Busy day!

It's been a busy day today! The kids are very excited to be on Christmas Vacation! It is cold outside, so we stayed busy inside today.

 

 Kaci (with a little help from Bailey) completed this beautiful stepping stone for PaPa to put in his garden where Baby is buried. Last year, Mom and Dad had to put their sweet dog, Sissy to sleep just around the same time. The kids made a stone for him then -- that he used to mark her grave.

 This is going to look very nice next to Sissy's stone. I think Baby and PaPa are both going to love it.

It is drying for now- and we will surprise PaPa with it on Christmas Day!

Kaci also worked on making more spicy pretzels for everyone to enjoy on Christmas Day!

 Then the kids started baking sugar cookies!- but not just the regular, old drop cookies....

 They busted out the flour, rolling pins and cookie cutters! YUMMO!

This evening - we went over to Mom and Dad's house - so that we could all drive around and look at Christmas lights. We didn't have to go very far to find the best house in the whole neighborhood! PaPa did a great job this year with his lights. Way to go...looking good! If you look close you can see, Grandma Dee, PaPa, Bailey and Kaci!

Gingerbread houses!

Christmas Elves!

Tonight is the annual Azuma Christmas party at the Hula Hut! Always lots of fun!- food, drinks, friends and Holiday Spirit! The kids are sleeping over at Amber's house tonight so that we can enjoy ourselves until it ends at 11- and head home to sleep in....

except for there has been a slight change of plans.

 

Clint is not feeling well. Fuzzy head and achy body are back....well, they really haven't left for that long since the August 4th bike accident. Grrrrr....maybe just a couple of hours here and there they give Clint a break....but not tonight!

Usually if we have plans- the fuzzy head, achy body and dizzy spells like to come on in full force.

 

So- we have decided to make some chicken pot pie and lay in bed and catch up on Orange is the New Black- while the kids still have a sleep over at mber's house!

 

Unfortunately, mom has been feeling a little under the weather too and a few days before Thanksgiving Mom and Dad had to put their sweet dog, Baby to sleep. Christmas spirit has been hard for them to find. Luckily- I have 2 elves that are going to help them decorate their tree before they head over to Amber's house tonight!

 

 Here they are looking good...helping PaPa and Grandma Dee find the Christmas spirit in their tree and their nativity underneath the tree. Good job, Kaci and Bailey!

For now- it's another episode of, Orange is the New Black. This show is pretty good!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

 Decorating the tree is always fun. 

Each year the kids get to buy a new ornament 

that represents something that they like from that year.

 We also hang up all of their handmade ornaments on this tree. 

It is my favorite tree!

 Every year we take Christmas card photos!

 Here are a few of my favorites!

 Kaci thought of this "choke-hold" pose all on her own!

 Waiting on the corner for the Chuy's parade to start!

Ahhhhhhhh....there's Frosty's butt!

  We hang the stockings by the chimney with care....

Their BACK!  Ha! Ha! (get it?)

 The kids each decorate their own tree for their bedroom. 

Looking good, Kaci!

 Here is Bailey's tree. It has a nice sports theme.

 Here is the tree all decorated and lit up. 

Not a bad start on the presents underneath it either!

 

 I love this ice- cube block package in the front entry--

 and Santa on the front door.

Here is the tree in the sunroom.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas~!

Happy Holidays! 

Doctor Appointment This Morning.....

Hate doctors appointments-

Hate being at the wrong location!

Hate being late!

Hate being force fed information!

Hate getting the dreaded A1C results!

BUT I-

Liked The New Office Location!

Loved the Diabetes Educator and Nurse Practitioner!

Loved that when I wrote on our form " We do not want to talk about getting on a pump today "- They actually listened and respected Kaci's ability to choose shots or a pump since it is

 HER BODY!

She didn't choose Diabetes- it chose her.

*She can not choose not to check her blood sugar before every meal.

*She can not choose not to give herself insulin after she eats.

*She can not choose not to carry her meter, insulin and some form of sugar every where she goes.

*She can not choose not to take her night shot.

*She can not choose not to have her lab work and check up visit every 3 months.

**But she CAN DAMN WELL CHOOSE how to get her insulin!- and she chooses SHOTS!

Loved Kaci's A1C has gone down since her last visit!

LOVED that Kaci enjoyed the Diabetes Educator and Nurse Practitioner as much as I did. They were both  pleasant and kind. They answered our questions, helped us change meal ratios / carb correction calculations, and respected that at this time Kaci does not wish to be on a pump!

LOVED that Kaci's A1C has gone down!

Loved Our Starbucks Red Cup on the way home!

LOVE MY KACI!

The Top 10 things I am Thankful for....

A few things I am thankful for in 2013~

 

1. I am thankful for the love and support of my Mom and Dad- Not sure what I would do without them...They have taught me so much about life and continue to teach me everyday! I never went without growing up- They always had my back!

 

2. I am thankful for Clint- who works harder than anyone I know to support our family and give us not only what we need, but what we "think" we need. He is way more fun than me and plays games after work with the kids like it's his second job.

 

 

3. I am thankful for Kaci and Bailey! I love their guts! They are smarter than me and cuter than me....and the best part of me!

 

 

4.  I am thankful for Payton and Chelsea. If it weren't for the two of them...I wouldn't have to clean half as much as I do. The mud this winter is killing me...but I still let them crawl into my bed every night- and I mop and clean and wash the sheets (almost)every morning!

 

 

5. I am thankful for Berber! She is my BFF- don't mess with her or ..."Oh Snap!"

 

 

6. I am thankful for the red cup on a cold winter morning.

 

 

7.  I am thankful for Clementine! She is the best car I have ever owned! I love her!!

 

 

 

8. I am thankful for my phone. Even though I can't do anything on it without the help of Clint, Kaci and Bailey- (another reason why I am thankful for #2 and #3)

 

 

9.  I am thankful for my beautiful house/pool and my new neighbors and friends!

 

 

10. I am thankful for online shopping. Without it.....I am not sure anyone would be getting anything for Christmas this year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer!

 

 

This was not original, but I thought I would borrow it for today-I found it roaming the internet.....

 

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

 

Lord, so often times, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more
To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided
And bless each and every person invited

Amen!

--Scott Wesemann

Happy 12th Birthday, Kaci!

Happy 12th Birthday to MY Kaci! I love you so much!

 

 

 It is hard to believe you are already 12! When I ordered your cake last week I  told them to write,

"Happy 11th Birthday, Kaci!"

 

 

 As soon as I hit *Send* on the email....I had to quickly email Jerry back and tell him to please write

"Happy 12th Birthday, Kaci!"

 

 

 I loved the cake party we had at our house tonight! We have such wonderful family, friends and neighbors that came over to help us celebrate YOU!

 

 

It was fun looking through all of your scrapbooks.....

...starting with your baby book!

Here is a great picture of my 2 blue-eyed girls!

You and Aunt Berber!

 

Truly my favorite quote is this one..."Making the decision to have a child -it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body." Elizabeth Stone
 

 

 It is perfect for this day! For you are truly my "heart walking outside of my body." Who knew being a mom would be so much work- yet so much fun all at the same time?!

 

 I love the look on your face here while we sang "Happy Birthday to YOU....

 

 

 I hope all your wishes come true!

 

 You and Bailey have truly made me a better person just by letting me be your mom! I love your guts!!!

 Happy, Happy 12th Birthday!