Christmas Cards....

I trust everyone is still nice and full from Thanksgiving yesterday. We ate a lot and the day seemed to go pretty well overall. The losses of the past year, especially Austin and Chase's dad, Clay, were very much in our minds and hearts, but knowing our loved ones are together in Heaven and we will see them again someday helped somewhat.

On a lighter note I accomplished the much loved/dreaded Christmas card photo! Woo hoo! Maybe it's just me, but trying to get a good picture of 4 boys is impossible. Not to mention the big boys loathe the matching clothes thing so I decided to work around them! lol Anyway, I thought it turned out pretty good. I did this on a program I got with one of my cameras which is kind of a pain, but today I noticed I could have done this all with the new updated Picasa. It's AWESOME!! Not to mention you can MAKE MOVIES NOW!! Easily too! I want to kiss the guy/girl who did all the changes I love it so much! I will restrain though. Self-control is a beautiful thing. So I'm told.......

This Week I Am Thankful For.....

I know this may sound terrible, but honestly I am thankful that there are no hockey games this week. I really needed a break after 3 games last week. I love to watch my boys play, but this is a really welcome break. Honestly, I think my mother is more thankful than I am! She so kindly watches the little boys so they can still get to bed on time and so I can pay attention to the game. Remember this is only year 2 for us, so I need all the focus I can get!

I am also so thankful that my "funk" seems to be over. Do you think it's a coincidence that I have more "free" time without games this week that I am motivated to get creating! Hmmmmmmmm.

Lots of stuff listed on Etsy and Ebay today. Stop by and check it out!

We Interrupt This Life Because Your Kid Forgot.....

Truly, this has been the story of my week this week. It started Monday morning with a text from my dear Chase at 8ish. Never mind the fact that he is not allowed to text at school. "U might need 2 bring my jersey" Well that didn't tell me a whole lot. So he preceeds to text that he needs his hockey jersey as they are taking pictures for the yearbook. So after I take Gage to school I drive to the middle school park a mile away (okay, more like the end of the parking lot, BUT it was snowing) and walk to the side door, buzz the buzzer, gain admittance and head for the office. The secretary was very sweet as she questioned "Didn't he do this last year too?"

Fast forward to Monday night. Austin has a game I ever so kindly and gently (or nag I forget which) remind him to double check his hockey bag before we leave for the game. Austin and Chase both are pretty terrible when it comes to dumping their bags to let all that equpiment dry, so I usually am stuck doing it on the following day and things really get mixed up and spread out everywhere. He gets his usual teen attitude "wow mom, I know it's good, I did" Okie Doke! Game starts 7:15. My handsome hockey player son comes strolling out to see me in the lobby at 7:00, dressed and ready to go! "Mom, I only have 1 glove" Nice, allow me to drive at break-neck speeds to go home and be back at 7:15. (I did make it btw)

Tuesday evening. Chase has a game we are getting ready to leave for. He comes down the stairs a little upset after packing his bag. "Mom, my jerseys are still at school". *sigh* "Chase you'll have to call Coach and see is he has any jerseys". "Can you call Mom?" "Nooo way buddy, this is ALL YOU!". Crisis averted, Coach has one he can wear.

Here we are Wednesday morning. Chase has a field trip today. Needs to bring a lunch. I'm sure you're thinking he forgot to tell me. Nope! He remembered. Unfortunately it's sitting all packed on the counter. He called shortly after he left while on the bus to school. "Mommy I don't know if you'll be mad or not, but I forgot my lunch, can you hurry and run it to school" I should have known with the "Mommy" comment. No 13-year-old calls his mother "Mommy" in front of a large group of kids. Asa is still sleeping and I have Gage to get ready for school yet. Well, I decided that he can learn his lesson today! Yea Me! I'm not totally heartless though. I made a quick call to my dear friend who teaches at the middle school and asked if Chase could have her lunch and would she mind buying hers today. Sweet friend that she is says no problem. It's ham salad though. Blech. Maybe 1 child will learn his lesson this week. Do you think it's possible???

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm....

A conversation that I had with someone last night got me thinking about some things. Now when I think about things it usually branches off into many different directions, usually ending somewhere far, far away from where the thought began. Kind of like when you go to the store for milk and come out with shoes for your kid, a candle and a new paint brush. WalMart is terrible for that. Of course I would never run to WalMart for just milk, but I digress. (See how easily it happens!)

Anyway, my point is that I have several things that other people find odd about me.

I have a GREAT aversion to growths of any sort on food or plant life, espcially if it is perfectly symmetrical. Case in point. Eyes on potatoes. Can't deal with it. Really, really, really creeps me out. Also the fern like plant that will accompany boquets of flowers can sometimes get this fungus type thing on the back. They are perfectly round, perfectly spaced "things" that make me want to run away screaming. Weird huh? Grass growing in either rain gutters or on a roof. Another weird thing that it makes my heart go into arrythmias looking at.

I can't touch chalk. ESPECIALLY sidewalk chalk. Just can't do it. It feels weird.

I hate when people can't put there buggy back. Really it's not that hard. Now the weirdness is that not only do I put my buggy back, but if I have time I will also push all the buggies together so they don't stick out into the parking lot.

I don't like onions. I don't like them in salsas, sauces, salads, sandwiches or burgers. But I like onion rings.

I hate to take medicine.

I worry about stupid things.

I analyze things too much.

I can be emotional.

The last ones I think are traits of women in general, but I had to list them. And on that note I will leave you with this thought for the day......

Thankful...

With Thanksgiving right around the corner it seems only appropraite to post about things I am thankful for...

Family ~ I know this is obvious and everyone says it, but I am so truly blessed with 4 wonderfully adorable kids that are healthy and funny and loving and sweet. My mom who is always willing to help us out with watching the little boys for hockey games and other random things.

Friends ~ I have so many wonderful friends that are there to listen to me vent, bounce off ideas on and randomly help out with the boys too! It takes a village right? lol

Prims ~ I'm thankful that I am able to do what I love to do and that people like it enough to even buy it! It really is my therapy!! lol

Other Random Things ~ Coffee, music, photographs, chocolate, fresh from the bath babies, candles, the change of seasons, the color red, the konwledge that I will see again loved ones that have gone before me to heaven.

I reserve the right to add to this post as my coffee kicks in more ;)

Is It Really November Already?????

You know I really thought I would be much better at this blogging thing! Being a girl and all and I love to talk. And Heaven knows my kids give me enough material!

I think part of it is due to the fact it's not only been a really busy year, but it has been an exceptionally rough year at times. I thought it was all good after getting through a year of "firsts" since my father died. I thought the holidays would be great this year having gone through last year as a first without him. My mom's mom died a few months back. I wasn't exceptionally close to her, but she was a wonderfully strong woman with the strongest hug in the whole world! lol

But by far the hardest thing I have ever endured in my life is when my exhusband and father of my 2 older boys died. He has endured a life filled with struggles. Mostly all inside of him, but I believe he did the very best he was capable of doing in his life. His parents both died in 2006 and he was so close to his mother. She really was the 1 constant in his life, always there to help him and pick him up no matter what. I know my boys adored this man and miss him terribly. Unfortunately they are at an age where they are pulling away in general and of course they don't want to talk about it. Any prayers for my boys would be much appreciated.


In Loving Memory Clay Thomas Ellis 11-14-70 ~ 9-17-08