Christmas Week Part Two

The second half of the week was a bit slower, just trying to keep busy while pleasing the masses.

Wednesday evening, while Nate was at work, we went to dinner at Apple Bees for dinner. Thursday morning we awoke to cold temps and awaited the snow that was to come. I spent the first part of the day learning to make moms pie crust and apple pie. While Steve was at work, Nathaniel and Grandpa Larry worked on the nova so Nate could have working heat. We continued our yearly tradition of spending Christmas Eve with the Thomas family. Always fun...a good spread of food and a game. We were all glad that Steve was the one driving in the Texas blizzard. Nate awoke us at 8 am for presents (I am sure it has been a long time since Larry had got up this early on Christmas morning). The family came over in the afternoon.

my pie crusts

let it snow..let it snow...let it snow

after all these years we got a Christmas Eve pic with the Thomas family

L-R Rod, Steve, Me, Jeannette, Nathaniel and Trent

Nate playing keep away the santa cap with his cousins

the box...Axels favorite gift

headlight from grandmas stocking

the pile of destruction

mom and I are always left out of pictures so I got one of mom

sorry mom...its not one of the best

Saturday, we went after Christmas shopping while Nate was at work. Pizza and bowling in the evening. Steve whooped all of us. Sunday was relaxation, Sherlock Holmes and one fantastic steak at Salt Grass. I believe that Larry was probably ready to go home to get some R&R.

Christmas Week Part one

Steve's dad Larry has come to celebrate Christmas with us this year. He only been to Texas one other time ( 2005 when Steve graduated from UNT). His first visit was short and sweet leaving no time for sites. Therefore, we had to make up for it with this visit. Larry arrived Saturday afternoon and it has been a whirlwind since then. Saturday evening we went to see the Radio City Spectacular with the Rockettes. The only picture we have is on my moms camera. I think we all gave it a thumbs up. Sunday evening, while Nathaniel was at work, we went to see Avatar in 3D (thumbs up again).

Having a teenage who now has a job, we have had to adapt our outings as to which ones Nathan would prefer to do during his off time. Monday evening (without Nate) we took Larry to the Fort Worth Stockyards. Everyone needs to see the cattle drive of the long horns at least once. And then we drove through Fort Worth for a tour of the city and sites.

Tuesday, we ventured to the Gaylord Hotel for the ICE exhibit. I had been real excited to do this with the guys (I had been a couple of years ago and loved it). Unfortunately, it was super crowded. Nate thought this exhibit was cool to look at but not worth the cost. I think Larry probably thought the same, but is way to polite to bust my happy bubble. Now, I know that Steve and I both enjoyed it.

Nate praising the Grinch

Nate looking like a bahumbug

Steve entering Who-ville

Larry looking jolly and maybe frozen

The nativity is one of my favorite parts of the ice exhibit

Again, without our son, we enjoyed Taco Tuesday with my parents and then came home to do nothing but lounge in front of bad television.

Christmas Festivities and the kids

Damon decided playing video games would be better than cookie decorating

Hunter and her friend Katie making chocolate goodies for her friends

Oscar and Diego decorating a table full of cookies

It was cold so we had a roaring fire and yummy candles burning

After church today, I went and picked up all the kids plus a friend. The younger guys decorated a ton of cookies and played Lego's. Hunter and Katie made chocolate goodies for gifts for her friends. Damon and Nathaniel played video and computer games. And my student husband was locked away in the office working on a research paper that is due tomorrow. I supervised, kept the loudness down, attempted to make the sad bow on my wreath and worked on my ornaments for the upcoming girl party.

This evening, we all went to mom and dads for ribs and family time. Grandma has been visiting from Georgia and we have all found ourselves at the parents home all at the same time a little more than normal. We did have a little drama at the start of dinner, as Damon started choking and I had to do the Heimlich on him. That was a first for me. He was fine, dinner was awesome and it all made for a great day.

Oh Christmas Tree

The past two Christmas seasons have been a drag and it was all I could do to muster my way through. But this year is different and I am back to my old happy self. We awoke today to a cold snowy day and Nathaniel crawled into bed with me. We both fell back to sleep and upon awakening for real this time, we decided that he was already late for school. My negotiating son convinced me that he should just stay home and take care of some business. A sucker I can be agreed, as long as we could get our tree decorated a day early.

We did have some business to take care of starting with going out for pancakes, buying some fancy paper from Hobby Lobby (English project) and Nate working on getting caught up on his seminary. Realizing we needed a break...it was time to decorate.

Now this tree, Nate and I have tried to toss out the last two years (hoping to get a new one) and Steve always managed to bring it back from the curb. Disgusted we started putting up the ornaments and reminiscing of each memory and I suddenly realized the tree was not so bad. All the memories that it held. The tree itself also did not look too bad, with the exception of needing a tree topper, and we have not had one of those for most of our time in Texas. I will not place the tree on the curb this year in hopes that it will last through Nathaniel's senior year.

Happy early merry Christmas to all my friends and family!

What oh what is my Miranda doing today

As the years have progressed, I have finally quit thinking about, dreaming about and wondering about our little Miranda everyday. For a very long time, she consumed almost every space in my head, leading to some very sad years. Even when we had Maddi, Kelsie and Kalista, Miranda was always in the forefront of my thoughts. I could not help wondering why we were not blessed to raise this sweet, precious child that we brought life back into. The whole experience left me more empty than I could have ever imagined before she came into my life.

As we are getting ready to have carpet layed in the house, I was working on emptying out the closet in the guest/kids room. I came across the chalkboard that was once in the room. In beautiful writing it said Miranda's Room. Lying on the easel was a letter "M" that hung by ribbon and two of her head bows. Seeing this just about took my breath away. It dawned on me that I do not think of her constantly any longer and it had been awhile. I went to erase the saying and found myself unable to, so i left it as is and placed it in the garage. I must have placed it in the far back after I came to terms that she would not returning. I then redecorated the room to how it is now.

I can not help myself as I reflect upon our short time with this sweet little girl. The sheer joy that we received from her presence. The long nights from helping her detox from the meth her parents put in her system. To the wonderful spring holidays we shared. I am not depressed nor do I have any regrets having brought Miranda into our lives. I will always wonder where she is, what she is doing and if she was ever given the scrapbook of this part of her life. I hope that the Lord will allow me this peace at some point.

Nathaniel got a job

After months of trying to get a job at Gamestop it happened. Nathan secured himself a Christmas slot at one of the local stores. My baby starts tonight as a working member of society....what am I going to do now....I miss him already, as it will be a few hours away from his computer leaving me without a reason to nag him to get off and get a job. Ironic.

Love the Texas State Fair

Kelly and Big Tex

Steve having fun on the BIG slide

fat, tired and sassy at the end of the day

I have fond personal memories from past visits to the state fair. These memories leave me with the desire to return every year with Steve. After a detour to visit an old high school friend, we made it to the fair. We ate a lot of good fattening foods (sorry no fried butter here), checked out all the exhibits and ended the night going down the big slide. The weather was cool and crisp...making it a perfect way to spend some good times together.

Old Friends

Kelly and Jason Hartley

This past August was my 25th high school reunion. I had planned on attending for months and then once again life got in the way. I had my surgery and then airfare was outrageous. I had been chatting with Jason (via facebook) a few nights before the reunion when Jason had offered to buy me an air ticket out...however, Steve had already bought me a ticket to Georgia to visit grandma. A little disappointed, I had rationalized that I really only cared about seeing a handful of old classmates (and Jason was on the top of the list). I have fond memories of our friendship back then. It just happens that Jason had a family engagement in Dallas this weekend and between both our schedules we were able to meet up. The visit was far too short and not near enough time to catch up on life. It seemed that I talked too much about my life and Nathaniel. The visit was far too short and left me wanting to hear about Jason's life experiences and travels. I was lucky enough to meet his girlfriend and Jason was able to meet Steve for a few minutes. I hope that our paths will cross again and allow us more time to reconnect.

pictures of flooring

working in the entryway

sweat labor


pile o'shoes temporalily located to office from closet



dining room complete with new molding

dining room at start of construction

old, gross carpeting that I pulled out myself

working on the molding for the dining room

I think working in the dining room

The living room done (just needs a rug)

the view from master bedroom hallway

Hooray...the laminate is done!

Today, dad and I were able to finish up the laminate flooring. I think we had saved the hardest for last...the master bedroom hallway...it was the most narrow, shortest and had some ugly cuts. I am totally proud that we were able to accomplish this job that i started. My dad is great for taking on this challenge. I think the floors turned out good, although I know where all the flaws are, and hope that they will not be too visible to everyone else. I am a little bummed that I do not have the tolerance to do the bedrooms as I had planned. All I can say is new carpeting here we come! And hopefully not too long away, the new ceramic tile that is going into the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room (and yes dad is taking on the challenge again). The house was tired and in need of some TLC. However, it never occurred to me that I would be repainting baseboards, window seals, doors and possibly some walls. The house will be like new soon. As one of the commercials say...maybe I'll "fall back in love with my house".

Rainy homecoming parade

Central Swim teams sad sad sign quickly disentigrating

This year the swim team decided they were going to participate in the homecoming parade. All I can say is that our attempted but sad effort was there. Mother nature did not cooperate and some floats made the storm better than others (ours melted away)

The swimmers attempt was there

you can still see the art here

Nate stole someones umbrella. A little too late, he was already drenched.

PK Lake with friends

For Labor Day Weekend, Nate and I were invited to go to Possom Kingdom Lake with the Davis family. We had a great time boating, lounging, playing volleyball and eating some good food.

Me and Becky

not looking to bad as we both had surgery over summer

The Davis' boat (unfortunately you can't see Nate in the back)

The 30ft cliff that Becky and I jumped off. Totally scary and a freaky way to get the adrenaline flowing


Sunning on the boat

Nate whooped at the end of the day

Becky kicking back on the other boat

house under construction

At IKEA loading up dads truck. This doesn't give the finished load...as we had Axel in the backseat along with eight large foam bundles and the three of us in the front seat.

In the entry way after the carpet and pad was removed. finishing taking up the carpet tack.

My wonderful helper (Damon) aching to destroy my house and continually letting me know that a wrecking ball would be easier.

I was hoping that you could see my sweat.

Steve and I have been talking about taking out the carpet and replacing it with laminate for a year or so now. We came into a little extra home repair money and the time has come. I decided that this was the day that I was going to start the project....and so the first round of carpet came out. Steve starts back to another semester of school, so dad is going to help me with this adventure. Laminate floors will be a first for the both of us.