Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving 2014 is in the books.  So much food!  We ate 5 Thanksgiving meals total.   Not all in the same day, thankfully, but I'm scared to step on the scale.  It was worth it, though.  We had a very nice holiday spent with our friends and family, counting our blessings.  

I didn't take many pictures, but here's a rundown of our many Thanksgivings, if you're interested!

1.  Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family.  This was held last Sunday at my parents' house.  We usually have this get-together at Granny's house, but we've outgrown her home!  All of us 4 cousins are either married of have a significant other, and 3 of us have kids.  So we upgraded to mom's house.  My contribution?  I went in with my sister and purchased the ham.

2.  Thanksgiving lunch at Chris' work on the Tuesday before Turkey Day.  A very nice time and lots of good conversation with our church family.  I was a little nerve-wracked at the idea of my kids eating in the office-  no one spilled anything on the carpet, though.  Ha!  And I had the best turkey I've ever eaten.  It was cooked in a crock pot.  I must get the recipe.  We brought cheesy mashed potatoes!

3.  Thanksgiving Day with The Shadburns at Chris' Granny's.  Again, a very nice time.  The kids all played with their cousins and we adults caught up with our family that we hadn't seen in awhile.  There's always lots of craziness going on over there.  The good kind, of course!

Goofy cousins.  Ha!

Violet finally warmed up to Cousin Terry.  She was scared of him but finally allowed him to hold her!  And Shaun is now the proud owner of that hairy hat.  Don't ask!

I'm thankful for him!

Oh, and I brought some chocolate pecan brownies to this meal.  Store-bought but still a big hit!

4.  Thanksgiving night with my mom's family. This was held at my "baby" cousin Lindsey's new home.  She was so gracious to open it up to our brood!  We spent lots of time admiring, laughing, catching up, and of course, eating.  I love my cousins!  I made mac and cheese in the crock pot.  My first time making this recipe and I just winged it.  It was good!  

5.  Friendsgiving at Elia's house.  My friend Elia decided to start a new tradition this year, and I'm so glad she did.  I had never heard of Friendsgiving before but it's a great idea!  Chris wasn't feeling well on Friday so he and Shaun stayed home.  Jordan, Violet, and I had a great time.  After we ate, the adults talked and the kids played.  Very relaxing and low key.

Jordan and Halle.  I hope they're friends forever!

For this last Thanksgiving meal, I brought fruit and a veggie tray.  

As I type this up, it hits me just how blessed we really are!

Christmas Tree 2014

Today, for the first time ever, we decorated our tree before Thanksgiving!

I know, I know.

I am a huge boycotter of all things Christmas before Thanksgiving.  But today, it just seemed right.  Chris was off.  We didn't have church.  So we just did it.  It was even my idea.  And I listened to Christmas music in the car.  What can I say?  I'm just feeling especially Christmassy this year.  

Even though we didn't get to go to a tree farm this year, I still took pictures!

I'm sure the employees at Lowe's thought we were the biggest dorks.  Ha!

These pictures remind me of The Brady Bunch... some of us are dressed for winter and some look like it's summer time outside. 

Chris remembered that we needed some new lights and a few more ornaments this year, so we went shopping first.  We each picked out a new ornament.  Violet picked a pretty pink purse.

She really liked it.  I thought we were going to have trouble actually getting it up on the tree, but we didn't.

We still need to get a new topper and a tree skirt.  I'll post a picture once the tree is completed.  In the meantime, just be assured that it's very pretty.  

I think we might have started a Smith Family Tradition this year.  

Halloween 2014

Better late than never, right?

Here are Jordan and Violet at our church's Fall Festival.

The fact that Violet is in this pig outfit is a Halloween miracle.  Ha!  She was so scared of it that she wouldn't even try it on.  My mom bought it for her weeks before Halloween and Violet loved it.  Then, all of a sudden, she was afraid of it.  I think she made an adorable pig.  Jordan wanted to be a football player.  Again.  

Here are all of the cousins before we went Trick-or-Treating.

Shaun wrestled back and forth about whether or not he was too old for Halloween.  He came through in the end, though.  And he even ran into some of his friends while we were out.  Jordan decided (about ten minutes before we left the house) that he didn't want to be a football player.  He constructed his own costume.  "J Man".  He's also wearing a cape and a jet pack that our talented friend Ginger made.  

We went with my sister and her kids to a nearby subdivision.  It was COLD!  But this subdivision was perfect for Trick-or-Treating.  No big crowds and lots of houses participated.  The police also kept the traffic very orderly.  

We will definitely go back next year!

We were all worried that Violet would be terrified of all the scary costumes, but after she caught on to the idea that she got candy at each house, she hardly noticed anything else.  

It was a nice night. 

Bedtime

Oh, I promised myself that I would blog more and I'm failing!

Since it's on my mind, I'm going to write about Violet's bedtime routine today.  

First of all, Vi loves animals.  She has a menagerie that she carries around with her.  Her favorites are:  Bun (The Velveteen Rabit), Monkey (a Build-A-Bear the boys made for her before she was even born), and Bear (I don't even really know where Bear came from).  There are more, but these three are her favorites.  

Violet is usually pretty good about going to sleep.  She's starting to give a little attitude, though.  Last night, for instance, it was time for bed and I asked if she was ready.  Her reply?  "No thanks.  I'm fine.)  I swear.  Sometimes she sounds like she's already a teenager.  

She doesn't usually put up a fuss.  We tell her it's time and she says, "My animals!" and begins to gather them up.  Last night, Shaun was nice enough to go out to the car and retrieve Bun for her.  Then, when all animals are accounted for, we kiss them all goodnight.  Yes, you read correctly.  I cannot really believe it myself.  I never thought I'd see the day when I would kiss stuffed animals goodnight.  I'm not the only one... the boys also participate.  So does Chris!  Like I said, I never thought I'd see the day.  

So, we all kiss whatever animals Vi is sleeping with and then I carry her to her room.  She still sleeps in a crib.  She's never tried to climb out.  If you've ever been around my daughter, you'll agree that this is a small miracle!  She lays down on her pillow that my Aunt Nancy made out of my Mamaw's old nightgowns, flanked on both sides by her buddies.  Then comes the covers.  Her favorite pink blanket comes first.  This used to be the only cover, but a few weeks ago Violet stated that she wanted two blankets, and more recently she needs three.  (I do go in and remove some of them after she falls asleep.)

I kiss everyone goodnight one more time.  Usually I'll say something like, "See you guys in the morning".  Don't judge!  And usually Violet and her friends go right to sleep.  

I took this picture a few weeks ago.  So sweet.

  

As you can see, only Bun and Monkey made the cut.  

I am just so glad she's mine. 

Boring!

I think it's safe to say that this blog of mine has officially become boring.  I've been so busy.  In my case, a busy life leads to a boring blog.  A whole month without a post?  Boring!  Not that my life or my posts are super exciting, but you know what I mean.  

I miss writing.  I want to do it more.  

So, here's an "update" post.  

We are currently enjoying the last few days of sports hiatus.  Football is over.  The 8U Junior Trojans didn't have the best year.  They were 2 and 6.  Most of the boys are looking forward to next year, though.  I know Jordan is.  He starts wrestling next week.  Something new.  His football coach, who just happens to be the wrestling coach, thinks it'll be good for him.  I admit that I'm a little apprehensive.  

School is going really well for both boys.  Shaun is at grade level for everything except math.  I'm so proud of him!  He works so hard and he's dealing with some issues that make schoolwork even harder for him.  And he still presses on.  He tries so hard.  And he's proud of himself, too.  He graduated from physical therapy yesterday.  Funny thing-  he's been working with the same therapist that he had when he was a baby.  She's the sweetest lady, it was great to get to know her again.  She said he's met all of his goals and that our time together is over for now.  It was a happy and a sad day!  Occupational therapy is going great, too.  He's learning a lot and gaining confidence.  

Jordan is loving his new school.  The "adjustment" period seems to be over and he's doing really well.  He loves his teacher.  She has that special way of tough-love about her.  She knows when to be stern and when to let the boys be boys.  Truly an answered prayer for Jordan's first teacher.

The boys are still singing in their church choirs.  Shaun is also learning how to run sound.  He's following in his dad's footsteps.  I love that Chris is teaching him to do this.  

Violet is scared.  Ha ha! She's scared of everything lately.  This includes loud noises, anything Halloween related (including her own cute pig costume), bugs, pulling the plug in the bathtub, etc, etc, etc.  When she's frightened, she'll quickly let everyone know by saying, "that scared me!".  This will pass and one day and we'll laugh about it when she's older.  Honestly, we're already laughing about it a little bit now. 

I'm still trying to lose weight.  Not seeing the scale move, but my clothes are loose and people are saying I'm smaller.  Frustrating, but at least I'm making some progress.  

Chris is still working hard.  He coached Jordan's football team and is training Shaun to run sound at church.  He's been getting more and more ministry opportunities.  Which is another reason our life is so busy!

More later.  For real.  

Cheat and a new workout.

So, today was Cheat Day.  Just one Cheat Day, instead of 3 or 4.  Or 5!  Jordan had a football game in Rabun County this morning.  We had breakfast on the road, or course, and lunch, since the gave was over at lunch time.  We ate at Zaxby's.  I had the Boneless Wings n Things Meal.  So tasty, but that one meal has more calories than I need in a whole day.  And I felt sluggish and just gross after I ate.  This is new, too.  Usually on a Cheat Day I don't feel guilty or anything except joy to be eating something delicious.  Today, I was already planning for tomorrow while I was eating.  

I tried something new, workout wise today.  The Lord has put several people in my life who are fitness experts.  I think I've written about my friend Jenn before, who gets paid to exercise in videos.  She has been a great help to me.  Last week my friend Cindy, who is also a professional trainer, offered her services at our co-op.  She offered to conduct an exercise class after co-op.  She did it outside, so we would be able to keep our eyes on the kids at the playground while we worked out.  I was SO excited about this. I looked forward to it all week.  And then.  We were rushed and I forgot my clothes.  Aaauughgh!  I can't believe I did that.  I was so sad.  But Cindy gave me some homework.  I thought it would be easy.  3 rounds each of 20 squats, 10 pushups, 20 lunges, and 10 tricept...whatever its called when you sit backwards on the stairs or a chair and use your arms to push yourself up.  Oh, and planking.

I thought, since I've been working out and all, that this would be simple.  Ha ha!  I did this workout today with the kids outside, and my legs are wobbly!  My stomach is aching from the planking and my arms are burning!  I love it.  This workout isn't meant to take then place of anything I'm doing at the gym. It's in addition to what I'm doing.  It's not supposed to take long.  Just 20 minutes or so.  Something to do quickly at home.  

I'm so thankful that God has placed these "experts" in my life.  Just confirmation that I'm doing the right thing. 

Fail!

It's Friday!  It's been a long week.  Really, a long few weeks.  I'm tired!  I feel like I've been going and going and going with not much sleep.  

  When I think back to Monday, it seems like a year has passed!  

Several times this week, during the course of my parenting, I've actually laughed at myself and thought, "FAIL!".  Its good to laugh at yourself every once in awhile.

For example, this morning.  Friday is co-op mornings and our "earliest" morning.  We have to be at church for classes at 8:45.  I actually thought it was 8:30, but I found out today that I have a few extra minutes.  Ha!  Anyway, usually Chris is home with us on Friday mornings.  He helps me get everyone ready and we drive to church in separate cars because he has to work and the kids and I have class until lunch time.  Today, though, he wasn't home.  He went to an FCA meeting in Hamilton Mill.  He had to leave so early, I didn't even wake up when he left.  We had a hectic morning, the kids and I.  We did make it school on time, but on the way I had a "FAIL" moment.  I looked in the rear-view mirror at my baby girl.  Eating Cheeze-its out of a baggy for breakfast because I didn't have time for cereal and milk before we left the house. Her jeans covered with "Monster High" stickers that were left over from a Happy Meal dinner two nights ago.  I do feel the need to point out that the jeans were clean.  The stickers were just left in the car after my offspring consumed Happy Meals for dinner after church on Wednesday night.  Yes, I gave them McDonald's.  I avoid that place like the plague, but I gave in on Wednesday night because I just didn't have anymore fight left in me.  And, for the record, my kids are all still alive after consuming said McDonald's food.  

So.  Strike 1:  Cheeze-its for breakfast.  Strike 2:  Monster High skeleton covered Levi's en route to our Christian co-op.  And 3:  Evidence of my kids eating a meal that probably isn't even considered food in other parts of the world.  FAIL.

I did feel guilty for a minute, but then snapped out of it and just laughed.  Keep on keeping on is what I whispered to myself, and  that's what I'll do.  

Did I mention that I'm glad it's Friday?

There were many, many other FAILS this week. Like, forgetting to pack Vi's extra clothes, then not noticing her taking the lid off of her drink in the car until it was way, way too late.  This resulted in a shopping trip and me changing my 2 year old's clothes in the mall parking lot.  And of course someone from church walked by right when she was naked.  FAIL.

And losing a battle of "Who Will Have the Last Word" with Shaun.  Oh, sometimes I think I'm just not cut out to parent a teenager.  Ha!

And not getting out of the car at Jordan's school so that he could play with his friends on the playground after carpool because I had just come from the gym and felt frumpy, sweaty, and fat.  FAIL!

This post is turning into a huge whine-fest, which isn't what I intended.  What I wanted to get across to you is the fact that we all have days, weeks, or even seasons when we feel like  we're not bringing our A Game.  And that's okay.  We're human after all.  

Keep on keeping on!

And, I miss writing here.  Hopefully I'll get to it more often.