I had to add some more...

Why does this town have turn lanes the entire length of the street (which is also the entire lenght of the city) and no right turn lanes? If you ever are in the right lane you will be breaking non stop for the person who speeds up to cut you off and turn right. This is so messed up to me that there are no medians and very annoying. Was there a city planner who thought this was a good idea? Why?

Why does the wind blow 60mph for just two months out of the year and we have to live in dirt because of it? I am sure there is some type of scientific explanation for this one. Man do I hate the taste of grit and smelling like boy all February and March when the rest of the world is all spring like.

Why are mommies expected to be 24/7 regardless if there is a job outside the home and its just understood that men 'help' with their own children? I laugh about this often with friends, how we feel that we need to ask if they can watch them when something comes up for us but its just a given that we will be with them otherwise. I mean its really not babysitting when their yours is it? I never get a hard time about it from T and I don't know that he actually does something that makes me feel this way, I think its just how our society is.

Why are we scared to tell our hairdresser that we are not happy or that they did not get close enough to the roots and feel like we are cheating on them when we switch because of it? I know at least one other person who feels this way.

Why does whatever season we are in at the time seem to last forever with the exception of Fall that just flies by?! Could be b/c of the weather here in this crazy state.

Why do I get excited about things and sign up to do them and then when they get close I wish I hadn't and would rather stay home. I do this quite a bit actually.

Why do I get excited every time someone shows interest in our home that has been for sale for 13 months now and start looking again only to find the perfect one which I will see sold to someone else a month or so later? This has happened with three different houses now.

Why do the ugly ones in our neighborhood sell and for a higher price?

Why do I keep drinking coffee when it does absolutely nothing for me now, as far as giving me energy anyway?

Why am I still blogging when I have 45 minutes before I have to be at school and have still not had a shower?! Guess I will be not real put together today!

Okay I have come back to add a few more.... I thought I was going to be getting ready to go to work, but instead got a call to pick up O b/c she has a 101 temp!!! I went to get her and now will be here the remainder of the day which causes me to add a few more:

Why would a carseat company only make the seat cushion washable and not the straps?? O threw up on the way home and we took it completely a part and shoulder straps will not come out. They did on the carrier, do they think that kids past 24 lbs. don't throw up? We decided she is ready for the next step up and have been looking online, even the most expensive ones just say washable seat cushion!!!

Why on earth are some companies inclined to charge SO much more for a 'pretty seat' when others have the same safety ratings and are not $300?

Why has one member of my family or another been sick since October? We still have Spring allergies to look forward to! YES!!!! O has been to school only four days during the month of January!!!!! We have been in a pre-school setting since each of them were babies, never have we contracted anything other than ear infections or the occassional cold. What is different now? O was the only person in her class to get hand foot and mouth and then RSV two months later. It did not spread, thankfully, but it was just her!!!

Why do children seem to have radar for when their mother is either changing clothes or using the facilities and feel the need to be there for it? These radars also work for when she might be very quietlly getting a piece of chocolate!

Why do companies feel the need to package an item inside of a package? Don't even get me started on toys, but I opened a pkg. of paper towels the other day wher each one was individually wrapped, is this really necessary?

Why are the most frequent phrases out of my mouth, "GET OFF OF HER!" and "No!" ?

Why can I get more done after T is home, simply b/c of his presence than I can all day?! They seem to leave me alone when he gets home and allow me to be more productive. Of course the sickness factor makes them much more clingy. I realized this last night when I was making dinner, doing laundry and picking up all at the same time. Before that, no lie, there was some type of chotastrophe about every five minutes. T gets home, all is calm........

Why is Satan attacking our family right now? Does he think he will get us? Think again. All of this stinks but God is still well intertwined within us and things could be so much worse. Trent has a flexible of enough job to stay as needed for the time being and I have the luxury of working part time at a pre-school at this point in our lives. If I were anywhere else we would be in quite a bind. This is temporary and fixable things. I know we are going to be okay but please say some prayers anyway. My attitude is a constant challenge and although it may sound like sarcastic humor, I sometimes allow myself to be effected by it. God is good and I will praise Him in this storm.........

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Now let the whining and crying begin! It has, in full swing.

Trent and I had a wondeful four days together. Wednesday after school I had the luxury of coming home and enjoying a long hot shower and the bonus of painting my nails and putting lotion on! Thursday morning I had breakfast with a group of girls at Jennifer K's house and then onto school. After school I went to TARGET! I never do that. I spent some Christmas mulah on some sale items and new swimsuits! That night Trent stated basketball games so I went along to watch and was VERY entertained! Talk about some close games and they (girls and guys) went into double overtime and won against a highly ranked ! It was also nice to actually get to visit and watch the game! I go alot and take the kids and they enjoy it, however it is quite a different experience!

Friday was a little more productive with some laundry and that evening I had a girl's night out with the same group of girls from Thursday morning. I looked back and it has been two years since I was at the last one!!! We have seen each other since but an actual night out a long time! I had SO much fun! We spent three and a half hours at Cafe J, one of my local favorites. The food was delicious and the company was priceless! See Larissa's blog for pictures! Saturday Trent had to stat basketball games so I tagged along again, not as exciting as Thursday but wins none the less. We went out to eat that night and the restraunt was so packed that we got out of there late and chose not to go to a late movie with account of church being early in the morning. Also a different experience, I actually got to fill out the outline and take notes! Something of the past for me these days.

I thought I was going to be so sad when the left, but not so much! It was wondeful for all parties concerned. They had a wonderful time in the metroplex and LOVED the stockshow! They got to eat at lots of neat places and Pop took Ty to see Veggie Tales. The movie theatre is at the mall and it has the most beautiful large carosel there which of course they had the joy of riding as well.

I picked them up yesterday and Olivia screamed the first thirty minutes in the car. She 'needed' me. Ty had a sore throat and fever and it just has gotten worse from there. All of his cousins have had the same thing this whole week he was gone! He was up, as well as were we, the entire night last night and nothing we give him or do seems to be helping! Of course everytime I call first thing in the morning, they are already booked so he has an appt. for tomorrow! My MIL is coming over this afternoon to be with him while I go to school. We have missed so much this year for illness its beyond ridiculous and I just don't feel like I can call again!

I love my kids so much it hurts. It just makes me laugh, sort of, that there is no easing back into this- its full on whining and crying today after days of silence! Even Murray the dog looks at me like "What in the World??!" T and I milked it for all it was worth and now its back to reality! No more clean house or peace and quiet. It was exactly enough time though. They were ready to come back and I was starting to remember how it was before they were here, and although it was good, it was not complete! I could not stop staring at them through evening service last night. I have also been a little overboard on the kisses and O has even told me to stop! We will get through this illness like the others and the tattling, whining, crying, etc will all be regular things again. This morning coffee is already helping! Funny how much less I drank of it while they were away......

What a Week!

Well I think my little girl may be well and we are going to shoot for a sick-free week at school this week! Well, almost a week for the kids anyhoo. My sweet parents are meeting Trent in Abilene on Wed. to get them and take them back to Arlington for FIVE WHOLE DAYS! They have lots of fun things planned and I know they are going to have an absolute ball. They are taking them to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, something I have fun memories of doing with them as a child and adult for that matter! I know they are going to love it and all the animals.

Trent and I are more than thrilled that we will all benefit from their time with Pop and Cita! We have never done this before, sent them both away and been at home without them! I am a little nervous, only that I will miss them a bunch.. as far as their care I know my mom and dad will probably be better than I could ever be! It is going to be SO weird... but very fun. We have lots of fun things planned as well! Mainly just being together and soaking one another up before the craziness of the Spring Season begins! This year is going to be twice as busy as last but the off season has been much better with Trent not reffing or stating as much, so I can't complain..... too much ;)

Being inside the house this entire last week about drove me over the edge. Our monstocity of a television has also been broken and pulled away from its built-in center causing an obstruction to the pathway as well as everyone on our bed in our room for any watching that has to be had! I let the kids watch their shows in there in the morning. Olivia is at the age where she is just into EVERYTHING! I mean, I walk out to load the washer, come back and she has everything drug out of every cabinet in my bathroom! Ty was never like that! He can just sit and watch a show, she has yet to sit through even one that is thirty minutes! Night and Day those two, just like their mom and dad!!!! Ty had been to several movies by the time he was her age, we are still scared to take her.

Speaking of movies, I had the sheer joy of spending a night with my friend Shauna last week. We went kidless to Bueno and then to see Juno. It was great, ALL of it! The movie was quirky funny and even a little jaw dropping big eyed funny at times, but overall..... very good. We always have such a great time together and its almost comical to embarassing how much we say, "ME TOO!" to have so much in common. I mean to the ridiculous point of famiy and in-laws, who also happen to be great friends and on vacation together at this very moment! She is just a precious person whom I have had the blessing of getting to know over the past few years.

Well the dinner bell is ringing...... I am letting T cook as he pleases while he is around to do it! Such a sweetie and really has been an incredible help while he has been home. I am getting spoiled and going to be all the more in shock when he is gone! Here is to a great week for everyone!

BTW, I want to see your favorites too at some point. I love knowing these things about friends so I can help make them to happen for you like Sweet Shauna and Larissa have for me with those GREAT DIET COKES!

On a more positive note.....

I just came from Jennifer B's and Jenni K's blog where they listed their favorite things and have asked others to do so as well. I decided it might be a good idea to focus on the positive today. I have done things previously somewhat like this but here is a new one!

1.Sitting in front of the fireplace watching a movie in the dark
2. Long Hot baths, accompanied by some good mags and catelogs
3.Coffee
4.Vanilla Cream Diet Cokes from 82nd St. Cafe (Thank you for today my sweet Shauna)
5. Getting my hair done
6. Getting a one hour massage
7. Shopping in China Town
8. Harolds
9. Marshalls
10. Decorating for the Fall Season
11. Laying out by the pool in the summer
12. Walking with Trent on tournaments, his especially but his team's too
13. Sister's laugh
14. T-Y's random hugs, smile, and freckles
15.Going to concerts with Trent
16. SUSHI!
17. Hobby Lobby sales
18. The occasional more rare these days trip to Sam Moon
19. Out of town get-aways with my man
20. Snuggling my T-rent and kiddoes for Sunday afternoon naps
21. Eating lunch at Antique Mall Tea Rooms
22. BooBoos in Arlington
23. Rubbing noses (Eskimo Kisses) with my children
24. Watching/Listening to them play together when they don't know I am there
25. S'mores
26. Re-runs of Frasier, still make me laugh out loud
27. Jimmy Stewart, my all time favorite actor
28. Fort Worth
29. Forever 21
30. The babydoll section in FAO Schwarz
31. Going to the movies
32. Holding a newborn baby and hearing their little sounds close to your ear
33. The way my kids smell after a bath
34. English Toffee and Creme Brulee' (Lindt Chocolate)-with a Diet coke of course!


What are some of yours?

Illness

Well a lot has happened since that last post, my sleeping girl did not sleep last night and after many a phone call to see the pediatrician we got in and found out she has RSV! Ty has allergies too. She is on a medi and hopefully won't have to go to the nebulizer. Poor thing. Man, I can't wait til Dad gets back tonight. He will be super busy this week but at least I will have a shoulder for the night time! Say some prayers for my baby girl. We have all had something or another since OCTOBER!!! Will the sickness ever end?! I hope we are in for some great months in the spring or even maybe summer!

Start of a new week

I just have the best kids in the world. I know every mother thinks that but man I really do feel blessed. I started getting some sort of tight throat the other night which has gotten a lot worse and accompanied with some body aches. The kiddoes could not be more accomadating. They have been so loving and sweet and happy to just do their own thing, knock on wood! At the moment they are once again watching spiderman with suckers in their mouths in complete contentment!
I absolutely hate being sick on Sundays. We had to miss a lot in December due to my kids or hubby being sick and were finally getting back on track. Last week was like a homecoming! I get excited about going to hear our preacher, and truely have a sense of church 'family' at G.L. and in our class. I am bummed to miss. I just have no energy and had little sleep so it would not have been one that I was mentally prepared for. My little shorties are such a delight though and make being sick not so bad. I think the fact that they are now both at an age where they are not SO dependant on me helps but they really do have caring personalities.
Please pray that we do not get a call for a showing within the next day anyway! The house is okay but my laundry is overflowing and I am trying to drag myself to do a few loads. I had this big plan to be so productive in many ways this weekend! I wanted to paint the sweet little cabinet that my friend Courtney gave me to match in O's room. I want to do a harlequin pattern on the doors and the rest plain with glass knobs. Great weekend to have the windows open to do so. Oh well.
We did have a good time before this truely set in yesterday morning at the Jumping Jungle to celebrate a sweet and special friend. We had never been to that one before and they both VERY much enjoyed it. We will definately have to return. I wish I would have looked more into it for Ty's birthday, but maybe next year. He ended up having a family party at Chuck E. Cheese b/c it was going to be such an expense to have very many friends with their package deal. I should have thought that through a little more, it ended up being even more on our own with half the people! Way to go mom. Winter birthdays pose a problem in the respect that you are a little more limited in your location of festivities especially if your home does not accomodate many people. Being the weird weather mecca this did come to our advantage on O's birthday in November when it reached over 80 degrees! We are having spring here today but soon to experience the joy of winter again Wed- Fri with highs in the low 30s! WHAT IN THE WORLD?! I love this town for various reasons but not for the consistency in weather, or the drivers for that matter.
Anyhoo... thanks for listening to my rantings if you have held on this long (Dad). It feels nice to be in a chair instead of laying in my bed for a little while anyway! A warm shower and warm cup of coffee have helped, its just the standing and walking around that sort of get me! Hopefully this will be gone before I know it. Its hard to understand that I would get anything with the fact that I am constantly washing my hands and do not have tonsils anymore!!! Pure craziness I tell ya.

Not a baby anymore....

Olivia's bed and bedding arrived. Last night was her first full night in it without trying to escape. She did great. I am in the process of making a top-quilt with the same floral fabric as the neckroll seen in the pic (previously a section of her bumper), and an additional pillow sham to go behind the gingham one which will tie together the color-scheme I have going on. I also am adding trim to the bedskirt which I will not put on until the bed-rails come off. I learned my lesson after Ty's was pretty much destroyed from it. The canopy that she pulled out of the ceiling over a year ago has returned and she knows not to touch it now. She calls it her princess bed. I still can't believe she is in a real bed. She is just growing and changing a lot lately. I guess this is a very pivotal age (26 mo.) The first pic is her last night in a crib. Not a baby any more!

Well the new year has begun and so has the routine, along with a few changes. I am now with four and five year olds and work from 12-3 M-Th. Its been a really nice change. I love the kids and its great to have my mornings free to get my work done at home and run errands and such. I have had a few breakfasts and coffees with friends and its nice to have un-interuppted discussion as well! My kids still go 9-3. This will especially be nice as Trent begins to travel again and with our house being on the market again. Oh joy, let the showings begin! Yeah, not so thrilled with that part, I can't believe its been a year since we made the decision to sell and started this whole process. God obviously has a plan and a time-frame that is different from ours, but we will let him take control of that. We actually had a lot of traffic during the holidays, which was especially fun (can you hear the sarcasm?) but nothing panned out.

Blogging Extravaganza Explanation!

Frist off, this picture is of Olivia enjoying, you can guess what, on the way home! There is a reason I don't buy them on a regular basis!

Anyway, I of course have done all this backwards. I tried to do things in order from what they happened over the past two weeks.... so scroll down to The Nutcracker post to begin and work your way back here.

Continuing on....

We made it back safely and the business is just now slowing down. On the way back we got a call for a showing on our home for the next morning. I was less than thrilled. We have not had one call in over a month and the first one we get is for right when we get back in town! We left in a mad-dash on Christmas Eve and were so tired upon returning! Of course I stayed up late cleaning and got up to do the same. After they saw it we were off to an LCU game and got a callwhile were there that the couple wanted to bring their parents by right when we got home. Who knows, this has happened already more than once so we are not getting excited but instead by the fact that we can finally relax in our own home! It has now been up for a year. I am SO over it. I am confident that it will happen if and when it is supposed to and have resigned to the fact to make Olivia's room for the bigger girl she has become. Her bed was on our front porch when we got in and I ordered her bedding just last night so that is the next project! We look forward to some time together this next week before Trent's season begins. This is the most I have ever posted in one day! Until next time.......

Pop and Cita's Christmas

We drove straight to my uncle James' house in Carrollton for some appetizers and fellowship and then went to Arlington. Christmas Day the extended family came to my parents house and we had a WONDERFUL lunch and opened gifts and watched the tube! We had a wonderful visit as always. We went to Aledo Wednesday to meet up with Trent's two uncles and their families and Thursday went out to our friends the Davis' in Coppell and were able to meet the newest member of their family, Miss Ellie Claire. The next morning we were in an urgent care center where we found out Trent has strep! Now every member of our family has been sick within a few weeks time! He got a shot and then we were back to my parents to pack up and head back!

Road Trip!

Next we headed out for The Metroplex!!! Getting out of town was a bit of a challenge but once we were on the road things went rather smoothly. The kids watched movies the whole way and Trent and I listened to music and had some nice conversation! I love road trips for that very reason.

Our little family Christmas

We got home pretty late that night from Meme and G's so we slept in a little big Monday and then had our own family Christmas which was actually Christmas Eve. Ty got more spiderman type things and Olivia got her "O" charm for her bracelet and they both got all kinds of neat little things in their stocking. Olivia got her first "lipstick" which is really a lipsmacker without color of course! She has enjoyed it greatly! We are only doing two wrapped gifts in our family and stockings and that is it! Trent and I have decided we don't want the focus to be gifts so we are downplaying this part as much as possible. We enjoyed our short time together with our own little family very much. Then the packing began for our next Christmas!

Meme and G's Christmas

We celebrated the Sunday before after early service. We all went out and had brunch and then lots of festivities and later a WONDERFUL dinner. It was almost comical how many trips back to the house I had to make before actually starting the celebrations, well almost... I was all good by the time I stopped for a diet coke and then was sitting by G's fire enjoying some unbelievable food! The kids all had such a great time together and I am so thankful that we all live near one another and they can grow up together knowing each other so well-something I wish I had as a kid, well even as an adult actually! What a blessing it is to be their aunt.

The Nutcracker

Precious pics from our night at the Nutcracker! These kids had a great time together, and so did the big ones!

Little Ty Man is FOUR!

Wow. Wasn't he just in a crib?! It is just going way too fast. Michael Ty Phillips is turning into such a sweet big boy! He is so endearing toward others and incredibly thoughtful for his four short years! Our friends the Fredericks and the Kemps invited us to go to The Nutcracker the other night. Olivia is still a little young and we knew it was a great possibility that she would not be able to sit through it. I was SO excited at the idea of spending a night out alone with him, something I don't get to do real often. I told Ty he was special so just Mommy was going to take him on a date. His response was, "Mommy... Olivia is special too- she should come with us." Everytime someone asks him to do something, go somewhere, or if he would like to have something, he insists that Olivia be included without being encouraged to do so! He often gives me a hug for no imparticular reason, and tells me how much he loves me ALL THE TIME! His curiosity has peaked and he is asking lots of questions about everything. He is in a constant state of wonderment. He loves to look at the moon at night, the sunsets (which by the way are unbeatable out here) and most recently how he got here. For now we are going with God made him and put him in his Mommy's tummy. His Aunt Emmy is pregnant with two baby girls and he is just amazed by it.

I absolutely love how he asks me to 'nuggle' and to put his head on my neck (my chin on his head). I love hearing his precious prayers at night and how he wants to make good choices. We are not "Love and Logic" parents so this one he has done on his own! I love how he runs to Olivia when she is crying for being hurt or in trouble. He tries to sit in 'the spot' with her to make it easier on her but we kick him out pretty quick. He is truely upset when we are at a restraunt and she has to be taken to the restroom for other reasons than rest. He has a strong connection with older people and is very attached to his 'great-grandparents'. He askes about his Paw Paw, my maternal grandfather who lives in Dallas and we don't get to see all that often. He tells me he misses him frequently and asks when we will see him again.

His favorite color is still green. He is currently obsessed with spiderman and was overjoyed with his cake this year! He still wears his Halloween costume on an almost daily basis when we get home from school. He spins webs wherever we go and is learning when the appropriate time is. His favorite Bible story is Jonah and the whale. Still lovin hotdogs and all fruit. He loves to pick out his own clothes and dress himself and does quite a good job at that. Also a little particular about his hair already, I think we all know where he gets that and its not from me! His favorite song on the radio is "I am Yours" but especially fond of the verse, "You make everything glorious..."

This little man is such an incredible example to me. I could go on and on. I wish everyone reading this could know him and experience his sweet spirit and see God moving in him and through him. I pray that He protect him and watch over him every day and that he wake up safe and healthy every morning. I pray that He continue to place people in his life that will forever keep him accountable and encourage him in his walk. Ty is so precious to me and I feel honored to be his mother. I pray that I can be the parent he needs me to be in all situations and can mold him for The Lord. Look out world, he is going to do great things... I just know it!

The Big Apple

The View from our hotel room, 39th & 3rd

This is a sculpture that stood at TWTC and was taken from the wreckage, there is a flame at the bottom that burns constantly in remeberance of the lives lost that day

THE Tree!

Imerial Pizza.. yummmm

Radio City, The Rockettes (KayEllen -mil, Tina-sil, Hannah-niece, Tamara-sil, and yours truely)

Ride on the ferry

In case you can't read, Grand Central Station

The famous MAP!

Tavern On The Green

Ashleigh, Me, and Shauna @ TOG

I had the huge blessing of being asked to accompany my Mother-in-law and Sisters-in-law, and oldest Niece to the City that never sleeps these past five days. I have always wanted to go and especially at Christmas time. What a gift?!!! I felt like I was five again the entire time! Just incredible.

We left last Thursday and after we checked in to our hotel we started out for Rockefeller Plaza to see my most anticipated part of the trip, the tree! On the way we stopped at Imperial Pizza which was an authentic Italian Joint! There was a picture inside showing a shot from the film, The Godfather. It was WONDERFUL pizza! Then we made it to the tree...It was quite a site! Bigger than I imagined and beautiful! We went down and saw the ice-skaters and then ducked in several shops. TWO of my ALL TIME favorites, H&M, and Forever 21!!! (Thanks for the tip last year Jodi ;) ) Seeing the department store windows for Christmas was pretty beautiful and just incredible!

The next day we headed out to the subway, which was a different experience every time we rode thanks to the very entertaining people that were along with us. I mean truly entertaining and wanted to be paid for it! There was a group of VERY young boys on one of them.....it was really quite sad. I also kept thinking I just don't see how people with small people do it there. We saw alot of strollers with their little ones bundled up tight! It was SUPER cold the entire time. I felt so sorry for those kids. I tried to imagine myself with mykids there and then noticed, you didn't see alot of people with more than one child which would definately make it more doable! We mostly rode the subway because we never even saw an empty cab! The last day we rode, we were eating in a place where one of the drivers was sitting next to us and overheard a message that a little four year old boy had been separated from his parents and a description to be looking out for. All I could see was Ty lost and afraid! It just broke my heart and I have not stopped thinking about him since. I pray that they found each other!

On a brighter note, we did WAY TOO MUCH SHOPPING! I almost did not get it all back! China town was a complete shopping high. I think my favorite store was FAO Shwarz though! I couldn't get myself away from the Madame Alexander dolls, that thanks to Meme my daughter is collecting, and then the baby section!!! I wanted a doll for myself! They have this little nursery set up where the dolls are behind glass and in beds just like the hospital, the salesperson is dresssed as a nurse and the little girls come pick out their baby. They get it out of the bed and prepare it for its new mother and then she gets to sit and rock it in a little chair!!! TOO PRECIOUS! Oh how I would love to take Olivia to do that someday! I had a ball in there.

I think the highlight of our trip was a tie between Tavern On The Green and seeing the

Christmas show of the Rockettes. Truly amazing, both of them. The fun part of our eating venture was getting to meet up with my sweet friends Shauna and Ashleigh who were also there on an all girls family trip! I love them both to death and how fun to get to experience some of New York with them! Ashleigh's mother, and Shauna's MIL is also a close friend of my MIL so it was a blast for all! We also went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Wall Street, Macy's, Time Square, Grand Central Station, and where the World Trade Center towers once stood. Very somber and sobering at the same time.

I am way blessed to have such fun Sisters-in-laws, beautiful niece who is just as beautiful inside- trust me you just can't know- and INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL AND GIVING Mother-in-law! We had so much fun just laughing together and I truely enjoyed every minute of each of them. Tamara kept us on track and guided us in the right direction, we could not have made it without her and I still don't know how she figured it all out! You know, I just had no idea what to expect of this city. I just pictured what I had seen on television and movies. It was really different in person and the people were un-believably nice and helpful!!! I don't know where they got a badr reputation but everyone I even just came in contact with was pleasant and smiling! I hope to be able to go again some day!

We made it back and our husbands made it okay without us taking care of our children. I had too much fun but have to admit I was ready to kiss my babies! The day I returned my first baby turned FOUR! I just can't believe it. I will post about that next. I am glad to be home and soak him and sister and Dad up for all their worth!

Its Beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Like the B family, we have more than one tree in our family as well. First we have Ty's "cowboy" tree.
Next Olivia's "frilly" tree.

Next our family tree in our living room. Notice there is no tree-skirt! Mine has vanished since last year so I suspect I will be making my way to Hobby Lobby at some point tomorrow to purchase one that is half-off! I am really sad! I LOVED my old one. It was a red velvet with a green velvet wide trim :(

The ornaments.... I love anything old or that looks old as a rule throughout my life and especially on the tree! My mother has given us the most to trim this tree but Ty and Olivia have added with some sweet ones as well ;)

My Dining room table is set with Lenox Holiday china which are a yearly gift from my mother-in-law. Our entry is graced with a precious simple pewter and rustic manger scene. I wrote about this last year when I had to replace Joseph's head to his body and enjoy it long after Christmas.

Next our stockings which are hung by the chimney with care. My nutcracker collection also resides here. Thank you Mother for blessing my collection with a new member each year! We enjoy a fire almost everynight and early morning because although the highs have often reached the mid 70's the lows are low 30's in this town!

Next my breakfast area with one small table tree, also a thank you to my mother for her incredible giving heart!

I added a "Kitchen" tree to my window sill last year. I found some little mugs that are quite useful little "gifts" to adorn the bottom!

These things help us to get into the holidays at our house. We have the tradition of opening one gift Christmas Eve and the rest in the morning. My grandfather usually reads the Christmas Story out of the Bible that night at my parents house where we enjoy fun little appetizers and treats. I do not watch Dr. Phil very often if ever but a few years ago I purchased his book, "Family First," where he discusses how important having famiy traditions are. He shared several but one that I have incorporated into our family is taking a video each year of the kids telling what they would like for Christmas each year as well and more importantly, what Christmas means to them each year. This may also include things they feel thankful for and blessed by. As my children get older and the years that we happen to be in our own home I would like to start a Christmas breakfast in our family followed by a time of study and prayer focusing on the birth of Christ which would have to be age appropriate of course.

Thanks for letting me be a part of this year's bloggy Holiday Happenings. If you have not already stop by and visit the host herself at :http://talkinghairdryer.blogspot.com/2007/12/holiday-happenings-2007.html