Christmas Program

OK, anyone who has followed my rule and blocked out last years Christmas program, let me recap. I have a problem visualizing. When something is in my head it must be that way. It can not be changed. Most of the time, it does not turn out that way and I am disappointed. I am working on changing that. OK, who am I kidding? It is never going to change.
Anyway, last year was our VERY first church Christmas program. Jimmy was racing and I was ready with 3 cameras. My family was there, Jimmy's family was there, even Shelly and her family were there...I was ready, proud mom with a vision. Let's just say the vision did not happen and Isaac is lucky to be alive to hear this story today!!!

This year, however, I got "shy" kids. Oh how wonderful shy kids are!!! I have NEVER had a shy kid before. They are so calm and well behaved!!!!! Seriously, the kids did FANTASTIC!!! Isaac kept his hands to himself and even tried to sing along. He said he had stage fright:)!!

Ashley forgot to smile. She was "concentrating" on being good:)!

Yes, in case you missed it in the last photo, that would be my daughter flossing her teeth with a rubber band. Can't win them all!!!

He did really well until the end, but this was the worst thing he did all service. I consider that a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Good Will

Not to be confused with the store!! Today, I did something nice to help others. Actually it really was no big deal, but I have to have something Christmasy so I am going with a good deed. Keith had to work late and Jodi had a date with Caleb so I took Kyle. We played 100 games of Old Maid and had a good time just being. It is always fun to watch "both sets of twins" play together. With Kyle living next door you would think he would be around a lot, but he really isn't. It really got me in the Christmas spirit. Just enjoying family, playing with my kids. Taking it all in slwoly. Thanks Kyle, Allison, Isaac and Ashley!!!

Kaos Motorsports

Sending a lot of love and hopes of success to Kaos Motorsports as they attempt Snowball Derby again this year in Florida. Yes, Florida. Very jealous, but it makes me feel a little better that it is in the 40's. Wish I could see Kelley but she is still HOURS away from Jimmy. Last year they did not farewell when John forgot to turn in his first lap. Anyone who knows anything about racing will know that you MUST turn to go around the track!!!! When you don't you hit the wall. NOT GOOD:)!!!

With back to back championships under their CRA belt, I feel this year is going to be GREAT!!

Nothing better than this on the finish line!! Well, John may feel different.
(yes, that would be Rebecca at the races...all American Girl dolls go to races, right? Maybe that will the next girl of the year...Racing Reagan!)

Good luck Jimmy and John!!

Day 2

Well, I actually did something Christmasy today. We put the ornaments on the tree!!! With the house is its crazy state and not knowing where ANYTHING is, Jimmy was kind enough to buy me some new ones; pretty red, green and gold ones. Lovely!! We also got caught back up on the advent calendar. The kids were very sad getting 2 pieces of candy instead of one:)!

A couple of pictures of the "process". For some reason, my camera has been having issues. It has lead a very full life with a lot of use. Things are starting to break on it and for some reason the focus is having some issues. Oh well, still love it!! The best Christmas present e.v.e.r.!!!

Kisses to all and to all a good night!!!

For you Jennie

I do not have a picture for today's post and it is going to be short and sweet!!

I was having coffee with my friend Jennie yesterday and she was talking her December daily and committing to writing something everyday for the month of December. I am hoping that it makes me take the time to breath and enjoy every moment of the great season. I love Christmas and everything about it. I start early just to enjoy the moments, but this year like EVERY year, things are spinning out of control. The basement is not done, the house is not decorated, I have no place to put presents (so I can not wrap them or hide them). Life is just a little crazy, but it would not be Camp Chaos without a little crazy.

So anyway, yesterday was the first day of December, the first day of enjoying the season. WE DID NOTHING!!! We did not even open our advent drawer. Not a good start!! OK, let me see if I can put a positive spin on this. We had our first snowfall of the season, well, the first snow that actually stayed. Very pretty. Very Christmas like. I did buy ornament holders to put the bulbs on the tree (yes, the tree that has been up for 5 days without any ornaments!). Allison skipped ballet to go to Muskegon so I could buy snow pants and boots for the kids. All three grew again this year, imagine that:)!!!

So that is what I did...I purchased the hangers for the tree and prevented illness on Christmas. All in all a successful start!!!!

Life...

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life, the facts of life...

My FAVORITE show growing up (on a side note, waiting patiently for the "older" seasons to come out on DVD and watch them with my girls, LOVED that show!), The Facts Of Life. There was just something about that show I really liked.

The theme song seems to be playing in my head a lot lately. It really is true of my everyday life. You do have to take the good with the bad...I am very blessed that I have no "major" bad, just things that make me a little sad like the kids starting school again. I always get emotional this time of year. It is like time slaps me right in the face. The kids act older, look older...ARE older. It makes me feel like I missed my opportunity to "be the mom". I am always the mom, but the older I get the further away them seem and I like to give myself a VERY hard time about working and not staying home. I like to stress about things I can not change. It is great fun.

At the request of my lovely sister, Jodi, I am going to start my blog again. I am going to take the good, the bad and the ugly of my life and treasure it for what it is...MINE, all mine!!

Here we go...

Isaac...

I also realized that I have not posted any photos of the other two playing soccer...so that will follow!! BUT, I had to share my current favorite soccer photo of Isaac. Not the best "picture" (lots I would change about it, like getting WAY closer!), but Isaac's face is the BEST!!! He has taken a lovin' to soccer and his mommy has taken a lovin' to watching him!!!!