Not again

Poor Mollie, just when we thought we were in the clear, she got sick again.  In fact, we went to Gatti Town for lunch yesterday and didn't get to play because she started complaining about feeling poorly. I felt so bad for her. She was so excited to go and ride the merry-go-round and the car.  But after we finished eating, it was clear that we were headed back home. Oh well, this too shall pass, but it is a miserable passing.  Maybe we will get that merry-go-round ride in soon. Blessings.

lazy days

Andy has been off for most of the week.  It has been so nice having him home.  We have played games with the girls, done crosswords, watched movies, had lots of fun family time.  It has been wonderful for me not to feel like I have to plan every second of the day, but just enjoy our being together.  Hope you have some down time over the holidays as well. Blessings.

Rearrange the LR

After our time in Indiana, Andy and I realized that we did not have the access to our living room windows that we would like.  His sister's house seemed so open because her windows were not blocked by furniture.  So, yesterday, during the girls nap time, we were moving furniture.  It has made quite a difference in the feel of the room and now we are able to look out very easily.  It is nice and will only get better in the spring.  Blessings. 

brrr

I told Andy a few weeks ago that I thought the furnace was running kind of loud when it kicked on in the mornings.  When we went out of town for Christmas, we put the thermostats on away mode.  It was too much for the downstairs furnace, which seized up while we were away.  Thankfully, Andy was able to find the part he needs to fix the furnace on-line and it is going to come soon.  In the meantime, we are burning more fires in the fireplace.  It is quite cozy in here most of the time. 

On a happier note, Mollie girl got sick once more yesterday and Betsy seems to be better as well. Right now, they are enjoying a Maisy cartoon.  Blessings.

Christmas "cheer"

Poor Mollie got sick Christmas night at 1 a.m. and continued to get sick each hour save one. It made for a long night for Andy and I as well.  At least she got to enjoy Christmas, opening presents and playing with her toys before the yucks started.  We cut our trip short at Andy's sister's house and came home.  She did get sick once in the car and Betsy had a blowout diaper just as we got home.  But after a good night's sleep, both are playing happily this morning.  Praise the Lord. 

Christmas Eve

There are tons of presents under the tree and lots of food to eat, but please take some time to reflect on Jesus' birth and remember the reason that we even celebrate Christmas.  I know we are going to a Christmas Eve service later today and for the most part we are just relaxing together as a family.  Enjoy the day, enjoy life, enjoy the Lord.  Christmas blessings.

nap time antics

Yesterday about an hour and a half into nap time, Betsy starts calling for me.  Mommy, mommy, mommy.  I figured Mollie was asleep since she didn't respond to her call.  I go into their bedroom and Betsy is standing up in her crib in her birthday suit.  She had taken off her clothes and diaper, threw out all of her blankets and dolls, and had wet the bed.  I dressed her in her pj's and changed her sheets, then she finally settled down for her nap.  Whew!  What an afternoon.  Blessings.

an early Christmas

We opened a few presents last night for our family Christmas. Betsy was sooo excited.  It was fun to watch her help everyone with unwrapping.  Christmas morning is sure to be loads of fun with these two girls.  Blessings

do a dot stencils

The girls did some stenciling the other day with the do a dot markers.  Their work turned out pretty well.  We turned them into Christmas ornaments. They were excited to hang some on the tree and to give some away.  Blessings

the felt tree

I made a large triangle of felt and cut out some ornaments to go on it as well.  The girls are enjoying having a tree they can touch and "decorate" as many times as they like.  Blessings.

Lights abound

Here are a couple of houses in our neighborhood.  The girls just love driving by them.  Betsy especially likes "lights, lights, lights."  Blessings

Recovery part 2

My mom is doing much better. No more facial rashes since she took herself off of the pain meds.  Thankfully, the pain has not been too bad and she has managed with OTC drugs just fine.  Thank you for your prayers.  Blessings. 

Gall bladder recovery

Today, I am posting late because I drove to my mom's house.  She had gall bladder surgery yesterday and is recovering today.  I thought the girls and I would be a good distraction I mean help to her.  However, on our way to her house, she had an allergic reaction to the medication she is on and she had another episode of her face getting a rash and becoming flushed since we arrived even though she had no additional meds since this morning.  My best guess was that the medicine is time released and she had another breakout once the medicine released again.  After calling the pharmacist and physician, she is managing her pain with Tylenol and Advil.  So far, it has been okay, but if her pain should worsen, the doctor will call in another drug for her. Thank you all for your prayers in this situation.  Please pray that the pain can be managed with the OTC drugs and that there will be no other complications with the meds.  Blessings

Music to my ears

Well, for most of the season, I was listening to a local station while driving in the car.  Now, I am listening to my Christmas CD's and it's always commercial free.  Gotta love that for the girls and myself.  Blessings.

Christmas sights

I love the house at Christmas.  It is so pretty with the tree and lights, the stockings, Advent calendar and Nativity.  I love unpacking special books and ornaments for this time. Decorating for Christmas makes the house seem so warm and festive. There is one house in the neighborhood that has a lot of lights; they're on the house including the roof, house face and even on the lawn.  We don't hang quite so many, but I like what we do have.   Hope you all have a blessed Christmas season. 

smells of Christmas

Okay, I've been reading how memory is highly affected by smells.  So, I'm trying to burn the candles more, bake cookies, make candies, soups and bread - the house smells yummy - well, some of the time - currently, it smells of fresh brewed coffee.  We have an artificial tree, but I do remember the times in my childhood that the house was scented with pine too.  Maybe I will make cinnamon ornaments with the girls (if not this year, next).  I want them to have happy memories of "home" all of their days.  Blessings.

musical card

Yesterday, Mollie got a card from Nana that plays "Happy Birthday" when you open it.  She loved it.  I think I heard Happy Birthday no less than 20 times yesterday.  It was sweet.  Another little thing to make her day special.  Blessings

pretending

Mollie has been wrapping herself up in a blanket, wearing her crown and calling herself Claudia.  She is a hoot.  Poor Betsy always gets the boy leads with Mollie calling her names like Michael, Larry, and Steve.  Of course Betsy doesn't answer, but Mollie giggles and continues to call for her.  These two are too funny.  Blessings

Dale Evans quote

Christmas is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas. Dale Evans

3 yrs

Mollie is 3 today.  It is amazing how fast the years go by.  I remember bringing her home like it was yesterday.  She is having a blast these days.  She is such a big girl.  She likes riding her bike, chalking, reading, coloring, watching Maisy, Calliou, Strawberry Shortcake and Veggie Tales.  She loves going to her Sunday School class and doing projects.  She is quite a talker.  She got a lot of Hello Kitty things for her birthday as well as a pillow pet and a dress - they are all her favorites.  I love this girl.  Blessings.

car trip

I snapped a few shots of us in the car on our ride to my parents over the Thanksgiving weekend. Pretty typical of our rides.  Looking forward to more car trips with these guys.  Only 20 days until Christmas!  Lots to do before then.  Blessings.

UK game

Andy and I went to the UK game last night.  It was so much fun.  We have awesome friends. Go Cats.  Hope we get a win over UNC Sat. but I doubt it will be as easy.  Blessings.

the freeze

The girls are loving dancing in the kitchen to the Freeze.  Every time the music stops, they say "freeze."  They are so sweet, I just love watching them grow and change.  There is no "freeze" for long with little ones in the house.
Blessings.

cookbook

I unpacked a bunch of Christmas books the other day while putting up the tree.  Mollie has locked onto a scratch and sniff book - carrying it with her much of the day.  She calls it her cookbook.  Here she is with her cookbook and shopping list.  :)
Blessings.

new traditions

I got the girls some very sweet gowns from Orient Expressed a couple of months ago. I wanted them to have them as we start the Advent season. They loved them, more than I thought they would.  Mollie would wear hers all day long if I let her. They were also pleased with their new toothbrushes.  I tell you it's the little things that make life grand. Blessings.

Leaf party

On Saturday, Andy raked for the last time this year (or so he says).  He had some good helpers though.  We all had a great time.  Blessings.

Black Friday

Well so far I have not made it out of my pj's much less out of the house.  I think my sister and her brood are shopping away.  Andy, dad, the girls and I are enjoying a lazy morning in.  Don't get me wrong, I love shopping and scoring deals, but I couldn't muster up the energy for getting out at 4 a.m.  Maybe it's because I have toddlers and she has teens.  :)  If you did make it out early, I hope you got the deals that you were after.  Blessings.

happy Thanksgiving

I hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends this day and everyday counting your blessings.

turkey feathers

The girls made these sweet turkeys yesterday for the party - I hung them on the fridge. I love doing easy crafts with them. They had never really seen feathers before, but they enjoyed them.  They really liked blowing them off of their hands after craft time.
BTW:  Dinner was a success.  The food was delicious and everyone had a good time. 
Blessings.

Thanksgiving host

Well, I'm hosting a Thanksgiving meal tonight for my home fellowship group from church plus 5 of Andy's co-workers.  It should be loads of fun.  I am making the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, but everyone else is pitching in with rolls, sides, desserts, and drinks.  My bird is still 1/2 frozen even after sitting in the fridge for a couple days, so it's in a cold water bath at the moment.  I have fixed turkey breasts before, but this will be my first attempt at the whole bird. I am excited and a little nervous.  I generally let the crock-pot do the cooking for whole chickens.  I'm sure it will all be fine, just have the hosting jitters.  I hope you have a good time this week with your family and friends.  I know I'm getting off to a good start.  Blessings.

Thanksgiving Prayer

This is a Thanksgiving Prayer found in the Dear Abby column - I believe it is the one that Pop (Andy's grandpa) liked to recite at their family's meal.  Blessings.

O heavenly Father:
We thank thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service
That thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and may God bless you and yours.

turkey apples

We had some friends over the other day to make turkey apples.  It was such a good time. They enjoyed eating them so much, I think I'll do the activity again with the girls. Blessings.

Mamaw's visit

We had such a good time with my mom yesterday.  We just love it when she gets to come which is not nearly often enough for our liking.  Mom watched us do "school," went to story time with us, helped feed the fish and  ducks, treated us to lunch and then went shopping.  A nearly perfect day (minus the purse thing).  Blessings.

purse scare

My mom and I just got back from shopping.  She was helping with the kids and left her purse in the cart. Of course we drove all the way home before we noticed.  We get out of the car, already past nap time, but reload the girls and head back to Toys R Us.  Praying the whole way.  Some good Samaritan turned it in.  What a relief.  An answered prayer.  Blessings.

balloons

Aunt Sarah let us keep the balloons from her baby shower.  The girls have had such a blast playing with them.  Today, they are starting to deflate some, but they are still enjoying them.  Blessings

flower TP

Yesterday, I had to take Mollie to the bathroom at my friends house.  She was quite enthralled with their selection of toilet paper saying "Mom, their toilet paper has flowers on in."  There was true amazement in her voice.  I guess we don't get out much.  Blessings. 

a day off

On Sundays,  Andy likes to give me the morning off.  Yesterday was no exception, but somehow, I managed to get the whole day off.  His family has been in for a baby shower for his sister, so we ate lunch out with them at a Chinese buffet, then our family had leftover pizza for dinner.  It was such a restful day for me on many levels though it was busy too. Blessings.

Veteran's Day

It is good to remember and acknowledge those who have served our country and those who are serving our country with a kind word or gesture.  Today, I dedicate this post to my Uncle Roy and Grandpa Rogers who served in WWII and to my Uncle Estil who will be buried today as well as to my parents, uncles, cousins and friends who have served and for Zach who is currently enlisted.  Thank you. Blessings to you all.

sharing

The other day we stopped at McDonald's as a family.  A rare treat around here, especially to go in and Andy sprung for smoothies.  We each shared one with the girls.  Betsy and I took turns, Andy and Mollie had other ideas.  Blessings.

box-scoot

Kids love boxes. These 3 had such a good time being scooted around the room. I can still hear the squeals.  Blessings.

voting

I voted today, like every other election day.  I do enjoy the electoral process and it is nice that the girls got to go into the booth with us (Andy took Betsy, I took Mollie).  The only thing I didn't like was the choice for governor - one guy whose policies I don't care for, the other guy is a jerk, and the third wants to legalize marijuana in our state.  I did vote according to party lines, but really people I wasn't happy at all.  I do have faith that God puts these people in place, and there is my real hope.  Blessings.

lap time

I was hoarse for over a week.  It really put a damper on one of our favorite activities, reading aloud.  Last week, I finally mustered up enough vocal fortitude to give it a go with girls and the cousins too.  We had such a nice time together.  Love these kids.  Blessings.

Kroger savings last week 32%
Weight loss - I'd rather not discuss it but my friend and I are doing the videos so I'm hopeful for lower numbers soon.

leaf bouquet

We have a ginko tree in the front yard.  The leaves are such a pretty yellow. Mollie and Betsy must have thought so too, because the other day they made bouquets of them.  Andy tied one together and put it in a vase.  We are still enjoying it.  Blessings.