Neat neat friends!

My friend Myra called today and asked if I was going to be home. She said "I have something to bring by, I think you will find it hilarious....bet I have you wondering now?" Of course she hung up and yes I was wondering..

Several months ago Myra was sitting behind me at church (where she usually sits) talking about food. She asked if there was anything all my kids loved. I laughed and told her Hamburger Helper. I almost NEVER fix hamburger Helper. For one, I usually cook cook (not what I always consider hamburger helper). Two, I cannot fix enough to feed my kids any more than a "side" of hamburger helper. I find it really funny that my kids all love it, and we laughed about that.

Today Myra brought these boxes.....


Laughing that she hoped it was enough for the kids to enjoy. She even included $20 to buy the ground beef. What a wonderful gift! I did find it hilarious and I really would never have guessed what she was bringing.

God has really blessed us (and especially me) with wonderful friends who I can always count on when needed and truly laugh and find great joy with too!

From one extreme to another....

We all trampled in from church (children STARVING) and began getting our "Christmas" after church. We have appetizers to eat on "Christmas Eve". Sarah was being silly. She was throwing nuts and the boys (Stuart, Paden and Carlton) were trying to catch them with their mouths. Stuart was the only one lucky enough to catch that Brazillion nut! High Fives erupted and joy was spread....for a few minutes...at which time Stuarts throat "felt itchy and funny". Within 15 minutes I had little people's plate filled and was standing in the kitchen when Stuart walked close enough to me I could see him. Immediately I knew...lips were swelling, entire face was covered in hives and he was coughing. I turned to Scott and told him to take Stuart to the ER. He did (after silly Stuart nearly talked him out of it!! good grief!). Stuarts heart rate was really elevated, his respiration's low and very obviously in trouble. Nurses realized and ran him through pretty quickly. An epi pen, and a LOT of medication (along with IV fluids) and 5 hours later he was home. Scott stayed until he was doing better, then Sarah and Paden went to stay for a while and I got the food put away and went to relieve Sarah and Paden. Stuart and I walked in the door at 1am this morning. How very scary!! Stuart has eaten nuts before, never had ANY kind of allergic reaction. But, it is certainly true that Stuart is on a very serious NO NUTS diet from now on!!

BTW...this is a "look much better" picture taken around midnight.

A Beautiful CHRISTmas:)

Tonight I so very much enjoyed worship. Ethan was home to lead singing. No offense to any of our wonderful song leaders, but Ethan is just incredible! We all love having him home. I am just sorry I will not be there to enjoy his leading Sunday too. Our men read the story of Jesus, in God's words, from His word. It was very touching. Behind me sat some of the sweetest voices I have ever heard and worship was so very special! And then.....

Our evening worshipped ended and moved right to a trip to the baptistery. As we moved there these are the "pictures" I will carry in my mind....

Seth and Ryan both went to "pull the curtains" which (funny to me but very serious to them) is a very coveted job.

My three stooges. I mean...really. They are! Don't you see the resemblance?

Beautiful sisters and friends helping the girls get ready.

Dan and Ryan pulling back the cover.....

Waiting for my curtain pullers.....

Pullers pulling....

What could be a better gift to me (as a mom) or to my beautiful girls as they enjoy the gift of Jesus Christ? Tasha and Lita were baptized last night by their Daddy. I just cannot tell you what a great Daddy my girls have. I always ask, "Who would you like to baptize you?" and the words, "Daddy" always pop out (as though mom has lost it to even ask??). Scott spoke together with them and read scripture. I am so proud of these girls!!




Is anything sweeter? Not really....although this sight? THIS is certainly one of the reasons why my children have the faith they have.... I caught Seth carrying his Daddy's Bible after getting dressed and heading back to the auditorium. Seth reading his Daddy's notes and scripture. EXAMPLE is one incredible tool! I so love seeing it done well:)

Early gifts....

My children keep talking me into opening gifts...I didn't even know that Jacob and John had me gifts! My children are growing up and have jobs and money and so very sweetly have apparently joined forces (or minds) in choosing my gifts. I have so very fabulous Kitchen Aid gadgets! I have never had a Kitchen Aid anything! But now have a blender, hand mixer and chopper! I was making my list this morning for recipes we would be fixing and they decided (rightly so) that I would love using my new toys!! I am so very sure I will! Thank you Jacob and John!! I love you:)

Domesticated?

Who would have thought my Sarah would be doing needlework? And doing so very well!! It is a testemony that Sarah can do ANYTHING she puts her mind to... now if I can talk her into wanting to do dishes and laundry! LOL I always enjoy having my kids home, and moments like this caught on camera are among my favorite catches!

Days of Christmas.....Caleb:)

Caleb is my only "non-team" hoodie set. He is really minimizing his wardrobe and needed a multi-usable (is that a word??) days gift. So under armour for KK:) Caleb is also our last "days" gift. Now it's Christmas time!

My kids....

I could sit and listen to my kids all day. They are really silly if you stop and listen. Some totally clueless, some feel they are all-knowing, either way they make for pretty funny listening. Mercedez asked earlier, "Why are you watching scary movies(aka...Star Wars) instead of Santa Clause movies?" After that I stopped to listen as she and a few others sit down to watch the end of Star Wars.


Mercedez.....He dies?

Mercedez.....OH WHY? I like him!!

Ryan...Yeah, the dude cuts him in half.

Victoria......Is that the bad guys ship?

Victoria.....He's actually smart messing everything up. (referring to JaJaBinks ridiculous behavior)

Mercedez....uh oh...

Ryan....right there that's the mean guy...see look (as though we don't all see him).

Ryan....Is it over yet? (from under the covers)

Mercedez.....Man those things have long legs.

Mercedez....Does he die?? The red guy?

Caleb, who just walked in.......Just watch! It's the best part of the movie...star wars history...amazing.

Victoria......Isn't that good?

Ryan......Oh yeah...HE gets cut in half

Victoria......ewwwwww

Ryan....haha...told you!

Carlton....Y'all be quiet.

All.....yeah, YODA! (of course they all know him)

Mercedez....Who are they burning?

Victoria....Is that the red thing?

Ryan......NOOOOO (who knew girls were so un-star wars smart?)

Mercedez....I don't know I don't watch this stuff.

Daniel.....That's Obegone! (LOL..He is gone)

Lita ........Mooommmm, Could you tell them to watch a happy movie instead of Star Wars?

Immediately following the next Star Wars movie comes on....

Ryan.....WOOWEE, more Star Wars!

Lita......My friend has to whole series and that guys dies.

Victoria.....In this movie?

Lita....I don't know, I just know he dies.

Victoria.....His head comes off?

Daniel....His head does NOT come off.

Ryan.....Yoda dies of old age!

Lita.....That's what I said, he dies.

Days of Christmas...double time....Chelsea & Sarah:)

We combined "Days" with the girls because we are going to celebrate Christmas a day early this year(although my little people do not know yet....shhhh). Caleb is snowed in up North at his battle buddies house and who know when he will be home...so he had not yet opened. Chelsea and Sarah opened together. I really could nearly cry to think my girls are all grown up. I DID intend they grow up, just never thought it would happen so quickly! While they are like night and day sometimes, some things are very much alike....like their love for Tennessee:)

An early gift for mom!

Stuart let me (or asked me) to open his gift early. He said I would be needing it. I did of course...if you know me you know I am likely to worst about wanting to know what my gifts are! What a WONDERFUL gift! A Kitchenaid blender!! (I've never had one of those before!) And what a considerate son...he thought we might need it for Jake...and the first thing I did when we got home was make him an orange sherbert slushy...VERY COOL!! Thank you Stuart:)

Jacob Scott!

I took the above picture early early this morning as we left for the hospital. Jacob had his tonsils removed today. He did so great! When they let me go back to recovery he was sitting up eating a Popsicle (his second after a cup of ice). I laughed and sent pictures, by phone, to Scott and the girls of Jacob's feet (plus another couple of inches of leg) hanging off the end of his bed. What a tall guy he is!! He was thankful I did not take my real camera because his hospital gown was purple. Although that purple gown had a heater that ran through it and it was really very cool (or hot!). He is now sleeping on the couch (so I can see him). I am so glad it went well, and hopefully Jacob will be able to enjoy Christmas break!

A new toy:)

The kids worked really hard to add a new toy to the yard...a field goal! Sandy and Chad had a neat one and they decided to model it and bring one to our yard. SO far so good. They boys (and girls) have played football most of the afternoon with Doug and Stuarts "college guys" helping make the game really exciting:)

Sarah, Stuart and Paden

When I take pictures my children always assume I will post them...a fair assumption. Stuart, Sarah and Paden all were here Sunday night hanging out and then went to the movie. As they left I did the "let me get a picture"(mostly to embarrass Sarah...Stuart loves it). Today I had specific orders to NOT blog the picture...apparently Sarah was not pleased with my masterful photography skills. So I texted and asked if I could just blog the trio picture? To which she responded, "awefuller" meaning for those who do not have photo phobic kids.....DON'T DO IT. So I didn't but I did blog about it:) Until Sarah says, "Moooommmm, take it off!!" For those who read this often you know it will likely come and you will not see this post...but for now? She did not say I could not "say" anything:)

Opryland Lights

We left home about 3pm on Saturday to go to Opryland to see the lights. Scott and I along with the 11 littles and Stuart, Doug and Stella. We really thought we had it all planned out (you know that best made plans of mice and men thing??). We called ahead and stopped in Columbia at a super nice pizza place. Super nice because it was all ready and waiting on us. We were quick in and out. Then we made our way on to Opryland. We arrived at the exit ramp and then sat....and sat....and sat....and sat....If you could read "and sat" for the next hour and 35 minutes that would be how long we sat! It was 9pm before we walked through the doors of the hotel. As most things with kids...we were all crazy and all loved it:) Our best made plans will be very different next time! But it was a neat night. I have lots and lots of great pictures, but decided to blog the group ones only. I love making memories:)

Days of Christmas ....Stuart:)

Stuart is one of my "die hard" fans...loving St. Louis for many years. He was really pleased:) Ryan, who takes after his big brother, wanted a picture of the two Big Card fans:)

Days of Christmas....Joseph

With my travelers I am a bit out of order...but we are still moving ahead with our Days of Christmas gifts. Joseph opening a big old Texas package...no surprise there for anyone:)

Head shots...

Caleb spent a little time cutting a couple of heads...Ryan and Dan's. They loved it and Caleb did pretty well:)

Elementary School Program

The Christmas Program was today at our elementary school. Chelsea and her buddy Maggie went with us (and of course Anna Kate was there to enjoy the program too). I took the picture of them above. We have a wonderful music teacher who always puts so much time into making the Christmas Holiday wonderful. The kids love it! We have been singing Christmas songs all month:)

The pictures were somewhat disappointing. Tori was positioned behind a girl who was twice her width and a head taller...which means NO pictures (lol...unless you count the ones of the previously mentioned girl taken in hope that Tori would peep out). The same was nearly true of Daniel (you can see to top of his head and eyes).

I did manage to video all the performances with my camcorder Doug gave me...that was very neat!

Days of Christmas.....Carlton

You would think as much as I call my kids "Indians" I would surely have more Cowboys among us:) But, to date I only have one BIG Cowboys fan...Carlton!