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Stress Relief

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

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Are you 'Mazed'

I haven't had a chance to blog much this week, so I'm going to catch up on the weeks events.

First off, last weekend we took the girls to Grapevine's Polar Express. We did this a couple of years ago and it was lots of fun so we thought they would enjoy it, especially since Meg really has never been on it. They get you so pumped up before you get on the train with singing and dancing and all sorts of fun, then we go to get on the train. Meg was so funny, she got on and kept saying "Mommy this is mazing, mommy this train is so mazing!" It was so sweet, and like I've said in previous posts I love seeing things through the eyes of my children. She was enthralled by the entire experience and to get to ride the train was such fun for her. Lauren of course had fun too, she was actually with a birthday party too so she was having her own fun with her other friends and kids. Santa of course was on the train and M just couldn't take her eyes off him. So, it was lots of fun. Love the atmosphere at nighttime on the train.

Then Saturday Nate and his dad flew out to Atlanta to watch our nephew, Daniel, play football in the state championships played at the Georgia Dome. They won! They all had a great time! Nate doesn't get away much so I'm glad he got to go. They even flew first class! :)

Sunday was the girls Christmas Choir program at church. Lauren did great singing and Meg and her age group had their own little segment. Of course I had to give her the "i don't want to see any skin" speech. She did great, she kept waving to me and looking behind her pretty much the entire time but at least she kept her clothes where they should be.

Then this week we got hit with the stomach bug for Lauren, hopefully no one else will get it. That took us all out for a day, which I had a feeling someone was about to get sick. It never fails though, L is always sick on a holiday and last year she was sick on the day of her xmas party at school. Luckily she was much better today and she went so she didn't miss the party, just Santa. Santa flew in on the helicopter to see the kids yesterday. Oh well, maybe next year. Anyway, I have been going full speed ahead these past couple of weeks and I just had a thought this week about God allowing the children to get sick to slow me down. yep, I guess we all needed a day together.

The weather this week has kept me in though, baking and cleaning. I think I am finally done xmas shopping and errands and now I hope to just sit back and enjoy this next week. All our family is coming in starting this weekend. Can't wait for Christmas Eve Service at our church, it is usually wonderful and gets you in the spirit of Christmas. Today I was just reveling all day in the Spirit of Christmas. The song Happy Birthday Jesus came on the radio and Meg started singing with it and it just brought tears to my eyes. We made cookies yesterday and today and I keep trying to instill in Megan that it's not all about Santa, cause she is all about Santa. She thinks we are only making cookies for Santa. Hopefully it will sink in with her that this is Jesus Birthday, he came down from Heaven to save us! He humbled himself to sacrifice himself for us, so we could be in Heaven with Him! Just Mazing! So what do you believe? Do you believe in the true Spirit of Christmas? Do you believe in Jesus? Take a moment and be amazed by the beauty and the joy of Christmas. Stop rushing around, stop stressing out none of that matters. Jesus is all that matters. Be 'mazed'!

Christmas Ornaments

This is from Cristi. What are my favorite ornaments and why? Well, first of all I am not very sentimental when it comes to ornaments. But these are the few I really like...

I have a crystal tree, we started collecting Swarovski annual ornaments when we were dating, so I have every year up until the last 3. My MIL used to give them to us for xmas but she doesn't anymore and we just haven't bought them. So I need to catch up on them. Anyway, I really enjoy my crystal ornaments and the children and great, they know not to touch this tree. Although i did hang them higher this year.

I have tried to do handprint ornaments with each of the girls but Ella's is the only one that actually turned out decent.

This one reminds me of our "early" years when Nate worked at Home Depot part time. They gave the employees this ornament. We still hang it. Plus Nate is always at Home Depot, his favorite store.

Shaughnessy, westhighland terrier, was my dog when I lived at home. when we got married He came to live with us. We gave him away 2 years ago, he was getting very old and anyway, it was time. But even though people think I don't like dogs cause I did that, I do and I have several ornaments for him that we still hang.

This one if a favorite when Lauren was 2 she dressed up as Dorothy for Halloween and her cousin Eric was the Lion. My mom found this ornament at Hallmark. Love it!

That's it.

Megan Mania

We had Meg's Christmas Program last night for her MDO. We have this program every year. Last year Meg just stood on the stage in the sanctuary and didn't move or sing. So I thought ok, 3 is still pretty young she will probably do the same thing. Well, I should have known better. I should have known, when i dropped her off in her classroom and she was so wound up she wouldn't even stand still for a picture. She had this ivory colored tulle skirt and ivory shirt on with leggings. She apparently thought she was the "twirling"princess because in the classroom she kept lifting up her skirt to twirl. I specifically told her, do not lift your skirt on the stage.

So the sweet little program gets started, there is a cute video of all the babies and the ones. Then the 2's go up there and sing. Then the three turn. Since Meg is so short of course she is on the front row. All they have to do is sing three songs and get off the stage. Well, First song, Meg is twirling her arms around like a windmill the entire time. Barely singing and of course not doing any of the hand gestures. Second song, she decides to stick her hands down the back of her skirt. The entire time i am on the floor (mortified of course) right in front trying to take cute pictures and motioning for her to get her hands out. She just looks at me and smiles. Like, ha, I'm up here and you are down there and there is nothing you can do about it. It seems like everybody is laughing, we were ROTF ourselves. Anyway, it gets better, by the third song she decides to lift her shirt up. Everyone got a good shot of her belly and button cause she left it up the entire song! Now I'm really mortified and laughing so hard I'm crying. Why does this have to be my child? She is not supposed to do things like this! Where is the modesty? UGH!!! I can feel the gray hairs popping out now! Then today several people call, great show last night of meg. And then the best one, i have pictures for you Suzie, great! And they are zoomed in. Great! Thanks Jen! At least, I found this out later, there was another kid with his hands in his pants too! I feel so much better now. I'd show you pics put they aren't zoomed in so maybe another time.

Tree Farm

Today we want to a Tree Farm. It was so windy and a bit chilly, but the children didn't seem to mind. They had fun, running all around, jumping in the bounce house and climbing to the sky on the hay pyramid. I know M is really little but you don't realize how little they are sometimes until they are around all these other kids their age and then stand them next to a sign, like the one below. She is for sure the pint!

Can you see meg?

According to the Grinch only about 2 inches. She's not even 3 feet!

The kids were all over this wagon and we just told them to move to the front (or back) and they posed themselves so great!

Thanks guys, we had fun! Even if it was a bit windy!

House Guest

We have a house guest for a while. Her name is Carol. Carol the Caroler that is. Isn't she beautiful?

Hmmmm......Friday night we had our Sunday School class Christmas party. Every year we do a white elephant gift exchange. For the past 2 years now I have ended up with the Worst present! Last year I ended up with someones used panties! Gross! This year I got Carol. I mean look at her, she is just scary! Like from the movie scream scary!!! The children will be having nightmares now! However, i might put it in someones room when they aren't being on their best behavior. Just so they know someone is watching! I know it's just my luck to get these types of presents. It's because I love presents, and I just wanted the $25 itunes or even the gingerbread kit. It doesn't have to be much. Oh well, I just want to say for everyone that knows Carol...watch out! You never know when she's going to show up!

PS This caroler was in the gift exchange last year and someone got it(Lewy) and they regifted it so now everyone will know I will bring it back for next year! I am going to have to get really creative for this one!

First Winter Fire!

I just love it when the weather turns cold enough for a fire! The smell of wood burning outside and inside, the glow of the fire is so warm and comforting. I just want to snuggle up with all my kids and my hubby and not move. We had our first fire tonight. E was so fun to watch, she was amazed at the fire but her chubby cheeks were so red, cause my Nate can build a hot fire!
I didn't realize it was so cold this morning and I decided to run outside today. Yeah, my hands were freezing. But it was good, you run faster in the cold cause you want to get it done!

E and I did some Christmas Shopping today, went into this one store, which shall remain nameless. THey had the cutest Christmas stuff, can't wait for the day after to see what i can get on sale!

Not much to say today, so i'm going to snuggle with N by the fire.

Check this out!

Please go to the blog on the right called Bright Sunshinny Day! Great perespective on this time of year!

Christmas is Here!

Remember that song that the elves sing at the North Pole, Christmas is Here?!!? Megan was playing her new Bob and Larry Christmas cd and it's on there! Oh this got me so excited this morning! I have spent the last few days putting up all the Christmas decor and listening to my Christmas music and getting in the season but this song this morning got me so excited. I can't wait to see how excited the girls will be this month. Of course for Megan the month is not starting off so great. She was pretty good over Thanksgiving while in Branson, more about that later. Since we have been home she's back to being "meg". I finally told her last night that Santa doesn't come to little girls who cry and pout and shout. I had to sing the song of course! then i feel guilty cause i know i will still get her stuff. I must stop these useless threats. I feel like prayer is the only way for me to deal with her. Anyway, I'd love to get that elf on the shelf but really I'm trying not to buy stuff just to buy it. Oh well, I'm making my list of things to do with the kids for everyday this month. Some are service projects and others just Christmas fun things. Everyday is something. With a little education on the true meaning of course!

So Thanksgiving was lots of fun in Branson and Silver Dollar City. The girls had a blast and E did great staying home with Gigi and Pop! I'll post some pics later. I was missing me some baby love though by the time we got home. Of course at this age she didn't even notice I was gone.

The other night we decorated the tree. I let the girls do the majority of the decorating. Meg decided all the ornaments needed to go in the same spot! i had to do some rearranging later. Then the next morning she got up and rearranged them again! She's killing me! But i loved her face when she saw the tree, the look of awe and amazement! And when L came home from school yesterday and the house was finally put together! she was so excited too! i love seeing Christmas through a child's eyes!

Well, I'm off to finish cleaning and put this toot to bed for naptime! Oh, i forgot i need to clean out some toys to make room and give someone else a chance to play with something new!

I'm so jealous my friend Koleen is going scrapbooking this weekend! I can't wait till January when i go!

Today...

Today I...

1. ran 3 miles

2. made breakfast

3. caught up on blogs

4. played a game with meg

5. went to target

6. gave ella a bath

7. played with ella

8. ate thanksgiving lunch with chocolate pie (yum)

9. swept the floors

10. Forgot to pick up Lauren at school

Yes, you read that correctly! One of my biggest fears came true. I have always been afraid of losing track of time and forgetting to go p/u L from school. And today was the day! I was busy packing for our trip, talking on the phone (big shocker) and lo and behold the phone beeps in, it's my friend Jenna and I knew before even saying hello, didn't even have to look at the clock. I said i forgot Lauren didn't I, she said yep! SO i threw the phone down, didn't even say goodbye to the other person and jumped in the car! Laughing all the way of course! I could not believe I did this! On my way there, it's a whole 2 minute drive, the office calls, your daughter hasn't been picked up yet! Yes I'm on my way, my phone dies! Quite comical! I get there and I'm still laughing, the nice assistant in the office who has always been nice to me, didn't think it was so funny! AHHHH!!!! I feel like the best mom in the world!!! Luckily L has matured a lot in the past year, i thought she might be a bit hysterical, but she wasn't, she was just sitting there looking pretty! I apologized to her of course! Yeah! She'll probably need therapy for this too!!!

So if you ever forget to pick up your child from school, just know you are not alone and we all have those days!

Thankful Thursdays

I got this from yesterday's devotion from my book "At His Feet". I thought it was appropriate going into thanksgiving.

Thankfulness for what God has blessed us is not enough;knowledge of the blessing is granted us that we might extend the blessing to others.
God's favor comes to those who know their need. Abundance and status are deceitful, often blinding us the to the very need God wants us to acknowledge.
Our gratitude often contains a tragic irony. We think we are being spiritual by thanking Him for things, but we may end up thanking Him for our own idols. Are we really grateful to God for material blessings? Or are we just thankful to have them, regardless of how we got them? The difference is subtle.
Ask yourself: If God took the blessings away, would i still love Him? If so, you were truly thanking God. If not you only saw Him as the means to another end. This Thanksgiving, thank God for all he has blessed you with. Be aware of spiritual pitfalls in the blessings He has given. Do not let them mask your deeper needs.

What am I thankful for today, truly thankful?
1. my wonderful husband
2. my precious children
3. my family
4. my friends
5. I get to go to church and read my bible whenever i want.
6. that i get to buy christmas presents
7. that i will eat a very yummy thanksgiving
8. that i run almost everyday and can run
9. that i already have my christmas cards done
10. my home.

God does give and take away and i pray that i will still be thankful even when He takes away.

Tooth Fairy!

Lauren has been waiting and waiting for a loose tooth so the tooth fairy would come visit her. Well a month ago, i guess, she had her first loose tooth! We were all so excited. Of course i had all these grand plans of "fairy dust", cause my friend amy does this and at school last year the tooth fairy left notes for everyone and dust everywhere, aka glitter! anyway, so i've been checking it a couple times a week and telling her to keep wiggling it and eat on it. Last night, it was so loose it was literally about to fall out! SO her daddy tells her it's time and of course, my drama queen, starts freaking out! They come into the bedroom and she want ME to pull it out! ME! hello! i have never pulled a tooth, i don't know what i am doing and i'm so afraid to hurt her. So after lots of tears and prayers and soothing i carefully pulled it right ou! Finally, she lost her tooth! Except now what? i didn't have any cash, i didn't have a chance to get the fairy dust, i was going to get the "pearl necklace" thing. DIdn't do that either! great mom i am. so she went to sleep, nate happened to have a little cash and he did the fairy thing! it was kind of funny, i think he was bummed he didn't get to pull the tooth. But he is a little squeemish so maybe he was glad. SO this morning when i got up to run at 5, i found some glitter and sprinkled it over her. She wakes up and she is more excited over the glitter than she is the money! crazy kids! i think she has 2 more loose now. other bottom and one top. she'll be the kid without any front teeth at all. just a little too late for the christmas card of "all i want for christmas is my 2 front teeth". Oh well, maybe megan will be the one.

Crazy Soccer Mom!

By the way that is me!! I am the crazy soccer mom! you know we got in trouble a couple of weeks ago for too much "coaching" from the side lines. I was really embarassed and last week i really controlled myself. But tonight the team we were playing against was really irritating me by their dirty playing and then i just got all worked up. We did end up winning though, so it doesn't pay to not play by the rules. You know, you would think that a city run sports complex would have their lighting on some sort of timers! well i'm not sure exactly what happened but the lights were not on at first and then it took some einstein a little too long to finally get someone out there to turn them on! IT's cold and dark! hello!!! i never thought i would be that crazy soccer mom but i am! Good thing the season is almost over.

Thankful Thursdays!

Top 5 things i'm thankful for!

1. We have electricity
2. gas prices coming down, for the meantime
3. all my family is healthy
4. my husband is off tomorrow
5. spending time with my mom this week

what are you thankful for?

Running

ok, so before i got pregnant with ella i was running and training for a half marathon. Once i found out i was pregnant i stopped running, didn't want to take any chances. So now i've been running again for about 6 weeks and i'm finally feeling like i'm making progress. Today was 3 miles. Not too shabby, i just bumped up my mileage this week from 2.5 to 3. My friend Vicki is running with me, i hope i don't "run" her off. It's great having a running partner but i might be pushing her too hard. Running for me is a great release, i feel so much better and hopefully some of this post baby weight will come off.

About yesterday, my first day back at school. It wasn't too bad! THe class is actually really good. and i love this age group. i forgot how much fun they are. Sweet group of babies! Can't wait for january. Oh and my future teaching buddy is great, we are similar so i think it will work out well! Thank you Lord.

i'm spending the day with my mom today! we'll probably go "window" shopping.

Why does it take a 6 year old, 20 minutes to eat cheerios?!?!? Seriously!?!?!? how many times do i need to say, hurry up, you have stuff to do!??!?!?! oh, the joys of motherhood!

Blogging Bandwagon

Ok, so i've been reading all these blogs and have been inspired by so many people but i have yet to start my own so at 8:00 tonight i decided i was going to start mine. So here i go....

I want to blog for a few reasons..

• to keep my family updated on our daily chaos
• to hopefully inspire someone the way i have been inspired
• to have an outlet since i can't scrap everyday

So today is Monday and my sweet baby girl had her 4 month doctor's appt this morning. She is doing fabulous, weighing in at 14 pounds and 24 inches, she is going to be short i think. Her sister, Megan, had fun at the doctor's office, of course she thought it was her job to entertain the doctor and play peek a boo with her. She is always the attention grabber! Of course her favorite thing about going to the doctor is she gets a "sugar free" lollipop as we leave. She does not know they are sugar free of course, but makes mom feel better when she's eating candy at 10 in the morning!

So it rained on and off today and was cloudy so it was one of those lazy kind of days where i got absolutely nothing accomplished. Now for those of you who don't know me, i am trying to be a good "keeper of my home". However with three children and a dog, the house just always seems to be a mess. Now my OCD is setting in because i like the entire house clean all the time. hmmmm...do you think that happens often? not so much! I am subbing tomorrow, so i really won't get any housework done. That's ok, there's always the next day. I am excited to be going back to my little part time teaching job, i will go back in January, but i'm just subbing for the day to get acquainted with my new class. It is a wonderful christian mother's day out, where my girls have been attending since they were 1. I have taught there the past couple of years and took a little time off to be with my sweet blessing #3! So i am a bit worried about how the other teacher in the class will be. But i've prayed about this and God definitely said to go back to work and He hasn't failed me yet, so Lord, i'll put my trust in you! Maybe this is the beginning of a new friendship! I will be keeping my eyes open for the blessings!

Last night our sunday school class had our mom's nite out...we went to Charming Charlies! Awesome store!!! i could not get over all the wonderful jewelry, clothes and purses, it's a girl's dream store! then we went to Cheesecake Factory, yum yum! I just have to say i love hanging out with friends, i don't go out to eat often with friends and when i do it's so much fun, great conversation, i really need to do this more...thanks honey for letting me go and for taking care of the girls by yourself! i appreciate him so much!

One more thing before i go today...the title of my blog came to me yesterday at church. it was the end of the service, the invitation had been given and i was standing there singing, praising God and praying and all of a sudden i said "who am I" and the first thing that popped in my head was "you are the daughter of the king" . That really stuck with me all day! and i said to myself why did i ask that...then tonight as i'm thinking of a title it comes back to me! For those of you that don't know we are all royalty and our Heavenly Father is the King and we are His children and heirs. Once you have asked Jesus to be Lord of your life and into your heart you will reign with him in heaven forever! Goodnight!