Catching Up

I did some catching up today so scroll down. There are a few new posts!!

Christmas Day

Here are some random pictures from Christmas Day. We woke up at home in the morning. My mom and dad came over and we opened gifts and had our traditional "Christmas Morning Rolls". SOOO yummy. Made with white bread dough, whipping cream, sugar and butter. A great thing to have right before you make your New Year's resolutions. Anyway, we played with our new toys and then went to Tri-Cities for a day of visiting, playing games and prime rib dinner. My favorite day of the year!!

Daddy and Zach - Just getting up.

Opening stockings.

Opening presents. Ain't I cute in the morning after 4 hours of sleep and b4 coffee?

My mom's tree. I am 99% sure we will have a flocked fake next year as well. I LOVE this prelit, fake, flocked tree. No needles. No allergies. We'll see.

Mmmm. Mom's homemade cherry pies.

Ashley requested this pose and then the picture. She stayed in her Christmas jammies all day. Actually she had two pair and changed mid-morning.

Zach and Mammy.

Mr. Zachery

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve! I absolutely love our church and the candlelight service. The interesting part of the night was that about 7:30, Ashley decided she did not want Santa to come. She ended up sleeping with Danny and me. There was NOOOO way she was sleeping in her bed. It really made me wonder why we ever started with the whole Santa thing. Anyway, we had a good night. Santa did come and she, of course, was fine with it in the morning! I had a WONDERFUL picture of Zachery and Ashley together on the couch on Christmas Eve and I DELETED it from my memory card. I am so sad about that. Anybody know any magic way to get it back???

Chocolate Cake

Ashley helped me make a Texas chocolate sheetcake last night (recipe from my first job at La Esperanza Mexican restaurant)and this picture was too cute not to share!

Baby Jesus

Well, today at Ashley's little class at church they made baby Jesus dolls out of cotton balls and pieces of fabric and then tied them together with a piece of yarn. The teachers talked to them about the story of baby Jesus while they made them. Very sweet. When we were on our way home from church, Danny and I were asking Ashley what she learned about in her class. She said "Baby Jesus".

"Oh", I say. "That's so special. What did you learn about Baby Jesus?" Her response: "To tie him with a piece of string."

A Priceless Conversation with Ashley

So here's a conversation I'm having with Ashley right now. I'm typing as it's happening because I must capture it.

"SANTA?"

"Mom, can Santa hear me?"

"No" I say, "I don't think he can". (Second guessing myself - was that the right answer?)

"JESUS?" "MOLLY?" (Molly is our golden lab that we had put to sleep when Ashley was 16 months old. Ashley didn't seem to care or notice until just the last few months. Last week she told me we should get Molly back from Jesus.) "JESUS CAN HEAR ME".

"SPIKE?" "SASSY?" "MOM! Where's Spike? What happened to all the cats?" (We had two cats who have also been dead for quite a while. Didn't seem to phase her until this moment.)

WOW!!! It could be a long night.

Fun Christmas Questions

Getting to know your friends Christmas style!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? WRAPPING PAPER IS MY FIRST CHOICE, GIFT BAGS IN A PINCH
2. Real tree or Artificial? REAL BUT BY THIS TIME OF THE MONTH, I AM SICK OF CLEANING UP PINE NEEDLES AND WATERING THE TREE AND SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE FAKE FROM COSTCO.
3. When do you put up the tree? ANYTIME AFTER THANKSGIVING
4. When do you take the tree down? DEPENDS ON HOW DEAD IT IS BY CHRISTMAS
5. Do you like eggnog? YES, I REALLY DO AND I LOVE LINDSAY'S IDEA FOR EGGNOG FRENCH TOAST!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? ORCHID DOLL
7. Do you have a nativity scene? YES BUT IT'S MISSING PIECES AND BROKEN. NEEDING A NEW ONE.
8. Hardest person to buy for? MY PARENTS
9. Easiest person to buy for? ASHLEY. SHE GAVE SANTA A GREAT LIST THIS YEAR, INCLUDING BUBBLE WRAP!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? MAIL!!
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? WHERE'S THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN THAT??
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? HOME ALONE OR CHRISTMAS VACATION
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? THE DAY AFTER THANSKGIVING
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? NO
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? MY MOM'S CHRISTMAS MORNING ROLLS
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? COLORED
17. Favorite Christmas song? SLEIGH RIDE
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? STAY HOME!!!!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? YES
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? STAR
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? ONE ON CHRISTMAS EVE - THE REST ON CHRISTMAS MORNING.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? GRUMPY PEOPLE
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? A NEW CAMERA
24. Favorite ornament theme or color? BRIGHT AND CHEERY
25. Favorite for Christmas dinner? PRIME RIB

IN NEED OF A BABYSITTER

HELP! Danny and I really need a good, reliable babysitter. Somebody who can come to our house and watch our kids. Somebody who drives. We never get to go on a date and we seriously miss each other. We are both really, really fried. We have wonderful friends who have offered to watch our kids but it would be so nice to have somebody who could come here and watch them. So, if you have any suggestions, please e-mail me at dorothy@eotnet.net. Thanks!!

Funny

Here's a funny little video of Ashley on the cat scratching post at Liz's house. It's the first 10-20 seconds or so that is pretty funny but I don't know how to edit and put only that part on here. . .

Gingerbread House

We built one. Actually, Ashley and I built it first and started decorating it and it fell apart. Then I had Danny put it together and he ended up decorating it too. I knew he had some Martha in there somewhere.

Christmas Post

I am bloggingly retarded when it comes to making my pictures look right so just imagine that these are not upside down and sideways!! We've been decorating for Christmas this week and having a lot of fun!! We have the Griswold family tree this year. It is HUGE! 1000 lights on that baby and you would never know it. More to come soon.

Thankful

I am so thankful for my family. We had the Montana clan here at our house for a few days and it was so much fun. Here are a few pictures.

Zach, (he already poses for the camera) my cousin (more like an aunt) Sally and second cousin (more like a cousin) Brad (oldest son of Sally). (He's single and an awesome christian, ladies.)

Liz and second cousin (more like a cousin) Chris (also single and an awesome christian).

Alan (husband of Sally, father of Brad, Chris and Jordan) and sleeping Ashley.

The clan buzzin' around my kitchen for BBQ steak and left-overs to celebrate Brad graduating from college. Yes, turkey on Thursday, BBQ steaks on Friday. We ate well. That is me helping my grandma (Nana) sit down at the table. Can you believe she is almost 94??? She has lived alone since my grandpa died a year and a half ago, walks without a walker and only occasionally uses a cane. She does all of her own cooking and cleaning. She is AMAZING.

My dad and Nana.

"Helping" make pumpkin pie. A little raw egg never hurts.

Helping Mammy make apple pie.

Ashley the Amazing

Let me just say that I am glad my mom was with me when Dr. Carpenter showed us the x-ray of Ashley's shoulder and told us it was broken. Otherwise I doubt anyone would be believing me. I am convinced God healed her. She wore her sling for a day and a half and then suddenly started using her arm. She is now 100% back to normal. Miraculous is the only word to describe it. I am wondering what the doctor will have to say at her three week follow up. . .Thank you so much for your prayers! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Broken

Ashley has a broken shoulder. It has been crazy around here. Colds. Asthma. Diarrhea. Broken shoulder. Anyway, one day soon I may start blogging regularly again but I have been a very busy mommy lately. She has been wearing this Dora pajama shirt since Thursday night. No bath since Wednesday. I am wondering how we are ever going to get the shirt off of her since any kind of movement of her arm is excruciating. Maybe a good dose of Tylenol #3 first. . .

MIA

Just wanted to check in real quick to say I am still alive. We have been so busy lately but I do have lots of stuff to blog about - just needing to find time to do it. Hopefully this weekend you will see some new pictures appearing on this blog.

BTW, thanks all you elves. SOOO much fun last night decorating the cupcake tree!

Calling All Elves

Okay. . .this Friday (11/2) 6:00ish until whenever at The P.P. They're starting the Christmas decorating on Wednesday but there will be lots to do (mainly trees) still on Friday for all of you that thought it sounded like fun. Any questions, let me know!! See you then. :o)

Sad Day

Some of you know my friend Amber Slaughter (Christensen). She has a beautiful little boy, Anderson (Andy) who turned 2 in August and just gave birth last week (three months early) to a new baby boy, Benson. Last night Benson passed away so we are all pretty sad today. Anyway, keep them in your prayers. I can't imagine anything harder than having my baby die in my arms. If you do know her, she doesn't want anybody to call or contact her right now. She said less is more and she just wants space. So just pray for her and her family.

Love That Sippy

Zach does this hilarious voice when he sees something he wants (mainly food) or someone he really likes (mainly Aunt Lizzy). Here's him with a sippy cup and kind of doing that chirpy voice.

More Coast Pictures

Here are some more pictures.

Ashley and Mammy

Playing "Jack Jack" (Slap Jack)

My favorite little Smurf

Me and my kids who were so happy to be having their picture taken with Mom.

Again, so happy to stop for a picture with Mom.

Smiling at Daddy. We always smile for Daddy.

Crabbing

Gimme That Grilled Cheese

Zach is SOOOO ready for some real food! Is he really only 5 1/2 months old?

The Petal Pusher

So most of you know my mom and dad recently bought The Petal Pusher. It's almost time to decorate the store for Christmas. I thought it might be fun to have a blog friend night at the store to "play". A night without kids. A night of early Christmas music. A night to use the espresso machine, make Italian sodas, start decorating the trees and the store. My mom even said you could take home some free Christmas stuff (or flowers or fall stuff) for all of your hard "work". Anyway, just give me a call or drop me an e-mail if you think it sounds like fun.

dorothy@eotnet.net

Family Trip to the Oregon Coast

We just got back from a trip to the Oregon Coast with my parents, Mark and Liz. It was SOOOOOO nice! We stayed in a beautiful house. The weather couldn't have been better. We relaxed. We roasted marshmallows and hot dogs. We enjoyed the beach. We went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. We went crabbing. It was great. I wish we were still there. Here are some pictures. I have a lot of pictures so I'll probably do several posts over the next few days. :o)

A rare picture of the four of us together!

Zachery and Liz. I think they're related. I finally figured out whose nose Zach has.

Roasting marshmallows in the backyard of the house we stayed at. They had a cool gas firepit.

Ashley and Papa

The Name Game

Copying the rest of you. . . (I just edited this on 10/14. I am retarded and read #1 wrong and had my FIRST car in there instead of my CURRENT car. . .)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Carmen Accord
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Pralines & Cream Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)D-Mon
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Red Dog
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Mondo
6. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) The Brown Coffee
7. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Raymond Myrrl
8. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Ginger Essence Almond Joy
9. PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Rae James

Plan Ruined

So last night we're doing the bedtime routine. Ashley finished brushing her teeth and I told her she needed to go potty. She told me she didn't have to go and I told her she needed to at least try. She really didn't want to but I made her. She actually ended up having to go pee quite badly. I told her, "See! You did have to go potty silly girl!" She said "I know! I wanted to ask you to go potty when I was in my bed!" I said, "OH! You wanted to use that as an excuse to get out of bed, huh?" She said, "YES I DID and you ruined it!" :o)

New To Blog World

My sister is blogging now! I'm so excited. Check out Liz to the left.

A Very Rare, Personal Post. . .

So those of you who know me know that I am a Christian. Not religious - not an "in your face" Christian" but you know that I love my Jesus and try my best to live a Christian life. Well, I had a powerful God moment that I really feel like sharing. I am usually a very private person in this regard and you won't see too many posts like this so. . .ENJOY!!!

I think I may have started with a little postpartum depression after Zach was born and let it spiral a little out of control. I didn't recognize that until yesterday. On Monday night I met a wonderful friend - Sheila - at Starbucks. Sheila is a friend that I get a chance to meet up with about once a year but a friend that I can talk nonstop with for hours on end when we get the chance. Sheila was in our wedding and someone who I love, love, love. We visited about life, kids, work, home, etc., etc. It was just a great time of visiting with a dear friend. I don't know if that had anything to do with my turning point but thought I'd throw that in there just because I felt like throwing it in there. Anyway, on with my story.

I have been feeling SOOO incredibly overwhelmed with keeping a clean house, playing with my kids, transcription, working one day a week at the hospital, cooking dinner, planning dinners, finding time to do fun things in life, laundry, being a wife, finding time for God (which I have conveniently managed to shove aside - the root of my problems), wanting to "play" at my mom's store but having no time, struggling with migraine headaches, mourning the fact that I just gave up nursing my last baby so I can take medication to try to prevent my 3-4 migraine headaches a week, wondering if we'll ever get the outside of our house painted or a yard in. . . Anyway, the list goes on and on but I'll stop. This list has been constantly replaying over and over and over in my head. I have been physically sweaty, clammy and shaky. I have had to struggle to make my voice sound happy when the phone rings. I have choked back tears when I talk to my family and friends so they won't worry about me. It has been bad. Very bad. I didn't know how bad until Monday night when I FINALLY let it all come pouring out to God. I got home from having coffee with Sheila and Ashley was snuggled up with Danny asleep in our bed. I moved her to her bed, got myself ready for bed and climbed in. Danny was snoring so I decided to sleep on the couch - which I haven't done since I was pregnant and uncomfortable. I got out there and couldn't sleep (which isn't anything unusual for me lately). I decided - finally - to pray. I had actually quit praying lately. I hadn't even felt like praying!! I let myself quit praying. YIKES! I can never let that happen again. Ever. That is so terrible, so sad, so unbelievable. When I started praying, I couldn't stop. I felt like God took over what I was praying and all I could say, over and over and over was "I can't do this." I don't know how many times I said it but I said it over and over with a very strong emphasis on the "I". I know it was God guiding my prayer. It was so powerful and felt so wonderful. It had been so long since I had felt God in my life like that. I then felt compelled to give God my family, my life, my schedule, my work, my finances - basically anything and everything that popped into my head.

By yesterday evening, the only way I could describe how I felt was like I had climbed out of a black hole and today I feel totally like myself. Anyway, it feels so good to be back. All I can say is I don't know how anyone can survive without God. It is a very sad, very lonely, very scary place to be. My few weeks of being incommunicado with Him were pretty much unbearable. I never want to be in that place again. Ever. Never.

Green Beans

We discovered last night that Zach loves green beans. He attacked the spoon and my hand when I fed him last night. He wasn't quite as excited tonight so the next time we try something new, we'll be sure to have the camera ready. Here's a quick little clip and a few after pictures though. I did this all myself while I was feeding him and took the pictures while holding him and aiming the camera at him so they're not the greatest.

Sticky Frog

Ashley is SCARED TO DEATH of this little sticky toy frog, that you can see is quite tiny. It was in her goody bag from Trey's birthday party. If it touches her skin she FREAKS out. It has found it's way to the garbage can and probably to the dump by now. She called and left a message on my mom's voice mail that said "I'm afraid of sticky frogs Mam". (She calls her Mammy for those of you that don't know and sometimes shortens it to Mam.) Anyway, it's kind of funny coming from Ashley who told me today that she wants a pet snake.

"Camp Out"

Danny and Ashley had a camp out (kind of) one night last week. Ashley wanted to "camp" upstairs so Danny set the tent up. We all hung out up there for a while but she just wanted her and daddy to camp and said me and Zach could stay downstairs. They ate pizza in the tent and watched Cinderella on her portable DVD player. She thought they would sleep up there but as soon as it was bedtime, she said "get me outta here" and went to bed but made daddy sleep with her.

Zach Being Cute

Here's Zachery hanging out in his little swing outside at my mom and dad's. Just a random post of my cutie pie.

Mixing Grapes

A few months ago, Ashley started doing this thing when we are at my mom and dad's. She pulls the piano bench out, gets a pack of CDs, the mousepad and a pack of paperclips and does "mixing grapes" which is stacking and unstacking those things. ????

Ashley - My Funny Girl

This first picture of Ashley is of her helping me fold laundry today. She was folding "a cloe". A "cloe" is the singular of clothes. Betcha didn't know that one. I didn't either until she explained it to me today.


The second picture is Ashley in her new favorite jammies. She is a HUGE fan of Cars and was not going to leave Wal Mart without these last night. It was hard for me to convince her that she couldn't wear them until tonight because I had to wash them first.