Meet Bijou

Tim and I decided to put up our Christmas tree on Sunday night. We've never done this so early. But we were bored and needing something uplifting in this dire housing market. Tim has been stressed past his limit, between work and the houses. I'm trying to be supportive, not complaining when he has to work s late or the kids make me nuts. So Sunday was the day. This is the first year that we have had two "little helpers." I put that in quite because most of you know that under the age of 8, they don't really help that much. So the kids handed Tim the ornaments and he put most of them on the tree. We allowed them to put their special ornaments on (their Hallmark ornaments and any ornaments made by them). Of course, after they were done we had to go back and move some around (they seem to all be lumped on the bottom 2 layers and in the front). We went to bed Sunday night with a fire going and decorations up. Very festive, indeed.

When the kids were sleeping I had one last "decoration" to put up. But I had to find the perfect place. It had to be somewhere that the kids wold never reach it, no matter how high they tried to stretch or climb. It had to be somewhere that is visible most of the day. And it had to be facing an area where the kids play that I can't always watch if I'm doing something in the kitchen. So I chose to put it on the top of the hood vent in the kitchen, but facing the keeping room. It was perfect. I couldn't wait for the kids to wake up and see it.

Monday morning came, and the kids climbed out of their beds, groggy as ever because none of us slept very well. Tanner was sitting at the table, waiting for his breakfast, and Kendall was watching Sesame Street when tanner exclaimed, "Momm,y wha's dat?" He pointed to the small elf sitting on top of the hood vent. Kendall spotted the elf, and she flashed the biggest smile I think I've sen in a long time. You screamed, "Mom, we have an elf!!!" Yes, indeed, we do!

So I allowed them to look at him and ask me a few questions before I went into the family room to pretend to be "turning on the tree," but I actually found a "gift" under the tree, a book called The Elf on the Shelf. So we sat at the kitchen table while the kids ate and I read the book to them.

It explains that the elf comes from the North Pole to watch over the kids since Santa is so busy and can't watch everyone all the time. The elf has to be named. You cannot touch him or he will lose his magic and have to go back to the NP and stay. You can talk to him, but he cannot talk back; it's an elf law. The kids were mesmerized! They've never listened to a book so closely, especially Tanner. So we tossed some name around ... Jungle (taken), Elf (boring), Tinkerbell (too girlie), Squash (no, thanks) ... and somehow we decided on something silly. Bijou. Bijou Monkey-Buns.

So we now have an elf watching the kids' every move. It's really very entertaining to watch them get up and look for him in the mornings. he moves to a new location every night after returning form the North Pole. He's been in the kitchen, the family room, and in the foyer on a lamp. We'll see where he ends up next!

Sharing another secret

If you can't read it, it says, "I sit at the kids table because I like them better."

In the spirit of the upcoming holidays, I thought this one was pretty darn funny. Do you remember the days of sitting at the kids' table? Our was always in Grandma Dean's cigarette-stained kitchen. We had a small TV (with rabbit ears) that we could try to watch while we were eating, but dinner always turned into the boys throwing food or playing around. As I was the only girl, naturally, I was perfect. Then I remember the first time I felt old enough to sit at the grown-up table. How boring was that? These grown-ups didn't have fun conversations like the kids did. They were so quiet and careful -- no one laughed or giggled. They were always talking about something serious ... no fun at all. So I only sat at the big table for one year. Then my cousin Jason and I returned to the kids' table in the kitchen. Definitely a better place to be!

Tights, PJs, and Chocolate -- oh my!

While many people are sitting at home complaining about the cold temperatures outside, I am loving this time of year. November always brings out a side of me that is usually pushed under the hustle and bustle of every day life. I find myself more relaxed right now ... more calm ... perhaps from listening to the crackle of the fire or from drinking hot chocolate. Regardless, I love November ... these weeks right before the Christmas craziness begins. This year, in particular, I find myself noticing more things about Fall that I love. I mentioned before the changing of the leaves and the gorgeous colors outside. Those of you who are not fortunate enough to live where the leaves change, you don't know what you are missing! But not just the leaves keep my giddy. Here's a list of the top 5 things I love about this time of year.

5) Tights - Silly, I know. But I love tights on Kendall. We make it a point to go out and buy the craziest tights we can find every year. In the mornings, she picks out her tights first, and then we match her outfit to the tights. She has all the regular colors, which are reserved for dance class and the patterned dresses and skirts. But she really shows off her personality when she throws on her stripes or her pink camo. I am so blessed to have a little girl who is a prissy as I am!

4) Feet PJs - When Kendall was a baby, I loved dressing her in feet jammies. They were always so soft, and she still felt like a "baby" when she was bundled up. I feel the same way about Tanner now ... I'm hanging onto this one piece of "baby" I have left. I even went out and found big girl feet jammies for Kendall, even though she doesn't get to sleep in them that often (they are pretty warm). But it is fun to watch them snuggle up together in a chair early in the morning, nestled inside their warm PJs, hanging onto those lovies. How much sweeter can you get?

3) Silly Thanksgiving pictures - The perk of having a child in preschool is that I get to attend all these fun singing and dancing functions where the kids are dressed ridiculously. Kendall's class was a big group of turkeys this year for her Thanksgiving sing-along and feast. She took her job very seriously, wearing that beak with pride and shaking those tail feathers when required. She will, of course, look back at these pictures when she is older and say, "Mom, what were you thinking? How could you torture me that way?!" And I will remind her that she loved every second of it!!

2) Monkey Munch - Yes, I'm talking about the chocolaty, peanut buttery, sugary treat that Kate swears by on Jon & Kate Plus 8. I love making this with my little ones because it is simple and doesn't require a lot of steps or mess. The kids are able to help me melt, stir, mix, taste (mmmm, the best part), and shake. And the end result is so tasty that it rarely lasts long in the pantry. Which gives us more chances to keep making it!

1) Jumping in the leaves - I had forgotten about doing this as a child. Of course, Josh and I only had pine straw to jump in, but the effect was the same. Two days ago, the neighborhood girls came over and asked if they could make piles of leaves to jump in. My first reaction was, "No way, Kendall and Tanner will get nasty and dirty." But then I thought about how much fun it would be for them. We have been cooped up in this house for a while with all the colds, so I figured, "Why not?" So I snapped pictures while the 4 of them ran all over the yard collecting leaves and transferring them to one big pile. And once the pile was complete, the 4 of them jumped and bounced and threw leaves til they were exhausted. Yes, my babes had leaves and grass in their hair, but who cares? Those things can be cleaned. But memories like these are priceless and irreplaceable.

So there you go ... my reasons for loving Fall. While I probably will not enjoy this cold weather much longer, I'm going to revel in the fact that I can hide those few extra pounds behind sweaters and jeans, wear warm, woolly boots, and wipe Tanner's snot with my sleeve without anyone thinking I'm strange for it.

Happy Fall, ya'll!

In the loop

I know many of you are wondering what happened. Why I haven't written in, like, a week or so. There's no real reason, I suppose. I have either had not enough to talk about or too much and can't narrow my topic down. Here's the rundown.

Most of you know my brother and his family came to visit last weekend. This was to be the last time I will see him for at least a year (assuming Obama isn't going to pull a miracle out of his hat and get the troops home in March ...). He is leaving for Iraq on November 25th (or December 5th, they keep changing it), and they came to visit so he could say goodbye to everyone before leaving.

I hate to say it that way ... "say goodbye" ... it terrifies me, actually, to think about it that way. Last time Josh went overseas he was injured, twice. Both times he was thrown from his vehicle in an explosion of some sort. The first time he was injured, but not put out of commission. The second time is what brought him home a few months early. He sustained a traumatic brain injury, which terrified all of us to no end. He fought headaches, speech issues, and memory lapses for months. He says that he is "all good" now and back to normal. I think he still has headaches and occasional bouts with insomnia (what vet doesn't?), but he seems ready to head back over there.

So they came to visit, and our family dinner became a double-family party. While I am very happy that Josh was able to spend time with our family and Mary's, I wish I could have spent more time with him ... my family and his. It's tough to ask him to do that when he seems to enjoy his time with his in-laws so much more. Mary comes from a huge family, 7 brothers and sisters I think. Lots of nieces and nephews. Josh has grown very close to Mary's youngest brother, Tom. He is a great guy, and his wife is equally as wonderful. The rest of the family I don't know as well, but they seem alright. They are loud ... which is to be expected with a big family where everyone has to compete with each other to be heard and seen. So, it is hard for Tim (who never makes a peep), my mom (who never wants to rock the boat and make people uncomfortable), and myself to compete. But we made it happen on Saturday night. The whole clan, plus my surrogate brother Chris (Josh's BF from grade school) came to dinner at my mom's house. We ate chicken, burgers, drank beer ... it was a good time.

Then Monday was committed to me. Mary, Mom, and I went shopping while the kids all played together with Unc' Josh watching over them (OK, so he was sleeping, but he needs to stock up!). Then we had dinner again, quieter this time, and said our goodbyes. Tuesday morning they left to head back to North Carolina.

So here we are now, still not absolutely sure when he is leaving. It makes me sad that Mary and Josh's girls will have this Thanksgiving, the first in their new house, without their daddy. And this Christmas Mary says they won't be able to come visit because she has to work. So it may really be a lonnng time before we see them again. And it will definitely be a long time before we see Josh.

While time seems to be flying by in all other respects, the time that Josh is gone crawls. I try not to watch the news. I try not to read too much about the war. Last time he was in Iraq we could at least email him and talk to him on the phone occasionally. Mary even had a web cam so the kids could see him from time to time. This time will be different. He will be in a more remote location without all the technology. I guess we'll have to communicate the old fashioned way with letters and care packages. Hopefully, he will return to us unscathed this time and never have to go back. Hopefully, he will not lose any friends this time. Hopefully, he will be able to play a part in what has become one of the most argued-over wars in our history. And when it is all over, he will still be my little brother. My little brother, the hero!

Laugh Lines

So I recently was introduced to a blog called Post Secret. It's linked on my blog, and they usually update it every Sunday. Basically, people are supposed to anonymously send post cards with their deepest secrets written on them, and this guy posts them on his site. I guess it gives you something to think about. Anyway, every Sunday, I pick out my favorite and ponder on it. This is my favorite from this morning.

Most of the time the postcards have things written on them that either make me sad or disgust me. But every once in a while there is one, like this one, that just makes me smile. It makes me think twice about the wrinkles that are finding their way around my eyes and mouth. It makes me think twice about growing up and growing old. And it makes me realize how extraordinarily lucky I am to have what I have -- a husband who will do anything for me, two perfectly healthy children who adore me above no other, a strong family unit and support system backing me in every decision I make ... I mean, really, what else is here better in life???

IndiDenim

OK, before I settle into the recliner to veg and watch Ugly Betty and Grey's, I have to share something that was introduced to me by my wonderfully fabulous best friend, Stacey. We were talking last night about jeans ... and how we can never find the right size, style, rise, etc. for our bodies. This has always been an issue for both of us, whether we were thin or not. If the jeans fit in the hips and butt, they are way too big for the waste. (Many of you are nodding in agreement.) So, she told me about a website where you can build your own jeans. That's right ... custom jeans for your body!!!!!!!!! I am so excited. While they are a bit pricey ($135, which is nothing to some people), I think it would be so worth it. To have a pair of jeans that fit everywhere ... are the perfect color ... the perfect style ... the pockets are the shape I want ... anyway, you get the point. I'm so in. I checked out the website (iNDiDenim), and I'm really excited about my first custom built jeans. I've already built them and saved them in my shopping cart. Of course, I still have to talk Mr. Moneybags into buying them for me. We'll see ... maybe for Christmas?

Look, Mom, no training wheels!

Here is a very amateur video shot from my cell phone. This is Kendall riding her bike without training wheels. Some of you have heard that I went to the grocery store and left Kendall with Tim. When I returned (about 45 minutes later), she was waiting to show off. With nearly no effort at all, she took off on her own and started pedaling. She pedalled all the way across the cul-de-sac before stopping, picking her bike up and turning it around to go the other direction. This is from Sunday; now she is much faster and able to turn without getting off the bike and turning it. Such a year of firsts for her!!

Voting Day

Today I feel like a new person. I am so very proud to be a voting American woman ... we are very fortunate to live here where we get to make such decisions on our own ... if you are in line today, just remember ... it's worth the wait!!

Just found this and had to share ...

Found this in a book ... and it has made me start really praying about going back to work and what I want to do when I'm there. I had forgotten about my dad writing this before I graduated from college. As you can see, my dad was a great man. I have written it just as he did, lowercase i's and all. He always beleived he was smaller than "Him," therefor he always used lowercase i's when referring to himself. Just something to think about. I hope you can appreciate what he days; I think it applies to all walks of life ...

Keisha - Punkin -
Well, here it is - that "last Christmas" as ONLY my little girl. It's bittersweet for sure. When you were born and i held you for the first time, this day was not even a thought. Yet, it is with great anticipation i look toward your graduation and then marriage. God has been so good and faithful to me and i have been so inappropriate toward Him. i praise Him for His long suffering and patience and now i see the reason for children -- it's to "grow you" into these areas -- long suffering and patience. There were so many other guys i picked for you, but THANK GOD, you didn't pick any of them. At first, i would say - well she could have picked others alot worse than Tim - But now - in all honesty - i say you could not have picked better than Tim. i really, really, really love Tim and some of my less than enthusiastic reactions have been because i feel like this is our last Christmas as just you and us -- from now on and rightly so - your second allegiance is to be to your husband (the first being God). But every time i point my finger at yours and Tim's selfishness, there are 3 pointing back at me. So, yes, Lord i see, i am not showing the real Jesus through my actions and attitudes. i'm sorry, please help me to do better. And He does.

"Teacher" - "Teach" - it sounds good on you. My daughter, the teacher. Am i proud? Am i thankful? Am i amazed? Yep, you bet. This little girl who quit dance and cheerleading once due to having to stand in front of a crowd is now going to stand before God's gifts and mold and shape their belief systems and their futures. Keisha, always keep that in mind. How some of these folks will relate to their futures is going to be based on the influence you exercise in their lives today. Please, seek first God and what He wants. Put Him first always; weigh everything in your life in view of how God sees it. What does He say about it? He says, yes, enjoy. He says, wait, go slow. He says, NO, drop and run, regardless of what you must leave behind. If this society we live in should ever demand you to teach something contrary to what God teaches, it is my daily prayer that God will cause you to run for the hills and don't look back. Please, Mom and I can now be mentors to you, not parents. Mentors simply come along side and show you your options and consequences. You make the choices. We're here, 24/7.

Love always, Pops

PS - At the Family Christian Store , a little book, "Butterfly Kisses"? And one request. Can we dance to that song at your wedding? I'll let you lead!

More "treats" than "tricks"

Well, the Halloween season has officially come to a close. Well, almost, once the candy is eaten. Which shouldn't be long judging how much the kids downed (with the help of Mom and Dad) last night before bed. The kids had lots of fun going from house to house to get candy. They got more than they could ever possibly eat on their own (which is why I'll be avoiding the scale for a while) and they looked precious in their costumes. Excuse me, Kendall looked "beautiful" as Snow White, and Tanner looked "strong and scary" as Batman. (I'm not supposed to say "precious.")

We walked with the kids in the neighborhood most of the time, and then Kendall caught up with one of our pool friends from the summer. She is Kendall's age, so we let the older kids travel ahead of us (how many 10-year-olds do you know who want to wait on a 4-year-old?) and Kendall and Katie walked together. Tanner rode in his Batmobile costumed as a stroller (clever, I know) and he hopped out at almost every house. This year was such a change from last year because Kendall went to the doors on her own, said "trick or treat" on her own, and said "thank you" on her own. Super cute! Tanner had a hard time understanding why I wouldn't open the candy as it was poured into his bucket, but once I opened a sucker or two, he was content. By the time we reached the end of the houses, Kendall was tired and I had to carry her. Of course, trick-or-treating was not the only excitement of our day yesterday!

We started our morning with a trip to Learning Express. This store always wears Kendall and Tanner out because there is so much to do. The workers allow the kids to play with the toys that are on the floor, and Tanner immediately hits the choo-choo while Kendall finds the dollhouses (hence, our choices for Christmas gifts this year). I went with the sole purpose of buying an Elf on the Shelf. If you've never heard of it, Google it. So now we have our elf who will roam around our house until Christmas, taking notes on the kids and their behavior in order to report back to Santa. Fun, right?!

Our second trip to the pumpkin patch followed. Mom needed a big punkin, so we hit the same place the kids and I went to Thursday. They jumped in the hay some more. They picked out more small pumpkins (my house is being overrun with baby pumpkins.). I took more pictures. Fun times.

Third trip was to dance. Kendall's class got to wear the Halloween costumes to dance, and they played games and practiced all at the same time. Her Snow White dress especially looked cute with tap shoes!! I honestly thought she would lie down to take a nap once dance was over, but no. She was too excited about getting in her time on the computer since she SLEPT ALL NIGHT IN HER BED THE NIGHT BEFORE!!!!

I know, it just keeps getting better!

So then it was dinner time and time to get dressed up again. Yes, a rushed and busy day ... but so worth it to see their faces when that first handful of chocolate was dumped in their buckets!!

So now off for another exciting day dressed up ---- IN RED AND BLACK!!

Gooooooooooooooo, Dawgs!! Sic 'em!!!!