Highlights of Last Week

Okay, I said there was nothing else for the rest of the year, but I had a few moments. Yes, I should be down on the eliptical. But, I can't make myself do it. This past week we had Keldon for 2 afternoons, went to the Craft Bazaar, did a Christmas craft and caught up on house cleaning from the last 3 weeks while I covered the nursery at church. We had a group of hunters come in for Pheasant Season and spent an evening with them. We even got to go to dinner with Aunt Cat, Kyky & Garrard (haven't done that in a long time). We are trying to decide what to do for Christmas, if anything.

Which brings a subject I have been pondering on. As I am trying to decide what I want my children to learn and what if not important, I have really had some feeling about holidays come up.

I so often get weird looks when I don't feel that it is a big deal if our family(ies) get together on the legal day of a holiday. Do we really need a specific day to get with family?

Santa...oh a hard one. I have been asking friends who gets the glory at Christmas. Santa, parents or Jesus. When it comes to gifts...Santa. Why does he get to give the most exciting, most wanted, most expensive gifts? So backwards. I feel this distorts children's thinking on so many subjects (money, respect, behavior) So we have decided that only one gift will be from Santa, and it will not be the expensive one. I want to begin to grow a Christmas Legacy about the real reason we celebrate this holiday. And a fictisous(sp) character is not getting a spot in it. The only reason we have decided to do any gifts from Santa is so that when other children ask if Santa came and what they got, they can truthfully say that they got something with a "From Santa" on the package.

Well, that should be enough for today. I am thanking the Lord for the double stroller I used this morning at the Bazaar. Kids did not want to be there, so the stroller was great for purchases. I have also never got thru that thing as fast as I did. Will try again next year.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells! Jingle all the way! This is Kaylor's new favorite song. Learned it from Boz the Green Bear.

Catching Up!

Well the kids got to go see there favorite show LIVE! Seasame Street, Elmo Grows Up at the Civic Center in Amarillo. We even got daddy to go. The kids sat in awe through most of it. Hudson finally crashed and slept through the last 30 minutes. We had to spend the extra $$ and get the Elmo toy that the seat vendor was selling. A huge hit, still playing with it. I, myself, really enjoyed the show. Definitely something that will be repeated.

I took this picture today, December 5th, to show how much my baby has grown. In the last year we have STRUGGLED to get the potty training part of life complete. And I do say STRUGGLED. She didn't care if she was wet, just leave me in a diaper to enjoy life. Well, the light clicked 2 days ago. I had finally given up and didn't care if she was 12 when we got it accomplished. (OK, 9 would have been my top age) Kaylor has been doing great and only wears a diaper during nap and bedtime. She prefers commando, but I have explained that we have to wear panties. Hopefully a few family and friends doesn't chime in on this subject. :) So in the picture Kaylor does not have the diaper hiney. The white poking out of her pants are her BIG GIRL PANTIES!!!! Yeah!

This is however a great lesson in God's timing. I wanted her done when I wanted her done. She had to do this for herself. When I decided to back off and chill out, she decided that it was time. Oh control! I have had to give up so much of it lately. And I look at it now and realize that I have survived.

I have been reading Ecclesiastes to verify that control is not mine to have and joy in what God has given is in order. I love the NLT for 3:22 "No one will bring us back from death to enjoy life after we die." Man that hurt me. Poke. Poke. Jab. Jab.

Finally, our family picture from Thanksgiving Day at Papa and Grandma's. Finally got the kids to smile and Ashley sour. This is it for the year. No Christmas cards. Will do a picture in the Spring.

Be blessed and remember the true reason for the season.

Fall Is In The Air

Fall has arrived and then will leave for a day or two and then return again. We went to the Meyer's Pumpkin Patch and chose our favorites. The kids, along with our bestest friend Keldon, had a blast seeing all the pumpkins. But, the really loved riding and climbing on the Ranger ATV. I had to think back to last year when it was 30 degrees and the wind was blowing 20 miles per hour and the kids were bundled up and miserable. This year, almost to the day, they only wore pants so that they didn't scratch thier legs. It was 75-80 degrees, the wind was even warmer. They did enjoy it a bit more this time around. Then 2 weeks later, we are playing in the leaves at Grandma and Papa's house with a chill in the air. I always used to love fall, however that has changed. Now, I have 2 toddlers who want to be outside and you bundle them warm in the morning and by the end of the day, they are down to the lightest layer they can go. And since the wind blows here all the time, I can't get them outside without heavy coat and they get to wobble around and try to play. But is still the most beautiful time of the year. Harvest has been good and Ashley is ready to be done after the rain delay this last week. HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

My Little Helpers

I have 2 very helpful babies. Both have thier favorite things to help with. Hudson loves to vaccum, clean the toilets and clean up toys. He is loved at the church nursery because he helps pick up when church is over. Kaylor likes to wipe things with baby wipes, clean the mirror with her toothbrush (toothpaste is not a good glass cleaner) and help with laundry. They love to close the dryer door as I am loading clothes in. They thought the should check it out for proper maintainance.

Hudson has gotten very good at bringing pairs of shoes to us for putting on. This was his 2nd pair for daddy. The first pair were my sequined flip flops.

And lastly, they love to help each other. Get into trouble that is. They both know that only the baby dolls go in the stroller, but I had to grin and get a shot of Kalyor's first attemp at push her baby brother, who weighs 3lbs. more. She had her John Deere boots on, and I know that helped give her some deere power.

We went on a short vacation to Tyler this past weekend and met Ashley's aunts and uncles on his dad's side. They loved having babies around. And my 2 were the only kids for 90% of the stay. Their favorite past time was riding on everyone's canes (Horsies) Kids traveled great and that does not mean I want to do it again before the end of the year. OH, it is so exhausting keeping tabs on them in a new house. Caught them in one of the bedrooms, (where the toys were) in Uncle Bill's suitcase, going through and shaking all his pill/rx containers. Made it home last night at midnight and began again bright and early.

Praise the LORD for the safe trips.

Fall Has Arrived!

BBBUUUURRRRHHHHH!!!!!!!
It is here. The cold, wind and wet. What do I do with two young children when we can't go outside 3 times a day as we had been for the last 5 months? Luckily, I have a very smart friend, Amy. She called me up last month and asked if I would like to go in with her on ordering craft projects for the kids to complete. And oh what a blessing it is. We have completed two projects so far, and the kids have loved it. We hang them on the refrigerator and they love to show everyone who comes over what they did. As I was cleaning out for my garage sale, I came across the play dough goodie bag from Aunt Nickie. We already love play dough, but a different choice is always welcome. That has gotten me through 3 of the last 7 days. I was so desperate for things to do with them inside, I volunteered for the work day at church when it was mentioned that the kids would be enjoying the bouncers and full run of the children's sanctuary. They slept well that night. Well, praise the Lord, it is supposed to warm up and we can revisit our friend the swingset for the next few days. I haven't told Ashley yet, but his room will be turning into the winter playground. Moving in the small tyke playset and after Christmas there will be a jump-o-lene. He tried to sell me on this addition by calling it a "family room", well HELLO FAMILY!!! I don't think he will mind when I am a lot happier during the cold months.

Other than that, we are still working on potty training. Some days are good and some days are not. One tinkle at a time.

Daddy has started harvest. This keeps our time with him short. We have been taking him lunch and dinner, to stretch our quality time. Kids took turns one day on the combine. Had to pry them out of there. They love farming. It has now become Hudson's combine "My combine, my combine" and Kaylor's corn. And this is not just ours, any corn or combine that is seen has become their property. Ashley is happy and hopes that they keep the love. About 8 years to go and he can retire and let them handle it.

Till the leaves have fallen from the trees. Stay warm and enjoy the warmth that we receive.

The Arrival

Well, daddy has been home for 5 days now.
Kids still bawl and scream when he gets near the door and lets the tears flow when he goes through the door.
He was rather busy when he got home, as to be expected when you are gone for 16 days. First 2 days busy with Grandaddy Alan's antique corn picker...getting a spot of corn ready for it to debut it's 2nd first job. That was neat to see and the kids love anything that has to do with corn.

As a surprise all, I picked Ashley's sister Janda up from the airport on Wednesday and SURPRISED Judi especially. Kaylor and Hudson thought Aunt Janda was pretty fun and she even kept them one evening.

Everybody headed home Sunday and now we are alone and getting back on track. Both kids slept in their beds all night last night. That hasn't happened since daddy left. I prepared 5 casseroles this morning while the kids played and we enjoyed the beautiful warm enough weather before nap. I have always been a stickler about organization and schedules, so I feel better as well today.

I read a few chapters in Jeremiah about false prophets and the bleak future of Judah if they don't turn from evil and follow God.
The entire book of Jeremiah reminds of present day. Worshiping everything but what we aresupposed to. Taking the hard road alone, instead of leaning on God and taking each step with the faith that the next one will be there.
My commentary mentioned in Chapter 23 "As you share God's Word with friends and neighbors, they will look to its effectiveness in your life. Unless it has changed you, why should they let it change them? If you preach it, make sure you LIVE it!" Well if that doesn't give me something else to work on. I will admit, I am guilty of not living some of things I have told others. So my new job to work on.
I had the opportunity this past week to be with an unbeliever and I now really wonder if she thougt my life reflected what she has heard from so many around to believe. I can now see why she may still be on the fence about it.

Oh Lord, help me to reflect you in my life in all I say and do. AMEN!!

Nap Time

Well, I have seen it all. Today, not only did my son sleep all night (IN HIS BED), he decided to put himself down for a nap. He ventured into his room and I assumed he was playing with his tractors. I heard no noise so I went to inspect. And to my pleasure, I found him in his bed.

On the other hand, Kaylor fights it all the way. She doesn't normally take morning naps, but woke up rather early this morning. She has been whining for the last 30 minutes and refuses to go down. She has never been a fan of naps or bedtime for that matter. As seen in the picture, I gave her all her vices, her "blankelette" & cup. But no luck. Still whining and still awake.

Can't wait for daddy to get home. They got to talk to him yesterday and we have 5 more of the 14 days left. They went through upset days 5-y but we are doing good now. Sadly, once he gets home he will get busy with harvest and they still won't see him much for the next month.