A Christmas Meme!

Thank you, Sarah for tagging me for this fun meme. I am going to dedicate this to my mom. She gave up her entire day to help me decorate our tree/house. I have been feeling so yucky and she was a real lifesaver.

Growing up, she always made decorating special and never shooed me away from the ornaments. She would make fudge and play beautiful music. It was a magical time. I hope someday I will relax about my decorating and let my children help. I am sure they love hearing..."DON'T TOUCH IT!!!!!!!"

I am creating the best holiday memories, for sure!

Thanks, Mom! I really appreciate your help today. You made it all so pretty!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Christmas is really the only time I wrap presents. All other occasions are bag worthy. Not Christmas. Our paper has to match our tree. I choose 3 or 4 coordinating patterns and have fun wrapping. It seems to make them more special.

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial tree from the dark ages. It is probably the first artificial tree ever made. It is a hateful tree that mocks me every year. Once decorated, it is gorgeous and worth the pain and misery. I love it, but am hoping for a pre-lit tree next year.

3. When do you put up the tree?
We start the week of Thanksgiving. The kid's trees are a breeze to put up and decorate. This year the "mocking" tree has been up and naked for 2 weeks. Thanks to my mom it is DONE!!

4. When do you take the tree down?
After the New Year. Actually we pay someone to come take everything down while we are on our annual Christmas vacation sponsored by Skip's dad. He takes us all away to a mystery location for a week. When we come home our house is clean and normal. I LOVE IT!! It is a beautiful thing for me.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes! Although this year I can't stomach it. Makes me sad. One year I bought the Halloween Nog just to start drinking it earlier!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I don't really remember, but my favorite gift as an adult has been the Willow Tree Nativity that I got last birthday. I am enjoying it right this minute. It is so peaceful and beautiful.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
We have 2. One the kids can handle and "play" with and my newest Willow Tree Nativity.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Loulabelle. She doesn't really play with anything. She usually plays with whatever Z will allow her to play with. She loves to get presents, but then loses interest quickly. This year she is asking Santa to bring her a stick. Seriously.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
Z-man. He actually has collections (Star Wars, baseball cards, etc). It makes it easy to shop given his interests. I think he is getting string and tape from Santa this year. That kid can make a serious set of traps. My Little MacGyver.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Hands down, a pair of Sesame Street overalls. I was seven. Sesame Street was so over for me by then.

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?
Mail. That reminds me...GET THOSE IN THE MAIL!!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Polar Express, Home Alone. Is it just me or does Rudolph have the most bizarre story line? Anyway, I love snuggling with my family and watching the classics with popcorn and the glow of our tree. Special times.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Through the year I carry an idea notebook. This allows me to think about it all year. If someone says they like a certain thing, it goes on the list. It has been a handy way for me to organize my shopping list.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I will never tell...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Um, lets see. There is the appetizer feast at one home, the ham dinner at another, and the early morning Monkey bread. I love it all. I truly love the tradition of the feasts. The same foods every year make it so meaningful to me.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
The main tree is clear...all 1400 strung by ME. It is a hateful tree.
Z's tree is red with red chili peppers. He has a cowboy room.
Lou's tree is white, vintage crystal bulbs. They all burnt out today. I get to take her whole tree down and replace them. I am so thankful that it wasn't the main tree, but still...

17. Favorite Christmas song?
O' Holy Night by any male singer.
Mary Did You Know by ????

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
All of our family lives in town. One celebration is at our home with my family sleeping with us. The next night we sleep at Skip's sister's house for his side of the family. Spending the night feels like we travel, even if it is just a block away.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Dancer, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen, Yada Yada, Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
The main tree has an angel, Z's tree has a cowboy hat and vest, Lou's tree has a copper angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
When lights go out! The commercialism. The busyness of our schedule.

23. What I love most about Christmas?
Family, friends, lights, movies, traditions, church. I could go on and on. Like Sarah, my wedding anniversary is this month. I love the romance of the season when celebrating our life together.

I would love to see all the B-Town bloggers tackle this list. It was so fun!

Merry Christmas!!

I am so glad she is bossy...

...otherwise I wouldn't be snuggled up enjoying this special treat.

It is making me happy today!

Thanks, Alana

First of many letters to our baby.

First of all, I wanted to thank all of our sweet friends for your encouragement and support regarding our little surprise. What fun it was to share it this way with all of you! All of your sweet comments brought our family such joy. Thank you!

Dear Sweet Poppy,

I bet you are wondering why we are calling you 'Little Poppy'. The afternoon that Mommy and Daddy found out about you, we looked in all of our baby books for some information. The books all said that you are the size of a poppy seed. Little one, that is amazing to me. My limited math skills can't even put a measurement on how tiny that is. So tiny. So fragile. Yet, life.

You have been on Mommy's heart and mind long before you were conceived. I have whispered your name and dreamt of our life together. There have been many times in the last year that I have actually missed you. We had a wonderful vacation at the beach last Christmas. As I watched Z and L playing together and playing with cousins, I missed that you were not there. I know that is so silly of me. But my heart has ached for you for some time. I am so excited that you are finally coming.

I can't wait until you meet your Daddy. I feel like I have you all to myself right now and he is an outsider to all that we are experiencing and feeling. But your daddy is someone so special. You will fall madly in love with him the instant he touches you. He will adore you. Daddy will be your best friend and ally against your crazy siblings. He will protect you, snuggle you, tickle you, teach you, discipline you, pray for you, help you with any struggle. You will feel safe in his arms and I promise that you will cry when he leaves for work each day. You will shout for joy when he returns and run into his embrace. He is the one for Legos and Lincoln Logs, not me. He is the one for baseball games and hallway golf. He will be the first one to cradle you at night when you cry, mommy will come but daddy is always there first (probably because mommy can't hear, not because he loves you more!) You and your daddy will be thick as thieves. Oh, I can't wait until the two of you meet. You will love him instantly.

Your brother and sister are thrilled with our good news of you. Each of them claiming you for their very own. Of course, Z wants a brother. Actually, he wants you to be 10 years old when you are born. I think he just wants a chance to be the little. He is a terrific big brother. You will love his humor and his tendency for mischief. I know the two of you will be instant friends but don't lay on the floor too long or you will be his wrestling partner. Loulabelle is already making a home for you. She will be your other mother. I think you will find refuge with her when Big Z is being too wild. She will invite you into her world with no questions asked. She will teach you how to craft and care for all things small. You will be loved by both of them. You will complete our family.

Oh, sweet one. Do you feel our love for you? Do you feel the hand of God forming you in my womb? We love a mighty and awesome God. His mighty hand can shake the heavens and move mountains. With the power of His words, He formed the entire Earth. Yet His touch is so delicate, so tender that He can form something as small as you. To quote Z's favorite song, "Our God is an AWESOME God." Oh how I pray that you will follow Him all of your days. I pray that your heart will beat with His throughout your life. Poppy, He knows the plans for you. Plans for a hope and a future. My lips will praise Him.

As of right now, you are about 2.5 inches from head to toe. This week in development, you are forming eyelids to protect your eyes, fingerprints, and your ears are continuing to shape. Your progress from that little poppy seed has been a work of God alone. You are a miracle. I hope you are not feeling my outward effects of this pregnancy. I hope you are getting nourishment even when there is no food staying in. I know you are well protected and that I shouldn't fear. But I am your mom and I worry. I was laughing tonight thinking about what I have gone through so far. Someday in the distant future (when you are being naughty!) I will remind you of all this. I will remind you of what it was like to walk around with you in my belly and all that came with that. These days are long, but I know you are worth every minute of it.

You are precious to us. I can't wait to hold you in my arms and smell the smell of you. Come quickly.

Love, your Mommy

SURPRISE!!

Christmas music to brighten your day!

Go HERE now! Immediately. It will be worth your time.

Did I mention...FREE?

What are you waiting for?

Scattered Joy

This was a disaster of a weekend. Tempers flaired, selfishness reared it's ugly head, words spoken out of anger. And this was just Skip and I. The kids fell in the middle of all these categories.

I won't bore you with any of the ugly details. But, trust me. It was UGLY.

I will choose to focus on some of the scattered joy. Believe me when I tell you that it was scattered. But I am thankful for it. Otherwise, I would have to find a hole and cry for days.

--the twinkle of Cwismas lights in my daughter's eyes.
--snuggling with her in bed while we listened to Christmas music.
--a surprise kiss from Z.
--an impromtu back rub from Skip...gift of mercy.
--Chicken Noodle soup.
--listening to the testimony of an 80 year old couple about a life lived for the Lord.
--Polar Express
--two trees down, two to go.
--a much needed nap.
--two siblings snuggled together reading, acting like the friends I hope they become.
--groceries that I didn't have to shop for.
--Pajama Day Monday!

Have a wonderful week. I hope you have Scattered Joy all the days of this holiday season.

NERTZ. Not a game for the weak at heart.

I have to tell you all that Saturday night was a blast. After a day of "trash-talk" we were ready for a night off from kids and a night to show off our card skilz. What a riot!!

Here are the most faithful friends any girl could ever ask for. Also, these women have wonderful blogs. The talent in this room was amazing. It is so fun to blog with a group like this. My fellow bloggers are Alana, Pam, Carissa, Dawn, Jen, Michelle, Shelley. And the best blog readers, Sparky and Sonja. Thank you all for the most amazing night.

The stage was set for a perfect night even down to the food. And I PIGGED out. I think I consumed 3 plates that all looked like this. Also, there was Cappuccino Punch, the BEST pumpkin dessert ever made, 2 bite brownies and a chocolate brownie pie. All my favorites.

And the gifts were amazing! You guys shouldn't have! But don't think Alana wasn't scoping out gifts for her own birthday. Oh yes, she was. In case you are wondering, she would like a pedicure, a spa day complete with childcare, cute office supplies, stationary, a HIS story bracelet, Bath and Body works lotion and candle, a cookbook, jewelry plus a gorgeous shirt, and cute decorative letters. Just look at the death grip she has on my IMAGINE letters. Thou shalt not covet.

OK. Enough with the nice friendly things like food and cake and gifts. Now it is all about blood winning. The game of NERTZ is a highly competitive, hands flying, quick thinking, multi-tasking kind of game. Carissa "thinks" she was the big winner, but I think the birthday girl should always win even if she has the lowest score. It's just good manners.

And for the record, all the "trash talk" on my previous post was pretty much all true. Except for all the cursing. I think I only heard one word said out of pure anger the whole night. We are good girls, you know!

Thanks friends for making all of my days special. I sure do love you.