Success....

I have successfully avoided getting the bug that went around the families over Christmas. I am very grateful that Cathy and the kids did not get the bug but I am guessing that it is because they had had it a couple of weeks ago. We did not mean to bring it to the Collier's house but since Gabe was the first to get it we are assuming it was he who started it. Abby also managed to avoid the bug but she does have another ear infection. Oh, how I can't wait for the tubes.

Happy Birthday Matt!!!!!

Today is Matt's 32nd birthday. He has been able to enjoy the day by sleeping late, playing video games, watching football and bathing in the tub with the two kids. He also had Happy Birthday sung to him several times throughout the day. I wish you a very happy birthday. I also hope you enjoy this year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them... And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:9-11

It's Jesus' birthday.... What a wonderful reason to celebrate!!!!

We leave tomorrow night after Matt gets off work. We had originally planned on leaving the following morning but figure it will be a much easier trip for all involved if it is night and the kids are able to sleep the entire way there. Let's just hope the drive stays awake as well. So I'm off to pack clothes, do laundry and gather and wrap any last minute gifts. We are looking forward to seeing everyone very soon.

My Abstract

I was playing around with paint the other day and this is what I came up with. I kinda like my abstract. What do you think? I think this summer I may get some paints and let at least Gabriel go to town on a canvas and create his own abstract. Jackson Pollock anyone?

It's Hard to Make Everyone Happy

I realized several years ago that when it comes to the holidays and grandchildren grandparents just can't get enough time. It has been very hard to make plans and not feel guiltly about the amount of time we spend at each house. We, well mainly me, have tried very hard to make our travel plans work with that of siblings and grandparents. When Matt and I first got married we agreed to rotate Christmas and Thanksgiving each year. This worked well until we had children and then we wanted to stay home for Christmas in order for the children to enjoy their gifts. So then grandparents were invited to spend Christmas with us on a rotating schedule. Well now that we are much farther away and don't get to visit family as often it has become even harder. It's hard to make our plans and not feel like someone is getting the short end of the stick. It is mainly my feelings and not those of Matt or of anyone else voicing that they are dissatified. I guess it is a trait of my personality showing through. I try very hard to make everyone happy around me and sometimes I let the little things bother me too much. But the holidays will be a happy one and I look forward to spend time with both families.

Peppermint Mocha, Mmmmmm

Coffee Mate has come out with several new flavors for the holiday season. One of these is peppermint mocha. I have really been enjoying this new flavor until just last week when I ran out. I headed to Kroger, where I had been finding it, to buy some more and they no longer have it in stock. I am sooo disappointed. There are still two weeks left in the holiday season and I really wanted so Peppermint Mocha at home. I guess I will have to get over it. Maybe I will find some in Chattanooga or Knoxville when I am visiting family starting next week.

I Have to go Potty Mommy

Yesterday while we were running errands Gabriel informs me he has to go poo poo. I told him to hold it until we can stop somewhere. He grabs his bottom. I explained to him that I meant to hold the poo poo in, not to hold his bottom. Anyway he then replies, "Yeah, if I don't then Spiderman will get dirty." (He had on Spiderman underware.)

Visit to Santa

Here is a picture from our visit with Santa. Abby was fine until I put her in Santa's lap and then she cried nonstop until I picked her up. Gabriel on the other hand was excited to see Santa. But this was the only picture we had that did not have his tongue sticking out. (Making faces is just where he is right noe with pictures. I can hardly get a picture anymore without a pose or a face.)

Cards

Christmas cards are picked, printed, addressed and stamped and ready to go in the mail box. That's one thing completed on my list of things to do before Tuesday. Let's see what else I can accomplish this morning.

Surgery for the kids

On Jan 24th both kids will be going in for surgery. They will both have their adnoids removed and tubes put in their ears. Gabriel will probably be having his tonsils removed as well. Matt will be taking the 24th and 25th off to help out.

More Pictures from the snow

Gabe made his first snow angel and had a blast doing it. Abby had trouble walking around in the snow. I wonder why, Maybe because it's up to her knees.

Snow again....

Then changing to freezing rain and rain, changing again tonight to snow. Expected accumulation 1/2" to 1 inch. The old snow is not even gone yet. Highs until Monday are in the 20's. The south is sounding better and better.

Stressed: Not a Good Feeling

With our travel plans fast approaching I am beginning to fell stressed about accomplishing all my goals. I still have several items left to make in my sew room. I also have several key gift items to locate and purchase. Along with these things Gabriel and Abby both have a Christmas program and ENT appointments this week. Gabriel has been invited to a birthday party on Sat. and I had so hoped to use Sat. to finish what sewing I don't finish this week. I also have to find the time to go to the grocery and buy items I am running low on. Then next week Gabriel has his first dentist appointment to have his teeth cleaned. And along with all that I have to finish wrapping everything and get the whole family packed and ready to go to Chattanooga and then Knoxville sometime next week. With all this going on with just two kids I can't imagine what Cathy has to go through planning stuff for her five kids.

Hmmmmm

This morning after my shower I was getting dressed when I remembered that today was garbage day. So I wuickly threw on my clothes and ran downstairs to take out the garbage. When I came back Gabriel wanted me to sit and draw with him on his doodle pad. I told him I needed to finish getting dressed. He looks at me and says, "But Mommy you're already dressed." And so I was.

Fetal Heart Beat......

scares Gabriel. Last night after putting Gabriel to bed I am downstairs relaxing. Gabriel comes out of his room and says something is coming out of my radio. I send Matt upstairs to check on things. He comes back saying that would scare him too. I asked what and he said the fetal heart beat on the CD. I had forgotten about that. And for some reason I found it very humorous and laughed until tears were streaming from my eyes. But at least I didn't hurt my back from laughing so hard, Matt. :)

SNOW!!!!!!

It's still here. It is finally beginning to melt, mainly because it is above freezing, but it is still here. Poor Gabriel wants to go to the park but at this stage of melting snow that would be a clothing disaster and it is not warm enough to be playing outside in wet clothes. You would think that a city that remains cold for so many months they would have more play areas inside. Even our McDonald's play place is outside. I guess if I want Gabriel to run around and play it will have to be Commons Mall play area which is in need of updating, several areas are roped off, or Chuck E. Cheeses. I am also thinking of clearing an area in the basement and bringing in Gabe's trike and Abby's car. But I do feel badly for Gabriel. Bring on the sun!!!!

Just When.....

I think I'm done Christmas shopping I remeber someone I forgot or something I forgot to get. Will the madness ever end?

Playing in the Snow is Delayed

I don't think the kids will be playing in the snow too much this time around. This morning Abby spent most of the morning pulling at her ears and whining. Gabe seems fine but I never can tell with him because he doesn't give me any indications as to wether or not it hurts. They are both still on antibiotics and I don't think the cold weather is good for them, especially since they are already fighting a bug of some sort. Though I would like to try and get a couple more pictures I just don't think it is a good idea. But I got the snow I wanted and it looks like it will be around for a while.

Our first Snow

Here are just a couple of our first snow pictures. Both kids have on so many clothes they can hardly move. Gabriel loves it and has eaten lots of snow. He has also helped to shovel off the driveway. Abby enjoys it but she gets cold fairly quickly (it may also be frustration in not being able to move). Right now it is 24 degrees F and we have had about 6" fall since 2:00. I finally got my SNOW!!!!!

Wrapped Presents

Well, I have wrapped and put under the tree some of the Christmas presents. Now I have to figure out how to keep the kids from opening them.

Off to the doctor......again

Abby complained about her ear hurting again this morning, She was grabbing at it and whinning. Anyway, I made an appointment for both to have their ears rechecked and sure enough they both continue to have ear infections and sinus infections. The doctor listened to Gabriel's speech and said he was concerned about his speech. When I told him he had been tested and it was said he had tested fine he looked at me and asked, "When?". I thought this was an interesting response but not unexpected. He has referred both kids to an ENT and hopefully we can get this problem solved. I have several concerns with tubes but I also have several with keeping them on antibiotics all the time as well. So we will go to the ENT and see what they have to say.

Decorating for Christmas

Well, I have almost completed my decorating for Christmas. I'm not as into it this year as I have been in the past ans I'm not sure why. I am enjoying my Christmas tree and my village and all the other decorations but I have not had as much fun putting it up this year. Maybe it's because there is so much going on and I haven't had the time to devote an entire day to get it done. I have also always done it the day after Thanksgiving,when I have help. But this year I didn't do it until the Sunday after. I don't know maybe it's because I am in a funk. Who knows. Maybe I'll feel happier once it is finished. I have the kids tree left to put up and my lights and Garland outside. Then I will post my pictures. I also need to take pictures of the kids for our Christmas cards. Maybe we can figure a way to make a family picture. Anyway that is what I have been working on for the last week and now I will start my sewing projects I have left for Christmas presents.