Game Night

Uncle Tim and Aunt Erica,

You made Jimmy a very happy little boy with Tommys Christmas present! He got the biggest kick out of playing this game!

Thanks!

Becky

Lesson learned

Jimmy strikes again!!! This is the perfect example why not to sleep past 7 in the morning. He makes himself breakfast.
I must say though that he is rather clean about the process.

Keep Out!

Ok, so I told Tommy that Cousin Sammy was going to be staying with us for about a week and that he would need to clean his room up for her. The look on his face was a deer in the headlights. He usually keeps his room pretty clean but I asked him to just make it nice for her. Remember the "her" being a 17 year old girl! He kept asking me for things like MOM where is the vacuum, MOOOOOOOM where is some paper... and so on. When he was done he was so proud to show me his work. He took me by my hand and had to drag me to see. This is the first part I came to. As you can see he is setting the tone for how he feels about a "girl" being in his room. The little sign in the middle... its a girl.... he wrote keep out with a very scary illustration.

Next you come to a schedule he expects her to strictly follow: Notice the TV time is in red with an exclamation mark. He means business.... so as to not overlap with his TV time.

Here is his handy work on what he thought she would really want to play with. He took the time to lay out all his Star Wars stuff. Notice the dvd just in case she wants to watch it. This kid is a mess!

I must say though that he did a great job overall. Maybe a little bitter about the girl thing but that's Ok!

Help

If anyone knows of a good beach house, condo or time share on a beach in Fl please let me know! I'm looking for one anywhere around Destin, PCB or Tybee Island. Any ideas let me know, I need it for the week of July 5th. Thanks out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah..... and I need to be able to accommodate 8 adults and 3 children! I dont ask for much!!

Becky

Ok, get ready for Christmas picture overload! We started Christmas Eve with a fun Church service and then we headed to my house for the worlds worst dinner! No, I'm not kidding. It was awful! Thank the lord it was my parents and the appetizers held us. I'm not sure anyone else would have found the humor in the situation. I got what pics I could but it was the last thing on my mind. We showed up to Mom and Dads and I have never laughed so hard as when I realized I dressed Jimmy in the exact same outfit as Dad. The two Jims were twins that night! I must get Jimmy a little sport coat. I am sooooooo tired but we had a wonderful Christmas dinner at Moms and it made up for everything. The boys think Christmas actually happened end at Grandma and Grandpas house because they got all the cool stuff over there! Thank you guys for everything! We love you and hope your holiday was as great as ours!

Ps: For the record I did redeem myself with a very yummy breakfast!

Becky

One Day I will Sleep

It is 2:05 in the morning and I am one happy Mommy. Did you know that Toys R Us and Kohl's is open until 1 am? Did you also know what it can do for a women's soul to leisurely walk around Kohl's and Toys R Us without her husband and children. Did you also know that I would gladly trade shopping during the normal daylight hours to live such a dream! Never once did I hear:

Are we done yet

Lets gooooooooooooooo

Cant we do this tomorrow

I'm hungry

or my favorite.... Cant you do this while I'm at work?

But at last my dream must end at some point.... meaning I better get some sleep because all three of them will be up in 4 hours!!!!!!!! It was fun while it lasted.

Becky

Christmas

Christmas came early at Grandmother and Papaws this year! We had to much fun and ate way to much!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for everything you two do for us and the boys!! We appreciate everything. We love you and will see you soon! Merry Christmas.

Marc, Becky, Tommy and Jimmy

Seeing Santa

Oh man did we have fun. Mom and I took the kids to see the Santa Claus at Bass Pro Shops. I guess this is my sixth Santa experience with kids and let me tell you it was by far the best! They really did it nice. It was so nostalgic and perfect for boys. The pics below are a bit out of order but you will get the overall point. Being the mother of the year that I am I took Tommy out of school so we would miss the crowds... it worked! We were first in line. The boys colored, played checkers got cotten candy and had a blast. They were so good too. Tommy can talk all the smack he wants about Santa but you should have seen his face when he was talking to him. The place even smelled like Christmas which I later found out was Honey Roasted Cashews!!!! I like to refer to them as tiny bits of heaven. I told Marc we were going to have to go back so he can see the boys have so much fun but the truth is I want more cashews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




The boys got to play a shooting game after Santa... Jimmy shot the thing up and over the wall, it ended up in a boat on the other side!

Grandma showing Tommy how to shoot a gun..........hmmm that should work out well

Jimmy telling Santa about all that he wants

Tommy telling Santa about all that he wants...

This was right before seeing Santa. I thought we were going to have a bit of a problem but apparently he was just being silly.

No! You may not!

They want one of these so bad now!

This was the first thing Jimmy saw and let me tell you he freaked out. There was a red one next to it but um he really wanted the pink one. I mean he wouldnt even sit on the red one he really really really wanted a pink one! Maybe he wants it to drive up to his dolly house.

Jimmy begged me to get a train like this. This was his favorite part.

Concerned

I'm a little bit concerned I'm buying to much for Christmas. Today at Target I realized I need to get Marc razors and I wondered if I had the right bow for them. I think I need to stop soon.

Becky

TV time with Daddy

For the life of me I just cant figure out why they would fight like this.... I mean what ever could be their motivation? I wonder if there could be any outside influences or something.... hmmm weird.....I guess Ill start monitoring their TV a little more.... or their Daddys TV that is..... I believe I am outnumbered in this house....

Becky

All he wants for Christmas...

Were loosing teefff weft and right around here!

Sometimes these things just write themselves people!

Becky

Christmas cookies

To the previous sugar cookie recipe:

Add one more stick of butter (for a total of two) and cook for 8 minutes! That is the perfect combination. They were great!

Becky

At least I tried

Its official, I have failed. I had a great idea for a new Christmas story each night in December. I was doing fine until 12/8. That's just sad... but hey at least I tried. I never give up though and purchased the kids a book of Bible stories and we are reading a different one each night... so I have the rest of December covered. Sometimes you just need to be resourceful. Tonight we are going to go around and check out all the Christmas lights.... I'm just in it for the Hot Chocolate!

Becky

Why not to go the Walmart during a tornado!

You will physically throw your child into the car seat while simultaneously throwing your groceries in. You will get him buckled slam the door to rush to the opposite side of the vehicle only to wade through water ankle deep. You will jump in the car turn around and see said little boy in the cargo area of car laughing his head off. I need not go on......

Becky

Hanky may be required!

I have been accused of having a dark swirly spot where my heart should be, but this clip definitely proved that I am human. Click the link below.

http://www.avmypodcast.com/preview.asp?path=file/hmumc/hmumc_200812718398.m4v&title=Episode

Marc

Dear Keepin' it honest in GA....

If I were "Marc" or "Tommy", I would be a little upset about being thrown under the bus like this. I wonder if the one taking the picture has ever made a mess in the kitchen before and walked away for a "short" while? Probably so.

Signed - Keepin' it real!

"Marc" and/or "Tommy"

Keepin it honest

In the spirit of honesty I believe I should share with you the kitchen I woke up to the morning after I took my Christmas pics..... There really is no excuse for this kitchen except for the names MARC and TOMMY!

Its ok though because he was just making breakfast......Thank goodness I caught him because that could have been a messy clean up! Or electrical fire.................. oh my! I would love to understand how is little mind works.... I think he really took the time to place each of those morsels. I just have to laugh!

What means the most to me!

See, I even have one in the bedroom. I'm going to have serious withdrawals when Christmas is over. This is a new tradition for me that started because the kids knocked it over three times when it was in the hall. Lots of traditions get started that way around here.

The ornament sweet cousin Tanner made for us last year. Why oh why must they keep growing! I'm going to have to buy something NASA makes to keep this thing from ever breaking. It would just kill me! Erica you may not realize but these things are precious to me, however silly that may be. I'm a sentimental sap!

In my family ornaments are more then just ornaments. They have always told a story of the past year. Each one is picked with love and care ( except the snow goose but Dad will have to live with that one!) When Marc and I got married we carried on the tradition. My absolute favorite one he has gotten me is by far the Santa Clause in a bumber car. We had only been married a year or two and he told me he would get so frustrated with me sometimes he just wanted to go duke it out in some bumber cars. Every year I look at that car and laugh and cry at how far we have come. We still want to get in those bumber cars sometimes but were laughing the whole way.

I am loving my Christmas Home so much! I have the entire house decorated. I'm not kidding each room has a little Christmas. Normally I get tired of the cluttered feeling about this time but not this year. Something is different this year. I just want to cherish it all.

I have to ask myself why do I even try sometimes! I'm sure it is because they are boys that many things are lost on them but I try anyway. I thought I would be so clever and sweet to them before church this morning and what I got in return was "I don't want that" "not me not me" and many other insults hurled towards the poor innocent little men in the pan! Tommy insisted he eat frosted flakes and Jimmy only wanted a yogurt. I try anyway!

Unappreciated

Story time

The boys and I decided to read a different Christmas book every night in December. That means finding 25 Christmas stories which is not as easy as I originally thought. I will say that Jimmy and I discovered the book section at Goodwill. You just cant beat 75cents for a book! It was crazy. I'm trying to find the Jotham series for Advent but haven't had luck yet. Wish me luck!

Easiest Sugar Cookies Ever

I was looking for a fast and easy sugar cookie recipe and I found it. I just don't have time to refrigerate the dough all the time. These tasted pretty good too. I used red and green food coloring as well.

Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. I used rolled out dough to form shapes.

Guys, guys, guys,,,,,its just a game!

Geez...... what a bunch of cheaters

Deck the halls...

Thanksgiving is done and now it's the mad rush to procure those thoughtful gifts for our beloved family. We (I) all still hope that we (I) made Santa's nice list again for the 30th+ time. The yard art is twinkling and once again the neighbor's yard is bare. Maybe we decorate a little too early for every single solitary holiday. I did feel a little like Clark W. Griswald as the "Spaghetti Junction" of extension cords lay before me.

We just finished decorating the tree and I honestly don't know why we buy such a tall one because only the bottom 3 feet is decorated. I also didn't know a single sting of lights could hold 14 ornaments, side-by-side. We still have to flip a coin to see who gets to put the angel on top...me or Becky. Just kidding.

With glitter from the ornaments on their hands, the kids are now rolling the dough and baking cookies. No need to decorate after they come out of the oven. Tommy and Jimmy love to help out in the kitchen, especially when the end product is a cookie.

to be continued...

Marc

Heres my top ten list of things Im thankful for:

1.)Family and friends that keep me laughing

2.)Jimmy is potty trained....completly

3.)Tommy is continuing to improve his reading skills... Im so proud of him

4.)Marc and I didnt kill each other during the bow incident tonight ( you had to be there)

5.)My beautiful strong and talented niece whom my children adore

6.)With very little Christmas shopping to go Im giddy with excitment for their faces christmas morning.

7.)Coffee...newly discovered and yes Papaw its coffee!

8.)Although we are one crazy motley crue my entire family is healthy and happy.

9.)Tonights bow incident aside I have one great hubby that I wouldnt trade for anything... except a man who might hang bows right but whatever.....

10.) My Grandmas stuffing that I cant wait for tomorrow!

My list could go on and on and on.....

Who needs Disney....

Who needs Disney when you have the car wash. My kids had a minor meltdown in the carwash today. I have never laughed so hard. Jimmy was holding on for dear life. Ignoring the dumb and dumber haircut this pic cracks me up.

Jimmy was cracking me up. He really thought the windows were going to crash in on him. He kept cutting his eyes every which way.

He was totally flipping out

He asked Tommy if he would hold his hand... how sweet! By the way this is how boys hold hands as to never show to much emotion.

What fear on his face... HA HA... When we pulled out he was so happy and was yelling you did good in there Mommy! What a bunch of clowns.

Tiny Umbrellas

Warning: If you can not appreciate creative parenting then stop reading now!

Ok, so Jimmy is a little booger sometimes. He is about 95% potty trained. I take complete responsibility for the fact that when we go somewhere I simply take the easy road and go with the pullups. Yeah Yeah Yeah I know why would he tell me if he doesn't have to. Its just laziness people. I decided today is the day. I will buy no more. It is underwear all the way. So when we put his underwear on this morning I told him...... Now Jimmy Sponge Bob doesnt want you to potty on him and we cant find an umbrella small enough for him so we cant get him wet ok? He laughed and we went on. After we were shopping for a while he told me he needed to go potty and then let me know that we didn't have to get Sponge Bob and umbrella. He just thought it was hilarious.

Yes I completely understand I am crazy.... I blame my mother!

He ate even more but he had already thrown them away...he just kept eating them. I think he ate 5 in total. Never once did he come and ask me for a snack. Just got them and ate them. Just look at those cheeks. What a cutie pie!

Practice

Daddy,

We thought you might want to see a little of Tommy's practice tonight. He did really really good. He had his arms up the entire time though, I'm telling you he is going to be sore tomorrow. He looked like he was jazzercising. He is trying really hard to learn all the right moves and I couldn't have been more proud of him. Saturday should bring the laughs! As I was watching this video I couldn't help but remember the nights we would watch him in his crib. Remember when you would wrap him up really tight in his blanket and he would always end up with his little arms straight up over his head no matter how tight you would wrap him. Our baby is getting so big! We love you and miss you!

Mommy and the Boys

Budget Fun

AHHHHHHHHH its either late evening or early morning I'm not sure anymore. I just finished my budget for 2009 and I'm thrilled to have it out of the way. I'm going to try to release some control and go automated this year. Yeah you heard me right.....I'm still doing it the old fashioned way! Some things you just cant let go. I have got to make myself get some sleep now. Wish me luck!

Becky

Why I love Saturday mornings

I love Sat. Mornings because:

two monkeys jumping in the bed

yummy chocolate chip pancakes

cartoons

no bus stop

great view with bunches of leaves to play in later

daddys home

not having to lift a finger for any of it

Becky

Every child needs shoes

Here is a great way to help a child. Its easy and cheap. Hope you can help. Visit 50000shoes.com.

Thanks!

First I must tell you that to hear the video you will need to push pause on the song to the left. It is that time of year again when we get tons of toy catalogs in the mail. They boys have been obsessed with them. They have them when they are eating, watching tv and even suppose to be sleeping. Tommy really has his eye on a rocket but Jimmy found a cute little dollhouse he likes. I thought Daddy would like this little video. Tis the season.

Ok, I think I have fixed everything so comments can be made. For those of you who have been having problems (you know who you are)!

Lova ya,
Becky

We decided to have a picnic at the park after Church and the kids loved it. I had no idea it was so cold though. So much for my planning. I love the new park they just built but I'm not so sure about the swings! Those things are just weird. What is wrong with using your legs to swing. Geez the little kids cant even see out of the swing. I'm glad they want them to be safe and all but haven't we all fallen out of a swing before? Anyway maybe our kids will turn out smarter then us and then we will all laugh! Anyway, this is our new favorite place. Hope your weekend was fun and you have a great week to come.

Please take note that the previous blogger is YOUR WIFE! Nice to meet ya!

Marc's Dissention

I have a different pov than the previous blogger. Honestly, I am disappointed that Barack Hussein Obama was voted in as the next President. It saddens me to think that we as Americas could be persuaded by the Liberal Media to overlook his seriously flawed character. His only redeeming quality is his ability to raise a tremendous amount of campaign money. Maybe he should host the next Jerry Lewis Telethon. His radical associations with known terrorists and willingness to negotiate with dictators is not a good quality. Just like marijuana is a gateway drug, I worry that Obama is a gateway to something even more terrible. Hello Syria, Goodbye Isreal!

Of course, John McCain has his issues. I felt he was the lesser of two evils. I don't agree with all of his policies and rhetoric, but I felt that his character was much better. Do you know what character is? Character is what you do when no one is watching. I have doubts about Obama's character due to the sweetheart deals that he has received from various people.

I will finish with a little agreement with the previous blogger. We don't have to respect the person, but we should respect the position. Respect is something that is earned, not given. Obama should be respected because he did earn the position.

Marc

Well, well, well. So much to say. Barack Obama is our new president. I felt defeated as the news came in. It feels like the country I believed myself to live in presented itself to me as something else altogether. I thought and thought and thought about this today. At dinner we talked to Tommy about what this all means. I found that my current thoughts are optimistic. As I was explaining democracy to him I realized a few things. Do I agree with all his ideas........ No, am I worried about taxes and health care....yes! What scares me even more though is a country divided. I love my country and everything we have fought for over the years and I refuse to disrespect any president. I can truly say that I give him the respect he deserves for making the strides that he has. I told my son tonight that we will support our President and respect him because we are a Christian family as well as Americans and it is what we do. I expect it from him so I will expect it from myself.

Becky

Its Final

Its Final,

For the last few months Marc has been working on something BIG! Yesterday he got the call that he has been offered a position with a "Great" global company in Atlanta. My man did it!!!
He saw what he wanted, went after it with a fierce determination and got it! To say I am proud of him does not even scratch the surface of my emotions. Besides his Mom (your welcome Jane) I am his biggest Fan in the world! This is going to be a wild ride but I'm holding on and ready to go!

PS: If anyone needs me Ill be at Target.................. Just kidding Marc!

Photobucket Album

Have you voted yet? Marc decided to go on the way home from work. Poor guy has been there since 5:30 and I don't expect to see him for a long time. Its worth it! I'm sick of turning on the TV and hearing people tell me how "I" feel. Anyway, I have promised to chill for little bit so I wont get on my soapbox. I'm going to go get ready to give out candy tomorrow unless the government would like to regulate how and when I do it....... oops sorry......its gonna be hard!

Becky

What a busy week! We are so busy this week with basketball, trunk or treat, pumpkin carving with cousin Sammy and finally the big deal...... Trick or Treating!!!!! Im enjoying ever second of my little ones being so excited about halloween because I know it wont always be this way....
Jimmy decided to stay with Grandma and Grandpa last night so Tommy could finish all his homework early for the week and now he says he isnt coming home. Im on my way out to get everything to make gobblin grog. If it looks gross they will love it! Have a great day and remember to vote......................

Love Becky

Security was tight at Wings Over Marietta!

I know they are cracking down on security but this cracked me up! Just look at the line behind him. He loved it!

Bake Sale

I need an idea for our church, school and neighborhood bake sales. If anyone has any yummy recipes let me know. I'm kinda tired of my same old stuff.

Thanks!

Are you kidding me!

When my sweet friend was in the last month of her pregnancy I could tell it in her voice.... she could only take so much more. Second pregnancy's are so much harder due to the fact that you have a little munchkin you are already taking care of. The last few days I talked to her I felt for her. Poor thing still had a month to go and a three year old who didn't care! HA HA. So when she called me the other day I was concerned because she sounded so odd. She told me she was in the hospital after having the baby the night before.... one month early....in her house... with just her and her three year old....in her bathroom. My words: ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Its a long story but the bottom line is she went into labor a month early and did what she had to do. She took care of her son while calling 911 and literally delivering her little girl. Her baby was not breathing when she was born but she stayed strong and listened to the 911 operator and gave her CPR. Soon after the EM Ts arrived and took them all to the hospital and 2 days later everyone is safe and sound. Although my heart broke for her to go through that, I am so very proud of her for staying so strong and courageous. You are a true women! Hug that little girl for me and one day when she is rolling her eyes at you and being a typical teenage girl, I will tell her just how much you fought for her!

Becky

Photobucket Album

These pics pretty much sum up football season. Jimmy watching the GA game, Tommy taking one in the face, and getting our pumpkins. Best time of the year!

Becky