Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree!

Christmas is my most favorite time of year. I have always been that way. I love the music, Christmas musicals, the decorations. I just love how the atmosphere completely changes at Christmas time. I usually have my tree up a week before Thanksgiving, and my house decorated top to bottom in matching decor. Since having kids, and such a small space, I've scaled back on the decorations. So much that all I really put out is the tree and stockings! Brandon gets a little aggravated because I always want a "pretty" tree. That means all white lights, the ornaments match the living room, and are hung perfectly. No "fun" ornaments as he calls them. Well last year on a trip to Wal-Mart, I found the perfect balance to make us both happy. They were the unbreakable and kinda retro looking. They were so cute! So we got them before Christmas and were able to use them on our full sized tree.

Something just wasn't quite right with it though. So this year I decided to use the same ornaments, but with our skinny tree. Brandon wasn't very happy at first. He says a skinny tree just isn't the same as a big fat tree. And I politely told him, that when he started spending the 3 hours it takes to put up and take down the fat tree.. we would go back to using it. But until then we're using the skinny one that takes a half hour! And so he agreed!

The boys had a blast helping to put up the tree. Lincoln (the older of the twins) definately let his "first born" nature come out. He turned into Martha Stewart! It was so cute. He saw me moving around branches, and so he started to move them around, would take a step back and look at it, and then go back into to move more around! Greyson, had no clue what was going on, so he just stared at the tree, and Daniel played with the ornaments until it was time to put them up. The ornaments are candycane spirals, big poofy balls in four different colors, and normal round ornaments with regular candy canes mixed in. Since this would be the first year that the boys kinda understood what was going on, I let them do most of the decorating. And I didn't move the clusters of ornaments until 2 days later! That's right.. they hung every single ornament on about 5 branches at the bottom of the tree... and I didn't let it bother me! I was so proud of the boys and of myself.

Now, I will admitt that as they hung the ornaments, I did try to move them into a normal arrangement, but they wouldn't have any of it. They had so much fun, and so did Brandon and I. Every morning they would run out of their room and race to see who got to turn on the "ho ho tree" first. I was kinda sad to have to take the tree down. I didn't want them to get upset about it. Seriously, they loved the Christmas tree that much. But we told them that it was at the "ho ho guy's" house, and would come back next year. I seriously doubt that they understood, but it kept them from getting upset!

Thanksgiving 2009

This year was a first for Brandon and I. Since we(mainly the boys and I) had been traveling so much, we decided to stay in St Louis for Thanksgiving this year. In 4 years of marriage, this is only the second holiday we've ever spent alone. Since our families live 3 hours away from each other, we rotate every holiday. This year was Brandon's parents turn for Turkey day and my families turn for Christmas. With Brandon's sister living so far away,her husband deploying in March, and his neice turning 1 two days before Thanksgiving, they headed to Alaska on Thanksgiving Day. So we had the whole house to ourselves for a week! At first I was kinda bummed about not being around family. But as the day approached, I became more excited.

I didn't have to wake up early to cook. We weren't in a rush! Brandon got up and drove his parent's to the airport, and I made the boys Monkey bread. Like I said.. no rush!
We were able to start a new tradition. In the last few minutes before lunch was ready we had the boys trace their hands, and color their "turkey"! They had a blast and Brandon and I got in on the action too. I decided that next year we'd do it a little earlier, so I could put contact paper on them and make Thanksgiving Placemats.

This year has been a rough one for us.... not 3 kids in one year rough, but a difficult one to say the least. Having time to ourselves, was much needed, and helped B and I to remember what we are so thankful for. There was a down side to doing Thanksgiving alone though... I didn't get to go Black Friday shopping. I have gone every year.. for as long as I can remember. Last year we were in Louisiana for Thanksgiving, and I still managed to hit a WalMart in the afternoon. Even since moving to STL, I have drug Brandon's mom out. And I am not any sort of morning person! So I didn't even tempt myself with the paper. No sales ads.. no computer shopping , Nothing. ( I Can't wait til Black friday next year.)

This was our delicious feast. It didn't matter that there were only 2 adults eating.. I still made everything! Turkey, 3 casseroles, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and of course my mama's sweet tea! And 2 desserts!

Going to the Chapel...

So 34 hours after I got home from Ozark, I barely had time to unpack before boarding a plane to San Antonio, Texas. This trip was a very special trip for many reasons... 1)It was the furthest and longest time I had ever been away from the boys, 2) It was the first time I've ever traveled by plane by myself, 3) I was going to San Antonio for the first time ever! 4) One of my dearest friends, Amber was getting married! I have many embarrassing pictures of Amber and myself.. but non are on my computer so unfortunately I can't post any!

Amber and I have known each other since 1993. She was one of the first friends I made when we moved to Ozark. We went to school and church together, so we were together ALOT, and formed a lasting friendship. Even though we had our caddy "girl" fights in high school, Amber has always been by myside. She was one of my first friends to meet and approve of Brandon, and she came all the way from Austin, TX to be a bridesmaid in our wedding. She has a very special place in the heart of Brandon, myself, my parents, and my extended family.

I was honestly a little nervous about going down there. I had only met her fiance, Sean, once before, and the evening didn't go according to plan. But after getting to spend some quality time with the two of them, they are a perfect match.

Amber was such a laid back bride. Melissa and I ( 2 of the 3 bridesmaids) were more stressed out about the wedding details than Amber was. I think Sean stressed a little more than she did too! Seriously, as soon as I got to town, I said I have to see your dress. She said that might be a little hard, since my aunt still has it in Missouri and won't be down until tomorrow to do FINAL alterations. My jaw dropped! She wasn't even stressed about it! But oh my goodness that dress was perfect. This is a picture of Amber trying on her dress after her aunt (standing next to her) had done the final alterations.

The dress was simply beautiful. I wish I had more picutres. Her Aunt Linda did a FANTASTIC job.

While they did the finishing touches Melissa and I decided to scope out the Riverwalk and take a quick, and I mean quick tour of the Alamo. We unknowingly got there 15 minutes before it closed.

Later on that evening Melissa and I took Amber out to the River Walk for her mini bachelorette party. We just ate apps at different restaurants down the RW, and talked about the good ol days!
The next day Amber and her mom went for some mother daughter bonding, and got mani's and pedi's, and then we met up for lunch, and got ready for the rehersal dinner. I wish I had more pictures of the weekend, but my camera battery died, and I forgot to bring the charger. But it was beautiful. It was unlike any wedding I've ever been too. First it was a Catholic ceremony..so it was long. Standing 45 minutes in 4 inch heels is no easy feat, especially when your upper arm is being attacked by a Texas Sized fly, for most of that 45 minutes. There was a 4 hour break after we completed pics and the beginning of the reception, so we once again headed down to the Riverwalk. The weather was gorgeous, and we (the bridal party) were starving, so once again we ate, and people watched. The reception was held at Sean's dads Art Gallery; Blue Star. So the reception had a modern but classy feel to it. And the food, that I did eat, was to die for! Especially the cake. The easiest was to describe it, was 5 layers of strawberry and cream cheese icing Heaven. It was hands down the best cake I've ever had.

My trip ended with Melissa and I eating a Whataburger (one of my favorites), and then going to get Brandon and the boys a souviener. B and I watch a show called Man vs Food. The host of the show travels around to different cities, and tries complete the challenges that different restaurants have. (EX: eat 10 of the world's hottest hot wings in 30 minutes without anything to drink. or something like that) Anyway, on one episode he went to SA and showed a 4.5 lb cinnamon roll. And there is nothing my 4 boys love more than cinnamon rolls! Luckily the mom and pop joint was just minutes from Amber and Seans house, so we went a picked one up. I seriously had to send stuff home with Amber's parents, so that I could fit the roll in my suitcase without going over the weight limit. With the roll included I was .5lbs away from having to remove more stuff!

November... where did you go?

November was a crazy month. It started off with the boys and I spending two weeks at mom and dads. Usually if I can swing it, I'll plan a trip to mom and dad's so that I can attend MOPS at church. I love going, and it gives the boys some interaction with other kids, besides when they are at Sunday School.... Plus they love Ms Patty and Ms Reba, their teachers.

This time it ended up being easier on me to stay for 10 days. I had MOPS, a jewelry party at mom's house, and then I co-hosted one of my best friends baby showers. (That's mainly what I'll blog about this time!)

Sara and her husband Justin are pregnant with their first child. A daughter named Molly Abigail. She is due in Feburary and you can follow her blog http://sfloyd-nutshell.blogspot.com/. It is super cute and she keeps up with it! Anyway.. whenever we started talking about the shower Sara had told me that she wasn't going to do Molly's nursery in "normal" girl colors. At first I was a little shocked, because as long as I can remember Sara has loved the color pink. But I am so glad they went with the theme they did. It is so cute! I wanted the shower to match the nursery so Kelly and I were on the hunt! I finally found ( with the help of my neice Brooke!) the most perfect invites, and then everything fell into place.

I have a friend in Ozark that does all of my cakes. She does such an awesome job, that I just tell her the theme or in this case show her the website and she completely does the cake on her own! I knew that this might be kinda a difficult cake to match, but she did a wonderful job!

Sara had also told me that she didn't want to play games, but

that she wanted everyone to make a scrap book page. Again, I

was a little worried, but they turned out wonderful, and everyone

got involved. I was so busy taking pictures that I totally forgot to

do one, so I'll have to make her one some other time!

Here are a couple of pics:

Overall the shower was a great success! Molly will have enough clothes to last her a life time! Congrats again to Sara and Justin, I know y'all will be great and wonderful parents!

Girl Time!

Okay, so I should have written this post weeks...okay maybe months ago. As most of you know, Brandon's sister and her family live in Anchorage, Alaska. Normally you would think that since they live in Alaska we don't get to see them much, but I think in the two years they have lived there, we've seen them more than when they lived at Whiteman Air force Base in Sedalia! Seriously! Before they moved in January of 2008, they stayed a week with us, then came back in September for a week, then this past May Heather and the girls came for two weeks and a couple of times since!
Each time she comes Heather and I make a point to have some "us" time. Even if it is just an hour away to our favorite store Target! Anyway, when she was in in October Heather and Brandon went out for a little while and I got to spend quality time with my niece Brooke!

I've never really spent one on one time with a little girl! It was so much fun! Even though she was only ten months old.. we still had a good time. Girl talk, fixing her hair, eating and we even did a little late night online shopping! I decided to take some pictures of her chomping down on a graham cracker and water, but every time she saw the camera she would start posing! Here are a couple:

So Far Behind!

So much has been going on in the past four weeks that I haven't even had a chance to look at my blog! So now I'll play partial catch up!

Halloween 2009!

We started the crazy evening off at church in Ozark. Every year they do an indoor games, inflatables and craft event in the commons area. The twins had a blast last year while Grey stayed in his stroller... this year they all were so excited! The timing worked out perfect, for the boys to eat a yummy dinner of PB&J's and BBQ Baked Lays in the back of MiMi's Trailblazer, before heading to Springfield.
We headed to Second Baptist in Springfield, for what we thought was the same thing, maybe a little larger in scale. Boy were we wrong! I haven't been inside of Second in years, but I don't remember it being at HUGE as it was. It was complete chaos... but the boys were in heaven! We meet my aunt, uncle, and their 3 boys. Taylor the oldest was dressed up as a Hobo Clown, Ethan was dressed a long haired Viking, and Noah was a Storm Tropper. With their masks on my boys didn't even recognize their boys, but once the masks came off, L,D, & G were so excited to see T, E, & N!

We ended the evening with two house in mom and dad's subdivision. One of those being the next door neighbors Trish and Emo. All the boys love to go to "Memo's" house. Emo is a science teacher at Nixa, so he always has super cool things to show the boys. Not even kidding. He finds snakes, snapping turtles, frozen wasps nests, cats, dogs, skulls, and the list goes on. Even at 2 years old, the boys are already in love with all the gross boy things! It's pretty cool to see them have such a unique bond with Emo. Whenever we get home and they see him outside they run over to his house, and sometimes we have to make trips to tell "Memo" goodnight, before they'll even consider going to sleep. So I think we have begun the tradition of ending the night at Trish and Emo's. Hopefully next year he won't pull a snake out of his shirt!

So where do we go now?

Uhh. That's all I can think of to say! For those of you who don't know all the details of what been going on:
Brandon graduated from SLU School of Law in May. ( In the top 20% I might add!) He passed the Bar in July and in August, he recieved a phone call from a friend asking if he still needed a job. Well, he did. He called the law firm that was looking, and on the first Thursday in September he had an interview at said law firm. That interview went amazing, and he was scheduled to meet with the head partners in Kansas City two weeks later. He had the meeting with the partners and was then sworn into the Missouri Bar Association the next day! Everything was finally on track. He was then scheduled to meet with the final partner in Springfield one week later. That interview went well.. so we were told to start getting our living arrangements in order in Springfield. So we did as told. We started packing our little hearts out. (Seriously, we were living off of paper plates and plastic silverware!) Well, a couple of weeks went by and we never saw a contract. Brandon tried calling the partners in Kansas City, and they never called us back. Weird, we thought. Brandon did however stay in constant contact with a partner in Springfield, who kept telling us, "it should be any day."
So we stopped worrying and kept packing. Then one day Brandon called down to Springfield to get a finalized answer. We were then notified that they had sent one more person to Kansas City to interview with everyone, just so they could cover themselves in the case that Brandon didn't work out. Two days later, as we were loading the boys into the car to head to Springfield, we recieved the phone call that they had decided to go with someone else. Not just anyone else, but a 10 year Air Force JAG officer, which had just decided to quit. Seriously. After six weeks of dragging it out, we were done. No more packing, no renting the Uhaul, just questions. Like what do we do now? Should we unpack it all or keep it boxed up? Is there still a slight possibility of us moving to Springfield? Why us? Why again?
So now we are back at square one. Searching for a job, in a jobless market. So Brandon is back at it. Making phone calls, schmoozing, and trying to make as many contacts as possible.

So I've made a promise to Brandon and myself, that this is it. No more talking about or dwelling on this subject! From now on, we are just moving forward, looking for whatever God has in store for our family! So many encouraging Bible verses come to mind.. and that's what I have to keep dwelling on.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you, delcares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
Isaiah 43:2-4 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. "
Habakkuk 3:17 " The Lord is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army. He makes my feet like hinds feet and makes me to walk- Not to stand still in terror- but to walk- and make (spiritual progress) Upon my high places of suffering and trouble.

So I know that no matter how many questions, how much I doubt, or all those times I want to give up. That He is there for me. He will not leave me, no matter how alone I feel. He will come through, because he promised me he would. When I fell like I can't walk or even get out of bed or that the water is going to overcome me, he will carry me through the day.. he promised me that too. He is my Army, he is my strength, he is my I AM. So on those days, where I just want to cry, he is there. He will let me face my human emotions, but he will always be there.