Oh Christmas Tree

Our family tradition is to decorate the Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. I always enjoy this to the fullest extent. We have a fake, pre-lit, rotating tree...no bare spots for us. Well, that is what I thought until the puppy got into the tree over, and over, and over again. The puppy I am refering to is Dane. He just loves all of the little colored balls and removes them from the tree when no one is looking. He knows not to touch it. I know this because he walks over and sticks his hand out to take something all while checking to see if anyone is looking. On the rare occasion that I do catch him in the act, he smiles and runs in the other direction. Now, here is the casualty list:

2 gold balls shattered on the kitchen floor.

1 green ball stepped on by an unsuspecting adult.

1 red ball stepped on by puppy who saw this happen once and wants to see if he can do it too.

1 blue ball with an irreparable and unkown cause of injury.

1 red ball whose hook was ripped off and whose top was bitten off by afore mentioned puppy...yes, I had to scoop the tiny pieces from his mouth while he simutaneously laughed with each sharp bite I had to endure in order to save his intestines from being ripped to shreds.

I think I want 10 more...puppies that is.

Stone Soup

Sheridan (with a turkey on her head) was to sing and dance in the Thanksgiving program at school last night...she had been practicing for several months and was ecstatic about going. Then she saw the people. All of the other kids laughed, danced, and sang out loud while poor Sheridan yanked on her turkey legs. She was terrified! I would have NEVER imagined my little ham, or turkey in this case, would have stage fright! She still had a good time though, and preformed it for us at home.

Children's Art

This is a picture that the devine Miss M. drew for me today. Lovely indeed. Am I the only one who finds this to be ummm...interresting?

Working Out

Since I was short some credit hours for graduation in May, I signed up for an eight week class called "Concepts of Health and Wellness." I have kind of enjoyed this class until today....Why do people do things that make their arms shake like jello? I've been pretty good about my cardio work each week. This week we added toning exercises, I am not sure I want to be tone. Soft and supple sounds better than fat and flabby. To avoid the jello arms, maybe I will begin to describe myself as soft and supple...yes, I like the way that sounds. Unfortunately I will not get away with that for the next four weeks as the "Coach" will be right behind me counting my reps and telling me how to breathe correctly. Stupid men! Don't they know that I have given birth 4 times now, I have had my share of jelly limbs!

Happy Halloween!

What a day! Costumes on first thing this morning, two parades, three parties, and Trick or Treat all over town...all before 5 pm! It is all still a lot of fun, just a different kind of fun and no matter how stressed I am in the moment I am still greatful for the experience.

Time Warp

I am truely saddened this evening...I missed Rocky Horror Picture Show on TV tonight. Instead, I was stuck watching the sport of "Flipping Channels." I got to see portions of Survivor, Politicians, ESPN, and a variety of...make me dumber than I already am...commercials. GRR. Maybe I will rent it tomorrow, does the Red Box have that? Doubt it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdu7xoHU9DA

The absolute highlight was making sure the kids are ready for Halloween. We have a military man, Hannah Montanna (imagine that), a patchwork witch, and a duck...a very hungry duck. I can't wait!

Jack 'O Lanterns

This evening we disemboweled our pumpkins to make Jack 'O Lanterns. Elijah and Madeline (after some hesitation) cleaned out their own pumpkins, drew faces, and carved their pumkins...all on their own! I was so excited! This was Madeline's first year to do it on her own. They really turned out great. Sheridan drew faces upon faces on her goard (we baked her other one and make yummy pie out of it). Kerry and Dane will carve their pumpkins tomorrow! Happy Halloween!

The Beginning

I spent some time today in a plethora of emotional states; from cool and collected to distraught and everything in between. Then, I watched somthing that really hit me hard...in the gut. I went back to do some research on what I had seen and have taken an exerpt from it to share.
"There is one who takes you with all of your flaws and
delights in all that you are. He sings over you when
you sleep and hems you in while awake. He destroys
the worth-measures of man and pronounces you
worthy. He is Jesus. He is the only way we have made
it thus far and our only hope for tomorrow."
http://www.ignitermedia.com./ Click on 99 Balloons, it is beautiful.
Thanks be to the family that shared their story with the rest of the world; this baby that I did not know nor will I ever know has made me see again that Jesus is with me and I only need faith in Him to continue on the path that He leads.