Ten On Tuesday/Christmas Details

1.The kids stayed up at Lisa and Greg's until Thursday. My stinkin' body only let me sleep in one day! It was nice and relaxing and mostly just really quiet. Christmas Eve the kids and I went to our family gathering for a late lunch that was fantastic, then we went to church for the service. It was great, especially because Tyler, Corey and Raeleen were able to be there! Kayley was singing songs at the top of her lungs and the funny part is that she didn't know all the words! After the service we made Christmas cookies for Santa (Kayley still not really knowing if he's real or not) and left them out with some milk.

2. Tyler ended up having the stomach flu (that I have now extracted) and was not well Christmas day. When I got up in the morning Cole had already emptied his stocking as well as Kayley's and gave me that sweet, innocent smile like "what, mom? I'm helping." I made him put all hers back and then he was mad he had no stocking to empty, go figure. After presents we headed over to the parents house and did Christmas there. Then we went home and got ready to go to the Dawson family gathering in Yorba Linda. The food was amazing and the family was great too! My Aunt Michele placed me on her "naughty list" for making her a great-aunt. Geez, sorry Aunt Michele! We got home at 11pm and I was so wiped!

3. I got to see Justin for the first time in a long time. Here he is with baby Zoe (Corey's daughter)! She's adorable with her giant eyes.

4. Cole's Christmas faves are:

Bumblebee transformer
Buzz Lightyear
Transformer car
Toy Story Pj's
Floor mat with streets to run his cars on
All the candy and sweets!

5. Kayley's Christmas faves are:

A baby that says peekaboo while lifting its blanket over it's head
Her Buzz Lightyear
Cole's Bumblebee transformer
Microphone
Policewoman outfit with handcuffs, a whistle, tickets, etc.
Nerf gun that shoots balls

6. I didn't get any pictures of the kids opening presents on Christmas. That was silly of me. But I don't really mind, it's not like I scrapbook anymore. I mean, who has time for that?!

7. I got to meet Josh's wife Krystal this Christmas! I'm so glad they were able to come. She's really nice and meshed with the family really well. Here she is with Josh.



8. Tyler only worked a couple of hours yesterday and ended up hangin' with us most of the day. We took the kids to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs that, due to the current state of my stomach, makes me nacious at the thought. It was ok, the kids liked it, but I'm not sure I would want to see it again.

9. I'm bummed I missed out on seeing Shannon Heer and her family this evening. No one would have appreciated me attending as sickly as I am.

10. I took the kids to Bright Child (a giant indoor play center) this morning and we met Chelsie and her girls there. It would have been more enjoyable for me if I didn't feel like I needed to puke the entire time. I almost pulled over on the 101 to do just that. Thank goodness I made it to my mom's just in time. We spent the afternoon there and then the kids went to Tyler's for a while. The kids are home now and it's off to bed I go!

Monday...

My kiddos are at Aunt Lisa and Uncle Greg's and it's a beautiful thing.

This morning I didn't sleep in. I plan on it tomorrow. I did some laundry and then went to the dentist, who cleaned my teeth for, once again, FREE!! Then I helped my mom set up the bedroom for my sis to come. Then we went to Eggs and Things, yum! After we got back Joanna was here and we watched a movie.

Here's the greatest part of my day: I got home and someone had left a $10 gift card for Vons on my door. I was able to get something from the store that I really needed tonight. I'm so thankful. And blown away at how God is really providing for my every need.

Here's the second greatest part of my day: One hot tub in the complex was shut down, one was cold so Joanna and I ran some hot bath water and sat in it in our bathing suits. I love my sister. Here we are at the tree farm last year. Look how short my hair was!

Fabulous Friday

It has been a while since I've updated!

1. On Sunday at church one of the ladies who has been praying for our family came up to me and gave me $100 to buy Christmas presents for the kids! I was so shocked and so happy I cried!

2. I've been trusting God for the rent money we needed and He came through! I ended up receiving almost the exact amount of money that I needed without having to ask anyone.

3. Things are looking better for my family. God has been doing some amazing things this week and I look forward to what the future holds. There is no doubt in my mind that my God can restore lives and hearts, including my own.

4. I almost choked to death on a piece of sees candy I was having for breakfast this morning. Don't judge me.

5. Megan's birthday party is tonight!

6. I put on a pair of jeans I haven't worn in three weeks and they are too big! If I get money for Christmas I really need to go clothes shopping.

7. Cole has been a booger lately and I'm layin' the smack down. He should know better than to mess with this mama.

8. There is a possibility I might have a job soon! It's still up in the air and I don't know how it would work out with my childcare situation even if I got hired. If it works it would be a total miracle!

9. I finished my class and I'm so glad I'm done. I probably won't be taking a class next semester. I don't know how mom's go to school full time (or even part time) and keep from losing their mind. It was hard for me balancing everything with just one class.

10. Downtown Oxnard has a really cool light show coordinated with music that Tyler and I went to look at last night. It's very well done and I loved it. We had such a nice time at his company party, too. Italian food and margaritas go together splendidly:)

I should probably get out of my pj's (that I put back on after dropping the kids off at school!) and get some things done around here. And maybe eat another piece of chocolate, or two. Or three.

Today Karen, my pastor's wife and counselor, dropped some things off at my house while I was out. I came home to find an envelope with some money in it and a gift bag with some tidbits for the kids and I! What a blessing! I am having a sad day but I cannot forget to stop and thank God for the gracious gifts he gives and the ways in which he provides. I'm still believing for some rent money I'm short on. I'm confident it will be taken care of!

Cole was adorable at the preschool Christmas program today. He did a lot of the hand motions and sang most of the songs. I love my son.

We also survived Chuck e Cheese today. It wasn't crowded at all and I enjoyed the time with my kids. Kayley is at the age where it's all about the tickets and it's fun to watch.

So it has been a roller coaster the last few days and I'm really looking forward to spending the morning tomorrow in my pjs with my kids and hoping for a really long nap.

Feeling Blessed

I went to the dentist this morning to get my stitches out. I had to drive to Thousand Oaks in the rain and I hydroplaned on that super curve onramp at Johnson Drive. Incredibly scary! Anyway, I made it alive and the doc said everything looks really great and it's healing up nicely. The most fabulous part of my visit was when he sat down next to me and said "now lets see if this fits." He made me a night guard so I wouldn't grind my teeth. And it's FREE!!!! A very expensive appliance was totally free of charge and I'm feeling blessed! Hurray for God and hurray for generous people! May God bless Dr. Burton and his lovely wife, Shelly.

Please

Please God, please let tomorrow be better.

New Layout

I tried to do a new layout for the holidays and it went all computer language on me so I had to revert to a boring layout. When I get motivated I'll try again.

Praise Him In This Storm

Yesterday was probably the worst day I've had in a while. Having turmoil in my life forces me into God's arms because there is nothing or no one who can offer comfort like Him. He calls me to praise him in this storm and I try but I fail more often. Have you ever cried out to God and still felt anxiety, discomfort, still bearing a heavy load? Well I have. It's obvious that the enemy has his evil plot centered on my life right now and he'll do whatever he can to not only destroy the one human I can't stand right now but also destroy me.

It is my prayer today that God gives me his perfect peace that passes all understanding. I need to quit trying to control things and be patient for what lies ahead.

His grace and His love will cover me today.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I stuck a memory card in the slot on my computer and it was too small. Now it's stuck.

2. The window motor broke in the back seat last week and I've been driving around with the window down. Yesterday we pulled up next to a guy listening to some music in Spanish and Kayley said rather loudly "Oh no! I don't like that music, I wish I could roll up my window!" I'm pretty sure he heard and I praise God we didn't get shot. Thankfully the window motor has now been replaced.

3. I ran into Krista's grandma and aunt at Target today.

Some lady next to us in the check out spent $880. She was shocked, so was I. There's no recession going on for her apparently.

4. I love to journal. It's my new favorite thing to do.

5. I got my tooth pulled yesterday. Since it was broken it took so much pulling and pressure to get all the pieces out and it bled a lot. I'm going in to get the stitches removed and to get my teeth cleaned next week. And I'm so very, very, very thankful that it's all free of charge!!!!!!

6. I just got an email from my best friend when I lived in Scotland. It has been 9 years since I've seen her and we still talk. I would give anything for a visit there.

7. I really need to go to the gym. I've been slacking lately. I'm still losing weight though!

8. I'm excited to get our Christmas tree this weekend!

9. Kayley was late for school yesterday. Mondays after a long weekend are hard.

10. Baby Chase (the three month old upstairs) cries and it makes me want a baby for like 10 seconds. I cherish sleep.