Afternoon Delight

10 on 2sday

10. Highlight of Thanksgiving might have been the dance party to Tootsie Roll and Takin' Care of Business.

9. Mom and I became slightly obsessed with coffee cake. I've made three this week.

8. Mark took Missy, Josie and me on a ride to look for deer. We found some. Lots of some. Josie yelling . . ."Get him!" Loved that ride. Best time. Thanks, Markie.

7. Lost the trailer on the way to Atlantic. Cop helped us out.

6. But we girls got a doozy of a tree.

5. I found the dead mouse. By following the smell.

4. Crazy about the Christmas song . . . "Baby, It's Cold Outside."

3. Faith lost another tooth. Tooth Fairy brought an outfit for Ken. Score.

2. It snowed for the first time today. Brrr.

1. Black Friday. Walmart. 4:30. New tradition. $9.97 griddle.

Tootsie Roll!!

So Much to be Thankful For . . .

10 on 2sday . . . sorta

10. Everyday at this time the call comes in from the bus. "Mom, are you home?" So I gotta hurry. The bus was loud today. They don't have school tomorrow, but it doesn't explain why the entire bus was singing Jiggle Bells in the background.

9. I put some orders in today online for Christmas. Big job. I research EVERYTHING! Huge fan of reviews.

8. I made sugar cookies Sunday. I have about eaten the whole batch. By myself. I really like sugar cookies.

7. Shane is a dumbass.

6. Note my post below. I have to tell you, that made my entire day. I don't even know why that is so funny to me.

5. Headed home tonight. I want to be at Billy's so badly, my body is shaking with excitement! Can't wait to get the girl power tree up.

4. Think I'm going to start a new tradition - an ornament each year with our picture on it. Us five girls. This is the beginning of our new life. Established 2010.

3. Work was insane this week. And it was only two days.

2. Jennifer finally fell asleep at 10:30 last night. And I could barely drag her butt out of bed this morning.

1. Thanksgiving. And holy crap I'm thankful.

Stupid is as Stupid Does . . .

I walked into Grace and Faith's room this morning, and about fell over with laughter. Grace came in to see what had me all worked up . . . and after a split second of acting mad, she too started laughing. Classic.

Getting Their Swim On

I wish I had a picture of Mark diving off the high board. That was awesome.

Happy 7th Birthday to Faith Ann!

Grandma made a beloved gown with an orange boa from Faith's design. Jessie and Eddie got her a puppy . . . and she loves it, even though it's not real. Joni and Jess got her "THE" holiday barbie she's been wanting since Grace opened hers. Mark and Missy got her too much to mention, including Ken, barbie clothes, design paper, design barbie clothes . . . it was all a hit. She was a very happy 7 year old. And I think she liked the barbie cake. Like a lot.

Faith's First Sleepover

The Good Stuff

I'm saving this forever. And ever.

10 on 2sday

10. I've had that song "King of Anything" in my head all day. "Who cares if you disagree? You are not me. Who died and made you king of anything? Let me hold your crown, Babe."

9. Jennie drew on the wall. A very nice picture. And in permanent marker.

8. Faith woke up on Monday two inches taller. And that's the dead honest truth.

7. Josie makes the funniest facial expressions. I wish I could capture one. I'll try. She's too funny.

6. Dancing with the Stars got over early last night, so I shut the TV off and Grace read to us. Josie and Jennie each cuddled into my arms, and Faith was wrapped around my feet. I love that time. They do to.

5. Laundry is overtaking my life. There's no time.

4. Who can even believe my little Faith is going to be 7 this week?

3. Jennie wanted to take a shower. "Jennie, it's already 9:30, you're late for bed." Jennie responds, "Do you want my butt to stink all night? Fine, Mom."

2. Grace got in trouble for texting too much. And she responded, "So I shouldn't send 'I love you' texts from the bus?"

And #1 . . . . After a sister squabble, Jennie says to me "Grace and Faith are ruining my life!"

I Love this Boy and this Girl

They were cuddled up in this chair for a long time. Jennie loves her Uncle Mark. And I'm pretty sure Uncle Mark loves his Jennie. Jennie didn't leave Mark's side much that day. Sometimes you just need to be held.

Oh, that Norm

Josie: Thank you, God, for the barn fixer guy.

Grace: The barn fixer guy?

Josie: Yeah. The guy who fixed the barn.

Grace: You mean Norm?

Josie: Thank you, God, for Norm.

Perfect Motor Skills

Little Birds

My little birds in their nests.

Grace's Work

I look good. I mean, really good.

10 on 2sday

10. This morning I backed up my entire desktop on a unit that holds 1 TB. This afternoon I am updating my software to CS5. That's a big deal. A very big deal.

9. The other night Josie prayed for the cake that Jess and Joni brought up, and she prayed for God's car. (Father Mike was in his car when we walked into church Sunday. That must have made quite the impression. God drives. A Saturn. Which, as the creator of heaven and earth, kinda makes sense.)

8. Last night, before Dancing with the Stars was over, Faith walked up the stairs, crawled into her bed, and fell asleep with the lights on. I can't even get her to carry shoes upstairs without someone going with her. She must have been tired. On that same note, Josie was out of control Sunday. Crying because she couldn't get her Barbie dressed. I asked her what was wrong. She told me she was tired and needed a nap. After her nap, Faith commented on what a better mood Josie was in.

7. The tractor caught on fire yesterday, and I've yet to hear a detailed report about it. All I know for sure is that Mark put it out with a water bottle and dirt. Like the pioneers used to do.

6. I'm excited to get my Christmas tree up. I love having a Christmas tree at Billy's. I'm excited for Thanksgiving, too. I've been really hungry for Chex Mix. That says Thanksgiving to me.

5. It's been like two weeks since I've had a Daily's. It's become like a monthly.

4. A coworker missed a meeting with me. He sent an email to me that said "it looks like we had a bugaboo arranging today's meeting." A bugaboo? Really?

3. I got an email from my friend Tracy. I miss her. It made me really happy to hear from her.

2. Grace and Faith have conferences on Monday. I'm stressing already wondering if he'll show up. I sent him the invite. No response.

1. I bought mom cinnamon rolls. Because last time I saw her she commented on how much she liked mine. :)

It's a Successful Night . . .

. . . When no one pukes. Success.

Josie Writing

Growing Season

Mom and I pulled cleaned out the garden on Sunday. I don't know why I didn't think to take a picture of the pile. It was impressive.

It was a little emotional for me. I enjoyed the garden so much this year. I remember my frame of mind when I was planting it. And I rejoiced for my personal growth when we were pulling it. This garden represented in it's most literal form, a growing season for me. An entire season has gone past. The work was real. But the bounty was, too. And each garden will become more beautiful and fulfilling from here on out.

A Rake and a Box

It was like 70 degrees Sunday. So not November 7th weather. The girls had been playing dolls and barbies all day long. They had to be kicked outside to play. Mom had brought up a box and a rake. Jennie, particularly enjoyed it. Look at Josie running. That's what she did for like ten minutes. She ran like her head was cut off. Falling over every twenty steps. It was so funny. It was like she was jacked up on something. Jennie's leotard is on under her clothes. Josie has on her Sponge Bob shirt, in case anyone was wondering.

10 on 2sday on Thursday

10. Being sick this week reminded me of the time in high school when I had mono. Mom said she'd buy be a new pair of Jordache jeans if I put the weight back on that I had lost that week. They were the "it" brand in 1992. I think they cost like $50. I looked it up today. They are the brand of Walmart today. So maybe Big Star will be in Walmart some day, too.

9. Faith puked on the sidewalk Tuesday after getting off the bus at school. She got it all over Brandon's shoes. Can you imagine the horror for a first grader? The kids always have puke stories. Now Faith is a puke story.

8. I am fascinated by Sister Wives. Is anyone else watching this?? The most amazing part to me is how one woman can be attracted to that man, much less four? I'm mean, the guy is a practically a girl. So awkward. I can't get enough. I wonder if he met me, if he'd marry me? I'd get my own house, and I'd have a bunch of woman to watch my kids.

7. You know who else bothers me? Taylor Swift. She sang on Dancing with the Stars. She just looks so strange singing to me. I can't get over it. Neither can DWTS, I guess. They had dancers dancing in front of her the whole time.

6. I've seen a extraordinary amount of people mumbling to themselves today.

5. A vampire from India was biting my neck Friday night. I was trying to get away when the pictures were being taken. Wonder where they are in the world right now?

4. I was one of three nuns at the party. I wasn't even the slutty one. Eddie pointed that out. But I think the priest was most interested in me.

3. Shane having Grace on her birthday was f-ing horrible.

2. Since Faith was "sick" on Tuesday, we went to Panera. I can't remember such a fantastic outing. I need more time with her.

1. God bless Jessica and Eddie.

Ready for School

I guess Jo is starting to exhibit some of Grace's facial expressions for pictures. I've seen this on Jessica, too.

Jennie's hair is a little wild today, I see. I didn't notice it when she was standing there.

Adorable. Faith had on the same outfit. But we didn't get pictures in time. Little hectic.

I Lived.

I sent this picture to Missy when it was in, and she mentioned something about it being in my leg. I was confused. But I don't think I ever explained to her that it wasn't in my leg. That's my arm. But I guess I have a new complex about my leg-looking arm.

A very public thank you to Jessica and Eddie. (Well, if this blog was public, it would be very public.) I can't even begin to thank both of you for EVERYTHING you did for me and the kids. They had a great time. Sounds like they ate well, slept well, played well . . . I guess if anything ever happens to me, you guys will get the kids. Congrats :)

Bridgit was like a goddess, too. She brought me soup, and 7up and sport drinks. She checked on me and made sure I didn't die. I might have without her. So it's her fault I'm all good, now.