30 Days of Christmas: The Movies

I love a good Christmas movie. Since Jeff works at nights, during the holidays I will usually watch a different movie a night. I have been working on adding my favorite Holiday flicks to my own DVD collections so that I can watch them anytime through out the year and to one day share with my kids.

Here is my list of favorites in no particular order.

1. Christmas Vacation
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. Miracle on 34Th Street
4. White Christmas
5. An Affair to Remember
6. A Christmas Carol
7. Home Alone
8. The Bishop Wife (1946)
9. Charlie Brown Christmas
10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
11. Little Women
12. Babes in Toy land
13. Santa Claus
14. Scrogged
15. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
16. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
17. Frosty the Snowman


Here are a few that someone told me to watch this year.
1. The Miracle of the Bells
2. Meet Me in St Louis
3. The Bell of St. Mary's
5. The Nativity Story

If you notice, most of these are classic movies because classic movies are my favorite thing to watch. Jeff says I am old fashioned, I say I am vintage. Vintage sounds more chic.

These movies are a great for the whole family so why don't you plan a family night a watch one or two?

What's your favorite movie to watch during the holidays?


I will post Elijiah's birthday pictures soon. Stay tuned!

Saturday's Posted on Friday Afternoon

I have had two calls in the last 1o minutes both of which these two loving friends have told me to take time for myself. They are faithful readers to this blog so I realized I may have whined a little too much. So to ease thier minds about my going non-stop I wanted to share with you some of the fun things I have done for me this week.

Tuesday night my mom came over for dinner. It was so strange to hear her signature tap-tap on our front door. Jeff says we haven't heard that one in a while. It was nice having her around for a few hours like old times.


Wednesday night my future sister-in-law Meredith and fellow book worm went to the Bass Hall to hear a lecture by my all time favorite author, Sue Grafton. Later we went to Chili's Downtown and ate salads while watching the Maverick game. The bartendar didn't know what to think of us, two girls talking about our honey's and watching our favorite basketball team. Oh and only drinking water. He kept saying, "You sure you don't want a margarita?" Positive water is fine.

Thursday night my other sister in law Amy and I went to see the movie Enchanted. It is so cute. I want to go see it again. Missy, Paige, Kendra B shall we? I really like it. Plus Patrick Dempsey is just so yummy! It is another chick flick I will add to my library.

And tonight, Jeff and I are going on a double date with some of our good friends. I think these friends were our first couple friends outside of our family. People that we met together after we were married and both adore. So there, I am not all work and no play. Promise.

Tomorrow is a certain nephews birthday so I am going over to his house to give him his gift that may just give us the title of Greatest Aunt and Uncle. So to his parent's that is your warning that Jeff and I will be coming by around 12:30 to play with you all.

sunday, I am making a Special Events Calendar for all my birthdays with my scrappy friends.

So now you see that I am not all work and no play.

Now if you will excuse me, I am not logging into the computer until Monday.

this chick needs a break from her computer screen.

-celebrating 7 Years With Jeff

It was 7 years ago today that I had my first date with Jeff.

It was 7 years, two months and some odd days that I first met him.

I was working at Chili's during the night and selling light fixtures by day. Jeff had just moved from California after breaking up with his long time girlfriend.
I hold the ex-girlfriend in high esteem because she let him go. Does that make sense? Don't worry it makes sense to me.

His brother was my manager at work and also friend. I spent endless hours laughing and cutting up with his brother. We were good friends. He was like a brother to me. In fact, he and another manager are the ones who told me to dump my loser ex-boyfriend. And in his own words he said, "You can do better than that." And little did I know I was about to do just that.

The first time I saw Jeff, he was sitting at the bar watching television. We often have regulars who are lonely come into the bar and become friends with all of the waitstaff. I asked Matt "Whose the old guy sitting at the bar?" And Matt says, "That would be my brother, do you want to meet him?" I agreed only because I needed to befriend the regulars because they were always good tippers. Seriously that was the reason. We still laugh about it to this day.

My day job was hosting a Christmas party at Texas De Brazil, December 7th and I was encouraged by my boss and his wife to bring a date. This family were so influential during this time in my life. They too were the ones who encouraged me to lose the loser boyfriend. I had done just that four months or more before the holidays. I was very scared to get back out there again. You don't want to know the details but really, he was not good for me. It was bad. One night at work I was telling Matt what my boss said about me bringing a date to this party. He said, "Do you want me to ask my brother?" I sat there for a moment remembering the first time I had hung out with him. Let's just say I was not on my best behavior and was a little mean. I felt like I had nothing to lose though, "Oh sure, what the heck. Why don't you ask him."

If you know Jeff, you know that he is very quiet until he gets to know you. If you know me, you know I am the total opposite. Bosses' wife calls me the day of the party asking me to gather up some supplies to bring to the restaurant that night because we were going to play a game. I being the nosey one that I am asked, "What game are we going to play?" She knowing I was bringing a "new friend" as she called him told me it was the favorites game and suggested I brush up on some of Jeff's favorites on the ride to the restaurant. This game served as the perfect ice breaker for Jeff and I. We had to dig deep to find out what our favorite movie, actor, actress etc, etc in a ten minute drive. I will have you know we came in 2nd place.

After we were married Jeff said, "That was proof that God wanted us to be together. That game enabled me to see you for who you were and not for the person you were when you were waiting tables." Friends (and family) I was not myself while working at that place. Even I didn't like the person I had become.

So after dinner, Jeff asked me to get coffee with him at Barnes & Noble before we headed home. I said yes because I love B & N, it is my favorite place in all the world. Jeff later told me that he felt that if I said no to B & N then he would have ended it right then and there. Who would say no to Starbucks and B & N? Are you nuts? But we talked non-stop for the next few minutes. We kept playing the favorites game and talked about our nieces (Hayley was 3 and Faith was 2). I knew he was someone that I wanted to see again when he told me about Hayley.

I also knew I liked him because he did not try to kiss me that night. He walked me to the door, hugged me and said he would call when he got back from California, picking up Hayley.

He did better than call, he FED EX'ed me a note and a metal tin full of sand to my day job. The note said, "Since I can't bring you to the beach, I thought I would send a piece of the beach to you." He also sent me a thank you note for inviting him to wonderful evening. He was still in California when he sent it. He called when he got home too.

Oh and we went to this same beach on our honeymoon in California.

"Is this THE beach Jeff?"

"Yes, dear that's the one."

Now seven years later, I am proud of the woman I have become. I am also proud of the person Jeff has become. But more than anything, I am proud of the people we have become together. I am so thankful to have Jeff as a part of my life. And I praise God for working out all the details in our lives to bring us together at just the right time.

If you made it to the end, your sweet and should get a medal.

God has a sense of humor!

Okay read my post below then click on this link, it posted right after I wrote the last post.

The timing and the topic couldn't have come at a more perfect time for me!

Okay I promise, I won't post for anymore today

Susan

Say A Little Prayer for Me!

I really don't want to whine but I could really use the prayer.

The holiday season is a busy time of the year for everyone. It's just that this year it seems like things are more hectic than most.

Jeff's brother is getting married on December 22nd. We are so happy for this and can't wait to share in Matt and Meredith's special day. But it is a busy, busy time.

Then as many of you know, Jeff works for Fed EX. He will be working the Friday before Christmas which is also the night before M & M get married. He works nights so he will have no sleep going into their big day. He is Matt's best man and he is glad to take one for the team so to speak but it will be a crazy day. A fun day but crazy.

And then today, I get an email from my boss telling the team that we will be working the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th as we are trying to open a new Ashley store in 7 days. It normally takes a full 14 days to get it together.

So I reply back to my boss to let her know about M & M's big day. She says "No problem, I just hope we are open by then because if not we are going to need you on Friday." Well as many of you know, the day before a wedding is crazy especially when you are part of the family. I had already told Meredith that she could count on me to help decorate the venue. And now I will just have to pray that the store is open and ready before Friday.

And can I make my whining a little longer?

thank you!

Because of how Christmas falls this year Jeff will be working Christmas Eve and will head to work early the day after Christmas. I too will be working the day after Christmas so we are busy, busy, busy, busy!

But you know, Jeff is off work January 5th for a full 10 days. We already decided to do our Christmas then so that is done. And it is only for 30 days it has to slow down at some point, right? Thank God for daily routines and to do lists because this is the only way I am getting through this time. Oh and prayer, lots and lots of prayer.

Tis the season to be jolly! Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lah!

Proof That We Drank the Loaded Eggnog!

Some days we feel like a nut, some days we don't! But most days we are nuts!

FYI: I deleted the picture b/c some were a bit confused, my bad I apologize. Click on the link now posted above, that is the proof of the eggnog. and for the record, we both HATE eggnog-unless it is Christmas Eve and poured over blue bell vanilla ice cream-a small bit mind you.

Interrupting the Christmas Posts

This morning I found this little jewel in my Bible and I thought it was worth sharing with you all.

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3: 17

Sometimes I forget that God will come to my rescue when troubles arise. He will wrap His arms around me and quiet me when things get to be too much. He will sing songs of love to me because he loves me. All I have to do is call out his Name.

Praise be to God for coming to my rescue. Praise be to God for holding me tight under the shelter of his wing. (Psalms 36:7) Praise be to God for leading me to quiet waters, restoring my soul and guiding me down paths of righteousness. (Psalms 23 :2-3)

What is the Craziest Thing Given to You?

The Question of the Month is a new feature that I am introducing to my blog. The point of this is to have fun and interact with each other. So let us steer clear of questions and answers that tear each other down and or start wars in blogland. This is a peaceful, happy place after all.

This month's question comes from a memory of my sister in laws first Christmas with us.

(And yes Missy already gave me approval to post this.)

My Dad's mother (God rest her soul)was very hard to buy for and she was very opiniated about her gifts. My sweet sister really wanted to give her a nice gift her first Christmas with us. I thought she hit the nail on the head when she showed up with a nice Hickory Farm type sausage basket. I mean who wouldn't want one of these? We waited with gleeful anticipation for what Nana's reaction. I just knew that Missy had hit the nail on the head.

Nana's reaction went something like this, "Oh just what I needed for my indigestion?"

Missy, her newly married husband and new sister in law sat there mouths opened completley shocked. Now every time I pass the Hickory Farm stand at Christmas I chuckle to myself thinking back to that day. I felt horrible for Missy and if the truth be known, still feel bad for her.

We, who are married with in-laws can relate to Missy's predicament right? The first Christmas as a married couple is daunting enough the first time you head to the in-laws. You don't want to make a bad impression while not really knowing what to buy. Especially if you don't really know the in-laws that well like Missy did. It's not like we all lived close during that time.

And Missy for the record, you can always give me the gift of Hickory Farms basket any ole day.
I still think it was a good gift, a very good gift.

So this month's question can go two ways:

What is the craziest gift you have recieved? or What is the craziest reaction you have recieved for a gift given?

A Christmas Devotional

Super Mom Has Left the Building

By Marybeth Whalen

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 (NIV)


Devotion:

I just have to insert something in the midst of this busy season we call Christmas:

"You can't do it all."

And I don't think I can say that enough.

I found this entry in my journal from years ago, and I thought you might like to read it...

Someday...

I'll remember to order those cute Christmas return address labels for my cards.

I'll bake real gingerbread houses like Martha Stewart instead of buying those cheap, cheesy kits.

I'll finish my shopping early instead of waiting to the last minute.

I'll hand make gifts for all our neighbors, teachers, postal carriers, and garbage men.

I'll wrap presents that look like the ones in the magazines, not like a kindergartner did it.

I'll actually do all those service projects that look like a worthy thing to do.
Someday... is not now.

Whatever season in life you are in this Christmas, embrace it. There will be other times to do all those things you want to do. Or not. Whatever your situation is, trust that God is sovereign and He ordained for you to be where you are at this time, for His purpose. There is something to be gained from every season in life. The trick is to find that piece of wisdom God has for you in the midst of each season.

When the angel appeared to Mary, he told her some pretty shocking news about what was going to happen to her. His message ushered her into a season in life that included confusion, rejection and some pretty extreme transition. And yet, her response was "May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38).

I want Mary's reaction to be my own reaction. I want my attitude to be one of complete surrender to God's will, no matter what the circumstances. I want to be able to say with confidence "May it be to me as you have said" instead of whining to God, "Why did you let this happen to me?" like I usually do.

The first step in embracing every season is to let go of our own expectations--even when it means learning to love our limitations. Whether you are struggling with illness, or lack of energy, or a marriage situation, or money problems, or family issues--whatever it is, that is where God has you. Stop trying to be Super Mom or Super Woman and trust a super God instead.


Dear Lord, help me see You this Christmas. Help me keep my focus on You and not on my to-do list. And would you please remind me when I forget that You love me not because of what I accomplish but because I am, simply, Your child? In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
A Recipe for Christmas Joy, E-book by Marybeth Whalen

Can Martha Have a Mary Christmas? by Brenda Poinsett

Marybeth's Blog

Application Steps:
Write down what is on your to-do list for this week. Spend time praying over that list and ask God to show you what needs to be on there and what can go. Then let go of whatever He says.

Reflections:
Why do you feel compelled to do, and do, and do? What feelings are at the root of all that striving? How can you let go of those root feelings and embrace God's unconditional love instead--knowing that He accepts you whether your house is decorated and your cards are addressed or not!

Power Verses:
Psalm 38:19, "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." (NIV)

Matthew 6:8, "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (NIV)

I Peter 3:14, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.'" (NIV)


Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
http://www.proverbs31.org/

Thanks Mom for sharing this with me today, I needed it!

"The Stockings Are Hung"

"The stockings are hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St Nickolas soon would be there."

Last Christmas I made it a goal to get organized for Christmas so that by this December 1st all I had to do was sit back relax and drink cocoa.

Sounded good at the time, a nice relaxing holiday. Thank God I had the foresight to get prepared last year.

Fast forward, almost 365 days and you will find me in the present running around with to-do list and spreadsheets (shout out to the other spreadsheet fan in the fam) and well let's just say, MY CARDS ARE ALREADY IN THE MAIL. Yes, that's right in the mail. Booh-yah! And my tree is up and my presents are bought. All that is left to do is for UPS to drop the presents at my door so I can wrap them up nice and pretty and put under my tree.

You see, I wobbled a little bit when Jeff's brother announced that he would be getting married 2 days before Christmas but I didn't panic. I wobbled yet again, when hubby told me he would be working Christmas Eve and not home sitting by the fire with me or out buying his wife presents this year. And I wobbled yet again when I realized that work is still going to be going full force because of how the holidays fall this year.

I may of wobbled but I didn't fall down.

"Webble's wobble but they don't fall down."

And I am singing the Hallelujah chorus as I bypass the crazies at the mall this year. And I will sing Joy to the World as I sip my Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and walk the aisles of Target just so I can be hanging with the in-crowd without the pressure of needing to buy this and needing to buy that. It's done.*

So enough gloating, here is the Organized Christmas website that I believe everyone should save as their favorites. You will truly be blessed if you take sometime after the Christmas season and get yourself together.

I promise to show you the Holiday Planner before this 30 days of Christmas is finished. I just wanted to tweak it a little bit before it made the blog debut.

*Let me clarify, I still need to buy one thing for a certain niece that I drew this year but other than that it is finished. Couz P call me we can meet in the middle at Target area and shop and talk.

30 Days of Christmas Begins...

Today I am heading out of town with a few of my friends to shop at the world's largest flea market in Canton, TX. I have been to Canton plenty of times but I have never shopped there. Should be fun. I am taking along my Christmas list so I can get a few things checked off the to-do list.

How many of you make out a Christmas list for your family to buy from?

Usually I have no trouble coming up with a few things but this year I am having trouble. I think it is because this past year has taught me that life is fragile and shouldn't be taken for granted. And the greatest gift you can give me is a bit of quality time.

Or the more shallow reason is because I just unloaded a whole car load of stuff to Goodwill? And am having a hard time coming up with a list of things that will just re clutter my space.



But you see, my husband depends on these lists and gave me the go ahead to get a little shallow. Tis the Season, Right?!?

Drumroll please...

1) Southern Living at Home's Nativity Set



2)Red Sherpa Robe from Gap

3)Shearling Slide Slippers from Gap

4) Book Home To Holly Springs by Jan Karon

5) Stay and Go Slowcooker by Hamiltion Beach

Isn't this the perfect thing for the good ole potlucks. It has a clip on lid and the handle sticks on the top. I saw one yesterdayat Big Lots for $20. Big Lots is becoming one of my favorite places to shop. Seriously, I love it!

6) Becky Higgins Sketches Book

Alrighty roo, that is it.

Now I am off to Canton. I am a little intimidated by all of it. But like Jeff reminded me just now, Susan you were born to shop and you used to get paid to shop."

Yes, I guess he is right. I can do this!

Check back tomorrow for Day 2 of the Christmas Fun.

30 Days of Christmas Coming Soon

I have some friends who have had or are having a rough time this Christmas season. These friends are faithful readers to the blog. So today, as I was shopping at Hobby Lobby, I had a revelation. Some like to call it a "big idea" but I like the way revelation rolls of the ole tongue. Re-vel-at-io-n. (I bet you are trying it out now)

Now, what was I saying? Oh, yeah. Back to the REVELATION from earlier today. I wanted to make the season a little brighter and well, more fun for my faithful reader friends, who are going through a rough patch. And with that thought in mind, this ole blog is going to change it's pace during the holiday season. We are going to bump it up a notch, put on some swanky Christmas tunes and play.

Starting December 1st, keep your eyes on this blog for the 30 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FUN!

And let's be honest, I am going to be posting by the seat of my pants, no planning, just being festive each day with however the mood hits me. But it will be 30 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FUN.

Stay tuned.

I will be back December 1st, if I can last that long.

Have you ever noticed that when I say I am on a blog break I always post during that time? Maybe it is because I have never learned to shut thy mouth!

Hmm.

I will try to work on that.

Yeah!!!!

I love Helio! But more than that I am a huge fan of Julianne so I am happy that she won two years in a row. Jeff says to tell you all, "She needs help." (She meaning me!)

God Works In Mysterious Ways

I am one of those people that changes out the background on my computer when the seasons change. Today I sat out to find a Christmas backdrop by first stopping at Revive Our Hearts.
If you have ever visited thier website then you know that they display today's radio program on the front. Friends, God used this little journey of finding a backdrop as a way to prick my heart about my personal quiet time with Him. I will be honest and tell you that as my responsibilites have increased within the church, I have found myself not spending time with God in the morning like I should. And well, I have a problem with that and even prayed to God last night to increase my longing for Him and Him alone.

You know when you ask God to prick your heart you just better get ready for Him to do just that. Click on the link now, it is worth the few minutes to listen to this. You will be glad you did.

Oh and the backdrop that I chose is pictured below.

I think the words are perfect for this phase of my life. Don't you?

Thankful 2007

Early on in my life, my mom taught me to be grateful for the things that we did have and not focus on the things that we don't. Every Thanksgiving as we would drive to Paris, TX, my mom would fill up the time interrogating us on what we were thankful for that year. This time taught us that no matter what was going on in our lives we could always find at least one thing that we were grateful for.

This year, Jeff slept in the car and I was alone so I wasn't able to write out my list on the traditional spiral notebook with my ball roller pen. But I stored it away in my head and have just now carved out the time to put it in writing.

I am thankful for...

God-His grace and love that pours over me, I am grateful that He never gives up on you and me.

Jeff-his love, his laughter, his spiritual growth, his work ethic, oh, I just love him completely

my mom-who taught me to be grateful, who taught me not to sweat the small stuff and who prays for me daily

my dad- We have grown through many trials and have come out better in the end, I am grateful for our renewed friendship and that God has brought us back together

My brother- He is a deep thinker, loving, good natured and funny. He is also a great husband and a wonderful Daddy. It takes a special man to be called Daddy and his kids call him that all the time.

my sister-in-laws: I have always wanted sisters, I now have two and one more coming soon. God has blessed me with 3 women that I am family because of marriage but friends by choice.

my 3 nieces and nephew: they are always making me laugh with their inquisitive minds and curious actions. I love that each one of them loves the Lord. It is a blessing to watch them grow up

my job- working at home, getting holidays off, doing what I love, need I say more?

my cousins-Jeff told me the other day that it amazes me that 2nd generation cousins could be so close. I never even think of them as 2nd cousins. This year we have all connected because of the blog and our little warrior cousin Kanyon. I am so grateful for these (mostly women cousins) who are not only family but sweet friends as well.

my church-I am challenged every week with Scripture. We are blessed. I also am blessed to have the opportunity to serve in an area that I absolutely love.

my friends-the old and new friends. God always brings friendships into your life for every season of life. I thankfully have friendships that have been a part of my entire life. These friends know me better than I sometimes know myself and love me anyway. Praise God for that! and then my new friends that God has brought into my life over the last few years, these friends are fun and challenge me daily to be a better Christian, wife and friend.

contentment-I have grown to relish this season of my life. I am not trying to control the outcome but just take life one day at a time, enjoying the complete process. This comes only from God and to be able to tell you I am happy, truly happy is a blessing indeed.

Today I Am Thankful

I am thankful today for so many things, in fact so many things that this is my longest post in the history of blogging. So sit back, relax and enjoy the pictures.

I am thankful for a husband who did not complain when he stayed up a full 24 hours just so I could drive to Paris to be with my side of the family this year. Seriously, not once but he did use the sleet that was in the metroplex for his sign to head home. We didn't even make it out of Paris and he was sound asleep in the passenger seat. Poor guy!



And in the last few weeks, I have noticed little signs that God is doing amazing things in Jeff's heart. It started with his play time with Elijah last week and then today I noticed him playing with Cousin Roselyn. If my heart wasn't so full of joy I could of easily cried me some happy tears. The next two pictures are proof that God's timing is perfect and it is better to enjoy the ride instead of try to control the ride. God is good!





And the picture below makes me think of so many things that I am thankful for this year. One, is back in the corner sleeping, you will have to enlarge to see little Kanyon. Yes, the Kanyon that we prayed for long and hard this year. It was bittersweet since Jayde is in heaven. I imagine her eating turkey with Nanny Betty, my great grandmother Mom Bonner, Mama Denton and many more of our family members who have gone on to Heaven the last few years. Okay allow me to lighten it up a bit, I am a mess on my side of the screen.

The last picture also serves as proof that the torch has officially been passed to the next generation. Back in the day, we girls, got our hand slapped if we touched the stuffing pan. Nanny Betty guarded this tub like it was the Ark of the Covenant or something. Paige and Jaymie, you have done good, Nanny Betty would be proud.

And now for the cousins who were stuck in Iowa, Alaska and at work in Waco. Here is the only group shot we got today. It was super cold in Paris, 34 degrees to be exact, and well you know us Texans like to stay warm. So the next three pictures are the closest things you will get to a pile of leaves photo.



The next picture below is Cousin Jay praying for our dinner and thanking all of us for the prayer and support we (all 60+ of us) offered this year. I started crying at this point but what's new, I cry everytime I pray these days. Happy, Blessed tears though.


On to the 4th generation photos from today

There is a name for families who multiply like ours. Rabbits. I'm just saying...

Elijah and Roselyn meet for the first time.

I thankfully was not one of those strange people looking at Roselyn. She recognized me and reached out for me to hold her. I guess it helped that I went shopping with her for a car seat a few weeks ago because we obviously bonded that day.

Cousin Paige puts her kids in a corner when they eat. Let me borrow a line from Dirty Dancing, "No one puts baby in a corner!" Elijah LOVES Airplanes! He is making his plane noises in this picture. I love the fact that I caught his face here. Have I ever told you how much I love this little man? I was just making sure I met my qotta for the year!



Braxton calling his aunt and uncle who are in Iowa awaiting thier own addition to the 4th generation.
Sweet Emaline. What fun it was to see her in 3-D.
Playing with the ole kitchen set that we chicks used to play with when we were young.
And now I am just trying to see how many pictures blogger will let me post.

Paige and I took pictures of each other. Isn't Emalines bows so cute! Oh and let me tell you about Emalines shoe, that was thrown over the railing by her brother and landed into Jeff's cup. Oh we laughed but recovered quick when Paige realized she needed to discipline her child. Don't you just hate being the grown up, Paige?

Missy and Jeff were taking the pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

sorry guys!

My scanner is not working right so I can't load the old school Thanksgiving pictures. I will have to get Jeff to look at it some day soon.

Speaking of Jeff...Poor, poor Jeff, he has to work tomorrow night and when we get off work we head straight to Paris, TX. He will have no sleep. NONE! But he has not complained yet but I can see it in his eyes that he knows tomorrow is going to be a beating since he will have no sleep.

I guess I should say this year that I am most thankful for Jeff. Jeff who knows that spending time with my cousins, especially this year, is so important to me. Jeff who will be working and not resting tonight. Who would probably rather stay home and sleep than drive in a car and hang out all day. But who has told me time and time again that it's okay since it is my year to be with my family. He said, "What's Friday for anyway?" I don't think, in fact, I know I wouldn't be as gracious as he is if the tables were reversed.

Sigh.

"Dear Lord, I am so ready to see my sweet family. This year especially it will be good to have hugs and to laugh. Laughter is so sweet. Lord, I know that Jeff is making a huge sacrafice and I love him for it. Lord help me to be quiet to listen to his needs and to drive safely so he doesn't feel like he must keep one eye open while taking his nap. Thank you Lord for all you do. Thank you Lord for all you are going to do. Thank you Lord for a day where we can spend time with the ones we love, eat lots of good food and laugh. We love you Lord."

My Favorite Things

Here is another installment of my favorite thing list.

Feel Free to Share Your Favorite Things About the Holidays Too!

1. Shopping at The Sample House

2. Drinking Coffee and Talking with good friends.

3. This Music playing on my strero during the Christmas season

4) Even better than hearing the music is seeing the Nutcracker Ballet every Christmas

5) A Charlie Brown Christmas who year after year reminds you the true meaning of Christmas

housecleaning fun

I love a clean house.

And yet I realize once I have kids that I am going to have to set my limits a little lower. I mean who wants to be bending over cleaning all day when there is fun to be had with the kiddos? I think I will choose coloring with the kids over cleaning any ole day.

But there does come a time where you must take a time out to get a few things done.

Last night was one of these fine occasions, only because I didn't want Missy to have to come home to a total mess. Would you want to clean after coming back from California? I don't think so.

So I tell the girls, "Time to clean."

Faith was on board the minute I told her it was going to be fun. I insist on making cleaning fun...if I am going to do it. We pretended we were princesses locked in the castle and the only way we could eat yummy lasagna and get a HOT COCOA treat after dinner, was if the mean old evil granny (my mom) gave us the all clear. So we, the pretty princesses, needed to hurry because we only had 15 minutes to get things in tip top shape. But there was one little princess who DID NOT WANT TO CLEAN.

Katy says, "I hate cleaning. It isn't a game it is work!" (oh I wish you could of heard her say work. Too cute!)

This conversation lead to another conversation about what would happen if she became a mother one day. "My kids will clean." I was thinking to myself that's what I am trying to have happen here, right now, this present moment. My mind went into overdrive trying to figure a way to hold my ground but still have fun cleaning.

"Katy, let's race. I bet I will pick up more things than you in the fifteen minutes."

Long story made shorter: she didn't buy that either

So I did what any other good Aunt would do. I tickled her until she said, "Okay, okay, okay. I will clean."

This started us running all over the house as fast as we could. And when they started to lose momentum, I would run to the window and pretend I was looking for the mean old evil grandmother's car. This really got them moving. And I am proud to say that Katy the princess who doesn't want to clean, cleaned her room very nice and even came in and helped Faith make her bed and clean off the her sister's dresser.

And I thought you didn't like to clean Miss Thang?

Here are some pictures of the last time we had to play this game. The day that little Elijah came home from the hospital when he was born. Oh and Elijah now almost two years old, was helping by screaming "No, I want that!" Or something that sounded very similar to that. Let's just say he was the mean ole troll that worked for the mean old evil grandmother by making sure we didn't get our job done.




And for those of you who made it to the end of this post, here is my new all time favorite blog. This woman is one of those women who puts Martha Stewart to shame and inspires you to do the same.

So there, now you know my plans for the weekend, I will be putting my house back in order.

I will catch you on the flip side.

Stay tuned for the Cagle cousin Thanksgiving flashback photos.

Elijah's Laugh

I am understanding a little more why God gives us laughter.

It for those of us "moms" who are tired and worn out from running after a nearly two year old. But your weariness is washed away when the child starts to laugh. Doesn't it seem to make the world a better place to hear a child laugh.

Let me tell you, I am at a complete awe for mothers who work full time. I am at more of an awe for those of you who work at home and succeed. Jeff and I may have one more thing to add to our prayer list because working at home with a toddler is IMPOSSIBLE. Fun but impossible.

Anyway, I don't want this to sound like I am complaining because the truth is I have soaked up every minute and the best part is the point of all this post.

Eli has the greatest laugh.

He puts the babies on You Tube to shame. It is so sweet! Oh and when he cackles, melts my heart like butter.

Today I was holding him and a friend did a post of her babies laughing at each other. He heard it and pointed to the computer screen saying, "Babies? Again." So I played it over and over and over. Finally because I didn't want them to think I was camping out at their blog I pulled up You Tube and played a few of their babies laughing. He laughed right along with them.

Later we were playing "Tickle Monster" an Aunt Sue Sue speciality. Oh to hear him laugh was just so sweet. I am staying up late tonight to finish today's work but it is all worth it. Because today my day was filled with a nearly two year old' laughter.

And I tell you another thing that melts my heart. Before the tickle monster debut, he was sitting in my lap having a bit of cuddle time that is another favorite for me. He leaned up to me, hugged me tight, and kissed my cheek...just because. Oh how I will miss my daily tickles and pecks on my cheek from sweet little E.

So this ends Camp Keep the Kiddos post.

I will be laying low the next few days trying to get caught up on all that has been pushed to the back burner this week so I can play with my nephew.