5 Things 3 Times

Five things I've learned in the past 24 hours

1. Molly wants a "New Brand Finger" for Christmas.
2. We can no longer spell out loud to keep secrets from our children. Matthew can read now and he's figured us out.
3. Don't put apple peels down the garbage disposal. Not even from just one apple. And don't do it at 9:30 p.m. Sorry, Mike!
4. The insides of peanut butter balls are really yummy, too (before you dip them in chocolate)!
5. Matthew and Molly love Pei Wei.

Five things I'm thankful for this morning:
1. My family and friends. I am blessed.
2. My house is clean--really clean-- and the last load of laundry is in the washer.
3. We haven't charged anything this Christmas on our credit cards.
4. My photography
5. Chick Fil A--for kids meals and their iced tea--yummy!

Five material things I want:
1. A new car
2. My diamond earrings re-set in platinum
3. A mysterious check made out to me in my mailbox
4. A housekeeper every month
5. A massage every month

Close . . .no cigar

Oh, beautiful Christmas Card Photo, how I searched for you. I looked at the Gaylord. You weren't there.


I looked at the park. Not there either. For some reason, my sweet, loving and adorable children who are always on their best behavior did not want to sit anywhere near each other nor be within touching distance. Screaming . . . not my sweeties. But I did learn that you can't have a Christmas card photo with just one child.


This is as close as we got to a nice family photo. It's fine, really. But I wanted something amazing. I learned a photographer has a hard time photographing her own family, especially while trying to be in the actual photograph.
I settled for a picture of Matthew and Molly. Next year, I'm starting early. Like maybe January.

The New 4 Letter Word

Do you know what it is? I'll tell you. It's "BUSY." We're all busy. Busy, busy, busy! I know. It's that time of year . . .we have the parties, the shopping, the business. So, my blog may be a little more neglected for a couple of weeks due to my own, well . . .busy-ness. But don't worry, because I'm making it a goal to work in fun, meaningfulness, love, and friends in between my busy, busy work. And I might even blog a little!

Family Christmas Fun--the Childrens' Parade

Last Saturday, we braved the cold weather and went downtown for the parade. We went for the first time last year and had so much fun! It was wonderful!

Can you find us??

Matthew and the Elvises (is that a word)??

They had clowns running around doing activities before the parade started. They gave Matthew and Molly sidewalk chalk to use on the street and they loved it!

Something went wrong for sweet Molls. I just love the look on her precious little face.

These women (I think they were called the Dallas High Steppers) definitely got the loudest cheers of the entire parade! Check them out! Woo Hoo!

The big man himself ended the parade! It was sooooo much fun and definitely a new family tradition.

This-n-that

Here is the finished product! I think I mentioned that Mike was up until 1 am finishing the lights! Wow.

What mischief do you think this sweet-faced little girl got into while I was cleaning the kitchen? (Hint: notice the marker on her face).


This would be he handy work! Yes, those are our wood floors.

I just thought this was sweet. She's wearing her new jammies and watching Dora. I've forgiven her for her markings--it only took about 2 minutes.

Matthew is home today. He has strep, but is doing much better. I have wonderful memories of being sick as a child. Yep. You read that right. Don't get me wrong, being sick was, well, sick. I still felt bad, but I always got to lay on a special spot fixed just for me on the couch, watch whatever I wanted, I had my special tray next to me with a special drink, and I always, always got a present. I know. It was great. So yesterday on the way home from the doctor, I stopped at Target and got Matthew the Monster Jam Monster Truck game for his DS. He loves it. Note the intense concentration on his face.

Happy Friday!