It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS!

Thanksgiving was lovely! We have so much to be thankful for...

health.
happiness.
togetherness.
employment.
warm home.
food.
gas.
God.

I could keep going, that is how bountiful our lives are.

The weekend continued on in an equally lovely fashion. Black Friday began with my sister at the side of my bed, at 4:45 am, I might add, "Beth, Beth? Are you still going with me?" Holy cannoli!

(Jake forgot to lock the door.)

"Uh, yah, superfly, I'm still going!

The day yielded many fruits. Normally, $52 coats from Gymboree for the kids; $7. Memory cards, Barbies, and movies from Wal-mart; $7, $5, and $2. Jeans for Jake from Old Navy; $14.

I also had brunch with the girls on Friday @ Russell's, we had dinner with Jake's old college friend, and games and snacks with friends Friday night. Jakey spent the night with his grandparents' Saturday and made an awesome gingerbread house. (see above)

I finished most of the Christmas decorations inside. Snow and sleet will delay the outside decor until next weekend. I actually have the spirit this year. That is highly unusual.

And my daddy's 59th birthday was today.

It was a great weekend.

Happy Birthday, Dad! Just think, one more year and you'll be 60. Then you will officially be 'old', which is good for you, because everyone loves a cute, little, crabby, old man. You know, the kind that doesn't move their cart out of the way in the aisle at the grocery store, or the kind that chases kids out of their yards with a rake or broom. Like that. Aren't you excited?

ps more super fab grosgrain giveaways (see links below)

Custom Camera Strap GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! and
Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!
I have to have the camera strap for my new girl! It is too delicious for words!

CHIEF

A young man named John received a parrot named 'Chief ' as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite Words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to 'clean up' the bird's vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, 'I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior. ' John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, 'May I ask what the turkey did?' HAPPY THANKSGIVING! ps thanks for the "Chief" story, Aunt Mary!

Is it wrong?

The husband and I eat cookie dough frequently in our house. I know, I know; it's gross, it contains raw ingredients, you could die, yadda, yadda, yadda. I guess I am just a masochist. Anyway, I was wondering if you think it' s wrong to deny the kids of this pleasurable past time by hiding to eat it or waiting until they go to bed? Or, is it wrong to blame the empty package of cookie dough on Big Jake (even though, in this case, it wasn't him) when Pete pleads to have some? "No, honey, I'm sorry, your daddy ate all of it last night." Tell me this isn't wrong!
Also, Jake II wants to run away, like, every other hour for various reasons. I don't know if this is just normal 7-year-old behavior or if he is truly that disappointed in the family he was born into and he is going to stuff his underoos in a duffel and catch the next midnight train to Georgia. Either way, is it wrong for me to not really care? I mean, I care that he is distressed, but come on, son, Italy is not the answer to ridding yourself of those frustrated feelings you have because your dad didn't start the movie at precisely the moment you wanted it on. And Brazil has a new law that does not grant young American boys visas because they didn't get to the tree swing fast enough at the bus stop in the morning. I love him more than my own life, but I think I will help him pack at the next threat. Is this wrong?
And, finally, we come to the holiday hustle bustle. Is it wrong to fell like you shouldn't have to go to 15 different places for Thanksgiving/Christmas? I mean, Jake and I adore our families, but something has got to give. Some years, I feel like telling everyone that we will be at our house all day in our pajamas, and if you want to grace us with your presence, more power to you. "Paper plates are on the counter, turkey and stuffing is on the stove!" All I'm saying is, it takes 15-20 freakin' minutes to get four kids in and out of the car just to go one way. Hello! That alone is enough to make me just want to pull the covers up over my head, and say, "Stuff this up your turkey!" Is that wrong?

...and, yes, I already know the answers;
no, no, & no...

Just joshin'!

Here's to sharin' a bird with family!