Catch-Up

I didn't realize it had been over a week since I posted.

Joey came home last Saturday. It is the first month in awhile that he has not been delayed for one reason or another so it was nice to see his truck pull into the driveway on time.
We finished up the kid's Christmas shopping.
All that is left is one gift for Marcus that has to be delivered to our local Wal-Mart for us to pick up. Dylan mostly wanted cash so that is simple enough. I thought we were done with Bre already but as usual she threw one in on us. She done the same thing last year cause I remember searching like a mad woman for a "pink princess watch". Luckily I found one and the really good part was it only cost $5. We didn't get off as cheap this year for that one last gift. Oh no, this year she thought much bigger and more expensive-a Barbie Camper. Seventy dollars that I was not planning on but what do you do when she exclaims very determined that "Santa is bringing me a Barbie camper for Christmas cause I asked him to". Of course Santa can't disappoint! I just hope Santa doesn't surprise me any more this season. I still have to finish up shopping for Joey. All I have to do is place a couple of orders. It is just the matter of making myself sit down and do it. As for everyone else I am waiting on one more delivery of stuff to come in. See a trend here? Most everything came through the mail this year. It is so much easier to fill out an order form or click a few keys on the computer. I spent one whole day just wrapping gifts so our bedroom is now crowded with presents stuck in the corners of the room. The kids were as excited as always to see the pretty boxes cause they know the holiday season has started. Of course the boys like Christmas but they both have told me on several occasions that Thanksgiving is their favorite cause family from Illinois comes down.
Good news, Dylan's car is back up and running again. We were all amazed all it took was a couple hundred of dollars for some new spark plugs, oil and filter along with some type of sensor. I was so afraid that he had ruined it for good so he got dang lucky and hopefully learned a good lesson in the process. I know he won't soon forget it cause his dad made him do all the dirty work while he supervised. Dylan even admitted that it made him feel good, like he had accomplished something. I am just thrilled that he now knows how to jack up a car and change the oil.
I also finished getting the shoe boxes together yesterday. For those that do not know what this is click here to check it out http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ/. This is one project that truly makes the statement "it feels better to give than to receive" true. I love picturing in my mind some child half way around the world feeling the joy when they open up their box of treasures. I always fix up 3 boxes to send. One for a girl and two for boys. I also do the older age groups cause I feel those are the children most often forgotten about.
Joey has been up since 2:15 AM. He had to have his mom to the airport in Memphis by around 5 this morning. She is flying to California for the week to spend with her daughter and her family. Joey used his air miles to fly her there. It is nice to be able to do that for family.
Now him and Marcus are out deer hunting. I know I am not a hunter so I will never get it but boy do I hate this time of the year. All the dead deer along the roads from being hit by vehicles makes me cringe for my safety every time I get behind the wheel. One of Dylan's friends totalled out a car last night when he hit a deer. Then of course there is the peaceful sound of rifles going off all around the house. Really that doesn't bother me but when the gun is being shot off of the deck, yeah that kinda bothers me. I can not tell you how many times I thought I was going to jump out of my own skin when they were shooting the gun yesterday off of the back deck. The poor dog was wrapped around the back of my legs then between my legs seeking protection from the commotion. I love my husband and my son so I do my best to keep my mouth shut and let them enjoy the craziness of it all though I do slip up sometimes (sorry Joey).
Me and Bre are just hanging out at home today. She has been working on a sun catcher kit since around 9 this morning. She amazes me how much patience and concentration she has for a four year old child. This thing has tiny plastic pieces that go onto small pegs to make designs. I then iron them with a hot iron to glue the pieces together and tie a string on for hanging. Hours later she is still doing it with the same determination as she started with. Dylan has since joined her in her project and is already to the point of throwing it across the room out of frustration!
Time to get off the computer and get back to doing laundry.