O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Okay, so the title is not original. Since there was no AWANA or small group last night, we headed out to get our Christmas tree! I grew up with the plastic variety and upon marriage was introduced the real thing. I love the search for the perfect tree.

The Kids love the hay ride out to the trees.

The Z Family joined us this year.

I know you needed to see another family picture!

*wink*

And they're OFF!

Nothing beats a game of ring around the rosey!

This is the best part! Mr. C was cracking me up!

He was going to cut the tree while squatting (wouldn't want to get dirty!). He resorts to sitting on the ground. Finally, he shed the coat and was laying on the ground!

I do have video, but I cherish our friendship. *giggle*

Our tree!

I did really good this time. Minus the time spent watching the Z family get theirs, I think I did a record time finding a tree!

A new tradition (how many years do you have to do something before it becomes tradition?) Well, like last year we headed to the butcher shop for some yummy burgers!

My favorite burgers to be exact! *smile*

Happy decorating!

"Today . . .

. . . we light the first candle, the Prophet's candle, pointing to God's promise of Jesus."

That was Little Lion's line for this mornings lighting of the Advent wreath at church. He did AWESOME! I was so proud of him. No stumbling, no stage fright, he spoke loud and clear and slowly.
We were so honored to be asked to participate. Advent was new to me when Daddy Lion and I married, and I have so enjoyed it becoming part of our family tradition. I even learn something new every year!

So as you prepare for the Christmas season, remember it's not just our homes, but our hearts we must prepare!
Just had to share this sweet pic of Little Pumpkin in her dress Lolly made! I got so many compliments ~ Lolly you should open a shop! Thank you for talent and time.

Turkey Day Happenings

Love Turkey Day! It's just fun to get together with family, eat and enjoy company! My feeble attempt to get a family picture turned into a photo session with the kids . . . so here's Tia!She's so photogenic it's just not fair! My kids could take a lesson or two from her. Believe it or not this was the best of the three shots I took ~ I think the parade was more exciting than looking at the camera.

Next we have Lolly and POP!
Yes, Little Pumpkin has something in her mouth. I believe this is the only way to get her still for longer than 3 seconds.

So now for our family . . . first getting the sillies out:
... in hopes of getting a good family shot.

A little blurry, but at least we are all looking at the camera! *wink* This should get easier as they get older . . . right!?!?

After the family pics, it was time for lunch. We had WAY more food than 5 adults and 2 kids should have in a week! There was no room for dessert so we headed out for our Thanksgiving movie. We started this a few years back ~ going to the movies on Thanksgiving day ~ it's actually been really fun. The theater is empty and I'm not worried about the kids disturbing anyone (besides us).

We saw Bolt in 3-D! Don't you love the glasses. It was quite cute, but the shades gave me a bit of headache. Little Lion informed us on the way home, that it was "scary," however he was glued to the screen the entire time.

Little Pumpkin, well she did alright. After a few laps up and down the row she fell asleep on Tia (the last 20 minutes!). So she was DONE by the time we got home . . . nap time!

Truly Thankful

I'm still getting over how quickly Thanksgiving has arrived. We've been working on a grateful attitude with Little Lion and in doing so, it's made me really work on one myself. We have so many blessings to be thankful for I don't even think I could list them all . . . not enough time or even words to express how amazing blessed I am just being a child of God!

But as I think through all the material "things," I realize I am most thankful for my husband! I could survive without a lot of our "things" (I'm not saying I'd be happy without them *wink*), but I'm just not sure I would make it without him. He has blessed my life in so many ways. And continues to so on a daily basis.

I'm not one to be sappy, so grin and bear this! This Thanksgiving, I am truly thankful for Daddy Lion! *XOXOXO*

How not to catch a 2 year old . . .

For some crazy reason, well . . . it was quite logical at the time, but it will take too much time for me to explain the train of thought . . . I did a "Princess Leia" hairstyle on Little Pumpkin yesterday. Knowing it would not last the day much less the hour, I decided to take a picture. This is the response I got:




Notice the backdrop we have now changed locations . . .

Maybe a book will distract . . . at least she's still, but stubborn ~ no eye contact.

Finally, a true smile! I kind of gave up on the attempt to get a smile and hair shot! *wink*

Girl time!

After church we headed to Lolly and Pop's house for lunch. Some nice warm homemade chili, perfect after a cold morning. Little Pumpkin and Pop napped while the rest of us played a vibrant game of CLUE! Love that game . . . Well, with they guys gone (Little Lion to nap, Daddy Lion to play on the computer), it was girl time.

Lolly bought these fun nail tools for stamping on your nails. If you know Lolly you know she loves painted nails! In the middle of doing my nails, Little Pumpkin woke up . . .
I had my hands out flat letting them dry and the next thing I know Little Pumpkin is sitting beside me with her sweet little hand flat on the table, waiting her turn!

Love making these memories . . . I know Little Pumpkin will always remember Lolly painting her nails! That just warms my heart.

The finished products.

I just love this picture . . . She looks so innocent and sweet. Yet notice both Lolly and I having to hold her hand down to finish! *wink*

Starting early!

Okay, so if you are a child of the eighties you'll understand this post! You remember sponge rollers!?! As do I. Mostly good, but oh so not fun to sleep in! Well, I decided last weekend, on a whim, to see what Little Pumpkin would do.

She stood so still (Still is relative and for her it was still). I got it all up and she kept them in throughout dinner and even most the night. I think we lost four during the night. But I don't think she pulled them out. Just casualties of a combination of a restless sleeper and fine hair!




I didn't manage to get a pic of her after it was fixed for church. (I was doing good to get them all out in time for church!) But you can see the initial look after removing them:


I did tame it a bit, but it was so cute! So how many rollers do you think we had in there?
What's the most you've had in your hair?

One for the girlfriend . . .

Yesterday we had a Thanksgiving Feast at Little Lion's pre-school. The kids all sing a few songs, share their memory verse and we have a huge lunch. The school is so gracious to provide the meat, dressing and rolls! The parents/guests all bring a side dish.

I had my camera out during their singing and unfortunately never got it out again! OOPS. Anyway, here are some shots from the program:


I'm not sure why I'm still amazed how he stands so much taller than all his buddies! He is still just my Little Lion.

Okay, I'm so bummed that the video I thought I had taken evidently was not actually recording, but enjoy the show:

So, he may get his coordination from his mommy, but at least he gets his voice from his daddy! *wink* The phantom video was of him taking out the kids next to him with his "waves of mercy, waves of grace"! We won't rush out to sign up for those drama classes just yet. *smile*

Don't you wish you were a teacher . . .

Or at least Little Lion's teacher! *wink*
Remember Lolly's luscious pound cake recipe I was talking about?!? Here it is!


Hope your mouth is watering . . .

Just like a man . . .

Okay, you know Little Lion . . . his tender heart, loving spirit, cheerful child-like innocence . . .
Sometimes, I swell with pride as I imagine what kind of husband he will be . . . then my ego is burst!

School mornings are a little more rushed than most, but we have a system that seems to work for us. Little Lion is given five "chores" to accomplish while I fix breakfast. Simple: make your bed, get dressed, put your jammies in the dirty clothes, brush your teeth . . . okay that's only four . . . but he counts taking off his jammies as one also . . . don't know where he gets that from.

Anyway, I'm fixing breakfast this morning and Little Lion meets me in the the doorway as asks: "Mommy, are you coming home after you drop me off?" (A logical question, sometimes Little Pumpkin and I do some errands or have MOPS.)

Me: "No, not today."

LL: "Well, you should, because my laundry basket is full." (leaves room)

Me shocked and a bit humbled and tickled as I realize some characteristics are just natural guess! *wink*

I've been TAGGED!

So this is what I get for posting before reading every one's blog! I've been tagged in this blogging game. When you are tagged, you are supposed to retrieve the fourth picture from the fourth album on your computer. So, here you go . . .

This is Little Lion in Jan 2005 checking out our new washer/dryer! I love the little tip toes trying to see.

Here's today just to give you a little perspective! *smile*

Can't wait to see the pics and the stories behind them! So, I tag Cheryl, Michelle, Alicia, Brandi, Josie, Rebecca, Charity, and Aimee.

Say, Say Ol' Playmate . . .

I mentioned that while Daddy Lion was gone last week, God was good to give us dinner pals! One night we went to Magnum's house since Doc had an evening shift. Made the evening go faster and a little easier working together to get the kids feed and bathed! Plus filled the longing for adult conversation.

How sweet is that!?!

They were really hamming it up for us!

Finally true, blue smiles! Wait . . . do you see that?!?

Yes, you are reading this right! The catch is, Alligator put the sticker on Little Lion after asking me what it said! When I finally noticed it, Magnum and I were just about on the floor laughing! I guess better to get whipped now than later! *wink*

Bath time fun! Little Pumpkin is always eager to help!

Pajama Party!!!

Thanks again Magnum for a fun evening . . . made it go by so much faster than being at home alone! I'm sure the kids enjoyed themselves too! *smile*

Home at last!

As you've noticed my blogging has been pretty sparse this week . . . I've been single parenting it since Monday! Just a little leery of publicly posting that I'm home alone with my kids . . .
But now that Daddy Lion is home, all is good! We celebrated with a trip to DQ . . . too bad Daddy Lion is "watching his girlish figure"! That pumpkin pie blizzard was amazing! *grin*

God was so good to us! I can be a bit of a scared-y cat when all alone, but not once did I get spooked. And each night except one we shared meals with friends! Thank you to all of you who took us in! *wink*

Off to cuddle . . .

I'm a Good Egg Man

As with any good family get together, we had lots of goodies last weekend! You would have thought it was the holidays. Every time we are all together my mom's pound cake is requested! And if you've ever had my mom's pound cake you know why! In fact, I remember when my cousin was stationed well, I don' t know where exactly, but during Dessert Storm, he requested a pound cake from my mom! And she sent him one!!!

Wow, that was a rabbit trail. So on Saturday evening, mom starts to make her infamous pound cake. I'm not sure what perked his ears, but Little Lion came walking into the kitchen and said: "I'm a good egg man!" My reply: "Oh, you are?!?"


Sure enough, he is! He did better than I do! SO much like his Daddy!
And in this house that's a very good thing! *wink*



He very carefully cracked 6 eggs and dumped them into the mix! Little Pumpkin got in on the action too. (those pics turned out way too blurry) I loved sitting there watching them be mesmerized by the whole process. Their eagerness to help and learn. I so remember standing in a chair at my Nanny's counter as she made my favorite cherry pie! I pray that this too will be sweet memories for them!

Mmmm..... pound cake, too bad it was ALL gone by Wednesday! Good thing Thanksgiving is just around the corner! *grin*

Weekend Review

Yes, I realize it's midweek already! However, my last three days were trying to get the video to download for the previous post! SO . . .

The craziness began Friday! When Daddy Lion arrived home from work there were already two guys waiting for him: our small group guys were going camping! Something to do with male-bonding or such . . . *wink* Since the guys were gone, what better reason for us girls to get together with the kids to help the time go by.

It always amazes me how the numbers start to add up! You think that's only 6 men camping. No big deal. That's only 6 women for pizza. No big deal. BUT that's 14 kids in one house! That's CRAZY!!! Really, it was fun. Thankfully the rain had not yet begun, so they spent the majority of the night outside; even after dark! *smile*

Saturday am the kids and I made it to Wal-mart and back for last minute b-day gift and shower supplies. Remember all those ladybugs??? Yes it all happened this weekend!
Daddy Lion arrive home about 10:30, unloaded, jumped in the shower and I was out the door by 11am. He headed out shortly after for the b-day party Little Lion was invited to.

After picking up the cupcakes (too cute I might add), the cookies, an extra little something for Baby Claire . . . I realized I had left the keys to the church at home! AAAhhh! 25 minutes home for keys and 25 minutes back to the church! Thankfully I had plenty of time!

Myself and the mastermind behind the Ladybug invites!

The beautiful guest of honor ~ "Auntie"! The cupcakes were each iced with green grass and a ladybug, with 6 spelling out Claire! *grin* Love it when things come together! Many thanks to Rebecca for all the ladybug decor! It was a fun time and Baby Claire will be one well dressed infant! *smile*

We spent the rest of Saturday hanging with the family at Lolly and Pop's house. Games, food, games, and more food . . . isn't that what it's all about!?! *wink*

Sunday was packed just as full! After four hours of church, Daddy Lion and the kids headed home while I stayed to help with yet another baby shower! And there are more to come . . . I believe it's an epidemic, so I'm not drinking the water!!! Anyway, I was in charge of games at this one (way less work) and they went AMAZINGLY well! Next AWANA cubbies, this time I got to chill with Mer!. I think Little Lion and I finally arrived home by 8pm! What a day!

WHAT A WEEKEND!!! And that was the condensed version! *wink*

Look what we did Grandma!

Warning long video that only a grandma would want to watch! I love this video of my kids "working" together. I know it may be hard for you to pick up, but if you listen carefully you can hear Little Pumpkin say "Help, please". And Little Lion's sweet response!

They were working on their sticker books/ page. Little Pumpkin doesn't really have a book yet, plus she doesn't leave her stickers where she puts them to justify getting her one just yet! Grandma Lion sent them some super fun stickers for Halloween. They "build" their own silly creature. Funny eyes, antennas, arms, silly feet, mouths, noses, etc.

They have sure loved these stickers! Here is the final creations from this particular night . . . there have been many!

Thank you again Grandma Lion!

I hope you all enjoyed this post! It only took me 3 days to get it to work!!! ARRGGHHH!

changes

I've been commenting to my friends "up north", how I'm jealous of their beautiful fall colors and leaves. Yesterday morning, Little Lion was at the breakfast table and said "Mommy, the tree is pretty now!" And sure enough, it's like it happened over night.


We may be 80 degrees today, but fall is finally on it's way! *wink*

The title is also fitting for the day after elections. . . change is coming. I haven't been (and will probably never be) hugely political. I do vote and I vote my values, but most importantly, I trust in the sovereignty of my GOD! He is still in control no matter who is president. So there you have my political two cents. *smile*

Also, I changed my blog! What do you think? I'm not completely sold on the header . . . still SLOWLY learning Photoshop.

Enjoy the changes where you are and "pray without ceasing" 1 Thess. 5:17.

Growing Pains

No, it's not the children complaining about growing pains . . . It's ME! Well, I'm not actually complaining, I'm ready for this; it just doesn't seem like it's already time for it!

I've shared that our great friends, the Z family, have joined the neighborhood. They are (stay with me here) right behind us and down an empty lot. So, the kids cut through the back yard across a little bit of the back neighbor's yard, hike through the empty lot (that seldom gets mowed) and arrive at the property line of our friends. We've done this quite a few times as a family and Little Lion has made it home from there just fine alone.

Yesterday, after getting home from our Operation Christmas Child shopping, I suggested that Little Lion go see if M could play. Much to my surprise, he asked if Little Pumpkin could go with him! I guess if you stay with her . . .


My little ones venturing out on their own! WOW, that was a feeling I don't remember having before. Not sad, not scared, just surprised I guess; they are growing up! I think sometimes when we as moms are with them all day, everyday, we miss the gradual growth. Then one day it just amazes you like never before.

Just another glimpse of Little Lion melting his Mommy Lion's heart again! I'm praying for that special Little Girl out there ~ she is just not ever going to be able to understand how much love that Little Lion will have for her! Much like my feeble grasp of the abundant love Daddy Lion has for me ~ Little Lion is learning from the best!

Actually Overheard...

This morning at my polling place, Gum Springs Church, deep in the heart of Texas.

Cast: Woman, Election Volunteer, 60 plus years, wearing sandals, gray hair still fresh from bed, a thin grey t-shirt - inside out, white shorts of some expandable material, coke bottle glasses, name - Irene. Primary job - running the laptop computer to determine if people have 'Early Voted' or not.

"This computer is tellin' me somethin - "

(Reading) "battery power is low, please save your work and swith to an auxilllry powr source t ensr tt dta i nt lss (trailing off into a befuddled whisper)

What's this mean? (yelling to 75 year old gentleman who's "runnin' the show")

- Silence, not sure if he didn't hear or didn't have any answer

Young Lady Registrar: Is it plugged in?

Irene: Of course it's plugged in, right over there. (Fumbles with cords)

Irene: What's that one guys number? He hung up on me last time. I'm a gonna call him.

Computer shuts down -

Irene: Well it's gone now, no use in buggin' him. I always knew these computers were no good. You can't trust em' all the viruses and stuff goin' round today. Somethin's always gonna break, (indistinct ramblings from a woman who can't plug the power cord into the back of a laptop.)

Me (first in line standing at door since 6:30 am): Where should I put this? (my completed ballot)

75 year old gentleman: Points silently to a computer scanner in the corner of the room.

Ever vote counts - Deep in the heart of Texas

Lamb Chops Anyone?!?

So, if you saw us last night, our enthusiastic chef probably thrust a menu in front of your face as he politely asked "Would you like to check out my menu?" I don't know that he really, fully understood, but then again, neither did 75% of the adults! *wink*

Here is our Chef with his menu . . . His specialty you ask?!? Why, LAMB of course! *grin*


Trick-or-treating at Lolly's house is great . . . I'm sure they both got a handful of tootsie pops!

I love this picture of the two of them. They are just itching to get across the street to trick-or-treat. The people were setting up there chairs and tables outside . . . very common around here for neighborhoods to do that. It's very inviting and not so scary to have to knock on a door . . . Plus when it's 75 degrees outside, why not!?!


After the the two houses, we headed to the church for their fall festival ~ FARM FAIR. Here are the kids in the pool of balls . . . I think it was suppose to be a buried treasure of sorts, but unmanned, it became a just another ball pit. Notice the mustache did not last long! *smile*


Little Lion loved the clown act! I wish I had the video going ~ it was a full blown belly laugh! Just love that kind of laugh! Here he is mesmerized by their tricks!

Hope you all had a safe and super fun Halloween!