a sick mom on Saturday

Today was one of those days when I let the kids do pretty much whatever they wanted all day long.  Gary had to work this morning and I woke up feeling absolutely terrible.  I can't remember a day when I felt so bad.

It all started about 5:00 am when I woke up with fever.  I felt so bad I couldn't get out of bed to get Advil.  I knew it was going to be a tough day.

The kids woke up around 8:15 and I told them I felt horrible.  They decided to crawl into bed with me and I was in too much pain to argue that they shouldn't be near me.  They started begging me to get up and make them breakfast so I allowed them to eat cereal and drink Capri-Suns in my bed.  Eating in our bedrooms is a giant No-No, but desperate times call for wild behavior.

I was finally able to get up and shower at around 1:00 pm.  After 3 bowls of dry cereal in my bed the kids decided to go downstairs to make themselves some sandwiches.  I was so proud of Layla taking charge.  She could have driven the car to Wendy's and I wouldn't have cared.  I was so stinkin' sick.  I made myself eat and slowly started to feel a bit better.

Gary got home and saved me.  He was awesome, but he wasn't feeling so good himself.  Hayden brought home all these germs earlier in the week and we have slowly passed them around.  Layla started sneezing before bedtime so I am hoping she doesn't get sick too.  YUCK!  I want us to be well for Christmas.

Since the babes were so good we decided to let them open one gift as a reward for being so sweet to their ol Mom!

PRESENTS!!!!

Layla was so excited to see this fun puppy she has been eyeballing.  Layla is such a sucker for dogs  and stuffed animals.

Daisy is right in the middle of everything the kids do.

Hayden loves his new monster truck and Daisy approves as you can see!

I am heading to bed in hopes of feeling better tomorrow.

Christmas parties and snow!

We started out our day on Friday with snow.  It was such an exciting day of school Christmas parties and snow made it perfect.

Hayden's face was priceless when he saw Santa bust into the preschool classroom!

These two buddies were having a serious conversation.

After Hayden's party we went to Layla's class party.  It was so fun to meet a few moms and spend time with her teacher.

When we got home from a snowy day at school we found a package of goodies on our front porch!

It was a fun way to start the weekend!  

We had our new friends over on Friday night for a pajama party.  

We made homemade snow man pizzas!

For dessert we made pretzel kisses topped with M&M's.

We are loving this time of year!  Snow made it even more perfect!

We are hoping for more snow in the next few days.

Thursday night randomness

We had a serious dinner conversation about butter.  I need the kids to understand the very big difference between butter and margarine.  While having this conversation Layla ate 5 Sister Schubert rolls with butter on them.  Every once in awhile I'll buy the honey flavored Country Crock for toast and waffles, but otherwise we are a butter only family.  Butter just tastes better!

Guess what Gary's new favorite show is?  Duck Dynasty. Yes. We have been watching episode after episode after episode.  "These skinny girls, they don't eat boudin." That is because it is NASTY! I don't like boudin.  I have a pretty open mind when it comes to food, but I won't eat boudin. It's yuck.


We are expecting snow tonight and tomorrow and our family is so stinkin' excited about it!  I just went outside to let Daisy out to do her business and the wind is whipping like mad.  It's gonna get cold cold cold!  Layla and I finally have snow/rain boots, so I say bring on the cold and snow!  I tell you what...I was miserable in the cold rain here in Ohio without rain boots.  My feet get so wet and cold.  I wore new boots today for the first time and I was loving them!  Warm feet make this momma happy.

Hayden made several ornaments at preschool this week and tonight he was so cute putting them on the tree.  He has been under the weather, but today he is finally better and was able to go to school.  Layla has been keeping her distance.  She's terrified of being sick, so she's been treating him like is is disgusting.  Gotta love sibling love.  heehee!  

Y'all.  We live in a small town and there is a rumor going around town that Gary is a certified Grill Master.  haha!  I'm dying.  Is that even a title?  Anyway, it is a funny joke between Gary and I.  I'm ready for him to smoke a brisket.  His work schedules has been hecktic and it has been cold, so all he has used the grill for is steaks.  I'm ready for some good meat.  I love our husband and wife  agreement.  He's in charge of the meat and I do all the veggies and sides.  I'm slowing learning his tricks though.  Maybe one day I'll be able to smoke a good brisket!  It's a ton of work though, so I may just leave it to him.

Hopefully we will wake up to some awesome snow and I can go wild with my camera and take tons of snow pics!  

Night night!

Christmas concert!

Last night was Layla's Christmas program at the high school.  Her whole elementary school put on the cutest program and we heard tons of Christmas carols to get us in the Christmas spirit!

She did so good.  I loved watching her sing.  She is becoming more brave in her new environment every single day.  I'm SOOOOO proud of her!

Can you believe I forgot to take my camera to the concert?  These two pictures are all I have and they were taken with my phone.  I'm so sad.  Next time I will be more prepared! 

Sadly Gary had to stay home with Hayden.  Hayden was feeling terrible.  The poor guy has had a rough few days, but he seems to be much better tonight.  He has missed a few days of school and hopefully he will be able to go back tomorrow.

Two more days until Christmas break!  Wooo hooo!

a poem I just HAD to share...

Today many bloggers are participating in a day of silence for the victims of the CT tragedy.   

I knew when I read this on Facebook early this morning I had to share.  

Posted by Dr. Phil

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

It is such a touching poem. It certainly made some huge tears stream down my face. 

Hug the ones you love!

just loving my munchkins

My post on last Thursday sums up my kids.  They are doing things kids do this time of the year.   Layla's biggest decision daily is which earrings to wear. Your coat can't clash with your pants, you know?!  Hayden just wants to see his friends at school and wear the shoes that make him run the fastest.  

I love the innocence of kids.  I'm envious of their little minds right now.  Even though Layla is aware of the tragedy that happened in Connecticut last Friday, she is just too young and sweet to really feel unsafe.

This morning when I walked Layla to school I had a very heavy heart.  I was fighting back the tears, but didn't want her to see them.  Here we are ...  in a new town, at a new school.  I have been nervous with each and every new step and now this mornings drop off was just painful for my heart.  I hugged her so tight for a few seconds longer today.

We had a wonderful weekend and we loved every second of our time together.  I found as the weekend went on it was so painful to log onto Twitter and Facebook.  There is just so much controversy and sadness.  It was too much for me.  I'm not good with sad.  We made sure we surrounded ourselves with fun people and did fun things.  We CAN do these things and we will.  Our family will try to enjoy every second of every day and remain thankful to God for all the blessings in our lives!