Friday, December 30, 2005
Subway
I love to eat at Subway. I really love our new Subway here in Graham, because it is in the Wal-Mart. I really don't like it when they put McDonald's in Wal-Mart. It's hard enough to not eat there when it isn't in Wal-Mart (when you have 2 kids, that is) but having a Subway is the best. I honestly can't remember the last time that we have eaten at McDonalds. Today I knew we needed to go to Wal-Mart, Susie keeps leaving her toothbrush on the floor and the dog keeps turning them into chew toys. So we went to get another one, that she picked out, so hopefully she will take care of it (I know, that is a big hope.) When I told the girls we were going to Wal-Mart, Susie yells, "Eat at Subway! I love ham sandwiches!" It was so cute. We know the girls that work there and they know what we want on our sandwiches before we can order, so it's just great! I don't know if it is the pregnant side of cravings that makes me want to eat there, or just because I really like it....if anything else, it's always better than McDonalds!!!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Christmas
We had a great Christmas at my parents house in Searcy. Much food was eaten, many presents were given and we just had a great time being together. It's so nice to be within driving distance of family. We made the trip this time in 7 house, despite the fires here in Texas which made it a quite smokey drive the last 2 hours or so. It would be nice to have all of our family back in the south where we could go and visit different relatives for the holidays, but until that happens, we will be thankful for telephones, the internet and plane tickets!
The girls got everything on their lists and more. Grace got this doll called the "Amazing Amanda" doll. It's kinda like the doll from that movie "Chucky." It talks, tells time and even goes to the bathroom with very dramatic sounds! So far, Grace hasn't really been playing with it here at home, so I think it is one of those dolls that she could have done with out, because everytime it turns on, I hear her yell, "GO TO SLEEP!"
Susannah loves all of their new stuff and hasn't really picked a favorite. She really likes her Dora doll that dances, but she has just really been playing with her old toys. I guess she missed them while we were gone.
Grace cut my dad's hair while we were there so I'm going to post some pictures and you can see how silly it is to let a 4 year old let you cut your hair. She kept trying to take the clippers to his goatee....that would have been a sight!!
We made the trip to Wal-Mart yesterday to restock the old fridge and today we are off to the paint store to get yet another color for the bathroom. The last color looked pink when we put it on the walls next to the brown tile!!
Off to work!!
The girls got everything on their lists and more. Grace got this doll called the "Amazing Amanda" doll. It's kinda like the doll from that movie "Chucky." It talks, tells time and even goes to the bathroom with very dramatic sounds! So far, Grace hasn't really been playing with it here at home, so I think it is one of those dolls that she could have done with out, because everytime it turns on, I hear her yell, "GO TO SLEEP!"
Susannah loves all of their new stuff and hasn't really picked a favorite. She really likes her Dora doll that dances, but she has just really been playing with her old toys. I guess she missed them while we were gone.
Grace cut my dad's hair while we were there so I'm going to post some pictures and you can see how silly it is to let a 4 year old let you cut your hair. She kept trying to take the clippers to his goatee....that would have been a sight!!
We made the trip to Wal-Mart yesterday to restock the old fridge and today we are off to the paint store to get yet another color for the bathroom. The last color looked pink when we put it on the walls next to the brown tile!!
Off to work!!
Monday, December 19, 2005
Why you named me Grace
We are here in Searcy at my Mom and Dad's house. But, before I type any more, I have to write what Grace said the other day at our house. We were just sitting and eating lunch, the girls and I, and Grace, out of no where says (very seriously, I might add)"Mom, I know why you named me Grace."
"Okay, why did I name you Grace?" (I really wanted to know what she thought....)
"So that I could save a wretch, that's why" And then she finished eating and went and played in her room. I was about to split my pants open because I wanted to laugh so bad, but I waited until she was in the other room and I called her daddy and told him and we laughed together. At church, the girls eat some snacks, but they have been eating them way too quick lately so we made a new rule that Grace has to sing the songs in church and then when it is time for the sermon, she can have her snacks. I guess she has really been listening to those songs to know that "Amazing Grace was sent to save a wretch like me!" I guess she thinks that she is THAT Amazing Grace!
The girls are having a great time here at mom and dad's house and so are the adults. Aaron spent the night in line at Best Buy in Little Rock on Saturday night and FINALLY got his xbox 360. He was #26 and they had 28 game systems. One lady spent the night in line and then in the morning when they handed out tickets to the first 28 people (she got one, she was #4) she took her ticket to the end of the line that didn't get tickets and sold hers for $300 cash!! She spent 16 hours in the cold and made $300!! It almost makes me wish I would have been out there with Aaron, but not really. Mom and I got almost all of our shopping finished, now we just have to wrap everything!! :)
Grace had a special day today with her Great grandma. Last night after church, we asked Grandma where she wanted to eat dinner (she is diabetic, so she gets to pick when we all go out, that way she gets what she needs)and she said Wendy's. Well, after much discussion, we decided to go to Mazzio's and get pizza. By that time, Grace wanted to go to Wendy's too, so to ward off any bad tantrums, Grandma said she would take Grace to lunch at Wendy's today. So, today Grandma Hogan came and picked up Grace for lunch at Wendy's and they had a great time.
I'm off to wrap some presents...don't want to wait until Christmas Eve!!
"Okay, why did I name you Grace?" (I really wanted to know what she thought....)
"So that I could save a wretch, that's why" And then she finished eating and went and played in her room. I was about to split my pants open because I wanted to laugh so bad, but I waited until she was in the other room and I called her daddy and told him and we laughed together. At church, the girls eat some snacks, but they have been eating them way too quick lately so we made a new rule that Grace has to sing the songs in church and then when it is time for the sermon, she can have her snacks. I guess she has really been listening to those songs to know that "Amazing Grace was sent to save a wretch like me!" I guess she thinks that she is THAT Amazing Grace!
The girls are having a great time here at mom and dad's house and so are the adults. Aaron spent the night in line at Best Buy in Little Rock on Saturday night and FINALLY got his xbox 360. He was #26 and they had 28 game systems. One lady spent the night in line and then in the morning when they handed out tickets to the first 28 people (she got one, she was #4) she took her ticket to the end of the line that didn't get tickets and sold hers for $300 cash!! She spent 16 hours in the cold and made $300!! It almost makes me wish I would have been out there with Aaron, but not really. Mom and I got almost all of our shopping finished, now we just have to wrap everything!! :)
Grace had a special day today with her Great grandma. Last night after church, we asked Grandma where she wanted to eat dinner (she is diabetic, so she gets to pick when we all go out, that way she gets what she needs)and she said Wendy's. Well, after much discussion, we decided to go to Mazzio's and get pizza. By that time, Grace wanted to go to Wendy's too, so to ward off any bad tantrums, Grandma said she would take Grace to lunch at Wendy's today. So, today Grandma Hogan came and picked up Grace for lunch at Wendy's and they had a great time.
I'm off to wrap some presents...don't want to wait until Christmas Eve!!
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Right before a trip...
I think it always happens. Right before a big trip or holiday, one or both of the girls gets sick. Susannah has a cold in her left eye. Yes, just one eye. It keeps watering and has that sleepy stuff coming out every once in a while. It's not really all that gross, it just looks like she has been crying out of one eye (like Jeremy did on the haunted house ride at Disney!) Has this ever happend to anyone that you know? Last night she was running a little low grade fever so I stayed home with her and Aaron took Grace to church. They were supposted to go caroling with the youth group, but Grace decided that she wanted to go to her bible class instead. Both girls woke up around 2:00am and came in our bed, which made for great sleep for me, because they both want to sleep next to mommy, of course. So, we all slept until 10 and then decided to have a go at today. Let's hope for lots of laundry and packing to get done for tomorrow we drive to Searcy.
While Grace was at school yesterday, Sus and I went to Wal-Mart for lunch and to shop. (We live in a little town, what else is there to do?) Sus is so funny. She loves to go to Subway, where as Grace just started eating their food and she is 2 years older. So, we went to Subway in our Wal-Mart and she ordered her food (by herself!) and she ate every little bite of that sandwich! You would think that I have been starving the child or something! After lunch, we went shopping. Each of the girls have $15 dollars to spend on the other and we went down every isle of the toy department until Sus found what she wanted to get her sister. It's a Barbie (of course) from the Magic of Pegasus movie and she was so excited to pick it out for Grace. We brought it home and wrapped it and when Grace came home she saw it under the tree and wanted to know what it was. Susannah says, "It's a secret" in her cutest little voice and then walked away. It was so sweet!
Oh, Reagan, I got my gingerbread cookie recipe off of Martha Stewarts website. Just type gingerbread cookie in the search line...I started making them about 3 years ago and they are pretty strong (you have to have a glass of milk with them) but they are really good. I printed out the recipe and keep it in my favorites now! But, even easier is that Nestle' now makes pre-made and pre-cut out cookies that come with icing. They weren't that bad, but the homemade ones are much better and are much richer. Happy Baking!!!!
While Grace was at school yesterday, Sus and I went to Wal-Mart for lunch and to shop. (We live in a little town, what else is there to do?) Sus is so funny. She loves to go to Subway, where as Grace just started eating their food and she is 2 years older. So, we went to Subway in our Wal-Mart and she ordered her food (by herself!) and she ate every little bite of that sandwich! You would think that I have been starving the child or something! After lunch, we went shopping. Each of the girls have $15 dollars to spend on the other and we went down every isle of the toy department until Sus found what she wanted to get her sister. It's a Barbie (of course) from the Magic of Pegasus movie and she was so excited to pick it out for Grace. We brought it home and wrapped it and when Grace came home she saw it under the tree and wanted to know what it was. Susannah says, "It's a secret" in her cutest little voice and then walked away. It was so sweet!
Oh, Reagan, I got my gingerbread cookie recipe off of Martha Stewarts website. Just type gingerbread cookie in the search line...I started making them about 3 years ago and they are pretty strong (you have to have a glass of milk with them) but they are really good. I printed out the recipe and keep it in my favorites now! But, even easier is that Nestle' now makes pre-made and pre-cut out cookies that come with icing. They weren't that bad, but the homemade ones are much better and are much richer. Happy Baking!!!!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Little fingers...
I had typed a post to put up on Monday morning talking about the weekend and all the fun stuff that has been going on and I was almost finished when this little finger (Sus) pushed the power button on my computer!!! AKKK! I was soo frustrated! So, I've just been biding my time and now I'm back, and hopefully Susie is busy watching Hercules in the other room so there is no danger of the computer being turned off! :)Life with children is always a fun adventure. I love my girls!!
Saturday, Aaron worked on the bathroom, spraying texture on the walls and ceilings and then priming while the girls and I made Christmas cookies. I should say, I made cookies and they ate them. We had fun and made lots of messes, it was great!
Yesterday was Grace's ballet/tap christmas party. They put on a little dance to "Frosty the snowman" with little black hats...it was really cute. Then they ate lots of junk food and we took them home. She is really enjoying dance and I'm so glad she is getting to do something fun.
Aaron was out on a job late last night (he came in at 5 am) and he brought donuts when he came home. I was so excited when he told me that we had donuts downstairs! If you know how much I love donuts and that the shop here is only open a few days a week and that just does not help a pregnant woman who is craving them!!! Anyway, I went downstairs with the girls, excited to eat our donuts and then when we got there, we were pretty disappointed...well, they weren't, but I was. They were Krispy Kreme donuts from Wal-Mart and the sell by date was today!!! Okay, I love Krispy Kreme as much as anyone...when we lived in Tallahassee, we went all the time for hot and fresh donuts right off the line. But, old and boxed donuts that they now sell at Wal-Mart. They were pretty terrible, sorry honey, I know you tried, but I even put mine in the microwave and it couldn't help it. Maybe I'll get the girls up early before Grace goes to school tomorrow and we'll go and get some fresh ones...if not, Mom, we will be there Friday night and you know how much we love the donuts in Searcy for Saturday morning!!!
I'm off to get some laundry done so we can start packing for our trip!!!
Saturday, Aaron worked on the bathroom, spraying texture on the walls and ceilings and then priming while the girls and I made Christmas cookies. I should say, I made cookies and they ate them. We had fun and made lots of messes, it was great!
Yesterday was Grace's ballet/tap christmas party. They put on a little dance to "Frosty the snowman" with little black hats...it was really cute. Then they ate lots of junk food and we took them home. She is really enjoying dance and I'm so glad she is getting to do something fun.
Aaron was out on a job late last night (he came in at 5 am) and he brought donuts when he came home. I was so excited when he told me that we had donuts downstairs! If you know how much I love donuts and that the shop here is only open a few days a week and that just does not help a pregnant woman who is craving them!!! Anyway, I went downstairs with the girls, excited to eat our donuts and then when we got there, we were pretty disappointed...well, they weren't, but I was. They were Krispy Kreme donuts from Wal-Mart and the sell by date was today!!! Okay, I love Krispy Kreme as much as anyone...when we lived in Tallahassee, we went all the time for hot and fresh donuts right off the line. But, old and boxed donuts that they now sell at Wal-Mart. They were pretty terrible, sorry honey, I know you tried, but I even put mine in the microwave and it couldn't help it. Maybe I'll get the girls up early before Grace goes to school tomorrow and we'll go and get some fresh ones...if not, Mom, we will be there Friday night and you know how much we love the donuts in Searcy for Saturday morning!!!
I'm off to get some laundry done so we can start packing for our trip!!!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
No room at the Inn
Yesterday afternoon was Grace's first Christmas play. It was titled,"No room at the Inn" and it was so cute. First they brought in the sheep and donkeys (the 2 year old class, wearing little hats that resembled animals), second came in Mary and Joseph (2 kids from the 3 year old class), and then came the angels (Grace's class-4 year olds)....they all walked in a line with their hands together like they were praying and they honestly looked like little angels. The funny part was that because we curled Grace's hair Thursday night, her halo wouldn't stay on her head, so she had to keep picking it up when it fell on the floor. After the angels came in to the play, the 3 kings arrived (more 3 year olds) and then they brought in the stars (the babies)...it was such a cute little play. They sang 5 little short songs and Grace's class had speaking parts. When it was Grace's turn, she just stood there. Her teacher was like, "Grace, Grace...your turn,"....Grace looked at her stood there some more and then walked to the microphone and said her lines as clear as day! She did a great job! She was really excited because she had an extra visitor there to be in her cheering section. Thomas Ritchie (a Harding Student from Mom and Dad's bible study) came down on Thursday night so he could see Grace. He actually had some job searching to do in Dallas, but he came to see us for one night. Grace was very excited to see him. I don't think she let go of his arm until he left last night.
After the play, we decided to go to Dallas for a little shopping and good food. We loaded up and had some fun in Big "D"....
After the play, we decided to go to Dallas for a little shopping and good food. We loaded up and had some fun in Big "D"....
Monday, December 05, 2005
It's the Christmas Season!
Aaron has been home the past week on his days off...we just love days off!! He has gotten so much done on the bathroom. The tub/shower done, he put new sheetrock up and patched all the seams for us to spray the texture and paint (whenever we decide on a color) and now he is going to start tiling the floor!! He is really getting into this re-model stuff and it's great!
On the way to school on Friday, Grace and I were talking in the car about the "Toys for Tots" program and why she was taking a toy for the kids who wouldn't otherwise be receiving one for Christmas. She was excited about the Barbie that she had picked out and even Susie picked one out, too. Grace knows that we also have been searching for an x-box 360 for daddy for about 3 weeks and have yet to get one for him. We were joking around about it a few weeks ago, and I told him that once he got his x-box, he was getting nothing else for Christmas. Well, Grace remembered that and Friday on the way to school was getting very worried for her daddy. "Mommy, will Daddy be like the kids in "Toys for Tots" if we don't find him an x-box in time for Christmas? We really need to find him one or he won't get ANY presents from Santa, and EVERYONE needs at least one toy! Please go to Wal-Mart and find him a x-box while I'm at school today, Mommy!" She was (and still is) so concerned that he won't get anything....pretty sweet.
Thursday night was the Graham Christmas parade, and it was so good for a little town...over 70 floats! The girls had a great time and way stocked up on candy. We were at the very start of the parade and had some nice older couple that kept giving the girls all their candy, too. Caleb would have loved it, Amber, his hand would have gotten tired from all the waving, too! It was a long parade and a nice cool night for here (34 degrees!! We got to wear our coats!)
We had our Schlumberger Christmas party on Saturday night and we were lucky enough to find a friend from church that kept the girls for a few hours while we went out to the Graham County Club and had a great meal on the company. Aaron won a prize of a $50 gift certificate to some Feed store in Clebourne (2 hours from here), but hey, we didn't go home empty handed!
Yesterday though, was the icing on the cake. After church, we had what they call here at our church, the holiday potluck and it was wonderful!! I have never (that I can remember) gone to a potluck that had just great food and there was plenty leftover!! I'm not a big potluck girl...I like my food and the food my mom makes and that is about it, but this stuff was SUPER GOOD! Then after the food, we sang a few church songs and our preacher told a story or 2 and then the Christmas party began! Coach McCoy (The Graham Steers Football coach) took all the kids around the christmas tree and they sang kid christmas songs until they heard the elves (the high school kids dressed up) and Santa come through the door! The kids LOVED it and so did I!!! All of us parents brought a gift for our kids before church and put it under the tree, but, WOW, my kids were just so excited to see Santa and have him actually hand them a present! Grace got a Kim Possible doll ("Mommy, he got me JUST what I wanted! I LOVE HER!") and Sus got a little blonde headed doll....she could have cared less, she just wanted the candy cane from Santa.
It was great!! Now we are off to spend our last free day with daddy!!
On the way to school on Friday, Grace and I were talking in the car about the "Toys for Tots" program and why she was taking a toy for the kids who wouldn't otherwise be receiving one for Christmas. She was excited about the Barbie that she had picked out and even Susie picked one out, too. Grace knows that we also have been searching for an x-box 360 for daddy for about 3 weeks and have yet to get one for him. We were joking around about it a few weeks ago, and I told him that once he got his x-box, he was getting nothing else for Christmas. Well, Grace remembered that and Friday on the way to school was getting very worried for her daddy. "Mommy, will Daddy be like the kids in "Toys for Tots" if we don't find him an x-box in time for Christmas? We really need to find him one or he won't get ANY presents from Santa, and EVERYONE needs at least one toy! Please go to Wal-Mart and find him a x-box while I'm at school today, Mommy!" She was (and still is) so concerned that he won't get anything....pretty sweet.
Thursday night was the Graham Christmas parade, and it was so good for a little town...over 70 floats! The girls had a great time and way stocked up on candy. We were at the very start of the parade and had some nice older couple that kept giving the girls all their candy, too. Caleb would have loved it, Amber, his hand would have gotten tired from all the waving, too! It was a long parade and a nice cool night for here (34 degrees!! We got to wear our coats!)
We had our Schlumberger Christmas party on Saturday night and we were lucky enough to find a friend from church that kept the girls for a few hours while we went out to the Graham County Club and had a great meal on the company. Aaron won a prize of a $50 gift certificate to some Feed store in Clebourne (2 hours from here), but hey, we didn't go home empty handed!
Yesterday though, was the icing on the cake. After church, we had what they call here at our church, the holiday potluck and it was wonderful!! I have never (that I can remember) gone to a potluck that had just great food and there was plenty leftover!! I'm not a big potluck girl...I like my food and the food my mom makes and that is about it, but this stuff was SUPER GOOD! Then after the food, we sang a few church songs and our preacher told a story or 2 and then the Christmas party began! Coach McCoy (The Graham Steers Football coach) took all the kids around the christmas tree and they sang kid christmas songs until they heard the elves (the high school kids dressed up) and Santa come through the door! The kids LOVED it and so did I!!! All of us parents brought a gift for our kids before church and put it under the tree, but, WOW, my kids were just so excited to see Santa and have him actually hand them a present! Grace got a Kim Possible doll ("Mommy, he got me JUST what I wanted! I LOVE HER!") and Sus got a little blonde headed doll....she could have cared less, she just wanted the candy cane from Santa.
It was great!! Now we are off to spend our last free day with daddy!!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Lazy Day
Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like being lazy? Yesterday was one of those days. The girls and I slept in then and I let them watch a little Disney while I surfed the net. Then I decided that I had enough of the computer and we went up to play dress up in their room. We played for a while and then remembered that Mondays are ballet days and hurried up and got Grace to her class. She loves ballet and I'm soo glad. They are all just the cutest little things in their little outfits and her teacher is super sweet. We picked up Grace after class came home where I let Grace watch a movie because Sus and I were napping. This pregnancy has just left me soooo tired. I really can't wait to get a little energy back, because this lazy stuff is getting to me!
You know when your husband (or parents or roommates) is gone and you think that you have all day to get the house clean before they get home so that you can be lazy most of the day and then the last few hours before they get home you can run around and get things clean? Yah, that happened to me yesterday....You read it already, I was super lazy yesterday and then I just happened to call Aaron when I got up from my nap and he says, "We're on our way home and should be there in about an hour." AKKKK! I jumped up, got things cleaned up, got myself all fixed up and the girls dressed in a hour. Makes me wonder why I put everything off all day just to run around in a "crazy woman state" to get everything done. I guess there is nothing like waiting until the last minute.
The girls had a good time making Aaron's birthday cake. Grace said she wanted to make a cake the shape of Peyton Manning (Aaron's fav. football player), but I decided to just do a football instead, which later split down the middle when we put all the candles in! Aaron is so great. He drove home from a long job, had dinner (out!!!I love eating out!) and came home for cake. The girls stayed up with me because he had to go up and sleep for a few hours because he had to go back out to work at 11. But he didn't have to come home last night to be with us for his birthday, they were going back to the same wellsite today and they left one of the trucks on location, he came home because he knew that they girls wanted to be with him on his birthday. And that, my friends, is why I love that man so much!!
Grace is holding her ears because the smoke alarm is going off in the kitchen from all the candles!
You know when your husband (or parents or roommates) is gone and you think that you have all day to get the house clean before they get home so that you can be lazy most of the day and then the last few hours before they get home you can run around and get things clean? Yah, that happened to me yesterday....You read it already, I was super lazy yesterday and then I just happened to call Aaron when I got up from my nap and he says, "We're on our way home and should be there in about an hour." AKKKK! I jumped up, got things cleaned up, got myself all fixed up and the girls dressed in a hour. Makes me wonder why I put everything off all day just to run around in a "crazy woman state" to get everything done. I guess there is nothing like waiting until the last minute.
The girls had a good time making Aaron's birthday cake. Grace said she wanted to make a cake the shape of Peyton Manning (Aaron's fav. football player), but I decided to just do a football instead, which later split down the middle when we put all the candles in! Aaron is so great. He drove home from a long job, had dinner (out!!!I love eating out!) and came home for cake. The girls stayed up with me because he had to go up and sleep for a few hours because he had to go back out to work at 11. But he didn't have to come home last night to be with us for his birthday, they were going back to the same wellsite today and they left one of the trucks on location, he came home because he knew that they girls wanted to be with him on his birthday. And that, my friends, is why I love that man so much!!
Grace is holding her ears because the smoke alarm is going off in the kitchen from all the candles!
Monday, November 28, 2005
Happy Birthday Honey
Today is the 30th birthday of my sweet husband. He is younger than me, but that is okay now that he is 30, because now we are in the same group...the 30's. He he he. We had a fun Thanksgiving weekend. He only had to go out to work on Thursday night (late) and was home by noon on Friday for us to go shopping in Wichita Falls. It was fun and the girls were excited to get to see Santa, although he wasn't there, they were good sports and know that they will see him sometime during the holidays. We really didn't even buy much on Friday. I think Grace got a new pair of shoes and we bought some christmas lights for the house and that's it! So much for the big shopping, eh? Saturday we got out the Christmas tree and all it's various decorations and got the house all "Christmasfied!" It was much fun and the girls had a blast being daddy's helpers and fixing up the tree. Grace even let Sus have a turn at putting the angel at the top of the tree. It was pretty sweet. She really does love her sister when it comes down to it all and I'm so very thankful. Later Saturday afternoon, Aaron put up the lights on the house and the girls and I picked pecans from the yard. We probably picked up over 100 pecans and when we shelled them yesterday, they made about a 4 cups of pecans!! I think we ate more than we put in the bowl, but they sure were great!
This morning (about 3am) Aaron got called out to work, so ends the fun of him playing at home with us for so many days, but we are thankful that he was here with us!!
Happy Birthday, you old man! We love you!
This morning (about 3am) Aaron got called out to work, so ends the fun of him playing at home with us for so many days, but we are thankful that he was here with us!!
Happy Birthday, you old man! We love you!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Thanksgiving
Tomorrow is the day. I really can't remember the last Thanksgiving that we went "home", Aaron's parents or mine. It could probably be that Aaron is almost always on call that week (the oilfield stops for no one!) or that we lived a million miles away in Alaska and were saving our pennies for Christmas flights. Oh, I do remember the last thanksgiving that we went to my Aunt Shirley and Uncle Gary's house in Jonesboro, AR...it was the first year we were married and Aaron didn't' start working for Schlumberger until January. That is why we got to go! Well, Aaron is on call, once again so he is out in the field, somewhere in the middle of Texas, a few hours from here working and hoping that he gets home by tomorrow or it's him that is in trouble from me! He told me that they didn't have very many jobs up this week so he would be home for the holiday and we could spend it together. If they were going to be totally covered up at work, the girls and I were going to get in the car and go to my Grandma James' house in Missouri. So, we shall see what happens tonight or tomorrow. Will Aaron make it home? Will we have a big family meal? (You have to read those questions like the old batman show, with much drama!)
Here are some things that I'm very thankful for this year:
1. My husband-He loves me and takes care of me and for that I would wait in line for hours at the Graham Super Wal-Mart for the XBox 360 and be sad for him when I didn't get one (I was very disappointed in Wal-Mart this week)
2.My girls-Oh how I love being their mommy. The things that they learn and come up with make me laugh and keep me together. They are a true blessing from God and I am so very thankful.
3. My sister-We talk almost everyday and she doesn't care when I ramble about stuff. She is my best friend even though I used to steal her clothes. But, now we know why don't we? She has more fashion sense in her pinkie finger than I have in my entire body!!
4. My parents- What can I say about my parents? They are the best. They travel to see you when you live in Alaska or they drive 8 hours on a weekend to their granddaughter's birthday. I love my parents so much and would love to live closer to them someday. It's weird. You love your parents when you are little, then you become a teenager and you have that time where you can't believe that they would ask you, again, where you are going and who you are going with. Of course now, I don't know what I would do without their guidance and support. I don't think I can have a baby with out my mom there!!
5. My brothers- My brothers are as different as night and day, but they are mine and I love them both very much. Jeremy should have been born in the 50's so that he could have been a teen in the 60's and lived life as a musician/hippie. You will never meet someone that would do anything for a total stranger, like Jer. Once when we were on the road to Little Rock, someone had a tire fall off right in front of us and he pulls off the road and helps them, right there. He has also has so much talent. I wish I could play the guitar like him. And baby brother Jon, he has been my baby doll from the moment he was born. He has such a kind heart and my girls LOVE their uncle jon. It's hard to believe that he is actually an adult now...I still think that he needs his big sisters!! he he he
6. My In-Laws-Aaron's parents treat me as one of their own. Aaron's mom is a great painter and re-modeler. She also flies all over the country taking care of all of us when we need a baby sitter so that we can go and play in Vegas! Aaron's dad is the family fisherman and the girls love him so. We just wish that we could see him more. Hopefully, retirement will come soon!
7. My friends....I can't name you all, but you know who you are! I would drive to the ends of the earth for ya'll (I feel like sometimes, I have! And you have done it for me, too!)...I'm so blessed with a wonderful family and great friends.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm off to make pies and sweet stuff for our big lunch tomorrow!
Oh, Aaron just walked in the door!!! He will be home for the turkey after all!!
Here are some things that I'm very thankful for this year:
1. My husband-He loves me and takes care of me and for that I would wait in line for hours at the Graham Super Wal-Mart for the XBox 360 and be sad for him when I didn't get one (I was very disappointed in Wal-Mart this week)
2.My girls-Oh how I love being their mommy. The things that they learn and come up with make me laugh and keep me together. They are a true blessing from God and I am so very thankful.
3. My sister-We talk almost everyday and she doesn't care when I ramble about stuff. She is my best friend even though I used to steal her clothes. But, now we know why don't we? She has more fashion sense in her pinkie finger than I have in my entire body!!
4. My parents- What can I say about my parents? They are the best. They travel to see you when you live in Alaska or they drive 8 hours on a weekend to their granddaughter's birthday. I love my parents so much and would love to live closer to them someday. It's weird. You love your parents when you are little, then you become a teenager and you have that time where you can't believe that they would ask you, again, where you are going and who you are going with. Of course now, I don't know what I would do without their guidance and support. I don't think I can have a baby with out my mom there!!
5. My brothers- My brothers are as different as night and day, but they are mine and I love them both very much. Jeremy should have been born in the 50's so that he could have been a teen in the 60's and lived life as a musician/hippie. You will never meet someone that would do anything for a total stranger, like Jer. Once when we were on the road to Little Rock, someone had a tire fall off right in front of us and he pulls off the road and helps them, right there. He has also has so much talent. I wish I could play the guitar like him. And baby brother Jon, he has been my baby doll from the moment he was born. He has such a kind heart and my girls LOVE their uncle jon. It's hard to believe that he is actually an adult now...I still think that he needs his big sisters!! he he he
6. My In-Laws-Aaron's parents treat me as one of their own. Aaron's mom is a great painter and re-modeler. She also flies all over the country taking care of all of us when we need a baby sitter so that we can go and play in Vegas! Aaron's dad is the family fisherman and the girls love him so. We just wish that we could see him more. Hopefully, retirement will come soon!
7. My friends....I can't name you all, but you know who you are! I would drive to the ends of the earth for ya'll (I feel like sometimes, I have! And you have done it for me, too!)...I'm so blessed with a wonderful family and great friends.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm off to make pies and sweet stuff for our big lunch tomorrow!
Oh, Aaron just walked in the door!!! He will be home for the turkey after all!!
Monday, November 21, 2005
Great weekend
This weekend was just grand. Aaron was on days off so we (I should say, he) got a lot of work done on the bathroom upstairs. We had some friends over for dinner Saturday night from church for some card playing and much eating was done. The kids had a blast. There was 7 of them (kids, that is) and they played upstairs and outside until they got bored (as they told us) so we put in a movie. Those kiddos went through 4 bags of popcorn and had a great time. Of course, when they left, there was popcorn from one side of the room to the other, but nothing that a vacuum can't handle.
Sunday night we had our small group over but they came early and we cooked a big breakfast for dinner. It was great and I was stuffed! I really do like our small group. They really "feed" me for the week and keep me going in His word! After they all left last night, we were tucking the girls in bed after story time and Susannah starts saying, "presents, presents, go to Nana's and get some presents". So we asked her what Christmas was (keep in mind, she is only 2) and she replies, "It's where I get everything that I want!" I wonder where she learned that....so, now it is time to deprogram that thinking and take them somewhere that they can give and learn the real meaning of Christmas....got any ideas?
Sunday night we had our small group over but they came early and we cooked a big breakfast for dinner. It was great and I was stuffed! I really do like our small group. They really "feed" me for the week and keep me going in His word! After they all left last night, we were tucking the girls in bed after story time and Susannah starts saying, "presents, presents, go to Nana's and get some presents". So we asked her what Christmas was (keep in mind, she is only 2) and she replies, "It's where I get everything that I want!" I wonder where she learned that....so, now it is time to deprogram that thinking and take them somewhere that they can give and learn the real meaning of Christmas....got any ideas?
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
I forgot
I forgot when I wrote earlier to include that Sus is sick. That could have been the problem with the whole "mud" issue from earlier. Actually, until a a few hours ago, I just thought it was the Grace and Sus, but now I'm getting the sniffles and can feel the sore throat coming. We had to go to Wal-Mart (doesn't everyone with a sick child) because we are completely out of cold medicine for the girls and they are now on their last cough drop. Sus' nose ran the entire time. I know people in the store were like, "What in the world is that woman doing bringing that sick baby to Wal-Mart." So, here is my answer to them.
1. She just has a runny nose and cough-no fever.
2. My husband is out of town and I don't have a Amber here to go to the store for me! (miss ya, Am)
3. They have to have their medicine or they will cough all night and then NONE of us will sleep.
4. Sometimes a mommy just has to get out!!!
Okay, I'm going to blow my nose and wipe Susie's too, while I'm at it! Happy cold season!!! :)
1. She just has a runny nose and cough-no fever.
2. My husband is out of town and I don't have a Amber here to go to the store for me! (miss ya, Am)
3. They have to have their medicine or they will cough all night and then NONE of us will sleep.
4. Sometimes a mommy just has to get out!!!
Okay, I'm going to blow my nose and wipe Susie's too, while I'm at it! Happy cold season!!! :)
Mud, mommy.
Susannah came into see me in the living room this morning. She was in the den watching her morning cartoons with her sister and they were being quiet, so I was happily getting some things done. She comes in and says, "Mud, mommy, mud." I look at her hands and they look muddy, but they have a very familiar scent and it's not one that you like to smell on peoples' hands. She had poop ALL over her hands, up her back and it was coming out the legs of her diaper. Luckily, she had been sitting in her little fisher price washable chair (thank you soooo much!) so it all is washable, but oh, the stench was unbearable for a while. Now, we have many candles lit and hope that the smell leaves soon. The girls went up to play in their room to get away from the smell and now I have a few minutes to myself while lunch is heating up in the microwave!
This set of days on for Aaron has been pretty long. He has been gone on many overnight jobs and those are hard on him and us! Everytime something happens to Susannah she says,"I want my daddy!" Of course, it's all better than the 2 week on schedule that he did have, I think we are just getting spoiled seeing him more than we have been used to in the past 2 years! He goes on days off tomorrow, so we are going to get some major work done in out bathroom. We got the tub put in and tiled around when his mom was here, but now we are going to tile the surround, finish the sheetrock, and tile the floor. He thinks we can do it this set of days off and I say, "Go for it, boy, I'm a tired pregnant woman who needs her nap." he he he
It is funny how much more tired that I've been this pregnancy. Not to worry, the second trimester comes and I'm full of energy!!
This set of days on for Aaron has been pretty long. He has been gone on many overnight jobs and those are hard on him and us! Everytime something happens to Susannah she says,"I want my daddy!" Of course, it's all better than the 2 week on schedule that he did have, I think we are just getting spoiled seeing him more than we have been used to in the past 2 years! He goes on days off tomorrow, so we are going to get some major work done in out bathroom. We got the tub put in and tiled around when his mom was here, but now we are going to tile the surround, finish the sheetrock, and tile the floor. He thinks we can do it this set of days off and I say, "Go for it, boy, I'm a tired pregnant woman who needs her nap." he he he
It is funny how much more tired that I've been this pregnancy. Not to worry, the second trimester comes and I'm full of energy!!
Friday, November 11, 2005
Brittany Davis
I have to brag on one of my friends for a moment. Brittany Davis was one of my first campers at Florida Bible Camp in High Springs, FL when I started as a counselor there many years ago. I had Brittany in my cabin every year until she graduated from high school and now she is a SUPERSTAR basketball player at the University of Florida. She is a 4 yr. letterman, who this week scored 33 points and had 10 rebounds. In one game!! WOW!! That is so awesome and I'm so proud of Brittany (you go, girl!) If you happen to be flipping channels one day and see the Lady Gators playing, stop and look for Britt. She is the beautiful 6'2" Forward and you can't miss her!! Just had to brag!
Oh, had our first doctors appt. today. 6 weeks pregnant and counting. Everything looks great (or so he says.) and they took TONS of blood. I didn't think that woman was going to ever run out of vials to fill. Yuck! I really don't like that part of being prego, but everything else is just peachy. Have a fun weekend!
Oh, had our first doctors appt. today. 6 weeks pregnant and counting. Everything looks great (or so he says.) and they took TONS of blood. I didn't think that woman was going to ever run out of vials to fill. Yuck! I really don't like that part of being prego, but everything else is just peachy. Have a fun weekend!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Google Game
Okay, my friend Reagan put this game on her blog, so I thought that I would try it, too. What you do is go to Google and type in your name in quotes with the word needs. ("Jenn needs") Then see what it tells what you "need"...Here are some of mine:
Jennifer needs a cold shower. (DO NOT go to this webpage, it is yucky!)
Jennifer needs a sister/brother. (how about a daughter/son? I don't think my mom and dad need any more kids :))
Jennifer needs a cure for my diseases.
Jennifer needs a life.
Jennifer needs a best friend. (I have lots of friends, thank you, google)
Jennifer needs space.
Jennifer needs to assert herself to Mr. Trump.
Jennifer needs a smack daddy. (What is a smack daddy?)
Jennifer needs your votes. (When I register here, I'll be happy to help)
Jennifer needs to be charged for her crimes.
Jennifer needs the earth energy in her life to learn how to ground and be more
practical.
Well, most of these sentences refer to the ever famous Jennifer Aniston (the life, best friend, space and the smack daddy comment) and her break up with old Brad. I will never understand why he is with whats her name, but I feel for Jennifer just the same. The other comments are about Jennifer Lopez, the Jennifer from "The apprentice" (she lost), and Jennifer Wilbanks (the runaway bride who lied, hence would be the "charged for her crimes" page.)
Pretty funny, try it with your name and it's really funny to hit the "I'm feeling lucky button" on Google first. Let me know some of your favorites with your name.
Jennifer needs a cold shower. (DO NOT go to this webpage, it is yucky!)
Jennifer needs a sister/brother. (how about a daughter/son? I don't think my mom and dad need any more kids :))
Jennifer needs a cure for my diseases.
Jennifer needs a life.
Jennifer needs a best friend. (I have lots of friends, thank you, google)
Jennifer needs space.
Jennifer needs to assert herself to Mr. Trump.
Jennifer needs a smack daddy. (What is a smack daddy?)
Jennifer needs your votes. (When I register here, I'll be happy to help)
Jennifer needs to be charged for her crimes.
Jennifer needs the earth energy in her life to learn how to ground and be more
practical.
Well, most of these sentences refer to the ever famous Jennifer Aniston (the life, best friend, space and the smack daddy comment) and her break up with old Brad. I will never understand why he is with whats her name, but I feel for Jennifer just the same. The other comments are about Jennifer Lopez, the Jennifer from "The apprentice" (she lost), and Jennifer Wilbanks (the runaway bride who lied, hence would be the "charged for her crimes" page.)
Pretty funny, try it with your name and it's really funny to hit the "I'm feeling lucky button" on Google first. Let me know some of your favorites with your name.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Ebay and school
I love EBay. I buy almost all the girls dresses on EBay and this past week, I got a after Halloween bargain. It is officially called the "Bo Peep from Toy Story" dress, but to all of us, it looks like a princess dress. It came in the mail on Monday. Grace has been wearing it every minute since then, except for school today and I put my foot down. The past 2 nights, we have been taking walks, (well, I pull the wagon and they ride) and she even wore her new dress on the ride! When we get to school, the teacher tells me that I need to bring in a $15 (or more) item that can be auctioned off on Saturday night at their annual Christmas auction. Yah, this is the first time I have heard about this and the item needs to be there ASAP. That is the one thing that I don't like about this school. All the moms work around here, so their kids have been going to this day care/pre-school since they were born. Not that is bad, I just wish that they would not assume that we know everything. Esp. those of us that have just moved here!!!! Grace has her days at this new school. The kids here have all been together for 3-4 years and they are really clique. Some days she comes home and says that the kids are mean and other days she doesn't really say much. This morning on the way to school, she prayed that the kids would be nice and play with her. Should I say something to the teacher? She is 4 and she only has a few more months of this snotty pre-K and then off to the wonderful world of public school!
Oh, here is my favorite soap box. Here in the great state of Texas (which I love) my 4 year old cannot go to public school Pre-K because we make too much money and because she doesn't speak Spanish. So, because I want Grace to have that little edge in Kindergarten, we have to PAY to send her to a private school Pre-K. That makes NO SENSE to me. I pay my taxes, but some little children whose parents DO NOT pay taxes and don't even speak English get to go to public schools and eat for FREE!!! Oh, this just makes me soooooo mad!! Why can't they all just go together??
Okay, I'm done...any advice on what do to with Grace and her snobby buddies at school?
Oh, here is my favorite soap box. Here in the great state of Texas (which I love) my 4 year old cannot go to public school Pre-K because we make too much money and because she doesn't speak Spanish. So, because I want Grace to have that little edge in Kindergarten, we have to PAY to send her to a private school Pre-K. That makes NO SENSE to me. I pay my taxes, but some little children whose parents DO NOT pay taxes and don't even speak English get to go to public schools and eat for FREE!!! Oh, this just makes me soooooo mad!! Why can't they all just go together??
Okay, I'm done...any advice on what do to with Grace and her snobby buddies at school?
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Fishing with Gramps
We are home. We got home tonight from Alabama, not Florida as we had originally thought. Aaron's sister, Carrie, lives in Florida, but she and her husband have a house on a lake in Eufala, Alabama and that is where we have been for the past week. It was quite a drive, but we had fun so it was worth it. I think we logged over 1500 miles on the car for this trip. We have decided to now stay home until Christmas, so if you have something cool planned and you want us to come, don't call us, because we can't resist a fun time and would hop in the car and be there!! :)
Grace and Susannah had so much fun at the Lake. Carrie and Dale have a great boat and we fished and rode around all week long. Gramps got Grace her very own pole and she caught 2 fish on her first casts out in the water!! She was getting so good at the end, that she said she didn't need to put a worm on her hook, she just wanted to "practice casting" so she would be really good!! She would dig the worm out of the container and then her Gramps would put it on the hook for her. One time the worm was gone and Grace says, "Oh, Gramps, wormy, Oh, WORM BOY, I need you"...so demanding is that child, where in the world did she learn that? Must be from her daddy! he he he
We really had a fun time. The girls loved being with their DD, Gramps and Mamaw. And of course, they love their Aunt Carrie and Uncle Dale, because they brought some horses over for them to ride. Grace is STILL talking about that. Carrie also brought over a mama dog and her 2 week old Australian Shepard puppies for us to love on. They are soooo cute! I just have to keep saying to myself, "we have a dog and a baby on the way...no more puppies!" Okay, I'm over it!
Well, I'm off to unpack some clothes and get ready for bed. I'll post more on the trip later!!
Grace and Susannah had so much fun at the Lake. Carrie and Dale have a great boat and we fished and rode around all week long. Gramps got Grace her very own pole and she caught 2 fish on her first casts out in the water!! She was getting so good at the end, that she said she didn't need to put a worm on her hook, she just wanted to "practice casting" so she would be really good!! She would dig the worm out of the container and then her Gramps would put it on the hook for her. One time the worm was gone and Grace says, "Oh, Gramps, wormy, Oh, WORM BOY, I need you"...so demanding is that child, where in the world did she learn that? Must be from her daddy! he he he
We really had a fun time. The girls loved being with their DD, Gramps and Mamaw. And of course, they love their Aunt Carrie and Uncle Dale, because they brought some horses over for them to ride. Grace is STILL talking about that. Carrie also brought over a mama dog and her 2 week old Australian Shepard puppies for us to love on. They are soooo cute! I just have to keep saying to myself, "we have a dog and a baby on the way...no more puppies!" Okay, I'm over it!
Well, I'm off to unpack some clothes and get ready for bed. I'll post more on the trip later!!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Baby Green
Yes, you read the title right. We found out today that Baby Green is on the way and will arrive somewhere around July 1st, give or take a few days (or weeks, like Susannah did!) We are sooo excited and I celebrated tonight after the girls went to bed by raiding their halloween candy stash hunting for chocolate!! They just don't make halloween kit kats as big as they used to!!:)
Any parents out there have any good advice for a soon to be (very) busy mother of three?
I just know that it was shock this morning, but now I just can't wait to get the nursery ready!! Tomorrow we leave for Florida to see Aaron's family and spend some time on the lake. Should be lots of fun, keep us in your prayers while we're on the road!!
Any parents out there have any good advice for a soon to be (very) busy mother of three?
I just know that it was shock this morning, but now I just can't wait to get the nursery ready!! Tomorrow we leave for Florida to see Aaron's family and spend some time on the lake. Should be lots of fun, keep us in your prayers while we're on the road!!
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Trick or treating, EARLY!!!
Last night, I stayed up way too late (for me anyway) and made a pink bonnet for Grace and her little bo peep halloween costume. Tonight before church we all got together in the parking lot and had "Trunk or Treat" and the kids went from car to car trick or treating. They loved it!! They even more loved it because all of us adult folks were so busy talking that they got to eat more candy. They had a great time and now they are up in bed trying to go to sleep while staring at the glow sticks that they got from one of the cars!! Sus can really put down some candy though....:) Happy Costume making, mine is through!! Oh, by the way, the little bo peep costume was my sister Jessica's when she was little and the clown costume that Sus wore tonight was mine when I was little!! Thanks for letting me use them, Mom!!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Yet another lesson learned by experience...
Yesterday morning, I was woken up quite early to the sound of a 2 year old throwing up right in my ear. (Yes, Sus, you got sick right next to me, but I guess that is what I get for going in the middle of the night and laying down with you and Grace.)
The pillow was in sad shape, so when I couldn't clean it all off with just hand washing, I put the pillow in the washer (with the sheets and a few other things as well) on the gentle cycle. The load finished and when I opened the machine, "POOF" I was met by a whole washing machine full of feathers!! Yes, I know, what was I thinking when I washed an old feather pillow of my grandmothers (which, by the way, I have no idea if she knows I have one of her old pillows, so lets keep that part quiet :) ) But, I honestly did not know that the pillow had a hole in it and would break apart in my washing machine. Yes, Mom, I'm sure you taught me never to put a feather pillow in the washing machine, I just have a terrible memory and I forgot.
By the way, I did get most of the feathers out, but if you see a feather on me or my children, now you know why.
The pillow was in sad shape, so when I couldn't clean it all off with just hand washing, I put the pillow in the washer (with the sheets and a few other things as well) on the gentle cycle. The load finished and when I opened the machine, "POOF" I was met by a whole washing machine full of feathers!! Yes, I know, what was I thinking when I washed an old feather pillow of my grandmothers (which, by the way, I have no idea if she knows I have one of her old pillows, so lets keep that part quiet :) ) But, I honestly did not know that the pillow had a hole in it and would break apart in my washing machine. Yes, Mom, I'm sure you taught me never to put a feather pillow in the washing machine, I just have a terrible memory and I forgot.
By the way, I did get most of the feathers out, but if you see a feather on me or my children, now you know why.
Monday, October 24, 2005
The state fair
This weekend was the last weekend for the Texas State Fair in Dallas and we took the girls on Saturday. They loved it and we have found out that our oldest is a "fair games fanatic" She played some fishing game where you put your pole in the water and depending on the color or the fish, you get a prize. She got the biggest dog I have ever seen. Of course, she also picked the only dog that was yellow, pink and red. Yes, it doesn't match at all, but she picked it out and she loves it. Sus opted for the "pick the duck" game and got a little seal that she held on to all day Saturday. Grace kept chanting,"More games, more games." We kept chanting back, "No money, no money!"
The Texas State Fair is the cleanest fair that I have ever been to. I honestly don't remember seeing a piece of trash on the ground once. And the people were just so nice. One lady in line gave us a coupon to get Grace in for free...we would have had to pay 9 bucks to get her in....so nice!! When Grace won her dog, Sus wanted one too and the worker at the booth just gave her a little animal and she grinned so big and said "Oh, Tank You, tank you!!"
The girls rode some rides, but we honestly went for the food. By the end of the day, we as a family, had ingested: 2 Funnel cakes, 4 hot dogs, a huge bag of cotton candy, 2 bottles of water, 1 bottle of choc. milk and a huge coke. I love the fair!! We would have eaten more, but we ran out of coupons and you can't do anything without coupons at the Texas State Fair! It was 9 coupons for a funnel cake...that is $4.50!! They get you with the coupons, you really don't realize what you are spending until you run out of coupons and have to buy more!! It was worth every memory and every bite of funnel cake, though!!
The Texas State Fair is the cleanest fair that I have ever been to. I honestly don't remember seeing a piece of trash on the ground once. And the people were just so nice. One lady in line gave us a coupon to get Grace in for free...we would have had to pay 9 bucks to get her in....so nice!! When Grace won her dog, Sus wanted one too and the worker at the booth just gave her a little animal and she grinned so big and said "Oh, Tank You, tank you!!"
The girls rode some rides, but we honestly went for the food. By the end of the day, we as a family, had ingested: 2 Funnel cakes, 4 hot dogs, a huge bag of cotton candy, 2 bottles of water, 1 bottle of choc. milk and a huge coke. I love the fair!! We would have eaten more, but we ran out of coupons and you can't do anything without coupons at the Texas State Fair! It was 9 coupons for a funnel cake...that is $4.50!! They get you with the coupons, you really don't realize what you are spending until you run out of coupons and have to buy more!! It was worth every memory and every bite of funnel cake, though!!
Friday, October 21, 2005
My girls are the best!
I know that I'm a little biased, but my 2 girls are the best. I say that because they have been sooo great today. They got up at 9 (great for us, we all got to sleep in) and watched their allotted 2 TV shows (Dora and Go, Diego, Go) and turned the TV off on their own!! Then we went to Wal-Mart and United (that would be the only grocery store here in Graham, although we do have 2 different locations for everyone's convince.)
Oh, a little side bar....we are getting new Wal-Mart. Ours is painfully small, and hardly ever has what you are looking for when you go, but right now, it is down right pitiful. The new SuperCenter opens on Wednesday so they are very busy emptying our store and boy is it empty. Right before Halloween, mind you, when I'm trying to sew costumes and get all the knicknacks that they need to be Little Bo Peep and a cute little clown......I COULD FIND NOTHING TODAY!!! I was sooo frustrated!! So, now I'm going to have to drive to Wichita Falls and get what I need before "Trunk or Treat" Wednesday night before church. Okay, back to my girls.
They were so good in both stores and even helped carry in the bags when we got home. Then Aaron came home and we all ate lunch and he and Sus went up to take a nap and Grace and I were off to Ace to pick out some paint for her bunkbed that has been sitting in the garage waiting to be painted for 2 weeks!! She picked out a sweet shade of lavender and we came home and went straight to work. She was such a great helper! The sleepy heads woke up and the girls started playing in the room and they are still up there!!! I got the whole bed primed and tomorrow I'll be ready to put on the purple. But, none of that would have gotten done if the girls hadn't been so good today. So, I just want everyone to know what sweet girlies I have!! I'm off to find something for dinner. They are still playing so I had a few mins. to sneak in here and get on the computer!! I'm sure their room will take a little time to pick up before bed, but I'm sure they will help there too.
Oh, a little side bar....we are getting new Wal-Mart. Ours is painfully small, and hardly ever has what you are looking for when you go, but right now, it is down right pitiful. The new SuperCenter opens on Wednesday so they are very busy emptying our store and boy is it empty. Right before Halloween, mind you, when I'm trying to sew costumes and get all the knicknacks that they need to be Little Bo Peep and a cute little clown......I COULD FIND NOTHING TODAY!!! I was sooo frustrated!! So, now I'm going to have to drive to Wichita Falls and get what I need before "Trunk or Treat" Wednesday night before church. Okay, back to my girls.
They were so good in both stores and even helped carry in the bags when we got home. Then Aaron came home and we all ate lunch and he and Sus went up to take a nap and Grace and I were off to Ace to pick out some paint for her bunkbed that has been sitting in the garage waiting to be painted for 2 weeks!! She picked out a sweet shade of lavender and we came home and went straight to work. She was such a great helper! The sleepy heads woke up and the girls started playing in the room and they are still up there!!! I got the whole bed primed and tomorrow I'll be ready to put on the purple. But, none of that would have gotten done if the girls hadn't been so good today. So, I just want everyone to know what sweet girlies I have!! I'm off to find something for dinner. They are still playing so I had a few mins. to sneak in here and get on the computer!! I'm sure their room will take a little time to pick up before bed, but I'm sure they will help there too.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The wedding
We got home last night from our trip to New Mexico about 7 PM. It was a nice drive and the girls actually slept more than they watched movies. I think we just wore them out this weekend with all the wedding activities. The drive was about 9 hours< I think, but it was nice just to be together. I beat Aaron at Farkel and he beat me at Gin. Our friends, Autumn and Shaphan Collins (I can say that now because they are married, you know) had a beautiful ceremony under the full moon in Los Lunas, New Mexico. They got married in this really cool tree house. I'll post a pic in a minute. The ceremony was performed by both Autumn and Shaphan's big brothers, Ira and Jake, and they did such a sweet job, from what I could hear. I say that because Susannah decided to be a little talker during the ceremony so I had to take her for a walk and couldn't hear much. The girls, Aaron and I had a WONDERFUL long weekend just enjoying old friendships. We went into Albuquerque and did a little shopping in the "old town" section...very neat. But the best part was the zoo. They have a great zoo and they have just so many animals. If you ever get that way and enjoy being outside, go to their zoo and aquarium. We had a fun time and the girls really loved it. I don't think that Grace ever got the fact that we were just visiting with all of our Alaska friends. She was just smazed everytime that we got out of the car and my friend, Amber, was there. She would yell, "Amber!! There you are!"....she was just so happy to see her and so was I!!
Susannah was quite the little taking girl this weekend. It was especially funny for our friends there from Alaska because they haven't seen her since she started talking. She was pretty cute. I liked it when she saw the rinos at the zoo and said, "Mommy, I see a dinosaur." That's what they look like to me, too, Sus.
So, we are home for 10 days (Aaron is on call) and then we are off on another adventure to Florida for some time with the Green side of the family at the lake! It's a beautiful time of the year to travel and see friends and family. We are just so blessed to be back in the lower 48 and have the means to do all this fun stuff!
Susannah was quite the little taking girl this weekend. It was especially funny for our friends there from Alaska because they haven't seen her since she started talking. She was pretty cute. I liked it when she saw the rinos at the zoo and said, "Mommy, I see a dinosaur." That's what they look like to me, too, Sus.
So, we are home for 10 days (Aaron is on call) and then we are off on another adventure to Florida for some time with the Green side of the family at the lake! It's a beautiful time of the year to travel and see friends and family. We are just so blessed to be back in the lower 48 and have the means to do all this fun stuff!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Things are good
Things are going fine here in Searcy. My little brother is home and doing well. Thanks so much for all your prayers! The girls and I are driving back to Texas tomorrow so we are enjoying our last day here in Arkansas. Grace has been running around the house playing "Star Wers" as she calls it....she is Luke and her sister is Han Solo. She is sooo full of energy this week because she is getting so much attention from all the family and all the college kids that hang out over here. Last night one of the girls that lived with mom and dad last summer came over to play with the girls and they had sooo much fun and we all enjoyed the quiet time!
I'm off to get some stuff done around here....tomorrow we are on the road and then Friday we are off to New Mexico for Autumn and Shaphan's wedding!!! We are all so excited to see our friends from Alaska!
I'm off to get some stuff done around here....tomorrow we are on the road and then Friday we are off to New Mexico for Autumn and Shaphan's wedding!!! We are all so excited to see our friends from Alaska!
Friday, October 07, 2005
I love seasons!!
Here in Graham, Texas, the weather went from 92 degrees on Tuesday afternoon to 45 degrees yesterday! What a great cold front!!! I just love being in a state that has seasons. Don't get me wrong, I loved Alaska, I just missed the 4 seasons that we have here in the lower 48. Welcome Fall!! I have missed you these past 2 years!! The leaves on the ground, the smell of the rain, and slight breeze where I need to wear a windbreaker. It's great!
Tonight is the Homecoming football game for the Graham High School Steers. Can you guess what my little redhead is wearing at school today? Her little cheerleader outfit, for today they are taking a field trip to the high school peprally or the "pepper ralley" as Grace has been calling it all week. We have never lived in a one high school town before and it is sooooo great!!! I love the fact that all the kids go to the same school. There isn't that yucky, "My school is better that your school" attitude around town and it is sooooo nice. I guess because I spent most of my growing up going to public school and then my senior year I went to the private school (when we moved back from Florida after a 3 year vacation, he he he.) There was always that, "Our football team is better than ya'll's" or "My school is better..." You get the point. Growing up, (around 7th or 8th grade) I remember that I wanted to go to the private school soo bad, and I had to stay at the public school, I remember just crying and feeling so completely left out. Of course, that is just part of being in 7th and 8th grade, isn't it.....the start of all that girl and boy stuff....Anyway, I'm not going to open that can of worms, I just love being in Graham, where you don't feel that competion at church or around town. I'm going to get on my Graham Steers T-shirt and meet my little one at the "pepper ralley!" More later!
Tonight is the Homecoming football game for the Graham High School Steers. Can you guess what my little redhead is wearing at school today? Her little cheerleader outfit, for today they are taking a field trip to the high school peprally or the "pepper ralley" as Grace has been calling it all week. We have never lived in a one high school town before and it is sooooo great!!! I love the fact that all the kids go to the same school. There isn't that yucky, "My school is better that your school" attitude around town and it is sooooo nice. I guess because I spent most of my growing up going to public school and then my senior year I went to the private school (when we moved back from Florida after a 3 year vacation, he he he.) There was always that, "Our football team is better than ya'll's" or "My school is better..." You get the point. Growing up, (around 7th or 8th grade) I remember that I wanted to go to the private school soo bad, and I had to stay at the public school, I remember just crying and feeling so completely left out. Of course, that is just part of being in 7th and 8th grade, isn't it.....the start of all that girl and boy stuff....Anyway, I'm not going to open that can of worms, I just love being in Graham, where you don't feel that competion at church or around town. I'm going to get on my Graham Steers T-shirt and meet my little one at the "pepper ralley!" More later!
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
We are home!
Hey ya'll! We had a SUPER time in Las Vegas! We were gone less than a week, but by the end of our trip, we wanted to come home. Vegas was nice, but we missed the girls. In Las Vegas there are just a few things to do....gamble, drink, sight see, and go to shows. We did the latter two and had quite a fun time just being together, just the two of us enjoying the Vegas sunshine. Aaron's mom stayed here with the girls and they had a blast. Grace did tell us that she wanted to be a "grown up" so that she could go to "Las Begas" (as she calls it) with us next time. I think we are done with Vegas for a while. You can only take soo much and then you have to move on. I'll write more of our Vegas trip later. I have many things to rant about, but not now. We went last year for my friend, Angel's wedding. We went this year because we bought a "return vacation package" last year and my friend, Angel, has a too cute little baby girl now. We had a fun night with them, just hanging out at their house with the girls...(Hi Taylor and Kelsey! We love you!) and then going out to dinner. Their new little one, Callie, is sooooo cute and cuddly!! It was nice to be with an old friend. (oh, Angel, e-mail me the address of your blog!!)
Aaron and I enjoyed many great shows in Vegas....I recommend Lance Burton, the magician, if you go and visit. We are still trying to figure out how he did some of those tricks!! We went to another day magic show, Mac King, smaller audience (cheaper tickets) and he was soooo funny and his tricks were great too...kinda makes him sound like a puppy or something, doesn't it? We went to one of those impersonator shows and it was okay. I liked the Tim McGraw dude the best. The rest of them were so so. We mostly enjoyed the sunshine without the humidity in our rented red convertible mustang!! They offered us a $4 upgrade and of course, we took it! It was soo much fun. Who knew that a $4 upgrade could be such a blast! Now I know I want a convertible for sure sometime in my life! We drove to Hoover Dam and got sunburned....it was great! The hotel had a great pool and we got a little sun and just enjoyed hanging out and eating together a meal that didn't include french fries!! :)
We flew home Friday night and met my parents in Dallas and then all drove back to Graham together. I think we got here around 2 am Saturday. I was just soo glad to see my mom, dad and little brother, Jon. They came for Susannah's 2nd birthday. She woke up on Saturday bright and early, "It's my birthday, Cake, cake, cake, ELMO Cake!" She didn't care a thing that day about presents, she just wanted an Elmo cake. So, my mom and I made her a pretty cute Elmo cake, if I do say so myself!! We all (Aaron's mom, us, and my parents and Jon) went out to dinner at the Wildcatter Resort, a great place to eat just outside of town here in Graham and then we came home for presents and cake. She had a great birthday and now I'm about tired of typing as I'm sure you are about tired of reading!!
Oh, last thing...funny story from Grace....This morning I was getting Grace dressed for school and she was taking too much time, so I started counting. 1, 2....(If we say 3, she in trouble) and she says, "Mommy, can't you just count to 5 or 6 sometimes? In the mornings I need a little more time than just counting to 3." I about died!!
Off to clean!!!
Aaron and I enjoyed many great shows in Vegas....I recommend Lance Burton, the magician, if you go and visit. We are still trying to figure out how he did some of those tricks!! We went to another day magic show, Mac King, smaller audience (cheaper tickets) and he was soooo funny and his tricks were great too...kinda makes him sound like a puppy or something, doesn't it? We went to one of those impersonator shows and it was okay. I liked the Tim McGraw dude the best. The rest of them were so so. We mostly enjoyed the sunshine without the humidity in our rented red convertible mustang!! They offered us a $4 upgrade and of course, we took it! It was soo much fun. Who knew that a $4 upgrade could be such a blast! Now I know I want a convertible for sure sometime in my life! We drove to Hoover Dam and got sunburned....it was great! The hotel had a great pool and we got a little sun and just enjoyed hanging out and eating together a meal that didn't include french fries!! :)
We flew home Friday night and met my parents in Dallas and then all drove back to Graham together. I think we got here around 2 am Saturday. I was just soo glad to see my mom, dad and little brother, Jon. They came for Susannah's 2nd birthday. She woke up on Saturday bright and early, "It's my birthday, Cake, cake, cake, ELMO Cake!" She didn't care a thing that day about presents, she just wanted an Elmo cake. So, my mom and I made her a pretty cute Elmo cake, if I do say so myself!! We all (Aaron's mom, us, and my parents and Jon) went out to dinner at the Wildcatter Resort, a great place to eat just outside of town here in Graham and then we came home for presents and cake. She had a great birthday and now I'm about tired of typing as I'm sure you are about tired of reading!!
Oh, last thing...funny story from Grace....This morning I was getting Grace dressed for school and she was taking too much time, so I started counting. 1, 2....(If we say 3, she in trouble) and she says, "Mommy, can't you just count to 5 or 6 sometimes? In the mornings I need a little more time than just counting to 3." I about died!!
Off to clean!!!
Monday, October 03, 2005
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Busy Day!
This morning was Grace's first soccer game here in Graham. A little different than the soccer league that she played in for about 3 weeks before we moved from Alaska. Their uniforms here are sooo cute. Grace plays for the "Mustangs." Pretty cute. Two of the little boys from church are on a team called, "The Tax Deductions." Very funny, although they have NO IDEA what that means. Mustangs is much easier to handle and explain, I think. They let 2 coaches out on the field and help the kids chase after the ball, while another mom and I sat on the edge of the field with the rest of the team and took care of the bench. They had a great time....it was soooo hot. It was only 95 out, but it felt sooo much hotter with no breeze. I was so happy to get in the car after the game was over. The only thing that they really need here is officials. The people in charge on the field here were just the coaches and they were so busy keeping up with the kids, our 20 minute halfs were almost 30-35 min. EACH!! Oh well, Grace had fun and she should sleep very well tonight.
Today is my Dad's birthday. He is in New Jersey taking wedding pictures for a girl that grew up in Searcy, Cara Hopper. The girls had to call him on his cell phone to sing "Happy Birthday" and then when we finally got him, Susannah chickened out and Grace sang a solo. If you see him, say Happy Birthday! So, Happy Birthday, Dad. Can't wait to see you (and Mom and Jon for Sus' birthday next weekend!)
Now that the girls have one big room, we got back out their princess tent. They were so excited. They played in that tent for almost 3 hours with everything in their room. Everything was new as they put it in their tent. All the Barbies, the stuffed animals and of course the tea set made it into the tent. Grace is now down here with me, but Sus is still upstairs playing strong, with her crown on her little head!!
Aaron and his mom are up still working on the frame for the bathtub. Aaron wants to get it put in before we leave for Las Vegas. They are working hard, but I think that the trip will get here before he gets done. I'm soo excited. I have to pack and my bedroom is a remodeling mess!!!
Oh, the little brown blur in the picture below is the puppy. She moved right when I snapped the picture! I'm off to start dinner, I have NO idea what I'm going to fix, but I'm sure I'll figure something out.
Today is my Dad's birthday. He is in New Jersey taking wedding pictures for a girl that grew up in Searcy, Cara Hopper. The girls had to call him on his cell phone to sing "Happy Birthday" and then when we finally got him, Susannah chickened out and Grace sang a solo. If you see him, say Happy Birthday! So, Happy Birthday, Dad. Can't wait to see you (and Mom and Jon for Sus' birthday next weekend!)
Now that the girls have one big room, we got back out their princess tent. They were so excited. They played in that tent for almost 3 hours with everything in their room. Everything was new as they put it in their tent. All the Barbies, the stuffed animals and of course the tea set made it into the tent. Grace is now down here with me, but Sus is still upstairs playing strong, with her crown on her little head!!
Aaron and his mom are up still working on the frame for the bathtub. Aaron wants to get it put in before we leave for Las Vegas. They are working hard, but I think that the trip will get here before he gets done. I'm soo excited. I have to pack and my bedroom is a remodeling mess!!!
Oh, the little brown blur in the picture below is the puppy. She moved right when I snapped the picture! I'm off to start dinner, I have NO idea what I'm going to fix, but I'm sure I'll figure something out.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
I got tagged
Okay, Aaron's mom has been in town since Saturday. She is here to help us fix up our "old" house. Today she kept Susannah while Grace was at school so that we could drive to Wichita Falls and spend WAY too much money at Lowe's. Yah, we are going to be paying this credit card bill for quite some time, folks. We bought a tub, 12 boxes of tile (VERY heavy), and lots of light fixtures. Now, we just need to learn how to put a jetted tub in, anyone have any ideas?
Oh, Grace has been having fun with her DD (Aaron's mom.) She wants her to spank Aaron for everytime that she gets a spanking. She asked today, "DD, will you stay forever so that you can give Daddy spankings and not me?" She also convinced her that she knew how to get to Sonic. She got them to Dairy Queen, so I guess that is close enough. She did get some ice cream out of the trip. She also now calls Aaron (to his mom) "your son"...Grace told DD, "Did you know your son calls his wife, woman?" DD said, "Well, who is his wife?" Grace replies, "My mommy."....That girls is soo funny!
We leave for Vegas in just a few short days, I cannot wait to get on the plane!! Okay, my friend Reagan tagged me with this so read on, friends....
Answers to 7 Questions 7 things I plan to do before I die:
~ride horseback on the beach, wearing a white dress (I have no idea why, I just want to)
~take my husband to Italy and stay in real hotels, not just trains like in college!
~learn to sew, better than I do now
~live in one place more than 2 years
~have another baby (or 2 maybe)
~run a marathon (come on Amber, we can do it TOGETHER!)
~retire on the beach
7 things i can do:
~love my husband and girls (very much)
~remember people's birthdays
~pray every day
~clean house, cook dinner and watch the kids thru the back window!
~teach my children to love God and others
~snowboard
~talk on the phone, esp. to my mom and sister!
7 things i cannot do:
~do more than 5 push ups
~be mature about poot noises (I copied that from you Rea, can anyone be mature about that? tell the truth!)
~wear tight clothes (yuck!)
~let my child pick her nose (without a kleenex)
~tell jokes (I can never remember the punchlines when I need to)
~play video games (I'm terrible!)
~stay awake past 1 am (the girls get up WAY too early)
7 things that attract me to another person:
~honesty
~sense of humor
~laughs a lot
~likes to smile
~that they love (or just like) my kids
~compassionate
~good taste
7 things I say a lot
~"GRACIE!!!"
~"Say you're sorry"
~"You did, WHAT?"
~"You have got to be kidding me!"
~"Dude!" (you too, Am)
~"No more TV"
~"I love you"
7 celebrity crushes
~Kirk Herbstreet (ESPN college gameday, was a quarterback for Ohio State, I watch him every Saturday)
~Robert Redford
~George Clooney
~John Schneider
~Rick Springfield (1980's version)
~Tom Hanks (he just seems soooo nice)
~The kid who plays Superman on WB's Smallville
7 bloggers (and non-bloggers who can respond on my site) I am tagging:
Amber
Jess
Mom
Dad
Autumn
Aaron's mom
Ann
Get on it...I want to see ya'll's lists on your blogs or mine!!
Oh, Grace has been having fun with her DD (Aaron's mom.) She wants her to spank Aaron for everytime that she gets a spanking. She asked today, "DD, will you stay forever so that you can give Daddy spankings and not me?" She also convinced her that she knew how to get to Sonic. She got them to Dairy Queen, so I guess that is close enough. She did get some ice cream out of the trip. She also now calls Aaron (to his mom) "your son"...Grace told DD, "Did you know your son calls his wife, woman?" DD said, "Well, who is his wife?" Grace replies, "My mommy."....That girls is soo funny!
We leave for Vegas in just a few short days, I cannot wait to get on the plane!! Okay, my friend Reagan tagged me with this so read on, friends....
Answers to 7 Questions 7 things I plan to do before I die:
~ride horseback on the beach, wearing a white dress (I have no idea why, I just want to)
~take my husband to Italy and stay in real hotels, not just trains like in college!
~learn to sew, better than I do now
~live in one place more than 2 years
~have another baby (or 2 maybe)
~run a marathon (come on Amber, we can do it TOGETHER!)
~retire on the beach
7 things i can do:
~love my husband and girls (very much)
~remember people's birthdays
~pray every day
~clean house, cook dinner and watch the kids thru the back window!
~teach my children to love God and others
~snowboard
~talk on the phone, esp. to my mom and sister!
7 things i cannot do:
~do more than 5 push ups
~be mature about poot noises (I copied that from you Rea, can anyone be mature about that? tell the truth!)
~wear tight clothes (yuck!)
~let my child pick her nose (without a kleenex)
~tell jokes (I can never remember the punchlines when I need to)
~play video games (I'm terrible!)
~stay awake past 1 am (the girls get up WAY too early)
7 things that attract me to another person:
~honesty
~sense of humor
~laughs a lot
~likes to smile
~that they love (or just like) my kids
~compassionate
~good taste
7 things I say a lot
~"GRACIE!!!"
~"Say you're sorry"
~"You did, WHAT?"
~"You have got to be kidding me!"
~"Dude!" (you too, Am)
~"No more TV"
~"I love you"
7 celebrity crushes
~Kirk Herbstreet (ESPN college gameday, was a quarterback for Ohio State, I watch him every Saturday)
~Robert Redford
~George Clooney
~John Schneider
~Rick Springfield (1980's version)
~Tom Hanks (he just seems soooo nice)
~The kid who plays Superman on WB's Smallville
7 bloggers (and non-bloggers who can respond on my site) I am tagging:
Amber
Jess
Mom
Dad
Autumn
Aaron's mom
Ann
Get on it...I want to see ya'll's lists on your blogs or mine!!
Thursday, September 15, 2005
That didn't hurt
Grace talked back to Aaron the other day and got a light spanking. After she got a little away from him she said,"That didn't hurt" and tried to run. Needless to say, the spanking she got seconds after that remark, did indeed hurt and she didn't say anything afterwards. Then tonight during dinner, Aaron was telling Grace not to do something and of course, the 4 year old in her kept doing it, so she got a spanking. It wasn't hard at all and she didn't even cry, but she did say,"Wow, Daddy, that really hurt, ALL your spankings hurt." Pretty smart girl we have here folks.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
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