Christmas

We have had a blessed Christmas, lots of family, lots of food, lots of presents, lots of fun, lots of stuff to unpack!!
Today we are playing, unpacking, washing, cleaning, burning (trash), and enjoying time spent at home just to play and do whatever!!!!

We began our Christmas fun with Grandma Nikki on Friday evening, she came to our house, we unwrapped, and unwrapped and unwrapped some more!! We are very thankful with our biggest gifts being, Brandon - a very wanted gun cabinet (safe), Lori - a Chi hair straightner, Tayden - a kitten cooner coon light , Tucker - a DS
We are very grateful as Grandma Nikki usually goes a little overboard with her shopping!!!!!! I try to tell her every year to not buy as much and do less, but she doesn't listen!!!

We then got to see Grandma Charlotte, and Grandpa Jim (Brandons Grandparents.) It was fun, relaxed, older kids, a little sad( we miss Aunt Annette)!! We appreciate our monetary gift from them!!!!

Next was Christmas Eve at Grandma Chucks(My grandma)!!! Wow I remember leaving there and singing Grandma got ran over by a reindeer, being very very giddy in the back of the mini van when I was a little girl!!! The chicken salad sandwiches were great and we enjoyed the gift of homemade food!!

Christmas Eve we then headed to Glenwood, MO to great aunt Lindas (Blbs great aunt), where there is a lot of laughter, some untraditional fun!!! Late nights and we head home to get ready for SANTA!!


SANTA did come to our house, the boys even left feed and hay for the reindeer and then the reindeer even left droppings!!!!

As soon as we were showered and ready we headed to Grandpa Gary's and Grandma Suzy's (mom and dads) . 10 grandkids + 8 adult kids = fun and lots of noise. We had a great time and the yearly homemade gifts were fun as normal!! I will do more on that later! Presents Highlights were Brandon - ProV 1 golf balls, Lori - pressure canner, Tayden - camera and lincoln logs, Tucker - hot wheels wall track

When presents were opened and fun was had we headed to Grandpa Dickies (blbs dad)
Grandma Lisa and uncle bradly were also ready to see us!! Presents highlights - Brandon - knife and $$$, Lori - scentsy warmer (and boots ) $$$, Tayden - Mario Brothers DS game, movie, Tucker - wall tracks and Toy Story Dump Truck!!
We enjoyed time with them and even a NAP!!! It was fun and Brandon and Dickie always hunt in the afternoon!!!

Today we are home for a while at least...

Merry Merry

As we all know,... this is my favorite time of year. Kids are excited, love life, and really happy. Families are bonding, planning food, and keeping each other company, lambs are being born, and the joy of all babies is amazing. Teachers are counting down the hours until Christmas break, moms are wrapping and trying to make Christmas perfect!!!!
I reflect on the things in my life around Christmas. I realize how lucky I am to have a family, a home, a husband, and all the extended family around!!!!
I am only focused on getting through tomorrow, then let the fun begin. HO HO HO we will be home!!!!
Merry Christmas!!!

ps most know the other reason I really like this time of year!???!!

Life

Life is full of adventures. Some are good, some are bad, but they all make us stronger. One of my favorite quotes.
"What doesn't hurt (kill) you, will only make you stronger!"
I am only 26 - soon to be 27 and I have a pretty good concept of some challenges in my life already. The 1 thing I can always find that is positive is my health and the healthy family( extended and all) I have. This weekend my husband has taken Tayden deer hunting. He loves it they both love it and enjoy the time together and the excitement. Tayden shot the biggest buck he has ever shot on Saturday afternoon.
He is a nice 9 pointer and Brandon, Tayden, Tucker and I were very proud of the little buck killer!!!

However, one of these days the 7 year old is going to fall and probably hard, because hunting isn't always that easy, exciting, and you don't always see big deer!!!

Life - I guess the life skill I am thinking about is... While the excitement and positives are going on hold on and enjoy, however sooner or later you will fall, and probably fall hard!!!!

That is life and we will hold on to the roller coaster that god has chosen for us!!

It is sometimes hard to have faith, find joy, peace and love!!!

Thank God for kids

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!!!
I have listened to Christmas music today, made some Christmas candies, enjoyed company, and I think the song below sums up most of the magical Christmas feeling!

The Song Thank God for Kids by Kenny Chesney pretty much sums it up!

If it weren't for kids have you ever thought
There wouldn't be no Santa Clause
Look what the stork just brought
Thank God for Kids

We'd all live in a quiet house
Without Big Bird or a Mickey Mouse
And Kool-aid on the couch
Thank God for Kids

Thank God for kids there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think? or wonder why?
The nearest thing to Heaven is a child

Daddy how does this thing fly?
A hundred other where's and why's
You really don't know but we try
Thank God for Kids

When you look down in those trustin eyes
That look to you, you realize
Its love that you can't buy
Thank God for Kids

Thank God for there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think? or wonder why?
The nearest thing to Heaven is a child

When you get down on your knees tonight
To thank the Lord for his guiding light
And pray they turn out right
Thank God for Kids

Thank God for Kids