Monday, December 31
Mattie's New Year's Resolution...
to convince "mom" to clean another kitchen cabinet out to play in! This is Mattie's idea of partying on New Year's Eve..while "mom" is on the phone with Auntie Cherry:)
Sunday, December 30
Christmas Past
A few pics of Christmas morning..I used the video camera mostly:)
The first one is of my favorite goody..all the way from Maine..the Whoopie Pie. My MIL went to Maine a few months ago and she brought back a few of these yummy things. Well turns out that I was the only person in my house that likes them..infact I liked them so much..I ordered a case of them and had them shipped from Maine. So the next time you see me and my butt is the size of Texas..you will know why! Ha:)
This is another {A.C.T.G.F. Original }..Mattie wore this to church for Christmas Eve service.
*sweet*
Santa's goodies from Izabelle:)
Christmas (7am) morning. Izabelle and Trae came into my bedroom and Izabelle is in my face, whispering louding.."Santa brought me a pink scooter!" I said "No way..you are kidding." She said " He did, the one I wanted, it is downstairs by the tree!"
I put all the stockings on the wing back chair for {Toto}, {Krissy Boy}, {Trae}, {Izabelle} and {Mattie}..stuff was falling out of them..they need bigger stockings or I need to buy less from Walgreens. They have the best stocking stuffers!
Toto got a new coat for his birthday..he is a Christmas baby:)
After the gifts were opened.
The first one is of my favorite goody..all the way from Maine..the Whoopie Pie. My MIL went to Maine a few months ago and she brought back a few of these yummy things. Well turns out that I was the only person in my house that likes them..infact I liked them so much..I ordered a case of them and had them shipped from Maine. So the next time you see me and my butt is the size of Texas..you will know why! Ha:)
This is another {A.C.T.G.F. Original }..Mattie wore this to church for Christmas Eve service.*sweet*
Santa's goodies from Izabelle:)
Christmas (7am) morning. Izabelle and Trae came into my bedroom and Izabelle is in my face, whispering louding.."Santa brought me a pink scooter!" I said "No way..you are kidding." She said " He did, the one I wanted, it is downstairs by the tree!"Trae's big gift was a new iPod..he had a smaller one..but this new one has the ability to download movies, holds more songs, and has a nicer, bigger screen! No pics..I did my best working the Rebel and the video camera at the same time:)
I put all the stockings on the wing back chair for {Toto}, {Krissy Boy}, {Trae}, {Izabelle} and {Mattie}..stuff was falling out of them..they need bigger stockings or I need to buy less from Walgreens. They have the best stocking stuffers!
Toto got a new coat for his birthday..he is a Christmas baby:)
After the gifts were opened.
Prayers please..
There was a death in our family Friday afternoon...he was my second cousin and he was only 50 years old. He leaves behind a beautiful wife and 2 wonderful children. Please pray for their family.
In Loving Memory: *Mark L. Staggs*
Friday, December 28
The Paradox
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings,
but shorter tempers;
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense;
more knowledge, but less judgement; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; fancier houses, but broken homes.
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference or simply ignore it.
Author Unknown
I found this letter in my messy recipe drawer that I am currently organizing. I thought I would share it with all of you..for the new year..2008.
but shorter tempers;
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense;
more knowledge, but less judgement; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; fancier houses, but broken homes.
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference or simply ignore it.
Author Unknown
I found this letter in my messy recipe drawer that I am currently organizing. I thought I would share it with all of you..for the new year..2008.
Wednesday, December 26
I wanted to get this posted yesterday..but the day was very busy. I set my alarm for 6:00a..I was up until 1:30a that morning. The kids woke me up at 7:00a..thankfully. Izabelle had to leave at 10:00a to go with her dad. So we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, enjoyed some yummy birthday cake, opened presents..then we were headed to Alabama. We got home somewhat early..7:30p or so..and then around 8:15p-8:30p..Mattie was dancing with Santa (we have a life size Santa that dances and sings) and running around stretching her little legs from being in the truck for 4 hours/total. She must of got dizzy..all at once she was in the floor..she hit her mouth on our wooden bench..I think her top tooth hit the bottom lip..'cause it was wide open and blood was squirting..we applied pressure to it and it stopped bleeding very quickly..I ran next door to get our neighbor, Eric/he & his wife are EMT's..he said it would be best to take her to the ER..so around 8:45p we were on our way to Summit. Dr. G gave us the option of stitching her lip..but they would have to tie her down/bind her. I said "No way!" Dr. G's other suggestion was to just let it heal itself. It will just take a little longer that's all. So we just keep it cleaned twice a day with peroxide and keep her foods soft and give her Tylenol for discomfort. We call her our "holiday" baby now..last year..actually this year..she was in the ER on New Year's Day and was admitted..now on Christmas she is back in there. I hope this tradition is now ended. Makes me sad:(
Hello dear friend!
Well, as you know, it's time for my birthday again. Last year, they had a real big party for me and it seems like they will again this year. After all, they've been shopping and preparing for it for months now, and there have been announcements and advertisements almost everyday about how soon it's coming! They really do go overboard about it, but it's nice to know that at least on one day of the year some people are thinking about me a little.
You know, its been many years now since they first started celebrating my birthday. Back then they seemed to realize and appreciate how much fun it is for the little children. Just the same, it seems that most folks are missing the point of it all.
Like last year, for example: When my birthday came around, they threw a big party, but can you believe it?... I wasn't even invited! Imagine! The guest of honor, and they forgot all about me! Here they had begun preparing for the festivities two months in advance, but when the big day came, I was left out in the cold! Well, it has happened so many times in recent years, I wasn't even surprised. Even though I wasn't invited, I thought I'd just quietly slip in anyway. So I came in and stood off to the side.
Everyone was drinking, laughing and having a grand time, when all of a sudden, in came this fat fellow in a bright red suit, wearing a phony white beard and shouting, Ho ho ho! He looked like he had more than enough to drink, but he somehow managed to weave his way running around the floor while everyone cheered. When he collapsed into a big armchair, all the little children went running over to him excitedly yelling, Santa! Santa! I mean, you'd have thought he was the guest of honor and the whole holiday was in his honor!
Then he began telling them the most ridiculous stories you've ever heard!...that he lives at the North Pole with a crew of dwarfs and that every year on my birthday he rides in his sleigh pulled by a bunch of flying reindeers, delivering presents to children all over the world! I mean there wasn't a word of truth in anything he said! Imagine telling such poor, little, impressionable kids such far-fetched fables!
Finally I just had to leave, I walked out of the door, and it was hardly surprising that no one even noticed that I had gone. As I walked down the street afterward, I felt about as lonely and forlorn as a stray dog! I could hardly remember the last time I'd felt that low. Maybe you don't think I cry.....
That little manger scene you had put up in the corner of your living room was really touching! It's sweet of people to commemorate my birthday like that. But did you know that nowadays, in some countries, the authorities won't even allow manger scenes to be placed in the parks, streets, or public places anymore! Not to mention their schools! And I'm not talking about Communist countries! I'm talking about the good, ol USA, Imagine! What could be more innocent than a manger scene to remind people of my birthday? ...and yet they ban it! They've actually passed laws against it and made it illegal! What's this world coming to?
Another thing that amazes me is how, on my birthday, instead of giving me presents, most people give gifts to each other! And to top it all off, it's usually all kinds of stuff they don't even need! Let me ask you, wouldn't you find it odd if when your birthday came along, all your friends decided to celebrate it by giving each other presents and never gave you a thing?
Someone once told me, Well, it's because you're not around like other people are, so how can we give you a present? You know my answer to that one: Then give gifts of food and clothing to the poor, help those who need it. Go visit the lonely! I said, Listen, any gift you give to your needy fellow men, I'll count as if you gave it to me personally! (See Matthew 25:34-40)
Well sad to say, things are getting worse each year. It reminds me of what happened recently to a friend of mine, a sweet elderly fellow. He's from the poorer side of town and he's been trying unsuccessfully for years to join the church. But it was a very exclusive church for the proper kind of folks, and they just did not think he was good enough to be a member. I found him one day sitting by the church steps with his head on his hands bowed and I asked him what was wrong, he told me about it. I put my arm around his shoulder and told him I knew just how he felt. I've been wanting to enter that same church for twenty years and they've never let me in either!
Well there's an end even to my patience. So I'm going to let you in on a secret. Now this is something I've been planning on doing for quite sometime, but the way things are going, I think I'm planning on holding my own party! How about that? It's going to be the biggest most fantastic feast you could possibly imagine! It might not happen this year. But I'm sending out the invitations now anyway because I know you'll want to come. There's going to be room for billions, for everyone who wants to come! Some really famous old timers and celebrities are going to be there and I'll reserve your seat of honor right with them! (Matthew 8:11)
So hold on to your hat because when everything is ready, I'm going to spring it as a big surprise! And a lot of people are going to be left out in the cold because they didn't answer my invitation. Let me know right away if you'd like to come, and I'll reserve you a place and write your name in large golden letters in my great big Guest Book!
Much Love,
JESUS
The Birthday Party
Hello dear friend!
Well, as you know, it's time for my birthday again. Last year, they had a real big party for me and it seems like they will again this year. After all, they've been shopping and preparing for it for months now, and there have been announcements and advertisements almost everyday about how soon it's coming! They really do go overboard about it, but it's nice to know that at least on one day of the year some people are thinking about me a little.
You know, its been many years now since they first started celebrating my birthday. Back then they seemed to realize and appreciate how much fun it is for the little children. Just the same, it seems that most folks are missing the point of it all.
Like last year, for example: When my birthday came around, they threw a big party, but can you believe it?... I wasn't even invited! Imagine! The guest of honor, and they forgot all about me! Here they had begun preparing for the festivities two months in advance, but when the big day came, I was left out in the cold! Well, it has happened so many times in recent years, I wasn't even surprised. Even though I wasn't invited, I thought I'd just quietly slip in anyway. So I came in and stood off to the side.
Everyone was drinking, laughing and having a grand time, when all of a sudden, in came this fat fellow in a bright red suit, wearing a phony white beard and shouting, Ho ho ho! He looked like he had more than enough to drink, but he somehow managed to weave his way running around the floor while everyone cheered. When he collapsed into a big armchair, all the little children went running over to him excitedly yelling, Santa! Santa! I mean, you'd have thought he was the guest of honor and the whole holiday was in his honor!
Then he began telling them the most ridiculous stories you've ever heard!...that he lives at the North Pole with a crew of dwarfs and that every year on my birthday he rides in his sleigh pulled by a bunch of flying reindeers, delivering presents to children all over the world! I mean there wasn't a word of truth in anything he said! Imagine telling such poor, little, impressionable kids such far-fetched fables!
Finally I just had to leave, I walked out of the door, and it was hardly surprising that no one even noticed that I had gone. As I walked down the street afterward, I felt about as lonely and forlorn as a stray dog! I could hardly remember the last time I'd felt that low. Maybe you don't think I cry.....
That little manger scene you had put up in the corner of your living room was really touching! It's sweet of people to commemorate my birthday like that. But did you know that nowadays, in some countries, the authorities won't even allow manger scenes to be placed in the parks, streets, or public places anymore! Not to mention their schools! And I'm not talking about Communist countries! I'm talking about the good, ol USA, Imagine! What could be more innocent than a manger scene to remind people of my birthday? ...and yet they ban it! They've actually passed laws against it and made it illegal! What's this world coming to?
Another thing that amazes me is how, on my birthday, instead of giving me presents, most people give gifts to each other! And to top it all off, it's usually all kinds of stuff they don't even need! Let me ask you, wouldn't you find it odd if when your birthday came along, all your friends decided to celebrate it by giving each other presents and never gave you a thing?
Someone once told me, Well, it's because you're not around like other people are, so how can we give you a present? You know my answer to that one: Then give gifts of food and clothing to the poor, help those who need it. Go visit the lonely! I said, Listen, any gift you give to your needy fellow men, I'll count as if you gave it to me personally! (See Matthew 25:34-40)
Well sad to say, things are getting worse each year. It reminds me of what happened recently to a friend of mine, a sweet elderly fellow. He's from the poorer side of town and he's been trying unsuccessfully for years to join the church. But it was a very exclusive church for the proper kind of folks, and they just did not think he was good enough to be a member. I found him one day sitting by the church steps with his head on his hands bowed and I asked him what was wrong, he told me about it. I put my arm around his shoulder and told him I knew just how he felt. I've been wanting to enter that same church for twenty years and they've never let me in either!
Well there's an end even to my patience. So I'm going to let you in on a secret. Now this is something I've been planning on doing for quite sometime, but the way things are going, I think I'm planning on holding my own party! How about that? It's going to be the biggest most fantastic feast you could possibly imagine! It might not happen this year. But I'm sending out the invitations now anyway because I know you'll want to come. There's going to be room for billions, for everyone who wants to come! Some really famous old timers and celebrities are going to be there and I'll reserve your seat of honor right with them! (Matthew 8:11)
So hold on to your hat because when everything is ready, I'm going to spring it as a big surprise! And a lot of people are going to be left out in the cold because they didn't answer my invitation. Let me know right away if you'd like to come, and I'll reserve you a place and write your name in large golden letters in my great big Guest Book!
Much Love,
JESUS
Sunday, December 23
No..we're not German..but
...it has been a tradition of ours for about 7 years now:) BTW you may want to get some food and water before you read this post..'cause it is a long one!
*The Story of the Glass Pickle Ornament*
The pickle ornament was considered a very special tree decoration by many families in Germany. There, the fir tree was traditionally decorated on Christmas Eve. For good luck, the pickle always was the last ornament to be hung on the tree with mother and father hiding it in the green boughs among the other ornaments. When the children were allowed to view the splendor of the decorated tree on Christmas morning they would gleefully begin searching for the pickle ornament. They knew that whoever found that special ornament first, would receive an extra little gift left by St. Nicholas for the most eager child.
So..this year (since she is a little older), Mattie received her very own pickle! We do it a little different here on Georgetown Drive. Each child has there own pickle. We hide them on the tree and then when they find a pickle, they get to open a gift early..as in today:) Mattie's wasn't hung on the tree, she found hers in the box that it arrived in! Maybe next year it will be on the tree?
Mattie's gift was her very own recliner! I just couldn't stand it anymore..I had to give this to her today:) She loves it! I'll bet she has climbed in and out of it at least 100,000 times today.
Rich hid Trae's really, really well:) He told Trae's that his was not necessarily on the tree..it could be anywhere in the room..but it was in the tree:) Rich had it wrapped inside a tree limb..it was almost impossible to find!
Whoa! How did that get in there? *wink* Kidding! I love the mistletoe..I think I will keep it hanging all year long:)
This afternoon..Rich took us to Opry Mills Mall..surprisingly..it wasn't that bad today? We found a gift for Gram..and I found a gift that I would like to have next year. These people from Bethlehem were set up in the mall..and they sold Nativities, etc. made from olive wood..I think. Anyhoo..they have this Nativity set for $175.00 that I would like to have..lots of pieces..and the baby Jesus comes out of his bed..this is exactly what I have been searching for..but this new tradition will start next year. I want to start setting up the Nativity piece by piece, day by day..then on Christmas morning..we can lay the last piece..baby Jesus in his bed to complete the Nativity. I read this the other day somewhere and thought it was a sweet idea.
Nighty..night:)
*The Story of the Glass Pickle Ornament*
The pickle ornament was considered a very special tree decoration by many families in Germany. There, the fir tree was traditionally decorated on Christmas Eve. For good luck, the pickle always was the last ornament to be hung on the tree with mother and father hiding it in the green boughs among the other ornaments. When the children were allowed to view the splendor of the decorated tree on Christmas morning they would gleefully begin searching for the pickle ornament. They knew that whoever found that special ornament first, would receive an extra little gift left by St. Nicholas for the most eager child.
So..this year (since she is a little older), Mattie received her very own pickle! We do it a little different here on Georgetown Drive. Each child has there own pickle. We hide them on the tree and then when they find a pickle, they get to open a gift early..as in today:) Mattie's wasn't hung on the tree, she found hers in the box that it arrived in! Maybe next year it will be on the tree?
Mattie's gift was her very own recliner! I just couldn't stand it anymore..I had to give this to her today:) She loves it! I'll bet she has climbed in and out of it at least 100,000 times today.
Rich hid Trae's really, really well:) He told Trae's that his was not necessarily on the tree..it could be anywhere in the room..but it was in the tree:) Rich had it wrapped inside a tree limb..it was almost impossible to find!
Whoa! How did that get in there? *wink* Kidding! I love the mistletoe..I think I will keep it hanging all year long:)
This afternoon..Rich took us to Opry Mills Mall..surprisingly..it wasn't that bad today? We found a gift for Gram..and I found a gift that I would like to have next year. These people from Bethlehem were set up in the mall..and they sold Nativities, etc. made from olive wood..I think. Anyhoo..they have this Nativity set for $175.00 that I would like to have..lots of pieces..and the baby Jesus comes out of his bed..this is exactly what I have been searching for..but this new tradition will start next year. I want to start setting up the Nativity piece by piece, day by day..then on Christmas morning..we can lay the last piece..baby Jesus in his bed to complete the Nativity. I read this the other day somewhere and thought it was a sweet idea.
We enjoyed dinner at Macaroni Grill..then we went to Opry Land Hotel and looked at all the beautiful Christmas lights. They have the largest Nativity display..it was beautiful..I'll bet there was 30+ statues there..all in white.
Nighty..night:)Saturday, December 22
Spirit Martial Arts
I think {A.C.T.G.F.} was asking about a pic of me in my Taekwondo uniform. Was that you Auntie Cherry? I snuck this one off of our school's website:) This was after the test on 12.14.07
after a 2-hour work-out..rough..I tell ya..rough..but it was worth it!
I am on the far right..in front of Master Brown/4th Dan (My instructor's wife, the one that I laid out in the floor during my self-defense test). Go me!
My instructor, Master Smith/4th Dan is on the far left with the black collar. This is two combined classes that tested together, the 6 o'clock upper belt class and the 7 o'clock adult class.
after a 2-hour work-out..rough..I tell ya..rough..but it was worth it!
I am on the far right..in front of Master Brown/4th Dan (My instructor's wife, the one that I laid out in the floor during my self-defense test). Go me!
My instructor, Master Smith/4th Dan is on the far left with the black collar. This is two combined classes that tested together, the 6 o'clock upper belt class and the 7 o'clock adult class.
Friday, December 21
Mattie's 1st Haircut
She was so good! She sat perfectly still, like she was a regular client! Maybe 'cause her {Ya-ya} was cutting her hair:) I really think her hair looks much better. It just needed to be shaped. Thanks Mom..for doing the honors:) xoxo
Thursday, December 20
D.L.
Today was the big day..Trae took his driver's license test:) Whoa, of all the things I have been through with this kiddo and have handled well..I am not handling this well. My fear is of him getting hurt really bad. Then I remembered "The Secret"! Be positive! Surround our home with faith and trust God. I prayed and shed a few tears today while we were at the testing center. I wanted to lay hands on his vehicle before the driving test, but didn't. I will do that before he goes out on his own Saturday. I know and believe that God will keep him protected out on the road. If you are a parent and haven't experienced this yet..brace yourself..'cause it is a doosey!
Wednesday, December 19
Candy Cane Season
So..we drove to George Jones house last night to see his Christmas light display {4025 Nestledown Drive/Nestledown Farms Subdivision, Franklin, Tennessee 37067}. Very cool:) Infact..we thought the giant rocking chair at his front entrance was so cool..that we drove back today during daylight hours and took some photos of the kiddos..ahhhh..I think I like this (2nd one) for the Christmas cards!
Today was *sunny* and around 60 + degrees..very strange weather we're having:)
Mattie is enjoying the "Candy Cane Season" very, very much:)
Today was *sunny* and around 60 + degrees..very strange weather we're having:)
Mattie is enjoying the "Candy Cane Season" very, very much:)
Tuesday, December 18
Climbing {16} month old
Mattie has officially mastered the art of climbing into a kitchen chair and onto the kitchen table within SECONDS! Busy, busy, busy she is. I can't decide if she is really that busy or if I am just getting that old:) Ha ha!
She likes to feed herself..I will load her fork or spoon, but she has to be the one to put it in her mouth, or she won't open up.
Here she is sitting on the kitchen table..attempting to play with mom's (that is what she calls me) new GPS system..no no no Mattie.
Her favorite place to hang out..in the kitchen cabinet..I thought this was cute..I found her in there the other day drinking her bottle about to fall asleep.
Construction of the gingerbread house last night....
She likes to feed herself..I will load her fork or spoon, but she has to be the one to put it in her mouth, or she won't open up.
Here she is sitting on the kitchen table..attempting to play with mom's (that is what she calls me) new GPS system..no no no Mattie.
Her favorite place to hang out..in the kitchen cabinet..I thought this was cute..I found her in there the other day drinking her bottle about to fall asleep.
Construction of the gingerbread house last night.... Mattie enjoyed her first gumdrop! Trae and Izabelle thought it would be funny to feed Mattie icing right out of the icing bag that comes with the gingerbread house kit..shhhh! don't tell Rich! Ha ha!
We ended up having to trash the gingerbread house..the roof wouldn't stay on..it kept sliding off, I think there was too much icing and candy:) $9.99 was cheap for hours of entertainment..right?
We ended up having to trash the gingerbread house..the roof wouldn't stay on..it kept sliding off, I think there was too much icing and candy:) $9.99 was cheap for hours of entertainment..right?
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