Christmas Cards

As I was taking a shower this morning, I realized something (Yes, in the shower I do most of my thinking as it is the only place that is quiet.). I bought my mom a display box from Creative Memories last year for Christmas. The intention of the display was to help her display a calendar and keepsakes for each month. However, being the un-creative person she is (not saying anything I wouldn't say to her face), I promised (fingers crossed behind my back) to make her a new calendar with photos every month.

As you can imagine, that happened about ... ummm ... 3 times? I saw yesterday that the last pictures she has displayed are from Preschool Graduation, which was May. So I guess I suck at keeping her "up to date."

Anyway, this made me realize something (other than I'm the worst daughter ever). THIS YEAR HAS F-L-O-W-N BY!!! I mean I remember making that last display in May. Doesn't seem like it was that long ago. But that was before Kendall turned 5! Before Tanner turned 3! Before our 9th anniversary! Before kindergarten! Before so many things that I feel have made this year amazing. Then I started thinking that I didn't write a Christmas letter as I usually do to mail with our Christmas cards. I guess time just slipped away from me.

So here's the better-late-than-never Christmas letter ...

Dear Family and Friends,

It's been a year of ups and downs in the Morris house. Though we've had some rough times, we've tried to infuse our days with happiness and laughter as well. As I look back I realize that though the year flew, a lot of wonderful and joyous things occurred. Tim and I took a trip in February to Copper Mountain, Colorado, and I was able to see my first real snow while Tim finally got some good snow skiing in. We also celebrated our 9 year anniversary in July; hard to believe we've made it through the roughest year so far, and we are closer than ever.

Tim continues to work like crazy -- I've sort of adapted to the idea that my husband is a workaholic. And that's OK. We are continually thankful for the job that he has, so no complaints here. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Sequoia Builders Development, Inc, earlier in the year. While Tim still loved the idea of building, the aspect of actually owning and running his own company is a thing of the past, I'm sure. Though Tim has had to make a few sacrifices in the way of free time and toys this year, he still tries to make time to take a ride on his Harley when he can. To clear his head ... ot get away from his crazy wife, which ever it may be!

I have rather enjoyed my last year as a stay at home mom. Though I had intentions of returning to work last Fall, God had a different plan for me. So I've been at home with Tanner this year, working with him on his letters, numbers, and colors. Well, I've been working more on not sucking the thumb and using the potty, but the rest sounds good. While this may make me sound like a complete dork, I have to say that my biggest achievement of this year has been attaining the title of "Crazy Coupon Lady" at the grocery store. Silly as it may sound, I am very proud of the ways I've learned to save money this year. I also was able to complete my first Peachtree Road Race in July, not far behind Tim.

We celebrated Kendall's 5th birthday in June, and she started kindergarten this year ... and she has amazed me beyond belief with what she has learned. It seems that she has grown so much in the few months she's been in school. Writing, reading, tying her shoes, swimming, sleeping through the night, being independent ... there is no better feeling than knowing that my daughter is well-balanced and sure of herself. She has a wonderful teacher at school, a good group of friends she adores, and a mommy and daddy who love her.

Tanner continues to be a momma's boy at heart. Also learning a lot this year, he has begun tinkering ... I'm fairly certain he is more like his daddy than we first thought. Not quick to sit and watch TV or read a book, Tanner would much rather be taking things apart or building. We are in the, "Why?" stage now, with me having to remember the answer to endless questions. Fortunately for me, Tanner just takes me at my word and I don't have to explain too much. We are currently getting Tanner ready for his first stint at school in the fall, when he will be going to Georgia Pre-K. He'll be ready ...

We have had a long but quick year in the Morris house. While there are many good things we enjoyed about this year, we are happy to see a new year upon us. And we are looking forward to "starting fresh" in 2010, looking ahead and hoping that this year, for us and you, are better than the last!!

With much love,
The Morris'
Tim, Keisha, Kendall & Tanner

Dear Santa

2 Things --

1) I could never teach Kindergarten.

It just took us a full hour to write Kendall's Christmas letter to Santa. And that's after a lot of editing by Mommy. She kept telling me to be patient with her ... "Mommy, I'm just learning." What a cutie. But it appears she has changed her mind, yet again, about what she wants for Christmas. (A Dora backpack? Really? We just got rid of a Dora backpack!)

Whatever. I know she'll be happpy with whatever she gets from Santa!

2) MY BABY GIRL JUST WROTE* HER FIRST LETTER TO SANTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am overwhelmed with pride!!

* "Wrote" meaning I told her how to spell most of the words ... but physically, she wrote it!

My Grown-Up Christmas List

It's that time of year again, I suppose. This year has F-L-O-W-N by, hasn't it?? So here I am again, a year later, having to come up with a Christmas list. I decided throughout this year that I would just write stuff down as I wanted it. If I saw something that struck my fancy, I just jotted it down on a little sheet of paper so I would have it when this time came. Now moms are asking what I want for Christmas, and some things seem pretty silly. I mean, who really needs to giant cupcake pan from Wilton?


So here is my grown up Christmas list. I've started with the most-likely-to-be-purchased things and then moved towards the more expensive, unlikely things. And some are intangible things that I just really want.


So if you're looking for something to buy Keisha for Christmas, here you go. Select away!


1) Pictureka game - From the first time I saw Kate playing this with her kids on Jon & Kate Plus 8, I've wanted it. We have a lot of board games for the kids to play, but this one seems right up our alley. No game pieces to keep up with ... just a big fun game of I Spy. And we're really good at that!



2) Buckle jeans - Many of you know I have fluctuated on jean size (that sounds better than saying, "I've gained some weight" ...), and my jeans from last year still fit, but I would like to breathe in them and be able to consume some food with them still buttoned and zipped. So, BKE Brand Sabrina's in size 28 waist. Or a gift card for Buckle would work too.



3) Victoria Secret cashmere sweater wrap - This sweater is unbelievable!! Have you seen this thing? There are like, 5 different ways to wear it ... I hope it comes with instructions!



4) LL Bean slippers - As embarrassing as it is to admit, I have a foot odor problem. And my old slippers are over deodorized by Odor Eaters, so I think it's time to trade them in. And LL Bean has some really cute slippers ...



5) Cricut cartridges - It's a scrapbooker's dream. A little keyboard that cuts letters and shapes into whatever you desire. Unfortunately, they can be somewhat pricey, and since my scrapbooking has dropped to the wayside, I've reserved a spot on my Christmas list for a few cartridges.



6) Scarves - Now that I'm sporting shorter hair again (well, it's grown out right now, but will be shorter again soon), I'd love to have some scarves. Not the big bulky kind - I have some of those. But the pretty,long,light-weight ones.


7) Silver earrings - Not too fancy, but dressy enough to spruce up jeans and my new sweater! :)


8) Workout clothes - I have a ton of summer workout clothes from training for the Peachtree, but if I want to continue walking during these colder months, I'm definitely going to need some warmer clothes to walk in. Pants are good!


9) Garden bench - We have this beautiful playset for the kids to play on, but I'm too lazy to stand around while they play and swing. So I desperately need a bench to sit on ... (hmmm, maybe this is why my jeans don't fit anymore ... I used to have to lift and push and chase ... now I can just sit and watch ...)



And these are the less likely gifts ---

10) A Mommy makeover - A little liposuction here, and little tuck there, a little add-on here and here, some laser hair remover ... well ... all over ...


11) And last, but certainly not least, I'd love to see little brother some time around Christmas ...


So not too much to ask, right? Fairly reasonable things to request.

Not like I'm asking for a hamster or anything ... :0)

Hooray for Poopy Moods

I'm determined to get this post in.

And since I'm confined to my house with a very tired little boy due to the torrential downpour outside, I'm going to get it done.

I must warn you: this is not going to be a happy-go-lucky post. I spent the last month being thankful every day for the wonderful things in my life. I woke up every morning and thanked God for all my gifts.

But this week my thoughts are being consumed more by the things I'm NOT thankful for. Like crabby kids. And cold, rainy weather. And divorces. And bankruptcy. And people who steal credit card numbers and mess up my bank account. And bodily fluids.

Perhaps I can help you understand why I am being such an incredible sour puss right now. And I know I am. If you're trying to stay away from negativity, you should probably just come back another day. I'm just saying ...

Let's see --

1) Still trying to potty train. Unsuccessfully. We did great for about 3 days, and then I suppose T just couldn't contain the poo any longer, so he let it all go in one day. 3 different episodes. Into his underwear. And someone had to clean it up ... and it wasn't Daddy.

2) I have had to wash the cushion covers on the tired and old sofa more than usual due to persistent vomiting from Snickers. She's old, and so is the couch, so it's not a good combination.

3) The cat from hell continues to pee on the bed in the guest room. I can't seem to catch it right after she does it, so it dries and seeps through the mattress cover (Really, what's the point of a mattress cover if it's not going to keep the cat urine OUT?), and no matter what I do to try to get the mattress clean, she just keeps going back to the same spot.

SO not only do I now have sheets with holes in them (see What?! I've Been Busy) but I have sheets, mattress covers, and a mattress that stink.

4) I have been taking serious beatings from some family members and close friends over MonaVie. I probably shouldn't even post it, but I'm going to. Why is it so hard for people to just be honest? I would rather you be honest and hurt my feelings or whatever now than drag it on, telling me that you want to come or you want to hear about it, but then when I try to get together, you always cancel on me. Just be upfront. This is what Tim and I are doing, we want to share it with you because you are our FRIENDS and our FAMILY, we see an opportunity for you to feel better and make some money. End of discussion. If you are not interested right now, say it. But remember something: I may not have been interested in that basting brush I bought at your Pampered Chef party, but I came and I listened and I participated because you are my friend/family, and I knew it was important to you. Because that's what friends do. I don't expect you to do anything except listen and support. We don't have bottles of juice lined up in the corner for you to buy. We don't make you stomp grapes and make juice in the basement. All we want to do is share with you what MonaVie has done for us and what it could do for you, if you give it a chance. And for those of you who HAVE shown up, listened, and supported Tim and me, thank you. It means alot to us.

5) Mom went out of town last weekend to see a boy. She was oh so excited about it, but had no expectations. He's a nice man, and a gentleman. She said she had a nice enough time, but that it wasn't going anywhere. She cried on the way home, not because it wasn't a good trip, but because she was coming home to an empty house. And that crushes me. Because I don't want her to be alone. And I know she is wonderful and beautiful and smart and has more love to share.

6) As I stood in Kohl's a few days ago and looked at the precious Christmas dresses and handsome red and green striped sweaters, I found my eyes welling with tears because I know the kids need Christmas outfits (the ones from last year don't fit anymore), but I knew they would rather have some of the toys in the toy department.

The dilemma? Why the welling of tears?

I can't get both.

And it is KILLING me from the inside out.

I can hear your thoughts now ... mostly because Stacey said those very words to me on the phone yesterday ...

"Keisha, they are little. They are young enough not to know the difference."

I know that. But it doesn't make it any harder for me that I can't get them everything they want.

Oh, and above and beyond all other things, the best explanation for why I am in a poopy mood?

I'm on my period.

Sorry, guys, had to say it.

And most of you girls are nodding your heads now and saying, "Mmmhmmmm ... I got it now."