I Can Feel It Coming...

Christmas is almost here, and we're all feeling it. Unfortunately, we've also been feeling a tickle in our throats around here. The Mama and the Daddy both have been fighting HARD to stay well since last Wednesday. Mucinex is our friend. We want to stay well for our upcoming BUSY week!

My dad stayed after Thanksgiving until Saturday, which gave us plenty of time for us to hang out and for him to get his fill of the girls. He had not seen H.J. walking yet and was impressed at her speed and prowess! With the weather turning wet and colder here, I'm dreaming of a trip to Florida to visit Poppy. Hmmmmmm. That will have to wait until after...

the Daddy and I go to New York for a few days!

The Daddy has a dinner for work, so I get to tag along and see New York in all her Christmas time glory. I've also arranged to meet up with my best friend from high school, who is absolutely fabulous and lives there as a fashion stylist! I can't wait to see her and catch up with her because we lost touch with each other during/after college. Probably because she was busy being fabulous and I was busy ____________???? Fill in the blank with:

• a) teaching high school students
• b) having babies
• c) changing diapers
• d) NOT buying all the latest fashions and dressing famous people for a living!

Answer ANY of the above and you would be correct!

When we return we are jumping into the holiday season with both feet. Over the next week or so we will be:

• riding the PINK PIG (an Atlanta tradition)
• meeting Santa at Phipps Plaza
• playing "Dirty Santa" at our Sunday School Christmas Social
• crying at our Women's Church Christmas Brunch (the speaker makes me cry every time!)
• coveting houses on the Marietta Pilgrimage Tour of Homes
• working the nursery
• ushering the 9:50 service
• meeting with our small group
• partying at the 3rd Annual Jesus is the Reason for the Season
• swapping toys with some girl friends

Is that ALL? Have you already found yourself getting this busy? I didn't realize it until I thought, "I should probably write all these dates down on my calendar." Thankfully nothing overlapped, but I still need to start shopping. We've picked up a few things online and while we've been out, but there is a good bit of work to be done. At least we have a list!

So, now for the most important question: what should we do while we are in NYC?

To Be Thankful

For the past several years, my in-laws have graciously taken in me, my father, and my brother for Thanksgiving. It usually is the one time of year where my family is all together. I am spoiled enough to only have to bring the girls and an appetizer, and I almost always bring artichoke dip. It's kinda fall-ly. Our menu was packed and our bellies were delighted as always. Here's a list of what we enjoyed:

• Deep-fried turkey
• Dressing
• Sweet potato casserole with a brown sugary topping
• Mashed potatoes
• Carrots au gratin (a new addition, me-likey)
• Cranberry and Apple casserole with an oatmeal crunchy topping
• Sister Schubert's rolls
• Cranberry butter
• Cranberry gelatin mold with a hint of orange
• The Relish tray- green olives and gherkins
• Cabbage salad
• Apple Pie
• Pumpkin Pie with fresh cream (yum)
• Candy corn cupcakes

I might still be stuffed!


A.E. in her Thanksgiving regalia

H.J. having a pre-feast snack

Nana, A.E., Uncle Matt-Matt, Memaw

My dad, also known as Poppy, me, and H.J.

Uncle Matt-Matt and A.E.

Today I got to go shopping with my brother. We hit IKEA and Atlantic Station. I had a gift card to West Elm that had been burning a hole in my pocket for almost a year! Uncle Matt-Matt bought himself a dresser for his bedroom at IKEA to match his bed. I don't think he's ever come to visit us without going to IKEA! Matt-Matt (the girls call him) and I returned to a house ready to be decorated.

I've got a lot of work to do and I can't wait to share. We changed our header again for the season. Check it out!

Christmas Giveaway!

Have you got a friend who's having a baby next month? Maybe you're having a baby next month? Go to my friend Mama Joy & Co. to enter in her contest for a free Christmas burp cloth and bib clip set. Also, check out her etsy shop!

Til Thursday

I changed my header picture again...til Thursday. Have you met Mr. Pepper and Mrs. Salt?

Taking One for the Team

This season for The Daddy and me has been pretty rough. I'm talking about our respective football seasons. Living in the South, the Fall can be a time of rejoicing as well as a time of disappointment. It can be a time of good food, good friends, and good memories. This season has been pretty rough.

In my profile I mention that I was once a crazed UT (that's TENNESSEE, ya'll) fan. It's been hard watching football since we've had children. My trips to Knoxville slowly dwindled as we took more and more trips down to the plains of Auburn. The Daddy used to get season tickets before our children were born. We used to love snuggling up on the couch and watching our teams battle it out with other SEC powerhouses. We used to plan gatherings based on which team was playing which and when. We used to dress in orange on a regular basis, for goodness sakes!

C.'s love of Auburn has not dwindled, but I know he's been disappointed with a team that was picked to win the SEC West who has struggled and fought for each win it's gotten. My love hasn't exactly dwindled, but it's been hard for me as well. I went to UT during the Peyton Manning years. I didn't have to experience this much heartache except each year when we played Florida. Those darn Gators!

This year, I have hardly even looked forward to Saturdays. I don't watch College Gameday, much. I have been really out of the loop when it comes to the players, the coaches, and the thrill of autumnal Saturdays.

Going through this down-season, I recognize that I've experienced the same ups and downs in my short walk as a Christian. I accepted Christ on January 15, 2002. Since then, I have gotten married, become a wife (two entirely different things), worked as a teacher, struggled (somewhat) to get pregnant the first time, had another child 18 months after the first, gained 60 pounds, lost 60 pounds, gained 40 pounds, lost 40 pounds, celebrated birthdays, celebrated new jobs, moved to a new house, and experienced countless peaks and valleys. I've sung God's praises while all things were well, and I've cried out to God when I couldn't see His presence.

It's so much easier to root for your team when they're winning. Is it easier to "root" for God when all is well in your life?

I've got to come back to this topic. I haven't really thought it through, but I know it's a good one. I'm going to need to do some reading. In The Word. Because I forgot to tell you...

My Bible Study is on hiatus until...February, possibly March. AAAAAACCCCKKKK! Now I'm going to need to be responsible for my own Bible reading? Guess I'm going back to the two books that I haven't finished from last year.

So even though it's a down season, I'm going to cheer on our teams this weekend. Go Vols! and WAR EAGLE!

Hair!

As the holiday season approaches and many are trimming the trees and mantels, we took the girls for haircuts. This was a first for H.J. We tried a new place called Pigtails and Crewcuts as our normal haircut haunt was packed! Imagine that: the Saturday before a big holiday and a kid's hair cuttery was jammed.

The haircuts were an amazing success!

A.E. was an old pro, while H.J. didn't know what hit her.

The Before Shot


Driving the Police Car


The First Snip


Turning


After- Side view


After- Top view


A.E.'s sure-fire bribe- a dumdum

Concentrating

Ta-da!

Ghosts

I have an incredibly talented brother-in-law out on the west coast working in Hollywood. Uncle C. is often talked about around our house as A.E. and H.J. await his arrival this holiday season. He shared with me a couple of links to his latest project. It's a kid's mystery/comedy web series - Ghost Town. Uncle C. has done lots of work with Disney and knows Alyson Stoner from Cheaper by the Dozen and recent Zaxby commercials. He worked with her when she was on Mike's Super Short show on Disney. Uncle C. produced and wrote many episodes.



Check out the site at:
http://www.ghosttownseries.com/

This an original SunnyBoy Production, which is the production company/creative agency he developed and founded.

The series was also on the front page of tube filter news. Check out the article.

All Clear

Just got the call from the doctor's office that H.J.'s ultrasound came back with normal results. Praise God!

Thank You, GA Power!

On Friday, I took H.J. took Scottish Rite to have some ultrasound testing done on her abdominal area to rule out any real digestive issues as the cause of her slow weight gain. See HERE to read about our eating issues. She was a true trooper and was so cooperative! When we got to the exam room, the technician asked me if H.J. liked The Wiggles. I told her we're not really up at that hour, but she probably would enjoy them. I figured she wanted to know because she was going to turn the television on to distract our 19-month-old child while she poked and prodded her.

Sidebar: Am I the only one who thought ultrasounds HURT? Maybe it was the full bladder, but I remember the feeling of wanting to scream "Could you push on my child(and me) a little HARDER?"

The technician did not turn on the television, but instead she offered us FREE TICKETS TO SEE THE WIGGLES! Oh, and they weren't just FREE TICKETS! They were in a LUXURY SUITE! I said, "Yes, please!" So today, after church we picked up Papa, had lunch and headed to the show.

The tickets were actually in the GA Power suite, and I have no way to know who to personally thank for the free entertainment. Any suggestions?

We had a blast. The girls paid attention about as long as you would expect a 3-year-old and 19-month-old to pay attention. I was glad we didn't have to pay for the tickets, honestly. I'm thinking children closer to 4 years of age might be able to appreciate the whole experience more.

We did escape with only one souvenir per child. Thank you, Papa! We selected the flashing glow stick flashlight thingy with each character on it. I was tempted to select the Dorothy hat with the matching dinosaur tail, but thought a flashy thingy might be fun to play with in the bathroom while sitting on the potty in the dark.

Potty update: We're still struggling with good days and bad. I believe next week we will abandon the pull ups, with the exception of naps and nighttime. We are making progress: A.E. went pee pee in the potty at the arena and at Nana and Papa's house today. Dry the rest of the day. Tomorrow is another day...

H.J.: I could get used to THIS!

A.E. and Mama with H.E. absorbed in her stickers

Here come The Wiggles!

At the end of the show and ready to GO!

Win a Christmas Gift!

Every year for Christmas, we send my grandmother and C.'s grandmother a subscription to Family Circle. Well, over at Project: Domestic Bliss, Nikki is having a giveaway for a subscription to Woman's Day. It would be a great gift to a woman you love or to yourself! Go give yourself a chance to win!

Bethlehem

Tonight as I read to A.E. from the Bible:

A.E.- "Jesus was born in Bethlehem."

Mama- "Yes honey, that's right!"

A.E.- "I want to go to Bethlehem."

Mama- "Bethlehem is really far away."

A.E.- "No, Bethlehem is in my belly."

Prayers, Promises, and Blessings

Another Wednesday and More Wisdom from Mary Tabb straight from The Word.

I couldn't wait to sit down and type all this up. It's nap time in our house and I normally wait until the evening hours to work on the blog, but I just couldn't get all this off my mind. I think each of these blessings needs to be printed out on a note card and prayed for my children. I know that each night, I seem to say the same prayer. Wouldn't it be nice to pray for specific blessings rather than just, "God bless this child" or "Lord, please keep so-and-so safe"?

I know my prayer life needs a pick-me-up. Anything we do for ourselves will greatly effect our children. As my faith is strengthened, my ability to show God's grace to my children increases.

I think the whole pack of blessings on pretty cards would be a wonderful shower gift, all bundled up with a beautiful ribbon. Also, good to keep on hand for yourself when you are looking for the right words in a greeting card!!! I sometimes struggle with what to write in all that white space on the inside of a sympathy card, birthday card, father's day card, etc.

Think about sending one special verse to mom on mother's day or her birthday. OR how about a Christmas gift? She'll love it! Put it in a pretty frame and call it a day. I know I would love to know that someone special is praying blessings for me.

At the risk of sounding like a bully: Bookmark this entry for future reference.

And I confess: This weekly entry is all I am getting in the way of Bible study right now, so typing it up helps me reinforce what I've heard. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Mary began with the idea that as adopted children of God, we are all heirs to ALL of his blessings and promises. Any blessing or gift in the Bible is ours. God's word is full of blessings, as you'll see in the list below. She told us that being a mom means we have to guard our tongues and realize that our words to our children can be a blessing, a gift, and a promise.

While holding her grandchildren or feeding a grand baby a bottle, Mary takes that opportunity to pray blessings over the baby. She prays for the baby to have a healthy body, to keep his mind on Christ, to have security in Him. She said that as children grow older, if our words to them remain positive, we can be a blessing to them in all that they do.

My favorite blessing today was the one I listed first, a teachable spirit. I know I need this blessing. I need to learn to watch, listen, and be willing to be embarrassed if I don't know something. I'm not comfortable in a situation where I'm not in control, so put me in a situation where I have to depend on someone else, and...UGLY! You have my permission to pray for me. I need it!

I'm a girl who loves a list, so here we go (with a few interruptions):

• Psalm 25:4-5 May God bless you with a teachable spirit.
  
• Psalm 22:5 May God set in you an urge to confession of sin and the ability to accept God's forgiveness.
  
• Psalm 23:1 May you seek and find God's provision for you and your family.
  
• Psalm 23:3 May God bless you with a restoration of your soul. (your mind, will, and emotions)
  
• James 1:5 May the Lord bestow upon you His wisdom.
  
• Proverbs 3:5-6 May you trust in the Lord with all your heart.
  
• Romans 10:17 May you be blessed with faith from hearing God's word/ develop a love of God's word.
  
• Proverbs 4:20-22 May you develop a love of God's word.
  
• Ephesians 3:17-19 May the Lord bless this child with the ability to know the love of Christ and to really understand that He has a plan for him.
  
• Galatians 5:22-23 May you be blessed with the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as you experience the Holy Spirit's presence in your life.
  
• Psalm 103:12 May you be blessed with the ability to forgive.
  
• Proverbs 16:24 May you bless others with pleasant words.
  
• Phillipians 4:11 May the Lord bless you with contentment.
  
• Genesis 2:18 May you find the mate God has selected for you.
  
• Jeremiah 29:11 May you live in the anticipation of seeking and finding God's plan for your life.
  
• Phillipians 4:6 May God bless you with a thankful heart. (I personally think this is my favorite for this time of year. I may do a craft with my girls to write this verse on a leaf and preserve it somehow. It could become a tradition!)
  
• John 10:10 May you seek an abundant life in Christ.
  
• Psalm 127:3 May you be blessed with children.
  
• Psalm 128:5-6 May you be blessed with grandchildren.
  
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 May you enjoy victory over temptation. (great for teens or those struggling with addiction)
  
• Malachi 3:10 May you be blessed with the ability to handle money as God sees fit.
  
• James 5:16 May you be blessed with others' prayers for you.
  
• John 16:33 May feel the blessing of internal peace.
  
• Psalm 91:9-10 May you be under God's protection.
  
• Psalm 119:105 May you follow and live by God's guidance.
  
• 3 John 1:2 May you be blessed with good health.
  
• Psalm 4:8 May you feel the safety of God.
  
• Luke 12:24 May you benefit from God's provision.
  
• Ephesians 6:11, 14-18 May you feel the power of the Holy Spirit.
  
• Phillipians 4:8 May God bless your thoughts.
  
• Psalm 3:5 May you be blessed with a good night's sleep. (for the new mother! ha!)
  
• Psalm 4:8 May you lie down in peace and sleep well.
  
• Psalm 5:12 May you be in God's favor with Him as well as with men (Mary prayed this over her boys because the Bible talks of Jesus growing in favor with God and with men.)
  
• Psalm 18:32 May you be blessed in strength.
  
• Psalm 20:4 May all your heart's desires be fulfilled/ May God fulfill His purpose for your life.

NOW. Which one is your favorite? And which one can I pray for YOU?

The Color Gray

I got me hair cut.

I got me gray gone.

It's pretty short.

It's pretty golden.

It's pretty, I hope.

If someone takes my picture anytime soon, maybe I'll post it.

Are You In There? or Are You In Here?

Sometimes I forget that when I don't post, you don't know what's going on here.

Sometimes I forget that even if I do post, you don't know what's going on in here.

Sometimes I do that with my husband. I have complete conversations with him in my head. (Am I really the only person, scratch that, woman who does this? Then, I'm angry, scratch that, annoyed when he says I didn't tell him something. Well, yes I did! In my head.

Sometimes I think my kids are the greatest little things on earth.

Sometimes I think I'm doing a good job.

Sometimes I think, "They aren't babies anymore." No more "First Halloween" or "First Christmas" for them. They're seasoned pros.

Sometimes I think, "When will they catch on?"

Sometimes I think, I suck at this.

Sometimes I want to suck all the contents of my head out and splatter them all over the keyboard. It might be a little quicker to help you understand what's swirling around in my head.

Sometimes I think, "I just can't write tonight. No one wants to hear this."

Sometimes I think, "Oh, won't they just laugh?"

Sometimes I hit backspace when I almost let you in.

Sometimes I post pictures of all the joy I see around me.

Sometimes I have a hard time paring them down.

Sometimes I'm amazed at what people feel inspired to comment about. It's not always the point I was trying to make.

Sometimes I learn about how my words can affect others.

Sometimes I'll never know.

Sometimes the phone rings 100 times in a day.

Sometimes I don't answer even though I'm home. Come over instead!

Sometimes I imagine 100s of people reading here.

Sometimes I wish I could take it all back.

Sometimes I think I can do anything. Through Christ. Who strengthens me. (Thanks to Emily: that's the only piece of scripture I can routinely call on.)

Sometimes I forget Who is really taking care of me.

Sometimes I forget Who is really in control.

Sometimes I forget Who really loves me.

Sometimes I forget my past.

Sometimes I forget my future.

Sometimes I get silly when things get serious. I might laugh at your funeral.

Sometimes I get silly so you don't know how I'm really feeling.

Sometimes I forget what I was going to write about.

Sometimes I remember.

Sometimes I remember.

Does this post sound familiar? Half-way through I thought so, too. Here's a refresher.

She's Got the Look

So, this weekend we've been working on a new look for the blog. I'm waiting for a special occasion to get really fancy with the cute background, buttons and whatnot. I think these colors look better with the sepia toned photos. A little more me!

We've also been working on security. Didn't really think it would be an issue, but I got a little paranoid today.

We've had a relatively uneventful weekend. Last night I went to "scrapbook" with some friends. I did not scrap. I brought some fabric and my new heirloom bishop patterns to make some smocked, long sleeve, fine-wale corduroy dresses for the girls. I didn't bring tissue paper big enough to copy the patterns so I can reuse the pattern, so....I just happened to have a pattern for a jumper in H.J.'s size. I'll post pics as soon as I'm done. MOTIVATION!

I also ate last night like I had not eaten in years. Yuck. I'm heading down to the pit to run soon.

Today the Phillips Phamily Daddy went to meet some men from our Sunday School class for breakfast and got an oil change. Then we went to the playground, drove through the McDonald's and watched our kids eat like paint drying.

Just as I was about to walk out the door to attend a fun sale some girlfriends were hosting, A.E. threw up because she was crying and throwing a fit about some french fries that got tossed because she wasn't eating fast enough. I stayed home and helped clean up, but not without a poor attitude. Boo.

We watched some football. C. changed a tire on my car. (Issues!)

Not a lot going on compared to many of our recent busy weekends. Tomorrow we are going to a party for some friends of ours in Sunday School. I'm excited to have all our kids get together and eat some fun grub.

Any opinions on the new look? Security for your kids? Your own stories of paranoia? Sewing? Smocking? Vomit clean up? Bad attitudes?

Classics- bits and pieces

-This evening, A.E.'s "friend" Brobee got a piggy-back ride. He's a character from the weird show, Yo Gabba Gabba, and evidently her new imaginary friend. Brobee also had to go potty. He was also a baby taking a nap so he could, "Grow up."

-I also found out that a friend of A.E.'s has an imaginary friend named, of all names, "A." I thought it was just the sweetest thing.

-Last Friday on Halloween, we took an unexpected trip to the Urgent Care facilities at 5:00 in the afternoon. All right about the time we wanted to start getting dressed to go trick-or-treating. A.E. ended up having conjunctivitis (pink eye). She did get to go nab some candy, but her escorts did all the grabbing for her.

-Today, H.J. had her 18-month well-check. Not so well. She actually had infections in BOTH of her ears. MOM-OF-THE-MONTH Award! Also, she hasn't gained weight since her last check in September.

The stats:
Weight- 21 lbs. 3 oz.
Height- 31 in.
Disposition- Cheery

I am scheduling an appointment with an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat doctor) to discuss her tongue. If you've met H.J., you MIGHT have noticed her tongue. It's a little big. From the day she was born, we have asked all the doctors, "Is this normal?" Finally, we are going to get a specialist's opinion. Possibly, her abnormally large tongue is preventing her from using her teeth to chew her food. We'll see.

We also have on deck an ultrasound to look at her abdominal area to check and see if there is any problem there. The doctor is still concerned about her weight gain. She was comforted by the fact that H.J. CAN close her mouth and is not having any speech development issues so far.

Here's a trip down memory lane with H.J. Note the tongue! She's still so cute, but where did that tongue come from???



Still in the hospital-check out how dark her hair WAS!



Sitting pretty in the swing we used twice



One of the few portraits we bought with "the tongue" captured for posterity



This Easter

Wednesday's Word- minus the word

At Bible study today, we had ourselves a little shopping party. I suggest you get your friends, coworkers, etc. together to do this. It was so much fun!

Everyone in our group looked through our own houses for things in good condition that we didn't need, no longer wanted, things that we bought as gift ideas and never gifted, items that we received that we keep dusting around but wouldn't necessarily miss, or never used to bring in as merchandise. There were about 28 of us bringing our "junk" to showcase. We spread it all out on tables and browsed until we each got a good look at the inventory.

Some items we had today: photo albums, pretty holiday items and plate sets, kids' clothes, kids' toys (clean with all applicable parts), purses, home decor, picture frames, kitchen gadgets, a sink faucet, you name it! I brought: Creative Memories scrapbook/pages, photo paper, print-your-own picture postage stamps, and a couple of never used kids' toys.

ONE RULE: You DO NOT have to bring anything to shop. With this large of a group, there were plenty of things to choose from and no one left empty-handed.

Procedure: Once everyone gets there and has a chance to lay out their stuff, we form a line and everyone goes through and picks one item. We follow the line format until the stuff is gone. There really was no pushing or shoving. We ARE Christian women!

FINAL NOTE: Please know that whatever you bring that doesn't end up getting swapped you must take home with you. One girl in our group today graciously offered to take all the "leftovers" to Goodwill.

I got a couple of "Christmas" presents for myself, while others shopped for loved ones and children. I'm considering organizing a "shopping" party with my friends who aren't in Mom's Club.

We also discussed more traditions today:

-Whatever you do once, can become a tradition. If you begin your families' holiday time with an elaborate meal and formal routines, it will become expected. Our pastor's wife just made chili on Christmas eve early on, and the kids protested when the next year she didn't plan on doing the same thing. Traditions don't have to be "fancy".

-The whole family sleeping "under" the tree on the night you decorate it. Pull out sleeping bags and pillows, light a fire and snore away with the tree lights aglow.

-Present an award on Christmas eve to a family member for good deeds throughout the year. Make a plaque with room for engraving "winners" names on it. The "Loving God, Loving Others" award. I'm picturing a full-blown awards ceremony with superlatives of the silly sort!

-Thanksgiving: Each family member has 3 kernels of corn at place setting at dinner. Each person tells 3 things he is thankful for.

-Reading the Christmas story: Reader leaves out words for the kids to fill in. For example, "Jesus" to start with. As the kids get older and more familiar with the story each year, leave larger sections out for them to fill in the blanks. By the time they graduate high school, they should be able to recite the whole thing!

-Another great nativity idea: Along with leaving baby Jesus out until Christmas morning, have Mary and Joseph "march" daily through December to the manger, so kids can appreciate the long journey they endured to have Christ's perfect birth.

-Create ornaments for each of the "fruits of the spirit" and decorate a small tree with them.

-Wrap kids' bedroom doors like a present. Remember your teachers in school doing this? Then have the kids decorate the doors, writing all the "gifts" they already have received from God.


Well, I've been making our list. Now I've got to get the man to check it twice.

Next week we will be discussing blessings. And two weeks from now, we will stuff our faces with a brunch and swap our favorite holiday recipes. Yum!