Because I thought it was funny......

Please take a look at what I made the children do. I really do have meaningful things I could spend my time on but sometimes you just need a good chuckle.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1112918964


Just click the link!

Good Ol' Saint Nick.........

Today was the annual trip to the mall to visit Mr. Clause. I did not dress the children up in Christmas costumes because any time I have ever tried that it has backfired on me. Instead, we went "as is" which in turn meant that no one dropped ketchup on themselves while eating at Chick-fil-a and they all left just as clean as they came in. Rhett, however, even though it's not so noticeable in the picture, left the food court with a massive static cling fro from where he insisted on rubbing the top of his head on the booth seat we were sitting in. Why? Why would he want to do that?? I'm still not sure, but as I stated in an earlier post: "Oh me. To be 2 years old....". Rhett did not want to see Santa when it came right down to it. Although, the whole trip there he was as excited as could be. When he saw him he said, "Dat is weerie, weerie scarey." But he decided to go only if Cade would be by him. Rhett asked Santa for a "Spirit" which is referring to a horse in his favorite movie also by the same name. Cade asked for Star Wars and Transformers. And Grant, army men and army stuff. All I've got to say is, "Better watch out. Better not cry. Better be good. I'm telling you why!"

Turkey and Trees!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We had lots of friends and family over and had a big feast. We were thankful for Chris's family that got to come and spend some time with us. I always love having a houseful of people. I am officially a bit tired of turkey sandwiches which would shock those of you who know me well. I have eaten a turkey sandwich for lunch for 98% of my lunches since 1989. Seriously. I'm not exaggerating. Once Thanksgiving comes to a close I give the go-ahead to start decorating for Christmas. Last year I gave the boys all their own tree to decorate. I figured a ghetto Christmas tree is okay if it is hidden in a bedroom. Anything to keep it out of my living room. Cade wanted to pick out a new ornament for his tree and this is what he left Lowe's with. My little patriot.
Grant was the most excited to be decorating his tree. He left Lowe's with a really annoying Santa ornament that you can see hanging from the bottom of the tree. The best part of all of it is he's been attaching it to his beltloop so he can experience the santa's singing without delay.... I'm so happy about it.

This was Rhett's first year to decorate his tree. His is the second-most ghetto (Grant's took the prize) as he wanted to put his own garland on..............all in one spot on the same side. Whatever. It's not my tree.
I could not, however, convince him that the little sucker ornament was NOT real. He tried to eat it at least 4 times. You would have thought that he would've starting trusting me after the second time at least! Oh me. To be 2 years old!! Tis the season! It will be here before we know it!

And in Came the Mayflower............

Cade's school had their Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast yesterday and it was a hit. Crazy, but a hit! All the kids got to dress up as either an Indian or a Pilgrim. It was really cute.
Here is Midnight Mighty Calf (Cade's chosen Indian name). It was given to him because he was born shortly after midnight and Bobby and I can remember people saying, "Look how big his calves are!" We had the hallway lined with yellow paper and they used that as their table. It was a true feast with turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, greenbeans, rolls and pumpkin pie. Cade discovered yet another dessert that is his favorite.
I love being able to go to the school and help out with all of these things. It is really a lot of fun!

Educating myself a little......

about the country that our daughter will be born in. I'm in the process of learning Spanish in hopes that once we receive our referral (that refers to the child they pick out for us) I will be able to communicate with whomever is caring for her. I have been looking online for information about El Salvador and many of the pictures are soooo beautiful.........then some are just heartbreaking. It's hard to imagine poverty, true poverty, when we live in such a blessed area. I know you don't have to leave our country, or state for that matter, to see poverty but anytime it is placed before you it leaves a mark on your heart. At least it does for me. From the lable on this pic below, it is a pic of a lake called Coatepeque in San Salvador. That is the capital where we will fly into to pick up baby girl whose name I'm not sure if I'm releasing to the press as of yet. :)

We have heard no news of our dossier other than it is there and last word "was being translated". It should really be out of that stage but communication is so incredibly slow..........and our adoption coordinator has been in a conference and on vacation. I'll cut her some slack until the holiday is over...........well, make that Monday. I'll cut her slack until Monday. We all know I'm not that patient. Then she is getting another email!!!!!

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Back to the drawing (or photo) board................

Getting a good Christmas card picture is virtually impossible in our household. I had to bribe the children with ice cream at 9:00 in the morning to get them to perform and I STILL didn't come back in with a card-worthy picture. I am constantly reminding Cade to just do a "normal child smile".........This one is borderline but is alot better than the one he usually does where his nostrils flare and one feels certain that the ligaments in his neck are going to burst from his skin. I'm not sure whom Grant is smiling at........but he's doing a good job of it. This is Rhett's normal camera face. He is screaming "CHEESE" at the top of his lungs. Yet again, not a good look for a card...............

The pose on the slide: also, not a winner. Rhett has lost interest and Cade? too much sunshine? playing peek-a-boo? not sure. Grant is pulling through one more time with a good face. I may have to superimpose his head into another shot. Well, I won't because I'm not that computer smart....but I have a friend who is! Moments later everyone collapses. Check out the static cling in Rhett's hair. I'm surprised Grant's isn't flying everywhere as well. It usually does. Cade could be in a speed boat heading straight for a tornado and his hair wouldn't budge.
This is the last photo. I think this will be the one for the card being that it appropriately depicts my life at home...............a bunch of boys in a pile doing who-knows-what.
I'll make one more attempt at a good shot. Hopefully the next photo session will meet with better luck!

Thank you time change.........

for this. I made the kids their lunch, left the kitchen for MAYBE 3 minutes and when I came back this is what I found. I was glad to have noted that, before Rhett succumbed to the inevitable sleep, that he was coherent enough to form himself a pillow out of a wad of playdoh. Now that's using your noodle!This is going to be me as soon as I get my non-sleeper (Grant) into his bed. Getting up before 6 each morning is getting to me, too!