Snowmageddon January 2011

We've been out of school since Sunday. We found out Sunday night that we would not be having school on Monday. Monday morning we woke up to 5 inches of snow on the ground. It was an awesome snowfall for a Tennessee winter. The kids were so excited to see all that snow on the ground and being able to play in it was that much better.

Elizabeth had a whole lot of fun walking through the snow covered trees. Just look at that grin on her face.

Abby had a lot of fun sledding down the hill. I loved seeing the look of pure joy on her face.

Gabe had an awesome time sledding with a neighborhood friend.

Matt, Abby and I made a snowman together.

Elizabeth and Abby enjoyed helping Daddy shovel off the driveway. I was counting my lucky stars that we had lived in Indiana where it snows. We had the snow shovel and sleds that most people down here don't have. It was nice having everything and not having to search the stores for the few items they do stock. If only more places carried the snow pants and bibs.

Abby and Elizabeth were willing to pose for a few pictures for their Mama.

We've had fun in the snow. But at this point the kids and I are going a little stir crazy. We are going on our 4th snow day and I think we are all ready for school to start back. I wouldn't mind another snow storm this winter but I am ready for this one to be one of the past.

Matt Has His MBA

For the past six years Matt has been working towards receiving his MBA. This weekend that dream was accomplished, with Matt graduating from the University of Indiana. Matt graduated second in his class with a 3.958 GPA. He started working on his MBA for his dad who has always encouraged him to continue his education. Our weekend was filled with his family joining us to celebrate this momentous occasion. His brother's family flew in from Washington D.C. and his parents drove up from Knoxville. It meant so much to Matt to have his parents and brother present at his graduation.
For us it has not fully sunken in that Matt's weekends will no longer be filled with studying, writing papers or working on assignments for his most recent group project. Gabe asked his dad last night if he had class the following night. Matt was able to reply, "I don't have class tomorrow night, or the next or the next or the next. I don't have any more classes." I think it will mean the most to Gabe because he still remembers when Matt didn't have classes. For both of the girls this will be a new experience. And it will be such a huge change for the entire family. We are looking forward to it.

One of Matt's requests was to have a picture taken with all three of his kids in his cap and gown. Can you tell by the look on Gabe's face how proud he is of his Daddy? I sure see it. The girls were pretty excited too.

This one is of Matt and his brother. Now both of them have a Masters. And their father couldn't be happier. Now he's trying to push one of them into getting a doctorate. I really don't think Matt will be heading down that path anytime soon.

And the final picture is of the family. I couldn't be more proud of my husband. I also couldn't be more relieved. I know that Matt share that sentiment.

Wordless Wednesday

Elizabeth Says

Matt was holdong Elizabeth this evening before he left for class and Elizabeth sees some hair sticking out of the top of his shirt. She grabs hold and says, "Look, Dada. Fur." And then she starts pulling, laughing and grinning. Matt asks her to stop pulling his hair and she reapeats that he has "fur". We did finally get her to stop pulling and to understand that it is hair not fur. But her laughter and smiles brightened our day.

Christmas Photos

Collier Clan Update

Here's an update on all things Collier:

Gabriel: He is loving school. The tardy bell does not ring until 8:10, it only takes us 7 minutes to get to school. Gabriel is ready to walk out the door at 7:30 and every morning I have to fight to keep him home until 7:45. He no longer wants me to go with him. I guess I am just cramping his style, but to be honest I want to go with him because he is my baby but it's much easier to let him do it himself and it saves me time. Gabriel has scored 100's on each spelling test and we've had three (so proud). The only problem is that he came home with a discipline contract for hitting another boy, in the privates no less, in the bathroom. When we asked him why we were told, "I just wanted to." This really bothered me so I had the teacher call me and talked to her and was told that he had told her the same thing. Wii and TV were taken away and lectures given hopefully this will make the difference. He's a good kid, even if I do say so myself, but he makes some poor choices.

Abby: Is so full of herself. If you ask her what she did at school today she'll often tell you everything and this is usually true. Her favorite thing about school is painting. I got tired of cleaning up the messes so I rarely let the kids paint at home so being able to paint almost everyday is priceless to her. She also loves being with her friends everyday. She has already asked to have a sleep over. I may have to try a late night playdate with the kids going home instead of sleeping over. We will just have to see how that one works out.

Elizabeth: Cries every time I drop her off at school. I am told that she is fine shortly after I am gone but she cries none the less and that makes it hard. I know she stops crying because I am often working around the school and see her playing and having a good time. And the days she has preschool are the days I get the best greetings. Oh what smiles, hugs and kisses I get on those days.

Matt: Has started back to school and things have picked up at work at the same time. He is trying to get through the next couple of months until things slow down a little, at least work wise. Things won't slow down with school until May when he graduates with his MBA. And May really can't come soon enough.

I am too busy to relax it seems these days. I am planning the Fall Festival for the girl's preschool and that is taking a whole lot of time. I am also in charge of the school's one and only fundraiser that is year long with the first orders coming in this week. If you know anyone who wants to order some gift cards I've got those and it will support our school. MOPs starts back tomorrow and I can't wait to see everyone. And then there are all the activities and usual things you do as a mom. We are all busy and I keep trying to find ways to lessen everyone's loads and then find myself with as much or more than I had before. Hopefully, I will learn not to commit myself to so much.

Okay, it really sounds like I am complaining and in some ways I am but this seems to be life. I enjoy staying busy and being on the board gives me some purpose other than being a mom and a wife.

Where's Elizabeth

No wordless Wednesday post this week. I haven't had time to take many pictures so you will probably get to see those on Friday. Anyway, it's been a busy week already. Abby started Pre-K on Monday and Elizabeth started today. Both girls were very excited about going to school. Mommy was excited because that meant a little time to herself. I spent today discussing the Preschool's Fall Festival, which I am chairing, with the Fall Festival committee. Afterwards I had just enough time to meet Matt for an impromptu early lunch. Once we parked Matt opened the back door to get Elizabeth only to realize she was at school. We relished the fact that we able to have a meal together without kids and without having to hire a babysitter. It was nice to be able to talk to one another without all the kids distractions. I am hoping that we will be able to do this on a semi regular basis. My plans for Thursday when all the kids are at school is to clean the house from top to bottom without having to pick up kid messes inbetween. That will be heaven to me. I hope you have a great week too.

Back to the Everyday Occurances

Monday evening we returned from Florida. Tuesday I spent most of the day trying to get things unpacked and sorted. I also headed to the grocery store during Matt's lunch hour, Matt and the kids had pizza while I shopped, so that I could get the things I needed before he headed out of town. Matt left yesterday for Clovis, New Mexico and will return Thursday night. Gabriel starts football practice today and is very excited about it. Abby is chomping at the bit for me to sign her up for ballet and gymnastics. So I have added those things to my to do list. I also have back to school shopping to start and need to figure out a get well gift for Abby for after her hand surgery. Both of her hands will be bandaged for a week and I don't know how easily she will be able to use her thumbs since that is what they are correcting. She also won't be able to get her hands wet during that time either. And next week I am hosting our MOPS Bunco group here and need to get the house under control as well as the back yard. I really wish I had a truck right now because I need to pick up gas and don't want the fumes in the car with the kids. Maybe that can be Matt's next vehicle. Anyway, things are returning to the everyday and activities and school are starting again. I really can't believe that school is starting back in two weeks and that Gabriel is old enough for football already.

Wordless Wednesday

Gabriel Says

Now that Gabriel has started reading this is what I get everytime we are in the car.

Gabriel: "Mom the speed limit is 35 you need to drive 34."

I would like to say, "Thanks Matt." and please put as much sarcasm into that as you possibly can. Now I have to deal with two backseat drivers everytime both boys are in the car with me.

Gabriel Says

This evening Matt and the kids were swimming in the pool. I had already been in twice so decided to just watch. Here is a conversation that Gabriel had with Matt.

Gabriel: "Daddy, I am going to swim to the deep end. When I get there I am going to call you and you can leave Elizabeth with mommy and come to the deep end with me. Okay?"

Matt: "Uh, Huh." (I noticed that he wasn't even paying attention to what Gabriel was saying.)

Shortly afteward Gabriel calls for Matt. Matt looks at me and says, "yeah, I'm swimming over there." I tell him that he had agreed. He looks at me sheepishly and says "Did I really? I guess I better go then." and swims down to join him.

Pool Box

This past weekend Matt got out all his manly tools and made a pool box to keep all of our various pool paraphernalia in. Hopefully, this will help us to keep better organized this summer. I am also very impressed with how well it turned out. Now all that is left to be done is to stain it.

Thursday Thanks Tank

Today's Thursday Thanks Tank is going to be a little different. Today I want to express the thankfulness I have for my husband, Matt. It's funny how different Matt and I are but how well we get along, at least most of the time. Matt and I in many aspects are opposites of each other. Examples of this are: Matt likes Heavy Metal and I like country. Matt is a night owl and I am a morning person. I like really hot showers and Matt likes cool ones. I like things to be picked up and put away and this doesn't seem to bother Matt, unless it's really bad. Matt is definately more fiscally focused while I am not. I am optimistic and Matt is pessimistic. But despite thses differences we have learned how to get along with one another. We have also learned to respect or accept that we will not always agree with each other and have learned to work that out.
Early in our marriage we had to learn how to work as a team, fight together, make up and just plain live with one another. Our first year of marriage to be quite honest was rocky. I have often said that I was glad that we didn't get pregnant until later since we had to learn all of this first. I think that because we were able to learn all of these lessons together we have made our marriage that much stronger. We still fight and we still have our differences but we have learned how to fight and how to work out those differences, and then how to make up. I think that one of the most important things we learned is to respect one another by not airing our dirty laundry to others, especially family. We do sometimes find the need to vent and do so but try to do it in a respectful way. We have also learned how to help each other and not always ourselves which is very important. All the little things we do for each other are not always recognized but we do them all the same.
Lately Matt has been so busy with work and school that he has had little time for himself much less his family. I think we are all counting down the days to his graduation. Despite his lack of time he is finding as many opportunities as possible to spend with us. He is setting aside time to not only spend fun time with us but to help out with menial jobs like cleaning the kitchen, bathing the kids, reading stories, tucking in children, picking up around the house, mowing and an abudance of other household chores I generally try to take on myself. He also trys to make a point of being home for dinner every night, which I find extremely important. I am so thankful for his willingness to help me in all these ways. I am also thankful for his willingness to watch the kids so that I can attend my monthly BUNCO games or Mom's Night Out nights. He understands that these nights are not only fun nights for me but also nights I need to maintain my sanity. Matt is such a wonderful, generous, loving and kind man. I am so thankful that God put such a man in my path to marry and spend my life with. I'm not sure what I would do with out him.

Matt's New Buddy Holly Look

Notice the Poll

I just want to know what moron in his right mind would want to stay at home for a family vacation. That would be my husband. He has voted 4 times to stay at home for our family vacation. I guess with the pool and everything it wouldn't be too bad but instead we are heading to the beach in July.

I love you, Honey!

And Honey, from now on just vote once.

Not His Father's Son....Well Maybe He Is

Last Wednesday night Gabriel couldn't seem to get me out of the house fast enough. Here was our conversation;

Gabriel: "Aren't you going to play BUNCO?"
Me: "Yes, but it's not time to leave yet."
Gabriel: "Well, when are you leaving?"
Me: "Are you trying to get rid of me."
Gabriel: "NO, I just want you to go and have a good time at BUNCO."
Me: "Oh." (Standing there thinking where does he learn this stuff.)

Today, Gabriel went to the grocery store with me. On the car ride there here is the conversation we had.

Gabriel: "Mom, you've got a lot of wrinkles under your eyes."
Me: "What?"
Gabriel: "He repeats."
Me: "You don't tell women they have wrinkles." (Then I check for said wrinkles.)
Gabriel: "I'm going to be in trouble for that one aren't I?"

Sick Kids

Yesterday, Elizabeth had diarrahea.
Last night, Gabriel started throwing up.
This morning, Matt says his stomach hurts.

I gues we will see if it gets any worse than this.

Great Christmas Gift

Matt got me one of the best Christmas gifts this year. He got me the one thing I really wanted. I wanted it for several reasons but we are now both enjoying the benefits of this wonderful gift. What is the gift you ask? It is a gym membership. I wanted it so that we could both get back in shape, so that is would help us both lose some of those unwanted pounds we have both put on over teh past couple of years, get healthly and so that we were a good influence on our children. Matt is actually using the membership more than I thought he would and he is really enjoying the benefits as am I. I hope we continue to do as well as we have.

Another Thursday is here already. I can't believe another week has past. I have been so busy this past week getting ready for Christmas and all that goes along with it. Here are several things I am thankful for this week.

1. Teachers: I am thankful for the caring, loving teachers that my children have. I am so glad that I have teachers who care for and love being with my children. Both sets of teachers have taken a sincere look at my kids and know when something is bothering them or when something is going right. They compliment them and ask for my help or opinion when needed. This means so much to me. I am gald my children have them.

2. Friends: The kids and I had a playdate yesterday. We made reindeer t-shirts with the kids' foot and hand prints. I had a really good time spending most of the morning and part of the afternoon talking with the other moms and watching our kids play. It's nice to know and see that we all have similar outlooks on life. I am just so thankful for the friends in my life.

3. Peppermint Mocha: The time of peppermint mocha is coming to an end. That is one of my biggest vices when it comes to my coffee. The stores will soon stop carrying the peppermint mocha creamers so in the meantime I will enjoy and be thankful for it.

4. Christmas Cards: I love Christmas cards. I enjoy seeing pictures of everyone's children and reading about what is going on in everyone's lives. I enjoy using them to decorate around the door and to see the kids gaze upon the pictures and recoginze friends and family both near and far but close to our hearts.

5. Christmas Lights: I don't know if it is from my childhood memories but I love Christmas lights. I enjoy driving around and looking at all the lights on the houses.

6. Christmas Carols: I enjoy singing Christmas carols with my family. Lately, almost everytime we are in the car the kids ask to sing Christmas songs. They don't always know the words but they enjoy singing just the same.

7. Gabriel's excitement: I enjoyed seeing the excitement on Gabriel's face when he received his medal at hockey on Tuesday night. He told Matt, "It's the best day ever." He has also repeatedly asked if I have signed him up for session 2 yet.

8. Abby's excitement: Matt was able to come to Abby's gymnastics practice today. It was fun seeing how excieted she as that he was there watching. She kept looking over to wave and smile at us. She would then tell her instructor, "That's my daddy and mommy."

9. 1st Birthdays: I am so thankful for Elizabeth's 1st birthday. We had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating her birth and her first year. I also enjoyed watching Gabriel's and Abby's excitement over celebrating her birthday. They made sure we had cake and presents for her.

10. Matt: I am so thankful that I have a caring, loving, and sincere husband. Matt encourages me in so many ways and helps out in so many too. I love him more every day and thank God for bringing him into my life.

11. Jesus: I am thankful for the birth of Jesus who was born to save us. The Christmas story is such a wonderful story. I cry almost everytime I read it. I hope that my children continue to grow to know Christ and enjoy the stories from the Bible as much as I do.

This week my list is long. It could be much longer but I am going to stop. I saved the biggest for last and it is the thing I am most thankful for. I hope everyone has a joyous Christmas and remembers the birth of the newborn King and all he represents.

Shots or no shots

Yesterday, we took Elizabeth to the doctor because she has had diarrhea since Wednesday and then developed a fever on Sunday. While there we asked about getting flu shots for the older kids. The doctor was nice enough to get us the shots at that visit instead of making us come back for a scheduled appointment. He also suggested us getting the flu mist instead of the traditional shot. Gabriel went first and he enjoyed the fact that it didn't hurt. Abby on the other hand would not cooperate. She had to sniff and wouldn't do it. So she got the shot instead of the flu mist. Elizabeth will get her flu shot when we have her year old appointment on the 20th. Now the kids won't get the flu, hopefully, but Matt probably will since he tends to get sick more often than anyone else.