Sunny Florida

So, just now...my mom comes in and tells me that it's another gorgeous day. Of course it is.....we're in Florida! We couldn't have ordered better weather for our short little visit here. Everyday has been warm and sunny....just like Florida should be, right? But....there is something very strange about seeing Santa lit up in yards...when it's 80* outside. The snowmen that are dotting some of the lawns? Strange too. I'm sure if I lived here, I would get used to warm weather at Christmastime, but it just feels like it should be cold outside when Santa comes. Anyway, Wyatt and I have had a great time. We've done some different things this time. We rode on an air boat with Capt. Dave and we went to the Butterfly Rainforest at the University of Florida. The air boat was a blast and the butterflies were beautiful. Today, we're going to grab a late breakfast and then just hang out. Then, we head for home in the morning. Have a great day....see ya at home! xoxo

The Night Before Christmas

Ever since the boys were very little, I have watched the Santa Tracker on Christmas Eve. The last time I checked, Santa was in Moscow, Russia....and slowly but surely making his way to Tennessee. It was so exciting to see the boys faces when I would tell them where Santa was. When Ben was little, he would even get a phone call from Santa. Santa would always call him after we got home from church and let Ben know that he needed to get ready for bed. It worked miracles! Ben would always be safely tucked in by about 9:00 on Christmas Eve. Wyatt was a different story! Mr. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing.....probably peeked into the living room and watched us wrap presents! Oh well....they were totally different babies and totally different little boys. So, fast forward to Christmas Eve, 2008. All day long, all we have heard...from BOTH of them....." can we open one present tonight...PLEASE????" Even though Christmas looses a little bit of the mystery as your children get older.....there is always the same magic in the air.
It's just about time to get ready to head to Candlelight Service....so from my keyboard to yours......have a wonderful, magical, and very Merry Christmas. xoxox

The finishing touches...

Cookies have been baked....(and eaten)....presents have been wrapped....the menu is planned. I have about 4 more presents to wrap, another batch of cookies to bake, and the rest of the sausage balls need to be baked too. The King is off until next Monday, so he said he would help...since I am working tomorrow. There's not much left to do except a little housework. Sis, Nanny and I are grocery shopping for Christmas dinner tomorrow and we'll go to candlelight service at church tomorrow evening. Then all we have to do is wait on Santa!
I still have lots to do to get ready to be away from home and the office for 5 days though.
Since my last post...Wyatt has been to the dentist and had no cavities. Great job, Wyatt! I have to admit, I'm a little surprised. Wyatt has never been the best brusher, but apparently he gets the job done! Ben goes next Monday...I hope he makes out as good as Wyatt did.
One more thing, then I am done for the day....Ben says that a "little corn snake" may be in our future. I'm not so sure about that.....stay tuned!

Wrapping up

Yep....wrapping it all up tonight. For the first time EVER....I wrapped Christmas presents before midnight on Christmas Eve. See, when the boys were little, Santa always brought his presents to them wrapped. So.....the King and I were always up really, really late 'helping Santa'. For some reason...after the 'Santa days' were over for the boys, I still ended up wrapping presents on the floor on Christmas Eve. Not this year! It's all done.....Whew!
Sis and I have even decided what to fix for Christmas dinner too....we'll be having a standing rib roast, baked potatoes, and a salad. I'm positive that she will come up with a fabulous dessert too...cause that's just how she is...fabulous!
We had a pretty full day today...starting with basketball, then some shopping, then home to wrap, wrap, wrap. We also went through hundreds of old pictures tonight, too. The King is busy scanning them now. Look for them on Photobucket later. Nite y'all. xxooxx

Pen Pals....maybe?

I suppose that's what you might call us. I got boxes in the mail from my long distance friends this week. Lots of goodies from very lovely ladies. We have known each other forever it seems but we've never met. I love all three of them and would love to meet them all someday. We talk for hours and hours about everything under the sun. Sometimes we talk for hours and hours about absolutely nothing at all. We talk about food and friendships, family and husbands, kids and the weather, and everything in between. I love hearing about their adventures and they enjoy hearing stories about the boys....and even about the King. We share happy things and bad things.....we share most everything that happens in our lives. We have been there for each other when one of us has been sick and when we have lost loved ones. They are good therapy for me and I hope that I am the same for them. I know they're going to be reading this soon.....so I want y'all to know that I treasure each one of you and love you all very much. xoxox

Finally!

Exams are over! I'm so glad....for more that the obvious reasons. I'm glad they're over so that the boys can relax and start their holiday. But....I'm REALLY glad that tomorrow is the last day that I'll have to drag them out of bed! The bigger they get, the harder it is to get them in an upright position in the mornings. Ben has never liked to wake up so that's nothing new for him...but Wyatt used to be the happiest fella ever! Not anymore! They're BOTH grouches! I'm sensing a suggested New Year;s resolution for them both.....I'll let ya kn0w how that works out. I'm sure it WON'T work out! Anyway, we're off to basketball tonight....keep warm and dry out there.....xoxox

A bell ringer?!?!

So...my dad has decided to do something totally out of character this Christmas. He has volunteered to be a Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army. The fact that he decided to volunteer to do something to help other people isn't the part that is out of character. But he decided to stand in front of a grocery store, wear an apron, and ring a little bell...THAT'S the part that is out of character! I have to admit, when my mom told me....I was shocked and amazed. He called me today while he was ringing his little bell...and now I have to admit that in addition to still being shocked and amazed...I'm also proud. Maybe the pretty lady that offered to sing with him is making it a little easier...who knows. Whatever it is that compelled him to want to do this makes me very proud. Ringing the bell in Florida...in 80 degree weather while we're waiting for an ice storm here in Middle Tennessee...sounds like an excellent way to spend the day. I love you, Dad!

It's in the oven....

Honey Bun Cake

1 (18.25 oz) package yellow cake mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Icing (recipe follows)

1. Preheat oven to 325*F.
2. In a large bowl combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, and sour cream. Mix by hand until most large lumps are gone.
3. Pour half of the batter into an ungreased 9x13x2-inch baking pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon on top of the batter in the baking pan. Spoon the other half of the batter into the cake pan, covering the brown sugar and cinnamon. Swirl top of cake with a knife until it looks like a honey bun.
4. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1. Combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl.
2. Mix until well blended.
3. Spread over the warm cake.

So there ya have it. That's what my house smells like right this very second. The cake combined with the fresh pine hanging in the doorway, and I have to admit...it smells like Christmas.
I know I have said it before, but for some reason I want to say it again. (It's always on my mind.) There are several families in our little town who are fighting very courageous battles with cancer. Never before have we personally known so many people touched by this evil disease. It's evil in what it does to a body.....but so many blessings have come to and from these amazing people. I'm very thankful and proud to know of each one of them. I'm also so very thankful that my children and family are healthy and happy during this Christmas season. Wow....all that AND honey bun cake! Have a great day....and keep warm! xoxox

More busy days.

They just keep coming. Although today was a snow day for the schools, my day was just as busy. I stayed at work until 5, trying to tie up some loose ends for an event on Sunday. It's not all tied up, but I did what I could. Then had to do a little Christmas shopping for a family breakfast tomorrow. Are ya bored with the details yet? I'm waking up early tomorrow to bake a honey bun cake for the breakfast. It will be nice to have an early, relaxed morning again. Some good coffee and some yummy smells coming from the oven....may just inspire a better post. Until then....sleep tight.

Christmas Dinner

Christmas Day, we've invited the King's parents and sister (and Remus) over for dinner. I only have one problem. I don't have a menu. The King's sister....Sis...is a fantastic cook and I know that between the two of us, we can prepare just about anything. We just don't know what to have. We've ruled out the traditional turkey or ham since we just had it a few weeks ago at Thanksgiving. We both fixed a standing rib roast last year, which was totally amazing...but totally expensive, so that's out too. We'll be cooking for 9 probably. Not including any bonus children that might cross the threshold during that day. I've been searching the internet for ideas. Italian maybe? I don't know. I'm sure whatever we come up with, though, will be delicious...cause that's just how we are...Sis and me. Even though I have ideas in my head that we will all gather around a perfectly set table, with candles and flowers and pretty dishes and good wine...but really what we do us is grab a plate and find a spot. We're very informal around here...but I'm thinking that I'm going to keep the thought of some really nice wine...yes, friends, that will be a reality. xoxox...keep warm!

I'm wrong. You're right.

Always.

I don't know how to spell or read. I don't know how to add or subtract. Sometimes I wonder how you think I make it from here to there during the day.

My life in the eyes of a 12 year old. I'm not the first mom to feel this way and I'm not the last one either. When you're 12....you know everything...right? NOT!

I DO know how to spell and read...rather efficiently, too. I also know how to add, subtract, multiply, AND even divide....I use those skills everyday. There are lots of other things that I know how to do too...and I do them well, but they're not interesting things to a 12 year old.

Some of the things that I CAN'T do....I can't play basketball, nor do I want to. I can't ride a wheelie on a bicycle...don't want to do that either though. The difference is, those are examples of things that I don't HAVE to know how to do. The other things....ya gotta know how to do. It's the facts. I'm sorry that when you're 12 you don't want to read or spell or add or subtract. But you have to.

OK...rant for the day is over. Have a lovely evening.

And so it goes....another week.

Lately it all seems to be running together. Work. Homework. Basketball. Christmas. It always seems like during the busy times, we always say..."well, things will settle down after (whatever the busy time is)". "It will settle down once the kids get back in school." "It will settle down after fall break." Now I find myself saying "Things will settle down after basketball and Christmas." There will be something else to 'settle down after' coming right up I'm sure. Oh well...at least we don't get bored! Anyway.....basketball game tonight and tomorrow night. At home. That's a good thing. Maybe I can get some shopping done....after basketball.
On a different subject, since at least 2 of us are going to Gaga and Pap's after Christmas, I thought I might check on some flights. Silly me! Even though the price of gas has come down considerably...the prices of flights have NOT! Looks like we will be driving. That's OK though, it's really not a bad drive. Wyatt and I just might sidetrack ourselves and find some interesting places to stop along the way. In addition to the winery in Manchester, that is! I always have to stop at the Beans Creek Winery. Looking at their website...I missed their Anniversary sale! So, if you know of fun places worth stopping at between here and Gaga and Pap's house...let me know! xoxox

The tree...

I know it looks crooked....but I swear it's not!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas....

.....at my house! We put the tree up today and got Christmas out of the attic. I'm starting to get a little Christmas spirit now. Since Wyatt and I (and maybe Ben) will be going to Florida the day after Christmas, I won't be able to continue my UN-Christmasing on that day. So....the king says that I need to leave it all up until New Years. I don't think so!! I counting on him getting tired of it while we're gone and hopefully it will all be safely tucked back in the attic until next year. We'll see! Anyway, our $38 Christmas tree from Lowe's isn't so bad. Yes, it's fake. Yes, it looks fake. Yes, I wish it was real. But, it's kinda pretty. I'd take a picture of it for y'all, but the batteries in the camera are dead. Tomorrow. I promise. There are a few more things to do to get the house Christmas-ized...that'll happen tomorrow too. I still haven't picked out the Christmas cards...so that has to be done too. The lights need to be hung outside and cookies need to be baked. Oh...and I need to Christmas shop! Night..xox

One of the best things about my job...

.....I work in an office with one other person. A man. It's really a lovely situation. Don't get me wrong...I love having my friends that are girls, I just don't want to work with any other women. That...and the man in the office is a great guy...an added bonus. We get along great. Sometimes a little tension..but NOT like if there were other women there! I say all of that because several of the other ladies that have the same job as me are having a little drama. I really hate it for them, but it makes me even more thankful that I'm in a one woman office....and that one woman is me! Anyway, this little drama that's been going on is unfortunate. Things were misunderstood and feelings got hurt. Hopefully they can be friends again sometime, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. So, we live and learn....it happens...and we are better for it. Hang in there, L! xoxox

Great news....

No more shots! The doctor said that it would be OK for Ben to stop the methotrexate. Of course, if we notice changes in the place on his leg, we will go back, but if nothing changes...we don't even have to go back! If Ben doesn't start gaining some weight back, then we have to follow up with Dr. Kinney. Hopefully, he will start gaining weight and we won't have to worry about it. They still don't think that the medication is what caused the weight loss....so I suppose we'll see.
All in all it was a good day. Not too much homework for Wyatt and nowhere else to go tonight. xxooxx

Too much to do, not enough of me to do it.

So, last night we went to Thompson's Station, TN to play basketball. It's all good, we won. But it was an hour there and an hour back. Not much time for homework. Or anything else, for that matter. But...we won so it's ok. Fast forward through today.....Wyatt has tutoring after school. I need to pick him up at 5:30. Then we need to come home (obviously) and start on homework. I won't forget to feed my child either...before we head out to practice at 7:30. Then he'll need to be picked up at 9:30. Good night!
Tomorrow, Ben goes to Vandy for his check up. His appointment is at 3. His last class for tomorrow...yep, you guessed it, is over at 3. We've had this appointment for 6 months and I'm not about to reschedule. We're hoping that he will get to stop the methotrexate injections. So, NO WAY are we rescheduling! Appointments with pediatric rheumatologists are hard to come by, apparently. Hopefully, it won't be a problem for him to leave school at 2 and meet me somewhere to go to Vanderbilt.
There is always more that needs to be done, but I'll work it in somehow. I always do! So...for tonight.....keep your fingers crossed that Wyatt can get his homework done AND eat dinner before practice. And for tomorrow....say a quick prayer that Ben gets to stop the shots...at least for now...and that the morphea on his leg does NOT start to spread again. Love y'all...xoxox

No surprises.

AND no snow. It's just cold. That's all. Maybe next time....Have a great day...without snow. xox

Nothing yet.

No snow yet. But the weatherman says it's coming. Just flurries all day, and maybe a dusting. The temp is going to stay above freezing all day. That means we'll be able to travel an hour each way for Wyatt's basketball game. Yep....a very long day is ahead of my little family. I'm sure everyone will sleep good tonight! Have a great day...and stay warm wherever you are...xoxox