...And the Turkey was Good, too.

I meant to do a couple posts over the Thanksgiving holiday, but as it always happens, time just gets away. I'm not so sure time got away or if I was just too busy eating myself into oblivion. Goodness gracious I had some good food over the past week! I'm on such a sugar high that I have to keep baking and creating goodies so I don't come crashing down and do something rash...like eat a whole pie in one setting (I could do that, really, I could).

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving here are some things I'm thankful for:

1. First and foremost...my precious, precious family. I really am the luckiest wife and mommy to be blessed with such an awesome family.

My family.

2. My extended family. I love my family and my in-law family. Again, what a lucky girl I am!

This is WM's side of our family. This is the crew we spent Thanksgiving with...we always have such a great time together.

3. My friends. These are the people who put up with my nonsense and still like me...not because they are my family, and have to like me. They just do. I have the best friends around.

4. This is going to sound ridiculous...but in the spirit of #3, I'm thankful for Facebook because it's allowed me to reconnect with some of my dear, dear old friends from college. My good ol days as a sorority girl. These are friends of mine who I've lost contact with but have wondered about and prayed for over the years. I'm so glad that we've reconnected and can now share this new chapter of our lives as wives/mommies/professionals/etc. Plus Facebook allows me to be even more silly with my current friends and family.

5. My church(es). I know that sounds weird. Most people belong to one church. Technically I'm on the membership roles of three churches. But only two get to see me on a weekly (or regular) basis.

6. My job...I love my full time job as a mommy and my part-time job as a marketing/PR person. I have a great boss, great co-workers, great place to work. Sometime I'll do a whole blog on my job.

I have many, many other things I'm thankful for, but I won't bore you with them. I'm just thankful that I can get up every morning in a warm home and put food on the table for my family...I'm thankful that even though my children make a mess of our home that they are healthy and happy. There are many people out there who don't have homes, food or health. There are many mommies out there who are holding their sick children praying their pain away and wondering if they have the strength for another day.

So on the days when I don't think I can't stand to pick up one more doll or Hot Wheels or complain about making dinner or whine about having nothing to wear...I will remember those who would love to have those things be their problems...and be thankful for what I've been blessed with. Will you do that, too, please? It's kind of a 'positive attitude pay-it-forward.' Let's all be thankful.

Whew...that was deeper than I had planned.

Can you believe tomorrow is Dec. 1! YIKES! I don't have one Christmas present bought yet! So that's my question for today...how much Christmas shopping do you have done?

My Monday Mumbles; Part 9032

Here's another addition of My Monday Mumbles. A.k.a...just a bunch of random nothingness....

This weekend was nice...Katie's last soccer game...she got a trophy and was so proud of herself. I was proud of her. I missed the final game because of the accident with Patrick--who is doing fine, but has a nice red gash and developing bruise.

I went to see Twilight with Baloney and some new friends. I haven't read the book, so I was going in with fresh eyes. I really liked it. I'm going to read the book now. Thanks Baloney for the invite--I had a great time and loved the movie!!

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I'm in the midst of a baking marathon....Thanksgiving baking to do....preschool is having a bake tomorrow........Girl Scout meeting tomorrow. I'll be up 'til midnight baking.

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This is my favorite thing that happened today...I'll put it in dialog format:

Katie: Mommy, you need that.
Me: What?
Katie: Rewind, I'll show you
(I back up the tv show we're watching)
Katie: STOP--that, you need that
Me: What is it?
Katie: It's stuff for your eyes, it says it makes them look young
Me: Why do I need that?
Katie: So your eyes will look young
Me: Do my eyes look old?
Katie: (pausing) yeah......kind of

Nice...I know that I'm aging everytime I look in the mirror. Now my 5-year-old who is supposed to love me unconditionally is telling me I need to buy some beauty product that will make me look younger. She does love me unconditionally...but I don't want to hear it from her that I'm looking old. Grrrrrrr!

I think what concerns me even more is that she listened to the ad and acted on it. I worry about what society is going to implant into her innocent little brain. When she's 15 is she going to think she's fat or needs a boob job, etc. because a TV ad said so?

I think we need less TV.

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VOTE for Kim and Warren (Dancing with the Stars). Even if you don't watch the show, just vote for them. Go to www.abc.com and vote. They're not going to win...but let's give 'em a shot!

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Happy Monday--I gotta go bake now. Tomorrow's post should be better!

YOWZA--That Hurts!

Today was Katie's last soccer game. I was so proud of her for completing the season--I wasn't sure it was going to happen. And as I've told you before...I HATE COLD WEATHER!!!! HATE IT!!!! HATE IT, HATE IT, HATE IT. But, today, I was going to be stonger than the cold and go out and support my girl in her final game (I only missed one game--last week--it was cold and Baby Lam was sick, so we hung out in the car). I got everyone dressed in cold weather appropriate clothing, was saying my warm weather chant to myself (it helps--trust me) and just as I was tying my shoe I heard this....

(Feet running).....

THUMP

Patrick screaming

Katie: "oh no......MOMMY!"

I'm used to thumps and cries so I just sat in my room and casually said, "what happened Patrick?" And as he walked into my room, before my eyes, I watched my boys forehead morph into something you see in horror flicks. His little head was growing a growth...a.k.a. a "goose egg." Fortunately very little blood was involved...apparently it was all staying under the skin. The poor little guy was unconsolable and his head was hurting...bad.

All is well now, he's fine, he and WM actually ended up going to the TU/Tulane game. He's going to look pretty beat up for the next week or so. I was planning on taking Christmas card photos on Thanksgiving...guess not.

Here's my boy's head...this was taken probably 3 hours later--after much of the swelling went down.

Poor baby...don't you hate it when your little one gets hurt. Even though you know they're going to be fine, it still breaks this mommy's heart.

The Diary; Part 2

If you didn't get to read the first installment of The Diary, click here to get caught up and see what I'm talking about.

I thought I'd update everyone on Katie's diary. I still realize this is a total invasion of her privacy...but she's 5 years old and I'm her mom--I still get to say what's invasion of her privacy. And shoot, she invades MY privacy all the time. Between she and Patrick, I get all sorts of comments while I'm getting dressed and I don't know the last time I got to go to the bathroom alone. So I don't want anyone giving me any grief about her privacy.

She's been quite busy putting entries into her diary...

She's been working on her numbers...

And her letters...

She's even been working on writing her name in cursive. Notice she's changed her name to "Kate."

I'm rather fond of this pretty little butterfly that she drew.

But not near as fond as I am about this lovely drawing of a beautiful princess who has been named Aylssa. I'm pretty sure that's supposed to be me! :)

It's still very important to remember who is #1--God. Not sure why weird mutant gerbil is below the word God. Maybe she's wanting God to help poor Mutant Gerbil.

But then look at this beautiful kitty.

I think maybe Mutant Gerbil was actually a sweet, little kitty the whole time. It just took time to perfect it. Kind of like the story of The Ugly Duckling, but this could be titled, The Mutant Gerbil.

I think maybe I'll get a diary where I can put my random pictures, practice my writing skills, tell stories, express my daily concerns, etc., etc. Sounds just like what I need....to......start............

Oh.......maybe I already do.

What a Bunch of Nothin'

I wish I was one of those people who had organized thoughts...could start and finish a sentence and it make complete sense. But I'm not. Well...I kind of am...the thoughts are in my head, they are brilliant, well organized, sometimes even quite cleaver, the problem is they are interrupted by various outside sources. I can't tell you how many times I've started a conversation with WM and I always end up side tracked or something and he's saying "finish your story." It happens a lot. I think it frustrates him. I know it does. Oh well, it's the best I can do.

In the spirit of that statement, today's post will just be a bunch of random, half thoughts. Here goes.

MAMA'S PLEASE HELP ME!

You would think that since I have two girls that I know what to do with little girl hair. But I'm struggling here, people, and my precious, cute little Baby Lam looks like an Appalachian child most days (sorry for all of you lovers of eastern Kentucky, Tennessee and West Viriginia). I've made a promise to myself not to cut Baby Lam's bangs because I made that mistake when Katie was little and it's been a nightmare ever since--we're still in the process of growing out her bangs. My Katie has had some B-A-D hair cuts in her short little life. My problem is Baby Lam--she won't leave in a pony tail, bow, hair clip--nothing! What's a mama like me supposed to do? This is what she looks like most of the time.
Her hair hanging in her cute little face.

Someone, please, tell me what to do! (and don't tell me to cut her bangs--I'm not doing it)!

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4:00 a.m.--Really?

I come from a long line of hunters. My grandpa was a hunter, my dad is a hunter, both my brothers--and I married one, too. Now, these fellas aren't those weirdo red-neck type hunters. They have a refined taste in hunting and only hunt pheasants, ducks and quail. As a matter of fact, my dad used to take us hunting with him when we were little. I can't think of a more miserable experience than sitting in a duck blind at 6:00 a.m. in -3827 degree weather, or stomping through the snow to "flush up" a flock of pheasants. But I've done it and even though it was, like, 25+ years ago, I remember it vividly and how much I hated it. But--it was the cold thing I had a problem with. I knew I'd hate cold weather at a young age. Now that I'm grown, I secretly think my dad was using us kids in place of a good hunting dog (even though we had the best dog this side of...of...of...eastern Kentucky.

But here is my question of the day...why do hunters have to get up at 4:00 a.m. to go hunting (Like WM did this morning)? It's not like you can see anything before sunrise...especially birds.

Just wondering.

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THE RAT PACK

Look who I got to hang out with for about an hour this morning.

I'm not joking, I did. I had to go out to Channel 8 today (the local ABC affiliate for all you non-Tulsans) and these guys were going on the morning show, too. So we hung out in the 'green room'--although it's not an official green room--it's their conference room. Anyway, these guys are in town for a couple nights doing a show at the BOK. They were nice Brits--had on TONS of stage make up, but they were nice. It is a little distracting to talk to dudes who have on 10 times as much make up as you have on (I kept wanting to blend in their make up and say "you have a make up line", but I knew they wouldn't understand and just think I was wierd). The dude who plays Frank Sinatra was playing the role...he was interested in the ladies (his back up singers who were there). The station was definitely all a-buzz because of these guys. But I had a nice conversation with "Sammy" (who is American).

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Hey--ever since you read the words "West Viriginia" up there in paragraph 2 or 3 you've been singing that John Denver song, haven't you..."West Virigina, mountain mama, country road, take me home."

Yes you have, don't lie to yourself.

And if you weren't...bet you are now! ;)

Silly Ol Sally

Many have been asking about our puppy Sally. She's not so much of a puppy anymore, as much as a gawky, long legged teenager. I thought I'd give you a quick update on our girl.

1. She's wild and still runs around like a crazed lunatic with random backyard toys in her mouth. If it's left in the yard--it's fair game.

2. We could feed that girl a 20lb. bag of dog food a day and she'd still be skinny as a rail. Everyone, including my BIL, the Vet, says she'll gain weight. It's just how puppies are.

3. We think we were mistaken on what her breed is. She's definitely mostly lab, but she's starting to show signs of having some type of Setter in her.

4. She's great with the kiddos. She gets super spazzy excited when we first come out, but then she settles down and lets the kids play with her. Baby Lam is especially fond of her.

Lots of hugs....

And kisses.

"Are you getting ready to take a bunch of pictures of me?"

"Seriously, it's annoying. Stop."

"Hey! Look over there! There's Lucy...go take pictures of her!"

"I'm going to ignore you so you won't start taking pictures of me, too." (Thanks, Lucy...you're a real helper).

"Heeeeeeyyyyyyyy, why did you quit taking pictures of me? I was just kidding. I'll act cute, I promise!"

My Beloved WM

My fellow bloggers and friends Baloney and Susie both have posted this and told me I'm supposed to do so as well, so here we go. We always get to know each other...what about our other half?

Let's get the formalities out of the way...here is a photo of him. It's kind of corny, but I have to be sneaky taking his pic because he doesn't like to be photographed.

What is your husbands name? Robert, but he goes by his middle name which is David (Robert is a family name...WM's dad's first name is Robert but he goes by his middle name and Patrick's first name is Robert, but he goes by his middle name. I know it's a confusing mess).

How long have you guys been married? 9 years and 28 days

How long did you date? 2 years

How old is he? 25--HA HA HA! Just kidding--he just had his 45th b-day on Sunday. He's older than me, by the way!

Who is taller? Him!!! I'm 5'10" so I had to have someone tall enough that I could wear high heels and not be taller. I think WM is about 6' or 6'1".

Who can sing best? Are you kidding????? ME!!!!!! Though I have to admit that he can do a pretty impressive Jim Morrison/The Doors impression of "Come on baby light my fire."

Who is smarter? Well, what do you think I'm going to say? Me, of course. But actually, he's probably smarter. Well...it depends. He's brilliant in the math, algebra, physics, science type stuff. But I've got him when it comes to grammar, writing, create type stuff. We make a good team and will have all areas of "homework help" covered for our kiddos. He is also a master do-it/fix-it yourselfer.

Who does laundry? Mostly me, but he does it sometimes, too. Lately, though, he's not be allowed to do any of my laundry, though. I'm particular.

Who pays the bills? Him. One less thing for me to have to worry about.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Well...that totally depends on the night...last night it was Katie, the night before it was Josie, the night before that it was Patrick. But if it were just WM and I in our bed (which is a new rule that I declared as of this morning) it would be WM on the right side--if you're facing the bed.

Who mows the lawn? Him. I've done it before, but that's his deal. I actually mowed the lawn once when I was 8 months pregnant with Katie. Not sure what I was thinking.

Who cooks dinner? I would say this one is 50/50...we both do it.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? If I didn't admit I was wrong then our arguements and/or discussions would never end. WM rarely admits he is wrong (at home--I think he does at work).

Who kissed who first? Him...good grief, what kind of girl am I? Girls don't kiss boys first!

Who wears the pants? We let WM think he does. Let's just say I'm the quiet backseat driver of this family.

I am so blessed to have a really great husband. He is a great husband and awesome father. And best of all he puts up with me--which is not an easy job.

Now--all you bloggers who read this...you do this (unless you're Baloney or Susie)...