Kids Say The Darndest Things

On the way home from church on Christmas Eve, Ian was talking about Santa. He has really enjoyed this season. Out of the blue....

"Hey Mommy....Santa is in our hearts, just like Jesus, right?"

I couldn't answer him because I had this big lump in my throat and tears streaming down my cheeks.

Merry Christmas

Merry, Merry Christmas!!!! This has probably been the best and most exhausting Christmas ever. But...I wouldn't change a thing. I'll post more this weekend, but I wanted to share my new favorite picture of my sweet angels. These two amazing little guys light up our world in ways that just cannot be imagined. Truly...blessings from above.

Merry Christmas to all....and to all a good night.

Parades and Christmas Lights

Last night, we took the boys to the Christmas Parade in Downtown Tulsa. We actually were supposed to be working the hot chocolate booth at FBC, but with 2 very active boys...I don't know what we were thinking. We didn't do much work. We made it until the parade started, saw a couple of floats and bands...then we decided to make a mad dash to the car. Afterwards we visited Rhema to see the beautiful Christmas light display. It was a perfect evening. A little chilly, but not too bad. I'm so glad we did it yesterday. Today, it was 75 degrees early in the day...then the bottom fell out. It's 22 degrees right now and it's sleeting. Tomorrow morning should be interesting.

More Shameless Cuteness

The boys are really in to Yo Gabba Gabba these days. I laugh at them when we watch the show more than the show itself. For adults...the show is one of those that you love to hate. Drives me crazy, but my kids love it. One of the segments is called "Funny Face Time"...so both boys are constantly trying to show us their "funny faces". That's what Drew is trying to do with his little hands on his face. Cute! There is also a segment on the show called "Dancy Dance Time"....again....both boys love it. Drew shakes his little booty and Ian dances around like a monkey (at least I think that's what it is).

The picture of looking ever so innocent by the Christmas tree was right before he pulled 5 ornaments off and made a mad dash with them in the dump truck. Ian said "Mommy, let's put them up WAY high so Drew can't get them. That's a good idea, right?" Such a smart boy. So, now the bottom third of my tree looks a bit bare and the top is VERY crowded. But, I'm loving this season with my boys. So much fun. Charlie may disagree since he's home with them all day...but it's sure fun looking at Christmas through their eyes.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Oh my...she's got the camera out again...

Drew, well...being Drew....

Cutie pie Drew

Ever so careful Ian (for a change)

Sweet, goofy Ian

Brothers...gotta love the tooth brush

Look at all of these shiny balls...YAY!

Ian helping decorate the tree

Mommy and her boys...it just doesn't get much better!

Thanksgiving...a day later

After my Black Friday post, I decided I need to post a little about our Thanksgiving. It was our first as a complete "Party of Four". What a great day. I always tend to stress a wee bit...just trying to get everything done....and of course, it has to be perfect. Or so my mind tells me. It's never perfect, but I always think it can be.

The day started like a normal day in our house...kids running around, playing and screaming. Love it! Ian tried to help me put the turkey in the oven, but there were too many sharp objects and hot ovens to allow much help. But, he thought he was helping.

We ate a little later than normal due to nap schedules. Finally it was time to eat. Drew loved his meal. Of course, we haven't found much that Drew doesn't like to eat. Ian loved the corn casserole and bread. He had a few bites of turkey. My picky eater.

Ian proudly proclaimed "you're a good cooker mommy." What better praise is there?

Our talented little Ian taught us a new song a few months back and we sang it today before our Thanksgiving meal.
"Let's be Thankful,
Let's be Thankful,
Let's be Glad,
Let's be Glad,
For the many blessings,
For the many blessings,
That we have,
That we have."

That sums it up perfectly I think. We are so blessed and so thankful. We have the 2 most amazing, handsome and loving boys in the world. God blessed us with this wonderful family, with one another and with Jesus and we are so very thankful. The innocence of a 3 year old can bring strong men to their knees. We love our boys, we love one another and we love our God.

Black Friday

I love the Friday after Thanksgiving. I was up and out of the house at 3:30am this morning. Unfortunately it was raining and I'm a bit of a wimp. So, I stopped at Quik Trip for some coffee and then headed to Toys R Us. There were only about 2 dozen people in line, so I decided to stay put in the car for a little while. I finally got in line about 4:15am (for a 5:00am opening). It was great. I went in, found everything I needed and was on the road again by 5:25am.

Next stop....Target. I pulled into the parking lot at 5:45am. The line was LONG. So I made the long trek to the end of the line. Fortunately soon after there were lots of people behind me so I didn't feel so bad. Found exactly what I was looking for and headed out around 6:20am.

Next stop....Walmart. By far the craziest of the stops. Found what I needed though, so I was a happy girl. I was on the road by 7:20am.

Next stop....breakfast.

Next stop....work :( I made it to work around 7:40am.

I'm taking a short lunch break now and then hoping to be finished early. Then, I'll have to decide if I "need" to stop somewhere else on my way home!!!

Dancing With The Stars...Conner Style

The boys were in rare form tonight. I don't know what was funnier....the dancing or the jumping jacks. Either way...it was enough for a fun evening.

Considering the day was pretty rough for Drew, the evening turned out pretty well. Drew went to the doctor today for the second part of his flu shot and to have some wax removed from his ears. Good news....the wax seems to have disappeared, so no traumatic ear cleaning. Bad news...he was wheezing. So he's now on breathing treatments 4 times a day for 2 days and then 3 times a day through the weekend. He HATES them. But, after the third one tonight he settled down a little. Poor little guy. On top of the wheezing....he has an ear infection. So, 10 more days of antibiotics. It's the season, I suppose.

Couple of quick prayer requests....1) Our Vietnam travel buddies, the Perkins. Layne Nhi is having her dental surgery tomorrow (Tuesday). Please pray for this sweet little girl. She's such a trouper. 2) The Perrymans....hopefully some good news will come in the next few days and they'll be on their way to Vietnam to meet their sweet Nehemiah. 3) The Borskis (our India Travel buddies)...they are waiting for their son's passport to be issued so they can go to India to pick him up. They were caught, along with us, in the 6 week delay in issuing passports the last time. Praying that it's done very quickly and that they'll be in India very soon. 4) The Stouders....Bennett's family....they leave on Friday to travel to Vietnam. They've waited a YEAR for this date. Praying that their journey and transition are smooth.

Also...update on Daddy school....all are still ALIVE (which is a good thing). Charlie is managing well. I'm hoping he'll post SOON.

Update on Daddy School

We're almost to day 3 and everyone is still alive. Charlie looks a bit worn...but not too bad. Drew's had a rough week. He's not feeling great and now his "routine" is messed up. Not much "schooling" is actually taking place...but they're making it through the day.

Today was haircut day for Drew. He looks so cute. He looks like such a little boy. I wanted to take a picture tonight, but the time got away from me and it was bed time. Ian is trying really hard to be a good big brother. Some days...hours...minutes are better than others.

Children really do pick up on things that you say. Ian's latest phrases "you're wasting my time"...."do you hear me?"....."listen to me"..."you're not listening to me"....I'm waiting for the day that something really inappropriate comes out of his sweet little mouth. I've tried REALLY hard to clean up my mouth and watch what I'm saying around the boys.

I'm trying to convince Charlie to post on the blog about one of his days with the boys at Daddy School. Maybe he will soon.

I'm REALLY looking forward to Christmas. I think we're going to put the Christmas tree up this weekend. I won't put the decorations on it until Thanksgiving evening...but between the cats, Ian and Drew...everyone needs to get used to the tree in the living room. Honestly, I've wanted to put it up since Halloween and Charlie has ignored me.

Daddy School To Begin

Tomorrow we begin a new adventure....Daddy School. Charlie was the victim of downsizing earlier this year. Fortunately he received a decent severance package. Since Ian is still having some potty issues, we have pulled him out of pre-school until we get this under control. Now that Daddy is home and Ian is home....it only made sense for us to take Drew out of daycare for a while to save some money. So tomorrow...my dear husband will have both boys at home. We're hoping and praying this will only be through the beginning of the year.

The one man wrecking crew and a demanding 3 year old.....Charlie has his work cut out for him. He's going to do fine. But, please just say a prayer for him. I have to admit...I probably have the best husband in the world. Charlie and I have been married for a long time. Early in our marriage, my mom was still alive and quite ill. Charlie helped me take care of my mom...we all lived together the last 2 years she was alive. We had only been married about 4 years when that happened. Many men would have said "see ya"...but not my man. He loved me through the good and the bad. He is amazing. Now...he's taking care of our family. He's a great husband and an even better Daddy. I love watching him with the boys. There's just something about a Daddy and his kids that melts your heart.

Charlie....I love you and I'm so proud of the man you are. I'm praying that Daddy School is FABULOUS.