Christmas let down

Am I the only one that has the "Christmas let-down"?
By that I mean that there is so much anticipation, so much frantic searching and wrapping and cooking and merry making that when the blessed day arrives, one is so tired that one can only remember blurs of paper and faces. I have that sense of moments missed and I wonder "Did everyone have a Merry Christmas?"
I have asked my kids repeatedly if they got what they wanted? The "Sweet-boy" of course got Thomas everything so he is very happy that Santa finally arrived, but I wonder if the "Drama-Queen" was as elated with her gifts? After all the times that she had to sit upon the fat man's lap and espouse her infinite goodness and right to receive all the things that would make her life complete, was she happy that none of them arrived come Christmas Morning?
So I asked her, and in that soon-to-be-ten-year-old-wisdom she told me that if we got everything in life there would be nothing to look forward to. Wow - I was stunned! So I guess that maybe next year she will get that radio controlled dog or horse or that maybe one year she will get a real horse, but in that moment I realized that we all have our dreams and that is what we are working towards.
So in the end it was a good Christmas, filled with family and lots of love and good food and lessons' learned......even from my kids.

Sledding

Every year we go sledding the Saturday

before Christmas.

It was a great day with fresh snow,

blue skies and people that I love the most.

School Gifts

I love the cute little gifts that my kids make for school. I have precious memento's' from the "Drama Queen's" first years in school and this is the "Sweet-Boy's" first year to add to these precious reminders - but can we say something went terribly wrong at school today.

The "Sweet-Boy" has severely sensitive skin, too much heat and he hives out, too much cold and he hives out, too much water, soap, you get the picture.

I wish that I had stock in Benadryl cause we carry it and use it by the case-load.

So there I am volunteering in class and my son comes back from doing his secret present and he is all red, no biggy, but within a minute he is covered with hives and it is spreading down his throat. So I casually tell his teacher that I am taking him and we get the Benadryl magic and head to the Pediatrician, (she is an hour drive from our new location - we made it in 35 minutes) - I wanted her to see this latest flair up. Poor little guy is all splotchy, and groggy from the Benadryl but the prognosis is good.

So after all that, I still cannot wait to see the gift.

Merry Christmas!

I want, I want, I want!

Do you ever notice that this time of year, no matter how old you are, suddenly you get a case of the "I want's". I think that with kids' it is especially annoying and reminds me why I do my shopping late in the evening and alone!

It has always been a struggle to know how much is enough. I know that we should not compare but in the case of gift giving, what really constitutes enough? I was contemplating this question one Christmas and a dear friend of mine clarified it all for me.

"When the son of God was born, the wise men brought gifts, not a multitude of gifts but 3 simple, treasured gifts for the Christ child. Are we any better than our Savior?"

Ever since then I have just given 3 treasured gifts to my children. Sure it makes it hard to know what to do, hard to stop at just 3 presents, but I also hope that in doing this, talking to my kids about the significance of the three gifts to the Christ Child that they will learn humility, gratitude, and the ultimate gift that was given when the babe was born; that Christmas is so much more then "What did you get".

Life Avoidance

Do you ever wake up on Monday and just want to roll over

and go back to sleep?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

That is my week in a nut shell.

Right now I should be studying for my final, but I am Blogging instead.

I am also wondering when this rebellious streak will diminish? I have never really been a procrastinator but in getting more seasoned (yes the fancy way of saying really old) I am becoming more and more of a procrastinator.

Why is that?

Is it because my time is not my own, that others make demands

on me that I DO NOT WANT TO FULFILL!

(YES, I am yelling that constantly in my head)

Is it that my inner child is screaming out for playtime?

Or is it that I am just getting more and more selfish?

Then again is it just me......?

Something to think about

A Different Christmas Poem
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Sscure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, so I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, but I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, and I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, you should be at home <>on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, "I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, that separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December," then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', and now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, but my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, the red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all, to ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, for being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, to stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead, to know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, that we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
PLEASE, Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC,

USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC,

Logistics Cell One

Al Taqqadum , Iraq

Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa-Santa Claus......

So now that I have you singing that song....here we go.

I love Christmas!

I have a picture of my kids with Santa every year. I place them lovingly on the fireplace mantle for all to enjoy. I love looking back on them and remembering those magical Christmas'. Last year "Drama Queen" did not want to sit with Santa, breaking with tradition, also breaking my heart. But that was her choice and my choice was to use my less then stellar artistic ability to place her in the photo. So I colored a body, cut out a school picture head and "walaa" she is in the picture with Santa.As I got the pictures out this year she stated/yelled that "That is the dumbest looking picture EVER!!" So, this year when we went, she was given the choice again - and as you can see, my artistic ability will be keep where it needs to be, locked away from critical eyes and we all get to enjoy seeing my kids with Santa......as they should be.

Merry Christmas!!

Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow........

It is snowing today.

It is the first big snow of the season and we are celebrating. We got the weather report from North that this shall be a bad winter. Yahoo, we like to sled and play in the snow. So as the famous song goes, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow........

My Mid-Life Crisis

I love trucks.

I have had 2 in my life and I think that they are great vehicles.

What is there not to love, you are up high and safe, everyone that has ever hit me in my trucks went under my bumper. They can haul anything and they are so fun to go off-roading in.

I love trucks.

So with all that being said I have a loaner from the dealership while my Explorer is being mended, (new transmission, and other things). The family and I are loving it. I do not think that I ever want the Explorer back.....

Look it even fits in the garage - BARELY!!! But it fits. And "the Man" thought it wouldn't. Now I just have to convince him that it is a want not a need to keep it. I don't think that one is going to happen, we need to get him a car first. Bummer!!!

Gitty up there Horsey......

The kids got to ride ponies at a fundraiser for Make-a-Wish. It was fun to see them on horsey's, of course "Drama Queen" wanted the reins so she could take off. "Sweet-Boy" was done after the first time around. They are so funny and so different.

Ye haaaaa....................

La la la la laaaaaaaa

The "Drama Queen" had her second performance at her school for Veterans' Day. It was a grand celebration of patriotic songs and high emotion. For an Elementary Choir they gave quite a show and filled the auditorium with such sweet music. It was an honor to be among so many veterans that attended and I think that we all felt the great sacrifice and pride that each of these brave men felt in being Veterans for our great nation.

God Bless America.....Land that I love......

Great Kids

I love my kids.

I know that I complain that they rob me of my precious sleep, that they make me worry, that they require more effort then they are worth, sometimes. But, on a crisp autumn day when I see them sharing a tender moment, playing happily and NOT fighting, I realize that it is so worth it and for that brief moment there is peace.

So today I love my kids, in an hour, later tonite and even tomorrow will I?

Well that is a good question, only time will tell.

Wait, I speak too soon, here comes someone screaming, "Mom"!

Oh how I hate that word some days.....

My Dad

November 7th is my Dad's Birthday.

I have been taking a psychology class that is making me think alot about relationships, family and the people in my life that make each day worth living.

I have to say that I owe alot of who I am to my Dad. He is amazing! He taught me so many things that I love to do, things that I am teaching my children to do. He taught me that I can do anything that I set my mind to. He is kind, caring and compassionate to all around him. I remember driving down the freeway and seeing a car on the side of the road. My Dad stopped and helped this stranded motorist, gave them a ride to and from the service station and ensured that they were no longer stranded before we drove off. Having been stranded too many times I am sure that motorist imagined that my Dad was an angel sent from Heaven to rescue them from this predicament, I know he has rescued me many times.

I love my Dad and he is the best Dad ever and that is sure to spark some debate, but he is. I am so glad that he is my Dad and that I get to help him celebrate another year.

So, Happy Birthday Dad - I love you more than you can imagine!

New House

It occured to me that there are many that do not have any idea what we moved into. I know that several of you have been here and alot have heard us talk about the new "digs" but we need to show you a picture.

We replaced the outside lights (yes, I hate myself since I got the same lights that take little candalabra lights and go out every 2 weeks) and we painted the door from white to deep maroon. I also had my potter plants and some annuals that have long since hit the compost pile, but we hope to redo the front yard in the spring. This house has no curb appeal.

So there you go, the new home to the Shiner's.

Where did the weekend go.........?

I hate Mondays!

It is really not the day itself, it is what it stands for, the first day of the week where I have to be responsible and get things together and organized and I am not wanting to do that today. I think that this is the worst week in my life too, Oh my cup run-ith over and how I wish that I was anywhere but here today.....

Did I mention that the kids have the day off from School again. I am beginning to wonder if they ever go to school anymore, so much for traditional school year. Give me year-round anyday.

Also big shout out to my dear friend Nicole. Happy Birthday!!!!

Halloween

I love Halloween!

This year the kids were so different and I broke down and bought the costumes. That was so depressing becasue I usually make them and have them hanging in their closets by September.

It was a bad year.

So the "Drama Queen" was a witch, "the Sweet-boy" was a fireman and "the Man" was Father Flannigan. I dressed up like a Punky-Mom and went to "Sweet-boy"s class party and one of the little girls asked me what I was. I told her I was a punky-mom and she said your a Pokemon? It was rather confusing and you know that you bombed on a costume when you have to explain it, even to Kindergartner.

But it was a good night and the kids made out like crazy, now we have to ration out the candy. Our new neighborhood had 3 spook-alleys and one house even gave out scones. Yum......

Mommy Neglect

It is Tuesday and I have school-work to accomplish.

Since I was unable to get my test taken yesterday I set out this dreary morning to get it accomplished.

After a hearty breakfast of toast and a"burner", I sat the kids down. Here is what is going to happen this morning, blank stares face me, glazed eyes look back at me and when I finish sure that my children are completely aware of what I need for them to do, the "Drama Queen" asks, "So can I turn the movie back on or are you gonna talk some more?".

So I proceeded to take my test and pray that the house remains intact. As I finished and went to check on the status of my kids this is what I found.

Thank goodness for Tinker toys......

Computers

Generally I hate computers but today was especially frustrating.

As many of you know I am taking my classes via the Internet this year, so that I can still be at home when "Sweet-boy" gets home from school. Well,.....I had the day to myself, kids gone all day, (Thank you G&G Mumford), "The Man" gone to work, all day to get all my school work done, write my papers and then slack the rest of the week.

But NO!!!!

SLCC servers' were down and they had no idea when it was going to come back up if ever. Did I mention that I also had a test to take!?

What a wasted day - I hate computers because we are so dependent on them - me especially right now. ARghh!!!!

Pumpkins

We carved our pumpkins last night.

I love to carve pumpkins. I love to see the kids working so hard to draw what they want their pumpkin to look like. I love watching "the man" working to make his orange mound into a master piece. I love the gooey insides and all those seeds. I love when we finally get to place them on the front porch and light them and enjoy all our efforts. I love to hear the ones that I love the most having so much fun just being together.

Friends

I have great Friends!

Friends that I love more than well......my daily "burner."
Friends that I can truly belly-laugh with and get out of my dull drums with.

Tuesday I had the opportunity to spend the day with one of those friends and she helped me to see that life is too short to not just laugh.

So this goes out to all my wonderful friends, you make my life worth living.

Nicole - whom I have known for 10 years and counting, you are my surrogate sister.

Daniele - whom I miss terribly when I am doing a project, who would willingly give up her night to come and paint with me in the dark and laugh over it.

Jennifer - I miss being called a "Fart in the skillet" from you and frankly I am not living up to my name lately, I miss the blunt honesty of you.

Christy - whom I feel I have known forever, the one that can get me laughing through the tears.

Melissa - The nicest person that I know, she has never said a bad thing about anyone and is kind as the day is long.

Liz - for understanding that we are in this life for the struggles and that no matter how her life is going she is always there for me.

A Friend by: Author Unknown

(A)ccepts you as you are

(B)elieves in "you"

(C)alls you just to say "HI"

(D)oesn't give up on you

(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)

(F)orgives your mistakes

(G)ives unconditionally

(H)elps you

(I)nvites you over

(J)ust "be" with you

(K)eeps you close at heart

(L)oves you for who you are

(M)akes a difference in your life

(N)ever Judges

(O)ffer support

(P)icks you up

(Q)uiets your fears

(R)aises your spirits

(S)ays nice things about you

(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it

(U)nderstands you

(V)alues you(

W)alks beside you

(X)-plains thing you don't understand(

Y)ells when you won't listen and(

Z)aps you back to reality

I thank the Lord each and every day for my friends cause without them it really would be a sad experience.

Thursday Afternoon Blahs

I have been spending alot of time looking at others Bloggs and decided that it was time to have one of our own. So here we go...Welcome the fun house.

We are the house where nothing too normal ever happens.

The Drama Queen announced to us last night that she needed to stay home from school because her head was about to explode from over use.

"Honey, I do not think that there has ever been a documented case for that happening but I am sure that you will be the first, call me from school when that happens."

I am always supportive in whatever my kids want to accomplish in life.

As I sit here in my PJ's, yes I realize that it is after 2pm in the afternoon but some things in life need to be done slowly, with true commitment and I just could not commit to an outfit today so I stayed in the one most uncomplimentary and proceeded with my day. But as I sit here I can see my sweet-boy in the sand box, carefully removing the 2 tons of sand that I laboriously shoveled in there for his enjoyment and dumping it onto the grass. I ponder why I went to so much trouble to build the sand box when it is so hard to keep that sand where it needs to be, in the sand box.

I think it is time for a chocolate and "ewww" a shower.