Tuesday Thirteen

1.  My kids have been in school 5 of the past 39 days.  Granted some of those days are weekends, but with Christmas break beginning at 11:30am on December 17th, we were out of town the week of Jan 10th when they were to go back to school, Jan 17th was MLK day so no school and the 21st a snow day!  Wow.  I would have loved to have had this amount of time off when I was a kid.

2.  During all that time (including when we were out of town for over a week) they only missed 2 days of school due to snow days the week we were gone.  This makes Mykenzie VERY happy because she didn't have a ton of make up homework to do.

3.  If you haven't gathered from the above posts, we have had a lot of snow here!  After the snow we have here already this year and the snow from our Ohio trip, my kids have seen more snow in the past couple of weeks than they have in their entire lives!

4.  Our water heater broke... joy.  Good news, we went and bought a new one and Travis put it in himself. Saved us a bundle!

5.  Finally bought something I have been wanting... This means it is project time!  Stay tuned ;)

6.  Mykenzie's last basketball game was this weekend.  She played great!  She hustled for the ball.  Was on top of her girls while on defense, grabbed a rebound, stole a ball to run it down the court, and took 3 shots.  So happy that she finally seemed to be in the game!  After that game I am sad to see it end, if it kept going she could continue to get better.  I am going to find her a basketball camp for this summer

7.  Kaylee has decided to play soccer.  Haven't signed her up yet, it will be interesting.

8.  Both of the girls have new friends.  They are there own little look alike American Girl dolls.  They carry them around and brush their hair and love them to pieces.  Hope it continues and they don't just end up as one of the toys they beg for, play with for a week and then forget about.

9.  I am currently doing a secret sister with some friends of mine.  This is something like the 4th year I have done it.  I seriously love it!  I love the thrill of running up to my sister's house, hoping that I don't get caught to leave her something that I know will make her smile.  I love opening my mailbox and finding a little something other than bills waiting for me.  Knowing someone is thinking about you can turn your whole day around.

10.  I haven't read a book since October.  I need to make that happen. Problem is I need to find one that I am really excited about reading.  Once that happens I will get back in the groove.  I guess that means I am looking for some suggestions.

11.  I have BIG plans for this week.  I have that project I mentioned in #5 that will take a lot of time but I also have several other things on my list as well.  Lets just say my new saw will get a workout this week!  yay!  I'm so excited.  Everything works so much better in my head so hopefully it all turns out in real life!  One thing that I wanted to do was repaint my pantry shelves and poly them, got that done.  So nice to have one thing checked off my mile long list of home projects.

12.  My fantastic friend Chandra got my sewing machine to work!  Hopefully I can use it a couple of times before I manage to break it again ;)  I have some plans to give that thing a workout too

13.  Kaylee was Good Citizen for this past 9 weeks!!  She is so excited.  She is still so innocent and filled with wonder and joy over everything.  I will be so sad when that goes away.   Mykenzie was also acknowledged for not getting any checks again this 9 weeks and is once again in the no check club.  Both girls did great on their report cards too.  We are so lucky to have these girls, and we are so proud of them both!

Tuesday Thirteen

1.  The girls are still out of school.  The first week went by pretty quickly because we were still in Christmas prep and excitement mode.  Last week was a mixture, so days seem to drag on forever while others flew by.  This week I have a feeling is just going to drag.  They are done.  They are ready to go back and not be stuck with just each other all day.  It is going to take forever to get to Monday.

2.  Christmas decorations were taken down on Sunday.  Now once again everyone around the country is going through withdraws because the houses seem sooo empty.  Of course I don't want to put my same ol' stuff up again.  It has been the same for 2 years and I am ready for a change.  Sadly my budget isn't going to allow it so I am going to see what I can do with the stuff I currently have.  Maybe I can move stuff around and pull off a change...

3.  Cami got a hair cut.  A much needed hair cut.  I love how she looks when it is done but man I hate paying for it every 6 weeks!

4.  I am going to start calling my dog Julio.  If you can figure out why then I know you have the same guilty pleasure as me ;)

5.  I added some more flooring to my attic yesterday.  It is fantastic!  Less than 1 sheet of plywood made a world of difference.  I see more coming in the future.

6.  We have finally caught up to technology and got a Blue Ray player.  Well technically Travis got a Blue Ray...  is it bad that I don't notice that much of a difference.

7.  I spent the entire day cleaning my downstairs.... it still isn't finished.  I must say though I am happy to have my house back.  My decorations aren't what I want them to be right now but I am liking how clean my house seems without all the Christmas clutter.  I love the way Christmas decor and lights warm up the house.  Now that they are gone I am seriously ready for Spring to warm up my house.

8.  I am ready to do some serious spring cleaning!  I have cleaned out a couple of kitchen drawers and cabinets, and the drawers in my living room tables.  What a difference to open a beautiful, clean organized drawer!  Lots more to go.

9.  Called and sat on hold for 30 minutes today to find out why it is my Flex spending card company is questioning 2 charges from our account.  The first... Children's Heart, the second Murfreesboro Medical Clinic.  What?  Lady was super rude.  I have the statements and receipts for both; however, one of them doesn't have the patient name.  GRRR.  Now I have to go and get a copy to send in before they decide to cancel my Flex account.  I have 2 weeks.  Don't get me wrong it is plenty of time for me in my current situation.  If I were not lucky enough to be in my situation though.  I don't know, I just think it is wrong.

10.  I'm working on my bucket list.  Looking forward to crossing some things off that list.

11.  Winter breaking has been spoiling me.  I am not sure how I am going to go back to getting up so early again next week.  I haven't been waking up until after 8 this whole time!  Fantastic!

12.  Travis got an iPad for Christmas which means I get his hand me down Kindle.  It is on my list of things to do to figure out how to use it.  I never wanted one.  I love the feel of a book in my hands.  BUT, you can buy new releases cheaper on the kindle....  I guess I am going to give it a try.  It will not replace my love of a nice hard back book in my hands though.

13.  We are now down to a couple of days left for winter break.  I am trying to figure out what we are going to do to have fun the rest of the week.  Mykenzie's BFF is spending the night tonight and we are all going bowling in the morning.  I want to take the girls to see the new Narnia movie this week too.  Other than that I'm not sure, I am sure we can come up with something though.

Tuesday Thirteen~ Christmas edition *with photos*

  1.   Traditions:  Travis took Christmas Eve off this year which was great cause we got to do some of our traditions earlier in the day.  We continued our Gingerbread house tradition again this year but made it a gingerbread tree instead.  A tradition I have had since I was little is to make a gingerbread shaped sugar cookie.  Each one in our family had one, which we decorated and then ate on Christmas morning for breakfast.  We have cut out the eating it for breakfast part but the decorating of our own gingerbread man continues.

Mykenzie's gingerbread man

Kaylee's gingerbread man

Travis' gingerbread man

My gingerbread woman~ oh yeah, she is wearing heels

2.  Another tradition we have is to open gifts from family that have been mailed to us on Christmas eve.  It is a way to have the family get together even when we are 500 miles away.  

 These 2 pictures are of them opening the gift from their Grandpa Bolin.  It is a joint gift, babysitting Mama for the Wii.  They were pretty excited :)

3.  Right before bed we set out milk and cookies for Santa and read Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Before we know it Santa comes!

4.  Kaylee woke me up at 2:30 AM to let me know that Santa had come.  Sneaky Santa always leaves a Candy Cane on their bedroom door knobs to let them know he has been there.  After sending her back to bed I woke up again at 4:30 to giggling.  I go into Kaylee's room to find Travis and her chatting.  What!  I sent them both back to bed.  We finally got up about 7 to see what surprises Santa left.

5.  Both girls decided that they wanted American Girl dolls this year.  They decided to use the money their Uncle Mike and Grandma sent this year to buy them.  We ordered them on Tuesday night and Mykenzie's arrived in the mail on Friday (Christmas Eve)  Sadly Kaylee's is on backorder so she will get it mid January.  Gives her something to look forward too.

6.  They both wanted Monster High dolls this year too.  Between the 2 of them I think they have them all.  They have been asking for them since August!!

7.  Buying for Mykenzie this year was easy and hard at the same time.  Easy cause I knew what she wanted.  Hard cause everything she wanted cost a pretty penny.  It isn't the 3D tv she asked for but I think it will do ;)

8.  Kaylee's "big" gift that she wanted this year was a camera.  I'm not sure why exactly.  She does like to take pictures and does so all the time with her DSi or my camera ect.  I guess there has been too many other things to play with that the camera has been lost in the shuffle.  Look at that smile though, I think she will come around and be snapping pics again in no time.

9.  I am a hypocrite.  I know.  It is terrible.  But here we are, my 10 year old child now has her very own cell phone.  Yep.  I told you I was a hypocrite!  I swore she would not have one till she was 12.  In my defense...  It is really more for my benefit.  She goes off with her friends and I have no idea where she is and have no way to get ahold of her.  That is not cool.  The straw that broke the camel's back was when she went off with Grayson (her BFF) and was gone from 3:30 Saturday afternoon and I still hadn't heard from her on Sunday at 5.  Then I found out she was dropped off at the skating rink.  I am very much so not ok with that.  Hence the cell phone.  It is pay as you go and there are limitations on it.  She has not tried to use it yet other than to "test" it out and call me :)  She feels so grown up though!

10.  The girls are not the only ones that got cool new gadgets and toys this year.  The Man got  a Blue Ray player with a few movies (I can't work the damn thing to save my life).  He also got an iPad.  A pretty good day for him I'd say, especially since this year his stuff was actually a surprise, which is a small gift to me as well cause I never get to surprise him cause he can alway seem to figure his gifts out. 

11.  With our Christmas money we got a surround sound thingy for the living room.  (yeah, I can't work that either)  The Man is enjoying it though and for the past 2 nights we have watched movies using it and it makes him happy.

12.  What you want to know what I got for Christmas too?  Well I'm not going to lie, I feel kinda spoiled.  I totally LOVE my gifts though.  

 This my friends is my new camera.  I L. O. V. E.  love it!  I have a LOT to learn but right now I am happy and in love in auto focus!  It is so pretty!!  

This was my surprise.  I picked out my camera but didn't know I was getting this...

 Oh yeah!  It is a saw.  It is a saw that seems to be able to do anything.  January 10th it will be getting a workout as I have a project I have been putting off.  This is the perfect thing to get me motivated!  It's called a Blade Runner, google it :)

13.  I just went though a lot of stress and a call to customer support to get the photos taken with my new camera onto this computer...  what I should have been doing... cleaning my house, doing laundry, showering, making dinner, ect.  Instead all I did today was a project (see tomorrow's post), play with my camera, and this blog post.  Travis will be thrilled when he gets home tonight.  Ok, it doesn't look this bad anymore... but it isn't good either ;) 

Tuesday Thirteen

1.  FOUR days till Christmas!  I'm done with everything stressful, so now we are just enjoying all of the fun this time of year brings.

2.  I am starting to come up with some new year's resolutions... I think I have seen them on my list before?

3.  Knock on wood...  I have not been sick (for the most part) since last Thursday.  I am remembering to take my medicine and will hopefully continue.

4.  My second round of handmade gifts were handed out last night (the first being countdown blocks over Thanksgiving)  and they were a hit!  Yay for handmade gifts people love!!

5.  Despite the fact that Mykenzie is getting some pricey gifts this year, I am feeling good about Kaylee's stash.  Thought I'd have guilt, but I am good this year.

6.  My husband will NOT stop hounding me about what his gift this year is.  It is killing him cause I have had my poker face on and for once he really has no idea what he is getting.  I think this is the first year that will be a total surprise for him!

7.  Speaking of poker, Travis hosted what I am sure will be the first of many poker games on Friday.  From what I hear a good time was had by all, and Travis won some $$!  I high tailed it out of here and spent the night with my kids over at Chandra's.  Too much man in my house for me, I had to go

8.  Basketball is still going.  They split the team into 2 teams that alternate quarters.  The first quarter Mykenzie plays she acts like she is just there to watch and has no clue how to do anything involving basketball.  The second period she plays she actually plays.  She does good on defense, and this last game she even took the ball up the court and did really well keeping ahold of it and passing it.  Maybe there is hope she will get better?

9.  We had a really busy weekend!  Friday was a half day of school.  We had our annual Christmas playdate at Stacies, which is always a lot of fun.  This year Santa was in the hospital and couldn't make it to hand out the gifts so he sent his elves to drop them off.  Say a prayer for Mr. Mears he is a really good man and a fantastic Santa.

10.  Continuing with the weekend events, Friday night was the poker game mentioned above and the corresponding sleepover.  Saturday morning was basketball.  Saturday night was an ornament exchange at Tanya S' for the moms group I used to be a part of.  It was definitely strange being around some of the people with who I did not end our friendships on good terms, but it was really good to hang out with some of the people I hadn't seen in a while that I actually do like.  I had to cut out early to go celebrate Sylvia's 40th birthday.  It was so much fun!  I am really glad they included me in the celebration.  I would have to agree with everyone else there that night, she doesn't look a day over 49 ;-)
Sunday night was Travis' work party...  I wouldn't go as far as to say it was fun, but it was a good time.  We had some laughs and ate some really yummy food.  I will be returning to that place, even though the service sucked.

11. My dear friend Amy will not be coming to my house the week after Christmas like we had planned.  I'm bummed but understand.  Not sure what we are going to do for New Years now.  I have a sitter though if anyone has any ideas!

12.  I pulled a pair of jeans from my drawer today.  I am getting pretty low so it was a pair down from the depths.  I tried to put them on... they were a size 4!  Ha!  Time to get those bad boys out of the drawer cause that ain't happening.  Ahh, sweet memories

13.  I need to get off the computer and get ready for my day!  We have to be at Chandra's in a bit for cookie decorating with friends.  Then we need to come home and prepare for Mykenzie's sleepover tonight.  She even put it on her Christmas list to Santa, she wanted a Christmas sleepover.  Who knew when I did it last year it would become an annual event.  At least I can talk her into 3 people for a sleepover at a time.

Tuesday Thirteen

1.  I have been pretty cranky lately.  Not sure what the deal is with me but everything is on my last nerve, including me.  Hopefully I can pull myself out of this soon.  Maybe my PMDD meds that are sitting on my kitchen counter would help.  Guess maybe I should take them.

2.  I am feeling so sad for so many people right now.  I have too many friends dealing with tragedy.  Good people who don't deserve to deal with so much.  Please say some prayers for them.

3.  School is out this year for 3 weeks for Christmas break!  Crazy.  I am sure we will find plenty to do to fill the days but geeze!

4.  Mykenzie's school project is finally over and done with.  OMG.  I hated every second of that project.  5th grade is not fun for the mama

5.  We have officially had our first snow flurries.  The girls were so excited running through the house screaming we had snow.  No accumulation but a lot of flurries.  They put on shoes and coats and ran out the door to "play" in the snow.

6.  The Cavs game I was looking forward too.... Ha!  Let's just say that Lebron is way too good.  If only he wouldn't be such a prick.

7.  My friends and I had our annual ornament exchange this weekend.  I had a great time hanging out and chatting and of course bringing home a new ornament for my tree.  I have some fantastic women in my life and I am lucky enough to continue to meet new ones.

8.  I have felt like I have lived at Hobby Lobby for the past couple of weeks.  Last week I was there 4 times and I have already been once this week.  I love that store!  I am so sorry to all of you that don't have access to one.

9.  Christmas specials have been on at our house a lot.  Well when we are home and not working on school projects...  They bring back so many childhood memories and it is so cool to know that one day they will do the same for my girls.  I need to buy Frosty the Snowman though cause I can never seem to find it on tv.

10.  Having my old man disease sucks.  I am lucky enough that I don't have to deal with it often, but when it rears its ugly head I am quickly remember how bad it sucks.  Of all the things that could be wrong with me, I will take this.  Still sucks though.

11.  Cold weather has brought fuzzy socks, fuzzy blankets and roaring fires into our house.  I hate being cold but I love the coziness that the cold weather brings.

12.  We had an insurance adjuster come to look at our garage leak...  They wont cover it :(  He seems to think that the problem can be fixed with some scraping and new caulk.  Fingers crossed.

13.  The insurance adjuster from above commented on my husbands tools...   I told him I am the one who bought them and they were technically for me.  He didn't quite know what to say.  He was like, really?  The table saw?  Yep, dude.  I like my power tools.  I am hoping to bust them out this week to make a couple of Christmas gifts for my kiddos :)

Tuesday Thirteen

1.  I have been enjoying some down time these days.  I have loved hanging out on the couch and watching movies with the kids... even when I know that I really should be doing other things, like cleaning ;)

2.  I've been a crafting fool!  I am happy to say that I am almost done with all of the homemade gift making.  I have some cute gifts to pass out this year :)

3. Apparently there are going to be some apartments going in by my house.  We are not happy about it.  May mean we are going to be putting our house on the market way before we had planned.... hmm.  Not sure I am ready for that.

4. I am so shocked at how little my kids are asking for this Christmas.  They both looked through the toy catalogs and said they don't really see anything they wanted.  Good and bad all at the same time.

5. This is the first year that Mykenzie is going into the holiday's as a non-believer.  She cornered me a couple of months ago and I had to tell her the truth.  She is doing pretty good at keeping it a secret and playing along for her sister though.  My little girl is growing up.

6.  I have to send my computer away to be fixed.  I have had the box to mail it for 2 months.  I hate to say goodbye even for a couple of weeks.  I am going to have to suck it up.

7.  I am debating on getting the girls pictures taken at portrait innovations.  It is hard to go to a place like that after having the fabulous Kate Crafton  take pics for 2 years.  I have waited to long to ask her do them now though.  I suck.

8.  I am thinking I need to start going back to church.  Kaylee asked me the other day when Jesus' birthday is....  crap.  That is not cool.

9.  The Thanksgiving leftovers are officially gone.  I'm glad I made the second dinner so we could enjoy them for a few more days.

10.  I'm in the mood for a good book.  I could use some suggestions.

11.  I am a total zumba slacker!  I haven't been to a class since the first week of October.  Yikes!  Now I am debating on if I should go ahead and go or just wait for Christmas to be done with.  I think I better go.

12.  Something I never thought I'd be excited about a couple of years ago...  I am so looking forward to a basketball game on Thursday!  Cavs vs the Heat.  Go Cavs!

13.  Most people only do a Tuesday Twelve, I decided to be a rebel and go with thirteen.
This week for my lucky #13 I am just going to say, I love my life. I love my family. I love my friends.  Thank you all so much for making me feel so blessed

Tuesday Twelve

1.  31 days till Christmas!  I am no where near ready, as far as gift buying.  I'm getting there... slowly.

2.  Thanksgiving is in 2 days!  I so ready to eat all the yummy goodness that comes along with this holiday!  Our trip to Ohio this year also makes it so that said yummy goodness wont be cooked by me! Yay!

3.  The Ohio for Thanksgiving trip has both stressed me out and made me happy.  I am glad we are going for a couple of reasons.  Beyond seeing family... the fact that I can had deliver some Christmas gifts rather than having to ship so many this year!

4.  Very excited that I still get to black friday shop this year!  Not sure what time I will be getting home from Ohio but I know that I will be out all night Thursday shopping with my girl!

5.  Thankful that I have a wonderful friend to watch my dog while we are gone :)

6.  Found out yesterday that Mykenzie has her first dance coming up in a couple of weeks.  She is so excited.  Guess we better start dress shopping.

7.  Have I mentioned how much I love looking at all of my Christmas decorations?  Seriously. L O V E

8.  Mykenzie had her first basketball game this past Saturday.  Her team won, 28-10.  Wow!  I was impressed.  Especially since the coach doesn't seem to know what he is doing.  Mykenzie still has a lot to learn but she did good.  I am proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone and trying something new.  I think she is going to love it once she gets better.

9.  The decision has been made that Kaylee will start playing basketball next year too.  This way if she decides to do it at Mykenzie's age she will know how to play like all the other kids seem too

10.  I am tired of school projects.  Seriously.  Mykenzie has yet another one due next week.  5th grade sucks.

11.  It has been in the 70's here the past few days.  It is both fantastic and strange all at the same time.  Weird to have a Christmas tree up with the windows open.

12.  Finally, this Thursday being Thanksgiving and all, I am feeling so thankful.  I have so many things to be thankful for.  I am such a lucky girl.  I have a fantastic life.  I have the best husband, great girls, fabulous friends, a house I couldn't have pictured living in 10 years ago, a running car, the fact that said best husband works so hard to take care of us allowing me to stay home for the past 10 years, and a supportive family.  I am seriously blessed.