Festive

I have been obsessed lately with pictures and making them look awesome. I have to say that I am particularly proud of these. The first picture is of the ornament that William picked out this year. The second picture is my fave. It's of the Christmas Countdown that Carrie and I made that looks like the one from our childhood. My mom took hers apart as a pattern and we put them all together. It's the first time that I have ever worked with sequins and embroidery. I have been itching to get another project like this since I've finished it. Hence, messing with pictures I think...
Anyway, Merry Christmas!!

Writing

William wrote his name for the first time by himself today!!

One of Those Stories

I just got finished having one of the healthiest, longest laughs I have had in a WHILE. My husband makes me laugh on a daily basis, but nothing like this story that I am about to share. I'm sure some of you have already heard, but it's definitely one of those Christmas stories that needs to be told over and over every year. I just needed to record it somewhere as a reminder. What better place than on a blog??

With having Christmas with two separate families in two separate places, there is a lot of mailing and delivering and such. -I am already giggling just thinking about this story.- My mom told me that she was sending out Lily's gift, Matthew's gift, and my gift with someone else's package. The trouble was.. I don't remember who's package it was sent out with.

Today, I got a package from my sister, Jennifer, who I knew for sure was sending Lily's gift from Savannah. I open the package to find the game for Lily and two videos and an audio book about the Civil War. I was puzzled. Why would my parents give us stuff about the Civil War? Was there some kind of theme this year? I told Matthew what I had found and he was actually genuinely excited to watch the movies. All day today, Matthew's been telling people that my parents got us these things about the Civil War.

When we get home from running errands, Matthew calls my parents and leaves this ELABORATE message about these wonderful gifts. He was so excited to watch one of the movies while we wrap Christmas presents. On and On. As I was about to fold up the box, I saw the gift receipt. I pulled it out and it said under the videos and audio book the following greeting:

To: Nathan From: Kyle
Merry Christmas!

I couldn't help but BUST out laughing at the fact that Matthew called my parents and thanked them for a gift that they didn't buy and wasn't even ours! He made me call my parents in Tennessee to ask them to delete the message without listening. When I told my dad this, of course he wanted to listen to it.

After calling a few people just to tell them this story, we have all come to the conclusion that this story will not be forgotten.

Oh, my sweet Matthew. You've gotta love that man.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I'm so happy that Families are Forever.

A Great Gift

I have to admit that I'm a little ashamed at the fact that I let my kids open the only gift that was under our tree. That we got yesterday. But, if you know me, you know that I bust at the seams every year to open gifts. After a while of William asking and Lily just pretending she doesn't hear me and opening it anyway, I caved. Which, also if you know me, you know I'm a huge push over.

So, they open the gift bag to find these treasures from my sweet almost 94 year old Grandmother.

It's a Santa that has candy - and $20 that the crazy kids couldn't care less about - in the tummy. Grandmother taped over the plastic tummy cover so that the candy wouldn't fall out. Here's where the fun comes.

William and Lily tried and tried and tried to get the tape off to get to the wonderful double bubble gum that was trapped in Santa's stomach. Picking and picking. Pulling and pulling. Shaking and shaking.

Finally they gave in and let me help them. I picked the edge of the tape off so that they could pull it better and then they were open spreading the smell of sweet bubble gum through our apartment. William picked up his $20 and tossed it on the couch in Lily's direction. Lily picked it up and gave it right back to him. They both opened a piece of gum and started chewing.

I couldn't help but sit back and think of the twenty minutes of peace and quiet that I just had. So, here's to Grandmother, who unknowingly gave me one of the greatest gifts a worn out mom could ask for.

Further Proof...

...that my children are practically twins.

Will's Green Cast

I just thought that I would post up pictures of William in his cool green cast. This was before everyone signed it and it became the crazy mess it is now. William loves that people can sign his cast. And he mostly wants people to write "Will" on it. I think it's the one positive thing about him breaking his arm. We have an appointment to have it taken off a week from today (December 15) where they will saw it off his arm and "pull" the pins out of his elbow. I threw up in my mouth a little bit when the doctor told me that. My heart went out to William too. I have a feeling that next Tuesday will be no picnic in the park for him. The saw will scare him and the pulling of the pins will more than likely hurt him. I'll have to do some severe damage control.
I'll take more pictures of his cast before we get it taken off.

A Pinch of Salt

Recently, it seems like everyone is either expecting or just had a baby. Three of my sisters-in-law, a cousin, LOTS of friends, even the characters on the shows I watch regularly are expecting. Am I so happy for these great women? Of course I am. Having a baby is such a blessing!
Which is why every time I hear that someone else is expecting, my aura gets a darker shade of green! Not like the Hulk, but the other green monster called ENVY. Not to mention that every new baby is like a mini dagger to my uterus.
Yes, yes, I am finally coming out of the baby hungry closet.
Although Matthew and I have both talked and prayed about this extensively and have decided to wait a while longer, it's difficult to not want one NOW when others are expecting. When I'm feeling like this, I think I can relate to Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory -the classic with Gene Wilder. You know, "I want it NOW!" Do I want a Golden Egg? Sure! Preferably one with a baby inside.
After a little pity party, and a conversation with my Heavenly Father, I come back to reality. And honestly feel a little foolish. There is always something to learn in life. Heavenly Father loves us and He knows what is best for His children. Through this experience, I am learning to trust in the Lord. There's a time and place for everything and I need to have faith that I will be able to have the thing I want, in the Lord's time.

Side note: For all of you who are expecting, I AM sincerely happy for you! I just can't wait to be among the Sisterhood of the Pregnancy Pants.