Life In Grace

Please keep Edie and her family in your prayers.  Their house caught on fire and they lost all of their belongings the Tuesday before Christmas.  Thankfully everyone in her family is safe.  I can't even imagine the hurt.

Merry Christmas!

The boys woke up to a bounty of Santa gifts and some new games.  Nana came over early (7:30) so she could see the boys unwrap their gifts. She actually called at 7:20 and we were all still asleep.  You can tell we now have a 12 year old and 9 year old - no more getting up at 6am because the little guys are so excited.  They like to sleep in too much. 

I put the breakfast casserole in the oven to cook for an hour while we opened our gifts.  The boys got a Big Hunter game for the TV, Need For Speed Hot Pursuit for the XBox 360, a ton of Abercrombie and Hollister clothes and a couple of books.  Also yo-yos, which seem to be the latest obsession of the boys.  All the kids at school have yo-yos and the teachers let them bring theirs to class.  I guess its a way to let them pass time when they are done with their work. 

Santa brought me a set of Paula Deen pots and pans-love everything of hers!!!  I really needed them since the pans I have are about 15 years old.  They are becoming very non-stick.  Someday I'd love to have her furniture too!

Nana got a new robe, some cute slippers and a Scentsy warmer for her house.

Mr. H got a slate rock with a buffalo painted on it by a Muscogee Creek Indian artist.  Since Mr. H is Creek Indian, I knew he would like the original artwork by someone in his tribe.  Mr. H is part of the Bird clan (kind of like a family within the tribe) and the artist, Bill McCully is part of the Sweet Potato clan.  Mr. H also got an XBox Live membership for a year so he can play Black Ops with his buddies that work at the fire station here in town.  Apparently, when there isn't anything exciting happening in this little town of ours, the firefighters sit around playing war games on the XBox.  Not a bad job if you ask me.  The Live membership will let Mr. H play a live game with the guys at the station.  Technology, it kills me!

I'm getting ready to go lay back down for a little while, then take a shower and get ready to go eat at Mr. H's parents house at 2 or so.  We decided this year, we were going to eat a little later so everyone could sleep in some.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and enjoys their time with relatives and friends!!!!  Jesus is the reason for the season!

Thankful Tuesday

 Today was the first day the boys and I stayed home together.  I've been working for my insurance agent answering phones part-time three days a week to earn some extra spending money.  Today was the first day I was off since the boys got out of school for their Christmas break.  I am so thankful to be able to stay at home with them and enjoy the Christmas break.

After sleeping until 9:30, I knew we had to start the day off right by drinking a Green Monster.  If you haven't had one, you are seriously missing out on a yummy way to take your vitamins. 

Here's the recipe:

1 cup spinach

1 cup frozen mixed berries

1 small container vanilla yogurt

1 or 2 tbsp. agave nectar or splenda, whichever you prefer

1 to 2 cups ice

1/2 cup milk, depending on the texture you want



Can you tell I had chili ingredients on the counter too?! HA!



You seriously cannot taste the spinach in the smoothie and my kids love it.  The spinach is just a great way to sneak in a few more nutrients.

I also like to use the agave nectar in it.  It's a great way to add sweetener but in a natural way.

We drank our Green Monsters, then headed out to run a few errands. 

After a crazy trip to the bank, the cleaners, Dollar General and then Walmart, we went to Nana's house to make some goodies for my co-workers.

We decided that almond bark pretzels would be the easiest and yummiest to make.  Nana and I have always made almond bark pretzels since I was a small child.  I've always loved them.



Nana getting ready to get her bakin' on!



Google image-Yummy almond bark pretzels



When we got back to our house, Tater Tot practiced his yo-yo skills.  He looks up Youtube videos on yo-yoing and tries to perfect the latest tricks.  He's getting pretty good at it too. 

He's the type of child that gets stuck on a new "thing" and works really hard to master it.  Cute!

We cuddled and took a nap with this sweet dog.  She was eating the rest of my ice cream cone the other night and I had to get a picture.  She's simply spoiled and the best cuddler in the world.

  

Tater Tot & Small Fry (with a silly look on his face) with their best bud Braden

While I cleaned up, the boys went outside and shot baskets.  Small Fry is playing booster club ball and loving it.  He's actually doing terrific and hustling like crazy. 

My sweet basketball player Small Fry

We ended the day with homemade chicken and dumplings.  I didn't have very much Bisquick left so I used the rest and also some canned biscuits to make the dumplings.  I have to say, the Bisquick way is simply the best.  It tastes like a real dumpling.  I could eat chicken and dumplings every day of my life.  So good when it's cold and rainy outside like today.

I'm just thankful I was able to spend Tuesday with my guys!

I'm worn out

These last 2 weeks have been the busiest I've ever experienced in my life. 
First, it was my hubby's 40th birthday, which involved a birthday dinner and then meeting friends at one of the local small town bars to listen to a really great band, Imzadi.  We don't usually go to bars at all but had heard that the band was great.  And...they were terrific!  I can now go a very long time without ever sitting in a nasty smoky bar.  Ugh.  I'd rather be home with my babies.

The family birthday dinner was actually a dinner for my hubby and our oldest, Tater Tot, who turned 12.  He invited his best friend Braden to go to Dave and Busters with us.  The food was really good, although super expensive, and the kids loved playing the arcade games.  We met all of Mr. H's family and had a great time.

Mr. H with his sister, brother, Momma and Stepdad

Mr H with his Dad, sister and brother - we are blessed that Mr. H's whole family celebrates together, Dad and Stepdad

Mr. H and Me!  What a cute 40 year old!

The whole table

Tater Tot, his buddy and his little brother

A couple of nights after the family dinner, we celebrated Mr. H's Masonic Installation as Worshipful Master, which means he's the President of the organization.  In other words, he's going to be a very busy man in the next year.  They are in charge of tons of charitable activities involving the public schools, etc. 

For the installation, we were in charge of putting on a dinner for 100 people.   Instead of stressing out about it, we just had it catered by a local bar-b-que place called Mac's.  They were so good and there was hardly any food left!  I'm just glad it all went smoothly, including the actual installation ceremony.  I know Mr. H was proud it went well.

The Worshipful Master

The Officers

I'm now spending my time trying to get everything mailed, wrapped, and ready for Christmas.  First, I need to take a nap!

My Sweet 12 Year Old Miracle

My wonderful, sweet first born officially turned 12 years old yesterday.  The last year of the preteens! 

I cannot even put into words what this child means to me.  He is everything I ever hoped and dreamed that he would be at 12.  He's bright, clever, smart, sensitive, caring, athletic, empathetic and has a great head on his shoulders.  He also loves his Momma with all his heart and that's really the most important thing to me. 

You see...this child is a miracle.

He was injured during the birth process and his right arm was completely paralyzed.  We started physical therapy when he was two days old and I prayed and prayed for a miracle.  His arm had no movement at all until he was five months old, when his Grandma put him on a prayer list and he miraculously raised his arm the next morning. 

God touched him in a special way so that he could go through life doing wonderful things. 

I truly believe he will. 

He's already put joy in my life that I never could have imagined before having children.

He showed me the meaning of true love and absolute contentment.

I love you Big Man!  Happy 12th Birthday! 

OU Sooners-BIG 12 CHAMPIONS!!!

 On our way to Dallas, Texas and Jerry's World!

 We made it to Jerry's World to see our Oklahoma Sooners play Nebraska!

 The boys were so excited to see the brand new stadium.  It was huge!

 We had the best seats-about 25 rows from the field and 5 rows from the OU band....I was in heaven.