Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I can't believe Christmas is already here again! I LOVE this time of year, but am always a little sad when it's over.

Last night we took the kids to see the lights in Belton. If you've not been, you must go. It's terrific. While we were viewing the lights and talking about all the hard work that went into putting them up, a conversation started about how special the Baby Jesus must be to have everyone go to such lengths to celebrate his birth. We laughed and talked about how crazy it would be if we all had such enormous birthday parties celebrated by so many people on OUR birthdays. It just reminded me that through the commercialism and stress of Christmas, it's about Jesus and Only Jesus. As long as we can stay focused on that, Christmas will always be a special time of year.

Happy Birthday, Jesus and Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family. We literally couldn't be us without you!

In My Opinion....

Christmas this year has brought up a lot of interesting thoughts to me, and I'd just like to share them... well, because I can!

1- Target really needs to fix their exchange policy. I was reading it today. While I love their product and think their store is great, how can they not exchange ANYTHING without the receipt. Now, I understand return for cash, but EXCHANGE should be doable. With Walmart returning and exchanging just about anything you can dig out of the closet, how can Target not improve their plan?

2- People should not be buying their 6 year old an Ipod or cell phone as a Christmas gift. It makes it that much harder on those of us who are unwilling to buy them for our 11 yr old... and furthermore, Kids should be kids and get kid stuff while they're young. Quit making them grow up so fast!

3- The movie theaters really need to have some late morning shows. I mean, why can't they open at 10:00? Especially at times when they know kids will be home from school. Don't they know Preschoolers nap starting at 12:00 when they open? I'm telling you, a morning movie for the kids would be a huge success.

4- We all need to curve our spending at Christmas time. My sweet friend, Angela, had such a great idea and really got me thinking about giving money to others less fortunate. Why do we spend so much money trying to buy each other presents and hope to get presents while people in other places.. and in our own country for that matter, are barely eating. Something just feels wrong about that. We all need to step back and take a look at our consumerism. If we'd all do it, it'd make it easier on the whole bunch. It's hard to explain to kids why they get one gift when their best friend is getting a phone, ipod, laptop and Vera Bradley purse all in one morning.

5- The Y needs to have extra late hours around Christmas for those of us who want to go run off those extra pieces of fudge we ate. Wii fit just doesn't always do it for me!

6- Last, but not least, the stock market should NOT be open on Christmas Eve. Let's just think about it.. do we really want to trade stocks while we're broke from overspending? Most of all, the stock market being open keeps Daddys away from families for the day :(

Thanks for letting me share what was on my mind today!
Merry Christmas!

Let's just be honest here....

I was recently tagged by my friend, Angela, with this fun little assignment. Here are the rules:

When you receive the prize, you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in their content or design. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing that they were prized with 'Honest Weblog'. List [if you can and/or dare] at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!"

To just be honest in no particular order...

1- I am extremely frugal and also suffer from buyer's remorse. I go to the store and buy something and sit around for hours thinking about how much it costs and how I should have spent my money differently. $20 is a lot to me regardless of the item.

2- I hate losing things. I even hate when my kids lose things. If I start to look for something and can't find it, I can't move on until I figure out where it is. If it's bad enough that I really can't find it, it bothers me a great deal. This is the same for my children losing school papers, receipts, ds games...etc.

3- My mom was a strict parent. It wasn't her fault. Because of my dad's job, she did a lot of single parenting, and trust me , I know how hard it is to control four children. BUT, because of this, I think I am extra lenient on my kids. I am not the disciplinarian and don't like to try to be.

4- Some Sundays I don't want to go to church.. I know... Big Gasp! We are every Sunday church goers and to tell you the truth, sometimes a Sunday off as a family would be inviting... which leads me to number 5.

5- I don't like our current Sunday schedule. I miss worshiping WITH my husband and family. Between hubby attending two Sunday schools and me being in choir, I'm not sure how to fix it. I'm working on the solution though.

6- I am very bad about comparing myself to others. That's really all I will say about that. I

7- I don't like to cook. AT ALL. I do cook, but I cook out of obligation and obligation only. I think it goes back to number 1. I just don't like spending money at the grocery store and then my picky kids don't eat what I cook anyway, so I HATE cooking.

8- I am reliving my childhood through my children.. mostly my daughters. It's true. They have opportunities I didn't have for various reasons, and I will tell you that I love making sure they get there and do what they love. I couldn't be prouder.

9- I am competitive. I'll tell you that I LOVE to watch my kids win at whatever they are playing. BUT, I am a quiet competitor. I can hide it very well, but inside I'm just dying.

10- I think I married up. I never imagined I'd deserve a husband that loves me so much and takes such good care of me. That's just the honest truth. Another little honest truth about us is that we chat on the phone numerous times a day. Love that, but some friends think it's a little over the top!

Now, I'd like to tag, Chastity, Heidi and Adrielle.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. She's probably over in Baton Rouge doing something to serve either my dad or one of my three siblings, or one of her 16 grandkids. That's just the kind of gal she is... a servant.

I don't think I ever fully appreciated my mother and all she did/does until I became a mom of four little kids close together and know all that goes into it. But, my mom isn't just any other mom, she's the kind of mom that had homecooked meals around the table EVERY night. The kind of mom who gave up every one of her Saturday mornings to make the children's choir at church OUTSTANDING, which, by the way, I know is responsible for training me to sing. And the kind of mom who took us shopping on the weekends just for the fun of a girl's day out. I still look forward to those days as an adult too!

First and foremost my mom is a terrific example of a dedicated wife. She has always loved my dad with the uptmost sincerity and been his top supporter. Her love and devotion to him is an example to all wives out there. She's his best friend and would do anything to bless him. What a beautiful example.

I love you, Mom. I miss being able to drop by your house and just visit. I miss you seeing my kids grow up on a daily basis and them getting to benefit daily from your servant spirit. Thank you for all of the hours you put in praying for me and helping me be a better me. It has not gone unnoticed! Happy Birthday! I love you!

He just wanted Batman

Okay, get ready for this one.

This afternoon Clayton was having a good day, so I decided to run into the Hewitt Walmart for a few items. I really just wanted to look at a couple of things. No big shopping list. Well, as I was shopping Clayton spotted a Batman toy that he wanted. He put it into the buggy and was acting as if it was going home with him. I was NOT buying Batman, so I simply put it back on the shelf kindly telling Clayton "Not today". We'll ask Santa."

Clayton did not like that I wasn't buying Batman and started to let the whole store know it. I WANT BATMAN... BATTTTMMMMMAAANNNNNNNN!! I did NOT concede to the Batman screams, but I did rush along trying to do the best I could, and finished up getting the 2 or 3 items I needed. The whole time I'm whispering in his ear.. "When we get home, Mommy is going to spank your heine".. That then led him to scream out " I DON'T WANT A SPANKING".

Clayton screams through checkout, even while the lady has to do a price check.. just my luck.. We leave the store. He's still screaming "I want Batman". I get to the car just dying to spank his bottom, but don't because all I can think of is the survelliance cameras all over the place and God knows I did NOT want my picture all over the national news as a child abuser!!

The ride home sends endless. He's screaming, I'm speeding.. just so irriated at him. I get home,shed my sweater and boots because by now I'm burning up hot. I take Clayton into his room, spank his bottom and lay him down for his nap. Of course telling him that his behavior is unacceptable.

About 3 minutes passes and someone knocks on my door. Clayton is STILL screaming. It's the Woodway Police. He says..."Mam did you just get home a short time ago" "Yes" " Do you drive a dark colored Excursion" "Yes" ( I'm just waiting for my speeding ticket here) "Well, Mam we have a call of a possible child abduction in the Walmart parking lot. We had some calls that a child was screaming and being kidnapped"

All I can do is just die of embarrassment. OH MY GOSH!!! Does it get worse? I told the officer about Clayton wanting Batman and that I was NOT buying Batman today. Is that against the law.. I really want to know? The officer was friendly, but got my name and all of my information, was forwarding it on to God only knows who else can listen on the radio that I have a screaming kid.. Like all of Woodway couldn't already hear it!!!!

He insists on seeing Clayton before he goes. The very large uniformed 6ft 3 officer walks in his bedroom. Clayton immediately silences and reaches for me. Thankfully the house was squeaky clean, so hopefully I did not fit the bill of a child abductor.. I took the opportunity to tell Clayton that the police had to come see him just because of his bad behavior in Walmart. The officer looks at Clayton and says " Are you okay, son?" Clayton says " NO" The officer says "What's wrong?" And, my Clayton responded back with " I just want BATMAN"... UGGHHH!

I offer to show the officer Clayton's birth certificate or the family photo album, but he passes and is fine with the inspection.

The officer left, but I'm still sitting here as embarrassed as I've ever been. I'm sure Yost Zachary and the other Woodway Police Officers are going to have a field day with this one!!!

If commenting, please tell me what you would have done in this situation? I know I was right not to spank in public, but what else could I have done? Oh dear!

Ohhh.... the Magic!

I just thought I'd share some of our Disney pics and some highlights. We had such a great time and loved every second of it. I already want to plan another trip. I HIGHLY recommend a Disney vacation at least once in your child's life. Hopefully we've made some great memories for the kids

We had one major scare within 5 minutes of us being at the airport. We had arrived at DFW before 7am and were checking in along with 5,000 other holiday travelers. Chad advised me to go get in line. I did along with my four children. I stood there about a minute and a half and did my first head count and came up one short. I panicked, turned and walked toward Chad hollering "Do you have Clayton?" Of course, he didn't.

After about another 2 minutes of me running up and down the baggage check screaming "CLAYTON" with everyone looking at me.. I see Clayton holding his blue blankie, crying walking back toward me with a security guard. The whole family cried, took a deep breath, and went on. I immediately walked over to baggage check, got one of the paper bag tags and wrote " IF LOST CALL..." and quickly hooked it to Clayton's belt loop in his jeans. He wore his luggage tag most of the week. Thankfully, there were no more scares.


I would HIGHLY recommend the All Star Resorts. I was a little skeptical because it is what Disney refers to as a "Value" resort. It was fantastic and if we had to do it all over again, we'd choose the same place! We had a family suite with was a bedroom with a queen size bed and a living area with TWO full bathrooms and a kitchenette. It was great and a great location. The food court was fantastic and so convenient.

This is a picture of the resort from our room door.

Anyway, I could go on and on. I have more pictures on Facebook for any of you Facebookers if you want to view. It was just a fantastic experience and definitely worth the money. I told Chad that I want to work at Magic Kingdom and have a Disney ministry. All of the people are so friendly, I'm sure they'd be happy to listen to the message!