I recently overheard a stay at mom say that her kids don't have chores. I really don't know why this puzzled me so, but it did. ALL of our kids have chores, both of the daily variety and the I need you to.......fill in the blank variety.

Aside from making their beds, all the kids obviously need to take care of personal hygiene and keep up with all their stuff that some how creeps and runs wild in areas other than their bedrooms.

The boys also alternate weeks of dish duty and dog duty. Our youngest, only 5, even helps by putting away the silverware, and relining the trash cans with bags after they have been emptied.

We also blitz the house everyday right before Big Daddy gets home. We try to get all the school stuff up and out of the way, babydolls back in thier beds, and pillows straightened on the couch.

Our kids also help with some of the leg work for bigger chores, like mowing the grass(especially if Big Daddy has to work late) or picking vegtables from the garden in the summer.

What about you and yours? I really think of myself as a house manager, not a maid, so I delegate and get the troops moving when necessary.

It's Good to be Back Friends

It would be impossible to to recap our last month in just one post, so I won't even try. But I will say that our long awaited vacation was no vacation, but really a 17 day long field trip. We saw just about every monument, memorial, and museum in DC and of course hit all the big spots in NY too. We had a lovely time visiting with my Dad and his fiance Ann while in NY and then with good friends Brian and Lauri while in DC.

The trip was more than I could have imagined if I had not put all the hard work into the thing in the first place. So instead, it was everything I imagined and more. the kids were, as a whole, super troopers. The Beez only complained once about all the walking...and truthfully it was the same time we were all complaining. Walking the Mall in DC-twice- before lunch on the hottest day of the year, with hungry kids was one of the few lapses in parental judgement we made...but in the end it was all good.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved NY. I especially loved Tarrytown, where my Dad and Ann live. It was not only beautiful, but cozy as well, something I thought impossible in NY. I also loved riding the Metro. Goodness, I could get use to that. And the view along the Hudson was something to behold.

As for DC, is was breathtaking. Big Daddy and I are already planning a return trip without the kiddos. the history and beauty of our blessed country was a treat in and of itself. The Smithsonian Museums left me wanting for more and yet completely satisfied as well.

I have so much more to share, and I hope to do so soon. thank you for checking in with us and I hope to catch up on your blogs as well very soon.

P.S. Cracks surgery went perfect. he has the best looking broken nose I have ever seen...you wouldn't know it if I didn't point it out to you.

Best to you and yours!!!

Jedi's, tree limbs, and baseball

I have been working on a post all week long, but with family visiting and trying to get school completed before our vacation it has been difficult to find the time.

But...... then we had drama last night and into today and I couldn't NOT share it with you all.

Last night as small group came to an end, Snake comes rushing into the house yelling, "Hurry, he's hurt!!!"

As we make our way to the front yard, sure enough, Crack is laid out in the front yard face down. He is scream-crying...you know sobbing and screaming at the same time, making no sense at all. We finally got out of him that Snake had busted him in the face with a TREE BRANCH.

After getting him to his feet we see that he took it right across the bridge of the nose, but that the skin was not broken and he wasn't bleeding.

We made it into the house just as the bleeding started from inside his nose, and then I feared the worst...it was broken.

After a call in to our Ped she assured me that we could wait till morning to be seen, so we iced it, gave him some Tylenol and went to bed.

Now, honestly, when I saw it this morning I thought, 'boy am I glad I didn't take him to the ER last night' because it really didn't look that bad. I mean, for taking a tree limb to the face, it was only slightly swollen, and barely bruised. If you didn't know him you might not even notice anything at all. But, I still wanted to get it checked out so we headed to the Ped this afternoon.

The Xray confirmed the break, and our PED consulted with the other Drs on duty and determined that the break was not that worrisome, but that a possible deviated septum (sp?) was more alarming. After all FOUR doctors on site poked around it was decided that we see a specialist.

Lucky for us, we were able to see the same Doctor that had put tubes in Snakes ears years ago. This man is a hoot!!!! Loud, rowdy, country, and spot on when it comes to ENT cases.

We were sent right over and when he came in he immediately was more concerned with the break than with the deviated septum. He said it looked a "little smushed" so he ordered a CT of Cracks head....and it came back that the poor boy's nose is broken in 5 places!!!!

For fear of messy healing we are headed to surgery next week, just before we leave on vacation. My careful planning of the days leading up to our departure have just been kicked in the teeth and I am now scrambling to make adjustments.

The two best parts of the story I saved for last. Big Daddy is not happy with Snake for breaking his brothers nose and last night(even before we confirmed the break) he decided to give Snake an ear full. I kid you not it started like this:

Big Daddy: "Snake, you are NOT a Jedi. You do NOT have special powers. You can NOT stop objects with a force field......"

I completely lost it. I had tears in my eyes...mainly because Big Daddy was being spot on serious. He was not kidding. He really felt like Snake needed to be made aware of his human limitations. It was HILARIOUS!!!!

Then at the doctors office, after we scheduled the surgery, I asked the doctor about baseball. He said, "oh, ya by the time you guys are back from your trip he will be as good as new."

I replied "oh, OK, that is great, but I was kind of referring to our 6pm game TONIGHT."

He laughed and said, "of course he can play ball. What's he gonna do? break his nose again? Anything he does between now and surgery, I can fix....so let him play ball."

And so we did. Crack caught all 6 innings and had three hits to boot.

Note to Big Daddy

Dear Big Daddy,

Here is a review of your weekend activities:

Cleaning out my car...loved it!!!!

Mowing the grass....loved it!!!!!

Sleeping in with you Saturday morning....loved it!!!!

You washing ALL the dirty laundry....hated it!!!!!

Note for further weekend help....feel free to lend a helping hand whenever you feel like it. UNLESS, of course you ever feel like washing clothes again. There is no greater defeat for a Monday morning than a bedroom floor covered in CLEAN laundry.

While I appreciate "the Love", I can name a hundred other ways that wouldn't stress me out all day Monday.

Love you,

Hot Momma

Finally Truth

In an effort to NOT have every area of our life out there on the Internet I have been amiss in telling you that Big Daddy has been gone for THREE weeks!!!! I know, three weeks is a long time, but the Lord was faithful. He not only timed this trip perfectly as to not interfere with our upcoming NY/DC trip, but also provided it as a way for us to save some extra money for the trip as well.

While Big Daddy was gone, I was busy, like I shared with Spring Cleaning!!!! And let me just say, that Spring has officially Sprung!!!! It has been so nice to live without all that clutter and to have a place for everything and everything in its place. The other bonus, and hence another reason I have been absent from blogging, is that with the house in tip top order, I have had time to catch up on some reading.

The kids and I also did a whole week of immersion study, which basically meant that we set aside our normal studies in Math, Lang, Science and History, and focused on a few specific areas of study instead.

The holocaust was one of them. We will be visiting the US Holocaust Memorial Museum while in DC, and I did NOT want to just show up and my kids have no idea what it was all about, and then be both shocked and confused. Our time studying the holocaust, was breathtaking. Literally, it took my breath away both with its horror and with its hope.

We read many first hand accounts, watched The Hiding Place, and entered into great discussion about what happened, why it happened, and how it should alter our world view.

I was so pleased with all of the kids....and I felt like each one, on their own level, really gained a sense of the scope of the tragedy.

I have also been busy with choosing our curriculum for next year. Homeschooling is an evolving learning experience for all involved, and I go to great lengths to tweak our learning environment every year. This year is no different, and I am once again taking stock at what really worked for us and what needs to be altered.

One thing that we won't be changing is Math-U-See....we love MUS and I can with great certainty say that this will be our math text of choice for the years to come. It definitely took time to adjust because it is NOT like anything we had ever used prior, but the adjustment was well worth it and we are now converts.

Along with all of that I have also been busy planning our upcoming NY/DC trip. Our house is busting with excitement. The Beez spends hours looking at her American Girl catalogue trying to decide which one she wants...which changes daily as well as every time we read one of the books...I feel she is going to break the bank...but for a five year old, American Girl is probably going to trump any museum or memorial, and I am okay with that.

The boys are excited about the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center site, and Mount Vernon. All in all, I think it will be the perfect family vacation. Big Daddy wants to eat at some great hole in the wall diners with humongous hamburgers...seriously folks, like 3, 5, 8 & 15 POUNDERS!!!! And, me, well I am looking forward to the Statue of Liberty and a Broadway show.

Anyway, so there you have it...Big Daddy gone for three weeks, spring cleaning, reading, vacation planning and gardening.

What have you been up to?

Just Checking In...

Hello Blogging Friends

I have been so busy the past two weeks that I have not had time to update here on the blog....BUT if you Twitter, and you should, than you can always follow me that way. Of course my Twitter name is LaughingMomma, so you can look me up or just follow the link along the right side bar. I LOVE TWITTER because it is like miniature blogging, and is easy to do and updating is just a text message away!!!!

Anyway, the other reason I have not had time to be on the computer is that it is SPRING CLEANING TIME!!!! That's right, every closet, dresser, cabinet and nook and cranny is on the chopping block. And it feels so good!!!

I had been wanting to add some shelving to two of our closets that had wasted space and once that was done(I heart power tools!!!) the organization began.

Our house really had very little storage space with no hall closet or linen closet. It has always been necessary to stash sheets under our bed, and put towels in our closet. Not to mention suitcases and extra blankets under the beds too...it was a mess.

And don't even get me started on the amount of pictures I had stashed here and there and everywhere...oh how I love digital...and now with the new shelves in the closets I have EVERY photo in one location and I even have a shelf for my sewing machine and various notions and material.

Cracks room had a complete overhaul...the boy is growing so fast that I can hardly keep him in clothes. Which meant that every clothing item was gone through!!! I do not have time to share the grief I gave him over how the clothes that do fit were wadded up and shoved in drawers....or worse yet in box with Legos!!! I think my threat went something like, "If I find one shirt out of place than I will take every shirt, pant, short and even your socks and boxers...and you will have to do hard labor to earn each piece back...individually!!!!"

Anyway, his room is done, but poor Beez has not even been able to get in her room for a week...her closet got new shelves too...but she actually has two closets and I needed to switch her clothes from one to the other...which in turn meant that EVERY toy that was in the other one was put under the scrutiny of a mother on a mission....meaning that every toy was brought up on the witness stand to stand trial for the charge of "causing more clutter than joy." I am happy to say, that in the end, the guilty were weeded from the innocent and we are on our way "to a more perfect union."

In other news, basketball season has ended and been quickly followed by baseball...a last minute addition after we had previously decided against it since we will be going on vacation right in the middle of the season and then the boys have summer camp at the end of the season. In the end, I was over ruled and Big Daddy decided that Crack should play one more season. Which meant coughing up $100 for registration and $80 for cleats and pants....my checking account is about to start a revolt , I am sure of it!!!

The boys have also started attending Robotics Club....just typing that I am feeling stretched. I am a home body by nature and I make no bones about that I would rather be at home than anywhere else...but I am hoping that this will be both a good school activity and a good team activity for the boys....time will tell.

My garden got tilled yesterday...that brings joy to my heart...you really have no idea how much I love to garden...I love it. This year I will be adding potatoes, cabbage,pink eyed peas, tomatillos, strawberries and onions to my usual crop of tomatoes, peppers, squash, green beans, zucchini, okra and every herb under the sun.

For the first time I am green housing seedlings for transplant...I have 72 peet pots started, and even have 9 tomato plants green housing as well to get a jump even with the cooler weather still upon us.

Other exciting happenings in no particular order

• when kids play light saber in the back yard near a water faucet...one missed swipe can decapitate your said water faucet and create a pool in your back yard...unfortunately, not the kind that you could actually swim in.


• I had an amazing hair day on Tuesday...just thought that I should document that


• Snake went from footloose and fancy free to pneumonia in 4 hours flat last Friday....which translated into horrible night Friday night and all morning at the doctor Saturday


• when contract negotiations are going on at Big Daddy's work, and he is on a business trip, which means everything he hears is second hand, which means I am hearing it third hand....communication is sure to be a complete and utter disaster....no Laughing Momma that day.

And finally, I saved the best for last. Big Daddy has a lot of great qualities...but one of them is most assuredly NOT gift giving. Now, before you judge, let me say that I have examined this from both sides...and after considering that maybe the issue was mine, and that I might be a terrible acceptor of gifts, I have come to the conclusion, that indeed, this fault is mainly his, and his alone.

He does great with a list...in fact this year for Christmas I printed off copies of the gifts I would love to have and he choose great things .....from THAT list!!! And I was never happier. But to ever think that he would just be walking through a store and see something and think, 'Hey Hot Momma would really love that"...not gonna happen. And I am okay with that. He is a great provider and I want for nothing...well except for...(more on that later)

Anyway, a few weeks ago he said he was going to use our PayPal account to buy something and have it delivered here. When I asked him about it, he just said it was for my birthday and I was not to ask any more questions. To say that I was a little scared would be an understatement. This is a man who forgot my birthday once...this is how it went.

For those of you who don't know my real name is April....I know you are shocked that Laughing Momma is NOT actually on my drivers license, but anyway. You should also know that my birthday is in April too...I know that is such a stretch...but work with me folks.

Anyway, this particular birthday, when he left for work I didn't get a "happy birthday babe" kiss on his way out, and I had noticed that there hadn't been any behind the scenes action in the days leading up to my birthday either(you know when dad gets all the kids in the back of the house, they are all squealing trying really hard to be quiet, and he send on up front asking for tape and scissors...which you of course hand over without any questions, and then about an hour later they all emerge and chalk up the last hour to just "hanging with Dad"

Well, the entire day goes by, and nothing form him, absolutely nothing. I had to be at church earlier than he, and many of my friends had wished me well...and when arrives still nothing. As a matter a fact, I later found out that he didn't realize it was my birthday until he overheard someone else wishing me happy birthday...yes folks it was that bad!!!

To make matters worse when he finally did get to me this is what he said, " Look babe, I am really sorry I forgot about your birthday, but you have to know this....I didn't just forget that TODAY is your birthday, I was so not even close to thinking you had a birthday coming up that I guess you could say that I forgot you even HAD a birthday. I am so sorry babe."

After laughing my head off, I hugged him and told him he would never live it down...and he hasn't but remember this folks...my name is April, my birthday is in April, so you would think that somewhere in the course of life when the month changes to your wife's name...money says its time to by a card and get the kids in the back of the house :)

So, the box arrived while Big Daddy was still gone on business and I was sent away while Crack went out and met the UPS truck. The package was hidden and I thought nothing more of it. Well, a few nights later this is what I sound on my bed

That's right folks...a whole box of my favorite candy bar...Abba-Zaba....which is absolutely not available anywhere...at least not in Mississippi.

So, for me, this was the perfect gift on so many levels. First of it is not something I would ever buy myself...especially by the box and online. Somehow, whenever people talk about their favorite candy or candy bars, I always mention Abba-Zaba...but not in a hint dropping way, more in a I am totally bummed no one sells it way. And although buying a box of 24 seems over the top, it was not at all something that broke the bank...which the frugal part of me appreciates.(I am not one who would welcome a new car in the driveway with a big read bow...I don't want anything that we are going to have to keep paying on....now if you win a car and want to give it to me...my hand is out and waiting!!!!)

I guess a box a Abba-Zabs was the perfect gift because it was thoughtful, edible, and just exactly what I have always wanted!!!

Now, if we could just get Popsicle brand Big Sticks delivered I would be in heaven....

He's 12

He is 12 today.

My firstborn.

My likeness.

My heart.

My love.

My son.

My joy, and occasionally a pain in the rear.

But, he will always be mine.

I thought I would share a few pics with you on this the occasion of his 12th birthday.

You're Gonna Miss This...

I know...two posts in ONE day...it's like Christmas all over again.

For my first installment of Pam's You're Gonna Miss This I thought I fill you in on a little something, and hit two birds with one stone.

If you have been reading this blog for more than a few months, then you might remember this post about my little sister KC moving 100 miles away...which is a really BIG deal because she lived practically in my backyard...technically, she(and her husband and little girl) live next door to my backyard...but you get the point....from a 100 feet to 100 miles is a really BIG deal.

Well, it was horrible. Really horrible. The pain of not seeing her and the Beast daily almost killed me. But, on some level it was never as bad as we had imagined it in our heads. We did have to detox from daily coffee together and daily interaction of our kids, but the hardest part was that the day after they moved...she found out she was expecting. Talk about kicking you when you are down...I then had to grieve all over again it took me weeks to realize that once again it was probably worse in my head...I seem to always end up in the deep end in my head.

Anyway, we were all doing our best. The first few days we did a lot of texting. That's what we do when all we would do on the phone is cry and therefore make everything worse. They, as a family were miserable. Between the apartment living, no family around, and pregnancy hormones...it was really hard.

Call them crazy, or call me the luckiest girl around...tomorrow they will be back in the "Blue House" as the Beast calls it. Yep, my backyard will once again have a worn pathway from my back door to hers...actually since its winter...the path never went away.

This morning the Beast is here with us while KC is at work... in all fairness she is so NOT as Beastly as she use to be...but the name stuck. So my pictures are of what I DID miss...and what I am glad to miss no more.

Here is Kannon...in all her glory...some of my favorite shots...

She is always a "knockout"



This one we affectionately call "Baby on a Wall"



First steps



Rocking out with the big girls on Beez's 5th Birthday

New Year + New Budget = New Stress

I am really not a New Year's resolution kind of person. With the exception of taking a personal inventory(and spiritual one too) I really don't make a list of things to do or accomplish just cause it New Years.
This year, though, I really have felt the urging of the Lord to get our finances in order. This past year we had record expenditures due to the fact that we made a top to bottom remodel in our kitchen, replaced the floors through 75% of the house and also gutted and remodeled the kids bathroom. Add to that some hefty auto repair bills(no car payments though) and any one would have their head spinning. But unfortunately, while we were in full demo mode the economy was in total meltdown mode. Not a good mix.

So, for the New Year, I have some new goals:

• Start using http://www.pearbudget.com/ I found this over on Brand & Boys page. I hope it is all that I am dreaming it will be...I hate most online budget guides, but so far this one is right up my alley.
• Give up the Debit card....too much mindless spending on my part...I can turn a quick trip for milk and eggs into 4o bucks without blinking.
• Give up the check book too...except for bill paying that I can not do online. I am a sucker for kids coming up to me asking me to sponsor them or order something from them for a fundraiser...and then just whip out a check...mindless spending again.
• Stick to my grocery budget...not my list..just my budget. I have this thing about groceries...it is kind of freaky, but ask anyone, my pantry IS ALWAYS stocked. In my defense, I also cook a full hot meal EVERY night and during the colder months, I usually cook a hot breakfast a few times a week too. We only eat out maybe twice a month at our fave Mexican place.
• Do my VERY BEST to not purchase any "wants". I am a bargain shopper, so I do a lot of what I would call preemptive sale shopping. I am always on the lookout for my kids next size athletic shoe, end-of-season-for-next-season bargain clothes shopping, and just in general...if it is on sale, than I am tempted to buy it.
• And, lastly I really need to keep on eye on our tithing. While we do tithe regularly, I have kind of gotten into a giving rut. I am praying that the Lord will help me be mindful of others needs, and to give freely, without preconceived amounts and then trust the Lord to meet our needs.

So, if you find yourself in these same shoes, or maybe your own pair with different goals and changes on your horizon, leave a comment I will pray for your journey, as I pray for my own.

Just trying to make a point...

Sometimes, when homeschooling your children, you have to go to the end of the world to get one of them to understand a new concept or even just a simple project.

Crack, who is in 6th grade, loves to do reports on figures he is learning about, especially if he gets to role play. Tell him to imagine he is actually walking around the walls of Jericho, and watch out, he will blow your socks off with vivid imagery and relate able feelings.

Snake, on the other hand, loathes role playing, at least in school. Don't get me wrong, the kid actually has a more vivid imagination than his older brother, but somehow when asked to use it scholastically, and he clams up.

Today, Snake had to write a short report based on the story of the King Belshazzar in Daniel. Specifically on the writing on the wall story. His instructions are simple, read the passage, and then describe the account in your own words including the translation of the words written on the wall. In addition, he needs to IMAGINE that he is at the kings table when it all takes place and describe his feelings in relation to the nights strange and powerful encounter with the Holy God.

After he retells the event as laid out in the scripture...he hits a wall. Blank stares and absolutely no desire to "go there" in his imagination he calls for me.
I read his completed portion, which was fine and then ask him to IMAGINE he was at the table when it actually happened.

Again, a blank stare. Not even a hint of imagination in his eyes. At this point, in my frustration I look down and try to keep my composure(and my hands to myself). When I look back up, I spot Snakes newest pride and joy, a Lego robot, complete with guns and fighter guys to help protect him. I then remembered his explanation of all of his parts the previous night. You see, the Lego robot had something that NO OTHER Lego Robot in the history of Lego Robots has ever been privy to have....a goober gun, two actually.

So, I grab the Lego Robot, goober gun and all and explain to Snake that his IMAGINATION thought up the goober gun...that no one else on the planet would have had the IMAGINATION to do that. So just like he used his imagination to think up that, he needed to use it to think of being at the kings table.(sans the goober guns)

When all else fails, just use the goober guns to get the job done.

We got a new dog....

Since nothing else needs my attention, as I sit and eat Bon Bons all day and watch Soap Operas, my DH decided that we needed to take in a dog that someone needed to find a new home for. She is totally precious, and full of love, but HELLO, now my kid to dog ratio is even...which in turn means that we ARE TOTALLY out numbered on ALL FRONTS.

Here are the details, and I will post a pic soon.

Her name is Maxie, she is a Reverse Brindle Boxer, and she is about 16 months old.

Our other dogs are adjusting, but Bruno is being very protective of Beauty, which makes for a tussle every now and again. (I used "tussle" to remind you how out numbered we are...and that all the involved parties are NOT ALWAYS getting along.)

Her best characteristic is that she is very loving, and very attentive. She looks you in the eye when you give her love, and sits down right at your side with a little lean into you, just to make sure you know she needs you. Our others are loving, but in a hyper way. I wonder who will influence who.

Lord help me.

About Last Night 1/02/09

So last night my husband and I snuck out to the deck for a few moments to play with our new cell phones...he got a new Pantech Slate and I finally activated my anniversary present, a new iPhone. We were not outside for 2 minutes when the boys come out and start bugging us about playing the Wii before bed. We oblige, as to gain a few more minutes of play time for ourselves, and they head into the living room to play Guitar Hero.
I kid you not, 30 SECONDS later they are in a full knock down drag out, about to hit the living room floor in a tussle. I come storming in and of course they are both blaming each other, claiming innocence for themselves. I had had enough, so I sent them to bed...no questions asked. My explicit instructions were these:

1. Don't look at each other
2. Don't talk to each other
3. Brush your teeth
4. Get in bed
5. Not a word, not anything.

Crack brushes his teeth first, while Snake gets the bunks ready(they are rooming together since we have company). About 5 seconds after Crack enters the room, he comes running up front mad that Snake is aggravating him and messing with him...he is so mad that he pleads for me to give him the go ahead to lay him out....with my blessing...I was cracking up...but tried to keep my cool and a straight face. I send Crack to bed and call Snake up front for an explanation.

My first words were a recounting of the above rules....loudly. Then I asked him why he broke them, especially when he was already in so much trouble. He replies, "I didn't Mom." I am flabbergasted and told him not to mess with me. I gave him the rules AGAIN and then asked again why he went back there and aggravated his brother. He said, "I didn't break the rules Mom!" To which I met my eventual downfall by replying, "How did you aggravate him without breaking the rules?"

With a straight face he replied, "I took my little dog and waved it in his face...but I DID NOT TALK OR LOOK AT HIM!!!!"

Please tell me I am not alone...please weigh in that you too completely loose face when trying to tow the line with your kids.

I was a goner...their was no point of return...if a kid can find a way to make a way without breaking the rules....I am all in...as in all in the middle of the floor, falling out!!!!

Not Me Monday 12/22

This is my year end edition of Not Me's...a little trip down memory lane.
A final farewell to some of my not so great moments in 2008.

I did not start a kitchen remodel with one budget and then end up spending 4x that amount...cause that would mean...well I guess that would mean that I have a REALLY AWESOME kitchen.

During the same kitchen remodel, I did not actually have a come to Jesus meeting with my ceiling...knowing of course that such a great and Awesome God would have no time for such idle things. But if I did not do that, then I would have missed an AWESOME work of God in me during the meeting with the ceiling and Jesus...and believe me...I was there.

I did not act a fool when my oldest boy played baseball this season. Cause I am one of those sit quietly-mind my own business-never give the ref my point of view-and I never ever raise my voice....honestly, I am all those and love it. I am actually the mom who will even cheer loud and proud for your kid, if you are one of those that I am not.

I did not cry this year when I realized that my baby girl is growing up. I thought for sure that she would stay tiny and toddler like since I asked so nicely, but no she is 5 going on 15 and even though I am sad that my littlest one's littleness is fleeting, I am so proud of the lady I know she will become.

I did not witness this exchange between Big Daddy and the Beez while trying to get the kids in bed:
"Beez, don't make me come back there and close your door" (she was crying about having to go to bed)
(through sobs and tears) "I don't have a door Daddy"
While remodeling the house, we replaced their doors, so technically she HAS a door, but it isn't hung yet, because we are going to replace her floor also(after the new year)...nothing like a guilt trip for Dad.

I did not almost loose my pants during a boat-turned-swim race while chaperoning at church camp this summer. While everyone was yelling at me to get out of the lake and tag the next teams hand...there I stayed in the mere 18 inches of water, trying to get my black yoga pants from my ankles to waist. Of course, if my partner would have rowed better, we would have never ended up IN the lake instead of skimming along on its surface.

I did not wash my favorite cell phone in the washing machine. Cause when you love something you take care of it. Of course, if I never washed it, then I wouldn't be the proud owner of an iphone...not me.

I did not just get done wrapping 60+ gifts...and I am still not done.

I did not sneak one more gift under the tree that my hubby is totally not expecting.

I am not blogging right now instead of getting ready for our Christmas Party on Wednesday night....because I HAVE NO TIME!!!!

Dashing through the snow...

Well, here I am again....just barely. We have been so busy the past two weeks, I have not had the chance to take a breathe, let alone put pen to paper here on the blog.

The kids are through with school....THANK YOU LORD!!!! I need a break, and with family coming in and out over the next three weeks, it couldn't come soon enough.

Here is what you missed. The Beez, my M-I-L, my grandmother and myself all attended a Mother-Daughter Tea last weekend. It was divine. It was held at a beautiful Bed and Breakfast and the three course tasting was marvelous.

The same weekend, the family participated in our annual church Christmas Celebration. More on that when i can get the video downloaded. But to be sure, it was something truly special. It was the Beez's first program, and I was so proud of her singing her heart out....and so was she!!!

I also tackled our bedroom, and believe me tackle is the only way to describe it. I spent all of Monday in my bedroom cleaning from top to bottom and everywhere in between. I was actually very proud of myself, because nothing got stashed away, everything was put in its proper place, and I am happy to say, it has stayed that way.

It was also our 13th anniversary this past Wednesday. It usually sneaks up on us, and this year was no different. I did wake up to a message on my bathroom mirror from my beloved...I need to buy him a tube of Bonnie Bell dollar lipstick so that he will leave my Lancome alone, but who am I to regulate love notes on a bathroom mirror???

I really need to dish on my gift from my love, but I do not have the time to do it right now. Just know this, I washed my Katana II in the washing machine a few months back...it was horrible cause I LOVED THAT PHONE...and my husband has been saying that until our contract was up I would just have to suffer through with an ancient phone from years ago. He has really been laying it on thick...you know me not being able to take care of nice things and all....and it was all for show because guess what he bought me for my anniversary???? Are you ready??? I got an iPhone....yep, little ole me is now the proud owner of an iPhone. I have no idea what to do with it, but I own it!!!

Yippee!!!

Gotta run.

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas, I wish I could sit around the fire and chat with you all face to face, both family and friends that keep in touch via this blog...you all mean the world to me.

Until that time, be safe, laugh a lot, and Praise the One we Celebrate this Season.

April

Real Giving

This year I have tried to do one thing different for Christmas. Along with spending less and buying fewer gifts for fewer people, I have really tried to buy things that are not just "things". I have tried to find some type of attachment, or some memory that makes this particular gift, really a gift. I have not been able to do it with every gift, I mean what kind of attachment can there be with a Wii game or a baby doll for the kids, but for others, I have tried to pick something out that shows them that I thought of them, or us, when I saw the gift, and that it brought me happiness, and therefore hope it does the same for them.

I also got involved with World Vision for the first time and did some Christmas shopping through their site. you can buy llamas for families in South America, or ducks or cows, or like this video you can buy a well for clean water for families. Check out this site if you would like to do the same.

Merry Christmas Friends

TIMBER!!!!

Every year we head out to cut down our Christmas at a local tree farm. It never fails, it is either raining or freezing...this time, it had just finished raining and was now in the low 30's. We hopped on the "Sleigh" and headed for the same field we found our tree in last year. The cold egged us on, as did the setting sun, and we had her picked out in no time. Every year I claim to have found an even better tree than last year, and of course this was no exception. My one request was that it be on the skinny side, as not to take up the whole living room like it did a few years back.



This is Big Daddy, Laughing Momma and Beez freezing their booty's off.



This was Beez's first year helping with the cutting...she was really excited...and so strong!!



This is Crack taking a whack at it. He informed me today that all my blog readers would think he is a drug addict with his code name...but I assure you...drug usage is NOT where that comes from.


Snake getting into the action...that other guy is not my kid..I am NOT THAT old yet.

Big Daddy always gets the first and last cut...He is Man...Hunter and Gatherer...Man of steel and all that stuff.


Me and My Girl

Me and Crack

Momma and Snake

Here it is just before its life is forever changed...It'll never be the same after a season in OUR house!!!!

Oh, and just in case you are wondering....this outing marked the millionth time I have tried to get a FAMILY photo...but it was too cold and even I couldn't make everybody suffer through countless automatic timer photos in the hope of a good family shot.

Thanksgiving,Black Friday,and Krispy Kreme

Here is part 2, if you missed part 1 you are so out of the loop, you may never recover. Just kidding, I am the one out of the loop and this is my attempt at catching up. Today's make up topics include Thanksgiving, Black Friday and even our "field trip" to Krispy Kreme.

Every year we head to the Outlaws house down south and spend the Thanksgiving holiday with them. It is not really a HUGE gathering, usually just the Outlaws, my husbands two uncles and their wives, and the 5 of us. BUT, you would NEVER know that by how many things we prepare every Thanksgiving, or the shear quantity that we surround ourselves with on this day every year. Here is the rundown:

Turkey
Spiral Ham
Dressing
Sweet Potato Casserole
Homemade Mac-N-Cheese
Green Bean Casserole #1 with water chestnuts
Green Bean Casserole #2 with artichoke hearts
Corn Salad
Fruit Salad #1 with coconut
Fruit Salad #2 without coconut
Deviled eggs - appetizer
Pinwheels - appetizer
Pickles and Olives and Pimento Cheese on celery
Raspberry Jello Salad
Panseet-uncles wife is Filipino and this is like a rice noodle chow mein....so yummy
Lumpia - same wife, these are like tiny egg rolls, more like a taquito...also super yummy
Rolls and Gravy
Pumpkin Pie #1
Pumpkin Pie #2
Pecan Pie

So, basically we had 13 people and 20 items....that is so INSANE!!!! In our defense, this is the ONLY big meal we make all year. We don't do an Easter meal or a Christmas Feast...we just do Thanksgiving in a HUGE way.

This year we also had a first.

This photo is serving as PROOF that my husband actually helped with the cooking once in 13 years. Of course after this photo op he was back to watching the parade and eating the deviled eggs(his normal activity of choice during the prep)

This photo is NOT a first. My F-I-L (half of the Outlaws) ALWAYS cleans up behind me on Thanksgiving day...I love a man with dishpan hands!!!!



This is Crack and Mamaw(the other half of the Outlaws)


I love this pic solely because it looks like I am shorter than my Man...which I am, but only by an inch...this pic either makes me 5'8" or him 6'4"...I'll take either.


Saturday we trekked to Krispy Kreme, where the boys handed in their report cards(yes, even homeschoolers get report cards) and received a donut for each "A". Beez was not pleased that I left her out of the report card/donut give-a-way...but cut me some slack, she only eats the sprinkles off the donuts, not the donuts themselves(such a travesty, I know) I promised her next time I would have her a report card too.

Husband and the Outlaws...can you tell he loves Krispy Kreme?


Mamaw, Beez, and Pappy


He is his fathers son...the kid LOVES Krispy Kreme.

He is SO NOT JOKING...he claims the fallen glaze is like fries in the bottom of a Micky D's bag...you have to eat them..and so it goes with the glaze. Although I did make him restrain himself enough from actually LICKING the box...instead he licked his finger and dipped it in the pile of yummy goodness.

Last but not least, and really this should be a post in and of itself. We are those crazy people who go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. We are the REALLY crazy ones. We were up 2:30am, and were the FIRST in line at Target at 3 am. By opening time (6am) there were 500+ people. We split up and had all of our loot and were checking out at 6:04(me) and 6:07(him). We had everything in the car and were heading back into Target at 6:09 for a potty break when the local TV station stopped us for an interview for their live broadcast. (we had already been interviewed for being the first in line)

After that we headed across the street and made a quick dash into HomeDepot. I grabbed a buggy full of items, and even three 99 cents poinsettias and checked out. While I was doing that, my husband found one more item and got in line himself. Now, while we do set aside cash for Christmas shopping every year, we actually charge everything the day of because the one year we carried cash I was a nervous wreck. It also makes it easier for returns so that way if we buy something and then find it for less somewhere else, it is no problem and doesn't tie up twice the cash.

Anyway, I say all that because when he got to the checkout our credit card was declined, which was shocking beacuse I KNEW we had 4x the amount of what we had budgeted for Christmas free our our credit card, and it was weird since his amount was only $20. I told him not to worry, just use the debit card instead.

Well, 8 hours later, when we got home I was checking email and I received a notice that our card had been frozen due to fraudulent usage. I was worried because my credit has been hacked into before and it is such a headache!!!! But, I called the number and this is what the nice lady told me (after verifying like 100 different things from age, address, 2nd born's birth weight, what I ate last night(see previous list) and so on....and I quote, " Mrs. Laughing Momma, we froze your account because BOTH of the cards assigned to this account were used minutes apart at the same store, and then again just a few minutes later at a different store. Can you verify if you did indeed make these purchases???? They were at Target- 6:04 am and 6:07 am and then HomeDepot at 6:13 and then 6:15" I replied, "Yes, I am happy to say that my waiting in line for three hours paid off, we are guilty of power shopping,(and later dropping) the day after Thanksgiving" Mrs Credit Card closed our conversation with, "Well, Mrs Laughing Momma, I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you(that would be a glare from my husband...you know the kind that turns him into the Incredible Hulk...and a hundred questions on whether or not our last bill had been paid....not so pleasant) and we hope that you continue to enjoy our services...I will flag your account so that next year when the computer tries to falsely accuse you, the card holder of fraud, it will overlook the fact that it is practically impossible to be 4 places almost simultaneously, we will remember that you are Super Woman...just out looking for a good deal."

"Thank you, please see to it, cause I may be Super Woman, but I am no match for the Incredible Hulk"