Expect The Unexpected

This post has no real direction but just how unexpected life is at times. A few weeks ago a dear friend had borrowed a shirt of Hallie's. Hallie was wearing the same shirt to school the following day so I called & Tim stopped by to pick it up. Unfortunately this dear family was under the weather and just hung it outside. I'm washing clothes & grab the sack with the shirt. I notice what I think is yellow tissue paper and think well how sweet but she didn't have to wrap it just to send it back. Then I unwrap it to find pee & poop!! I always love to use pictures to demonstrate my stories but I think you can use your imagination ;-) Talk about the unexpected!
After I screamed I started to laugh hysterically. You see it was pouring rain and since they were sick; they couldn't make the trip to throw the puppy's pad in the trash can so they hung it outside. Poor Tim unknowingly grabbed the wrong bag!
Now if that was not enough of a shock the next day as I come home for lunch; I walk in the kitchen and let out a blood curdling scream because I see this on my kitchen ceiling....

 

Yes it's a tongue! A fake one of course but still!

Hallie had won a set of slimy creepy parts and decided it would be fun to throw this one on the ceiling before she left for school.  Wasn't that sweet of her?! It's probably always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected but as a parent it's a requirement!

Final score Spanx-1 Me-0

After having 2 kids and a c-section I am blessed with a wonderful (insert sarcasm) belly. I have been all different sizes in my life but I have never had this "lovely" belly until after my 2 pregnancies. It won't go away with exercise, weight loss, nothing! I know after being blessed with 2 beautiful healthy children it's a SMALL price to pay but being a woman it still bothers me.
This brings me to my latest adventure, I was dressing the other morning and just didn't like the way I looked in my skirt. I'm tearing through my dresser hunting hose which I hope may help when I run across a little deceiver called Spanx.

The Deceiver!

 My wonderful mother gave these to me years ago. She lives under the rule one for her-one for me although she has never needed one! Anyway I have never worn them but thought why not? I looked at it and it didn't look like much; it was soft & stretchy.  I didn't think it would hold anything in place. Oh how looks can be deceiving! Ten minutes later after I have rolled around on my floor like a fat contortionist I have this little jewel on. I looked like this...

It was not worth it, off they went and I felt like I should break into a chorus of "Born to be free" :-) I was traumatized! I thought, I know they sell millions of these and some women live in them; what is wrong with me? I didn't have the package and there was just a letter as sizing,  a letter A. I checked the internet to see that size A maximum weight range for my height is 120 lbs! OH MY GOSH no wonder I felt like a human sausage link!!

I can do that!

I am not usually the type that looks at something and says "I can do that." I am usually the intimidated one that thinks I could never do that; but maybe there is a first time for everything. While I was surfing the net a few nights ago I ran across monogrammed polka dot ornaments and thought hmmm... ornament, paint pen- I can do that! To my surprise I found I could do that but once I started I couldn't stop-it was addictive!

Here is about half that I have done so far

 Pink with white polka dots

Pink with red polka dots

White with pink polka dots

White with red polka dots

A pink one for a precious friend!

An Alabama one for the guys (the only red ornament I had was crackled which is why the paint looks like it does)

This is Hallie's that she did all by herself! Didn't she do a great job!

Ok somebody stop me! No really they are a lot of fun and I already have so many more ideas in mind. If you like them, give it a try-I promise if I can do it anyone can :-)

Happy Birthday Jesus

Luke 2:1-20

 ¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
 ²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
 ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
 ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
 ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
 ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
 ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
 ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
 ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
 ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
 ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
 ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
 ¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
 ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
 ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
 ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
 ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
 ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
.

Christmas Memories & Santa Cheers, Tears

I am so behind on posts I have 10 started and not finished. Since Christmas is tomorrow I thought I had better post some past Christmas pictures before I take a bunch more and end up further behind! These are just a few Christmas & Santa pics. I hate I can't show my early ones of Hunter, wish my scanner was working!

You can't help but love the excitement and wonder of a child at Christmas. Tonight Hallie is already driving us crazy wanting the night to go by and it's only 6:00. She has been worried about Santa out in this yucky weather but we told her he lives at the North Pole so he is used to it. We plan on looking at Christmas lights to pass the time and calm her down ;-) Hunter on the other hand isn't worried about Santa but is worried that his behavior may affect his gifts! He has really tried to be good these last few days!

This was Hallie's first Santa pic I love it because she is looking at him like "Who is this man?" Hunter bless his heart kept that perfect smile pasted on like she's not ruining my chances!

Hallie has figured out who Santa is obviously!

Hunter making sure Santa got his list and look at how brave Hallie is with her Dad holding her of course!

Since Santa can't be everywhere at once this was a special Santa helper who happened to be someone we knew so the kids were relaxed as could be.

"Who is this?" Why it's sweet Cooper of course!

Hunter with his arm around Hallie trying to score a few last minute brownie points before Christmas ;-)

 

Oh the Christmas outfits this child has had to endure I think next year I will do a post just on those!

Look at that pose...poor child has grew up with me begging & (bribing) for pics!

Precious girls Hallie Bug & Claudi Bug

Daddy's girl 2005

Christmas Card 2004

Christmas Card 2005

Christmas Card 2006

Christmas Card 2007

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Check Yes, No, Kinda

Hallie's precious teacher Mrs. Johns let the elves visit school the last week before Christmas break. Hallie was so excited to take Greer to school to visit her elf friends she hasn't seen since the North Pole!
Of course you know those mischievous little elves caused all kind of havoc while the children were gone to lunch. Hallie tells me items were moved and strewn across the room. However, the most exciting discovery was Greer and Broderick (Hallie's friend Logan's elf) were sitting next to each other when they returned.

Hallie & Logan proud guardians of Greer & Broderick :)

Hallie and Logan discussed what this new occurrence could mean. Do Greer & Broderick like each other? Hallie comes home and ponders this for most of the night and decides to take the honest approach and leave Greer a note for her to answer when she comes to life that night.

  

Hallie never asks for help with these letters and we never know where she will leave them but it is always a treat when her Dad and I discover them. I think our favorite part of this one was the yes, no or kinda.  I guess things have changed from when we were in school and it was check yes, no or maybe :) The story continues we all went to bed and the next morning this is what we found

I guess Greer does indeed like Broderick. The letter has now been given to Logan for him to ask Broderick if he feels the same about Greer. I just hope Broderick returns the sentiment because I sure would hate to have a heartbroken elf at Christmas. As you know from an earlier letter to Santa; Greer will return to the North Pole on Christmas night.  Maybe she and Broderick can continue their courtship there-under the watchful eye of Santa of course!

Roadkill??

My last 2 posts have been serious so I thought it was time for a lighter one....I have a confession my name is Kelly & I love faux fur! I don't believe in reincarnation but if I did I think I was a member of the animal kingdom in a previous life. Faux fur is so "in" this year you see it everywhere but I liked it when it wasn't cool. I have I'm guessing 15 or so vests and coats with some type fur on them. My collection started years ago and I can't seem to part with any of them. I seriously think I might need a fur intervention :-)
So after saying all of that it only comes naturally that while shopping last week guess what caught my eye; a faux fur coat. Number one it was fur but more importantly it was 50 percent off! Two of my favorite things- fur and a sale!! Now this was not just any type fur it was shaggy and different, my favorite type. I don't care for the kind that looks like it should be insured I like them different and slightly funky. I mean I own a pink and lime green fur vest for heavens sake! Well this coat was definitely different & seemed to be calling my name so I just had to try it on.
 I'm looking in the mirror preening from side to side- you know the pose-one foot in front of the other with the model stance :) and what do I hear??? An overly loud sales clerk telling another customer "Boy that looks like a dead rabbit!" Now you think this would deter me-right? Nope not me, I now am the happy (I think) owner of a coat that looks like the descendant of Sasquatch and I'm debating if I should wear safety orange when I wear it :-)

Sasquatch?

So dear friends if you see me shopping and I'm near fur of any kind just  take me by the hand and say   "STEP AWAY FROM THE FUR!!"

"Be still and know that I am God"

Do life's troubles have you down?

Never take the time to smell the flowers?

For months I have had trouble sleeping it seems that no matter how tired I am when my head touches the pillow all my worries start rushing through my mind and I just can't go to sleep. I have been so frustrated by this not to mention exhausted!
As I lay there the other night with my mind racing from one problem to the next, I thought why can't my mind just take a break and give me some peace. It was then that this verse came to mind,  Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God" I get so caught up in what can I do, what can I say, what can I, I, I.......when I should slow down, turn it over to him and most of all trust him. Oh how I do love this scripture

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God"

This too shall pass

 

 As I was looking at past Christmas pictures I ran across these pictures of Hallie and had to laugh. These pictures were taken 3 minutes apart! Hallie went from looking like it was the end of the world to happy in 3 minutes! I thought how wonderful it would be as an adult to forget your troubles in a few minutes. These pictures remind me of the quote "This too shall pass" This is true in so many situations that we may all be going through.  If we could just take a moment and look at problems of the past that we thought were insurmountable and now are just a memory. I am definitely preaching to the choir here because I am often guilty of letting circumstances overwhelm me. I am trying to do better and say to myself  "Just breathe because because this too shall pass"

Goodbye Fall... Hello Winter

When Tim & I were newly married I decorated for each season and holiday. I set our dining table with different dishes and centerpieces for every occasion. I had a huge grapevine tree I decorated with ornaments from Valentines to Christmas and every occasion in between. I cross stitched seasonal samplers to hang above our mantle. Are you getting my drift-I went all out and loved it. Then the real world hit, a little boy and girl and who has the time!
I barely get my Christmas tree up some years and I simply can't believe Thanksgiving has come and gone. It makes me sad that I am in such a hurry that some of life's simpler pleasures are passing me by. Although Spring is my favorite season weather wise I have always loved everything associated with Fall. I love the oranges and yellows of the leaves as they change. I love pumpkins, scarecrows, country fairs, flowerpots full of mums, football games, just all things Fall!  I wanted to share some of my favorite Fall pics as this season comes to an end and we welcome Winter.
Of course as usual, all the pics are of Hunter & Hallie! If you wonder why I don't have any pictures of Hunter when he was smaller, we didn't go digital until after Hallie was a baby.  It makes me sad because I have thousands of printed pictures of Hunter when he was smaller but they aren't as easily accessible.  Although I do miss lots of things from the "old days" I do love modern technology!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although Winter doesn't officially begin until December 21st once the Christmas decorations are up and the temperatures dip in the 20's it's Winter to me! So goodbye Fall and hello Winter!

I know this post may seem out of order but true to the mention of time passing by I started this post the day after Thanksgiving and finished it today! I have now started a post of Christmas pictures let's just hope I finish it before Valentines ;-)