It's Been A While

We have been busy lately and I haven't taken time to post on here like I like to. I started working last week at Bath and Body Works in the mall through the holiday season. I am really enjoying it so far. It is just in the evenings and weekends so Jonathan is home with the kids while I am working. I was just wanting to do something and thought that would be a fun change. I think it is good for me to get out of the house a little. It seems to be helping me organize my time better when I am at home and I don't seem to want to run around as much during the day.

Jennah did get a solo and a duet in the Christmas musical she is also in a little scene as a cheerleader. Jack is in the musical also. It is not really his thing but I wanted him to give it a try. He said he would as long as he didn't have to speak or sing by himself. The performance is on Sunday the 14th of December. Everyone is invited to come. We are also in the process of getting Grandma Janet's piano that she and Jonathan grew up using. Jennah and Jonathan are very excited. I can already see us all sitting around it while Jonathan plays Christmas songs. Okay maybe that's dreaming but it's a nice thought.

I am trying decide on a perfect background for our annual Christmas card photo. As you all know that can be a huge task. We got our first card in the mail today so I need to get on that. I am half way finished with my shopping already and I hope to be finished before Thanksgiving day.

We did our own family Thanksgiving dinner Saturday night and put up our Christmas tree. It was really good. I think we are going to make it an annual thing the weekend before Thanksgiving. The kids made turkey pictures and colored them. That is one of my favorite memories as a child was coloring turkeys for Thanksgiving. Then they made pilgrim hats. I was able to remember my Grandma Kelley's stuffing recipe that she taught me how to make probably ten years ago. It tasted just like Grandma's and it brought back so many happy memories of her and our times together. I cried.

I am challenging myself this year not to get stressed and fully enjoy the holidays. I don't want to worry about anything but enjoy my family and friends. One of the things we have decided to do between now and Christmas is watch a classic Christmas movie every Friday night. Last Friday we got Home Alone. The kids loved it and can't wait until next Friday night. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Fashion Police

Jennah is my little fashion expert. She keeps me looking my best even when I don't think it's important. The other night I had to run to Target for the third time that day and it was right before close so I just threw on some old jeans. These jeans don't look so great and Jonathan affectionately refers to them as my "mom jeans". I really didn't care and was ready to walk out the door when the fashion police caught me. She looked me up and down and said, "Mom! What are you wearing?!" I asked her what she was talking about. I was just wearing jeans and a sweat shirt. She said, "That is not your style!!" She is so funny. Jonathan and I were cracking up. So beware all you frumpy dressers if you are around Jennah she will let you know exactly what she thinks about your attire.

Nothing Big

We had a great Halloween this year. The past few years we have done the week long celebration and it was a little crazy. This year we decided to only do one night of craziness, until I got a random call from someone I have never met before. She told me her name and said she was a friend of one of my friends from Ft. Gibson. She had called in to channel 6 and won four passes to Discovery Land's Cute and Spooky Carnival. She didn't have children or grandchildren and called my friend Janet to see if she knew anyone that could use them. Janet thought of us and told her to call me. The only thing was she called at 4:30 and the tickets had to be picked up by 5:30 and they were only good that night. I called Jonathan and to my surprise he was willing to go. He usually doesn't go for spur of the moment things like this. Anyway we all had a great time and it was a great alternative the the traditional trick or treating.

Last week Jennah and Joel had their first sickness of the season. They started off with an allergy cough and both developed a sinus infection and Joel also got a double ear infection from that. Joel ears didn't clear up with the medicine the doctor prescribed and we started a new one on Friday. Hopefully this one will clear them up or it will be back to the chiropractor for him.

Jack is really enjoying chess club and I think Jonathan is enjoying it just as much. He will also start basketball in a few weeks. Jennah has auditions for our churches Christmas musical Wednesday night. I'm very excited for her and she is too. Joel also gets in on the singing. I'm crossing my fingers that he gets his daddy's singing voice like Jennah did.

The kids and Jonathan played in the leaves this week. I've never seen kids enjoy a pile of leaves like my three. They would come home from school have a quick snack and head straight out until dark playing in the leaves. Jonathan's grass has finally sprouted and he is very proud of his bright green grass. I never knew he had such an obsession with grass.

We are all doing well and are excited about the change of season and the holidays to come. Have a great week everyone.