Christmas Update

Are you wondering where I went? I know you are. You're sitting there in your PJs in front of your computer wondering "Where is Nicole?" Well, we've been in the middle of nowhere Georgia, and I say that in the most loving way. Middle of Nowhere Georgia is where my in-laws live and they live on a big piece of property. You know you are in the middle of nowhere when you can't even get a cell signal and the land lines are spotty. Anywho- the girls have had a blast at their Granny and Grandaddy's "farm". There's been plenty of four-wheelin', hay rides, bird house painting, campfires, s'mores, and last night we even had a scary story telling in a big tent- complete with ghosts and goblins outside scaring us. Like I said- a blast. Our Christmas was very blessed with being with our family and savoring these times together...and lots of food. I hope your Christmas was equally as special for you.

Today- off to my parents house to have fun with Nana and Papa and Great-Granny! More fun times to come!

Wordless Wednesday

Dear Wind, You Blow!

I woke up today in a bad mood. I guess it started last night when having a conversation with my husband. We were both so stressed out; him about work, etc. and me about my to-do list with 11,968 things on it. So, I don't think we were both considering the other ones feelings. It wasn't anything bad, just the usual the-kids-are-screaming-and-running-around-and-we're-trying-to-have-a-real-conversation. Silly us. We know better than to try to talk when the girls are awake. We try and save it until they are in bed. But then you have distractions like phone calls, or video games, or books or... ahem...the Internet. But, I digress. We're talking about today. So, I woke up in a bad mood. And then, in an attempt to save me from spiraling into a worse mood I contact my PIC to see if she needs to do some shopping today. (Cause I have NOTHING to do, right? I mean, the bags will pack themselves, I'm sure.) She does, so off we go. Then I remember why I hate people. I remember why I do most of my shopping on "off" hours, or online. Why is it that people go crazy at Christmas time?? No one can drive or park right. No one has any smiles on their faces. Everyone is a huge Bah Humbug! Then it's so -excuse my french- freaking COLD outside! Really old man winter? Really? Why? Why do you have to be 25 degrees and blowing 20 mph winds? And then, I have to take the girls to dance class tonight in all this. Awesome. Can't wait for that. There is one thought getting me through dance class though, and if you are my friend on facebook, you might know what that is. But there is another thought that's getting me through dance class tonight. And that is leg warmers. Yep, good old fashion 80s leg warmers. Avery and Ella have some now and will break them in tonight. Should be too cute!

**The making of this post in no way means to throw a pity party for myself. I'm just a little, ok a lot, irritated today.

Monday's Stream of Consciousness

Do you remember in school when in your English class your teacher made you sit down and for five minutes you had to keep your pencil to the paper and just write everything that came into your mind? Well, I apologize in advance, probably not the most interesting read, but I need to get it out of me! Here you go! Proceed with caution.

Man, it's getting so close to Christmas! I feel like it's just a week away for us, and I guess it kinda is bc we're leaving on Saturday for a looooooong trip . We have decided to drive all the way through to southern Georgia. We usually stay over in Atlanta with my sister-in-law, but the Hubs just wants to get to his parents house. I can understand that, I mean, he did just go to Afghanistan and he misses them a lot. Hopefully his sister will be there shortly after we get there so we can visit with her too. The girls love her so much. So, bc this trip is so close, that means I have to wash everything in the house. Clothes, rugs, beds, etc. Clean all the bathrooms, mop the floors, make sure all the trash is taken out when we leave (I missed this last important step when I went home for 6 weeks while living in Alaska, and came back to the stench of rotting diaper. Yeah- no bueno.) also need to clean out the fridges and make sure all the perishable stuff is either eaten or given away. Whew. So, of course, on top of me thinking about all that I have to do, I woke up this morning deciding to wash our sheets on my bed to go ahead and get them done, only to find out that not only did Ella have an accident in her bed, but so did Avery. Awesomesauce. So, as I type I have a MOUND of sheets, blankets and the constant mound of clothes to wash and dry and put away today. Oh- and we're out of milk and it's snowing. Snow is fine- and cold is fine, but when wind is mixed in with little girls wanting to catch snowflakes on their tounges- this equals a cold mama! Did I tell you I got my hair done last week? I did! It's been 6 months or more since I've had it cut, primarily bc I'm growing it out. So, my good girlfriend has a friend that will come to your house and do your cut and color. My PIC and I rejoiced at this idea that we didn't have to make a trip out to a pricey salon and leave our kids. Oh- wait- well, she did. I, on the other hand, did leave my kids. Ella's school has a new drop-in child care, so Cams got to go to school for a couple of hours. She loved it so much- and so did I! Anyway, the girl came and she turned out to be super nice. We made muffins and had coffee and got our hair done! Wow, this is becoming incredibly long and jumbled. See I told you to proceed with caution. Ok, I'll end it now. Gotta go do some laundry anyways.

When you take a trip, do you feel like you need to clean the house before you leave so you come back to a clean house? I totally do! I mean, on top of a long trip and all the dirty clothes and luggage, etc. to put away, do you really think you'll feel like doing it in a dirty house? I don't.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am Thankful for:

Pumpkin Spice coffee. Oh yeah, so gooood!

The few spots left in America that know the meaning of customer service. I WILL find them one day, I just know it!

Soldiers that put their lives and their families lives on hold to serve our country. Let us not forget about them this holiday season.

My neighbor- or should I say- my partner in crime (PIC). I'm so glad we have great neighbors and friends. Moving so much can really take it's toll on relationships, so when I find a good friend I try not to take it for granted.

Awesome Christmas cards!

Beautiful wrapping paper. Seriously, the love I have for my wrapping paper this year borders on disturbing.

Promises of future visits with family. 2011 will hopefully see us taking a few trips to places we haven't been before. Can't wait!


That's what I'm thankful for today. What are you thankful for?

Did You Get the Memo?

It's (insert time of day here), the house is quietly humming along, everyone is occupied doing something they want to do. Or, maybe the kids are finally behaving and are entertained. In other words, this was my weekend. Yes, there were times of fighting and screaming and yelling, and the girls were no better (rimshot please), but there are times of peace and everyone getting along and hugs and kisses. My heart swells when I think of times like this. Oh how I love times like this. But then what happens? The phone rings. Yep. And it's someone you really want to talk to, maybe you haven't spoken in awhile and there are things to catch up on. This is the precise second the kids go on "Hey!Mom's-on-a-phone-call-and-she-can't-yell-at-us-HaHa-Let's-Go-WILD!" spree. Does this happen to you?! So, here you are trying to put together intelligent ADULT conversation all the while you swear the kids must be jumping on the beds so hard that they'll come through the ceiling any minute. Then, the screaming starts. It may be good screaming or it may not be. But it's SCREAMING!!! At the top of their lungs. And it's inside your brain. Then comes the crying. "So, what are you doing for Christmas?" They ask you. "Um, Avery! STOP THAT! Campbell! Stop screaming! Ella! Put your clothes on!" This is not the impression I want people to have of me and my kids. I love them very much and even if I think they are not as well-behaved as I may want them to be, I know they are very good kids. But- Come on! I'm pretty sure all kids are like this, but it's so frustrating! It's like the girls don't want me to have any friends and keep me all to theirselves. Don't they know an unhappy mama is an unhappy house? Atleast here it is. So, my questions to you are- does this happen to you? What do you do? How do I make them behave when I'm on the phone? Is that even possible? And before anyone says- occupy them with something else to do while you talk- ok- that works when there is like 1 kid and they are very young. That must be before they get the memo at playdates or something.

Let it Begin!

Tonight, I took the girls to Avery's school for cookies and cocoa with Santa. (the REAL Santa! as Avery says) They were SUPER DUPER excited to see him arrive on a fire truck and walk in to sit in his special chair. We got there early to avoid the crowd and it worked! We were number 3! Woo Hoo!

The look on Avery's face is priceless!

Then, we got ourselves some cookies and cocoa.

And then, I thought the fun shouldn't stop there. I knew of a local nursery that puts up amazing lights. It wasn't too far away so we took a drive with Christmas music on the radio and found all the pretty trees lit up.

It feels like our Christmas season has now officially begun!

Tomorrow- Christmas tree!