Dear family...

Dear Mom,
Thank you so much for everything you have done for me all my life, but what all you have done this month for me really means the world to me. I don't know what I would do without you. I am the luckiest girl to have you as my mom.
Love,
Your VERY grateful daughter


Dear Toot,
PLEASE quit asking me 50 times a day if it is Christmas yet. I know you are excited but dang girl, you are driving me crazy. I promise I will not let Christmas pass without telling you. I also promise that we will make Santa cookies on Christmas so don't worry. I have everything under control.
Love,
Your pinky promising mama

Dear Smiley,
I love the way you are. You are perfect in your own little way. There is just one thing I need from ya. Now I know most parents would love what you haven't been doing but I need a little help. All you have asked for Christmas is a truck and a REAL train. I'm gonna need a little more to work with babe. So, give it some thought and let me know.
Love,
Your mama that is out of ideas

Dear Little Man,
OK kiddo. It's get that it is almost winter break and you are excited. I get that it's almost Christmas and you are excited. And, I get that you are so excited about going to Boy Scout camp right after Christmas. BUT, do ya think you could tone down the attitude a tad. And when I say tad I mean A TON. This arguing with me over EVERYTHING is getting old real quick. And so is talking to me like I am your child. I don't let adults talk to me like that and I sure as heck am not going to let you. So, just go back to your sweet self and all will be well again.
Love,
Your mama that happens to know where she can get some coal

Dear Benny,
Quit stressing. I have everything under control.
Love,
The woman who hopes you are a gullible as your daughter


For more Dear someone letters head on over to ShortMama's place. It's all warm and cozy over there. You'll love it!

It's finally over but was so fun!

Christmas Eve

We let them open a few gifts early (so they would go to bed!)

Christmas day

Toot's new 4-wheeler. She said Herbie off the Rudolf movie painted it pink.

Smiley's new ride

The only problem is that she has no fear what so ever!

He loved it.

At my parents

I'm 'testing' out Toots new game.

Little Man was SOOOO excited!

Grandpa helping Smiley draw a bunny rabbit.

Toot's new Barbie

At my Grandmother and Great Grandfather's house

5 Generations

This is my little Nephew.

At Mom's with my brother's and their families

Total chaos!

Everyone chunking balls at each other!

Toot and my brother coloring Tinkerbell. Gotta love the tights!
After my brother's left, we stayed and watched a movie and relaxed. And relaxed some more.
And just a little bit more before we left.

We had a wonderful Christmas. It lasted 4 days and I loved it. We let the kids open 2 presents on Christmas Eve, did Santa and presents on Christmas morning, went to my parents Christmas afternoon, My BIL's Friday morning (Hubby's mom and niece didn't come down so it was just to exchange gifts quickly), my Grandmothers Friday afternoon, then back at my parents on Saturday to see my brothers and their families. I'm so tired and I am not doing anything today. Hubby's back at work so we are just relaxing.

I hope everyone has a good and safe New Year's Eve!

A new day

Something new at bottom. Please read.

Today is a new day and I have desided some things.

I am going to try and quit worrying about the things I can not control.

I am going to be happy.

I am going to get my ass back in the Christmas spirit.

I am going to think about all the wonderful people in my life.

I am going to be thankful for all the blessings in my life.

I am going to be positive.

Here is some of my family that are such wonderful people and that helped make me the person I am proud to be today. This is my immediate family.

My Mom

My Dad

My brother PA

My brother Toph

My brother J

His wife M. Truly the sister I always wanted. They have been together sinse I was 2 years old (they were 15 at the time).

My Brother K

And of course, these 4 great people!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! See ya after the holidays!!!!

A little edit:

A bloggy friend of mine and her family needs your prayers. Please go visit Melissa and if you are felling it, say a little (or big) prayer for her and her family. They need it right now and it is that season right?!

And below is some of the reasons I feel so much better!

Yes, this was that bad night BUT I saw this picture and it made me smile. We were dancing!

We went and looked at the lights of Marshall, TX.

This is what happened after we got home.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Smiley made a mess!

Remember yesterday when I said we didn't have to rearrange the ornaments because the kids did such a good job? I take it all back.

I have redecorated the bottom section of that damn tree about 10 times since I wrote that! Smiley keeps taking what he can reach off and stashing them behind the chair. He's funny though so it was hard to get on to him the first 2 0r 3 times, but after 5, I was not a happy camper.

This is how it went down the first few times.

Smiley: Mama! Mama! Come look!

Me: What? What?

Smiley: Smiley made a mess. (as he smiles real big)

Me: YES HE DID.

Smiley: Smiley made a big mess.

Me: YES HE DID. Smiley needs to clean it up right now.

Smiley: The Christmas tree is bootyful.

Me: It would be if the ornaments were still on it. Pick them up and put them back. NOW.

Smiley: Mama do it!

And then he runs away.

Little Shit!

At least he showed me where he hid them.

Weekend Photo Recap

We had a great Sunday. Saturday was good but I was so tired afterwards. Hubby always works a lot this time of year so I'm always the one stringing up the lights. I got all the light up outside without falling off the roof! Now, I am so sore!

Yesterday, we went to the Christmas tree farm and finally got our tree. I know this is kinda late but we were waiting for Hubby and Little Man to be home at the same time so we could do it as a whole family. It was raining when we got there but stopped as soon as we got out of the truck.

The only problem was Santa is always there but wasn't yesterday because of the rain. The kids didn't really mind though so that's good.

Toot LOVED this tree (she is hugging it) but it was too small!

We wanted to get this one (not really) but Little Man said NO WAY to the Grinch tree.

We stopped to play with Hubby's Christmas present on the way home.

We both shot 80% but I hit the bulls eye dead on!

Setting up the tree so we could decorate it. He had to tie it to the ceiling so it wouldn't fall over.

Final product. The Angel is really pretty but I don't know why it glows blue and red. It is new so I didn't know it did that. It's kinda weird. Also, I was too lazy to get up and move the ladder for the picture. Oh well.


We ate are traditional cheese dip while decorating and watched the Cowboys beat the Giants. I love my Cowboys but especially love Jason Witten! We usually have to rearrange the ornaments after the kids go to bed but they did such a great job, we didn't need to this year.

Also, I got my Bare Minerals make up from Toni and it was the perfect color. Here is my thoughts on it. I have the cheap kind from Wal-Mart and it has worked good. But, with the one I already had, if you get to much on the brush, it looks kinda caked on like liquid foundation. The Bare Minerals didn't and I liked the way it looked a lot better. It looked more natural. I don't usually buy expensive make up but I will be buying this. I don't wear make up very often so it will last me a good while. It got an A+ in my book. I forgot to take a picture and I left my make up in Hubby's truck, so you will just have to trust me on this one.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Only 10 more days until Christmas!!!!

I did it

But only for yall!

Poem for everyone!

I'm real sick so I am going to just post an e-mail my Mom sent me. I don't know who wrote it, I'm just copying it.

WANT CHRISTMAS BACK


*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS