Chicken and Dumplins

Abby has not been her self for the past week. I guess all two year olds go through this phase of throwing fits, but this week was just over the top. So... Let me back up to Tuesday .

I go to pick Abby up from Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Annette 's , when both tell me that Abby has been rather fussy that day. I know it was a combination of her being sick with a cold , not to mention that she was not getting much sleep at night because of her cough, but MAN, there was no excuse for this kind of behavior... I politely apologized and told Abby that she would not be going to the planned visit to McDonalds unless she could straighten up. I guess she didn't hear me because she continued to yell and scream all the way to the car.

Still kicking and screaming when we get home, I placed her in time out and told her that she could not come out until she was ready to stop crying and make good "big" girl choices. She finally stopped crying and realized that life is so much better when we listen to our mommies. (It took me 26 years to finally listen to my mother-- It took having my first child)

Nevertheless, I gave her a huge hug and invited her to help me make chicken and dumplins ,since she wasn't feeling all that well. I thought that I had really gotten through to her earlier until I turned and saw the flour all over her body--- I had just told her to keep the flour on the cutting board. Did she listen? No... All I could do at that point was laugh and say " Some battles are just not worth fighting over" As you can see, Gifford had to get involved.

MAN... I love that girl.

Christmas Break! It's Finally Here !

The break is finally here ! When what to my wondering eyes should appear , but a stuffy nose, a sinus headache, and 8 tablets of sudafed.

I am not trying to complain, but I was a little bit annoyed at the fact that I was sick for most of the break. Regardless -- I had a fabulous time. Here are a few of the things we did over the break:

We arrived at Granda's house -- the whole family was awaiting us !!! We spent the afternoon wrapping presents.

I helped build a Gingerbread house with my neices-- needless to say, it fell apart when we finished it!!! Kylee was determined to put it back together while Abby, Mia, and Tara took it upon themselves to go ahead and eat the darn thing. I didn't really know you could actually eat the Gingerbread house. They did anyway.

Abby decided to climb my parents 8 ft. tall treehouse by herself while I was asleep-- great parenting, huh!

We went to church with my parents on Sunday morning. It was my idea to take the both girls in the service. All was great for about 45 minutes until Aleah starting choking because I had dressed her too warm for winter and Abby starting yelling, "Where is baby Jesus, mama? I can't see the manger. Where is the manger? "

Santa came early to Granda's house -- There were literally about 20 stockings lined up filled to the brim with surprises :)

My sisters and I all got matching fuzzy , white robes from my parents ; It is the BEST !!!

My dad's gift was kind of special this year-- He loves the Dallas Cowboys so we found a picture of the field that they used to play on; we also found a picture of Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith along with an autographed football signed by Earl Campbell ( I guess you could say football was the theme) Morgan and Laurell were the ones who stood in line for an hour to get his autograph -- thank you girls :)

SANTA came again to our house- He brought Abby and EASLE- she loves it !! Her favorite gift that we gave her was the Hungry Hippo game . She actually beat Gifford a few times :)


We arrived at Corpus on Christmas Eve. We went to the Christmas Eve service. Abby loved the Christmas music while Aleah was completed fascinated by the candles after they had all been lit. Abby found herself a little boyfriend ,Will (not really), for the evening. He kept sticking out his tongue at her during the service-- she wasn't quite sure what to think of him. Later we went to MR. Bill and Mrs. Nell's house for the annual Christmas Eve Party. Abby got to hit a pinata. She was so proud of herself.

Abby stayed glued to gina the entire time we were down. I want Aunt gina, I want Aunt gina...


Christmas morning SANTA came again, and boy did he come !!!! Abby got more toys and presents than she knew what to do with :) I always think of the song , " Have yourself a merry little Christmas....Tiny Tots with their eyes all a glow... Merry Christmas to you " We had to keep reminding her , though, that the best Gift to us is Jesus, and that is why we are celebrating. I pray that one day she will understand. Aleah did nothing but smile the entire day. She had never experienced anything like this.

Christmas afternoon was spent with Gifford's moms side of the family. The grandchildren all went and picked his 94 year old great grandmother up -- Memaw. She did not care about the presents . She just enjoyed being with everybody. Tracy read the Christmas story and Abby sang, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reigndeer" to everyone.

Christmas evening we went and saw "Marley and Me"; Boy, did we bawl our eyes out. I had a cold , so you could really hear me crying...

The next day we just spent the day shopping, relaxing, and eating at Gifford's favorite restauraunt , P.O.E.T.S.

Sunday we went to Grandma's house for another Christmas with Gifford's dads side of the family. We ate till we were more than full and laughed forever at how distorted our faces looked with Ryan's (Giff's cousin) new camera on his laptop.

New Year's Eve came and we spent it relaxing at the house drinking our Sparkling Red Grape Juice discussing New year's resolutions.

I could go on and on about how much fun we had over the break. I am truly blessed by all of the people God has placed in our lives. He has given us so... much. Most importantly, Jesus, our Savior and Lord.