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!

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!

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!!

We have a giant plie of leaves and the girls love playing in it!! Welcome fall...(finally!)

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?

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!!! :)

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!!

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!

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.

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?