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Christmas Memories 2007

This is Anna's third Christmas and probably the first that will leave a large impression on us both.

During her first Christmas, she was all of 5 months. My fondest memory from that year was watching "White Christmas" (my favorite Christmas movie) and singing the "Snow" song. I attempted to make the chugga-chugga train sound (didn't do it so great lol) and she thought it was hysterical and gave us her first big belly laugh. It was the sweetest Christmas moment ever!

I was as sick as a dog during her second Christmas. We were at our house and had a party Christmas Eve. Anna had her first kiss that year with her buddy Jeff Jeff! We had a good time and she enjoyed opening presents but she really didn't get it. Ya know? The best part of that Christmas was the Santa Cookie plate we made at a pottery place. It used her hand for Santa and her foot for a reindeer.

This Christmas has been full of wonder and joy! She is really starting to get Santa. She loved the lights and music of the season. Her favorite songs are "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty!" We baked cookies and pies. We laughed a lot and watched all of the Christmas specials that came out on tv. We played ball under the tree. Took a ton of pictures, since Anna wanted to "pose" with our Santa all the time. We made gifts for our family. We had several parties to attend; Anna thought that was big fun! Went to look at decorations at least 2 or 3 times a week. This was all leading up to the big day!

Christmas Eve ~ We had a family party and opened some of our gifts. Anna was thrilled to receive a baby, the Jungle Book Movie, a few books and I can't even remember what else. She loved it all and the adults enjoyed watching the movie with her, lol. We had heavy hors d'vours and played Christmas music. We even got to drink Snowman soup, aka, hot chocolate. We put reindeer food in the yard and forgot to leave Santa his cookies :O Thank goodness we have a few years to practice and get this together; maybe by next year we will get it straight, lol.

Christmas Day ~ Anna woke up and discovered Santa had in fact brought her the baby she had wanted for at least a month. She also got a tractor and a beautiful necklace with a cross on it. She had a stocking with "lip stick", a horse and some cars in it. After enjoying all of that for a while she got to open a few more presents including a rocking horse and (don't laugh) a Tonka dump truck. We headed over to my parents house for a few hours, after that, where she got to open more gifts including an Aqua doodle thingy and another doll with a car seat carrier. I know there were a few others but they aren't coming to me right now. We had some yummy spaghetti that Granddaddy made for us and we went to pet a horse that apparently lives across the street now. She loved visiting with the horse. She pet his nose and even tried to kiss him and didn't want to leave but he had (hmm how to say this delicately lol) passed gas, broke the cheese or whatever you want to call it. It smelled and we went on back, lol.

Since Christmas we have enjoyed family time! Going shopping, to the Edventure Museum and lots of playing. Today it is a rainy yucky day and although we need it I would much rather be out and about doing something. However, I do so enjoy a good bloggy day some times. I should be up and running again soon. Oh I saw an email from the people that do the month of blogging and they told me about the year of blogging. Hmmm, that sounds like a challenge but I think I might just sign up for it lol. It never hurts to try right!

Ramblings

I am sitting here waiting on my daughter to get back from who knows where and so I thought I would pop back into here. We went to a fun museum this morning and on the way home the hubby and I stopped to check on the dog and Anna came on to Yia Yia and Pops house. When we got over here they were gone and all the cars are here lol. I am hoping they are at the neighbors house visiting but who knows where they wondered off to. I tried calling cell phones but wouldn't you know they started ringing here in the house. So we are just waiting.

I didn't tell you guys but my slideshows were a hit. My mother in law started crying and I think so did my sis in law, but shhh don't tell that would hurt her image ;D My hubby wrote a beautiful letter to us all that was so touching I cried! I might post it but I am waiting on his approval. He said it was very emotional and private and he isn't sure he wants to share it with the world! I understand that so if he doesn't ok it you will just have to trust me that it was wonderfully touching! My sis in law gave us all a vacation for us to take in April over spring break. Can't wait for that to get here. We do have some logistics to work out like everyone getting the time off etc. Hopefully it will all come together!

I have found that I really like having a more personal Christmas. I wish of course that I could give the world to everyone but we can't. Even if I could I think the heartfelt personal gifts are so much better. I hope the others will agree. Don't get me wrong I loved getting that little getaway for April but that isn't what is important. What is important is our time together, our love for each other and the memories that we are creating for ourselves and Anna!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to say hi! I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays! I know I am. It is great being with family and friends! Anna has been full of life and joy and has truly made this a special Christmas! She received all kinds of goodies and enjoyed all of the music and lights. She has enjoyed all of the food too lol. Well, I am being called to go draw on her new aquadoodle thingy. Merry Christmas you guys and if I don't make it on here before have a safe and Happy New Year!!!

Christmas presents

We are putting back ups on here just in case the others don't work. So no opening your present until it is time!

Merry Christmas Aunt Casey!

Merry Christmas to my parents (Don't open yet!)

Just in case!

Merry Christmas to Chris and ME lol!

Mornin All

Well, it is 4 am and I am sitting here at the computer waiting fairly impatiently for it to do what I want it to do. I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep because I kept thinking of all the things I need to get done today. I decided I better get up and do something. the program that I am using for the slide shows I am doing for everyone takes forever to do everything. So I thought I would say good morning to all of you even though you are all probably in blissful sleep. I think the best part of this is that it is pouring down rain and I tell you there is nothing like listening to the rain making music. It is desperately needed of course and that makes the sound even sweeter. I would love to have a tin roof so that we could really listen to it.

So yesterday I didn't get much accomplished. I got Anna's last gift which (don't laugh) is a Tonka truck! She loves those things and I figure her dolly can ride around in it lol. I finished what is to be mine and Chris's gift from Anna (another slide show) it is my favorite of all them I have to say. It is set to great music - Baby, Baby by Amy Grant cause that was our song oh so long ago, Angel Eyes by Steelheart and I Need You Now by Winger. Great music from the good ole days ya know. By the way I found a great site to download free music! It is awesome they have a wide variety of stuff and I personally recommend it! Anyway back to my day lol. I started cleaning out the fish tank and did a load of laundry but other than that I don't know where my day went. One minute I was full of hope for all the things I would accomplish and the next it was time to head out to our party. Which was a lot of fun by the way. It was at Denise's house. Anna fell in love with the blow up Christmas thingy in her yard. It had reindeer and Santa and a snowman and the best part it was a light show with music! We couldn't get her out of the yard between that and all the balls. Not to mention the boys out there letting her play with them. It was a wonderland for her.

Today we have to run back over to Denise's house because we left one of Anna's favorite dolls over there and I am afraid of the moment Anna starts looking for her lol. We still need to clean house and laundry and stuff and I have got to finish these blasted slide shows. I am beginning to have a love/hate relationship with them. They look so good but they are a pain in the you know what. If our computer wasn't so slow it might not be so bad but it is so... The good news is if I can email them to hubby I can have them put on a DVD so we can watch them on tv instead of a computer! So I am excited about that but I am worried the files will be to big or something so we will see.

Gosh I am starving this morning. I wish we had some yummy junk in the house lol. Nothing like munching on some junk food at now 5 in the morning lol. Well I guess I will go do some laundry or something productive while I wait for my file to do its thing. Hope everyone has a lovely and productive day!!! If you have time pray for me that I will cause it will be only by the Grace of God that I will accomplish my to do list!

To give you guys something to wow you this morning~

1991 Senior Prom with now hubby

1996 Wedding pic

So youthful!!!

The joys of Christmas!

The joys are getting in the way of all the work I need to do lol. I have so much to do and I thought I would spread it out over the course of the week and here it is Thursday and I haven't hardly made a dent in the real work! I have however managed to bake cookies, go Christmas shopping and I have worked on my Christmas presents that I am making at home. So know I have all the yucky stuff and not so much fun stuff. What was I thinking?

The other day I had to go get Anna's baby from Santa because they were almost out of the particular doll she wants. I had very few options one being to go to Wal-mart after my hubby got home from work and shop with the other 10,000 people that have waited until the last minute. Or I could go with Anna and try to figure out a way to sneak it past her ha ha. She might be JUST 2 years old but she is one of the smartest 2 year old I have ever known :D So I went to the Christmas section and found a large gift bag figuring I could figure something out with that to hide it in. I wondered down to the toy section and saw an elf (a walmart worker) and begged, crawling on my knees (nah just kidding) asked very nicely if she would sneak to the back and get one of the dolls and put it in the bag. She smiled and looked over at Anna that was studying a stuffed kitty at the moment and said sure I will. So shew that part was easier than I thought it would be. Then we had the next obstacle of the check out. I found the nicest one that I could and waited in line for oh about 30 minutes and that is not an exaggeration. Then just as I am about to move up they send me to another line thankfully with no waiting. I kept Anna pushed back looking at the wonderful chocolate delights and asked the lady quietly if she would scan the objects in the gift bag where my daughter couldn't see them. She was very accommodating and did it with no other questions. So to my walmart elves and all the other retail elves that help Moms like me THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

So over the next 2 days here is what I need to accomplish. Hopefully it will go quickly and smoothly.

1. laundry/pack
2. clean out fridge
3. clean fish tank
4. take ornaments off tree and lights too if I can manage
5. clean house
6. finish up my gifts for all
7. make ornaments out of applesauce and cinnamon (if I have time lol)
8. wash the dog
9. go to a party tonight

Boy that list looks fun huh. I am sure we will work our way through it. If only I had a housekeeper *sigh*!!!

Tiny Talk Tuesday!

Let me start this weeks talk by saying Thank You Mary!!! I received my CD in the mail Monday and it was a great addition to my Christmas music collection. Anna and I plugged in the tree and turned on the CD. We sat under the tree and played ball through the first half. It was a great memory for this year.

THANK YOU Mary!!!

This past week has been entertaining to say the least. Anna is in rare form. I thought I would have a few years before she got nuts around Christmas. Nope not so lucky lol. Really though she is a good girl. A few of the more entertaining quotes for the week are:

"Daddy do my shoes! Daddy do my shoes!"
Daddy tries to do them and he can't seem to get the right one on.
"Mommy do shoes Daddy!"

We have been potty trained for a while now with just a random accident here or there and occasionally at night. The other day she came to me and said "Poopy Mommy Poopy!" So I started trailing behind her to the bathroom because she still needs help getting on the potty. As I was walking behind her she grabs her butt and repeats "Wait, wait, wait, wait". It brings tears to my eyes lol she did such a good job talking herself through that!

We have been going to several holiday parties over the past few weeks and now she associates party - FUN! If you say party she gets excited and starts clapping YAY PARTY FUN!!!

Funny word of the week:
reindeer - daneer

For more Tiny Talk go to NB7

I'm SO Proud!!!

Check this out! This is our gift to Yia Yia and Pop this year! I am so happy with the way it turned out!!!

Yia Yia and Pop do NOT look!!! Santa is watching you!!!

Santa getting a bad "w"rap?

** Don't let your child read this!!!**

I have been so upset to discover that Santa is being banished from more and more homes! I don't get it, really I don't. I am a Christian, Southern Baptist to be exact and I know that Christmas is about the birth of Christ and that should be our main focus at this miraculous time of year. However, I don't see the harm in the magic of Santa. The wonder and amazement that he can bring to a child. I remember sneaking to the living room when I was little and trying to stay awake so I could see him come down the chimney. Or laying in bed with my brother and him (he already knew the truth) going oh do I hear a sleigh, did you hear that I bet it is Santa and so on and so on. Waking up at 4 in the morning feeling utter excitement cause I just knew that Santa had been to see us. I would have to wake up the adults before we could go in the living room so I would stand in the hall shouting at the top of my lungs. When I questioned my parents about the validity of Santa they told me as long as I believe he would come see me so to this day I still believe lol. Seriously though I still do believe in the spirit of Santa! I like to think that Santa represents the spirit of giving, the spirit of laughter and the spirit of joy. These are all qualities that God wants us to have and if we use Santa to help spread that what is the harm.

One argument I have heard is that you are lying to your child if you buy into the whole Santa theory. I have to say that I believe that is a bunch of whoey! If you pretend to eat something your child pretended to cook are you lying to your child? NO you are pretending, make believe whatever you want to call it. If you read a fairy tale to your child like Cinderella or watch a cartoon even do you sit there and tell them it is all made up and a bunch of lies. I hope not, imagination is already missing in a lot of children today because they watch tv or play games more than anything. I am afraid if we take away all make believe and pretend aspects out of life imagination is going to go out the door! I never felt like I was lied to or damaged in anyway because Santa came to see me. In fact I had 2 cousins that were told from the beginning that Santa wasn't real and I always felt bad for them. That they didn't have Santa come see them and that they missed out on all the magic and wonder. Not to mention they tried to spoil it for us a few times. Although, I never believed them.

I hope I didn't offend or upset anyone that is not doing Santa. That was not my intent I just really don't get it so I had to vent. Anna is already into the magic of Santa and it is exciting to see. I hate that anyone would have to miss out on that either child or the parent! Feel free to leave me comments going either way!

Welcome to my home!

I hope you enjoy looking at my decorations! I don't have as much out as usual but we have been busy so we are making do. Anna loves the ones we do have so she is in most of our pictures. Oh and I thought we were doing this today but have since discovered everyone else is sharing on Sunday so sorry I got an early start! It is better to be early rather than late though right!

This is my fiber optic angel or anel as Anna likes to call her. I searched high and low for the perfect angel and although she isn't quite my vision she is very close!
Here is my tree in the living room or den (whichever you want to call it). Don't tell but 98% of the presents under it are just wrapped up empty boxes. I am a last minute shopper but hate to have an empty tree skirt!
My favorite ornament! I think they look so elegant and natural on the tree.
This is Anna's tree. It is a fake one and although I have never liked fake trees I love that she can have one in her room.
This is Anna's ornament for this year because she loves all things country!!

This was one of my ornaments from way back when and Anna has adopted it because she loves a cute horsey.
Here is my homemade wreath. I even made the bow on it.
Ho Ho Ho! What is Christmas without a big ole Santa in the house!
These guys stay under my tree. Well mostly that is, Anna tends to carry them around the house.
And last but certainly not least here are some sugar cookies just for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit and please come back again some time. If you want to see more Christmas decorations inside and out go to Boomama on Dec. 17th. Again sorry about getting started so early. I just wanted to have a few extra days to party lol!!!

Works for me Wednesday!

With the holidays upon us we all have parties to attend. Some of these parties we need to bring something. My favorite holiday treat to take to parties is a Cherry Cream Cheese Pie! It is so YUMMY and so easy to do. So for our next party which is this coming Saturday we will be taking this with us.

1 - 8 oz package cream cheese, room temp

1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 - 21 oz can cherry pie filling (chilled)

1 - 6 oz ounce graham cracker crust

Let cream cheese stand at room temperature until softened. In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in sweetened condensed milk. Add lemon juice and vanilla and stir until well mixed. Pour into crust. Chill several hours and then top with pie filling.

Needs to chill roughly 3 hours!

Try it you won't be disappointed!

Wordless Wednesday - Best Present EVER!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Anna is chattering up a storm around here. I haven't participated in a while so I thought I would today.

Her favorite song to sing right now is Jinle Bells.

She has learned how to say Merry Cissmas and Happy New Year!

She is speaking in incredible sentences and can even change them around like this morning.
She told me to "stay" and went out of the room to peak back in and say "you staying?" lol it was to cute!

She likes to announce when she or someone else "burps" or "toots" lol. Oh and the funniest is when she goes pee pee in a public place and comes out and pretty much screams "I pee pee YAY"

Well it is time for luNch so I will run but for more super cute kiddie talk go to Not Before 7!

I almost forgot her very favorite sentences of all times: "I do that" or "its my turn"

Well, my Christmas program went without to many hitches. I did better on Saturday night than I did on Sunday night but I guess I did ok as far as it goes. Anna LOVED the show. She watched both nights and was just enthralled in it the whole time. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow choir members better and it was fun being active in church again.

Below is my friend Neesey! My hubby worked with her with the youth and we are now teaching her youngest son in Sunday School. She is an inspirational woman. I had to share with you all her lovely costume. Be sure to check out those socks!!!

Way to go, Hubby!

I can't believe that you are finished with your Masters Degree! I am so very proud of you for all of your hard work and dedication you put into this program. You earned every single A you got and the only B you got should have been an A too. Either way I know the truth ~ you are a brilliant man and I am very proud of you. You are setting an amazing example for Anna! I can't wait until we figure out the next step in our journey together. Maybe a Doctorate or a fabulous new position. Whatever it is I am glad we will be doing it together.

Progress!

What a busy busy day I have had so far.

1. I have done a small mountain of laundry. (with still more to go :()
2. I have cleaned my bedroom which was quite an undertaking!
3. I have cleaned the kitchen (I still need to sweep and mop)
4. I have played with Anna and even managed to feed her lunch lol.

OK so why is it when you list it out it looks like nothing? I guess I could list each individual thing I did in my bedroom or just how big the mountain was or even how many dirty dishes one small family can create. Oh well at least I know I have accomplished a lot. I think this afternoon we will have another photoshoot so that I can relax a little. Of course that means I need to put away all the toys and straighten the living room a little more. Ugh why is housework never ending? I feel like that is all I do some days and you can't even tell it.

My inlaws are coming to town tomorrow. We are going to have a crazy busy weekend. Saturday at 1 my hubby graduates with his Masters Degree! I am so proud of you baby! I knew you could and would do it. We now who will be helping Anna with her homework in a few years lol. Anywho, after that we have my Christmas program with the church. We have to be there at about 6:15 so we will have a little down time (I hope) in between the two events. I don't have a clue when Anna is going to nap or how all of this is going to work out with her because being still is not something she is really good at. The church will be fine cause we have nursery but she is supposed to be on stage for about 5 minutes and if she is crabby, well then, that is not going to happen. We will have the best day that we can and if she can't go on with me thats ok. It will be a full day and I don't want to torture her or myself lol.

Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed after nap. No not me! Anna did but she is better now that she has had time to wake up. There has been about a 3 hour delay in this post because of it lol. Now I must run and keep up with the hurricane we like to call Anna! She is eating a candy cane and I don't want red all over my house! Have a great afternoon!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Ho Ho Humm

I am so sleepy! We have been having a few rough nights this week. Anna has a terrible cough that wakes us up usually once a night, typically around midnight. We are awake for about 15 minutes with her coughing and then it takes me forever to get back to sleep because I worry about her. Ah, the joy of parenthood. I feel like I am trying to get a bug but I certainly hope not. Our Christmas program is this weekend and I can't sing if I am sick.

Anna wet the bed for the first time in about a week last night. I don't know how that doesn't wake her up. It is super gross. So I clean her and the bed up and she sleeps right through it. I roll her around and tug off wet clothes and she is totally clueless.

I have so much stuff I need to do. My Tackle it Tuesday will be my to do list lol. That is all I have the energy for at this point.

1. Clean living room
2. Clean kitchen
3. Clean bedroom
4. Clean both bathrooms
5. Clean off the guest bed
6. Clean outside toy
7. Finish Christmas present for Yia Yia
8. Start the one for Casey and Pop and Daddy too
9. Email Jena Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie recipe
10. Watch Rudolph tonight!

I think I will stop there. I am exhausted just reading the list lol. If anyone wants to come help come on over. I have cookies left!

Drum Roll PLEASE!!!

O' Christmas Tree

Here are the cookies I made totally from scratch!

Taking about 2 hours total for some reason lol!
Ta Da!!! Aren't they loverly? They taste even better then they look!

Video Friday

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Contest!!!

Over at Made in the USA . They are giving away wood products by BEKA! Go check it out but if you win send them to Anna lol just kidding ~ good luck! Who ever wins will be very lucky!

Wordless Wednesday!

Works for me Wednesday

Here is a little trivial one but one that saves steps in the kitchen. We all know how when you are running around trying to cook and your trash can is suddenly full. You have to take the time to take it out (unless you use a grocery bag lol) so to take less time I keep back up bags in the bottom of the can. That way it is 2 fluid steps: Take bag out - sit it aside for hubby to take out lol and then grab bag out of bottom of can and replace it. No going under the cabinet to grab them and trying to get just one out. It works for me as simple as it is.

What works for you? For more you can go to HERE!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I just thought I would share with you all that the Grinch comes on tomorrow night! That would be Wednesday, Nov. 28th. This is only the bestest Christmas Cartoon created you can just ask my hubby! Don't tell anyone but he still giggles like a child when he watches this show. So tune in to ABC tomorrow night at 8:30 and giggle like a child and forget all of the trials of adulthood!

Merry Grinchmas everyone!

Oh yeah and if you are reading this tonight (Tuesday) Charlie Brown's Christmas is coming on at 8:00 also on ABC!

Tackle it Tuesday

I thought I would give an update on my Potty Training tackle I started November 5th. I believe we are pretty much complete. YAY ME!!! We went from 0-60 in 3 weeks or really 2. I will share my strategy with any interested parties. I felt pretty much like I was going at this blind. I had read a few things but still didn't feel like I had a good handle on it.

1. The first thing I had to do was get her to pee pee in the potty for the first time because we couldn't seem to make that happen. So I started letting her run around without a diaper and didn't have any luck except a few puddles in the carpet! Then I thought well she usually goes after sleeping so after her nap (with a diaper) I stripped her and sat her on the potty and finally we scored! She got her choice of Halloween candy!


2. After she realized she got chocolate for pee peeing we were golden! Well except for pooping we had a few accidents but thanks to the good Lord she hates mess! So once she felt that a few times she was ready to give it a go on the potty. She cried and begged to get off and always says she is cold right before but we had success!


3. Our next obsticle was the fact she didn't like using strange pottys and by strange I mean any potty besides her own. A few accidents while out and about seem to have curred her of her fear. Now she even goes at restaurants! (without the potty ring!)


4. We had a few casualties - my phone got dropped in the potty, candy got dropped or eaten by the dog.


5. Now our last few obsticles are weaning her from needing a reward for pee peeing and pooping in the potty and also, wetting the bed at night. As long as we don't give her anything to drink after 7 we usually do great at night so hopefully we will be good on that front soon. The needing chocolate well we all want chocolate and rewards so I don't how we will cross that one lol.

Thanks for joining me on my journey! I will try to stop posting about it so much lol! What are you tackling today? To see more go here!

PS if you have time how about voting in my poll over on the side for my Christmas card!

Finally Home!

We got home late yesterday afternoon. We ran in the door, unpacked the car and I cooked dinner and headed out leaving my hubby with Anna. I had choir practice and I was an hour early lol. I missed the memo since I wasn't there last week that it was pushed back an hour. So I chatted with friends and relaxed for a few. Don't tell anyone but it was really kinda nice. We have been going strong for over a week and I am tired! Anna is too she was so sleepy when nap came around today she wanted to just skip lunch. Last night she was so tired she wanted to go to bed at 8. Now that we are home we are going to take it easy for a few days. Doing the bare minimum! We went visiting friends this morning. Then we repaired our wreath and put it up. Bare MINIMUM lol. I will do some laundry later cause Anna wet the bed again last night. I hope once we get back into the swing of things we can get back on track with the bed wetting stuff. That is really the only time we are having accidents now so I guess I shouldn't complain but... I am! Having to deal with a wet bed at 2 in the morning is NO fun whatsoever!

Well, I am going to run now and use the rest of nap time to work on some pictures we took while we were gone. I might have a poll on here later to see what picture you guys think we should use for our Christmas cards. Have a great day!

Celebrating 200+ Posts!

A little over a year ago I started this blog as a way to voice my thoughts. 200 posts later and I am totally addicted. Not only to writing here but to also reading others. I have been given an outlet to all different types of Moms that have been or are going through what I have been going through. I would like to say:

Thank You!!! For being here for me and with me through the good and the bad and the every day!

This and That

I missed my 200th post! I was hoping to do something profound or at least exciting lol. I guess I will have to pretend I am doing it later. I can't believe I have been blogging long enough to do 200 posts!

Anywho, in other news, we decided to stay an extra night because we are having so much fun. We are helping decorate for Christmas and all of that fun stuff. We went to see a horse for the second time this week. I thought Anna would be terrified of him but she loves him. Today she even kissed him. I was worried though cause she wasn't watching what she was doing when she was rubbing him and she about poked his eye out twice yikes. He didn't seem to mind though. He liked the smell of her. He kept trying to sniff at her lol and then he kept trying to bite my boobs! The things we endure for our children! Let me run I think I am missing out on all the fun. I hope y'all have had a wonderful holiday!

Pictures from Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have all had a great one. We are stuffed and stuffed again. We go get trees tomorrow as long as it is not raining. Not for our house but for my sister in law and my parent in laws lol. Keep your fingers crossed it won't be raining. Well it is time for left over turkey so I will come back later!

Thanks for coming by!

Soothing the Soul!

Being with family has a way of soothing the soul. I don't know if it is because of the peace that you have knowing you are loved or if it is just the feeling of days gone by. Whatever it is, it is just what I needed. I have been feeling slightly stressed lately. I don't know if it is the whole potty training thing (I will update you on that later) or the fact that money is so tight we won't be able to give Anna a lot this year. Whatever it was, it is gone, at least for the moment. My wish for all of you is that during this holiday your soul may be soothed by your loved ones.

*Potty Training Update:

It is going pretty good. We have had a few set backs since we are out of town but all in all it is going well. As long as we have her little potty that sits in the big potty things are golden. So we can't venture to far without taking it with us. I really can't complain though we have had a few accidents but mostly she is doing GREAT!

I've been tagged!

I was tagged for this meme by two people so I thought I better do it lol. First a Fantastical Mediocrity got me and then Cheeky Attitude hit me.

Rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I like to watch soap operas. I am currently addicted to Young and the Restless. So I watch it while Anna is napping.


2. If I am home alone I tend to sleep on the couch or now I sleep with Anna so I don't have to sleep alone.


3. I floss my teeth watching tv.


4. I got to watch my daughter when I was pregnant grab her umbilical chord and release when she realized she wasn't getting enough oxygen.


5. I like to play my music loud. It doesn't matter if it is country, rock, Christmas music or classical. I like it LOUD!


6. I like to sit in the floor. I have to because of Anna but I really like to hang out in the floor.


7. I sleep twisted up like a curly pretzel. My legs are on the side and my upper body is on my stomach and my arms are curled up under me. Don't know how or why I started sleeping that way and everyone says it looks uncomfortable. However, I can't go to sleep unless I am like that.

Anna is calling me so I will have to tag people later. If you want to play along leave me a link and I will come check you out and put your link on here!

Funny Stories

I just wanted to share a few funny stories. I haven't blogged in a few days cause we were getting ready to travel and then traveling lol. So I have been storing them up and I am about to bust to get them out.

The other night I was talking to Chris. It was after Anna had gone to bed. I was telling him about a friend of ours that has a son and he was sick. She was worried about him since he had a fever of 100.5. I hope someone else can hear what I am about to say because it really happened without me knowing. I said "so she called the doctor and the doctor said". Now I don't know if y'all figured out what is so funny about that comment but my hubby informed me that I need to read more adult books for a while. That line is almost straight out of 5 Little Monkeys. I didn't even realize it.

I tend to watch Rachel Ray through the week on regular TV. It came on the other day and Anna got all excited. She said "ohh cook - shes cookin" . We had to sit on the edge of the couch and watch all of Rachel Ray. This is the kid that doesn't like TV much at all. It was the episode Teri Hatcher and her daughter were on. When they came out and all three were together she said "cute, Mommy, they cute".

This morning I was getting Anna ready so we have her hair in pigtails and I put on a little white shirt with flowers across the top. (I am sure I will have pictures later.) She looked in the mirror and pointed at herself and said "cuute"! It was hysterical.

Doesn't she sound just adorable or should I say "cute"!

These Boots are Going to Walk All Over YOU!

I put this on Anna's blog but thought you guys might get a kick out of it too!

Potty Training Update:

We had 2 consecutive days of no accidents woo hoo! Today however, we had our play date and she wet her pants while we were there. I knew she had to go and I should have made her go sit on the potty but she gets so stressed using a different potty so I just let it go. Now she is napping and she wouldn't go before she laid down so I figure she will wake up wet but we will see. All in all it is going pretty good. Much better than I thought would go.

Update for the update lol:

She did not wet her pants while napping! She has done great all afternoon. YAY!

Works for me Wednesday

I am so very excited about the upcoming holidays. So I thought I would share with you about what works for us during this time of year. We will be heading up to my inlaws next week and we will have a yummy dinner Thursday and spend time with family and friends. I love this holiday because it is not commercialized. We can spend a day together not worried about if someone likes something we bought or oh no they got me something way nicer than I got them. Instead you look around and you feel blessed for being a part of the family. Friday we will more than likely go get Christmas trees for both my parent inlaws and my sister in law. We will help them decorate their trees and have fun with Christmas music and treats. Saturday we will head home and hopefully get out tree and decorate it over the rest of the weekend. I will have our stuff all out and ready to go before we head out of town and I even keep some wrapped boxes so I can have instant presents under the tree lol. I wish I were one of those people to that could have all of there shopping already done but I am not lol. I give up trying I apparently thrive on the thrill of last minute shopping lol. So that is how we kick of the holidays! How do you do it? Also, if anyone has an answer to this I would love to hear it ~ How do you take a 2.5 hour trip with a toddler that is potty training and won't use anyone else's potty? I am nervous about that part lol. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday

Last Year

This YearLast Year
This Year

Today's Potty Update!

Well, yesterday was great we had NO accidents and like I said we even pooped in the potty. Today, so far we have had no accidents as of now at 6:00 pm and we have pooped in the potty twice! We even went out for a while and didn't have any accidents. She doesn't like to go to the potty anywhere but home. I can't really blame her I prefer to use my own too at least then I know it is clean! So anyway, things are going great!!! Next week will be a real test since we will be out of town and with the grandparents. Oh and last night we used our last diaper so we are not buying any more! We are going to use those rubber panties at night. I am a little worried that her lady parts won't breathe enough at night but she is foot loose and fancy free most of the day so I am hoping that will counter balance. Any thoughts or words of wisdom on this would be greatly appreciated! I know most people use pull ups at night but those things are super expensive so I would rather not even go there ya know!

Tomorrow we are going on a play date so we will see how that goes we will probably be gone for a couple of hours back to the Bamboo Farm. They do have restrooms but I don't know if she will use them lol.

The Me and Mine Meme 100

My blog name is A SAHM's Journal

My real name is Candace

and here is my profile ~ All about me!



I want to be profiled on BlogHer as a family blogger!



I have been blogging since October 18, 2006 and have almost reached 200 posts!



For more information about this meme click this link!



The three other bloggers that I think should be profiled/interviewed are:
Lori @ Queen of Dirty Laundry
Shawn @ Letters to my Daughters
Mary @ Not Before 7

Potty Update:

So yesterday sucked. She did great in the morning. Didn't pee pee at church but held it until we got home. Then she pooped in her pants not once but twice! Then she peed in them while she napped and then again at church last night. I was feeling like we were going to be starting over but today she hasn't had any accidents yet. She tells me when she wants to go and any time she says it we go sit until she says she is done. If she pees YAY if not at least she is associating saying it with going to the potty. Well then we had a major break through while I was cooking. She said pee pee and I took her in there for about the 10th time in the past 15 minutes and I left her in there to go check lunch. I came back and she showed me her poop in the potty YAY!!! Isn't that awesome! She pooped in the potty WOO HOO!!! So that is our update isn't it just awesome. Maybe we can have this whole thing under control by Thanksgiving! Just maybe!

Monday Musings

Yesterday I had a hard time paying attention in church. I don't know what my deal was but I really couldn't tell you one thing the preacher touched on. My mind would wonder off and I would try to pull myself back and then I was lost and it would wonder again. I guess it happens to us all at times. Last night I had choir practice we are getting ready for our Christmas program. I am doing a solo :P I will be singing the second verse of Away in a Manger. I am nervous about this considering I have not done a solo in ages! So I had a practice so that we could find the key for me and I did ok. Then I had nursery duty. It was just Anna and her friend Brooks. The lady I was with is in the Sunday School class I would be in if I weren't teaching. I am helping them with their part of the Christmas program scene. So we grabbed the preachers wife who happens to be the music lady and talked about what was what with everything. We got that all cleared up and then the other lady started talking about her divorce and subsequent counseling by a "Man of God". I won't go into any details because someone could read this that knows her and I don't want to go there. However I will tell you what the "man of God" told her that really threw me for a loop. He told her that because she filed for divorce (even though she didn't have an option) she didn't have the right to ever marry again. If she did she would be condemned to hell because she would be committing adultery every day of the rest of her life. This poor woman has struggled with this for the past 4 years and never even considered dating a man because she only wants to please God. Of course none of us KNOW how God feels about it. However, I feel that what that man said to her was awful and cruel almost as awful as what her husband did to her. In my limited education of what the Lord thinks and feels or wants from us I like to think that my God is a forgiving God, a loving God and a God that wants us to be happy and to thrive. If all of that is true why would he want this wonderful woman to be lonely and depressed for the rest of her life? Would he want to punish her because her husband turned into a creep?

Video Friday!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! Here is a video of Anna and Brooks at the Bamboo Farm!

Our first Casualty

So today we had our first casualty or perhaps fatality of the potty wars. Anna was sitting on the potty and I was chatting with Yia Yia. Anna of course had to talk to Yia Yia so I gave her the phone and said don't drop it in the potty. So she sits there and she talks and kisses at Yia Yia. She then starts hugging the phone which is one of the cutest things ever. Just as I was about to remind her not to drop the phone in the toilet it slipped right out of her hands. I had to go fishing in the potty. Can I hear ya say woo hoo. What a fun day we are having first we have our first poop accident (joy joy) and then this. Luckily I had my phone that I lost for a long time put in a safe place and I can use it for now. Hopefully once the phone dries out maybe it will be ok. If not I think I have insurance on it. Ah the joys of potty training!

If anyone reading this has any fun potty war stories I would love to hear them!

Potty Time

I feel like I should rename my blog to Potty Time. It seems to be all I can talk about lately. Well, lets face it, it is my life right now. I have spent about 80% of my time this week in the bathroom. I guess I shouldn't be complaining. It really is going great. We have had about 3 accidents since Monday. Tuesday we did have her in a diaper for the morning but the only other time she is wearing a diaper now is at night. The rest of the time she is running around bare bottomed or in her rubber panties. They are lovely lol. We have her Halloween pumpkin with her candy in the bathroom and after she goes potty she gets to pick out her treat. She loves that part and the part where Mommy goes nuts and dances around the bathroom too. I have about run out of ways to entertain her while we are waiting to see if she has to go pee pee. So far we have read tons of books, blown tons of bubbles, done a ton of songs and shadow puppets. I guess next we will bring out the coloring books.

We haven't pooped in the potty yet. I guess that will come a little later. Thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes! Please keep them coming that bathroom is making me feel a little claustrophobic these days lol.

OOOO guess what: Anna just jumped off the couch and said "come on, come on" and took off for the bathroom. Within a minute I heard the sweet sounds of her pee peeing in the potty. Maybe we are to a point where I don't have to go sit in the bathroom forever now! YAY ANNA MOMMY IS SO PROUD!!!

Wordless Wednesday!