Contentment

I received the best Christmas gift ever this year-- contentment. We just got home from my parents' house. We had such a great day and enjoyed visiting with family. I'll post later with pics and possibly even video. Right now, I just want to share my appreciation for a wonderful afternoon/evening. I haven't felt this content in a very long time. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Tag

Christmas Tag

From GinGin:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Usually, paper for Christmas. Especially, if it's really odd shape. William loves the challenge.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, as with so many things, I'm VERY allergic to real Christmas trees.

3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend. That's not to say we get the ornaments on it then. In fact, this year, we just decorated w/Christmas cards. Turned out pretty cute.

4. When do you take the tree down? We try to do it on New Year's Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? EEWWWWWWW! YUCK!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my stereo.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Kelvin-what he wants changes constantly!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Rion. As long as he gets to rip paper off something, he's happy.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yep. I collect them.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I always intend to mail Christmas cards. I've only done it a couple of times. Maybe next year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? accounting software from my husband.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I love those mice.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I can. If I buy things too early, I'll give them and have to buy something else by Christmas.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably, but I can't remember.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Summer sausage, cheese and crackers.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes. I really like our green ones this year.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Anyone that knows me, knows this is just a silly question.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Both.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? This year, neither.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both. We open one gift Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Dallas traffic, etc.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I really like red and silver. (GinGin is totally welcome to bum some purple one's off me next year. Wouldn't hurt my feelings if you somehow misplaced them.) ;)

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Mama's chili.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? a completely unscheduled day w/all of my boys.

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Maybe Devon or Mandy.

Stitches

With 4 boys, the oldest of which is 13, I felt pretty accomplished- no broken bones or stitches. I'm sure those of you that know what monkeys our boys are would agree.

Well, Wednesday, that ended. The boys were playing while I was working on the computer. Then, Ian says, "Mom, you need to look at this." Since it's typical for him to freak out over every little scrape, I kept typing and asked what was wrong this time. Rion came around the couch with blood spreading across the left side of his face. I quickly aborted my work, picked Rion up and went to the bathroom. Luckily, after this many years of motherhood I've come to know that head/face wounds bleed A LOT. Add to that a 3 year old that keeps trying to wipe it away and I decided to get him cleaned up before I totally freaked.

Rion was crying but his brothers were in hysterics. Ian was the worst because he was the one that came around the corner too fast, running into the glider Rion was hiding behind. While cleaning the little guy, I tried to convince Ian that accidents happen and Sammy that Rion was really going to be ok. Rion, trying to be a big boy, even started to tell his brother's, "I a'right. It's just an owie." I got him mostly cleaned up and the bleeding down to more of a slow ooze than flow. I called the doctor to make sure this was an ER worthy injury. They said to take him right in. I made a couple of calls to make arrangements for the other two. Then I called William. I realized after I got to the hospital that all I said to him was, "Can you cancel your UIL practice after school and meet me at Cook's ER?" He said he could and I said, "OK, good." I then hung up the phone and walked out the door. He had no idea what was going on until he got to the hospital.

Rion was such a big guy in the ER. He was happy and friendly to everyone. He tried to make the sad girl behind us in the waiting room smile. The wound tech. and child life person were great. Rion never cried while there. He whimpered a little when they were numbing his eyelid/brow. But he used his words and told the tech to slow down. He ended up with 6 "string bandaids". I called them stitches once while there and got one heck of a dirty look.

Here's a close up without the bandaid. In true little boy fashion, he's very proud of the fact that he's the first of his brothers to get "string bandaids."

Thanks to Jodi for getting Ian where he needed to be, Mom & Dad for watching Sammy and Ginney for helping me refocus (as usual) and being the photographer.

Our Oven Timer (guest author)

The old western dinner bell holds no coal to our oven timer. Our boys are more attuned to the simple beeping sound than most musicians are their instrument. Pavlov would be excited to see reaction of the boys at even a single beep as I get to the oven a second late. "Dinner?" Rion calls down the hall as he drops everything he's doing. Sammy meets him at the kitchen entrance eyeing the stove top looking for pots and pans. Then he scans the countertops looking for any potential ingredients to help clue-in his brothers. Ian takes a more direct approach and guesses two or three of the dishes he thinks he might smell as he makes a more fashionably late entrance. "You just had lunch," I tell them as I continue to work. "No, I didn't," Sammy retorts with his stomach once again winning out over his memory. I remind him what lunch was today and explain to all of them that I'm baking for holiday parties. "We'll eat again soon."

I have great little helpers. Rion from a year and a half old, has let me know that the timer is going off in the kitchen. He does this even if I am standing at the stove, reaching for the timer... and he is on the other side of the house. The others will more quietly find reason to hover around the kitchen after hearing the beeping of the timer. Their movements resemble vultures or a small pack of hungry dogs.

"Ramen?"
"I just put water on to boil guys," I let them know again.
"Pizza?"
"No, I just turned on the oven."

I love my boys.

-W

Guess I'm a fangirl

I went with a group of girlfriends to see the midnight showing of Twilight. It was SO much fun! I'll try to get pics up here, soon. First of all, I haven't had a girls night out in FOREVER. So, just getting out with the girls was fun. I got new clothes for the first time in a long time, also. I was have fun before even getting to the theater.

I really enjoyed the movie. I mean really enjoyed the movie. Parts of it bugged me and it seemed rushed. But all in all, it was pretty good. I ended up screaming, squealing, ooohing and aahing with the rest of them. My friend, Angelyn (Ian's ballet teacher) was a last minute addition to the group. One of the girls had sick family and couldn't come. So, we lifted the "only if you've read the book" rule and invited Angelyn. Even though, she clearly wasn't fully prepared for the experience of a midnight showing full of rabid fans, I think she enjoyed it.

I'm definitely going to have to see it again before I decide if Ian gets to see it. I need to see it in a little less...uhm...hormonal atmosphere. So, I guess I'm just forced to see it at least 3 times. Life's rough. LOL I'm not sure if I it will be as enjoyable for those that aren't fans of the book. I hope so. I'm now off in search of a screen shot of Emmett on the truck for my new wallpaper. Forget Edward and Jacob. I'm totally Team Emmett!

I can't wait for New Moon in 2010!

I am blessed.

I love my boys. I have been very overwhelmed, lately- contemplating the possible positives of some species eating their young. It's been a stressful few weeks.

My parents had another obligation, tonight. So, I had to take Sammy and Rion to ballet with us. William would normally pick them up and leave as soon as he got off work. Tonight, he waited around to try to help us with a fried computer in the office. So, the boys hung out for almost four hours at the ballet school while I worked and Ian had rehearsal.

They were incredibly civilized. They didn't fuss at all, only asked for snacks a couple of times and didn't whine when I told them no. They weren't running around or being the least bit noisy. Rion even made it to the bathroom every single time! There were parents from both Ft. Worth and Dallas campuses due to rehearsal. The boys were very polite and friendly to everyone. I received many complements on how cute and well behaved my children were.

Then, it hit me... I've got really good kids. Sure, they annoy me at times. They fight with each other and tease each other. They don't listen all too often. The littlest one is currently obsessed with poop art. But, when it all boils down, they're great, loving, polite little boys.

I had really been dreading, tonight. I was bracing myself for a horrible night. It was a good night. When all was said and done, I was given the much needed reminder of how blessed I really am. My boys are great and my husband supports and assists me every chance he gets.

Life is good.

Tagged

Apparently, Ginney tagged me. So, here I go.

The Rules: Answer the questions using only one word. Then tag others.

1. Where is your cell phone? oblivion
2. Your significant other? smart
3. Your hair? up
4. Your mother? caregiver
5. Your father? teasing
6. Your favorite thing? snuggles
7. Your dream last night? bizarre
8. Your favorite drink? Dr. Pepper
9. Your dream/goal? happiness
10. The room your in? cluttered
11. Your hobby? reading
12. Worst fear? achluophobia
13. Where do you want to be in 6yrs? here
14. What you're not? Supermom
15. Muffins? Poppy-seed
16. One of your wish list items? laptop
17. Where did you grow up? Saginaw
18. The last thing you did? school
19. What are you wearing? pjs
20. Favorite Gadget? PSP
21. Your pets? dead
22. Your computer? indispensable
23. Your mood? appreciative
24. Missing someone? Kelvin
25. Your car? running
26. Something your not wearing? shoes
27. Favorite store? books
28. Like someone? sure
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When is the last time you laughed? morning
31. When is the last time you cried? yesterday


Now, I tag Jeff and Kathy.

New level of motherhood

We went to the park with friends, today. Rion- in all his burgeoning indepence- insisted on choosing his outfit.
This is what he picked out:



His shirt is actually full body pajamas- the ones that are almost footy pjs.
His pants are thermal pajama pants over the bottom of the first pjs.
Topping off his ensemble are his Harley-Davidson boots.

Note that his pants are on backwards.
Isn't everyone wearing buttons up the middle of their backsides this season?


These are Rion's FAVORITE shoes. They are at least 2 sizes too big.
He would wear them to church if I let him.

This is why I feel I've reached a new level of motherhood. I went out in public with my child dressed like this. Some battles are simple not worth it. Who's he going to hurt? NOBODY! Just going with it made him ecstatic and my day much smoother. When the other boys started picking their own clothes, I gave them a couple of outfits to choose from. They got to make decisions while still looking like normal human beings. You know what? The earth didn't fall apart when I let him do it all himself. Interesting.

Blogging 101?

Everyone seems to be blogging. It seems like a great way to keep up with everyone's goings-on. So, I'm going to try it. My goal is to blog at least every Sunday. I figure if I'm enjoying getting snippets of my friends' and family's lives, I should return the favor. Wish me luck and any tips would be appreciated.