holiday.

And Because I'm feeling So Chatty.....

I realized that I've been blogging almost every day......I'm just a bit chatty. Way too many thoughts going on.....that's a good thing. It's probably because of the season.....and obviously because of the things that are ...going on. I want to be able to look back and read about what we were thinking during this time.....this time of change. I don't want to only write about it once the change has happened. What fun would that be? I want to remember the process as well.  I guess that's why I'm feeling so chatty. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the large amounts of coffee I've been inhaling.

I spoke with my mom today.....she's the mother hen. She's this way with all her children....all 5 of them. Even with my oldest sibling who is 52 year old.  My mother has a very organized way of making sure we are all okay.....checking to see what is going on with each of us. She also makes sure we are aware of each other's happenings. I have to admit.....she keeps us all connected. Anyway.....she asked me " so, is there anything I should know?"  So, of course that was my que to share what the latest with everything was. I forgot what my mom said next, but whatever it was....she made me feel.....calm.  I had some concerns....she turned those concerns to peace.

                                      (my mom is the one in the white dress..cutting the cake-I think it was her sweet 16)

And then we talked recipes.....menus...and where to find the best deals. Good stuff. She's 70+ years old.....at one time in her life, she ran her own successful business....then recreated herself at 70 and started a 2nd career. I'm very thankful for her. And I know very sure that the Lord uses people to minister to us. I'm trying to listen....and I'm trying to be still a bit more.

Sea Legs

I'm trying hard to adjust my sails.....and working on  keeping my sea legs steady.

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. "     2 Corinthians 4:8–9

........."We all will have shipwrecks in our lives in some way, shape, or form. The reality of life is that we are either coming out of a storm or we are going into one. That is just the way it is. There are times when we will have smooth sailing. There are times when the sky will be blue and the sun will be shining. There will be beautiful moments in our lives in between the storms. Thank God for those moments.

But the reality is that we can live a prosperous life in the will of God and still face conflict. Paul went through a shipwreck on his way to Rome, but he had a prosperous journey by the will of God because of what it ultimately accomplished. That is a different definition of prosperity than we may normally think of.


It has been said that you can't direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails. I cannot control the world. I would love to if I could. Nor can I control the circumstances that come my way. But I can control my reaction to them. I can redirect my sails and adapt.

We all will face storms, difficulties, and even shipwrecks. So it is time for us to develop our sea legs and not focus so much on how to avoid storms, but on how to get through them, how to survive them, and how to learn the lessons that we can only learn in such places. " - from Harvest Daily Devotion by Greg Laurie ----------

My Interview With Carla

I've been pushing and pushing encouraging my friend ...Carla....to start a blog. I've known Carla almost as long as I've known G. When we moved out of state......we talked almost every day. We've walked with each other through many trials. Back then... she was homeschooling 2 young daughters.....these days, she has a job that she loves and her daughters have grown into wonderful young women. Because she didn't want to start a blog.....and because she always leaves such interesting funny comments on my blog.....being the faithful reader that she is.....I decided to ask her a series of questions. Sort of....an interview.  She didn't want me to post a picture of her.....so I found a sweet one of her daugher....Jo....holding one of the boys.

 I found this interview thing rather fun......I just may be interviewing you soon ;)

First....how are we related? What would you call us? I'm not sure if there is a term for how we are related. Your husband's mother is the sister to my sister-in-law. Since I don't think there is a term for that relation...I just consider us sisters.


You've known G for a long time.....what is your earliest memory of him? Probably of him running around in this outfit that made him look like that Angus guy from the group AC/DC! He would wear these long shorts and a button down shirt with suspenders! I am not kidding. And I'm pretty sure his bangs were cut straight across. Now, remember, he was probably about 6 years old!

You were married before, how long have you been a single mom? I was married before? Oh yeah, I forgot. I have been a single mom for 18 years!

What is one thing you wish married moms would not say to single moms? That they "can't wait until their husband gets home so that he can take over"!

We are different in so many ways.....you are like the Ethel to my Lucy, or the Frog to my Toad, or the Sonny to my Cher.....we are super close, but butt heads to...why is that? Because we are individuals who don't feel the need to brown nose each other. We are so secure in our friendship that we don't have to check up on each other or worry about who the other is hanging around with. When you hang out with or talk about Laurie or Mindy or whomever, I don't care, it doesn't bother me, I don't get jealous...because I know that you and I don't have that same kind of relationship that you have with them. Does that make sense? Probably not, but you know what I mean. By the way, I think I'm Lucy....because I'm funnier.

You have always been my grammar police....have you always been knowledgeable about grammar? Was english your best subject? I have only become "good" at grammar since homeschooling and because grammar is about the ONLY thing I can teach, I have to make sure that everyone around me talks properly!

You have left some interesting comments on my blog.....I know it's just YOU being YOU.....do you feel that you are often misunderstood? Oh my goodness YES!!! When I leave those posts, I would never have EVER thought that someone would actually sit there and take the time to even think about them being rude or whatever. If I ever thought or wanted to say something rude to someone, I would keep it to myself because I don't feel the need to hurt people. What kind of person would I be? I just always figured that you know me, that you know I have a very dry sense of humor and those posts that I wrote were meant for you only, not for someone to think too much about....now that sounds harsh but it's not meant to be. If I am one thing, I am truthful!

What is 1 of your biggest pet peeves? Only one? Probably arrogance...or people who think they are better than me because they have more money than me, a better horse than me, a better house than me, a husband, or money....I could go on...the funniest thing about that is....there will always be people who have more money, a better house, a better husband than THEY do!!! No sense in trying to keep up with the Jonses. We all need to be content with what we have and to get on our knees every day thanking Jesus for what He has given us.

You are known for "calling the manager".......do you still do that? I have to still be like that. I definately believe in standing up for myself...in a kind and gracious way...I believe that even more because I have a daughter who has severe learning disabilities and some people have walked all over her and have treated her very poorly....I cannot allow that to happen to her and if I don't teach my girls to stand up for themselves, then who will?

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a strong, loving, kind, caring, selfless Christian mom, daughter and friend. You know what? Although I'm 48 years old and getting old, fat and gray, I still feel like a 25 year old and I still believe that I'm a pretty cool mom. Like I say to my girls...what friend of yours mom would do half the stuff I do with you guys? You know Mimi, even though I don't have a husband, or alot of money or a house with enough bedrooms so my girls can have their own rooms....I am so very thankful and grateful for everything that we do have and I wouldn't change anything.

Carla

Will I ever be able to get the visual of G as Angus out of my head??? Funny thing.....he remembers that as well.....even the exact clothes he was wearing. Too funny.

Our Morning Without Power

We had a little....ice, wind and snow storm last night. That resulted in us losing our power. It was only for a few hours, but that was just enough time for us to miss all the things we take for granted.....coffee maker, hair dryer, cooking, the phone ,and of course....the computer.

We made the best of our time....playing a ton in the basement to keep ourselves warm.....staying in our pj's all day and eating a lot of chocolate. Actually, that sounds like a typical day for me.

We pulled out the Playdoh....it had been a while since we made some skunks. We decided to make up a story which revolved around our playdoh creations.

We borrowed the tissue box that was originally intended to house our ....not yet made....nativity scene. For today....it would be home to a skunk, a polecat and a zirrilla. I was informed by the boys that they are all relatives. You see, these 3 relatives were coming together for a feast.

A feast of giant white waffles.

And then we got tired of playing with the Playdoh and moved onto some knock~knock jokes......

The boys must have learned these somewhere....a couple they made up .... a few made us laugh so hard. This was one of my favorites........

Sam   "Knock, knock"

Me   "who's there?"

Sam   "Snow"

Me    "Snow who?"

Sam   " Snow body but me"   

 

Cracked us up.

On Playing: Just Doing It

We are a pretty active family.....we play a lot together. But, I have a little secret to share....not really a secret, just a little bit of information. Greg and I are not always in the mood to play. There are many days when we would rather just sit on the couch.....or read a good book...or a bunch of other things, rather than play. It might be that we are tired....or just want to do....what we want to do. But we have 2 little active boys.....boys who like to play.....and need to play.

I have never played a sport ...or some large motor activity with the boys... and regretted it. I always walk away feeling better.....even a bit energized.  I push myself.....so does G. There are times when my mind is wandering....when I'm just going through the motions.....times when I would rather be doing something else. But then I give myself a ~mid-play-pep~talk~.......I think to myself....these days are flying by. There will come a day.....probably soon....when they won't want Greg and me to play with them.

I've shared many stories of our basement or outdoor adventures.......believe me, some days Greg and I have to really encourage each other to get up and play. But like I said....we never regret it. We are making tons of memories, but we are also helping our boys to get in shape.. or stay in shape.....to stay active. Actually, I think they are the ones helping us.

5 Minute Christmas Decorating

I have a little problem.....when it comes to decorating....I don't have a lot of patience. I love decorating. I love staring at a room and figuring out how to change things.....or how it would work better. My problem....once I have figured out how I want to decorate.....I want it done quickly. No waiting. It must get done pronto. It's like all my adrenaline rushes and I must.decorate.now. 

So, when I decided to decorate for Christmas....I wanted it done quickly. Literally, I believe it took me 5 minutes.....well, probably 15 minutes.... to Christmas-orate our home.

I decided not to put ornaments on our tree this year. It wasn't a big deal to anyone...the boys are not very interested in decorating the tree. Instead, I found a spool of ribbon and wrapped it around the tree.....along with some hay stuff (can't think what it's called). The hay stuff was actually still on the tree from last year. Did I mention that we've been using fake trees for the past few years?

Everything else....I just took out of the box and scattered about. I threw some pre-lit garland over the window hardware. Done.

I love having the white lights glowing in the evening. Only problem....I have a mini energy saver/safety guy living with me. The first evening that I lit my trees and garland....Sammy went around unplugging the lights and lecturing me on safety issues. I had to explain to him that...."momma needs her white lights". I swear I really do. There is something so cozy about white Christmas lights.....I love having them on.

Mighty Mouse and Sweet Things

* Before reading this....please note that we no longer use glue traps and have found a better way to trap the mice. I rec'd an interesting comment from someone named Chuck..... I think  Chuck  will be happy about this.  BUT....also..seriously Chuck??

* As for the comment....Inquiring minds want to know......my frump detective skills have tracked "Chuck" to someone who lives in Australia. "Chuck" had done a google search for the word "glue trap". I'm not going to even try and figure out what that was all about. It did cause my phone to ring and a few laughs. So, thanks Chuck....and I promise....we are not some mean, glue trapping mice hunters. Just a simple family trying to keep our children and our things from being eaten and germ-a-cized by those furry little critters. Again, have a nice day.

It seems all the country mice that live on our property have decided to take residence in our garage.....for the winter. I don't blame them, poor little germ carriers cute furry things. We've been setting all sorts of traps.....catching mice daily. Multiple mice. But something strange is happening....the mice are growing stronger. My personal guess.....it's the organic peanut butter G has been using on the traps. Not sure.

Saturday evening......G caught a mouse. This particular mouse was trapped by the glue trap and then dragged the glue trap to the regular trap. Caught by 2 traps. G did what he always does......he took the mouse and trap(s) and disposed of them in the big black garbage bag....which is usually filled with all sorts of other debris.

We woke Sunday morning to find......we had a mighty mouse on our hands. A mouse with oomph and strength like we have never seen before. As I came out of the house to join G and the boys......G motioned to me......" I was going to yell for you to get food and water, I feel so sorry for this mouse" .....and then he began to explain the story of "Mighty Mouse". I said.....

"hang on ...I need my camera!".

This mouse had chewed a hole in the big, black garbage bag.......removed himself from the glue trap and dragged himself.....and the regular trap....across the floor of G's truck. 

 G had compassion for MM......he released him from the trap.....and then MM jumped across the truck and back into the  big, black garbage bag?

We decided.....he's probably very happy in that big, black garbage bag. 

Sunday evening.....G decided that he wanted something sweet. He decided that HE would make cookies. Again, I said.....

"hang on....I need my camera". 

Only problem, I had left it outside from our earlier photo session with Mighty Mouse. If you are hoping for a romantic, foggy effect when taking photos...I have a trick....leave your camera outside in the cold, wet air.  Sadly, I only was able to take one picture of this sweet....in more ways than one....cooking event. Actually, G is a really good cook....he had once thought about going to The Culinary Institute. We are so different in the kitchen.....he measures and everything..a concept that I never acquired. The cookies were amazing.....were being the key word....they didn't last long, but thanks to blogging....this memory will.

Survivor Style T-Ball

A couple of weeks ago.....probably one of the nights we were all sick on the couch.....we watched an episode of Survivor. To the boy's delight it was an episode with a t-ball challenge. We decided to take their idea and tweak it up a bit.....we like tweaking things.

Basically......we took some painter's tape and made a triangle. Then we made boxes within the triangle.....inside of those boxes we wrote numbers...or whatever else we wanted.

We set up the tee and then hit the ball........where it lands nobody knows. Well, technically we did know..... I just felt like that little phrase went with the theme of the game. Anyhow.....the goal was to get your ball to land on a high number. Truth be told......all the balls bounced off the basement wall, few landed in a box. Believe it or not, nobody cared. It didn't stop anyone from playing.

It was a simple game, but brought us lots of fun......I played....they played....and they played some more. That is homemade game success in my book.  Mission accomplished.

This last picture I added.....just because it makes me laugh...in a good, happy mom kind of way.

If You Came To My House Today......

This very moment....if you came to my house today......

If you came to my house today......as you drove down our long, stone driveway....you just might still find the frost melting from the cold morning. We've been hoping for snow....yes we have.....each morning we have looked outside to find everything white and sparkly. This has started our day with a smile.....we love winter in our house.

As you walked into our kitchen......you would probably find the breakfast bowls still on the table. I would hope that you could appreciate the difference between.....a mess and a work in progress. I like to view our messes as  works in progress.

You would notice some cranberries simmering on the stove.....for some reason, I decided to make some homemade cranberry sauce this morning. We love cranberries around here.....to me, they scream November. In fact, later today we are planning on reading the book Cranberry Thanksgiving.

You would notice books everywhere......I have a tendency to "strew" books throughout the house. You never know when you might just want to settle down with a good book.....I like to have them easily available and within reach.

If you happened to look into our first floor bedroom......you would notice sheets ready to be washed and piles of clean clothes ready to be put away. There are always piles of clean clothes ready to be put away. For some reason, having to walk those piles upstairs tires me out. They WILL be put away today.

As we walked upstairs to say hi to the boys.....you would notice more piles stacked on the stairs. Lately, because of our construction project....there are always piles stacked on the stairs waiting to be put....somewhere.

I would show you more "work in progress" and excitedly tell you of all our plans...

You might find the boys playing in their playroom.....usually you will find Ross holding his favorite brown bat.

If you came to my house today......I'd offer you some coffee and  probably some chocolate...cranberry sauce, too......and ask you to forgive the way I look.....because I probably would still be in my pajamas.