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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Choose Joy... Peace

I don't think there is anything more peaceful than a sleeping little one!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Just too cute not to share!

Choose Joy... Peace

Today my "peace" comes from a phone call with a friend.

I have a very good friend that I haven't chatted with in months. I know of some of the trials she had been going through & well, once she moved, I didn't know how to get in touch with her. We finally connected last night & talked for over an hour (& still could have continued had her family not gotten home when they did lol). I hung up the phone with the most peaceful feeling, it's such a relief to me to KNOW that she & her family are not only doing all right, but they're doing good. She sounded GREAT! I've been so worried about them, even though things are far from perfect, I know that they'll make it through & be stronger people for it.

Anyway, she has chosen Joy & because of that, *I* feel the peace! Thanks Jules, I've missed you!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Choose Joy... Peace

Aahhhh, peace!

Bonez, C-Man, & Bubs...


Even the Princess got in on the playing...


Bonez, C-Man, & Roo...


These toys haven't been played with in years, literally, years! Bonez pulled them out today & they all stay entertained for hours!

Like I said... "PEACE"!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Choose Joy... Peace

Ok, I'm not sure why it's almost impossible for me to get a good (decent even) shot of my kids, it drives me crazy! My friend Mimi has 6 kids & I swear, she can't get a bad one! GRRR Anyway, this was taken during a rare minute or two of "peace between the troops", or in other words, the boys were gettin along, yep, all 3 of them! Amazing, I know! LOL

Here they are, "PEACEFULLY" sitting & waiting for me to snap a pic so we can head out the door...


Here's one of the Princess just because I think it's cute...


We still have 1 more week to go of no school, not sure how much "peace" I'll be getting! ;) (Any bets Sherry "planned" it this way so we would have to look for lots of Joy this week KNOWING kids would still be at home instead of school?!) LOL Yeah, you're funny Sherry, REAL funny! ;)

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Choose Joy...Family

I know I already posted today, but wanted to get one more "family" in for the week.

Today was the PERFECT "family" day for us. We slept in, & then decided we were all going to go to the Nike Outlet together to let the boys spend their $ (B-day & B earned some for taking care of a friend's animals/mail etc while they were gone). Anyway, we had so much fun together, we laughed, talked, laughed some more... We really just enjoyed each other. The boys of course, were beyond excited with their new "treasures". Bonez got a cool shirt & hat, C-Man a "sweet" hat, & Bubby got an awesome pair of shoes, a t shirt & a pair of shorts.

After shopping, we headed out to Del Taco for lunch, again, we just had a really good time enjoying each other's company. We ended up at Blockbuster so Bubby could spend his G/C.

We had ice cream for dinner & then watched a movie as a family. The kids are now getting all of their clothes out for church tomorrow & then heading to bed.


No pics of the day, but it was definitely PERFECT! I love my family & the fun times we share together & the memories we make.

Choose Joy... Family

Friday, December 26, 2008

Choose Joy... Family

Ok, I'm being bugged, so Goldfish, this one's for you!



For those of  you that know about the "shirt saga", you'll be happy to know that... IT WAS DELIVERED TODAY!!!













Oh, we also took down our DEAD tree today! I couldn't wait to get that thing out of my house, I swear, talk about a fire hazard! We had been afraid to turn the lights on it was so bad. Ahhh, to have my house back to "normal", I'm LOVIN IT!

Choose Joy... Family

This post is going to be picture heavy. Sometimes pics are the best way to tell a "story". These are all from yesterday, just a few (lol) of my favs that I wanted to share. Even though we are on an extremely tight budget, the kids didn't even seem to realize there wasn't as much to open as "normal". They all said it was a GREAT Christmas. Anyway, my joy comes from my family, both immediate & extended. Without further ado, here is a "recap" of our day...

Roo asked for 3 things for Christmas... "Tinterbell" movie, more "people" & a new "baby", here she is with her new "people"...

Santa brought the boys the newest RockBand (cause the original that we have isn't good enough anymore lol)...
D's new "Lake Show" shirt...
Ok, this was so funny, C-Man wanted to give something to Dad, since we didn't have the $ to let the boys actually buy something for us, he went & grabbed Daddy's wallet & wrapped it up (in a Target bag) & gave it to him.
One of the games Santa brought the boys...
"TINTERBELL"...
C-Man checkin out the hat he got from Gammy & Papa (which he later traded with Dad...)
Bonez modeling the jeans he got from Gammy & papa...
Some of the gang at the Family Christmas party...
Just hangin out...
Bubs with his new Beckham soccer jersey & shorts...
Roo in her new outfit (check out the shoes) & her "Tink"...
Ok, these crack me up, Roo got a new book & kept insisting G'ma & G'pa read to her, it was hilarious! 
G'ma's turn...
Are these not the coolest shoes ever?!  Thanks "O" for picking them out!
We had a GREAT Christmas, I hope you did as well

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Choose Joy... Family

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

I am absolutely exhausted & even though I just edited a bunch of pics, I'm way too tired to post any. I promise to get to it tomorrow.

We had a great "family" day, wonderful morning with just the 6 of us, then Hubby's fam came over late afternoon & spent the evening with us. Lots of fun, food & laughter. It was nice to catch up with relatives that we don't get to see often.

Ok, I'm outta here, but will be back tomorrow to post a few pics from today.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Choose Joy... Family

This is an easy one today!

I LOVE traditions, they are a strong tie to my family & in some cases, my childhood. Christmas Eve is filled with some of these traditions. Up until this year, the kids had always opened up new jammies. Well, last year, the boys all let me know they didn't necessarily like this "tradition" since they don't wear them anyway. Of course, after many tears (on my part of course), I figured I would "teach them a lesson" & said "FINE, YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY NEXT YEAR & I'LL MAKE YOU ALL SIT & WATCH YOUR SISTER OPEN THEM, THEN YOU'LL REALIZE YOU MADE A MISTAKE!!!" Well, needless to say, I did stay true to my word (although, I almost caved today when I was out) & made them all sit around the tree & watch the Princess open her new "Tink" jammies. I know, I'm mean.



After getting Roo ready for bed in her nice warm (& already washed) jams, we got out THE bells & THE book. We read The Polar Express every Christmas Eve. I remember so clearly getting this book & a silver bell on a leather strap when I was young. My aunt & uncle presented it to us & told us it was a tradition they did & they would like us to "join" them. I remember we all wanted to be the lucky person to ring the bell. My first married Christmas, my parents presented us with the book & a bell (actually a set of bells on a bow). I have never missed a year of reading this special book. It brings back so many memories & well, honestly, until tonight, loved knowing that my side of the family all read this "together", it's a way for us to all be together, even though we live apart. (I say this in past tense because I just was chatting with my sister & she informed me they NEVER read the book. I'm a little bummed about that now.) Anyway, it's still tradition in our family & it's something Prince Charming & I will pass on to each of our kids on their first married Christmases.



After reading the book, I had all the boys get jammies on, jammies that *I* picked out! Yep, I'm mean that way, they rolled their eyes at me, but put them on & then even let me take a pic (or 2 or 3 lol).




Usually at this point, Daddy would watch a movie with all the kiddos while I lock myself in my room & finish wrapping, but this year, we're watching a movie that I really want to see too, so we'll all watch together (assuming the Princess makes it that long). I still have "Pop Candy" to make, which is another tradition we do. We leave out Rice Krispies & Dr Pepper for Santa (he gets sick of all the milk & cookies ya know, he likes a little variety! ) LOL

Anyway, it's been a fun day, one steeped in family traditions, both new & old. I LOVE that!

Merry Christmas to all!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Choose Joy... Family

No pictures today, sorry! I do have something I'm SO excited about though. Today my joy comes from...

Long Distance on my phone!

Yep, that's my joy today. We haven't had long distance on our home phone in a few years, we just switched from Qwest to Clearwire & we now have long distance!!! Boy have I missed this. I think my mom is going to change her phone number pretty soon if I keep calling! LOL (Seriously). I love that I can keep in touch with my family & friends & that they are just a "phone call away".

Ok, I changed my mind, I am going to add a pic. Last night, I was putting Princess Roo to bed, she grabbed the phone & wanted to talk to "Nammy" to say good night. I called my mom & let Roo chat with her for a few minutes. This morning, the phone rang & it was "Papa" asking if he could talk to Roo. I LOVE that my parents have such a great relationship with my kids & I love that my kids love chatting with them & spending time with them.



Ok, so there you have it, my joy today comes from something pretty simple & something most people probably take for granted, but for ME, it's a BIG deal! I love that I now have another way to keep in touch with my family!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Choose Joy... Family


Ok, I know this is a weird post, but... seriously, I am choosing joy here!

I have been working on catching up on laundry all weekend, if I don't fold right out of the dryer & put it away, I swear it takes over my house & I get so overwhelmed I can't deal with it at all. That's where I am now. OVERWHELMED! So where does "Joy" fit in with all of this you ask? Well, because I have been blessed with some incredible friends that are wonderful & give me GREAT hand me downs! I rarely have to go out & buy clothes for my kids. Just in the last 2 weeks alone, I was given 5 boxes or bags of clothes for the Princess! How awesome is that?! I have another friend that has 3 bags of stuff for the 2 younger boys & then today, I was given a snow suit for Bubby & a jacket for the Princess to grow into . Oh, & yet another friend told me today that her son has outgrown some stuff & was I interested in it for Bonez!

No, this isn't a big charity case situation, it's just a matter of them not having younger kids to pass on to & the clothes being in good shape. Anyway, as much as I don't enjoy laundry, I am beyond blessed that my kids have so many clothes. I've been overwhelmed with the kindness of others lately. I love the fact that others pass on to my family & I have been doing the same in return. What a great feeling!

This is for Manda...

Ok, here are the pics of the do you are trying to do...


Sunday, December 21, 2008

Choose Joy... Family




New theme this week, "Family", how fitting is that?!  I love it!

 I decided on our way to church that as soon as we got home, I wanted a pic of all 4 of the kids.  WHY is this so difficult?  Seriously, I just don't get it.  If they would just ALL look at me & smile, the "torture" would be quick, but NO, for whatever reason, they have to drag it all out until we end up totally frustrated with each other & at least 1 person in tears.  UGH.  So, I didn't get the "perfect" pic like I was hoping, but I guess that's what happens when there are kids involved.  Anyway, here are a few of the pics & did manage to snap.

This is the best one I got of all 4 of them...



Our Christmas Princess...



I love knowing that my kids always have a playmate (or two, or three), they really are each other's Best Friends (& worst enemies) LOL.  They are all very active & get along best when they are actually "doing something", ie: air softing, football, basketball, nerf tag wars, you get the idea.  Maybe it's because they can "go after each other" without me getting upset, since it really is a "game". LOL  Whatever the case may be, I love watching them interact with each other.  They are all so different, yet so alike in many ways also.  I love watching their different personalities "come out" in different ways.  I love who they are becoming.  

Bonez is our responsible one, C-Man, sensitive, Bubby, well, he's our daredevil!  Roo, she's a Princess & knows it!  Our family wouldn't be complete without any of them!  I am beyond blessed with these 4 spirits I have the privilege of raising.  Not a day goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity I have of being their mom.  Yeah, it's a hard job, but one I don't take lightly & one I will ever be grateful for!  Yes, they are my pride & joy!


Here are a few more pics from today...

This is the one that really shows their personalities...



I played around with this one & LOVE how it turned out...


Ok, I think I'm outta here, I should go enjoy my family...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Choose Joy... Glitter/Shine

Today, I'm choosing joy in a little tiny, short phone call with my mom.  Now, I talk to my mom all the time, in fact, I think I've talked to her about 5 times just since yesterday, so why was this 1 quick phone call so important to me you ask?!  Well, because she told me...

"WE FOUND YOUR CAMERA CHARGER!!!"


Yep, my long lost charger will be making it's way back home to me.  I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about these 5 words!  Seriously!  I realize it won't be "home" for Christmas, but gosh dangit, at least I don't have to go buy a new one like I thought I would.

So today, my joy comes from my mom's little phone call!  Thanks Mom, you're the BEST!!!  

Friday, December 19, 2008

Choose Joy... Glitter/Shine

Ok, I actually had a whole post "typed out" in my head that I was going to use.  THEN... I got busy with my day & well, now I have something I'm more excited about, so I'll leave the other for tomorrow.

Right now, I'm so excited, I ended up finding my BFF from middle school on facebook & we've been writing on each other's wall.  This is so much fun!  I think I just spent the last 30-45 minutes looking up long lost friends!  I'm so excited!!!  I can't wait to catch up with them & see what they've been up to.  

Anyway, this has been my "joy" today (along with lots of other things, this has been a good day).

Ok, off to look for more friends!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Choose Joy... Glitter/Shine

Today was pretty uneventful compared to the rest of the week. It was so nice to be able to take it easy & enjoy the snow. Infact, because of the weather, Bonez walked in the door at the exact time he should have been getting out of school. They dismissed them early (only if you ride a bus) because the roads were getting bad & they wanted to make sure the drivers could be back in time to get the elementary kids. This meant, that his last MS basketball game was cancelled!!! Yeah, we were a little more than excited about that one! (It's NOT been a good season...) They also cancelled COBO because of the weather. (Boys were bummed about that one). Anyway, I decided to pick up the younger 2 kids early too, they loved that!

The boys are really hoping for a snow day tomorrow, I'm hoping for a regular day! LOL Anyway, I'm choosing joy because even though the roads were NASTY, we made it home safe & sound!

Here are a few pics from today.

Our front yard...

This is the view from the upstairs "hallway"... it was actually snowing pretty hard when I took this one, not sure if you can tell though.

Until tomorrow...

Oh, & the "glitter/shine" comes from the lights on the tree & outside the house...




Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Choose Joy... Glitter/Shine

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY BUBBY!!!

I'm 7!!!



What a fun day we had today, celebrating Bubby's big day! We have a tradition here that I started with Bonez' 1st b day. I buy a mylar balloon the night before their b day (& hide it) & then once they are sound asleep, I put it in their room so it's the first thing they see in the morning. I have done this every b day, for each of the 4 kids. It's something special & fun that we all enjoy. Bubby woke up & the first thing he said to me was "Mom, I already got 2 presents!" He was SO excited, he was referring to the balloon & the king size candy bar attached to it.

Notice the balloon has 7 candles on it?!



Next up was C-Man's BFF Shea showing up (we take him to school every morning) with a cool Nerf hoop for him. Bubs had that opened even before I managed to go downstairs!


Today was the craft fair at school, I made 12 altered composition books last night for C-Man to sell, Bubby wanted me to meet him there & go around with him. Of course, I had a million things to do to get ready for his party, but heck, it IS his b day, so yes, I went. The boys got some great "treasures" for each other & had lots of fun.

Princess & I came home & worked like crazy making cupcakes, cleaning the house, wrapping presents & everything else that needed to be done.

Fast forward to the party. We had 6 little boys that came over (yep 10 kids total), what a BLAST they all had! They made "gingerbread" (graham cracker) houses (I made them & glued them together, they just got to decorate) that kept them busy & it was really fun listening in on their little conversations. After they were done with that, we made snowman ornaments. Those were a little trickier, but they had fun. Next up was opening gifts (he got some super cool things!) then cake & ice cream.

We headed out as a family soon after everyone left for our other "tradition". The kids get to choose where we go out to eat on their big day. All 3 boys insist on eating at Dairy Queen! LOL Crazy kids!

I took a ton of pics, but had to borrow a friend's camera & don't have a cord to download to my computer, I'll have to go get hers tomorrow & I'll share more.

Anyway, here are a few I snapped with my camera...

Wearing a gift from us...


Another gift from Mom & Dad...


Decorating his gingerbread house...



It was such a fun day, it was crazy & I'm so tired, but boy did it bring me lots of joy, seeing my little boy surrounded by some great friends. It always makes me feel good knowing my kids have good friends. Anyway, today's joy came from my little Bubby, & the glitter came from the sparkley balloon!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Choose Joy... Glitter/Shine

Ok, this is a fun one to post! Tonight was the 1st grade Christmas Program. Ok, I'll be completely honest here, I usually HATE these things, I go, but only because I have to. Tonight's was totally different. Prince Charming, Bubby & I left (the others stayed home...) & headed to the school; dropped Bubs off in his classroom, then headed to the gym to find a seat. It was actually nice not having to worry about the other kids, to just enjoy the evening by "ourselves". Anyway, it was darling, the 1st graders were all dressed in their "best" clothing, they came in both sides of the gym singing Jingle Bells & headed to the middle of the aisle, then up to the bleachers. They sang probably 8-10 songs, WITH sign language. They did a FANTASTIC job! There was very little talking, it was short, sweet & to the point. Better yet, we were back home within the hour! Talk about PERFECT! LOL

Anyway, he definitely was "shining" tonight up on that stage & he brought me lots of joy! Here are a few pics from tonight...

In his classroom getting ready...


Holding the "M" in "ChristMas"


"How'd I do Mom?!"


Bubby did a great job, he is so different than the older boys, this child LOVES being in front of a crowd & loves to sing, he totally gets into the "actions" & actually enjoys singing. It was so much fun watching him tonight. I was a little sad though, my baby is growing up. I can't believe this is his last night of being 6! (I'll post lots of pics of his celebrations tomorrow).