Christmas 10 lbs later

Christmas was, as expected, a whirlwind of fun, laughter, and a few tears this year. But heavy on the laughter.

We started off the festivities on Christmas eve making cookies for Santa. That was a ball, for all of 5 minutes. Then the boys got bored and I was stuck making the cookies. Well they got bored until the cookie dough was done then they rushed in to help me "put the cookies on the sheet" aka "eat all the dough until mom raced me out of the kitchen". It was a great success and even though my chocolate chip cookies were flat as all get out, the taste was amazing and the snickerdoodles ruled the roost.

Pre-boredom. My guess is they realized flour doesn't taste very good. He he.

Germs included! For free! It adds that extra "splash" of flavor.

Then I made the smart decision to start cooking my breakfast for the next day at 3:30. We had church at 5:00. Yeah. We slid in right at 4:55 only to stand in the cry room the whole time right by the bathroom, which meant the boys had to pee five times each and wash their hands 10 times. 

And if you refuse that will the time they pee their pants because they told you that you had to pee. 

Did I mention it was a children's mass? That means all the kids get to go to the front of the church during the homily while the priest talks to them. It's adorable, but my kids have never got the guts to go alone. Until that night. Lil'Dude took the usher's hand and walked up there, and sat the entire homily. He was bouncing on his heels the entire time, but he stayed up there!

The rest of us were in the back. Well technically I was against the back wall so he could still see me. 

I may or may not have cried a little seeing him up there all by himself like such a big boy. Especially seeing him nudge the boy next to him, point at me, and whisper "that's my mom!" and wave.

At least I think I did. I couldn't hear so he could have said "Look at my mom. She is so lame!" then wave. Me waving back oblivious.

After church we zipped back home, had a wonderful home cooked meal, and unwrapped the traditional one present of PJ's. 

Okay okay so I forgot about dinner that night with all the planning for the next day so we went to a local Mexican restaurant, had dinner in our church digs, then went home and unwrapped the traditional one present of PJ's.

Mother of the Year award goes to....

 They were THAT excited. The kids poured Santa some milk, put cookies on the tray (after taste testing a cookie of course, only the best for Santa!) then put carrots for Rudolph. I even heard Lil'Dude say "Hurry! Hurry Lil'Guy!! We have to go to bed so Santa can come!!" and run to their beds falling fast asleep. Which never happens. 

Brewerman and I stayed up drinking Kahlua martini's and watching Christmas Story. At 12:00 my parents arrived, so after that, Santa came and we went to bed exhausted, expecting to wake up groggily around 7am.

Nope.

Brewerman and I wake up at 5:30 anxious and excited, not able to sleep another wink. Finally at 6am Lil'Dude wakes up and yells "Santa came!!" It was fun, and a whirlwind. But seriously? We are so lucky to have this, and have them to celebrate this with. It's just amazing to us, to this day, that we got this lucky. We are lucky to have each other too, and have great christmas' ourselves (Brewerman got beer stuff, I got a beautiful watch, and clutch, and much more!)

Lil'Dude excited Santa came!!

His Leapster Explorer that he liked a little *too* much. 

The only bad of the morning came when Lil'Dude started screaming and crying because we were going to make him put down the Leapster Explorer he got so we could open up all the other presents. After whispering to him how rude he was being he did finally dry his tears and got into opening presents. We are just mean mean parents.

Lil'Guy slapped on the Santa hat and was like an old pro passing out gifts. 

The best gift for Lil'Guy? The giant 4 feet peg peg (stuffed penguin) nana and papa got him. It's hilarious! He now sleeps with it and even though it takes up 3/4 of the bed, he loves that thing.

Then we ate egg casserole...and monkey bread...and candy.....then yoder sausage (YUM), then cheese, then hummus, then cheese ball, and steaks, and the most fabulous broccoli casserole ever, and Tiramisu Cheesecake.

  Tiramisu Cheesecake!!!

 MMMMMM.....so the 10 lbs? Gained. But it was so worth it. Every single bite.

Of course not being able to fit into any of my jeans kinda stinks, but hey, that's what they make sweat pants for! 

And the boys played a lil' wii. Okay a LOT of wii. The airplane game was their favorite I think, even though my dad spent about 2 hours on it trying to beat the same level. Boys will be boys!

Brewerman telling my dad what he wanted for Christmas playing a board game. Ha!

It ended up being a relaxing holiday, the boys got so many toys that they played with all day, I adored my parents being here. None of us really got dressed up, and we all just had fun with each other all day and all our new gifts.

Basically? I love my life!! 

Tinker Toys...great for ages 3 - 30

I'm not quite sure who has played more with the Tinker Toys the kids got for Christmas, the boys...or Brewerman.

He started by "playing with the kids", and kept "playing" when the kids moved on to their new Lego's. Making improvements to his "inventions"....

...and while Brewerman said he was building the helicopter for the boys, it was never quite "done enough" for them to play with it. Until finally Lil'Dude showed him up by throwing his helicopter on the floor and using the pieces to make improvement to his own helicopter.

The Tinker Toy Man. Lil'Dude loved it as you can see.

 Lil'Guy thought it was the creepiest thing ever and was not impressed that it was taller than he was.

The infamous "Helicopter"...in which I had to redo the picture so he could add "landing gear".

I decided this picture was more interesting than the "Open Webbed Joist" Brewerman made. Engineering Nerd.

Though I do love how much quiet time it gave me to read my new NOOK (which I ADORE) while all three of my boys played quietly.

Well that is until Brewerman started crying because Lil'Dude took his Tinker toys from him.  *sigh*

Metaphorical "Pregnancy" Adoption Photo Session = Hilarity!

I found this off of another Adoptive Mom's Blog and I have to say it's hilarious. It gets more funny the more I look at it. I have to admit when I first saw it I thought it was a little.....off color? But then by the time I got to the "Pregnancy" sequence I was laughing out loud.

The story is also very cool to go with it so be sure to read that also.

Metaphorical "Adoption" Maternity Photo Session

The thing is, during your pre-adoption journey there are so many times that if you don't laugh you'll cry, and so many times all you can do is cry. The biggest struggle is "feeling" like you are actual waiting on your baby, or "pregnant" in a very different sort of way. But no less or more "expecting". The baby showers, the constant comments, the hopeful expressions and joy from those around you...most pre-adoptive parents would love to have those showered on them during their journey.

So this is just a little way to poke a little fun, and laugh at yourself. Although I have to say those pregnancy photos you see all the time with couples that look like you are 10 minutes to "getting it on" make me a little squirmish too, and we are poking a little fun at them too.

How to gain 10 lbs on Christmas

So a good friend of mine was talking about her diet and how she'll try to stick with it even on Christmas!! 


First of all, I applaud her will power. Wow. Her will power's gotta be like a mack truck. Seriously. I mean...Christmas!? Comparatively my will power is less than a Geo Metro. Not even a cool  "ultra-urban" electric car. Nope.

It's an electric scooter will power. Keep reading. You'll see.

I hear "Christmas" and start hyperventilating while planning all the fattening foods I can possibly gorge into my mouth in 24 hours. The most horrible thing in my mind to happen on Christmas is for me to stick something into my mouth that is either not fattening and not horrible for me, thereby wasting valuable space in my tummy, or to run out before I'm full.

I may or may not have issues.

Though I am pretty sure that was well known well before this post, no?

Here is my menu for Christmas:

Breakfast:
- Santa's Candy (Swedish Fish, Reese's trees, Kit Kat) What a great guy he is to know all our favorites.
- Breakfast Sausage & Egg Casserole
- Monkey Bread (Cinnamon Pull-a-part Bread)
- Mimosa's (that's right baby!)

Lunch / Snack:
- Keith's Hummus (Roasted Red Pepper & Garlic) & Pita Chips / Pitas
- Veggie Tray (thrown in there due to guilt from all that candy...oh and it has ranch dip...mmmm...ranch)
- Fruit / Nuts
- I'm not gonna lie probably a second or third does of Santa's Candy

Dinner:
- Mushroom Stuffed Beef Tenderloin (oh and it has bacon. Bacon!)
- Some kind of green salad (send me recipes if you have a good homemade one)
- Broccoli & Pearl Onion Casserole
- Mashed Potatoes & Rosemary Gravy (made from Tenderloin)
- Tiramisu Cheesecake
- Wine, lots of wine, that way we don't have to think of what Christmas cost this year.

See? I told you. I can practically see myself getting fatter as I post this. And it's so deliciously great.

I say shame on you, you dieters out there thinking you don't have to blow it during Christmas.
Shame. On. You.

And don't even  think of shoving this post in my face when I'm not able to fit into anything the day after.

*sigh* I'm sure my guilt will be enough punishment.

But until then....


P.s. Feel free to ask for any of the above recipes if you like. I'll gladly share them with anyone.


P.s.s. Dedicated to my lovely friend: Mrs Vampirishikakaka. 

4 year old Boy Gifts - Christmas Style!

So a friend of mine did a similar post on her blog. I thought I'd do one for our boys too! I hope it is helpful for any of you out there trying to buy for a 4 year old. Because my 3 year old truly believes he is also 4 years old, some of this stuff is also for him. I also have Lil'Dude's Birthday in January we'll be buying for so some of the gifts are for that too. (Although yes, even knowing that I still overspent for Christmas. I..just...can't...stop...buying!)

- Leap Frog Explorer okay so I will say that Lil'Dude is pretty hand-eye coordinated and he adores handheld games. He's been able to play Brewerman's PSP (which he is only allowed very randomly for reasons like this.) for about a year now. Santa is also bringing two games. What can I say? My cookies must be awesome.

- Iron Man Battling Headquarters Tank he loves all thing Iron Man and is really starting to get into figurines (oh wait EH HEM - ACTION FIGURES as my husband would angrily correct me while he secretly plays with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that he keeps because "they are collectible". Even with all that rust? Please.).

- Lincoln Logs their classic. Their wood. What's not to love?

- Where's Waldo Book because we adore finding things, especially Lil'Dude.

- Nerf Gun we got the Star Wars one but also got a basic one for our 3 year old. They love these darned things, and I've tried my darndest not to go there, but alas I can't resist.

- Imaginext Firehouse they love these things!! They also like the crane, boat, batman cave, etc etc.

- Lego's any and all, they love them! But GEES them things are expensive nowadays.

- Candy Land and Chutes and LaddersI'm loving that they are old enough to play games now!! We'll see how this goes, or if it just makes them scream for candy. Or if they are like their daddy they will only want to play games he can beat me at or he'll end up throwing the Monopoly board across the room in a fit to rival our 2 year old. Oops? Did I just mention that?
- Memory Game I would stink at this game since I've had kids and it's basically fried my memory board.

- Don't Break the Ice okay okay so I went overboard with the games...whatever.

- Monster Jam Smash and Crash Stadium yeah this might have been an after thought, it was on sale. But they DO love themselves some Monster Jams. We are even going in February! Such rednecks...

- Monster Jam for Wii this is a game he can actually play! And again, they love big trucks and smashing things sooooo.....

- How to Train Your Dragon we saw this movie in 3D in the big theatre and they loved it so now they love watching it at home. Some kids are scared, my kids just think fire and blowing up stuff is "awesome". I'm so in trouble.

- Chipmunks the Squekquel DVD much to my dismay...man those things are annoying!! No like really really annoying. Bring me Wiggles anyday.

-Tonka Lights N Sound Fire Engine and Tonka Might Motorized Trash Truck okay so technically they got these last year but they still play with them daily!! They love these things!  I just have to include them for anyone looking for gifts.

- Leapster Tag Reading System this will be a birthday gift for Lil'Dude. We have the Tag Jr but we need something a little older and less "let's pound it on the table as hard as we can" ish.

- Paper Jamz Guitar Okay so this is really for our "cutest most baddest rocker" 3 year old ever. He loves anything and all "Rock Guitar". His favorite song is Master of Puppets. Favorite game Guitar Hero (which is so funny Brewerman doesn't play that anymore either since I've gotten better than him...hmmmm). I know. Your all "dude. it's paper" but it's more plastic-y and it's 20$. It's what he wants. Why bother NOT doing it?

- We also always buy them coloring supplies for their stocking, and bath toys. Plus some un-cool stuff such as new toothbrushes. Yeah I know, gotta have one lame gift in there. I figure it makes up for the 5 lbs of candy we have for "them". Even thought it's all our favorites. Or something I'd really really love if I was a kid. But never got. *sigh* I was so mistreated as a child.

We do big for Christmas but not as big for birthdays and we never buy throughout the year for our kids so we feel like that makes it okay. Have I told you how much I love Christmas? No? Well let me just enlighten you on how much I adore Christmas with this post. Did I tell you my name mean's Christmas child too?

What a Way to Kick off Christmas!

Saturday was the kick off for our family's Christmas traditions : The Adolphus Christmas Parade!!

We did this last year also and it was one of those moments that you imagined during those years while trying  to have a baby come true. I literally cried watching the joy on my kid's faces. So it makes it worth waking up at 5:30am right? You're supposed to say YES here people.

The day started off extra special early as our boys woke us up at 5:15 not able to contain their excitement about going to the parade. Christmas is going to be a ball this year! No...really, I wake up super early on Christmas so it will be nice not to have to "accidentally" wake them up.

Then we rode the Dart Train early in the morning from Plano to downtown Dallas. That was fun and the boys really thought that was the coolest.

We walked around the parade route, trying to stake out in the best spot. Which were all taken. Stupid good weather. Of course we immediately then scrounged up the required donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate, which we plowed down after we found a place to stand. Literally plowed them down.

And while we were waiting we got creepy pics with a clown! Yay! Brewerman was thrilled. He also refused to get near the clown. Probably best, as I said before to him, punching him might've scarred the kids. I'm actually shocked Christopher agreed to it. Obviously he was rethinking things once he actually got on his lap.

They even gave out sidewalk chalk, which my kids played with. Without setting down thier hot chocolate and donuts of course. Lil'Guy showed his genius to the world while trying to eat the chalk, and write with his donut. Ha!

Then the parade started!! Of course I have no pics because I was too busy with two scrambling kids, but we got tons of video. It was a ball, and fun was had by all. Though we missed our friends that joined us last year but "they had to move out of state" blahblahblah. Then we caught the train, and after waiting 4 hours for the darned thing to get there, headed to the Dallas Zoo.

Yes I realize how great I look and that my big butt is blocking my oldest child but it was the best pic we got of the day so it's going up. Next time I know to suck in. Or turn slightly to the right...Ha!

This is my favorite picture, thought it shows nothing of the zoo. Lil'Guy said "I do it like you daddy!" (look at the legs). Oh and Brewerman would like to tell everyone he is not carrying a purse, but a backpack. He would hate to lose any masculinity points out there.

We heart the Dallas Zoo. No matter how busy it is it never feels overwhelming since it's so spread out. We got to see Lil'Dude's "Go-grilla" and had lunch while we watched the lions grazing and the females being a mean girl to this one female snuffing them out of their little patch. Man, females are all the same.

Then we went back home and proceeded to take a long nap. We were exhausted. Lil'Guy was being "challenging". So we stayed in, grabbed some pizza, then finally we had to get a pic with Santa, since they were having them at our neighborhood. So we went late and got one of those.

The minute they sat on his lap they were both screaming at him what they wanted for christmas. They were trying to talk over one another and it was all the Santa could do to convince them that they indeed had heard them. As you can see Lil'Guy was less than convinced.

I know. Who knew I was raising giants? I'm pretty sure my kids aren't supposed to look like they could eat Santa.

Oh and yes. That is dried snot on my kid's nose. Don't judge me.

Hot Chocolate Mix by Freda Clowers

First of all, big shout out thank you to Freda Clowers, grandma to Danna aka mysisterinlaw. She sent me the recipe for this hot chocolate mix and we love it! It's a favorite of Brewerman who doesn't like most hot chocolate, and the boys can't get enough of it. It's great bribing material for them to eat all thier dinner and veggies!

It's powdered and makes a TON but it's so much easier than packets plus we can do as small or large of cups that we want. Plus it's yummier. Especially with lots and lots of marshmallows. That melt. Mmmmmmmmm. Ooooo or in your coffee.

It's perfect for kids because it's easy, no melting needed, and lasts forever. I pour my water in the cup, then microwave till hot (about 1 min?), add in mix, done!

I was going to give it away as gifts. But we may or may not have used most of it already. Whoops!

Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe:

Ingredients:
- 25ish oz of Powdered Milk (the box that says "makes 8 qt")
- 1 lb Nestle Quick Chocolate Powder (I used a 21 oz container and just dumped the whole thing in there)
- 2 c Powdered Sugar
- 8 oz Coffee Creamer (I use Coffeemate)
- dash of salt

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together. Mix 1/3c mix with 1c hot water to make. Oh and top with lots and lots of marshmallows.

Enjoy!


P.s. Wouldn't this be yummy with cinnamon too? Mmmmm

"The Poop" Incident

Well this is it....the famed "The Poop" Incident.

One of the most if not most embarrassing moment of my life. So far. Oh man do I hope it's for the rest of my life. It's not as long of a story as other incidents, but this holds more of a punch.

Though the fist fight at Chick-Fil-A last week could maybe be up there as far as "punches" go. That is now the "Chick-Fil-A" Incident. But that's for another post...

So..."The Poop" Incident.

It all started with my lovely friend, Vanerellian (pronounced van-er-ell-ee-ahn). Obviously I'm using her real name here. She said she would watch my kids for me while my *old* daycare was out. Again. So she was being a doll and agreed to watch my lovely baby (Lil'Guy) and terrible horrible no good but oh so cute two year old (Lil'Dude) all day.

Well needless to say, this was fairly close to the phone incident. So I was a little bit "on edge" already. I drop them off at 8, and things are going ok. I'm relaxing, I'm working, I'm thinking that maybe I was just being paranoid. Then I get a call. It's, oh, 1pm or so. It's Vanerellian.

"Yeah...um....Natalie? Okay...so...um....I put Lil'Dude to nap. I thought he had laid down so I let him be. Then..um...I went to check on him and he somehow.....well he wasn't sleeping..."

Wait for it.....wait for it.

"he pooped on the floor in my daughter's room, dug it in her rug with a toy, then he pee'd on my daughters books."

Oh. My. God.

I'm sorry. Did I catch that right??

You say he did WHAT!?!

Pooped on the floor. Then DUG IT IN!? Oh, and if that isn't bad enough he tops it off he pee's on her books. Nice.

Oh and this boy is still in diapers. He had to poop in the diaper, take it off, then put it on the floor. #$*&!!! Okay I take that back, he could've taken the diaper off, then pooped.

So I freak out, then rush over there. Thinking that my kid just might be a crazy person. Who plays with his own poop. With a tow truck.

Luckily Vanerellian is the sweetest thing on God's green earth, along with Janelleybean. She was very, very nice about it. But, just in case I wasn't embarrassed enough....

I start bawling. Like snot-running-down-your-nose-faster-than-you-can-wipe-it bawling. Heaving. Sobbing. Freaking the F out. In front of poor Vanerellian. I am freaking out about Lil'Dude, and telling her how I just can't take it anymore, and how I just have no idea what to do. Poor Vanerellian is like "Okay crazy person, just don't frighten her and maybe she'll go away." Sadly I think I sat there for 15 minutes like that. Sobbing.


 And for some unknown reason Vanerellian is also now one of my best friends. I either am just darned lucky or I'm so amazing that these amazing friends just flock to me.

I mean, not to toot my own horn, but I do always lose at the slots...sooooo....

Now you have it. The two most embarrasing moments of (hopefully) my parenting life.

50 Random Questions about Me

I'm doing something fun! It's a 50 random questions blog. Because I'm random, and like to talk, plus a little ego-centric, this is perfect! I'm sure all 4 of my readers will be thrilled (hi mom!)


1. Where were you 3 hours ago?
Shopping with a friend at Ikea.... supposedly for Christmas but didn't manage to get one thing for someone else. Oops!

2. Who are you in love with?
My husband of course. And anyone who brings me Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Right. Now.


3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?
No comment. Otherwise known as yes.

4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? Psh. Isn't there always!? Wait. Holy Crap! There isn't!!!

5. When is the last time you went to the mall?
Two weeks ago with my momma and sissy-in-law.

6. Are you wearing socks right now? No. I hate socks. Especially when I'm sleeping. *shudder*



7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000?
Hmmm....well technically "no" since we only also have a truck. Our car isn't worth 1$. But to us it's everything. Well maybe that's a slight exaggeration.

8. When was the last time you drove out of town? Thanksgiving to the 'rents house. 

9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days? Well that's easy. No. Extend it, do 50 days. 100. See if my answer changes!! NO! It doesn't!! I can't even leave my house! Ahhhhhhhhhh! No just kidding, but not about the movies part.

10. Are you hot? I'm supposed to say no here right? Or giggle and go "oh I don't know, who asks that!?" in my ditzy voice. Maybe pop a bubble with my super chewy bubble gum. Short answer here would be yes. Long answer would be hell yes!! 

11. What was the last thing you had to drink? Blackthorn Fermented Cider...mmmm...it's good, a little lighter than Woodchuck but with a dryer finish. But it's sweet, smooth, and slightly dry but not too tart. 

12. What are you wearing right now? A silk teddy, some lacy underwear, a sexy push up......nah just a old t-shirt and scraggly pj pants. But I still look hot. That's right.

13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it? I let Brewerman do it. So I guess that would be "let the car wash do it".

14. Last food that you ate? Tacos. See above.

15. Where were you last week at this time? Drinking. I believe a game of beer pong was going on. Oh wait, no, yes, no, okay yes. I would be dunking a ball into a glass of beer about now while talking crap to the other team.

16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week? Nope. Wait, crap, yes, but it wasn't for me.


17. When is the last time you ran? Ran? Uhhhhh....on purpose? I guess that would be about 3 months ago while walking with my kids, Vanerellian (real name of course) and her kiddos. We were walking a trail and heard some very loud, very close rustling so freaked and started running. I made it, oh, 10 feet before stopping? Apparently even the threat of my children's lives can't get my fat butt moving.

18. What's the last sporting event you watched? Football?

19. What is your favorite animal? Hmmmm I would have to say horses.

20. Your dream vacation? Cayman Islands with my kids and my hubby. Or without my kids. Whatever works.

21. Last person's house you were in? Janelleybean's while we were gabbing about my awesome Black Friday All-Nighter.

22. Worst injury you've ever had? Hole in the ear drum. Then my mom forced ear drops down my ear that felt like acid. And since she is super mean she thought I was fake  crying-my-eyes-out. You would think with me being the perfect child she would know I would never do that. Shame on you mom. Shame. On. You.

23. Have you been in love? No. Never. What is this thing? Stupid, see Question #whateveritwasagain.

24. Do you miss anyone right now? I miss my family something fierce.

25. Last play you saw? A play during the performance of TranSiberan Orchestra concert last year.

26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
You mean besides my rockin bod, sexy purr of a voice, and kickin' dance moves? I'd have to say my entirely-too-sexy feet. They are hot.

27. What are your plans for tonight? I should be in bed right now. I don't even think it's lame anymore I'm so lame.

28. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment? Who does Myspace anymore!?

29. Next trip you are going to take? Going to KS for Christmas I believe. No wait I'll be going to OKC for Christmas before then.

30. Ever go to camp? No. My mom probably didn't want to sew on those patches either. 

31. Were you an honor roll student in school? I could've been. No. Really! I just didn't care. I was too "cool" for that. Psh.

32. What do you want to know about the future? If my kids are healthy and happy. Truly. That and will my bangs EVER grow back!?

33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne? No. I don't really "do" that. Of course if you do, that's cool. I won't judge. Loser. 

34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?
I'm sure. I'm a girl so yeah.

35. Where is your best friend? Which one? Probably asleep as I should be. Or getting up with her kids. Or knocking her snoring husband upside the head.

36. How is your best friend? WTF does this even mean? How what? How old? How amazing?

37. Do you have a tan? Yes, a little residual from the summer. Part of what makes me so hot.

38. What are you listening to right now? The voices in my...eh hem, I mean my heater kicking on.

39. Do you collect anything? I used to when i thought it was cool, but now I just collect coupons. I know. Lame.

40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know? Me? No, I would have to say one of my aunts.

41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?
No idea...4 years ago?

42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?

Always. Less carbonation that way. I hate carbonation.



43. What does your last text message say? I have your booty. 

44. Do you like hot sauce? Yes! Just mild version...so I like not-so-hot sauce.

45. Last time you took a shower?
This morning. A nice steamy hot shower. I love hot showers.

46. Do you need to do laundry?
Yes. But I'm ignoring that so I would thank you not to bring it up again.

47. What is your heritage? 1/2 German (that's where i get these birthin' hips, a lot of good they've done), 1/4ish Ckech, 1/4ish hodgpodge.

48. Are you someone's best friend? I would think I'm the world's best friend. You are welcome.

49. Are you rich?

In my alternate reality world I am! 



50. What were you doing at 12AM last night?
Sleeping? Or getting up with my kids agin. Or taking my hand to Brewerman's....ha! Got you! You crazy guy you. *gentle punch to cheek*.

Kissey Kissey!

I found the cutest thing ever this holiday season. Can you guess what this is? Don't look at the writing below.

Okay for all of those without the last name of Voegeli that didn't cheat: Real Misteltoe!! It is basically like this. I found it at Market Street, for 5 bucks! I mean come on. How cute is that!? It's dried so it should last forever, though a couple leaves have fallen off. I put it on a Command Hook (love them). I adore it. Love it. Expect people to gasp with astonishment at it every time they enter my home.


For those of you that don't know, I'm slightly obsessive with all things Christmas. I adore Christmas, do every Christmas tradition, oh and my name means "Christmas Child". Which either means I love me some Christmas or I'm Jesus. Even though I'm a really great caring person, I don't think my mom would ever sleep in a tent much less a stable, so I'm going with loving me some Christmas.

My house looks like a Christmas fairy land, or a horror show if you're afraid of garland, lights, and wierd little elves that never stop watching you. *insert weird announcer voice* Charlie Brown Massacre IIIIV - Snoopy's Revenge


I've already made every member of my family smooch me under said Mistletoe, including the dogs. Brewerman rolled his eyes. Rolled his eyes!! I've literally made the discovery of the Christmas season of 2010 and he rolled his eyes!?

So I made him take this cheesey photo of us: 

Ha! I don't even care about the photo, I just love that I made him do it. Teach him to roll his eyes.

And if you think that photo was bad, you should see the others that didn't make the cut:

Is he eatting my face?

We missed.

or my personal favorite..."Brewerman - put your hand around my head or something"

Yes Brewerman. Just like this. Nothing says Christmas love like a little strangulation.

Sheesh....It's..uh...not like I...uh...made him stand by a horse.

Random you say?

Okay so i only posted this on my blog to brag about how amazing I look in this picture. 

I was going to smoothly do a blog where I mention horses as an excuse to post it but decided what the hell, I'll just be honest. That angle is working for me. 

Or it could be the 2 lbs I lost last week. Ha! Okay so I gained 5, but it was Thanksgiving, and I've lost all but 2 of those lbs...and last year I gained 10 and kept them on, plus I didn't start out with a loss, so really  if you look at it that way it's technically a total loss of 11 lbs, which means I now deserve to eat ice cream to celebrate!! Right?

Anywho - so go get yourselves some Mistletoe. Unless you live by me. Then I expect props if people gasp in astonishment at your mistletoe before mine. 

Ha! Kidding of course....of course I am. That would make me weird if I wasn't....ha....ha.

One hell of a Black Friday All-Nighter

This year I did something I have never done. I went shopping during Black Friday. All night long, baby. Oh yeah.

As a pretty darned dedicated shopper it may shock you that I have never done this, but it really didn't sound like fun to me. Which is odd, because usually I will use any excuse to shop. Literally. Hello Columbus Day Shopping!!

So this year I went with my sister, sister-in-law, and mom. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of staying up all night but they convinced me with very little violence. So we made a plan. Then we made lists. Then we lost the lists so we had to remake the lists. Next we changed shoes, put the kids to bed, and headed out. Well except for mom, who forgot to change shoes and was paying for it all night (I'd call her an amateur but she is my shopping mentor / goddess so respect is due.)

8:30pm - Thanksgiving Night- Toys R' Us

So Wichita has only one TRU (ToysR'Us). That means long lines, a fist fight last year, and no parking. My sister is the one who needed a darn play kitchen on sale. So she wanted to go here. Her exact words were "we'll just show up at 10 and see how it goes". Ha! I told her no way, we need to be there and stay in line, and it was like pulling teeth to get them to get there at 8:30. Well what do you know, the line was about 200 strong when we got there.  But much to my competitive side's joy the line quadrupled by the time we got into TRU. Really, just to be one of the first big group's alone was worth it. We win. You lose. Ha!

My mom is so the type of person that would get into a fist fight while waiting in line if someone tried to cut in. Every time someone even stepped within 5 feet of the line like they were going to cut in I'd have to cool her jets before she shouted something at them. She was ALL geared up to beat someone. There were policeman there, mom, I think they can handle it. So finally we get in, and we did get everything we wanted.

Including the 5 Snoopy Snow Cone makers that Janelleybean called and wanted. I would have laughed and told her to shove it except for this.

Let's just say we owe her.

The kitchen we even got, but not after going back and forth to the front and back of the store 5 times just to find out it was right when we walked in. So shoving, pushing, climbing boxes, and maybe a little biting our way through to the front we find them unloading the last three. We may have whooped and hollered a little after we got it, earning some crazed looks from some fellow shoppers, and some "I understand" looks from others.

Oh Black Friday.

12pm - Wal-Mart

Ugh. I know. Why!? Well we had a couple things to get, and we needed to pass time till Target opened.

What. a. cluster. f%&!

After finally getting what we need, getting slightly trampled, seeing an old friend (looking like hell runneth over...of course that is when you run into people right!?) we get into line. The line wrapping around the store. That's not moving.

This was the slowest line EVER. We found out it's because people are matching ads. Really!?! On Black Friday!? Next time you get your own lines and you can wait years. Then we find out after waiting an hour and a half that yeah...that line we waited in? Useless, there was no line!! People are just going wherever the want, and the line we waited in was to one register. So I did what any person would do.

I stared directing traffic / carts to correct lanes. I was literally out there telling people where to go.


SOMEONE had to do it!

I had people moving to other lanes, finding people with cash for the cash only line. I did this for oh about 30 minutes, till finally it was our turn. I even had someone ask me to do a price check for them thinking I worked there. Uh, no. I just want to get the heck out of here!

I. hate. Wal-Mart.

2:30am - Target

Target doesn't open until 4am so it's more waiting in lines for us. My mom had some big ticket items to get here though so we had to get in early.

Well. I'm going to name names but someone in the group had to go to the bathroom. Let's just say it wasn't a #1. Did I mention it's 20 degrees outside? Whew. Poor girl, and of course they don't let you go out of line and come back. I think they were crying by the time we got in, and they were fighting more than anyone to get inside.

This was fairly drama-free. The lines were great, Target was super organized (especially compared to the horrible store called Wal-mart.) We again got most everything we wanted, but we were running out of steam. I almost bought a TV just because we were in early enough to get them so I wanted to brag.

But we don't need a TV. At the time when everyone ELSE wants it makes ME want it.

5am - Lowes

In and out, 15 minutes. That was after 15 minutes of me bitching that we had to waste time in the first place, it was really fast. Oh except that somehow us three knowledgeable women managed to bust my truck's tunnel cover to our truck and tailgate latch, not that we knew it at the time. Keith was thrilled. 


6am - Bed Bath N Beyond.

Running out of steam here. At this point none of us gave a crap what deals there were, we all just wanted to go night night but didn't want to be the party pooper. We leave and decide, as I'm falling asleep at the wheel, it's probably time to go to sleep.


Will I do it again? Yes! But all night? I don't know. I am too old for this crap. But we did get a crap load of gifts!

And a crap load more that we just bought because they were on sale. (oops!)