O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, our family comes to find you
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, we bring a saw... 'tis is true
We walk around, look up and down, I see you tall... 12 feet abound
On Alan's face, a deep set frown, I'll keep on searching 'til you, I've found.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, there you are, so lonely
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, so full and fragrant and dark green
The kids all watch, wide eyes and smiles. We take you home, you'll be dressed in a while
Oh Christmas Tree, A big "thanks" from me, for your beauty and the memories.

I always get pictures of the kids here every year... my favorite pics each year, I think!






The guys carrying our tree to the wagon
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James is such a stud... one arm, even!


"Tree Farm... here we come!!!" We had so much fun on Saturday! I painted a few plates, we decorated the trees in the dining room, the game room, and finished the trees in the kids rooms (I know, a bit much. Did I ever tell you I LOVE twinkly lights? And what better way to get them in every room than at Christmas time and on trees!)

I have looked forward to this day for a couple weeks now. We were waiting for Janice to be able to join us in the festivities. To start it off, I gave the kids each a Christmas Build-A-Bear (which they loved!) We met Dad, Janice, James, and Lydia at the Tree Farm. We snapped pictures and then hitched a ride on the wagon to the back of the farm. We walked around 'till we found the perfect tree. James and Lydia found theirs too. Then we went in for hot cider, then home to decorate.
After dropping James and Lydia's tree at their new house, we all went to our place to set up the tree. We ate chili, made homemade popcorn balls (another fun new-to-all-of-us adventure), and watched Shreck The Halls. It was such a FUN night!!! I'm so glad we live close enough to family to enjoy this together!

Addendum to Addictions

To tack onto one of my blogs, a few back, on Addictions... I don't know what I was thinking?!?!? 2 of my biggest addictions are French Fries and Bubble Baths. I have no idea why I didn't think of those when I was writing that blog. I have several batches of fries each week (I know... it'll probably be the death of me). And I take a bubble bath almost every day. Sometimes twice a day. I'm hoping for some nice bubble bath from Bath and Body Works for Christmas. I always use the kids shampoo/bubble bath/body wash stuff. I never spend the $$ for Bath and Body Works since I go through it so fast. But I'm in the mood for some "grown up" pretty smelly stuff!!

Momma's Darlins: Christmas plaid Apron top Giveaway!!

This is one of my favorite kids' clothing blogs. This lady makes the most adorable stuff, and pretty good prices! I wish I would have remembered this earlier, you know I would have ordered that red and white snowman outfit for my girls! Maybe I still will... it would work all winter, right!?!?!?

Momma's Darlins: Christmas plaid Apron top Giveaway!!

Do Unto Others...

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you..."
Well, that's easy to do when it comes to family. And today a little bit of that is goin' on.
Theresa had surgery the day we drove here. She wanted us to come, and we thought it would be a good chance to not only get together, but also to help her out a bit while she's recovering.
SOOOO, Thanksgiving is officially over, and we are decorating her house for Christmas! A couple years ago Lou Anne had surgery, and we surprised her by decorating the house while she was in the hospital. Last year Theresa helped me get mine decorated while she was hanging out with me during the funeral and for a few days after. And now, here we are decorating her house for her!
It looks beautiful! Yeah!!!

Giving Thanks in Alabama

Well, here I sit in Theresa's kitchen, blogging about our Thanksgiving celebration 2008. We drove on Wednesday and arrived at 1:30am. Thursday Lou Anne and I spent the day cooking, cleaning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning again. It was very festive and fun. The highlight of the day was Selah's homemade from scratch pumpkin pie. We brought 2 pumpkins with us from home. None of us had made "the real deal" pumpkin pie before, so we gave it a go. We baked the pumpkin, made the puree, I made a homemade crust, and we baked the pie. It seemed like a LOT of work, but in the end, it was worth it! Next time, however, I would make the puree one day, the crust another day, and then on the holiday put it together. When Selah said she wanted to make a pumpkin pie from an actual pumpkin, I thought it would be fun and yummy. And it was! Great idea Selah! Even those in the family who don't usually eat pumpkin pie thought it was dee-lish!!!

We miss Andrew and Joy :( Wish they would have been able to make it.

This Time Last Year, #4

The day before Thanksgiving. I was surprised she died so soon. 12 days after we found out she had cancer again. Selah went to the hospital with me that last evening. We said goodnight and goodbye to Mom. Selah held her hand and said goodnight too. She had been unresponsive for a couple days. Her body was shutting down. She hadn't eaten. Her breaths were very raspy. She really had to work hard to get a breath, and when we left the hospital that evening the nurse was showing Dad how to suction the foam that was kind-of starting to form in her mouth. I really struggled seeing her like this. I don't handle that stuff very well. I hate to admit this, but honestly I was kind-of glad I had the excuse of having a little kids at home, and needing to leave to be with them.
My youngest brother Daniel, on the other hand, was amazing. He never left her side. Right to the end. He and Dad were there when she took her last breaths. Actually, Daniel was up with Mom, suctioning her mouth every 15 minutes or so. He noticed her breathing pattern change suddenly, so he woke Dad up. They watched her take her last 2 breaths. Daniel was always her favorite. We all joked about that. He was the baby, and they had a special bond. I will say that I can only hope one of my kids will care for me in the end the way he did for her. He did and saw things a son shouldn't have to. What a guy. I know she was glad he was there. There were times she would wake up and ask where Daniel was... wanting to make sure he was nearby.
Dad called our house about 5:30am and said "Mom's gone." "She is?" I said. Alan and I got a neighbor to come over and sit with the kids, and we rushed to the hospital. I had never seen a dead body before. She looked like she was sleeping. She was still warm. I even had to touch her arm and lift it a bit to make it real for me.
All in all, I have to say, other than being raptured, this was the way she wanted to go. She wanted it to be quick and painless (I mean, don't we all). She dealt with pain with the bone cancer, but she did not have the debilitating, slow, sad, end to her life. That weekend before she even joked saying "You know I've always said I didn't want to get old!"
It was way too soon, but it happened in a way that was peaceful for her, so for that I can find a reason to be thankful. She died the day before Thanksgiving. There are many reasons I could think of to be thankful for the woman she was, the mom she was, and the impacts she had on the lives of so many people. Most of all, I'm thankful that (largely because of who she was) have the hope of being together again some day. Of that I am most thankful.

"Heaven... is a sweeter place. For once I've knelt before the good Lord, I'll turn and see your smiling face. Heaven... is a sweeter place. If having you here in my life, is only just a taste... how sweet is Heaven"

This Time Last Year, #3

Mom was in the hospital and in and out of consciousness. It was the weekend, and we spent the days and evenings in the waiting room with friends and family. It was actually a really special time in that waiting room. We essentially set up camp. Family was up there 'round the clock. Lynette was great about keepin' us fed. It was nice to have the support from friends and family... some that we hadn't even seen for awhile. Our minister would drop in every night to pray with us. We were in and out of her room. Dad and Daniel were always nearby and cared for her every need. We knew the end was probably near.
I recorded a song for Mom, I recorded it early because I knew I wouldn't be able to make it through after she died. It was the song How Sweet Is Heaven, by Shades of Green.
I brought a cd of the recorded song to the hospital this night one year ago, along with my plates and paints. I told Mom I wanted to get her hand prints and some finger prints to paint some "memory" plates and ornaments for the grandkids. I wanted to be alone with her. Dad made sure noone came in. She was barely responsive. I think she knew what I was doing... she was able to cooperate a little when I was getting her prints. But she didn't say anything. She probably couldn't. Just looked at me. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I cried. I hated that moment, but I love that moment. It was awful, but it was so special. I would never want to do that again, but I so treasure the pieces that I have with her prints on them and I'm so glad I did it. She was my biggest cheerleader when I was starting up my business... who knew I would be getting her own prints and in this situation.

This Saturday, today, one year later, we spent the afternoon at my Dad's house. He had a fish fry, and invited us, Lynette, Heather and her kids, James, David and his family. It kind-of took me back to that weekend of being surrounded by family.
I imagine Thanksgiving will always bring a sting to my heart, but it also fills my heart with love as I think of my Mom and of the family that I have been born into. There are a very few things in this world that tug at my heart in a strong way, and my family is one of them. I do not take for granted that both Alan and I were and are blessed with incredible parents. We love our siblings, and adore our nieces and nephews. Of all the things we have been given in this life, I am most thankful for our family.

One year ago we ended that night in the hospital with playing the song for my Mom. Dad wanted to whole family to crowd in her room (once a proud Dad, always a proud Dad... that's sooo something he and my Mom would always do... and as usual I sat in the back of the crowd, feeling weird as everyone was listening to my voice singing her a song. Oh well).

"I'm not ready to say 'good-bye.' My heart is heavy. My head hurts from the tears I've cried. And though there is a reason - I may never understand - there's one thing I'm sure of... you are home and in His hands."

Fabulous Blog Award

My new friend Melissa awarded me with this Fabulous Blog Award! Thanks!

Of course these things come with a few requirements...

I must list 5 of my favorite addictions, and then pass this award along to 5 friends.

1. A fun glass, complete with a crochet coozie, and full to the rim with ice, then a can of Coke (oh no, 2 liter doesn't cut it... it has to be out of a can or a fountain machine. There IS a difference!)

2. Strapping my kids in the carseats and taking a Sunday drive (or whatever day it happens to be) through one of my favorite neighborhoods. Oakridge. The Crossings. Stone Canyon.

3. Blogging and e-mail. I probably check it 30 times a day or more.

4. I'm addicted to making money. Can that be an official addiction? Only, I come up with ways for my friends to create something or make something and sell it. I already have my thing. I love thinking of ways my fellow stay-at-home moms can do like I have done with my plates... something part time while the kids are in school or in bed... plus have that chance to be creative and successful. I'm always thinking of ideas and trying to get a few of my favorite people (you know who you are -wink-wink) to join me in this crazy quest! Maybe I'll write a book!

5. Shopping. Shameless, I know. What can I say? Gotta get out and spend that $ I make with "my thing."


Now I tag:

1. jodiesblogblogblog.blogspot.com
2. 6happyhearts.blogspot.com
3. powerofrevelations.blogspot.com
4. fourhallshappenings.blogspot.com
5. jessekpeak.blogspot.com

Dazzled?

It is now 2:53am. My friend Stephanie just dropped me off after our 'Twilight' night out. We read the Twilight books and became instant fans. We bought our tickets several weeks ago, and we've been anxiously awaiting the movie premiere. We waited in line for almost 3 hours before the movie started... and that was to ensure a good seat. We already had our tickets.
Was I Dazzled? I'll save the report for later since none of the rest of ya have seen it yet...

ps. the baseball scene was my fav. I knew it would be.

This Time Last Year, #2

We had our last Thanksgiving meal with all of us together. It was at our home. All of my brothers were here. Me and my sista's-in-law prepared the meal (and Matt too, if I remember right!). Mom sat at the head of the table in our dining room. She ate a few bites, but couldn't keep it down. It was a very bitter/sweet meal. At times I couldn't hardly swallow my food from that lump in my throat. Other times mom was being kind-of silly (usual), and we laughed.
She asked to take a hot bath in my soaker tub. This probably sounds weird, but I was honored that I could draw a bath for her and comfort her in that way. Dad helped her take her bath, and then they went home. She stayed awake and was pretty alert for the couple hours they were here.
The next day is the day we took her to the hospital. This was 6 1/2 days before she died. You can see the range of emotions we were experiencing when looking at the pics.

ps. okay, so it was Alan that helped in the kitchen... Matt was just looming to swipe finger samples of the mashed potatoes ;)