Man's best friend
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
SO sad my favorite holiday gets jipped!
I have written about this before but this year especially I am sad that nobody cares about Thanksgiving, well except to eat the meal! I think its especially bad here in Lubbock Texas. The irony is that it JUST NOW has become Fall. Leaves turning, having fires, wearing jackets, all of these things taking place for the first time in November. Nope, this town likes to go straight from Halloween to Christmas. Lets just pretend its winter! I LOVE a 'boutiful' Thanksgiving table, mine is the only one that I know of here. I am sticking to my guns with my family. Someday when my kids are grown and coming back for this holiday, I want them to really feel like its Thanksgiving instead of three months of Chrismas! I know so many people here who do not even have Turkey on Thanksgiving!!! I guess tradition is out the door.
We are having Christmas/Thanksgiving with Trent's family this wednesday. I always enjoy the meal and family, regardless of our Christmas surroundings. We even take all of our family Christmas pictures that day. This year its red white and denim, at least there is no green. I try to cut my MIL some slack since its her favorite holiday ever. I remember the first time on Halloween that I came home with Trent. We left after work from Dallas, so of course we arrived late. As we pulled on their street their house was the one lit up in lights and I could see the tree, which by the way is comparable in size to the one at the mall, through the window. I was in disbelief! You know, she is a pretty wonderful lady, so I let this one weirdness slide. Since we have moved here I have realized that she comes by it honest. The whole town is pretty much the same way. There are four houses in our neighborhood that have had their lights up and on for well over a month.
I feel like Christmas is being shoved down my throat in this town. I am sad to say that for the second year in a row I am not keeping with my tradition of putting up Christmas decor the night of Thanksgiving or day after, but instead am doing it today, the Saturday before and I am not one bit happy about that. It does make sense though because Thursday morning we are leaving to have Thanksgiving at an extended Philllips family's home and then that evening going to my parents where we will spend the weekend. I would wait until this week, but I am afraid it will be too busy with school things going on as well as I am always exhausted in the evenings after working all day. My energy level is probably the best today and we actually had nothing planned all day! I love Saturdays with no plans! So here I am half way through the decorations and taking a break to be a scrooge. It is fun opening boxes because I never remember exactly what I have, which is the case whichever day it is that I am decorating. I am just not ready to pack up the fall before we have had Thanksgiving.
I am not letting the Thanksgiving festivities end even though our tree is up! We are making turkey shirts today for the kids to wear to their school parties this week and then on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. We will just put sweaters over them for the Christmas pic at Meme's. We are making sugar/turkey cookies to take to our family in Fort Worth Tuesday! I can't wait to go to my mother's house which will be all fall for the occasion. I always enjoy sitting on the back porch which is lined with corn stalks on each post and pumpkins while drinking spice tea or pumpkin coffee.
Don't get me wrong I LOVE Christmas, there is just a time and a place!
We are having Christmas/Thanksgiving with Trent's family this wednesday. I always enjoy the meal and family, regardless of our Christmas surroundings. We even take all of our family Christmas pictures that day. This year its red white and denim, at least there is no green. I try to cut my MIL some slack since its her favorite holiday ever. I remember the first time on Halloween that I came home with Trent. We left after work from Dallas, so of course we arrived late. As we pulled on their street their house was the one lit up in lights and I could see the tree, which by the way is comparable in size to the one at the mall, through the window. I was in disbelief! You know, she is a pretty wonderful lady, so I let this one weirdness slide. Since we have moved here I have realized that she comes by it honest. The whole town is pretty much the same way. There are four houses in our neighborhood that have had their lights up and on for well over a month.
I feel like Christmas is being shoved down my throat in this town. I am sad to say that for the second year in a row I am not keeping with my tradition of putting up Christmas decor the night of Thanksgiving or day after, but instead am doing it today, the Saturday before and I am not one bit happy about that. It does make sense though because Thursday morning we are leaving to have Thanksgiving at an extended Philllips family's home and then that evening going to my parents where we will spend the weekend. I would wait until this week, but I am afraid it will be too busy with school things going on as well as I am always exhausted in the evenings after working all day. My energy level is probably the best today and we actually had nothing planned all day! I love Saturdays with no plans! So here I am half way through the decorations and taking a break to be a scrooge. It is fun opening boxes because I never remember exactly what I have, which is the case whichever day it is that I am decorating. I am just not ready to pack up the fall before we have had Thanksgiving.
I am not letting the Thanksgiving festivities end even though our tree is up! We are making turkey shirts today for the kids to wear to their school parties this week and then on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. We will just put sweaters over them for the Christmas pic at Meme's. We are making sugar/turkey cookies to take to our family in Fort Worth Tuesday! I can't wait to go to my mother's house which will be all fall for the occasion. I always enjoy sitting on the back porch which is lined with corn stalks on each post and pumpkins while drinking spice tea or pumpkin coffee.
Don't get me wrong I LOVE Christmas, there is just a time and a place!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
We did something different this year. I had actually planned a party similar to years past but Olivia requested a tea party. Because our space is limited, I told her she could invite four friends, since she was turning four. She invited three friends from Calvary (Rylan, Avery, and Mia), where she goes to school, and our good friend and neighbor across the street, Ella. It was really harder for me I think to narrow it down, mainly b/c I did not want any mommies to feel left out but it is not MY party is it?! It was really nice with a smaller number and I think because of this all of the girls were able to enjoy each other and make the most of the time. I know that Olivia did! We started with getting dolled up in the items at the table. Then the girls headed inside for story time where I read, Gigi' God's Little Princess, Royal Tea Party. Then we headed back to the table for tea (aka, strawberry lemonade), lady finger peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches, and fruit kabobs. Next we passed out cupcakes for the girls to decorate. Then the birthday festivities of candles and presents began. I am pretty sure fun was had by all! The invitation in the frame was a mess up b/c of the date, tomorrow November actually is Miss O's birthday. We will be bringing chocolate sprinkle donuts to share with her class and I hope to jump away from work for a minute to bring her a happy meal for lunch. This little girl certainly is growing up. She still loves baby dolls but her favorite will always be dogs, which she treats like baby dolls! Her favorite person is still her brother. If she could pick what she ate every meal it would be anything chicken. When we get a treat at Sonic she orders a Rootbeer everytime. She still loves to snuggle in the morning yet now prefers Strawberry milk as opposed to the chocolate of the past. Her favorite book is Pinkilicious and she LOVES to be read to! The time is really flying by......sniff sniff...........
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Inner and Outter Growth
Well I am now almost 20 weeks, on Wednesday. Everyone seems to be concerned with how I am feeling, in a word-tired. I have decide that this will probably be my way of life from this point out for many years to come! Things could not be more different this time around. A lot less security, and alot more faith. With Ty and Olivia I had more sonograms than I could count. We always were aware of what was going on. This time we have not had a one. We have decided not to find out the sex of the baby this go around but have been convinced by my doctor to have a sonogram at 24 weeks to see if development is going smoothly. I still need to work out the logistics of that. As of now, we do not have maternity insurance but there is a possibility that could change by January. I would appreciate prayers over this issue very much!
Being a surprise, and the planner that I am, I had a lot of anxiety at first. I can now feel God giving me a lot of peace and I know that is answered prayer. There are several things that have happened over the past month imparticular that have allowed me to embrace this baby. I have also received a lot of encouragement and can feel God working through those around me. Its still so hard to imagine having a baby at this point in my life, and where we are as a family. My children are far past this stage and it has been very freeing. I have given absolutely every baby item away with the exception of my 1974 highchair in my attic and a few special blankets. The month before I found out I was pregnant I gave away a tub of Ty's newborn things to Good Will!!!!! I am still just sick about that. How special it would have been to see those things again especially if he has a brother. I remember how much trouble I had boxing them up at one time. All of his clothes since have been passed along, as well as Liv's but that one box had been overlooked somehow. I guess I could say the same for a little girl.
Its been four years since I did this and have already forgotten so much. I don't remember how things should be, how much I should be feeling, how big should I be, or if I am drinking enough water, etc. I have switched to half-caff and only have one diet coke a week. That is a HUGE change for me! My hunger has gone back to normal, no cravings, and stopped being nausiated at 13 weeks. I also had given away all of my maternity clothes and received just a few back, however had the biggest blessing this past week from my friend Windi!!! Two HUGE tubs of WAY cute clothes!!! So much more than I ever had and I love every single item!!! I was in tears as I was hanging them up earlier today! I am not sure how they are going to all fit in my closet!
Not knowing who this little person is or what to call them has been different as well, yet surprisingly not hard! We are not planning a special room as we did the other times. I also am not really concerned about that, which is very uncharacteristic of me! Another wonderful friend has offered to let me use her cradle which held her children until they were 6 months of age. This gives us a lot of time to get that worked out after the baby has arrived, as well as the two children who are in both of my baby beds to grow out of them! I have gone back and forth about having a baby in our room and have decided its fine for a little while. Most likely we will be putting bunkbeds in Ty's room and let them share and a baby bed in Olivia's until we make more of a decision. Still really not sure but not worried about it. I know it will all work out and that we are fortunate to have moved into a four bedroom house, regardless if all rooms are occupied at the moment.
I really think not knowing and meeting this little person on their birthday will make it all the more special for all of us! Both kids say they would like a brother. Ty is thinking if he has a brother it will arrive ready to play ball and Olivia is just concerned about sharing her Barbies. Should be interesting! Olivia asks me daily when the doctor is going to take the baby out and does not have a concept of time, Ty forgets occassionally that there will be an addition. It really is kind of complicated to grasp, I think for all of us!
I have decided though that I am not taking any step of this journey for granted regardless of how it turns out. God has really been doing some stirring in me, as well as some pushing to make the choice to change alot of things about myself for the benefit of all who are around me. It makes me sad and embarassed to think very much about how much I did not even know how much I needed to grow. This makes me all the more thankful for a God and family who loves me anyway and have been so patient along the way. I don't know how Trent has put up with so much hormonal rage and irritability but am so thankful he has stood by me encouraging me and forgiving me all the while! I have finally been able to quit worrying and hand over this pregnancy to God and have to say it has given me SO much relief. Why I did not do that sooner and allow myself to just enjoy it, I do not know.
When I started this blog, I thought it would be a great way to keep up with friends and family whom I do not see often and it has since turned into something so different. I know not as many people stop by and keep up as once did and some of that has to do with me going private as well as probably leading not a real entertaining life! Anway, it has since been a great way to take myself back to moments that might otherwise have escaped me. I love going back and seeing what I was thinking or what we were doing two years ago and being physically reminded through pictures and emotionally through words. I hope that I can come back to this post when this child is older and remember what an impact it had on my spiritual growth. God has used this experience to teach me so much about the woman I want to be and how to become her. I hope at that point I am so much closer to that person whom this child and the rest of my family deserve.
Being a surprise, and the planner that I am, I had a lot of anxiety at first. I can now feel God giving me a lot of peace and I know that is answered prayer. There are several things that have happened over the past month imparticular that have allowed me to embrace this baby. I have also received a lot of encouragement and can feel God working through those around me. Its still so hard to imagine having a baby at this point in my life, and where we are as a family. My children are far past this stage and it has been very freeing. I have given absolutely every baby item away with the exception of my 1974 highchair in my attic and a few special blankets. The month before I found out I was pregnant I gave away a tub of Ty's newborn things to Good Will!!!!! I am still just sick about that. How special it would have been to see those things again especially if he has a brother. I remember how much trouble I had boxing them up at one time. All of his clothes since have been passed along, as well as Liv's but that one box had been overlooked somehow. I guess I could say the same for a little girl.
Its been four years since I did this and have already forgotten so much. I don't remember how things should be, how much I should be feeling, how big should I be, or if I am drinking enough water, etc. I have switched to half-caff and only have one diet coke a week. That is a HUGE change for me! My hunger has gone back to normal, no cravings, and stopped being nausiated at 13 weeks. I also had given away all of my maternity clothes and received just a few back, however had the biggest blessing this past week from my friend Windi!!! Two HUGE tubs of WAY cute clothes!!! So much more than I ever had and I love every single item!!! I was in tears as I was hanging them up earlier today! I am not sure how they are going to all fit in my closet!
Not knowing who this little person is or what to call them has been different as well, yet surprisingly not hard! We are not planning a special room as we did the other times. I also am not really concerned about that, which is very uncharacteristic of me! Another wonderful friend has offered to let me use her cradle which held her children until they were 6 months of age. This gives us a lot of time to get that worked out after the baby has arrived, as well as the two children who are in both of my baby beds to grow out of them! I have gone back and forth about having a baby in our room and have decided its fine for a little while. Most likely we will be putting bunkbeds in Ty's room and let them share and a baby bed in Olivia's until we make more of a decision. Still really not sure but not worried about it. I know it will all work out and that we are fortunate to have moved into a four bedroom house, regardless if all rooms are occupied at the moment.
I really think not knowing and meeting this little person on their birthday will make it all the more special for all of us! Both kids say they would like a brother. Ty is thinking if he has a brother it will arrive ready to play ball and Olivia is just concerned about sharing her Barbies. Should be interesting! Olivia asks me daily when the doctor is going to take the baby out and does not have a concept of time, Ty forgets occassionally that there will be an addition. It really is kind of complicated to grasp, I think for all of us!
I have decided though that I am not taking any step of this journey for granted regardless of how it turns out. God has really been doing some stirring in me, as well as some pushing to make the choice to change alot of things about myself for the benefit of all who are around me. It makes me sad and embarassed to think very much about how much I did not even know how much I needed to grow. This makes me all the more thankful for a God and family who loves me anyway and have been so patient along the way. I don't know how Trent has put up with so much hormonal rage and irritability but am so thankful he has stood by me encouraging me and forgiving me all the while! I have finally been able to quit worrying and hand over this pregnancy to God and have to say it has given me SO much relief. Why I did not do that sooner and allow myself to just enjoy it, I do not know.
When I started this blog, I thought it would be a great way to keep up with friends and family whom I do not see often and it has since turned into something so different. I know not as many people stop by and keep up as once did and some of that has to do with me going private as well as probably leading not a real entertaining life! Anway, it has since been a great way to take myself back to moments that might otherwise have escaped me. I love going back and seeing what I was thinking or what we were doing two years ago and being physically reminded through pictures and emotionally through words. I hope that I can come back to this post when this child is older and remember what an impact it had on my spiritual growth. God has used this experience to teach me so much about the woman I want to be and how to become her. I hope at that point I am so much closer to that person whom this child and the rest of my family deserve.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
The Southplains Fair
This was the last weekend of THE fair in our town. Its my favorite time of year. Being on a smaller scale its like something right out of a movie. Lots of unbelievable homemade food, lit up midway, petting zoo, and fun animal shows for the kids. This year was my favorite year yet with our kids being the age to where they really enjoyed it! First off we grabbed 'happyhour' cokes at just $1 and then headed to the midway, where Trent rode rides with the kids like the octopus, the supershot, and the ferris wheel. They also enjoyed a fun house, smaller ladybug ride, and the carpetslide.
Next we headed to the barns and saw some cows and sheep and then to the petting zoo where Ty held a duck and Olivia pet a chick and they both pet goats. Poor Trent, his eyes were red and watery the whole time! We had gotten there at 4:30 so by this time we were getting hungry. We opted for corn dogs. Last year I realized that they are nothing like any other I had ever had so it was a must. We took our dogs back to the stands to watch the bears. Afterward we took in the shark show, where a man actually got in the water with them hugging and kissing them! My favorite part was when a fairly large young boy who appreared to be around 12 left crying b/c he was scared... seriously. Next we took in a comedic show and then a comic/stunt show. By this time Trent had added a chili cheese dog and fried potatoes to his dinner! The kids ate some dip'n dots and then we headed home to scrub the fair off of our bodies. We had a blast for under $100 for the four of us and were home by 9! By no means a cheap night but I think reasonable considering the circumstance.
So that is our evening in a nutshell. This morning we got to sleep in for once! Our kids slept until 8!!!! A miracle. We woke to a cloudy dreary sky with low temps and were able to leisurly sip coffee until it was time for Trent to pack up for his first travel tournament for the fall. Here we go again- van and all! Trent is super busy these days working three jobs. I am so thankful for nights like last and mornings like this in the thick of all this business!