snow in kansas

little trouble maker throwing snow balls!

grey, alaina, shaelin. it was too cold for poor ella to come out.

alaina making the biggest snow ball

grey wanted to sled so bad, but just not quite enough snow!

chistmas in pictures

ella loving on her bitty baby

ella opening her bitty baby. daddy decided she had to have it!

tearing off the paper!

grey was already absorbed in the DS, or as he used to say, the TS. then he saw the box and that it was really DS.

ella feeding her twin cabbage patch babies.

opening up the DS.

the much desired helicopter.

opening a present

ella enjoyed opening a few as well. she would tire out quicker, so we put her down for naps and would open and set up a few of hers at a time so she'd see them all when she woke up.

kids in front of the tree, dying to get their hands on the gifts!

playing with santa toys.

Joy of the Day

Today my joy is my family! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones!

some favorite christmas eve pictures!

it snowed and grey was soooo cold! he couldn't smile for a picture!
ella hunting in our backyard! this girl is too funny!

billy and grey making papa karls wassal. yum!!

ella tasting santas cookies. she had to be sure they were ok for him!

joy of the day

today it comes from the final preparations for christmas. we are so looking forward to mimi and tacey coming and having our dear friends over and seeing our friends and family in kansas - just so much to look forward to!


update - another joy for today! it's SNOWING!!!

joy of the day

today my joy comes from knowing this is my last working day of the year! yay for holiday break!

joy of the day

today i had to work late, and my joy of the day was coming home and driving through the neighborhoods and seeing all the twinkleing lights. all the houses are done so beautifully!

joy of the day

today what has made me so cheerful is listening to christmas music. i just love this time of the year!

joy of the day

First Christmas of the season - playing games, great food, and a Snuggie!

joy of the day

Date night with Billy! Yummy dinner, watched The Hangover at home. Good times!

joy of the day

Playing babydoll with Ella.

joy of the day

Grey singing Christmas caroles in the back seat in the sweetest voice ever!

joy for today

Today I'm excited to have pot roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans for dinner!! Not bad for a Tuesday night!

joy of the day

It was a beautiful day so Ella and I walked down to the bus stop to get Grey. My joy was from seeing Ella recognize her brother and start running to him! I hope she always is this excited about seeing her big brother!

joy of the day

This weekend we rented Super Mario Brothers on Wii. My joy has come from sharing a favorite childhood game with Grey. He has had a blast playing this game and we have had so much fun playing together as a family. I hate to see the weekend end!

joy of today

Today, what has brought me joy, along with general day off goodness, was hearing Grey sing a Christmas Song. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer..."And they shouted out with pee"... Seriously, how can that not bring a smile to your face?? Such a BOY!!

joy for the day

1) Wolf Howl at Grey's school. 2) Ice cream with great friends. 3) Super Mario Bros on Wii. 4) Chick-Fil-A.

joy of the day

My joy for today....give me a few minutes and I'll get to it.

I started this little daily positive thought for two reasons, one being that in this time of so much WANT (not need) and so little resources, it is important to focus on the joyous moments we already have. And two, because it helps to create a habit by doing something 30 days - so 30 days of positive thinking, should help me to become a more positive person.

Today has been a frustrating day. Nothing major, but let me explain. My job allows me to work from home 2 days a week. This has been one of my joys. Today was rough though. Ella is teething and just flat out wants her Momma to hold her. Yet, I have a job to do, and I must do it. It is hard to be a working mom. It is hard to be a stay-at-home mom. And it is really hard to try and combine the two. So it's been a hard day. Poor Ella just wanted comfort and I was struggling between feeling like I wasn't doing a good job at work and I wasn't doing a good job at being a mom. Then Grey got home and was in a difficult mood. So, while I'm working, and being a mom to two unhappy kiddos I was also cooking one of my 2 good meals (a pot of beans and sausage, cornbread, and rice - YUM!). I had Grey ride the bus home today, just so I could stay home and cook. It cooked all day; the house smelled so good. And somehow, while trying to soothe Ella, work my job, take care of Grey, dinner got scorched. Not just burned, scorched. Soooo frustrating! I was looking forward to dinner and Billy was looking forward to it (its one of his favorites). I talked to my Mom, was able to salvage the beans and sausage, made the rice and started the corn bread. Of course I didn't have one of the ingredients! It was just that kind of day!! But, I have a wonderful husband. He didn't care that dinner was ruined. He was willing to pick up fast food, or just eat what I had left. He has taken care of the kids tonight and let me try to just relax. So, my joy for today is in my husband. He is a fantastic husband, an unbelievable father, and my greatest support.

joy of the day

Today, my joy came from listening to Grey sing me a song about how much he loves me. Such a sweet boy!

joy for today

After a long day at work, my joy has been coming home, making dinner, with Christmas cartoons on in the background! I love the Mickey Mouse Christmas Carole!!!

Joy For Today

Today, my joy has come from being able to work from home. I was able to spend the day with Ella, pick Grey up from school, and enjoy the afternoon with my kiddo. Great way to spend a very cold Monday.

Joy for the Day

My joy for today comes from a roaring fire in the fire place, Christmas movies on the tv, and my two kids snuggled up beside me! That is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Joy of the Day

Today my joy comes from seeing my house all decorated for Christmas! The outside still needs to be completed, but it is sooooo cold!!! But the tree is complete, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, the house looks beautiful and it's a great day!

Joy of the Day

Today my joy has come from my new tires bringing me home safely! I got to drive through a really pretty snowfall in Waco, and thanked the Lord for my tires! Granted, I was not so thankful about the $600 spent 3 weeks before Christmas, but still... I am glad to be home safely!

Joy for the Day

What has made me joyful today was having nice meals, at restaurants, with adult conversation! That is truly a rare occasion for me!

Joy for the Day

Today I am joyful for an adventure. I am going to Austin for a conference on Mental Health and Corrections. It will be the first time I will be away from my babies, but I am looking forward to a lot of adult interaction, new learning experiences, and dinners eating out! No cooking!!!

December - Joy of the Day

There is this little trend going around Facebook right now, "My Joy for the Day". In an effort to truly count my blessings, I plan to document each day something that happened that made me joyful. Just a little note to remind myself of all I have to be thankful for!

So, today, December 1 - My joy for today is seeing the snow fall on my way to work! How nice!