The Tang Bride 349/365

I know I say this all the time, but I love Fridays!!  It is the one day that we don't have homework, and everyone is home.  The sounds of fun and laughter fill my house.  Today I heard bridal music and then my door opened and LeeLee was in a full on outfit.  She has a layered slip as a veil, and she looks so angelic (even though we all know that in real life she is not.)  What I love most is the tang mustache.  It just makes it so LeeLee!

Christmas Goodies 348/365

Both the little girls are tickled with the Christmas goodies that are trickling there way to them.  I have never seen a Santa with marshmallow pole legs before, but Hope sure is proud of him.  She is blessed to get tons of one on one attention at school and since her teachers don't have many students their treat boxes have great prizes.  This is what Hope picked out.  LeeLee's bag of goodies was from one of her heroes, Kylie Sheilds.  Kylie has been working with LeeLee in gymnastics since August.  We have been blessed to have Vivi, then Kylie work with LeeLee they are both amazing young women.

Both girls are just thrilled with their items, and it really has nothing to do with what they have, it has more to do with how they got the gifts and how much they love the people that gave them.

I Worry 347/365

I'm not a worrier by nature, but I tend to worry about this precious little one.  She is such a scared little dog, and her life was so perfect with Paul's Aunt.  They were truly perfect for each other, and I just worry that Snoopy lives in a state of wonder.  She has settled in here to her routine and she has taken to Hunter, but you can just tell that she is a heart broken little one.  I always wonder if she knows....knows that the woman she loved is gone, or if she thinks she was left.  I don't want to worry, but I look at her face, and I do.  I adore her, I have adored her since the day I saw her running through Paul's work place.  I just know that she is not capable of ever adoring any of us the way she adored Aunt Mildred.  I will however keep loving on her and praying that she will feel Mildred's love for her through us.

My Hubby is Forty! 346/365

He was 21 when we met, so I haven't almost known this crazy guy for 19 years.  I hate to think about it, but we are both, you know.....aging!  Somehow in my mind we are still 20 and 21 years old.  Yeah, yeah, I know, we have four kids, with the oldest being 12, and yet I still want to believe we are in our early twenties.

But reality is we are getting old.  40 is just a big number.  Paul doesn't really celebrate birthdays, so it really isn't a big deal to him.  He never says anything to anyone, but I think he secretly likes that we do things for him.  Today the girls presented him with tickets to the Daddy Daughter Dance in February.  There is nothing he would love more than dates with his daughters, and Hunter carved him a cross image out of wood.

I am so thankful for my forty year old man!  He is the best, and the kids and I are blessed to have him around.  I hope I get to share at least another forty years with him.

At Least They Thought Of Safety 345/365

If you have been around my house much, then you will know that we like to have fun.  My kids jump on the beds, slide down the stairs, and roast marshmallows in candles on the counter.  We are that kind of family.  I do however have to wonder when I see my eight year old running around inside with a helmet on.  I followed her up the stairs to find that she was deeply involved in a family sport.  However, it took a new twist.

Hunter had Hope climb into a sleeping sack on top of some cushions so she could go head first down the stairs.

Keep in mind she can't see a thing as she sails down the stairs.  When the ride stops, you hear a faint little voice say, "Am I at the bottom yet?"

Then Hope emerges all smiles at the bottom of the stairs.  I had to tell them that I am very proud that they thought about head protection in this little stunt, but that it wasn't really a good idea to go head first.  So, if you want to go stair sliding come on over.  They are always happy to have company.

Hope's Choice 344/365

When the kids all went to the store to pick out ornaments, Hope had a hard time.  She always wants to be someone else.  So because Noelle loves penguins, she wanted a penguin ornament.  She doesn't love penguins, she just thought that would help her fit in.  I had to keep explaining to her that I wanted an ornament on my tree that would remind me of her.  She FINALLY decided on this girly pink cell phone.  It is very her!  I was so proud when she finally decided that she really did pick something that suited her.  It was tough, but I want her to know that we appreciate her for who she is, not who she thinks we might want her to be.

The Duck Era 343/365

I let each of the children shop and pick out an ornament that was special to them and that would forever remind us of who they were at this age.  Hunter immediately picked up this duck ornament who happens to be holding a shotgun.  Yep, he is all into Duck Dynasty.  Sometimes I watch them and I just laugh because it is so Hunter.  I love my little redneck!