I'm done. And it feels so good to type that. I ordered N's present for B this afternoon, and that was the last of it.
Everything is wrapped, under the tree, and ready to go. I have to get some stamps so I can mail my Christmas cards...they've only been sitting on my table, all addressed, for a week now.
I've kind of been dreading tomorrow morning. I know others have probably talked to their kids about the tragedy that struck Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, but I'm not one of them. I received an email from the school district, outlining what will (and will not) be said by teachers and special measures that they are taking to make sure the kids feel safe.
Have I mentioned how grateful I am to be in this school district?
I had a totally low key day today. It consisted of movies, present wrapping, and working on a Christmas puzzle. I don't have any cats, though, so hold any and all old lady comments until further notice. Both of my boys came home, and we spent a little bit of time together before bed.
It's going to be another full week with my boys, and even though they drive me completely insane sometimes, I'm dwelling more on the fact that I have them; they're alive and healthy, and less on the insane part. Or at least, I'm going to try. Rome wasn't built in a day, and all that.
Patience is a virtue that seems to have skipped me when it comes to my own children. I can be kind and caring and patient all day long, but I think maybe my expectations for my own boys might be too high. And to be honest, I'm not really sure how to change that.
I keep telling myself that I'm going to be more understanding and not let little things make me angry, but it's a lot more short-lived than I'd like it to be. When it's just one of them, we're good...but put both of them in the mix, and my fuse is practically non-existent.
Which is why I had to smile tonight when N told me he needed to talk to me. It went like this:
N: Mom, B is really not so much of the problem. He's okay most of the time, it's just...
Me: What?
N: Well, sometimes I wish I were an only child.
Me: Honey, everyone who has siblings thinks that at some point in their lives. Sometimes they even think it when they're grown-ups.
N: Have you thought that about Aunt Katie?
Me: Only about 54 times...and even as a grown-up once or twice. It's just the way it goes. We're human. Sometimes we think we'd rather be an only child, but think about how boring that would be.
N: If you say so.
Both boys have such caring and compassionate hearts. I really am so blessed to be their mom. I just have to remember that the next time they make me absolutely insane!
Aubs
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Am I the only one who thinks the beast in "Beauty & the Beast" is cuter that the human prince?
I woke up this morning with Connecticut still weighing heavily on my mind. I'm sure that can be said of a lot of people today and tomorrow and next week. I still cannot fathom how someone could murder innocent children. Mental issues or not...
If this person did, in fact, have mental issues, I wish he had been able to get help. I hope more people will be open to the idea of asking for help if they're having problems. I hope more people will be more aware of people who are acting outside of their normal behavior, and talk to them about it. A simple, "Hey, you don't really seem like yourself lately...is everything okay?" could do wonders. Who knows?
I went to my first basketball game of the season this morning, and it just so happened to be against N's baseball coach from the fall season. Although our team kept his team from scoring for the entire first quarter, it didn't last. Final score? 19-4. The boys were so dejected, so the coach decided to give them a pep talk. It went a little something like this:
Coach: Did they beat us or did we beat ourselves?
Boys (glumly): We beat ourselves.
Coach: We did a great job of holding them to no points in the first quarter, but we didn't continue that. We didn't do anything we didn't practice this week right?
Boys (confused): Right?
Coach: Our next game is January 5, so I think that's the next time we see each other. So, over the break, I want you to practice with your ball.
Boys: Yes sir
Coach: You know what I'm going to wish for for Christmas?
Boys: What?
Coach: I'm going to wish for better players for Christmas.
<Dead Silence>
I looked at N's dad, who was wide-eyed, looking at me and said, "Did he really just say that?" Obviously, I hope that wasn't what he meant, and it just came out wrong, but the damage was kind of already done...N's baseball coach waved us over, so we went to congratulate him on his win, and told him what the coach just said. His reply? Horrified stare, followed by "Awesome..." I told him I was just going to start requesting him for every team sport, and he said there was a waiting list, but if anyone could make it happen, it would be me. Um, thanks?
I ran some errands, then came home to read and relax. I knew I needed to go to Grapevine Mills (to the puzzle store) but I lacked motivation. I finally made myself get up and go, and as I was driving there, my thoughts drifted back to the littles in Connecticut. The list of victims showed name after name after name, each of them followed by a "6" or "7" as their age, and each caused my heart to break and my eyes to fill with tears. These boys and girls are my B's age. He may drive me crazy from time to time, but I can hug him and have a conversation with him and spend time with him whenever I want. The families of the victims in Newtown won't be able to do that until God calls them home to reunite them with their loved ones.
And then, I looked up and saw the faintest rainbow, and I just stared in awe. Our God is the most powerful creator, THE planner of all of us, and He gives and takes away. He gave these individuals to their families for such a short period of time, and He took them away when He decided it was time. It doesn't make the loss any easier, and I know I wouldn't be able to look at it this way if I were in their shoes...but at some point, I would hope I'd be able to let go and let God handle it.
Just like I pray they will be able to do at some point. I hope the families of the teachers and staff members who paid the ultimate price to protect their school babies know just how heroic their loved ones are. To defy a person literally holding your life in his hands, knowing your death is more than likely inevitable, and still tell that person your students are elsewhere...well, that has to be one of the bravest things I've ever heard. It makes the tears that are permanently welled up in my eyes spill over.
The pain and grief is so raw right now, and it will only continue to build. There are questions for which there will never be answers. There are goodbyes left unsaid; kisses and hugs one-sided, and smiles left only to photographs. My heart is so heavy, and again, I'm reminded that these kids were my baby's age.
And it just isn't fair. I know life isn't fair, but this is just so beyond the realm of fairness.
So, I came home from the mall, opened a puzzle, and turned on Disney princess movies. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite. Ever since I saw it in theaters when I was a kid, I've thought Beast was much more handsome than his human form. I have no idea what that says about me, but my opinion doesn't waver. I know. It's weird.
And now, I'm headed to bed. I'm really looking forward to going to church tomorrow. I know I'm not the only one looking to God for peace and special prayers continue to go up to Him for all of these people who are trying to figure out how to live without those they love the most.
I can't imagine...and at the same time, I realize Newtown, Connecticut could have been anywhere. It could've been Coppell, Texas.
I pray to God nobody I know ever has to experience the nightmare these poor people are living right now.
Aubrey
If this person did, in fact, have mental issues, I wish he had been able to get help. I hope more people will be open to the idea of asking for help if they're having problems. I hope more people will be more aware of people who are acting outside of their normal behavior, and talk to them about it. A simple, "Hey, you don't really seem like yourself lately...is everything okay?" could do wonders. Who knows?
I went to my first basketball game of the season this morning, and it just so happened to be against N's baseball coach from the fall season. Although our team kept his team from scoring for the entire first quarter, it didn't last. Final score? 19-4. The boys were so dejected, so the coach decided to give them a pep talk. It went a little something like this:
Coach: Did they beat us or did we beat ourselves?
Boys (glumly): We beat ourselves.
Coach: We did a great job of holding them to no points in the first quarter, but we didn't continue that. We didn't do anything we didn't practice this week right?
Boys (confused): Right?
Coach: Our next game is January 5, so I think that's the next time we see each other. So, over the break, I want you to practice with your ball.
Boys: Yes sir
Coach: You know what I'm going to wish for for Christmas?
Boys: What?
Coach: I'm going to wish for better players for Christmas.
<Dead Silence>
I looked at N's dad, who was wide-eyed, looking at me and said, "Did he really just say that?" Obviously, I hope that wasn't what he meant, and it just came out wrong, but the damage was kind of already done...N's baseball coach waved us over, so we went to congratulate him on his win, and told him what the coach just said. His reply? Horrified stare, followed by "Awesome..." I told him I was just going to start requesting him for every team sport, and he said there was a waiting list, but if anyone could make it happen, it would be me. Um, thanks?
I ran some errands, then came home to read and relax. I knew I needed to go to Grapevine Mills (to the puzzle store) but I lacked motivation. I finally made myself get up and go, and as I was driving there, my thoughts drifted back to the littles in Connecticut. The list of victims showed name after name after name, each of them followed by a "6" or "7" as their age, and each caused my heart to break and my eyes to fill with tears. These boys and girls are my B's age. He may drive me crazy from time to time, but I can hug him and have a conversation with him and spend time with him whenever I want. The families of the victims in Newtown won't be able to do that until God calls them home to reunite them with their loved ones.
And then, I looked up and saw the faintest rainbow, and I just stared in awe. Our God is the most powerful creator, THE planner of all of us, and He gives and takes away. He gave these individuals to their families for such a short period of time, and He took them away when He decided it was time. It doesn't make the loss any easier, and I know I wouldn't be able to look at it this way if I were in their shoes...but at some point, I would hope I'd be able to let go and let God handle it.
Just like I pray they will be able to do at some point. I hope the families of the teachers and staff members who paid the ultimate price to protect their school babies know just how heroic their loved ones are. To defy a person literally holding your life in his hands, knowing your death is more than likely inevitable, and still tell that person your students are elsewhere...well, that has to be one of the bravest things I've ever heard. It makes the tears that are permanently welled up in my eyes spill over.
The pain and grief is so raw right now, and it will only continue to build. There are questions for which there will never be answers. There are goodbyes left unsaid; kisses and hugs one-sided, and smiles left only to photographs. My heart is so heavy, and again, I'm reminded that these kids were my baby's age.
And it just isn't fair. I know life isn't fair, but this is just so beyond the realm of fairness.
So, I came home from the mall, opened a puzzle, and turned on Disney princess movies. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite. Ever since I saw it in theaters when I was a kid, I've thought Beast was much more handsome than his human form. I have no idea what that says about me, but my opinion doesn't waver. I know. It's weird.
And now, I'm headed to bed. I'm really looking forward to going to church tomorrow. I know I'm not the only one looking to God for peace and special prayers continue to go up to Him for all of these people who are trying to figure out how to live without those they love the most.
I can't imagine...and at the same time, I realize Newtown, Connecticut could have been anywhere. It could've been Coppell, Texas.
I pray to God nobody I know ever has to experience the nightmare these poor people are living right now.
Aubrey
Friday, December 14, 2012
When a normal day turns tragic in an instant
Today started off like any other: N had to get to school early for Friday Live! (he was the camera man), so B and I dropped him off and came back home for 30 minutes until B needed to be there. See, today was field trip day, so I had to be there about 20 minutes after the beginning of the day. I dropped him off, went to grab a cup of coffee (the gingerbread latte at Market Street is, in my opinion, way better than the Starbucks version AND it's the BOGO drink of the month), and then started my chaperone duties.
The play was split into two 45 minute halves, so during intermission, I checked my phone and saw all these posts about something going on in Connecticut. I was only half paying attention because B was being a complete pain, and all of the kids in his class are like excited little puppies, demanding attention and falling all over each other to talk to the fresh(er) face. From the Facebook posts alone, I figured something bad had happened, but that was about all I had time to digest...
It was raining after the play, so we were unable to go to Kid Kountry for lunch and play time as originally planned. I got back to the school before everyone else, so I decided to investigate further into the updates on my feed. I caught key phrases: "Gunman, elementary school, child casualties, Kindergarten" and my heart sank. I honestly fought the urge to throw up, and as I looked away from the words that I didn't think could possibly be true, I saw N...walking toward me on his way to lunch.
I was overwhelmed with emotion, but did everything I could to not let him know that. He said, "Hey, Mom. Did you hear about Connecticut?" Not wanting to get into a conversation since I didn't fully understand what was going on, I asked what he meant. He said, "I don't know. I just heard that something really bad happened. What is it?" I told him I wasn't sure, just that a lot of people had been hurt, and if it was something he needed to know, I'd tell him.
And then I sent him to lunch before my eyes filled up with tears. The first graders got back, I helped B's teacher get her group settled, and then I went home. I turned on CNN, turned on my laptop, and soaked up the information like a sponge. As the reporters recounted the events that had transpired, tears started streaming down my face. At the same time, I was listening to video on my laptop, while trying to come up with a coherent status for Facebook. I don't know why I thought that was so important.
I ended up turning off the videos; something about hearing the events from the mouths of children really rubbed me the wrong way. I was furious that reporters were exploiting precious little victims of violence that way. Another interviewer had a man on her set, and he immediately started spouting off about how if this had happened in a minority community, nobody would've thought twice. She cut him off, the ONE thing I give her credit for, but I was still totally disgusted.
What happened today is nothing short of a tragedy. Nearly 30 innocent victims were taken from their loved ones for absolutely no reason. Of these victims, the majority were children, Kindergartners, who had barely begun their precious little lives. I cannot even begin to fathom what brings people to make these decisions that bring everyone involved hurt and pain. This act may have been the act of a seriously disturbed individual, but we will never know because the one person who could possibly explain the reason behind this senseless act of violence, is no longer alive to attempt explanation.
How many violent acts have we witnessed in the past 15 years, 10 years, 5 years, 2 years, even this year? It is heartbreaking to think of how many lives have been lost. Today, these teachers, faculty, and students went to school, not feeling any fear. That will never be the case for any of them again. So many lives will be damaged because of this person's choices.
I made the decision not to tell my children about what happened. They don't need to know. I know there are other parents who don't agree with me, as well as parents who are totally on the same page. Each child, each family, is different. Everyone copes in their own way. I don't think my boys would be able to fully grasp the magnitude of such loss: they are not parents, and they have led extremely sheltered lives. Some parents may tell their children; some of these children may talk about it in their classes at school, and if that's the case and they have questions, I will not hesitate to answer them.
Children already have so many fears. We all do. They're scared of the dark, scared of getting lost, scared of countless other things...the last thing we need is for our children to fear going to school. School is a safe haven: a place where they are protected as they learn and grow and develop. Nobody ever thinks this kind of thing will happen to them; I guarantee that the residents of Newtown, Connecticut weren't expecting this to happen in their town.
Nobody ever drops their elementary school-aged children off at school thinking, “This might be the last time I see my kid(s) because a gunman could charge into their school...” Not since the tragedy of Columbine have we, as a nation, had cause to worry for our underage children. It is senseless and traumatizing and the grief is felt, not only by the Connecticut community of Newtown, but as a nation. Parents all over the country, all of the world, can attempt to put themselves in the shoes of the parents of students at Sandy Hook Elementary, but 99% of us will never feel the gut-wrenching terror that these parents feel/felt today. My heart is broken for this community, and I pray that God and our nation will help these families to heal and make sense of the madness of people today. Those poor, precious babies…
I have to say...I have never watched President Obama address the nation in its entirety, but I listened to every word he said today, as he was overcome with emotion, speaking as a father and not as the leader of our nation. I appreciated him for that, just as I appreciate the majority of the nation for simply grieving and thinking of/praying for this community. I did not appreciate those who are using this tragedy as a platform for gun control issues or those who seem callous and harsh saying perfect strangers will not help these people heal (Ahem, Dr. Drew).
Simply knowing there are people all over the world who are praying for you and grieving with you, even if they don't know you from Adam, is so powerful. The power of prayer does wondrous things, and I have to believe that God has His hand on this whole situation. It is not up to us to understand His will or His plan, only to trust in Him with all our might. He will bring peace to those who are hurting. He will bring comfort to those who are in pain. He will bring healing to those who are broken.
And there are so many who are broken.
I spoke not long ago about the tragedies in Coppell, and I have seen God's work in our community. I have seen people come together to grieve, to comfort, to just be...and I know in my heart that God has Newtown wrapped tightly in His arms, surrounded by thousands of people who don't even know them, but feel just as deeply.
As a parent, I know I do. My boys came home from school, and I squeezed them so tightly that they complained. We turned on Polar Express, made dinner, and decorated our Christmas tree. I get to do that with my boys tonight. It makes me wonder...how many families in Newtown planned to do the same tonight?
And once again, my heart breaks.
Aubrey
The play was split into two 45 minute halves, so during intermission, I checked my phone and saw all these posts about something going on in Connecticut. I was only half paying attention because B was being a complete pain, and all of the kids in his class are like excited little puppies, demanding attention and falling all over each other to talk to the fresh(er) face. From the Facebook posts alone, I figured something bad had happened, but that was about all I had time to digest...
It was raining after the play, so we were unable to go to Kid Kountry for lunch and play time as originally planned. I got back to the school before everyone else, so I decided to investigate further into the updates on my feed. I caught key phrases: "Gunman, elementary school, child casualties, Kindergarten" and my heart sank. I honestly fought the urge to throw up, and as I looked away from the words that I didn't think could possibly be true, I saw N...walking toward me on his way to lunch.
I was overwhelmed with emotion, but did everything I could to not let him know that. He said, "Hey, Mom. Did you hear about Connecticut?" Not wanting to get into a conversation since I didn't fully understand what was going on, I asked what he meant. He said, "I don't know. I just heard that something really bad happened. What is it?" I told him I wasn't sure, just that a lot of people had been hurt, and if it was something he needed to know, I'd tell him.
And then I sent him to lunch before my eyes filled up with tears. The first graders got back, I helped B's teacher get her group settled, and then I went home. I turned on CNN, turned on my laptop, and soaked up the information like a sponge. As the reporters recounted the events that had transpired, tears started streaming down my face. At the same time, I was listening to video on my laptop, while trying to come up with a coherent status for Facebook. I don't know why I thought that was so important.
I ended up turning off the videos; something about hearing the events from the mouths of children really rubbed me the wrong way. I was furious that reporters were exploiting precious little victims of violence that way. Another interviewer had a man on her set, and he immediately started spouting off about how if this had happened in a minority community, nobody would've thought twice. She cut him off, the ONE thing I give her credit for, but I was still totally disgusted.
What happened today is nothing short of a tragedy. Nearly 30 innocent victims were taken from their loved ones for absolutely no reason. Of these victims, the majority were children, Kindergartners, who had barely begun their precious little lives. I cannot even begin to fathom what brings people to make these decisions that bring everyone involved hurt and pain. This act may have been the act of a seriously disturbed individual, but we will never know because the one person who could possibly explain the reason behind this senseless act of violence, is no longer alive to attempt explanation.
How many violent acts have we witnessed in the past 15 years, 10 years, 5 years, 2 years, even this year? It is heartbreaking to think of how many lives have been lost. Today, these teachers, faculty, and students went to school, not feeling any fear. That will never be the case for any of them again. So many lives will be damaged because of this person's choices.
I made the decision not to tell my children about what happened. They don't need to know. I know there are other parents who don't agree with me, as well as parents who are totally on the same page. Each child, each family, is different. Everyone copes in their own way. I don't think my boys would be able to fully grasp the magnitude of such loss: they are not parents, and they have led extremely sheltered lives. Some parents may tell their children; some of these children may talk about it in their classes at school, and if that's the case and they have questions, I will not hesitate to answer them.
Children already have so many fears. We all do. They're scared of the dark, scared of getting lost, scared of countless other things...the last thing we need is for our children to fear going to school. School is a safe haven: a place where they are protected as they learn and grow and develop. Nobody ever thinks this kind of thing will happen to them; I guarantee that the residents of Newtown, Connecticut weren't expecting this to happen in their town.
Nobody ever drops their elementary school-aged children off at school thinking, “This might be the last time I see my kid(s) because a gunman could charge into their school...” Not since the tragedy of Columbine have we, as a nation, had cause to worry for our underage children. It is senseless and traumatizing and the grief is felt, not only by the Connecticut community of Newtown, but as a nation. Parents all over the country, all of the world, can attempt to put themselves in the shoes of the parents of students at Sandy Hook Elementary, but 99% of us will never feel the gut-wrenching terror that these parents feel/felt today. My heart is broken for this community, and I pray that God and our nation will help these families to heal and make sense of the madness of people today. Those poor, precious babies…
I have to say...I have never watched President Obama address the nation in its entirety, but I listened to every word he said today, as he was overcome with emotion, speaking as a father and not as the leader of our nation. I appreciated him for that, just as I appreciate the majority of the nation for simply grieving and thinking of/praying for this community. I did not appreciate those who are using this tragedy as a platform for gun control issues or those who seem callous and harsh saying perfect strangers will not help these people heal (Ahem, Dr. Drew).
Simply knowing there are people all over the world who are praying for you and grieving with you, even if they don't know you from Adam, is so powerful. The power of prayer does wondrous things, and I have to believe that God has His hand on this whole situation. It is not up to us to understand His will or His plan, only to trust in Him with all our might. He will bring peace to those who are hurting. He will bring comfort to those who are in pain. He will bring healing to those who are broken.
And there are so many who are broken.
I spoke not long ago about the tragedies in Coppell, and I have seen God's work in our community. I have seen people come together to grieve, to comfort, to just be...and I know in my heart that God has Newtown wrapped tightly in His arms, surrounded by thousands of people who don't even know them, but feel just as deeply.
As a parent, I know I do. My boys came home from school, and I squeezed them so tightly that they complained. We turned on Polar Express, made dinner, and decorated our Christmas tree. I get to do that with my boys tonight. It makes me wonder...how many families in Newtown planned to do the same tonight?
And once again, my heart breaks.
Aubrey
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The day in which I got a free Christmas tree
Go ahead. Read that again...yes, you read it right. I got a free Christmas tree today. Normally, the boys and I get a Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, but we were in Houston this year. Then,, I went back to Houston two weeks later, and didn't want to come home to a dried out tree, so I decided to wait. It was a total gamble, because it was slim pickings, but it ended up working out just fine.
For the past couple of years, we've gotten our tree from a home improvement store, and always had really good luck. First, I went to a Christmas tree lot, and while they had a ton of trees, they weren't really that pretty and they were ridiculously overpriced. Sorry, but I don't know anyone who'd be willing to pay $115 for a 5-6' tree. Stupid! After that, I went back to the home improvement store and was extremely disappointed with their selection.
I went back to the car and googled other locations. I headed to Lewisville where the same store had some decent(ish) trees until you turned them and saw the brown spots...but they were 50% off. I headed across the street to a competitor and walked into a tent full of the smell of Christmas. I wandered around for a while just breathing deep, until the tree guy was free. I explained that the trees across the street were less, and asked if he would honor that. He said they weren't supposed to, but he would because I asked.
I didn't even flirt. Score one for Aubrey.
I went to go pay for it, and the woman gave me a little grief. She said she'd do it, but she went over and griped at the guy first. He got out the chainsaw to cut a little off the trunk for me, and the chainsaw stalled. He asked if he could go clean it off a little first, and I said that was fine. I mean...I was getting a 7.5' tree for $16. I can be a little patient. An hour later, and after talking to the woman who rang me up for 20 minutes, she told me to go inside to customer service, tell them I changed my mind, and request a refund. When I looked at her with a puzzled look, she said she would give me the tree for free.
Um, don't tell me twice! He (eventually) came back, hacked a piece of the trunk off, clipped some limbs for me, and tied it to my roof. I went to pick the boys up from school, and they both walked out, then stopped and said, "WHOA!" when they saw the tree on top of the car. We got it upstairs, and I proceeded to attempt to get the thing straight in the tree stand for at least 32 minutes while N looked up good ways to keep the tree fresh.
After telling me we need horticultural iron (pass), we decided to make a corn syrup-type mixture and add it to some warm water. I got the thing straight, and we went to grab our Christmas tree decorating meal. Usually, we have Whataburger, but N suggested Chick-Fil-A, so that's what we chose. As we watched "Mickey's Christmas Carol" and the boys ate, I started putting lights on the tree.
Except, then I noticed that only half of one string of lights was actually working. Super! Off to Target! I got three strings of lights, but I think it might need a little more. What do you think?
Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care, on our engraved reindeer stocking hangers, and our basket of Christmas books and puzzles are next to the fireplace. The gifts we have wrapped so far are stacked in another corner, waiting for the ornaments so they can go under the tree.
It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here, and I'm so excited about it! Now, I'm off to bed so I can spend the day with a bunch of over-excited puppies, I mean first graders, tomorrow!
Merry Christmas, y'all!
Aubs
For the past couple of years, we've gotten our tree from a home improvement store, and always had really good luck. First, I went to a Christmas tree lot, and while they had a ton of trees, they weren't really that pretty and they were ridiculously overpriced. Sorry, but I don't know anyone who'd be willing to pay $115 for a 5-6' tree. Stupid! After that, I went back to the home improvement store and was extremely disappointed with their selection.
I went back to the car and googled other locations. I headed to Lewisville where the same store had some decent(ish) trees until you turned them and saw the brown spots...but they were 50% off. I headed across the street to a competitor and walked into a tent full of the smell of Christmas. I wandered around for a while just breathing deep, until the tree guy was free. I explained that the trees across the street were less, and asked if he would honor that. He said they weren't supposed to, but he would because I asked.
I didn't even flirt. Score one for Aubrey.
I went to go pay for it, and the woman gave me a little grief. She said she'd do it, but she went over and griped at the guy first. He got out the chainsaw to cut a little off the trunk for me, and the chainsaw stalled. He asked if he could go clean it off a little first, and I said that was fine. I mean...I was getting a 7.5' tree for $16. I can be a little patient. An hour later, and after talking to the woman who rang me up for 20 minutes, she told me to go inside to customer service, tell them I changed my mind, and request a refund. When I looked at her with a puzzled look, she said she would give me the tree for free.
Um, don't tell me twice! He (eventually) came back, hacked a piece of the trunk off, clipped some limbs for me, and tied it to my roof. I went to pick the boys up from school, and they both walked out, then stopped and said, "WHOA!" when they saw the tree on top of the car. We got it upstairs, and I proceeded to attempt to get the thing straight in the tree stand for at least 32 minutes while N looked up good ways to keep the tree fresh.
After telling me we need horticultural iron (pass), we decided to make a corn syrup-type mixture and add it to some warm water. I got the thing straight, and we went to grab our Christmas tree decorating meal. Usually, we have Whataburger, but N suggested Chick-Fil-A, so that's what we chose. As we watched "Mickey's Christmas Carol" and the boys ate, I started putting lights on the tree.
Except, then I noticed that only half of one string of lights was actually working. Super! Off to Target! I got three strings of lights, but I think it might need a little more. What do you think?
Not bad for a free Christmas tree, huh? It smells so Christmas-y in here, too. I can't wait to put the ornaments on tomorrow.
Since we finally got a tree put up, I could move the tubs of Christmas stuff off to one side so I could reach the fireplace.
It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here, and I'm so excited about it! Now, I'm off to bed so I can spend the day with a bunch of over-excited puppies, I mean first graders, tomorrow!
Merry Christmas, y'all!
Aubs
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
A feeling of accomplishment
As of tonight, I have everything (that I've received anyway) wrapped. I'm waiting on a couple of things to arrive over the next couple of days, and one package has yet to ship, but still...it's total progress. The boys helped pick wrapping paper for wrapping presents for my dad, and B picked the paper for N's gift that he picked out. And we watched Mr. Popper's Penguins, although N wasn't on board with B's choice because it isn't a Christmas movie, it just has snow in it. For not wanting to watch it, he definitely got into it, and waited until the very end to go take a shower, thoroughly ignoring the request to do so several times.
But, just so you know...he really hates that movie. Right.
All of the gifts are stacked up on the ottoman, which is shoved halfway in front of the door to my bedroom, to make room for the puzzle coffee table. (What I'm going to do with it AFTER puzzle season is over, I have no idea...) Why? Because there still isn't a Christmas tree. I haven't waited this long to put one up in a long time. Procrastination rears its ugly head, I guess.
Just because I have everything wrapped, and I'm pretty proud of myself for being able to say that, does not mean I'm done Christmas shopping, though. I mean, I'm pretty close. I have one more book that I want to get for N, and I'm running low on wrapping paper. Oh, and a shirt box. I need one more. Why do they only come in packages of three? That's frustrating. So, tomorrow (ideally), I'll get the book, the wrapping paper, and the Christmas tree. Ideally.
Friday is B's field trip, so it's going to be a pretty early morning for us, and it's the gift that keeps on giving because we'll be gone for most of the day. A jillion first graders, who are used to eating lunch at 10:30 (entirely too early) won't be eating lunch until around 1:30-1:45. Should be a ton of fun, don't you think?
Oh, crap. Stocking stuffers. I need to do that, too. I mean, Santa asked me to help him out, what with all the budget cuts and lay-offs. It happens, even at the North Pole. Anyone have any ideas on that kind of stuff. Normally Elf Nana does that for me, but this year, I'm attempting to fly solo.
I also need an idea for $1 gifts for B's class. Someone decided that everyone should bring a $1 gift for each kid in the class, and then everyone will come home with 20 random somethings. Super!
It makes my head hurt just thinking about it...so I'm curling up with a good book, and pretending that these issues don't exist.
At least until tomorrow...
Aubs
But, just so you know...he really hates that movie. Right.
All of the gifts are stacked up on the ottoman, which is shoved halfway in front of the door to my bedroom, to make room for the puzzle coffee table. (What I'm going to do with it AFTER puzzle season is over, I have no idea...) Why? Because there still isn't a Christmas tree. I haven't waited this long to put one up in a long time. Procrastination rears its ugly head, I guess.
Just because I have everything wrapped, and I'm pretty proud of myself for being able to say that, does not mean I'm done Christmas shopping, though. I mean, I'm pretty close. I have one more book that I want to get for N, and I'm running low on wrapping paper. Oh, and a shirt box. I need one more. Why do they only come in packages of three? That's frustrating. So, tomorrow (ideally), I'll get the book, the wrapping paper, and the Christmas tree. Ideally.
Friday is B's field trip, so it's going to be a pretty early morning for us, and it's the gift that keeps on giving because we'll be gone for most of the day. A jillion first graders, who are used to eating lunch at 10:30 (entirely too early) won't be eating lunch until around 1:30-1:45. Should be a ton of fun, don't you think?
Oh, crap. Stocking stuffers. I need to do that, too. I mean, Santa asked me to help him out, what with all the budget cuts and lay-offs. It happens, even at the North Pole. Anyone have any ideas on that kind of stuff. Normally Elf Nana does that for me, but this year, I'm attempting to fly solo.
I also need an idea for $1 gifts for B's class. Someone decided that everyone should bring a $1 gift for each kid in the class, and then everyone will come home with 20 random somethings. Super!
It makes my head hurt just thinking about it...so I'm curling up with a good book, and pretending that these issues don't exist.
At least until tomorrow...
Aubs
Smoke detectors, wrapping paper, Uno, digits, and Soul Sisters
All of these things were a part of my life today, but necessarily in that order.
My life is crazy these days. A lot of the time, I can't even keep up with whether I'm coming or going. Sooooo crazy!
Today, I absolutely had to go grocery shopping. It was pretty slim pickings for school lunches, and I found myself debating whether B really needed turkey in his lunch or not. Seriously, it happened. He doesn't eat it half the time anyway, so really, I was trying to be conservative.
What? You don't buy that? Good choice. (Side note: When he got home, he claimed I didn't give him chips, and still wasn't convinced when I showed him the bag of individual bags of Funyuns came with 12 bags, and only 10 remained. He's still suspicious.)
I spent a delightful 90+ minutes perusing the aisles at Target, picking up stocking stuffers here and there, and then remembering I was supposed to be on a mission. Oh, how easily distracted one becomes at Christmas time...especially with those Lifesaver books. Who doesn't love those?!
With my produce, frozen items, and other perishables strategically placed across the back seat of my car, you'd think I'd be heading home. Wrong. I actually thought this through, surprisingly enough. I needed to stop at Best Buy to purchase a couple of televisions, but I figured they wouldn't fit under my cargo cover in the back, and I know better than to leave televisions fully visible in the trunk, especially during the holiday season. Score one for Aubrey! SO, I did the grocery thing first, marched into Best Buy with my mission at the forefront of my brain, and then spent 20 minutes talking to Travis.
Who's Travis? The guy at Best Buy who found the televisions I was describing, despite my (apparently) horrid description of what they were supposed to be. Apparently "L something D" is not really that helpful when describing what kind of screen you want? Who knew? Anyway, he was quite helpful, and I literally watched from behind my fingers as he jumped to reach an additional box on the top shelf. He's quite tall. He saw me looking unconvinced prior to his jump, and afterwards I explained, "I've attempted to do that many times in my life, with much less favorable results." He has lots of practice. He carried them out to my car for me, and we exchanged pleasantries about the holidays, and then he asked for my number.
See how I threw that in at the end? It was sneaky.
I rushed home, unloaded the televisions, dragged the groceries upstairs, put away the cold stuff, and then tried to figure out how to wrap the two gigantic boxes before the boys came home, since I had less than an hour. I surveyed my wrapping paper/tape supply, and picked the fullest roll(s). One box is fully wrapped in bright green wrapping paper. Three pieces of green wrapping paper to be exact. The other one? It wasn't so lucky. It's covered in six, yes SIX, different paper patterns: one on each side. I'm actually pretty proud of it. It's mine, and I'm going to be so surprised when I open it on December 28.
That's the day I'm celebrating Christmas this year...because I dare to be different, and I'm adamant about having both boys together to open their gifts. Who marches to the beat of their own drum? I do. (In case you were wondering, I finished wrapping them and shoving them under my bed (the only place they'd fit) about 3 minutes before I heard them on the stairs.)
THEN, tonight was deemed pizza night for dinner, mostly because my mom was coming over to watch the boys while I went to babysit two of my favorite kiddos. I would've taken the boys, but I knew it would be a late night, and it's the strangest thing...Kids need sleep otherwise they get really cranky. Who knew? Well, I decided to put the pizza on the oven rack itself instead of on a stone (mostly because I don't have one) or a pan (because I'd rather have a little crunch to my crust) and it made the smoke detectors work hard for their money. My eardrums? Not so thrilled. They were sneaky, too. They'd go off, then stop. Then I'd open the oven to check the pizza, they'd wait several minutes, then start blaring again. Grrr.
When I got to my babysitting gig, I played Uno with my favorite 4 year-old girl, and lost. She was so excited that she was beating me, that I didn't have the heart to play the 4 "Draw Two" cards or the 2 "Draw Four" cards that I had in my hand...until she got down to one card. The game lasted longer that way, and she was giggling up a storm. All the while, her little brother was running around exclaiming about "Kissmas!" and they're both just so adorable it makes me smile. They wanted nachos for dinner, and then I introduced them to Mickey's Christmas Carol. It was a wild success.
I also opted for bath time, AND let them have bubbles. Oh the simple joys of childhood! We read books, turned on nightlights, and they were out almost immediately. Easiest kids to babysit for on the face of the planet. I just adore their family.
After they were all cozy and snoozin', my phone rang. Who was it? My long lost Soul Sister, Amy. We've been friends since I was (roughly) 4ish, and although we lost track for several years, it was rather easy to pick up where we left off a couple of years ago. She's come to visit me the last couple of years, and I'm supposed to (at some point in my life) go to Arizona to hang out with her. Her family is another family that's just awesome. We went to the same church growing up, and I'm pretty sure I was supposed to marry her older brother at one point. (There were several boys in our church my parents decided I could marry...and we see how well that turned out.)
I still can't watch Tremors. I blame Cree Cree for that. I also blame him for Coneheads. He had nothing to do with the making of the film, but he did suggest we watch it. I still don't know what Hollywood was thinking. Oh, right. They weren't.
Anyway, Amy and I haven't talked in forever, so it was nice to have a little catch-up session. I suggested setting an alarm of sorts so she doesn't drop off the planet, and I intend to do the same. We'll see how that works.
And now, my eyes are heavy as I think about all the things I have to do tomorrow. Dang it, I forgot to get address labels at Best Buy. Grrr. To add to the fun of my week, this Friday is the 1st grade field trip, where we're going to see "Junie B. Jones and Jingle Bells, Batman Smells." B just found out that I was going with him, and he was unsure that I was really going until I explained that I was helping his teacher keep an eye on his class. He agreed that was probably necessary.
I think he's probably right...
Aubs
My life is crazy these days. A lot of the time, I can't even keep up with whether I'm coming or going. Sooooo crazy!
Today, I absolutely had to go grocery shopping. It was pretty slim pickings for school lunches, and I found myself debating whether B really needed turkey in his lunch or not. Seriously, it happened. He doesn't eat it half the time anyway, so really, I was trying to be conservative.
What? You don't buy that? Good choice. (Side note: When he got home, he claimed I didn't give him chips, and still wasn't convinced when I showed him the bag of individual bags of Funyuns came with 12 bags, and only 10 remained. He's still suspicious.)
I spent a delightful 90+ minutes perusing the aisles at Target, picking up stocking stuffers here and there, and then remembering I was supposed to be on a mission. Oh, how easily distracted one becomes at Christmas time...especially with those Lifesaver books. Who doesn't love those?!
With my produce, frozen items, and other perishables strategically placed across the back seat of my car, you'd think I'd be heading home. Wrong. I actually thought this through, surprisingly enough. I needed to stop at Best Buy to purchase a couple of televisions, but I figured they wouldn't fit under my cargo cover in the back, and I know better than to leave televisions fully visible in the trunk, especially during the holiday season. Score one for Aubrey! SO, I did the grocery thing first, marched into Best Buy with my mission at the forefront of my brain, and then spent 20 minutes talking to Travis.
Who's Travis? The guy at Best Buy who found the televisions I was describing, despite my (apparently) horrid description of what they were supposed to be. Apparently "L something D" is not really that helpful when describing what kind of screen you want? Who knew? Anyway, he was quite helpful, and I literally watched from behind my fingers as he jumped to reach an additional box on the top shelf. He's quite tall. He saw me looking unconvinced prior to his jump, and afterwards I explained, "I've attempted to do that many times in my life, with much less favorable results." He has lots of practice. He carried them out to my car for me, and we exchanged pleasantries about the holidays, and then he asked for my number.
See how I threw that in at the end? It was sneaky.
I rushed home, unloaded the televisions, dragged the groceries upstairs, put away the cold stuff, and then tried to figure out how to wrap the two gigantic boxes before the boys came home, since I had less than an hour. I surveyed my wrapping paper/tape supply, and picked the fullest roll(s). One box is fully wrapped in bright green wrapping paper. Three pieces of green wrapping paper to be exact. The other one? It wasn't so lucky. It's covered in six, yes SIX, different paper patterns: one on each side. I'm actually pretty proud of it. It's mine, and I'm going to be so surprised when I open it on December 28.
That's the day I'm celebrating Christmas this year...because I dare to be different, and I'm adamant about having both boys together to open their gifts. Who marches to the beat of their own drum? I do. (In case you were wondering, I finished wrapping them and shoving them under my bed (the only place they'd fit) about 3 minutes before I heard them on the stairs.)
THEN, tonight was deemed pizza night for dinner, mostly because my mom was coming over to watch the boys while I went to babysit two of my favorite kiddos. I would've taken the boys, but I knew it would be a late night, and it's the strangest thing...Kids need sleep otherwise they get really cranky. Who knew? Well, I decided to put the pizza on the oven rack itself instead of on a stone (mostly because I don't have one) or a pan (because I'd rather have a little crunch to my crust) and it made the smoke detectors work hard for their money. My eardrums? Not so thrilled. They were sneaky, too. They'd go off, then stop. Then I'd open the oven to check the pizza, they'd wait several minutes, then start blaring again. Grrr.
When I got to my babysitting gig, I played Uno with my favorite 4 year-old girl, and lost. She was so excited that she was beating me, that I didn't have the heart to play the 4 "Draw Two" cards or the 2 "Draw Four" cards that I had in my hand...until she got down to one card. The game lasted longer that way, and she was giggling up a storm. All the while, her little brother was running around exclaiming about "Kissmas!" and they're both just so adorable it makes me smile. They wanted nachos for dinner, and then I introduced them to Mickey's Christmas Carol. It was a wild success.
I also opted for bath time, AND let them have bubbles. Oh the simple joys of childhood! We read books, turned on nightlights, and they were out almost immediately. Easiest kids to babysit for on the face of the planet. I just adore their family.
After they were all cozy and snoozin', my phone rang. Who was it? My long lost Soul Sister, Amy. We've been friends since I was (roughly) 4ish, and although we lost track for several years, it was rather easy to pick up where we left off a couple of years ago. She's come to visit me the last couple of years, and I'm supposed to (at some point in my life) go to Arizona to hang out with her. Her family is another family that's just awesome. We went to the same church growing up, and I'm pretty sure I was supposed to marry her older brother at one point. (There were several boys in our church my parents decided I could marry...and we see how well that turned out.)
I still can't watch Tremors. I blame Cree Cree for that. I also blame him for Coneheads. He had nothing to do with the making of the film, but he did suggest we watch it. I still don't know what Hollywood was thinking. Oh, right. They weren't.
Anyway, Amy and I haven't talked in forever, so it was nice to have a little catch-up session. I suggested setting an alarm of sorts so she doesn't drop off the planet, and I intend to do the same. We'll see how that works.
And now, my eyes are heavy as I think about all the things I have to do tomorrow. Dang it, I forgot to get address labels at Best Buy. Grrr. To add to the fun of my week, this Friday is the 1st grade field trip, where we're going to see "Junie B. Jones and Jingle Bells, Batman Smells." B just found out that I was going with him, and he was unsure that I was really going until I explained that I was helping his teacher keep an eye on his class. He agreed that was probably necessary.
I think he's probably right...
Aubs
Monday, December 10, 2012
My kids want socks and bricks for Christmas
Truth.
B was supposed to be with his dad this week, but they have a nasty flu bug, so he's home instead. It's really insane when B first comes home, chaos and loud voices are the norm, but today it seemed like it was even crazier. Maybe it was because it was cold outside, and I couldn't kick them out to play, or maybe it's just the Christmas spirit.
This mom feels like a bottle of wine and a straw might remedy this situation...or, at the very least, make it to where I don't notice. Whatever works, right?
As I made dinner, I respectfully requested that they write their letters to Santa. N does it to go along with the magic, but also because he knows that Santa doesn't bring him anything if he doesn't believe.
That said, Santa has no idea what to get them. Santa's not on his "A" game this year.
B said he wanted a brick for Christmas. A brick. Not Lego bricks...a regular brick brick. Where does he come up with this stuff? I also asked the boys what they wanted from each other. My parents always had my sister and I pick a gift for each other...and it was usually the one present we couldn't keep a secret. My sister and I had a deal: we would tell each other one present that we knew the other was getting each year.
To this day, I still have no idea why we thought it was a good idea, but it was tradition. Go with it. N is still adamant about wanting socks for Christmas. It makes me wonder why I bother trying to come up with ideal gifts for them.
We picked up a few grocery items and I promised I would do the rest of the grocery shopping tomorrow minus children so they wouldn't drive me crazy. B and I dropped N off at basketball practice and set off to purchase B's "brother gift" to N.
He chose headphones (which is only fitting since B broke N's headphones over Thanksgiving) and a Beastie Boys cd. The question is: Can he keep it a secret?
I honestly don't know. He wants to tell N everything he HASN'T gotten him, but I think it's a terrible idea.
Sometime this week, we're going to decorate our Christmas tree. We're going to watch Home Alone and/or listen to Christmas carols and argue over which ornaments should go where. It's fun. Oh, and we eat Whataburger. Why? Because it just makes life easier. Texas traditions and such...
They went to bed without (major) incident, which is where I'm headed riiiiiiiight now.
Aubs
B was supposed to be with his dad this week, but they have a nasty flu bug, so he's home instead. It's really insane when B first comes home, chaos and loud voices are the norm, but today it seemed like it was even crazier. Maybe it was because it was cold outside, and I couldn't kick them out to play, or maybe it's just the Christmas spirit.
This mom feels like a bottle of wine and a straw might remedy this situation...or, at the very least, make it to where I don't notice. Whatever works, right?
As I made dinner, I respectfully requested that they write their letters to Santa. N does it to go along with the magic, but also because he knows that Santa doesn't bring him anything if he doesn't believe.
That said, Santa has no idea what to get them. Santa's not on his "A" game this year.
B said he wanted a brick for Christmas. A brick. Not Lego bricks...a regular brick brick. Where does he come up with this stuff? I also asked the boys what they wanted from each other. My parents always had my sister and I pick a gift for each other...and it was usually the one present we couldn't keep a secret. My sister and I had a deal: we would tell each other one present that we knew the other was getting each year.
To this day, I still have no idea why we thought it was a good idea, but it was tradition. Go with it. N is still adamant about wanting socks for Christmas. It makes me wonder why I bother trying to come up with ideal gifts for them.
We picked up a few grocery items and I promised I would do the rest of the grocery shopping tomorrow minus children so they wouldn't drive me crazy. B and I dropped N off at basketball practice and set off to purchase B's "brother gift" to N.
He chose headphones (which is only fitting since B broke N's headphones over Thanksgiving) and a Beastie Boys cd. The question is: Can he keep it a secret?
I honestly don't know. He wants to tell N everything he HASN'T gotten him, but I think it's a terrible idea.
Sometime this week, we're going to decorate our Christmas tree. We're going to watch Home Alone and/or listen to Christmas carols and argue over which ornaments should go where. It's fun. Oh, and we eat Whataburger. Why? Because it just makes life easier. Texas traditions and such...
They went to bed without (major) incident, which is where I'm headed riiiiiiiight now.
Aubs
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