Christmas 2007

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. Chloe and Drew helped put up the tree about a week before. (No need to have it up long, less time for them to destroy it). I let them put ornaments on the tree and Drew filled the bottom branches with them. (I bragged on how great it looked and rearranged it after they went to bed).

My mom's house was decorated really great this year; she puts so much time into it and we all enjoy it every year. I took some great photos of Chloe in her Christmas dress around mom's tree; I'll have to post them as well. Drew's Christmas picture did not turn out so well. He refused to change clothes and when I made him; he got angry and would not let me take his picture. I finally got two shots of him crying beside the tree and I gave up. No amount of coaxing, sneaking or waiting or anything would do. He's in the middle of the terrible two's and he'll fall in the floor kicking and screaming and stomping over just about anything, so we just step over him and keep going. Oh well, I kind of like the one with his mouth open and one big tear rolling down his cheek; it looks like he's hollering "Stop it Mommy!!!" He was probably saying "Me no love you!! Me no like you!!" He tells me that a lot and my answer is that he doesn't have to like me; he just has to listen to me!

Chloe asked me every morning for the first 25 days of December if today was Christmas and I was so glad to finally be able to tell her yes. She was so excited; Drew was more laid back about it. Allen and I were up until midnight wrapping everything for Santa and then withing 30 minutes on Christmas morning they had opened over a dozen presents and then they were really excited to see Grandma and Granddaddy coming with more.

It would have been an almost perfect Christmas, all that was missing was my brother, Evan. Next year, if it be God's will, we will have our perfect family Christmas and we'll have so much for which we are thankful.

2007 has had its ups and downs, but there has been so much happiness and so many unexpected blessings this year. I am so proud of two of my brothers; it is such a pleasure to know them and words cannot express how thankful I am for how God has tranformed their lives. Love you Greg and Evan!

Not Enough Hours in the Day

I thought that while I was out of school I would have all this free time to play with the kids; spend time with my family, enjoy my animals and write in my blog, but I was wrong. I'm actually more busy now than ever. I have two children that demand almost constant attention. A blind husband that still casually tosses things around as if he can see to find them, and lets not forget that I have more dogs and cats than your local animal shelter. I have three house kitties (and one on the way if she tests negative for PKD) and then there are two yard kitties. Then there are the dogs. Let me stop and count them. We have Pepper, Spot, Comet, Goldie, Mister C., Misty, Molly, Missy C. and Sami, that covers the rat terriers. Then there is Libby and Lilly the Bostons, and Lilly's two week old pups, two little fatty females. Then we have Lady Bird my American Bulldog (still need to write that story) and our other bulldog Jade (there's another tale to share), plus Jade's sister who was sold until I received an email today and was told to keep the $250 deposit tragically someone has died and they have to travel to Puerto Rico for who knows how long, so I've got to find a new home for her and last but not least there is Happy, another bulldog looking for a new home (yet again another entry). I've had tons of calls and emails, just nobody wants to drive any distance to meet her. So, how many dogs does that make? I count 18, but lets not forget that Sami is about to squeeze out a litter any day now and little Misty will have her first litter in another month. It is really crazy around here sometimes, but our lives are so full. I enjoy ever animal I own, and I think they are happy too. They don't dig out of their kennels or try to escape and they act so happy everytime we come out, even though we're outside a dozen times a day. We hold them, pet them and love them. I took five different ones walking today, not counting letting Lilly run around the yard. I brought her inside in a kennel to have her pups and she's still inside with us. She's such a great house dog; I hate to send her back out, but it is almost time for Sami to move in and they do not get along,actually none of my ladies like each other, guess you don't call 'em bitches for nothing, so Lilly and her fat pups will head out to the barn in a cozy little cedar shaving filled box with a heat lamp. Chloe is going to be heart broken. She and Drew sneak in and hold the pups everytime I take Lilly outside to potty.

I don't know why I've rambled on about my dogs. I guess because it is almost 1:00 am and my brain is really tired. I've been keeping a hand written list of things to write about and I promise to share some funny Chloe and Drew stories and of course write about Christmas really soon.