The name.

My niece has a name.
Her mommy finally decided on Ava Paziana O____.
I think it is beautiful and I positively cannot wait to meet her!

The day has come.

One of my co-workers pointed out a way too long, blonde hair on my cheek today.
A whisker. Yes, La. A whisker.
Only it wasn't whisker-y at all. It was really fine and soft and long - virtually undetectable - except that it wasn't undetectable... Someone saw it.
So now you know.
I had a cheek whisker. Or was it peach fuzz?
Either way, I have learned that someone at work loves me enough to spare me the embarrassment of schlepping a whisker around.

Gripe session.

My sense of humor is without taste or direction tonight. You should leave this post knowing little more than you arrived with.

• Do I have stinky armpits?
• Why does everyone feel it's necessary to move hours, or even states, away from here? Oh you know who you are... *wink*
• Do you have any deodorant suggestions?
• I am 28 years old. I have acne. Honestly. What. is. up?
• I will not even kinda see the Cowboys play tomorrow night, we are not getting the NFL season ticket package on Satellite because IT IS OVERPRICED!
• My baby-est baby will be 3 years old on Friday. I can't even think about it. Such a hard thing, to let them grow up. Not to mention how much more unacceptable my 'baby weight' has become...
• Why have I not thrown all those pre-baby jeans away? Oh - you all have them - Don't act like you don't... :)
• I would like to officially complain about the fact that in all of history, NO ONE has ever come up with a way to feed me egg nog intravenously.
• Let's combine the last three bullet points and begin referring to my unlost 'baby weight' as egg nog weight.
• I have refused to do any Christmas shopping until about a week and a half before Christmas. My theory: It will save us money. I'll let you know how that pans out.
• I have recently come to the realization that this blogging network comprises roughly ALL of my social life. What did I do without you?
• I need a playdate. With or without children. Gwen, meems, somebody- have mercy on me. Come over already. Yeah, like you want the phantom plague we've been passing around...
• Is my phone finally working?
• Oh and please, please put the Christmas Tree thingy on your blog so I can return to you the joy that has been mine!

My Christmas Tree.

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It's one stop shopping! You can give generously - it's free!! :)

It's a Girl!

I am proud to tell you that today I became the proud new owner of a niece!
My sister-in-law, Nikki, had a little girl by Cesarean this morning!
She weighed in at 8 lbs. 7 oz. - we like 'em big in our family!
She was over a week early!

Momma hasn't yet zeroed in on a name for her - but I am sure it will be something very unique!! I can't wait to find out what it is - she asked me for help finding a name for her on Thanksgiving.

I was supposed to travel to Abilene today to meet her and visit her mommy after the delivery - but instead I had to stay home from work with Avery. She was up a majority of the night with a very high fever. The kind that the thermometer practically screams, "Take this baby to the doctor NOW!!"
The weirdest thing about it was that there really were no other symptoms besides a big kahuna headache and high fever.
She just whimpered and shook for hours.

So I decided not to go infect my precious new NIECE with our goopy germs.
I already know I love her - she is a very special little girl!
Please keep mommy and baby in your prayers.

Hilarious layout!!

At first glance this layout was kinda sweet to me.
Ahhhh... Wishing on a star...

Upon further inspection, I saw the giant bunny/mouse/snow creature with beady red eyes ready to pounce on its unsuspecting victim.

HILARIOUS!!

Santa Conversation - Part 2.

I never have been able to feel completely ok with telling your kids there IS a Santa Claus. I try instead to focus on the Jesus -HELLO - aspect of Christmas.
But J. is in preschool and even at a Christian preschool, Santa talk is inevitable.

So we had another discussion about Jesus's Birthday being Christmas and thus, the reason we celebrate Christmas.
J. asked about what the Bible said about Santa.

I again told him that Santa is NOT in the Bible.

He asked, "Why?"

I thought I would take the easy road and say, "Well, because Santa isn't holy."

J's response, "Then why does he say, 'Ho Ho Ho!'"

I give up!!

Long-winded.

All my recent posts seem like a commitment to a book series.

"Does that post come in hardback?"

Yeah - so here's a short one for all you comic strip lovers out there.
(Without the comic.)


;-}

To a dear friend on a difficult day.

I had nine days off.
Most of them were hard.
I am not complaining. Not at all. What could be better than hanging out all day with your two sweethearts?
I just forgot how difficult it is to keep 2 pre-schoolers entertained.

There is so much to be said for the structure that pre-school has added to our lives. When I was a full-time stay-at-home mom - we literally stayed in our pj's almost all day! Now it's get up, get ready, and go! Go! GO!

This morning, I was enveloped with feelings of dread. I was not really ready to give up on the idea of a whole week off. I honestly thought about not going back. (Plus we're a bit sick so it was almost permissible.)
I started to feel sorry for myself.
I decided to pull up some blogs.
And there it was - my big fat kick in the pants.

It came in the form of a post written by a new momma who is facing going back to work full time. Today.
I was ashamed of myself for being so whiny.
I only have to work about 25 hours a week, MAYBE 30.
If ever I get lonesome for my babies, I can pop in their classrooms and hug them - or just peek in from the doorway and watch while they are unaware.
There are people I know and really love that are going through things that are far more difficult and painful than me.

I have had her in my prayers all day long.
And staying in that atmosphere of prayer for someone else seemed to make my day go by more quickly.
I guess when you pull your head out of your plunger-shaped navel for long enough, you really can't help but feel better.
So J. your heart has ached an ache that only mothers know. My heart ached for you today.
And your candor in thoughts, although heart-wrenching to read, showed your great love for your family.

I hope the boys did wonderfully today.
And I hope your day went by as smoothly as could be expected.
Much love to you, my friend - you are a true hero.

A couple of firsts...

Today the kids and I, (along with Uncle boogeda and his girlfriend for a little while)
enjoyed our very first fire in our fireplace!!
We set it all up and kept it going for hours!
I know that's not a big deal for everyone - but for me it was cool. It was my very first grown up fire in the fireplace. All the others were always set by my mom or dad at their house.
The kids hadn't ever been around a fire before. They were very attentive for the most part when asked to back away or be careful.

Another first today for the kiddos was they got to taste s'mores. I guess you never forget the cute little faces your kids make when they taste something wonderful for the first time.
They were also amazed that you could put chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers together and make a 'sandwich' that tasted so good.
They were very cute with their chocolate-covered everything!
As we roasted the marshmallows, J. kept saying, "Mom, I don't burn them like you do. I'm a professional marshmallow toaster."

The kids got to decorate their tree. We call it the fun tree. It is so fun!
I even broke down and let them have the... hold back your applause and laughter... fiber optic tree they kept beggin for. They were so impressed by its beauty when I plugged it in, I think A. sucked all the air out of the room and said, "Oh! It's Beautiful!"

I also made chili for the first time all by myself. It was edible. Only just.

I got to go to Hobby Lobby for a little Mommy Rehab when Chris got home from work.
I guess I feel so frivolous buying things like ornaments - but I did it anyway. My tree was still kinda bare. And the ornaments were 50% off.
I spent my entire $50 Christmas decorating budget on ornaments.
They really are beautiful though, frivolous or not.